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Quizzes > Foreign Languages

IPA Test: Check Your International Phonetic Alphabet Skills

Quick, free IPA quiz to check your phonetics skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Janine WaltonUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for IPA test quiz on a teal background

This IPA test helps you match symbols to sounds and sharpen pronunciation using the International Phonetic Alphabet. Get instant feedback as you go, then build your skills with an ipa chart quiz or a fast ipa quiz, and check broader concepts with a short phonetics test.

Which IPA symbol represents the voiced postalveolar fricative, as in the middle sound of "measure"?
ʝ
ʒ
ʐ
ʃ
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Which IPA vowel is the close front unrounded vowel, like the vowel in French "si"?
ɯ
i
u
y
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Which IPA symbol denotes the voiceless dental fricative, as in English "thin"?
ð
θ
s
ʃ
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The IPA symbol ŋ stands for the velar nasal heard at the end of English "sing."
True
False
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Which IPA symbol is the open-mid front unrounded vowel, as in many accents' "bed"?
æ
e
ɔ
ɛ
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Which IPA symbol represents the alveolar tap, common in American English "buɹer" pronunciation of "butter"?
ʀ
ɹ
r
ɾ
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Which IPA symbol represents the close back rounded vowel, as in many languages' "u"?
o
ʊ
ɯ
u
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The symbol ɑ denotes the open back unrounded vowel.
True
False
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Which IPA symbols correctly represent the English affricate in "church" using a tie bar?
t͡ʃ
t͡ s
t͡ʒ
ʈ͡ʃ
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Which IPA symbol is the near-close near-front unrounded vowel, as in English "bit" for many speakers?
e
ɪ
ʊ
i
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Which IPA symbol represents the voiced uvular fricative?
ʁ
ɣ
ʕ
ʀ
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Which IPA symbol is the voiceless retroflex stop?
ɖ
ʂ
t
ʈ
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The symbol ɫ denotes the velarized or "dark" l.
False
True
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Which IPA symbol represents the alveolar lateral fricative (voiceless)?
ʃ
ɬ
l
ɮ
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Which IPA symbol represents the voiced bilabial implosive?
b
pʼ
ɓ
ɠ
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Which IPA symbol is the voiced uvular stop?
ɢ
g
q
ʀ
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In IPA, the tie bar below (͜) can also be used to mark affricates or coarticulation.
False
True
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Which IPA symbol is the alveolo-palatal voiceless fricative?
ʑ
ɕ
ʃ
ʂ
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Which IPA symbol denotes the voiced alveolo-palatal fricative?
ʒ
ʂ
z
ʑ
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The symbol ʔ represents the epiglottal stop in IPA.
True
False
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0

Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize IPA Symbols -

    Learn to match common IPA symbols with their phonetic counterparts, reinforcing symbol”sound associations for accurate identification during the quiz.

  2. Identify Phonetic Sounds -

    Pinpoint the correct pronunciation of English phonemes using the International Phonetic Alphabet, boosting your ability to decode new words.

  3. Distinguish Minimal Pairs -

    Differentiate between similar phonetic sounds in minimal pairs, enhancing your ear for subtle pronunciation differences.

  4. Apply IPA Transcription -

    Practice transcribing words into IPA script, solidifying your knowledge of phonetic representation and improving your transcription accuracy.

  5. Evaluate Pronunciation Accuracy -

    Assess your pronunciation by comparing your answers to standard IPA transcriptions, helping you refine and correct your speech patterns.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Chart Mastery: Vowels and Consonants -

    The International Phonetic Alphabet chart is split into a vowel quadrilateral and a consonant grid, following guidelines from the International Phonetic Association. Visualizing high front vowels like /i/ and low back vowels like /ɑ/ helps you spot patterns quickly on any ipa test or ipa quiz. Try a color-coded chart or the mnemonic "EVI on TOP, A below" to cement your vowel memory.

  2. Articulatory Features: Place and Manner -

    Every IPA symbol combines place (bilabial, alveolar, velar) and manner (plosive, fricative, nasal) classifications taught in leading phonetics courses at MIT and Cambridge. For example, /p/ is a bilabial plosive while /s/ is an alveolar fricative; mastering these distinctions will boost your international phonetic alphabet test scores. A useful trick is "BLiPS" for Bilabial Plosives (/p, b/) to recall articulation points.

  3. Diacritics and Suprasegmentals -

    Diacritics like length /˝/ and nasalization /̃/, along with suprasegmentals such as stress (ˈ) and tone marks, add critical nuance, as detailed in the Journal of the IPA. Recognizing /e/ versus /e˝/ or /a/ versus /ã/ is key when tackling ipa practice games. Remember: small marks, big impact - never overlook them!

  4. Minimal Pairs for Phonemic Precision -

    Working with minimal pairs (e.g., bit /bɪt/ vs. bet /bɛt/) hones your ability to hear and transcribe subtle distinctions, a method endorsed by Harvard and Stanford linguistics programs. Regular drills with minimal pairs can transform your performance on any ipa test by training your ear to spot phonemic contrasts. Group pairs by vowel or consonant shifts and run short, focused practice sessions for maximum retention.

  5. Interactive IPA Practice Games and Quizzes -

    Online ipa quiz platforms from top university linguistics departments offer timed challenges and instant feedback, turning study into play. Engaging with ipa practice games not only reinforces symbol-sound links but also simulates real exam pressure for your international phonetic alphabet quiz. Aim for short daily sessions - 20 minutes of interactive review can dramatically improve recall.

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