Unstressed Vowels in Sentences — B1 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

B1. 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.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /æ/ — as in cat
   2. /uː/ — as in food
   3. /ə/ — as in about
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /ə/ — as in about

   The target word or phrase is “sofa”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /æ/ — as in cat: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /uː/ — as in food: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /ə/ — as in about: The target word or phrase is “sofa”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /ʊ/ — as in good
   2. /oʊ/ — as in go
   3. /ə/ — as in about
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /oʊ/ — as in go

   The target word or phrase is “photo”. Listen for /oʊ/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /ʊ/ — as in good: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /oʊ/ — as in go: The target word or phrase is “photo”. Listen for /oʊ/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /ə/ — as in about: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /ə/ — as in about
   2. /iː/ — as in see
   3. /eɪ/ — as in day
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /ə/ — as in about

   The target word or phrase is “pizza”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /ə/ — as in about: The target word or phrase is “pizza”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /iː/ — as in see: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

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

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /ə/ — as in about
   2. /aʊ/ — as in now
   3. /oʊ/ — as in go
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /oʊ/ — as in go

   The target word or phrase is “window”. Listen for /oʊ/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /ə/ — as in about: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /aʊ/ — as in now: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /oʊ/ — as in go: The target word or phrase is “window”. Listen for /oʊ/ in the last vowel of the last word.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /uː/ — as in food
   2. /ə/ — as in about
   3. /æ/ — as in cat
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /ə/ — as in about

   The target word or phrase is “banana”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /uː/ — as in food: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /ə/ — as in about: The target word or phrase is “banana”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /æ/ — as in cat: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /iː/ — as in see
   2. /ə/ — as in about
   3. /aɪ/ — as in my
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /iː/ — as in see

   The target word or phrase is “taxi”. Listen for /iː/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /iː/ — as in see: The target word or phrase is “taxi”. Listen for /iː/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /ə/ — as in about: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /aɪ/ — as in my: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /eɪ/ — as in day
   2. /æ/ — as in cat
   3. /ə/ — as in about
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /ə/ — as in about

   The target word or phrase is “Canada”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

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

   /æ/ — as in cat: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /ə/ — as in about: The target word or phrase is “Canada”. Listen for /ə/ in the last vowel of the last word.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Focus on the last vowel in the last word. Which sound do you hear?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. /uː/ — as in food
   2. /iː/ — as in see
   3. /ə/ — as in about
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   /iː/ — as in see

   The target word or phrase is “coffee”. Listen for /iː/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /uː/ — as in food: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

   /iː/ — as in see: The target word or phrase is “coffee”. Listen for /iː/ in the last vowel of the last word.

   /ə/ — as in about: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

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