Examkin

Oral English

427 questions

All types427Multiple choice216Matching93Fill in the blank118
Question 281Question →

Complete the following sentence by writing the word 'record' with its primary stressed syllable in uppercase letters and syllables separated by a hyphen.

Fill in the blanks below

The musician entered the studio to her new album.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

re-CORD
In English stress patterns, two-syllable words that function as verbs take primary accentuation on the second syllable. Therefore, when used as a verb in this sentence, the correct representation is 're-CORD'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the grammatical category of the target word 'record' in the sentence context.
The word follows the infinitive particle 'to', functioning as a verb.
Identifying the part of speech is necessary because disyllabic words like 'record' shift stress based on grammatical function.
2
Apply stress placement rules for disyllabic noun-verb pairs.
Disyllabic verbs typically carry primary stress on the second syllable (re-CORD), whereas disyllabic nouns carry primary stress on the first syllable (RE-cord).
Because 'record' acts as a verb in this context, the stress must be placed on the second syllable.

Key Concept

Grammatical Category Stress Shift in Disyllabic Words
Question 282Question →

Complete the statement by identifying the silent consonant letter present in each of the specified words.

Fill in the blanks below

In standard Received Pronunciation, the word 'sword' contains the silent consonant letter , whereas the word 'condemn' features the silent consonant letter .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The silent consonant letter in 'sword' is 'w', and the silent consonant letter in 'condemn' is 'n'.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), the word 'sword' is pronounced /sɔːd/, making the letter 'w' unarticulated (silent). In the word 'condemn', pronounced /kənˈdɛm/, the final letter 'n' in the '-mn' sequence is silent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic transcription of the first target word 'sword'.
The phonetic transcription is /sɔːd/. The letter 'w' is unarticulated/silent.
In standard English pronunciation, the consonant letter 'w' following 's' in 'sword' is not pronounced.
2
Analyze the phonetic transcription of the second target word 'condemn'.
The phonetic transcription is /kənˈdɛm/. The terminal letter 'n' is unarticulated/silent.
When the letter combination '-mn' occurs at the end of a root word in English phonology, the final letter 'n' remains silent.

Key Concept

Identification of silent consonants in English words
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 283Question →

In Received Pronunciation (RP) English, intonation plays a crucial role in altering the pragmatic meaning of utterances. Consider the statement-form sentence: "You are coming with us tomorrow." If this sentence is uttered with a pitch rise starting on the syllable "-mor-" and continuing to the end of the word ("tomorrow"), which of the following correctly identifies the intonation pattern used and the speaker's intention?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: A rising intonation tune, converting the declarative sentence into a question to express doubt, surprise, or seek confirmation.

Answer

The intonation used is a rising intonation tune, which transforms the syntactically declarative sentence into a question seeking confirmation or expressing surprise.
The correct answer accurately recognizes that a upward pitch movement on the final nucleus of a declarative sentence constitutes a rising tune. In English intonation rules, using a rising pitch pattern on a statement structure changes its communicative function from asserting a fact to asking for confirmation or expressing surprise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pitch movement described in the stem.
The stem describes a pitch rise on the nucleus syllable '-mor-' extending to the end of 'tomorrow'. This defines a rising tune (↗).
Intonation tunes are categorized based on the movement of pitch on the tonic/nuclear syllable.
2
Determine the grammatical structure versus its prosodic realization.
Syntactically, 'You are coming with us tomorrow' is a declarative statement. Prosodically, applying a rising tune converts it function-wise into a Yes/No (polar or echo) question.
In English phonology, declarative sentences spoken with a rising tune act as questions seeking verification or showing doubt/surprise.
3
Evaluate the options to match both the tune identification and its pragmatic interpretation.
The correct selection identifies the tune as rising and its intent as expressing doubt, surprise, or seeking confirmation.
Falling tunes are reserved for standard statements and commands, whereas rising tunes on statements convey non-finality, inquiry, or confirmation requests.

Key Concept

Functions of Falling vs. Rising Tunes in English Intonation
Question 284Question →

Complete the statement below by filling in the correct phonetic symbol representing the consonant sound produced by the underlined letter(s).

