Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ACCENT NEUTRALISATION
CONSONANT SOUNDS
Voiceless Voiced
[s] Soap, dance, kiss [z] Zoom, easy, busy
[p] Paper, pocket, pen [b] Bike, buster, biscuit
[t] Token, ticket [d] Donut, dread
[k] Cake, quick, matriarch [g] Goat, example
[∫] (sh) Show, posh [] (zh) Vision, beige, treasure
[t∫] (ch) Catch, chirp [d] (ge/j) Jam, bridge
[θ] (th)Think, cloth, bath, breath [ð] (the)The, bathe, clothe, breathe
[f] Five, phone, rough [v] Very, vest, vine
[h] Help, somehow [j] (y) Young, yes, yesterday
[m] Money, some, comb
[n] Nine, sun
[ŋ] (ng) Ring, ringing
[ℓ] Love, kill
[r] Roam, river
[w] Wary, west, wine
Shoe Shine
Susan shineth shoes and socks;
socks and shoes shines Susan.
She ceased shining shoes and socks,
for shoes and socks shock Susan.
Unusual Pleasure
It’s a pleasure to measure your unusual vision.
She made the decision to camouflage the beige garage.
As usual he came casual, which I find unusual.
Leisure time is usually for indulging in activities of casual interest.
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Where Is William?
William the wacky, wonderful walrus was last seen eating a wafer along the seashore. He likes to
waddle up to shore and wallow in the sun, thinking of waffles and wafers to eat for fun. He
wanders hither thither, waving to one and all. Wide-eyed, he whooshes through the waters without
a whimper or a whine. Why did he disappear, this willful William of mine? Without a whisper
without a word, he slipped into the waves. Where have you gone oh wacky William of mine?
A Family Mystery
Peter Wharton had certainly tried to trace his grandparents. His parents had moved from Dayton,
Ohio, to Fort Morton, Colorado, east of the Rocky Mountains. He knew that one of his grandmothers
was from Great Britain, but he hadn’t been able to locate her. Suddenly, when he didn’t expect it,
a letter arrived from Great Britain. It was written by a woman named Katie Newton who claimed to
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be his aunt. Katie Newton sent a picture that she had found at the bottom of an old carton. It was
taken a long time ago of a little girl that Katie said was her mother. The girl, wearing a cotton
dress with buttons down the front, was holding a kitten. On the back of the picture was written
“Dotty Burton, 1936”. Peter had forgotten until now that his grandmother’s name was Dotty
Burton. Apparently Katie Newton who sent the picture was his mother’s sister. He couldn’t believe
that he hadn’t heard of her before. Peter Wharton was eager to straighten out the family mystery.
Consonant Clusters
A
I
A N
I C E
I N I T T O
T I N I T T O
I T T O
I T T O
I T T O
A M
A T
A M
A T
A M
A T
A M
A T
A M
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VOWEL SOUNDS
It, fit, women, cabinet, sit, enough Eat, feet, easy, seat, eagle
Diphthongs – two vowel sounds combined to make one long vowel sound
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Pick a Peak
People who pick weekly seem to need to appear deep in order to be distinguished from mere peak
pickers. Peters, a champion peak picker, thought he’d be even neater if he were the deepest peak
picker in Peoria, Phoenix, and New Zealand. On his peak peak picker’s week, though, Peter, a peak
picker’s peak picker, realized that he was not deep. This is not easy for a peak picker to admit and
it pitched Peter into a pit of peak picking despair. He was pitiful for six weeks and then lifted
himself to hitherto unrevealed personal peaks.
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TONGUE TWISTERS
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
How much ground would a groundhog grind if a groundhog could grind ground?
I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the
wish you wish to wish.
A skunk sat on a stump. The skunk thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.
Betty bought some butter but the butter was bitter so she bought a bit of better butter to make
the bitter butter better.
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Any noise annoys an oyster but a noisy noise annoys an oyster more.
If one-doctor doctors another doctor, does the doctor who doctors the doctor doctor the doctor the
way the doctor he is doctoring doctors? Or does he doctor the doctor the way the doctor who
doctors doctors?
I thought a thought. But the thought I thought wasn’t the thought I thought I thought.
