Examkin

Oral English

427 questions

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Question 61Question →

Match each word on the left with the word on the right that contains the exact same consonant sound as the underlined letter(s).

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

pharaoh (ph)
choir (ch)
gem (g)
whistle (wh)

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'pharaoh' matches 'laugh' (/f/), 'choir' matches 'ache' (/k/), 'gem' matches 'soldier' (/dʒ/), and 'whistle' matches 'one' (/w/).
Each pair matches words that share the identical consonant sound regardless of spelling: 'ph' in 'pharaoh' and 'gh' in 'laugh' both make /f/; 'ch' in 'choir' and 'ch' in 'ache' both make /k/; 'g' in 'gem' and 'di' in 'soldier' both make /dʒ/; and 'wh' in 'whistle' and 'o' in 'one' both make /w/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the underlined letters 'ph' in 'pharaoh'
The sound produced is the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/.
Matching it to 'laugh' where 'gh' also represents the /f/ sound.
2
Analyze the underlined letters 'ch' in 'choir'
The sound produced is the voiceless velar plosive /k/.
Matching it to 'ache' where 'ch' represents the /k/ sound.
3
Analyze the underlined letter 'g' in 'gem'
The sound produced is the voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/.
Matching it to 'soldier' where 'di' represents the /dʒ/ sound.
4
Analyze the underlined letters 'wh' in 'whistle'
The sound produced is the voiced labial-velar approximant /w/.
Matching it to 'one' where the initial letter 'o' represents the /w/ sound.

Key Concept

Consonant Sound Correspondence Across Orthographic Variations
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 62Question →

Match each polysyllabic word on the left with its corresponding primary stress placement pattern on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

diplomatic
photography
electricity
civilization

Matches

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Answer

diplomatic matches dip-lo-MAT-ic; photography matches pho-TOG-ra-phy; electricity matches e-lec-TRIC-i-ty; civilization matches civ-i-li-ZA-tion.
Each word is matched according to standard English suffix stress rules: '-ic' assigns primary stress to the penultimate syllable ('MAT'), '-graphy' assigns primary stress to the antepenultimate syllable ('TOG'), '-ity' assigns primary stress to the antepenultimate syllable ('TRIC'), and '-ation' assigns primary stress to the penultimate syllable ('ZA').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the suffix for each given polysyllabic word.
diplomatic (-ic), photography (-graphy), electricity (-ity), civilization (-ation).
Suffixes determine predictable stress shift patterns in English phonology.
2
Apply stress placement rules based on each suffix.
'-ic' conditions penultimate stress ('MAT'), '-graphy' conditions antepenultimate stress ('TOG'), '-ity' conditions antepenultimate stress ('TRIC'), and '-ation' conditions penultimate stress ('ZA').
Matching the phonological rule reveals which syllable receives primary stress.
3
Pair each word to its matching capitalized syllable pattern.
diplomatic -> dip-lo-MAT-ic, photography -> pho-TOG-ra-phy, electricity -> e-lec-TRIC-i-ty, civilization -> civ-i-li-ZA-tion.
Each pair correctly matches the word with its capitalized primary stress representation.

Key Concept

Suffix-conditioned primary stress placement
Question 63Question →

Match each word on the left with the correct phonetic consonant sound (or realization) represented by the underlined letter 't' on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

