High-quality tape recordings were constructed of single, double, and triple word test items from the six monosyllabic work lists of the Modified Rhyme Test (MRT), a multiple-choice intelligibility test. The test workd were incorporated in a carrier phrase somewhat analogous to typical aircraft radio messages. The recorded lists were mixed with shaped noise and played back to a group of listeners at three speech-to-noise ratios. The regular closed-response format of the MRT was utilized for all three types of test items. There was little difference in overall listener performance for the single, double, and triple word test items. Because of their more representative message length and decreased testing time, the triple word test items will be utilized in subsequent data-gathering studies directed toward the development of an efficient reliable test for assessing the ability of aircrew personnel to hear speech in their operational environments.