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WORD ENDINGS
1. For words which in the present tense end with voiceless sounds – the ‘ed’ in the past tense
sounds like [t]
tapped (tapt), passed (past), laughed (laft), patched (patcht), voiced (voist)
2. For words which in the present tense end with voiced sounds – the ‘ed’ in the past tense
sounds like [d]
died, drugged, buzzed, lived, bathed, troubled, climbed
3. Exceptions – for words ending in the present tense with ‘t’ and ‘d’ sounds – the ‘ed’ in the
past tense sounds like ‘id’ or ‘ed’
toasted, roasted, dreaded, guided, pasted, posted, defended
Plurals, contractions, possessives and all third person singular simple present tense (all words
ending with ‘s’)
1. For words which (in the singular) end with voiceless sounds – the ‘s’ in the plural sounds
like [s]
tickets, takes, laughs, baths, tips, tests
2. For words which (in the singular) end with voiced sounds – the ‘s’ in the plural sounds like
[z]
dreads, dies, lives, bugs, pulls, chairs, mimes
3. Exceptions – for words which (in the singular) end with ‘s’, ‘z’, ‘sh’, ‘zh’, ‘ch, ‘ge/j’
sounds, the ‘es’ in the plural sounds like ‘iz’
passes, buzzes, pushes, garages, churches, judges
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EXERCISE
Pearls
The pearl is one of the most treasured gems. Pearls are formed inside the shells of oysters. The
largest pearl fisheries are in Asia. Cultured pearls were developed by the Chinese in the twentieth
century. They are larger than nature’s pearls. A perfect pearl that is round and has a great luster
is worth a lot of money. Perhaps a “diamond is a girl’s best friend,” but pearls will always win a
woman’s favor!
He saw us but did not respond. “May be he did not see you, Joey”, said my wife. “Call him once
more.” I waved at him once more.
“I do not serve that table,” came the reply, “You have to wait.” He then muttered quite audibly,
“They pay me peanuts. Gees!!! I’m tired of this”
That was the last time we visited the restaurant and warned friends about it too.
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What makes her go way beyond ‘good’ service? She says she likes the feeling she gets when she
surprises people by going beyond what they expect. She says that every order is important
because, although someone may be ordering just a few books today, that could lead to hundreds
next week.
She told me of a woman who called to order Overcoming Anxiety, because she was apprehensive
about an interview the next week. Searching the database, Carmel saw that the book was on back
order and wouldn’t be available for two weeks. After hanging up, she searched the warehouse for a
copy. No luck. Returning to her desk she found a copy on her bookshelf. She sent it to the woman
with a note saying she knew how important it was, so she had sent her own copy.
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across
his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it and
by the time the water bearer reached his master's house it had leaked much of its water and was
only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of
water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the
poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to
accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by
the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer.
"What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my
load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house.
Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your
efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to
the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
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Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful
wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still
felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for
its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path,
but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took
advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back
from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful
flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have
this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, God will use
our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your
flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we
find our strength.
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Mark the ending sound of the following past tense verbs with a “t” “d” “id”:
Write the sound of the ending for each word and then circle the odd one.
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SPEECH MUSIC
Intonation
Intonation (or voice modulation) is the rising and falling of the pitch of your voice during speech. It
adds meaning to what we say. By varying the tone of our voice we can change the meaning of our
words.
Why intonate?
− It is pleasant to listen to when there is music in speech.
− Without intonation, there is no feeling or passion in speech.
− Speech is extremely monotonous without intonation.
− It is easier to understand when we intonate.
− Incorrect intonation communicates the wrong message.
− Intonation helps to distinguish between different types of sentences.
Eg. He will be late. [Statement]
He will be late? [Question]
− The Intonation of our voice also tells the listener if we are issuing a command or making a
request.
Eg. Please shut the door. [Command]
Please shut the door. [Request]
Intonation is the chief means by which the speaker conveys his/her attitudes and emotions.
Eg. Really! / Sorry / Thank you / Please / Oh no!
Ways to intonate
− Increase the volume when you speak the word you want to intonate.
− Stretch the word that you want to intonate.
− Increase the pitch of the word you want to intonate.
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Though all the three ways lead to the same goal the most effective way of intonating is by
increasing the pitch of the word that needs to be intonated. It is natural to start with the first two
methods since they are easy but don’t stop till you master the art of increasing the pitches.
Where to intonate?
