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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Master Your Pronunciation: Take the Quiz Now!

Think you can ace our pronunciation quiz? Dive in and test your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration with letters and speech bubble testing pronunciation skills on a coral background

Ready to see if you can pronounce every tricky term with confidence? Take our pronunciation test online and put your speech skills to the ultimate challenge! This pronunciation quiz is designed to help linguaphiles and language learners discover exactly how clear their articulation is, from common words to curveballs you never saw coming. Wondering how to pronounce tester words like a pro? Our fun quiz pronunciation format and insightful feedback will guide you step-by-step. Plus explore pronunciation and grammar tips or level up with a quick voice recognition test . Get started now and ace our test!

What is the correct pronunciation of the word 'colonel'?
ker-nul
ko-lo-nel
kol-luh-nel
co-lon-el
The word 'colonel' is pronounced 'ker-nul' due to historical changes in pronunciation where the spelling stayed the same but the sound shifted. This irregular pronunciation originates from its French variant 'coronel'. English learners often find this surprising because the spelling does not match the sound. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colonel
Which word has a silent 'k' at the beginning?
knife
knobble
keystone
kingdom
In 'knife', the 'k' is silent and only the 'n' sound is heard. This is typical in English words that start with 'kn'. Other examples include 'knight' and 'knot'. Recognizing silent letters helps improve both spelling and pronunciation. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/knife
Which IPA symbol represents the 'sh' sound in 'ship'?
/?/
/s/
/?/
/t?/
The 'sh' sound in 'ship' is represented by the IPA symbol /?/. It is a voiceless postalveolar fricative. This symbol appears in many English words like 'shout' and 'sheep'. https://www.internationalphoneticalphabet.org/ipa-sounds/ipa-symbol-esh/
Which syllable is stressed in the word 'banana'?
ba-NA-na
BA-na-na
ba-na-NA
ba-na-na
The stress in 'banana' falls on the second syllable: ba-NA-na. English words often shift stress to different syllables, which can change meaning or make pronunciation clearer. Misplacing stress can lead to misunderstandings. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/banana
Which pair of words is a minimal pair for the difference between /b/ and /p/?
bat and pat
sip and ship
cat and cut
fan and van
A minimal pair differs by only one phoneme: 'bat' /bæt/ vs 'pat' /pæt/ differ only in the voiced /b/ versus the voiceless /p/. Minimal pairs are used for practicing subtle pronunciation differences. They help learners hear and produce distinct sounds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_pair
How is the '-ed' pronounced in the word 'played'?
/d/
/t/
/?d/
/?d/
In 'played', the '-ed' ending is pronounced /d/ because the base verb ends in a voiced sound (/ple?d/). If the verb ends in an unvoiced sound, it would be /t/. If it ends in /t/ or /d/, it becomes /?d/. https://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/verbs-ed.htm
Which word begins with a consonant cluster?
string
engine
apple
orange
A consonant cluster is two or more consonants together at the start of a word. 'String' starts with the cluster 'str'. English allows many clusters, which can be tricky for learners. Identifying clusters helps with accurate pronunciation. https://www.lexico.com/explore/consonant-clusters
Which is the standard American pronunciation of 'schedule'?
/?sked?u?l/
/??edju?l/
/sk??de?l/
/???d?u?l/
In American English, 'schedule' is pronounced /?sked?u?l/. British English often uses /??edju?l/. Knowing regional variations helps with both listening and speaking. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/pronunciation/english/schedule
What is the primary stress pattern for the word 'photography'?
pho-TOG-ra-phy
PHO-to-gra-phy
pho-to-GRA-phy
pho-to-gra-PHY
The stress in 'photography' falls on the second syllable: pho-TOG-ra-phy. This differs from 'photograph', which stresses the first syllable. Shifts in stress patterns are common when words change forms. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/photography
In the phrase 'an apple,' what linking sound connects the words?
n-a
a-n
an-p
ap-le
The final /n/ in 'an' links directly to the initial /æ/ in 'apple', creating a smooth /næ/ sound. Linking between words makes speech more fluid in English. Practicing these connections improves naturalness. https://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/linking.htm
What is the phonetic difference between 'cloth' and 'clothe'?
cloth /?/ vs clothe /ð/
cloth /s/ vs clothe /z/
cloth /?/ vs clothe /?/
cloth /ð/ vs clothe /?/
In 'cloth' the final consonant is the voiceless /?/, while 'clothe' ends with the voiced /ð/. This subtle voicing change affects meaning and is common in English noun–verb pairs. Recognizing voicing distinctions is key for clear pronunciation. https://www.americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/01_07_patterns_of_voicing_in_english_pronunciation.pdf
Which word contains the /?/ sound as in 'measure'?
vision
mission
mansion
version
