Examkin

Oral English

427 questions

All types427Multiple choice216Matching93Fill in the blank118
Question 81Question →

Identify the word form that correctly highlights the primary stress syllable in the five-syllable word enthusiastic.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: en-thu-si-AS-tic

Answer

The form with primary stress on the fourth syllable, written as en-thu-si-AS-tic, is correct.
In English phonology, words ending with the suffix '-ic' place primary stress on the syllable immediately preceding the suffix. For the five-syllable word 'enthusiastic', the syllable directly preceding '-ic' is the fourth syllable 'AS', making 'en-thu-si-AS-tic' the correct primary stress placement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the morphological structure of the target word.
The word is 'enthusiastic', which consists of 5 syllables (en-thu-si-as-tic) ending in the adjectival suffix '-ic'.
Phonological rules for English stress assignment depend heavily on suffix types.
2
Apply the primary stress rule for words ending in '-ic'.
Primary stress is assigned to the syllable immediately preceding the suffix (penultimate position relative to the suffix), which is 'AS'.
Suffixes like '-ic', '-ial', and '-ian' consistently cause a stress shift to the syllable directly before them.

Key Concept

Suffix-conditioned primary word stress (-ic suffix rule)
Question 82Question →

Which of the following words produces an exact phonetic rhyme with bury?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: ferry

Answer

The word 'ferry' is the correct answer because both 'bury' (/ˈberi/) and 'ferry' (/ˈferi/) terminate in the identical phonetic rhyme sound /eri/.
The word 'bury' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈberi/. The word 'ferry' is pronounced /ˈferi/. Because both words share the exact same stressed vowel /e/ followed by the unaccented syllable /ri/, they form a perfect phonetic rhyme regardless of their spelling differences.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of the target word.
The target word 'bury' is pronounced /ˈberi/.
Rhyming depends entirely on spoken sound structure, not orthographic spelling.
2
Transcribe and evaluate the phonetic end sound of each option.
'ferry' is transcribed as /ˈferi/, whereas 'jury' is /ˈdʒʊəri/, 'fury' is /ˈfjʊəri/, and 'curry' is /ˈkʌri/.
Matching the vowel nucleus /e/ and final syllable /ri/ isolates the true phonetic rhyme.
3
Select the word with identical ending phonemes.
'ferry' provides an exact match to 'bury'.
Both words share the identical rhyme coda /eri/.

Key Concept

Phonetic Rhymes and Eye-Rhyme Distinctions
Question 83Question →

Complete the statement below by identifying the correct phonetic consonant sound for each specified word.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word *of*, the letter 'f' represents the consonant sound , whereas in the word *off*, the letters 'ff' represent the consonant sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

In 'of', the letter 'f' represents the voiced labiodental fricative sound /v/. In 'off', the double letters 'ff' represent the voiceless labiodental fricative sound /f/.
In standard English pronunciation, the single letter 'f' in 'of' is pronounced as the voiced sound /v/, while the double 'ff' in 'off' is pronounced as the voiceless sound /f/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic realization of the letter 'f' in the preposition 'of'.
The word 'of' is phonetically transcribed as /ɒv/ in standard English, meaning 'f' represents the voiced consonant sound /v/.
The word 'of' is an exceptional case in English spelling where orthographic 'f' represents a voiced sound rather than a voiceless one.
2
Examine the phonetic realization of 'ff' in the word 'off'.
The word 'off' is phonetically transcribed as /ɒf/, meaning 'ff' represents the voiceless consonant sound /f/.
The digraph 'ff' consistently corresponds to the voiceless labiodental fricative sound /f/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonant Sound Contrast
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 84Question →

