Sound Drills.

1. Practise the linking [r], [w] and [j] at the junction of words. Be sure to make the glides [w] and [j] sound very short.

a)

[r]

for a change for a while for example for instance for ages for a long time

a mother-in-law a father-in-law a sister-in-law a brother-in-law

an hour or two a quarter of an hour a year and a half an hour and a half

As far as I know As far as I remember As far as I can see As a matter of fact

near and dear, fair and square, a burglar alarm, higher education, a newspaper article, a car engine, a matter of habit, an interview for a job, a lecture of history, a seminar in linguistics, to send for a doctor, to ask for a favour, to phone for an ambulance, make sure of that, take care of her, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Mayor of Manchester

[w]

no^wentry, no^waccess, no^wanswer, how^wugly, too^wexpensive, to^walter, two^walternatives, a photo^wof a house, how^wabout, to grow^wold, to know^wall of them, go^wupstairs, now^wand then, how^ware you, who^wis he, here you^ware, you^wought to, sorrow^won you

[j]

my^jown, three^japples, key^jissues, by^jair, by^jall means, body^jand soul, enjoy^jit, hurry^jup, stay^jaway, play^joutside, happy^jEaster, in the^jevening, free^jon Tuesday, to destroy^jenemies, to deny^jeverything, to pay^ja great deal

b)

go	on/up/out/into/along/away/ahead;
stay	in/out/off/away/at home;
how	easy/interesting/elegant/active/often/awful/ugly/artful;
my	ear/arm/elbow/eyes/uncle/aunt/orchard;
they	eat/ate/enter/err/are/honour/order/utter/answer;
for	a day/week/fortnight/month/year/decade/century;
to	Egypt/Italy/Israel/Africa/Exeter/Edinburgh/Oslo/Austria;
very	easy-going/intimate/arrogant/aggressive/elegant/egocentric/earnest/honest/organised;
are	active/affectionate/agreeable/inventive/intelligent/imaginative/emotional/obedient/open-minded/understanding;
can be	ambitious/obstinate/impulsive/impatient/intolerate/impolite/unreliable/irresponsible/uncontrollable/unpredictable/absent-minded

2. Practise linking at word-boundaries in connected speech.

a) set expressions, proverbs and sayings

a) caliph [`ke$l$f] for a day

b) (the) picture of health

c) once and for all

d) not for all the world

e) year in, year out

f) to bear in mind

g) to square accounts

h) to pour out one’s heart

i) to go through fire and water

j) to keep within the letter of the law

k) to look for a needle in a haystack

1. There is no smoke without a fire.

2. There is no rose without a thorn.

3. There is a skeleton in every house.

4. There is no rule without an exception.

5. While there is life, there is hope.

6. Four eyes see more than two.

7. Mind your own business!

8. All the future exists in the past.

9. Better untaught than ill taught.

10. Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.

11. In for a penny, in for a pound.

12. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

13. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

14. Near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin.

a) through inexperience

b) something in the air

c) day in, day out

d) to be all ears

e) to go into details

f) to buy a pig in a poke

g) to be easily moved to tears

h) to be eaten up with jealousy

i) to stew in one’s own juice

j) to see out of the corner of one’s eyes

k) to play upon one’s feelings

1. The die is cast.

2. Virtue is its own reward.

3. A hungry belly has no ears.

4. The first blow is half the battle.

5. Two is company, but three is none.

6. Don’t cry out before you are hurt.

7. Good can never grow out of evil.

8. By doing nothing we learn to do ill.

9. If you want a thing done, do it yourself.

10. Joy and sorrow are as near as today and tomorrow.

11. A fool may ask more questions, than a wise man can answer.

b) sentences

[r]

1. My mother and father are ill.

2. Her injuries were not serious after all.

3. The smaller it is, the cheaper it is to post.

4. Everywhere I went, people were angry or envious.

5. There are a lot of things I need, as a matter of fact.

6. The children are old enough to travel to school on their own.

7. It’s a matter of habit, like the colour of socks you prefer to wear.

8. A young woman phoned for an ambulance while I took care of the driver.

9. I looked around for a shop where I could buy a bar of chocolate.

10. Were it all true, it would still not excuse their actions.

11. In the centre of the wall there is a picture of a house full of furniture and china.

[w, j, (r)]

1. I can’t see any hope in it.

2. I was never allowed to do it.

3. They are in the other room.

4. My uncle’s trip to Africa was so exotic!

5. How often do you go out to eat?

6. You ought to try another approach.

7. Don’t stew in your own juice: you should go out more.

8. He was better after undergoing surgery on Friday.

9. They are a pleasant young couple, as far as I can see it.

10. If it will make you any happier, I’ll buy you a luxury yacht.

c) conversational contexts

1.

– Would you like coffee or tea?

– Neither. I’d rather have something to eat first.

2.

– How long have they been there?

– For over a year, I think.

3.

– I wonder if you can help me. I’m trying to find a Christmas present for my father.

– Might I suggest a pair of gloves?

4.

– What would you like to see on Thursday?

– We’re eager to visit Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.

5.

– I’m a chocoholic as a matter of fact.

– As a matter of fact, I’m a chocoholic too. I eat a bar of chocolate every hour.

6.

– Have you ever been to Europe?

– Yes. I’ve been to Austria twice and last year I went to Italy and Greece.

