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C1 Advanced Pronunciation Work 20 minutes 8 questions

Vowel Detail in Connected Speech — C1 English Pronunciation Practice Test

About this practice test

Practise C1 English pronunciation by identifying vowel detail in connected speech in recordings, with sound choices and playable examples.

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: 8 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
C1. 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

Although several alternatives were considered, the committee eventually accepted the proposal.

Recording 2

Read the transcript

Before making a decision, the panel asked for a more detailed analysis.

Recording 3

Read the transcript

The researchers agreed that the final conclusions depended on the available evidence.

Recording 4

Read the transcript

Despite the unexpected delays, everyone remained committed to delivering the project.

Recording 5

Read the transcript

Once the initial objections had been addressed, the team requested further assistance.

Recording 6

Read the transcript

After reviewing the supporting documents, the director acknowledged the considerable effort.

Recording 7

Read the transcript

While the wider implications remain uncertain, the report identifies a consistent pattern.

Recording 8

Read the transcript

The review concluded that the existing procedures offered adequate protection.

  1. Question 1 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Focus on the first 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. /oʊ/ — as in go
    4. /ɑ/ — as in car
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ə/ — as in about

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

    /oʊ/ — as in go: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

    /ɑ/ — as in car: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

  2. Question 2 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

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

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

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

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

    /ɛ/ — as in bed: 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.

  3. Question 3 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /ə/ — as in about
    2. /ɪ/ — as in fish
    3. /iː/ — as in see
    4. /ɛ/ — as in bed
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ɛ/ — as in bed

    The target word or phrase is “evidence”. Listen for /ɛ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

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

    /ɪ/ — as in fish: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

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

    /ɛ/ — as in bed: The target word or phrase is “evidence”. Listen for /ɛ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

  4. Question 4 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /oʊ/ — as in go
    2. /ʌ/ — as in cup
    3. /ɑ/ — as in car
    4. /ə/ — as in about
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ɑ/ — as in car

    The target word or phrase is “project”. Listen for /ɑ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

    /oʊ/ — as in go: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

    /ʌ/ — as in cup: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

    /ɑ/ — as in car: The target word or phrase is “project”. Listen for /ɑ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

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

  5. Question 5 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Focus on the first 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. /æ/ — as in cat
    4. /uː/ — as in food
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ə/ — as in about

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

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

    /ə/ — as in about: The target word or phrase is “assistance”. Listen for /ə/ in the first 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.

  6. Question 6 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /ɛ/ — as in bed
    2. /ə/ — as in about
    3. /ɪ/ — as in fish
    4. /iː/ — as in see
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ɛ/ — as in bed

    The target word or phrase is “effort”. Listen for /ɛ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

    /ɛ/ — as in bed: The target word or phrase is “effort”. Listen for /ɛ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

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

    /ɪ/ — as in fish: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

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

  7. Question 7 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /ə/ — as in about
    2. /ɛ/ — as in bed
    3. /ʌ/ — as in cup
    4. /æ/ — as in cat
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /æ/ — as in cat

    The target word or phrase is “pattern”. Listen for /æ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

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

    /ɛ/ — as in bed: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

    /ʌ/ — as in cup: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

    /æ/ — as in cat: The target word or phrase is “pattern”. Listen for /æ/ in the first vowel of the last word.

  8. Question 8 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

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

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

    /ɑ/ — as in car: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

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

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

    /oʊ/ — as in go: Replay the recording and compare the target sound with the examples.

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.

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