choose the option with the correct emphatic stress indicated in capital letters from the options lettered A-D Democracy

Analyze the question: The question asks which syllable of "democracy" carries the main (primary) stress. Emphatic stress is the syllable you say with the most force.

Explain the concept: In English, the stress in many longer words follows patterns. Words ending in -cy, -ty, -phy, -gy, -al usually have stress on the third syllable from the end (the antepenultimate syllable). Examples:

• phoTOgraphy
• geOLogy
• beNEficiary
• deMOcracy

Step-by-step solution:

1. Break the word into syllables: de-moc-ra-cy (4 syllables).
2. Count from the end: cy (1st from the end), ra (2nd), moc (3rd).
3. Apply the pattern: the stress falls on the third syllable from the end, which is moc.
4. So the word is pronounced de-MOC-ra-cy, /dɪˈmɒkrəsi/.

Checking the options:

• A. DEmocracy: stress on the first syllable, which is wrong.
• B. deMOcracy: stress on the second syllable "moc", which is correct.
• C. demoCRAcy: stress on "cra", which is wrong.
• D. democraCY: stress on the last syllable, which is wrong.

Tip: For words ending in -cracy, -ography, -ology, -ity, put the stress on the syllable just before the "-cra-", "-gra-", "-lo-" or "-i-" part. Examples: deMOcracy, arisTOcracy, phoTOgraphy, biOLogy, ability → aBIlity. Say them aloud a few times, because your ear will quickly pick up the pattern.