• Match (a contest or competition) – Noun

• Match (a stick for starting a fire) – Noun

Pronunciation

These words are homonyms, meaning they are spelled the same, sound the same, but have different meanings.

• Match (Noun): Pronounced /mætʃ/ (MATCH) — A game or contest.

• Match (Noun): Pronounced /mætʃ/ (MATCH) — A stick for starting fire.

Listen to the audio. They sound the same.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Instruction

Read each sentence aloud and practice identifying the meaning of "match" in context.
Can you tell which “match” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. The soccer match was thrilling from start to finish.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

2. He struck a match to light the candle.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

3. The tennis match lasted for over three hours.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

4. She used a match to ignite the fireplace.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

5. The match between the two teams ended in a draw.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

6. He lit the match and quickly blew it out.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

7. The chess match tested their strategies and patience.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

8. The matchbox was empty, so they couldn’t start the fire.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

9. The championship match attracted thousands of spectators.
   a. A contest or competition
   b. A stick for starting a fire

10. He carefully held the match to avoid burning himself.
    a. A contest or competition
    b. A stick for starting a fire

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Match (a contest or competition)

1. The match between the rivals was intense. (Stress match to highlight the event.)

2. The championship match was held in the city stadium. (Emphasize match to focus on its significance.)

3. That soccer match was one of the best I’ve ever seen. (Highlight match to show excitement.)

Match (a stick for starting a fire)

1. He lit the candle with a match from the box. (Stress match to show the object used.)

2. The match burned out before they could light the campfire. (Emphasize match to focus on the failure.)

3. Always strike a match away from your body for safety. (Highlight match to focus on the action.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking.

Match (a contest or competition):

1. Championship match: Refers to the final or most important game.

   • Tip: Stress championship to show the importance.

   • Sentence: The championship match drew a huge crowd.

2. Exciting match: Suggests high energy or interest.

   • Tip: Highlight exciting to convey enthusiasm.

   • Sentence: The teams played an exciting match that kept everyone on edge.

3. Close match: Describes a competition with equal skill levels.

   • Tip: Emphasize close to indicate the tight competition.

   • Sentence: It was a close match, with the score tied until the final minute.

Match (a stick for starting a fire):

1. Strike a match: Refers to the action of igniting it.

   • Tip: Highlight strike to focus on the movement.

   • Sentence: He had to strike a match several times before it lit.

2. Burning match: Describes the flame or heat.

   • Tip: Stress burning to show the danger.

   • Sentence: The burning match fell to the ground quickly.

3. Matchbox: Refers to the container for matches.

   • Tip: Emphasize box to show the storage.

   • Sentence: She reached for the matchbox to light the candle.

Things to Remember:

The word "match" is used in different contexts:

• Match (a contest or competition): Works with phrases like "championship match," "exciting match," or "close match."

  • Example: The exciting match kept the audience engaged until the last second.

• Match (a stick for starting a fire): Often paired with words like "strike a match," "burning match," or "matchbox."

  • Example: He carefully struck a match to light the fireplace.