Pronunciation and Intonation for TOEFL Preparation: Master Speaking Skills

Question 1

Which word has the same vowel sound as the 'i' in 'sit'?

Accepted Answer

bit

Answer

meet

Answer

beat

Answer

boot

Question 2

Which intonation pattern is commonly used to indicate a question in American English?

Accepted Answer

Rising intonation at the end of the utterance

Answer

Rising intonation in the middle of the utterance

Answer

Falling intonation at the end of the utterance

Answer

Level intonation throughout the utterance

Question 3

Identify the vowel sound that is produced with rounded lips:

Accepted Answer

ʊ

Answer

i

Answer

ɑ

Answer

e

Question 4

Which intonation contour is employed to signal that a statement is left incomplete?

Accepted Answer

Suspension

Answer

Low-Rising Terminal

Answer

High-Rising Terminal

Answer

Fall-Rise

Question 5

Which intonation pattern is typically used to convey a sense of surprise?

Accepted Answer

High-Rising Terminal

Answer

Low-Rising Terminal

Answer

Fall-Rise

Question 6

Which stress pattern is commonly found in weak forms of words in English?

Accepted Answer

Reduced stress or no stress

Answer

Primary stress

Answer

Equal stress on all syllables

Answer

Secondary stress

Question 7

Which of the following words contains a diphthong?

Accepted Answer

bite

Answer

bet

Answer

bat

Question 8

Which word is pronounced with the schwa sound?

Accepted Answer

about

Answer

banana

Answer

orange

Answer

apple

Question 9

Which sentence has the correct falling intonation?

Accepted Answer

I'm sorry, I can't help you with that.

Question 10

Which word has a nasal sound?

Accepted Answer

sing

Answer

cat

Answer

dog

Answer

pen

Question 11

Which word has the correct pronunciation of the /θ/ sound?

Accepted Answer

thin

Answer

pen

Answer

cat

Answer

dog

Question 12

Which of the following is the correct pronunciation of the word 'stress' in American English?

Accepted Answer

stress

Answer

strs

Answer

stret

Answer

stres

Question 13

Which of the following is a characteristic of rising intonation in American English?

Accepted Answer

Indicates a question or surprise

Answer

Indicates a falling or dropping pitch

Answer

Indicates a pause or hesitation

Answer

Indicates a statement or command

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of accurate pronunciation in American English?

Accepted Answer

Makes it difficult for listeners to understand

Answer

Enhances communication clarity

Answer

Improves overall listening comprehension

Answer

Boosts confidence in speaking

Question 15

Which of the following intonation patterns is commonly used in yes/no questions in American English?

Accepted Answer

Rising at the end

Answer

Rising in the middle

Answer

Flat throughout

Answer

Falling at the end

Question 16

Which syllable in the word 'computer' is stressed?

Accepted Answer

Second syllable

Answer

Third syllable

Answer

First syllable

Answer

None of the syllables are stressed

Question 17

Which of the following intonation patterns is primarily used to indicate a yes/no question in English?

Accepted Answer

Rising intonation

Answer

Flat intonation

Answer

Falling intonation

Question 18

Which of the following factors does not significantly influence the use of intonation in speech?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Emotion

Answer

Syntax

Answer

Context

Question 19

In a formal setting, it is generally recommended to use which type of intonation?

Accepted Answer

Neutral intonation

Answer

Emotional intonation

Answer

Exaggerated intonation

Answer

Reduced intonation

Question 20

Which of the following tongue positions is primarily used to produce the 'i:' sound as in the word 'eat'?

Accepted Answer

High front

Answer

Low front

Answer

High back

Answer

Mid back

Question 21

How does intonation affect the meaning of the sentence 'I'm not sure'?

Accepted Answer

It can change the sentence from a statement to a question or express different attitudes such as hesitation or confidence.

Answer

It does not affect the meaning of the sentence.

Question 22

Which of the following techniques can be most beneficial for students to improve their intonation?

Accepted Answer

Practicing shadowing native speakers

Answer

Translating intonation patterns directly from their native language

Answer

Memorizing intonation rules

Answer

Using intonation software

Question 23

Which of the following words is pronounced with a rising intonation pattern?

Accepted Answer

Really?

Answer

Goodbye.

Answer

Thank you.

Answer

Hello.

Question 24

In the sentence 'I'm going to the store to buy some milk', on which syllable is the stress placed?

Accepted Answer

store

Answer

to

Answer

milk

Answer

I'm

Question 25

Which of the following is a significant feature of connected speech?

Accepted Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Pronunciation accuracy

Answer

Slow and deliberate speech

Answer

Absence of pauses

Question 26

In the sentence "She REJECTed the job offer", which word receives the primary stress?

Accepted Answer

REJECTed

Answer

offer

Answer

job

Answer

She

Question 27

What is the typical intonation pattern of the question "Are you coming to the party?"

Accepted Answer

Rising intonation at the end

Answer

Falling intonation at the end

Answer

Rising intonation in the middle

Answer

Flat intonation throughout

Question 28

Which of these options shows the correct stress pattern for the word 'photography'?

Accepted Answer

phoTOgraphy

Answer

PHOtography

Answer

photograPHY

Answer

photoGRAphy

Question 29

What is the usual intonation pattern for a statement in English?

