gce model questions vol1 2017 english_language | Oral

Prepare for your exams with gce model questions vol1 questions? Reviewing past/model questions is one of the most effective ways to guarantee a high score. This practice hub features authentic 2017 english_language (Oral) questions designed to simulate the real exam environment.

Practice these randomly selected questions to test your readiness.

Question 1 View Details
From the following words: *circuit*, *cigar*, *civic*, *cider*, which one contains the vowel sound /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable? Write its full phonemic transcription using IPA symbols and mark the primary stress.
A. circuit - \/ˈsɜː.kɪt\/
Correct B. civic - /ˈsɪv.ɪk/
C. cigar - \/ˈsɪg.ɑːr\/
D. civic - \/sɪˈvɪk\/

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 2 View Details
Give a minimal pair that contrasts the consonant sounds /θ/ and /ð/ in the same vowel environment, and state which word is voiceless and which is voiced.
Correct A. bath - /bæθ/ (voiceless); bathe - /bæð/ (voiced)
B. teeth - \/tiːθ\/ (voiceless); teeth - \/diːð\/ (voiced)
C. path - \/pæθ\/ (voiceless); bathe - \/bæð\/ (voiced)
D. thin - \/θɪn\/ (voiceless); then - \/ðɛn\/ (voiced)

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 3 View Details
Identify the primary stress pattern (trochaic or iambic) in the word *photographer* and write its phonemic transcription indicating the stress.
Correct A. iambic; /fəˈtɒɡ.rə.fər/
B. trochaic; \/fəˈtɒɡ.rə.fər\/
C. iambic; \/fəˈtɒɡ.rə.fɚ\/
D. iambic; \/ˈfə.tɒɡ.rə.fər\/

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 4 View Details
In the sentence "She said she would ___ the meeting", choose a word that contains the consonant cluster /sk/. Provide the word, its phonemic transcription, and indicate which syllable carries the primary stress.
Correct A. skip - /skɪp/ (stress on the only syllable)
B. spike - \/spaɪk\/ (stress on the only syllable)
C. sick - \/sɪk\/ (stress on the only syllable)
D. speak - \/spiːk\/ (stress on the only syllable)

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 5 View Details
Identify a two‑syllable word that ends with the consonant sound /ʒ/, write its phonemic transcription, and state which syllable carries the primary stress.
Correct A. garage - /ˈɡærɑːʒ/ (stress on the first syllable)
B. massage - /məˈsɑːʒ/ (stress on the second syllable)
C. collage - /kəˈlɑːʒ/ (stress on the second syllable)
D. mirage - /mɪˈrɑːʒ/ (stress on the second syllable)

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 6 View Details
Write the vowel phoneme (using IPA) for each of the following words: lead (metal), lead (to guide), read (present), read (past). Then indicate which two words have identical vowel phonemes.
Correct A. lead (metal) & read (past) share /ɛ/; lead (to guide) & read (present) share /iː/
B. lead (metal) & read (past) share \/eɪ\/; lead (to guide) & read (present) share \/aɪ\/
C. lead (metal) & read (present) share \/ɛ\/; lead (to guide) & read (past) share \/iː\/
D. lead (metal) & read (past) share \/æ\/; lead (to guide) & read (present) share \/ɪ\/

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 7 View Details
The words "thin", "sin" and "tin" are given. Identify the pair that constitutes a minimal pair differing only in the initial consonant. For that pair, state the manner and place of articulation of each differing consonant.
A. thin (\/θɪn\/) and tin (\/tɪn\/); \/θ\/ is a voiceless dental fricative, \/t\/ is a voiceless alveolar stop.
Correct B. thin (/θɪn/) and sin (/sɪn/); /θ/ is a voiceless dental fricative, /s/ is a voiceless alveolar fricative.
C. thin (\/θɪn\/) and sin (\/sɪn\/); \/θ\/ is a voiceless alveolar fricative, \/s\/ is a voiceless dental fricative.
D. thin (\/θɪn\/) and sin (\/sɪn\/); \/θ\/ is a voiceless velar fricative, \/s\/ is a voiceless alveolar fricative.