To be able to intonate correctly we should be able to identify the word or words that need to be
intonated. Let us look at the various ways to pick out the right words for intonation.
New Information
Whenever the sentence gives out a new piece of information the words which bring out the
meaning are intonated. In other words whatever word highlights the purpose of speaking that
sentence is intonated.
Eg. This is the house that Jack built.
Contrast
When two contradictory ideas are presented in the same sentence then both the opposite words
are intonated.
Eg. I have no idea what you are asking, but I can find out and let you know.
Usage of “NOT”
Whenever there is a negation in the sentence, stress the negation itself.
Eg. What I understand is that you are not from planet Earth.
Opinion
While expressing your opinion you stress on the word that shows that it’s just an opinion that you
are expressing and not a fact.
Eg. I think it’s a white elephant.
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However, remember that pitch change will be effective only if you are able to speak with tone
(emotion in the voice).
Tag Questions
A tag question has two parts, a statement and yes-no question called a tag. When the tag falls in
pitch, the speaker sounds more sure of the answer. When the tag rises in pitch, the speaker sounds
less sure of the answer.
We can catch the bus here can’t we? not sure (I’m not sure that this is a bus stop.)
2. You won’t forget, will you? sure (I feel certain that you won’t forget.)
You won’t forget, will you? not sure (I’m afraid that you may forget.)
Tone
Tone is the emotion that is, or should be, evident in our voice when we speak. To be a convincing
speaker, you need the magical quality of enthusiasm. Although it may be bubbling away inside you,
if your voice doesn’t express it, your audience won’t be able to share it with you. Your Tone of
voice expresses your feeling or mood.
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Some ‘tones’:
Warm Friendly Cold Hostile
Happy Humorous Sad/Angry Sarcastic
Interested Excited Bored Impatient
Pained Serious
Here is an opportunity to practice using the full range of your voice by saying the word ‘really’ to
indicate the feelings expressed below:
Even a simple word like ‘Hello’, can indicate a variety of emotions by changing the inflection.
Now practice the same range of emotions with the following words:
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Pauses
A pause is a brief moment during which the speaker is silent. Sentences should be divided through
the use of pauses. The speaker can use a pause to convey or emphasize meaning.
Eg. I finished my homework / / and watched TV. (Correct pause)
I finished / / my homework and watched TV. (Wrong pause)
Chuck was sightseeing near the seashore in Portugal. He stopped at a shop near the ocean that
specialized in exotic shells. The shop sold him an unusual shell in a fancy glass box. Chuck
negotiated a good price. He left the store satisfied, but with a premonition that something was
about to happen. Sure enough, as he shifted into reverse and backed out of his parking space,
Chuck heard a large crunch.
3. a. fried chicken, potato salad, and a coke _____ three things _____ four things
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b. fried chicken, potato, salad, and a coke _____ three things _____ four things
4. a. the computer software and keyboard _____ two things _____ three things
b. the computer, software, and keyboard _____ two things _____ three things
5. a. a car, phone, and tape deck _____ two things _____ three things
b. a car phone and tape deck _____ two things _____ three things
Thought Groups
Native speakers divide longer sentences into thought groups to make them easier to understand. A
thought group is a phrase or short sentence that is spoken. The speaker pauses at the e4nd of each
thought group.
1 2 3
1. Flower shops • a day for remembering • to celebrate Halloween.
someone you love
2. In late October • the whole of Australia unites • with a family gathering and
in celebration turkey.
3. Valentine’s Day, • people celebrate their • on Canada Day (July 1st) and
country’s independence the Fourth of July.
4. In most English-speaking • children dress up in costumes • surrounding a horse race
countries, and collect candy called the Foster’s Melbourne
Cup.
5. Boxing Day, • sell more flowers in late May • by giving gifts and eating
birthday cake.
6. Thanksgiving is celebrated • look forward to presents from • originated when wealthy
Santa Claus people gave Christmas boxes
to the less fortunate.
7. Children who celebrate • a national British holiday, • is on February 14th.
Christmas
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Simplifying Clusters
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Linking (Liaisons)
The words in phrases or thought groups are usually linked together. The consonant that finishes one
word connects to the sound at the beginning of the next word. “Missed her” sounds like “Mister.”
“Sue’s in love” sounds like “Suzan’s love”.
