Instructions for Lesson 75
Introduce the letter x, which is pronounced |ks|, |gz|, |z|, or |ksh|, as in box, exit, Xerox™, and complexion, respectively.
x
I REVIEW the voiceless |ks| sound of x, as in box. Typically, this x sound appears at the end of a short-vowel syllable or word. Both the |k| and |s| sounds in this pronunciation of x are voiceless. To demonstrate to yourself that a pronunciation is voiceless, touch your throat while pronouncing the letter. Your throat will not vibrate if the letter is voiceless.
II NEW PATTERN. Learn the sound of |gz| made by x in exit and exam. Usually, the ex is followed by a vowel, as in exit. The |g| sound and the |z| sound found in this x |gz| pronunciation are both voiced, meaning that the vocal cords of the speaker will vibrate. The |gz| sound is the only new sound introduced in Unit 4, and it is the last sound introduced in these lessons.
III NEW PATTERN. Learn the |z| sound of x, as in Xerox™. Most words or syllables that begin with x are pronounced with the |z| sound. Sample words are Xavier |Zā • vē • ər|, xerophytes, and Xerxes (the name of the ancient king of Persia). Consult a dictionary to find out more about these words. Most students love learning about this pattern.
NEW PATTERN. Learn the ph spelling pattern that says |f|. This |f| sound is found in xylophone.
|ksh| |gz| |ks|
IV NEW PATTERN. Learn the xion spelling pattern that says |kshən|.
Note this sound in the word complexion. The word exile can be pronounced with either |gz| or |ks|.
Review: x
V & VI REVIEW the four sounds of x: |ks|, |gz|, |z|, and |ksh|, as in box, exit, Xerox™, and complexion.
REVIEW the ph spelling that is pronounced |f|, as in xylophone.
Two Additional Pronunciations for X
An unusual pronunciation of x is |h|, as in Xavier |Hä • vē • āir| and Mexico |Mĕ • hē • cō|. The x in Xaca is pronounced with the |hw| sound, |Hwä • hä • kə|, and is clearly irregular. Many of the words that are unusual or irregular in English trace their origins to the languages of other countries. Proper names do not always follow a regular pattern. Proper nouns can be pronounced and spelled any way the originating individual, group, or nation chooses.
x
ph = |f|
I.
voiceless x = |ks|
box taxi next mixes exclude Texas index Ajax excuse Mexico
II.
voiced x = |gz|
exit exult exist exalt exact exam exert example exactly existing
III.
x = |z|
Xerox™ xeric xylem xanthic xebec xyloid xenon Xanadu
|f| = ph
xylophone xenophobic
IV.
xi = |ksh|
complexion
x = |gz| or |ks|
exile
Review: x
V.
except exit taxi Texas exile index exactly xylophone maximum indexed
VI.
expect sixteenth relax text extra suffix explain express Exodus experiment
Challenge Words: equinox antioxidant
[e • qui • nox] [an • ti • ox • i • dant]
Homophones:
stare stair team teem steel steal
lone loan see sea mail male
sore soar pain pane plain plane
hall haul mall maul pall Paul