Technique
How to say it
- 1
Identify the individual consonant sounds at the end of the word, such as /k/, /s/, and /t/ in 'texts' (/teksts/).
- 2
Transition smoothly between the consonant tongue positions without inserting an extra vowel sound like /ə/ between them.
- 3
Maintain continuous breath support so that final unvoiced consonants like /s/, /t/, and /θ/ do not fade out before completion.
- 4
Practise linking the final consonant sound naturally to the initial vowel of the next word to maintain fluency.
8 pairs
Minimal pairs
Say each pair aloud. If the two words sound the same when you record yourself, slow down and go back to the steps above.
- text/texts
- month/months
- ask/asks
- test/tests
- fact/facts
- risk/risks
- crisp/crisps
- desk/desks
12 sentences
Practice lines from IELTS-style answers
- 1
I spent six months living in a rented flat near the coast.
clusters in months /nθs/ and coast /st/
- 2
She texts all her friends whenever she finds interesting facts online.
clusters in texts /ksts/, friends /ndz/, and facts /kts/
- 3
The manager asks staff to complete several administrative tasks each morning.
clusters in asks /sks/ and tasks /sks/
- 4
Our team rarely risks capital on unproven property developments.
clusters in risks /sks/ and developments /nts/
- 5
He attempts several demanding fitness tests every weekend to stay fit.
clusters in attempts /mpts/ and tests /sts/
- 6
I received several prompt alerts regarding local train cancellations.
clusters in prompt /mpt/ and alerts /ts/
- 7
Most modern laptops easily handle demanding graphic design tasks.
clusters in laptops /pts/ and tasks /sks/
- 8
We observed fascinating aspects of marine wildlife during our coastal walks.
clusters in aspects /kts/ and walks /ks/
- 9
She insists that strict budgets help households save money effectively.
clusters in insists /sts/ and strict /kt/
- 10
The documentary depicts ancient crafts that villagers still practise today.
clusters in depicts /kts/ and crafts /fts/
- 11
He adapts quickly whenever unexpected conflicts arise in the workplace.
clusters in adapts /pts/ and conflicts /kts/
- 12
They solved the hardest mathematical tests within just three months.
clusters in tests /sts/ and months /nθs/
Say it in a real answer
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Common mistakes
- →Omitting the final consonant in a cluster, which turns words like 'months' into 'mons' or 'texts' into 'tex'.
- →Inserting an unwanted vowel between consonant sounds, pronouncing 'crisps' as 'crisp-es' or 'films' as 'fil-ums'.
- →Rushing past tense or plural cluster endings, causing essential grammatical markers to disappear from speech.
In the exam: Articulate final /s/, /z/, and /t/ sounds cleanly within clusters, as examiners listen for them to assess both pronunciation precision and grammatical control.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pronunciation count in IELTS Speaking?+
A quarter of your Speaking band. Examiners judge how easy you are to understand and how well you use features like stress, rhythm and intonation, not whether you sound British or American.
Do I need a native accent for Band 8?+
No. An accent is fine at every band. What matters is that individual sounds are clear, stress falls on the right syllables and your intonation helps the listener follow you.
How should I practise these lines?+
Read each line slowly, then at natural speed, then record yourself and compare. Say the sentences in a real answer next, because examiners hear your pronunciation while you think, not while you read.
Keep practising
More consonant sounds practice
- ch versus j (cheap / jeep)
- Consonant clusters at the start of words (street, spring)
- f versus p (fast / past)
- Final consonants that learners drop (want, hand, desk)
- h at the start of words (hair / air)
- r versus l (right / light)
- s versus sh (seat / sheet)
- sh versus ch (share / chair)
- Silent letters (knee, listen, foreign)
- Silent r after vowels in British English (car, work)
- th versus d and z (they / day / zay)
- th versus s and t (thank / sank / tank)
- The ng sound /ŋ/ (sing, thinking)
- The voiced th sound /ð/ (this, mother)
- The voiceless th sound /θ/ (think, month)
- The /ʒ/ sound (measure, decision)
- v versus b (vote / boat)
- v versus w (vest / west)
- z versus s (rise / rice)
- All 59 pronunciation sets
- Part 1 topics
- Part 2 cue cards
- Part 3 questions
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