Q1.
Some of the words from the story ‘Rani Abbakka’ are given in the table below. Work in pairs and pronounce these words by referring to the notes given below. Emphasise the highlighted syllable. Remember, single syllable (monosyllabic) words do not have any stress. (vassal, successor, rash, league, wrath, seize, resolve)
Answer
| Word | Say it as | Point to remember |
|---|---|---|
| 1. vassal (n) | VA-sul (2 syllables) | The /a/ in va is the /a/ of van. It rhymes with apple. Stress the first syllable. |
| 2. successor (n) | suhk-SEH-suh (3 syllables) | Stress falls on the middle syllable, and the final /r/ is not pronounced. |
| 3. rash (adj.) | rash (1 syllable) | The /a/ is that of rat. Monosyllabic — no stress mark. |
| 4. league (n) | leeg (1 syllable) | Long -ee as in seed; the -ue is silent. |
| 5. wrath (n) | roth (1 syllable) | The w is silent — a silent letter, as you learnt on page 216. |
| 6. seize (v) | seez (1 syllable) | Do not confuse it with size: seez, not syze. |
| 7. resolve (n) | ri-ZOLV (2 syllables) | The s is said as /z/. Stress the second syllable. |
How to practise in pairs: one partner says the word, the other holds up one, two or three fingers for the number of syllables and points to the stressed one. Then read the sentence from the story that contains the word — “Stop her! Seize her!!”, “Isn't that a rather rash decision?” — so that the word is practised in speech, not in isolation.
Tip: clap once for each syllable while you say the word, and clap louder on the stressed one. VA-sul. suhk-SEH-suh. ri-ZOLV.