Add an ending sound to the underlined word and link it to the next word:
- The foe is ringing. - I knee a ride.
- The row is closed for repairs. - I her him laugh.
- Turn rye at the corner. - Do you have fie dollars?
- Please moo your car.
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A Creative Idea
I had an idea. The old lady in our apartment building hadn’t been feeling so well. She seemed lonely,
and I thought she’d appreciate some attention. So I persuaded the neighbours to put in a few dollars to
buy her a gift. In the end, we all decided to have a huge potluck dinner. We all cooked our favourite
recipes. When we went to deliver the dinner, the old lady was dressed to go out – apparently with a
new boyfriend! So we ate the dinner ourselves, and had such a good time that we decided to do it
again.
NURSERY RHYMES
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Doctor Foster
Went to Gloucester
In a shower of rain.
He stepped in a puddle
Right up to his middle
And never went there again!
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In the days when you couldn't count on a public toilet facility, an English woman was planning a trip to
India.
She was registered to stay in a small guesthouse owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned
as to whether the guesthouse contained a WC. In England, a bathroom is commonly called a WC, which
stands for “Water Closet". She wrote to the schoolmaster inquiring of the facilities about the WC.
The schoolmaster, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC. Together
they pondered possible meanings of the letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there
was a” Wayside Chapel" near the house . . . a bathroom never entered their minds.
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the
middle of a grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is
open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest
you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially
if you are in the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was
married in the WC, as it was there that she met her husband. It was a wonderful event. There were 10
people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces.
My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went last,
which pains her greatly. You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a
day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in time!
I would recommend your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday, as there is an organ accompaniment. The
acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere. The newest
addition is a bell, which rings every time a person enters. We are holding a bazaar to provide plush
seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating
you in a place where you can be seen by all.
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STRESS
In English, we do not articulate each word of a sentence with equal emphasis; we accentuate or
stress only a few particular words in a sentence. This is referred to as stress, and helps to
emphasize the meaning we are trying to convey. Remember, incorrect stress can convey the wrong
message.
1. Sentence Stress
Try stressing each word in turn and see the different meanings that emerge:
Sentence stress is the music of spoken English. It can help you to understand spoken English,
especially when spoken fast. Sentence stress is what gives English its rhythm or ‘beat’. Sentence
stress is accent on certain words within a sentence. Most sentences have two types of word:
− Content words
− Structure words
Content words are the key words of a sentence. They are the important words that carry the
meaning or sense.
Structure words are not very important words. They are small, simple words that make the
sentence correct grammatically. They give the sentence its correct form or ‘structure’.
If you remove the structure words from a sentence, you will probably still understand the
sentence. If you remove the content words from a sentence, you will not understand the sentence.
The sentence has no sense or meaning.
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Rhythm
Why is this important for pronunciation? It is important as it adds ‘music’ to the language. It is the
rhythm of the English language. It can change the speed at which we speak (and listen to) the
language. The time between each stressed word is the same.
Remember to stress on those words which will convey the right meaning of what you are saying.
2. Word Stress
As sentence stress is accent on certain words within a sentence, word stress is accent on one
syllable within a word, there by making that syllable more prominent than others. The strongest
accent is called primary stress; the next most prominent is called secondary stress. In many
dictionaries, the accents are indicated by such symbols as (´) for primary or main stress and (") for
secondary stress.
Understanding syllables
To understand word stress, it helps to understand syllables.
Every word is broken into sound segments. These segments are called syllables. A syllable is a word
or part of a word pronounced with a single, uninterrupted sounding voice.
The syllables that are not stressed are ‘weak’ or ‘small’ or ‘quiet’. Native speakers of English listen
for the STRESSED syllables, not the weak syllables. If you use correct word stress in your speech,
you will instantly and automatically improve your pronunciation and your comprehension.
Try to hear the stress in individual words each time you listen to English - on the radio, or in films,
for example. Your first step is to HEAR and recognize it. After that, you can USE it!
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Rule 1 – Nouns
In nouns with two (or more) syllables, the stress usually falls on the first syllable.
Eg. address, addict, advocate, associate, conduct, content, contest, contract,
desert, digest, exploit, graduate, implement, increase, object, present,
permit, suspect
Rule 2 – Verbs
In verbs with two (or more) syllables, stress usually falls on the second syllable.
