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Pronunciation Guide
FREE LISTENING WORKSHEET · APG

Practice word stress and endings in 20 English words

Listen, notice one detail, and say the word in a phrase.

Open the guide & listening notes →Take the interactive quiz →

Videos and full notes: https://ipronounce.io/guides/word-stress-endings

Name: ________________________　 Date: __________________

A five-word listening round

  1. Choose five words below. Open each linked word and play its APG video.
  2. Write one sound observation: the strongest syllable, a silent letter, a consonant connection, or a variant you hear.
  3. Say the original practice phrase, then write and say your own sentence.
  4. Read the word’s listening note and compare it with your observation. Repeat any word you want to revisit.
Your listening record — choose five, then return for another round
Word & videoPractice phraseWhat I hear / my sentence
photographerThe photographer asked us to stand together.
economyTourism is important to the local economy.
economicsShe studied economics at college.
electricityThe storm knocked out the electricity.
geographyHe teaches geography at the school.
geographicThe map shows the geographic boundaries.
academicThe library supports academic research.
acousticShe plays an acoustic guitar.
acrylicThe artist works with acrylic paint.
analyticThe job requires analytic skills.
authenticThe museum confirmed that the painting was authentic.
automaticThe doors are automatic.
ceramicHe made a ceramic bowl.
curiosityHer curiosity led her to investigate.
elasticityThe fabric has lost its elasticity.
genericThe packaging uses a generic design.
heroicThe rescue was a heroic effort.
priorityRepairing the roof is our first priority.
pronunciationShe asked about the pronunciation of his name.
universityThe university is near the station.

Test your pronunciation knowledge

Choose one answer for each question. The answer key includes explanations and source links.

  1. How does the main stress in “economics” compare with “economy”?

    1. It moves from the second to the third syllable.
    2. Both stress only the first syllable.
    3. Economics has no stressed syllable.

  2. Which syllable carries the main stress in “geographic”?

    1. The first
    2. The third, containing graf
    3. The fourth, containing ik

  3. Where does the strongest beat fall in “academic”?

    1. On the final ik
    2. Only on the opening a
    3. On the third syllable, before ik

  4. How many syllables does “heroic” have?

    1. Three
    2. One
    3. Five
Show the answer key

Open this section before printing to include the answers.

  1. A. It moves from the second to the third syllable. “Economy” has second-syllable primary stress; “economics” has third-syllable primary stress and a smaller beat near the beginning.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

  2. B. The third, containing graf “Geographic” has primary stress on its third syllable. “Geography,” by comparison, stresses the second syllable.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

  3. C. On the third syllable, before ik “Academic” has its primary stress on the third syllable. The opening has a smaller beat and the final ik is lighter.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

  4. A. Three “Heroic” has three syllables. The stressed oh vowel is followed by a separate, lighter short i vowel before k.

    Source: CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Sources & reuse

The pronunciation notes are based on the dictionary sources linked from each word page. Practice phrases and exercises are original APG learning material, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Credit American Pronunciation Guide and keep the source links when adapting this worksheet. Videos and reference quotations retain their own terms.

Full sources & credits →