Business English b and v pronunciation pairwork

Student A

Part A

Read the definitions below and add the correct letter: ‘v’ or ‘b’

Cooperation between two or more companies: a joint ____enture

The extra money employees receive once or twice a year: ______onus

A house, factory, warehouse, office block etc: A _______uilding

The person above you in the company: your ______oss.

What is the difference in mouth position between a “v” sound and a “b” sound? Which one is most similar to a “p” sound, and which is most similar to a “f” sound?

Part B

Giving definitions similar to those above, explain a word on the right below to your partner. When they have guessed which word you are describing (from their mixed list), check that they are pronouncing it with the correct “b” or “v” sound and they should be able to fill in the correct missing letter. You can correct their pronunciation, but they cannot ask you the spelling.

After one word, switch roles and listen to your partner’s definition and try to guess the word and pronounce it correctly. Then take turns doing the same.

_______ision                                       A veteran

An ad_____ertisement                         Boycott

A  _____u______le                             A bargain

A  ____acation                                   A balance sheet                      

_______lue collar workers                   A broker                      

A de_____eloper                                             Initiative

An inter_____iew                                             A convention

Inno______ation                                             To bargain                                          

A briefing

Student B

Part A

Read the definitions below and add the correct letter: ‘v’ or ‘b’

Cooperation between two or more companies: a joint ____enture

The extra money employees receive once or twice a year: ______onus

A house, factory, warehouse, office block etc: A _______uilding

The person above you in the company: your ______oss.

What is the difference in mouth position between a “v” sound and a “b” sound? Which one is most similar to a “p” sound, and which is most similar to a “f” sound?

Part B

Giving definitions similar to those above, explain a word on the left below to your partner. When they have guessed which word you are describing (from their mixed list), check that they are pronouncing it with the correct “b” or “v” sound and they should be able to fill in the correct missing letter. You can correct their pronunciation, but they cannot ask you the spelling.

After one word, switch roles and listen to your partner’s definition and try to guess the word and pronounce it correctly. Then take turns doing the same.

Blue collar workers                              A  _______roker

Vision                                                  Initiati______e

An advertisement                                A  ___eteran

A developer                                         A  ______oycott

A vacation                                           A  ________riefing

Innovation                                           A con________ention

A bubble                                              A  _______argain

An interview                                        A  _______alance sheet

                                                          To _____argain

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Related pages

Business pronunciation page

Minimal pairs games/ worksheets page

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