In the following options lettered A to D, all the words except one have the same stress pattern. Choose the one with the different stress pattern

Analyze the question: Four words are given, and three share the same stress pattern. We need the odd one out.

Concept: In two-syllable words, stress falls on either the first or the second syllable. Many verbs starting with a prefix like com- have stress on the second syllable. Nouns often take stress on the first syllable.

Step-by-step:

• A. commit /kəˈmɪt/ – stress on the 2nd syllable (com-MIT)
• B. compare /kəmˈpeə/ – stress on the 2nd syllable (com-PARE)
• C. complete /kəmˈpliːt/ – stress on the 2nd syllable (com-PLETE)
• D. column /ˈkɒləm/ – stress on the 1st syllable (COL-umn)

Three words (commit, compare, complete) have stress on the second syllable. Only column is stressed on the first syllable. The unstressed -umn ending is also a clue, since the final syllable is weak and reduced.

Tip: For two-syllable words beginning with com-, con-, de-, re-, or pre-, which are usually verbs, expect stress on the second syllable. If the word is a noun with a weak ending like -um or -er, expect stress on the first syllable. Also, say each word aloud and tap on the louder syllable to hear the pattern.