1. ENGLISHENGLISHENGLISHENGLISH
6666Module 1
A DepEd-BEAM Distance Learning Program supported by the Australian Agency for International Development
DISTINGUISHING CHANGES IN MEANINGS OF
SENTENCES CAUSED BY STRESS

2. 1
Dear Learner,
How are you?
This is your first module in English. In this module you will
learn that shift in stress changes the meaning of the sentence.
In this module, I have prepared exercises for you to do to
enhance your skill in distinguishing changes in meaning of sentences
caused by stress.
In real speaking situations, a person puts the heaviest stress on
the word/words which he/she wants to emphasize in order to express
the particular meaning he/she wants to express.
Put the stress on the appropriate word based on the meaning
written below each sentence. Write your answers in your notebook.
1. Regine’s rise as a singer was phenomenal.
a. not ordinary but phenomenal
b. not a doctor but a singer
2. Lito won the regional on-the-spot painting contest.
a. not the local but the regional
b. not writing but painting
To the Learner
Let’s Try This
Let’s Learn This

3. 2
3. My uncle serves as a consultant of a publishing house.
a. not an author but a consultant
b. not a law firm but a publishing house
4. For years, Mr. Angeles studied how to paint faces of people.
a. not for a day but for years
b. not nature but faces of people
5. During this exhibit, his admirers request for his autograph.
a. not his family but his admirers
b. not his photograph but his autograph
• Did you find it easy answering numbers 1-5?
Let’s find out if we have the same answers.
1. a. phenomenal
b. singer
2. a. regional
b. painting
3. a. consultant
b. publishing house
4. a. years
b. faces of people
5. a. admirers
b. autograph
• Do not worry, we will have more exercises to do.

4. 3
Read this interview conducted by a writer in the school paper with
a new teacher. Observe the stress of words.
PAULO MISS DELA PEÑA
Good morning, Ms. Dela Peña. Good morning, Paulo.
I am here to interview you for the
school paper. I would like to know
why you chose to teach in Dalton
High School?
I applied in this school because I
believe in its mission-vision to mold
well-rounded citizens.
What do you think can you contribute
to the school community?
I think I can share my skills and
learnings with the pupils the best
way I can.
How would you describe the
Daltonian pupils?
The Daltonians are well-rounded.
They are not only well-prepared
academically but also morally and
spiritually. They are also courteous
and helpful.
To end this interview, what is your
message to your pupils?
I would like to tell them that I’m
looking forward to have a fruitful and
productive year with them. I also
hope that I could somehow
contribute to their academic and
spiritual growth as Christians and
Daltonians.
Thank you for your time, Ms. Dela
Peña.
It’s my pleasure.
Let’s Study This

5. 4
Study the set of sentences below. Pay attention to the word which
is emphasized in each sentence.
Read each sentence once more. Take note of every stressed word.
Does the shift in stress change the meaning of the sentence?
Listen as your teacher (with the presence of the teacher) says each
sentence below. Then choose the meaning expressed by the stressed
word.
1. I applied in this school because I believe in its mission-vision.
a. I not he
b. not entered but applied
2. I can share my skills and learnings with pupils.
a. not you but I
b. not keep but share
1. I am here to interview you for the school paper.
I am here to interview you for the school paper.
I am here to interview you for the school paper.
I am here to interview you for the school paper.
2. I think I can share my skills and learnings with the
pupils.
I think I can share my skills and learnings with the
pupils.
I think I can share my skills and learnings with the
pupils.
I think I can share my skills and learnings with the
pupils.

6. 5
Drill on EMPHATIC SENTENCE STRESS.
The underlined word receives the heaviest stress.
1. When are you going to have your interview?
(The speaker means that the person spoken to should have an
interview, but haven’t had one yet.)
2. Winners and losers deserve to be congratulated.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that both winners and losers
should be congratulated.)
3. Success is never accidental.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that not once has success ever
been accidental.)
4. A hobby can be both profitable and relaxing.
(The speaker wants to emphasize the profitability of a hobby.)
(Note: Do this activity with the presence of the teacher.)
Listen as your teacher says each sentence below. Then choose the
meaning expressed by the stressed word.
1. It has been moved and seconded that the nomination for club
president be closed.
a. not he, she or they but “It”
b. not agreed upon and suggested but moved and seconded
c. not the casting of votes but nomination
d. not for club secretary but president
e. not be opened but be closed
Let’s Do This

