Which one of the following words begins (underlined) with a ,insdifferent sound ?

Question

Which one of the following words begins (underlined) with a ,ins>different sound ?

Accepted Answer

Option 4, "city," is the correct answer because it begins with a different sound compared to the other options. Let's analyze each option to understand why "city" is distinct:

1. **Option 1: \underline{k}ite** - The word "kite" begins with the sound /k/, which is a voiceless velar plosive. This sound is produced by obstructing airflow at the back of the mouth with the back of the tongue against the soft palate.

2. **Option 2: \underline{c}ool** - The word "cool" also begins with the sound /k/, similar to "kite." The letter 'c' in "cool" is pronounced as a voiceless velar plosive, just like the 'k' in "kite."

3. **Option 3: \underline{ch}emistry** - The word "chemistry" starts with the sound /k/, despite being spelled with 'ch.' In this case, 'ch' is pronounced as a voiceless velar plosive /k/, which is the same sound as in "kite" and "cool."

4. **Option 4: \underline{c}ity** - The word "city" begins with the sound /s/, which is a voiceless alveolar fricative. This sound is produced by directing airflow between the tongue and the alveolar ridge, creating a hissing sound. This is different from the /k/ sound in the other options.

In summary, Option 4, "city," is correct because it begins with the /s/ sound, which is distinct from the /k/ sound that starts the other words. This difference in initial sound is why "city" is the correct choice.