Fine Stress Contrasts in Word Families — C2 English Pronunciation Practice Test

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Practice level

C2. 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 syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   First syllable

   “metaphor” has 3 syllables: MET–a–phor. The main stress is on the first syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   4. Fourth syllable
   5. Fifth syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Third syllable

   “metaphorical” has 5 syllables: met–a–PHOR–i–cal. The main stress is on the third syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   First syllable

   “synonym” has 3 syllables: SYN–o–nym. The main stress is on the first syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   4. Fourth syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Second syllable

   “synonymous” has 4 syllables: sy–NON–y–mous. The main stress is on the second syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   4. Fourth syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Second syllable

   “antagonist” has 4 syllables: an–TAG–o–nist. The main stress is on the second syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   4. Fourth syllable
   5. Fifth syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Fourth syllable

   “antagonistic” has 5 syllables: an–tag–o–NIS–tic. The main stress is on the fourth syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   First syllable

   “irony” has 3 syllables: I–ro–ny. The main stress is on the first syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Listen to the word. Which syllable carries the main stress?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. First syllable
   2. Second syllable
   3. Third syllable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Second syllable

   “ironic” has 3 syllables: i–RON–ic. The main stress is on the second syllable. The capital letters mark the strongest beat; the other syllables are weaker.

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