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Question 2101Question →

Complete the reported speech transformation below by providing the correct form of the verb for the blank.

Fill in the blanks below

Direct Speech: "We arrived at the venue early this morning," the speaker told the audience.

Indirect Speech: The speaker told the audience that they at the venue early that morning.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

had arrived
When converting direct speech to indirect speech with a past tense reporting verb ('told'), a simple past verb ('arrived') backshifts to the past perfect tense ('had arrived').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tense of the main verb in the direct speech clause.
The verb 'arrived' is in the Past Simple tense.
Determining the direct speech tense is required to apply the appropriate backshift rule.
2
Apply the backshift rule for indirect speech with a past reporting verb ('told').
The Past Simple tense ('arrived') shifts back to the Past Perfect tense ('had arrived').
When a reporting verb is in the past tense, simple past actions in reported speech shift to the past perfect tense to reflect an earlier completed action.

Key Concept

Tense backshift from Past Simple to Past Perfect in reported speech
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 2102Question →

Which option correctly completes the sentence below?

Dominating the northern ridge of the highlands _____ a cluster of ancient watchtowers that _____ survived centuries of harsh weather.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: stands / have

Answer

stands / have
The sentence features an inverted structure where the true grammatical subject 'a cluster' comes after the verb. Because 'cluster' is singular, the main clause verb must be singular ('stands'). In the subsequent relative clause, the relative pronoun 'that' refers to the plural antecedent 'ancient watchtowers', requiring the plural auxiliary verb 'have'. Thus, 'stands / have' is grammatically correct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause subject in the inverted sentence structure
The sentence uses inverted order where the predicate phrase 'Dominating the northern ridge of the highlands' precedes the main subject 'a cluster of ancient watchtowers'. The head noun of this subject is 'cluster', which is singular.
Inverted sentences place the subject after the verb, but agreement must still be with the true head noun, ignoring intervening prepositional modifiers like 'of the highlands'.
2
Select the correct verb form for the first blank
Since 'cluster' is a singular noun, the first blank requires the third-person singular verb 'stands'.
Grammatical concord dictates that singular subjects take singular verbs.
3
Identify the antecedent of the relative pronoun in the dependent clause
The relative pronoun 'that' directly modifies the plural noun phrase 'ancient watchtowers', which is the immediate noun preceding the relative clause.
A relative pronoun agrees in number with its antecedent noun.
4
Select the correct verb form for the second blank
Because 'watchtowers' is plural, the relative clause requires the plural auxiliary verb 'have'.
Plural antecedents require plural verbs in relative clauses.

Key Concept

Inverted Sentence Concord and Relative Clause Antecedent Agreement
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 2103Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the grammatically correct form of the verb in brackets.

Fill in the blanks below

(complete) the comprehensive audit of the municipal accounts, the independent examiner presented her report to the tribunal.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Having completed
The sentence requires a perfect participle ('Having completed') to modify the main clause subject ('the independent examiner') and show that the action of auditing was completed prior to the action of presenting the report.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence structure and relationship between the two events.
The action of completing the audit occurred and was fully finished prior to the main action of presenting the report to the tribunal.
When a non-finite clause describes an action completed before the action in the main clause, the perfect participle form is required.
2
Determine the correct participle aspect for prior completed action.
The perfect participle construction is formed using 'having' + past participle of the main verb ('having completed').
The simple present participle ('Completing') would incorrectly imply that the audit and the presentation happened simultaneously, while a finite verb form ('Had completed' or 'Completed') cannot function as an introductory participle modifier without a conjunction.