Match each target 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

choir
gauge
quay
corps

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'choir' matches with 'buyer', 'gauge' matches with 'wage', 'quay' matches with 'spree', and 'corps' matches with 'door'.
Each word on the left is paired with its precise phonetic rhyming equivalent: 'choir' (/kwaɪə/) rhymes with 'buyer' (/baɪə/), 'gauge' (/ɡeɪdʒ/) rhymes with 'wage' (/weɪdʒ/), 'quay' (/kiː/) rhymes with 'spree' (/spriː/), and 'corps' (/kɔː/) rhymes with 'door' (/dɔː/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription and end rhyme sound of each left-hand target word.
'choir' is transcribed as /kwaɪə/, 'gauge' as /ɡeɪdʒ/, 'quay' as /kiː/, and 'corps' as /kɔː/.
Rhyming is determined purely by spoken pronunciation rather than deceptive orthography.
2
Determine the phonetic transcription of each right-hand candidate word.
'spree' is transcribed as /spriː/, 'door' as /dɔː/, 'buyer' as /baɪə/, and 'wage' as /weɪdʒ/.
Identifying the vowel nucleus and final consonant sound sequence reveals exact phonetic matches.
3
Pair each left item with its corresponding right item that shares the identical final vowel and consonant sound sequence.
'choir' pairs with 'buyer' (/-aɪə/), 'gauge' pairs with 'wage' (/-eɪdʒ/), 'quay' pairs with 'spree' (/-iː/), and 'corps' pairs with 'door' (/-ɔː/).
Matching identical terminal phonetic segments establishes valid end rhymes.

Key Concept

Phonetic Rhymes and Sound Matching in English
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 85Question →

From the options lettered A to D, which word has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in s<u>ou</u>p?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: tomb

Answer

The word featuring the same monophthong vowel sound as 'soup' is 'tomb'.
The underlined letters 'ou' in 'soup' represent the long close back rounded monophthong /uː/. The word 'tomb' is pronounced /tuːm/, sharing the exact same pure vowel sound /uː/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target monophthong sound in the given word
The underlined spelling pattern 'ou' in 'soup' (/suːp/) represents the long close back rounded monophthong /uː/.
Establishing the precise International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) vowel sound is necessary before reviewing the options.
2
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of each option
'tomb' is pronounced /tuːm/ (/uː/), 'could' is /kʊd/ (/ʊ/), 'soul' is /səʊl/ (/əʊ/), and 'tough' is /tʌf/ (/ʌ/).
Distinguishing pure long vowels from short vowels, diphthongs, and non-target monophthongs prevents misidentification.
3
Match the target monophthong /uː/ to the corresponding option
'tomb' contains the exact long pure vowel sound /uː/.
Both 'soup' and 'tomb' articulate the identical /uː/ monophthong.

Key Concept

Pure Vowel Sound Matching (/uː/ Monophthong)
Question 86Question →

Which of the following syllabified options indicates the correct primary stress placement for the word hypothetical?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: hy-po-THET-i-cal

Answer

The form hy-po-THET-i-cal correctly places primary stress on the third syllable.
The word 'hypothetical' is a five-syllable adjective containing the suffix '-ical'. In English phonology, words with '-ic' and '-ical' suffixes systematically assign primary stress to the syllable immediately before the suffix. Thus, primary stress falls on the third syllable, rendered as hy-po-THET-i-cal.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Divide the word into its constituent syllables
hy - po - thet - i - cal (5 syllables)
Accurate syllabification is necessary to locate syllable boundaries correctly.
2
Identify morphological suffixes and apply phonological stress rules
The suffix is '-ical', which assigns primary stress to the syllable immediately preceding it ('thet').
Adjectives ending in '-ic' or '-ical' consistently place primary accent on the antepenultimate or pre-suffix syllable.
3
Select the option reflecting stress on 'THET'
hy-po-THET-i-cal
Capitalization of 'THET' indicates primary syllable stress.

