Comprehension Videos
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Audio books are a great way to promote general literacy skills and make for a quiet ride in the car. You'll be surprised at how even preschoolers can be entertained by stories on your iPhone.

A video I created as an assignment in my Educational Technology course in college. The pictures were pulled from internet searches, the music is a Mandolin Concerto by Vivaldi, and the text is my summary of "The Lost Half Hour" by Henry Beston. Author: Mylorac Keywords: Story Classical Music Fairy Tales Comprehension Added: September 14, 2008

A short while ago I posted on the issue of stress and timing in English. In order to help you understand the concepts, I ve made a few recordings to illustrate my points. Here s the short text I ve prepared: I m very excited by the upcoming election. Here in the United States we choose a new president every four years. This year we re electing a new president because president Bush has served two terms. He can t run for the office of president any more. Why is this? One of the most famous presidents of all times was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was elected so many times - a total of four times - that congress decided to limit the number of times a president can serve. Since then, a president can only be chosen two times. In other words, the president can serve two terms. Comment | Copy This Wow that was awful! I didn t understand a word! I m not surprised if you didn t understand anything. Obviously, I exaggerated greatly here, but it s to make a point. You have to pick and choose what you want to accent and exaggerate. Here is the same passage, but it s been marked up with my accents. Notice how I swallow words and glide over them (remember those are function words mostly). This method of bolding words that you will stress and underlining as well as bolding those words you want to emphasize help a lot with preparing any short speech or reading you give. I m very excited by the upcoming election. Here in the United States we choose a new president once every four years. This year, we re electing a new president because president Bush has served two terms. He can t run for the office of president any more. Why is this? One of the most famous presidents of all times was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was elected so many times - a total of four times - that congress decided to limit the number of times a president can serve. Since then, a president can only be elected twice. In other words, the president can serve two terms Comment | Copy This To improve your pronunciation, try taking a paragraph and marking it as I have done here. Just going through this process will immediately improve your pronunciation.

This video contains a more detailed explanation about reading comprehension helps in solving the corresponding questions in all aptitude tests

Introduction about Reading Comprehension and related tricks

This video is about answering reading comprehension questions that one faces in GRE, GMAT, CAT and other aptitude tests. This video mainly consists of answering the main idea or primary idea questions or topic sentences. using keyword tricks

Bookbabble Episode 8: What you thought you knew about reading... is probably right. Recorded 5 June 2008 Babblers: Bjorn, Lars, Gem, Donny, with special guest Katherine! Synopsis: Bookbabble has a guest!  The babblers are joined by a fellow bookworm Katherine aka Pontalba from New Orleans, as they all mull about how we experience the process that is book reading.  We took a little time to talk about a Nabokov fan's view about The Original of Laura, a little about the new Bond novel, and dish a little dirt on book forums. Show Length:  63:33 mins

E-mail your thoughts on the questions in the video at ken at englishfeed.com. You can also take this poll on how you learn English on the internet.

Author: awaxler Added: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:06:28 -0800 Duration: 287Here's a great way teachers can improve reading comprehension by using video to spark student interest and tap into a students prior knowledge.

Short experimental voodle featuring a diver comming out of the water.Langelinie, Copenhagen, October 2007.[sam renseiw: video 511 for patalab02.blogspot.com)

Download Business Listening Comprehension Download english_feed_21.mp3 This podcast is approximately 3 minutes long. This is a new feature at English Feed which a new tool (just two months old!) named SplashCast makes possible. Click on the start button and enjoy this short video lesson focusing on Business Meeting expressions.

Download Business Listening Comprehension Download english_feed_20.mp3 This podcast is approximately 7.30 long. Here are some vocabulary notes and the comprehension questions: to announce a move - declare an intention to do something to merge - when two or more companies combine to become one company HD radio - high-definition radio subscribers - people who pay for a service - in this case radio service to distinguish a brand - make one type of product recognizable from another potential customers - people who do not yet pay for a service, but might in the future Pyrrhic victory - winning at an extreme cost capital - money to make a deal - create a business partnership of some sort investor conference - meeting with the shareholders of a company to inform them of company business pending approval - waiting for the approval of something in order to continue stockholder - owner of stock in a company to retain - keep Questions Which was not a factor in the decision to merge? competition from internet radio downloadable music HD radio cable television Why doesn t XM radio want to take subscribers from Sirius Radio? Why do many people not want to pay for radio services? What is the solution to the problem of both companies? Which CEO will lose his position when the merger is complete? The listening comprehension is based on XM and Sirius Announce Merger from Wikinews

