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Module 1

ENGLISH
DISTINGUISHING CHANGES IN MEANINGS OF
SENTENCES CAUSED BY STRESS

A DepEd-BEAM Distance Learning Program supported by the Australian Agency for International Development

To the Learner
Dear Learner,
How are you?
This is your first module in English. In this module you will
learn that shift in stress changes the meaning of the sentence.

Lets Learn This

In this module, I have prepared exercises for you to do to
enhance your skill in distinguishing changes in meaning of sentences
caused by stress.
In real speaking situations, a person puts the heaviest stress on
the word/words which he/she wants to emphasize in order to express
the particular meaning he/she wants to express.

Lets Try This

Put the stress on the appropriate word based on the meaning

written below each sentence. Write your answers in your notebook.
1. Regines rise as a singer was phenomenal.
a. not ordinary but phenomenal
b. not a doctor but a singer
2. Lito won the regional on-the-spot painting contest.
a. not the local but the regional
b. not writing but painting

3. My uncle serves as a consultant of a publishing house.

a. not an author but a consultant
b. not a law firm but a publishing house
4. For years, Mr. Angeles studied how to paint faces of people.
a. not for a day but for years
b. not nature but faces of people
5. During this exhibit, his admirers request for his autograph.
a. not his family but his admirers
b. not his photograph but his autograph
Did you find it easy answering numbers 1-5?
Lets find out if we have the same answers.
1. a. phenomenal
b. singer
2. a. regional
b. painting
3. a. consultant
b. publishing house
4. a. years
b. faces of people
5. a. admirers
b. autograph
Do not worry, we will have more exercises to do.

Lets Study This

Read this interview conducted by a writer in the school paper with
a new teacher. Observe the stress of words.

PAULO
Good morning, Ms. Dela Pea.
I am here to interview you for the
school paper. I would like to know
why you chose to teach in Dalton
High School?
What do you think can you contribute
to the school community?

MISS DELA PEA

Good morning, Paulo.
I applied in this school because I
believe in its mission-vision to mold
well-rounded citizens.

I think I can share my skills and

learnings with the pupils the best
way I can.
How would you describe the The Daltonians are well-rounded.
Daltonian pupils?
They are not only well-prepared
academically but also morally and
spiritually. They are also courteous
and helpful.
To end this interview, what is your I would like to tell them that Im
message to your pupils?
looking forward to have a fruitful and
productive year with them. I also
hope
that
I
could
somehow
contribute to their academic and
spiritual growth as Christians and
Daltonians.
Thank you for your time, Ms. Dela Its my pleasure.
Pea.

Study the set of sentences below. Pay attention to the word which
is emphasized in each sentence.

1. I am here
I am here
I am here
I am here

to
to
to
to

2. I think I can
pupils.
I think I can
pupils.
I think I can
pupils.
I think I can
pupils.

interview
interview
interview
interview

you
you
you
you

for
for
for
for

the
the
the
the

school paper.
school paper.
school paper.
school paper.

share my skills and learnings with the

share my skills and learnings with the
share my skills and learnings with the
share my skills and learnings with the

Read each sentence once more. Take note of every stressed word.
Does the shift in stress change the meaning of the sentence?
Listen as your teacher (with the presence of the teacher) says each
sentence below. Then choose the meaning expressed by the stressed
word.
1. I applied in this school because I believe in its mission-vision.
a. I not he
b. not entered but applied
2. I can share my skills and learnings with pupils.
a. not you but I
b. not keep but share

Drill on EMPHATIC SENTENCE STRESS.

The underlined word receives the heaviest stress.
1. When are you going to have your interview?
(The speaker means that the person spoken to should have an
interview, but havent had one yet.)
2. Winners and losers deserve to be congratulated.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that both winners and losers
should be congratulated.)
3. Success is never accidental.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that not once has success ever
been accidental.)
4. A hobby can be both profitable and relaxing.
(The speaker wants to emphasize the profitability of a hobby.)

