Linguistic commentary on unit 1.

Combinations -ei-/-ie- can be pronounced in different ways:

-ei- – [ei] 1) most frequent as in veil

2) in some borrowings as in nucleic, deity, feign, feint

3) in letter combinations -eign-, -eigh- as in feign, reign, eight

[i:] less frequent as in receive, perceive

[ai] height, freight, either, neither (BrE)

[e] as in heifer (a young cow that has not had a calf)

[eə] as in their, heir

[iə] as in weird, weirdo, weir

-ie- – [i:] most frequent as in piece, believe, achieve, grievous, fiend

[ai] most often at the ends of words as in die, tie, lie

[iə] as in fierce, bier, pierce

[e] as in friend, frieze

[i] as in sieve, handkerchief

You can see that some variants of pronunciation of these combinations coincide. Words containing sounds [ai], [e], [iə] are regarded mostly as exceptions which are to be memorized. On the other hand, words pronounced with [i:] are subdued to the rule which claims that combination -ie- is used in all the cases except after ‘c’. For example, believe, piece, but receive, perceive, etc. However, there are some exceptions out of the rule: protein, seize, caffeine, counterfeit.

NB! At the end of words and in the endings we usually have -ie-. For example, fancied (from fancy), cities (from city), busiest (from busy), pinkie, cookie, etc.

Unit 2. Adjective endings -able/-ible. Prefixes of negation in-/im-/ir-/il-/un-/dis-/mis-.

Exercise 1. There are some adjectives with the ending -ible. Make sure you know the meaning and the pronunciation of these words and memorize their spelling.

Exhaustible, negligible, indigestible, discernible, divisible, legible, dismissible, reprehensible, contemptible, imperceptible, susceptible, forcible, edible, plausible, eligible, incomprehensible, irresistible, ostensible, tangible, indestructible, flexible, incorrigible, admissible, corruptible, reversible, permissible, extendible, accessible, indelible, feasible, fallible, deductible.

Exercise 2. Fill in the gaps with -able/-ible.

Last night, I was driving with the roof of my convert…. car down, when a strange light became vis…. in the sky. It landed in a nearby field, and I set off to investigate. As I drew nearer to the light, a spaceship became recogniz…. . It wasn’t advis…. to hang around, but I was unmov…. at the terr…. sight. Suddenly, a kind of collaps…. ladder appeared – whatever horr…. things were lurking inside, they wanted to be soci…. . I didn’t wait to find out if they were peace…. but ran for my life. It’s understand…. if you find my incred…. story unbeliev…. as I have no reli…. proof. But I am sens…., respons…. and not at all gull…. . I never thought life in outer space was poss…. but this unforgett…. experience has made me change my mind.

Exercise 3. Complete the words in the sentences below with endings -able/-ible. Make any spelling changes that are required.

1. I think higher taxes are prefer…. to higher unemployment.

2. The company has been profit…. since it started.

3. She is a friendly and person…. young woman.

4. The UN report says the conditions in Sudan are terr…. .

5. Of course, the water is drink…. .

6. I don’t think the work is manag….. for one person alone.

7. Is your room comfort…. ?

8. His story was full of lies and completely unbeliev…. .

9. It is now poss…. to fly to the USA in under five hours.

10. This video is only us…. in America and Japan.

11. His cooking was so bad that the food was indigest…. .

12. Is it accept…. to wear jeans to the interview?

Exercise 4. Complete the adjectives in each set by using the correct letter. In addition, form the opposite by using the correct prefix. The prefix will be one of the following: il-, im-, in-, ir-, un-. Finally, match the adjective formed with a suitable noun. Use each word once only. Write your answer in the space provided.

Set 1

attain..ble	………………..	difficulties
compat..ble	………………..	goal
leg..ble	………………..	handwriting
palat..ble	………………..	lifestyles
reli..ble	………………..	source
surmount..ble	………………..	suggestion

Set 2

access..ble	………………..	decision
admiss..ble	………………..	evidence
bear..ble	………………..	heat
envi..ble	………………..	reputation
print..ble	………………..	place
revers..ble	………………..	story

Set 3

cur..ble	………………..	action
defens..ble	………………..	component
hospit..ble	………………..	disease
plaus..ble	………………..	environment
profit..ble	………………..	explanation
replace..ble	………………..	meeting

Exercise 5. Form words with the opposite meaning from the words given in bold with the help of prefixes un-, il-, mis-, in-, ir-, dis-, im-.

1. “How dare you obey me!” the king shouted.

2. Cruelty to animals is completely necessary.

3. Her writing was so bad it was legible.

4. The 16^th century vase I had smashed was replaceable.

5. Cats have very dependent natures.

6. It is very probable that we will have snow in August.

7. Drugs are legal in most countries.

8. Due to our calculations, the carpet was the wrong size.

9. I could see by the scowl on her face that she approved.

10. At present, it is possible for men to have babies.

11. “Hurry up! We haven’t got all day,” she yelled patiently.

12. To waste paper is to be environmentally responsible.

13. We had the fortune to miss each other at the airport.

14. Although he regretted it, his decision was reversible.

15. In both looks and personality, the twins were similar.

16. The manageable children ran riot in the classroom.

17. I used to be decisive, but now I’m quite confident.

18. It is polite to open your mouth while chewing your food.

Exercise 6. Form as many new words as you can from the words below using prefixes un-, il-, mis-, in-, ir-, dis-, im-.

Experienced, human, worked, sold, conscious, valued, normal, valuable, mature, rational, loaded, liked, legible, cook, developed, look, use, charge, fund, dress, line, expensive, perfect, replaceable, affordable, logical, honest, judge, solve, satisfy, spell, statement, serve, spend, section, memorial, literate, mortal, respective, resolute, legal, regular, recognizable, reducible, liberal, moderate, mobile, radiant, movable, material, responsible, relevant.

Exercise 7. Some of the words in the sentences have double letters. Choose the correct spelling.

1. Great in(n)equalities in wealth cause social unrest.

2. Man sometimes behaves like an ir(r)ational animal.

3. The room was poorly il(l)uminated by one candle.

4. A statement must display i(n)nitiative.

5. At last there appeared that tourist with his in(n)evitable camera.

6. Il(l)ustration is often more useful than definition for giving the meanings of words.

7. I(m)mitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

8. He that is in(n)ocent may well be confident.

9. Such harmony is in i(m)mortal souls.

10. We were forced to the in(n)escapable conclusion that he was an embezzler.

11. She was tired of that i(n)nanimate conversation.

12. His breast heaved with i(m)mense sighs.

13. I(m)moderate sorrow causes great mischief.

14. It i(r)ritated me to learn that she had been promoted.