FALLING TONES
When there are no following unstressed syllables
\ No.
When there’s a tail two variants are possible:
\ Certainly.
Sometimes the fall is realized through the contrast between the level of the stressed syllable and that of the tail
\ Fifty.
Fall
High Wide
Mid Wide
Low Wide
Fall
High Narrow
Mid Narrow
Low Narrow
Fall
High Narrow
High Wide
Mid Narrow
Mid Wide
Low Narrow
Low Wide
The general meaning
is associated with
completeness, decisiveness, assertiveness
The Mid Wide Fall
\ Yes. \ Certainly
The most neutral (unmarked) variety
- therefore its usage is not limited to a specific situation, it’s commonly used in the so-called unemotional speech
The High Wide Fall
\ Yes. \ Certainly
- Alongside completeness, finality conveys additional connotation of an emotional kind, such as insistence, protest, personal concern, involvement
The High Narrow Fall
\ Yes. \ Certainly
This tone has the least degree of finality of all the falling tones, sounds light and airy
- used in direct address (the so-called calling tone) and short comments expressing agreement
The Low Narrow Fall
\ Yes. \ Certainly
- completely lacks personal interest, sounds phlegmatic, calm, rather dogmatic, no continuation is signalled, the utterance sounds cool and reserved
Read the following questions as opinions or check questions:
- Cardiff is the capital of Wales, isn’t it? (opinion)
This city is in the west of England, isn’t it? (check question)
2. This book is written by Jack London, isn’t it? (check question)
This music is very beautiful, isn’t it? (opinion)
3. He’s good at playing tennis, isn’t he? (check question)
History is an interesting subject, isn’t it? (opinion)
4. The English weather is changeable, isn’t it? (opinion)
You are coming back net Tuesday, aren’t you? (check question)
- It’s a lovely day today, isn’t it? (opinion)
This woman is David’s wife, isn’t she? (check question)
- Judy is younger than Kate, isn’t she? (check question)
There isn’t much time, is there? (opinion)
- She is staying till Sunday, isn’t she? (check question)
Mary is a very good cook, isn’t she? (opinion)
Complete each sentence with an ending from the box. Decide if they should be pronounced with the falling or rising tone. Listen and check.
is it? isn’t it? is she? isn’t he? are you? aren’t they?
was it? wasn’t he? don’t you? doesn’t it? have you?
Example: You aren’t hungry, are you? (rising)
1. How’s your headache? It isn’t getting worse, …?
2. Those flowers are lovely, …?
3. You haven’t seen my glasses anywhere, …?
4. Torsen’s a great player, …?
5. I’m not sure. He was from Brazil, …?
6. I can’t quite remember. You need 40 points to win, …?
7. Tennis is so boring, …?
8. She isn’t a very good swimmer, …?
9. I’m not sure. It starts at nine, …?
10. It wasn’t a very interesting game, …?
Listen to the story and answer the following questions:
1.When was the robbery?
2. What did the robbers forget to do?
3. When did they run into the shop?
4. What did they pull over their faces?
5. What did they demand money from?
6. Who phoned the police?
7. Where did they pull off their masks?
8. What did they take from the shop?
9. When did the police arrest them?
Listen to the conversation between two friends discussing the weekend. Match the conversation with picture 1 or 2.
Listen ad repeat the following phrases to show that you are interested:
- Really?
- Do they?
- That sounds interesting.
- That sounds great.
- Wow! That’s brilliant.
- I’ve never heard of it.
- Oh no! That’s terrible!
Act the following dialogue out:
Adam: Did you have a good weekend?
Beth: Not bad. What about you?
Adam: I had a really good meal on a Saturday night.
Beth: …
Adam: Yes, we went to a new place in town – Edamame.
Beth: …
Adam: They have a Japnese chef from Tokyo.
Beth: …
Adam: And the menu is fantastic – they make their own sucshi.
Beth: …
Adam: Yes, it’s the best sushi I’ve ever tasted.
Beth: …
Adam: And it wasn’t expensive. We had starters, main course, dessert and wine, and it only cost £ 25 each.
Beth: …
Adam: I know. Unfortunately, when we ot back to the car, we had a parking ticket.
Beth: …