Lets Do This
(Note: Do this activity with the presence of the teacher.)
Listen as your teacher says each sentence below. Then choose the
meaning expressed by the stressed word.
1. It has been moved and seconded that the nomination for club
president be closed.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

not
not
not
not
not

he, she or they but It

agreed upon and suggested but moved and seconded
the casting of votes but nomination
for club secretary but president
be opened but be closed

2. Audrey Zamora is our club president.

a. not Erick Buendia but Audrey Zamora
b. not your but our
c. not club treasurer but club president

Lets Do More

(Note: Do it with a partner.)

Take roles. Carry out the dialog with a classmate. Put stress on
the encircled words.
Barangayette Elections
Robert

Do you know that the Barangayette elections will be

held on Friday?

Cris

Yes, Ive heard about that. Actually, the candidates of

the different parties are already starting to campaign.

Robert

Have you made up your mind on whom to vote for in

the different offices?

Cris

No, Im still in the process of knowing the candidates.

Robert

Then, let us attend the general campaign on Thursday.

Cris

Count on me .I will surely be there.

Are you done?

Did you enjoy reading the dialog?
Thats good.

Lets Remember This

Words which express ideas and emotions are given

emphasis over other words in a sentence. This emphasis
is called sentence stress.
Sentence Stress
The underlined word receives the heaviest stress:
1. Miss Magalona is absent today.
(The speaker wants to emphasize Miss Magalonas
absence.)
2. It is impolite to eavesdrop.
(The speaker wants to emphasize the impoliteness
of eavesdropping.)
3. This is a simple but exquisite gown.
(The speaker wants to emphasize the exquisiteness
of the gown.)
4. A nuclear power plant is expensive.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that it is the
nuclear power plant, not any other kind of power
plant, which is expensive.)
5. Liza turned twelve last Wednesday.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that it was Liza,
not any other girl, who turned twelve recently.)

Lets Test Ourselves

Read each of these sentences. Put the heaviest stress on the
underlined word. Write the letter of the group of words that gives the
meaning of the sentence on the blank before each number.
______ 1. Would you like to go to the library now?
a. not anybody else but you
b. not any other place but the library
c. not any other time but now
______ 2. Would you like to go to the library now?
a. not any other place but the library
b. any other place except the library
c. can be the library or any other place
______ 3. Would you like to go to the library now?
a. no other person but you
b. you or your representative
c. anybody but you
______ 4. I won the speaking contest.
a. I joined the speaking contest.
b. I am the winner.
c. There is no other contest but a contest in speaking.
______ 5. I won the speaking contest.
a. There was a contest.
b. There was a contest in speaking.
c. I joined the speaking contest.
______ 6. I won the speaking contest.
a. The speaker joined a contest.
b. The speaker was the winner in the contest.
c. The speaker hoped to win in the contest.

 Are you done?

Look at the Answer Key to check your answer.
What is your score? ___________
If you got 5-6, proceed to the next module. Youre Great!!!
If you got 3-4, answer the next activity Lets Enrich Ourselves
If you got 2 and below, review the whole module.

Lets Enrich
Ourselves
Read each of these sentences to yourself. Put the heaviest stress
on the underlined word. Write the letter of the group of words that
gives the meaning of the sentence on the blank before each number.
______ 1. This is my final grade. (normal situation)
a. making a statement
b. asking a question
c. asking a confirmation
______ 2. This is my final grade?
a. Is this my final grade?
b. Can this be really my grade?
c. I have no other rating but this.
______ 3. This is my final grade?
a. Is it really mine?
b. Is it a final one?
c. Can this be true?
______ 4. This is my final grade.
a. Yes, this is my grade.
b. I cant believe it.
c. This is the last grade that I will have.

______ 5. This is my final grade?

a. Is this for me?
b. Is this my grade?
c. Cant something be done to change it?
______ 6. This is my final grade?
a. This is not anything else but my grade.
b. This is my last grade.
c. This grade is for me.

Are you done?

Write your score inside the bell.
Congratulations! Job well done!!!
Lets move on to the next module.

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Answer Key

Lets Do This

Lets Do More

- Answers may vary.

Lets Test Ourselves

Teacher may use the Rubric.

Lets Enrich Ourselves

1. c

1. a

2. a

2. a

3. a

3. a

4. b

4. a

5. b

5. c

6. b

6. a

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