Unit 10

Strong Forms and Weak Forms

Listening Exercise 1
Listen to the following words. First you will hear the function word in its strong
form and weak form. Then you will hear a sentence with the weak form of the word.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32
33.
34.
35.
36.

Words Strong form

Weak form

a
an
her
his
our
some
the
your
he
me
she
them
us
we
you
him
am
are
be
can
do
does
had
has
have
is
must
shall
was
were
will
at
for
from
of
to

//

/e/
/n/
/h:/
/hz/
/a/
/sm/
/i:/
/j:/
/hi:/
/mi:/
/i:/
/em/
/s/
/wi:/
/ju:/
/hm/
/m/
/:/
/bi:/
/kn/
/du:/
/dz/
/hd/
/hz/
/hv/
/z/
/mst/
/l/
/wz/
/w:/
/wl/
/t/
/f:/
/frm/
/v/
/tu:/

Sample sentence

We've got a dog.

/n/
Take an apple.
/h/, /:/, //
What's her name?
/z/
John had his haircut.

/ :/
We can do it on our own.
/sm/, /sm/
Get me some water.

/ /, //
They saw the young and the old.
/j/
Take your time.
/h/, //
What did he do?
/m/
Let me have a look.
/ /
Did she come?
/m/, /m/
Let them go.
/s/
He told us a story.
/w/
Here we are.

/j /
Did you see my pen?

/ m/
Give him a pen.
/m/, /m/
I'm proud of it.
//
What are you doing?
/b/
Don't be late.
/kn/, /kn/
What can I do?
/d/, /d/
What do you do on Sundays?
/dz/
When does the train leave?
/hd/, /d/, /d/
How many had he had?
/hz/, /z/, /z/, /s/ What has happened?
/hv/, /v/, /v/
The kids have gone.
/z/, /s/
He is coming.
/mst/, /ms/ We must go now.
/l/, /l/
What shall we do?
/wz/, /wz/
He was out.
/w/
We were all late.
/wl/, /l/
That will do.
/t/
Look at him.
/f/
Is it for me?
/frm/, /frm/
They come from the states.
/v/, /v/, /f/
It's very kind of you.
/t/
You don't have to worry.
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37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.

and
as
but
so
than
that

/nd/
/z/
/bt/
/s/
/n/
/t/

/nd/, /n/, /nd/, /n/ We had fish and chips.

/z/
Just as you like.
/bt/
It's good but expensive.
/s/
It's not so cold here.
/n/
It's bigger than this.
/t/
He said that he was coming.

Listening Exercise 2
Listen to each of the following sentences twice. First mark the pronunciation of
the function words in the sentence. Then write down the meaning of the underlined
part of the sentence.
Example:

We saw Jack and Jill.

We saw Jack and Jill.

1.

Get me some bread and butter.

Get me some bread and butter.
2. She gave it to us.
She gave it to us.
3. Lucy and Lilly are sisters.
Lucy and Lilly are sisters.
4. Take an apple.
Take an apple.
5. I've got a cat.
I've got a cat.
6. The performance was good.
The performance was good.
7. John can do it.
John can do it.
8. I had a knife.
I had a knife.
9. I'm afraid we must go.
I'm afraid we must go.
10. Come with me, Jill.
Come with me, Jill.

and /n/
and /nd/

both Jack and Jill

not only Jack but also Jill

________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________

_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________

Listening Exercise 3
Listen to the following sentences. Draw a line through the unstressed function
words.
Example:
1.

I was thinking of you all the time.

It is not an easy decision to make.

2

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

No one can pass the test.

What is her name?
They have been here the whole afternoon.
Can I have some more?
He was good, wasn't he?
We will wait till the end of the party.
She opened her eyes and saw the girl at the door.
She told me that she had lost her voice.
That's a pity but we can go another time.
They told us to leave.
First of all, let's look at the map.
It is from overseas.
Jack and Jill are at the concert.
These are for a different purpose.
The others were at the front.
Everything was for the best.
Let's have fish for a change.
I am going away for the day.
I would rather have a drink than a smoke.

