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: CLOSE

“I walked to the door and reached out to close it softly so the wind wouldn’t blow the papers away. My little brother complained that bedtime was too early, but Mom said it was time to close his book and turn off the light. The next morning, I stood close to the bus stop sign, waiting for my friends to arrive. The air was chilly, and we all huddled close together to keep warm. At school, the teacher reminded us that the deadline was getting close, so we needed to finish our projects quickly. By the time the bell rang, I was closing in on exhaustion—all in one ordinary day.”

How many meanings did you find?

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

SPEAK w/ P I E

  • Pronunciation

    Close (/kloʊz/) → sounds like doze (verb: shut).

    Close (/kloʊs/) → sounds like dose (adjective: near).

  • Intonation Practice
    “Please close the window.”
    “She stood very close to me.”
    “The deadline is getting close.”
    “They are a close family.”

  • Expression Tip
    To say close (shut), hold the “o” slightly longer.
    To say close (near), say it quickly without holdin    g the vowel.

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. Close (/kloʊz/) – to shut something.

  2. Close (/kloʊs/) – near in distance.

  3. Close (/kloʊs/) – near in time.

  4. Close (/kloʊs/) – intimate, emotionally near.

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Close call – a narrow escape from danger.

  • Close the deal – finalize an agreement.

  • Close to home – emotionally personal.