American Accent Training

( Article Reading )
Working on Pronunciation, Accent

Exercise 1-1 : Read the article the way it is written

Jerry Baldwin waz 30 yearzold. He waz the manager ova pizza restaurant. He lived in an
apartment about one mile northov the restaurant. He walked to(w) and from work. When it
waz raining, he took the bus.

Jerry loved gangster moviez. Whena new one cameout, he would go(w) to the theaterand
watch the new movie three(y)or four timez. Then, whenit went to video, Jerry would buy
the video(w)at Barney’z Video Store. Jerry hada home collection of over 1,000 gangster
videoz. Old ones, new ones, color, blackand white, English, Spanish, Japanese--he loved
themall. He could tell you the nameov the movie, the director, the stars, and the plot. Did
you say you liked “Pulp Fiction”? Well, Jerry would rattleoff all the detailzov tha’ movie.
And then he would invite you to hiz place to watchit some time. He waza nice guy.

Jerry fin’lly decided that he would like to own a gun, just like the gangsterz. So(w) he saved
hiz money for a coupleov years. Then he went to(w)a gun store and boughta used .38
caliber revolver for $300. While there, he(y)also boughta couple of boxez ovammunition.
The following Saturday morning, he went to the gun club to practice with hiz new revolver.
He wazin the club for(w)only 10 minutes when he(y)accident’lly dropped hiz pistol. The
gun went off, and the bullet went into Jerry’z righ’ knee.

Jerry now walks witha limp and a cane, just like some gangsterz.

Exercise 1-2 : Read the article again using what you used in exercise 1-1.

Jerry Baldwin was 30 years old. He was the manager of a pizza restaurant. He lived in an
apartment about one mile north of the restaurant. He walked to and from work. When it was
raining, he took the bus.

Jerry loved gangster movies. When a new one came out, he would go to the theater and
watch the new movie three or four times. Then, when it went to video, Jerry would buy the
video at Barney’s Video Store. Jerry had a home collection of over 1,000 gangster videos. Old
ones, new ones, color, black and white, English, Spanish, Japanese--he loved them all. He
could tell you the name of the movie, the director, the stars, and the plot. Did you say you
liked “Pulp Fiction”? Well, Jerry would rattle off all the details of that movie. And then he
would invite you to his place to watch it some time. He was a nice guy.

Jerry finally decided that he would like to own a gun, just like the gangsters. So he saved his
money for a couple of years. Then he went to a gun store and bought a used .38 caliber
revolver for $300. While there, he also bought a couple of boxes of ammunition. The
following Saturday morning, he went to the gun club to practice with his new revolver. He
was in the club for only 10 minutes when he accidentally dropped his pistol. The gun went
off, and the bullet went into Jerry’s right knee.

Jerry now walks with a limp and a cane, just like some gangsters.
Exercise 2-1: Read the artcle the way it is written

UZ Unemployment Rate Still at More Than 9 Percent

Although many companiezare hiring, the number ovunemployed people doez not go(w) down.
According to government data, too few jobzare being created for the high number ov people
seeking employment.

InAugust, thee(y)unemployment rate roze from 9.5 to 9.6 percent. It haz been more than 9
percent for 16 months.

Last Friday, Obama announced that he(y)iz going to prezenta new package ov propozals
including tax cuts and spending to create new jobs.

Exercise 2-2 : Read the article again using what you used in exercise 2-1.

US Unemployment Rate Still at More Than 9 Percent

Although many companies are hiring, the number of unemployed people does not go down.
According to government data, too few jobs are being created for the high number of people
seeking employment.

In August, the unemployment rate rose from 9.5 to 9.6 percent. It has been more than 9 percent
for 16 months.

Last Friday, Obama announced that he is going to present a new package of proposals including
tax cuts and spending to create new jobs.