CONTENTS

Page No.

PART - I REMEDIAL GRAMMER

SECTION I - BASICS OF GRAMMAR

Unit 1 — Active & Passive Voice ...... 5
Unit 2 — The Infinitive . ...... 10
Unit 3 — Tenses and their Uses ...... 17
Unit 4 — Indirect/Reported Speech ...... 29
Unit 5 — Use of Articles ...... 35
Unit 6 — Prepositions ...... 40
Unit 7 — Concords ...... 45
SECTION 2- VOCABULARY & USAGE ...... 49
SECTION 3- PARAGRAPH WRITING ..... 67

PART – II POETRY SELECTIONS

SECTION A - THE TIGER
1. THE TYGER - William Blake ..... 83
2. TIGER TIGER REVISITED - Gorden J.L. Ramel ..... 88
3. AJAMIL AND THE TIGERS - Arun Kolatkar ..... 91

SECTION - B : WE ARE THE WORLD

1. THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US - William Wordsworth ..... 96
2. STRANGE MEETING - Wilfred Edward Salter Owen ..... 100
3. ONCE UPON A TIME - Gabriel Okara ..... 104
4. CAGED BIRD - Marguerite Annie Johnson / Maya Angelou ..... 107

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2
 Section 1

GRAMMAR AND USAGE

3
4
 Unit 1

The Passive
Compare the following sentences:
1. Active Computers can perform complicated calculations
Passive Complicated calculations can be performed by computers.
2. Active Maharashrians speak Marathi
Passive Marathi is spoken by Maharashtrians.
When we talk about what people and things do we use the active verb form (perform, speak).
But when we talk about what happens to people and things - What is done to them - we use
the passive verb form (be performed, is spoken).
The object of an active verb becomes the subjects of the passive verb.
Notice the change in the verb phrase; we use the auxiliary verb be with the past participle
form of the main verb.
The common passive verb forms are:
1. simple present am/are/is + pp
2. present progressive am/are/is/being/ + pp
3. simple past was/were/ + pp
4. past progressive was/were being + pp
5. present perfect have/has been + pp
6. past perfect had been/ + pp
7. will future will be + pp
8. future perfect will have been + pp
9. `going to’ future am/are/is going to be + pp

TASK I
Using the appropriate forms of the verb eat, make sentences in the passive using all the verb
forms given in the table. One has been done for you as an example.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. I knew that Siri had been eaten by sharks.
7.
5
8.

9.
In passive sentences, when we want to mention the agent who does the action, we use `by’ to
introduce the phrase.
Active A sniper killed President Kennedy.
Passive President Kennedy was killed by a sniper.
Active The students caused all the trouble.
Passive All the trouble was caused by the students.
However, just about 20% of passive sentences in English mention the agent.

TASK 2
Match the sentence parts in A with the most suitable endings in B. Then,using the appropri-
ate from of the verbs in brackets, write passive sentences.
A B
The marriage house (light) his wife’s illness
The Streets (clean) children below 10 years
His happiness (overshadow) thousands of lights
This garden (maintain) the municipality
The carpet (made) the local council

Some passives are formed with the verb get instead of be. This is informal English and usu-
ally used when we are speaking.
The boy was run over by a car.
The boy got run over by a car.
But get cannot be used in all passives.
We can only say
``He is liked by everyone’’ and not
*``He gets liked by everyone’’.
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Passives can be formed only when the sentence has a transitive verb.
e.g. Junaid built the house.
The house was buillt by Junaid.
However, not all transitive verbs can be passivised. There can be no passive when
the verb `have’ is used as a main verb.
I have a car. (No passive)
Verbs like cost, weigh, hold, contain, accommodate are used.
This book costs Rs 200. (no passive)
This book weighs 10 kilos. (no passive)
This can holds 5 litres. (no passive)
The temperature rose/fell 10 degree. (no passive)
It contains sugar. (no passive)
The storm lasted two days. (no passive)
reflexive self-forms are used.
She told herself not to panic. (no passive)
There are other sentences like
We shook hands. (no passive)
The stranger raised his voice. (no passive)
She agreed with her husband. (no passive)
TASK 3
Change the active sentences into the passive where possible. If the sentence cannot be
passivised, write No passive in the space provided.
1. Egyptians built this pyramid in 2566 BC.
.........................................................................................................................................
2. The editor asked me to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
.........................................................................................................................................
3. We all thought he was a spy.
.........................................................................................................................................
4. Ali wanted to marry the princess.
.........................................................................................................................................
5. I saw him come out of the hospital.
.........................................................................................................................................
6. The pretty girl shook her head.
.........................................................................................................................................
7. He gave the Maruti to his mother.
.........................................................................................................................................
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8. They elected Rao president of the club.
.........................................................................................................................................
9. His coat did not fit him properly.
.........................................................................................................................................
10. Two times five equals ten.
.........................................................................................................................................
The passive forms with to-infinitive and gerund end with a past participle too.

