/j/ — 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 containing the sound /j/. This is the "y" sound, as in yes or yellow. It is not the sound of the letter "j" in jet, which is /dʒ/.

Explain the concept: The symbol /j/ stands for the palatal glide, the "y" sound. It often hides in spellings that don't have the letter "y". For example, the "u" in use /juːz/ and the "ew" in few /fjuː/ both begin with a /j/ glide.

Solution: check each option

• A. jet is /dʒet/. It starts with /dʒ/, not /j/.
• B. flew is /fluː/. There is no /j/ glide, just /l/ followed by /uː/.
• C. few is /fjuː/. The "ew" is pronounced "yoo", so the /j/ sound is present.
• D. just is /dʒʌst/. It starts with /dʒ/, again not /j/.

Correct answer: C (few)

Tip: Do not be fooled by the letter "j". The letter "j" usually gives /dʒ/ (jet, just). The /j/ sound is the "y" sound. To test a word, ask whether you can hear "y" in it. Few sounds like "fyoo", while flew sounds like "floo". Compare pairs such as few / flew, cute / coot, and use / ooze to train your ear.