Examkin

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)

68 questions

All types68Multiple choice36Matching17Fill in the blank15
Question 21Question →

Which of the following words contains the same pure vowel sound as the one in *heart*?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: clerk

Answer

The word 'clerk' contains the same pure vowel sound (/ɑː/) as 'heart'.
The target word 'heart' is pronounced /hɑːt/ with the long pure vowel /ɑː/. The word 'clerk' is pronounced /klɑːk/ in British Standard English (RP), which contains the exact same monophthong vowel sound /ɑː/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the monophthong sound in the target word
The word 'heart' is phonetically transcribed as /hɑːt/, which features the long pure vowel /ɑː/.
Determining the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) sound of the target word establishes the phonetic criteria.
2
Analyze the vowel sound of each option
'clerk' is /klɑːk/, 'heard' is /hɜːd/, 'beard' is /bɪəd/, and 'earth' is /ɜːθ/.
Transcribing each option reveals which word matches the /ɑː/ sound.
3
Select the word sharing the target monophthong
'clerk' (/klɑːk/) matches 'heart' (/hɑːt/).
Both words use the /ɑː/ monophthong vowel sound despite their different orthographic spellings.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 22Question →

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

Fill in the blanks below

The underlined letter pattern in the word flood represents the monophthong sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The monophthong sound in the word 'flood' is represented by the phonetic symbol /ʌ/.
In the word 'flood' /flʌd/, the underlined letters 'oo' represent the short monophthong /ʌ/, which is the same vowel sound found in words such as 'cup', 'cut', and 'blood'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pronunciation of the word 'flood'.
The word 'flood' is pronounced phonetically as /flʌd/.
Although spelled with double 'o', it does not take the long vowel /uː/ (as in 'food') or short /ʊ/ (as in 'foot').
2
Identify the specific monophthong produced by the letters 'oo'.
The sound produced is the short open-mid back unrounded vowel /ʌ/.
The spelling 'oo' in words like 'flood' and 'blood' uniquely represents the /ʌ/ sound, matching words like 'cup' /kʌp/ or 'strut' /strʌt/.

Key Concept

Monophthong sound identification and deceptive spelling patterns in English vowels.
Question 23Question →

From the options lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same pure vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letter in the word yacht.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: watch

Answer

The word 'watch' contains the same pure vowel sound (/ɒ/) as 'yacht'.
In English phonetics, the letter 'a' in 'yacht' represents the short open back rounded monophthong /ɒ/. Among the given choices, 'watch' also features the short monophthong /ɒ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the monophthong sound in the target word
In the word 'yacht' (/jɒt/), the underlined letter 'a' produces the short back pure vowel /ɒ/.
English orthography uses the letter 'a' after /j/ or /w/ to represent the monophthong /ɒ/.
2
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of each option
'watch' = /wɒtʃ/, 'water' = /ˈwɔːtə/, 'batch' = /bætʃ/, 'waste' = /weɪst/.
Transcribing each option to its International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) representation reveals the underlying vowel.
3
Match the target sound to the correct option
'watch' matches /ɒ/.
Both 'yacht' and 'watch' share the short monophthong /ɒ/.

Key Concept

Identification of the short monophthong /ɒ/ across non-standard orthographic spellings in English.
Question 24Question →

Which of the following words contains the same pure vowel sound as the stressed syllable in sergeant?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: hearth

Answer

hearth
The word 'sergeant' (/ˈsɑːdʒənt/) contains the long open back unrounded monophthong /ɑː/ in its initial stressed syllable. The word 'hearth' (/hɑːθ/) contains this exact same pure vowel sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription of the target word's stressed syllable.
The word 'sergeant' is transcribed as /ˈsɑːdʒənt/. The primary stressed vowel sound represented by 'er' is the monophthong /ɑː/.
Deceptive orthography leads test-takers to assume 'er' produces /ɜː/ as in 'serve' or 'merchant', but in 'sergeant' it produces /ɑː/.
2
Analyze the vowel sounds in each option.
'merchant' has /ɜː/, 'hearth' has /ɑː/, 'dearth' has /ɜː/, and 'tier' has /ɪə/.
Isolating the monophthong in each choice helps identify which one shares the exact phonetic quality of /ɑː/.
3
Match the target monophthong to the correct option.
'hearth' (/hɑːθ/) matches 'sergeant' (/ˈsɑːdʒənt/) with the monophthong /ɑː/.
'hearth' uses the uncommon spelling pattern 'ear' to represent /ɑː/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) - Distinction of /ɑː/ sound in deceptive orthography
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 25Question →

