Hearing the Plural -s

by Vocafy Verified

English (US) A2 15 questions Words & expressions

Explore the sounds of plural endings in short sentences about everyday life.

1. 1. Listen and type the answer.

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   • I have two cats.

   The ending of 'cats' sounds like the first sound in 'sun.'

2. 2. Listen and type the answer.

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   • We need three cups.

   In 'cups,' the final 's' comes right after the 'p' sound.

3. 3. Listen and type the answer.

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   • I see four cars.

   'Cars' ends with a 'z' sound, even though we write 's.'

4. 4. Listen and type the answer.

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   • She has two bags.

   'Bags' has a short ending, with no extra vowel sound after the 'g.'

5. 5. Listen and type the answer.

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   • There are three boxes.

   'Boxes' has an extra beat at the end: 'box-es.'

6. 6. Listen and type the answer.

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   • He packed two shirts for the trip.

   At the end of 'shirts,' the 't' and 's' sounds come together.

7. 7. Listen and type the answer.

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   • I bought five apples today.

   We say 'an apple' for one, but 'apples' after 'five.'

8. 8. Listen and type the answer.

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   • We put two plates on the table.

   The written 'e' in 'plates' is silent; the ending sounds like 'ts.'

9. 9. Listen and type the answer.

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   • She washed three dishes after lunch.

   'Dish' becomes 'dishes': after 'sh,' the plural ending adds an extra beat.

10. 10. Listen and type the answer.

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    • I found two keys under the chair.

    The 'ey' in 'keys' sounds like 'ee' in 'see.'

11. 11. Listen and type the answer.

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    • Please put three books in my bag.

    In 'books,' the last two sounds are 'k' and 's.'

12. 12. Listen and type the answer.

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    • We need six balloons for the party.

    The double 'l' in 'balloons' makes just one 'l' sound.

13. 13. Listen and type the answer.

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    • There are two benches near the lake.

    Words ending in 'ch,' like 'bench,' usually add '-es' in the plural.

14. 14. Listen and type the answer.

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    • Her brother brought three oranges for our picnic.

    'Oranges' keeps the final 'e' of 'orange' and adds 's.'

15. 15. Listen and type the answer.

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    • The waiter brought four glasses of cold water.

    'Glasses of water' means drinking glasses, not glasses for your eyes.