Download Word Stress that Changes Meaning Download english_feed_19.mp3 This podcast is approximately 4.30 long. Stressing individual words can add additional information to the meaning of a sentence. Notice how stressing the words in bold changes the underlying meaning of one basic sentence: I gave him that book. - I gave it to him, not somebody else. I gave him that book. - It was a gift, not purchased. I gave him that book. - He received the book, not someone else. I gave him that book. - He received that book, not another book. I gave him that book. - I gave him that special book - you know. During the podcast, I mention a new site I m working on called Operafeed This site provides a channel about opera with historical background and great video clips from YouTube. If you like Opera, you might want to take a look.

Download Differences between American English Download english_feed_18.mp3 This podcast is approximately 8.30  long. American and British English are the two most common varieties of this truly global language. Generally, it is agreed that no one version is correct . However, there are certainly preferences in use. The most important rule of thumb is to try to be consistent in your usage. If you decide that you want to use American English spellings then be consistent in your spelling (i.e. NOT The color of the orange is also its flavour - color is American spelling and flavour is British), this is of course not always easy - or possible. Important Links from the Podcast: American Accent Training American and British English Vocabulary Differences Some spelling differences: Here are some general differences between British and American spellings: Words ending in -or (American) -our (British) color, colour, humor, humour, flavor, flavour etc. Words ending in -ize (American) -ise (British) recognize, recognise, patronize, patronise etc. Words ending in -er (American) -re (British) center, centre Present Perfect / Past Simple In American English the past is often used instead of the present perfect to express an action that has occurred in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment. For example: British English: - He s just gone to the bank. American English: - He just went to the bank.

Download New Year s Resolutions Download english_feed_17.mp3 This podcast is approximately 4.30 long. New Year s Resolutions Here is a list of difficult vocabulary with explanations: It goes without saying - something it generally understood to be true To set the bar too high - to make something too difficult to do, to expect too much from yourself or another person To make sweeping declaration - to make a broad generalization about something To saddle yourself with something - to add a new responsibility to your daily life The most pressing issue at hand - the most important thing to do at this moment in time Across the board - each and every To prod along - to encourage someone to do something No shame in doing something - nothing to be embarrassed about A dead-end job - a job without any hope for future improvement or career Pavlovian conditioning - repeated action that creates an expected response (based on research done with dogs by Pavlov) A tedious cocktail party - a very boring party with drinks and small talk To stroke yourself - to give yourself encouragement To coincide with - to happen at the same time as something else This reading comprehension was based on How to Keep Your New Year s Resolutions at ehow.com

Download Twas the Night Before Christmas Download english_feed_16.mp3 This podcast is approximately 5 minutes long. The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore Twas The Night Before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all! As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night. Visit my site for difficult vocabulary explanations, as well as a quiz for Twas the Night Before Christmas

Download A Typical Customer Download english_feed_15.mp3 This podcast is approximately 7 minutes long. Important Vocabulary amount of money buying decision expenses incurred frequent-flyer major metropolitan area mindful of expenses incurred self-employed travel on business travel requirements Quiz Questions 1. The typical customer is older than 40. 2. The typical customer lives in an urban area. 3. These customers are usually extremely busy people who need to make fast decisions. 4. These customers are often self-employed. 5. They are people who often rely on others to make decisions for them.

