Final answer:
To determine if a vowel is short or long, listen to the vowel sound in the context of the word. 'Plan', 'damp', 'scan', and 'lamp' all have short vowel sounds. 'Lead' can either be short or long vowel depending on its pronunciation and meaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves determining if the vowel in each word is a short vowel or a long vowel sound. Here's how you can determine the vowel sounds for the given words:
- Plan - The word 'plan' has a short <a> vowel sound, as in 'apple'.
- Damp - The word 'damp' also has a short <a> vowel sound, similar to 'plan'.
- Scan - In 'scan', the <a> is short once more, pronounced like the 'a' in 'ant'.
- Lamp - The <a> in 'lamp' is short as well, echoing the pattern found in 'plan', 'damp', and 'scan'.
- Lead - This word is a bit tricky as it has two pronunciations. As in 'to lead someone', the <e> is long, pronounced like 'ee' in 'see'. However, if it refers to the metal 'lead', it has a short <e> sound like in 'bed'.
When a vowel says its name, like 'a' in 'cake', it is considered a long vowel. If it doesn't say its name, such as the 'a' in 'cat', it's a short vowel.