Practice gce model questions vol1 english_language 2023 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

Identify the word that contains a different vowel sound from the others and give the IPA symbol of that vowel. Words: beat, seat, bit, heat.

A. \/eɪ\/

B. \/iː\/

Correct C. /ɪ/

D. \/æ\/

Correct Answer: C

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Question 2 View Details

In the word "photography", which syllable carries the primary stress? Give the syllable number (starting from 1).

Correct A. 2

B. 1

C. 4

D. 3

Correct Answer: A

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Question 3 View Details

From the list cap, gap, tap, map, identify the pair that forms a minimal pair differing only in the voicing of the initial consonant. Provide the IPA transcription of both words in the pair.

A. \/kæp\/ - \/kæb\/

Correct B. /kæp/ - /gæp/

C. \/kæp\/ - \/tæp\/

D. \/bæp\/ - \/gæp\/

Correct Answer: B

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Question 4 View Details

In the sentence "I didn't say she stole the money," which word, when given emphatic stress, changes the meaning to imply that someone other than the mentioned person performed the action? State the word and describe the intonation contour used for that emphasis.

A. didn't (high‑pitch rise‑fall contour)

B. I (low‑pitch steady contour)

Correct C. she (high‑pitch rise‑fall contour)

D. money (high‑pitch rise‑fall contour)

Correct Answer: C

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Question 5 View Details

Provide the IPA transcription of the phrase "the cat's whiskers" as it would be pronounced in natural connected speech, indicating any assimilation or elision and marking primary stress.

A. /ðə ˈkæts ˈwɪskɪz/

B. /ðə ˈkæts ˈwɪskɚz/

Correct C. /ðə ˈkæts ˈwɪskəz/

D. /ðə ˈkæts wɪˈskəz/

Correct Answer: C

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Question 6 View Details

Read the following descriptive sentence: "The ancient oak stood solemnly on the hill, its gnarled branches reaching toward the pale sky." For each of the three highlighted words—ancient, solemnly, gnarled—state (a) whether the primary stress falls on the first or second syllable, and (b) write the IPA symbol for the vowel sound in the stressed syllable. Present your answer as a series of three entries, e.g., "ancient: first, /eɪ/; solemnly: …".

A. ancient: second, \/eɪ\/; solemnly: first, \/ɒ\/; gnarled: first, \/ɑː\/

B. ancient: first, \/eɪ\/; solemnly: first, \/ɒ\/; gnarled: second, \/ɑː\/

Correct C. ancient: first, /eɪ/; solemnly: first, /ɒ/; gnarled: first, /ɑː/

D. ancient: first, \/eɪ\/; solemnly: second, \/ɒ\/; gnarled: first, \/ɑː\/

Correct Answer: C

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Question 7 View Details

Complete the sentence with a word that contains the vowel sound /iː/ (as in "see") and has primary stress on the first syllable: "The treaty brought ____ to the region."

Correct A. peace

B. beet

C. fleet

D. piece

Correct Answer: A

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Question 8 View Details

In the phrase "bright blue butterflies", (a) identify the repeated consonant sound and give its IPA symbol, and (b) indicate which word carries secondary stress in the phrase.

A. Consonant sound \/t\/; secondary stress on "bright"

B. Consonant sound \/b\/; secondary stress on "butterflies"

Correct C. Consonant sound /b/; secondary stress on "blue"

D. Consonant sound \/l\/; secondary stress on "blue"

Correct Answer: C

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Question 9 View Details

From the following list of words—bit, beat, sit, seat, pin, peas—group them into minimal pairs that contrast the vowel sounds /ɪ/ and /iː/. List each pair in parentheses.

A. (bit, beat), (sit, peas), (pin, seat)

B. (bit, sit), (beat, seat), (pin, peas)

Correct C. (bit, beat), (sit, seat), (pin, peas)

D. (bit, peas), (sit, beat), (pin, seat)

Correct Answer: C

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Question 10 View Details

Read the excerpt from a report: "The budget was approved, wasn't it? The project will start next month, won't it? The results are satisfactory, aren't they?" (a) Identify the three tag words that are spoken with rising intonation, (b) transcribe the vowel of each tag word using IPA, and (c) suggest a punctuation change that would correctly reflect the rising intonation.

A. was (\/ɒz\/), will (\/wɪl\/), are (\/ɑːr\/); replace the question marks with commas.

B. did (\/dɪd\/), can (\/kæn\/), were (\/wɜːr\/); use a period instead of the question marks.

Correct C. it (/ɪ/), it (/ɪ/), they (/eɪ/); the existing question marks already reflect the rising intonation.

