English phonetics and phonology 2 UAB v1

Handout 10b- exercises.1 (v1)

1. Contrast the basic pattern with changes in focus. In these short conversations, responses (a)
and (b) have the same words, but the focus changes to match the initial statement or question.
Response (a) is the basic focus pattern. Response (b) shows a shift in focus. Show the focus
word in each case by underlining the appropriate tonic syllable.

Example:
Initial statement or question Response
a. What’s the matter? a. I can’t find my keys. (basic pattern)
b. Give me your keys, and I’ll move your car. b. I can’t find my keys.

1 a. You seem busier than usual. a. I have a new job.

b. Are you still looking for a new job? b. I have a new job.

2 a. Where are you from? a. I am from Brazil.

b. I thought you were from Brazil. b. I am from Brazil.

3 a. What are you doing tonight? a. We have baseball tickets.

b. Would you like baseball tickets for tonight? b. We have baseball tickets.

4 a. Why weren’t you at work last week? a. I went to Japan.

b. Are you planning to go to Japan? b. I went to Japan.

2. Giving a choice.
The appropriate answer to a choice question is not yes or no. When someone gives you a choice,
you might answer by picking one thing, by picking them both, or by rejecting them both. The
focus changes for each answer. These are four possible answers to A’s question, Do you want
cake or ice cream?

Example: B1: I want cake and ice cream. I want them both.
B2: I’d like cake, please,
B3: I’d like ice cream, please.
B4: I don’t want cake or ice cream. I’ve stopped eating dessert.

Underline the appropriate focus words in the following dialogues:

1. A: Do you prefer the black coat or the striped coat?

B1: I don’t like the black coat or the striped coat.
B2: I like the black coat and the striped coat. I’ll buy them both!
B3: I prefer the black coat.

2. A: Would you like meat or fish?

B1: I don’t want meat or fish. I’m a vegetarian.
B2: I’d like fish, please.
B3: I’d like meat and fish. I’m very hungry!

3. A: What do you prefer to be called, Katherine or Kate?

B1: I don’t like to be called Katherine or Kate. My friends call my Cathy.
B2: You can call me Katherine or Kate. People call me both.
B3: My family calls me Katherine but my friends call me Kate.

1
Guidelines and exercises adapted from Miller, S. F. 2005. Targeting Pronunciation. Communicating Clearly in
English. Heinle/Cengage Learning.