Exercise: /ɜː/ vs.
/ɔː/
A. Minimal Pairs - Choose the Correct Word
Listen to the words (or read them aloud) and choose the correct one based on the
sound you hear.
1. (burn / born) → He was ___ in a small village.
2. (fur / four) → The cat has soft white ___.
3. (heard / hoard) → I ___ a strange noise last night.
4. (term / torn) → This is the final ___ of the school year.
5. (word / ward) → She wrote every ___ in her notebook.
B. Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct word.
1. The baby was ___ last winter. (burn/born)
2. I love my new coat. It has thick ___. (fur/four)
3. She ___ a loud crash outside. (heard/hoard)
4. This paper is ___ at the edges. (term/torn)
5. He didn’t understand a single ___. (word/ward)
C. Read Aloud for Pronunciation Practice
Say these sentences aloud, focusing on the difference between /ɜː/ and /ɔː/:
● The bird searched for worms in the dirt.
● He heard the first verse of the song.
● The horse was born on the farm in autumn.
● The girl wore a purple shirt with a warm scarf.
● The teacher taught a short lesson about words.
Story 1: The Curious Bird and the Old Door
Bert, a bright red bird, lived near an old barn door. Every morning, he perched on the porch
and chirped. One day, he heard a strange noise behind the door. Curious, Bert turned his
head and peered inside. The door creaked as the wind stirred. Bert saw a small worm
squirming on the dirt floor. "A perfect breakfast!" he thought. As he hopped forward, the door
slammed shut with a loud thud. Bert fluttered in surprise. He circled the barn, searching for
another way inside. Just then, a farmer appeared. "Oh, Bert! You’re always near this door,"
he chuckled. He opened it, and Bert darted inside, snatching the worm. "Smart bird!" the
farmer said. Bert chirped happily and flew back to his perch, ready for another adventure
tomorrow.
Story 2: The Perfect Shirt for the Storm
Curt wanted a warm shirt for the stormy weather. He searched in the store near the port.
"This shirt is too short," he murmured. He turned toward another rack and found the perfect
one. It was purple, with thick fur inside. "This will work!" he said. As he paid, the wind howled
outside. The storm had begun. He hurried home, his shirt tucked under his arm. Thunder
roared, and the rain poured hard. "Good thing I bought this!" Curt said, pulling the warm shirt
over his head. The storm raged, but Curt stayed cozy indoors. He sipped hot tea, listening to
the rain hit the porch. "What a perfect way to spend the evening," he thought, feeling warm
and snug.
Story 3: The Nervous Performer
Fern loved to perform, but her nerves always got the best of her. Tonight, she had to sing on
a large stage. As she stood behind the curtain, she took a deep breath. "You can do this,"
she whispered. The host called her name, and the curtain parted. The bright lights blurred
her vision. She heard the crowd murmur. Fern stepped forward and opened her mouth. At
first, her voice trembled, but soon, she felt stronger. She sang her heart out. When she
finished, the audience roared with applause. Fern smiled. "That wasn’t so bad!" she thought.
She turned toward the exit, feeling proud. From that day, she never feared the stage again.
Story 4: The Warm Morning by the Shore
George woke early and walked to the shore. The air was cool, but the sun soon warmed his
skin. He watched birds soar above the water. "What a perfect morning," he murmured. He
sat on a large rock and pulled out his notebook. George loved to write by the sea. He
described the golden waves and the salty breeze. A small turtle crawled near his foot. "Good
morning, little one," he said. The turtle stared, then turned toward the water. George laughed
and continued writing. The shore was his favorite place to think. He promised himself he
would return every morning to start his day right.
Story 5: The First Journey Abroad
Martha had never traveled abroad before. Today, she stood at the airport, holding her
passport. "I’m nervous," she told her brother. "You’ll be fine," he assured her. She boarded
the plane and found her seat near the window. As the plane soared into the sky, she
clutched the armrest. Soon, she felt calm. She turned toward the window and watched the
clouds. "This is amazing," she thought. Hours later, the plane landed. Martha stepped into a
new country, ready for adventure. She heard different words and saw new sights. "This will
be a journey to remember," she murmured.
Story 6: The Lost Purse
Deborah searched her purse frantically. "I lost my keys!" she cried. She turned her bag
upside down, but they weren’t there. "Maybe they fell on the porch," her friend suggested.
They hurried outside. Deborah checked near the door and under the table. "There they are!"
she gasped. The keys were stuck between the boards of the wooden floor. She bent down
and carefully pulled them out. "What a relief!" she said. Her friend laughed. "Next time, check
your purse before you panic!" Deborah nodded, tucking the keys safely inside. "Lesson
learned!" she said, smiling.
Story 7: The Turtle and the Storm
A large turtle lived near the port. One day, dark clouds rolled in, and the wind howled. "A
storm is coming," the turtle thought. He turned toward his burrow and crawled inside.
Thunder roared, and rain poured down. The waves crashed against the shore. The turtle
stayed warm and dry in his shelter. When the storm ended, he peeked outside. The air
smelled fresh, and the sky was bright again. "The storm is over," he murmured. He stretched
his legs and walked toward the beach. He loved the ocean after the rain.
Story 8: The Perfect Birthday Gift
Herman wanted to find the perfect gift for his sister’s birthday. He searched through stores
but found nothing special. "I need something unique," he thought. He turned toward a tiny
shop near the port. Inside, he found a beautiful purple scarf. "This is perfect!" he said. He
bought it and hurried home. On her birthday, his sister opened the box and gasped. "It’s
wonderful!" she said, hugging him. Herman grinned. "I’m glad you like it." Seeing her smile
was the best part of the day.
Story 9: The Bird and the Cornfield
A small bird lived near a cornfield. Every morning, he searched for food. "Where should I go
today?" he chirped. He turned toward the tallest stalks. As he pecked at the golden corn, he
heard a noise. A farmer was near! The bird fluttered up quickly and perched on a wooden
post. The farmer smiled. "Don’t worry, little bird. You can have some corn." The bird chirped
happily and returned to his meal. From then on, he visited the field every morning, knowing
he was welcome.
Story 10: The Warmest Winter Coat
Gordon needed a new coat for winter. He searched through the store, feeling the fabric.
"This one is too thin," he murmured. Then, he found a thick, warm coat with a fur-lined hood.
"Perfect!" he said. He bought it and wore it home. That night, the wind howled outside.
Gordon pulled his coat around him. "I’m so glad I found this," he thought. He sipped hot
chocolate and watched the snow fall. Winter was cold, but with his new coat, he felt warm
and cozy.
