Chapter 3
Tips On Pronunciation And Spoken English
1. Why is pronunciation considered the first problem in learning spoken English?
Answer: Spoken English becomes difficult mainly because of its pronunciation. English alphabets A to Z do not follow a fixed or uniform sound pattern. A single letter can produce multiple sounds depending on the word in which it appears. For instance, the pronunciation of the letter ‘a’ changes completely in fat, fate, car, and village. As a result, learners cannot depend on spelling to pronounce words correctly, and this inconsistency makes pronunciation the first and biggest challenge in learning spoken English.
2. How is the pronunciation of the letter 'a' misleading for English learners? Explain with examples.
Answer: The pronunciation of the letter ‘a’ often misguides English learners because its sound keeps changing from word to word. For example, in the word fat, the letter ‘a’ has a short sound, but in fate, it gives a completely different sound due to the silent ‘e’ at the end. Again, in car, the same letter is pronounced with a long stretched sound, whereas in village, it becomes very light and weak. These variations in pronunciation make it difficult for learners to guess the sound from the spelling, which leads to confusion while speaking English.
3. Describe how the pronunciation of the letter ‘o’ differs in woman and women.
Answer: The pronunciation of the letter ‘o’ in the words woman and women clearly shows how unpredictable English sounds can be. In woman, the letter ‘o’ is uttered with a deep “উ”-ধ্বনি, whereas in women, that same ‘o’ unexpectedly gives an . Even though the spelling appears similar, the sound changes completely, creating difficulty for learners to rely on spelling while pronouncing English words.
4. How does the word “circus” show that a single letter can have multiple pronunciations?
Answer: The word “circus” is a perfect example of how one letter in English can produce more than one sound. Although the letter c appears twice in the same word, it is not pronounced in the same way. The first c in cir- gives a soft sound like but the second c in -cus changes to a hard sound like This difference in sound within a single word demonstrates that English spelling does not follow constant pronunciation rules and that one letter may carry more than one sound depending on its position.
5. What does the example of silent letters teach us in English pronunciation?
Answer: The silent letter examples such as know, hour, right, and could make it clear that English does not always pronounce every written letter. Some letters remain completely silent even though they appear in spelling. If learners try to read these words exactly as they are written, their pronunciation becomes incorrect or awkward. Therefore, recognizing and remembering silent letters is an important part of mastering natural and accurate English pronunciation.
6. How can one sound be expressed using different letters in English?
Answer: In English, the same sound may appear with many different spellings. For example, the long “ee” sound is heard in meat, meet, people, and key, but each word shows a different letter combination—ea, ee, eo, and ey. Even though the sound does not change, the written forms vary widely. This shows that English pronunciation cannot be correctly predicted from spelling alone, because one sound can be represented in many different ways.
7. What do the lines “Beard sounds not the same as heard; Cord is different from word” highlight?
Answer: These lines point out the unpredictable nature of English pronunciation. Although beard and heard look alike in spelling, their sounds are totally different, and the same is true for cord and word. This proves that similar-looking spellings cannot guarantee similar pronunciation. Therefore, learners need to remember the pronunciation of each word individually rather than rely on spelling rules.
8. Explain the meaning of the line “Sounds and letters disagree.”
Answer: The line means that there is no fixed match between the way English words are written and the way they are spoken. Many times, the spelling suggests one thing while the pronunciation turns out to be something completely different. Because of this mismatch, learners cannot depend on letters to know how a word should sound; spelling and speaking have to be learned separately and memorized through practice.
9. Why do “cow” and “low” confuse English learners?
Answer: The words cow and low look very similar because both contain the spelling “ow,” yet their pronunciations are not the same at all. In cow, the “ow” gives a diphthong sound like “আও,” whereas in low, the same “ow” produces a long “ও” sound. Since the spelling pattern is identical but the sound changes completely, learners cannot depend on the written form to predict the correct pronunciation, leading to confusion.
10. Why don’t “shoe” and “foe” rhyme though they look similar?
Answer: The words shoe and foe appear alike because they share the same ending in spelling, yet their pronunciations do not match. Shoe is pronounced like “shu,” while foe takes a completely different sound similar to “ফো.” Although the written forms suggest they might rhyme, the actual sounds prove otherwise. This shows that English spelling cannot reliably predict pronunciation.
