Whales English Pronunciation Test
Check your English pronunciation with the Whales English Pronunciation Test. Ten short A1 sentences about whales, with an instant score.
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A1 Beginner · Free English Pronunciation Test
Long O Sound Pronunciation Test (A1 Beginner)
Test the long O in go, home, road and phone, and hear how it differs between British and American English. Every sentence here is A1 level: short, everyday and easy to read.
A1100% freeTen sentencesInstant scoreBritish & American English
1Listen firstTap the speaker to hear a native model of each sentence.
2Read it aloudTap the microphone and say the sentence clearly at a normal speed.
3See your scoreGreen is clear, amber is almost right, red needs practice.
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About this test
About the Long O Sound Pronunciation Test (A1 Beginner)
The long O is a diphthong that glides from a central or rounded vowel towards OO. In British English it starts in the centre of the mouth, in American English with more rounded lips. Learners often say a pure, flat O, so coat can sound like caught and hole like hall. The small glide at the end makes it sound natural.
Why practise this at A1 level
At A1 the goal is simple: say common words clearly enough that a listener understands you first time. The sentences use the words you already know, such as family, food, home and school, so all your attention goes to the sound itself and not to the vocabulary.
How to get it right
- Start with the lips slightly rounded
- Glide towards a short OO as you finish the word
- Keep the glide smooth, not two separate sounds
- Compare pairs such as coat and caught, boat and bought
Common mistakes
Common Mistakes This Test Helps You Fix
01
Saying a flat, pure O with no glide
02
Opening too much, so coat sounds like caught
03
Following the spelling in words like know and though
04
Shortening the vowel at the end of words such as go and no
Inside the test
The Ten Sentences in This Test
Each sentence trains one sound. The orange label above the sentence tells you which one.
01
Long O sound
Whales swim slowly.
02
Long O sound
Honey is golden.
03
Long O sound
Yoghurt is cold.
04
Long O sound
Winter is cold.
05
Long O sound
Astronauts float in space.
06
Long O sound
A boat goes past.
07
Long O sound
Snails are very slow.
08
Long O sound
This juice is cold.
09
Long O sound
The café is cosy.
10
Long O sound
We go by boat.
How it works
How the Pronunciation Test Works
No downloads and no sign-up. Your browser listens and scores every word in seconds.
1
Listen to the model
Hear each sentence read by a natural British or American voice, at normal speed or slowly.
2
Read it out loud
Tap the microphone and read the sentence. Your words appear on screen as you speak.
3
Get your score
See a score out of 100 with every word in green, amber or red, then practise the red words.
Keep practising
Full Tests with These Sentences
Each sentence above comes from a full ten-sentence pronunciation test. Take the complete test to keep practising.
Honey English Pronunciation Test
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Practise beginner English sounds with the Four Seasons English Pronunciation Test. Read ten short sentences about the four seasons and get an instant score.
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Take the free Astronaut English Pronunciation Test: read ten short sentences about astronaut aloud and see every unclear word in red.
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This test at other levels: A2 · B1 · B2 · C1 · C2
This test in other languages: Deutsch · Português · Español · Italiano
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FAQ
Long O Sound Pronunciation Test (A1 Beginner): FAQ
Which spellings make the long O sound?
Common spellings are o with a final e as in home, oa as in road, ow as in know and o alone as in go. Though and sew use rarer spellings for the same sound.
Is the long O sound test A1 right for my level?
Yes, if you are a beginner. Every sentence is A1 level with simple words. If you score above ninety on most sentences, try the A2 version of this test.
Is the long O different in British and American English?
Yes. British English starts the vowel more centrally, almost like the E in the, while American English starts with rounder lips. Choose your accent before starting and the model voice will show you the difference.
Is the long O sound test A1 free?
Yes. It is completely free, with no sign-up and no download. You only need a microphone and a browser such as Chrome, Edge or Safari.
How is my pronunciation scored?
The browser listens to each sentence and compares what it heard with the text, word by word. Clear words turn green, almost-right words amber and unclear words red, and you get a score out of 100.
Can I choose British or American English?
Yes. Choose British or American English before you start. The model voice, the spelling and the speech recognition all follow the accent you pick.