When an R and an L sit close together

1. 1
   world/wɜːrld/

   noun

   The planet we live on.
2. 2
   girl/ɡɜːrl/

   noun

   A young woman.
3. 3
   really/ˈrɪli/iAlso said ˈriːli.

   adverb

   Very.
4. 4
   rural/ˈrʊrəl/

   adjective

   Belonging to the countryside.
5. 5
   squirrel/ˈskwɜːrəl/

   noun

   A small animal that lives in trees and has a long bushy tail.
6. 6
   library/ˈlaɪbreˌriː/

   noun

   A building full of books you can read there or borrow.
7. 7
   parallel/ˈperəˌlel/

   adjective

   Running side by side without ever meeting.
8. 8
   realize/ˈriːəˌlaɪz/

   verb

   Become aware of something.
9. 9
   relax/rɪˈlæks/iAlso said riːˈlæks.

   verb

   Rest and let the tension go.
10. 10
    particularly/ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/iAlso said pərˈtɪkjələrli.

    adverb

    More than usual.

The sentences

1. It felt like the quietest place in the world.

2. A little girl was selling eggs by the road.

3. The air out there was really clean and fresh.

4. I'd forgotten how much I love rural life.

5. A squirrel stole half my sandwich at lunch.

6. The tiny village library only opens in the morning.

7. We walked along two parallel paths by the river.

8. I didn't realize how tired I was.

9. It was the first time I could really relax.

10. The sunsets were particularly beautiful on the second night.

Pronunciation

• world/wɜːrld/

  It's one syllable: the l follows the r straight away, with no extra vowel between them.

• rural/ˈrʊrəl/

  The first vowel is short, like the one in put, not the long one in moon.

• squirrel/ˈskwɜːrəl/

  Two syllables in American speech, SKWUR-uhl, not three.

• library/ˈlaɪbreˌriː/

  Two r sounds: LY-brer-ee, not "liberry".

Good to know

road trip

Many Americans reach the countryside by car, since public transport between small towns is limited. Distances are long, so weekend trips often mean hours of driving.

small-town library

Public libraries are free to use, and many small towns keep short hours. Borrowing usually needs a library card, which residents can get for free.

farm stand

Along rural roads you often find stands selling eggs, produce or baked goods. Many run on the honor system or take cash, so it helps to carry small bills.

Questions

How do you say squirrel in American English?

Two syllables, SKWUR-uhl, not three. The sentence is "A squirrel stole half my sandwich at lunch."

How do you pronounce world without adding a vowel?

It's one syllable: the l follows the r straight away, with no extra vowel between them. Try "It felt like the quietest place in the world."

What should I say to describe the countryside?

Use rural, meaning belonging to the countryside, as in "I'd forgotten how much I love rural life." Its first vowel is short, like the one in put.