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Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)

68 questions

All types68Multiple choice36Matching17Fill in the blank15
Question 1Question →

Match each word containing an underlined spelling pattern to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol that correctly represents its monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

Plait
Quay
Bury
Calm

Matches

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Answer

'Plait' pairs with /æ/, 'Quay' pairs with /i:/, 'Bury' pairs with /e/, and 'Calm' pairs with /ɑ:/.
Each word features an irregular spelling pattern for its monophthong sound: 'plait' contains the short front vowel /æ/, 'quay' contains the long front vowel /i:/, 'bury' contains the short front vowel /e/, and 'calm' contains the long back vowel /ɑ:/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Transcribe the phonetic vowel sound of the underlined portion in each target word.
'plait' is transcribed as /plæt/, 'quay' as /ki:/, 'bury' as /ˈberi/, and 'calm' as /kɑːm/.
Identifying the precise RP monophthong symbol requires overriding spelling traps and recognizing irregular orthographic patterns.
2
Match each target word to its corresponding IPA monophthong symbol.
Plait → /æ/, Quay → /i:/, Bury → /e/, Calm → /ɑ:/.
Each pair correctly aligns the irregular spelling pattern with its standard monophthong representation.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 2Question →

Match each of the following English words featuring deceptive orthography to the correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing its stressed monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

quay
bury
plait
bosom

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'quay' matches /i:/, 'bury' matches /e/, 'plait' matches /æ/, and 'bosom' matches /ʊ/.
Each target word exhibits non-standard grapheme-to-phoneme mapping: 'quay' corresponds to /i:/, 'bury' corresponds to /e/, 'plait' corresponds to /æ/, and 'bosom' corresponds to /ʊ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription of 'quay'.
'quay' is transcribed as /ki:/.
The digraph 'ay' in 'quay' represents the long pure vowel /i:/ rather than the diphthong /eɪ/.
2
Determine the phonetic transcription of 'bury'.
'bury' is transcribed as /ˈber.i/.
The vowel letter 'u' in 'bury' produces the short front monophthong /e/, making it a homophone of 'berry'.
3
Determine the phonetic transcription of 'plait'.
'plait' is transcribed as /plæt/.
The digraph 'ai' in 'plait' produces the short open front monophthong /æ/, rhyming with 'flat'.
4
Determine the phonetic transcription of 'bosom'.
'bosom' is transcribed as /ˈbʊz.əm/.
The letter 'o' in the stressed syllable of 'bosom' produces the short near-back rounded monophthong /ʊ/.

Key Concept

Orthographic Discrepancies in English Monophthongs
Question 3Question →

From the options lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same pure vowel (monophthong) sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in the word c<u>ou</u>rtesy. Which of the following words contains this same sound?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: journey

Answer

The word 'journey' contains the identical monophthong sound /ɜː/ as found in 'courtesy'.
In English phonetics, the underlined digraph 'ou' in 'courtesy' is articulated as the long central unrounded pure vowel /ɜː/. Among the choices, the word 'journey' also articulates the 'our' sequence as /ɜː/ (/ˈdʒɜːni/), making it the exact phonetic match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target monophthong sound in the given word
In the word 'courtesy' (/ˈkɜːtəsi/), the underlined spelling pattern 'ou' represents the long central pure vowel sound /ɜː/.
Accurate phonetic transcription of the target word is necessary to isolate the vowel quality.
2
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of each given option
'journey' = /ˈdʒɜːni/ (/ɜː/), 'course' = /kɔːs/ (/ɔː/), 'country' = /ˈkʌntri/ (/ʌ/), 'cough' = /kɒf/ (/ɒ/).
Comparing orthographic 'ou'/'our' variations reveals their distinct underlying monophthongs.
3
Match the target sound /ɜː/ to the correct option
'journey' is the only option that shares the monophthong sound /ɜː/.
Both 'courtesy' and 'journey' feature the unrounded long central vowel /ɜː/.

