SPEAK with understanding
→ Read or Listen to the passage. Locate all of the meanings of the homonym or heteronym. Studying for a test: limit and time your responses to 30-60 seconds.

HETERONYM: CONTENT

“In language arts, our teacher asked us to write the content of an essay clearly so readers could follow our ideas. She explained that strong content matters more than fancy decoration. Later that afternoon, I noticed my dog lying in the sun, completely content after finishing his meal. His tail wagged slowly, and his eyes half-closed in peace. That evening, I helped my sister sort the content of a box, organizing books and photos into neat piles.”

How many meanings did you find?

List of the different ways that this word can be used.

SPEAK w/ P I E

  • Pronunciation

    Content (/ˈkɒn.tɛnt/) → stress first syllable (material, noun).

    Content (/kənˈtɛnt/) → stress second syllable (satisfied).

  • Intonation Practice
    “The book’s content was fascinating.”
    “She felt content after the meal.”
    “They sorted the content of the box.”

  • Expression Tip
    Stress the first syllable for material.
    Stress the second syllable for feelings.

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. Content (/ˈkɒn.tɛnt/) – the material or substance inside something.

  2. Content (/kənˈtɛnt/) – satisfied, at peace.

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Table of contents – list of sections in a book.

  • Happy and content – fully satisfied.