27
2
Now complete the blanks in these statements about intonation in English.
4
Listen to this mixture of sentences. Say whether their intonation goes up or down and why. Then
repeat them with the correct intonation.
5
In English, intonation is used to show emotions and
feelings but it can also be used to show if something is
a statement, command or
1) q
........................, what
kind of question is being used: a
wh-
question or a
2) yes/n
.................... question, and also whether the
speaker of a tag question is
3) s
......................... or
unsure about the answer. We use a
4) f
.........................
tone for statements, exclamations, commands,
wh-
questions and confident
5) t
........................ questions,
and a rising
6) t
........................ for yes/ no questions
and tag questions where the speaker isn’t confident
about the
7) a
........................ .
a) Look at this extract from the tapescript for the conversation about visiting accommodation from the
Skills Focus
section. In pairs, decide who will be the student, Christos, and who will be the
accommodation agent. Read through your lines marking the sense divisions with
R
(rising) or
F
(falling)
intonation. Then say the dialogue to one another.
6
TAPESCRIPT
Student:
Hello / , yes, I spoke to you the other day when I came in about finding some student
accommodation / ... name’s Christos. /
Agent:
Oh yes / , I remember. / Right/, how can I help you? /
Student:
Well, / I was wondering about going to see some of the places. / There is one I’m really interested
in. /
Agent:
Right, / which is that? /
Student:
Well, / the one in Deloitte Avenue / – that’s the only one with a garden, isn’t it? /
Agent:
Yes, that’s right. / It’s got a great big garden, / but it’s unfurnished, / remember. /
Student:
Oh, I’m not worried about that./But whereabouts is it? /
Agent:
How well do you know the city? /
Student:
Quite well, / I’ve been here on holiday before. /
Agent:
OK, then. / Do you know Harbour Rd in Darlington? /
b)
Listen to some sentences. What emotions/attitudes do they express? Write the letters
A-H
against
the numbers. You will need to use some letters more than once.
A
disappointed
C
factual
E
pleased
G
wanting to know more
B
surprised
D
bossy
F
concerned
H
unsure
1
...............
2
...............
3
...............
4
...............
5
...............
6
...............
7
...............
8
...............
9
...............
10
...............
1...,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34 36,37,38,39,40