INDIRA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Pandur, Thiruvallur 631 203

GE 2321 COMMUNICATION SKILLS LAB

Electronics and communication engineering

SEMESTER VI 2011 2012 (EVEN)

INDIRA INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY Pandur,

Thiruvallur 631 203

University Register No:

CERTIFICATE Certified to be bonafide record of work done by of VI Semester B.E. (Electronics Communication Engineering) in the Communication Skills Lab GE2321 during the academic year 2011 2012.

STAFF IN CHARGE

HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

Submitted for the University Practical Examination held on

Internal Examiner

External Examiner

INDEX
EX. NO. DATE NAME OF THE EXERCISE PAGE NO. SIGN.

CAREER LAB
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. RESUME WRITING REPORT WRITING INTERVIEW SKILLS TECHNICAL PRESENTATION NON - TECHNICAL PRESENTATION GROUP DISCUSSION LANGUAGE LAB 7. 8. 9. 10. ARTICLES PREPOSITION TENSES SUBJECT - VERB AGGREMENT

CAREER LAB

RESUME WRITING

CURRICULAM VITAE
KAMALESH.G

:kamaleshrocker@gmail.com

:8122101549

OBJECTIVE:

Looking for a challenging opportunity where I can utilize my experience, knowledge and education to contribute towards the success of the projects.

ACADEMIC PROFILE: Year Name of degree Electronics & 2009-2013* Communication Engineering Name of institute Indira Institute of Engineering & Technology, Pandur-631 203, Thiruvallur. Percentage

H.S.L.C 2008-2009 DR. V.G.N HR. SEC. SCHOOL

79%

82% 2006-2007 S.S.L.C DR. V.G.N HR. SEC. SCHOOL

SKILL DETAILS: Software Ms Office (2003& 2007), C,C++

PERSONAL PROFILE: Name : KAMALESH.G

Fathers name

G.CHITTI BABU

Sex

Male

Date of birth Marital Status Permanent address

: : :

25-05-1992 Unmarried No24,ANUMATHAPURAM st, thirutani-

Nationality Languages known REFERENCES:

: :

Indian. Tamil, English .

1. Dr. A. Prabakaran, Principal, Indira institute of Engineering and Technology. Phone: 044-27650364 2. Prof. S. Asha, HOD, Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering Indira Institute of Engineering and Technology. Phone: 044-27650364 DECLARATION I hereby declare that the information furnished above is true, correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. Yours truly,

Kamalesh.g
Place: Thiruvalur Date: (KAMALESH.G)

REPORT WRITING

INDUSTRIAL VISIT - REPORT

From KAMALESH.G III-Year, Elecronics and Communication Engineering, IIET, Pandur, Thiruvallur 631 203. To The Head of the Department, Department of Elecronics and Communication Engineering, IIET, Pandur, Thiruvallur 631 203. Respected Sir, Sub: Report on the visit to DOORDARSHAN TELECOMMUNICATION (CHENNAI) Our class mates with four faculty members went for a one day industrial visit to DOORDARSHAN TELECOMMUNICATION (CHENNAI) on 05th March 2011. As planned earlier, everybody assembled in the college at 8.30am. After confirming that all the 64 members have come, we took college bus and left the college and reached by 12pm. The company infra structure was quite astonishing, the hierarchy of the company organization was also observed. A team with H.R, a project manager and two developers received us in heartily manner. First we were taken to Antenna section where a brief presentation on the visit was given. Next we were taken to Transmission and Receiver equipment Station-I, the technology used in that Transmission was overwhelming. Next we were taken to all departments with the instruction that we shouldnt disturb any of the workers present there. We also gained knowledge about how Telecommunication has been generating. The visit came to an end at 3pm with refreshment at the cafeteria. We left the premises at 3.30pm. It was a visit with matter of paramount importance. We heartily thank our HOD for supporting and rendering our carrier. Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,

KAMALESH.G

Place: Date:

(KAMALESH.G)

INTERVIEW SKILLS

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INTERVIEW SKILLS

INTRODUCTION:
There are some easy steps that you can take that will increase your chances of success at interviews. First, remember that job interviews should be a process of two-way communication. Not only are they a tool for employers to use to evaluate you, but they are also an opportunity for you to assess the job, the organization, and to see if there is a "fit." The keys to a successful interview are preparation and practice. The following suggestions will help you prepare for an interview: Self-evaluation It is important for you to think about yourself and your past experiences in order to be ready to articulate what you have to offer an employer. Consider the following topics: How your present and past experience relate to the position Your current and future career goals What skills and expertise you have to offer The skills that you would like to develop or improve Kinds of people and environments you prefer Past experiences you want to highlight such as volunteer work, hobbies, travel

Tips Before Attending An Interview:

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1. Learn about the organization. 2. Refresh on your chosen subject. 3. Refresh on your experience. 4. Identify what you have to offer. 5. Consider your potential as an identity. 6. Practice frequently asked questions. 7. Know the name of the interviewer. 8. Keep your documents ready. 9. Practice makes perfect. 10.Make a trip to the side of interview place in advance. 11.Review your resume. 12.Prepare checklist. Research the Company - A company's website is an excellent place to begin. It usually gives you information on whether it is international or domestic, what its revenues are, how many locations it has, and the nature of its major products. Most companies are very proud of their websites. Don't be surprised if one of the first questions interviewers ask when you arrive is, "Have you have had a chance to look at our website?" Practice interviews - Write down a list of possible questions that you think may be asked, then have a friend act as an interviewer and direct them to you in a practice interview situation. Don't stop until you feel comfortable answering each question. Practicing beforehand will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed during the interview. Dress Professionally - In today's environment, wearing a suit isn't always necessary. Contact the HR Manager of the company or your recruiter, and find out what the dress code is for the company at which you are going to interview. Then dress one level above. For instance, if it is business casual, men can wear dress pants, dress shirt, and sport coat. Women can wear a pantsuit, dress, or a skirt and blouse. Visual impressions are very important. Therefore, if in doubt, always dress on the conservative side. Arrival - Try to