Download Learning English Using the Internet Download english_feed_14.mp3 This podcast is approximately 4.30  long. Important Keywords and Hints Forum, groups A site where people can communicate about various topics. You may have to register to contribute to the conversation. Blog Personal webpage where you can often add your comments to information posted. Blogs are a good place to meet people with similar interests. Keyword Keywords are used to group information. For example: The keyword “Grammar” will provide pages related to studying and learning grammar such as rules, exercises, tips, etc. Streaming “Streaming” refers to audio and video multimedia which you can view and / or listen to on the site an unofficial online forum Thesaurus synonyms of…streaming media for The “…” refers to similar information. Search engines will often move onto a new piece of text to present new information in the summary of the site. Cached Both Google and Yahoo! often provide “cached” pages. These pages are stored on the computers of the search engine and may not include the most current information from that site. Similar Pages OR More from this site Both Google and Yahoo! often provide “Similar Pages” OR ‘More from this site”. These pages are from the same site. Clicking on “Similar Pages” OR ‘More from this site” provides a number of results from only one site and may be useful if you are looking for information from a specific site. Also try: motor racing network, motor racing games, motor cross racing… Yahoo! provides links to searches that are similar to your search at the top of the page. If you don’t find the information you are looking for, clicking on one of these links may help you find what you are looking for. News results Both Google and Yahoo! provide “News results” which provide stories found in hundreds of different newspapers, online magazines, blogs, etc. about your search. If you are looking for recent information, clicking here will help you find what you are looking for. Wiki, Wikipedia A type of online encyclopedia that offers free information with links to important basic information. “Wikis” are excellent resources for information about almost anything and are constantly updated with new information. Learning > English > grammar > tenses The “>” is often used for a “link” trail. You can click on any of these links to navigate to a page with information related to the keyword.

Download Learning English Using the Internet Download english_feed_14.mp3 This podcast is approximately 4.30  long. Important Keywords and Hints Forum, groups A site where people can communicate about various topics. You may have to register to contribute to the conversation. Blog Personal webpage where you can often add your comments to information posted. Blogs are a good place to meet people with similar interests. Keyword Keywords are used to group information. For example: The keyword “Grammar” will provide pages related to studying and learning grammar such as rules, exercises, tips, etc. Streaming “Streaming” refers to audio and video multimedia which you can view and / or listen to on the site an unofficial online forum Thesaurus synonyms of…streaming media for The “…” refers to similar information. Search engines will often move onto a new piece of text to present new information in the summary of the site. Cached Both Google and Yahoo! often provide “cached” pages. These pages are stored on the computers of the search engine and may not include the most current information from that site. Similar Pages OR More from this site Both Google and Yahoo! often provide “Similar Pages” OR ‘More from this site”. These pages are from the same site. Clicking on “Similar Pages” OR ‘More from this site” provides a number of results from only one site and may be useful if you are looking for information from a specific site. Also try: motor racing network, motor racing games, motor cross racing… Yahoo! provides links to searches that are similar to your search at the top of the page. If you don’t find the information you are looking for, clicking on one of these links may help you find what you are looking for. News results Both Google and Yahoo! provide “News results” which provide stories found in hundreds of different newspapers, online magazines, blogs, etc. about your search. If you are looking for recent information, clicking here will help you find what you are looking for. Wiki, Wikipedia A type of online encyclopedia that offers free information with links to important basic information. “Wikis” are excellent resources for information about almost anything and are constantly updated with new information. Learning > English > grammar > tenses The “>” is often used for a “link” trail. You can click on any of these links to navigate to a page with information related to the keyword.

This podcast focuses on adverbs of frequency. Download Adverbs of Frequency Download english_feed_13.mp3 This podcast is approximately 4 minutes long. Adverbs of Frequency Use adverbs of frequency to say how often you do something. Adverbs of frequency are often used with the present simple because they indicate repeated or routine activities. Here is a chart showing the approximate frequency of the various adverbs. 100% always | usually / normally | often | sometimes | occasionally | seldom | rarely 0% never Put adverbs of frequency before the main verb (not the auxiliary verb in negatives and questions) Example: He usually drives to work. They seldom visit friends. We sometimes play golf. He doesn t often shave. You don t usually leave work early. Do you often come here? Does she always arrive late? NOTE: In questions and negatives use only always, usually, normally, often or sometimes NOTE: Adverbs of frequency follow the verb to be when it is used as the main verb. Example: He isn t often so rude. We are sometimes late for work.

This podcast focuses on adverbs of frequency. Download Adverbs of Frequency Download english_feed_13.mp3 This podcast is approximately 4 minutes long. Adverbs of Frequency Use adverbs of frequency to say how often you do something. Adverbs of frequency are often used with the present simple because they indicate repeated or routine activities. Here is a chart showing the approximate frequency of the various adverbs. 100% always | usually / normally | often | sometimes | occasionally | seldom | rarely 0% never Put adverbs of frequency before the main verb (not the auxiliary verb in negatives and questions) Example: He usually drives to work. They seldom visit friends. We sometimes play golf. He doesn t often shave. You don t usually leave work early. Do you often come here? Does she always arrive late? NOTE: In questions and negatives use only always, usually, normally, often or sometimes NOTE: Adverbs of frequency follow the verb to be when it is used as the main verb. Example: He isn t often so rude. We are sometimes late for work.

