2.8. Tone Group VII

TONE GROUP VII

(Low Pre-Head+) Stepping Head + Low Rise( +Rising Tail)

Tone Group VII is used in soothing, reassuaring statements;in puzzled, sympathetically interested special questions; in soothing, encouraging, calmly patronizing imperatives;in airy, casual, encouraging interjections.

Tone Group VII is by far the most common way of asking general questions; it should be regarded as the normal way, and any other tone group should be used only in the special circumstances outlined in the appropriate place.

Drill I. Listen carefully to the conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of replies. Repeat these sentences after the speaker:

Drill II. Read the following sentences using the intonation patterns of Tone Group VII. Mark the intonation. Define the communicative type and the attitudinal meaning.

It's no trouble. Why not? All in good time. Did you go there last year? Don't worry. Would you care for another cup of tea? Good luck, my boy. Couldn't we leave that till tomorrow? Well done. Now don't stay too late.

Drill III. Listen to four situational dialogues "At Lunch". Pick out sentences with Tone Group VII. Say what attitude is rendered.

Drill IV.

A. Change the following statements into general questions. Mark the intonation making general questions sound genuinely interested. Read them.

Model: I haven't seen Tom lately. - Have you seen Tom lately?

They will be off to Italy this summer. You could ring him as soon as he returns. I think he was telling the truth. I'll be home in time for dinner. She doesn't want it, We don't want her to come. I am not going to be there at 3. It wasn't a good party last night. She's waiting for my brother. He's just a person I was looking for.

B. Read the verbal context and translate the replies into English. Pronounce the replies making imperatives sound encouraging and interjections sound airy, casual.

Alice is on the phone. - Нехай не кладе трубку

I had the time of my life with you. - Приїздіть і залиштесь в нас на деякий час.

I was so disappointed. - Не бери близько до серця

I'm afraid they've gone out. - He проблема.

They take too long to do it. - Прийди допоможи.

Drill V. Read the following dialogue using Tone Group VII intonation patterns where necessary. Get your reading recorded and hand in the tape.

• I went to see "Henry VIII" at the cinema last night.

• Did you enjoy it?

• Yes, very much indeed. Go and see it.

• Isn't it quite an old film?

• Well, it was made about some twenty years ago, I suppose,

• And was the acting good?

• Oh, very good.

• Do you like Shakespeare?

• Well, some of his plays, not all of them. I like the tragedies.

• Do you like Hamlet?

• I never really understand it, I'm afraid.

• But do you like it?

• Oh, 1 saw a good production of it once.

• Did you really''

• Yes, the fighting was very good. Lots of blood everywhere.

• Did anyone get hurt?

• Oh, no. It was only tomato juice.

• Was it at Stratford?

• Yes, it was actually. Quite good production they have at Stratford.