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arrive at the interview location a little early. This gives you time to determine where you need to go, and will give you a few minutes to collect your thoughts. DO NOT arrive late. Nothing destroys your chance at impressing an employer more than arriving late and offering no explanation. If you learn at the last minute that you are going to be arriving late at the interview, call and let the interviewer know. Interviewers understand that things can come up suddenly. You are never considered late if you call and make them aware of the fact. During the Interview:

First impressions - First impressions take only thirty seconds. Establishing rapport, direct and sustained eye contact, a firm handshake, a warm smile, good posture, and introducing yourself in a confident manner are important ingredients. A well-groomed, professional appearance is critical. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, whether it is a woman or a man. (No one likes a weak handshake.) Always maintain eye contact while shaking hands. Smile - A smile denotes confidence in a candidate. Try to smile often. Also, don't be afraid to use some hand animation while answering questions. This suggests enthusiasm in a candidate. Body Language - Use good posture, and look the interviewer right in the eye. Sit up straight. Never slouch. Speak Clearly - Don't mumble. It portrays a lack of confidence. Speak with assurance. This indicates confidence. Listen Before Answering - Allow the employer to begin the interview, but be prepared with some opening statements or questions such as, "I understand that this position involves," or "What are you looking for in a job candidate?" Make sure you understand the question. If not, ask the interviewer to clarify it. Don't be afraid to take some time to think before answering. Interviewers are impressed with someone who thinks out an answer before speaking. Give Brief Answers - Make your answer concise and to the point. Rambling tends to suggest that you really don't have the answer to the question(s) asked. Previous Employers Never, ever say anything negative about your present or previous employers. No matter how much you may have disliked someone, find a way to give your experiences a positive spin. Be Truthful - Don't lie when asked about something you haven't done. The next question will 13

be "tell us about it." Know Your Resume - Be prepared to talk about every fact that is on your resume. Many people embellish their accomplishments on their resumes. Avoid this, since the only point of reference an interviewer has about you is the resume you provide to him/her beforehand. Keep things at a professional level - Sometimes near the end of an interview, the two parties start feeling comfortable with each other. Don't let this comfortable feeling lead you to telling them something about yourself that they really shouldn't know. Always keep

things at a professional level. Look for something in Common - This is something that has given us an edge in the past. Try to find a common bond between yourself and your interviewer. If you are being interviewed in an office, look at how the office is decorated. Look for something you can identify with. Is his/her college diploma hanging on the wall? Did you attend a nearby school, or perhaps one in the same Division? If so, make a quick comment about it: "Did you attend Penn State? I attended the University of Michigan. What a great football conference." Interviewers sometimes feel more comfortable with people with whom they have something in common. This approach has helped several candidates obtain a position over other qualified candidates. Above all, be sincere.

After the Interview:

Back in Touch - Ask the interviewer when s/he expects to get back to you on her/his decision. Get Everyone's Business Card - Before you leave, be sure to get the business cards of all of the people with whom you visited. If you cannot do that, as a secretary for their names and e-mail addresses. Thank the Interviewer - Verbally thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you, before leaving. Within a day, send thank-you letters to all of the interviewers with whom you spoke. This does not need to consist of a written letter sent via snail mail; an e-mailed thank-you works just as well. Do not give up - Sometimes, within ten minutes of the start of an interview; you will know that the job is not one you want to pursue. If you begin to feel this way, don't give up on the interview. Continue to interview as if the job was the most important thing in the world. This provides you with practice for your next interview, which may be for your dream job! Not all interviews will

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lead to offers of employment, but, if you approach every interview as if it's the most important interview you ever had, you will come out a winner!

Additional Tips:
Focus on presenting a positive, enthusiastic tone.

If you are asked to describe a weakness, mention lessons learned, and steer away from negative descriptions. Think about three or four key points that you want to make about your personal characteristics, skills you have learned, and relevant experiences that demonstrate that you could perform the job well. Find specific, rather than general, examples from your experience that illustrate important points about yourself. When answering questions, focus on experiences that demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, responsibility, progress, achievement, creativity, initiative, and leadership. If the employer signals the end of the interview and asks you for questions, and you haven't discussed some key points, say: "There are a couple of points I would like to mention." After the interview, write a brief thank you letter. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and learn about the organization, re-confirm your interest, and reemphasize how your background and skills might be of interest to the organization.

INTERVIEW STRATEGIES:
Look your best. Dress formally.

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 Prepare your person. Relax. Speak carefully. Speak clearly. Speak confidently. Speak slowly.

Appropriate answers. Show good manners (positive attitude). Be polite. Be flexible. Be careful. Be tactful. Dont argue. Control your nervous.

Some Interview Questions:

You can expect to be asked some of the following types of questions in an interview. Case Questions are often used by consulting companies to assess analytical and problem solving skills. The interviewer presents a situation and asks you to discuss possible solutions. A sample case question is, "Describe a managed care company that you think is successful and explains why. What do they do that works? What are their potential probleMr? What is your outlook for their future? What suggestions do you have for their future?" Behavioral or situational questions are used to assess how you would behave in different circuMrtances and to predict your behavior in future, similar situations. An interviewer may ask, "Tell me 16

about a time when a team you were working on was unable to proceed due to some interpersonal conflict. How did you respond, and what role did you play on the team?" Role-play questions entail the interviewer asking you to put yourself in another role and decide how you would handle a specific problem. Industry-specific questions are questions regarding the latest trends or issues in the industry. An interviewer may ask, "If you were a CEO of Microsofts main competitor, what actions would you take in the on-line services market?" Brainteasers are quick questions where the obvious answer is not necessarily the right answer such as,

"Which would you rather receive: fifty thousand pennies or a 10x10x10 room filled with pennies?"