Key Concept

Suffix-conditioned word stress in English phonology (-ical rule)
Question 87Question →

Complete the statement below by identifying the correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the pure vowel sound represented by the underlined letters.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word ch<u>a</u>sm, the underlined letter represents the monophthong sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct answer is the IPA symbol /æ/.
The letter 'a' in 'chasm' (/kæzəm/) represents the short front unrounded monophthong /æ/, which is the same vowel sound heard in 'pack', 'bad', and 'hand'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the standard RP pronunciation of the target word 'chasm'.
The phonetic transcription of 'chasm' is /kæzəm/.
The letter 'a' followed by 'sm' in this word produces a short front unrounded vowel.
2
Match the target vowel sound to its IPA monophthong symbol.
The vowel sound corresponds to /æ/.
The sound is the short pure vowel found in words like 'cat', 'plait', and 'trap'.

Key Concept

Identification of pure vowel sounds (monophthongs) in English orthography
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 88Question →

Which of the following words has the same end rhyme sound as suite?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: neat

Answer

neat
The target word 'suite' is pronounced /swiːt/. The word 'neat' is pronounced /niːt/, sharing the exact same /-iːt/ phonetic rime, which makes them an exact rhyme.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription of the target word
The word 'suite' is pronounced phonetically as /swiːt/.
Rhyme in Oral English is determined strictly by the auditory match of the final vowel and consonant sound, regardless of visual spelling.
2
Analyze the phonetic transcriptions of the options
'suit' is /suːt/, 'neat' is /niːt/, 'shoot' is /ʃuːt/, and 'slight' is /slaɪt/.
Transcribing each word reveals its underlying pronunciation pattern.
3
Match the target word's end sound to the correct option
'neat' (/niːt/) shares the exact ending rime /-iːt/ with 'suite' (/swiːt/).
Both words end in the long monophthong /iː/ followed by the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/.

Key Concept

Phonetic End Rhyme vs Eye Rhymes
Question 89Question →

Below are four English words containing specific consonant spellings. Pair each word on the left with its corresponding International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) consonant sound symbol on the right. Which pairs correctly associate each word with its target consonant sound?

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

archangel (spelling: 'ch')
champagne (spelling: 'ch')
procedure (spelling: 'd')
cough (spelling: 'gh')

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'archangel (spelling: 'ch')' matches /k/, 'champagne (spelling: 'ch')' matches /ʃ/, 'procedure (spelling: 'd')' matches /dʒ/, and 'cough (spelling: 'gh')' matches /f/.
The pairings match the precise phonetic articulation of each highlighted spelling in standard English: 'archangel' uses 'ch' for /k/, 'champagne' uses 'ch' for /ʃ/, 'procedure' uses 'd' for /dʒ/, and 'cough' uses 'gh' for /f/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pronunciation of 'archangel'
The word is transcribed as /ˈɑːkˌeɪn.dʒəl/, showing that 'ch' makes the /k/ sound.
Greek-derived words such as 'archangel' often realize 'ch' as /k/ rather than /tʃ/.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of 'champagne'
The word is transcribed as /ʃæmˈpeɪn/, showing that 'ch' makes the /ʃ/ sound.
French loanwords in English typically retain the French /ʃ/ pronunciation for 'ch'.
3
Analyze the pronunciation of 'procedure'
The word is transcribed as /prəˈsiː.dʒər/, showing that 'd' makes the /dʒ/ sound.
When 'd' is followed by an unaccented 'u', palatalization turns the alveolar plosive /d/ into the affricate /dʒ/.
4
Analyze the pronunciation of 'cough'
The word is transcribed as /kɒf/, showing that 'gh' makes the /f/ sound.
In words ending in '-ough' like 'cough' or 'rough', the digraph 'gh' regularly produces the voiceless fricative /f/.

Key Concept

Orthographic Realization of English Consonant Sounds
Question 90Question →

Complete the statement below by supplying the correctly syllabified word forms with primary stress indicated in UPPERCASE letters.

