GOAT
/3U/
(►)  Make the sound
DVD
PI is /a/ as in LETTER
Remember, the first sound is strongest.
P2 is /u/ as in FOOT
ft
131
When do I use this sound?
Spelling	Examples
0	no, both, note, rope, explode, bolt, over
oa	coat, oak
ou	soul, shoulder
ow	know, bowl
ough	though
|   This diphthong is often indicated in spelling through the use of the formula •   o + consonant + silent e
For example, the word'hop'is pronounced with an /d/, as in LOT, but if the spelling is 'hope', the e means you need to use the /3u/ sound. It is important to distinguish between these two sounds - 'hop'and'hope'sound very different.
ft
132-133
B
Now try it!
Say each of these words and sentences aloud. Then compare your pronunciation with the model on tracks 132-133.
code        heme        ozone boat float boulder colder
toe glow.        dough        moat        flown        only erosion
1 The mould was growing all over the damp stones in the garden of her coastal home.
2 It was snowing over the rolling hills close to Toby's home.
3 Although summer was nearly over, Sophie was hoping her roses would keep growing.
NEAR
/I9/
(►)  Make the sound
DVD
PI is 111 as in KIT
Remember, the first sound is strongest.
P2 is /a/ as in LETTER
Q
146
Q
147-148
B
When do I use this sound?
Spelling	Examples
e	here, hero
ee	beer, career
ea	ear, fear
ie	pier, cashier
ei	weird
Now try it!
Say each of these words and sentences aloud. Then compare your pronunciation with the model on tracks 147-148.
really       appeared        idea mysterious cheer       meerkat serious theatre
1 Maria pierced Sophia's ears.
2 The mysterious fear of the eerie pier brought her to tears.
3 It's hard to find a good Madeira cake here in Korea.
period superior
spear clear
Section B: The sounds of English
IP
HAIR
/es/
This diphthong is always spelt with an r, like the /3:/ of NURSE. Look at The spoken and the silent r (page 50) for how and when to pronounce the r.
(►)  Make the sound
DVD
PI is /e/ as in DRESS
Remember, the first sound is strongest.
P2 is /9/ as in LETTER
ft
149
'I l> a
150-151
When do I use this sound?
Spelling	Examples
ear	bear
ar	share
air	fair
ay	mayor
ere	there
eir	their
Now try it!
Say each of these words and sentences aloud. Then compare your pronunciation with the model on tracks 150-151.
pear wear      swearing      pairing      fairy dairy vary
staling      bare       prayer eating       compare       precarious flair
1 See that town square over there? There's a great hairdresser just by the stairs.
2 This area is known for its dairy fare.
3 Mary has various pairs of shoes, and still she swears she has nothing to wear!
87
CURE
/Ü3/
(►)  Make the sound
DVD
:
ft
152
ft
153-154
B
PI is /u/ as in FOOT	Remember, the first sound is strongest.	P2 is /a/ as in LETTER
When do I use this sound?		
Spelling	Examples	
ur	pure, mature, tour	
oor	poor, moor	
Now try it!
Say each of these words and sentences aloud. Then compare your pronunciation with the model on tracks 153-154.
sure purely secure furious obscure
moor        touring mature during cure
1 Those poor people having to go on a tour of the moor in this weather.
2 Muriel was furious about the lapse in her personal security.
3 She was curious about the maturity of the teenage security guard.
ft
155
Evolving sound
This is an evolving sound in RP. In the past, any'words in our spelling examples above were pronunced with the /ua/ diphthong. But recently standard speech has shifted and some of the words have merged with the /d:/ monophthong, as in'thought'. It is happening at different times with different words, but as an example, the word 'poor' which has been traditionally pronounced with an /ua/, is now frequently heard with an I'o: I in RP speech. Both sounds are fine, but the THOUGHT vowel is more modern. Please listen to both versions on audio tracks 152 and 155.
pure, mature, tour, poox moor
88      Section B: The sounds of English