Match each of the following words featuring pure vowel sounds to its corresponding International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

seat
sit
cat
cart

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matching pairs are: 'seat' matches /i:/, 'sit' matches /ɪ/, 'cat' matches /æ/, and 'cart' matches /ɑ:/.
Each English word is correctly paired with its exact IPA monophthong symbol based on standard pronunciation rules: 'seat' produces the long /i:/ sound, 'sit' produces the short /ɪ/ sound, 'cat' produces the short /æ/ sound, and 'cart' produces the long /ɑ:/ sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the vowel sound in 'seat' and 'sit'
'seat' uses the long pure vowel /i:/ while 'sit' uses the short pure vowel /ɪ/.
Vowel duration (length) and tongue position differentiate the long monophthong /i:/ from the short monophthong /ɪ/.
2
Analyze the vowel sound in 'cat' and 'cart'
'cat' uses the short open front monophthong /æ/, whereas 'cart' uses the long open back monophthong /ɑ:/.
Phonetic rules classify 'cat' under the short vowel sound /æ/ and 'cart' (where 'ar' acts as a long vowel indicator) under /ɑ:/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 26Question →

Identify the word from the options provided that contains the exact monophthong sound represented by the underlined letters in the word s<u>er</u>geant.

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Answer: reservoir

Answer

The word containing the identical monophthong sound as 'sergeant' is 'reservoir'.
In Received Pronunciation, the underlined letters 'er' in 'sergeant' are pronounced as the long open back unrounded monophthong /ɑː/. The word 'reservoir' (/ˈrezəvwɑː/) also ends with this identical pure vowel sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate and transcribe the target monophthong sound in the stem word.
The underlined spelling pattern 'er' in 'sergeant' (/ˈsɑːdʒənt/) represents the long open back unrounded monophthong /ɑː/.
English orthography is non-phonetic; 'er' in 'sergeant' is an exceptional spelling rule producing /ɑː/ rather than the typical /ɜː/.
2
Analyze the phonetic realization of the vowel sounds in each option.
'reservoir' = /ˈrezəvwɑː/ (contains /ɑː/), 'term' = /tɜːm/ (contains /ɜː/), 'serge' = /sɜːdʒ/ (contains /ɜː/), 'pierce' = /pɪəs/ (contains /ɪə/).
Matching requires identifying the precise International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) pure vowel symbol for each word in Standard British RP.
3
Select the option that matches the target monophthong /ɑː/.
'reservoir' ends with the exact monophthong /ɑː/.
Both 'sergeant' and 'reservoir' share the pure long vowel sound /ɑː/.

Key Concept

Phonetic identification of pure monophthong /ɑː/ across irregular orthographic representations
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 27Question →

From the options lettered A to D, choose the word that has the same pure vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in the word sieve.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: busy

Answer

The word containing the same pure vowel sound /ɪ/ as 'sieve' is 'busy'.
The underlined letter combination 'ie' in 'sieve' is pronounced as the short pure vowel sound /ɪ/ (/sɪv/). The word 'busy' also features the short vowel sound /ɪ/ in its first syllable (/ˈbɪzi/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the monophthong vowel sound in the target word.
The underlined letters 'ie' in 'sieve' are pronounced as the short pure vowel /ɪ/ (/sɪv/).
English orthography uses the 'ie' spelling pattern deceptively in 'sieve' to produce a short monophthong.
2
Analyze the main vowel sound in each option.
'busy' has /ɪ/ (/ˈbɪzi/), 'thief' has /iː/ (/θiːf/), 'receive' has /iː/ (/rɪˈsiːv/), and 'height' has /aɪ/ (/haɪt/).
Phonetic breakdown reveals which word shares the short pure vowel /ɪ/.
3
Select the word matching the target sound.
'busy' matches the /ɪ/ sound found in 'sieve'.
Both 'sieve' and 'busy' share the short front unrounded monophthong /ɪ/.