The /?/ sound appears in 'vision' (/?v??.?n/) and is the same sound heard in 'measure'. It is a voiced postalveolar fricative. This sound is relatively rare in English but important for correct pronunciation. https://www.lexico.com/definition/vision
What is the correct pronunciation of 'rural'?
?r?r.?l
?r?r.?l
?ra?.r?l
?r??.r?l
'Rural' is pronounced /?r?r.?l/, with two quick 'r' sounds. This makes it challenging for many learners who avoid rolling or linking r-sounds. Practicing slowly then accelerating helps master it. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/rural
Which vowel sound is in the word 'nurse' in General American?
/??r/
/?r/
/??r/
/?r/
In General American, 'nurse' is pronounced /n??rs/, using the vowel /??r/. This is a r-colored mid-central vowel. It is distinct from /?r/ in some accents. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_vowel#R-colored_vowels
Which letter is silent in the word 'guitar'?
u
i
t
r
In 'guitar' (/???t??r/), the 'u' after the 'g' is silent and does not form its own sound. The 'gi' produces the /??/ sound. Silent letters often reflect the word’s historical spelling. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/guitar
In American English, which pronunciation of 'water' uses a tapped 't'?
/?w????r/
/?w??t?r/
/?w??t?r/
/?w????r/
Many American speakers pronounce 'water' with a tapped /?/ when it occurs between vowels. This gives /?w????r/. The tapped 't' sounds like a soft 'd'. https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2020/07/24/tapped-t-t-glottal-stop-american-english/
What is the most common pronunciation of the 't' in 'often'?
Silent (??f?n)
Pronounced /t/
Glottal stop
Flapped t
In 'often', many speakers omit the 't', pronouncing it as /??f?n/. The silent 't' is a vestige of spelling conventions. Some speakers do pronounce the /t/, but it is less common in standard accents. https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/oftentimes-often-pronunciation
Which IPA transcription matches 'thoughtful'?
/????tf?l/
/???t?f?l/
/??o?tf?l/
/????t.f?l/
'Thoughtful' is transcribed /????tf?l/ in British and /????tf?l/ in American. The first syllable is stressed, and the 'ough' makes /??/. Understanding irregular spelling helps with correct transcription. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/thoughtful
Which pair is a minimal pair contrasting /?/ and /i?/?
ship /??p/ and sheep /?i?p/
hit /h?t/ and hat /hæt/
sit /s?t/ and sat /sæt/
ship /?i?p/ and cheap /t?i?p/
'Ship' /??p/ versus 'sheep' /?i?p/ differ only in vowel length and quality. This minimal pair helps learners distinguish short /?/ from long /i?/. Practicing minimal pairs refines listening and articulation skills. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/lowerintermediate/unit-1/lesson-1
What is the standard pronunciation of 'squirrel' in American English?
/?skw??r?l/
/?skw?r?l/
/?skw?r?/
/?skw??r?l/
In American English, 'squirrel' is pronounced /?skw??r?l/. The vowel is the r-colored mid-central /??r/. Many learners simplify it to /skw?r?l/, but the standard has the central vowel. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/squirrel
How does stress shift when 'record' changes from noun to verb?
Noun: RE-cord, Verb: re-CORD
Noun: re-CORD, Verb: RE-cord
Both stressed on second syllable
Both stressed on first syllable
As a noun, 'record' is stressed on the first syllable (RE-cord), while as a verb it shifts to the second (re-CORD). English often shifts stress between noun–verb pairs. Practicing these patterns prevents miscommunication. https://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/stress-shift.htm
Which pronunciation variants of 'either' are both acceptable?
/?i?ð?r/ and /?a?ð?r/
/?i???r/ and /?e?ð?r/
/?a???r/ and /?e?ð?r/
/?u?ð?r/ and /?a?ð?r/
Both /?i?ð?r/ and /?a?ð?r/ are standard pronunciations of 'either' in different English dialects. Neither form is incorrect, though usage may vary regionally. Familiarity with both increases comprehension. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/either
Which reduced form is common in natural speech for 'going to'?
gonna
go'na
goona
gon'ta
In rapid or casual speech, 'going to' often reduces to 'gonna' /???n?/. This form is very common in conversational English but is considered informal. Recognizing reductions is key for listening comprehension. https://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/estuary/reductions.htm
How is 'Worcestershire' most commonly pronounced by native speakers?
/?w?st?r??r/
/w???c?st?r?a??r/
/w??r?s?st?r??/
/?w?rks?t??r??/
'Worcestershire' is pronounced /?w?st?r??r/, omitting many letters. This reduction reflects typical English pronunciation patterns where unstressed syllables are often minimized. It is one of the trickiest county names in England. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/worcestershire
What is the difference between aspirated /p/ and unaspirated /p/ in 'pin' versus 'spin'?
/p?/ in pin versus /p/ in spin
/p/ in pin versus /p?/ in spin
Both are unaspirated
Both are aspirated
In English, voiceless stops like /p/ are aspirated (with a puff of air) at the start of stressed syllables, as in 'pin' (/p??n/). After /s/, as in 'spin' (/sp?n/), the /p/ is unaspirated. Recognizing aspiration differences is important for accurate pronunciation. https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2019/08/27/aspirated-consonants-english/
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Pronunciation Patterns -