Active Passive
To-infinitive to choose to be chosen
perfect to-infinitive to have chosen to have been chosen
Gerund choosing being chosen
perfect Gerund having chosen having been chosen

TASK 4
Change these sentences from active to passive or vice-versa. The first word of the sentence
has been given to help you.
1. We felt that he was not telling the truth.
It .........................................................................................................................................
2. They believe Veerappan to be dangerous.
Veerappan .........................................................................................................................
3. Being searched by customs officers is unpleasant.
It .........................................................................................................................................
4. There are thought to be more than 3000 languages in the world.
It is ....................................................................................................................................
5. The teacher made him do the correction.
He was ..............................................................................................................................
You will notice that it is possible to passivise some sentences using preparatory there or it.
passives are used mainly
to describe a process (especially scientific and industrial)
in official rules and procedures
in reports

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 TASK 5
Match the languages and the countries. Use the passive, present tense.
Hindi India
English Brazil
French Austria
Italian Argentina
German Mexico
Portuguese Switzerland
Spanish Canada
Tamil Australia
Sri Lanka
Belguim
e.g. French is spoken in Belgium and Switzerland.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

TASK 6
Complete the passage by using the appropriate form of the verb in brackets:
Whenever anything went wrong, it became usual to attribute this to Snowball. If a window
............................(break) or a drain .................... (block up), someone was certain to say that
Snowball had come in the night and done it, and when the key of the store shed .....................
(lose), the whole farm ........................ (Convince) that Snowball had thrown it down the well.

Curiously enough, they went on believing this even after the mislaid key .................. (find)
under a sack of meal. The cows declared unanimously that snowball crept into their stalls and
milked them in their sleep. The rats, which had been troublesome that winter, ...................
also ................................ (say) to be in league with snowball.
(Animal Farm : Orwell)
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 TASK 7
Complete the rules for an essay competition given below:
(1) The competition ............................... to all persons above 18.
(2) Entry forms ............................... from ...............................
(3) All essays ............................... by a panel of judges.
(4) All prizes winners ............................... by post.
(5) The essays ............................... in our journal.
(6) Prizes ............................... at a speciall function to be held on November 14.
(7) Winners ............................... to the function.

Now write a paragraph using the information.

..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................

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 Unit 2
Non-Finite Verb forms
A non-finite verb form does not show person, number or tense. The infinitives and -ing verb
forms do not mark number or tense.
We work
He works to eat
I worked
finite verb non-finite verb
form form
There are distinct patterns in the use of non-finite forms, which we need to learn to use
English appropriately, accurately and fluently.
The infinitive can be followed by `to’ and a verb or just a verb without `to’. The latter is
called the bare infinitive.
e.g. Nothing can go wrong.
We’d better not be late.
I’d rather have stayed at home.

Using Infinitives
1. Verbs of saying and cognition are usually followed by a to-infinitive clause.
agree choose fail learn promise
appear decide hope offer refuse
beg demand intend plan swear
Lata agreed to do the sketches.
He has sworn to protect the children.
She begged to be excused.
2. Some verbs take an object and a to-infinitive.
advice bear command expect instruct
allow beg compel force intend
ask cause encourage help invite
persuade recommend request remind wish
teach tell tempt want warn
We asked the teacher not to give us homework.
The kidnappers forced the father to pay money.

