WAEC 2024 English Language · Question 65

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

Question

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

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

A.moved
B.banded
C.risked
D.begged

Answer: C. risked

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The underlined part of "helped" is most likely the final "-ed" (the underlining didn't show, but this is the usual pattern). In "helped", the "-ed" is pronounced /t/, so we need the option whose "-ed" ending is also pronounced /t/.

Concept: how "-ed" is pronounced The past tense ending "-ed" has three sounds, depending on the sound before it:

/t/ after voiceless consonants (/p/, /k/, /f/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/)
/d/ after voiced consonants and vowels (/b/, /g/, /v/, /z/, /m/, /n/, etc.)
/ɪd/ after /t/ or /d/

Step-by-step solution

helped → /helpt/. The "p" is voiceless, so "-ed" = /t/.
A. moved → /muːvd/. After the voiced /v/, "-ed" = /d/. ✗
B. banded → /bændɪd/. After /d/, "-ed" = /ɪd/. ✗
C. risked → /rɪskt/. The "k" is voiceless, so "-ed" = /t/. ✓
D. begged → /begd/. After the voiced /g/, "-ed" = /d/. ✗

Answer: C. risked

Tip: Use the "voiceless test". Put your fingers on your throat. If there's no vibration on the sound before "-ed" (p, k, f, s, sh, ch), the ending is /t/. If there is vibration, it's /d/. If the word already ends in t or d, the ending is /ɪd/.

A handy phrase to remember the voiceless sounds is "Kate's push fix chips" (k, t, s, p, sh, f, ks, ch).

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