Key Concept

Monophthong sound identification and deceptive spelling patterns
Question 28Question →

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

Fill in the blanks below

In English phonology, the word 'cup' contains the short monophthong sound represented by the IPA symbol .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The monophthong sound in 'cup' is represented by the IPA symbol /ʌ/.
The word 'cup' is pronounced /kʌp/, featuring the short pure vowel sound /ʌ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pronunciation of the word 'cup'.
The vowel sound produced in 'cup' is a short, central, open-mid unrounded pure vowel.
Determining the correct phonetic production of the vowel segment.
2
Map the spoken vowel sound to its standard International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) monophthong symbol.
The corresponding IPA symbol for this short vowel sound is /ʌ/.
Connecting the spoken sound to its canonical IPA phonetic notation.

Key Concept

Identification of pure vowel sounds (monophthongs) and their standard IPA symbols.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 29Question →

Which word contains the exact pure vowel sound as the underlined letter in b<u>o</u>som?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: butcher

Answer

The word containing the same pure vowel sound as 'bosom' is 'butcher'.
In standard Received Pronunciation (RP), the underlined letter 'o' in 'bosom' is articulated as the short pure vowel sound /ʊ/ (/ˈbʊz.əm/). Among the choices provided, 'butcher' also features the short pure vowel /ʊ/ (/ˈbʊtʃ.ər/), making it the accurate phonetic match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target monophthong in the prompt word
The underlined 'o' in 'bosom' represents the short pure vowel /ʊ/ (/ˈbʊz.əm/).
Phonetic transcription isolates the exact pure vowel sound being tested.
2
Determine the phonetic vowel sound for each option
'butcher' features /ʊ/, 'tomb' features /uː/, 'boss' features /ɒ/, and 'soul' features /əʊ/.
Comparing vowel transcriptions distinguishes pure short vowels from long vowels, alternate short vowels, and diphthongs.
3
Match the target sound to the correct option
'butcher' (/ˈbʊtʃ.ər/) matches the /ʊ/ monophthong in 'bosom'.
Both words share the identical pure monophthong /ʊ/ in their primary stressed syllables.

Key Concept

Monophthong (Pure Vowel) Phonetic Matching: /ʊ/ vs /uː/, /ɒ/, and /əʊ/
Question 30Question →

Which word features the same monophthong vowel sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in pl<u>ai</u>t?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: cat

Answer

The word 'cat' contains the short monophthong vowel sound /æ/, matching the sound in 'plait'.
The word 'plait' is pronounced as /plæt/, which features the short pure vowel (monophthong) /æ/. Among the choices provided, the word 'cat' (/kæt/) is the only option that contains this exact sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic pronunciation of the target word
The word 'plait' is pronounced /plæt/, containing the short monophthong vowel /æ/.
Although spelled with 'ai', 'plait' is an orthographic exception pronounced with the short monophthong /æ/.
2
Analyze the vowel sound in each option
'plate' has /eɪ/, 'cat' has /æ/, 'harm' has /ɑː/, and 'wait' has /eɪ/.
Matching each option's vowel sound against /æ/ reveals the correct equivalent.
3
Select the option with the matching monophthong
'cat' is the correct match.
Both 'plait' and 'cat' share the pure short vowel sound /æ/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) - Short Vowel /æ/
Question 31Question →

Complete the statement below by providing the correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol representing the underlined monophthong sound.

