manifesto — In each of the following questions, the main/ primary stress is indicated by writing the syllables…

Analyze the question: You are asked to pick the option that shows the correct primary stress for the word "manifesto".

Concept: In English, the stress on a word is shown by the syllable that is said with the most force, length and prominence. Words ending in -o that come from Italian or Spanish (like manifesto, potato, tomato) often put the stress on the syllable just before the final one. Here, the penultimate syllable is fes.

Solution:

1. Break the word into syllables: ma - ni - fes - to (4 syllables).
2. Say it naturally: ma-ni-FES-to. The voice rises on "fes", and the last syllable "to" is weak (/təʊ/ is reduced in speech).
3. Check the other options: • A. MA-ni-fes-to: stress on the first syllable. This is incorrect. • B. ma-ni-fes-TO: stress on the last syllable. This is incorrect, since the final syllable is not stressed. • C. ma-NI-fes-to: stress on the second syllable. This is incorrect. • D. ma-ni-FES-to: stress on the third syllable. This is correct. The standard pronunciation is /ˌmænɪˈfestəʊ/, with the main stress on "fes".

**Answer: D.

Tip: Many words ending in -esto, -isto, -ato take stress on the syllable before the last (e.g., ma-ni-FES-to, pro-TES-to, po-TA-to). Also, when you are unsure, say the word aloud and tap along: the syllable that your voice naturally pushes is the stressed one. You've got this!