Applying correct stress patterns

Read the passage below. 

As you read, underline the words or syllables you think will be stressed when spoken. Next, listen to the recording to compare your predictions. It may help to listen to the entire passage once, then play it again in short sections, pausing as needed to focus on tricky parts. 

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Theaters of the Elizabethan period were open-air constructions in which poorer members of the audience, "the groundlings," stood in a space called "the pit" around three sides of a projecting rectangular platform that formed the main stage. Most of the perimeter of the building comprised covered, tiered galleries, and it is here that the wealthier members of the audience sat. A roof supported on two pillars projected from the back wall and covered part of the stage. The main stage was hollow and could be accessed from below through trapdoors set in the floor. The main stage also had a door on either side at the back, which gave access to the dressing rooms. Between these doors was a small recess, usually curtained off, that could be used for extra stage space. Above this recess was a balcony sometimes used by musicians or, when necessary, by actors in a performance.

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For further practice, listen to the passage again and try to reproduce the speech patterns.