Professional Documents
Culture Documents
English Within 20 Minutes SPM
English Within 20 Minutes SPM
PRACTICE 5 - Homophones 11
PRACTICE 9 - Antonyms 17
Activity 1
1. A bundle of nerves
To be very nervous.
7. Pluck up courage
To force oneself to do something.
8. A piece of cake
Very easy or simple
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PRACTICE 2 - IDIOMS IN CONTEXT
Activity 1
Study the idioms and their meanings. Then, do the following activity.
LIST A
IDIOMS MEANING
14. burn the midnight oil 14. study or work all night
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Activity 2
Rearrange the following words to form correct idioms. Write the idioms in the spaces provided.
Refer to List A.
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Activity 3
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1. burn the midnight oil 6. jump the queue
……………………………… ………………………………
……………………………… ………………………………
……………………………… ………………………………
……………………………… ………………………………
……………………………… ………………………………
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PRACTICE 3 - IDIOMS IN CONTEXT
Activity 1
e.g. John solved the problem with his computer. It was cake a piece of. (very simple)
John solved the problem with his computer. It was a piece of cake.
1. It is time about that you complete your History project. (something that should have
been done earlier)
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. The cobbler earns his and butter bread by mending shoes. (one’s livelihood)
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. The repair to his lorry cost a him leg and arm an. (very expensive)
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. We must touch in keep with our friends. (to talk or write to someone)
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Dr Faiz has his mind up made to marry after his trip to ISS. (decide what to do)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Krishnan was feeling the under weather yesterday, so he went to see the doctor. (sick)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
8. My great grandmother is still at young heart. She enjoys parties and concerts. (still
feeling and behaving young)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
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Activity 2
1. Hanu Austin was on his way to take his driving test and he was a bundle
of nerves.
3. He remembered what his father said, “It’s easier to move around if you
can drive and I’ll foot the bill for the lessons”.
4. However, Hanu put the idea on the back burner for some time.
5. Then he discovered that his father had hit the nail on the head.
9. His driving instructor, Mr Wong, was sure that he would pass with flying
colours.
10. Finally, as he came out of the test centre, he was grinning from ear
to ear. He had passed.
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ANSWER KEY
Practice 2 – Activity 2
Practice 2 – Activity 3
Practice 3 – Activity 1
1. about time
2. an open secret
3. bread and butter
4. cost him an arm and a leg
5. keep in touch
6. made up his mind
7. under the weather
8. young at heart
Practice 3 – Activity 2
Hanu Austin was on his way to take his driving test and he was a bundle of nerves. He
got up at the crack of dawn to read his manual once more. He remembered what his father
said, “It’s easier to move around if you can drive and I’ll foot the bill for the lessons”.
However, Hanu put the idea on the back burner for some time. When he left college and
wanted to meet his friends, he could not drive. Then he discovered that his father had hit the
nail on the head. He decided to set his heart on getting his licence. With a great deal of
encouragement, he plucked up enough courage to enrol for driving lessons. He thought
learning to drive should be a piece of cake. His driving instructor, Mr Wong, was sure that he
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would pass with flying colours. Finally, as he came out of the test centre, he was grinning
from ear to ear. He had passed.
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PRACTICE 4 – COMMONLY MISSPELT WORDS
Activity 1
Here is a list of words which are often misspelt. Learn up the correct spelling.
Write the words with the correct spelling in the spaces provided.
Read this passage about playing safety in the playground. Rearrange the jumbled up letters and
write the words in the blanks.
Choose the correct word from the brackets to complete each of the sentences below. Write the
word in the blank.
6. “You look awfully __________: are you all right?” (pale, pail)
13. Adli’s children like to eat __________ for breakfast. (cereal, serial)
15. The students will be going for the trip next __________. (weak, week)
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PRACTICE 6 – WRITING CORRECT SENTENCES
Rearrange the following words to form meaningful sentences. Write the sentences in the spaces
provided. Then, read the sentences aloud for pronunciation and intonation practice.
am - a - I - prefect - school
________________________________________________________________
Read and rearrange the following paragraphs in the correct order. Then, write them in your
exercise books.
