English Ability

INTONATION
WHAT
 The way the pitch of your voice goes up and down as you talk.
WHY
 Expresses emotions and attitudes: joy, sadness, surprise, etc.
 Allows the speaker to stress certain words.
HOW
The three main patterns of intonation:
 Falling intonation
 Rising intonation
 Fall-rise intonation
TIPS
1. Asking questions
 For Yes/No questions - rising intonation at the end.
Ex: Is she your type? / Do you love jogging?
 For most other types of questions – falling intonation at the end.
Ex: What are you going to do tomorrow evening?
2. Making statements
 Most statements – falling intonation at the end.
Ex: I’ve been working here for over 7 years.
3. Listing things
 Most items use rising intonation until the final item – falling intonation.
Ex: In my spare time, I love listening to music, watching movies, and talking on the
phone.
4. Expressing feelings
 High-energy emotions like happiness, excitement, surprise, … usually use a rising
intonation.
Ex: I can’t believe he gave you a ride home!
5. Stressing the importance of something
 Using rising intonation on specific words in a sentence to emphasize their importance.
Ex: She loves the new blue T-shirt. / She loves the new blue T-shirt.
6. Contrasting between things
 Rising intonation on the two things you want to contrast.
Ex: I thought he liked dogs but he actually likes cats.
7. Using tag questions
 Using rising intonation on questions which require clarification or opinion.
Ex: It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
 English Ability
STRESS
WHAT
 More loudly, more clearly, and more slowly.
HOW
 Put stress on content words.
Look at the sentence: I want a cup of tea.
In this sentence, there are two kinds of words: content words, and function words.

Content words Function words

Nouns Articles
Adverbs Auxiliary verbs
Adjectives Modal verbs
Verbs “To be”
Question words Pronouns
Negative auxiliary & modal verbs Prepositions
Negative words Conjunctions

PRACTICE
I want a cup of tea.
I would like a cup of tea.
She will be late for the party.
Can you go to the shop and buy me some bread?
I asked her if she wanted fish and chips?
When you need to clarify something:
No, I said fish AND chips, not fish OR chips.

LINKING
 English Ability
“Do you remember that time when Anna and Army fell into the swimming pool?”
WHAT
 Linking is how you connect words when you speak, so that two words are pronounced
together.

For example: “that time”, “when Anna”

WHY
 Each word may have final sounds, what if we clearly pronounce every single words in a
sentence?
 Do we not pronounce a word, stop, then say the next word in the sentence?

For example: She loves talking with a loud voice on the phone every night.
HOW
Consonant – Consonant
‘that time’ -> tha_/t/_ime
‘red dress’ -> ‘re_/d/_ress’
‘cheap places‘ -> ‘chea_/p/_laces’
‘feel lucky’ -> fee_/l/_ucky’

 When one word ends with a consonant sound, and the next word starts with the same
consonant sound, we link the sounds.

Can you read the sentences?

1. She bought a really nice red dress last week.
2. Do you know any cheap places to stay in Barcelona?
3. I feel lucky – let’s play poker!

 Focus on pronouncing the links between the consonants. Next, remember that links
depend on the sounds, not the spelling.
For example:
‘loo_/k/_ool’ -> /lʊk kuːl/
‘quite tall’ -> /kwaɪt tɔːl/
‘nice sofa’ -> /naɪs ˈsəʊfə/
 English Ability

Can you say the sentences! Focus on pronouncing the links correctly!
1. You look cool in those jeans.
2. He’s quite tall for his age, I suppose.
3. That’s a nice sofa!

Linking two similar consonant sounds

‘cheese /z/_/s/ sandwich’
‘breathe /ð/_/θ/through’
/d/ and /t/ -> I need two kilos of shrimps.
/k/ and /g/ -> The water was a kind of dark green colour.
/p/ and /b/ -> I sleep better if the room’s really dark.
/f/ and /v/ -> Have you packed enough vests?
Consonant – Vowel
“Do you remember that time when Anna and Army fell into the swimming pool?”
 You can do this with one word ends with a consonant sound, and the next word starts
with a vowel sound.
Can you find the consonant-vowel links?
Try saying the full sentence with these vowel links. -> slow down
1. There’s an elephant in the garden.
2. I ate an apple and two pears.
3. These are the best tomatoes I’ve ever had.
TRICK: Imagine that the consonant is at the start of the second word. Remember, we write the
words separately, with spaces between them, but we don’t pronounce them that way.
For example:
There_za_nelephan_tin the garden.
Vowel – Vowel
“He asked me for two apples.”
There are links between ‘he asked’ and ‘two apples’
 You can link two consonants sounds like this: add a consonant sound in the middle to
connect the sounds.
 English Ability
 add /w/ or /j/ depending on the vowel sounds.
For example:
‘two apples’ -> we link the sounds with /w/
‘he asked’ -> we link the sounds with /j/
Let’s try these in some sentences:
1. There are two_w_ apples in the bowl.
2. He_j_asked for a glass of water.

