Question

The primary stress of the word , improvisation , is on the ----------- syllable.

• A. first
• B. second
• C. third
• D. fourth

Answer 1

Answer:

D. fourth

Understanding Syllabic Stress in English

• Phonetics and Phonology: Syllabic stress, also known as word stress or accent, is a fundamental concept in phonetics and phonology. It refers to the emphasis placed on a particular syllable within a word.
• Importance in Pronunciation: Correct stress placement is crucial for clear and comprehensible English pronunciation. Misplaced stress can lead to misunderstandings or make a word difficult to recognize.
• Identifying Stress: While there are patterns, English word stress often needs to be learned individually. Dictionaries typically mark the primary stress with a raised symbol (ˈ) before the stressed syllable.
• The Word 'Improvisation': In the word 'improvisation', the stress falls on the fourth syllable: im-pro-vi-sa-tion.
• Syllable Breakdown: Let's break down 'improvisation' into its syllables:
  • im (1st syllable)
  • pro (2nd syllable)
  • vi (3rd syllable)
  • sa (4th syllable - primary stress)
  • tion (5th syllable)
• Competitive Exam Relevance: Questions on word stress are common in competitive exams testing English language proficiency. They assess your ability to recognize and apply correct pronunciation rules.
• Common Stress Patterns: While not directly applicable to 'improvisation', be aware of common patterns like:
  • Words ending in '-tion' or '-sion' often have stress on the syllable immediately before these endings (e.g., relation, decision).
  • Words ending in '-ic' are often stressed on the syllable before the ending (e.g., economic).
• Practice and Memorization: For exams, consistent practice and memorizing the stress patterns of frequently used words are key strategies for success.