    Recognize common pronunciation errors by engaging with our pronunciation quiz and quiz pronunciation sections. This helps you become more aware of subtle sound differences in English.

  2. Master Tricky Word Pronunciations -

    Apply targeted techniques to articulate difficult words featured in the pronunciation test online. Consistent practice will build confidence in saying tongue twisters and everyday vocabulary.

  3. Evaluate Accent Clarity -

    Pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses through detailed feedback from the pronunciation test. Understanding where you excel allows you to focus on areas needing improvement.

  4. Apply Phonetic Techniques -

    Use proven strategies like minimal pairs and phonetic transcription to sharpen your accent. These methods ensure clearer communication and more accurate pronunciation.

  5. Monitor Pronunciation Progress -

    Track your pronunciation test scores over time to measure growth and set new goals. Regular assessment keeps you motivated and highlights your ongoing improvements.

Cheat Sheet

  1. International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Essentials -

    Learning the IPA chart helps you decode exact sounds in words, which is crucial for any pronunciation test online. For example, /θ/ versus /ð/ distinguishes "think" from "this," so practice using a chart from the IPA Handbook or university phonetics labs. This system acts as a roadmap in your pronunciation quiz journey.

  2. Minimal Pairs for Sound Contrast -

    Working with minimal pairs like "ship" vs. "sheep" or "bat" vs. "bad" trains your ear to spot subtle differences, a tactic backed by research from the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Drill these in short, daily sessions to solidify distinctions before tackling any quiz pronunciation challenge. Use apps or flashcards labeled "how to pronounce tester" for quick recall.

  3. Word Stress and Intonation Patterns -

    Stress placement can change meaning - record vs. record illustrates noun versus verb differences - so study primary stress rules outlined by Cambridge University Press. Practice rising and falling intonation in questions and statements to sound natural in spoken English. This strategy boosts your score on a pronunciation test and enhances communicative confidence.

  4. Self-Monitoring with Recording Tools -

    Recording yourself and comparing with model speakers using software like Praat offers spectrogram feedback, as recommended by leading phonetics courses at MIT. Listen for waveform differences in vowel length and consonant clarity to pinpoint improvement areas. Regular self-evaluation turns any free online pronunciation test into a dynamic learning loop.

  5. Tongue Twisters and Shadowing Techniques -

    Engage in tongue twisters like "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" to boost articulation speed and accuracy, a classic mnemonic endorsed by speech therapists. Pair this with shadowing exercises - imitate native speaker recordings in real time - to sync your rhythm and tone. These fun drills make your next pronunciation quiz a breeze!

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