D. is (\/ɪz\/), does (\/dʌz\/), have (\/hæv\/); add an exclamation point after each tag.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 11 View Details

From the following words: bit, kit, beat, bat, bought, boot, identify the two words that contain the same vowel sound as in "bit" and give the IPA symbol for that vowel. Also state whether the initial consonant of each identified word is voiced or voiceless.

A. The words are bat and bought; the vowel is \/æ\/ . The initial consonant of bat is voiceless, the initial consonant of bought is voiceless.

Correct B. The words are bit and kit; the vowel is /ɪ/. The initial consonant of bit is voiced, the initial consonant of kit is voiceless.

C. The words are bit and kit; the vowel is \/ɪ\/ . The initial consonant of bit is voiceless, the initial consonant of kit is voiced.

D. The words are beat and boot; the vowel is \/iː\/ . The initial consonant of beat is voiced, the initial consonant of boot is voiceless.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 12 View Details

The list below contains six words: leaf, leave, laugh, lava, cuff, cough. Identify the pair that differs only in the voicing of the final consonant and provide the IPA transcription of each word in that pair.

A. cuff \/kʌf\/ and cough \/kɒf\/

Correct B. leaf /liːf/ and leave /liːv/

C. laugh \/lɑːf\/ and cough \/kɒf\/

D. leaf \/liːf\/ and lava \/ˈlɑːvə\/

Correct Answer: B

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Question 13 View Details

Consider the words "economic" and "economics". Identify the primary stress position in each word, give their IPA transcriptions, and state which syllable the stress moves to when the suffix changes from -ic to -ics.

A. economic: primary stress on the third syllable, \/iːkəˈnɒmɪk\/; economics: primary stress on the fourth syllable, \/iːkəˈnɒmɪks\/. Stress moves from syllable 3 to syllable 4.

Correct B. economic: primary stress on the second syllable, /iːkəˈnɒmɪk/; economics: primary stress on the third syllable, /iːkəˈnɒmɪks/. Stress moves from syllable 2 to syllable 3.

C. economic: primary stress on the second syllable, \/iːkəˈnɒmɪk\/; economics: primary stress on the second syllable, \/iːkəˈnɒmɪks\/. Stress does not move.

D. economic: primary stress on the first syllable, \/ˈiːkənɒmɪk\/; economics: primary stress on the second syllable, \/ˈiːkənɒmɪks\/. Stress moves from syllable 1 to syllable 2.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 14 View Details

Read the sentence "Are you coming tomorrow?". Identify the intonation contour used at the end of the sentence in standard British English and explain why this contour is appropriate for a yes‑no question.

Correct A. Rising intonation (low‑mid‑high) at the end; the rise signals a request for confirmation, which is appropriate for a yes‑no question.

B. Flat intonation (level pitch) throughout; the lack of movement suggests uncertainty, which does not match a yes‑no question.

C. Falling intonation (high‑mid‑low) at the end; the fall indicates a statement, which is inappropriate for a yes‑no question.

D. Rising‑falling intonation (low‑high‑low) at the end; the rise‑fall pattern signals a list, which is not typical for a yes‑no question.

Correct Answer: A

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Question 15 View Details

The following six words are given: bake, make, bike, strike, lake, spike. Select the three words that rhyme with each other and give the phonemic representation of the rhyming part (vowel plus final consonant).

A. bake, make, spike - rhyming part /aɪk/

B. bake, make, lake - rhyming part /aɪk/

Correct C. bake, make, lake - rhyming part /eɪk/

D. bike, strike, spike - rhyming part /aɪk/

Correct Answer: C

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Question 16 View Details

Listen to the two words "beat" and "bit". Identify which word contains the longer vowel sound and state the IPA symbols for the vowel in each word.

A. beat has the longer vowel; IPA: beat \/ eɪ \/, bit \/ ɪ \/

Correct B. beat has the longer vowel; IPA: beat / iː /, bit / ɪ /

C. beat has the longer vowel; IPA: beat \/ iː \/, bit \/ ɛ \/

D. beat has the longer vowel; IPA: beat \/ ɪ \/, bit \/ iː \/

Correct Answer: B

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Question 17 View Details

The word "photograph" can be pronounced with primary stress on the first syllable, while the derived noun "photography" has primary stress on the second syllable. Indicate the stressed syllable in each word using stress marks and explain how the stress shift changes the word class.

A. photograph - primary stress on second syllable (phoˈgraph); photography - primary stress on first syllable (ˈphotography); stress shift changes the noun "photograph" to the verb "photography".

Correct B. photograph - primary stress on first syllable (ˈphotograph); photography - primary stress on second syllable (phoˈgraphy); stress shift changes the verb "photograph" to the noun "photography".