General questions:
Tell me about yourself. What are your key experiences and accomplishments? How would you rank your achievements? What are your strengths and weaknesses? How would your friends describe you? Explain your reason for leaving your current job. How would you describe your management style? What appeals to you about this job and organization? Describe the ideal position in our company. What qualities do you think make someone successful in our industry? What would you like me to know most that is not on your resume? Why are you qualified for this position? Give an example of a situation where you demonstrated leadership. 17

 What questions do you have about the organization?

Questions for the interviewer are queries that usually focus on the culture or mission of the organization, and job responsibilities. This is not the time to bring up questions about salary, benefits, and vacation about which you can inquire after you have been offered the job.

The Phone Interview:

Due to a company's geographic location, travel costs, and divergent schedules, a phone interview may often be your initial contact with a prospective employer. Therefore, we're offering some phone interview tips. Objective - The idea behind a phone interview is to gain an invitation for a personal interview, and to gather more information for future steps in the process. Preparation - Have a pad, pen, and a copy of your resume near the phone. Use a phone in a quiet area. Avoid any background noise. Also avoid using a cordless phone, because they tend to transmit poorly.

Speaking:
a. Smile and be enthusiastic. Your enthusiasm will carry through to the interviewer. b. Speak in a conversational manner, and be sure to speak loudly enough to be heard. Speak with some inflection and tone. c. Let the interviewer do most of the talking. When s/he asks you a question, expound upon the answer. Use the opportunity to sell your skills and experience. d. When the interview is over, let her/him know that you are very interested in scheduling a personal interview at her/his place of business.

References:
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Altavista Careers (2001), JobsontheWeb(2001), Virtualville (2001) and MIT Online Resources (2001)

TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

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VIRTUAL REALITY
ABSTRACT: The term 'Virtual Reality' (VR) was initially coined by Jaron Lanier, founder of VPL Research (1989). Other related terMr include 'Artificial Reality' (Myron Krueger, 1970s), 'Cyberspace' (William Gibson, 1984), and, more recently, 'Virtual Worlds' and 'Virtual Environments' (1990s). The relationship between our actions and their perceivable results is ruled by what we call the laws of nature. It is general understanding that our actions act upon real objects, which react according to the laws of nature, what then can be perceived. Virtual Reality Facilities (VRFs) simulate the action perception relationship in a physically correct manner but without involving real objects or real events. Just the same do mathematical models of nature (physical theories). So it stands to reason that VRFs can be considered as analog models of nature.If a physical theory is false its predictions cannot be verified. If a VRF were false we would have strange and unusual perceptions as if different laws of nature would be valid. It is suggesting to say that we would fail to survive in nature when using a false mathematical as well as a false analog model. So, an analog model of nature can be useful even if it is not 'true'. Virtual Reality is an enabling technology that has wide applications in training, product design, etc. Virtual reality (VR) technology is being used to resolve probleMr in real-world situations. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is using VR to train astronauts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. In this talk, we present a brief introduction into Virtual Reality as a human centered interface technology.

Introduction
Virtual Reality (VR) is defined in Encyclopedia Britannica as the use of computer modeling and simulation to enable a person to interact with an artificial three-dimensional visual or other sensory environment. VR applications immerse the user in a computergenerated environment that simulates reality through the use of interactive devices, which send and receive information. VR is also known as "artificial reality," "virtual world," virtual space and cyberspace. It can also be defined as An artificial reality that projects the user into a 3D space generated by the computer. A virtual reality system uses stereoscopic goggles that provide the 3D imaginary and some sort of tracking device, which may be the goggles theMrelves for tracking head and body movement.

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Most current virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed either on a computer screen or through special or stereoscopic displays, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or headphones. Some advanced, haptic systeMr now include tactile information, generally known as force feedback, in medical and gaming applications. Users can interact with a virtual environment or a virtual artifact (VA) either through the use of standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse. The simulated environment can be similar to the real world, for example, simulations for pilot or combat training, or it can differ significantly from reality, as in VR games. In practice, it is currently very difficult to create a high-fidelity virtual reality experience, due largely to technical limitations on processing power, image resolution and communication bandwidth. However, those limitations are expected to eventually be overcome as processor, imaging and data communication technologies become more powerful and cost-effective over time. Virtual Reality is often used to describe a wide variety of applications, commonly associated with its immersive, highly visual, 3D environments. TERMINOLOGY: The term artificial reality, coined by Myron Krueger, has been in use since the 1970s but the origin of the term virtual reality can be traced back to the French playwright, poet, actor and director Antonin Artaud . The earliest use cited by the Oxford English Dictionary is in a 1987 article entitled "Virtual reality", but the article is not about VR technology.. The concept of virtual reality was popularized in mass media by movies such as Brainstorm and The Lawnmower Man.

VR LAB:
The Virtual Reality Laboratory (VRL) explores innovative applications of immersive and non-immersive virtual environments in a variety of areas. For industrial applications, research is focused on virtual prototyping of engineering designs especially in the automotive and marine industry - the simulation of manufacturing processes, and related engineering tasks. The use of virtual reality in accident simulations, medicine, architecture, archeology, education, and other areas.

INPUT DEVICES: Data gloves, wands, stair steppers. These and other interface devices used in virtual environments serve as portals into virtual reality.

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Data gloves: Data gloves offer a simple means of gesturing commands to the computer. Rather than punching in commands on a keyboard, which can be tricky if you're wearing a head-mounted display, you program the computer to change modes in response to the gestures you make with the data gloves. Pointing upwards may mean zoom in; pointing down, zoom out. A shake of your fist may signal the computer to end the program. Some people program the computer to mimic their hand movements in the simulation; for instance, to see their hands while conducting a virtual symphony.

