1 · Pronunciation
Hear it, see it, say it
IELTS tip. In the Speaking test, you do not need to sound British, only clear. Use the vowels, stress and rhythm of one model and be consistent. In the Listening test, expect a range of accents, so listen to short clips from speakers in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and North America.
How to make it
- For /ɑː/ in bath: open the mouth wide, pull the tongue back and make it long.
- For /ɒ/ in hot: open the mouth, round your lips a little and keep the sound short.
- For /æ/ in an American bath: open wide with the tongue forward, which gives a brighter vowel.
- For the non-rhotic r in car: stop at the vowel and do not curl the tongue.
Say it after me
car (British) /kɑː/: no r at the end
car (American) /kɑːr/: r at the end
bath (British) /bɑːθ/: long vowel
bath (American) /bæθ/: short vowel
hot (British) /hɒt/: short and round
hot (American) /hɑːt/: open and unrounded
go (British) /ɡəʊ/
go (American) /ɡoʊ/
car, bath, hot, go, water, schedule, tomato, advertisement