Assimilation

Task 1. Loss of plosion

1. Practise the following words, word combinations and phrases.

about twelve a big garden victory a light dress

eight text-books a bad dinner  quite common a white dog

black coffee a big breakfast what colour a thick dictionary

a black coat a cold day up-to-date eight girls

a cheap pen a hundred times quite clean sit down

a big town the second daughter What colour is that dress?

a round table thousand pounds It doesn’t take me long.

a big cottage for the third time What kind of tape do you want?

sudden good news clothes at last It’ll be fine

pardon top marks glimpse at least It’ll be late

darkness last night handle goob-looking It’ll benice

blackmail an old man jungle good luck She doesn’t need it

statement not new model hard life I don’t know

ointment right now bottle a big lawn It isn’t new

a fortnight not now bicycle a bright light It isn’t Nell

b) Read the following conversational contexts:

1. She didn’t reply.

 Write to her again, then.

2.  I won’t be able to phone you.

 Drop me a line, then.

3.  I had to wait for three hours.

 Bad luck! What a shame!

4.  It was most kind of you.

 Don’t mention it. I was glad I was able to help.

5.  It’s all very puzzling.

 I couldn’t agree more.

5.  She won’t be back till ten.

 I’ll ring her up later, then.

7.  You look smart in this coat.

 Does it suit me?

8.  How much were you paying for the room?

 Eight pounds a week.

9.  Do you feel like going to the cinema?

 I’d like that very much. Thank you.

10.  Couldn’t you take the day off?

 Well, it might be possible.

11.  I’m dreadfully sorry, but I’ve broken a plate.

 Oh, that doesn’t matter.

12.  There’s a variety show at eight o’clock.

 We mustn’t miss that.

13.  What’s your opinion of his work?

 It’s not bad.

14.  May I see your passport, please?

 Oh, I haven’t got it with me.

15.  Let’s have dinner out tonight.

 That’s a good idea.Why not go for a walk first? It’s only six o’clock.

16.  I’ve just called in to say good-bye.

 What time are you leaving?

17.  What dress do you think I’d better put on?

 Oh! I don’t know.

18.  Seen my hat anywhere? I’ve lost it.

 What colour is it?

Task 2. Different degrees of aspiration

1. Practise the following words:

tight  appetite  style test  protest  step

tale  detail  stale pot  teapot  spot

case  staircase  skate tip  city  stick

coat  tobacco  scold cup  teacup  scull

piece  mantelpiece  speak tact  contact  stamp

tutor  Institute  student kin  ticket  skin

peaceful  masterpiece  speed tent  architect  stench

tulip  static  stupid timid  phonetic  stingy

2. Read the following conversational contexts:

1.  Hallo, Kitty here. Can I speak to Peter, please?

 Sorry, but he’s out.

2.  Hallo, Patrick Cowel speaking. Could I talk to Stella, please?

 I’m afraid she’s not here. Can you call later?

3.  They haven’t time to finish the job.

 That’s no reason for not starting it.

4.  You will stay a bit longer, won’t you?

I’m sorry I can’t.

5.  What do you think of the place?

 Oh, it’s a delightful spot.

6.  By the way, where do you live?

 Near King’s Cross station.

7.  I do wish I could go.

 I’m not stopping you.

8.  Whatever was he thinking of?

 I can’t imagine.

9.  I want to see the football match after the news.

 Don’t you want to see part two after the serial?

Task 3. Alveolar consonants before interdental

1. Practise the following words, word combinations and phrases:

the seventh in that all the time quite thin

the ninth in this all the students can’t think

the tenth on that as though last Thursday

the thirteenth and this is the other isn’t through

the hundredth and the others has this isn’t thin

Cross the river this theater Tell the truth He’s thirsty

Pass the salt is there Write the word He’s thirty

Press the button six-thirty Meet the train Find thick notebooks

What’s the matter? six thousand It’s thundering It was thundering

What’s the time? is that What’s thick? It was Thursday

2. Read the following conversational contexts:

1. – Can I book two seats for tomorrow nights?

– Would you like something in the second row?

2. – What’s the postage on these letters to Spain?

– I’ll have to check.

3. – I’ve just been promoted.

– That’s the best news I’ve heard for a long time.

4. – Is there anything worth watching on the other channel?

– I think it’s a documentary.

5. – Excuse me, can you tell me where South Street is, please?

– Take the second turn on the left and then ask again.

6. – Excuse me, but I’m trying to find the town hall.

– Take the third turn on the right and go straight on.

7. – Do you think the manager could see me tomorrow before nine-thirty?

– He won’t be till ten thirty.

8. – Why don’t they work in the evenings?

– Some of them do, I believe.

9. – What’s the time, please?

– I suppose it’s about twelve.

Task 4. Consonants before [r]

1. Practise the following words and word combinations:

drop truth through practice

draft travel throw present

drove a trolley-bus thrice surprise

Andrew a portrait threshold a tape-recorder

a bedroom a great risk a bathroom a sharp razor

a good reason a white rose both rings a deep river

bad results Pete wrote both roads deep roots

cross a thick rope French frighten

cruel a dark room France frosty

prescribe a pink rose fruit a brief report

2. Read the following conversational contexts:

1.- Is it still possible to get tickets for tonight?

- No, I’m afraid you’ve left it rather late.

2.- How could he let you know?

- He could have written.

3.- It was all your fault.

- But it wasn’t. And I can prove it.

4. I’m sorry to trouble you, but could I borrow your spade?

- It’s no trouble. I’m not using it at the moment.

5.- Could you make up this prescription for me, please?

- I’ll do it for you straight away.

6.- You’re quite a stranger. Where have you been travelling?

- I’ve had a few weeks with my friend in Brussels.

7.- What do you think of life in France?

- I still feel pretty homesick. Everything seems so strange.

8.- What are your first impressions of Greece?

- It’s quite different from what I expected.

9.- Are you sure this drive is not too much trouble?

- No, it won’t take a minute to drop you off.

Task 5. Consonants before the bilabial sonorant [w]

1. Practise the following words and word combinations:

quarrel swan twice dwell

quarter swallow twinkle Dwen

quality swarthy twilight dwarf

awkward persuade footwear hardware

equal thiswoman it will a language

quick-tempered it’s white it won’t dwelling house

2. Read the following conversational contexts:

1.- Was there any difference between them?

- Very slight, as far as I could see.

2.- Quick. The kettle’s boiling over.

- I’m just coming.

3.- Nice and bright this morning.

- Yes, quite different from the forecast.

4.- It’s good to see the sun again.

- A big improvement on what we’ve been having.

5.- Hasn’t he been there often?

- Once or twice at the most.

6.- We are quite sold out, l’m afraid.

- Then I must try somewhere else, I suppose.

7.- They are twins, aren’t they?

- Yes, but they’re not a bit alike.

8.- Could you tell me where they live?

- Number twenty-four.

9.- I saw Grace at the Taylors’ party.

- Oh! And who else was there?