Key Concept

Perfect Participle Aspect in Non-Finite Clauses
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 2104Question →

Which of the following words has the same vowel sound as the underlined part of the word *great*?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: break

Answer

The word 'break' has the same diphthong sound /eɪ/ as found in 'great'.
The word 'great' is pronounced /ɡreɪt/, which features the closing diphthong /eɪ/. The word 'break' is pronounced /breɪk/ and contains the exact same /eɪ/ diphthong sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic sound of the target word.
The underlined vowel combination in 'great' is pronounced as the diphthong /eɪ/ (/ɡreɪt/).
A diphthong is a combination of two adjacent vowel sounds within the same syllable where the sound glides from one vowel to another.
2
Analyze the vowel sound present in each option.
'bread' is pronounced /bred/ (monophthong /e/), 'break' is pronounced /breɪk/ (diphthong /eɪ/), 'receive' is pronounced /rɪˈsiːv/ (monophthong /iː/), and 'height' is pronounced /haɪt/ (diphthong /aɪ/).
Identifying the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions reveals true sound values regardless of spelling variations.
3
Select the option with the matching sound.
'break' (/breɪk/) matches the sound /eɪ/ in 'great' (/ɡreɪt/).
Both words share the identical /eɪ/ diphthong sound despite potential spelling traps in similar words.

Key Concept

Identification of English diphthong sounds (/eɪ/) across varying orthographic spellings
Question 2105Question →

In a prescribed African prose text, an aging village blacksmith continues to manually forge farm tools from local materials, rejecting cheaper mass-produced imported tools despite his low financial returns. Which of the following best expresses the central thematic message illustrated by the blacksmith's actions?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Cultural identity and traditional heritage hold greater intrinsic value than material gain.

Answer

Cultural identity and traditional heritage hold greater intrinsic value than material gain.
The correct answer accurately captures the symbolic meaning of the blacksmith's dedication. By choosing traditional methods despite low profit, his actions embody the central theme that preserving cultural heritage and dignity is more vital than pursuing monetary advantage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core scenario described in the stem.
The narrative contrasts modern commercial pressure (cheap imported tools) with the blacksmith's devotion to traditional craftsmanship.
Character choices in literary texts serve as symbolic commentary on underlying central themes.
2
Distinguish between literal plot details and thematic significance.
The persistence of the blacksmith symbolizes resistance against cultural erasure, emphasizing heritage over financial profit.
A central theme represents the universal human truth or lesson behind the specific narrative events.

Key Concept

Thematic Analysis and Central Messages
Question 2106Question →

________ the permanent secretary tried to defend the administrative delay during the panel inquiry, the committee found his explanation completely unsatisfactory. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence to introduce a valid clause of concession?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Much as

Answer

The phrase 'Much as' correctly completes the sentence to introduce a subordinating clause of concession.
The connective 'Much as' is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a clause of concession (synonymous with 'although' or 'even though'). It correctly links the subordinate clause with the main clause to indicate contrast between the official's effort and the panel's rejection.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the relationship between the subordinate clause and the main clause.
The subordinate clause describes an effort ('tried to defend'), whereas the main clause reports a negative outcome ('found his explanation completely unsatisfactory'), indicating a concessive relationship.
Identifying whether the sentence requires a connector of cause, condition, purpose, or concession is necessary to select the correct conjunction.
2
Evaluate the syntax and meaning of each connective option.
'Much as' introduces a finite clause with a concessive meaning equivalent to 'although'. 'Inasmuch as' denotes cause, 'In spite' lacks 'of' and cannot take a finite clause, and 'However' requires a fronted modifier.
Conjunction choice depends on both correct semantic function and grammatical clause compatibility.

Key Concept

Concessive Subordinating Conjunctions and Clause Structure
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 2107Question →

Which modal auxiliary verb phrase correctly completes the sentence below to express a past unfulfilled obligation?

Fill in the blanks below

Before the unexpected inspection took place, the safety officer realized that the maintenance team the emergency backup generators.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

should have tested (or ought to have tested)
The modal phrase 'should have tested' (or 'ought to have tested') correctly conveys that testing the generators was a past obligation that was not fulfilled before the inspection occurred.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and intended modality of the sentence.
The context describes a past action that was desirable or required but was not actually performed prior to the inspection.
Expressing a past obligation or sensible action that was neglected requires a perfect modal structure.
2
Formulate the correct modal auxiliary structure.
Use 'should have' or 'ought to have' followed by the past participle 'tested'.
The pattern 'should + have + past participle' specifically expresses past unfulfilled duty or regret.

