2 PRONUNCIATION EXTRA

ADVANCED UNIT 2 2.2

2.1 2A 2.3 STRESSED AND UNSTRESSED VOWEL SOUNDS Listen
to the words/phrases in the box. Mark the main stress and match
1A 2.1 DOUBLE CONTRACTIONS the vowel in the stressed syllable with the vowel sounds 1–3.
Listen and complete the sentences
using the complete form of the verbs convincing eye-opening have second thoughts
in brackets. narrow-minded perspective preconceptions stereotypes
1 If I (be) surer of 1 /e/                
myself, I  (start) my 2 /ɪ/
career so much sooner. 3 /aɪ/                
2 I (not leave) home in
the first place if it PRONUNCIATION TIP
(not be) for my grandfather.
Oen the vowel sound in unstressed syllables reduces to either a
3 I know I (listen) more schwa /ə/ sound or a so /ɪ/ sound.
carefully to my grandmother. She
was a wise woman!
4 I really (not pay) any  B Look at the words/phrases in Exercise 2A again and identify all
attention to him, it was a stupid idea the weak /ə/ and /ɪ/ vowel sounds.
from the very beginning. /ə/ /ɪ/
5 I (not do) what I did convincing
without my family behind me.
6 I honestly think I (be) 3 A Read the text below. Find at least five examples of each of the
better off if I two weak vowel sounds in Exercise 2B in the unstressed syllables.
(just stay) at home! It’s really difficult not to judge people on first appearance. It’s an
7 If he (not follow) her instinct we have. We may well change our minds as we get to know
advice, he (not get) those people a little bit better but that first impression will always
himself in the mess he’s in today! stick in our minds.
8 I wish I (just keep)
quiet about the whole thing, B 2.4 Listen and check.
I (avoid) a lot of
heartache that way. 2.3
PRONUNCIATION TIP 4A 2.5 STRESS FOR EMOTION Listen to two short
conversations. Underline two words in each conversation that are
When writing, we can contract both given extra emphatic stress.
would and had using ’d, e.g. I’d have
been (= I would have been), I’d been Conversation 1
(= I had been), etc. A: You did what?
When speaking, we can also contract B: I just let him go.
have to ’ve, so it sounds like I’d’ve come A: But surely you should have given him some punishment or
(I would have come). something?
We also oen contract have with B: Oh come on, I’d like to see what you’d have done in that situation!
negative forms with would and other Conversation 2
modal verbs when speaking, e.g. A: You will never believe what happened next!
he couldn’t’ve known. B: Try me.
A: Well, he climbed onto the stage …
B 2.2 Look at the verbs you wrote B: The stage?
in Exercise 1A. What are the written A: Oh yes, he climbed onto the stage and planted a huge kiss on
contracted forms of these verbs? Which her cheek.
forms can have a further contraction
in speech? Which verbs have a double B Listen again. What emotion is each speaker showing through the
contraction in speech? Listen and check. extra emphasis?

C Listen again to the sentences in amusement anger defensiveness incredulity

Exercise 1A and say them with the
speakers. C Listen again and say A’s part with the speaker. Then listen again
and say B’s part.
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