Final answer:
The first syllable 'chau-' is accented in the word 'chauvinism'. The vowel before [ch] spelled with is usually stressed, and often the is followed by an unstressed 'u' or the suffix -ion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accented syllable in the word chauvinism is the first syllable 'chau-'.
In English words where the sound [ch] is represented by <t>, the vowel preceding the [ch] sound is usually stressed. For example, in the word 'actual' (actual), the first syllable 'ac-' is stressed, and the <t> is followed by an unstressed 'u'. In words with Bases and Suffixes such as indigestion (indigestion) and adventurous (adventureous), the pattern holds true.