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

Analyze the question: The symbol /j/ is the "yod" sound, the consonant sound at the start of "yes" or "yellow". It is not the sound of the letter "j" in "jug" (that is /dʒ/). Many students get this wrong, so watch for it.

Explain the concept: The /j/ sound often appears in words spelled with "u", "ew", or "eau" that are pronounced "yoo", such as music /ˈmjuːzɪk/, few /fjuː/, and cute /kjuːt/.

Check each option:

• A. jest: /dʒest/. It begins with /dʒ/, not /j/. ✗
• B. flew: /fluː/. After /l/, the "ew" is pronounced "oo" with no /j/ sound (compare few /fjuː/, which does have it). ✗
• C. haste: /heɪst/. There is no /j/. ✗
• D. value: /ˈvæljuː/. The ending "-ue" is pronounced /juː/, so the /j/ sound is present. ✓

Answer: D. value

Tip: Do not be fooled by the letter "j". The phonetic symbol /j/ stands for the "y" sound, while /dʒ/ is the "j" sound as in jest. Also, "ew" and "ue" endings can carry /j/ (few, value, argue), but after /l/ or /r/ the "oo" is usually plain (flew, blue, true).