In the following question, the main/primary stress is indicated by writing the sylable on which it occurs in…

Analyze the question: You are asked to pick the option that shows the correct primary stress for the word "calculator" (4 syllables: cal-cu-la-tor).

Concept: In English, words ending in -ator usually take the stress on the first syllable when there are 4 syllables, with the -ate pattern shifting the stress back toward the start of the word. In words like calculator, escalator, generator, operator, and radiator, the stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable or earlier. Here, the stress is on the first syllable, and the "-la-" syllable carries a secondary stress at most.

Solution:

• The word is pronounced /ˈkælkjuleɪtə/.
• The primary stress is on the first syllable: CAL-cu-la-tor.
• The "-la-" syllable has a weaker (secondary) stress, and "-cu-" and "-tor" are unstressed.
• Option B (cal-CU-la-tor) puts stress on the "cu" syllable, which is wrong.
• Option C (cal-cu-LA-tor) places stress on "la", which is only secondary at most, so it is not the primary stress.
• Option D (cal-cu-la-TOR) stresses the final syllable, which is wrong.

Answer: The correct stress is CAL-cu-la-tor, which is option A.

Tip: For words that end in -ator (calculator, generator, operator, escalator), the stress usually falls well before the ending. Say the word aloud and tap the beat: the strongest beat is at the start of "CAL-cu-la-tor". Compare also with "eLEVator" and "GENerator", where the stress is also early in the word.