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 8 View Details
The word "record" can be a noun or a verb. Write the phonetic transcription (using IPA) for each, indicating primary stress with ˈ. Then describe how the vowel quality of the first syllable changes between the two pronunciations.
Correct A. Noun: /ˈrekɔːd/ (stress on first syllable, vowel /e/); Verb: /rɪˈkɔːd/ (stress on second syllable, vowel /ɪ/). The first‑syllable vowel shifts from /e/ to /ɪ/.
B. Noun: \/ˈrekɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable, vowel \/e\/); Verb: \/rɪˈkɒd\/ (stress on second syllable, vowel \/ɪ\/). The first‑syllable vowel shifts from \/e\/ to \/ɪ\/, but the second syllable vowel changes to \/ɒ\/.
C. Noun: \/ˈrekɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable, vowel \/e\/); Verb: \/rɪˈkɔːd\/ (stress on second syllable, vowel \/ɪ\/). The first‑syllable vowel shifts from \/e\/ to \/ɪ\/, and the stress pattern remains the same.
D. Noun: \/ˈrɪkɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable, vowel \/ɪ\/); Verb: \/rɛˈkɔːd\/ (stress on second syllable, vowel \/e\/). The first‑syllable vowel shifts from \/ɪ\/ to \/e\/.

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 9 View Details
Consider the sentence "You finished the report." When spoken as a statement, as a yes‑no question, and as a tag question ("You finished the report, didn't you?") describe the overall pitch contour (rising, falling, fall‑rise) for each.
A. Statement - falling; Yes‑no question - fall‑rise; Tag question - rising.
B. Statement - level; Yes‑no question - rising; Tag question - falling.
C. Statement - rising; Yes‑no question - falling; Tag question - rising‑fall.
Correct D. Statement - falling; Yes‑no question - rising; Tag question - fall‑rise (fall on the statement, rise on the tag).

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 10 View Details
In the word "photographic" provide the stress pattern using ˈ for primary stress and ˌ for secondary stress. Identify the primary‑stressed syllable and state whether a secondary stress is present. Also give the stress pattern for the word "memory".
A. photographic - \/ˈfəʊtəˈɡræfɪk\/ (primary stress on \"pho\", secondary stress on \"graf\"); memory - \/meməri\/ (primary stress on \"mem\", no secondary stress).
B. photographic - \/ˌfəʊtəˈɡræfɪk\/ (primary stress on \"graf\", secondary stress on \"tə\"); memory - \/ˈmeməri\/ (primary stress on \"mem\", secondary stress on \"ri\").
C. photographic - \/ˈfəʊtəɡræfɪk\/ (primary stress on \"pho\", no secondary stress); memory - \/ˈmeməri\/ (primary stress on \"mem\", no secondary stress).
Correct D. photographic - /ˌfəʊtəˈɡræfɪk/ (primary stress on "graf", secondary stress on "pho"); memory - /ˈmeməri/ (primary stress on "mem", no secondary stress).

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 11 View Details
In the word "grammar", which syllable receives the primary stress when spoken?
A. second syllable (gram‑MAR)
Correct B. first syllable (GRAM‑mar)
C. first syllable (gra‑MMAR)
D. third syllable (GRAM‑mar)

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 12 View Details
Three word pairs are given below. Identify the pair that forms a minimal pair for the vowel contrast /iː/ versus /ɪ/, and write the IPA symbols for the contrasting vowels in that pair. (a) beat - bit (b) seat - sat (c) deep - dip
Correct A. pair (a) - beat /biːt/ and bit /bɪt/; contrasting vowels /iː/ and /ɪ/
B. pair (b) - seat \/siːt\/ and sat \/sæt\/; contrasting vowels \/iː\/ and \/ɪ\/
C. pair (c) - deep \/diːp\/ and dip \/dɪp\/; contrasting vowels \/iː\/ and \/e\/
D. pair (a) - beat \/biːt\/ and bit \/bɪt\/; contrasting vowels \/i\/ and \/ɪ\/

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 13 View Details
Consider the opening sentence of a formal report: "The investigation revealed several key findings." (a) State the overall intonation pattern of this declarative sentence (rising, falling, or rise‑fall). (b) List the words that carry the primary lexical stress in this sentence.
A. Rise‑fall intonation; primary stress on "revealed", "key", and "findings".
B. Rising intonation; primary stress on "investigation", "several", and "findings".
Correct C. Falling intonation; primary stress on "investigation", "key", and "findings".
D. Falling intonation; primary stress on "investigation", "several", and "key".

