English pronunciation can feel tricky. You see words that look alike but sound different. That’s where exercises like choosing the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the others come in. These pronunciation practice exercises help you spot those small sound changes. They build your ear for English pronunciation differences. If you are a student learning English as a second language, this guide is for you. It breaks down the basics. You will find examples, tips, and ways to practice. Let’s make English pronunciation tests fun and easy.
These tasks show up in many phonetics multiple choice questions. They train you to hear vowel shifts or consonant twists. Think of them as ear workouts. Over time, you speak clearer. You understand others better too. In this article, we cover why these matter. We share real examples from top sites. Plus, you get steps to improve. Ready? Let’s dive in.
What Kind of Exercise is “Choose the Word Whose Underlined Part is Pronounced Differently from the Others”?
This is a pronunciation discrimination exercise. It tests your ability to hear sound differences. You get four words. One has an underlined part that sounds off from the rest. Your job? Pick that one. It’s common in English listening and pronunciation quiz setups. These appear in school tests or online apps.
Why call it a phonetics multiple choice questions task? Because it focuses on phonetics. That’s the study of sounds in speech. English has about 44 sounds total. Vowels make up 20 of them. But spelling tricks you. The same letters can sound different. For example, “read” in present tense is /ri:d/, but past is /red/. This exercise sharpens your ear for those tricks.
From sites like Wayground Quiz1, you see questions like: Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently. Options: A. hat, B. band, C. sand, D. hate. Here, D has a long /eɪ/ sound, while others have short /æ/. This format keeps you guessing. It builds quick thinking.
Another example from Hoidap Vietjack: A. normal, B. visitors, C. transport, D. chore. The answer is B, where “i” is /ɪ/, unlike the /ɔː/ in others. These pull from real ESL books. They match what teachers use in class.
On Gauthmath, try: A. worth, B. where, C. with, D. write. A stands out with /ɜːrθ/, while others start with /w/ or /hw/. Explanations use IPA symbols. That’s the International Phonetic Alphabet. It shows exact sounds, like /θ/ for “th” in “think.”
These sites rank high on Google because they offer quick quizzes. Users love instant feedback. Pages load fast. They pack keywords like pronounced differently questions naturally. Plus, they link to more practice. That’s smart SEO. You stay longer, learn more.
Why Do These Pronunciation Difference Exercises Matter for English Learners?
English spelling fools many. You read “through” and think /θruː/, but it’s /θruː/. Wait, that’s right. No, try “ough” words: tough /tʌf/, though /ðoʊ/, cough /kɒf/. Chaos! Identifying different vowel sound tasks fix this. They train your brain to link letters to real sounds.
For beginners, poor pronunciation blocks talks. You say “ship” like “sheep.” Mix-ups happen. In jobs or school, clear speech wins. A Preply report says 70% of ESL users want better accents for confidence. These exercises deliver that.
They also prepare for tests. TOEFL or IELTS have listening parts. Spotting English pronunciation differences helps you score higher. In Vietnam, where many sources come from, high school exams include these. Sites like Vietjack help students ace them.
Benefits stack up:
- Builds listening skills: You hear subtle shifts, like /ɪ/ in “bit” vs. /iː/ in “beat.”
- Boosts speaking: Practice makes your mouth form sounds right.
- Cuts frustration: No more guessing words in chats.
- Fun twist: Turn it into games with friends.
Common Types of Pronounced Differently Spelling Questions
These aren’t all the same. They hit different spots. Let’s break them down.
1. Vowel Sound Differences
Vowels trip most learners. English has 12 monophthongs (pure vowels) and 8 diphthongs (glides). Short vs. long changes everything.
Example from Brainly: Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently. A. thirsty, B. throw, C. theme, D. there. Answer: A. “i” is /ɜː/, others /iː/ or /eə/.
Identify different vowel sounds here? Practice with pairs:
- Ship (/ʃɪp/) vs. Sheep (/ʃiːp/)
- Bit (/bɪt/) vs. Beat (/biːt/)
2. Consonant Twists
Consonants can hide or shift. “Th” has two: /θ/ (think) and /ð/ (this).
From Gauthmath: A. sandwich, B. award, C. new, D. wagon. D’s “w” is /w/, others silent or /njuː/.
Pronunciation comparison questions like this build ear power. Try: Thing (/θɪŋ/) vs. Then (/ðen/).
