[ei] as in ate, game, and they

Lips: Spread and unrounded

law: Rises with the tongue and closes slightly
Tongue: Glides from midlevel to near the roof of the
mouth

[en is a diphthong. A diphthong is a compound vowel sound made by blending

Practi two vowels together very quicMy. [en begins with (e] and ends with [i].

Possible Pronunciation Problems

Pronunciation problems because of confusing English spelling
patterns and the similarity of [ei] and (ej (the sound to be described in the next lesson).
'EXAMPLEsIf you say c) instead of [ei]:late will sound like let.
paper will sound like pepper.

Listen and repeat.

(ei) At the Beginning of Words (ei] In the Middle of Words (ei] At the End of Words
ate aim ache same lake place way lay obey
ape ale eight rain date break say May away
age able April came table paint day they stay
apron paper weigh

[eI] Spelled
a ni ay eigh
late main day eight
sane fail bay weigh
safe walt hay sleigh
hate grain ray freight
lady raise play neighbor
 ’ “ Less frequent spelling patterns for [elf consist of the letters ea, ey, and ei.
break. great they grey vein

When a is in a syllable ending in silent e, the letter a is pronounced {etJ (the same as the name of
the alphabet letter a!).
same name case lane bake
The letters ay, ai, and ey are usually pronounced
(cr]. play away bait aim
they
The letters ei followed by g or n are usually pronounced [ec].
weigh neighbor reign vein

EXERCISEB Lirten and repeat the following phrases and sentences. The boldfaced words
should all be pronounced with the diphthong [el].

1. Wake up!
2. gain weight
3. What’s your name?
4. late date
5. Take it away!
6. Make haste, not waste!
7. April showers bring May flowers.
8. They played a great game.
9. The plane from Spain came late.
10. They made a mistake in today’s paper.
CHECK YOURSELF 1 -
Read the following shopping list. You are going to buy the items with the [eij
sound. Circle only the items containing the vowel [el). (For answers to Check Yourself
1-3, see Appendix li, pages 272-273.)

1D Part : Vowels
1.step lettuce act cereal
2. bread raisins melon bananas
3. cake tomatoes bacon baking soda
4. potatoes crackers peas ice cream
5. grapes celery gram clots
6. toothpaste peas squash paper plates
CHECK YOURSELF 2
Listen. Circle the one word in each group that is pronounced with the diphthong [ei].

EXAMPLE Lori hear hat hot hate

You circle 1 2 3

1. 1 2 3
2. 1 2 3
3. 1 2 3
4. 1 2 3
5. 1 2 3
6. 1 2 3
7. 1 2 3
8. 1 2 3
9. 1 2 3
10. 1 2 3

CHECK YOURSELF 3
Read aloud the following newspaper advertisement. Circle all words pronounced
with [el].

AMES O EWSPAPER 7, 2004

Annes Ladies Olore

(located at 18th Street at the corner of Main and Blake)
Monday, May 8th-/I/fork that dole!
me famous name brands your favorite labels!
Available for ladies of all ages.
Why pay more? Take a train, take the subway, take a plane—but don‘t wait!
Don‘t stay away from this major sale.

SINCE 1888 NO EXCHANGES OR RETURNS

Lesson 3 § 7
More Practice
EXERCISE A Read aloud the following paragraph about Babe Ruth. Remember that all tha
boldfaced words should be pronounced with the diphthong [ei].

Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth was a famous baseball player. He was born in Baltimore
and raised there as an orphan. He first played for the Boston Red Sox but
was later traded to the New York Yankees. He hit 714 home runs and
became a baseball legend. He was named to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The last team he played for was the Boston Braves. He died in 1948.
Many say he was the greatest player of his day.

EXERCISE B • Choose an article from the sports section of a newspaper. Circle the words in the
article that contain the vowel [ei]. Practice reading the article aloud.Bring ic to class
and read it to your classmates.

Szzy [ei] tire right way! Practice makes perfect!

