美语口音训练第一册20

Execise 1-13 variable¹ stress

Notice that the meaning of the following sentence changes each time we change the stress pattern. You should be starting to feel in control of your sentences now.

1. what would you like?

This is the most version² of the sentence and just a simple request for information.

2. what would you like?

This is to single out an individual from a group.

3. what would you like?

You’ve been discussing the kind of things that he might like. And you want to determine his specific³ desires. Now that you mention it, “what would you like?” Or he has rejected several things, and a little exasperated⁴, you ask “If you don’t want any of these, what would you like?”

4. what would you like?

You didn’t hear and you’d like the speaker to repeat herself. Or you can’t believe what you just heard. “I’d like strawberry jam on my asparagus, what would you like?”

Turn off the CD and repeat the 4 sentences.

1 variable   

adj.多变的；可变的；n.可变因素，变量

参考例句：

• People are not only complex but also highly variable.人不仅是复杂的,而且也是多变的。
• Our team's performance this year has been variable.我们队今年成绩很不稳定。

2 version   

n.版本；型号；叙述，说法

参考例句：

• His version of the events is pure supposition.他对这件事的说法纯属猜测。
• What is your version of this matter?你对这件事情的看法 怎么样？

3 specific   

adj.明确的；具体的；特定的

参考例句：

• The money is to be used for specific purposes.这笔钱有专门用途。
• We haven't fixed a specific date for our meeting.我们会议的具体日期还没有定下来。

4 exasperated   

adj.恼怒的

参考例句：

• We were exasperated at his ill behaviour. 我们对他的恶劣行为感到非常恼怒。
• Constant interruption of his work exasperated him. 对他工作不断的干扰使他恼怒。