Confusing Consonant Sounds — A2 English Pronunciation Practice Test

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

A2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the instructions and work through the questions before opening the answers.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /ʃ/ — as in shoe
   2. /s/ — as in sun
   3. /tʃ/ — as in chair
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /ʃ/ — as in shoe

   The word is “shop”. Its first consonant sound is /ʃ/.

   /ʃ/ — as in shoe: The word is “shop”. Its first consonant sound is /ʃ/.

   /s/ — as in sun: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /tʃ/ — as in chair: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /ʃ/ — as in shoe
   2. /dʒ/ — as in jam
   3. /tʃ/ — as in cheese
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /tʃ/ — as in cheese

   The word is “chair”. Its first consonant sound is /tʃ/.

   /ʃ/ — as in shoe: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /dʒ/ — as in jam: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /tʃ/ — as in cheese: The word is “chair”. Its first consonant sound is /tʃ/.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /w/ — as in wet
   2. /v/ — as in very
   3. /f/ — as in fan
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /v/ — as in very

   The word is “very”. Its first consonant sound is /v/.

   /w/ — as in wet: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /v/ — as in very: The word is “very”. Its first consonant sound is /v/.

   /f/ — as in fan: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /θ/ — as in three
   2. /s/ — as in sun
   3. /t/ — as in tea
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /θ/ — as in three

   The word is “think”. Its first consonant sound is /θ/.

   /θ/ — as in three: The word is “think”. Its first consonant sound is /θ/.

   /s/ — as in sun: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /t/ — as in tea: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /d/ — as in day
   2. /z/ — as in zoo
   3. /ð/ — as in they
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /ð/ — as in they

   The word is “this”. Its first consonant sound is /ð/.

   /d/ — as in day: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /z/ — as in zoo: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /ð/ — as in they: The word is “this”. Its first consonant sound is /ð/.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /dʒ/ — as in jam
   2. /z/ — as in zip
   3. /s/ — as in sun
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /z/ — as in zip

   The word is “zoo”. Its first consonant sound is /z/.

   /dʒ/ — as in jam: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /z/ — as in zip: The word is “zoo”. Its first consonant sound is /z/.

   /s/ — as in sun: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /r/ — as in red
   2. /l/ — as in leg
   3. /w/ — as in wet
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /r/ — as in red

   The word is “ring”. Its first consonant sound is /r/.

   /r/ — as in red: The word is “ring”. Its first consonant sound is /r/.

   /l/ — as in leg: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /w/ — as in wet: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which consonant sound comes first?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /r/ — as in red
   2. /n/ — as in no
   3. /l/ — as in leg
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /l/ — as in leg

   The word is “leaf”. Its first consonant sound is /l/.

   /r/ — as in red: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /n/ — as in no: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /l/ — as in leg: The word is “leaf”. Its first consonant sound is /l/.

What to review next

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