More contrastive stress

AIM: To identify key information by listening to stress patterns in sentences.

INTRODUCTION: Contrastive stress is used to highlight specific information in contrast to something else. In this activity, you will listen to sentences and identify which piece of information is being highlighted.

Example: It’s hard to stop smoking

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a. but it's not impossible
b. but you can try cutting down

Answer: Because the stress was on ‘hard’ this contrasts with ‘impossible; so the answer is (a). If the stress was on ‘stop’ then this would contrast with ‘cut down’ and the answer would be (b).

INSTRUCTIONS: Listen to the following sentences and select the appropriate response or ending.

Question 1: Did you see the doctor yesterday?

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Answer: *

no, I spoke to her on the phone.

no, but I saw a nurse.

no, it was the day before yesterday.

Question 2: Have you noticed any change recently?

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Answer: *

no but my partner thinks it’s getting worse.

no, I think it’s about the same.

not since I saw you last month.

Question 3: We haven’t seen a big improvement yet...

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Answer: *

but we’re expecting more results soon.

but the specialist says the signs are good.

but even a small increase is encouraging.

Question 4: We may not be able to remove the whole tumour...

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Answer: *

but we should get most of it.

but I’m hopeful that we can.

but we can alleviate the pain.

Question 5: I think it’s getting better...

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Answer: *

but we’ll see what the test results say.

even though it feels worse just now.

but the other doctor is still concerned.

Question 6: Your blood pressure’s up a bit...

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Answer: *

but not enough to be concerned about.

but your heart rate is normal.

so it’s good that you came to see me.

Question 7: These tablets should help...

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Answer: *

so stop taking the other ones.

but there are other things we can try.

or would you prefer to take a liquid form?

Question 8: The physio gave me some exercises...

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Answer: *

but the doctor told me to rest.

but I think I can do more.

but I haven’t been doing them regularly.

Question 9: My nausea’s getting worse...

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Answer: *

but I’m not feeling dizzy any more.

and I’m throwing up more. often

but Sam’s has stopped.

Please answer every question before continuing.

Contrastive stress is important for both listening and speaking. Listening to patient cues is not just a matter of listening to the words but to how the patient uses contrastive stress. Pay attention to which words the patient seems to be highlighting, to help you understand what they’re contrasting, as in these activities. In speaking, if a patient has trouble understanding the doctor, then effective use of contrastive stress can be a useful skill.

FOLLOW-UP: Go back though the activity above, reading each sentence aloud and changing the word you stress to give a different meaning.

PRACTICE: Respond to the following statements using appropriate contrastive stress.
e.g. The sun rises in the west – No, the sun rises in the EAST or The sun SETS in the west

Smoking is good for you
Children shouldn’t exercise
Cancer is contagious
Diabetes affects the lymph nodes
Doctors know everything
Contraception is always foolproof

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