One type of data glove has a web of fiber optic cables along its back. Changes in the amount of light transmitted to the computer by the cables signal how the joints of your fingers are bent. Once the data glove has been calibrated to your hand, your gestures trigger preprogrammed commands. Other gloves use strain sensors over the joints to detect movement. Yet others rely on mechanical sensors to measure your hand movements.

Some computer users have elaborated on the data glove concept by creating facial sensors, even body suits. Not many scientists have climbed into these get ups, but animators have. Already, facial movement sensors hooked to computers are simplifying their job: animating cartoons. Wands: Wands, the simplest of the interface devices, come in all shapes and variations. Most incorporate on-off buttons to control variables in a simulation or in the display of data. Most wands operate with six degrees of freedom; that is, by pointing a wand at an object, you can change its position and orientation in any of six directions: forward or backward, up or down, or left or right. This versatility coupled with simplicity are the reasons for the wand's popularity. Other Input Devices: Almost anything can be converted into a sensing device for simulation in virtual reality. Caterpillar, Inc. attached sensors to a mock tractor cab, complete with steering wheel and pedals, and used this environment to simulate test drives of its new line of backhoe loaders. Stair steppers are an example of the limitless manifestations of interface devices. As part of a simulated battlefield terrain, engineers from an army research lab outfitted a stair stepper with sensing devices to detect the speed, direction, and intensity of a soldier's movements in response to the battlefield scenes projected onto a head-mounted display. The stair stepper provided feedback to the soldier by making the stairs easier or more difficult to climb.

APPLICATIONS:
ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION:
Virtual reality is already showing its potential in the architecture and construction industries. A building can be created as a navigable, interactive, and immersive experience while still being designed, so that both architect and client can experience the structure and make changes before construction begins. It has been said that every building built today is actually a physical prototype, leaving little room for input or changes until after construction.

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Virtual reality would allow for an electronic prototype to be created and modified, so that costly changes during or after construction are avoided.

In the future, clients will want to experience their house or building in virtual reality before final designs are completed and construction begins. Beyond today's capabilities, clients will not only be able to see the structure, but hear sounds

from within it, feel its textures, and experience its fragrances. Homebuilders and real-estate developers are particularly excited about the potential of virtual reality to sell their designs. City planners will use virtual reality to consider various changes in the community, greatly assisting the work of zoning and planning boards.

EDUCATION & TRANING:

VR is just beginning to be applied in education and training. Students can study anatomy or explore our galaxy. In the future, students will be able to learn through studying in virtual worlds. Chemistry students will be able to conduct experiments without risking an accidental explosion in the lab. Astronomy students will be able to visit a range of virtual galaxies to study their properties. History students will be able to visit different historical events and perhaps even participate in the action with historical figures. English students could be on stage at the Globe Theater as it was when Shakespeare's plays were first presented. They will also be able to enter into a book and interact with its characters. Virtual reality will also be used in teaching adults. Trainees in a wide variety of environments will be able to safely try out new techniques. They will use these practice tasks in hazardous environs and also practice dealing with emergencies on the job.

BUSINESS:
Already, several companies have created three-dimensional visualizations of the stock market. The use of virtual reality in stock market trading will greatly increase in the future. Those companies trading on various stock markets globally will require this virtualreality application to identify trends and make trades more rapidly. They will, in fact, be interacting with the stock market in real time.

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MARKETING:
Virtual reality is just beginning to be used by companies who want customers to experience their products and to understand them better. They've found that a new technology, such as virtual reality, draws people to their exhibits and involves them with a product much more than standard displays. Cabletron, a cable network company in Rochester, New Hampshire, has customers travel through their network virtually. Sapporo, a beer company in Japan, allows customers to visit its production plant to experience the beer-making process in virtual reality.

In the future, virtual reality will be used to develop and test products with much greater customer involvement. A company will be able to create products, gain customer feedback, and then modify the products much more rapidly and inexpensively.

GAMES:

In 1991, the company Virtuality licensed the Amiga 3000 for use in their VR machines and released a VR gaming system called the 1000CS. This was a stand-up immersive HMD platform with a tracked 3D joystick. The system featured several VR games including, Legend Quest (adventure and fantasy), Hero (VR puzzle). Etc.Virtual Reality Wireless TV Tennis Game comes with a toy tennis racket that senses the player's swing, while Wireless TV Virtual Reality Boxing includes boxing gloves that the player wears and jabs with. MEDICINE: Virtual reality is just beginning to be used in medicine and medical research. The University of North Carolina (UNC) uses it in biochemical engineering. They test the docking of molecules using visual and auditory displays and a force-feedback device. Virtual reality is

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also being used at UNC and other locations to practice aiming X-rays before cancer treatments of that type are performed. Several companies, such as Maryland, and others are creating virtual bodies, a kind of "body electronic," to enhance medical training.

In the future, medical students will study anatomy by dissecting virtual cadavers much more cost effective and efficient way of studying the human body. Medical students and surgeons will practice virtual surgery before attempting a new procedure. They may even practice an operation for a specific patient, whose unique body characteristics have been scanned into the computer. Different diseases and medical emergencies can also be simulated to test a medical student or doctors knowledge regarding treatment. On a different front, virtual reality could be used for treatments in guided visualization. Patients could use virtual reality to assist in visualizing a part of their body for healing. Likewise, virtual reality could help improve relaxation techniques, providing a pleasant world in which to relax.

