The short vowels BATH, PALM, START

The phonetic quality of this vowel overlaps with the quality for STRUT. The difference between the two is purely length for many speakers, as in the cut, cart example cited earlier.

Modern New Zealanders use this same vowel in words like dance and example. Although there are New Zealanders (particularly conservative South Island speakers) who use the TRAP vowel in this environment, and although there are Australian speakers who use the same vowel in dance and palm, this is perceived as a shibboleth distinguishing Australian and New Zealand varieties of English.