nation
question
castle
total

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'nation' matches /ʃ/, 'question' matches /tʃ/, 'castle' matches Silent (no sound), and 'total' matches /t/.
Each item demonstrates a unique contextual realization of the letter 't': 'nation' produces the fricative /ʃ/, 'question' produces the affricate /tʃ/ due to the preceding 's', 'castle' contains a silent 't', and 'total' retains the primary alveolar plosive sound /t/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic environment of 'nation'.
The letter 't' combines with suffix '-ion' to yield the fricative sound /ʃ/ as in 'ship'.
Standard English phonetic rule for '-tion' words preceded by vowels.
2
Analyze the phonetic environment of 'question'.
The letter 't' following 's' in '-stion' forms the affricate sound /tʃ/ as in 'church'.
When 's' precedes 't' in suffixes like '-stion', assimilation produces /tʃ/ instead of /ʃ/.
3
Analyze the word 'castle'.
The letter 't' is unpronounced in the cluster '-stle'.
Words ending in '-stle' (e.g., castle, whistle, nestle) feature a silent consonant 't'.
4
Analyze the initial letter in 'total'.
The letter 't' is pronounced as the standard plosive /t/.
Direct orthographic-to-phonetic alignment for initial 't'.

Key Concept

Orthographic Realizations of Consonants
Question 64Question →

Read the statement below in which the word written in CAPITAL LETTERS carries emphatic stress, then fill in the blank to complete the contrastive question that elicits this stress.

Fill in the blanks below

Statement: The scientist conducted the experiment in the MORNING.

Question: Did the scientist conduct the experiment in the ?
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Answer

A contrasting time of day such as 'afternoon', 'evening', or 'night'.
In Oral English, emphatic stress places special emphasis on a single word to contradict a false assumption or alternative. Since 'MORNING' carries emphatic stress in the statement, the correct contrastive question must differ ONLY by substituting 'MORNING' with an alternative time of day (e.g., 'afternoon', 'evening', or 'night'). When asked 'Did the scientist conduct the experiment in the afternoon?', the speaker responds with emphatic stress on 'MORNING' to correct the questioner.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word carrying emphatic stress in the given statement.
The word 'MORNING' is capitalized, indicating it carries the emphatic stress.
Emphatic stress highlights the specific piece of information being emphasized or contrasted.
2
Determine the role of a contrastive question in eliciting emphatic stress.
A contrastive question must keep all uncapitalized information identical while replacing only the stressed word with a contradictory alternative.
The speaker uses emphatic stress on 'MORNING' to correct an incorrect assumption or alternative proposed by the questioner.
3
Supply a valid word for the blank to complete the contrastive question.
Filling the blank with an alternative time word (such as 'afternoon', 'evening', or 'night') creates a correct contrastive question.
Asking if the experiment was conducted in the afternoon, evening, or night prompts the emphatic response: 'No, the scientist conducted the experiment in the MORNING.'

Key Concept

Emphatic Stress
Question 65Question →

Read the statement below in which one word is printed in CAPITAL letters to show emphatic stress. Complete the contrastive question that elicits this statement by filling in the missing word.

Fill in the blanks below

Statement: The senior meteorologist ACCURATELY forecasted the tropical storm.
Question: Did the senior meteorologist forecast the tropical storm?
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Answer

The missing word in the contrastive question must be a word that directly contradicts the stressed adverb 'ACCURATELY' (such as 'inaccurately', 'incorrectly', 'wrongly', or 'erroneously'), while preserving all other elements of the statement.
In English oral emphasis, the stressed word ('ACCURATELY') carries contrastive focus. A contrastive question must replace this stressed word with an opposing word (such as 'inaccurately', 'incorrectly', 'wrongly', or 'erroneously') while maintaining identical subject, verb, and object structures.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word receiving emphatic stress in the statement.
The word with emphatic stress is 'ACCURATELY', which functions as an adverb of manner.
Capitalization indicates that emphatic stress is placed on this specific word to contrast it with an opposing idea.
2
Analyze how emphatic stress relates to contrastive questions.
The correct contrastive question must challenge or contradict only the stressed word while keeping the subject, main verb, and object unchanged.
Emphatic stress is used to correct or clarify information about the specific element being queried.
3
Determine an appropriate word to complete the blank.
Supplying an antonym such as 'inaccurately', 'incorrectly', 'wrongly', or 'erroneously' creates the necessary contrast.
Asking whether the meteorologist forecasted the storm inaccurately triggers the emphatic statement that it was done ACCURATELY.