Try to read the sentences:

1. She asked the waiter for more rice./ She asked the waiter for more ice.
2. I’ll like him when he is nice./ I like him when he is nice.
3. We both thought that the job began next week, but we were wrong.
4. Is that the same man who gave you a hundred dollars?

PRACTICE
I. Read the sentences aloud
1. Hold on a second! Can you pick up some milk for us at the store?
2. She’s an old friend of mine.
3. I think this song is about the singer’s black cat.
4. I don’t need to prove it to them.
5. She’s wearing scarf around her neck.
6. A woman is throwing away some trash.
7. Merchandise has been stacked on shelf.
8. All of the chairs are unoccupied.
9. Pay day is not till tomorrow.
10. Price are shown on top of the cases.
11. Here are your name tag, your seat assignments, and the schedule of the events taking
place this weekend.
12. I’d just like you to change the oil and check the tires to make sure everything’s okay.
13. She says she tried to order a new monitor for me last week, but there was a mix-up with
the supplier. Apparently, the delivery won’t be here for another week.
14. This is Mike Kraft from Bright Roofing returning your call. Your message said the order
we shipped to you is missing some items?

II. Practice reading the text aloud

 English Ability
 I have decided to move out of my parents' place to live on my own, and now I am looking for an
apartment. However, it is a lot more difficult and expensive than I thought. First of all, a one-
bedroom apartment is going for about $500, and that is a little over my budget. Second, you have
to pay a deposit, often equal to your first month's rent. Next, most apartments are not furnished,
so I have to come up with furniture and a washer and dryer. Finally, the utilities, including gas,
electricity, and water are not included either, so that adds to the overall expenses of having your
own place. I really think I need to get a roommate, or I will have to move back in with my
parents.

 Being in style with the latest fashions is important for some people, but not for me. After I wake
up and drag myself out of bed, I change into my clothes for the day. I usually wear a pair of jeans
and a t-shirt to school. If it's a little cool outside, I might throw on a sweat shirt or sweater. Then,
I put on my shoes, and I'm out the door. Young people my age tend to follow the latest fashions
because they want to fit in. My mom is just glad if I don't wear the same shirt three days in a
row. What can you expect from a teenager?

 After every meal, I am in the practice of brushing my teeth. I use a toothpaste recommended by
my dentist, and I make sure to floss to remove any food between my teeth. I am also using a
special kit for tooth whitening, something that is becoming more popular now. I visit my dentist
every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup, and fortunately, my health insurance covers
the cost. For most people, if you take care of your teeth, you won't get any cavities.

 Cooking breakfast can be fun if you enjoy it, and making food for someone else is even better. I
usually cook eggs and bacon. First, I warm up the stove and then beat the eggs in a bowl. I prefer
scrambled eggs, but I can make just about any type. I warm up the burner on the stove, and I
pour the eggs in a frying pan. I use a spatula to mix and turn over the eggs. Once the eggs are
done, I remove them from the pan and serve them to the family. If the eggs aren't salty enough,
the kids can add more salt or pepper.

 Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to our production of “The Dancing Queen”. Thanks for
coming. I know you’re all looking forward to seeing this popular musical. The performance will
begin in 15 minutes. So please take this opportunity to get some refreshments or use the theater
restrooms. I also have a special announcement for the owner of the Festiva Lightning,
registration number XP0988, which is parked in front of the theater: your vehicle is parked in a
disabled parking space without a permit. Please move it immediately, or it will be towed away.
Thank you!

 More and more people these days have cellphones as a means of communicating with family and
friends. It just helps you stay in touch, so if I want to talk to a friend, I just call her up no matter
where I am. Also, I can take and send pictures with my cellphone, so I really don't need an extra
camera. Of course, if my friend doesn't have her cellphone turned on, then I can just leave a
message and ask her to call me back. A cellphone also comes in handy in case of an emergency
 English Ability
and you need to call for help, for example, if your car breaks down, and you need assistance. To
be honest, I don't think I could live without my cellphone.

 Good afternoon. This message is for Mr. Elmer Mitchell. This is Barry Wilks from Wilks
Vehicle Cleaning, and I’m calling because you have been randomly selected to receive a free
carwash at Wilks Vehicle Cleaning. We’ve been serving in Cranford for over 15 years
specializing in both interior and exterior vehicle cleaning services. To claim your free carwash,
simply come by our facility at 221 North Lane during regular business hours and present a photo
ID to the cashier. This offer will expire in three weeks, so don’t delay!