IPA Vowels Quiz

Which of the following IPA symbols represents a high front unrounded vowel?

• [u]

• [i]

• [ɑ]

• [e]

Answer explanation

Explanation: [i] is a high (close), front, unrounded vowel, as in the word fleece.

Which word contains the vowel sound represented by the IPA symbol [ʊ]?

• seat

• goose

• foot

• cot

Answer explanation

Explanation: [ʊ] is the near-high, near-back, rounded vowel found in foot.

What distinguishes the vowels [i] and [ɪ]?

• Tongue height

• Lip rounding

• Nasality

• Stress

Answer explanation

Explanation: [i] is higher than [ɪ] on the vowel chart; both are front and unrounded.

Which IPA symbol represents the vowel in the word cup?

• [ʌ]

• [ə]

• [ɒ]

• [ɑ]

Answer explanation

[ʌ], known as the "caret," is the central, mid vowel in cup in General American English.

Which pair of vowels are both rounded?

• [i] and [u]

• [ɪ] and [ʊ]

• [u] and [o]

• [e] and [o]

Answer explanation

Explanation: Both [u] (as in goose) and [o] (as in goat) are rounded vowels.

What type of vowel is [ə]?

• High back rounded

• Low central unrounded

• Mid central unrounded

• High front unrounded

Answer explanation

Explanation: [ə] is the schwa, a mid central vowel found in unstressed syllables like in sofa.