WAEC 2024 English Language · Question 102

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

Question

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

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

A.curtain
B.fear
C.care
D.sergeant

Answer: A. curtain

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "pearl," and the underlined part is "ear." We need to find the word with the same vowel sound as that "ear" in pearl.

Concept: In "pearl," the "ear" is pronounced /ɜː/ (the long vowel in "bird," "her," "turn"). We compare this sound with the vowel in each option.

Step-by-step solution:

pearl → /pɜːl/, vowel sound /ɜː/
A. curtain → /ˈkɜːtn/. The "ur" is /ɜː/, which matches.
B. fear → /fɪə/. The vowel is the diphthong /ɪə/, which does not match.
C. care → /keə/. The vowel is the diphthong /eə/, which does not match.
D. sergeant → /ˈsɑːdʒənt/. The "er" is pronounced /ɑː/, as in "far." Because the vowel is /ɑː/ and not /ɜː/, this does not match. (In British English, "sergeant" is an exception to the usual "er" = /ɜː/ pattern.)

Correct answer: A. curtain

Tip: Watch the spellings "er," "ir," "ur," "ear," and "or" (as in "word"). They often give the /ɜː/ sound, as in her, bird, turn, earn, and work. Beware of exceptions like "sergeant" and "clerk," which have /ɑː/. Also, "ear" is not always the same sound: compare "pearl" /ɜː/ with "fear" /ɪə/ and "bear" /eə/.

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