B2 Upper Intermediate · Free English Pronunciation Test

Y Sound Pronunciation Test (B2 Upper Intermediate)

Test the Y sound in yes, year, young and use, and check that year never sounds like ear. 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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Sentence 1 of 10Score so far: –

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0
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0clear words
0almost right
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About this test

About the Y Sound Pronunciation Test (B2 Upper Intermediate)

The consonant Y is a quick glide made with the tongue high at the front of the mouth, like a very short EE, moving into the next vowel. Spanish and Portuguese speakers sometimes make it too strong, like J, while others drop it before EE, so year sounds like ear. It also appears hidden in words like use, music and few.

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 the tongue in the position for a short EE
  • Glide quickly into the next vowel
  • Do not let the tongue touch the top of the mouth
  • Practise yes, year, yellow and use
Common mistakes

Common Mistakes This Test Helps You Fix

01

Saying J, so yes sounds like jes

02

Dropping it before EE, so year sounds like ear

03

Forgetting the hidden Y in use, music and new

04

Making it too long, like a separate vowel

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

Y sound

Universities now offer counselling services and workshops on managing workloads.

02

Y sound

My first project was a simple cushion cover with a zip.

03

Y sound

Online communities can also lead to genuine friendships with people nearby.

04

Y sound

Understanding money gives people more independence and less anxiety about the future.

05

Y sound

Libraries also lend audiobooks, films and even musical instruments in some areas.

06

Y sound

Older workers may prefer face-to-face meetings, while younger colleagues favour instant messaging.

07

Y sound

The experience taught me to read reviews carefully before booking any holiday.

08

Y sound

Reusing electronics reduces the demand for rare metals and the waste in landfills.

09

Y sound

Public murals can transform neglected streets into places that communities feel proud of.

10

Y sound

Forest bathing reminds us that humans have always depended on the natural world.

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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FAQ

Y Sound Pronunciation Test (B2 Upper Intermediate): FAQ

Where is the hidden Y sound in English?
Many words with u have a Y before the vowel, such as use, music, cute and few. In British English it also appears in new and tune.
Is the Y 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.
What is the difference between year and ear?
Year starts with a quick Y glide before the vowel; ear does not. Start year with a very short EE and slide into the vowel.
Is the Y 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.