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

The underlined letter(s) in "whole" aren't shown in the text, but the usual target is the wh at the start. In "whole", the "w" is silent and the wh is pronounced as /h/: whole = /həʊl/.

Step 1: Identify the sound The consonant sound at the start of "whole" is /h/.

Step 2: Check each option

• A. white /waɪt/: the "wh" is pronounced /w/. This does not match.
• B. ewe /juː/: it begins with /j/ (the "w" is part of the vowel). No /h/ sound.
• C. house /haʊs/: it begins with /h/. This matches.
• D. sword /sɔːd/: the "w" is silent and there is no /h/ sound. This does not match.

Step 3: Answer The sound /h/ in "whole" is the same as the /h/ in "house", so the answer is C.

Concept: In English, "wh" is sometimes pronounced /h/, as in who, whom, whose and whole. In most other words, such as white, what and when, it is pronounced /w/.

Exam tip: Always say the word aloud and focus on the sound, not the spelling. When you see "wh" followed by "o", it is usually /h/ (who, whole, whose, whom). Words like sword and answer have a silent "w", which is a common trap.