Key Concept

Expressing Past Unfulfilled Obligation with Perfect Modals
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 2108Question →

Which verb form correctly completes the sentence below in accordance with the rules of subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

A fresh bouquet of red roses placed on the receptionist's desk every morning.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct verb to complete the blank is 'is'.
The head noun of the sentence subject is the singular noun 'bouquet'. The prepositional phrase 'of red roses' modifies 'bouquet' but does not change its singular number. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' is required for proper grammatical concord.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical head subject of the sentence.
The subject is the singular noun phrase 'A fresh bouquet'. The plural phrase 'of red roses' acts as a prepositional modifier.
The verb must agree in number with the core subject ('bouquet'), not with the noun inside the prepositional phrase ('roses').
2
Select the verb form that corresponds to the singular subject in the present habitual context.
The singular auxiliary verb 'is' agrees with the singular subject 'bouquet'.
Singular subjects require singular verbs in present tense passive structures.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Prepositional Phrases
Estimated Time:45s
Question 2109Question →

Read the sentence below:

"The administrative panel resolved to award the research grant to ________ proposed the most viable methodology during the defense."

Which connective pronoun properly functions as the grammatical subject of the subordinate noun clause?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: whoever

Answer

The correct option is 'whoever', as it fulfills the subject role for the verb 'proposed' inside the subordinate noun clause.
'whoever' is correct because the pronoun serves as the grammatical subject of the verb 'proposed' inside the dependent noun clause ('whoever proposed the most viable methodology...'). The entire noun clause acts as the object of the preposition 'to'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the syntactic structure of the dependent clause
The clause '________ proposed the most viable methodology during the defense' functions as a unit acting as the object of the preposition 'to'.
Determining the boundary of the sub-clause clarifies the function of the missing element.
2
Determine the internal grammatical case required within the sub-clause
The sub-clause lacks a subject for the verb phrase 'proposed the most viable methodology'.
The case of a relative pronoun in a nominal clause is determined by its internal role within that clause, not by the governing element of the main clause.
3
Select the appropriate subject-case relative pronoun
'whoever' is nominative/subjective, whereas 'whomever' is objective.
Because the pronoun acts as the subject of 'proposed', nominative case ('whoever') is required.

Key Concept

Nominal Clause Subject Pronoun Agreement (Case Assignment in Relative Clauses)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 2110Question →

Complete the sentence below by supplying the correct present-tense verb form for each blank in accordance with subject-verb concord rules.

Fill in the blanks below

Professor Kalu is one of the distinguished scholars who on the national advisory panel, where the number of pending policy submissions reached an all-time high.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires the plural verb 'serve' and the second blank requires the singular verb 'has'.
In the relative clause 'who serve on the national advisory panel', the relative pronoun 'who' modifies the plural noun 'scholars', necessitating the plural verb 'serve'. In the secondary clause, 'the number of' functions grammatically as a singular entity, requiring the singular auxiliary verb 'has'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the antecedent of the relative pronoun for the first blank.
In the construction 'one of the distinguished scholars who...', the relative pronoun 'who' refers to the plural antecedent 'distinguished scholars'.
Relative pronouns take the person and number of their immediate antecedent noun phrase.
2
Select the correct verb agreement for the first blank.
The plural antecedent 'scholars' requires the plural verb form 'serve'.
Plural subjects require plural verbs in present tense.
3
Determine the subject head for the second blank.
The subject phrase is introduced by 'the number of pending policy submissions'.
The expression 'the number of' denotes a singular unit/specified figure, unlike 'a number of' which denotes a plural quantity.
4
Select the correct verb agreement for the second blank.
The singular subject head 'the number' requires the singular auxiliary verb 'has'.
Singular subject heads dictate singular verb forms regardless of intervening plural modifiers like 'submissions'.

Key Concept

Relative Clause Agreement and Fixed Expressions of Quantity
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 2111Question →

Complete the sentence below by inserting the appropriate subordinating conjunction that correctly introduces the negative purpose clause.

