accuracy — choose the one that has the correct stress

Analyze the question: You are asked to pick the option that shows the correct stress pattern (which syllable is emphasized) in the word "accuracy".

Explain the concept: Stress is the syllable you say with the most force. In English, many words ending in -cy (like democracy, fluency, privacy) follow patterns based on their root words. For "accuracy", it helps to look at its syllables and its related word "accurate".

Step-by-step solution:

1. Break the word into syllables: ac-cu-ra-cy (4 syllables).
2. Say the word naturally: /ˈæk.jʊ.rə.si/. The strongest beat falls on the first syllable, "AC".
3. Compare with the related word "accurate" /ˈæk.jʊ.rət/. Its stress is also on the first syllable, and "accuracy" keeps that stress.
4. The other syllables (-cu-, -ra-, -cy) are weak and quickly spoken. The ending "-cy" is never stressed here, which rules out D. Stressing "-Cu-" (B) or "-RA-" (C) would sound unnatural.

Correct answer: The stress falls on the first syllable: AC-cu-ra-cy, which is option A.

Tip: Words like accuracy, delicacy, intimacy, literacy, advocacy usually carry stress on the first syllable, with the rest said lightly. When unsure, tap out the rhythm: DUM-da-da-da. Also, when a word ends in "-cy" and comes from a word with an early stress (like accurate), the stress usually stays early.