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'exaggerate', the letter 'x' is phonetically realized as the voiced consonant sequence .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The phonetic realization of the letter 'x' in 'exaggerate' is the consonant sound sequence /ɡz/.
In the word 'exaggerate', the letter 'x' represents the voiced consonant cluster /ɡz/ because it occurs immediately before an accented vowel sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic transcription of the target word 'exaggerate'.
The word 'exaggerate' is transcribed phonetically as /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/.
Determining the correct IPA transcription reveals the exact consonant sound cluster produced.
2
Analyze the sound pattern rule for orthographic 'x'.
When 'x' precedes a stressed vowel sound (as in 'exaggerate', 'examine', or 'exert'), it produces the voiced cluster /ɡz/.
The voicing assimilates to the surrounding voiced vowel sounds, contrasting with voiceless environments where 'x' is pronounced /ks/.

Key Concept

Phonetic Realization of Orthographic 'x'
Question 285Question →

Complete the sentence by filling in each blank with the correct syllabified form of the word 'attribute', using UPPERCASE letters to indicate the primary stressed syllable (e.g., AT-tri-bute or at-TRIB-ute).

Fill in the blanks below

Scholars often the anonymous manuscript to a sixteenth-century monk, noting that humility was a defining of his order.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires 'at-TRIB-ute' because the word functions as a verb with primary stress on the second syllable, while the second blank requires 'AT-tri-bute' because the word functions as a noun with primary stress on the first syllable.
The trisyllabic word 'attribute' follows the grammatical stress shift rule. As a verb in the first blank ('often attribute'), the primary stress falls on the second syllable (/əˈtrɪb.juːt/), represented as 'at-TRIB-ute'. As a noun in the second blank ('defining attribute'), primary stress shifts to the first syllable (/ˈæt.rɪ.bjuːt/), represented as 'AT-tri-bute'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the syntactic role and stress pattern of 'attribute' in the first blank.
In the clause 'Scholars often {{blank_1}} the anonymous manuscript...', the word acts as a verb meaning to ascribe authorship or origin.
In standard English phonology, trisyllabic words of this category shift primary stress to the second syllable when functioning as verbs (/əˈtrɪb.juːt/), yielding 'at-TRIB-ute'.
2
Determine the syntactic role and stress pattern of 'attribute' in the second blank.
In the phrase 'a defining {{blank_2}} of his order', the word functions as a noun meaning a characteristic feature or quality.
When functioning as a noun, 'attribute' shifts its primary accentuation to the initial syllable (/ˈæt.rɪ.bjuːt/), yielding 'AT-tri-bute'.

Key Concept

Grammatical Category Stress Shift in Polysyllabic Words
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 286Question →

Complete the contrastive question by supplying the word that correctly challenges the stressed element in the given statement.

Fill in the blanks below

Statement: The lead geologist VOLUNTARILY surveyed the remote volcanic crater last month.

Contrastive Question: Did the lead geologist survey the remote volcanic crater last month?
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The word required to fill the blank is 'reluctantly' (or another antonymous adverb such as 'involuntarily' or 'compulsorily'), which directly contrasts with the emphasized word 'VOLUNTARILY'.
In Oral English emphatic stress conventions, capitalizing 'VOLUNTARILY' indicates that contrastive focus is placed specifically on the manner in which the surveying was done. To elicit this emphatic statement, the contrastive question must introduce an opposing adverb (such as 'reluctantly' or 'involuntarily') in place of the stressed word while keeping the subject, verb predicate, direct object, and temporal modifier completely unchanged.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word receiving emphatic stress in the statement.
The capitalized word is 'VOLUNTARILY', an adverb of manner.
Emphatic stress isolates the specific piece of information being emphasized or contrasted in an utterance.
2
Determine the required function of the contrastive question.
The question must query or contradict ONLY the manner of action expressed by 'VOLUNTARILY' while keeping all other sentence components identical.
In emphatic stress, the correct context-eliciting question differs from the statement solely at the point of emphasis.
3
Select an appropriate contrasting lexical item for the blank.
Substituting 'reluctantly' (or 'involuntarily') creates an exact contrastive question that elicits the response statement.
Asking whether the action was done reluctantly prompts the emphatic response that it was performed VOLUNTARILY.

