Changing the Meaning of Words Caused by Shift in Stress

I.

Learning Objective

II.

Distinguish changes in meaning of words caused by shift in stress

Subject Matter
A. Topic:
B. References:
C. Materials:
Value Focus:

III.

Changing in the Meaning of Words Caused by Shift in

Stress
PELC II 1.1
21st Century English V pp. 4 - 5
flashcards
Cooperation and participation

Procedure
A. Preparatory Activities
Ask: How do you pronounce these words?
(Flash the following words to the pupils.)
present
contact
object
insult
record
B. Development of the Lesson
Presentation
Say:

Listen as I read the sentence.

Sandra presents to her friends the presents she received last Christmas.
Analysis and Discussion
Ask:
1. What words in the sentences are similar?
2. How did I pronounce the first word? the second word?
3. What syllable is stressed in the first word? How about in the second
word?
4. Which word means show and is used as a verb?
5. Which word means gift and is used as a noun?

Say: Note that these two words have the same spelling, but a change in
the stress on the syllables changes their meaning. In the first word, the
stress in the second syllable [priznt], makes the word a verb which
means to show. When the stress shifts to the first syllable [pr sent],
the word now becomes a noun which means gift.
Say: Repeat the following words after me. Tell the meaning of each
word. Choose from the words inside the box.
Nouns
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________

Verbs
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________

rcord
scort
bject
nsult
cntrast

recrd
escrt
objct
inslt
contrst

a.

account

f.

guard

b.

write down

g.

offend

c.

thing

h.

offense

d.

disagree

i.

differentiate

e.

lead

j.

difference

Generalization

If a word is pronounced strongly on the first syllable, the word is

used as a noun.
If it is pronounced strongly on the second syllable, the word is used
as a verb.

C. Post Activities
Application
Exercise 1
Listen as I say the following words. Give the meaning of each
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

record
progress
desert
digst
increase

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

discount
contest
accent
decrease
conduct

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

repeat
present
object
subject
absent

Exercise 2
Work with a partner. Take turns in pronouncing the words listed in the
exercise. Tell your partner the meaning of each word.
Exercise 3
Listen as I read the pairs of sentences. Give the meanings of the similar
words that are pronounced differently in each pair.
a.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.

The rebel was tried for treason.

The peasants will rebel against their landlord.
His disruptive conduct brought him to the guidance office.
The pupils conduct themselves well.
The contrast between the yellow and violet flowers is striking.
This cold weather contrasts with last weeks heat.
You should record the figures neatly.
The record shows that pupils who read well get high grades.
The woman purposely insults the vendor.
Her patronizing words were an insult to the masses.

Enrichment
Listen as I read the following sentences. Put a check before each
sentence if the meaning of the stressed word fits the sentence. If it does
not, write the word with the correct stress in the blank before the
sentence.
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Camels live in the dsert.

There was a big incrase in the supply of rice.
Nobody contst the decision of the judges.
He keeps a rcord of all his findings.
Does your mother prmit you to join the tour?

Values Integration
Ask: Did you participate actively in our activities today? If not, what
should you do next time?

IV.

Evaluation
Listen carefully as I say the following words. Give the meaning of each
word.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

cntrast
inslt
scort
presnt
discunt

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

prgress
desrt
digst
accnt
cnduct

V.

Assignment
List down five words which have different meanings caused by shift in
stress. Give the meanings of each word.