Different Sounds for x

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Different Sounds for x

If the vowel following an x is stressed, the x is pronounced as /gz/, as in examine and exist. If an x is followed by a consonant, or if it’s at the end of a word, it is pronounced as /ks/, as in expert and tax. Also, note that a double c often produces an x or /ks/ sound, as in the word accent. If these two sounds don’t occur together in your native language, be very careful to pronounce both of these consonant sounds.

Words for Practice for x and cc

extreme
accept
next
extra
success
accident
extract
context
extinguish
exact
expect
example

Word Contrasts for Practice

Make sure you pronounce the words in the following pairs differently. Notice that the first word contains just an s sound; the second word contains a k and an s sound and is spelled with the letter x.

	/s/	/ks/
1.	nest	next
2.	test	text
3.	session	section
4.	aspect	expect
5.	contest	context
6.	mass	Max

Practice Dialogue

a. How did you do on the entrance exam?
b. I wasn’t so successful. I expected to pass, but it was extra difficult.
a. Did you study all the sections of the textbook?
b. Yes, but I have to study harder on the next test and hopefully I will be successful.
a. When do you expect to take the next test?
b. I will attempt it in September. I’ll be ecstatic if I get accepted at the best school.

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