Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Pronunciation - Functional Stress

There are many English words with the same spelling but pronounced in two different ways. Usually, when the first syllable is stressed, the word is a Noun and when the second syllable is stressed, the word is a Verb.

For example the word 'contract', when it functions as a Noun will take the meaning ‘commitment’, while the same word, con'tract as a Verb, will take the meaning ‘shrink’. Make a note on the change in the word stress also.

a) Now the teacher will read the following words. Listen carefully to the stress in each word. Write against each word whether it is a noun or a verb and mark the stress.

b) The most noticeable difference between American and British English is in the vocabulary usage. There are hundreds of everyday words that are different.

For example, British call the front of a car the Bonnet, while Americans call it the Hood.

c. Some British English words are given in column ‘A’. Write their corresponding American English word is Column ‘B.’

Answer:

pavement : side walk

pull over : sweater

waistcoat : vest

chips : french fries

flat : apartment

ground floor : first floor

under-ground : subway

queue : line

wind screen : wind shield

indicator : turn signal (blinker)

timetable : schedule

post : mail

holiday : vacation

autumn : fall

lift : elevator

happy (nappy) : diaper

fully (full stop) : period (punctuation)

loo : rest room (bathroom)

sweets : candies,candy

bin : trash can

d. Similarly there   is a difference in  the  spelling  of  certain  words between American and British English.  In  Column ‘A’ words  are  spelled  in American. Write  down the  corresponding  British  English spelling for those words in column ‘B’. (The first one is done for you)   

Odor : odour

program : programme

parlor : parlour

apologize : apologise

color : colour

check : cheque

theater : theatre

gray : grey

behavior : behaviour

humor : humour

labor : labour