English Pronunciation Practice Exercises 1

Content or Function?
First, you need to be able to immediately distinguish between content and function words.
Write down 'C' for content and 'F' for function. When you have finished click on the
arrow to see if you have answered correctly.
Example: magazine (C) as (F) many (F)
1 went
2 with
!ust
" #uickly
$ the
% hard
& ne't to
( C) *+,
- o.en
1/ had
Which Words?
0e't, take a look at the sentences and mark the words that should be stressed. +nce you
have decided, click on the arrow to see if you have chosen the correct words.
Example: Jack (yes) went (yes) to the shop (yes) to grab (yes) some coke (yes).
11 1e had finished breakfast before 2 arrived.
12 3hilli. ordered a huge steak for dinner.
1 4hey will have to stay u. late if they are going to finish their homework.
1" 2t must have been something in the air that caused 5ack to shout.
1$ Could you .lease be more #uiet?
0otice how some of the shorter sentences actually have more stressed words than the
longer ones 62 com.ared to 7. 4hese shorter sentences can often take longer to s.eak
than longer sentences with many function words888
4he ,usic of 9nglish
9nglish is a very rhythmic language because of this tendency to accent only certain
words. For this reason, you should .ractice using your ear as much as .ossible. +ften
re.eating s.oken 9nglish without looking at the written sentence can also hel. you learn
this 'music' of the language. Click on the audio symbol below to listen to five sentences.
9ach sentence will be re.eated three times with ga.s in:between so that you can try
re.eating the sentences yourself. 2f you need some hel., here are the sentences which you
can listen to and read while working on this e'ercise.
1el.ing ;ourself at 1ome
Finally, .ractice s.eaking through the sentences below. First s.eak the sentence trying to
carefully .ronounce 9<9*; word. 0otice how unnatural this sounds 6as in the listening
e'ercise above showing the contrast between this unnatural .ronunciation and the natural
way of s.eaking7. 0e't, focus on s.eaking the sentences only working on stressing the
content words. 4a.e yourself doing this and you will be sur.rised at how #uickly your
.ronunciation im.roves8
1e drove to work after he had finished working in the garden.
;ou'll find the a..les ne't to the oranges on the shelf over there.
,aggie must have been visiting her aunt in =.ringtown last weekend.
Could you .ass me the mustard, .lease?
4hey have been considering buying a new car as soon as they have saved enough
money.
http://esl.about.com/library/speaking/blpronounce_stress_words1.
htm
9nglish 3ronunciation 3ractice 9'ercises 2
Content or Function?
First, you need to be able to immediately distinguish between content and function words.
Write down 'C' for content and 'F' for function. When you have finished click on the
arrow to see if you have answered correctly.
Example: magazine (C) as (F) many (F)
1% for
1& information
1( in order to
1- difficult
2/ much
21 e'acting
22 in front of
2 5ack
2" he
2$ however
Which Words?
0e't, take a look at the sentences and mark the words that should be stressed. +nce you
have decided, click on the arrow to see if you have chosen the correct words.
Example: Jack (yes) went (yes) to the shop (yes) to grab (yes) some coke (yes).
2% >nfortunately, 5ack wasn't able to finish on time.
2& ?s soon as he has collected the results he will .ost them to his website.
2( 3eter bought shoes today.
2- 4here should have been some re.lies by now.
/ @nowledge creates o..ortunities where none have e'isted before.
0otice how some of the shorter sentences actually have more stressed words than the
longer ones 62 com.ared to 7. 4hese shorter sentences can often take longer to s.eak
than longer sentences with many function words888
4he ,usic of 9nglish
9nglish is a very rhythmic language because of this tendency to accent only certain
words. For this reason, you should .ractice using your ear as much as .ossible. +ften
re.eating s.oken 9nglish without looking at the written sentence can also hel. you learn
this 'music' of the language. Click on the audio symbol below to listen to five sentences.
9ach sentence will be re.eated three times with ga.s in:between so that you can try
re.eating the sentences yourself. 2f you need some hel., here are the sentences which you
can listen to and read while working on this e'ercise.
1el.ing ;ourself at 1ome
Finally, .ractice s.eaking through the sentences below. First s.eak the sentence trying to
carefully .ronounce 9<9*; word. 0otice how unnatural this sounds 6as in the listening
e'ercise above showing the contrast between this unnatural .ronunciation and the natural
way of s.eaking7. 0e't, focus on s.eaking the sentences only working on stressing the
content words. 4a.e yourself doing this and you will be sur.rised at how #uickly your
.ronunciation im.roves8
Ay the time he receives this letter, 2 will have caught the train to 3aris.
Following closely behind the herd was a grou. of filthy, disgusting vultures.
2'll make sure to give him a ring the ne't time 2'm in town.
0ot only are the e'ams re#uired, but they are also absolutely im.erative for your
further education.
1ey, have you seen the new film with Aruce Willis? ;ou know, the one where he's
su..osed to be a sensitive doctor.
http://esl.about.com/library/speaking/blpronounce_stress_words2.
htm