General American English Pronunciation Quiz Results Explained

Question 1: Herb

Option 1: /UHB/

*Option 2: /UHRB/

Option 3: /HUHRB/

Explanation: The /H/ is not pronounced. There is a strong /R/ here that takes over the vowel. To be more precise, this vowel is a stressed rhotic vowel. (IPA: /ɝb/)

Question 2: Mischievous

Option 1: /mihs CHEE vee yuhs/

*Option 2: /MIHS chuh vuhs/

Option 3: /MIHS chee vee yus/

Explanation: There are only three syllables in this word, with primary stress on the first syllable. Option 1 is a common mispronunciation of this word. If you had trouble hearing the difference between Options 1 and 3, you may need training in English rhythm. (IPA: /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/)

Question 3: Often

*Option 1: /AH fuhn/

Option 2: /AHF tuhn/

Option 3: /ahf TEHN/

Explanation: The technically correct pronunciation of this word with without a /T/, with primary stress on the first syllable. Option two is an unofficial, but usually socially acceptable, variant of this word. For learners of English pronunciation, I would stick to Option 1, because it follows a pronunciation pattern with words like “soften” and “hasten”. See this video explainer for a lesson on this pattern. (IPA: /ɑfən/ or /ɔfən/)

Question 4: Squirrel

Option 1: /SKWAI ruhl/

Option 2: /SKWEE ruhl/

Option 3: /SKWUHRL/

Explanation: This This word is usually pronounced with one syllable containing a rhotic /R/, i.e. a vowel that is taken over by the /R/ sound. Another acceptable variant is the insert a schwa before the /L/, like /SKWUHR uhl/. (IPA: /skwɝɫ/ or /ˈskwɝəɫ/)

Question 5: Quinoa

Option 1: /KWIHN wah/

*Option 2: /KEEN wah/

Option 3: /kih NOH wuh/

Explanation: This word contains two syllables, with stress on the first syllable. If you have trouble hearing the difference between Options 1 and 2, you likely need training in distinguishing and pronouncing the English vowels /EE/ and /IH/, e.g. “sheep” vs. “ship”). (IPA:/ˈkinwɑ/)

Question 6: Successful

Option 1: /suh KEHS fuhl/

Option 2: /suh CHEHS fuhl/

*Option 3: /suhk SEHS fuhl/

Explanation: This word is three syllables long with primary stress on the second syllable. The spelled sequence “cc” here is pronounced as /KS/, with the /S/ beginning the second syllable. (IPA:/səkˈsɛsfəɫ/).

Question 7: Scissors

Option 1: /SKIH zuhrz/

Option 2: /sih SUHRZ/

*Option 3: /SIH zuhrz/

Explanation: This word is two syllables long with primary stress on the first syllable. The spelled sequence “sc” here is pronounced as an /S/. The spelled “ss” sequence here is pronounced as a /Z/. Note the same spelling but differing pronunciation with the spelled “ss” sequence in “successful” in Question 6, where is pronounced as /S/. If you have trouble hearing the difference between Options 2 and 3, you may need training in English rhythm. (IPA:/ˈsɪzɚz/).

Question 8: Sixth

Option 1: /SIHKTH/

Option 2: /SIHKS/

*Option 3: /SIHKSTH/

Explanation: This word contains a three-part consonant cluster at the end, including /K/ + /S/ + /TH/. If you had difficulty hearing or pronouncing this word, you likely need practice with consonant cluster and may need training in articulation (IPA:/sɪksθ/).

My name is Sarah and I’m a speech coach and Linguist. I received my PhD in Linguistics with an emphasis in phonetics/phonology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have conducted research on pronunciation using MRI, ultrasound, and aerodynamics. I taught ESL pronunciation and graduate writing at the University of Illinois and accent modification at San Diego State University with Robert McKinney (MA, CCC-SLP), author of Here’s How to Do Accent Modification. I have over a decade of experience coaching professionals and actors from all over the world. I am passionate about helping my clients develop a clear and confident voice so they focus on achieving their goals.

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