(1)
However, it must be understood that not all peer pressure is bad. There is also
positive peer pressure. For example, when you learn from friends or when you decide to
study together, then peer pressure is not bad. For example, if we learn from good
examples shown by friends about acceptable behaviour, the peer pressure has positive
effects. On the other hand, simply following the crowd when friends ask you to smoke ,
to cheat or lie to your parents is negative peer pressure.
(2)
All of us must have experienced peer pressure at one time or another in our lives.
Who are our peers? They are people of the same rank or age. Therefore, peer pressure
can be explained as the influence on a person by other people about the same age and
probably in the same class.
(3)
(4)
There are many reasons why people give in to pressure. We want to be liked or be
popular. So, we do what others tell us to do. We want to fit in and not be left out. So, we
do what others are doing. Sometimes, it is curiosity that kills the cat. We are curious
about what people are doing. Lastly, we tend to do what the others are doing simply
because we have this ‘follow the crowd’ mentality. We would feel lost if we did not follow
what others are doing.
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ANSWER KEY
Practice 4 – Activity 1
Practice 4 – Activity 2
It is important to always obey school rules. Students break 1(braek) the rules daily, and are
making the playground a dangerous place 2(palce) to be.
Frequently students run on the paths when 3(wehn) they know they should walk 4(wlak),
especially if it has been raining overnight. These students seldom 5(sdloem) think of safety 6(sfeaty) of
others even though the teachers remind 7(rienmd) us weekly at our assembly. Sometimes the teacher
8(tehcear) on duty catches a student disobeying and the student has to report 9(rporet) to the office
fortnightly. However, often 10(otefn) they get away with it and some11(smoe) students only remember
briefly what the principal 12(pripnical) tells them.
These students should never be allowed to endanger other 13(otreh) people. They should be made
to sit outside the school office for a week and if they disobey again 14(aigan), they should be banned
permanently from 15(fmro) the playground.
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Practice 5
1. beach 9. meat
2. fare 10. dinner
3. rode 11. fill
4. would 12. where
5. sit 13. cereal
6. cut 14. waste
7. cute 15. week
8. tap
Practice 6
1. I am a school prefect.
2. Jim is afraid of snakes.
3. Aileen can sing and dance. / Aileen can dance and sing.
4. The old man cannot run fast.
5. Ali is the tallest boy in class.
6. Elephants are not able to fly.
7. We must obey our teachers.
8. Besides skydiving, Shida also loves swimming
9. The horse can jump over the wall.
10. The headmaster spoke at the school assembly.
11. The train arrived at the station on time.
12. All citizens must respect the national flag.
13. The shop sells various kinds of costumes.
Practice 7
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PRACTICE 8 – NEGATIVE FORMS
Read the following sentences. Circle the verbs in the sentences and change them into
NEGATIVE forms. Rewrite the sentences in your EW20 exercise book.
2) One of Sally’s friends reads the minutes of the meeting to the committee.
6) Lara and Sara will teach English at the Teachers’ Training College.
10) The young men drive their sports cars at top speed.
PRACTICE 9 – ANTONYMS
Read the following sentences. Give the ANTONYMS of the words in bold. Rewrite the sentences
in yourEW20 exercise book.
e.g. The old lady cries after being informed about the bad news.
The young lady cries after being informed about the bad news.
1) He is a brave soldier.
5) He is innocent.
Activity 1
Penang Island had a variety of attractions to offer its visitors whatever their
preferences were. Popularly known as the Pearl of the Orient, the island was linked to
the mainland by a 13.5km long bridge, reputedly the longest in Asia. If you chose to
go to the mainland by ferry from Butterworth in the mainland, the ride took you only
ten minutes. You could disembark at the jetty. From the jetty, Georgetown was just
within walking distance. Georgetown, the capital, was the seat of the state
government and the commercial hub. It was a quaintly attractive town with modern
sky scrappers existing side by side with older buildings.