Speaking Exercise 1
Listen to and repeat the following phrases and sentences. Pay special attention to
the pronunciation of the unstressed forms of the function words.
A. Determiners: "a", "an", "the", "her", "his", "our", "some","your"
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

a break
a ring
an answer
an idea
the car
the girl
the others
the apple
her coat
her bag
his watch
his wife
our school
our classroom
some tea
some water
your boss
your book

Take a break.
Buy a ring.
Give an answer.
Have an idea.
Take the car.
Help the girl.
Meet the others.
Get the apple.
Take her coat.
Watch her bag.
Use his watch.
See his wife.
Near our school.
Clean our classroom.
Have some tea.
Get some water.
Tell your boss.
Buy your book.
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19. your time

20. some sugar

Take your time.

Find some sugar.

B. Pronouns: "he", "me", "she", "them", "us", "we", "you", "him"

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Did he say that?

Make sure that he is on time.
Tell me how to do it.
Give me a new book.
What is she doing?
When did she come?
Ask them to go.
I told them to finish it as soon as possible.
He gave us a talk the other day.
He showed us round the campus.
When are we going?
Are you sure we can go now?
Did you see the old man?
I heard you singing.
Give him what he wants.
I saw him reading in the classroom.
How did he come last night?
I am not sure if he is coming.
Does she know about it?
You know him, don't you?

C. Connectives: "and", "as", "but", "so", "than", "that"

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

He said that over and over again.

She keeps cats and dogs.
They were playing hide and seek.
He took off his hat and coat.
It looks as white as snow.
Just as you like.
Please do as I do.
She is tired but happy.
Last but not least.
I'll do anything but that.
It's not so cold today.
It is not so much as that.
It is easier than I thought it would be.
It is bigger than this.
He is much better than the others.
He said that we could have it.
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17.
18.
19.
20.

Tell them that we are not going.

I think that we'll have enough.
He told me that everybody was happy.
Are you sure that we can finish it by the end of the week?

D. Auxiliary verbs (1): "am", "are", "be", "do", "does", "is", "was", "were",
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Where an I going?
What are you doing?
They'll be able to do it.
How do you go to school?
When does he leave for school in the morning?
It is coming back soon.
That was all.
They were all there.
The cakes are awful.
They were afraid of him.
When are they leaving?
They're afraid of him.
Will they be able to do it?
Do you know all the words?
What does he do on Sunday?
What time does it start?
Where were the boys last night?
He was late last night.
It was snowing the whole morning.
They were all out.

E. Auxiliary verbs (2): "can", "had", "has", "have", "must", "shall", "will", "would"
1. All the kids can read now.
2. How many cards had he written before you called last night?
3. What has he done?
4. They have all gone.
5. We must work harder.
6. We shall need to hurry.
7. That will do, I hope.
8. That would be a great help.
9. The bus had already left.
10. What shall we do if it rains?
11. Can you come at eight?
12. How can I help you?
13. You'd better run.
14. The train had already left when we arrived.
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15. He's read all the books.

16. She must have been here for quite a while.
17. They've been here for an hour.
18. Shall we go now?
19. Will you do me a favour?
20. Would you like to come?
F. Prepositions: "at", "for", "from", "of", "to"
1. They are at school.
2. They arrived at eleven.
3. They finished it at last.
4. I'll talk about it at noon.
5. He got it for nothing.
6. He stayed there for a week.
7. They are all waiting for the bus.
8. He did it for my sake.
9. I had a call from Bill the other day.
10. Did you get it from a shop?
11. He is from the states.
12. Try to speak from the experience.
13. It is very kind of you.
14. I am tired of waiting.
15. He keeps a lot of dogs.
16. Give it to me if you like.
17. She walks to school.
18. He wants to talk.
19. They'd like to go.
20. I meant to ask you.
Speaking Exercise 2
Listen to and repeat the following phrases, paying special attention to the
pronunciation of "and". The function word "and" is one of the most common words in
English and is usually contracted to a schwa + "n".
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

cream and sugar

knives and forks
big and small
rock and roll
fish and chips
pens and pencils
sandwich and coffee
peanut butter and jelly
hamburger and fires
rich and famous
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11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

nickels and dimes

men and women
tables and chairs
boys and girls
radio and television
sons and daughters
doctors and patients
father and mother
teachers and students
war and peace

