Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol /θ/

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word with the voiceless "th" sound /θ/ (as in thin, think, bath). Don't confuse it with the voiced /ð/ (as in this, that, mother).

Explain the concept:

• /θ/ is voiceless. Your vocal cords do not vibrate. Put your fingers on your throat and say "thin": no buzzing.
• /ð/ is voiced. Your vocal cords vibrate. Say "this": you feel a buzz.

Check each option:

• A. feather /ˈfeðə/ has the voiced /ð/.
• B. wither /ˈwɪðə/ has the voiced /ð/.
• C. breathe /briːð/ has the voiced /ð/. The verb "breathe" is voiced, while the noun "breath" /breθ/ is voiceless. The final "e" signals the voiced sound.
• D. stealthy /ˈstelθi/ has the voiceless /θ/. It comes from "stealth" /stelθ/, and the "th" is voiceless.

Correct answer: D (stealthy)

Tip: Words ending in "-the" (breathe, bathe, soothe) are usually voiced /ð/. Words like "stealth," "health," "wealth," and "truth" end in the voiceless /θ/, and adding "-y" keeps that sound (stealthy, healthy, wealthy). Also, the common function words (this, that, the, then, there) are voiced.