CONCLUSION:
Virtual reality has been heavily criticized for being an inefficient method for navigating non-geographical information. The major obstacle is the headaches due to eye strain, caused by VR headsets. Repetitive Strain Injury can also result from repeated use of the handset gloves. VR's appeal has largely been due to its marketing. . To give a sense of cultural scale, they compared their technology with others, such as flight, the telephone and the printing press and tried to broaden the range of areas to which the technology could be understood to apply--colonizing discourses. The excessive claiMr about VR seen around 1989 have been tempered, and VR now has a solid infrastructure of developers, and a receptive public. This success can partly be attributed to the technology itself, but the process is more complex and is strongly connected with the cultural context into which the technology was introduced.

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NON-TECHNICAL PRESENTATION
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Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz, later Ehrich Weiss or Harry Weiss; March 24, 1874 October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-born American stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts. He first attracted notice as Handcuff Harry, on a tour of Europe, where he would sensationally challenge different police-forces to try to keep him locked up. This revealed a talent for gimmickry and for audience involvement that would characterise all his work. Soon he was extending his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets under water, and having to hold his breath inside a sealed milk-can. In 1904, thousands watched as he tried to escape from a special handcuff commissioned by London's Daily Mirror, keeping them in suspense for a hour. Another stunt saw him buried alive and only just able to claw hiMrelf to the surface, emerging in a state of near-breakdown. While many suspected that these escapes were fabricated, it is ironical that Houdini was meanwhile presenting hiMrelf as the scourge of fake magicians and spiritualists. As President of the Society of American Magicians, he was keen to uphold professional standards and expose fraudulent artists who gave practitioners a bad name. He was also quick to sue anyone who pirated his own escape-stunts. Houdini made a number of movies, but quit acting when it failed to bring in money. He was also a keen aviator, and aimed to become the first man to fly a plane in Australia, but according to the official definition of sustained flight, he was beaten to it by two others. Even the circuMrtances of his death were dramatic and mysterious. According to one version, a student in Montreal asked him if his stomach was hard enough to take any blow, to which he replied that it was, whereupon the student rained a series of blows on it before Houdini had had time to tense up. A few days later, he died of a ruptured appendix. But this may have been unconnected, as he had already been suffering appendicitis and refusing to seek medical attention

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Early life

Harry Houdini was born as Erik Weisz in Budapest, Hungary, on March 24, 1874. His parents were Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weisz (18291892), and Cecelia Weisz (ne Steiner; 18411913). Houdini was one of seven children: Herman M. (18631885) who was actually Houdini's half-brother, by Rabbi Weisz's first marriage; Nathan J. (18701927); Gottfried William (18721925); Theodore "Theo" (18761945);Leopold D. (18791962); and Carrie Gladys (born 1882 unknown year of death) who tragically was left almost completely blind after an accident in her childhood. Weisz arrived in the United States on July 3, 1878, sailing on the SS Fresia with his mother (who was pregnant) and his four brothers. The family changed the Hungarian spelling of their German surname into Weiss (the German spelling) and Erik's name was changed to Ehrich. Friends called him "Ehrie" or "Harry". As a child, Ehrich Weiss took several jobs, making his public dbut as a 9-year-old trapeze artist, calling hiMrelf "Ehrich, the Prince of the Air". He was also a champion cross country runner in his youth. Weiss became a professional magician and began calling hiMrelf "Harry Houdini" because he was heavily influenced by the French magician Jean Eugne Robert-Houdin, and his friend Jack Hayman told him, erroneously, that in French, adding an "i" to Houdin would mean "like Houdin", the great magician. In later life, Houdini would claim that the first part of his new name, Harry, was a homage to Harry Kellar, whom Houdini admired.In 1918, he registered for selective service as Harry Handcuff Houdini.

Magic career

"My Two Sweethearts"Houdini with his mother and wife, c. 1907

Houdini became widely known as "The Handcuff King." He toured England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Russia. In each city, Houdini would challenge local police to restrain him with shackles and lock him in their jails. In many of these challenge escapes, Houdini would first be stripped nude and searched. In Moscow, Houdini escaped from a Siberian prison transport van. Houdini claimed that, had he been unable to free hiMrelf, he would have had to travel to Siberia, where the only key was kept. In Cologne, he sued a police officer, Werner Graff, who alleged that he made his escapes via bribery. Houdini won the case when he opened the judge's safe (he would later say the judge had forgotten to lock it). With his new-found wealth and success, Houdini purchased a dress said to have been made for Queen Victoria. He then arranged a grand reception where he presented his mother in the dress to all their relatives. Houdini said it was the happiest day of his life. In 1904, Houdini returned to the U.S. and purchased a house for $25,000, a brownstone at 278 W. 113th Street in Harlem, New York City From 1907 and throughout the 1910s, Houdini performed with great success in the United States. He would free hiMrelf from jails, handcuffs, chains, ropes, and straitjackets, often while hanging from a rope in plain sight of street audiences. Because of imitators, on January 25, 1908, Houdini put his "handcuff act" behind him and began escaping from a locked, water-filled milk can. The possibility of failure and death thrilled his audiences. Houdini also expanded repertoire with his escape challenge act, in which he invited the public to devise contraptions to hold him. These included nailed packing crates (sometimes lowered into

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water), riveted boilers, wet-sheets, mailbags, and even the belly of a whale that had washed ashore in Boston. Brewers challenged Houdini to escape from a barrel after they filled it with beer in Scranton, PA and other cities.