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3. Infinitives without `to’ (bare infinitives) are used with
Modal auxiliary verbs
I must go now.
Could you help me?
How dare you use my computer?
Let, make, hear etc. (let etc. + object + bare infinitive)
She lets the dog sleep on her bed.
He made them give up their guns*.
Did you see her go past?
I heard her say she was sick.
* The `to’ is used in the passive with made and heard.
They were made to give up their guns.
She was heard to say that she was sick.
Why (not).
Why + bare infinitive is used to introduce questions that suggest that it is pointless or stupid
to do something.
Why go to the theatre? We have the best home movie system.
Why stand up when you can sit down?
Why not ask the policeman?
Why not accept his suggestion?
TASK I
Replace the underlined words in the sentences below with an infinitive construction.
1. The STF hope that they will nab Veerappan soon.
..........................................................................................................................................
2. The passenger pretended that he didn’t understand the custom officer’s question.
..........................................................................................................................................
3. The husband threatened that he would divorce his wife if she did not bring more dowry.
..........................................................................................................................................
4. The government promised that they would look into the students problems.
..........................................................................................................................................
5. Sunny claimed that he was an expert in matters of the heart.
..........................................................................................................................................

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4. Many adjectives can be followed by infinitives; and the adjective + infinitive combina-
tion expresses various meanings.
I am pleased to see you.
The child was anxious to meet its mother.
Grammer is easy to understand.
Grandmother is nice to talk to.
It’s likely to rain.
(i) In an adjective + infinitive structure, when a verb with a preposition is used, it often
comes at the end of the sentence.
It’s not a bad place to live in.
He’s easy to get on with.
(ii) Enough and too are often used with this construction.
Do you think the milk is warm enough to drink?
you’re too old to climb that hill.
(iii) In polite forms, we can use either enough or so in requests.
Would you be kind enough to tell me the time?
Would you be so kind as to tell me the time?
5. The negative infinitive is made by putting not before to.
Try not to be stupid.
He decided not to go for his walk.
TASK 2
Given below are some words. Use them to make sentences with infinitive constructions. Try
to use different subjects and tense forms.
e.g. afford/waste/time.
We can’t afford to waste time: the man isi dying!
1. appear/understand
..........................................................................................................................................
2. arrange/talk/on Monday
..........................................................................................................................................
3. Prepare/meet/on time
..........................................................................................................................................
4. hesitate/apologise for
..........................................................................................................................................
5. refuse/listen to
..........................................................................................................................................

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6. manage/earn/comfort
..........................................................................................................................................
7. warn/press for/higher wages
..........................................................................................................................................
8. assist/obtain/concessions
..........................................................................................................................................
9. encourage/work/in future
..........................................................................................................................................
10. convince/plan/preferable
..........................................................................................................................................
-ing forms. Verbs ending in -ing are sometimes called participles and sometimes gerunds
depending on whether they are used more like adjectives/verbs or more like nouns.
I was swimming in the sea.
Swimming is good for health.
It is more important to learn to use the -ing forms appropriatly than trying to identify whether
they are gerunds or participles.
1. The following are some common verbs that are usually followed by a gerund.
admit deny imagine postpone stop
avoid enjoy involve practise suggest
consider fancy mind regret contemplate
delay finish miss ask understand
stop talking!
Have you finished quarrelling?
2. The following verbs and expressions that express personal tastes are always followed by
gerunds.
like love enjoy can’t bear
dislike hate mind can’t stand
I enjoy watching Jackie Chan movies.
I can’t bear seeing dogs being mis-treated.
After love and can’t bear we can use either an infinitive or gerund.
She loves fussing over guests.
She loves to fuss over guests.
When like means enjoy, we can use gerund.
Do you enjoy jogging?
When like does not mean enjoy we can use an infinitive
I like to finish my work by 5 pm.

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However, would like is always followed by to-infinitive.
Everyone would like to be rich.
I’d like to wash my hands.
Would you like to come home with me?
TASK 3
Match the sentence halves.
(a) No one wearing shorts 1. will do more harm than good.
(b) A man wearing a mask 2. will be allowed into the mosque.
(c) Children going on the picnic 3. will be in big trouble.
(d) Everyone waiting for the bus 4. can be stopped by the police.
(e) Any driver jumping the red light 5. complained bitterly.
(f) Any learner -driver without the L plate 6. robbed the bank.
(g) Beating the child 7. Chattered excitedly.

