Vowel Sounds /ᴐ:/ , /ᴐ/ & Synonyms – JSS3 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

/ɔ:/ is a long rounded vowel as in cork, and /ɒ/ is a short rounded vowel as in cock. Synonyms are words that are similar or nearly the same in meaning, such as blunder and mistake.

Behavioural objectives

1. Pronounce and tell apart the vowel sounds /ɔ:/ and /ɒ/ in pairs of words such as cork and cock.
2. Transcribe words containing /ɔ:/ and /ɒ/.
3. Explain what synonyms are.
4. Recognise synonyms from the context and from word formation.
5. Give synonyms of given words and use them in sentences.

What are the vowel sounds /ɔ:/ and /ɒ/?

/ɔ:/ and /ɒ/ are two vowel sounds made with rounded lips and the back of the tongue, and they differ mainly in length.

• /ɔ:/: a long vowel, as in cork /kɔ:k/, port /pɔ:t/ and dawn /dɔ:n/.
• /ɒ/: a short vowel, as in cock /kɒk/, pot /pɒt/ and don /dɒn/.

How do we make each sound?

1. Round your lips for both sounds.
2. For /ɔ:/, hold the sound longer and keep the lips rounded and fairly close.
3. For /ɒ/, make the sound short and open the mouth a little wider.
4. Say the pair slowly, for example cork and cock, and listen to the difference in length.

How are the sounds spelt?

• or: spells /ɔ:/ in cork, port, short and sport.
• aw: spells /ɔ:/ in dawn and awed.
• augh and ough: spell /ɔ:/ in taught and nought.
• o: usually spells /ɒ/ in cock, pot, spot, shot and not.

What are examples of words that contrast /ɔ:/ and /ɒ/?

Read each pair aloud. The words in the first column have /ɔ:/ and the words in the second column have /ɒ/.

What are synonyms?

Synonyms are words that are similar or nearly the same in meaning.

• Example: blunder and mistake both mean a wrong act or error.
• Use: synonyms help us avoid repeating the same word and let us choose the word that fits best.
• Limit: no two words mean exactly the same thing, because each word has its own shade of meaning.

How do the shades of meaning differ?

Killing is a deliberate act that causes somebody or something to die, and many words are linked to it.

• Murder: the unlawful and deliberate killing of a person.
• Assassination: the killing of an important person, often for political reasons.
• Manslaughter: the unlawful killing of a person without planning to do so.
• Slaying: a formal or literary word for killing.
• Other related words: suffocation, strangulation, hanging, bloodshed, butchery, taking life and destruction.

• Each word shows a different form or manner of causing death.
• Even so, one word can replace another in some situations.

How do we recognise synonyms?

We recognise synonyms by using the context of the sentence and our knowledge of word formation.

1. Look at the context in which the word is used. Relate the word to others in the sentence and in the options given.
2. Connect the word with the surrounding words to work out its meaning.
3. Apply your knowledge of word formation (prefixes, roots and suffixes) to work out the meaning of the given words.
4. Choose the word whose meaning fits the sentence best.

How does word formation help?

• illegal: the prefix il- means not, so illegal means not legal, which gives unlawful.
• grateful: it comes from grate (thanks) plus -ful (full of), so it is close to thankful.

How does context help?

• Sentence: The boy made a blunder in the sum.
• Clue: a wrong answer in a sum is a mistake or an error, so blunder means mistake.

What are examples of synonyms?

Here are common words with their synonyms.

How do we use synonyms in sentences?

• The pupil made a blunder in the test. / The pupil made a mistake in the test.
• The measles disease is contagious. / The measles disease is infectious.
• We are grateful for your help. / We are thankful for your help.

What is expository composition?

Expository composition is writing that explains a topic clearly and gives facts or information to the reader.

• Introduction: states the topic to be explained.
• Body: explains the topic in clear paragraphs, one main point in each.
• Ending: closes the explanation briefly.
• Comprehension: read a passage in the New Oxford course for JSS 3.

Evaluation

1. Give the synonyms of these words: redress, bravery, anger, defend, character.
2. Transcribe any ten words of your choice from the word lists above and identify the vowel /ɔ:/ or /ɒ/ in each.
3. Define synonyms and give two examples.
4. State two ways of recognising synonyms.
5. Which word in each pair has the vowel /ɔ:/: sport or spot, cod or cord, not or nought?

Assignment

Do both parts in your exercise book.

1. Give a synonym of each of these words and use each synonym in a sentence: contagious, famous, oral, possible, ancient.
2. Give ten pairs of words that contrast the sounds /ɔ:/ and /ɒ/.