This podcast focuses on English conditional forms. Download Reported Speech Download english_feed_12.mp3 This podcast is approximately 6.30. Reported Speech Reported speech (also referred to as indirect speech ) refers to a sentence reporting what someone has said. If the reporting verb (i.e. said) is in the past, the reported clause will be in a past form. This form is usually one step back into the past from the original. Examples: He said she was going to visit Tom. She said she wanted to go home early. Reported Speech Changes Chart This chart shows some of the most common changes made in the reported speech. I live in Seattle. changes to He said he lived in Seattle She s working at the moment. changes to She said she was working at that moment. They went to school. changes to He said they had gone to school. He s studied there for two years. changes to He said he had studied there for two years. I ll help you tomorrow. changes to He said he would help me the next day. Changing Pronouns and Time Signifiers When changing from direct speech to reported speech, it is often necessary to change the pronouns to match the subject of the sentence. Examples: She said, I want to offer my help. changes to She said she wanted to offer her help. Jack told me, My wife is working in a bank now. changes to Jack said his was working in a bank then. It is also important to change time words (signifiers) when referring to present, past or future time to match the moment of speaking. Examples: She said, I want to bring my children tomorrow. changes to She said she wanted to bring her children the next day. Jack told me, My wife is studying Russian now. changes to Jack said his wife was studying Russian then. Common Time Signifier Changes yesterday changes to the day before tomorrow changes to the next day now changes to then at the moment changes to at that moment last week / month changes to the week / month before next week / month changes to the week / month before Exceptions: If simple present is used in the reporting verb (i.e. says) keep the same tense as used in the original statement. Examples: He says he wants us to study more. She says that you are studying English. If reporting a general truth the present tense will be retained, even when the reporting verb is in the past (i.e. said). Examples: The boss said that customer relations are the key to success. John said the sun rises every day.

This podcast focuses on English conditional forms. Download Reported Speech Download english_feed_12.mp3 This podcast is approximately 6.30. Reported Speech Reported speech (also referred to as indirect speech ) refers to a sentence reporting what someone has said. If the reporting verb (i.e. said) is in the past, the reported clause will be in a past form. This form is usually one step back into the past from the original. Examples: He said she was going to visit Tom. She said she wanted to go home early. Reported Speech Changes Chart This chart shows some of the most common changes made in the reported speech. I live in Seattle. changes to He said he lived in Seattle She s working at the moment. changes to She said she was working at that moment. They went to school. changes to He said they had gone to school. He s studied there for two years. changes to He said he had studied there for two years. I ll help you tomorrow. changes to He said he would help me the next day. Changing Pronouns and Time Signifiers When changing from direct speech to reported speech, it is often necessary to change the pronouns to match the subject of the sentence. Examples: She said, I want to offer my help. changes to She said she wanted to offer her help. Jack told me, My wife is working in a bank now. changes to Jack said his was working in a bank then. It is also important to change time words (signifiers) when referring to present, past or future time to match the moment of speaking. Examples: She said, I want to bring my children tomorrow. changes to She said she wanted to bring her children the next day. Jack told me, My wife is studying Russian now. changes to Jack said his wife was studying Russian then. Common Time Signifier Changes yesterday changes to the day before tomorrow changes to the next day now changes to then at the moment changes to at that moment last week / month changes to the week / month before next week / month changes to the week / month before Exceptions: If simple present is used in the reporting verb (i.e. says) keep the same tense as used in the original statement. Examples: He says he wants us to study more. She says that you are studying English. If reporting a general truth the present tense will be retained, even when the reporting verb is in the past (i.e. said). Examples: The boss said that customer relations are the key to success. John said the sun rises every day.

