gce model questions vol1 2018 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 2018 english_language (Oral) questions designed to simulate the real exam environment.

Practice these randomly selected questions to test your readiness.

Question 1 View Details
Transcribe the word "photograph" in IPA, indicating the primary stress with a preceding ˈ. Then state which syllable carries the primary stress and the vowel quality of that stressed syllable.
A. Second syllable, vowel \/ɒ\/
Correct B. First syllable, vowel /əʊ/
C. Second syllable, vowel \/əʊ\/
D. First syllable, vowel \/æ\/

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
Consider the words "sip" and "ship". Identify the consonant contrast between the initial sounds and specify the articulatory feature that distinguishes them.
A. Manner of articulation - \/s\/ is fricative, \/ʃ\/ is affricate
Correct B. Place of articulation - /s/ is alveolar, /ʃ/ is postalveolar
C. Place of articulation - \/s\/ is dental, \/ʃ\/ is alveolar
D. Voicing - \/s\/ is voiced, \/ʃ\/ is voiceless

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 3 View Details
Four words are given: "cane", "pain", "coin", "dune". Which two words rhyme, and why do they rhyme?
A. pain and coin - both end with the rime \/eɪn\/
B. coin and dune - both end with the rime \/uːn\/
Correct C. cane and pain - both end with the rime /eɪn/
D. cane and dune - both end with the rime \/eɪn\/

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 4 View Details
In the three‑syllable word "banana", which syllable receives the primary stress?
A. Third syllable
B. Fourth syllable
Correct C. Second syllable
D. First syllable

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 5 View Details
The spoken sentence "You're coming tomorrow?" is heard with a rising pitch at the end. Identify the intonation pattern and the type of utterance it represents.
A. Rising intonation, indicating a statement
B. Rising intonation, indicating a tag question
C. Falling intonation, indicating a yes‑no question
Correct D. Rising intonation, indicating a yes‑no question

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 6 View Details
Transcribe the sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy sheep" into IPA, indicate the primary stress on each content word using a preceding ˈ, and then state which word contains the vowel sound \(\text{/ɪ/}\) (as in "kit") and which contains \(\text{/iː/}\) (as in "fleece").
A. Transcription: \/ðə ˈkwɪk ˈbraʊn ˈfɒks ˈdʒʌmps ˈəʊvər ðə ˈleɪzi ˈʃiːp\/. \nWord with \/ɪ\/: fox. \nWord with \/iː\/: lazy.
B. Transcription: \/ði ˈkwɪk ˈbraʊn ˈfɒks ˈdʒʌmps ˈəʊvə ðə ˈleɪzi ˈʃiːp\/. \nWord with \/ɪ\/: sheep. \nWord with \/iː\/: jumps.
Correct C. Transcription: /ðə ˈkwɪk ˈbraʊn ˈfɒks ˈdʒʌmps ˈəʊvə ðə ˈleɪzi ˈʃiːp/. \nWord with /ɪ/: quick. \nWord with /iː/: sheep.
D. Transcription: \/ðə ˈkwɪk ˈbraʊn ˈfɒks ˈdʒʌmpz ˈəʊvə ðə ˈleɪzi ˈʃiːp\/. \nWord with \/ɪ\/: lazy. \nWord with \/iː\/: quick.

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 7 View Details
From the following pairs, select the pair that forms a minimal pair for the vowel contrast \(\text{/æ/}\) vs \(\text{/ɑː/}\): (a) bat - pat, (b) cat - cart, (c) man - mourn, (d) sand - sound.
A. (d) sand - sound
B. (a) bat - pat
C. (c) man - mourn
Correct D. (b) cat - cart

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 8 View Details
Read the sentence: "I didn't say he stole the money." Identify the word that would receive emphatic stress to convey the meaning that it was not you who said it, and describe the overall intonation pattern of the sentence when spoken with that emphasis.
A. Emphatic stress on "money"; intonation: rise on "money" then a rising contour for the rest of the sentence.
Correct B. Emphatic stress on "I"; intonation: rise on "I" then a falling contour for the rest of the sentence.
C. Emphatic stress on "you"; intonation: rise on "you" then a falling contour for the rest of the sentence.
D. Emphatic stress on "stole"; intonation: rise on "stole" then a level contour for the rest of the sentence.

