8.1 How many final consonant sounds – 1, 2,3 or 4 – do the words in the box have when they are spoken slowly and carefully? (Note that the number of consonant sounds may be different from the number of consonant /etters.) Write the words in the appropriate row.
accents against aspects attempts axe catch contexts diamonds ears
earth grasped laughed ledge next risked sculpts stamps tempts touched
1 final consonant sound |
|
2 final consonant sound |
|
3 final consonant sound |
accents /nts/ |
4 final consonant sound |
attempts /mpts/ |
Now check your answers, listen and say the words.
8.2 Listen to some of the words from exercise 8.1 (in bold) used in conversation. Some final clusters are simplified. Underline the words which are simplified and show which sound is left out or reduced.
EXAMPLES: It was a long jump, but he risked it. k (the /k/ sound is left out)
He helped us alot. (no simplification)
1 It’s my turn next.
2 It’s a recording of regional accents.
3 Don’t forget to buy some stamps.
4 I’ve always been against it.
5 The question has a number of aspects.
6 She loved diamonds.
7 It was taken out of context.
8 They grasped it easily.
8.3 Listen and underline the word you hear.
EXAMPLE I accept / accepted the award gratefully.
1 I couldn’t go on without more paint / pain.
2 The company has some innovative designers / designs.
3 I couldn’t go faster / fast in my old car.
4 The factory makes trays / trains.
5 We wore heavy boots with thick, ridged / rigid soles.
6 They’re one of Brazil’s main exports / exporters.
8.4 Anna failed her test to become a newsreader for her local English language radio station. Look at the transcript of the news item that she read. Then listen to the news being read clearly and correct the words that Anna pronounced wrongly.
The police thin (=> think) the rose on the south coat will be pack when the seven Felton Pop Festival beginners neck weekend. Lass year more than 10,000 pop fan pack into the fee] where the festival was hell. There is simpler accommodation on a nearby farm, but most people will camper in small tense.
Now check your answers in the Key. Then read aloud the (correct) news item.