At the Lessen

"Well, Alex, how much is two plus one?" asked the teacher, "I don't know, sir," answered the boy. "Well, Alex! Fancy I give you two dogs and then one dog more. Mow many dogs have you now?" "Four dogs," the boy answered timidly. "Why, Alex?" "Because I have one dog already, sir."

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One morning a boy was going by a London bus to school. He had a cold and was sniffing all the time and so loudly that the people began to look at him and shake their heads. An old gentleman was sitting next to the boy. He suffered the boy's sniffing for some time but at last lost his patience and said: "Haven't you got a handkerchief, my boy?"

"Yes, I've got a clean handkerchief in my pocket," said the boy, "but I can't let you have it. Mother says it is not polite to ask anybody for a handkerchief. You must use your own."

SECTION SIX Compound Tunes
TWO OR MORE FALLS WITHIN ONE SENSE-GROUP

In sense-groups with the High Falling or Falling-Rising nuclear tone there may be one or more other words marked by a relatively high falling tone. The function of such Falls is to provide a greater degree of prominence for the words on which they occur. All other words of the head are not stressed. The attitude expressed by the sentence is not changed but the utterance sounds emphatic. In this case the head is called Sliding.

Compare:

1. Listen carefully to the following conversational situations. Concen­trate your attention on the intonation of the replies:

Verbal Context	Drill
What was the party like?	The food was terrible, I'm sorry to say.
Tom's having tea. What for you, Arthur?	I'd prefer a cup of coffee.
It's such a tiring journey by train.	Well why not fly?
Which one can I have?	Which would you prefer?
Oh I know he couldn't help it	Then why are you so angry with him?
I'm going to London tomorrow.	How long d'you intend being away?
The door won't open.	Why not try turning the key?
Ail right. Lets go to the pictures.	Do you really want to?
That's not very convincing.	Well, can you think of a better argument?
She's only working half time now.	Yes, but need she go to work at all?
Have you heard about Alex?	Isn't it incredible?
Of course he'll agree.	Don't be too sure.
These stewed apples aren't very sweet.	Have some more sugar with them.
What time's convenient for you?	Come whenever you're free.
I can't manage all that.	Well, eat as much as you can, then.
He didn't say a word.	How very unusual!
How about a show tonight?	If only you asked me earlier!
It's my birthday today.	Very many happy returns!