Identify the word that has the stress on the first syllable

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word whose main stress (the strongest, loudest syllable) falls on the first syllable.

Concept: In English, stress placement follows patterns:

• Most two-syllable nouns stress the first syllable (e.g. TA-ble, DOC-tor).
• Many words with a prefix such as es-, po-, or re- have their stress on the second syllable, because the prefix is weak.
• Some words of foreign (French) origin keep the stress on the last syllable.

Solution (checking each option):

• A. Hotel = ho-TEL. Stress is on the second syllable. ✗
• B. Esteem = es-TEEM. Stress is on the second syllable. ✗
• C. Police = po-LICE. Stress is on the second syllable. ✗
• D. Table = TA-ble. Stress is on the first syllable. ✓

Table is the only word stressed on the first syllable.

Exam tip: When you see a two-syllable word, ask yourself whether it is a noun. Common nouns like table, teacher, mother, water are almost always stressed on the first syllable. Words ending in -tel, -teem, -lice (from French or Latin roots) usually carry their stress at the end. You can also tap your hand on the table as you say each word: the stressed syllable is the one that feels "heavier."