Renewable Energy at Home English Pronunciation Test
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B2 Upper Intermediate · Free English Pronunciation Test
OW Sound Pronunciation Test (B2 Upper Intermediate)
Test the OW in now, house, town and loud, and check that your vowel glides fully. This version uses B2 sentences: longer, with tricky sound pairs and real stress patterns.
B2100% 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 OW Sound Pronunciation Test (B2 Upper Intermediate)
The OW sound in now and house is a diphthong that starts with an open A and glides to a short OO with rounded lips. Learners sometimes make only the first part, so town sounds like tarn, or only the second, so down sounds like doon. It is spelled ow in now and ou in house, although both spellings can also make other sounds.
Why practise this at B2 level
At B2 listeners expect you to be easy to follow for a long time. These upper intermediate sentences are longer and put similar sounds close together, so you practise accuracy under the same pressure as in an exam or a meeting.
How to get it right
- Start with an open mouth, as for ah
- Glide towards a rounded OO
- Keep the movement smooth in one sound
- Practise now, how, house and loud
Common mistakes
Common Mistakes This Test Helps You Fix
01
Stopping before the glide, so town sounds like tarn
02
Saying only OO, so down sounds like doon
03
Saying the long O, so now sounds like no
04
Following the spelling in words like know and show
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
OW sound
Excess power can sometimes be sold back to the national grid.
02
OW sound
Safe parks and playgrounds encourage families to spend more time outdoors.
03
OW sound
House prices in the area are lower because of the noise.
04
OW sound
Digital libraries allow people to download e-books from home at any time.
05
OW sound
An extra free day allows people to exercise, study or pursue hobbies.
06
OW sound
Overcrowding during the summer months can make everyday life difficult for residents.
07
OW sound
Staying in one town for a week lets you discover its quieter corners.
08
OW sound
On the other hand, all the bills and household costs are your responsibility.
09
OW sound
In my opinion, only zoos that genuinely prioritise conservation should be allowed to operate.
10
OW sound
Art allows people to express emotions that are often difficult to put into words.
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 · A2 · B1 · C1 · C2
This test in other languages: Deutsch · Português · Español · Italiano
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FAQ
OW Sound Pronunciation Test (B2 Upper Intermediate): FAQ
Why is ow different in now and know?
English uses the same spelling for two sounds. Now, how and cow use the OW sound, while know, show and slow use the long O. Learn the common words by ear.
Is the OW sound test B2 right for my level?
It suits upper intermediate learners and anyone preparing for B2 exams. Score above ninety and try the C1 version.
Which words use the OW sound?
Now, how, house, out, down, town, loud, around and flower are common examples, and you will find several in each sentence of the test.
Is the OW sound test B2 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.