WAEC 2024 English Language · Question 78

steak — 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. steak

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

A.stake
B.mead
C.meadow
D.bellow

Answer: A. stake

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The word is "steak", and the underlined letters are most likely "ea". We need the option with the same vowel sound as "ea" in steak.

Explain the concept: In English, "ea" can be pronounced in different ways:

/iː/ as in meat, mead
/e/ as in bread, head, meadow
/eɪ/ as in steak, break, great

So "steak" is pronounced /steɪk/, and the vowel is the diphthong /eɪ/.

Solution: Let's check each option's vowel sound:

A. stake /steɪk/ has the vowel /eɪ/, which matches steak exactly. (Steak and stake are homophones.)
B. mead /miːd/ has the vowel /iː/, which does not match.
C. meadow /ˈmedəʊ/ has the vowel /e/ in the stressed syllable, which does not match.
D. bellow /ˈbeləʊ/ has the vowel /e/, which does not match.

Tip: Remember the "ea" words that say /eɪ/. There are only a few: steak, break, great (and "yea" in some accents). When you see "ea" in an exam question, first ask whether it is one of these three. If it is, look for an option with "a-e" or "ay" spelling, like stake, brake, grate.

Keep practising these vowel-sound questions. They become easy once you know the patterns.

AI can make mistakes. Report anything that looks wrong.