Key Concept

Emphatic stress places contrastive focus on a single element of a sentence. The correct contrastive question challenges only that capitalized element using an opposing term while retaining all other syntactic and lexical components.
Question 287Question →

Among the options provided, which word forms an exact phonetic rhyme with phlegm?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: gem

Answer

The word 'gem' forms an exact phonetic rhyme with 'phlegm'.
The word 'phlegm' has the phonetic transcription /flɛm/, where the letter 'g' is silent. The word 'gem' has the phonetic transcription /dʒɛm/. Both words end with the identical sound sequence /-ɛm/, making them a perfect phonetic rhyme pair regardless of their spelling differences.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of the target word.
The target word 'phlegm' is pronounced /flɛm/, with a silent 'g' and ending in the sound sequence /-ɛm/.
Accurate sound matching in Oral English depends on phonetic transcription rather than orthographic spelling.
2
Transcribe the options and compare their end rhyme sound sequences.
'flame' is /fleɪm/, 'gleam' is /ɡliːm/, 'gem' is /dʒɛm/, and 'phylum' is /ˈfaɪ.ləm/.
The correct rhyming word must match both the nucleus vowel /ɛ/ and the coda consonant /m/.
3
Identify the word that shares the exact /-ɛm/ termination sound.
'gem' (/dʒɛm/) matches 'phlegm' (/flɛm/) perfectly.
Both words terminate in the identical phoneme cluster /-ɛm/.

Key Concept

Phonetic End Rhyme and Silent Letters
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 288Question →

Consider the following statement in which one word is printed in capital letters to show emphatic stress:

"The environmental scientist RIGOROUSLY tested the water samples from the polluted river."

Which of the following questions is the appropriate contrastive query for the statement above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Did the environmental scientist carelessly test the water samples from the polluted river?

Answer

Did the environmental scientist carelessly test the water samples from the polluted river?
The correct query asks whether the environmental scientist 'carelessly' tested the water samples because it directly contrasts the capitalized word 'RIGOROUSLY' while keeping all other elements of the statement unchanged.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word carrying emphatic stress in the sentence.
The word printed in capital letters is 'RIGOROUSLY', indicating contrastive emphasis on the manner in which the action was performed.
Emphatic stress is used to highlight or correct a specific element of a sentence during dialogue.
2
Select the question that contradicts ONLY the capitalized word while retaining all other sentence components.
The query asking if the scientist 'carelessly' tested the samples directly contrasts 'RIGOROUSLY' without altering the subject, action, or object.
In standard JAMB UTME emphatic stress items, the correct eliciting question differs strictly at the point of emphasis.

Key Concept

Emphatic Stress and Contrastive Focus
Question 289Question →

In which of the following words is the letter 'p' fully pronounced?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: corpse

Answer

In the word 'corpse', the letter 'p' is fully pronounced.
In standard Received Pronunciation, the word 'corpse' is pronounced as /kɔːps/, where the letter 'p' represents a fully articulated /p/ sound before the final /s/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic transcription of each word in Received Pronunciation.
'psalm' is /sɑːm/, 'receipt' is /rɪˈsiːt/, 'cupboard' is /ˈkʌb.əd/, and 'corpse' is /kɔːps/.
Phonetic transcriptions reveal whether a consonant letter corresponds to an articulated sound.
2
Identify which word contains the articulated /p/ sound.
The voiceless bilabial plosive sound /p/ is present only in 'corpse'.
In 'psalm', 'receipt', and 'cupboard', the letter 'p' is unpronounced.

Key Concept

Distinguishing between silent and articulated consonant letters in English words.
Question 290Question →

Fill in each blank with the appropriate International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the monophthong vowel sound highlighted in each word.

Fill in the blanks below

The underlined letters ea in the word h<u>ea</u>rth produce the pure vowel sound , while the same spelling pattern ea in h<u>ea</u>ther produces the pure vowel sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The first blank requires the long monophthong symbol /ɑː/, while the second blank requires the short monophthong symbol /e/.
In English phonetics as evaluated by the JAMB UTME syllabus, the spelling 'ea' in 'hearth' represents the long open back monophthong /ɑː/, whereas the same spelling 'ea' in 'heather' represents the short front mid-open monophthong /e/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pronunciation of the word 'hearth'.
The word 'hearth' is pronounced /hɑːθ/ in standard British English (Received Pronunciation).
The digraph 'ea' in 'hearth' functions as an exception where it represents the open back unrounded monophthong /ɑː/.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of the word 'heather'.
The word 'heather' is pronounced /ˈheð.ə/.
The digraph 'ea' in 'heather' represents the short front mid-open unrounded monophthong /e/.

