How many phonemes are in the word 'exit'?

The word "exit" contains four distinct phonemes. Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a word, and in "exit," each sound can be broken down as follows: the initial sound "e," followed by "k," then the "s," and finally the ending "it." This segmentation results in a clear identification of four phonemes: /ɛ/, /g/, /z/, and /ɪt/. Knowing how to analyze and segment sounds in words is crucial in structured literacy as it helps in building foundational reading and spelling skills.