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LISTEN |
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/ɛ/.../ɛ/.../ɛ/.../ɛ/...
pet...deck...tell,..lesson |
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WHAT IS IT? |
Pronunciation
The sound /ɛ/ is a mid, front, lax vowel.
The sound /ɛ/ is a mid, front, lax vowel.
- Move your tongue towards the middle of your mouth.
- Widen your lips
- Let your tongue relax
- Breathe out and let your vocal cords vibrate.
- "e" - red, left
- "ea" - breath, instead
- "ai" - said, again
- "a" - many, says
- "ie" (not common) - friend
- "ue" (not common) - guess, guest
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COMPARE |
Compare /ɛ/ with /ɪ/:
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/ɛ/.../ɪ/.../ɛ/.../ɪ/..../ɛ/.../ɪ/....
These are both front, lax vowels. However, /ɛ/ is a mid vowel and /ɪ/ is a high vowel. |
You can hear the difference between /ɛ/ and /ɪ/ in these words.
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1. A. head, B. hid
2. A. peg, B. pig 3. A. left, B. lift 4. A. many, B. mini 5. A. setting, B. sitting 6. A. bell, B. bill |
Practice recognizing words with /ɛ/ and /ɪ/ by taking the quiz below.
Now, compare /ɛ/ and /ey/:
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/ɛ/.../ey/.../ɛ/.../ey/.../ɛ/.../ey/...
These are both mid, front vowels. However, /ɛ/ is pronounced with a relaxed tongue, and /ey/ is pronounced with a tense tongue. |
You can hear the difference between /ɛ/ and /ey/ in these words.
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1. A. shed, B. shade
2. A. tech, B. take 3. A. sell, B. sale 4. A. west, B. waste 5. A. teller, B. tailor 6. A. men, B. main |
Practice recognizing words with /ɛ/ and /ey/ by taking the quiz below.
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PRACTICE |
Listen and repeat these words:

words_with_-e-.mp3 | |
File Size: | 642 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
1. dead
2. less 3. beg 4. spell 5. left 6. end 7. effort 8. correct 9. yellow 10. pressure |
11. better
12. welcome 13. confess 14. pleasant 15. forever 16. remember 17. elegant 18. adventure 19. decorated 20. unsettled |
Now, practice /ɛ/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
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1. well - better - bed
If you're not feeling well, you had better go to bed. 2. envelope - send - letter I need an envelope so I can send my letter. 3. correct - best - guess If you don't know the correct answer, make your best guess. 4. get - dressed - then - ready I need to get dressed, and then I'll be ready. 5. next - step - recipe What is the next step in the recipe? 6. ever - read - best-selling Have you ever read a best-selling novel? |
To practice with different varieties of English, choose another native English speaker by clicking one of the links below:
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USE IT! |
Practice the task below. Then, record yourself completing that task. Give your recording to a teacher or an English-speaking friend for feedback.
Prepare:
Look at the list of characteristics below. Which words describe your best friend?
Prepare:
Look at the list of characteristics below. Which words describe your best friend?
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- Sensitive
- Friendly
- Accepting
- Non-judgmental
- Flexible
- Dependable
- Adventurous
- Pleasant
- Empathetic (understanding your feelings)
- Authentic (real, genuine)
Record:
Choose the 3 qualities that are most important for a best friend to have. In your recording, describe why these 3 qualities are important.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate

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