Now listen to the recordings and decide what is meant.
1. They told us we would get in free! 2) I thought it would rain today.
a) = we did get in free a) = it didn’t rain
b) = we had to pay to get in. b) = it did rain
3) The bus didn’t stop because you waved your hand.
a) = it didn’t stop
b) = it stopped, but not because you waved your hand
4. It’s about time they invited us to dinner.
a) = they haven’t invited us yet, but they should
b) = they have finally invited us
5. He wasn’t given the job because of his Mafia connections.
a) = his Mafia connections were the reason why he wasn’t given the job
b) = he was given the job, but not because of his Mafia connections
6. It’s about time Peter was given a better job. 7. They told us the museum was great.
a) = he has finally been given a better job a) = it was great
b) = he should be given a better job b) = it wasn’t great
8. I thought Mary wouldn’t win. 9. It’s about time Tom got a good job.
a) = Mary won a) = Tom has finally got a good job
b) = Mary didn’t win b) = other people are getting good jobs, but not Tom
10. I hoped we would win more gold medals this time.
a) = we did win more medals
b) = we didn’t win more medals
Task 38. Look at the examples below, then listen to the recording to see why we call this a ‘two-part’ correction.
TextThe Globe Theatre is on the South Bank of the river Thames.
RecordingThe Globe Theatre is on the north Bank of the river Thames.
CorrectionNot the NORTHBank; the SOUTH Bank.
Now read this tourist information about London. Then listen to the recording, where each statement has a mistake in it. Say your correction aloud after each statement, and listen to the correction on the recording.
The two most important parts of London, the West End and the City, are on the North Bank of the river Thames. The city, originally founded by the Romans, is the financial centre, where you will find most banks, insurance firms and trading companies. Until the 1950s, the tallest building in the City was Saint Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666. but now the city is full of much taller buildings, often the headquarters of financial institutions.
The West End is full of shops, theatres, cinemas and restaurants. Most department stores are found in Oxford Street, while the largest toy shop in Britain, Hamleys, is in Regent Street, just south of Oxford circus. Westminster is famous for the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, where the kings and queens of England are crowned. And the West End is where you will find several great museums and galleries, including the British Museum and the National Gallery.
More and more tourists are beginning to visit the South Bank, especially the cultural centre near Waterloo Bridge: this includes the National Theatre, with its three stages; the National Film Theatre; and three concert halls, the largest of which is the Royal Festival Hall. If you walk farther east along the riverside you will come to Tate Modern (the modern art building, opposite Saint Paul’s, converted from a power station) and the Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the theatre where many of Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed in the early seventeenth century.
There is a fall-rise in the first part of the correction – where we are referring to what has been said. There is a fall in the second part – where we are giving the new, correct information.
Task 14. In each of these sentences some words are contrasted and will be heavily stressed. Read the sentences and underline the syllables that you predict will be heavily stressed. Then listen to the recording to see if you are right.
Example: I don’t know JANESmith, but I do know her husband JOHNSmith.
1. I’ve got one sister, and my wife has two sisters.
2. I didn’t say we’d meet at quarter to six; I said quarter past six!
3. My sister was born in 1959, and my wife in 1969.
4. Joe lives in North America, and Pablo in South America.
5. Diesel engines cause more pollution than petrol engines.
6. I’ve never been to South America, but I have been to South Africa.
7. My grandfather was born in 1904; and my grandmother was born in 1905.
8. He served not only in the First World War, but also in the Second World War.
9. Don’t let’s go on the 21st; let’s make it the 28th.
10. I don’t live in the outskirts of London; I live right in the centre of London.
It is important not just to know which syllables are to be stressed; you should also try to imitate the intonation. So note where there is a fall-rise and where there is a straight fall.