ORAL DRILLS

1.If a big old toad jumps on the boat as we row

across the moat, the boat won't float. So don't
row close to the big old toads as you row across
the moat, and the boat will float.
2. We surely shall see the sun shine soon
3. Eleven benevolent elephants (x3)
[ou] as in oh, no, and boat
Lips: Tense and very rounded
Jaw: Rises with the tongue and closes slightly
Tongue: Glides from midlevel to near the roof of the mouth
Possible Pronunciation Problems
Once again, your pronunciation problems with this sound occur
because of confusing English spelling patterns and similarities with
other vowel sounds.
EXAMPLES
If you say [ʌ ] instead of [ou]: coat will sound like cut.
If you say [ɔ] instead of [ou]: bold will sound like bald.
If you say [a] instead of [ou]: note will sound like not.
When producing the diphthong [ou], round your lips into the shape of
the o. [ou] is a long sound; be sure to prolong it.
[ou] At the Beginning of Words
oat odor oval
own only open
oak over ocean
old
[ou] In the Middle of Words
Boat roam spoke
Both loan soul
Coast known don’t
Nose
[ou] At the End of Words
go sew snow
no ago hello
so show though
toe
[ou] Spelled
o oa ow oe ou
no soap know toe dough
rope goat owe hoe though
vote loan grow goes shoulder
home foam throw
fold load bowl
Listen and repeat. Pay attention to the [ou] sound in the boldfaced words.
1. Leave me alone!
2. I suppose so.
3. only joking
4. Hold the phone.
5. open and close
6. at a moment's notice
7. Tony Jones broke his toe.
8. Don't go down the old road.
9. Repeat the [ou] words slowly over and over!
10. No one knows how old Flo is.

Read the names of the following household items. Circle the items pronounced
with the diphthong [ou].
1. toaster pan bookcase freezer
2. clock telephone faucet radio
3. stove sofa lawn mower table
4. doorknob window television coatrack
5. can opener mixing bowl clothes dryer iron
Read the dialogue. Then work with a partner. Circle all the words containing the
diphthong [ou].
Joe: Rose, let's go on a trip. We need to be alone.
Rose: OK, Joe. Where should we go?
Joe: I know! We'll go to Ohio.
Rose: Great! We'll visit my Uncle Roland.
Joe: No, it's too cold in. Ohio. We'll go to Arizona.
Rose: Fine. We'll stay with your Aunt Mona!
Joe: No, it's too hot in Arizona. Let's go to Rome.
Rose: Oh, good! You'll meet my Cousin Tony.
Joe: No, no, no!! We won't go to Rome. Let's go to Nome, Alaska. We don't know
anyone there!!
Rose: You won't believe it, but I have an old friend ...
Joe: Hold it, Rose, we won't go anywhere! I suppose we'll just stay home.

ORAL DRILLS
1. A tutor who tooted a flute
Tried to tutor two tooters to toot.
Said the two to their tutor,
“Is it harder to toot or
To tutor two tooters to toot?
2. I looked right at Larry’s rally and left in a hurry.
3. Send toast to ten tense stout saints’ ten tall tents.

[ɔ] as in all, caught, and boss

Possible Pronunciation Problems
The vowel [ɔ] is another troublemaker. Confusing English
spelling patterns can cause you to substitute more familiar
vowels.
EXAMPLES
If you say [a] instead of [ɔ]: caller will sound like collar
If you say [ou] instead of [ɔ]: bought will sound like boat
If you say [ʌ] instead of [ɔ]: bought will sound like but
EXERCISE A
[ ɔ] At the Beginning of Words
all awful always
off often August
also ought audience
[ɔ] In the Middle of Words
boss wrong taught
fall broad across
song bought naughty
[ɔ] At the End of Words
awe flaw thaw
raw draw straw
law claw jaw
[ɔ] Spelled
0 a aw au
Dog fall jaw auto
toss call lawn fault
lost mall dawn cause
long salt drawn taught
offer stall awful auction
Listen and repeat the pairs of words. When you pronounce the)
[ɔ] words, remember to protrude your lips.

[ɔ] [ʌ] [ ɔ] [ou ] [ ɔ] [a]

1. dog dug saw so for far
2. dawn done law low stalk stock
3. long lung tall toll taught tot
4. cough cuff bald bold caught cot
5. bought but bought boat caller collar
Listen and repeat. Pay attention to the boldfaced words
containing the vowel [ɔ].
1. call it off
2. call it quits
3. call the shots
4. all talk
5. walk all over
6. It's all wrong.
7. Is Paul's hair long or short?
8. How much does coffee cost?
9. What is the reward for the lost dog?
10. Did you make a long-distance call to Boston, Albany, or
Baltimore?
Read the dialogue. Circle the words pronounced with the vowel
[ɔ]
Audrey: Hi ,Paula. Did you hear the awful news? Maude called
off her wedding to Claude!
Paula:
Paula: Why, Audrey? I thought they were getting married in
August.
Audrey: Maude kept stalling and decided Claude was the wrong
man.
Paula: Poor Claude. He must be a lost soul.
Audrey: Oh, no. He's abroad in Austria having a ball!
Paula: I almost forgot. What about the long tablecloth we
bought them?
Audrey: I already brought it back. The cost of the cloth will
cover the cost of our lunch today.
Paula: Audrey, you're always so thoughtful!
Read aloud the following story of the Gettysburg Address. Pay attention
to the boldfaced words containing the vowel [ɔ] Remember to drop
your jaw when you say [ɔ]

The Story of the Gettysburg Address

 "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth
upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equaL"
Four months after the Gettysburg Civil War battle was fought,
President Abraham Lincoln delivered these immortal words in
the Gettysburg Address. He talked to an audience of more than
fourteen thousand to dedicate this battlefield to those
unfortunate soldiers who had lost their lives for the cause. He
stood tall and gave a short but strong oration. Many stories
about the Address are false. Lincoln did not write it on a train
right before he arrived. He worked on it in his office, as authors
often do. He also made at least four revisions. Nor was there a
lukewarm response to the speech. From the start, people were
awed by his words, and according to newspaper reports, his
speech was lauded. Almost all of us recall being taught these
famous words in school. His thoughts seem as authentic today
as they were long ago.