Word Stress in Study and Work — B2 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

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

Matching

How to approach this practice

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

1. Question 1 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 2
   • Main stress on syllable 1

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 1

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 2

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 3

   Recording A: “confident” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording B: “efficient” has its main stress on syllable 2. Recording C: “opportunity” has its main stress on syllable 3.

2. Question 2 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 2
   • Main stress on syllable 1

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 1

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 3

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 2

   Recording A: “interview” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording B: “education” has its main stress on syllable 3. Recording C: “advantage” has its main stress on syllable 2.

3. Question 3 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 1
   • Main stress on syllable 2

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 3

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 1

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 2

   Recording A: “conversation” has its main stress on syllable 3. Recording B: “organize” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording C: “develop” has its main stress on syllable 2.

4. Question 4 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 1
   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 2

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 2

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 1

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 3

   Recording A: “ambitious” has its main stress on syllable 2. Recording B: “permanent” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording C: “competition” has its main stress on syllable 3.

5. Question 5 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 2
   • Main stress on syllable 1

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 2

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 3

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 1

   Recording A: “consistent” has its main stress on syllable 2. Recording B: “independent” has its main stress on syllable 3. Recording C: “practical” has its main stress on syllable 1.

6. Question 6 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 1
   • Main stress on syllable 2

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 2

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 1

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 3

   Recording A: “reliable” has its main stress on syllable 2. Recording B: “previous” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording C: “entertainment” has its main stress on syllable 3.

7. Question 7 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 2
   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 1

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 1

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 2

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 3

   Recording A: “negative” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording B: “persuasive” has its main stress on syllable 2. Recording C: “understanding” has its main stress on syllable 3.

8. Question 8 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Listen to words A, B and C. Match each recorded word to its main stressed syllable.

   Return to the passage, recording or visual

   Answer choices

   • Main stress on syllable 3
   • Main stress on syllable 1
   • Main stress on syllable 2

   Items

   • Recording A
   • Recording B
   • Recording C
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Recording A

   Main stress on syllable 2

   2. Recording B

   Main stress on syllable 1

   3. Recording C

   Main stress on syllable 3

   Recording A: “potential” has its main stress on syllable 2. Recording B: “competent” has its main stress on syllable 1. Recording C: “representative” has its main stress on syllable 3.

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.