Choose the option that has the stress on the first syllable.

Analyze the question: You need the word whose main stress falls on the first syllable.

Concept: In English, many two-syllable words that can be both nouns and verbs follow a pattern:

• Nouns usually take stress on the first syllable (EX-port, IM-port)
• Verbs usually take stress on the second syllable (ex-PORT, im-PORT)

Step-by-step check:

• A. commute is /kəˈmjuːt/. The first syllable is a weak "kə", so the stress is on the second syllable. ✗
• B. import (verb) is /ɪmˈpɔːt/. As a verb, the stress is on the second syllable. ✗
• C. intend is /ɪnˈtend/. The stress is on the second syllable. ✗
• D. export (noun) is /ˈekspɔːt/. As a noun, the stress is on the first syllable. ✓

Answer: D. export (noun) has the stress on the first syllable: EX-port.

Exam tip: Remember "Noun = First, Verb = Second" (for words like record, present, import, export, object, permit). Always check whether the question tells you if the word is a noun or a verb, since that decides the stress. Words beginning with weak prefixes like com-, in-, de-, re- are usually stressed on the second syllable.