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.

HOMONYM: BANK

“This morning, I stopped at the bank to deposit my paycheck before heading to work. The line was long, but the teller greeted everyone kindly. Later that afternoon, I walked along the river and sat down on the grassy bank, listening to the water rush past. A group of ducks waddled by, splashing near the edge. That evening, I played a video game where the plane had to bank sharply to the left to avoid mountains. The sudden tilt made the screen shake, and my brother shouted in surprise. We laughed as we tried again, leaning our bodies with the motion as though we were really inside the cockpit.”

How many meanings did you find?

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

SPEAK w/ P I E

(Pronunciation Intonation Expression)

  • Pronunciation
    Bank = /bæŋk/ → sounds like thank

  • Intonation Practice
    “She went to the bank to deposit money.”
    “They sat by the river bank.”
    “The plane will bank to the right.”
    “You can always bank on her help.”

  • Expression Tip
    Remember: The word will be stressed differently depending on how it is being used.

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. A financial institution.

  2. The side of a river.

  3. To tilt or lean (as in a plane).

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Bank on it – rely on something.

  • Break the bank – cost too much.

  • A bank of clouds – a large mass.

  • Laugh all the way to the bank – profit easily.