Key Concept

Emphatic Stress and Contrastive Questions
Question 66Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the word below.

feather

Show answer & explanation

Answer: worthy

Answer

The word with the same consonant sound as the underlined digraph in 'feather' is 'worthy'.
In the word 'feather', the underlined letters 'th' are pronounced as the voiced dental fricative /ð/. Similarly, in 'worthy', the digraph 'th' is pronounced as /ð/, making them exact phonetic matches.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the consonant sound represented by the underlined letters in the target word
The underlined digraph 'th' in 'feather' produces the voiced dental fricative sound, phonetically represented as /ð/.
Determining the precise phonetic symbol of the target sound is necessary for comparison.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of the digraph 'th' in each given option
'breath' produces /θ/, 'worthy' produces /ð/, 'hearth' produces /θ/, and 'depth' produces /θ/.
Phonetic transcription helps isolate the target consonant sound from visually identical spellings.
3
Select the option that matches the target consonant sound /ð/
'worthy' contains the identical voiced dental fricative /ð/ sound.
Matching /ð/ in 'feather' with /ð/ in 'worthy' yields the correct response.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricatives (/ð/ vs /θ/)
Question 67Question →

Read the statement below in which the capitalized word carries emphatic stress, then fill in the blank to complete the contrastive question that elicits this specific emphasis.

Fill in the blanks below

Statement: The GOVERNOR signed the new education bill yesterday.
Question: Did the sign the new education bill yesterday?
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Any contrasting noun representing a public official, such as 'president', 'mayor', or 'senator'.
In Oral English, emphatic stress places contrastive focus on a specific word—here, the subject 'GOVERNOR'. To elicit this emphatic response, the question must contradict the subject by inserting an alternative noun (such as 'president' or 'mayor') while keeping all other details identical.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word carrying emphatic stress in the given sentence.
The word 'GOVERNOR' (the sentence subject) is written in capital letters, indicating emphatic stress.
Emphatic stress highlights a specific word to correct a misconception or contrast it with alternative possibilities.
2
Formulate a question that contradicts only the stressed subject.
The question must keep all other components ('signed the new education bill yesterday') identical while replacing 'GOVERNOR' with a different subject.
A contrastive question for emphatic stress must question the highlighted element while leaving the remaining context unchanged.

Key Concept

Emphatic Stress
Question 68Question →

Match each word on the left with the word on the right that shares the identical consonant sound for the indicated letters.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

tomb (underlined sound: 'mb')
archangel (underlined sound: 'ch')
laugh (underlined sound: 'gh')
wreath (underlined sound: 'th')

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'tomb' pairs with 'hymn' (/m/), 'archangel' pairs with 'echo' (/k/), 'laugh' pairs with 'trophy' (/f/), and 'wreath' pairs with 'path' (/θ/).
Each left-side word correctly aligns with its right-side partner based on identical phonetic consonant sounds: 'tomb' and 'hymn' both produce the bilabial nasal /m/; 'archangel' and 'echo' both produce the voiceless velar plosive /k/; 'laugh' and 'trophy' both produce the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/; 'wreath' and 'path' both produce the voiceless dental fricative /θ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound produced by the indicated letters in each word on the left column.
'tomb' yields /m/, 'archangel' yields /k/, 'laugh' yields /f/, and 'wreath' yields /θ/.
English spelling contains silent letters and digraphs that map to specific International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) consonant sounds.
2
Determine the phonetic consonant sound produced by the indicated letters in each word on the right column.
'trophy' yields /f/, 'hymn' yields /m/, 'path' yields /θ/, and 'echo' yields /k/.
Different spelling combinations can produce the exact same consonant sound.
3
Match the words from left to right based on matching IPA consonant sound representations.
tomb (/m/) = hymn (/m/); archangel (/k/) = echo (/k/); laugh (/f/) = trophy (/f/); wreath (/θ/) = path (/θ/).
Accurate phonetic pairing requires mapping words to their underlying consonant sound rather than relying on spelling similarity.

