This lesson will give you added practice with pausing. Begin by listening to the audio. Pay attention to where the speaker pauses in both sentences. Notice that you can pause either once or twice in the sentences. Listen to the audio again and repeat the sentences after the speaker. Next, read each sentence aloud twice. Finally, write your own sentences and add slashes where the pauses might go. Copy each sentence three times, and add different pauses to each copy. Read each sentence 2 times. For added practice, record yourself reading the sentences.

LISTEN

Listen to the audio recording below.

READ

These sentences can be read with pauses in different places. Pause at each slash mark. Read each sentence 2 times.

You can join us / on Friday / if you want.
You can join us on Friday / if you want.

If you don’t back up your computer, / you may find yourself / in a terrible situation.
If you don’t back up your computer, / you may find yourself in a terrible situation.

They said the meeting / is rescheduled / for Monday.
They said the meeting / is rescheduled for Monday.
They said the meeting is rescheduled / for Monday.

Francis thought / her invention / would change the world.
Francis thought / her invention would change the world.
Francis thought her invention / would change the world.

The warning signal / is a blinking light / on the dashboard.
The warning signal / is a blinking light on the dashboard.
The warning signal is a blinking light / on the dashboard.

PRACTICE

Write your own sentences and add slashes where the pauses might go. Copy each sentence three times, and add different pauses to each copy. Read each sentence 2 times.

More Practice
Try these related pages to help you practice pausing:
Accent Diet: Pausing Lesson 1 Practice 7
Accent Diet: Pausing Lesson 1 Practice 1

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