Activity 2
Copy the paragraph in the box. Then, change the verbs underlined to the Simple Past Tense.
My Aunt Esah has some very strange habits. She gets up at 2 a.m. and cooks a huge
breakfast for herself. It is always the same breakfast. She has eggs and sardines, and
coffee. The first thing she does is, she boils the water for the coffee. While it boils, she
starts frying the eggs. While they are cooking in the pan, she takes out her tin-opener
and opens the tin of sardines. She has one special tin-opener which she treasures
dearly. She also loves her frying-pan which she scrubs and polishes carefully until its
copper bottom gleams and she can see her face reflected in it. She loves it so much
that she always talks to it as she cleans it or cooks with it. She also talks to her tin-
opener, of course, and also to her kettle and coffee pot, for that matter. They have all
been with her since the day she was married.
ANSWER KEY
Practice 8
2. One of Sally’s friends does not read the minutes of the meeting to the committee.
6. Lara and Sara will not /teach English at the Teachers’ Training College.
10. The young men do not drive their sports cars at top speed.
Practice 9
1. He is a timid soldier.
5. He is guilty.
Activity 1
Penang Island has a variety of attractions to offer its visitors whatever their preferences
are. Popularly known as the Pearl of the Orient, the island is linked to the mainland by a
13.5km long bridge, reputedly the longest in Asia. If you choose to go to the mainland by
ferry from Butterworth in the mainland, the ride takes you only ten minutes. You could
disembark at the jetty. From the jetty, Georgetown is just within walking distance.
Georgetown, the capital, is the seat of the state government and the commercial hub. It is
a quaintly attractive town with modern sky scrappers existing side by side with older
buildings.
Activity 2
My Aunt Esah had some very strange habits. She got up at 2 a.m. and cooked a huge
breakfast for herself. It was always the same breakfast. She had eggs and sardines, and
coffee. The first thing she did was, she boiled the water for the coffee. While it boiled,
she started frying the eggs. While they were cooking in the pan, she took out her tin-
opener and opened the tin of sardines. She had one special tin-opener which she treasured
dearly. She also loved her frying-pan which she scrubbed and polished carefully until its
copper bottom gleamed and she could see her face reflected in it. She loved it so much
that she always talked to it as she cleaned it or cooked with it. She also talked to her tin-
opener, of course, and also to her kettle and coffee pot, for that matter. They had all been
with her since the day she was married.
PRACTICE 11 – WRITING SPEECHES
Activity 1
Good morning, Mr. Dewey Chan, the principal, teachers and fellow friends. I am Jana
Lane. I am proud to have been chosen as the most outstanding SPM student this year. I
must thank all the teachers who have helped me to achieve this. I am honoured to be
invited to give a talk on “Tips on Scoring in Exams.”
The first tip is, you should have a good timetable so that you do not leave out any
subject or topic when you are revising. You should allocate more time to your weaker
subjects and less time to the subjects in which you are good. Therefore, you can study
intelligently and systematically.
Secondly, you should start your revision early. Prepare for the examinations at least a
month ahead so that you will be well-prepared. Put aside a few hours a day for your
revision.
In addition, it is good to go over past years’ examination question papers. This will help
you to familiarise yourselves with the topics for the exams. Remember, practice makes
perfect.
Apart from this, you have to listen carefully and pay attention during lessons. This will
enable you to understand better what is being taught.
Another good way of studying is having group discussions. A few heads are better than
just one. By having group discussions, you will be able to discuss problems and
exchange information as well as share opinions among the group members.
Finally, you must balance your time between studies and recreation. It should not be all
work and no play. Do something different that diverts your mind from your studies. Make
sure you have enough time for rest and recreation, for example, you can listen to music,
play games, dance or exercise.
These are all the tips I can share with you. I hope they will be useful to you. Before I end,
I would like to wish all of you, “All the very best in your SPM examination.” Thank you.