C. photograph - primary stress on second syllable (phoˈgraph); photography - primary stress on second syllable (phoˈgraphy); stress shift changes the verb "photograph" to the noun "photography".

D. photograph - primary stress on first syllable (ˈphotograph); photography - primary stress on first syllable (ˈphotography); stress shift changes the verb "photograph" to the noun "photography".

Correct Answer: B

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Question 18 View Details

Consider the sentence "You're coming tomorrow." Explain how the intonation pattern (rising vs. falling) changes the meaning of the sentence, and indicate which pattern would be used for a genuine question versus a statement of expectation.

A. Rising intonation on "you're" makes it a genuine question; falling intonation on "tomorrow" makes it a statement of expectation.

B. Falling intonation on "tomorrow" makes it a genuine question; rising intonation makes it a statement of expectation.

C. Both rising and falling intonation on "tomorrow" indicate a genuine question.

Correct D. Rising intonation on "tomorrow" makes it a genuine question; falling intonation makes it a statement of expectation.

Correct Answer: D

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Question 19 View Details

Transcribe the following list of words into IPA and then identify which of them contain the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/ and which contain the voiced alveolar fricative /z/: "cats", "dogs", "passes", "buzzes".

A. cats - \/kæts\/ (contains \/z\/); dogs - \/dɒgz\/ (contains \/s\/); passes - \/ˈpæsɪz\/ (contains \/z\/ only); buzzes - \/ˈbʌzɪz\/ (contains \/s\/ and \/z\/).

B. cats - \/kæts\/ (contains \/z\/); dogs - \/dɒgz\/ (contains \/z\/); passes - \/ˈpæsɪz\/ (contains \/s\/ and \/z\/); buzzes - \/ˈbʌzɪz\/ (contains \/z\/ only).

C. cats - \/kæts\/ (contains \/s\/); dogs - \/dɒgz\/ (contains \/s\/); passes - \/ˈpæsɪz\/ (contains \/s\/ only); buzzes - \/ˈbʌzɪz\/ (contains \/s\/ only).

Correct D. cats - /kæts/ (contains /s/); dogs - /dɒgz/ (contains /z/); passes - /ˈpæsɪz/ (contains /s/ and /z/); buzzes - /ˈbʌzɪz/ (contains /z/ only).

Correct Answer: D

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Question 20 View Details

The word "record" can be pronounced with stress on the first syllable when it is a noun, and on the second syllable when it is a verb. Provide the IPA transcription for both pronunciations, indicate the stressed syllable in each case, and explain how the stress pattern signals the word class.

A. Noun - ˈrecord \/ˈrɛkɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable); Verb - reˈcord \/rɪˈkɔːd\/ (stress on second syllable); stress shift indicates present vs. past tense.

B. Noun - ˈrecord \/ˈrɛkɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable); Verb - reˈcord \/rɪˈkɔːd\/ (stress on second syllable); stress shift indicates singular vs. plural.

Correct C. Noun - ˈrecord /ˈrɛkɔːd/ (stress on first syllable); Verb - reˈcord /rɪˈkɔːd/ (stress on second syllable); stress shift indicates noun vs. verb.

D. Noun - ˈrecord \/ˈrɛkɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable); Verb - ˈrecord \/rɪˈkɔːd\/ (stress on first syllable); stress shift indicates noun vs. verb.

Correct Answer: C

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Question 21 View Details

Consider the words: beat, bit, bat, bet. Identify which word contains the long vowel sound /iː/ as in "see".

Correct A. beat

B. bet

C. bit

D. bat

Correct Answer: A

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Question 22 View Details

Which of the following words contains a voiced alveolar fricative /z/ in the middle position: casing, passing, pacing, racing?

A. passing

B. pacing

Correct C. casing

D. racing

Correct Answer: C

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Question 23 View Details

State the primary stress position (first, second, or third syllable) in the word photographer.

A. first syllable

Correct B. second syllable

C. fourth syllable

D. third syllable

Correct Answer: B

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Question 24 View Details

Read the sentence "You finished the report?" with rising intonation. Identify the type of intonation pattern used and explain its communicative function.

A. Rising intonation; it expresses surprise rather than a question.

Correct B. Rising intonation; it turns the statement into a yes‑no question seeking confirmation.

C. Level intonation; it shows neutrality.

D. Falling intonation; it indicates a statement of fact.

Correct Answer: B

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Question 25 View Details

Write the IPA transcription for the word education, focusing on the vowel sounds and final consonant.

Correct A. /ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən/

B. \/ˌɛdʒʊˈkæɪʃən\/

C. \/ˈɛdʒʊkeɪʃən\/

D. \/ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃɪn\/

Correct Answer: A

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gce model questions vol1 2023 english_language | Oral

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

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