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: PARK

“On Saturday morning, our family drove to the city park for a picnic. The grass was green, children played near the swings, and music drifted from a small stage. After lunch, Dad circled the streets, trying to park the car close to the entrance. He finally found a spot, and we carried our things back inside. I pushed the stroller and decided to park it by the bench while we played Frisbee. Later, as we walked home, my brother groaned that he was tired. Dad laughed and told him to just park it on the couch when we got home and rest for the evening.”

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
    Park = /pɑrk/ → sounds like dark

  • Intonation Practice
    “We spent the afternoon at the park.”
    “Please park the car near the gate.”
    “I’ll park the stroller by the bench.”
    “After work, he told me to just park it on the sofa.”

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

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. A green outdoor space for recreation.

  2. To stop and leave a vehicle.

  3. To leave something in a place temporarily.

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Park it – sit down or stay in one place.

  • Wrong ballpark / not even in the same park – far from the correct idea or guess.

  • Out of your park / out of your league – not suitable for you, beyond your ability.