1. The combinations of the vowels “ea” and “ee” typically result in a long [i:] sound. Like in these word families: -ea, -each, -ead, -eak, -eal, -eam, -ean, -eap, -ear, -east, -eat, and -eave. For example,
- pleadingly (умоляюще)
- at least
- bleeding (кровоточащий)
- beach
- bead (бусинка)
- lead (руководить, вести)
- leave (уезжать, уходить)
- heat
- meal
- knead (замешивать тесто)
- pretty (милый, приятный, довольно)
2. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, e.g., pleasant (приятный), ahead, ready, dead, steadily (постоянно), to sweat (to break into sweat), weapons, lead (графит, свинец) which result in a short [e] sound. The table below is compiled using the following word families: -ead, -ealth and -ear. Practice reading these exceptions.
| Examples | Word Family |
| dead | -ead |
| head | -ead |
| steady (устойчивый, постоянный) | -ead |
| read (читал, читавший) | -ead |
| bread | -ead |
| dread (страшиться) | -ead |
| spread (spread, spread) (распространять) | -ead |
| thread (нить) | -ead |
| tread (trod, trodden) (наступать на ногу, топтать) | -ead |
| health | -ealth |
| wealth | -ealth |
| stealth (хитрость) | -ealth |
| bear | -ear |
| pear | -ear |
| wear | -ear |
| swear (клясться) | -ear |
3. Practice correct reading of the words with”ea” and ‘ee”. The meaning of the word will guide you.
- lead
- leave
- bead of sweat
- read
- bread
- dread (страшиться)
- wealth
- stealth (хитрость)
- meal
- heat
- bleeding
- beach
- tread (наступать на ногу, топтать)
- health
- at least
- bear
- pear
- pleadingly
- wear
- swear
- ahead,
- ready,
- dead,
- steadily (постоянно),
- to sweat (to break into sweat)
- weapons
4. Read these words in sentences. Don’t rush when reading, before you shoul determine the meaning.
His mind wandered, and he lost the thread of what she was saying
Kathleen looked at him pleadingly.
Everything’s packed, and we’re ready to leave.
Keep the camera steady while you take a picture.
Knead the dough for three minutes.
Sorry, did I tread on your foot?
Cats rely on stealth to catch their prey.
Police are trying to contact the family of the dead man.
It will take you at least 20 minutes to get there.
The bleeding had almost stopped.
He watched the dark stain spread over the gray carpet.
He looked steadily at his uncle.
Don’t swear in front of the children.
I’ve got an interview tomorrow and I’m dreading it.
She picked up the letter and read it.
Our hotel was right next to the beach.
She wore a string of green glass beads around her neck.
You can’t believe everything you read in the papers.
Some people say she is too old to lead the country.
Never leave children playing near water unattended.
Dinner is the main meal of the day for most people.
We could see the lights of Las Vegas up ahead.
Have a plesant day!
Ice needs heat to melt.
She was dressed in black from head to toe
She still looks pretty miserable.
How do you call the central part of a pencil that makes the marks when you write? Lead! Lead can also refer to a chemical element: symbol Pb.
I was sweating a lot despite the air conditioning.
They all had sticks which they planned to use as weapons.
She served the soup with stale bread.