Poster promoting Houdini taking up the challenge of escaping an "extra strong and large traveling basket"

He also served as President of the Society of American Magicians (aka S.A.M.) from 1917 until his death in 1926. Founded on May 10, 1902 in the back room of Martinka's magic shop in New York, the Society expanded under the leadership of Harry Houdini during his term as National President from 19171926. Houdini was magic's greatest visionary. He sought to create a large, unified national network of professional and amateur magicians. Wherever he traveled, Houdini would give a lengthy formal address to the local magic club, making speeches, and usually threw a banquet for the members at his own expense. He said "The Magicians Clubs as a rule are small: they are weak...but if we were amalgamated into one big body the society would be stronger, and it would mean making the small clubs powerful and worth while. "Members would find a welcome wherever they happened to be and, conversely, the safeguard of a city-to-city hotline to track exposers and other undesirables." By the end of 1916, magicians' clubs in San Francisco and other cities that Houdini had not visited were offering to become assemblies. He had created the richest and longest surviving organization of magicians in the world. It now embraces almost 6,000 dues paying members and almost 300 assemblies worldwide. In July, 1926, Houdini was elected for the ninth successive time President of the Society of American Magicians. Every other president has only served for one year. He also was President of the Magicians' Club of London. In the final years of his life (1925/26), Houdini launched his own full-evening show, which he billed as "3 Shows in One: Magic, Escapes, and Fraud MediuMr Exposed".

Notable escapes
Mirror handcuff challenge

"Handcuff" Harry Houdini, circa 1905

In 1904, the London Daily Mirror newspaper challenged Houdini to escape from a special handcuff that it claimed had taken Nathaniel Hart, a locksmith from Birmingham, five years to make. Houdini accepted the challenge for March 17 during a matine performance at London's Hippodrome theater. It was reported that 4000 people and more than 100 journalists turned out for the much-hyped event. The escape attempt dragged on for over an hour, during which Houdini emerged from his "ghost house" (a small screen used to conceal the method of his escape) several times. On one occasion, he asked if the cuff could be removed so he could take off his coat. The Mirror representative, Frank Parker, refused, saying Houdini could gain an advantage if he saw how the cuff was unlocked. Houdini promptly took out a pen-knife and, holding the knife in his teeth, used it to cut his coat from his body. Some 56 minutes later, Houdini's wife appeared on stage and gave him a kiss. It is believed that in her mouth was the key to unlock the special handcuff. Houdini then went back behind the curtain. After an hour and ten minutes, Houdini emerged free. As he was paraded on the shoulders of the cheering crowd, he broke down and wept. Houdini later said it was the most difficult escape of his career.

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Chinese Water Torture Cell

Overboard box escape

Main article: Chinese Water Torture Cell

Movie career
In 1906 Houdini started showing filMr of his outside escapes as part of his vaudeville act. In Boston he presented a short film called Houdini Defeats Hackenschmidt. Georg Hackenschmidt was a famous wrestler of the day, but the nature of their contest is unknown as the film is lost. In 1909 Houdini made a film in Paris for Cinema Lux titled Merveilleux Exploits du Clbre Houdini Paris (Marvellous Exploits of the Famous Houdini in Paris). It featured a loose narrative designed to showcase several of Houdini's famous escapes, including his straitjacket and underwater handcuff escapes. That same year Houdini got an offer to star as Captain Nemo in a silent version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but the project never made it into production.

The Houdini Serial, 1919 Movie poster

The Grim Game, 1919 Movie poster

The Man from Beyond, 1922

It is often erroneously reported that Houdini served as special-effects consultant on the Wharton/International cliffhanger serial, The mysteries of Myra, shot in Ithaca, New York, because Harry Grossman, director of The Master Mystery also filmed a serial in Ithaca at about the same time. Houdini had nothing to do with "Myra", which treated spiritualism as real, something he never would have approved of. The actual consultants on the serial were pioneering psychic investigator Hereward Carrington and magician Aleister Crowley. In 1918 Houdini signed a contract with film producer B.A. Rolfe to star in a 15-part serial, The Master Mystery (released in January 1919). As was common at the time, the film serial was released simultaneously with a novel. Financial difficulties resulted in B.A. Rolfe Productions going out of business, but The Master Mystery led to Houdini being signed by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation/Paramount Pictures,

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for whom he made two pictures, The Grim Game (1919) and Terror Island (1920). While filming an aerial stunt for The Grim Game, two biplanes collided in midair with a stuntman doubling Houdini dangling by a rope from one of the planes. Publicity was geared heavily toward promoting this dramatic "caught on film" moment, claiming it was Houdini hiMrelf dangling from the plane. While filming these movies in Los Angeles, Houdini rented a home in Laurel Canyon. Following his two-picture stint in Hollywood, Houdini returned to New York and started his own film production company called the "Houdini Picture Corporation". He produced and starred in two filMr, The Man From Beyond (1921) and Haldane of the Secret Service (1923). He also founded his own film laboratory business called The Film Development Corporation (FDC), gambling on a new process for developing motion picture film. Houdini's brother, Theodore Hardeen, left his own career as a magician and escape artist to run the company. Magician Harry Kellar was a major investor. Neither Houdini's acting career nor FDC found success, and he gave up on the movie business in 1923, complaining that "the profits are too meager". But his celebrity was such that, years later, he would be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (at 7001 Hollywood Blvd). In April 2008 Kino International released a DVD box set of Houdini's surviving silent filMr, including The Master Mystery, Terror Island, The Man From Beyond, Haldane of the Secret Service, and five minutes from The Grim Game. The set also includes newsreel footage of Houdini's escapes from 1907 to 1923, and a section fromMerveilleux Exploits du Clbre Houdini Paris (although it is not identified as such).

