15 American English Vowel Sounds Quiz

1. 2. What is the most common vowel sound in spoken American English?

/ǝ/ schwa

/ae/ black

/uw/ blue

/er/ purple

The most common vowel sound in spoken American English is /ǝ/ schwa. The schwa sound is a neutral, unstressed vowel sound that is often used in weak syllables, such as the second syllable in "about" or the first syllable in "banana." It is the most common vowel sound because it appears in many common words and is often used in reduced forms of words in connected speech.

Explanation

The most common vowel sound in spoken American English is /ǝ/ schwa. The schwa sound is a neutral, unstressed vowel sound that is often used in weak syllables, such as the second syllable in "about" or the first syllable in "banana." It is the most common vowel sound because it appears in many common words and is often used in reduced forms of words in connected speech.

2. 1. How many vowel sounds are there in spoken American English?

5

15

13

12

In spoken American English, there are 15 vowel sounds. These vowel sounds include the five basic vowel letters (a, e, i, o, u) and their variations, such as long and short sounds, diphthongs, and r-controlled sounds. The 15 vowel sounds are essential in distinguishing and pronouncing words correctly in American English.

Explanation

In spoken American English, there are 15 vowel sounds. These vowel sounds include the five basic vowel letters (a, e, i, o, u) and their variations, such as long and short sounds, diphthongs, and r-controlled sounds. The 15 vowel sounds are essential in distinguishing and pronouncing words correctly in American English.

3. 4. Which vowel sound below has an extra long sound?

/ay/ white

/ae/ black

/e/ red

/I/ silver

The vowel sound /ay/ in the word "white" has an extra long sound. This sound is a diphthong, which means it is a combination of two vowel sounds (/a/ and /i/). When pronounced, the /ay/ sound is held for a longer duration compared to the other vowel sounds listed.

Explanation

The vowel sound /ay/ in the word "white" has an extra long sound. This sound is a diphthong, which means it is a combination of two vowel sounds (/a/ and /i/). When pronounced, the /ay/ sound is held for a longer duration compared to the other vowel sounds listed.

4. 3. Which vowel sound below is made low in your mouth?

/iy/ green

/a/ olive

/I/ silver

/ʊ/ wood

The vowel sound /a/ in the word "olive" is made low in the mouth. This sound is produced by opening the mouth wide and lowering the jaw, allowing the sound to resonate in the lower part of the mouth. It is a low, open vowel sound.

Explanation

The vowel sound /a/ in the word "olive" is made low in the mouth. This sound is produced by opening the mouth wide and lowering the jaw, allowing the sound to resonate in the lower part of the mouth. It is a low, open vowel sound.

5. 5. What key fact about vowels do you need to know for speaking American English more clearly?

Schwa is the most common sound in spoken English

There are 15 vowel sounds in American English

Every English word has one vowel sound that is stressed or emphasized

Many words have more than one vowel sound

In order to speak American English more clearly, it is important to know that every English word has one vowel sound that is stressed or emphasized. This means that when speaking, one should pay attention to the specific vowel sound that is emphasized in each word in order to pronounce it correctly and be easily understood.

Explanation

In order to speak American English more clearly, it is important to know that every English word has one vowel sound that is stressed or emphasized. This means that when speaking, one should pay attention to the specific vowel sound that is emphasized in each word in order to pronounce it correctly and be easily understood.