Listening exercises
Let's look at a simple example: the modal verb "can". When we use the positive form of "can" we quickly glide over the can and it is hardly pronounced.
They can come on Friday . (stressed words underlined)
On the other hand, when we use the negative form "can't" we tend to stress the fact that it is the negative form by also stressing "can't".
They can't come on Friday .
Remember!
Stress words are
- Nouns e.g. kitchen, Peter
- (most) principal verbs e.g. visit, construct
- Adjectives e.g. beautiful, interesting
- Adverbs e.g. often, carefully
Non-stressed words are
- Determiners e.g. the, a, some, a few
- Auxiliary verbs e.g. don't, am, can, were
- Prepositions e.g. before, next to, opposite
- Conjunctions e.g. but, while, as
- Pronouns e.g. they, she, us
Find the 5 content words in the following sentences:
The beautiful Mountain appeared transfixed in the distance . (14 syllables)
He can come on Sunday s as long as he doesn't have to do any homework in the evening . (22 syllables)
He can come on Sunday s as long as he doesn't have to do any homework in the evening . (22 syllables)
intonation listening
Heteronyms
A heteronym is a word having a different pronunciation and meaning as another word, but the same spelling. Sometimes the stress is on a different syllable and sometimes the stress remains the same, but only the pronunciation of the vowel changes.
You will find fruits and vegetables in the produce section. (adjective)
Many factories produce too much pollution. (verb)
He was a famous Polish actor in the 1960's. (adjective)
We need to polish all of the furniture and silverware. (verb)
It's very dangerous to use lead paint. (adjective)
The cowboys lead the cattle to the ranch. (verb)
The boy received a present from his grandmother. (noun)
We are going to present our idea at the meeting. (verb)
This TV show is always broadcast live. (adjective)
Where do kangaroos and koalas live? (verb)
A dove is a white bird that symbolizes peace. (noun)
The swimmers dove into the pool several times. (verb)
The treasure hunter discovered a valuable object in the tomb. (noun)
Lawyers often object to questions during a trial. (verb)
They had been lost in the desert for almost a week. (noun)
The soldier decided to desert the army one day. (verb)
She is very close to finishing her essay for literature class. (adjective)
Please close the door and windows when you leave. (verb)
Are you going to read the sports section of the newspaper? (verb - present tense)
I've already read this book three times. (verb - past tense)
The little girl wore a pretty pink bow in her hair. (noun)
The dancers always bow after their performances. (verb)
She must have been sad because I saw a tear on her cheek. (noun)
Be careful not to accidentally tear the paper. (verb)
Betty bought a bit of butter,But the butter Betty bought was a bit bitter.So Betty bought a bit of better butter,To make Betty's bitter butter better.
e/a
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Short "e"
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"A" poem
http://www.rhymerocker.com/short-a-poem.html
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
Listen to it!