Eg. address, addict, advocate, associate, conduct, content, contest, contract,
desert, digest, exploit, graduate, implement, increase, object, present,
permit, suspect
Rule 3 – Adjectives
In adjectives with two syllables, the stress usually falls on the first syllable.
Eg. Pretty, separate, duplicate
Rule 4 – Suffixes
− In words with these suffixes, the stress falls on the syllable just before the suffix.
Suffixes: ion, ient, iant, ic, ical, ity, ial, ious, iable, ogy, graphy, ify, meter
Eg. Caution, photography, biology.
− In words with these suffixes, stress falls on the suffix itself.
Suffixes: ee, eer, ese, ette, ique
Eg. Trainee, volunteer, Chinese, cassette, boutique
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Rule 7 – Numbers
For all the ‘teens’ stress falls on the second syllable, and for all the multiples of ten,
stress is on the first syllable
Eg. thirteen, thirty
Rule 8 – Acronyms
Acronyms are very common in American English. The stress in acronyms is almost always on the last
letter.
Eg. USA, UCLA, CPU, VSNL, PC, CD, BBC, CNN, CNBC.
Tips:
1. Remember that non-stressed words and syllables are often “swallowed” in English.
2. Always focus on pronouncing stressed words well, non-stressed words can be glided over.
3. Don’t focus on pronouncing each word. Focus on the stressed words in each sentence.
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They were rewarded for good conduct. They will conduct a workshop.
What is the content of the letter? We were content with the result.
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Pronunciation Rap
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TRUE COLOURS
I am peaceful today, cool, calm and collected, as the saying goes. I am blue, the lovely refreshing
blue of a calm ocean. Other people talk about “feeling blue” and “blue Monday”. But my blue is
the sky making friends with the sun and cotton puff clouds; it’s the color of welcome water in a
heat wave.
Red is inside me, too. My red is not the usual angry red everyone talks of; it is a happy red, rising
up inside me like a great ball of fire, exploding into the air and spurting forth small flames of
laughter; the red of a clown’s nose; the red of the symbolic heart storing love and happiness. It is
the same red glow I see at sunset, a red that is so very rare, but I have discovered it.
There is green as well. Not the green of jealousy, but the green I feel and see when I am close to
nature. My green grows in me like a young tree. Green is life when you watch winter branches
become heavy with green leaves in spring.
Black is supposed to be dull, gloomy – a dead color. My black mood takes hold of me when I feel
the need to show I can be sophisticated. It can be shiny, glittering, stunning. Black is not a
reminder of storms. Black is the sky at night, sparkling with stars, carrying the moon on a silken
thread; an evening dress studded with diamonds.
My silver is a special color of adventure and excitement; the stars at night; a jet in flight, the sun
chasing it, making it shine. It is dangerous, an exciting time of flashing swords and clashing “en
garde” cries!
And finally, white! I am saving it for my special day; then my white will be clouds, a long dress and
a veil, a white bouquet, a white cake. My white will be heaven, a honeymoon and love. My white
will be special. My white will be shared.
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A - ALPHA
B - BRAVO
C - CHARLIE
D - DELTA
E - ECHO / EASY
F - FOX / FOXTROT
G - GOLF
H - HOTEL
I - INDIA
J - JULIET
K - KILO
M - MIKE / MOTHER
N - NANCY / NOVEMBER
O - OSCAR
P - PETER / PAPA
Q - QUEBEC / QUEEN
R - ROMEO / ROGER
S - SUSAN / SIERRA
T - TANGO
U - UNION / UNIFORM
V - VICTOR
W - WATER / WHISKY
X - XRAY
Y - YANKEE
Z - ZULU
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Alabama : Montgomery
Alaska : Juneau
Arizona : Phoenix
California : Sacramento
Colorado : Denver
Connecticut : Hartford
Delaware : Dover
Florida : Tallahassee
Georgia : Atlanta
Hawaii : Honolulu
Idaho : Boise
Illinois : Springfield
Indiana : Indianapolis
Kansas : Topeka
Kentucky : Frankfort
Maine : Augusta
Maryland : Annapolis
Massachusetts : Boston
Michigan : Lansing
Mississippi : Jackson
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Montana : Helena
Nebraska : Lincoln
Ohio : Columbus
Oregon : Salem
Pennsylvania : Harrisburg
Tennessee : Nashville
Texas : Austin
Vermont : Montpelier
Virginia : Richmond
Washington : Olympia
Wisconsin : Madison
Wyoming : Cheyenne
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GRAMMAR
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SENTENCE STRUCTURE
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ARTICLES
bizarre incident occurred when Paul Sirks was trying to get his plane going, after it quit on
landing. Sirks was trying to crank propeller when plane took off without
pilot. It reached 12,000 feet and flew around for two hours. It finally ran out of gas and
crashed in bean field northwest of Columbus.
