Pronunciation insight 1

Present simple -s endings

The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
/s/ as in chats    /z/ as in plays    /ɪz/ as in teaches

1Choose the correct -s ending. Complete each category with the verbs in the box. There should be three words in each category. 

MOVE
• does
• eats
• finishes
• likes
• goes
• watches
• loves
• talks

/ɪz/

 

teaches

/z/

  

/s/

  

2Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 1. Then play again, listen and repeat. 

Answers

Present simple -s endings

The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
/s/ as in chats       /z/ as in plays      /ɪz/ as in teaches

3Play the recording, listen to the -s endings and choose the sound you hear. 

• 1  gets	/ɪz//z//s/
  2  has	/ɪz//z//s/
  3  feels	/ɪz//z//s/
  4  takes	/ɪz//z//s/
  5  washes	/ɪz//z//s/
  6  uses	/ɪz//z//s/
  7  lives	/ɪz//z//s/
  8  walks	/ɪz//z//s/

4Play the recording, listen and check your answers to exercise 3. Then play again, listen and repeat. 

Answers

Present simple -s endings

The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
/s/ as in chats      /z/ as in plays      /ɪz/ as in teaches

5Play the recording and listen to the sentences. Choose the -s ending sound you hear. 

• 1/ɪz//z//s/

• 2/ɪz//z//s/

• 3/ɪz//z//s/

Answers

Present simple -s endings

The third person present simple form always ends in -s. We always say the final -s. There are three different ways to pronounce the final -s.
/s/ as in chats        /z/ as in plays      /ɪz/ as in teaches

6Complete the sentences with the verbs in the box. Then choose the correct symbols: /ɪz/, /z/ or /s/. Then play the recording, listen and check. 

MOVE
• chat
• get
• have
• play
• start
• study
• use
• watch

• 1Jenny  basketball on Saturdays.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 2Jasmin  TV every evening.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 3Zoe  breakfast at 9.00 on Saturdays.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 4Jim  dressed before breakfast.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 5Tom  school at 8.30 in the morning.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 6Lauren  her computer to do her homework.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 7Callum  on the phone to Kelly every evening.

  /z//s//ɪz/

• 8Lucy  Portuguese after school on Thursday.

  /z//s//ɪz/

Answers