Unit 13

WORKSHEET – UNIT 13


Task 1 – Why is the teaching of pronunciation important, but often neglected by teachers?

Can be difficult for the teacher to notice the sounds and there is a lack of confidence to teach it methodically

Task 2 – State, with a brief description, techniques that can be used to indicate intonation and stress:

Arrows can be used to indicate pitch for either words or sentences. Another effective method is for students to listen to the news, possibly even copy down on paper what they hear in an audio tape.

Task 3 – For each of these sentences, give the meanings indicated by the
i) rise/fall intonation pattern
ii) fall/rise intonation pattern

a) I’m going to tell you a story.

i) Indicates subject wants to tell a story of importance

ii) Subject is going to tell a story to please the person listening


b) She’s not going out tonight, is she?

i) Wondering if she's going out

ii) Concerned she may be going out


c) I don’t understand.

i) Negative response, not wanting to understand

ii) Doesn't understand but implying for a repeat of information


d) Goodnight!

i) Bidding farewell to sleep

ii) Encouraging person to sleep

Task 4 – Say each of the following sentences and the underline the stressed syllables in each:

a) I know why he wanted to see you.

b) What’s the time?

c) Don’t forget to turn out the light!

d) It’s another beautiful day today.



Say each of the following sentences and the underline the unstressed syllables in each:

a) Once upon a time, there was an old woman…

b) In the light of the above statement, I shall abstain from voting.

c) Good morning. How can I help you?

d) I’m away for the rest of the week.

Task 5 – Make up a sentence similar to that in the example on page 7 of the unit, and explain its various possible meanings, when different words in it are stressed:

He drank all of the coffee – Implying he should have done something else with it
He drank all of the coffee – There must have been a lot of coffee
He drank all of the coffee – Subject really likes coffee and there is none

Task 6 – How and why can a student’s pronunciation affect the quality of his/her communication?

It is necessary to understand and reproduce pronunciation to comprehend or the full meaning of what is being said or heard. There is more to English than words, sounds are also very important and stress or intonation can both change the meaning of a word or sentence.

Task 7 – Indicate the major ways in which English sounds are joined and linked. Give your own examples:

Linking: Cross the road becomes cross throad
Sound dropping: How did you go becomes howd you go
Sound changing: Sandwich – Sand witch
Extra lettering: Do you think thats a good ideya

Task 8 – What are the benefits in students learning the phonemic alphabet?

They can universally refer to their dictionary as to how a word sounds,

Task 9 – Referring to the phonemic alphabet, transcribe the phonemic text at the end of the course unit into standard script:

Translate into normal script:

Gary: Whats the matter Pete?
Pete: My arm hurts real bad
Gary: What have you been doing?
Pete: I've been playing too much golf
Gary: Have you seen the doctor about it?
Pete: No I haven't yet, do you think I should?
Gary: I would if I were you before it drops off
Pete: Thanks for your advice
Gary: No problem mate, any time
Pete: Catchya later
Gary: See ya