Ch. 3 | Exercise 4

Chapter 3
English Phonology, Phonotactics, and Suprasegmentals

Exercise 3.4
Intonation

1.

For each of the following sentences, identify

a.

the number of tone group(s)

b.

the tonic syllable(s) in each tone group

c.

the intonation patterns of each tone group

1.

We went to a movie last night.

(topic of conversation: last night's activities)

2.

We went to a movie last night.

(topic: going to movies)

3.

Should we see a movie tonight?

(topic of conversation: doing something tonight)

4.

Should we see the movie tonight?

(topic of conversation: when we are seeing a movie)

5.

Should we see the movie tonight, or tomorrow?

(two yes/no questions; see 3d, p. 72 in text)

6.

Should we see the movie tonight, or tomorrow?

(alternative question; see 7a, p. 73 in text)

7.

We could see a movie tonight or go out for ice cream.

8.

We could visit a museum this afternoon or go to the zoo tomorrow.

9.

We could go to a movie, couldn't we?

10.

When should we go to a movie?

11.

When should we go to a movie?

(topic of conversation: our going to a movie)

12.

You liked that movie, didn't you?

(tag expressing real question; see 6a in text, p. 73)

13.

You liked that movie, didn't you?

(tag eliciting confirmation; see 6b in text, p. 73)

1.
a.

one tone group

b.

stressed syllable in movie

c.

long falling

2.
a.

one tone group

b.

stressed syllable in night

c.

long falling

3.
a.

one tone group

b.

stressed syllable in movie

c.

long rising

4.
a.

one tone group

b.

stressed syllable in tonight

(Note that the definite article with movie tells you that this is given information.)

c.

long rising

5.
a.

two tone groups: should we see the movie tonight

or tomorrow

b.

stressed syllable in tonightstressed syllable in tomorrow

c.

long rising short rising

6.
a.

two tone groups: should we see the movie tonight or tomorrow

b.

stressed syllable in tonight stressed syllable in tomorrow

c.

long rising short falling

7.
a.

two tone groups: we could see a movie tonight

or go out for ice cream

b.

stressed syllable in movie stressed syllable in ice cream

c.

short rising long falling

8.
a.

two tone groups: we could visit a museum this afternoon or go to the zoo tomorrow

b.

stressed syllable in museum stressed syllable in zoo

c.

short rising long falling

9.
a.

two tone groups: we could go to a movie couldn't we

b.

stressed syllable in movie stressed syllable in couldn't

c.

short falling short rising

10.
a.

one tone group

b.

stressed syllable in when

c.

long falling

11.
a.

one tone group

b.

stressed syllable in movie

c.

long falling

12.
a.

two tone groups: you liked that movie

didn't you

b.

stressed syllable in movie stressed syllable in didn't

c.

long falling short rising

13.
a.

two tone groups: you liked that movie

didn't you

b.

stressed syllable in movie stressed syllable in didn't

c.

long falling