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C2 Proficient Pronunciation Work 25 minutes 8 questions

Fine Vowel Contrasts Across Voices — C2 English Pronunciation Practice Test

About this practice test

Practise C2 English pronunciation by identifying fine vowel contrasts across voices 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
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.

Recording 1

Read the transcript

Although the auditorium was almost full by the time the delegation arrived, the organiser managed to find a spare seat.

Recording 2

Read the transcript

Even after the measurements had been checked twice, the replacement panel was slightly too wide and would not fit.

Recording 3

Read the transcript

Whatever arrangements are eventually agreed upon, the invoice should clearly state the total amount that remains due.

Recording 4

Read the transcript

Despite the pressure to make a quick decision, she carefully explained the principles for which the organisation still stood.

Recording 5

Read the transcript

Although the team had covered the equipment before leaving, several exposed documents were discovered in the morning still wet.

Recording 6

Read the transcript

By the time the final group returned from the harbour, someone had found the missing map beneath a forgotten cap.

Recording 7

Read the transcript

Once the remaining objections had been discussed, the committee agreed on the precise amount by which expenditure should be cut.

Recording 8

Read the transcript

Whatever explanation is eventually offered, the evidence suggests that the revised instructions reached the people responsible far too late.

  1. Question 1 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

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

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

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

    /ɪ/ — as in fish: 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.

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

  2. Question 2 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

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

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

    /iː/ — as in see: 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.

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

    /ɪ/ — as in fish: The target word or phrase is “fit”. Listen for /ɪ/ in the vowel of the last word.

  3. Question 3 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Focus on the 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. /uː/ — as in food
    4. /ʊ/ — as in good
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /uː/ — as in food

    The target word or phrase is “due”. Listen for /uː/ in the 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.

    /uː/ — as in food: The target word or phrase is “due”. Listen for /uː/ in the vowel of the last word.

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

  4. Question 4 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /oʊ/ — as in go
    2. /ʊ/ — as in good
    3. /uː/ — as in food
    4. /ʌ/ — as in cup
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ʊ/ — as in good

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

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

    /ʊ/ — as in good: The target word or phrase is “stood”. Listen for /ʊ/ in the vowel of the last word.

    /uː/ — as in food: 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.

  5. Question 5 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /ɛ/ — as in bed
    2. /æ/ — as in cat
    3. /ɪ/ — as in fish
    4. /eɪ/ — as in day
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ɛ/ — as in bed

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

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

    /æ/ — as in cat: 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.

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

  6. Question 6 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

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

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

    /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.

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

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

  7. Question 7 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Focus on the 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. /ʌ/ — as in cup
    4. /æ/ — as in cat
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /ʌ/ — as in cup

    The target word or phrase is “cut”. Listen for /ʌ/ in the 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.

    /ʌ/ — as in cup: The target word or phrase is “cut”. Listen for /ʌ/ in the vowel of the last word.

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

  8. Question 8 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

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

    Return to the passage, recording or visual
    1. /æ/ — as in cat
    2. /eɪ/ — as in day
    3. /ɛ/ — as in bed
    4. /aɪ/ — as in my
    Check answers and explanations
    Answer
    /eɪ/ — as in day

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

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

    /eɪ/ — as in day: The target word or phrase is “late”. Listen for /eɪ/ in the vowel of the last word.

    /ɛ/ — as in bed: 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.

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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