Stress in Longer Words
The -ity rule and other suffixes
A ready-to-teach B1+/B2 pronunciation lesson on stress in long words such as responsibility, sustainability and opportunity.
Students clap the syllables, then learn the -ity rule: the main stress falls on the syllable just before the suffix. The same idea is extended to -ic, -ion, -ial, -ious and -ify, with a reference bank of -ity words to keep. They mark the stress, sort words by counting syllables from the end, fill gaps as you read sentences aloud, build words outward from the stressed syllable in a back-chaining drill and discuss three big questions using the target words.
What's inside
- 15 colourful slides to project, with answer keys straight after each exercise
- Rule slides, secondary stress and a reference bank of -ity words
- Three exercises: mark the stress, sort the words, listen and complete
- Back-chaining drill, small-group speaking task, wrap-up and homework
Level: B1+ / B2 · Time: 45–60 minutes · Prep: none. Project and teach; you model the sounds yourself, so no audio is needed.
Please note: this is a slides-only lesson, without a separate printable worksheet. It is also part of the Pronunciation Toolkit bundle of 16 lessons.
Licensed to the purchaser for classroom use. Please do not share or resell.
