What these terms mean, in plain English

• Sentence stress: which words in a sentence get more loudness and length. Content words like nouns and verbs are usually stressed; function words like articles are usually weak.
• Intonation: the melody of your voice across a sentence, often called pitch movement.
• Thought group: a short chunk of speech that carries one idea, marked by a tiny pause.
• Tonic syllable: the syllable that carries the main pitch change inside a thought group.
• Fall, rise, fall-rise: common pitch shapes. Fall sounds complete, rise sounds open or inviting, fall-rise sounds balanced or uncertain.
• Weak forms: reduced forms of function words, for example can → kn, to → tə.

Why Band 7 needs this
Fluency is not only speed. It is pacing, clear focal points, and melody that supports meaning. Good stress and intonation help examiners follow your ideas without asking for repeats. They also hide small grammar slips because your message remains easy to track.

A simple 3-layer audio plan

1. Chunking: cut long sentences into thought groups of 4 to 7 words. Mark groups with slashes /.
2. Focus: choose one key word per group to carry the tonic syllable. Put CAPS on the tonic syllable when you practice.
3. Contour: choose a fall, rise, or fall-rise for the last group to match purpose: fall for statements, rise for yes-no questions or unfinished ideas, fall-rise for contrast or polite disagreement.

Model focus words you can reuse

• Reasons: BEcause, DUE to, SO
• Contrast: HOWever, ALthough, INstead
• Add: IN adDItion, ALso
• Attitude: UNfortunately, THANKfully, aMAZingly

Example 1: Same words, different stress
Sentence: I did not expect the results to change.
a) Neutral report: / i did NOT exPECT / the reSULTS to CHANGE /.
b) Contrastive stress on results: / i did not expect / the REsults to change /.
c) Contrastive stress on change: / i did not expect the results to CHANGE /.
Meaning shifts with the tonic target. Practice each version and feel how the message moves.

Example 2: Intonation patterns in answers
Prompt: Do you think online classes are effective.
a) Balanced view with fall-rise: / they are EFfective for ACcess / but not for EVerYOne /.
b) Firm stance with falls: / YES they are EFfective / ESpeCIAlly for RURal students /.
c) Open stance with a rise then fall: / to SOME exTENT ˇ/ they HELP / when the NETwork is GOOD /.
Use a small rise ˇ to signal you will add detail, then finish with a fall \ to sound complete.

How to choose the tonic

• New information usually takes the tonic.
• Contrast takes the tonic even if old.
• Avoid stressing grammar words unless you want emphasis: I CAN finish vs I can FINish.

4 quick drills for daily use

1. Slash and cap: Take any 2 sentences from your script. Add slashes and cap one tonic syllable per group. Read twice.
2. Shadow 30: Shadow a 30 second clip from a clear speaker. Copy pauses and pitch. Record yourself, then compare location of falls and rises.
3. Number ladder: Say 1 to 8 in a single fall (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8), then in a rise (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8ˇ), then split into pairs with tiny pauses. This builds control.
4. Contrast pairs: Read minimal pairs with opposite stress: GREEN cards vs green CARDS, eco NOmy vs eCONomy. Use a hand gesture down for falls, up for rises.

Common mistakes

• Flat delivery: all words same weight. Fix with one focus word per group.
• Over-stressing every content word: sounds mechanical. Keep one main peak.
• Running on without groups: no pause, ideas blur. Insert 300 to 500 ms micro-pauses at slashes.
• Rising at every sentence end: sounds unsure. Use final falls for finished claims.
• Ignoring weak forms: saying to as too in all places. Reduce function words inside groups.

Edge cases and safe choices

• Lists: rise on items 1 to n-1, fall on the last item.
• Numbers and dates: stress the key unit, not every digit: 2019 as twenty NINEteen; 3.5 percent as three point FIVE percent.
• Names: stress the family name in formal contexts if it matters.
• Corrections: use fall-rise to soften disagreement: / i SEE your POINT ˇ/ but the DAta suggest a DIFferent trend /.

Mini case: Rifat in Dhaka
Rifat spoke fast with flat tone. He built a 10 minute routine for 14 days: 3 minutes slash-and-cap, 3 minutes shadowing a clear news clip, 2 minutes contrast pairs, 2 minutes free speaking with a metronome at 120 beats per minute to steady pace. He tracked two numbers: average seconds per thought group and percentage of answers ending with a fall. Results: groups slowed from 1.1 to 1.6 seconds, final falls rose from 30 to 80 percent, and his mock Speaking score moved from 6.0 to 7.0.

Measurable targets

• 4 to 7 words per thought group.
• 1 tonic syllable per group.
• Final falls on most statements; one planned fall-rise per long answer.
• Weak forms used inside groups at least 70 percent of the time.
• Record 90 seconds and count groups and peaks; keep one peak per group.

Tips and tricks

• Draw small arrows over your script: down arrow for fall, up arrow for rise, curved arrow for fall-rise.
• Tap your finger for the tonic syllable. Tactile cues speed learning.
• Smile when giving positive opinions; it subtly lifts pitch and warmth.
• If you speed up, insert a breath after the first group of each long sentence.

To avoid

• Stressing function words like of, to, and, unless for contrast.
• Ending every answer with a rise.
• Long monotone stretches without a clear peak.
• Overacting with dramatic pitch swings that do not match meaning.

Glossary
Sentence stress: the pattern of strong and weak words.
Intonation: the rise and fall of pitch across a sentence.
Thought group: a short unit of speech with one idea.
Tonic syllable: the syllable that carries the main pitch change.
Weak forms: reduced pronunciations of function words.
Fall, rise, fall-rise: basic pitch movements used to signal meaning.

Next steps
Choose one Part 2 topic. Write a 120 word script. Add slashes and mark one tonic per group. Read with planned contours, record, and check that your final groups fall when your idea is complete. Repeat with a different topic tomorrow and keep your two best recordings for review.

1. Actionable closing — Q&A

Q1: How many thought groups should I use in a 2 minute answer
Aim for 20 to 30 groups. Shorter groups are easier to deliver clearly.

Q2: How do I stop rising at the end of every sentence
Plan final falls on statements. Practice reading short news lines with a firm down arrow at the end.

Q3: Where should I put the tonic syllable
On the key new or contrastive word in each group. If everything sounds important, nothing is.

Q4: Can I practice without audio tools
Yes. Use slashes and arrows on paper, a finger tap for tonics, and a metronome app to stabilise pace.

Q5: Should I copy native speed
No. Copy contours first. Keep moderate speed with clear peaks. Speed will rise naturally as control improves.

CTA: Take one 60 second answer today. Add slashes, choose a focus word per group, and plan the final fall. Record twice, then mark where your real peaks happened. Adjust and record once more. Track groups per minute and percentage of answers ending with a fall for one week.