Key Concept

English Consonant Sounds and Orthographic Variations
Question 69Question →

Match each of the target words below to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing its stressed pure vowel (monophthong) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

plait
quay
bosom
clerk

Matches

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Answer

'plait' corresponds to /æ/, 'quay' corresponds to /i:/, 'bosom' corresponds to /ʊ/, and 'clerk' corresponds to /ɑ:/.
Each word matches its corresponding monophthong symbol based on standard RP English phonetic conventions: 'plait' (/plæt/) pairs with /æ/, 'quay' (/ki:/) pairs with /i:/, 'bosom' (/ˈbʊzəm/) pairs with /ʊ/, and 'clerk' (/klɑ:k/) pairs with /ɑ:/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the exact phonetic transcription and stressed monophthong for each target word.
'plait' is transcribed as /plæt/, 'quay' as /ki:/, 'bosom' as /ˈbʊzəm/, and 'clerk' as /klɑ:k/.
Orthographic spelling in English often misleads pronunciation; analyzing standard IPA transcriptions reveals the underlying pure vowel sounds.
2
Match each word's vowel sound to the given IPA symbol.
plait → /æ/, quay → /i:/, bosom → /ʊ/, clerk → /ɑ:/.
Each target word features a distinctive monophthong that matches one of the four phonetic symbols provided.

Key Concept

Monophthong Sound Identification and Irregular Orthographic Spellings
Question 70Question →

Which of the following words contains an initial consonant cluster?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Sphere

Answer

The word 'Sphere' is the correct answer because it begins with an initial consonant cluster /sf/.
The word 'Sphere' begins with two distinct articulated consonant sounds /s/ and /f/ pronounced together before a vowel sound, forming an initial consonant cluster.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial phonetic sounds of each given word.
'Pneumonia' starts with /n/, 'Sphere' starts with /sf/, 'Psychology' starts with /s/, and 'Knight' starts with /n/.
Consonant clusters are defined by spoken consonant sounds rather than written letters.
2
Identify silent letters at the beginning of the words.
The initial letters 'p' in 'pneumonia', 'p' in 'psychology', and 'k' in 'knight' are silent.
Orthographic letter pairs containing silent letters do not produce phonetic consonant clusters.
3
Determine which word articulates two consecutive consonant sounds at the start.
'Sphere' is pronounced with /s/ followed by /f/ before the vowel sound.
Two contiguous consonant sounds articulated together without an intervening vowel form an initial consonant cluster.

Key Concept

Initial Consonant Clusters and Phonetic Awareness
Question 71Question →

Complete the statements below regarding the monophthong sound present in deceptive English orthography.

Fill in the blanks below

Despite its unusual spelling pattern, the primary stressed vowel sound in the word 'heifer' is the monophthong , which is phonetically identical to the pure vowel sound found in the word .
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Answer

The stressed monophthong in 'heifer' is represented by the phonetic symbol /e/, matching the vowel sound in words such as 'bed', 'head', or 'said'.
The word 'heifer' features the short pure vowel /e/ in its primary stressed syllable. This monophthong matches the vowel sound produced in common exemplar words such as 'bed', 'head', or 'said'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of the target word 'heifer'.
The word 'heifer' is transcribed phonetically as /ˈhef.ər/ in Standard English.
The orthographic digraph 'ei' in 'heifer' exceptionally produces a short mid-open front unrounded pure vowel /e/.
2
Identify the IPA symbol for the monophthong sound.
The correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) representation is /e/.
The sound is a short, lax pure vowel phoneme, not a long vowel or diphthong.
3
Determine an equivalent exemplar word containing the identical monophthong.
Words such as 'bed', 'head', or 'said' feature the identical monophthong /e/.
Matching the target sound to common words reinforces acoustic phoneme recognition regardless of deceptive spelling variations.

