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

Analyze the question: The word given is passage, but the underlined letters didn't come through. The most likely underlined part is the first vowel, "a" in pa-ssage, so I'll solve it that way and check the other possibility at the end.

Concept: Match the vowel sound by how the word is pronounced, not by how it is spelled.

Step 1: Find the sound in "passage". passage is /ˈpæsɪdʒ/, so the underlined "a" is the short vowel /æ/, as in cat and man.

Step 2: Check each option.

• A. message /ˈmesɪdʒ/: the first vowel is /e/, as in bed. ❌
• B. package /ˈpækɪdʒ/: the first vowel is /æ/. ✅
• C. mortar /ˈmɔːtə/: the vowel is /ɔː/, as in door. ❌
• D. partner /ˈpɑːtnə/: the vowel is /ɑː/, as in car. ❌

Answer: B (package)

Note: If the underlined part were instead the ending "age" /ɪ/, both message and package would fit, so a well-set question would not underline it.

Tip: Say each word aloud and focus only on the underlined syllable. Short /æ/ is the "cat" sound, while /ɑː/ is the open "car" sound, so don't be fooled by words like partner that also start with "pa".