Fill in the blanks below

In standard Received Pronunciation, the pure vowel sound represented by the underlined letters in the word qu<u>ay</u> is //.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the underlined monophthong in 'quay' is /iː/ (or /i:/).
The word 'quay' is pronounced as /kiː/. The letters 'ay' in this term exceptionally realize the long pure front vowel sound /iː/, matching the vowel sound in 'see' and 'key'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the orthography and standard pronunciation of the word.
The word 'quay' is phonetically transcribed as /kiː/.
Although orthographically ending in 'ay', 'quay' is a classic English spelling exception pronounced identically to 'key'.
2
Identify the specific monophthong category.
The sound is the close front unrounded long vowel /iː/.
It is a pure vowel (monophthong), distinguished by its length from the short lax vowel /ɪ/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) - Irregular Orthographic Spellings
Question 32Question →

Match each word on the left containing a non-standard spelling representation of a monophthong (pure vowel) sound with the word on the right that shares the exact same monophthong sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

quay
heifer
colonel
salmon

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'Quay' matches 'machine' (/iː/); 'heifer' matches 'leopard' (/e/); 'colonel' matches 'flirt' (/ɜː/); 'salmon' matches 'plait' (/æ/).
Each word pair shares an identical monophthong vowel sound despite their different spelling choices: 'quay' and 'machine' share /iː/; 'heifer' and 'leopard' share /e/; 'colonel' and 'flirt' share /ɜː/; and 'salmon' and 'plait' share /æ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary monophthong vowel sound in each target word on the left.
'Quay' contains /iː/, 'heifer' contains /e/, 'colonel' contains /ɜː/, and 'salmon' contains /æ/.
Irregular orthographic patterns ('uay', 'ei', 'olo', 'al') must be transcribed into standard IPA pure vowel symbols.
2
Analyze the monophthong vowel sounds in the words on the right.
'Machine' contains /iː/, 'leopard' contains /e/, 'flirt' contains /ɜː/, and 'plait' contains /æ/.
Matching requires finding corresponding phonetic equivalents regardless of spelling variations.
3
Pair each left item with its corresponding phonologically matching right item.
quay ↔ machine (/iː/), heifer ↔ leopard (/e/), colonel ↔ flirt (/ɜː/), salmon ↔ plait (/æ/).
Each pair correctly shares the exact same IPA monophthong sound.

Key Concept

Monophthong (Pure Vowel) Identification across Non-Standard Orthography
Question 33Question →

Identify the correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols for the pure vowel sounds in the words below.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word h<u>ea</u>rth, the underlined letters 'ea' represent the monophthong sound , whereas in h<u>ea</u>rd, the underlined letters 'ea' represent the monophthong sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The underlined letters 'ea' in 'hearth' represent the monophthong /ɑː/, while in 'heard' they represent the monophthong /ɜː/.
In Received Pronunciation (RP), 'hearth' is pronounced /hɑːθ/, utilizing the long open unrounded pure vowel /ɑː/. Conversely, 'heard' is pronounced /hɜːd/, which employs the long central pure vowel /ɜː/. Identifying these distinct monophthongs requires overcoming orthographic traps where identical spelling sequences ('ea') yield different phonetic realisations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of the word 'hearth'.
The word 'hearth' is transcribed as /hɑːθ/.
Despite the common spelling pattern 'ea', 'hearth' is an orthographic exception that uses the long open back unrounded pure vowel sound /ɑː/.
2
Determine the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of the word 'heard'.
The word 'heard' is transcribed as /hɜːd/.
The letter sequence 'ear' followed by a consonant in 'heard' produces the long central unrounded pure vowel sound /ɜː/.

Key Concept

Monophthong Contrast and Orthographic Exceptions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 34Question →

Which International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol correctly represents the underlined pure vowel sound (monophthong) in each word given below? Match each word on the left to its corresponding IPA symbol on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

