BCECE LE Phonetics & Speech Sounds – Set 1

Step 1: Analyze the pronunciation of the word 'Ascend' (/əˈsend/).
Step 2: Observe that the letter combination 'sc' produces the single sound /s/, making the letter 'c' completely silent.
Step 3: Compare with options. Option B correctly identifies 'c' as the silent letter.

Step 1: A long vowel is held for a relatively longer duration than a short vowel.
Step 2: In IPA, the length mark /ː/ indicates a long vowel. The symbol /iː/ represents the long close front vowel heard in words such as 'see'.
Step 3: Therefore, option D is correct. The standard IPA notation is /iː/, not /i:/.

Step 1: The letter 'g' can represent the hard sound /ɡ/ or the soft sound /dʒ/.
Step 2: In 'gesture', the initial 'g' is pronounced /dʒ/. In 'garden', 'grease' (in its usual pronunciation), and 'gradual', the initial 'g' is pronounced /ɡ/.
Step 3: Therefore, option C, 'Gesture', is the answer.

Step 1: The sound /z/ is a voiced alveolar fricative.
Step 2: In 'tease', the final 's' is pronounced /z/. In 'sit', 'sip', and 'bus-stop', the relevant 's' is pronounced /s/.
Step 3: Therefore, option C is correct.

Step 1: Pronounce the word 'Aisle' (/aɪl/).
Step 2: The letter 's' is unpronounced when speaking the word.
Step 3: Thus, Option B ('s') is the silent letter.