18 Part 1: Vowels
[c] as in egg, pet, and head

Lips: Slightly spread and unrounded

Jaw: Open aider than for [et)
Tongue: High, near the roof of the mouth

t. - Possible Pronunciation Problems

Pronunciation problems occur because of confusing English spelling patterns
and the similarity between (e] and other sounds.
EXAiviPLEs If you say [et] instead of (e]: pen will sound like pain.
II you say (æj instead of (e]:met will sound like mat.
When pronouncing [c], open your mouth wider than for [et) but not as wîde as for (æ] (the sound to be discussed in th
Practice and reduce your errors on [e]!

Practic

[e] At the Beginning of Words [e] In the Middle of Words

any edge effort
bed rest bread
end else error
next bent fence
egg every elephant
west many present

The vowel [e] does not occur at the end of words in English.

[s] Spelled
e en
yes head
red lead
sell dead
seven meant
never measure
 “ Less frequent spelling patterns for [cJ consist of the letters a, ai, ie, ue, and eo.
any again friend guest leopard
The most common spelling pattern for [c] is the letter e before a consonant in a stressed syllable.
let amendment attended plenty

The letter e before / is usually pronounced [c1.

well telephone felt seldom
The letters eo before d ate usually pronounced [c].
thread ahead ready dead

EXERCISE B Listen and repeat the following pairs of words.When pronouncing the words with
[c], be sure to lower your jaw a bit more than for [e\].

(e] (ei]
met mate
bet bait
fed fade
less lace
pen pain/pane
let late
wet wait /weight
get gate /gait
red raid
wed wade

EXERCISE C Listen and repeat the following phrases and sentences. The bo!dfaced words
should all be pronounced with the vowel (c].

1. You said it!

2. head of lettuce
3. best friend
4. healthy and wealthy
5. bent fender
6.
7. Breakfast is ready at ten.
8. Fred left a message.
9. Let me get some rest!
10. Don’t forget to send the letter.

20 Part 1: Vowels
CHECK YOURSELF 1
Listen and repeat each word• Then circle the word in each group that
is NOT pronounced with [c]. (For answers to Check Yourself 1 and 2, see Appendix II,
pages 273-274.)

EXAMPLE ]\/texico Amemca Ext Texas

1. any crazy anywhere many

2. paper letter send pencil
3. seven eleven eight twenty
4. health wreath breath wealth
5. reading ready already head
6. present precious previous president
7. November February September April
8. guess guest cruel question
9. thread threat fresh theater
10. mean meant mental met
CHECK YOURSELF 2
Listen to the sentences. Some words that should be pronounced with [cl will be
said incorrectly. Circle C for correct or f for incorrect.

EXAMPLES You hear Who fed the fish? You circle I

You hear I got wait in the rain. You circle C I

1. C I
2. C I
3. C I
4. C I
5. C I
6. C I
7. C I
8. C I
9. C I
10. C I

Lesson 4 21
/Idore Practice
EXERCISE A • Read aloud the paragraph about Peter Pan. Pay attention to the [eJ sound in the
boldfaced words.

Peter Pan
Do you remember the play Peter Pan? Who can forget the boy who
never ever wanted to grow up! When Wendy and her brothers met Peter
Pan and the fairy Tinker Bell, they flew to Never-Never Land. They had
many adventures with Peter’s friends and enemies, but the play had a
happy ending. Sir James Barrie, the author, presented this play in 19! I .
This sentimental treasure was his best work and made him very
wealthy. It was an even better success on Broadway. It was set to music
and had special effects. It is often said that no one can be young forever.
But with the legend of Peter Pan we get to pretend again and again.

EXERCISE B Practice the vowel [c] as you give a partner weather Information.
1. Look at these example sentences:
It’s twenty-two degrees and very windy.
The temperature on Wednesday will be in the upper severities.
The weather for the weekend is expected to be wet and cloudy.
2. Read a weather report in the newspaper, watch a weather report on
TV, or listen to a weather report on the radio. Use the information
about weather in your area to make new sentences, based on the
examples in item 1 above.
3. Tell a partner your weather report.

Practice your [e] again and again, and reduce your errors when you say [e]!

JJ Part 1: Vowels