Intonation can indicate completely different meanings for otherwise similar words or phrases.
For example, an English teacher teaches English, but an English teacher is from England;
French class is where you study French, but French class is Gallic style and sophistication; an orange tree grows oranges, but an orange tree is any kind of tree that has been painted orange.
To have your intonation tested, call (800) 457-4255.
Exercise 1-35: Contrast of Compound Nouns CD 2 Track 3
In the following list of words, underline the element that should be stressed. Pause the CD. Afterwards, check Answer Key, beginning on page 193. Repeat after me.
1 The WhiteHouse 21. convenience store 41. a doorknob
2 a white house 22. convenient store 42. a glass door
3 a darkroom 23. to pick up 43. a locked door
4 a dark room 24. a pickup truck 44. ice cream
5 Fifth Avenue25. six years old 45. I scream.
6 Main Street26. a six-year-old 46. elementary
7 a main street 27. six and a half 47. a lemon tree
8 a hot dog 28. a sugar bowl 48. Watergate
9 a hot dog 29. a wooden bowl 49. the back gate
10 a baby blanket 30. a large bowl 50. the final year
11 a baby's blanket 31. a mixing bowl 51. a yearbook
12 a baby bird 32. a top hat 52. United States
13 a blackbird 33. a nice hat 53. New York
14 a black bird 34. a straw hat 54. Long Beach
15 a greenhouse 35. a chairperson 55. Central Park
16 a green house 36. Ph.D. 56. a raw deal
17 a green thumb 37. IBM 57. a deal breaker
18 a parking ticket 38. MIT 58. the bottom line
19 a one-way ticket 39. USA 59. a bottom feeder
20 an unpaid ticket 40. ASAP 60. a new low
