Understanding the Short 'u' Sound in English

What is the symbol for the short 'u' sound in the International Phonetic Alphabet?

• A triangle

• A circle

• A regular 'u'

• An upside-down 'v'

Which of the following is NOT a correct way to pronounce the short 'u' sound?

• uhh

• uh

• oo

• uh-uh

What is a common mistake when pronouncing the word 'public'?

• Saying 'pooblic'

• Saying 'piblic'

• Saying 'pablic'

• Saying 'peblic'

Which word contains the short 'u' sound?

• Cool

• Cup

• Tool

• Pool

Which of these words is an example of a business-English term with the short 'u' sound?

• Deliver

• Develop

• Design

• Discuss

What does the prefix 'multi' mean?

• One

• Two

• Many

• None

Which of the following words has the short 'u' sound but does not contain the letter 'u'?

• Love

• Loop

• Loud

• Lure

Which phrasal verb uses the word 'up'?

• Back up

• Back down

• Back off

• Back in

Which of the following words is pronounced with a short 'u' sound despite having an 'o' in its spelling?

• Spoon

• Son

• Sown

• Soon

Which sentence is a tongue twister to practice the short 'u' sound?

• In the middle of the rug sat a big, black bug.

• She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

• How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?