Key Concept

Identifying pure vowel sounds (monophthongs) represented by variable orthographic spelling patterns.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 291Question →

Which of the following options correctly indicates the primary syllable stress in the word 'diplomatic'?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: dip-lo-MAT-ic

Answer

dip-lo-MAT-ic
In English oral phonology, words ending with the suffix '-ic' systematically receive primary stress on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable. In 'diplomatic' (dip-lo-mat-ic), the penultimate syllable is 'MAT', making 'dip-lo-MAT-ic' the correct stress pattern.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the suffix attached to the root word.
The word 'diplomatic' ends with the adjectival suffix '-ic'.
Specific suffixes dictate primary stress placement in English.
2
Apply the phonological rule for words ending in '-ic'.
Primary stress is assigned to the penultimate syllable ('MAT').
Suffixes like '-ic', '-ion', and '-ian' shift primary stress to the syllable immediately preceding them.

Key Concept

Penultimate Syllable Stress with '-ic' Suffix
Estimated Time:40s
Question 292Question →

Which of the following options indicates the correct primary syllable stress placement in the word 'technology'?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: tech-NOL-o-gy

Answer

tech-NOL-o-gy
The option 'tech-NOL-o-gy' is correct because English multisyllabic words ending with the suffix '-logy' systematically place primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable, which is the second syllable 'NOL'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the total number of syllables in the word 'technology'.
The word consists of four syllables: tech-nol-o-gy.
Determining syllable division is essential before applying phonological stress rules.
2
Apply the suffix-conditioned stress rule for words ending in '-logy'.
Nouns ending in the suffix '-logy' receive primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable (third syllable from the end).
In English phonology, the '-logy' suffix forces primary accent onto the preceding syllable.
3
Locate the antepenultimate syllable in 'technology'.
Counting backwards from the end (-gy [1], -o- [2], -nol- [3]), the antepenultimate syllable is 'NOL'.
Capitalizing 'NOL' represents the correct primary stress placement: tech-NOL-o-gy.

Key Concept

Antepenultimate Syllable Stress Placement for '-logy' Suffixes
Estimated Time:45s
Question 293Question →

Complete the statement below with the appropriate phonological term. Which intonation contour correctly completes the sentence?

Fill in the blanks below

In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), information-seeking questions that begin with interrogative words such as 'who', 'where', or 'why' typically end with a tune.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Wh-questions in standard English take a falling intonation pattern at the end of the sentence.
In standard English oral delivery, Wh-questions (such as 'Where are you going?') naturally drop in pitch on the last stressed syllable, requiring a falling intonation tune.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the category of question presented in the prompt.
Questions starting with words like 'who', 'where', or 'why' are classified as Wh-questions (information questions).
These questions seek specific information rather than a simple confirmation.
2
Apply standard English intonation rules to Wh-questions.
Wh-questions naturally end with a falling pitch contour.
In standard RP spoken English, pitch drops on the final nuclear syllable of Wh-questions to signal completion.

Key Concept

Intonation Contours for Wh-Questions
Question 294Question →

Complete the phonetic observation by filling in the blank with the correct word.

Fill in the blanks below

Despite the deceptive spelling of its final syllable, the legal term contains the diphthong sound /aɪ/.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct word to fill in the blank is 'indict'.
The word 'indict' is pronounced /ɪnˈdaɪt/. The second syllable features a glide from the open front unrounded vowel position to the near-close front unrounded vowel position, creating the diphthong sound /aɪ/ despite the silent letter 'c'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic transcription of the word 'indict'.
The word 'indict' is phonetically transcribed as /ɪnˈdaɪt/.
The letter sequence 'ict' contains a silent 'c' and produces the diphthong sound /aɪ/ followed by /t/.
2
Verify the presence of the target diphthong sound.
The vowel sound in the second syllable glides smoothly from /a/ to /ɪ/, forming the diphthong /aɪ/.
This confirms that 'indict' satisfies the phonetic requirement of containing the diphthong /aɪ/.

