WAEC 2023 English Language · Question 113

pour — 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). pour

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

A.favour
B.ore
C.hour
D.how

Answer: B. ore

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word "pour" is given, and we need the option with the same vowel sound as "pour". The underlined letters are not marked here, but they would be "our" in "pour".

Concept: In Standard British English, "pour" is pronounced /pɔː/. The vowel is the long sound /ɔː/, as in "door" or "bore".

Check each option:

A. favour /ˈfeɪvə/: the "our" is the weak sound /ə/. ✗
B. ore /ɔː/: the long vowel /ɔː/. ✓
C. hour /ˈaʊə/: the diphthong /aʊ/ plus /ə/. ✗
D. how /haʊ/: the diphthong /aʊ/. ✗

Answer: "pour" /pɔː/ and "ore" /ɔː/ share the same vowel sound.

Tip: The spelling "our" can be pronounced in several ways, so go by the sound, not the letters. Compare:

pour, four, court → /ɔː/
hour, flour, sour → /aʊə/
favour, colour, labour → /ə/

Say each word aloud and match the sounds, ignoring the spelling.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.