SOUNDS IN FOCUS:

/I/ AND /iy/

• The following words are found in the listening activities. Group
the words the same vowel sound.
big live give clean speaker

think era means this teacher

speech kill need little deals

• Read the words in each group aloud. Which group has the
sound /iy/
• The vowels are produced with the air flowing freely from your
diaphragm through your mouth.
• Now try saying /I/. You are about to smile. Move the front of your
tongue to your palate (roof of your mouth). Your tongue should not
your palate. Let the air out. Notice that your jaw is relaxed.
• Now, while you are saying /I/, move your tongue even more higher.
Your jaw becomes tense. You are producing the /iy/ sound.
• Say lip /lip/. Say leap /leap/. Do you notice the difference in the
vowel sounds?
Say each pair in such a way that you show the difference between the vowel sounds
clearly.
The Vowel I The vowel /iy/
Mill Meal
Sit Seat
Win Wean
Still Steal
Rid Read
Live Leave
Pill Peal
Din Dean
Fill Feel
Bit beat
Activity
Choose the appropriate word for each sentence:
1. how do you ____________ a baby? (wean/win)
2. they have to get a good ___________. (mill/meal)
3. who ___________ the girl’s leg? (bit/beat)
4. be sure not to ___________ the glass. (feel/fill)
5. many students heard the ____________. (dean/din)