Fill in the blanks below

The presiding officer ordered the ballot boxes to be sealed immediately after voting ended unauthorized persons should tamper with the votes.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

lest
The correct conjunction 'lest' introduces an adverbial clause of negative purpose (meaning 'for fear that' or 'in order that... not'). It grammatically aligns with the modal auxiliary 'should' in the subordinate clause to express a preventative precaution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause.
The main clause describes a preventative action ('ordered the ballot boxes to be sealed'), while the subordinate clause states the undesirable possibility to be avoided ('unauthorized persons should tamper with the votes').
This establishes a relationship of negative purpose ('in order to prevent' or 'for fear that').
2
Identify the conjunction that expresses negative purpose and governs the modal auxiliary 'should'.
The subordinating conjunction 'lest' specifically introduces a clause expressing negative purpose and conventionally pairs with 'should' or an bare subjunctive verb.
'Lest' means 'to avoid the risk that' or 'in order that... not'.

Key Concept

Subordinating Conjunctions of Negative Purpose ('Lest')
Question 2112Question →

Complete the reported speech sentence below by supplying the correct form of the auxiliary verb in the blank provided.

Fill in the blanks below

Direct speech: "I have misplaced my admission letter," the candidate lamented.

Reported speech: The candidate lamented that he misplaced his admission letter.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct word to fill in the blank is 'had'.
When transforming direct speech into reported speech with a past-tense reporting verb ('lamented'), present perfect verbs backshift to the past perfect tense. Therefore, 'have misplaced' becomes 'had misplaced'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tense of the verb in the direct speech statement.
The verb phrase in direct speech is present perfect ('have misplaced').
Determining the original tense is necessary to know how to backshift the verb in reported speech.
2
Apply tense backshift rules for reported speech with a past tense reporting verb ('lamented').
Present perfect ('have misplaced') changes to past perfect ('had misplaced').
When reporting statements originally made in the present perfect tense, the auxiliary verb 'have' backshifts to 'had'.

Key Concept

Tense backshift from present perfect to past perfect in reported speech
Estimated Time:45s
Question 2113Question →

The supervisor demanded of the security officer, "Will you hand over the key to the store before leaving today?" Which of the following options correctly renders this direct speech in indirect speech?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The supervisor demanded of the security officer whether he would hand over the key to the store before leaving that day.

Answer

The supervisor demanded of the security officer whether he would hand over the key to the store before leaving that day.
The sentence accurately transforms the direct question by introducing the reported clause with 'whether', changing the subject-verb order from question form to statement form ('he would'), backshifting the modal auxiliary 'will' to 'would', and shifting the temporal adverb 'today' to 'that day'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the reporting clause and speech type
The reporting verb 'demanded' is in the past tense, and the direct speech is a Yes/No question introduced by the auxiliary 'Will'.
Past-tense reporting verbs require tense backshift and corresponding adverbial adjustments.
2
Apply reported question conjunction and word order rules
Introduce the reported clause with 'whether' or 'if' (without 'that') and change the inverted question word order ('Will you hand') to standard statement order ('he would hand').
Direct questions become declarative statements when converted into reported speech.
3
Apply tense backshift and adverbial shift rules
Backshift the auxiliary verb 'will' to 'would', and change the time adverb 'today' to 'that day'.
When reported from a past context, present modals and relative time expressions must shift to match the past point of reference.

Key Concept

Reported Speech: Questions, Backshifting, and Adverbial Changes
Question 2114Question →

Select the option that appropriately fills the gap in the sentence to maintain correct grammatical concord: 'Neither the managing director nor the project coordinators _____ available for comment when the press release was issued.'

