Sound Contrast: /ɛ/ vs. /e/

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Listen to the difference between the vowel sounds (/ɛ/ vs. /e/) in the following pairs of words.

  • bet bet | bait bait
  • edge edge | age age
  • fed fed | fade fade
  • gel gel | jail jail
  • less less | lace lace
  • men men | main main
  • met met | mate mate
  • red red | raid raid
  • sell sell | sail sail
  • sent sent | saint saint
  • test test | taste taste
  • wreck wreck | rake rake

Depending on your native language distinguishing the difference can be very easy or very difficult.

Test your ability to hear the difference between /ɛ/ and /e/.

Instructions: listen to the word and then pick the best match.

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