VEPT Word Stress and Syllable Emphasis

Question 1

In the word 'photography', which syllable receives the primary stress?

Accepted Answer

pho-TO-gra-phy (second syllable)

Answer

In 'photography,' the stress falls on the second syllable: pho-TO-gra-phy. Words ending in -ography consistently follow this pattern, placing stress on the syllable before the suffix.

Question 2

The word 'record' can function as either a noun or a verb. Which statement correctly describes its stress pattern?

Accepted Answer

As a noun, stress is on the first syllable (RE-cord); as a verb, stress shifts to the second (re-CORD)

Answer

Many two-syllable English words that serve as both nouns and verbs follow this pattern: the noun stresses the first syllable (RE-cord) and the verb stresses the second (re-CORD). Other examples include 'permit,' 'present,' and 'protest.'

Question 3

In natural English speech, which types of words typically receive the strongest stress?

Accepted Answer

Content words such as main verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs

Answer

English is a stress-timed language in which content words — nouns, main verbs, adjectives, and adverbs — carry the primary stress because they carry the core meaning. Function words like articles, prepositions, conjunctions, and auxiliary verbs are typically unstressed and often reduced in natural speech.

Question 4

Which of the following words has the primary stress on the THIRD syllable?

Accepted Answer

engiNEER

Answer

'Engineer' is stressed on the third syllable: en-gi-NEER. 'Alphabet' is stressed on the first (AL-pha-bet), 'computer' on the second (com-PU-ter), and 'policy' on the first (PO-li-cy).

Question 5

A speaker says: 'I didn't say SHE took the money' — with heavy stress on 'she.' What does this emphasis most likely imply?

Accepted Answer

The speaker is implying that someone other than 'she' took the money

Answer

In English, contrastive stress changes the implied meaning of a sentence. By stressing 'SHE,' the speaker signals a contrast — they did not accuse that particular person, implying someone else was responsible. Stress on other words would shift the implied meaning differently.

VEPT - Versant English Placement Test Practice Test

VEPT - Versant English Placement Test Practice Test

VEPT Word Stress and Syllable Emphasis