This podcast focuses on English conditional forms. Download Future Forms Download english_feed_11.mp3 This podcast is approximately 8.15. Conditionals First Conditional (Real Conditional) - Use the first conditional for real or possible situations in the future. Examples: If Jack gets here soon, we ll go out for lunch. The boss will get angry if you don t finish soon. NOTE: Unless = If not Examples: Unless he comes soon, we won t get there on time. = If he doesn t come soon, we won t get there on time. Second Conditional (Unreal Conditional) - Use the second conditional for imaginary or improbable situations. This is the conditional most often used when imaging various situations. Examples: If I were President, I would try to improve relationships with our allies by listening to them. The company would hire new employees if profits increased. NOTE: For I, He, She and It were is the correct form of the second conditional with be in the if clause. However, many tests such as Cambridge First Certificate now accept If she was, If I was, etc. . US English tests require were . Third Conditional (Past Unreal Conditional) - Use the third conditional to imagine past outcomes based on alternate actions in the past. This conditional is used to express what would have been different if a person had done something differently. Examples: If I had known about the presentation, I would have come to the meeting. Jack would have helped if he had been told about the situation. Mixed Conditionals - Sometimes we mix the second and third conditional by expressing a past condition with a present result. Examples: If I had moved to New York, I would live in Manhattan. She would be president now if she had accepted the job. Zero Conditional - The zero conditional is used when an action occurs as the result of another action (the if clause). The zero conditional is similar to a time clause beginning with when in meaning. Examples: If Janice comes, we have lunch at Smitty s. = When Janice comes, we have lunch at Smitty s. They celebrate at a local pub when they make a major sale. = If they make a major sale, they celebrate at a local pub.

This podcast focuses on basic and advanced future forms: will, going to, will be going to, will have done, etc. Download Future Forms Download podcast_10.mp3 This podcast is approximately 7 minutes long. Basic Forms Future with Will - the future with will is used to make a future prediction or express a decision about the future made at the moment. Examples: It will be easy, you ll see! I think the government will change its direction on fuel policy. Are you hungry? I ll make you a sandwich. Future with Going to - the future with going to is used to speak about future intentions or plans made before the present moment. We also use the future with going to for something that is about to happen. Examples: We are going to study French next semester. Watch out! You re going to drop those plates. Where are you going to meet Tom? NOTE: With the verbs go and come use the present continuous form. Future with Present Continuous (Progressive) - The future using the present continuous is similar to the future with going to . We use the present continuous to talk about scheduled events in the future. It is common to use this form when speaking about business activities scheduled for the week ahead. Examples: I m having lunch with Peter at noon tomorrow. She isn t attending the conference in San Francisco this week. Advanced Forms Future Continuous - The future continuous is used to talk about an activity that will be in progress at a specific point in time in the future. Examples: I ll be swimming in the ocean this time next week. Will you be attending the seminar tomorrow at three? Future Perfect - The future perfect is used to talk about what will have been done up to a specific point in the future. Examples: She ll have finished by the time you arrive. Our company ll have sold a million copies by the end of next month.

In today's episode, we talk about the suggestions from ETS to improve English learners' speaking skills.

This podcast focuses on the use of the present perfect and present perfect continuous. It also compares and contrasts the two tenses as well as comparing and contrasting the present perfect and the simple past. Download Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous Download podcast_09.mp3 This podcast is approximately 6:40 long. Present Perfect Uses Recent events Have you seen Peter yet? They ve already been to the bank. She s just had lunch. Unspecified past I ve been to Chicago four times. They ve lived in many places. She s studied in Paris. Duration He s worked for Intel for four years. They ve lived in Seattle since 2002. I ve played tennis since I was young. Present Perfect Continuous Uses An unfinished action begun in the past, continuing on into the present moment Duration Examples: I ve been playing computer games for the past two hours. (describing length of current activity) He s lived in Portland all his life. (describing a more general state of affairs) When emphasizing the duration of the current action, use the present perfect continuous. Examples: I m tired! I ve been mowing the lawn for the past hour. He s been working since eight this morning! To express what has been completed up to a certain point in time, use only the present perfect simple. Examples: I m reading In Cold Bold by Truman Capote at the moment. I ve read 85 pages. She s sold three cars this month!