Listening Exercise 4
Listen to the following talk and write the unstressed words in the space.
Now, ______________ end ___________ morning ____________ all ______ able
_______ collect ______ timetable _____________ college office. _________ see
________ first lecture _____________ nine o'clock ___________ morning
_________ last ___________ four o'clock __________ afternoon. Most __________,
________ fact all ___________, __________ find ____________ spare time without
lectures or laboratory sessions. _________ college library ________ private study
rooms _________ open all day __________ nine ___________ morning till eight
________ evening _______ private study. _______ students' union common room
________ also open ____________ same times. And er ______ hand over
______ Mrs White, who ________ tell ________ about students' welfare, sports clubs
_________ examinations.
Speaking Exercise 3
Listen to the following phrases from the talk and repeat after the tape. Mark the
stress patterns of the word groups. Draw a line through the weak form words. Pay
special attention to the pronunciation of the weak form words in the sentences.
Example: in fact all of you
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

. - - . .

at the end of the morning

you will all be able to
from the college office
at nine o'clock in the morning
at four o'clock in the afternoon
most of you
from nine in the morning
till eight in the evening
open at the same times
sports clubs and examinations.

_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________

Listening Exercise 5
Listen to the following conversation. Underline the stressed words. Mark the
schwa // on the unstressed words when you hear it.
Example: You've just moved into a new house, haven't you?
So what's it like living in your own house?
It's heaven. Plenty of space, a garden, no worries about neighbours. Houses are
great for families.
I prefer apartments in my situation. They're easier to manage, cheaper to run and
more secure. You can't leave a house standing empty for too long.
That's true, but an apartment is always an apartment, and a house is a home.
Speaking Exercise 4
Listen to the following sentences from the conversation and repeat after the tape.
Draw a line through the weak form words. Pay special attention to the pronunciation
of the weak form words in the sentences.
1. What's it like living in your own house?
2. It's heaven.
3. Plenty of space, a garden, no worries about neighbours.
4. Houses are great for families.
5. I prefer apartments in my situation.
6. They're easier to manage.
7. They're cheaper to run and more secure.
8. You can't leave a house standing empty for too long.
9. That's true.
10. An apartment is always an apartment, and a house is a home.
Speaking Exercise 5
Read the following conversation. Draw a line through the weak form words. Pay
special attention to the pronunciation of the weak form words.
So what's it like living in your own house?
It's heaven. Plenty of space, a garden, no worries about neighbours. Houses are
great for families.
I prefer apartments in my situation. They're easier to manage, cheaper to run and
more secure. You can't leave a house standing empty for too long.
That's true, but an apartment is always an apartment, and a house is a home.
Listening Exercise 5
Listen to the following dialogue and answer the questions that follow. Listen
again and imitate the pronunciation and intonation in the sentences.
(G = George

L = Li Ping)
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G: My Chinese course ends in a few months.

L: Youll have to get a real job. Maybe you should start looking now. What does
your advisor suggest?
G: He says I ought to write to joint-venture companies. I should send them my
resume and samples of my work.
L: Youd better get going. The competition out there is awful.
G: I know. Ill contact them right away.
Listening Exercise 6
Listen to the following dialogue and answer the questions that follow. Listen
again and imitate the pronunciation and intonation in the sentences.
(D = David
L:
D:
L:
D:
L:
D:
L:
D:
L:

D:
L:
D:

L = Li Ping)

Well, David, Where are you going for your holiday?

Oh well, Im not really sure. I thought perhaps you could give me some advice?
Id be glad to.
Well, I like to see a few different cities and Id love to take a boat journey.
Have you ever thought of travelling through the Yangzi Gorges. Thats the most
well-known boat trip I think, and it is spectacular.
Really? The Yangzi Goreges? Yes, well, Ive heard of them of course. But how
could I get there?
Well, you should go to Chongqing and go downstream by boat to Wuhan.
Theres a direct flight to Chongqing from Guangzhou.
Im not so keen on flying, actually. Is there a train?
Im not sure. Id have to check. But the distance must be pretty big and the
journey will take a long time. Ive got a good guidebook. I think Ill see what I
can find out in that, first. But I can also check it out with the Travel Service.
Good idea. Hope you can get it fixed for me.
Sure, I will. Ill see you later.
Thanks. See you later.