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 14 View Details
Read the following couplet: "The night was dark, the stars were bright;\ The moon did glow with gentle light." (a) Identify the rhyme scheme of the couplet. (b) State the metrical foot and number of feet per line. (c) Provide the IPA transcription of the final word "light".
A. AA; iambic trimeter (three iambs per line); \/laɪt\/
Correct B. AA; iambic tetrameter (four iambs per line); /laɪt/
C. AA; iambic tetrameter (four iambs per line); \/laɪt̩\/
D. AB; trochaic tetrameter (four trochees per line); \/laɪt\/

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 15 View Details
Which of the following words contains the vowel sound /æ/ as in "cat"? (a) bat (b) bet (c) bit (d) boat
A. bet
B. bit
C. boat
Correct D. bat

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 16 View Details
Which vowel sound is heard in the word 'beat'?
A. \/æ\/
Correct B. /iː/
C. \/ɪ\/
D. \/eɪ\/

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 17 View Details
In the pair of words 'thin' and 'sin', which consonant sound differs between them?
Correct A. /θ/ vs /s/
B. \/θ\/ vs \/z\/
C. \/t\/ vs \/s\/
D. \/ð\/ vs \/s\/

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 18 View Details
Which of the following words shares the same vowel sound as in 'thought': bought, cat, boot, cut?
A. cat
B. boot
C. cut
Correct D. bought

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 19 View Details
State the primary stress syllable for the word 'photograph' when it is used as a noun and when it is used as a verb.
Correct A. Noun: first syllable (PHO‑); Verb: second syllable (pho‑GRAPH)
B. Noun: first syllable (PHO‑); Verb: first syllable (PHO‑GRAPH)
C. Noun: second syllable (pho‑); Verb: first syllable (PHO‑GRAPH)
D. Noun: second syllable (pho‑); Verb: second syllable (pho‑GRAPH)

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 20 View Details
For the sentence 'If you had studied, you would have passed.', indicate the intonation pattern for the conditional clause and the main clause (rising or falling).
A. Conditional clause: falling; Main clause: rising
B. Conditional clause: rising; Main clause: rising
Correct C. Conditional clause: rising; Main clause: falling
D. Conditional clause: falling; Main clause: falling

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 21 View Details
Four words are spoken: "beat", "beet", "bit", "breathe". Which one contains a short vowel /ɪ/ in its stressed syllable? Write the IPA transcription of that word.
A. /biːt/
B. /bɛt/
Correct C. /bɪt/
D. /bæt/

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 22 View Details
In the sentence ‘The child whispered, "I saw a bear in the forest."', identify the vowel sound in the stressed syllable of the word "bear" and give its IPA symbol.
Correct A. /eə/
B. /aɪ/
C. /ɛ/
D. /ɜː/

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 23 View Details
State the place and manner of articulation of the initial consonant in the word "ship". Provide the IPA symbol for that consonant.
Correct A. voiceless postalveolar fricative, /ʃ/
B. voiceless alveolar fricative, \/s\/
C. voiced postalveolar fricative, \/ʒ\/
D. voiceless palatal affricate, \/tɕ\/

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 24 View Details
The closing of a formal letter reads: "Yours faithfully". Determine which word carries primary stress and which carries secondary stress, then write the full IPA transcription of the phrase, marking primary stress with ˈ and secondary stress with ˌ.
A. Primary stress on "faithfully", secondary stress on "Yours"; IPA: \/ˌjɔːz ˈfeɪθ.fʊ.lɪ\/
Correct B. Primary stress on "faithfully", secondary stress on "Yours"; IPA: /ˌjɔːz ˈfeɪθ.fʊ.li/
C. Primary stress on "Yours", secondary stress on "faithfully"; IPA: \/ˈjɔːz ˌfeɪθ.fʊ.li\/
D. Primary stress on "faithfully", secondary stress on "Yours"; IPA: \/ˌjɔːz ˈfeɪθ.fʊ.liː\/

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 25 View Details
The idiom ‘to bite the bullet' is spoken. In the word "bullet", which vowel is in the stressed syllable, is it lax or tense, and what is its IPA symbol?
A. The stressed vowel is \/ɪ\/, a lax vowel.
B. The stressed vowel is \/eɪ\/, a tense vowel.
C. The stressed vowel is \/ʊ\/, a tense vowel.
Correct D. The stressed vowel is /ʌ/, a lax vowel.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer

Master the Exam!

You've seen a preview, but there are thousands more questions plus AI tutor to break down complex solutions.

Unlock Full Access Available for Android & Windows
Help others prepare! Share this practice hub:
Chat with Support