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

Analyze the question: The word "fly" probably had its first letter underlined: fly. The consonant sound is /f/. We need the word with the /f/ sound in the options. (The underlined part isn't shown in the question, so I'm assuming it's the "f" in "fly", which is the most natural reading.)

Concept: In English, the same sound can be spelled in different ways. The letters "gh" can sound like /f/ (as in laugh, enough, rough), or be silent (as in though, dough), depending on the word.

Check each option:

• A. though → /ðəʊ/. It starts with the voiced "th" sound /ð/, and the "gh" is silent. There is no /f/.
• B. dough → /dəʊ/. The sounds are /d/ and a vowel, and the "gh" is silent. There is no /f/.
• C. revive → /rɪˈvaɪv/. The "v" gives /v/, which is the voiced partner of /f/ but not the same sound. So this is a distractor.
• D. tough → /tʌf/. The "gh" is pronounced /f/, which matches the /f/ in "fly".

Answer: The correct option is **D.

Tip: Remember that "gh" at the end of a word is pronounced /f/ in tough, rough, enough, cough, laugh, but it is silent in though, dough, through, thought. Also watch out for /v/ versus /f/: revive has /v/ (voiced, the vocal cords vibrate), while fly has /f/ (voiceless). Put your fingers on your throat to feel the difference.