Show answer & explanation

Answer: were

Answer

The correct option is 'were'. In correlated subjects joined by 'neither...nor', the verb agrees in number and person with the noun phrase closest to it (proximity concord). Because 'project coordinators' is plural and the context is past tense, the plural past verb 'were' is required.
The choice 'were' adheres to proximity concord rules. When subjects are joined by correlated conjunctions such as 'neither...nor', the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. Here, the noun 'project coordinators' is plural and nearest to the gap, demanding the plural past-tense verb 'were' to match the past-tense contextual marker 'was issued'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical structure of the subject.
The sentence uses a correlated conjunction structure ('Neither...nor') joining two subjects: 'the managing director' (singular) and 'the project coordinators' (plural).
Correlated conjunctions require applying the rule of proximity concord.
2
Locate the noun phrase closest to the verb position.
The closer subject is 'the project coordinators', which is a plural noun phrase.
Under the principle of proximity, when subjects connected by 'nor' differ in number, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
3
Select the correct verb form matching both number and tense.
The past-tense indicator 'was issued' establishes a past timeframe, making the plural past-tense auxiliary 'were' the only grammatically correct choice.
The verb must maintain both plural agreement with 'coordinators' and tense consistency with the rest of the sentence.

Key Concept

Proximity Concord with Correlated Conjunctions (Neither...nor)
Estimated Time:50s
Question 2115Question →

Which of the following options accurately renders the direct speech sentence below into indirect speech?

"How long have you been waiting here for the manager?" the receptionist asked the visitor.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: The receptionist asked the visitor how long he had been waiting there for the manager.

Answer

The correct indirect speech form is: 'The receptionist asked the visitor how long he had been waiting there for the manager.'
The correct answer accurately applies all three mandatory transformations for reported questions: backshifting the present perfect continuous verb ('have been waiting') to the past perfect continuous ('had been waiting'), converting the spatial adverb ('here' to 'there'), and changing the question word order into normal statement word order ('he had been' instead of 'had he').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the tense, aspect, pronouns, adverbs, and sentence type in the direct speech.
Direct speech: Present perfect continuous tense ('have been waiting'), second person pronoun ('you'), spatial adverb ('here'), interrogative sentence structure.
Converting reported speech requires systematically updating tenses, pronouns, adverbs, and clause structure based on the past tense reporting verb ('asked').
2
Apply backshift and word order rules for indirect questions.
The verb 'have been waiting' backshifts to 'had been waiting'. The interrogative word order ('have you been') changes to declarative order ('he had been').
In indirect questions, auxiliary verbs do not invert before the subject, and present perfect forms shift to past perfect.
3
Adjust pronouns and adverbs of place/time.
'You' refers to the visitor ('he'), and 'here' shifts to 'there'.
Spatial and personal references change to match the reporting perspective.

Key Concept

Tense backshift, adverb transformation, and clause word-order inversion in reported questions
Question 2116Question →

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the grammatically correct verb form.

Fill in the blanks below

During the emergency council session, the minister recommended that the regulatory board the operating license of the defaulting petroleum company immediately.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

suspend
The verb 'recommended' introduces a mandative subjunctive clause ('that the regulatory board...'). In formal English, clauses following verbs of urging, demand, or recommendation require the base form of the verb (bare infinitive, such as 'suspend'), irrespective of subject-verb agreement rules or the tense of the main verb.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main verb and governing clause structure.
The main verb is 'recommended', introducing a dependent clause expressing a mandate or proposal ('that the regulatory board...').
Verbs expressing recommendation, demand, insistence, or suggestion mandate the use of the subjunctive mood in the following dependent clause.
2
Determine the correct verb form for the mandative subjunctive mood.
The mandative subjunctive requires the base form (bare infinitive) of the verb, regardless of the singular third-person subject ('regulatory board') or past tense matrix verb ('recommended').
In formal English grammar assessed in JAMB, the subjunctive verb remains uninflected ('suspend'), rather than taking third-person singular '-s' ('suspends') or past tense '-ed' ('suspended').

Key Concept

Mandative Subjunctive Mood
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 2117Question →

Read the following sentence: 'The passengers were waiting patiently at the terminal when the torrential rain suddenly ________.' Which verb form correctly completes the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: started

Answer

The past simple form 'started' correctly completes the sentence to show a past action interrupting an ongoing past event.
The sentence describes an ongoing action in the past ('were waiting') that was interrupted by a single completed action. In English grammar, the simple past tense ('started') is used for the interrupting event.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main clause verb tense
The main clause uses the past continuous tense ('were waiting'), establishing a past time frame for an ongoing event.
Understanding the established time frame is necessary to maintain proper sequence of tenses.
2
Identify the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate time clause introduced by 'when'
A sudden, completed action ('started') interrupted the ongoing background activity ('were waiting').
When a past continuous action is interrupted by another past event, the interrupting event takes the simple past tense.
3
Select the correct verb form
'started' is the only simple past verb form among the choices.
It maintains consistency of past tense and accurately reflects the aspect of a completed interrupting action.

