In this section you will hear a mini-lecture. You will hear the lecture once only. While listening to the lecture, take notes on the important points. Your notes will not be marked, but you will need them to complete a 15-minute gap-filling task on ANSWER SHEET after the mini-lecture. Use the blank paper for note-taking.
The Rise of RP
Historical reasons
Received pronunciation was originally associated with a (1) spoken in the region between central England and London, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Its survival was due to its use by the (2) in the 14th century and by university students in the (3) Ages.
Its rise in importance resulted from its application in government and official documents.
The prestige of its (4) pattern of pronunciation came about with its use in (5) schools in the 19th century.
As a result, its (6) is accepted by television and the radio, the professions and teaching English as a foreign language.
Three characteristics of RP
1)its speakers don’t regard themselves as connected with any geographical region;
2) RP is largely used in England;
3) RP is a "class" accent, associated with (7) social classes.
Its present status
Decline in the prestige of RP is the result of a) loss of monopoly of education by the privileged; b) (8) of high education in the post-war period.
However, it still retains its eminence among certain professional people.
There is a rise in the status of all (9) accents.
We are moving towards the(10) position: general acceptance of all regional accents and absence of a class accent that transcends all regions.