Select the option with a different Consonant sound (underlined) in the words given below :

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 4, "pitcher," is the correct answer because the consonant sound represented by the underlined letters "ch" is different from the consonant sounds in the other options. Let's analyze each option to understand why Option 4 is distinct: 1. **Option 1: shine** The underlined "sh" in "shine" represents the /ʃ/ sound, which is a voiceless postalveolar fricative. This sound is produced by directing air flow between the tongue and the roof of the mouth, creating a hissing sound. 2. **Option 2: ashes** Similarly, the underlined "sh" in "ashes" also represents the /ʃ/ sound, identical to the sound in "shine." It is produced in the same manner, confirming that these two options share the same consonant sound. 3. **Option 3: fish** The underlined "sh" in "fish" again represents the /ʃ/ sound. This sound is consistent with the sounds in "shine" and "ashes," maintaining the same voiceless postalveolar fricative characteristic. 4. **Option 4: pitcher** The underlined "ch" in "pitcher" represents the /tʃ/ sound, which is a voiceless postalveolar affricate. This sound is produced by initially stopping the airflow completely (like a "t" sound) and then releasing it into a fricative (like a "sh" sound). This combination of stop and fricative makes it distinct from the pure fricative /ʃ/ sound found in the other options. In summary, Option 4 is correct because the sound /tʃ/ in "pitcher" is an affricate, differing from the fricative /ʃ/ sound in the other options. This distinction in sound production justifies why Option 4 is the one with a different consonant sound.