/ð/ — From the words lettered A-D, choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic…

Analyze the question You are asked to find the word that contains the sound /ð/. This is the voiced "th" sound, as in "this" or "mother".

Explain the concept English has two "th" sounds:

• /θ/ is voiceless (no vibration in your throat), as in think, moth, thanks.
• /ð/ is voiced (your throat vibrates), as in the, that, these, brother.

To tell them apart, put your fingers on your throat and say the sound. If you feel a buzz, it is /ð/.

Solution: check each option

• A. these is pronounced /ðiːz/. It begins with /ð/. ✔
• B. thanks is pronounced /θæŋks/. It begins with the voiceless /θ/. ✘
• C. moth is pronounced /mɒθ/. It ends with the voiceless /θ/. ✘
• D. thyme is pronounced /taɪm/. The "th" is silent and sounds like /t/. ✘

Answer: A (these)

Tip: Function words such as the, this, that, these, those, them, then, there almost always use the voiced /ð/. Nouns and content words such as thank, think, thick, moth, path usually use the voiceless /θ/. Remember that "thyme" is a trick word, because its "th" is pronounced /t/.