Difference in US English and UK English, the sound /r/

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| By Arciks14

Arciks14

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 103

Questions: 15 | Attempts: 103 | Updated: Feb 14, 2024

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Questions and Answers

1.

Since I could not think of more questions about a simple sound /r/, tell me, did you enjoy my handout and/or the quiz?
2.

British English pronounces its /r/ sound at all times.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
British English does not pronounce the /r/ sound at the end of words or before consonants. This is known as non-rhotic pronunciation. Therefore, the statement that British English pronounces its /r/ sound at all times is false.

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3.

How is bar pronounced in British English?
- A.
  
  Bɑ:
- B.
  
  Bɑ:r
Correct Answer
A. Bɑ:

Explanation
The correct pronunciation of "bar" in British English is "bɑ:".

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4.

How is teacher pronounced in American English?
- A.
  
  Ti:tʃə
- B.
  
  Ti:tʃər
Correct Answer
B. Ti:tʃər

Explanation
The correct pronunciation of "teacher" in American English is "ti:tʃər". The "ti:tʃ" sound represents the "ch" sound, as in "church". The "ər" at the end represents the schwa sound, which is a neutral vowel sound. Therefore, the correct pronunciation is "ti:tʃər".

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5.

How is air pronounced in British English
- A.
  
  Eə
- B.
  
  Er
- C.
  
  əɪ
Correct Answer
A. Eə

Explanation
In British English, the word "air" is pronounced as "eə". This pronunciation is a combination of the vowel sound "e" and the schwa sound "ə". The "e" sound is a mid-front vowel sound, similar to the sound in words like "bet" or "set". The schwa sound "ə" is a neutral vowel sound, often found in unstressed syllables. When combined, these two sounds create the pronunciation "eə" for the word "air" in British English.

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6.

When do British pronounce the sound /r/?
- A.
  
  If it follows a vowel.
- B.
  
  If it's followed by a vowel
- C.
  
  If it follows a nasal
- D.
  
  If it's followed by a nasal
Correct Answer
B. If it's followed by a vowel

Explanation
The correct answer is "If it's followed by a vowel." In British English, the sound /r/ is usually pronounced when it is followed by a vowel sound. This is known as the linking /r/ and is commonly heard in phrases like "car and driver" or "far away." The /r/ sound is not pronounced when it is followed by a consonant sound or at the end of a word.

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7.

What is an intrusive /r/?
- A.
  
  An /r/ that we can put in any place
- B.
  
  An /r/ that follows another /r/ sound/
- C.
  
  An /r/ that is added in a situation, where none exist.
Correct Answer
C. An /r/ that is added in a situation, where none exist.

Explanation
This answer correctly identifies an intrusive /r/ as being added in a situation where none exist. This means that the /r/ sound is inserted into a word or phrase where it is not naturally pronounced.

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8.

Choose the correct pronunciation of sorry in British English.
- A.
  
  Sɒrɪ
- B.
  
  Sɑ:rɪ
- C.
  
  Sɑ:ɪ
- D.
  
  Sɒɪ
Correct Answer
A. Sɒrɪ

Explanation
The correct pronunciation of "sorry" in British English is "sɒrɪ."

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9.

Choose the correct pronunciation of sorry in US English
- A.
  
  Sɒrɪ
- B.
  
  Sɑ:rɪ
- C.
  
  Sɑ:ɪ
- D.
  
  Sɒɪ
Correct Answer
A. Sɒrɪ

Explanation
The correct pronunciation of "sorry" in US English is sɒrɪ.

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10.

The sound /r/ in US English is pronounced ...
- A.
  
  Light
- B.
  
  Silent
- C.
  
  Hard
- D.
  
  What /r/?
Correct Answer
C. Hard

Explanation
The sound /r/ in US English is pronounced "hard" because it is produced by vibrating the back of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. This sound is distinct and audible, unlike a silent sound.

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11.

The sound /r/ in British English is usually pronounced ...
- A.
  
  Light
- B.
  
  Hard
- C.
  
  Silent
- D.
  
  Silent, with the exception if it's followed by a vowel
Correct Answer
D. Silent, with the exception if it's followed by a vowel

Explanation
In British English, the sound /r/ is usually pronounced silently, meaning it is not pronounced at all. However, there is an exception to this rule when /r/ is followed by a vowel. In such cases, the /r/ sound is pronounced.

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12.

Rhotic speakers will not pronounce the sound /r/, unless it is followed by a vowel
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Rhotic speakers do pronounce the sound /r/ even if it is not followed by a vowel. This means that they pronounce the /r/ sound in words like "car" or "park" even when it is not immediately followed by a vowel sound. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

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13.

Rhotic speakers pronounce the /r/ in their words
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Rhotic speakers are those who pronounce the /r/ sound in their words. This means that they do not drop or omit the /r/ sound at the end of words or before consonants. Instead, they fully articulate the /r/ sound. Therefore, the statement "Rhotic speakers pronounce the /r/ in their words" is true.

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14.

In which of these words do You pronounce the sound /r/? (There is no correct answer, this is all up to your own pronunciation, you can check more than one box)
- A.
  
  Car
- B.
  
  Teacher
- C.
  
  Far
- D.
  
  Cart
- E.
  
  Ear
- F.
  
  Bar
- G.
  
  Hard
Correct Answer(s)
A. Car
B. Teacher
C. Far
D. Cart
E. Ear
F. Bar
G. Hard

Explanation
The sound /r/ is pronounced in all of the given words: Car, Teacher, Far, Cart, Ear, Bar, and Hard.

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15.

The sound /r/ in US English is usually pronounced hard, while in British English it is mostly very___________ or silent

Correct Answer(s)
light, Light

Explanation
In US English, the sound /r/ is typically pronounced with a strong and distinct articulation. On the other hand, in British English, the sound /r/ is often pronounced very lightly or even silent.

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4

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Current Version
Feb 14, 2024

Quiz Edited by
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Mar 17, 2016

Quiz Created by
Arciks14

Difference In US English And UK English, The Sound /R/

Since I could not think of more questions about a simple sound /r/, tell me, did you enjoy my handout and/or the quiz?

British English pronounces its /r/ sound at all times.

How is bar pronounced in British English?

How is teacher pronounced in American English?

How is air pronounced in British English

When do British pronounce the sound /r/?

What is an intrusive /r/?

Choose the correct pronunciation of sorry in British English.

Choose the correct pronunciation of sorry in US English

The sound /r/ in US English is pronounced ...

The sound /r/ in British English is usually pronounced ...

Rhotic speakers will not pronounce the sound /r/, unless it is followed by a vowel

Rhotic speakers pronounce the /r/ in their words

In which of these words do You pronounce the sound /r/? (There is no correct answer, this is all up to your own pronunciation, you can check more than one box)

The sound /r/ in US English is usually pronounced hard, while in British English it is mostly very___________ or silent