TEST 1.

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 989.

1. Task 1. Divide the following passage into word groups:

I have needed for some new bookshelves for a long time. So during my holiday I decided to tackle the job myself. Not that I am very clever with my hands but it didn't seem too difficult and as I had already said that we could not afford to go away I thought it would be prudent not to spend money having it done professionally. I bought the wood at the local handicraft shop and I had plenty of screws, but I found that my old saw, which had been left behind by the previous owner of the house, was not good enough and I decided to buy a new one. That was my first mistake, my second was to go to the biggest ironmonger in London and ask for a saw. You would think it was simple, wouldn't you, to buy a saw. But it is not. I said to the man behind the counter, “I want a saw”. He was a nice man and did his best for me. “Yes, sir, what kind of saw?” ”Oh, a saw for cutting wood” “Yes, sir, but we have fifteen different kinds for different jobs. What did you want it for?” I explained about my bookshelves and felt like an ignorant fool in a world of experts, which was true. He saw that I was a novice and was very kind. He told me what I should need and advised me to have a ladies' size. “Easier to manage for their beginner, sir”. He was not being nasty just helpful and I was grateful to him. He also sold me a book on woodwork for schoolboys and I've been reading it with great interest. The next time I am on holiday I shall start on the shelves.

2. Task 2. Each of the following examples contains one or more of the words which often have weak forms. Transcribe the examples phonetically, showing the stressed syllables and the weak (or strong!) forms of those words:

They came to the door. There were two of them.

What are you surprised at? She is as old as the hills.

She has an uncle and a cousin. I shall be angry.

Who will meet him at the airport? I will.

What is her phone number? What does that matter?

I would like some tea. Well, make some.

What has John come for? For his saw that you borrowed.

What can I do? More that I can

He was pleased, wasn't he? Of course, he was.

When I an going to get it? I am not sure.

I have taken it from the shelf. Yes, I thought you had.

They had already read it. But so had I.

3. Task 3. Mark the words in the passage in Task 1 which should have a weak form.

4. Task 4. Use the following lengthening word groups for practicing fluency:

I don't know how long I need to wait for John to come home.

It was near the end of the week before I arrived back from Scotland.

Who was that awful woman you talked to all evening at the party?

I can't understand how you did it so quickly and efficiently,

Mr. Southwood.

When did you hear that story about John and the girl next door?

Come and have dinner with us on Thursday the twenty-third of

this month.

5. Task 5. Use the following for practice in smoothness with initial vowels:

I was better off on my own.

Don't argue with anyone as old as I am.

How awful it is to be ill when everyone else is all right.

The hungrier I am, the more I eat.

Is there any flaw in my argument, Oscar?

Have you ever asked Ann about Arthur and Amy?

I owe everything I am to my uncle and aunt.

Come over to our house for an evening.

I haven't set eyes on Alec for ages and ages.

I ended up owing eighty-eight ponds.

You always ought to earn an honest living.

6. Task 6. Arrange each word group in the passage in Task 1 into one or more rhythm units showing the stressed syllable and the unstressed syllables attached to it.

7. Task 7. Which words in the passage might show alterations or

disappearances in sounds?

8. Task 8. Transcribe the whole passage phonetically showing word groups, stressed syllables, rhythm groups and weak forms of words; then compare it with the version on p.135 and notice any differences. Practise each word group aloud, concentrating on smoothness and rhythm.