a b c d e f g

Usage points
The use of -ing or an infinitive can make a difference in meaning to verbs like:
advise allow attempt begin continue
forget forbid go on hate hear
intend like love permit remember
stop try watch start see
remember, forget, stop, go on and regret. The difference in meaning here is mainly to do
with time; --ing forms refer to things that have happened earlier and infinitive to things
that happen after the act.
I remembered to lock the door. (I remembered and I locked it and now I remember it.)
I clearly remember locking the door. (I locked it and now I remember it.)
He really must stop smoking. (stop what one is doing/does)
He stopped to have a smoke. (pause in order to do something)
How long will she go on talking? (continue what she has been doing)
She greeted them and went on to explain the objectives of the course. (change, move on
to something else)
I regretted telling her the secret. (I told her the secret and now I’m unhappy about it.)
I regret to inform you that your story has been rejected. (I am sorry for the bad news I’m
about to give you.)
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 When we are referring to a particular occasion, it is more common to use the infinitive
with the verbs love, hate, prefer.
I hate to see a child cry. (this occasion)
I hate seeing children cty. (generally
I prefer to walk to work. (specific occasion
I prefer walking to work. (generally)
Using -ing with the verbs see, watch and hear means that an action was going on when
we started watching or hearing
I heard the child laugh.
I heard the child crying when I entered the house.
I saw him crossing the road sometime back.
I saw him get off the bus and cross the road.
try + ing means experimenting; doing something to see what will happen.
I tried turning the key the other way, but the door did not open.
Try adding some more salt - it might make the soup taste better.
try + infinitive means to make an effort.
Please try to cooperate
I tried to learn Japanese, but the `kanjis’ defeated me!
TASK 4
Match the questions and answers.
Cooking Tips
Questions
Do you know how to...
melt butter without burning it?
keep `dosas’ hot?
skin grapes easily?
test if bread is baked?
thicken stew?
Answers
prick them.
Add a little cooking oil.
Add a teaspoon of cornflour.
Tap it underneath. It should sound hollow.
Place them on a plate over a pan of hot water and cover them with another plate.

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Now write out the cooking tips.

1. To melt better without burning ..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
2. ..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
3. ..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
4. ..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
5. ..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

TASK 5
Correct the following sentences:
1. Try to not be late.
..........................................................................................................................................
2. She lets her children to stay up late and watch TV.
..........................................................................................................................................
3. Cricket’s boring to watch.
..........................................................................................................................................
4. My parents encouraged me to be a software engineer, but I didn’t want.
..........................................................................................................................................
5. I look forward to hear from you.
..........................................................................................................................................
6. I enjoy the read books.
..........................................................................................................................................
7. I don’t remember to have said that.
..........................................................................................................................................
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8. Why not to go to the canteen for tea?
..........................................................................................................................................
9. I prefer to ride to wallk.
..........................................................................................................................................
10. I appreciate Rafi to help me.
..........................................................................................................................................

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 Unit 3
Tenses
``Time is a universal, non-linguistic concept with three divisions past, present and future;
by tense we understand the correspondence between the form of the verb and our concept of
time’’. (Quirk : Longman: 1986)
The form of the verb in English tells us whether we are referring to the past or the present.
Since English verbs have only two forms, past and present, we refer to not the future tense but
ways of talking about the future.
For a learner of English as a second language, the important concern is how to use the forms
to convey precise meanings.
The table below summarizes the forms of the Simple present and Simple past using a regular
verb `play’.

Simple I I
You play You played
He plays He I you He

Progressive I am I was
You are playing You were playing
He is He was

Perfecct I have I had

You have played you had played
He has He had

Uses of the Simple present

Unrestrictive use: to talk about general truths.

Two and three make five.
Hydrogen is the lightest element.
The sun sets in the West.
Instantaneous use: as in sports commentaries and demonstrations.
Murtaza passes the ball to Shiva, who heads it...
I heat a tablespoon of oil in the pan and add the chopped onions.

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 Habitual use: to talk about activities that are repeated.
I drink tea every morning.
He drives to work (every day)

Uses of the Simple Past

Narrative: used to indicate a sequence of events.
He sailed to England, defeated the saxons and became king.
Repeated events in the past
Major Khatri visited the hospital every day for two years.
TASK 1
Complete the following using a suitable verb from BOX A and a suitable completion from
BOX B.
A B
drink, play badminton
stand, eat milk, Gomti
float, set water, worms, West
e.g. The sun sets in the West
1. Lucknow ..........................................................................................................................

2. Kerosene ..........................................................................................................................

3. Birds ..........................................................................................................................