Activity 2
Fill in the blanks with the suitable words. Then, rewrite the introduction of this speech into your
EW20 exercise book.
INTRODUCTION
Good morning to _______(name of your principal), the principal, teachers and fellow
friends. I am _____(your name). I am proud to have been chosen as the most
outstanding SPM student this year. I must thank all the teachers who have helped me to
achieve this. I am honoured to be invited to give a talk on _____(title of the speech).
Choose the better elaboration from the boxes for each of the point. Rewrite your choice in the
space provided.
CONTENT
The first tip is you should have a good timetable so that you do not leave out any subject
or topic when you are revising.
_________________________________________________________
a) Prepare for the examinations at least a month ahead so that you will be well-
prepared.
b) Good reference books will be helpful for your revision.
Elaboration:
_________________________________________________________
a) This will help you to familiarise yourselves with the topics for the exams.
b) You must not hesitate to ask your teachers.
Elaboration:
_________________________________________________________
Apart from this, you have to listen carefully and pay attention during lessons.
Elaboration:
_________________________________________________________
Finally, you must balance your time between studies and recreation.
a) Make sure you have enough time for rest and recreation, for example, you can
listen to music, play games, dance or exercise.
b) You have to make a list of your preferences.
Elaboration:
_________________________________________________________
Rewrite the conclusion of the speech in your exercise book. Fill in the blank with a suitable
answer.
CONCLUSION
These are all the tips I can share with you. I hope they will be useful. Before I end, I
would like to wish all of you, “All the very best in your SPM examination.” _____(thanking
the audience).
Activity 1
The effects of global warming can be seen in the vanishing corals and also in abnormal and
intense storms. Global warming is caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases. We can help
reduce the effects of global warming by appreciating and being aware of the issue as well as
reading about it. We can also join voluntary organisations and encourage family and friends to
join in too. Other ways are by cutting down or quitting smoking, using energy wisely, car pooling
and maintaining our vehicles so that they do not emit foul exhaust fumes and using public
transportation. We should not practise open burning and report such a practice to the relevant
authorities if we happen to witness it.
Copy the sentences below into your EW20 exercise book. Correct the underlined words.
e.g. The effects of global warming can be see in the vanishing corals.
The effects of global warming can be seen in the vanishing corals.
1. The effects of global warming can be seen in abnormally and intense storms.
3. We can help reduce the effects of global warming by appreciate the issue.
8. Other ways is by cutting down or quitting smoking and using energy wisely.
10. This is to ensure that them do not emit foul exhaust fumes.
Copy the sentences below into your EW20 exercise books. Each sentence has an error. Identify
and correct it.
e.g. The effects of global warming can been seen in the vanishing corals.
The effects of global warming can be seen in the vanishing corals
3. The effects of global warming can be seeing in abnormal and intense storms.
4. We can help reducing the effects of global warming by appreciating the issue.
Practice 12
Activity 1
1. afects – affects
2. globall – global
3. wamr – warm
4. voluntari - voluntary
5. casuing - causing
6. faul – foul
7. uesing – using
8. somoking – smoking
9. relevanter – relevant
10. wies – wise
Activity 2
1. The effects of global warming can be seen in abnormal and intense storms.
2. Global warming is caused by the build up of greenhouse gases.
3. We can help reduce the effects of global warming by appreciating the issue.
4. It can be reduced by being aware of the issue.
5. It can also be reduced by reading about the issue.
6. We can also join voluntary organisations
7. We can encourage our family and friends to join in too.
8. Other ways are by cutting down or quitting smoking and using energy wisely.
9. Other ways are by car pooling and maintaining our vehicles.
10. This is to ensure that they do not emit foul exhaust fumes.
11. Another way is by using public transportation.
12. We should not practise open burning.
13. We should report to relevant authorities if we happen to witness such activity.
Activity 3
Activity 1
I had a wonderful holiday in Pulau Tioman. Initially, I had only wanted to spend a
week there but I had such an enjoyable time that I decided to extend my vacation for
another week. The weather was bright and sunny and I had a marvellous weekend on
the beautiful beach. I also met a charming young man and we became close friends. He
took me to his house in his sleek, shiny sports car. It was a very small but cozy house
with a spacious garden. He took me to a posh restaurant which served some delicious,
mouth-watering dishes. He also bought for me an attractive dress. Then we saw an
interesting movie.
