IELTS Pronunciation Practice: Linking a consonant to a vowel

Technique

How to say it

1
Identify word boundaries where a final consonant sound is immediately followed by a vowel sound.
2
Pronounce the final consonant as if it were the opening sound of the following syllable.
3
Maintain a continuous stream of vocal airflow without pausing or inserting a glottal stop between words.

6 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.

an aim/a name
ice cream/I scream
some others/some mothers
grade A/grey day
known aim/no name
iced ink/I stink

12 sentences

Practice lines from IELTS-style answers

1
I usually pick it up from the local shop on my way home.
links: pick‿it‿up (/k/-/ɪ/-/t/-/ʌ/) and shop‿on (/p/-/ɒ/)
2
To be honest, I really need a break after working such long hours.
links: need‿a (/d/-/ə/) and break‿after (/k/-/ɑː/)
3
My flat is quite small, but I made an effort to decorate it nicely.
links: flat‿is (/t/-/ɪ/), made‿an‿effort (/d/-/ə/-/n/-/e/), and decorate‿it (/t/-/ɪ/)
4
I decided to turn off my mobile phone and read a book instead.
links: turn‿off (/n/-/ɒ/), read‿a (/d/-/ə/), and book‿instead (/k/-/ɪ/)
5
Public transport makes it much easier to get around the city centre.
links: makes‿it (/s/-/ɪ/) and get‿around (/t/-/ə/)
6
We spent all day walking around the botanical gardens in town.
links: spent‿all (/t/-/ɔː/) and gardens‿in (/z/-/ɪ/)
7
I took up running because it helps ease my daily stress.
links: took‿up (/k/-/ʌ/) and helps‿ease (/s/-/iː/)
8
She worked as an accountant in London for several years.
links: worked‿as‿an (/t/-/ə/-/z/-/ə/) and accountant‿in (/t/-/ɪ/)
9
I think it depends on how much time you have available.
links: think‿it (/k/-/ɪ/) and depends‿on (/z/-/ɒ/)
10
You should check in advance before booking tickets for the museum.
links: check‿in‿advance (/k/-/ɪ/-/n/-/ə/)
11
I find it hard to wake up early on dark winter mornings.
links: find‿it (/d/-/ɪ/) and wake‿up (/k/-/ʌ/)
12
They built an extension on the back of their family home.
links: built‿an‿extension‿on (/t/-/ə/-/n/-/ɪ/-/n/-/ɒ/) and back‿of (/k/-/ɒ/)

Say it in a real answer

Record an IELTS Speaking answer and get a Pronunciation band from the AI examiner, with the exact words that were hard to understand.

Watch out

Common mistakes

→Inserting a sharp glottal stop before the vowel sound rather than letting the consonant glide across.
→Pausing unnaturally between everyday word combinations, which produces a disjointed and robotic rhythm.
→Dropping the final consonant sound completely instead of attaching it to the next syllable.

In the exam: Focus on linking small grammatical words like pronouns and prepositions to verbs during Part 1 to establish effortless fluency right from the start.

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

Linking a consonant to a vowel (pick it up)

How to say it

Minimal pairs

Practice lines from IELTS-style answers

Common mistakes

Frequently asked questions

More linking and connected speech practice