The same vowel spelled six ways

1. freightfreɪtnoun

   Goods carried by train or ship.

   The EIGH is the vowel in late and the GH is silent: FRATE.

2. weighweɪverb

   To measure how heavy something is.

   Rhymes with day. The GH says nothing.

3. steaksteɪknoun

   A thick slice of beef.

   The EA is the vowel in late, not in tea.

4. breakbreɪkverb

   To come apart into pieces.

   Same vowel as steak, and it does not rhyme with speak.

5. greatɡreɪtadjective

   Very good, or very large.

   Rhymes with late, not with meat.

6. veinveɪnnoun

   A tube carrying blood in the body.

   It sounds exactly like vain.

7. reignreɪnnoun

   The period a king or queen rules.

   It sounds exactly like rain.

8. gaugeɡeɪdʒnoun

   A device that measures something.

   One syllable: GAYJ. The U does nothing.

9. obeyoʊˈbeɪverb

   To do what you are told.

   Stress the second syllable: o-BAY.

10. grayɡreɪadjective

    The color between black and white.

    Rhymes with day, and Americans spell it without the E.

Sentences

1. A freight train blocked the crossing.
2. Could you weigh this bag for me?
3. I would like the steak, please.
4. Shall we take a short break now?
5. That sounds like a great idea.
6. The nurse could not find a vein.
7. The reign lasted almost fifty years.
8. The gauge on the wall reads zero.
9. Everybody has to obey the same rules.
10. The walls are a soft gray color.