Key Concept

Identification of monophthong /e/ within irregular orthographic spelling patterns
Question 72Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the word below: question?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: catch

Answer

The word 'catch' has the same consonant sound (/tʃ/) as the underlined letters 'ti' in 'question'.
In the target word 'question', the letter cluster 'ti' is preceded by 's', giving it the voiceless postalveolar affricate sound /tʃ/. The word 'catch' uses the spelling 'tch' to represent the exact same /tʃ/ sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined letters in the target word
In 'question', the underlined suffix spelling 'ti' following 's' is articulated as the voiceless postalveolar affricate sound /tʃ/.
When 'tion' is preceded by 's', as in 'question' or 'suggestion', the 'ti' produces the /tʃ/ sound rather than the standard /ʃ/ sound.
2
Analyze the consonant sounds represented in each option
'catch' (/kætʃ/) contains /tʃ/; 'nation' (/ˈneɪʃn/), 'mention' (/ˈmenʃn/), and 'motion' (/ˈmoʊʃn/) all contain /ʃ/.
Comparing phonetic transcriptions identifies which word shares the target consonant sound /tʃ/.
3
Select the matching option
The word containing the /tʃ/ sound is 'catch'.
'catch' matches the /tʃ/ sound found in 'question'.

Key Concept

Identification of the /tʃ/ consonant sound across different orthographic spellings ('ti' after 's', 'tch', 'ch').
Estimated Time:45s
Question 73Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the underlined letter in the word: question.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: batch

Answer

The word 'batch' has the same consonant sound /tʃ/ as the underlined letter 't' in 'question'.
In the given word 'question', the underlined letter 't' is pronounced as the voiceless postalveolar affricate consonant /tʃ/. Among the choices, the word 'batch' contains the exact same consonant sound /tʃ/ (represented by the spelling 'tch').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letter 't' in 'question'.
In the word 'question' (/ˈkwestʃən/), the letter 't' following 's' is pronounced as the voiceless postalveolar affricate sound /tʃ/.
English orthography often represents affricate sounds like /tʃ/ using combinations such as '-tion' after 's'.
2
Analyze the phonetic consonant sounds produced by the target letters in each option.
'batch' is pronounced /bætʃ/ (/tʃ/); 'chasm' is pronounced /ˈkæzəm/ (/k/); 'champagne' is pronounced /ʃæmˈpeɪn/ (/ʃ/); 'monarch' is pronounced /ˈmɒnək/ (/k/).
The digraph 'ch' can represent different consonant sounds (/tʃ/, /k/, or /ʃ/) depending on etymological roots.
3
Match the target sound /tʃ/ with the corresponding option.
'batch' is the only word containing the sound /tʃ/.
The letter pattern 'tch' in 'batch' consistently produces the voiceless affricate /tʃ/.

Key Concept

Consonant Sounds: Identification of Affricates (/tʃ/)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 74Question →

Read the passage sentence below and complete the blank with a word that phonetically rhymes with the bolded target word aisle.

Fill in the blanks below

As the bride walked gracefully down the central aisle, the guests admired her elegant dress and refined .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The target word 'aisle' is pronounced /aɪl/ with silent 'a' and 's'. The correct rhyming response is 'style' (pronounced /staɪl/), which shares the identical ending sound /aɪl/.
The target word 'aisle' is phonetically transcribed as /aɪl/. The word 'style' (/staɪl/) shares the identical nucleus diphthong /aɪ/ and final alveolar consonant /l/, creating a perfect phonetic rhyme.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of the target word 'aisle'.
The word 'aisle' contains silent letters 'a' and 's', resulting in the phonetic transcription /aɪl/.
Rhyming evaluation in JAMB UTME Oral English relies on sound matching, not orthographic spelling.
2
Determine the terminal rime sound required for the rhyming word.
The rhyming word must end with the diphthong /aɪ/ followed by the lateral consonant /l/ (/aɪl/).
A valid end rhyme matches both the nucleus vowel sound and any following consonant sound.
3
Identify a contextually appropriate word ending in /aɪl/ to fill the sentence blank.
The word 'style' (/staɪl/) matches the phonetic end sound /aɪl/ and completes the sentence meaningfully.
'Style' correctly completes the sentence context while providing an exact phonetic rhyme.

