These WAEC questions on Phonetic Symbols are all from its sub-topics in the WAEC ENGLISH SYLLABUS.
We have also covered each Phonetic Symbol sub-topic with detailed explanation in our WAEC English lesson online.
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WAEC Phonetic Symbol questions
Attempt each question before checking its correct answer and explanation.
Choose the word that contains the sound represented by the given phonetic symbol.
WAEC English 2010 (51)
1. /ı:/
A. receive
B. head
C. weapon
D. peasant
See Explanation ✅
/ɪ:/ represents the long vowel “eee” sound and only the “-ei-” in “receive” has that same sound. Other options all have the vowel /e/ sound instead.
WAEC English 2011 (51)
2. /ð/
A. bother
B. broader
C. udder
D. author
See Explanation ✅
/ð/ represents voiced consonant “the” sound and only the “-th-” in “bother” has that same sound. Options B and C both have the /d/ sound, while option D has the voiceless /θ/ instead.
WAEC English 2012 (51)
3. /e/
A. week
B. leap
C. many
D. receive
See Explanation ✅
/e/ represents the vowel “e” sound, as in “egg” and only the “-a-” in “many” has that same sound. Other options all have the vowel /ɪ:/ instead.
WAEC English 2012 (60)
4. /ʃ/
A. scoop
B. cheque
C. measure
D. lash
See Explanation ✅
/ʃ/ represents the relaxed “sh” sound that only the “sh-” in “lash” has. Option A has the /s/ sound, B has the /tʃ/ instead, while C has the /ʒ/ sound.
WAEC English 2011 (58)
5. /əʊ/
A. hot
B. goat
C. fund
D. laid
See Explanation ✅
/əʊ/ represents the “oh” sound and only the “-oa-” in “goat” has that same sound. The “o” in option A has the /ɒ/ sound instead.
WAEC English 2010 (56)
6. /b/
A. debt
B. subtle
C. plumber
D. robber
See Explanation ✅
/b/ represents the “bah” sound that only the “-bb-” in “robber” has. The “b” in other options are all silent.
WAEC English 2010 (53)
7. /ɜː/
A. attorney
B. surprising
C. wonderful
D. abduction
See Explanation ✅
/ɜ:/ represents the vowel “errrrr” sound and only the “-or-” in “attorney” has that same sound.
WAEC English 2012 (57)
8. /θ/
A. these
B. those
C. think
D. there
See Explanation ✅
/θ/ represents the voiceless “th” sound that only the “th-” in “think” has. Other options all have the voiced /ð/ sound instead.
WAEC English 2011 (60)
9. /ɑʊ/
A. laugh
B. may
C. tough
D. plough
See Explanation ✅
/ɑʊ/ represents “ah” + “u” sound and only the “-ough” in “plough” has that same sound. The “-ough” in option C has the cluster /ʌf/ sound instead.
WAEC English 2011 (55)
10. /j/
A. cut
B. pay
C. cute
D. wire
See Explanation ✅
/j/ represents that first sound in “you”. Only the “-u-” in “cute” has that same sound. The “u” in option A has the /ʌ/ sound instead.
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