English Globe understanding the world

Open menu
 

Unit 7. Play, Grow, Splash.

here.png
Consonant Clusters at the Beginning of Words

Combinations of consonant sounds (consonant clusters) can bediffcult to pronounce for some learners. English words can start with avowel, or one, two or three consonant sounds.
Compare:

             am    ram    cram    scram
Here are the possible two-consonant clusters at the start of English words:
7.1.jpg
Here are the possible three-consonant clusters at the start of English words:
7.3.jpg
note.jpgNote: 7.2.jpgSome consonant clusters marked x in A and B are used in a few uncommon words, for example schwa (the name of the sound /∂/) and people's names.
In order to be understood clearly you should -
  • avoidchanging a consonant in a cluster to a different consonant. Forexample: saying 'present' for 'pleasant' or saying 'queue' for 'crew'
  • avoid leaving out one of the consonant sounds. For example: saying 'poblem' for 'problem' or saying 'foo' for 'few'
  • avoid adding an extra vowel between consonants. For example: saying 'tewin' for 'twin' or saying 'faree' for 'free'
  • avoid adding an extra vowel at the beginning of the word. Forexample: saying 'estop' for 'stop' or saying 'escream' for 'scream'
 



Exercises


flag.jpgYou will hear some short definitions. After each definition,press 'pause', tick  the word you think is being defined and say italoud. When you press 'play' again you will hear the correct answer.
Repeat it and then continue in the same way.
Key.1 a piece of thin cord - string
2 a woman who rules a country - queen
3 an injury to a muscle - strain
4 a country in southern Europe - Spain
5 a poor area in a city - slum
6 a feeling when you have been hurt - pain
7 to drink a small amount - sip
8 done with great speed - quick
9 to make someone frightened - scare
10 a hard transparent material - glass

Example:
      'to cook in hot oil'     fly / fry
1    string / sting                
2    clean / queen    
3    strain / stain
4    Spain / sprain       
5    slum / sum
6    pain / plain     
7    slip / sip
8    kick / quick       
9    scare / square
10  grass / glass
flag.jpgYou will hear some words. After each word, press 'pause' andunderline the correct definition. When you press 'play' again you willhear the correct answer.
Key.1 (grow) to increase in size
2 (quake) to shake with fear
3 (swim) to move through water
4 (store) another word for shop
5 (spit) watery liquid in your mouth
6 (pay) to give money for something
7 (fame) burning gas
8 (pure) not mixed

Example:
       
'stray'       to not leave / to move away from the intended route
1    to produce a continuous light / to increase in size
2    to shake with fear / a sweet food
3    to move through water / attractively thin
4    dried stalks of wheat / another word for shop
5    watery liquid in your mouth / to divide into two
6    activity done for enjoyment / to give money for something
7    a border around a picture / burning gas
8    not mixed / not rich
flag.jpgListen and underline the sentence you hear.
Key.1 Just cross the road.
2 The cat was following its trail.
3 Before that I had to ride a motorbike.
4 It's Michael's twin.
5 He fell into a deeper sleep.
6 I thought it was a terrible sight.
7 Just below your nose.
8 This one is a pear.

Example: The band isn't very popular. / The brand isn't very popular.
1    Just across the road. / Just cross the road.
2    The cat was following its tail. / The cat was following its trail.
3    Before that I had tried a motorbike. / Before that I had to ride a motorbike.
4    It's Michael's twin. / It's Michael's to win.
5    He fell into a deeper sleep. / He fell into a deep sleep.
6    I thought it was a terrible slight ( = insult). / I thought it was a terrible sight.
7    Just blow your nose. / Just below your nose.
8    This one is a pear. / This one is spare.

Now check your answers in the Key. Then listen again and repeat the sentences.
flag.jpgTry building words by adding consonant sounds. Start with a vowelsound, and then add one consonant sound at a time before or after thevowel, in any order, to build new words.
(Note: (i) a consonant sound may consist of more than one letter; (ii)don't add any new vowel sounds.) Then say aloud the words you havewritten.
For example:

/ei/: ache => lake => fake => fakes (2 consonants before the vowel and 2 afer)
/ai/: rye => rife => rifle => trife => trifles (2 before and 3 afer)
/i:/: sea => seem => scheme => scream => screamed (3 before and 2 after)

Now try with other vowels. You might find it helpful to use a dictionary.


Follow up: Arethere any consonant clusters at the beginning of words that you havespecial problems with? Collect a list of words that start with these,record yourself saying them, and listen. Repeat this often.

back.jpg
Unit 6      Unit 7     Unit 8 forward.jpg



Flycam Nano является системой стабилизации для маленьких, компактных видеокамер. Flycam Nano - идеальный вариант для репортажной съемки легкой камерой или любительских съемок.