A2 Elementary · Free English Pronunciation Test

Short U Sound Pronunciation Test (A2 Elementary)

Check the short U in cup, love, money and mother, a vowel that many learners pronounce like A or O. All ten sentences are A2 level, with everyday topics and slightly longer phrases.

A2100% 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 Short U Sound Pronunciation Test (A2 Elementary)

The short U in cup and love is a relaxed sound made in the middle of the mouth, with the jaw half open and the lips neutral. It does not exist in many languages, so learners replace it with an A, an O or the OO in book. Because many common words such as but, much, come and some use this sound, practising it improves a lot of sentences at once.

Why practise this at A2 level

At A2 you already know the everyday words, so this is the right moment to fix habits before they become permanent. The sentences talk about shopping, travel and free time and are a little longer, which helps you keep the sound clear inside a phrase.

How to get it right

  • Open your mouth about halfway with relaxed lips
  • Keep the tongue in the centre of the mouth
  • Make the sound short, like a quick uh
  • Practise pairs such as cup and cap, luck and lock
Common mistakes

Common Mistakes This Test Helps You Fix

01

Saying A, so cup sounds like cap

02

Saying O, so luck sounds like lock

03

Following the spelling, so love and come sound like they have an O

04

Saying the OO in book, so luck sounds like look

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

Short U sound

We got back just before sunset.

02

Short U sound

I love being a big brother.

03

Short U sound

My sister got a little sunburnt.

04

Short U sound

I studied very hard last week.

05

Short U sound

I press the button before my stop.

06

Short U sound

We cook food from our countries together.

07

Short U sound

Lots of love from all of us.

08

Short U sound

We eat dumplings on New Year's Eve.

09

Short U sound

It reminds me of a wonderful summer.

10

Short U sound

I often listen to music on the bus.

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.

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This test at other levels: A1 · B1 · B2 · C1 · C2

This test in other languages: Deutsch · Português · Español · Italiano

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FAQ

Short U Sound Pronunciation Test (A2 Elementary): FAQ

Why do love, come and money have a U sound?
Some English words are spelled with O but pronounced with the short U, including love, come, money, mother, son and some. Learning these by ear is easier than following the spelling.
Is the short U sound test A2 right for my level?
It is ideal for elementary learners. If A2 feels easy and you score above ninety, move to the B1 version; if it feels hard, try the A1 version first.
How do I make the short U sound?
Relax your face completely and say a short uh, as if you are surprised. That neutral sound, with the jaw half open, is very close to the short U in cup.
Is the short U sound test A2 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.