1. Listen and count.
Listen to the sentences. How many words are there in each one? Count contractions as two words.
3. Rhythm.
English is a stress-timed language. This means that the rhythm of a sentence is marked by the stress of certain words or syllables. This gives speech the effect of regular beats, or rhythm. To attain this rhythm some syllables are stressed and lengthened while others are shortened. Words that signal new information are usually the ones that are stressed in a sentence.
For example:
If I'd known it was going to take so long, I'd have started a bit earlier.
Now predict and select the words or syllables that are stressed in these sentences.
Listen to the sentences.
4. Rhythm.
Now practise saying the sentences from the previous exercise at the same speed as the recording. First you will hear the sentence, and then a beep for you to repeat the sentence. Try to finish saying the sentence before you hear the second beep. Keep practising until you manage to say all the sentences in the spaces provided.
1. Just keep it all together.
2. It wouldn't have been so bad if I'd got there on time.
3. Sean's getting used to going to work on the bus.
4. Our parents didn't use to rely on technology.
5. This'll have to be cut and carefully sanded.
6. The piece would have to be replaced.
7. I realised I wasn’t going to make it in time.
8. I didn't expect any joy at all from the airport staff.
9. Angry and somewhat shocked, I approached one of the airline employees with my tale of woe.
10. I won’t be travelling with them ever again.