Death
Harry Houdini died of peritonitis, secondary to a ruptured appendix. Eyewitnesses to an incident at the Princess Theater in Montreal gave rise to speculation that Houdini's death was caused by aMcGill University student, J. Gordon Whitehead, who delivered a surprise attack of multiple blows to Houdini's abdomen.The eyewitnesses, students named Jacques Price and Sam Smilovitz (sometimes called Jack Price and Sam Smiley), proffered accounts of the incident that generally corroborated one another. The following is Price's description of events:Houdini was reclining on his couch after his performance, having an art student sketch him. When Whitehead came in and asked if it was true that Houdini could take any blow to the stomach, Houdini replied groggily in the affirmative. In this instance, he was hit three times before Houdini could tighten up his stomach muscles to avoid serious injury. Whitehead reportedly continued hitting Houdini several more times and Houdini acted as though he were in some pain.Houdini reportedly stated that if he had had time to prepare hiMrelf properly, he would have been in a better position to take the blows. He had apparently been suffering from appendicitis for several days prior and yet refused medical treatment. One source states that his appendix would likely have burst on its own without the trauma. Although in serious pain, Houdini continued to travel without seeking medical attention.When Houdini arrived at the Garrick Theater in Detroit, Michigan on October 24, 1926, for what would be his last performance, he had a fever of 104 F (40 C). Despite a diagnosis of acute appendicitis, Houdini took the stage. He was reported to have passed out during the show, but was revived and continued. Afterwards, he was hospitalized at Detroit's Grace Hospital.Houdini died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix at 1:26 p.m. in Room 401 on October 31, aged 52. In his final weeks, he optimistically held to a strong belief that he would recover, but his last words before dying were reportedly, "I'm tired of fighting".After taking statements from Price and Smilovitz, Houdini's insurance company concluded that the death was due to the dressing-room incident and paid double indemnity.Houdini's funeral was held on November 4, 1926, in Nw York, with more than 2,000 mourners in attendance.[61] He was interred in the Machpelah Cemetery in Queens, New York, with the crest of the Society of American Magicians inscribed on his gravesite. A statuary bust was added to the excedra in 1927, believed to be the only graven image in a Jewish cemetery anywhere.

In 1975 it was knocked over and destroyed. Temporary ones were placed there until 2011 when a group who came to be called The Houdini Commandos from The Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA placed a permanent bust with the permission of Houdini's family and the cemetery.To this day the Society holds a broken wand ceremony at the grave site in November. Houdini's widow, Bess, died on February 11, 1943, aged 67, in Needles, California. She had expressed a wish to be buried next to him but instead was interred at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester, New York, as her Catholic family refused to allow her to be buried in a Jewish cemetery.[63]

The grave marker at Harry Houdini's burial site Weiss Family Grave Memorial Site at Machpelah Cemetery

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GROUP DISCUSSION
32

GROUP DISCUSSION
WHAT IS A GROUP DISCUSSION?
Group Discussion (GD) is an effective way to look at an issue from various angles. When a topic is discussed in a group, all the participants come out with their own ideas. GD has emerged as a tool to measure ones behavior, emotional and psychological attributes. An employer cannot take chances with an employee. They cannot make all the candidates work and choose the best. So, they make the candidates go through various tests as written test, GD, interview, etc.

WHY A GD IS A PART OF SELECTION PROCESS?

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Written test can only test the knowledge of the person. Interview can give an insight into his emotional and intellectual quotient. But a GD can access ones ability to measure contributes towards the teaMr goal and the way he can work under stress.

STRUCTURE OF A GD:
A GD generally consists of 8-12 people. A topic is given to the participants with some time to prepare on it before the actual commencement of the discussion. It consists of three-phased structure
1. Brain Storming:

Starts with an introduction and viewpoints of various members on the topics. 2. Evaluation: Consists of real discussion were the participants discuss the topics with e.g..
3. Summary:

In end comes the summary were some body summaries the discussion.

TYPES OF GD:

Freewheeling: The participants are given a room where they have to manage theMrelves

deciding a topic pf discussion to arrange their seats. After the discussion the examiner asks the questions regarding to it.

time period.

Moderator-led: It is an analytical thinking of the participants. The topic will be given some

Detail observatory style: It is the hi-tech method like close circuit cameras, the over all behavior of the

participants. An examiner observes the audio visual aids from another room.

KINDS OF TOPICS:
1. Factual:

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Eg.. The state of woman in India compared to other countries. 2. Controversial: Eg.. Should there be smaller states. 3. Abstract: E.g.. Blue is better than red.

KEY WORDS AND VIEWS OF GD:

When a topic is given find the keywords and ask yourself questions like when, where, who, what, &howetc.

CATEGORIZATION OF PARTICIPANTS:

Initiator: One who initiates the discussion?

Coordinator: One who makes the silent member to talk?

Shaper: One who gives direction to the team?

Finisher: One who keeps a check and makes the team finish the task on time.

Leader: One who leads the discussion?

Innovator: One who comes out with new ideas?

Conflict Manager: One who takes care on smooth functioning?

Talking Terror: One who keeps on speaking at length wit out giving any change to others?

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Silent Member: One who hardly speaks but listen to others?

IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF GD:

Dress properly. Be confident. Keep a pen and paper. Body language. Dont interrupt frequently.

Communication skills. Initiate the discussion. Dont be aggressive. Acknowledge other points. Do not keep points in store. Do not give personal experiences. Be flexible. Participate throughout. Remember that you are in a team.

Motivate others. Summarize the discussion.

Group Members:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. R Krishna Kumar G C Kamalesh A Karthick R Kanthavel P Kalaivanan

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6. 7. 8.

Mervin.k Mohammad Arif Manikandan

Mock Group Discussion:

Most topics are taken from the current political or economic scene so if one has just kept abreast of current affairs, then he will be able to make a mark. We give below a group discussion on a common topic and give some typical responses of students. We then analyze the discussion so that readers can develop their own strategy for themselves.

JUDGE: Good morning. You can choose any topic you like or take a slip from that box. You are
given one minute to think to start with the discussion. The observers will not interfere in your discussion. If no conclusion is reached, we may ask each of you to speak for a minute on the topic at the end of the discussion. The topic on the slip is "Multinationals: Bane or Boon". I suggest you should start the discussion.

Mr.MANIKANDAN : This is a good topic. I am against multinationals. We have Coke and

Pepsi. Do we need them? We can manufacture our own soft drinks. Multinationals destroy the local industry and sell non-essential products.