This podcast focuses on using time expressions to help with verb tense conjugation. Download Time Expressions Download podcast_08.mp3 This podcast is approximately 7:35 long. Instead of beginning with the thought: How should I conjugate this verb? - a better first question to ask yourself is: Which time expression is used? By focusing on the time expression rather than the verb, you can first establish the time frame. Once you know WHEN something happened, then conjugation becomes simple. Here are some of the most important time expressions and the tenses we use with them. Present Simple adverbs of frequency: sometimes, usually, rarely, etc. days of the week with s : Mondays, Saturdays - the s s indicates every Saturday, Monday etc. every, each Present Continuous (Progressive) at the moment now currently Past Simple ago last week, month, year, Saturday, etc. in 1978, March, etc. when I was . Present Perfect since 1987 for three years just yet already ever / never Future Forms next week, month, year, Monday, etc. as soon as, when, before (time clauses) + present simple in three weeks, two days, four months, etc. time by, by the time + present simple Special Case this (present continuous, present perfect, future forms)

This podcast focuses on improving pronunciation in English through the understanding of word stress. Download English Pronunciation - Word Stress Download podcast_07.mp3 This podcast is approximately 8:45 long. Notes from the Podcast: The podcast focuses on improving pronunciation through correct word stress. English is a stressed-time language. This means that certain words are stressed while others are not. Stressed Words include: CONTENT WORDS - words that are stressed because they carry the main meaning of a sentence. Nouns e.g. kitchen, Peter (most) Principal verbs e.g. visit, construct Adjectives e.g. beautiful, interesting Adverbs e.g. often, carefully Non-stressed words include: FUNCTIONS WORDS - words which help the construction of the sentence, but add little key meaning. Determiners e.g. the, a, some, a few Auxiliary verbs e.g. don t, am, can, were Prepositions e.g. before, next to, to, in Conjunctions e.g. but, while, as Pronouns e.g. they, she, us Exercises for Home To practice this at home, first write down a sentence with only content words (nouns adjectives and adverbs). Then write down a sentence with a number of function words (prepositions, auxiliary verbs, pronouns etc.). Underline each stress word and repeatedly speak the two sentences remembering to non stress the function words. In this way you can compare and contrast the differences in pronunciation. Next, find an article from a newspaper or magazine. Go through the article underlining the stress words. Try to read the article stressing the content words while gliding over the function (non-stressed) words. Exaggerate, try to be very unclear - you d be surprised at how your pronunciation will improve!

This podcast is about question forms in English. Download Question Forms Download podcast_06.mp3 This podcast is approximately 8:30 long. Focus on Question Forms Usually, when asking direct questions we use a similar structure for questions in English: (Question Word) + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb Form + (objects) + ? Examples: When do you get up? How long have you been working at the bank? Where did you stay in New York? Subject and Object Questions Look at the following example sentence and questions. Peter plays golf. What does Peter play? - ANSWER golf Who plays golf? - ANSWER Peter In the first question, What does Peter play? we ask about the OBJECT and use the regular question construction for the present simple tense. (wh?) + do (auxiliary) + subject + verb? In the second question, Who plays golf? we are asking for the SUBJECT of the action. In this case we use normal positive sentence structure followed by a question mark (?). Wh- + (auxiliary) + verb + object ? Who manufactures office equipment? NOTE: Remember that the present simple does not take the auxiliary in positive sentence structure. Common question forms for SUBJECT questions: Which Example: Which book includes pictures? What kind of Example: What kind of Internet connection works best? What sort of Example: What sort of tea tastes best? Who Example: Who works in reception? Question Tags Use question tags to confirm information that you already know, or think you know. This form is used in conversation and when checking that you have understood something. Construct a question tag by making a statement followed by a comma and the OPPOSITE (positive –negative, negative – positive) form of the appropriate auxiliary verb. Examples: You’re married, aren’t you? You haven t lived here long, have you? She didn t go on vacation last month, did she? Question tags are used in two ways: 1) To check information if you are sure of the response drop your voice at the end of the question tag - You like it here, don t you? They went into the city, didn t they? 2) To check information that you are not sure of raise your voice at the end of the question tag. Indirect Questions When we want to be more polite we often use indirect question forms. These questions ask the same questions as direct questions, but are considered more formal. When using an indirect question, introduce the question with the introductory phrase followed by the question itself IN POSITIVE SENTENCE STRUCTURE. Connect the two phrases with the question word or ‘if’ in the case the question is a ‘yes’, ‘no’ question. Construction Chart Introductory phrase + question word (or if) + positive sentence Examples: I was wondering if you know the way to the nearest bank. Do you know when the next train leaves? Here are some of the most common phrases used for asking indirect questions. Do you know… I wonder / was wondering …. Can you tell me… I’m not sure… I don’t know… Examples: Do you know when the next train leaves? I wonder when he will arrive. Can you tell me where he lives? I’m not sure what he wants to do. I don’t know if he is coming.