ESOL Speaking and Pronunciation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which syllable receives the primary stress in the word 'photography'?
- First syllable (PHO-tog-ra-phy)
- Second syllable (pho-TOG-ra-phy) (Correct answer)
- Third syllable (pho-tog-RA-phy)
- Fourth syllable (pho-tog-ra-PHY)
Correct answer: Second syllable (pho-TOG-ra-phy)
The word 'photography' is stressed on the second syllable: pho-TOG-ra-phy.
Question 2: When a two-syllable word functions as a NOUN and then the same spelling is used as a VERB, what typically happens to stress in English?
- Stress stays on the first syllable
- Stress shifts to the second syllable (Correct answer)
- Both syllables become equally stressed
- The word loses one syllable
Correct answer: Stress shifts to the second syllable
In English, two-syllable noun/verb pairs like 'REcord' (noun) vs. 'reCORD' (verb) shift stress to the second syllable when used as a verb.
Question 3: Which word has stress on the SECOND syllable?
- ALphabet
- CAlendar
- preTEND (Correct answer)
- WONderful
Correct answer: preTEND
The word 'pretend' is stressed on the second syllable: pre-TEND.
Question 4: In the word 'economy,' which syllable receives primary stress?
- First (E-con-o-my)
- Second (e-CON-o-my) (Correct answer)
- Third (e-con-O-my)
- Fourth (e-con-o-MY)
Correct answer: Second (e-CON-o-my)
The word 'economy' is stressed on the second syllable: e-CON-o-my.
Question 5: Which word has a DIFFERENT stress pattern from the other three?
- develop
- consider
- tomorrow
- understand (Correct answer)
Correct answer: understand
The word 'understand' has stress on the third syllable, while 'develop,' 'consider,' and 'tomorrow' all have stress on the second syllable.
Question 6: What is the term for the alternating pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that gives English its characteristic rhythm?
- Intonation
- Rhythm (Correct answer)
- Articulation
- Fluency
Correct answer: Rhythm
Rhythm refers to the regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in English speech, giving the language its characteristic beat.
Question 7: The word 'present' can be a noun/adjective or a verb. In which sentence is 'present' used as a VERB with stress on the second syllable?
- I received a birthday present.
- She is present at the meeting.
- He will present the findings tomorrow. (Correct answer)
- The present situation is improving.
Correct answer: He will present the findings tomorrow.
When 'present' is used as a verb (to present), the stress shifts to the second syllable: pre-SENT.
ESOL Speaking and Pronunciation 2
Which syllable receives the primary stress in the word 'photography'?