Sound Contrast: /æ/ vs. /a/

Listen to the difference between the vowel sounds (/æ/ vs. /a/) in the following pairs of words.

• add
  | odd
• an
  | on
• clad
  | clod
• gash
  | gosh
• jab
  | job
• lack
  | lock
• lag
  | log
• last
  | lost
• map
  | mop
• pat
  | pot
• ramp
  | romp

Depending on your native language distinguishing the difference can be very easy or very difficult.

Test your ability to hear the difference between /æ/ vs. /a/.