Key Concept

Identification of the long central monophthong /ɜː/ across variable orthographic representations ('ou' / 'our').
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 4Question →

Which word shares the same monophthong sound as the underlined letter pattern in b<u>roa</u>d?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: chalk

Answer

chalk
The word 'broad' (/brɔːd/) features the long pure vowel (monophthong) /ɔː/. Among the choices, 'chalk' (/tʃɔːk/) also contains the long pure vowel /ɔː/. Therefore, 'chalk' is the correct match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic sound of the target word
The underlined vowel combination 'oa' in 'broad' is pronounced as the long pure vowel sound /ɔː/.
Although 'oa' usually produces the diphthong /əʊ/ in words like 'road' or 'boat', 'broad' is an exceptional spelling pattern that yields the monophthong /ɔː/.
2
Analyze the vowel sound in each alternative option
'groan' has /əʊ/, 'clock' has /ɒ/, 'chalk' has /ɔː/, and 'load' has /əʊ/.
In 'chalk', the letter combination 'al' represents the long pure vowel /ɔː/ (with a silent 'l').
3
Match the target monophthong with the correct option
Both 'broad' and 'chalk' contain the monophthong /ɔː/.
This demonstrates exact phonetic alignment between the two words.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 5Question →

Match each target word on the left to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing its primary monophthong (pure vowel) sound on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

swan
dearth
pretty
flute

Matches

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Answer

The correct matches pair each word with its corresponding IPA monophthong symbol: 'swan' matches /ɒ/, 'dearth' matches /ɜ:/, 'pretty' matches /ɪ/, and 'flute' matches /u:/.
Each word is matched strictly to its Received Pronunciation monophthong sound: 'swan' contains /ɒ/, 'dearth' contains /ɜ:/, 'pretty' contains /ɪ/, and 'flute' contains /u:/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the stressed vowel sound in 'swan'.
The letter 'a' in 'swan' produces the short open back rounded vowel /ɒ/.
Following 'w', the letter 'a' often realizes as /ɒ/ rather than /æ/.
2
Determine the stressed vowel sound in 'dearth'.
The spelling 'ear' followed by a consonant in 'dearth' produces the long central vowel /ɜ:/.
The vowel sound is identical to the vowel sound in 'earth' or 'birth'.
3
Determine the stressed vowel sound in 'pretty'.
The letter 'e' in the first syllable of 'pretty' is pronounced /ɪ/.
Despite the 'e' spelling, standard English phonology realizes this syllable as /prɪ/.
4
Determine the stressed vowel sound in 'flute'.
The vowel in 'flute' is the long close back rounded vowel /u:/.
The orthographic pattern 'u_e' in 'flute' creates a pure long /u:/ sound without an intervening glide.

Key Concept

Phonetic identification of pure English monophthongs across standard and non-standard orthographic patterns.
Question 6Question →

Match each of the following words featuring non-standard orthographic spellings to the exact International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing its primary monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

sieve
suite
leopard (stressed syllable)
womb

Matches

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Answer

'sieve' matches /ɪ/, 'suite' matches /iː/, 'leopard (stressed syllable)' matches /e/, and 'womb' matches /uː/.
Each target word contains a specific monophthong that corresponds to its correct IPA representation despite deceptive orthography: 'sieve' contains /ɪ/, 'suite' contains /iː/, 'leopard' contains /e/, and 'womb' contains /uː/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic realization of 'sieve'
Phonetic transcription is /sɪv/. The vowel spelling 'ie' corresponds to the short lax monophthong /ɪ/.
English orthography deceptive spelling pattern where 'ie' sounds like short /ɪ/ rather than long /iː/.
2
Analyze the phonetic realization of 'suite'
Phonetic transcription is /swiːt/. The vowel pattern 'ui' corresponds to the long tense monophthong /iː/.
The word is a homophone of 'sweet' and takes the long monophthong /iː/.
3
Analyze the phonetic realization of 'leopard'
Phonetic transcription of the stressed syllable is /ˈlep-/. The vowel digraph 'eo' corresponds to the short monophthong /e/.
The letter combination 'eo' in this word is pronounced as short /e/, identical to the vowel sound in 'bed'.
4
Analyze the phonetic realization of 'womb'
Phonetic transcription is /wuːm/. The single letter 'o' corresponds to the long close back monophthong /uː/.
The spelling 'o' followed by 'mb' yields the long rounded vowel /uː/, similar to 'tomb' and 'room'.

