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Crack the Pronunciation Codes - part 1

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In this lesson, you’ll uncover key pronunciation patterns, including tricky endings, silent letters, and stress changes. Let’s dive in and crack the codes of English pronunciation together!
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Welcome, Detectives! πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™‚οΈπŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈ
You’ve been recruited by none other than Sherlock Holmes to crack the case of secret pronunciation codes! Ready to investigate? Let’s begin!

Introduction - part 1

Read the sentences aloud and watch the clips to see if you’ve pronounced words in bold correctly and then complete the rules.
1a) "I just want you to be comfortable" "I'm comfy, so comfy I'm nodding off actually”
1b) "I believe you're next, miss." "We are very sorry for wasting your valuable time, ladies, but the position has already been filled. Thank you for coming."
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-able ending is pronounced: /ΙͺdΚ’/ /tΚƒΙ™/ /bΙ™l/ /ΚƒΙ™n/
2a) "The Dementors are amongst the foulest creatures to walk this earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory."
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2b) "It says... "Gone out. Busy. Backson. Signed, Christopher Robin." Our dear friend Christopher Robin has been captured!" "What?" "By a creature called "the Backson." "Captured by the Backson!”
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-ture ending is pronounced: /ΙͺdΚ’/ /tΚƒΙ™/ /bΙ™l/ /ΚƒΙ™n/
3a) "Oh, he's not the guy. He definitely knew his sister lived here. He was at a barbecue here two weeks ago." "But the package was mailed to the old address.”
3b) "Dating sucks. It's just not for me. I was always jealous of girls who were like always going on dates and it's such a time-suck. Like, we all end up single anyway." "Have you heard of marriage?" "Yes, I know marriage, but in my experience it doesn't end well.”
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-age ending is pronounced: /ΙͺdΚ’/ /tΚƒΙ™/ /bΙ™l/ /ΚƒΙ™n/
4a) "He was passing through New York on his way to Brazil to supervise the construction of a new hotel.”
4b) β€œLook, it's okay. We all have fears. I'm so claustrophobic, I can't even go into the downstairs supply closet." "Great, so you guys get it. Conversation over, bye."
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-tion ending is pronounced: /ΙͺdΚ’/ /tΚƒΙ™/ /bΙ™l/ /ΚƒΙ™n/

Theory - part 1

Read the words below aloud, following the pronunciation rules for each suffix.
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Exercise 1

Read the sentences below.
  1. The adorable and comfortable couch was both reliable and available at a reasonable price, making it an enjoyable addition to our home. πŸ›‹οΈβœ¨πŸ˜ŠπŸ’°πŸ‘πŸ 
  1. During our venture into nature, we spotted a strange creature by the river and admired the texture of the rocks. πŸŒ²πŸšΆβ€β™‚οΈπŸ¦‹πŸŒŠπŸͺ¨
  1. The location of the event was changed to a nearby station due to the construction work, but everyone agreed it was the best option. πŸ“πŸš‰πŸš§πŸ‘πŸŽ‰
  1. They tried to manage the kitchen chaos as they prepared a meal with cabbage, enjoying a cold beverage while discussing how to make the most of the advantage of cooking at home. πŸ₯¬πŸ³πŸ₯€πŸ‘¨β€πŸ³πŸ πŸ˜Š
  1. She turned the page of her book, trying to ignore her rage over the low wage she was offered, while her bird chirped happily in its cage nearby. πŸ“–πŸ˜€πŸ’ΈπŸ¦πŸ•ŠοΈπŸ“š
  1. An adorable texture on the beverage container made the average option feel special. πŸ₯°πŸŒΏπŸ₯€βœ¨
  1. The ambitious gesture of the nature enthusiast inspired caution during the construction of the location. πŸ’ͺπŸŒ³βš οΈπŸš§πŸ“
  1. The memorable advantage of visiting the culture station was learning about lotion and potion production. πŸ“πŸŒŸπŸŒŽπŸš‰πŸ§΄πŸ§ͺ
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Exercise 2

Answer the following questions:
  1. Do you think a high wage makes a job more enjoyable, or is job satisfaction more important? Would you feel trapped in a job like in a cage if it paid well but wasn’t fulfilling? πŸ’°πŸ”’πŸ€”
  1. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve had recently? Did the texture of the food or the beverage you had with it make a difference? 🍽️πŸ₯€πŸ‘€
  1. Some people feel rage when they have to eat a vegetable they don’t like. How do you manage food dislikes in your diet? πŸ₯¦πŸ˜€πŸ˜…
  1. What do you think is more valuableβ€”memorable experiences or durable possessions? πŸŽŸοΈπŸ‘πŸ’­
  1. Do you think AI could ever develop human-like gesture recognition and nurture relationships the way humans do? πŸ€–πŸ‘πŸ’¬
  1. What do you think is the average dosage of caffeine people consume daily? Do you think it’s too much? β˜•πŸ”’πŸ˜³
  1. Would you rather live an average but stress-free life or one full of adventures but uncertainty? Why? βš–οΈπŸ§˜πŸŒ
  1. Do you enjoy reading fiction about different nations? What’s a book that made you feel like you were in another country? πŸ“–πŸŒŽπŸ°
  1. In your opinion, should old buildings be preserved for their heritage, or is it better to focus on modern construction? I think the former, are we on the same page? πŸ›οΈπŸ—οΈπŸ“œ
  1. Have you ever been in a place with so much moisture in the air that it became uncomfortable? Was it a memorable experience, or did it make you question your ambition to travel there? πŸ’¦βœˆοΈ
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