Which of the following words does not take a dipthong ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option 4, "cat," is the correct answer because it does not contain a diphthong. A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable. Let's examine each option to understand why "cat" is the correct choice:

1. **Here**: The word "here" contains a diphthong. The vowel sound in "here" starts with the sound /i/ and glides into the schwa sound /ə/, forming the diphthong /ɪə/.

2. **Boy**: The word "boy" also contains a diphthong. The vowel sound in "boy" starts with the sound /ɔ/ and glides into the sound /ɪ/, forming the diphthong /ɔɪ/.

3. **My**: The word "my" contains a diphthong as well. The vowel sound in "my" starts with the sound /a/ and glides into the sound /ɪ/, forming the diphthong /aɪ/.

4. **Cat**: The word "cat" does not contain a diphthong. It has a single, pure vowel sound /æ/ in the middle, which does not glide into another vowel sound. This makes "cat" distinct from the other options, as it lacks the characteristic glide of a diphthong.

In summary, "cat" is the correct answer because it is the only word among the options that does not feature a diphthong, instead having a single, stable vowel sound.