sergeant
bosom
womb
flood

Matches

Show answer & explanation

Answer

sergeant matches /ɑː/; bosom matches /ʊ/; womb matches /uː/; flood matches /ʌ/
'sergeant' matches /ɑː/ because 'ergea' forms a long open back vowel; 'bosom' matches /ʊ/ as the vowel sound is short and rounded; 'womb' matches /uː/ as the single vowel takes a long back close articulation; and 'flood' matches /ʌ/ because 'oo' in this word represents a short unrounded pure vowel.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the monophthong in 'sergeant'
'sergeant' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈsɑːdʒənt/, containing the long pure vowel /ɑː/.
The letter group 'ergea' irregularly produces the /ɑː/ sound rather than a short front vowel.
2
Determine the monophthong in 'bosom'
'bosom' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈbʊzəm/, containing the short pure vowel /ʊ/.
The letter 'o' in 'bosom' takes the lax rounded vowel sound heard in 'put'.
3
Determine the monophthong in 'womb'
'womb' is phonetically transcribed as /wuːm/, containing the tense long pure vowel /uː/.
The single 'o' before 'mb' lengthens to /uː/ rather than /ɒ/ or /ʊ/.
4
Determine the monophthong in 'flood'
'flood' is phonetically transcribed as /flʌd/, containing the short unrounded pure vowel /ʌ/.
The double 'oo' spelling in 'flood' (and 'blood') is an exceptional spelling for /ʌ/ instead of /uː/.

Key Concept

Phonetic identification of monophthongs with irregular orthographic representations
Question 35Question →

From the options lettered A to D, which word contains the same monophthong (pure vowel) sound as the one represented by the underlined letter in b<u>u</u>ry?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: leopard

Answer

leopard
The underlined letter 'u' in the target word 'bury' is pronounced as the short monophthong /e/ (/ˈberi/). Among the choices, the word 'leopard' (/ˈlepəd/) features the identical short monophthong /e/ in its primary stressed syllable, despite using the rare spelling pattern 'eo'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the pure vowel sound in the target word
The word 'bury' is phonetically transcribed as /ˈberi/. The underlined letter 'u' represents the short monophthong /e/.
Establishing the exact IPA monophthong symbol is required to make a precise sound match.
2
Analyze the phonetic composition of each option
'leopard' is pronounced /ˈlepəd/ (contains /e/); 'fury' is pronounced /ˈfjʊəri/ (contains /jʊə/); 'busy' is pronounced /ˈbɪzi/ (contains /ɪ/); 'duty' is pronounced /ˈdjuːti/ (contains /uː/).
Evaluating vowel quality across options eliminates orthographic traps.
3
Match the target sound to the correct option
Both 'bury' and 'leopard' share the short monophthong /e/.
'leopard' features the identical short monophthong /e/ despite its atypical 'eo' spelling.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Question 36Question →

In the word c<u>ou</u>sin, the underlined letters represent a specific monophthong sound. Which of the following words contains the same pure vowel sound?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: tough

Answer

The word with the matching pure vowel sound is tough.
The underlined letters 'ou' in 'cousin' are pronounced as the short pure vowel sound /ʌ/. The word 'tough' (/tʌf/) also uses the 'ou' spelling to produce the exact same short monophthong sound /ʌ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the monophthong sound in the target word
The underlined letters 'ou' in 'cousin' (/ˈkʌzn/) represent the short central monophthong /��/.
Accurately identifying the underlying phonetic symbol is necessary for sound matching.
2
Analyze the vowel sounds in the options
'doubt' contains the diphthong /aʊ/, 'tough' contains the monophthong /ʌ/, 'soul' contains the diphthong /əʊ/, and 'group' contains the long monophthong /uː/.
Spelling patterns with 'ou' can map to various monophthongs or diphthongs.
3
Select the option with the identical monophthong sound
'tough' matches the /ʌ/ sound present in 'cousin'.
Both words articulate the identical short monophthong /ʌ/ despite differing final consonants.

Key Concept

Identification of monophthongs (pure vowels) across irregular spelling patterns
Estimated Time:45s
Question 37Question →

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

Fill in the blanks below

In the word sieve, the vowel digraph ie produces the short monophthong sound represented by the IPA symbol //.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The monophthong sound in 'sieve' is represented by the IPA symbol /ɪ/.
In standard English phonetics, the word 'sieve' is transcribed as /sɪv/. The underlined vowel digraph 'ie' in this word represents the short high-front unrounded monophthong sound /ɪ/ rather than the long vowel /i:/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the standard phonetic transcription of the target word 'sieve'.
The word 'sieve' is pronounced /sɪv/.
Although orthographically written with the digraph 'ie' (which traditionally represents the long vowel /i:/ as in 'chief'), 'sieve' is an exception where it produces a short front unrounded monophthong.
2
Determine the corresponding International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the pure vowel sound.
The target sound corresponds to the lax monophthong /ɪ/.
The vowel sound in 'sieve' matches the short vowel sound present in words like 'pit' /pɪt/ and 'sit' /sɪt/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 38Question →

Complete the sentence below by identifying the correct International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol for the indicated pure vowel sound.