1. I had a .........................................................................................................................
5. I had a
marvellous .........................................................................................................
7. He took me ........................................................................................................
8. It was a .........................................................................................
9. He took
me ....................................................................................................................
I had a wonderful holiday in Pulau Tioman. Initially, I had only wanted to spend a
week there but I had such an enjoyable time that I decided to extend my vacation for
another week. The weather was bright and sunny and I had a marvellous weekend on
the beautiful beach. I also met a charming young man and we became close friends. He
took me to his house in his sleek, shiny sports car. It was a very small but cozy house
with a spacious garden. He took me to a posh restaurant which served some delicious,
mouth-watering dishes. He also bought for me an attractive dress. Then we saw an
interesting movie.
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
5. he - bought - me - dress
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Activity 3
I had a wonderful holiday in Pulau Tioman. Initially, I had only wanted to spend a
week there but I had such an enjoyable time that I decided to extend my vacation for
another week. The weather was bright and sunny and I had a marvellous weekend on
the beautiful beach. I also met a charming young man and we became close friends. He
took me to his house in his sleek, shiny sports car. It was a very small but cozy house
with a spacious garden. He took me to a posh restaurant which served some delicious,
mouth-watering dishes. He also bought for me an attractive dress. Then we saw an
interesting movie.
2. I had such an ___________ time that I decided to extend my vacation for another week.
dishes.
Lengthen these sentences step by step. Add a word or phrase at each level.
Example:
I want a house
1. I had a holiday.
a. __________________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________________________
2. I go to school.
a. __________________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________________________
a. __________________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________________
c. __________________________________________________________________
d. __________________________________________________________________
ANSWER KEY
Practice 13
Activity 1
Activity 2
I had only wanted to spend a week there but I had such an enjoyable time
5. he - bought - me - dress
2. I had only wanted to spend a week there. I had such a wonderful time. I decided to extend my
vacation for another week.
Initially, I had only wanted to spend a week there but I had such an enjoyable time that I decided
to extend my vacation for another week.
3. The weather was bright. The weather was sunny. I had a marvellous weekend on the beautiful beach.
The weather was bright and sunny and I had amarvellous weekend on the beautiful beach
5. His house was small. His house was cosy. His house has a spacious garden.
His house was very small but cosy with a spacious garden
Activity 4
2. I had such an enjoyable time that I decided to extend my vacation for another week.
The words in the sentences below have been fused together. Break them up and write out the
sentences correctly in your EW20 exercise book.
e.g.
Juana,themainfemalecharacterinthenovel,”ThePearl”,playedaveryimportantroleinthestory.
Juana, the main female character in the novel, “The Pearl”, played a very important role
in the story.