7.

– Do you dance?

– I used to, when I was younger, but not very often now. I’m getting too old.

8.

– Have you rented a flat yet?

– For the present, I’ll stay at my aunt’s place. I think it’s the best way out.

9.

– What do you think of buying a house in the suburb of St.-Petersburg?

– For my own part, I’d rather have a flat in the centre of the city.

10.

– I’m so sorry I’m late again. You must be annoyed with me.

– Yes, I am. Did you have to wait for a bus for ages again?

11.

– I’m not very keen on linguistics.

– Neither I am, though the lecture on phonetics yesterday was pretty interesting.

12.

– Look, Jenny, you’ve done enough work for your exam.

– Yes, more or less. But I’m afraid I’ll get everything mixed up. I always feel nervous before exams.

13.

– Please have another piece of meat pie. You’ve hardly eaten anything.

– It’s delicious, but I don’t think I ought to. You know I’m on a diet.

14.

– Oh dear, its coming on to pour. We’d better run for it.

– Where to? There is no shelter in sight. And the pub we came past is too much far away.

15.

– Hello, Jack. Where are you going?

– Hello, Erick. My sister and I are having dinner at a Chinese restaurant and then we are off to the theatre.

16.

– What do you usually do in the evenings?

– We generally stay at home. Once or twice a week we go to the theatre or to the pictures. Occasionally we go to a dance.

17.

– Remember, if you are ever in Paris, give me a call. I’d be so pleased to see you again.

– Oh, I will. You can be sure of that. And you must do the same if you are ever in Rome. Good-bye and thanks for everything.

18.

– Where are you thinking of going for a picnic?

– Well, there is a lovely spot by the river on the road to Exeter. There are some tall elm trees by the river and that’s where we’ll be. It’s very easy to find the place.

19.

– Where are you going for your holiday this year, Jane? Have you made up your mind?

– Not really. I haven’t got much to spare for expensive holidays abroad. Perhaps I’ll go to Scotland or Ireland. I haven’t been to either of them.

d) rhymes, dialogues, texts

1.

For every evil under the sun

There is a remedy or there is none.

If there is one try and find it.

If there is none never mind it.

2.

This is the key of the kingdom

In that kingdom there is a city;

In that city there is a town;

In that town there is a street;

In that street there is a yard;

In that yard there is a house;

In that house there is a room;

In that room there is a table;

On that table there is a basket;

In that basket there are some flowers;

Flowers in the basket, basket on the table,

Table in the room, room in the house,

House in the yard, yard in the street,

Street in the town, town in the city,

City in the kingdom.

3.

M	Peter! Are you going anywhere over Easter this year?
P	Well, yes, as a matter of fact we are. We’re off on a tour of Italy for a week or two.
M	Mmm. That sounds really wonderful. Where exactly will you be going?
P	Oh here and there. Rome’s more or less definite, but apart from that we’re open to suggestion.
M	Are you travelling by coach?
P	No, by car, actually.
M	Dear old Italy! When you’re in Rome you must remember to throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi fountain.
P	Really? What for?
M	Well, if you do that, it means that, sooner or later, you’re sure to return.

4.

Alan:	Do you know it’s Phil’s birthday on Thursday?
Sue:	I’d forgotten all about it.
Alan:	I suppose we should buy him a present.
Sue:	And we really ought to have a party for him.
Alan:	Well, what can we get him?
Sue:	It depends how much we want to pay.
Alan:	If we pay about 10 pounds we could get him something really nice.
Sue:	What about a new umbrella? He’s got that old blue one, but it’s all broken. He should throw it away.
Alan:	That’s a great idea. And it won’t be too expensive. And what about a party?
Sue:	Well, we could invite a few friends around here. How about Thursday evening?
Alan:	We could, but I know he’s got an interview on Friday, and he might want to get ready for that.
Sue:	Well, let’s wait till the weekend. Anyway, more people will be free on Saturday.
Alan:	O.K. I’ll buy the present, and you arrange the party.
Sue:	Fine!

5. Character and Personality.

Aies

March 21 – April 20

Those born under this sign are very active people. They are impulsive and they can be overpowering.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Taurans are ambitious, reliable and practical people. But they can be obstinate and demanding.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

The twins are versatile and lively. They are also arrogant, boastful and egocentric.

Cancer

June 21 – July 21

Those born in Cancer are loyal to their friends and very sensitive. They can also be obstinate and moody, however.

Leo

July 22 – August 21

Leos have generous and confident personalities though they can be egoistical and sometimes arrogant and insincere.

Virgo

August 22 – September 21

People born under Virgo are obedient, thorough and careful. They are reasonable but can be very critical.

Libra

September 22 – October 22

Libras are elegant and tactful in their manner but often hesitant in dealing with people.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Scorpios are intense in their relationships, determined to get their own way and very jealous.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 20

Sagittarians are independent and very friendly. They can also be outspoken in their opinions.

Capricorn

December 21 – January 19

Those born under the sign of the goat are ambitious but reserved. They are thorough in their approach to their work.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Aquarians are intelligent and inventive. But they can be impatient, irresponsible, uncontrollable.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Those born under this sign are understanding, sensitive, imaginative. But they can be unstable and unpredictable in their behaviour.

6. Weather and Climate.