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 9 View Details
Consider the words: "phase", "face", "foss", "pact". Identify the word that contains a voiced fricative not present in the other three, name the fricative phoneme, and state its place and manner of articulation.
Correct A. Word: phase; Fricative: /z/; Place: alveolar; Manner: voiced fricative.
B. Word: foss; Fricative: \/s\/; Place: alveolar; Manner: voiceless fricative.
C. Word: face; Fricative: \/f\/; Place: labiodental; Manner: voiceless fricative.
D. Word: pact; Fricative: \/s\/; Place: alveolar; Manner: voiceless fricative.

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 10 View Details
The poem reads: "Night falls, stars call; Light gleams, dreams beam." List all rhyming pairs and indicate the vowel sound they share, using IPA symbols.
A. Rhyming pairs: falls & call (shared vowel \/ɔː\/); gleams & beam (shared vowel \/eɪ\/).
B. Rhyming pairs: falls & gleams (shared vowel \/ɔː\/); call & beam (shared vowel \/iː\/).
Correct C. Rhyming pairs: falls & call (shared vowel /ɔː/); gleams & beam (shared vowel /iː/).
D. Rhyming pairs: falls & call (shared vowel \/æ\/); gleams & beam (shared vowel \/iː\/).

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 11 View Details
In the spoken sentence "She whispered the secret into the quiet night," (a) write the phonetic transcription of the stressed vowel in each of the words *whispered*, *secret*, *quiet* and *night* using IPA symbols, and (b) indicate which of these vowels are front close vowels.
A. whispered - stressed vowel \/ɪ\/; secret - stressed vowel \/iː\/; quiet - stressed vowel \/aɪ\/; night - stressed vowel \/ɒ\/. The only front close vowel among them is \/iː\/ in "secret".
Correct B. whispered - stressed vowel /ɪ/; secret - stressed vowel /iː/; quiet - stressed vowel /aɪ/; night - stressed vowel /aɪ/. The only front close vowel among them is /iː/ in "secret".
C. whispered - stressed vowel \/ɪ\/; secret - stressed vowel \/ɪ\/; quiet - stressed vowel \/aɪ\/; night - stressed vowel \/aɪ\/. The only front close vowel among them is \/ɪ\/ in "whispered".
D. whispered - stressed vowel \/ɪ\/; secret - stressed vowel \/iː\/; quiet - stressed vowel \/eɪ\/; night - stressed vowel \/aɪ\/. The only front close vowel among them is \/iː\/ in "secret".

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
A speaker delivers the following excerpt: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today. Are we ready to make a difference? Let us begin!" (a) For each sentence, state the appropriate intonation pattern (falling, rising, or rise‑fall). (b) Indicate where a brief pause of about half a second should be placed to emphasise the phrase "make a difference".
Correct A. Sentence 1: falling intonation; Sentence 2: rising intonation; Sentence 3: rise‑fall (emphatic) intonation. A brief pause should be placed after ‘make' (…make | a difference…) to emphasise the phrase.
B. Sentence 1: falling intonation; Sentence 2: rising intonation; Sentence 3: falling intonation. A brief pause should be placed after ‘make' (…make | a difference…) to emphasise the phrase.
C. Sentence 1: falling intonation; Sentence 2: rising intonation; Sentence 3: rise‑fall (emphatic) intonation. A brief pause should be placed before ‘make' (… | make a difference…) to emphasise the phrase.
D. Sentence 1: rising intonation; Sentence 2: falling intonation; Sentence 3: rise‑fall (emphatic) intonation. A brief pause should be placed after ‘difference' (…make a | difference…) to emphasise the phrase.

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
In the spoken sentence "He was a lion in the courtroom," identify the figure of speech used and specify which word should receive emphatic stress to convey its meaning most effectively.
A. The sentence contains personification; the word ‘lion' should receive emphatic stress.
Correct B. The sentence contains a metaphor; the word ‘lion' should receive emphatic stress.
C. The sentence contains a simile; the word ‘lion' should receive emphatic stress.
D. The sentence contains a metaphor; the word ‘courtroom' should receive emphatic stress.