4. Sarita ..........................................................................................................................

5. Babies ..........................................................................................................................

TASK 2
Write definitions for the following:
e.g. mammal: A mammal is an animal that suckles its young.

1. The fibula: ..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

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2. A template: ..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

3. A hexagon: ..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

4. An isotherm:..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

5. An atheist: ..........................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

TASK 3
Complete the following story in five sentences using the past tense form of verbs. The first
and last sentences are given.

``Hands up!’’ I heard a gruff voice order

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

It was the TV.

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 Uses of the Present Progressive
Temporary state
She’s cooking in the kitchen.

Habitual use (limited period)

The manager is cycling to work till his car is repaired.

Sporadic repetitions
The children are always breaking windows.
Note: When the progressive is used in this way, an implied criticism is indicated. The
adverbs, always, constantly, forever and continually are generally used in such statements.
He is always asking silly questions.
but
He always asks intelligent questions.
Uses of the Past Progressive
For actions going on simultaneously.
I was peeling potatoes while Kartik was watching the television.
For indicating a temporary state.
I was watching the television all evening.
For ongoing action.
I was having my bath just then.
The biggest problem learners of English have is to know when to use the progressive and
with what verbs. Inappropriate use can lead to some very queer meanings! The use of the
progressive depends largely on whether a verb is dynamic or stative.
Dynamic verbs can broadly be defined as `action’ verbs. Verbs that indicate a state without a
definite beginning or an end are stative verbs.
DYNAMIC VERBS like the following can be used with the progressive.
kiss kill drink eat sleep
learn play read change grow
die arrive hit run dance
STATIVE VERBS like the following cannot be used in the progressive generally.
know like prefer understand
think want have be
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Some stative verbs, however, may be used in the progressive with different meanings.
Cheetahs look like leopards. (a state, true for all time)
She is looking more and more like her mother. (a changing situation)
I see what you mean. (understand: a state)
I’m seeing the dentist on Monday. (visiting by appointment)

TASK 4
Which of the pair of sentences express the given meaninng?
1. (He has finished reading the novel.)
(a) He read the novel on the train.
(b) He was reading the novel on the train.

Ans.
2. (She will be moving soon.)
(a) She lives at 12, Chelmsford Drive.
(b) She is living at 12, Chelmsford Drive.

Ans.

3. (only once.)
(a) He knocked on the door.
(b) He was knocking on the door.

Ans.

4. (The speaker is at the sea-side.)

(a) I am enjoying the sea-side.
(b) I enjoy the sea-side.

Ans.

5. (permanent state.)
(a) My car runs perfectly.
(b) My car is running perfectly.

Ans.
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 TASK 5
Correct the following senctences if necessary.

1. I’m thinking about your proposal.

..........................................................................................................................................
2. I was thinking that she was lying.
..........................................................................................................................................
3. Are you believing what he says?
..........................................................................................................................................
4. The water’s boiling - shall I make a tea?
..........................................................................................................................................

5. Why are you smelling the bread? Is it stale?

..........................................................................................................................................

6. I was weighing 75 kilos before I went on a diet.

..........................................................................................................................................

7. She’s always losing her temper.

..........................................................................................................................................

8. I’m seeing what you mean.

..........................................................................................................................................

9. I rang her up because I was needing to talk.

..........................................................................................................................................

10. This test-tube is containing hydrochloric acid.

..........................................................................................................................................

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 Uses of the Present Perfect
1. state-up-to-the-present We’ve known each other for 20 years.
x
2. inclusive use x I have seen Mt.Everest.
3. resultative use x I’ve had my lunch.
4. iterative use x x x He has attended all English classes this semester.
x
Now
(present)
1. State-up-to-the present: extends over a period lasting up to the present moment.
2. Inclusive use: a completed activity sometime in the past with present relevance.
3. Resultative use: an activity completed in the past giving rise to a certain result in the
present.
4. Iterative use: a repeated, but non-continuous action over a period in the past with present
implications.
Uses of the Past Perfect
Past-in-the-past: where two actions occur in the past, one before the other.
I reached the station at 6 pm, but the train had left by then.

With verbs like hope, expect, think, intend, mean, purpose, want etc. to indicate that a
past hope or expectation was not fulfilled.
He had intended to talk to her.
I had hoped to improve my condition.

