SPEAKING PRACTICE 2

Unit 2: Design

1. Speaking skill: Talking about problems and solutions

We use the following phrases to talk about problems and solutions:

2. Pronunciation for speaking: Using intonation to make declarative statements

Statements, i.e. sentences that give facts, or information, as opposed to questions, or
commands, typically have a “2–3–1” intonation pattern in English. This means the
speaker’s voice begins on level 2 (“neutral”), jumps up to 3 (“high”) on the last stressed
syllable, and then steps down to 1 (“low”). There are two specific rules concerning the
pronunciation of declarative statements:

3. Questions:
1. How does a well-designed product make our lives easier? In contrast, how does a
poorly designed product create problems for us? Give examples.
2. Would you enjoy having a career as a designer? Why? / Why not?