3. -ed Endings
Past tense endings: /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/.
From Brainly: A. Watched, B. Laughed, C. Hoped, D. Played. B’s /æft/ differs from /t/ or /d/ ends.
Hoc24 example: A. Helped, B. Worked, C. Reduced, D. Followed. D is /d/, others /t/.
4. Stress Patterns
Not just sounds—where you stress. Pronunciation exam questions often mix this.
From Vietjack: A. Activity, B. Traditional, C. Majority, D. Population. D stresses the first syllable, others second.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tackle Choose the Word with Different Sound
Want to nail these? Follow these easy steps. Use an active voice. Say words out loud.
- Read slowly: Look at underlined parts. Say each word. Listen to your voice.
- Group sounds: Find the odd one. Is it a vowel? Consonant? Long or short?
- Use IPA if stuck: Apps show /æ/ vs. /eɪ/. Free on Forvo.
- Repeat pairs: Say the three same ones, then the different. Record and play back.
- Check answers: Sites like StudyX give hints. Learn why.
Real Examples from Top English Phonics Test Questions
Pull from high-rankers. These explain why pages win searches: Clear lists, answers, IPA.
Example Set 1: From Wayground
- A. hat (/hæt/), B. band (/bænd/), C. sand (/sænd/), D. hate (/heɪt/). Odd: D (long vowel).
- A. She (/ʃiː/), B. ten (/ten/), C. sent (/sent/), D. red (/red/). Odd: A (long /iː/).
Why ranks? 5 quick questions. Medium difficulty. Users play 30 times on average.
Example Set 2: From Hoidap Vietjack
- A. normal (/nɔːrml/), B. visitors (/ˈvɪzɪtərz/), C. transport (/ˈtrænspɔːrt/), D. chore (/tʃɔːr/). Odd: B (/ɪ/). Answer key bolded. Links to grammar too.
Example Set 3: From Gauthmath
- A. worth (/wɜːrθ/), B. where (/wɛər/), C. with (/wɪð/), D. write (/raɪt/). Odd: A (/ɜːrθ/).
- A. joyful (/ˈdʒɔɪfəl/), B. year (/jɪər/), C. young (/jʌŋ/), D. lawyer (/ˈlɔɪər/). Odd: B (/ɪər/).
Explanations with phonetics. 100% user rating. Related quizzes keep you hooked.
More from Brainly:
- A. Breathe (/briːð/), B. Fourth (/fɔːrθ/), C. Tooth (/tuːθ/), D. Warmth (/wɔːrmθ/). Odd: A (/iː/).
- Focus: “ea” as /iː/ vs. others /ɔː/ or /uː/.
Scribd docs have full tests. 10 questions each. Great for print.
Tips to Master ESL Pronunciation Practice with These Drills
Make it stick. Use these pronunciation discrimination exercise hacks.
- Daily 10 minutes: Do one set morning, one night. Consistency wins.
- Tongue twisters: “She sells seashells” for /ʃ/ vs. /s/.
- Sing along: Lyrics force vowel holds. Try Ed Sheeran tracks.
- Pair with friends: Quiz each other. Laugh at mix-ups.
- Apps boost: Speechling for feedback. Free trials.
From Leonardo English, speed tests help. Time yourself reading lists. Aim for native pace: 120 words per minute.
Reddit users swear by minimal pairs. “Sit/Seat” drills fixed 60% of accents in a month.
For stress: Clap syllables. “POP-ulation” vs. “ac-TIV-ity.”
Advanced Pronunciation Comparison Questions: Stress and Intonation
Level up. Beyond basics, master flow.
English stresses key words. “I LOVE English” stresses “love.” Wrong stress confuses.
Example: A. Heritage, B. Pasture, C. Virtual, D. Detest. From Vietjack, D stresses first.
Intonation rises for questions: “You like it↑?” Falls for statements: “I like it↓.”
Practice: Record sentences. Check pitch with apps.
Stats: BoldVoice says vowel drills cut errors 50% in calls.
How These Fit English Listening and Pronunciation Quiz Prep
Tie to big tests. IELTS has Part 1 speaking. Clear vowels score bands 7+.
TOEFL listens for differences. Practice choosing words with different sounds daily.
In schools, like THPT Ton That Tung in Vietnam, these are weekly. Boosts grades 20%.
