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Question

Difficulty: HardWord and Syllable Stress

Which of the following options correctly indicates the primary syllable stress placement for the word 'EPIDEMIOLOGY'?

  1. A
    EP-i-de-mi-ol-o-gy
  2. B
    ep-i-DE-mi-ol-o-gy
  3. ep-i-de-mi-OL-o-gyAnswer
  4. D
    ep-i-de-mi-ol-O-gy

Answer

The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable, giving the pattern ep-i-de-mi-OL-o-gy.
In English phonology, words ending in the suffix '-logy' regularly place primary stress on the antepenultimate syllable (the third syllable counting backwards from the end). For 'epidemiology' (ep-i-de-mi-ol-o-gy), the third-to-last syllable is 'ol', making 'ep-i-de-mi-OL-o-gy' the correct stress pattern.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Divide the target word into its constituent syllables.
The word 'epidemiology' breaks into six syllables: ep - i - de - mi - ol - o - gy.
Accurate syllabification is necessary to identify syllable boundaries.
2
Identify the suffix and apply the corresponding English stress rule.
The suffix is '-logy'. Words ending in '-logy', '-graphy', or '-pathy' take primary stress on the antepenultimate (third from the last) syllable.
Suffixation determines stress placement in polysyllabic academic vocabulary.
3
Count back three syllables from the end of the word.
The last three syllables are 'ol' (antepenultimate), 'o' (penultimate), and 'gy' (ultimate/final). Therefore, 'ol' receives primary stress.
Counting from the final syllable locates the exact position for antepenultimate stress.

Key Concept

Antepenultimate Stress Placement for Suffixes (-logy)
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Word and Syllable Stress

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