11. What are some patterns used in spoken English to make requests?
Answer:In spoken English, polite request-making is done through certain set phrases that show respect and courtesy. Expressions such as “May I have ___ please?”, “Can I have ___ please?”, “I want to have ___ please?” and “Would you mind ___ please?” are commonly used to ask for something in a gentle and socially acceptable manner. These patterns make the request sound polite rather than demanding.
12. Why is polite request-making necessary in spoken English?
Answer: Polite request-making is important in spoken English because it reflects good manners and respect for the listener. Expressions such as may, please, would you mind, help soften the request, make the tone gentle, and create a pleasant and respectful interaction between speakers.
13. How can someone make promises politely in spoken English?
Answer:Promises can be expressed politely by using phrases that show commitment and sincerity. Structures like I promise to…, I assure you that…, You can be sure that…, I give you my word…, or I will definitely… help convey honesty and make the listener feel confident that the promise will be kept.
14. Why is replying to promises with “Thanks” appropriate?
Answer: Replying with “Thanks” after someone makes a promise is considered appropriate because it reflects appreciation and confidence in the person who made the promise. It shows that the listener values the assurance given and helps maintain a polite, positive, and friendly interaction between speakers.
15. How can someone express likes in spoken English?
Answer: Someone can express likes in spoken English by using polite preference-showing patterns such as I like…, I love…, I enjoy…, I’m fond of…, or I adore…. When comparing choices, speakers may also say I prefer… or I’d rather have ___ than ___. These expressions clearly communicate what a person enjoys or favors in everyday conversation.
16. Why is it important to express dislikes as well?
Answer: It is important to express dislikes because phrases such as I don’t like, I dislike, I hate, or I cannot stand make others aware of one’s limits, choices, and areas of discomfort. When listeners know what someone prefers to avoid, conversations and interactions become more respectful and comfortable for everyone.
17. How can we attract attention politely in English?
Answer:To attract someone’s attention in a polite way, expressions such as Hello, Excuse me, Pardon me, Sorry to bother you, but…, or May I have your attention, please? are used. These phrases help draw attention in a respectful manner without sounding demanding or impolite.
18. What are common greetings used in spoken English?
Answer:Common greetings in spoken English include expressions like Hello!, Hi!, Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening, How are you?, and How do you do?. These are used to start a conversation pleasantly and to show friendliness and respect toward the other person.
19. Why are greetings important in spoken English interaction?
Answer:Greetings play an essential role because they open the door to communication politely and warmly. By greeting someone, we acknowledge their presence, show respect, and create a friendly tone for the conversation. This simple step helps develop good social connections and makes interaction more comfortable for both speakers.
20. How can a person say goodbye politely?
Answer:A person can end a conversation politely by using farewell expressions such as Bye, Goodbye, See you again, See you later, Take care, or Good night. These phrases allow the conversation to close smoothly while maintaining warmth and courtesy between the speakers.
21. How do people introduce themselves politely?
Answer: People introduce themselves courteously by using expressions like I’m ___ or My name’s ___ when meeting face-to-face. During a phone call, the polite form This is ___ speaking / This is ___ here is preferred. These structures help the listener immediately recognize who is speaking and create a respectful and professional tone in communication.
22. Why does introduction matter in spoken English?
Answer: An introduction plays a vital role because it helps two unfamiliar people connect and begin communication confidently. By stating one’s name at the beginning, a sense of clarity and friendliness is created, which makes the listener feel comfortable and opens the way for further conversation.
23. How do we introduce someone else politely?
Answer: To introduce one person to another in a polite manner, we usually use courteous phrases such as This is ___, Let me introduce you to ___, May I introduce you to ___, or ___, meet ___. These expressions ensure that both people feel respected and included while beginning a conversation with each other.
24. What expressions can be used to reply to introductions?
Answer: When someone is introduced, polite responses such as Nice to meet you, Pleased to meet you, Glad to meet you, or Happy to meet you are commonly used. These replies express warmth, friendliness, and appreciation for being introduced.
25. What questions are used to ask about someone’s native place?
Answer: To know about a person’s native place, questions like Where do you come from?, Which place do you belong to?, or What is your hometown? are generally used. These expressions help begin a conversation about someone’s origin or background politely.