Key Concept

Identifying Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) in Irregular English Orthography
Question 7Question →

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

Show answer & explanation

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 8Question →

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 9Question →

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 10Question →

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 11Question →

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 12Question →

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 13Question →

Match each target word to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing its primary monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

quay
pack
bird
pot

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

Match 'quay' with /i:/, 'pack' with /æ/, 'bird' with /ɜ:/, and 'pot' with /ɒ/.
Each word is matched to its true IPA monophthong symbol based on standard Received Pronunciation (RP) as tested in JAMB UTME.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription and central monophthong vowel sound for each target word.
'quay' has the vowel /i:/, 'pack' has /æ/, 'bird' has /ɜ:/, and 'pot' has /ɒ/.
Identifying pure vowel sounds requires analyzing spoken pronunciation rather than relying solely on spelling.
2
Pair each word with its corresponding IPA monophthong symbol.
'quay' ↔ /i:/, 'pack' ↔ /æ/, 'bird' ↔ /ɜ:/, 'pot' ↔ /ɒ/.
Each word contains a distinct pure vowel sound represented accurately by its standard IPA symbol.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 14Question →

In the word plait, which of the following words contains the same monophthong (pure vowel) sound as the underlined letters?

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Answer: cat

Answer

The word 'cat' contains the same monophthong vowel sound /æ/ as the word 'plait'.
The word 'plait' contains the short monophthong vowel /æ/. Among the choices, the word 'cat' (/kæt/) is the only word that shares this exact pure vowel sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription of the target word
The word 'plait' is phonetically transcribed as /plæt/, containing the short monophthong vowel /æ/.
In English phonetics, 'plait' is an irregular spelling pattern where 'ai' represents the short pure vowel /æ/.
2
Analyze the vowel sound in each option
'cat' has /æ/, 'plate' has /eɪ/, 'part' has /ɑː/, and 'paid' has /eɪ/.
Comparing the phonetic realization of each option isolates the exact matching pure vowel.
3
Select the option with the matching monophthong
'cat' is the correct match.
Both 'plait' and 'cat' share the identical short monophthong sound /æ/.

Key Concept

Monophthong (Pure Vowel) Sound Matching
Estimated Time:45s
Question 15Question →

Identify the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing the underlined pure vowel sound in the given word.

Fill in the blanks below

The monophthong sound represented by the letter 'u' in the word 'put' is written phonetically as //.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct IPA symbol for the pure vowel sound in 'put' is /ʊ/.
The letter 'u' in the word 'put' represents the short, lax, near-close near-back rounded pure vowel /ʊ/, as also found in 'foot', 'look', and 'book'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Pronounce the target word and isolate the underlined vowel sound.
The letter 'u' in 'put' makes a short, lax back rounded pure vowel sound.
Isolating the sound distinguishes it from long pure vowels and diphthongs.
2
Map the isolated sound to its corresponding International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) monophthong symbol.
The short vowel sound heard in 'put', 'foot', and 'could' is transcribed as /ʊ/.
Standard IPA transcription represents this specific short pure vowel sound with the symbol /ʊ/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Estimated Time:35s
Question 16Question →

Complete the statement by identifying the correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the monophthong (pure vowel) sound represented by the underlined letter(s) in each word.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word bury, the underlined vowel letter represents the monophthong sound , whereas in the word busy, the underlined vowel letter represents the monophthong sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The underlined letter 'u' in 'bury' produces the short monophthong sound /e/, while the underlined letter 'u' in 'busy' produces the short monophthong sound /ɪ/.
The word 'bury' presents an irregular orthographic spelling where the letter 'u' represents the monophthong /e/ (as in 'red'). Conversely, the word 'busy' uses the letter 'u' to represent the monophthong /ɪ/ (as in 'hit').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic transcription of the word 'bury'.
The word 'bury' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈber.i/. The letter 'u' represents the short front mid unrounded pure vowel sound /e/.
In English phonology, 'bury' is an irregular spelling exception where the orthographic letter 'u' corresponds to the /e/ sound found in words like 'bed'.
2
Analyze the phonetic transcription of the word 'busy'.
The word 'busy' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈbɪz.i/. The letter 'u' represents the short close front unrounded pure vowel sound /ɪ/.
The orthographic letter 'u' in 'busy' represents an atypical spelling pattern for the lax monophthong /ɪ/ found in words like 'sit'.