Mr. Kalaivanan: I agree with you. What is the fun of having Coke and Pepsi? We have our own
Campa Cola.

Mr. MOHAMMAD ARIF: I think water is good enough. Mr. KARTHICK: We are not here to discuss soft drinks. The topic given to us is a much larger
one. First, let us define multinational companies. They are merely large companies which operate in a number of countries. There could be some Indian multinationals also. So there is nothing wrong with them. The point is whether they have a good or bad impact on the host countries. We have to discuss their business practices and find out whether they are desirable or not.

Mr. MERVIN: That is a very good introduction to the topic. Multinational companies do serve an
important function that they bring new products and technologies in countries which do not have

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them. And it is not just Coke and Pepsi. They set up power plants and build roads and bridges, which really help in the development of host countries.

Mr. KRISHNA KUMAR: But are they all that good? We have seen that they destroy local
industry. In India they just took over existing companies. They came in areas of low technology. Moreover, we have to see why they come at all. They come for earning profits and often remit more money abroad than they bring in.

Mr. KAMALESH: I agree with you. I am against multinationals. We can produce everything
ourselves. We should be swadeshi in our approach. Why do we need multinational companies?

Mr. KANTHAVEL: We may not need multinational companies but then it also means that our
companies should not do business abroad. Can we live in an isolated world? The fact is that we are moving towards becoming a global village. The world is interconnected. Then we have also seen that foreign companies bring in business practices that we are impressed with. Look at foreign banks. They are so efficient and friendly that the nationalized banks look pathetic in comparison. I think we can learn a lot from multinationals if we keep our eyes and mind open.

Mr. R.KRISHNA KUMAR: Take a look at McDonald's. They are providing quality meals at
affordable prices. One does not have to wait at their restaurants.

Mr. MERVIN: How do you account for the fact that they take out more than they put in and thus
lead to impoverishing the country?

Mr. KARTHICK: The fact is that every poor country needs foreign investment. Poor countries
often lack resources of their own. That is why they have to invite foreign companies in. There is nothing wrong in this because then products like cars, air conditioners and so on can be made in poor countries. Often multinationals source products from different countries which helps boost their export earnings.

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Mr. MANIKANDAN: We have been talking about Coke and Pepsi. It is well known that Pepsi is
in the foods business also and has helped farmers in Punjab by setting up modern farMr to grow potatoes and tomatoes. Modern practices have helped the people in that area.

Mr. R.KRISHNA KUMAR: I still feel that multinationals are harmful for the country. Mr. KRISHNA KUMAR: Well, there could be negative things associated with such companies.
They may not be very good in their practices. But can we do without them? I think the best way is to invite them but also impose some controls so that they follow the laws of the country and do not indulge in unfair practices.

Mr. MANIKANDAN: I think laws are applicable to everyone. Very often officials in poor
countries take bribes. The fault lies not with the company which gives a bribe but the person who actually demands one. Why blame the companies for our own ills?

Mr. Kalaivanan: What about the money they take out? Mr. MOHAMMAD ARIF: We have had a good discussion and I think it is time to sum up.
Multinationals may have good points and some bad ones too, but competition is never harmful for anyone. We cannot live in a protected economy any longer. We have been protected for many years and the results are there for everyone to see. Rather than be close about multinationals, let us invite

them in selected areas so that we get foreign investment in areas which we are lacking. Laws can be strictly enforced that companies operate within limits and do not start meddling in political affairs.

Analysis: Though Mr. MANIKANDAN started the discussion, he could not make any good points.
Later, he could not give any points about why multinationals are bad. It is also a bad strategy to say at the outset whether you are for or against the topic. Remember, it is not a debate but a discussion. The first step should always be to introduce the topic without taking sides. See the way in which the discussion is proceeding and give arguments for or against. The observer is not interested in your beliefs but in what you is saying. The participation of Mr. MERVIN & KARTHICK is below average. A candidate must make 3-4 interventions. Their arguments are also not well thought out and add nothing to the argument. It is important to say relevant things which make an impact rather

39

than speak for the sake of speaking. The arguments of Mr.R.Krishna Kumar, Kanthavel and Krishna kumar are better. They seem to be aware of the role of multinational companies. Mr.Mohammad Arif &Kamalesh approach is better as he intervenes a number of times. He has also taken initiative in the beginning and brought order to the group. If selection has to be made from the above six candidates, the obvious choice would be Mr. Krishna kumar and Kamalesh thereafter, Mr.Mervin

40

LANGUAGE LAB

ARTICLES
41

ARTICLES
Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles:

1.

_________________ declined and fall of ___________ Roman Empire. Fortunately, __________ concise formulation of Edward Gibbon serves as ___________ widely accepted basis for ____________ model discussion of ___________ problem.

2.

3.

__________ Military Government was weakened and finally dissolved.

4. English is ___________ interesting language.

5.

After they had finished their meal, they asked ______________ waiter the bill.

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PREPOSITION

43

PREPOSITION

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:

1. Most shops are closed _____________ Sundays. 2. I have an appointment _____________ 9oclock. 3. My Birthday falls ______________ October. 4. The book is _____________ table. 5. She got ______________ the taxi.

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TENSES

TENSES
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Tenses:

1. We ____________ Tv when it started to rain. (Watch) 45

2. The sun _______________ in the east. (Rise)

3.

I ____________ to visit you yesterday, but you _____________ not at home. (want, are)

4. They ______________ to London tomorrow. (Go) 5. He ______________Five days a week. (work)

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VERB
SUBJECT-VERB AGGREMENT

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Verb:

1. Some of the beads ___________ (is / are) missing.

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2. My brother _____________ (is / are) an Engineer.

3.

The Mayor as well as his brothers _____________ (is / are) going to prison.

4. Neither my brother nor my father _____________ (is / are) going to sell the house.
5.

My glasses _____________ (are / were) on the bed.

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