2. Practise consonant clusters with [r] in connected speech.

a) set expressions, proverbs and sayings

1. No cross, no crown.

2. Once a priest, always a priest.

3. Strike while the iron is hot.

4. Truth is stranger than fiction.

5. A tree is known by it’s fruit.

6. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

7. Jack of all trades is master of none.

8. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.

9. Don’t swap horses when crossing a stream.

10. The drowning man will catch at a straw.

11. Drop by drop the sea is drained.

12. The last drop makes the cup run over.

13. Company in distress makes trouble less.

14. Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.

15. Criminals often return to the scene of the crime.

b) sentences

1. I’ll probably try crabs or prawns.

2. Andrew would rather have a dry martini.

3. The price of electricity is increasing.

4. My French friends are afraid of frosts.

5. Frida came across to me as a very strange creature.

6. Prosperity makes friends and adversity tries them.

7. The President’s promises were too good to be true.

8. The Prime Minister’s speech was incredibly straightforward.

9. The judge drew the attention of the jury to the handwriting.

10. Trams, trolleybuses and trains were overcrowded on Friday.

11. This new project will follow in the same brilliant tradition.

12. It was problematic to to control birth-rate in that remote region.

13. We had a drought last summer: it didn’t rain for six weeks.

14.The heat is extremely oppressive and it depresses me greately.

c) conversational contexts

1.

– When does our train leaves?

– I’m not sure. I must ring up and find out.

2.

– Excuse me, please, where’s the Platform Three?

– No problem. It’s just through the subway.

3.

– Let me introduce you to some friends. This is Jane and Robert.

– Hello. Pleased to meet you. Is it your first visit to this country?

4.

– Excuse me, is it far to Buckingham Palace?

– No, no. Cross the street, through the park and there is it.

5.

– Excuse me, where is the restaurant please?

– Through the double doors, across the hall, along the passage, first door on your right, and down the stairs.

6.

– How are the underground stations marked in London?

– They are marked with red circles and blue crossbars.

7.

– We are planning to go for a world-wide cruise in spring.

– A cruise in spring? Oh, how thrilling!

8.

– Andrew has a temperature and a sore throat.

– I wish I hadn’t allowed him that ice cream on Friday.

9.

– I’m sorry to trouble you, but could I borrow your electric drill?

– It’s no trouble. I’m not using it right now.

10.

– Could you put me through to Lost Property, please?

– I’m afraid they don’t open until three.

11.

– How can he be a truck driver if he drinks like a fish?

– He’s a professional driver: he knows the tricks of the trade.

12.

– Do you think you can make a true portrait of my pretty wife?

– My friend, I can make it so life-like you’ll scream every time you see it.

13.

– I’m dreadfully sorry I’m late. I got stuck in a traffic jam at the crossroads of High Street and Fleet Street.

– It’s almost incredible! That’s been thrice since Christmas!

14.

– Did you have a nice holiday?

– Not really. I often wished I’d brought my car to the Continent. If I had, it would have solved a lot of problems.

15.

– What are your first impressions of Greece?

– It’s quite different from what I expected. I still feel pretty homesick. Everything seems so strange.

d) tongue-twisters, dialogues, texts

1.

2.

– Is the video recorder OK?

– Fine, no problem. Quite straightforward.

– Is the manual any good?

– Very clear, pretty comprehensive.

– Did it cost you a pretty penny?

– No, the price was quite reasonable. Just right.

3.

4.

A proud parent

5.