El acento

Words can be divided into syllables. One of them is stressed, which means pronounced more intensively than the other(s).

Listen to the following words, divide them into syllables and decide which syllable is stressed:
 

There are three basic roles for which syllable in a word is stressed::

1. Words that end in a vowel or n or s are stressed on the second to the last syllable:

casa, curso, examen, (ellos) hablan, cursos
2. Words that end in a consonant other than n or s are stressed on the last syllable:
arroz, azul, beber, vivir, ciudad
3. Words that don't follow rules 1. and 2. must have a written accent to indicate which syllable is stressed:
árbol, unión, difícil, (el) habló, (yo) comí, José