American English Short Vowel Sounds

1. What vowel sound is the word "bread?"

Short a

Short e

Short i

Short o

Short u

The word "bread" contains the short e vowel sound. This can be determined by sounding out the word and recognizing that the vowel sound is not the short a, short i, short o, or short u sounds.

Explanation

The word "bread" contains the short e vowel sound. This can be determined by sounding out the word and recognizing that the vowel sound is not the short a, short i, short o, or short u sounds.

2. What vowel sound is the word "friend?"

Short a

Short e

Short i

Short o

Short u

The correct answer is "short e" because the word "friend" does not have a long vowel sound. It is pronounced with a short "e" sound, as in the word "bed."

Explanation

The correct answer is "short e" because the word "friend" does not have a long vowel sound. It is pronounced with a short "e" sound, as in the word "bed."

3. True or False The consonant-vowel-consonant will produce a short vowel sound?

True

False

The consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern typically produces a short vowel sound. In English, short vowel sounds are usually found in closed syllables, where a single consonant is followed by a vowel and then another consonant. Examples of CVC words include "cat," "dog," and "run." In these words, the vowel sound is short and is not influenced by any additional letters or syllables. Therefore, it can be concluded that the CVC pattern generally produces a short vowel sound.

Explanation

The consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern typically produces a short vowel sound. In English, short vowel sounds are usually found in closed syllables, where a single consonant is followed by a vowel and then another consonant. Examples of CVC words include "cat," "dog," and "run." In these words, the vowel sound is short and is not influenced by any additional letters or syllables. Therefore, it can be concluded that the CVC pattern generally produces a short vowel sound.

4. The vowel sound in: gram

Short e

Short u

Short i

Short a

Short o

The correct answer is short a because the word "gram" contains the short a vowel sound.

Explanation

The correct answer is short a because the word "gram" contains the short a vowel sound.

5. Choose the word below that has a short a sound.

Tread

Last

Bead

Read

The word "last" has a short a sound.

Explanation

The word "last" has a short a sound.

6. The vowel sound in: breath

Short a

Short u

Short o

Short i

Short e

The vowel sound in the word "breath" is a short e sound.

Explanation

The vowel sound in the word "breath" is a short e sound.

7. Which of the following words contains the short /ɪ/ sound, as in "bit"?

Kite

Hid

Fine

Cute

The short /ɪ/ sound is a vowel sound produced with the tongue positioned high and forward in the mouth. In the word "hid," the vowel sound is short and crisp, similar to the sound in "bit" or "sit." The other options contain different vowel sounds: "kite" has a long /aɪ/ sound, "fine" has a long /aɪ/ sound, and "cute" has a long /juː/ sound.

Explanation

The short /ɪ/ sound is a vowel sound produced with the tongue positioned high and forward in the mouth. In the word "hid," the vowel sound is short and crisp, similar to the sound in "bit" or "sit." The other options contain different vowel sounds: "kite" has a long /aɪ/ sound, "fine" has a long /aɪ/ sound, and "cute" has a long /juː/ sound.

8. True or False Open syllable will produce a short vowel sound?

True

False

An open syllable is a syllable that ends with a vowel sound. In this case, the open syllable does not necessarily produce a short vowel sound. The length of the vowel sound in an open syllable can vary and can be either short or long, depending on the specific word or pronunciation. Therefore, the statement that open syllables will always produce a short vowel sound is false.

Explanation

An open syllable is a syllable that ends with a vowel sound. In this case, the open syllable does not necessarily produce a short vowel sound. The length of the vowel sound in an open syllable can vary and can be either short or long, depending on the specific word or pronunciation. Therefore, the statement that open syllables will always produce a short vowel sound is false.

9. What is the underlined vowel sound in the word busy?

Short a

Short e

Short i

I don't know.

The underlined vowel sound in the word "busy" is a short i sound.

Explanation

The underlined vowel sound in the word "busy" is a short i sound.

10. True or False. Short vowel sounds "say their name".

True

False

Short vowel sounds do not "say their name". Short vowel sounds are pronounced differently from their letter names. For example, the short vowel sound for the letter "a" is pronounced as /æ/ in words like "cat" or "bat". So, the statement is false.

Explanation

Short vowel sounds do not "say their name". Short vowel sounds are pronounced differently from their letter names. For example, the short vowel sound for the letter "a" is pronounced as /æ/ in words like "cat" or "bat". So, the statement is false.