Which of the following is an example of a long vowel?

The choice that identifies an example of a long vowel is indeed the vowel sound in "eat." Long vowels are those vowel sounds that are pronounced the same as the name of the letter itself. In this case, the vowel "e" in "eat" sounds like the letter "E" and is extended in duration. This is characteristic of long vowel sounds, distinguishing them from short vowel sounds, which are typically pronounced in a more clipped manner.

In contrast, the vowel sounds in "cat," "bed," and "sit" are considered short vowels. The vowel "a" in "cat" has a brief pronunciation, sounding more like "æ." The "e" in "bed" is again short, pronounced distinctly without extending the sound, and the "i" in "sit" is similarly short, pronounced quickly without elongation. Recognizing the distinction between short and long vowel sounds is critical for understanding phonetics and can enhance reading skills, especially in early education contexts.