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Minimal Pairs: Listening exercises |Minimal Pairs | L1 pronunciation problems | Home

Bet or Bert?

Listening discrimination – British English
/e/ as in bet   ·   /ɜ:/ as in Bert

Listen carefully to the word. Then decide which vowel sound you hear.

Click BET if you hear /e/, or BERT if you hear /ɜ:/.

You can listen to the word again before answering.

First listen to the two sounds:

  
Question 1 of 20
Listen to the word:
?

Remember:

/e/ is the vowel sound in bet, bed, head, ten and best.

/ɜ:/ is the vowel sound in Bert, bird, heard, turn and worst.

In British English, /ɜ:/ is a long central vowel, while /e/ is a short front vowel.

Minimal pairs practice – British English vowel contrast
Next exercise: Sell or Sale? – Listening discrimination exercise →
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