For adults: Job interviews. “Project” stress wrong? Sounds off.
Interactive Practice: Try These Pronounced Differently Questions Now
Let’s do some. Say aloud. Pick the odd.
- A. Beach (/biːtʃ/), B. Break (/breɪk/), C. Great (/ɡreɪt/), D. Meat (/miːt/). Odd: B (/eɪ/).
- A. Chose (/tʃuːz/), B. House (/haʊs/), C. Mouse (/maʊs/), D. Route (/ruːt/). Odd: A (/uːz/).
- A. Educate (/ˈedʒukeɪt/), B. Need (/niːd/), C. Read (/riːd/), D. Speed (/spiːd/). Odd: A (past /ed/ as /ɪd/).
- A. Gift (/ɡɪft/), B. Lift (/lɪft/), C. Drift (/drɪft/), D. Chef (/ʃef/). Odd: D (/e/).
- A. Book (/bʊk/), B. Cool (/kuːl/), C. Food (/fuːd/), D. Took (/tʊk/). Odd: B,C,D long /uː/, A short /ʊ/.
More? Check StudyX for full sets2.
Common Mistakes in Pronunciation Exam Questions and Fixes
Newbies rush. They see spelling, not sound. Fix: Slow down.
Non-natives add L1 sounds. Spanish speakers say “beach” as /bitʃ/. Drill pairs.
Ignore stress? “DeVELOP” vs. “deVELEPer.” Clap it out.
From ThoughtCo, 25 consonants trip too. But vowels first—20 sounds!
Tools and Resources for English Pronunciation Differences
Free gold:
- BBC Learning English: Videos on vowels.
- YouGlish: Hear words in sentences.
- Forvo: Native clips.
Paid: BoldVoice app. AI coaches /æ/ sounds.
Books: “Ship or Sheep?” Minimal pairs galore.
Podcasts: 6 Minute English. Shadow episodes.
From ESL Lounge, 20+ free quizzes. PR16 rhymes one.
Pronounced Differently Spelling Questions for -ough Words
Tough one: “Ough” shifts wild.
- A. Though (/ðoʊ/), B. Cough (/kɒf/), C. Plough (/plaʊ/), D. Through (/θruː/). All different! But pick odd sets.
Example: A. Bough (/baʊ/), B. Though (/ðoʊ/), C. Enough (/ɪˈnʌf/), D. Slough (/slaʊ/). C’s /ʌf/ stands out.
Practice: List 10 “ough” words. Group by sound.
FAQs – Choose the Word Whose Underlined Part is Pronounced Differently from the Others
What exactly does “choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the others” mean?
It is a popular phonetics multiple choice question. You get four words (A, B, C, D). One word has a letter or letter group underlined that sounds different from the same letters in the other three words. Your job is to spot the odd one out.
Why do English tests love these pronounced differently questions?
English spelling is messy. The same letters can have many sounds (example: “ea” in great /eɪ/, bread /e/, heart /ɑː/). These pronunciation practice exercises train your ear quickly and fairly in big exams.
Which sounds are tested the most?
- Vowel sounds (short vs long, diphthongs)
- Consonant pairs like /s/ vs /ʃ/, /θ/ vs /ð/
- “-ed” endings (/t/, /d/, /ɪd/)
- Silent letters
- Word stress patterns
How can I get better at identifying different vowel sounds fast?
- Learn the 12 basic vowel sounds + 8 diphthongs with a chart.
- Practise minimal pairs every day (ship–sheep, live–leave).
- Use free tools: YouGlish, Forvo, BBC Learning English vowel videos.
Are these questions only for Vietnamese students?
No! They appear worldwide in TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge exams, SAT, high-school tests in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Korea, Turkey… anywhere English is taught as a foreign language.
In Conclusion
Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the others is a powerhouse pronunciation practice exercises tool. It hones your ear for English pronunciation test tricks. From vowel slips to stress hits, you now have examples, steps, and tips. Practice daily. Watch your confidence soar. Remember, even natives practice. You got this!
What sound trips you most? Share in comments—let’s swap tips!
References
- Grammarly Blog. (2025). Understanding Vowels: Definition, Examples, and Rules. ↩︎
- Al-Asi, Z. (2024). Challenges and Strategies in Teaching English Pronunciation to Non-Native Speakers. African Journal of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. ↩︎