It is very rare to see a
Secondary School English exam without questions on Emphatic Stress. WAEC,
NECO, NABTEB or JAMB makes sure that their objective test questions on Use of
English don't get to candidates without the inclusion of questions on Emphatic
Stress. That is why students sitting for either of these exams must understand this topic.
Questions on
Emphatic Stress are the simplest, but students still fail them. This is because
they are yet to understand the topic (Emphatic Stress), hence
the need for this tutorial.
Emphatic
stress is a stress placed on a particular word in a phrase or clause for
clarity or emphasis. In WAEC's, NECO's, NABTEB's and JAMB's Use of English exams, the
word that is emphasized or the word that carries the emphatic stress is usually
capitalized.
Example:
Tammy's
girlfriend is always STUNNING.
In the example
above, "stunning" carries the emphatic stress.
How Does WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or JAMB Set Their Questions on Emphatic Stress?
Questions on emphatic stress by these examination bodies take the same format. For instance, you might be asked to choose the option that carries the emphatic stress in the question below.
Tammy's girlfriend is always STUNNING.
A. Is Emeka's
wife always stunning?
B. Is Tammy's
sister always stunning?
C. Is Tammy's
wife always beautiful?
D. Is Tammy's
wife occasionally stunning?
How Do I
Know the Correct Option in the Options Above?
It is very
simple. Since the word that has the emphatic stress is "stunning", the option
that does not have "stunning" becomes the correct answer. In the question
above, the emphasis is on "stunning", so the answer will be an option
without "stunning". Therefore, the answer is C.
If the emphasis was on "Tammy's", then the answer would be A. If the emphasis was on "wife", the answer would be B. If the emphasis was on
"always", the answer would be D.
Things to
Note while Choosing Your Answer.
In order to
choose your answers correctly, it is very important you take note of the
following:
1. Take note
of the word that is emphasized in the question. The word that is emphasised is
usually capitalised.
2. When choosing your answer, choose the option that does not have the capitalised word. All the options except one carry the capitalised word in the question. The one without the capitalised word is the correct option.
2. When choosing your answer, choose the option that does not have the capitalised word. All the options except one carry the capitalised word in the question. The one without the capitalised word is the correct option.
3. You are
good to go.
Are you still
confused, kindly use the comment box to ask your question(s).
I wish you
the best!