4. A). Read the following conversational situations. Concentrate your attention on the intonation of the replies. Say what attitude you mean to render:

1. – What did you think of the house?

– It seems quite nice.

2. – Why don’t you stay longer?

– I’ve no time. I’m so busy now.

3. – Why didn’t you come there in time?

– You know how far it is.

4. – I’ve no time now. I’m leaving.

– Where to?

5. – He’s given up this idea.

– Sensible chap.

6. – You are not a good swimmer, are you?

– Have I ever pretended to be?

7. – Look. It works.

– So it does. How very odd!

8. – He promised to speak to her.

– The sooner the better.

Mind that

the following contours all sound definite and complete, yet each of them has a clearly distinct range of meanings as far as the speaker’s attitude to the situation and to the listener is concerned. High Fall Contour may be realized in different communicative types of sentences, Tone Groups and render certain attitudinal meanings.

№	Tone Group	Communicative Type of Sentence	Attitudinal Meanings conveyed by Tone Groups
1	Low Pre-Head+High Fall+Tail Did you like the film? It was wonderful.	I. Statements: e.g. – Would you like to join us? I’d love to. II. Questions special You can win easily. How? general I like it here. Do you? III. Imperatives I’m awfully sorry. Forget it. IV. Exclamation Ann is coming soon. Splendid.	personal concern or involvement, sounding interested, lively, airy lively, interested mildly surprised acceptance of the listener’s premises warm very emotional
2	Low Pre-Head + Falling Head + High Fall + Tail [] What was the show like? Simply splendid.	I. Statements: e.g. – I’m an amateur. I should never be lieve it. You’re good at tennis. II. Questions: a) special I’ve just seen that new musical. What’s it called? b) general He promised to stop smoking. Does he really mean what he says? III. Imperatives: – I shan’t be able to phone you. – Drop me a line, then. IV. Exclamations – She made me come for the second time. – What a shame.	personal concern light, airy, warm interested, brisk, businesslike mildly surprised acceptance of the listener’s premises, sometimes skeptical lively; suggesting a course of action to the listener mild surprise
3	Low Pre-Head+Rising Head+High Fall+Tail  She ought to have informed me at one. Ann  didn’t realize it was imp ortant.	I. Statements: e.g. – I must see Mr. Brown. I’m afraid, you can’t. II. Questions: a) special You must look through it again. What’s wrong about it? b) general In my view he’s a robber. Could you be mistaken? III. Imperatives: I doubt if I can do it better. Try again. IV. Exclamations: He’s won this competition. Would you believe it!	personal concern, involvement, disgruntled protest unpleasantly surprised or displeased, protesting protesting, impatient lively, with a note of critical surprise affronted surprise, protesting

b). In the following conversational contexts compare the modal meaning of the reactions first within a contour and then within a communicative type:

1. – Did you travel on business or for pleasure?

• I traveled on business.

1. – Do you think I should ring him?

• Mightn’t it be better to wait?

1. – Here’s a letter for you.

• Thank you.

1. – What would you like to read?

• I don’t know.

5. – How long do you want me to stay?

– Stay as long as you possibly can.

c). Dramatize the following situations using the falling contours practised above.

1. Two group-mates are talking. One of them says their friend Mike has failed his exam. The other is not surprised. He says Mike should work harder.

2. Nick asks his group-mate where the lecture on psychology will be held. His friend says that it will be held in room 12. He has just looked up the time table.