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 14 View Details
For each of the following word pairs, (a) state whether the contrast is a vowel contrast or a consonant contrast, and (b) give the IPA transcription of each word: (i) ship - sheep, (ii) bat - pat, (iii) cat - cut.
A. ship - \/ʃɪp\/, sheep - \/ʃiːp\/ (vowel contrast); bat - \/bæt\/, pat - \/pæt\/ (consonant contrast); cat - \/kæt\/, cut - \/kʌt\/ (consonant contrast).
B. ship - \/ʃɪp\/, sheep - \/ʃiːp\/ (consonant contrast); bat - \/bæt\/, pat - \/pæt\/ (consonant contrast); cat - \/kæt\/, cut - \/kʌt\/ (vowel contrast).
C. ship - \/ʃɪp\/, sheep - \/ʃiːp\/ (vowel contrast); bat - \/pæt\/, pat - \/bæt\/ (consonant contrast); cat - \/kæt\/, cut - \/kʌt\/ (vowel contrast).
Correct D. ship - /ʃɪp/, sheep - /ʃiːp/ (vowel contrast); bat - /bæt/, pat - /pæt/ (consonant contrast); cat - /kæt/, cut - /kʌt/ (vowel contrast).

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 15 View Details
In the spoken line "She whispered, ‘I have found the hidden treasure!'", (a) indicate the primary stressed syllable in the word *hidden*, and (b) describe the overall sentence intonation appropriate for the exclamation.
A. Primary stress is on the second syllable of ‘hidden' (\/hɪˈdɛn\/). The sentence is spoken with a falling intonation appropriate for a statement.
B. Primary stress is on the first syllable of ‘hidden' (\/ˈhɪd.ən\/). The sentence is spoken with a falling intonation appropriate for a question.
Correct C. Primary stress is on the first syllable of ‘hidden' (/ˈhɪd.ən/). The sentence is spoken with a rising intonation appropriate for an exclamation.
D. Primary stress is on the first syllable of ‘hidden' (\/ˈhɪd.ən\/). The sentence is spoken with a level intonation appropriate for a neutral utterance.

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 16 View Details
Which of the following words contains the vowel sound \(\text{/ɪ/}\) as in "kit"?\nA) beat\nB) bit\nC) bait\nD) bet
A. bet
Correct B. bit
C. bait
D. beat

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
Which pair of consonants does NOT differ in place of articulation?\nA) \(\text{/f/}\) - \(\text{/v/}\)\nB) \(\text{/θ/}\) - \(\text{/s/}\)\nC) \(\text{/ʃ/}\) - \(\text{/tʃ/}\)\nD) \(\text{/p/}\) - \(\text{/b/}\)
Correct A. /p/ - /b/
B. \/ʃ\/ - \/tʃ\/
C. \/θ\/ - \/s\/
D. \/f\/ - \/v\/

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
The word "photograph" can be used as a noun or a verb. Indicate the primary stress position for each usage (use "1st", "2nd", or "3rd" syllable).
A. noun: 2nd syllable; verb: 1st syllable
B. noun: 1st syllable; verb: 3rd syllable
Correct C. noun: 1st syllable; verb: 2nd syllable
D. noun: 3rd syllable; verb: 2nd syllable

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 19 View Details
When the sentence "You're coming tomorrow?" is spoken as a yes‑no question, what is the typical intonation pattern? Choose from: rising, falling, fall‑rise.
A. level
B. fall‑rise
Correct C. rising
D. 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 20 View Details
Which of the following words does NOT rhyme with "light"?\nA) flight\nB) night\nC) bite\nD) late
A. bite
B. flight
Correct C. late
D. night

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: ship, sheep, chip, sip. Which word contains a vowel sound that is different from the other three?
A. sip
B. chip
Correct C. sheep
D. ship

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
Complete the sentence with the correct phonetic symbol for the vowel sound in the missing word: "Please hand me the ___ ." (The missing word is "book").
Correct A. /ʊ/
B. /ʌ/
C. /ɪ/
D. /ɔː/

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
In the word "photography", which syllable receives the primary stress?
A. first syllable
Correct B. second syllable
C. fourth syllable
D. third syllable

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 24 View Details
In the idiom "to make a long story short", which word is most likely to be reduced to a schwa (ə) in natural spoken English?
A. story
B. to
Correct C. a
D. make

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 25 View Details
Listen to the spoken sentence: "I think the policy will help the economy, but it could also increase unemployment." Describe the intonation pattern used on the conjunction "but" to signal contrast.
A. a rising (only rise) pattern on "but"
B. a falling‑rising (fall then rise) pattern on "but"
Correct C. a rising‑falling (rise then fall) pattern on "but"
D. a level (steady) pattern on "but"

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

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