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

Analyze the question: We need to find the word whose stress falls on a different syllable from the other three.

Concept: In English, two-syllable words are stressed either on the first syllable (e.g. TA-ble) or on the second (e.g. be-LOW).

Step-by-step:

• A. colonel /ˈkɜː.nəl/ – stress on the first syllable (CO-lonel, pronounced "KER-nel").
• B. routine /ruːˈtiːn/ – stress on the second syllable (rou-TINE).
• C. connive /kəˈnaɪv/ – stress on the second syllable (con-NIVE).
• D. balloon /bəˈluːn/ – stress on the second syllable (bal-LOON).

Words B, C and D are all stressed on the second syllable. Only colonel is stressed on the first syllable, so it is the odd one out.

Answer: A. colonel

Tip: Watch for words whose spelling does not match their pronunciation, like colonel (said "KER-nel"). Many two-syllable words ending in a long vowel or diphthong sound (-oon, -ine, -ive) carry stress on the last syllable, so a word that breaks that pattern usually stands out. Always say the words aloud to hear where the beat falls.