THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 6 Worksheet

WEEK 6

Exercise 1: The Neutral Vowel Revision

Take turns to roleplay the following two scenes. In Scene 1, the neutral sounds have already been identified for
you. Try to identify words that contain the /ə/ sound in Scene 2.

Scene 1
Sam: Hey, Jess.
Jess: Hey Sam. Where’s Matt?
Sam: He went to get some meds from Priceline.
Jess: Meds? For what? Is he alright?
Sam: He’s fine. He’s recently had some stiffness in his neck and lower back.
Jess: Poor thing, I know how it feels. I had a sore back all weekend.
Sam: What happened?
Jess: I was on the computer for hours each day. Zoom-a-nitis is real, man.
Sam: Oh, please. You just need to chill and relax more.
Jess: Easy for you to say, mate. Some of us don’t have a choice.
Sam: Come on, Jess. It’s not that bad.
Jess: How would you know?
Sam: (shrugs)

Scene 2
Pharmacist: I’m sorry. We can only sell it to you if you have a prescription.
Matt: But I was told I could get it over the counter.
Pharmacist: We have a range of over-the-counter medication that you can purchase. Is this for your own use?
Matt: Yeah, I’ve been experiencing muscle spasms around my neck and lower back over the last
couple of days and I just need something to relax them.
Pharmacist: This one is great. These are good too but they’re a little more expensive, but they all work the
same. We also have a range of heat packs over there (points at the shelf across the counter).
Matt: Oh, great!
Pharmacist: Have a browse and just yell out if you need any help at all.
Matt: I will, thank you.
Pharmacist: No worries.

© Mark Wong 2020

THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 6 Worksheet

Exercise 2: Connected Speech (Part 2)

Elision Geminates
If a word ends with the /t/ or /d/ sound and is
If the ending consonant of the first word is the same
followed by another word that starts with a
as the starting consonant of the next, you only need to
consonant, this sound can be omitted entirely or
articulate that consonant once.
withheld or unreleased.
West side → wes side Speak kindly → speakindly

Worst time → wors time Take care → ta kare

Had to → hadtu Feel like → fee like

Heard that → heardthat Levelled down → levelle down

Loud noise → loudnoise Right turn → righ turn

White Night → wai night Some might → so might

Next time → nextime Good deed → goo deed

Went through → wenthrough Lap pool → la pool

Read the following phrases aloud and identify what is the best way to linking the two words together.

1. You must try to practice speaking more regularly.

2. Let time heal all wounds.

3. Learn to trust yourself and dare to dream.

4. How did Dan know about you two?

5. Have faith in yourself.

6. I taught Tim how to play the piano.

7. He looks so short standing next to Kobe.

8. She asked her tutor, but he did not know how to answer her.

9. On your way here, can you please grab us a six-pack and a bag of Doritos?

10. The presentations went really well – everyone was so enthusiastic and daring.

© Mark Wong 2020

THTR10019 Clear Speech and Communication Week 6 Worksheet

Exercise 3: Speaking Practice

Read the poem below and try to find the intention, rhythm, intonation, and pace as you’re reading it.

Dare to Be
by Steve Maraboli
Source: https://famouspositivequotes.blogspot.com/2019/08/steve-maraboli-dare-to-be.html

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you are feeling tired, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you've done your best.

Dare to be the best you can - at all times, Dare to Be!

© Mark Wong 2020