Key Concept

Simple Past vs. Past Continuous Sequence of Tenses
Question 2118Question →

Complete the following sentence by supplying the grammatically correct form of the verb in the blank.

Fill in the blanks below

A comprehensive list of guidelines for the upcoming national examinations published by the board yesterday.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

was
The correct verb is 'was' because the head noun of the subject is 'list', which is singular. The intervening prepositional phrases 'of guidelines' and 'for the upcoming national examinations' contain plural nouns, but they do not alter the singular agreement requirement of the main subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical subject of the sentence.
The core subject noun phrase is 'A comprehensive list', where the head noun is the singular noun 'list'.
The phrase 'of guidelines for the upcoming national examinations' is a prepositional modifier and does not determine the number of the subject.
2
Match the singular subject with the correct verb form in the past tense.
The singular past auxiliary verb 'was' correctly agrees with the singular subject 'list'.
According to the rules of grammatical concord, a singular subject requires a singular verb regardless of plural nouns inside intervening prepositional phrases.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Prepositional Modifiers
Question 2119Question →

Read the incomplete sentence below:

'Having exhaustively reviewed the financial irregularities in the municipal council, ____________.'

Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence by maintaining logical modifier agreement and standard usage?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: the panel submitted a detailed report to the anti-graft committee.

Answer

The correct completion is 'the panel submitted a detailed report to the anti-graft committee.' because the subject directly following the introductory participial phrase must be the agent performing the modifying action.
The introductory participial phrase 'Having exhaustively reviewed...' functions as an adjectival modifier describing an action. In standard English syntax, the noun or pronoun immediately following the comma must be the entity performing that action. 'The panel' is the logical agent that conducted the review, ensuring grammatically sound subject-modifier alignment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifier and its grammatical nature.
The phrase 'Having exhaustively reviewed the financial irregularities in the municipal council' is a perfect participial phrase functioning as an adjectival modifier.
Participial phrases at the start of a sentence must modify the subject of the main clause that immediately follows.
2
Determine the logical subject capable of performing the action in the modifier.
The action of reviewing financial records requires a human agent or auditing body ('the panel').
Non-human entities such as 'a report' or 'the irregularities' cannot review financial records.
3
Evaluate the options to match the logical agent immediately after the comma.
Only the option beginning with 'the panel' correctly aligns the subject with the modifier.
Placing any other noun immediately after the comma causes a dangling modifier error.

Key Concept

Dangling and Misplaced Participial Modifiers
Question 2120Question →

Which of the following words contains the same diphthong sound as the word grate?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: great

Answer

The word 'great' contains the diphthong sound /eɪ/, which is identical to the vowel sound in 'grate'.
The word 'grate' is pronounced /ɡreɪt/ and contains the diphthong sound /eɪ/. The word 'great' is pronounced identically as /ɡreɪt/ and therefore shares the exact same diphthong sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic vowel sound in the target word 'grate'.
The word 'grate' is phonetically transcribed as /ɡreɪt/, which features the diphthong /eɪ/.
Establishing the correct target phoneme is necessary to find an accurate sound match.
2
Analyze the vowel sounds of each given option.
'great' has /eɪ/, 'bet' has /e/, 'pack' has /æ/, and 'height' has /aɪ/.
Diphthong sounds involve a glide from one vowel quality to another, distinguishing them from monophthongs.
3
Match the option containing the identical /eɪ/ diphthong sound.
'great' is a homophone of 'grate' and shares the identical diphthong /eɪ/.
Phonetic matching relies on spoken pronunciation rather than spelling conventions.

Key Concept

Diphthong Sound Identification (/eɪ/)
Estimated Time:45s
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