• Palm (a tropical tree) – Noun

• Palm (the inner part of the hand) – Noun

Pronunciation

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

• Palm (Noun): Pronounced /pɑlm/ (PAHM) — A type of tree.

• Palm (Noun): Pronounced /pɑlm/ (PAHM) — The inner part of your hand.

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 "palm" in context.
Can you tell which “palm” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. The palm tree grew tall near the ocean.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

2. She held the butterfly in her palm.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

3. They relaxed under the shade of the palm trees.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

4. He spread his palm to show the scar.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

5. The leaves of the palm swayed in the breeze.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

6. She placed the ring gently in his palm.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

7. The tourists took photos of the tall palm trees.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

8. He felt a tickle in his palm and laughed.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

9. The landscaper planted three palm trees along the driveway.
   a. A tropical tree
   b. The inner part of your hand

10. The artist painted a detailed image of a palm tree.
    a. A tropical tree
    b. The inner part of your hand

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. a

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.

Use the bolded words to help you send the intended message.

Palm (a tropical tree)

1. The palm tree swayed in the breeze. (Stress palm tree to emphasize the tropical setting.)

2. We rested under the shade of the palm trees. (Highlight shade to evoke a sense of relaxation.)

3. The gardener trimmed the palm leaves carefully. (Stress leaves to focus on the action.)

Palm (the inner part of the hand)

1. He opened his palm to reveal the key. (Stress palm to focus on the body part.)

2. The butterfly rested gently in her palm. (Emphasize gently to show the care.)

3. She spread her palm wide to signal stop. (Stress spread to show 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. Create your own sentences with the following words and phrases.

Palm (a tropical tree):

1. Palm tree: Suggests tropical scenery or relaxation.

   • Tip: Say palm tree slower to emphasize the peaceful scene.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

2. Palm leaves: Highlights the tree's physical characteristics.

   • Tip: Stress leaves to show how they sway in the wind.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

3. Under the palm tree: Focuses on the sense of shade and comfort.

   • Tip: Emphasize under to set the scene.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

Palm (the inner part of the hand):

1. Open palm: Indicates gesture or offering.

   • Tip: Say open slower to focus on the action.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

2. Place in the palm: Stresses care and delicacy.

   • Tip: Highlight place to show how carefully it was done.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

3. Palm wide open: Adds emphasis to the action or gesture.

   • Tip: Say wide slower to stress how much it was open.

   • Sentence: ____________________.

Things to Remember:

The word "palm" is used in different contexts:

• Palm (a tree): Works with descriptive verbs like "is," "are," "was," "were."

  • Example: The palm tree is tall and majestic.

• Palm (the hand): Works with action verbs like "hold," "place," "spread."

  • Example: She placed the coin in her palm.