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Word Stress Quiz: Identify the Stressed Syllable

Quick, free word stress test with instant feedback to improve pronunciation.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Yvette PretoriusUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art style bold quiz header inviting users to test word stress skills on golden yellow background

This word stress quiz helps you find the stressed syllable in everyday words and improve your pronunciation. Learn by choosing the syllable that carries the main stress, then review instant feedback. For deeper sound skills, try our ipa quiz and explore symbols with the ipa chart quiz, or check your speech patterns with the english accent quiz.

Which syllable is stressed in the word banana?
Even stress on all syllables
ba-na-NA
ba-NA-na (Explanation: In banana, the primary stress is on the second syllable.)
BA-na-na
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Which syllable is stressed in the word umbrella?
um-brel-LA
UM-brel-la
um-BREL-la (Explanation: Umbrella is stressed on the second syllable.)
Even stress on all syllables
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Which syllable is stressed in the word hotel?
ho-TEL (Explanation: Hotel takes stress on the second syllable.)
HO-tel
Even stress on both syllables
ho-tel-LE
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Which syllable is stressed in the word potato?
po-TA-to (Explanation: Potato is stressed on the second syllable.)
PO-ta-to
po-ta-TO
Even stress on all syllables
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Which syllable is stressed in the word delicious?
de-li-CIOUS
de-LI-cious (Explanation: Delicious has primary stress on the second syllable.)
DE-li-cious
Even stress on all syllables
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Which syllable is stressed in the word computer?
Even stress on all syllables
COM-pu-ter
com-PU-ter (Explanation: Computer has primary stress on the second syllable.)
com-pu-TER
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Which syllable is stressed in the word musician?
Even stress on all syllables
mu-si-CIAN
mu-SI-cian (Explanation: Words ending in -cian are typically stressed just before the suffix; here, the second syllable.)
MU-si-cian
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Which syllable is stressed in the word geography?
ge-OG-ra-phy (Explanation: Geography has stress on the second syllable.)
GE-o-gra-phy
ge-og-RA-phy
geo-gra-PHY
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Which syllable is stressed in the word engineer?
Even stress on all syllables
EN-gin-eer
en-gin-EER (Explanation: Engineer is stressed on the last syllable.)
en-GIN-eer
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Which syllable is stressed in the word chemistry?
Even stress on all syllables
che-MIS-try
che-mis-TRY
CHE-mis-try (Explanation: Chemistry is stressed on the first syllable.)
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Which syllable is stressed in the word photographer?
pho-to-GRA-pher
pho-to-gra-PHER
pho-TOG-ra-pher (Explanation: Photographer shifts stress to the second syllable.)
PHO-to-gra-pher
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Which syllable is stressed in the verb understand?
Even stress on all syllables
un-DER-stand
UN-der-stand
un-der-STAND (Explanation: Understand has primary stress on the last syllable.)
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Which syllable is stressed in the word thermometer?
THER-mo-me-ter
ther-mo-me-TER
ther-MOM-e-ter (Explanation: Thermometer has primary stress on the third syllable.)
ther-mo-ME-ter
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Which syllable is stressed in the word helicopter?
HEL-i-cop-ter (Explanation: Helicopter is stressed on the first syllable.)
he-li-cop-TER
he-li-COP-ter
hel-I-COP-ter
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Which syllable is stressed in the word education?
ed-u-CA-tion (Explanation: Words ending in -tion take stress on the syllable before the suffix; here CA.)
ED-u-ca-tion
e-DU-ca-tion
ed-u-ca-TION
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Which syllable is stressed in the word communication?
com-mu-ni-CA-tion (Explanation: Words ending in -tion take stress on the syllable before the suffix; here, CA.)
com-mu-NI-ca-tion
COM-mu-ni-ca-tion
com-MU-ni-ca-tion
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Which syllable is stressed in the word electricity?
e-lec-TRI-ci-ty (Explanation: Electricity shifts stress to the syllable before -ity, here TRI.)
EL-ec-tri-ci-ty
e-lec-tri-CI-ty
e-LEC-tri-ci-ty
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Which syllable is stressed in the word academic?
a-CA-dem-ic
AC-a-dem-ic
ac-a-DEM-ic (Explanation: Words ending in -ic often have antepenultimate stress; here DEM.)
ac-a-dem-IC
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Which syllable is stressed in the word violin?
VI-o-lin
Even stress on all syllables
vi-o-LIN (Explanation: Violin has primary stress on the last syllable.)
vi-O-lin
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Function words like and and the always carry primary word stress.
False (Explanation: Function words are usually unstressed unless emphasized.)
True
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Stressed Syllables -

    Pinpoint the primary stressed syllable in a variety of everyday words to build a solid foundation in word stress recognition.

  2. Analyze Stress Patterns -

    Differentiate between stress patterns in multisyllabic words, including noun-verb shifts and common prefix/suffix influences.

  3. Apply English Stress Rules -

    Use key rules - such as "because" stressed syllable placement - to accurately stress new or unfamiliar words.

  4. Improve Pronunciation Clarity -

    Enhance overall speech intelligibility by mastering stress placement and practicing targeted word stress drills.

  5. Reinforce Pronunciation Skills -

    Strengthen your word stress competence through quick, engaging quizzes designed for fast feedback and measurable progress.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Word Stress Fundamentals -

    Word stress refers to the emphasis placed on a syllable, making it longer, louder, or higher in pitch. Recognizing stressed syllables is crucial in our stressed syllable quiz because misplacing stress can alter meaning or hinder comprehension (Cambridge University Press). Use the mnemonic "LOUD, LONG, HIGH" to remember the three key features of stress.

  2. Part-of-Speech Stress Patterns -

    Many two-syllable nouns stress the first syllable (e.g., TAble), while two-syllable verbs stress the second (e.g., to reCORD) (Oxford University Press). Familiarizing yourself with these patterns helps you quickly identify stressed syllables. Think "NOuns NOUNce on first, VERbs VErb on second" as a handy rhyme.

  3. Syllable Weight and Origin Rules -

    Heavier syllables (those with long vowels or closed by consonants) often attract stress, and words of Greek or Latin origin follow predictable stress rules (Merriam-Webster Linguistic Research). For example, many - ic ending words stress the penultimate syllable like geoGRAPHic. Keep a list of common prefixes and suffixes to guide your stress placement.

  4. Using Phonetic Transcriptions -

    Consulting IPA transcriptions in dictionaries lets you see stress markers (ˈ) before the primary stressed syllable (International Phonetic Association). Practice reading entries in the Cambridge Dictionary to strengthen your ability to identify stressed syllables visually and aurally. Pair this with audio playback for full word stress practice.

  5. Effective Practice Strategies -

    Engage in spaced-repetition flashcards and minimal-pair drills to target words differing only in stress (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Daily listening exercises, such as shadowing podcasts, reinforce correct stress patterns in context. Challenge yourself with a quick stressed syllable quiz each session to track improvement and boost your confidence.

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