Chapter One
第一章

Consonant Cluster
辅音群

A consonant cluster is a group of two, three or even four consonants pronounced together. Consonant cluster can be very difficult for many speakers. There are no vowel sounds to separate the consonants in the cluster. When pronouncing cluster sounds, be careful not to insert a vowel between cluster sounds. Otherwise, you would create a completely different word than intended. Now, let's look at a few of the most difficult consonant clusters.
辅音群是由两或三个，甚至四个辅音组成的一起发音的辅音组合。辅音群的发音对不少人来说不是一件容易的事。在辅音群中，辅音与辅音之间没有元音分隔，发音时，注意不要在辅音之间加入元音，否则，念出来的就会是一个意思不一样的单词了。现在，我们一起来看看几个最难的辅音群。

QU

The k-w sound is usually spelled q-u. Review the consonant sound w to help you with this cluster. Begin by rounding your mouth and curling your lips out. Your mouth should look a little like the opening of a trumpet. Now arch the back of your tongue up to the roof of your mouth. Close off the air. Then push your tongue off and down by forcing air over it.
k-w音的拼写通常是q-u。复习一下w的发音可以帮助你掌握这个辅音群的发音。开始时，双唇呈圆形，就像是小号一样。再抬起舌的后部并顶住软腭，截住气流，然后让气流把舌头往下压，并从舌床上经过。

qualms, quiet, quit, quest, quilt, quiz, quail, queen, quirk, quad, quick, quite, quake, quality, quarrel, quarry, quart

Alice was queen for a day.
It's not quite quiet enough yet.
Don't quake in your boots.
Go in there and quit!
Let's have a quick lunch on the quad.


SPL

For s-p-l, begin with the l: [lit]. Now build backwards and add p: [plit]. Then hold the s: [split]. Be sure to place the vowel sound after the cluster: [], not [], or []. []. Now try these words.

先从字母l开始：[lit]。然后，我们倒着来，加字母p：[plit]。再作好发字母s的口形准备：[split]。注意要把元音置于辅音群后面，应该是[], 不是[], 也不是 []，而是[].

[] [] [] split
[] [] [] splash
[] [] [] splay
[] [] [] splinter

splendid, splint, spleen, splice, splurge, splat, splotch

It was a splendid day to splash in the pool.
Let's splurge on a good movie.
My son wore a splint to school.
There's a splotch of ink on your dress.
Splat went the boy with his feet all splayed out.
I'll split the bill with you.
Let's splurge on a double ice cream cone.
Can you help me take out this splinter?


SPR

For s-p-r, begin with the r: [red]. Now add p: []. Then hold the s: [].
先从字母r开始：[red]，然后加字母p：[]。再作好发字母s的口形准备：[]。
[] [] [] spread
[] [] [] spree
[] [] [] spring

spray, sprint, sprocket, spruce, sprite, sprig, spry, sprain, sprinkle

Spring has sprung today.
Spread the toast with fresh butter.
Don't sprint across my yard.
What a spry old man!
Spray off after your sprint.
Spruce up for a night on the town.
How did you sprain your ankle?
The bike chain needs some new sprockets.
We're ready for that shopping spree.
Try putting a few sprigs of fern in the bouquet.


SL

For s-l, begin with the slow [s] sound, then bring your tongue up to the bump behind your upper teeth. This sounds like []. Remember, say [] not [].
我们先以缓慢的[s]音开始，然后，再将舌往上提升到上齿龈位置，发[]音。记住，正确的音是[]，而不是[]。

slid, sling, slip, slum, slime, slew, sleeve, slot, slow, slick, slack, sleep, slade, slide, slate

How can you sleep in such a sloppy room?
Be careful not to slip and slide.
I like the one with the slits in the sleeves.
Slow down for the oil slick.
It's fun to play slip and slide.
Jack slew the giant.
Don't slack off now.
Put the money in the slot.
This slum is really slimy.
Try for a clean slate.


SQU

Start with the w: []. Now build backwards and add the k sound: []. And finally hold the s: []. Repeat these words.
从w开始：[]。再倒着来，加k音：[]。最后，再作好发字母s的口形准备：[]。跟我读。
[] [] [] squish
[] [] [] squash
[] [] [] squirt

squirm, squirrel, squander, squalor

How can you live in such squalor?
Billy squirted Bob with a squirt gun.
Squirrels never squander acorns.
Stop your squirming!
When Sam squashed the bug it squished beneath his shoe.


THR

T-h-r is the most difficult beginning consonant cluster for almost everyone. For t-h, rest the tip of your tongue between your teeth and push the air over your tongue and between your teeth: []. For r, pull your tongue back and keep it flat between your teeth: [r]. The t-h in this cluster never has sound, only air, so don't press your upper teeth onto your tongue. They should rest on top, very gently, barely touching the tongue. There should be a narrow passage between your tongue and teeth. Now, slowly pull your tongue back into a gentle r position.
几乎所有人都认为辅音群组t-h-r的发音是最难的。发t-h音时，把舌尖放在上下齿之间，口腔内气流从舌床经过，冲出齿间，发出[]。发r音时，把舌头收回并在口腔内放平，发出[r]。这个辅音群里的t-h是不发声的，只有气流的呼出，因此，不要用上齿压住舌。上齿应轻轻地放于舌上，只是轻触到舌床，在舌头和牙齿之间应有一个很小的气流通道。好了，慢慢地把舌从齿间收回到发r音的位置。

Let's try this sound by beginning with r: []. Then add t-h: [].
让我们来试试，从r 开始：[]，然后加t-h音：[]。

[] [] thrust
[] [] thrall
[] [] three

thrill, throat, throw, threat, thrifty, thrash, through, throb, thrive, throttle, thread, thrice

He threw three strikeouts in the game.
My heart was throbbing after that thrilling ride at the fair.
This throttle seems to be stuck.
The sword thrust clean through.
What permits bacteria to thrive in the throat?
The people are enthralled with the throne.


FL

For f-l gently rest your teeth on the inside of your lower lip. Don't put too much pressure on the f sound. As you blow, permit a pillow of air to gently flow between your teeth and lower lip. Now bring your tongue tip up to rest behind your teeth to form the l.
发f-l音时，把上齿轻轻地放在下唇内侧，在发f音时，不要太用力。在发音时，让气流从上齿和下唇之间通过，然后，把舌尖提起，放在上齿后面，发l 音。

Let's start with the l first: []. Now add f: []. Now try it.
我们先从字母l开始：[]，再加字母f：[]。现在试试看。


[] [] flew
[] [] fling
[] [] flog

flask, floor, flat, flag, flock, fling, flack, flan, flair, flash, flap, flinch, flub, flail

The flag flew proudly on the Fourth.
Fling away your fears and go.
Flapping and flailing around won't get you anywhere.
The prisoner didn't flinch at this flogging.
Fred found a flask on the floor.


-RCH

birch arch march perch parch church search lurch

The marchers were parched.
What kind of bird is perched on that birch tree?
So many churches have beautiful arches.


-RP

harp, sharp, carp, Earp, burp, AARP, warp

Can you play the harp?
Make a sharp left over there.
Please excuse yourself when you burp.
How old must you be to joint AARP?


-NTH and -LFTH

month, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth

My daughter's in the twelfth grade.
We live on the fourteenth floor.
This is my ninth cookie.
I have lived here for nine months.
The sixteenth birthday is one of the best.
You are the tenth person to call.