7. 6
2. Audrey Zamora is our club president.
a. not Erick Buendia but Audrey Zamora
b. not your – but our
c. not club treasurer but club president
(Note: Do it with a partner.)
Take roles. Carry out the dialog with a classmate. Put stress on
the encircled words.
Barangayette Elections
Robert : Do you know that the Barangayette elections will be
held on Friday?
Cris : Yes, I’ve heard about that. Actually, the candidates of
the different parties are already starting to campaign.
Robert : Have you made up your mind on whom to vote for in
the different offices?
Cris : No, I’m still in the process of knowing the candidates.
Robert : Then, let us attend the general campaign on Thursday.
Cris : Count on me .I will surely be there.
• Are you done?
• Did you enjoy reading the dialog?
• That’s good.
Let’s Do More

8. 7
Words which express ideas and emotions are given
emphasis over other words in a sentence. This emphasis
is called sentence stress.
Sentence Stress
The underlined word receives the heaviest stress:
1. Miss Magalona is absent today.
(The speaker wants to emphasize Miss Magalona’s
absence.)
2. It is impolite to eavesdrop.
(The speaker wants to emphasize the impoliteness
of eavesdropping.)
3. This is a simple but exquisite gown.
(The speaker wants to emphasize the exquisiteness
of the gown.)
4. A nuclear power plant is expensive.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that it is the
nuclear power plant, not any other kind of power
plant, which is expensive.)
5. Liza turned twelve last Wednesday.
(The speaker wants to emphasize that it was Liza,
not any other girl, who turned twelve recently.)
Let’s Remember This

9. 8
Read each of these sentences. Put the heaviest stress on the
underlined word. Write the letter of the group of words that gives the
meaning of the sentence on the blank before each number.
______ 1. Would you like to go to the library now?
a. not anybody else but you
b. not any other place but the library
c. not any other time but now
______ 2. Would you like to go to the library now?
a. not any other place but the library
b. any other place except the library
c. can be the library or any other place
______ 3. Would you like to go to the library now?
a. no other person but you
b. you or your representative
c. anybody but you
______ 4. I won the speaking contest.
a. I joined the speaking contest.
b. I am the winner.
c. There is no other contest but a contest in speaking.
______ 5. I won the speaking contest.
a. There was a contest.
b. There was a contest in speaking.
c. I joined the speaking contest.
______ 6. I won the speaking contest.
a. The speaker joined a contest.
b. The speaker was the winner in the contest.
c. The speaker hoped to win in the contest.
Let’s Test Ourselves

10. 9
• Are you done?
• Look at the Answer Key to check your answer.
• What is your score? ___________
• If you got 5-6, proceed to the next module. You’re Great!!!
• If you got 3-4, answer the next activity “Let’s Enrich Ourselves”
• If you got 2 and below, review the whole module.
Read each of these sentences to yourself. Put the heaviest stress
on the underlined word. Write the letter of the group of words that
gives the meaning of the sentence on the blank before each number.
______ 1. This is my final grade. (normal situation)
a. making a statement
b. asking a question
c. asking a confirmation
______ 2. This is my final grade?
a. Is this my final grade?
b. Can this be really my grade?
c. I have no other rating but this.
______ 3. This is my final grade?
a. Is it really mine?
b. Is it a final one?
c. Can this be true?
______ 4. This is my final grade.
a. Yes, this is my grade.
b. I can’t believe it.
c. This is the last grade that I will have.
Let’s Enrich
Ourselves

11. 10
______ 5. This is my final grade?
a. Is this for me?
b. Is this my grade?
c. Can’t something be done to change it?
______ 6. This is my final grade?
a. This is not anything else but my grade.
b. This is my last grade.
c. This grade is for me.
• Are you done?
• Write your score inside the bell.
• Congratulations! Job well done!!!
• Let’s move on to the next module.

12. 11
Let’s Do This Let’s Do More
- Answers may vary. - Teacher may use the Rubric.
Let’s Test Ourselves Let’s Enrich Ourselves
1. c 1. a
2. a 2. a
3. a 3. a
4. b 4. a
5. b 5. c
6. b 6. a
Answer Key