Fill in the blanks below

While the base noun is pronounced as DEM-o-crat, the derived abstract noun is stressed as and its corresponding adjectival form is stressed as .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct primary stress placements are 'de-MOC-ra-cy' for the abstract noun and 'dem-o-CRAT-ic' for the adjectival form.
In Oral English phonology, morphological suffixes dictate predictable stress patterns. Nouns ending in '-cy' require antepenultimate primary stress, yielding 'de-MOC-ra-cy'. Adjectives ending in '-ic' require penultimate primary stress on the syllable immediately before the suffix, yielding 'dem-o-CRAT-ic'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the suffix rule for the abstract noun ending in '-cy'.
Words ending in '-cy' place primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable (third from the end).
For four-syllable nouns like 'democracy' (de-moc-ra-cy), counting three syllables back from the end places primary stress on the second syllable 'MOC'.
2
Identify the suffix rule for the adjectival form ending in '-ic'.
Suffixes like '-ic' draw primary stress to the penultimate syllable (the syllable immediately preceding the suffix).
In 'democratic' (dem-o-crat-ic), the syllable preceding '-ic' is 'CRAT', placing primary stress on the third syllable.

Key Concept

Suffix-Driven Stress Shift (Antepenultimate -cy Rule vs. Penultimate -ic Rule)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 91Question →

Read the sentence below and fill in the blank with a word that phonetically rhymes with the bolded target word drought.

Fill in the blanks below

Despite facing severe hardship during the dry season, the farmers had no that the rains would eventually return.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The word 'doubt' (or 'shout' / 'spout') fits the context and forms an exact end rhyme with 'drought'.
The word drought is pronounced /draʊt/. The word doubt is pronounced /daʊt/ (with a silent letter 'b'). Both words end with the identical sound sequence /-aʊt/, creating an exact phonetic rhyme.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription and end rhyme sound of the target word 'drought'.
The target word drought is pronounced /draʊt/, which ends in the vowel-consonant combination /-aʊt/.
Phonetic rhyming depends on identical nucleus and coda sounds regardless of spelling differences.
2
Identify a contextual word that produces the matching /-aʊt/ sound sequence.
The word doubt is transcribed as /daʊt/, featuring a silent 'b' and an identical /-aʊt/ termination.
Both /draʊt/ and /daʊt/ share the diphthong /aʊ/ followed by the voiceless alveolar plosive /t/.

Key Concept

Rhymes and Sound Matching
Question 92Question →

Phonetic precision in Oral English requires recognizing diphthong glides despite deceptive spelling patterns. Which of the following words contains the identical diphthong sound found in buoy?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: employ

Answer

The word containing the identical diphthong sound as 'buoy' is 'employ'.
The target word 'buoy' is phonetically transcribed as /bɔɪ/, containing the diphthong /ɔɪ/. The word 'employ' (/ɪmˈplɔɪ/) shares the exact same diphthong glide.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic representation of the target word 'buoy'
The word 'buoy' is phonetically transcribed as /bɔɪ/, which contains the diphthong sound /ɔɪ/.
The spelling 'uoy' is deceptive, but the vowel sound produced is the diphthong glide /ɔɪ/.
2
Transcribe and analyze the vowel sound in each given option
'employ' is /ɪmˈplɔɪ/ (/ɔɪ/); 'fluid' is /ˈfluː.ɪd/ (/uː/ + /ɪ/); 'cruise' is /kruːz/ (/uː/); 'choir' is /ˈkwaɪə/ (/aɪ/).
Systematic phonetic breakdown isolates the matching diphthong sound.
3
Match the option containing the identical /ɔɪ/ diphthong glide
'employ' matches 'buoy'.
Both words conclude with the identical /ɔɪ/ diphthong sound.