EXERCISE II
17-year-old was arrested and charged with robbing bank while dressed in cowboy
outfit. According to police reports, Dustin Marshall tipped his hat and yelled "Giddyup!" as he
pointed cowboy-type pistol" at bank employees. Marshall was also charged with robbing
another bank six days later while wearing ghost mask.
EXERCISE III
raging pipeline fire in Jesse, Delta State, which killed over 700 people last
weekend was yesterday extinguished by United States fire-fighting company by
suffocating flames with thick nitrogen-rich layer of foam. Workmen
from Houston, Texas-based company, BJ Services, spent less than hour
shooting nitrogen-rich foam from hoses onto pipeline before finally choking out
fire which raged on for days. A company official said they had extensive experience
in oil fires, and approached government about putting out blaze. explosion
and fire erupted while over 1,000 people were trying to collect gasoline spilling from
damaged government-owned pipeline. Hundreds of people were believed to have
been injured, but many have refused medical care or fled from hospitals, fearing they
might be arrested for either causing fire or scavenging gas.
EXERCISE IV
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EXERCISE V
EXERCISE VI
Hi John,
I arrived in USA last Monday. We left Rome, flew over Alps and made a quick stop
in London. There we went shopping in Harrods, visited Tower and enjoyed a sunny
On the following day we left for New York. time on board wasn't boring as there were
two films to watch on TV. people on plane were all Italian. Before we landed
at JFK airport, we saw Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Empire State
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Accent Neutralization
Building. hotel I stayed in was on corner of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue. I
don't like hotels very much, but I didn't have time to rent an apartment.
Yours,
Peter
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Accent Neutralization
PREPOSITIONS
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Accent Neutralization
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Accent Neutralization
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Accent Neutralization
EXERCISE I
1. He made his escape by jumping ______ a window and jumping ______ a waiting car.
2. To get to the Marketing department, you have to go ______ those stairs and then ______
the corridor to the end.
3. I saw something about it ______ television.
4. I couldn't get in ______ the door so I had to climb ______ a window.
5. She took the key ______ her pocket and put it ________ the lock.
6. He drove ______ me without stopping and drove off ______ the centre of town.
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Accent Neutralization
7. I took the old card ______ the computer and put ______ the new one.
8. I went ______ him and asked him the best way to get ______ town.
9. It's unlucky to walk ______ a ladder in my culture. I always walk ______ them.
10. The restaurant is ______ the High Street, ______ the cinema.
11. Sally left school ______ the age of 16 and went to work ______ a bank.
12. He jumped ______ the wall and ______ the garden.
13. He was driving ______ 180 miles per hour when he crashed ______ the central barrier.
14. She ran ______ the corridor and ______ the stairs to the second floor.
15. John is the person standing ______ the window, ______ the woman with the long blonde
hair.
16. When the bull ran ______ me, I jumped ______ the fence.
17. Look, that car's ______ fire.
18. He saw a parking space ______ two cars and drove ______ it.
19. Harry comes to work ______ car but I prefer to come ______ foot.
20. He took the book ______ the shelf and put it ______ his bag.
EXERCISE II
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Accent Neutralization
1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by
and, use a plural verb.
2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb.
3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or
nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.
4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a
contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule
appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns,
the contraction don't should be used.
5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees
with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.
6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody,
somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
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Accent Neutralization
7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs.
Note: the word dollars is a special case. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a
singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required.
8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts
to these things.)
9. In sentences beginning with there is or there are, the subject follows the verb. Since there is
not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.
10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular
and take a singular verb, such as: group, team, committee, class, and family.
In very few cases, the plural verb is used if the individuals in the group are thought of and
specifically referred to.
11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well
do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.
