Minimal Pairs: /k/ & /g/

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Materials Daily News

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Pronunciation Practice

Practice pronunciation with your tutor by reading the following words.

/k/ & /g/

calorie

Noun

ˈkæləri

a measure of heat energy, used to see how much energy one will get from eating a particular food

I'm very careful about how many calories I consume a day.

Some sports burn more calories than others.

gallery

Noun

ˈgæləri

a place where works of art are put on display for the public

This art gallery specializes in modern art.

What time does the gallery close?

The painter has his own gallery inside of his house.

When no artists are showing, the gallery sometimes rents out space for parties or other events.

anchor

Noun

ˈæŋkər

a heavy metal object that rests on the bottom of the sea and is connected to a boat by a chain; used to stop boats from moving

The boat is lowering its anchor.

We pulled up the anchor and set out on a voyage.

anger

Noun

ˈæŋgər

a strong feeling of displeasure caused by something bad happening

He shouted in anger.

My wife doesn't know how to control her anger.

ankle

Noun

ˈæŋkəl

a joint that connects the foot to the leg

You should put ice on your swollen ankle.

angle

Noun

ˈæŋəl

the space formed by two intersecting lines; a position from which something is seen

We learned about right angles in math class.

This is the best angle to take a picture of the waterfall.

The walls in this office meet at an odd angle.

back

Noun

bæk

the part of the body between the shoulders and the buttocks

I have a bad pain in my back.

This exercise is good for your back.

bag

Noun

bæg

a plastic, paper, or leather container used for carrying things

I bought a new bag today.

My bag is too heavy for me to carry.

card

Noun

kɑrd

a piece of paper or plastic that has information on it

Here's my business card.

I sent her a card to say thanks.

guard

Noun

gɑrd

a person whose job is to protect someone or something

He works as an armed guard.

The guard caught her trying to steal a shirt.

The guards stood very still.

coat

Noun

koʊt

a long, warm item of clothing usually worn during winter

She's wearing a warm coat.

I'm thinking of buying a new coat.

goat

Noun

goʊt

an animal with horns and fur that can be found in mountainous areas, farmed for milk and meat

Mountain goats are excellent climbers.

cold

Adjective

koʊld

at a low temperature

It's very cold outside.

I'd like a cold drink please.

gold

Noun

goʊld

a precious metal of yellow color that is very valuable

Gold is one of the world's most valuable metals.

She's wearing gold earrings.

Exercise 2

Sentence Practice

Practice pronunciation with your tutor by reading the following sentences.

We burned a lot of calories walking around the gallery yesterday.
The captain shouted at us in anger for forgetting to lower the anchor.
The cyclist broke his ankle after he took the corner at a bad angle and crashed.
The bag was too heavy and gave him a pain in his back.
The guard wouldn't let me in to the office because I forgot my card.
He put on his coat before going to feed the goats.
It can get very cold when searching for gold.

Exercise 3

Find the Sounds

Select the word that contains the sound listed below. There can be more than one correct answer.

Find: /k/

Can you please book us a taxi?

He is a successful businessman with years of experience.

All of the critics said something good about the film.

This food is disgusting. How can you eat it?

Find: /g/

Your new haircut is great. I barely recognized you.

She has a photography exhibit next week. Do you want to come?

The dog needs to be taken for a walk.

He didn't say goodbye before he left.

Exercise 4

Tongue Twister

Practice pronunciation with your tutor by reading the following tongue twister(s). Read each tongue twister slowly at first, then try reading it faster.

How many cookies could a good cook cook,

if a good cook could cook cookies?

A good cook could cook as many cookies

as a good cook who could cook cookies.

How much ground would a groundhog hog,

if a groundhog could hog ground?

A groundhog would hog all the ground he could hog,

if a groundhog could hog ground.