Exercise 1.1: Aspiration of Voiceless Stop Consonants /p/, /t/, and /k/

In the following exercise, I want you to listen and repeat after me paying attention to the aspiration of letter P, T or K at the start of each word.

Hold up your hand or a piece of paper in front of your face to check that you’re releasing a puff of air as you release the /p/, /t/, or /k/.

Let’s go!

1. Cow
2. Turn
3. Pest
4. Pale
5. Push
6. Corn
7. Tan
8. Cab
9. Toe
10. Pod
11. Tame
12. Kiln

Answers – Exercise 1.1: Aspiration of Voiceless Stop Consonants /p/, /t/, and /k/

1. k^h – cow – /k^hæʊ/
2. t^h – turn – /t^hɜːn/
3. p^h – pest – /p^hest/
4. p^h – pale – /p^hæɪl/
5. p^h – push – /p^hʊʃ/
6. k^h – corn – /k^hoːn/
7. t^h – tan – /t^hæn/
8. k^h – cab – /k^hæb/
9. t^h – toe – /t^həʉ/
10. p^h – pod – /p^hɔd/
11. t^h – tame – /t^hæɪm/
12. k^h – kiln – /k^hɪln/