Key Concept

Identifying Diphthong Glides Across Deceptive Orthography
Question 93Question →

The underlined vowel spelling pattern in the word sc<u>ou</u>rge produces a specific pure vowel sound (monophthong). Which word contains the identical monophthong sound?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: pearl

Answer

The word that features the identical monophthong sound is 'pearl'.
The underlined letters 'ou' in 'scourge' represent the long central pure vowel sound /ɜː/ (/skɜːdʒ/). The word 'pearl' shares this identical monophthong sound (/pɜːl/), despite using the orthographic spelling 'ea'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the exact International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the underlined vowel sound in the target word
The letters 'ou' in 'scourge' represent the long central monophthong /ɜː/, giving the pronunciation /skɜːdʒ/.
Correctly identifying the monophthong nucleus of the target word is necessary before evaluating the choices.
2
Analyze the primary vowel sound produced in each option
'pearl' is pronounced /pɜːl/ (/ɜː/); 'source' is pronounced /sɔːs/ (/ɔː/); 'courage' is pronounced /ˈkʌr.ɪdʒ/ (/ʌ/); 'scour' is pronounced /skaʊər/ (/aʊə/).
Phonetic breakdown reveals the specific monophthong or diphthong present in each word.
3
Match the target monophthong /ɜː/ to the option containing the exact sound
'pearl' contains the identical pure vowel sound /ɜː/.
'pearl' and 'scourge' share the pure long central vowel /ɜː/, despite their differing orthographic representations ('ea' vs 'ou').

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) - Long Central Vowel /ɜː/
Question 94Question →

Supply an appropriate contrasting word to complete the question that correctly elicits the given emphatic statement.

Fill in the blanks below

Statement: The chief pathologist METICULOUSLY examined the tissue samples under the microscope.
Contrastive Question: Did the chief pathologist examine the tissue samples under the microscope?
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Any contrasting adverb such as 'hastily', 'carelessly', or 'superficially' correctly completes the contrastive question.
In Oral English emphatic stress items, the emphasized word (METICULOUSLY) carries contrastive focus. To elicit this response, the contrastive question must introduce an opposing or different descriptor in that exact position (such as 'hastily' or 'carelessly') while retaining every other word of the sentence intact.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the word carrying primary emphatic stress in the statement.
The word 'METICULOUSLY' is printed in full capital letters, indicating emphatic stress.
Emphatic stress highlights the specific piece of information the speaker wishes to emphasize or contrast.
2
Determine the required structure of a contrastive question in Oral English.
The contrastive question must keep all un-emphasized elements identical while substituting the stressed word with a conflicting or contrasting word.
A speaker uses emphatic stress on a word to contradict or correct a wrong assumption expressed in an opposing question.
3
Formulate an appropriate word for the blank.
Replacing 'METICULOUSLY' with an opposite or contrasting adverb (e.g., 'hastily' or 'carelessly') creates the exact contrastive prompt that elicits the statement.
Asserting 'The chief pathologist METICULOUSLY examined...' directly denies the query 'Did the chief pathologist hastily examine...'.

Key Concept

Emphatic stress is used to place contrastive focus on a specific word in a statement, which directly refutes a question that contains a contrasting or contradictory element in that same grammatical position.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 95Question →

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 96Question →

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
Question 97Question →

From the options lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter(s) in the word: seat.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: key

Answer

The word 'key' contains the same long monophthong vowel sound /iː/ as in 'seat'.
The underlined digraph 'ea' in 'seat' represents the long pure vowel (monophthong) /iː/. Among the given choices, the word 'key' is pronounced /kiː/, which contains the exact same monophthong sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target vowel sound
The underlined letters 'ea' in 'seat' represent the long front unrounded monophthong /iː/.
Correct phoneme identification is necessary to find matching vowel sounds.
2
Analyze the vowel sound in each option
'key' = /kiː/, 'sit' = /sɪt/, 'head' = /hed/, 'great' = /ɡreɪt/.
Phonetic transcription helps isolate pure monophthongs from short vowels and diphthongs.
3
Select the option with the matching monophthong
'key' has the exact same vowel sound /iː/.
Both words feature the identical pure vowel phoneme /iː/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 98Question →

Complete the statement below by identifying a word that features the indicated diphthong sound.

