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LISTEN |
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/g/.../g/.../g/.../g/...
gas...green...dog...ugly |
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WHAT IS IT? |
The sound /g/ is a voiced, velar, stop consonant.
The sound /g/ can be in these consonant clusters:
- Touch your soft palate (the soft part of the roof of your mouth) with the back of your tongue.
- Move your tongue sharply downward and let air out in a short burst.
- Your vocal cords should vibrate.
The sound /g/ can be in these consonant clusters:
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Beginning of a Syllable
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End of a Syllable
<
>
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/gl/ ("gl") - glass
/gr/ ("gr') - grow |
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/gd/ ("gged") - hugged
/gz/ ("gs" / "gues" / "x") - dogs, rogues, example |
Spelling:
- "g" - grow, dog
- "gg" - bigger, luggage
- "gu" - guest, guess
- "gue" - vague, rogue
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COMPARE |
Compare /g/ with /k/:
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/g/.../k/.../g/.../k/.../g/.../k/...
These are both velar, stop consonants. However, /g/ is a voiced consonant while /k/ is a voiceless consonant. When you pronounce /g/, your vocal cords should vibrate. |
You can hear the difference between /g/ and /k/ in these words.
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1. A. game, B. came
2. A. grow, B. crow 3. A. glue, B. clue 4. A. log, B. lack 5. A. tag, B. tack 6. A. anger, B. anchor |
Practice recognizing words with /g/ and /k/ by taking the quiz below.
Now, compare /g/ and /ŋ/:
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/g/.../ŋ/.../g/.../ŋ/.../g/.../ŋ/...
These are both voiced, velar consonants. However, /ŋ/ is a nasal while /g/ is a stop. When you pronounce /g/, air should stop in your mouth and then be released. |
You can hear the difference between /g/ and /ŋ/ in these words.
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1. A. wig, B. wing
2. A. sag, B. sang 3. A. lug, B. lung 4. A. tugs, B. tongues 5. A. logged, B. longed 6. A. straggle, B. strangle |
Practice recognizing words with /g/ and /ŋ/ by taking the quiz below.
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PRACTICE |
Listen and repeat these words:

words_wtih_-g-.mp3 | |
File Size: | 575 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
1. guess
2. gain 3. gecko 4. glass 5. glow 6. green 7. beg 8. vague 9. hugged 10. logs |
11. again
12. argue 13. agree 14. ugly 15. ungrateful 16. struggle 17. finger 18. organize 19. example 20. agriculture |
Now, practice /g/ in sentences. Say the words first, then the sentences.
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1. get - good - grades
How can I get good grades? 2. grab - glasses - guests Please grab two glasses for our guests. 3. going - great - goal Going to college is a great goal. 4. grandma - gave - gloves My grandma gave me her gloves. 5. angry - ignored - again I'm angry that you ignored me again. 6. burglar - mugged - grocery A burglar mugged me when I left the grocery store. |
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:
What goals do you have for this year? Choose from the list below.
Prepare:
What goals do you have for this year? Choose from the list below.
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- Stay organized
- Get a dog
- Find a bigger house or apartment
- Get good grades
- Grow food in a garden
- Be grateful
- Ignore rude people
- Overcome anxiety
- Pass a big exam
- Have good study habits
- Stop being single
- Avoid anger
- Get along with family
- Feel glad about life
- Grow closer to someone
- Improve your language skills
- Give money to a charity that fights hunger
Record:
In your recording, describe 3 goals you chose for this year. Explain what you will do to achieve each goal.
©2018-2021, Christine Wingate

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