Key Concept

Diphthongs and orthographic deceptive spellings
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 295Question →

Identify the word among the options that is pronounced with the diphthong /eɪ/.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: deign

Answer

deign
The word 'deign' is pronounced /deɪn/. The spelling combination 'eign' produces the diphthong /eɪ/, making it the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic transcription of the target sound /eɪ/
The sound /eɪ/ is a closing diphthong gliding from the mid-front position /e/ toward the close-front position /ɪ/.
Understanding the acoustic and articulatory target sound allows accurate word matching.
2
Transcribe the pronunciation of each word option
'deign' = /deɪn/, 'friend' = /frend/, 'leopard' = /ˈlep.əd/, 'dime' = /daɪm/.
Orthographic spellings like 'ei' or 'ie' can be deceptive; exact phonetic transcription isolates the vowel sound.
3
Match the target diphthong to the correct option
'deign' correctly contains the diphthong /eɪ/.
The silent letter sequence 'g' does not prevent 'ei' from producing the /eɪ/ diphthong sound.

Key Concept

Diphthong /eɪ/ Identification and Deceptive Orthography
Question 296Question →

Match each spoken English utterance on the left with its correct standard Received Pronunciation (RP) intonation contour pattern on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

"You haven't seen my keys, have you?" (uttered with genuine doubt, seeking information)
"Which candidate won the departmental election?" (uttered as a direct information request)
"Are we travelling by air, road, or rail?" (uttered as a complete list of choices)
"He is very intelligent..." (uttered with an implied reservation or contrast)

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings match each utterance to its standard RP intonation contour based on pragmatic context and grammatical structure: the doubtful tag question pairs with a rising tune on the tag; the direct Wh-question pairs with a falling tune; the alternative question pairs with rising tunes on non-final items and a falling tune on the final item; and the statement expressing reservation pairs with a fall-rise tune.
Each utterance strictly follows standard Received Pronunciation intonation rules: doubtful tag questions take a rising tune to indicate open inquiry; direct Wh-questions take a falling tune; alternative questions rise on non-final options and fall on the last; and statements conveying reservation take a fall-rise tune.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze tag question pragmatics
Utterances with tag questions expressing genuine doubt or seeking confirmation take a rising tune on the tag.
In Received Pronunciation (RP), tag questions carrying genuine uncertainty function like polar questions and require a rising pitch contour.
2
Analyze Wh-question intonation
Standard Wh-questions asking for specific information take a falling tune on the nucleus.
Direct questions beginning with question words (who, which, where, why) default to a falling pitch contour in RP.
3
Analyze alternative question structure
Listing alternatives requires a rising tone on preceding items and a falling tone on the last choice.
Incomplete list items signal continuation via rising pitch, while the final item signals completion via falling pitch.
4
Analyze implied reservation or non-finality
Statements that carry implied reservations, contrast, or incomplete thoughts utilize a fall-rise tune.
The fall-rise contour pragmatically signals that the speaker has additional unstated thoughts or qualifications.

Key Concept

Standard Intonation Contours and Pragmatic Functions in RP English
Question 297Question →

Pair each word with the specific silent consonant letter contained within its standard Received Pronunciation.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

psalm
fasten
hymn
knack

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'psalm' matches with Silent letter 'p', 'fasten' matches with Silent letter 't', 'hymn' matches with Silent letter 'n', and 'knack' matches with Silent letter 'k'.
Each word pairs directly with its respective unarticulated consonant letter according to standard Received Pronunciation: 'psalm' has a silent 'p', 'fasten' has a silent 't', 'hymn' has a silent 'n', and 'knack' has a silent 'k'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic transcription of 'psalm'
The phonetic spelling is /sɑːm/, indicating that the initial 'p' is unpronounced.
Initial 'p' before 's' in words of Greek origin is typically silent.
2
Analyze the phonetic transcription of 'fasten'
The phonetic spelling is /ˈfɑːs.ən/, showing that 't' is omitted in articulation.
The letter 't' in the cluster '-sten' is unarticulated.
3
Analyze the phonetic transcription of 'hymn'
The phonetic spelling is /hɪm/, showing that final 'n' is not sounded.
The letter 'n' following 'm' at the end of a word root is silent.
4
Analyze the phonetic transcription of 'knack'
The phonetic spelling is /næk/, demonstrating that 'k' is omitted.
The letter 'k' preceding 'n' at the beginning of a word is silent.

Key Concept

Identification of unarticulated (silent) consonant letters in English phonology.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 298Question →

Complete the sentence below with a word that phonetically rhymes with the bolded target word heifer.