26. What expressions help to ask about occupation?
Answer: A person’s profession can be asked politely using expressions such as What do you do for a living?, What work are you engaged in?, or May I know your occupation? These questions help us learn about someone’s job in a respectful and conversational manner.
27. How can someone express pleasure?
Answer: A person may show pleasure in spoken English by using expressions such as I feel so happy, I’m really glad about it, It gives me immense joy, or I’m truly delighted. These phrases help convey a sense of satisfaction or happiness in a polite and expressive way.
28. Why is expressing pleasure important?
Answer: Expressing pleasure plays an important role because it reflects positive feelings toward a situation or person. When we show pleasure, it motivates others, strengthens mutual trust, and creates a warm and friendly atmosphere in communication. It helps build emotional connection and encourages continued interaction.
29. What structures help express displeasure?
Answer: Displeasure can be shown through expressions such as I’m unhappy / I’m displeased / I’m distressed, or by saying It causes me great unhappiness or dissatisfaction, and It is very displeasing or annoying. These structures clearly communicate that something is not acceptable or pleasant to the speaker.
30. Why should displeasure be expressed politely?
Answer: Displeasure needs to be expressed in a polite manner so that feelings are not hurt and relationships remain smooth. When dissatisfaction is communicated gently, problems can be resolved calmly without creating arguments, tension, or misunderstandings between speakers.
31. How do we express regret in spoken English?
Answer: Regret can be shown through expressions such as I’m sorry, I regret it, I regret doing that, and It’s a matter of regret to me. These phrases help convey that someone feels bad about an action or situation and wishes it had been different.
32. What is the purpose of expressing regret?
Answer: Expressing regret helps a person admit their fault and acknowledge that something wrong has happened. By saying sorry or showing regret, misunderstandings are reduced and broken relations can be healed, making communication smoother and respectful.
33. How can someone express fear in spoken English?
Answer: Fear may be communicated through expressions like I’m frightened/scared of ___, I’m nervous/anxious, or I’ve got a fear of ___. Using these phrases lets the listener know that the speaker is feeling uneasy or threatened by something, making their emotional state clear.
34. Why is it necessary to express fear?
Answer: Sharing feelings of fear is important because it alerts others to our emotional or physical discomfort, giving them a chance to protect, comfort, or assist us. By admitting fear, communication becomes honest and supportive, which deepens human connection.
35. Why is learning spoken English different from learning written English?
Answer: Learning to speak English is not the same as learning to write it because speaking depends on sounds, rhythm, stress, and fluency, while writing depends on spelling and grammar. A person may read and write correctly yet still mispronounce words if they do not learn the correct sounds. Therefore, spoken English must be practiced through listening and speech rather than relying only on written forms.
36. Why should a learner pay special attention to silent letters?
Answer: Silent letters play a major role in accurate pronunciation because they are written but not spoken. If a learner tries to pronounce these letters — like the k in know or the h in hour — the word sounds awkward and incorrect. Understanding silent letters helps speech sound natural and closer to native English pronunciation.
37. How do polite expressions improve spoken English?
Answer: Polite expressions add grace and warmth to communication. When a speaker uses courteous phrases, conversations become smoother, respectful, and pleasant. They help avoid tension or misunderstanding and create a friendly atmosphere, which makes others feel valued and comfortable.
38. Why is pronunciation practice important even after knowing English spelling?
Answer: Even if someone memorizes English spellings, it does not ensure correct speaking because the way words are written and the way they are spoken rarely match. Many words sound completely different from their spelling. Therefore, regular pronunciation practice is essential to develop clear, natural, and confident spoken English.
39. What challenges do learners face when the same spelling gives different pronunciation?
Answer: When identical spellings produce different sounds, learners often become unsure about how to pronounce words correctly. This uncertainty can lower confidence, make them afraid of speaking, and sometimes lead to wrong pronunciation during conversation, which affects smooth communication.
40. Why is it important to memorize pronunciation patterns instead of depending on spelling?
Answer: It is important to memorize pronunciation patterns because English spelling does not consistently reflect how words are spoken. By learning these patterns and practicing listening and speaking regularly, learners can develop accurate, natural, and confident English communication without relying solely on written forms.
Answer by Mrinmoee
