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

The underlined letter(s) aren't visible in the question, but in "scion" the likely underlined part is s (sc-ion), which is pronounced /s/, as in /ˈsaɪən/.

Step 1: Analyze the question We need to find the word whose consonant sound matches the underlined part of "scion". Scion is pronounced /ˈsaɪ.ən/. The "sc" together makes a single /s/ sound, because the "c" is silent here (like in "scene" or "science").

Step 2: Find the sound in each option

• A. cars: the final "s" is pronounced /z/ (/kɑːz/)
• B. barks: the final "s" is pronounced /s/ (/bɑːks/)
• C. sure: the "s" is pronounced /ʃ/ (/ʃʊə/)
• D. zoo: the "z" is pronounced /z/

Step 3: Match The /s/ sound in "scion" appears in "barks", where "ks" ends with /s/ after the voiceless /k/.

Answer: B (barks)

Cars and zoo both have /z/, and sure has /ʃ/, so only barks has /s/.

Why the final "s" in "barks" is /s/: When a plural or verb ending "s" follows a voiceless consonant (p, t, k, f, th), it is pronounced /s/. After a vowel sound (as in "cars") or a voiced consonant, it is /z/.

Exam tip: For sound questions, ignore the spelling and say each word aloud. Remember the rule: voiceless consonant plus "s" gives /s/, and a vowel or voiced consonant plus "s" gives /z/. Also, "sc" before e, i, or y (scene, science, scissors, scion) is pronounced /s/.