Key Concept

Phonetic Sound Matching and Silent Letter Recognition
Question 75Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the given word: chasm?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: choir

Answer

The correct option is 'choir', as the underlined letters 'ch' in 'chasm' represent the consonant sound /k/.
The underlined letters 'ch' in 'chasm' are pronounced as the voiceless velar plosive /k/. Among the options, 'choir' is the only word where 'ch' also produces the sound /k/ (/kwaɪə/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letters in the stem word.
In the word 'chasm' (/kæzəm/), the underlined letters 'ch' produce the voiceless velar plosive consonant sound /k/.
Word etymology of Greek origin often results in 'ch' being pronounced as /k/ rather than /tʃ/.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of the underlined/initial 'ch' in each option.
'choir' is pronounced /kwaɪə/ (starts with /k/); 'charity' is pronounced /ˈtʃærəti/ (starts with /tʃ/); 'chauffeur' is pronounced /ˈʃəʊfə/ (starts with /ʃ/); 'chivalry' is pronounced /ˈʃɪvəlri/ (starts with /ʃ/).
Distinguishing between orthographic representations ('ch') and their actual phonetic realizations (/k/, /tʃ/, /ʃ/) is necessary.
3
Match the option that shares the exact consonant sound /k/.
'choir' contains the consonant sound /k/.
Both 'chasm' and 'choir' realize 'ch' as the voiceless velar plosive /k/.

Key Concept

Consonant Sound Identification: Digraph 'ch' Phonetic Variations
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 76Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the word below:

draught

Which of the following words contains the same consonant sound as the underlined letter(s)?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: triumph

Answer

The correct option is 'triumph' because both 'draught' and 'triumph' contain the voiceless labiodental fricative sound /f/.
The underlined digraph 'gh' in 'draught' is pronounced as the consonant sound /f/. Among the given choices, the word 'triumph' is the only word that contains this exact consonant sound, represented by the letters 'ph'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined letter(s) in the target word.
In the word 'draught' (/drɑːft/), the underlined digraph 'gh' represents the voiceless labiodental fricative consonant sound /f/.
Correct phonetic identification requires distinguishing between silent 'gh' patterns and those pronounced as /f/.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of each option to find the matching consonant sound.
'triumph' is pronounced /ˈtraɪʌmf/, where the digraph 'ph' represents the /f/ sound. 'ghastly' contains /g/, while 'drought' and 'plough' feature a silent 'gh'.
Finding the matching option requires identifying alternative orthographic representations (like 'ph') for the /f/ sound.

Key Concept

Orthographic Representations of the Consonant Sound /f/
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 77Question →

In Oral English, verbs with four or more syllables ending in the suffix '-ate' follow standard phonological stress rules. Which option correctly displays the primary stress placement for the word incapacitate?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: in-ca-PAC-i-tate

Answer

The correct option is 'in-ca-PAC-i-tate' with primary stress on the third (antepenultimate) syllable.
The word 'incapacitate' is a five-syllable verb ending in '-ate'. According to English word stress rules, multi-syllabic verbs with the suffix '-ate' place primary stress on the antepenultimate (third from the end) syllable. Counting back from the final syllable ('-tate' = 1, '-i-' = 2, '-pac-' = 3), the primary stress falls on 'PAC', yielding 'in-ca-PAC-i-tate'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Divide the word into its constituent syllables
The word 'incapacitate' consists of five syllables: in-ca-pac-i-tate.
Correct syllabification is necessary to identify syllable position relative to the end of the word.
2
Apply the phonological rule for polysyllabic verbs ending in '-ate'
Words of three or more syllables ending in '-ate' place primary stress on the antepenultimate (third from last) syllable.
Suffixed verbs ending in '-ate' consistently assign primary accent to the antepenult.
3
Locate the antepenultimate syllable in 'in-ca-pac-i-tate'
Counting backwards from the end (1st: '-tate', 2nd: '-i-', 3rd: '-pac-'), the antepenultimate syllable is '-pac-'.
The third syllable from the end receives the primary stress ('in-ca-PAC-i-tate').

