Question

What type of stress is used to highlight an important word in a sentence?

• A. Primary stress
• B. Sentence stress
• C. Secondary stress
• D. Weak stress

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Sentence stress

The type of stress used to highlight an important word in a sentence is called "sentence stress" or more specifically, "emphatic stress."

• In a sentence, certain words are stressed more than others to highlight important information, contrast, or emotion.

• Content words (nouns, main verbs, adjectives, adverbs) usually carry stress, while function words (articles, prepositions, pronouns) are typically unstressed.

Types of Sentence Stress:

1. Normal sentence stress → Follows natural rhythm (stress-timed)

   • "I bought a new car." (Main verb bought is stressed)

2. Emphatic stress → Used to emphasize a particular word for contrast or importance.

   • "I BOUGHT a new car." (Emphasizing who bought it)

   • "I bought a NEW car." (Emphasizing it's new, not used)