1. Thecharacteradmiredthemostinthebook,”ThePearl”,isJuana,thewifeof”ThePearl”diver,Kino.
2. ThecharacterwhomIdislikethemostinthenovel,”ThePearl”,isthedoctor.
3. Tome,themostimportanteventinthestory,”ThePearl”,isKino’sfinding”ThePearl”.
4. Thebook,”ThePearl”,hasaverysadortragicending.
5. Aneventinthestory,”ThePearl”,whichIconsiderahappyoneiswhenKinofoundthelargestpearlintheworld.
6. Inthenovel,”ThePearl”,thereisoneincidentwhichshowshowpeopleshouldnotbehavetowardsothers.
7. Inthenovel,”ThePearl”,Kinohadtomakeaverybigsacrifice.
8. Manyoftheimportanteventsinthestory,”ThePearl”,tookplaceinLaPaz.
9. AssoonasKinofound”ThePearl”,allsortsoftroublesfelluponhim.
10. Juanawasalsoawomanwhowasnotcrazyaboutwealth.
11. Apearldiver,Kino,hadaveryyoungson,Coyotito.
12. AnotherreasonIadmireJuanaisbecauseofherloveforherhusband.
13. Kinothoughtthatfortunewassmilingonhimwhenhefoundthebiggestpearlintheworld.
14. Inhumanity,hypocrisyandgreedarethenegativehumanqualitiesIhavefoundinthebook,”ThePearl”.
PRACTICE 15 – MATCHING QUESTIONS TO PARAGRAPHS
Activity 1
First, copy the paragraph below into your EW20 exercise book.
The important moral lesson I have learnt from the book, “The Pearl”, is wifely
devotion. It is shown by Juana to her husband, Kino. This quality is clearly shown when
she wanted to throw the pearl back into the sea because she saw how much trouble the
pearl was causing them. The pearl was very valuable and when sold could help her to
lead a life of ease. Yet, she was willing to sacrifice it so that her husband would no
longer be troubled by those who wanted to steal the pearl. She was brutally beaten by
her husband for attempting to throw the pearl back into the sea but she did not bear a
grudge against him because she knew the pearl was supposed to hold all sorts of
promises for him.
Now, choose a question that best matches the paragraph above and write it in your exercise
books.
A. What is the happy event in the story that you have read?
B. What is the important event in the book that you have read?
C. What are the positive qualities of a character in the book you have read?
D. What important moral lesson have you learnt from the book you have read?
Activity 2
First, copy the paragraph below into your EW20 exercise book.
An event in the story, “The Pearl”, which I consider happy is when Kino found the
largest pearl in the world. The finding of the pearl meant that now Kino could have his
son treated by the doctor. The doctor had refused to treat Kino’s son because he did not
have the money to pay him. With the finding of the pearl, Kino could now hope for a
better life for his family. He and Juana could be married in church. Previously, he and
Juana were not able to do that. His son, Coyotito, would be able to go to school.
Attending school was a luxury beyond the means of most of the people in the fishing
village. With the money from the sale of the pearl, Kino and his family would be able to
lead a more comfortable life. This event made me very happy because it gave Kino hope
for a better life.
Now, choose a question that best matches the paragraph above and write it in your exercise
books
A. What is the happy event in the story that you have read?
B. What is the important event in the book that you have read?
C. What are the positive qualities of a character in the book you have read?
D. What important moral lesson have you learnt from the book you have read?
Activity 3
First, copy the paragraph below into your EW20 exercise book.
In the novel, “The Pearl”, the climax is when Kino fought with the three men who
had been following him. It is the most exciting part of the story. It was a matter of life and
death for Kino. The fight was a very unequal and unfair one. Kino had to fight against
three seasoned killers, one of whom was armed with a gun and the other two with other
weapons. If Kino lost the fight, he and his family would be killed and his pearl taken
away. If he won, he might be able to save his family. The fight was fast and furious. Kino
managed to kill all the three evil men but his child was killed by a shot from the gun of
one of the evil men. This part of the story is the climax to me because it is the most
exciting part.
Now, choose a question that best matches the paragraph above and write it in your EW20
exercise book.
A. What is the happy event in the story that you have read?
B. What is the most exciting part in the book that you have read?
C. What are the positive qualities of a character in the book you have read?
D. What important moral lesson have you learnt from the book you have read?
PRACICE 16 – ELABORATING TOPIC SENTENCES
Activity 1
Copy the following essay into your EW20 exercise book. Leave five lines after each sentence as
shown. Then, think of the possible elaborations for each point in the essay.You will be given the
rest of the essay to be completd the following day.
English can be said to be the most important and the most useful language in the world
today. There are many reasons why you should study the language properly.
The first reason is English will help you a lot when you further your studies.
