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Humanities LibreTexts

5.2: Pronunciation

  • Page ID
    189981

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    Focus I: Focus Words in a Sentence or Phrase

     

     

    Note: This recording includes Focus I and Practice I.


    In each sentence there are words that are the most important. These are called the focus words. They are given extra emphasis and the vowels in the focus words are clearer. 

    Example:  Nina likes tea, but she doesn’t like sodaTea and soda are the focus words in this sentence.

    Rules: Read the following rules.

    1. The vowel of the stressed syllable in the focus word changes in pitch. The pitch can be higher or lower.

    Example:     What is your favorite food?     I like salmon!     Yuck!  I hate fish.

    2. The focus word in a sentence is usually a content word. Content words are nouns, main verbs, adverbs, adjectives and question words.

    Focus Words
    Nouns Main Verbs Adverbs Adjectives Question Words
    apple eat quickly delicious what
    soda drink fast salty who
    strawberry talk slowly sweet how

    Practice I

    Directions:  Listen and choose the focus word in each sentence.  

    1. The salmon is too expensive.
    2. Basketball is my favorite sport!
    3. Many people don’t like fruitcake.
    4. Where is the yoga studio?
    5. Deep-fried foods are bad for you.
    6. I eat leftovers for breakfast.
    7. Let’s go to the beach and have a picnic.
    8. Dinner is at 6 o’clock.
    9. The potatoes are salty.
    10. What do you like to eat?

    Focus II: Pronunciation of Compound Nouns

     

     

    Note: This recording includes Focus II.


    A compound noun is two words put together to make a noun.  The first word has a strong stress and high pitch.  The second word has less stress and a lower pitch.

    Directions:  Listen and repeat the following common compound nouns.

    Common Compound Nouns
         
    drumstick hand sanitizer face mask
    fruitcake French fry catfish
    salad dressing breakfast seafood
    leftovers bottled water strawberry
    pancake hot dog eggplant
    healthcare ice cream well-being

    Practice II

    Partner Activity 1

    Directions:  Choose ten (10) compound nouns from the chart above.  Write them in the left column. Then, get a partner and listen to your partner’s compound words. Write them in the right column.

    Compound Words
    Your Compound Words Your Partner's Compound Words
    1. 1.
    2. 2.
    3. 3.
    4. 4.
    5. 5.
    6. 6.
    7. 7.
    8. 8.
    9. 9.
    10. 10.

    Partner Activity 2

    Directions:  Find a partner. Write ten sentences with compound nouns. Take turns reading the sentences stressing the focus word or words in the sentence. 

    Example:  I use my chopsticks to eat seafood.

    1. ____________________________________________________

    2._____________________________________________________

    3. _____________________________________________________

    4. _____________________________________________________

    5. _____________________________________________________

    6. _____________________________________________________

    7. _____________________________________________________

    8. _____________________________________________________

    9._____________________________________________________

    10. ___________________________________________________