Key Concept

Antepenultimate Stress Rule for '-ate' Verbs
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 78Question →

Which word creates a perfect phonetic rhyme with comb?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: foam

Answer

foam
The word comb is articulated phonetically as /kəʊm/. The word foam is pronounced /fəʊm/, sharing the exact same terminal diphthong nucleus and final consonant sound /əʊm/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription of the target word
The target word comb is transcribed phonetically as /kəʊm/, featuring the diphthong /əʊ/ followed by the bilabial nasal /m/ (with a silent 'b').
Accurate identification of the sound structure is necessary to match rhymes rather than spelling.
2
Analyze the phonetic transcriptions of the options
'tomb' is pronounced /tuːm/, 'foam' is pronounced /fəʊm/, 'bomb' is pronounced /bɒm/, and 'crumb' is pronounced /krʌm/.
Comparing terminal vowel and consonant sounds isolates exact rhymes from visual eye-rhymes.
3
Select the option sharing the identical end rhyme
The word 'foam' (/fəʊm/) shares the exact /əʊm/ ending sound with 'comb' (/kəʊm/).
A true rhyme requires identical nucleus vowel sounds and final consonants regardless of spelling differences.

Key Concept

Phonetic Rhymes vs Eye-Rhymes in English Orthography
Estimated Time:45s
Question 79Question →

From the word below, identify the consonant sound represented by the underlined letter:

azure

Which of the following options has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the underlined letter?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: measure

Answer

measure
In the word 'azure', the letter 'z' produces the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/. The word 'measure' features the exact same consonant sound /ʒ/ represented by the letter 's'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic symbol for the underlined letter in the target word
In 'azure', the underlined letter 'z' represents the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/.
Determining the precise phonetic sound of the target item is the first step in matching consonant sounds.
2
Analyze the consonant sounds produced by the corresponding letters in each option
'measure' contains /ʒ/; 'mission' contains /ʃ/; 'razor' contains /z/; 'assist' contains /s/.
Comparing orthographic representations with their actual IPA phonetic transcriptions isolates the identical sound.
3
Select the option with the matching consonant sound
'measure' matches 'azure' as both contain the consonant sound /ʒ/.
Both words share the identical consonant sound /ʒ/ despite being spelled with different letters ('z' vs 's').

Key Concept

Identification of the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/
Question 80Question →

In the statement below, the word printed in CAPITAL letters has the primary emphatic stress.

The defense attorney cross-examined the key witness BEFORE noon.

Which of the following questions elicits the statement above?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Did the defense attorney cross-examine the key witness after noon?

Answer

Did the defense attorney cross-examine the key witness after noon?
Emphatic stress is placed on the capitalized preposition 'BEFORE' to emphasize the time of the action. The appropriate contrastive question must disagree with or query only this specific temporal element while keeping the rest of the sentence constant. Asking whether the action took place 'after noon' directly elicits the emphatic response highlighting 'BEFORE noon'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word with emphatic stress
The word 'BEFORE' is capitalized, showing that stress is placed on the time frame.
Emphatic stress highlights or contrasts the specific word emphasized in the sentence.
2
Determine the correct contrastive question
The correct response must ask a question that contradicts 'BEFORE' (e.g., asking if it occurred 'after' noon), while preserving all other information in the original sentence.
In JAMB UTME emphatic stress items, the proper prompt/question differs only at the point of emphasis.

Key Concept

Emphatic Stress and Contrastive Focus
Estimated Time:45s
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