The second reason you have to study English well is that it will help you to get a job.
A good command of English will also help you greatly in your job.
Besides all these, a good command of the language will enable you to enjoy some of
television’s best programmes.
Knowing English will also enable you to enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful
literary works.
You now see the importance of studying English well. You can enjoy many advantages if
you improve your English.
Activity 2
Copy these paragraphs into the essay you copied yesterday. Put them in the correct paragraphs.
If the company you work for is involved in international trade, you have to speak to prospective
customers in English. If your English is bad, you will not be able to get orders for your
company’s products. You will likely be dismissed.
Every country in the world studies English. Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly
good English. At least, some of the people you meet on your travels in other countries can
understand English. So, you will not have any communication problems when you travel to other
countries if your English is good. Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in airport
announcements. Knowing English will, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.
Many of the worlds’ best books, novels and poems are written in English. If you cannot read such
great masterpieces of writing, you will have missed a lot in life.
We must admit that many of the best programmes are produced by American or British
companies. So, if your English is not good, you will not be able to enjoy such programmes.
Almost all the books at the universities are written in English. So, if your English is poor, you are
going to have a big problem studying there.
When you go for a job interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in English. If you cannot
speak English well, your chances of getting the job are very slim.
ANSWER KEY
Practice 14
1. The character I admire the most in the book, “The Pearl”, is Juana, the wife of the pearl diver,
Kino.
2. The character whom I dislike the most in the novel, “The Pearl”, is the doctor.
3. To me, the most important event in the story, “The Pearl”, is Kino’s finding the pearl.
4. The book, “The Pearl”, has a very sad or tragic ending.
5. An event in the story, “The Pearl”, which I consider a happy one is when Kino found the largest
pearl in the world.
6. In the novel, “The Pearl”, there is one incident which shows how people should not behave
towards others.
7. In the novel, “The Pearl”, Kino had to make a very big sacrifice.
8. Many of the important events in the story, “The Pearl”, took place in LaPaz.
9. As soon as Kino found the pearl, all sorts of troubles fell upon him.
10. Juana was also a woman who was not crazy about wealth.
11. A pearl diver, Kino, had a very young son, Coyotito.
12. Another reason I admire Juana is because of her love for her husband.
13. Kino thought that fortune was smiling on him when he found the biggest pearl in the world.
14. Inhumanity, hypocrisy and greed are the negative human qualities I have found in the book, “The
Pearl”.
Practice 15
Activity 1
B. What is the important event in the book that you have read?
Activity 2
A. What is the happy event in the story that you have read?
Activity 3
B. What is the most exciting part in the book that you have read?
Practice 16
Activity 1 and 2
English can be said to be the most important and the most useful language in the world today.
There are many reasons why you should study the language properly.
The first reason is English will help you a lot when you further your studies. Almost all the books
at the universities are written in English. So, if your English is poor, you are going to have a big problem
studying there.
The second reason you have to study English well is that it will help you to get a job. When you
go for a job interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in English. If you cannot speak English well,
your chances of getting the job are very slim.
A good command of English will also help you greatly in your job. If the company you work for is
involved in international trade, you have to speak to prospective customers in English. If your English is
bad, you will not be able to get orders for your company’s products. You will likely be dismissed.
Good English will also help you when you travel. Every country in the world studies English.
Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly good English. At least some of the people you meet on
your travels in other countries can understand English. So, you will not have any communication problems
when you travel to other countries if your English is good. Inevitably, English is one of the languages used
in airport announcements. Knowing English will, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.
Besides all these, a good command of the language will enable you to enjoy some of television’s
best programmes. We must admit that many of the best programmes are produced by American or British
companies. So, if your English is not good, you will not be able to enjoy such programmes.
Knowing English will also enable you to enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful literary works.
Many of the worlds’ best books, novels and poems are written in English. If you cannot read such great
masterpieces of writing, you will have missed a lot in life.
You now see the importance of studying English well. You can enjoy many advantages if you
improve your English.