Fill in the blanks below

The underlined spelling pattern in the word s<u>ui</u>te represents the monophthong sound .
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct IPA symbol is /iː/ (or /i:/).
In standard English pronunciation, the word 'suite' is pronounced as /swiːt/. The underlined letters 'ui' produce the long pure vowel sound represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet by the symbol /iː/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the correct pronunciation of the word 'suite'.
The word 'suite' is transcribed phonetically as /swiːt/.
Despite its orthographic similarity to 'suit' (/suːt/), 'suite' is a homophone of 'sweet'.
2
Isolate the monophthong (pure vowel) sound produced by the underlined spelling pattern 'ui'.
The letters 'ui' following the consonant sound /w/ realize the long close front unrounded vowel.
In English phonetics, this long vowel is symbolized by /iː/.

Key Concept

Monophthongs: Long close front unrounded vowel /iː/
Question 39Question →

In the word c<u>ou</u>rtesy, the underlined letters represent a specific pure vowel sound. Which of the following words contains the same monophthong sound?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: journey

Answer

The word 'journey' contains the identical long central monophthong sound /ɜː/ found in 'courtesy'.
The word 'courtesy' is articulated with the open-mid central unrounded long pure vowel /ɜː/. Among the choices, 'journey' is the only word whose vowel sound matches /ɜː/ exactly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic transcription of the target word
The word 'courtesy' is transcribed as /ˈkɜː.tə.si/. The underlined digraph 'ou' produces the long central pure vowel (monophthong) /ɜː/.
Establishing the exact IPA symbol for the target sound is necessary before evaluating options.
2
Transcribe and analyze each given option phonetically
'journey' = /ˈdʒɜː.ni/ (/ɜː/), 'country' = /ˈkʌn.tri/ (/ʌ/), 'tourist' = /ˈtʊə.rɪst/ (/ʊə/), 'mourn' = /mɔːn/ (/ɔː/).
Distinguishing pure monophthongs from diphthongs and contrasting vowel quality/length reveals the matching sound.
3
Compare option vowel sounds to the target /ɜː/
Only 'journey' shares the exact long central monophthong /ɜː/ with 'courtesy'.
Matching IPA symbols ensures correct identification independent of misleading orthography.

Key Concept

Identification of the open-mid central unrounded long monophthong /ɜː/ across diverse orthographic spelling patterns ('ou', 'our', 'ourn').
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Question 40Question →

Which of the given words contains the identical pure vowel sound as the letter o in w<u>o</u>men?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: guilt

Answer

The word 'guilt' contains the pure vowel sound /ɪ/, which is identical to the vowel sound represented by 'o' in 'women'.
The letter 'o' in 'women' is an exceptional spelling for the short pure vowel sound /ɪ/ (as in /ˈwɪmɪn/). The word 'guilt' also features this exact short monophthong /ɪ/ in its pronunciation (/ɡɪlt/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic pronunciation of the target word.
The word 'women' is pronounced phonetically as /ˈwɪmɪn/. The underlined letter 'o' represents the short monophthong /ɪ/.
English orthography uses the letter 'o' irregularly in 'women' to produce the short close front unrounded vowel /ɪ/.
2
Analyze the vowel sounds in each option.
'guilt' has /ɪ/, 'machine' has /iː/, 'womb' has /uː/, and 'wonder' has /ʌ/.
Comparing IPA transcriptions isolates the matching monophthong.
3
Select the matching word.
'guilt' matches the /ɪ/ sound found in 'women'.
Both words share the short monophthong vowel /ɪ/ despite using different spelling patterns ('o' vs 'ui').

Key Concept

Monophthongs (Pure Vowels)
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Monophthongs (Pure Vowels) Practice Questions — JAMB UTME — Page 2 | Examkin