Word Stress Activity Worksheet
Pragmatics & Prosody Independent Practice
Word Stress Shift Activity
Page 1 of 2
10 Sentence Pairs
Name:
Date:
Period:
The Stress Principle: Vocal stress (higher pitch, volume, or length) places focus on a key word, generating contrast and altering what the speaker implies. Read each pair aloud and write each sentence's implied subtext in the response box.
1 Base Sentence: “I never said she stole my money.”
“I never said she stole my money.”
Implied Meaning:
“I never said she stole my money.”
Implied Meaning:
2 Base Sentence: “We need to finish this science project today.”
“We need to finish this science project today.”
Implied Meaning:
“We need to finish this science project today.”
Implied Meaning:
3 Base Sentence: “She loves eating crisp green apples.”
“She loves eating crisp green apples.”
Implied Meaning:
“She loves eating crisp green apples.”
Implied Meaning:
4 Base Sentence: “I didn't lend him my favorite book.”
“I didn't lend him my favorite book.”
Implied Meaning:
“I didn't lend him my favorite book.”
Implied Meaning:
5 Base Sentence: “You should ask the teacher for help.”
“You should ask the teacher for help.”
Implied Meaning:
“You should ask the teacher for help.”
Implied Meaning:
Focus: Contrastive focus, vocal pitch, and implied speaker intent Turn page for Items 6–10 & Extension →
Pragmatics & Prosody Part Two
Word Stress Shift Activity
Page 2 of 2
Items 6–10 & Synthesis
6 Base Sentence: “They were not supposed to open the door.”
“They were not supposed to open the door.”
Implied Meaning:
“They were not supposed to open the door.”
Implied Meaning:
7 Base Sentence: “He thought the test was very easy.”
“He thought the test was very easy.”
Implied Meaning:
“He thought the test was very easy.”
Implied Meaning:
8 Base Sentence: “Nobody warned us about the sudden storm.”
“Nobody warned us about the sudden storm.”
Implied Meaning:
“Nobody warned us about the sudden storm.”
Implied Meaning:
9 Base Sentence: “She only invited three guests to dinner.”
“She only invited three guests to dinner.”
Implied Meaning:
“She only invited three guests to dinner.”
Implied Meaning:
10 Base Sentence: “I cannot believe you solved that riddle.”
“I cannot believe you solved that riddle.”
Implied Meaning:
“I cannot believe you solved that riddle.”
Implied Meaning:
Synthesis Challenge: Create Your Own Sentence Shift
Extension
Your Original Sentence:
Emphasis Choice 1 & Implied Meaning:
Emphasis Choice 2 & Implied Meaning:
Self-Check: Emphasize the highlighted word with pitch, volume, and length Completed
