Intro/Schwa Pretest

Front

What is a schwa?

Back

The schwa is a vowel sound that is pronounced like 'uh'. It is the most common vowel sound in English and can be found in many words, often in unstressed syllables.

Front

Give an example of a word with a schwa sound.

Back

An example of a word with a schwa sound is 'banana'. The 'a' in the second syllable is pronounced as a schwa.

Front

What does it mean for a syllable to be unstressed?

Back

An unstressed syllable is a part of a word that is not emphasized when spoken. It is usually softer and quicker than stressed syllables.

Front

How can you identify a schwa in a word?

Back

You can identify a schwa in a word by listening for the 'uh' sound in unstressed syllables, often represented by the symbol 'ə' in phonetics.

Front

What is the importance of the schwa sound in English?

Back

The schwa sound is important because it helps with the rhythm and flow of speech, making it easier to pronounce longer words.

Front

List three words that contain the schwa sound.

Back

1. About 2. Support 3. Pencil

Front

What is a syllable?

Back

A syllable is a single, unbroken sound of a spoken (or written) word. It usually contains a vowel sound.

Front

How many syllables are in the word 'elephant'?

Back

The word 'elephant' has three syllables: el-e-phant.

Front

What is a stressed syllable?

Back

A stressed syllable is a part of a word that is emphasized when spoken. It is usually louder, longer, and higher in pitch than unstressed syllables.

Front

Can a word have more than one schwa?

Back

Yes, a word can have more than one schwa sound, especially if it has multiple unstressed syllables.