When we speak, we can show which words are especially important bygiving them a lot of stress. Listen to these two dialogues, and noticethe stress and the intonation on the words in bold. A: How good's your English? B: Well, I can speak↑ English quite well, but I can't write↓ it very well. A: Do you know any foreign languages? B: Well, I can speak English↑, but that's the only↓ foreign language I know.
Repeat the dialogues - copy the stress and intonation of the words in bold.
Sometimes we use stress to correct what someone says, or to make it more exact. Listen.
A: Is your house number thirty-two? B: No, it's the next one, number thirty-four↓. A: Is your house number thirty-two? B: No, not thirty↑-two, it's number forty↓-two.
Listen to each dialogue twice. The first time you listen, underline thetwo main stressed words in B's part. The second time you listen, markthe intonation on the stressed words. Example: (first time you listen) A: Have you got the details of the next meeting? B: I know it's on Monday, but I don't know what time. (second time you listen) A: Have you got the details of the next meeting? B: I know it's on Monday↑. but I don't know what time↓.
How was the match?
A: How was the match? B: The first half was quite good, but the second half was really good.
A: How was the match? B: The first half was quite good, but the second half was terrible.
A: Can 1 come and discuss this tomorrow? B: I won't be here tomorrow, but my colleague will be.
A: Can I come and discuss this tomorrow? B: I won't be here tomorrow, but I'll be back on Thursday.
A: Have you seen that film? B: I've seen it, but I can't remember much about it.
A: Have you seen that film? B: I haven't seen it, but I'd like to.
A: Are you having trouble? B: I know what this word means, but I don't know how to pronounce it.
A: Are you having trouble? B: I know what this word means, but I don't know any of the others!
A: What did you think? B: I liked the film, but I didn't really understand it.
A: What did you think? B: I liked the film, but the seats were so uncomfortable!
A: I'd like to go to Britain to study for a month or two - ormaybe even a year! B: I'd like to go to Britain for a month, but notfor a year.
A: I'd like to go to Britain to study for a month or two - ormaybe even a year! B: I'd like to go to Britain, but I'd rather go toAmerica.
Check your answers with the Key. Then listen again and repeat.
1. A: What's the answer - three hundred and eighty-five? B: No - three hundred and ninety-five. 2. A: After you. B: No - after you. 3. A: You went to the disco with Steve last night, didn't you? B: I didn't go with him - I met him there. 4. A: Do you live in London? B: Well, not really in London, just outside. 5. A: You said go over the bridge. B: No, I said go under the bridge. 6. A: Were there really fifty people at your birthday party? B: Well, nearly fifty, I think. 7. A: What's Thank you' in Italian? B: I can't speak Italian. 8. A: How many times have you been to England? B: I've never been to England. 9. A: Was the course expensive? B: Well, my school paid for the course, but the travel cost quite a lot. 10. A: How much should I bring - fifty pounds? B: You'll need at least fifty.
Check your answers with the Key. Then listen again and repeat.