Accepted Answer

Falling intonation at the end

Answer

Rising intonation at the end

Answer

Rising intonation in the middle

Answer

Flat intonation throughout

Question 30

In the sentence "I'm gonna go to the store", which word undergoes elision?

Accepted Answer

gonna

Answer

the

Answer

go

Answer

store

Question 31

Which sentence uses the correct intonation to express surprise: "You won the lottery?", "You won the lottery!", "You won the lottery. (rising intonation in the middle)", "You won the lottery. (falling intonation)"

Accepted Answer

You won the lottery? (rising intonation)

Answer

You won the lottery! (flat intonation)

Answer

You won the lottery. (falling intonation)

Answer

You won the lottery. (rising intonation in the middle)

Question 32

In the sentence 'Did YOU take the book from the library?', which word is emphasized?

Accepted Answer

YOU

Answer

book

Answer

Did

Answer

library

Question 33

Which sentence uses rising intonation, typically used for questions?

Accepted Answer

You're going to the party tonight?

Answer

The party is tonight!

Answer

I can't believe you're going to the party.

Answer

You're going to the party tonight.

Question 34

What is the correct phonetic transcription of the word 'thought'?

Accepted Answer

/θɔːt/

Answer

/ðoʊt/

Answer

/θaʊt/

Answer

/tɑːt/

Question 35

Which word contains a diphthong, a combination of two vowel sounds?

Accepted Answer

noise

Answer

sit

Answer

bet

Answer

book

Question 36

What is the main purpose of linking sounds in spoken English?

Accepted Answer

To make speech flow more smoothly and naturally.

Answer

To change the meaning of words.

Answer

To indicate a pause in speech.

Answer

To emphasize specific words.

Question 37

Which intonation pattern is commonly associated with expressing surprise?

Accepted Answer

A sharp rise in pitch.

Answer

A whispered tone.

Answer

A flat, monotone pitch.

Answer

A gradual fall in pitch.

Question 38

How does practicing minimal pairs improve pronunciation?

Accepted Answer

By helping learners distinguish and produce subtle sound differences.

Answer

By expanding vocabulary knowledge.

Answer

By improving grammar accuracy.

Question 39

In everyday speech, the phrase 'want to' often sounds like:

Accepted Answer

wanna

Answer

won't to

Answer

want too

Answer

won't do

Question 40

What is the correct pronunciation of the word "height"?

Accepted Answer

haɪt

Answer

haɪɪt

Answer

hɑɪt

Answer

heɪt

Question 41

Which sentence uses intonation to express surprise?

Accepted Answer

He's already gone?!

Answer

He's already gone.

Answer

He's already gone...?

Answer

He's already gone?

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential benefit of accurate pronunciation?

Accepted Answer

Increased intelligibility

Answer

Diminished confidence in speaking

Answer

Deteriorated listening skills

Answer

Reduced comprehension by listeners

Question 43

What factors can influence pronunciation?

Accepted Answer

Native language, age of language acquisition, and social environment

Answer

Solely native language

Answer

Solely age of language acquisition

Answer

Genetics and geographical location

Question 44

What is a diphthong best defined as?

Accepted Answer

A vowel sound transitioning from one vowel to another

Answer

A combination of two distinct vowel sounds

Answer

A prolonged vowel sound

Answer

A vowel sound pronounced with a nasal quality

Question 45

In English, which intonation pattern is typically employed to convey a question?

Accepted Answer

Rising intonation at the end of the sentence

Answer

Flat intonation across the sentence

Answer

Falling intonation at the end of the sentence

Answer

Dipping intonation in the middle of the sentence

Question 46

In the sentence "I'm headed to the store," where is the appropriate place for intonation to rise?

Accepted Answer

At the end of the sentence

Answer

On the word "I'm"

Answer

On the word "headed"

Answer

On the word "store"

Question 47

Which word contains the schwa sound (/ə/)?

Accepted Answer

About

Answer

Cat

Answer

Book

Answer

Tree

Question 48

What type of intonation is likely used in the sentence: "Are you attending the meeting tomorrow?"

Accepted Answer

Rising intonation

Answer

Neutral intonation

Answer

Falling intonation

Answer

Rising-falling intonation

Question 49

Which word has a distinct vowel sound compared to the others?

Accepted Answer

Caught

Answer

Hot

Answer

Cot

Answer

Bought

Question 50

How is the "th" sound typically produced in the word "think"?

Accepted Answer

By placing the tongue between the teeth

Answer

By touching the tongue to the back of the teeth

Answer

By vibrating the vocal cords

Answer

By touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth

Question 51

Which sentence would most likely be uttered with emphatic intonation?

Accepted Answer

I thoroughly enjoyed this film!

Answer

This film left me indifferent.

Answer

I've seen this film before.

Answer

This film was acceptable.

Question 52

Which of these pairs of words has a similar vowel sound?

Accepted Answer

Ship - Sheep

Answer

Train - Tree

Answer

Cat - Cut

Answer

Book - Boot

Question 53

The sentence "I'm going to the park to play" is likely spoken with what kind of intonation?

Accepted Answer

Falling intonation on "play"

Answer

Rising intonation on "play"

Answer

Neutral intonation throughout

Answer

Rising intonation on "park"