Minimal pair · General American
English /æ/ vs /ɑ/Cat or cot?
Separate the front TRAP vowel from the American LOT vowel across short consonant–vowel–consonant frames. This contrast appears in an L2 perceptual assessment; the pool combines one explicitly documented pair with dictionary-curated additions.
Practice these soundsThe TRAP vowel
This is the stressed vowel category in the first set of General American examples.
The ɑ category
Listen for the target sound in each word.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
Separate the front TRAP vowel from the American LOT vowel across short consonant–vowel–consonant frames. This contrast appears in an L2 perceptual assessment; the pool combines one explicitly documented pair with dictionary-curated additions.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each word10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.