Key Concept

Atypical orthographic representations of English monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 17Question →

Which of the following words contains the same monophthong vowel sound as the one underlined in y<u>a</u>cht?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: cough

Answer

The word containing the same pure vowel sound as 'yacht' is 'cough'.
In Received Pronunciation (RP) Standard English, the word 'yacht' is pronounced /jɒt/, where the underlined letter 'a' represents the short open back rounded monophthong /ɒ/. The word 'cough' is pronounced /kɒf/, which shares the exact same /ɒ/ monophthong sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription of the target word and isolate the underlined vowel sound.
The target word 'yacht' is transcribed as /jɒt/. The underlined letter 'a' represents the short open back rounded monophthong /ɒ/.
Determining the exact International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) monophthong sound of the target word is essential before examining the options.
2
Transcribe each option to determine its primary monophthong vowel sound.
'cough' is /kɒf/ (/ɒ/), 'catch' is /kætʃ/ (/æ/), 'cork' is /kɔːk/ (/ɔː/), and 'yawn' is /jɔːn/ (/ɔː/).
Phonetic transcription reveals sound mismatches caused by misleading orthography.
3
Match the target monophthong /ɒ/ to the option with the identical sound.
'cough' contains the sound /ɒ/, matching 'yacht'.
Both words share the identical pure short vowel /ɒ/ despite using different spelling representations ('a' vs 'ou').

Key Concept

Identification and phonetic matching of the short monophthong /ɒ/ across irregular orthographic patterns.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 18Question →

Select the word that contains the same monophthong (pure vowel) sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in the word below:

says

Show answer & explanation

Answer: leopard

Answer

The word containing the same monophthong sound as 'says' is 'leopard'.
The target word 'says' is pronounced phonologically as /sez/, featuring the short pure vowel /e/. Among the choices, 'leopard' is pronounced /ˈlepəd/, where the spelling 'eo' produces the exact same short monophthong /e/ sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined vowel pattern in the target word.
In the word 'says' (/sez/), the underlined spelling 'ay' represents the short monophthong (pure vowel) /e/.
Although 'ay' usually spells the diphthong /eɪ/, 'says' is an irregular pronunciation pronounced with the short pure vowel /e/.
2
Analyze the vowel sound in each of the given options to find the matching monophthong.
'leopard' is pronounced /ˈlepəd/ (contains /e/);
'days' is pronounced /deɪz/ (contains /eɪ/);
'feet' is pronounced /fiːt/ (contains /iː/);
'paid' is pronounced /peɪd/ (contains /eɪ/).
Only 'leopard' shares the exact short monophthong /e/ sound found in 'says'.

Key Concept

Monophthong (Pure Vowel) Identification
Question 19Question →

English orthography frequently masks the underlying phonetic structure of words through deceptive spelling patterns. Which of the following words contains the exact same monophthong (pure vowel) sound as the underlined letter in c<u>o</u>lonel?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: scourge

Answer

The word containing the exact same monophthong sound is 'scourge'.
In the word 'colonel' (/ˈkɜːn.əl/), the first vowel sound represented by the letter 'o' is the long central monophthong /ɜː/. The word 'scourge' (/skɜːdʒ/) also uses the monophthong /ɜː/ represented by the spelling 'our'. Thus, both words share the exact same pure vowel sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the phonetic transcription and specific monophthong in the target word.
The word 'colonel' is transcribed phonetically as /ˈkɜːn.əl/. The underlined letter 'o' represents the long central monophthong /ɜː/.
Identify the underlying target vowel sound independent of orthographic representation.
2
Analyze the vowel sounds in each of the given options.
'scourge' contains /ɜː/ (/skɜːdʒ/), 'colonial' contains /əʊ/ (/kəˈləʊniəl/), 'cough' contains /ɒ/ (/kɒf/), and 'colander' contains /ɒ/ (/ˈkɒlɪndə/).
Isolate the primary monophthong or diphthong sound present in each candidate option.
3
Match the target monophthong /ɜː/ to the correct option.
'scourge' is the only option that shares the monophthong /ɜː/.
Both words feature the same long central unrounded pure vowel.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 20Question →

Match each word below with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol that represents its primary monophthong (pure vowel) sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

boot
book
bet
bat

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'boot' matches /u:/, 'book' matches /ʊ/, 'bet' matches /e/, and 'bat' matches /æ/.
Each target word is correctly matched to its standard RP monophthong sound: 'boot' contains /u:/, 'book' contains /ʊ/, 'bet' contains /e/, and 'bat' contains /æ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Pronounce each word and isolate the main vowel sound.
The vowel sounds identified are /u:/ for 'boot', /ʊ/ for 'book', /e/ for 'bet', and /æ/ for 'bat'.
Isolating the vowel sound allows accurate mapping to phonetic symbols.
2
Pair each word with its corresponding IPA monophthong symbol.
'boot' pairs with /u:/, 'book' pairs with /ʊ/, 'bet' pairs with /e/, and 'bat' pairs with /æ/.
Each IPA symbol represents the precise quality and length of the monophthong in the target word.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
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Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) Practice Questions — JAMB UTME | Examkin