1 · Pronunciation
Hear it, see it, say it
IELTS tip. In the Speaking test, mixing up a long and a short vowel can make a different word, such as sheep for ship or pool for pull. Choose the two pairs that you personally confuse, and use them when you record a short answer. In the Listening test, hearing the long vowels clearly helps you separate words in names and numbers, such as fourteen and forty, where the vowel and stress both matter.
How to make it
- For /iː/, spread your lips and raise the front of your tongue. Hold it steady for two counts.
- For /ɑː/, open your mouth wide and keep the tongue low.
- For /ɔː/ and /uː/, round your lips: a medium circle for /ɔː/ and a small circle for /uː/.
- For /ɜː/, relax your lips and say a long, steady 'er' with no r sound.
sheep, car, saw, food, bird, seat, seed, pool