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Accent Neutralization
EXERCISE I
is are
Is Are
seem seems
4. The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
are is
5. Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time.
have has
6. Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________ a formidable opponent on the
basketball court.
presents present
7. He seems to forget that there __________ things to be done before he can graduate.
are is
8. There _______ to be some people left in that town after yesterday’s flood.
have has
appear appears
is are
11. Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike.
is are
12. A high percentage of the population _________ voting for the new school.
is are
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Accent Neutralization
13. A high percentage of the people _________ voting for the new school.
was were
EXERCISE II
1. The piano as well as the pipe organ ____________ to be tuned for the big concert.
HAS HAVE
2. The mayor together with his two brothers ____________ going to be indicted for accepting
bribes.
ARE IS
IS ARE
ARE IS
HAS HAVE
TAKE TAKES
7. Neither the teacher nor the students ____________ to understand this assignment.
SEEM SEEMS
HAS HAVE
9. Hartford is one of those cities that ____________ working hard to reclaim a riverfront.
HINT: Try starting the sentence with "Of those cities that . . . ."
IS ARE
10. Some of the grain ____________ gone bad.
HAVE HAS
ARE IS
12. A few of the students ____________ doing so well they can skip the next course.
ARE IS
13. Either the Committee on Course Design or the Committee on College Operations
____________ these matters.
DECIDE DECIDES
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Accent Neutralization
HAVE HAS
EXERCISE III
3. The boy who won the two medals a friend of mine. (is/are)
13. The boss, as well as his colleagues, been robbed by the robber. (has/have)
19. You should decide which one of the three choices A, B, or C best the question.
(answer/answers)
20. One of the most intelligent students who full marks John. (score/scores)
(is/are)
21. The only one of these most intelligent students who under 18 Peter. (is/are)
(is/are)
22. One of these most intelligent students whose example followed John. (is being/are being)
(is/are)
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TENSES
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EXERCISE I
3. I (have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.
6. I came to England six months ago. I started my economics course three months ago. When I
8. Samantha (live) in Berlin for more than two years. In fact, she (live) there
when the Berlin wall came down.
10. The Maya established a very advanced civilization in the jungles of the Yucatan; however, their
12. It (rain) all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach.
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Accent Neutralization
13. Listen Donna, I don't care if you (miss) the bus this morning. You (be) late to
work too many times. You are fired!
14. I am sick of rain and bad weather! Hopefully, when we (wake) up tomorrow morning,
15. I have not traveled much yet; however, I (visit) the Grand Canyon and
San Francisco by the time I leave the United States.
16. I (see) many pictures of the pyramids before I went to Egypt. Pictures of the
monuments are very misleading. The pyramids are actually quite small.
17. In the last hundred years, traveling (become) much easier and very comfortable. In
the 19th century, it (take) two or three months to cross North America by covered wagon.
The trip (be) very rough and often dangerous. Things (change) a great deal
in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of
hours.
American television programs and (study) his grammar every day since he
first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will be totally fluent.
19. When I (arrive) home last night, I discovered that Jane (prepare) a
beautiful candle-lit dinner.
EXERCISE II
2. I (work) for this company for more than thirty years, and I intend to stay here
until I retire!
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Accent Neutralization
3. Sharon (love) to travel. She (go) abroad almost every summer. Next
year, she plans to go to Peru.
5. We were late because we had some car problems. By the time we (get) to the train
to set my alarm.
8. Right now, Jim (read) the newspaper and Kathy (make) dinner. Last
night at this time, they (do) the same thing. She (cook) and he (read)
9. By this time next summer, you (complete) your studies and (find)
10. The students (be, usually) taught by Mrs. Monty. However, this week they (be)
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Accent Neutralization
11.
Jane talks on the phone.
Bob has been talking on the phone for an hour.
Mary is talking on the phone.
12.
I'm going to make dinner for Frank.
I'm making dinner for Judy.
I'll make dinner for Mary.
I make dinner for Ted.
I will be making dinner for Tony.
13.
Jane left when Tim arrived.
Bob left when Tim had arrived.
Tim arrived when Mary was leaving.
John had left when Tim arrived.
After Tim arrived, Frank left.
14.
Jane is talking in class.
Bob always talks in class.
Mary is always talking in class.
15.
Jane never left Jamestown.
Bob has never left Jamestown.
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