The IELTS Speaking section is a part of the IELTS test, assessing a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in English. One aspect that often poses a challenge for test-takers is the correct pronunciation of words. Mispronunciations can hinder comprehension and impact the overall score. In this blog, we will explore some of the most commonly mispronounced words in the IELTS Speaking test and provide tips to help improve pronunciation skills. By addressing these common mistakes, you can improve your speaking abilities and boost your chances of achieving a high band score on the IELTS Speaking test.
Here are 40 commonly mispronounced words that are frequently used in the IELTS test, along with the correct pronunciation for you to understand the difference between correct and incorrect pronunciation:
Word | Incorrect Pronunciation | Correct Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Abalone | ah-boh-lohn | ab-uh-loh-nee |
Anemone | uh-nee-mohn | uh-nem-uh-nee |
Antarctica | ant-ark-tik-uh | ant-ahrk-ti-kuh |
Gesture | jes-chur | jes-cher |
Leisure | lee-sure | leh-shur |
Mischievous | mis-chee-vee-us | mis-chuh-vuhs |
Niche | neesh | nich |
Prejudice | pre-joo-diss | pre-juh-dis |
Squirrel | skwuh-rel | skwur-uhl |
Entrepreneur | en-tuh-pruh-noor | ahn-truh-pruh-nur |
Library | lie-berry | lie-brer-ee |
Schedule | sked-yool | sheh-jool |
February | feb-roo-air-ee | feb-roo-er-ee |
Nuclear | noo-kyuh-ler | noo-klee-er |
Synonym | sin-uh-nym | sin-nuh-m |
Vehicle | vee-hick-uhl | vee-i-kuhl |
Genre | jen-ner | zhahn-ruh |
Vegetable | veg-tay-buhl | vej-tuh-buhl |
Restaurant | res-tuh-rant | res-tuh-rahnt |
Interesting | in-ter-est-ing | in-tuh-res-ting |
Jewelry | jew-luh-ree | joo-uhl-ree |
Wednesday | wednz-day | wenz-dei |
Comfortable | com-fort-uh-buhl | kuhm-fert-uh-buhl |
Vegetable | ve-ge-ta-ble | vej-tuh-buhl |
Refrigerator | ree-fri-juh-rey-ter | ri-frij-uh-rey-ter |
Recognise | rek-uhg-nise | rek-uhg-nahys |
Miscellaneous | miss-uh-ley-nee-uhs | mis-uh-lay-nee-uhs |
Dialogue | dyuh-log | dahy-uhg |
Vegetarian | vej-uh-tair-ee-uhn | vej-i-tair-ee-uhn |
Pronunciation | pruh-nun-see-ey-shun | pruh-nuhn-see-ey-shun |
Vocabulary | voh-kab-yuh-ler-ee | voh-kab-yuh-luh-ree |
Envelope | en-vuh-lohp | en-vuh-lohp |
Government | guhv-ern-ment | guhv-er-muhnt |
Pronunciation | pruh-noun-see-ay-shun | pruh-nuhn-see-ay-shun |
Archive | ar-kive | ar-kahyv |
Organisation | or-gan-i-say-shun | awr-guh-nuh-sey-shun |
Medicine | med-i-seen | med-i-sin |
Persuade | per-swayd | per-swade |
February | feb-yoo-air-ee | feb-roo-er-ee |
Miniature | min-uh-cher | min-ee-uh-cher |
To improve your pronunciation and avoid mispronouncing words in the IELTS Speaking test, follow these helpful tips:
Here are 20 mispronounced country and city names along with their correct pronunciations for you to understand the difference. Also, some of these names might have slight variations in pronunciation based on regional accents, but the provided pronunciations are generally accepted and widely used:
Country | Mispronounced | Correct Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Argentina | Ar-gen-tee-nah | Ar-gen-tee-nuh |
Chile | Chill | Chee-lay |
Thailand | Thai-land | Tai-land |
Nigeria | Nigh-ger-ee-ah | Nai-jeer-ee-ah |
Qatar | Kwa-tar | Kuh-tar |
Greece | Gree-se | Grees |
Pakistan | Pack-i-stan | Pah-ki-stahn |
Colombia | Co-lum-bi-a | Kuh-lum-bee-uh |
Nicaragua | Nye-ka-ra-gwah | Nik-uh-ra-gwah |
Mauritius | Ma-ri-shus | Maw-Ri-Shus |
City | Mispronounced | Correct Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Beijing | Bai-jing | Bay-jing |
Moscow | Moss-cow | Mah-skow |
Bangkok | Bang-kok | Bang-gawk |
Melbourne | Mel-born | Mel-burn |
Dubai | Doo-bye | Doo-BYE |
Munich | Mew-nich | Myoo-nik |
Budapest | Bud-a-pest | Boo-da-pesht |
Reykjavik | Reyk-ja-vik | Rake-ya-vik |
Lahore | Luh-hor | Lah-hor |
Buenos Aires | Bwen-os Airs | Bway-nos Eye-rehs |
The IELTS Speaking test requires careful attention to pronunciation, as mispronouncing words can significantly impact your overall score. To improve your pronunciation skills, it is important to practice regularly and familiarise yourself with the correct pronunciation of commonly mispronounced words.
Additionally, if you want to know more about the IELTS test, you can visit your nearest IDP IELTS test centres.