Final answer:
The short e sound (/ĕ/) is heard in words like 'slept' and 'dense', while the long e sound (/ē/) can be found in words like 'green' and 'beam'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we talk about the short e sound (/ĕ/), we are referring to the sound that is heard in words like 'slept', 'dense', and 'fell'. This sound is produced by positioning the tongue in the middle of the mouth and keeping the mouth slightly open. On the other hand, the long e sound (/ē/) can be found in words like 'green', 'beam', and 'stress'. This sound is made by moving the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth and stretching the mouth more.