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Question

Difficulty: MediumDiphthongs

Spelling patterns in English can often be deceptive regarding vowel sounds. Which of the following words does NOT contain the diphthong sound /eɪ/?

  1. A
    break
  2. B
    steak
  3. C
    gauge
  4. threatAnswer

Answer

The word 'threat' is the correct answer because it contains the short monophthong vowel /e/, whereas the other words all contain the diphthong /eɪ/.
The correct option is 'threat'. Phonetically, 'threat' is pronounced as /θret/, containing the short monophthong vowel sound /e/. In contrast, 'break' (/breɪk/), 'steak' (/steɪk/), and 'gauge' (/geɪdʒ/) all contain the diphthong sound /eɪ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription of each word given in the options.
'break' is transcribed as /breɪk/, 'steak' as /steɪk/, 'gauge' as /geɪdʒ/, and 'threat' as /θret/.
Phonetic transcription reveals the actual vowel quality independently of orthographic spelling.
2
Classify the core vowel sound in each word as either a diphthong or a monophthong.
The words 'break', 'steak', and 'gauge' all feature the diphthong /eɪ/, whereas 'threat' features the monophthong /e/.
A diphthong involves a glide from one vocalic position to another, while a monophthong remains steady in quality.
3
Select the word that does not contain the target diphthong /eɪ/.
'threat' is selected as the odd word containing a monophthong.
The question specifically asks for the word that does NOT contain the diphthong sound /eɪ/.

Key Concept

Distinction between the diphthong /eɪ/ and the short monophthong /e/
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Topics

Diphthongs

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