Fill in the blanks below

While the farmer tended to his young heifer, a refreshing breeze swept across the valley like a gentle .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

zephyr
The target word heifer is pronounced /ˈhef.ər/. The noun zephyr is pronounced /ˈzef.ər/. Because both words terminate with the identical sound sequence /ˈef.ər/, they form an exact phonetic rhyme.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription and primary stress of the target word heifer.
The word heifer is pronounced /ˈhef.ər/, featuring the short vowel sound /e/ in the stressed first syllable.
Accurate phonetic breakdown of the target word is required to determine true sound matching.
2
Select a word that fits the context of a gentle breeze and shares the identical ending sound sequence /ˈef.ər/.
The word zephyr (meaning a soft, gentle breeze) is transcribed phonetically as /ˈzef.ər/.
Both heifer and zephyr share the exact terminal rhyme sound /ˈef.ər/, satisfying the phonetic rhyme condition.

Key Concept

Rhymes and Sound Matching
Question 299Question →

Which of the following words contains the same monophthong (pure vowel) sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in the word sw<u>or</u>d?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: chalk

Answer

The word 'chalk' contains the same monophthong sound /ɔː/ as found in 'sword'.
The underlined letters in 'sword' represent the long pure vowel sound /ɔː/. The word 'chalk' also contains the long pure vowel sound /ɔː/ (spelled with 'al'), making it the sound match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription of the target word
In the word 'sword', the letter 'w' is silent and the letters 'or' represent the long open-mid back rounded monophthong /ɔː/ (/sɔːd/).
Determining the precise International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol of the target monophthong is required before comparing option choices.
2
Transcribe and analyze each option word's vowel sound
'chalk' is pronounced /tʃɔːk/ (/ɔː/), 'word' is pronounced /wɜːd/ (/ɜː/), 'spot' is pronounced /spɒt/ (/ɒ/), and 'coal' is pronounced /kəʊl/ (/əʊ/).
Systematically mapping each option word to its IPA representation highlights identical sound matches and eliminates distractors.
3
Match the target monophthong sound with the correct option
'chalk' shares the identical /ɔː/ pure vowel sound with 'sword'.
Both words feature the same long back monophthong /ɔː/.

Key Concept

Monophthong (Pure Vowel) Identification: /ɔː/
Question 300Question →

Match each English word on the left with the word on the right that forms an exact phonetic end rhyme with it.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

plaid
cache
sleight
chute

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matches are: 'plaid' pairs with 'lad', 'cache' pairs with 'mash', 'sleight' pairs with 'kite', and 'chute' pairs with 'root'.
The correct pairings align words strictly by their spoken IPA terminal rimes. 'Plaid' (/plæd/) contains the short vowel sound /æ/ and rhymes with 'lad' (/læd/); 'cache' (/kæʃ/) ends in /æʃ/ and rhymes with 'mash' (/mæʃ/); 'sleight' (/slaɪt/) features the diphthong /aɪ/ with a silent 'gh' and rhymes with 'kite' (/kaɪt/); and 'chute' (/ʃuːt/) contains the long vowel /uː/ and rhymes with 'root' (/ruːt/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription and terminal rime for each target word in the left column.
'plaid' is transcribed as /plæd/ (terminal rime /æd/), 'cache' as /kæʃ/ (terminal rime /æʃ/), 'sleight' as /slaɪt/ (terminal rime /aɪt/), and 'chute' as /ʃuːt/ (terminal rime /uːt/).
Phonetic transcription exposes the true pronunciation independent of misleading orthographic spelling patterns.
2
Transcribe the candidate rhyming words in the right column to identify their terminal rimes.
'mash' is /mæʃ/, 'root' is /ruːt/, 'lad' is /læd/, and 'kite' is /kaɪt/.
Phonetic rhyming requires matching identical terminal vowel and consonant sounds.
3
Pair each word from the left column with its corresponding rhyming partner from the right column.
'plaid' matches 'lad' (/æd/), 'cache' matches 'mash' (/æʃ/), 'sleight' matches 'kite' (/aɪt/), and 'chute' matches 'root' (/uːt/).
Aligning matching terminal rimes completes the phonetic pairing.

Key Concept

Phonetic End Rhymes vs. Eye-Rhymes in English Phonology
PreviousPage 15 / 22Next
Oral English Practice Questions — JAMB UTME — Page 15 | Examkin