Question 45
GCE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1
•
2025
•
ENGLISH_LANGUAGE
•
objective
The words ‘bit' and ‘beat' differ only in one phoneme. Write the IPA transcription for each word, identify the minimal pair, and explain the phonetic feature that distinguishes the two vowels.
Answer Options
A.
IPA transcriptions:
- ‘bit' → /bɪt/
- ‘beat' → /biːt/
The minimal pair is /bɪt/ - /bɪːt/ (bit / beat). The distinguishing phonetic feature is vowel height: /ɪ/ is a near‑close vowel, while /iː/ is a close vowel.
B.
IPA transcriptions:
- ‘bit' → /bɪt/
- ‘beat' → /biːt/
The minimal pair is /bɪt/ - /biːt/ (bit / beat). The distinguishing phonetic feature is vowel backness: /ɪ/ is a front vowel, whereas /iː/ is a back vowel.
C.
IPA transcriptions:
- ‘bit' → /biːt/
- ‘beat' → /bɪt/
The minimal pair is /biːt/ - /bɪt/ (bit / beat). The distinguishing phonetic feature is vowel length and tenseness: /iː/ is a long, tense front vowel, whereas /ɪ/ is a short, lax front vowel.
Correct Answer
D.
IPA transcriptions:
- ‘bit' → /bɪt/
- ‘beat' → /biːt/
The minimal pair is /bɪt/ - /biːt/ (bit / beat). The distinguishing phonetic feature is vowel length and tenseness: /ɪ/ is a short, lax front vowel, whereas /iː/ is a long, tense front vowel. This difference changes the meaning of the words despite the identical consonantal framework.
Correct Answer
D
Correct Option:
IPA transcriptions:
- ‘bit' → /bɪt/
- ‘beat' → /biːt/
The minimal pair is /bɪt/ - /biːt/ (bit / beat). The distinguishing phonetic feature is vowel length and tenseness: /ɪ/ is a short, lax front vowel, whereas /iː/ is a long, tense front vowel. This difference changes the meaning of the words despite the identical consonantal framework.
About This Question
This is
Gce Model Questions Vol1
2025
English Language
Question 45.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2025
Gce Model Questions Vol1
English Language
examination.
Difficulty level:
Medium
.