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Difficulty: EasyMonophthongs (Pure Vowels)

Match each English word on the left with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol on the right that represents its primary monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

  • plait/æ/
  • quay/i:/
  • bury/e/
  • clerk/ɑ:/

Answer

'plait' pairs with /æ/, 'quay' pairs with /i:/, 'bury' pairs with /e/, and 'clerk' pairs with /ɑ:/.
Each word is matched with its accurate RP monophthong sound based on phonetic principles: 'plait' (/æ/), 'quay' (/i:/), 'bury' (/e/), and 'clerk' (/ɑ:/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the monophthong sound in 'plait'.
'plait' is phonetically transcribed as /plæt/, matching the short monophthong /æ/.
The spelling 'ai' in 'plait' is an orthographic exception representing /æ/ rather than a diphthong.
2
Determine the monophthong sound in 'quay'.
'quay' is phonetically transcribed as /ki:/, matching the long monophthong /i:/.
The spelling 'uay' produces the long unrounded front vowel /i:/, sounding identical to 'key'.
3
Determine the monophthong sound in 'bury'.
'bury' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈberi/, matching the short monophthong /e/.
The letter 'u' in 'bury' represents the short front vowel sound /e/, sounding identical to 'berry'.
4
Determine the monophthong sound in 'clerk'.
'clerk' is phonetically transcribed as /klɑːk/, matching the long monophthong /ɑ:/.
In standard British RP examined by JAMB, 'er' in 'clerk' is pronounced as the long back vowel /ɑ:/.

Key Concept

Identification of English Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) in Irregular Orthographic Patterns
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)

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