Which of the following rules applies to the spelling of words ending in "y"?

The rule that applies to the spelling of words ending in "y" is that you change "y" to "ies" except when it is preceded by another vowel. This means that for words ending in a consonant followed by "y," the "y" will typically be changed to "ies" when forming plurals (for example, "baby" becomes "babies"). However, if the "y" is preceded by a vowel, you would simply add an "s" to create the plural (for example, "key" becomes "keys").

This rule helps ensure consistency in English spelling while also aligning with phonetic patterns in the language. Understanding this rule is crucial for accurate writing and literacy development, particularly at the middle and high school levels. The other answer choices do not align with this widely accepted spelling convention, leading to confusion or inaccuracies in word formation.