Fricative Contrasts in Clear Discussion — B2 English Pronunciation Practice Test
About this practice test
Practise B2 English pronunciation by listening for fricative contrasts in clear discussion in recorded word groups, then review the sound contrasts.
What you’ll practice
Hear the difference
Recognise vowel and consonant contrasts in clear recordings.
Stress and rhythm
Identify strong syllables and emphasized words.
Listen and review
Replay each recording and learn from answer explanations.
What to expect:
5 questions with explanations to review after submission.
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
- B2. 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.
Recording 1
Read the transcript
financial. valuable. flexible. fundamental.
Recording 2
Read the transcript
sensitive. sufficient. substantial. generous.
Recording 3
Read the transcript
these. theoretical. thermal. thorough.
Recording 4
Read the transcript
advice. release. achieve. increase.
Recording 5
Read the transcript
approve. belief. resolve. improve.
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Listen to the four words. Which word begins with a different sound from the other three?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- financial
- valuable
- flexible
- fundamental
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- valuable
Financial, flexible and fundamental share /f/ at the beginning; valuable has /v/.
financial: This word shares /f/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /v/ sound.
valuable: Financial, flexible and fundamental share /f/ at the beginning; valuable has /v/.
flexible: This word shares /f/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /v/ sound.
fundamental: This word shares /f/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /v/ sound.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Listen to the four words. Which word begins with a different sound from the other three?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- sensitive
- sufficient
- substantial
- generous
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- generous
Sensitive, sufficient and substantial share /s/ at the beginning; generous has /dʒ/.
sensitive: This word shares /s/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /dʒ/ sound.
sufficient: This word shares /s/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /dʒ/ sound.
substantial: This word shares /s/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /dʒ/ sound.
generous: Sensitive, sufficient and substantial share /s/ at the beginning; generous has /dʒ/.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Listen to the four words. Which word begins with a different sound from the other three?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- these
- theoretical
- thermal
- thorough
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- these
Theoretical, thermal and thorough share /θ/ at the beginning; these has /ð/.
these: Theoretical, thermal and thorough share /θ/ at the beginning; these has /ð/.
theoretical: This word shares /θ/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /ð/ sound.
thermal: This word shares /θ/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /ð/ sound.
thorough: This word shares /θ/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /ð/ sound.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Listen to the four words. Which word ends with a different sound from the other three?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- advice
- release
- achieve
- increase
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- achieve
Advice, release and increase share /s/ at the end; achieve has /v/.
advice: This word shares /s/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /v/ sound.
release: This word shares /s/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /v/ sound.
achieve: Advice, release and increase share /s/ at the end; achieve has /v/.
increase: This word shares /s/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /v/ sound.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Listen to the four words. Which word ends with a different sound from the other three?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- approve
- belief
- resolve
- improve
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- belief
Approve, resolve and improve share /v/ at the end; belief has /f/.
approve: This word shares /v/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /f/ sound.
belief: Approve, resolve and improve share /v/ at the end; belief has /f/.
resolve: This word shares /v/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /f/ sound.
improve: This word shares /v/ with the matching group. Listen for the different /f/ sound.
What to review next
Review the feedback and revisit the topics you found difficult before trying again.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.