Fill in the blanks below

The word that contains the diphthong sound /aɪ/, as heard in the word 'my', is .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The blank is completed with any English word containing the diphthong sound /aɪ/, such as 'height', 'kite', or 'fly'.
Any word containing the phonetic glide /aɪ/ (such as 'height', 'kite', or 'fly') correctly demonstrates the /aɪ/ diphthong sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target sound /aɪ/.
The target phonetic sound /aɪ/ is a diphthong gliding from the open front vowel sound /a/ towards the near-close front vowel sound /ɪ/.
Recognizing the auditory glide helps distinguish diphthongs from pure monophthong vowel sounds.
2
Select an appropriate word containing this phonetic glide.
Words such as 'height', 'light', 'kite', or 'fly' produce the exact /aɪ/ diphthong sound despite having different spelling patterns.
English oral tests evaluate sound recognition rather than spelling alignment.

Key Concept

Diphthong Identification (/aɪ/ sound)
Question 99Question →

Match each target word in the left column with the word in the right column that contains the identical diphthong sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

gauge
sleight
brooch
heir

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'gauge' matches 'feign' (/eɪ/), 'sleight' matches 'height' (/aɪ/), 'brooch' matches 'foe' (/əʊ/), and 'heir' matches 'scarce' (/eə/).
Each pair is matched strictly by its shared diphthong sound despite irregular spellings: 'gauge' and 'feign' share /eɪ/, 'sleight' and 'height' share /aɪ/, 'brooch' and 'foe' share /əʊ/, and 'heir' and 'scarce' share /eə/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription and primary diphthong sound for each left-column word.
'gauge' is pronounced /ɡeɪdʒ/ (/eɪ/), 'sleight' is pronounced /slaɪt/ (/aɪ/), 'brooch' is pronounced /brəʊtʃ/ (/əʊ/), and 'heir' is pronounced /eə/ (/eə/).
Spelling patterns in English are often misleading; establishing standard IPA transcriptions reveals the underlying diphthong.
2
Determine the primary diphthong sound for each right-column word.
'feign' has /eɪ/, 'height' has /aɪ/, 'foe' has /əʊ/, and 'scarce' has /eə/.
Identifying the corresponding sounds in the target options enables direct pair matching.
3
Pair each word from the left column with its matching counterpart on the right based on identical diphthongs.
gauge - feign (/eɪ/), sleight - height (/aɪ/), brooch - foe (/əʊ/), heir - scarce (/eə/).
Matching identical phonetic sounds fulfills the examination criteria.

Key Concept

Identifying identical diphthong sounds across deceptive orthographic spellings
Question 100Question →

Select the word that has the same end rhyme sound as plaid.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: glad

Answer

glad
The target word 'plaid' is transcribed phonetically as /plæd/, featuring the short monophthong /æ/ sound. Among the given options, 'glad' is pronounced as /ɡlæd/, sharing the exact same rime /æd/, which creates a true phonetic rhyme.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of the target word.
The target word 'plaid' is transcribed as /plæd/.
Rhyme in Oral English is determined strictly by matching the nuclear vowel sound and terminal consonant sound, not by spelling.
2
Transcribe and analyze the end sound of each given option.
'played' (/pleɪd/), 'glad' (/ɡlæd/), 'blade' (/bleɪd/), and 'paid' (/peɪd/).
Identifying the vowel phoneme in each option isolates the true phonetic match from visual eye-rhyme distractors.
3
Match the target word's terminal phonemes with the corresponding option.
/plæd/ matches /ɡlæd/ in the /æd/ sound ending.
Both words contain the short monophthong /æ/ followed by the voiced alveolar plosive /d/.

Key Concept

Phonetic Rhyme vs. Eye-Rhyme in English Monophthongs
Estimated Time:45s
PreviousPage 5 / 22Next
Oral English Practice Questions — JAMB UTME — Page 5 | Examkin