WAEC 2023 English Language · Question 64

fern — choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s)

Question

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s). fern

In the original paper part of this question is underlined. The underline isn't shown here: see the explanation below.

A.merge
B.beryl
C.heart
D.eureka

Answer: A. merge

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: "fern" has the vowel sound /ɜː/ (as in "bird", "her", "turn"). We need the option with the same vowel sound.

Explain the concept: The sound /ɜː/ is a long central vowel. It is spelled in different ways: er (fern, her), ir (bird), ur (turn), ear (learn, earth), or (word).

Check each option:

A. merge /mɜːdʒ/. The "er" is pronounced /ɜː/, the same as in "fern". ✔
B. beryl /ˈberɪl/. The "er" is pronounced /e/ as in "bed". ✘
C. heart /hɑːt/. The "ear" is pronounced /ɑː/ as in "car". ✘
D. eureka /jʊˈriːkə/. The "eu" is pronounced /jʊ/. ✘

Answer: The vowel in "merge" matches the vowel in "fern".

Tip: Be careful with "er" spellings. Before a consonant at the end of a syllable (fern, merge, serve, verb), "er" is usually /ɜː/. When "er" is followed by a vowel or "r" and sounds like "ber-yl", "ber-ry" or "ter-ror", it is usually the short /e/. Always say the words aloud to compare the sounds.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.