ADVERBIALS
The use of adverbials with the perfective is important.
With the present perfect, you can use
till, now, by now, up to the present, in the last few years, since 1972, so far, yet, for
8 years.
With the simple past you can use
a moment ago, an hour ago, yesterday, last night, in 1965, on Monday etc.
With both the present perfect and the simple past, you can use
today, this morning, this afternoon.

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 TASK 6

Answer the following questions truly, in full sentences.

1. What has the weather been like this month?

..........................................................................................................................................
2. How long have you been learning English?
..........................................................................................................................................
3. What films have you seen this month?
..........................................................................................................................................
4. How long have you lived in your present house?
..........................................................................................................................................
5. How much money have you spent this week?

..........................................................................................................................................
6. How many storybooks have you read this year?

..........................................................................................................................................
7. What new places have you visited this year?

..........................................................................................................................................
8. What new clothes have you bought this month?

..........................................................................................................................................
9. Which of your friends haven’t you seen for some time?

..........................................................................................................................................
10. How long have you spent answering these question?

..........................................................................................................................................

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 TASK 7
Which of the sentences express the given meaning?
1. (The exhibition is no longer there.)
(a) Have you visited the Handloom Fair?
(b) Did you visit the Handloom Fair?

Ans.

2. (She is dead.)
(a) She was an invalid all her life.
(b) She has been an invalid all her life.

Ans.

3. (He is in India now.)

(a) He has been to the UK several times.
(b) He has gone to the UK.

Ans.

4. (He has bandage round his head.)

(a) The gardener has hurt his head.
(b) The gardener hurt his head.

Ans.

5. (The ground is wet.)

(a) It rained last night.
(b) It has rained during the night.

Ans.

27
 Talking about the future

The future can be expressed in English using

The simple present
The present progressive
`going to’ form
`will’ and `shall’
The simple present is used when we talk about fixed programmes. It is also used with a
future meaning after `I bet’ and `I hope’.
The PM arrives at 10 pm.
Colleges start on June 25th.
What time does the Pathankot Express arrive?
I bet I reach the gatepost before you do.
I hope you have a pleasant journey.

The Present Progressive is used to talk about personal arrangements for the future.
I’m seeing the lawyer tomorrow.
(I have fixed an appointment)
Are you doing anything tonight?
(Have you made any arrangements?)

`going to’ refers to a future based on present circumstances.

She’s going to have a baby. (I can see that she’s pregnant)
It’s going to rain. (I see dark clouds in the sky)
going to’ is also used when we talk about decisions that have been made about the future.
What are you going to be when you grow up?
I’m going to become a pilot.

Will and Shall are used when we predict what we think will happen.
You will never fail if you study for an hour everyday.
We use `will’when we talk about a decision at the moment we are making it.
``It’s the courier’’. ``I’ll take it’’.
I think I’ll go to bed.

28
For making suggestions and offers we use `shall’ in questions.
Shall I open the window?
Shall we tell Mother?

For requests, however, we use `will.’

Will you please get me a drink?

Future progressive (will/shall be + v + ing) is used to

Talk about the action that will be in progress in the future.
By this time next year, you will be living in your new house.

Suggest that a future programme has been fixed.

The Vice Chancellor will be addressing the faculty at 10 am tomorrow in the Senate Hall.
Ask politely about someone’s plans.
Will you be needing the car tomorrow, sir?
Future perfect (will/shall have + past participle) tells us about something that will have been
completed in the future.
He’ll have finished his novel by next year.
I’ll have been teaching for 10 years this winter.
TASK 8
Match the sentences.
1. Australia is playing very well. (a) His wife will be delighted.
2. There’s a truckers’ strike from tomorrow. (b) We’ll most probably faill.
3. I’m feeling very tired. (c) He’s going to quit films.
4. It’s a very difficult test. (d) The price of vegetables will go up.
5. They have invited 1500 guests for the wedding. (e) I think I’ll go to bed.
6. I listened to Khan’s interview last night. (f) They’re going to win the world cup.
7. He has got a job in america. (g) They’re going to split up.
8. Have you heard the gossip about the Snighs? (h) It’s going to be a crush.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

29
 TASK 9
Write five things that you think is going to happen to you in the future.

1. ..........................................................................................................................................

2. ..........................................................................................................................................

3. ..........................................................................................................................................

4. ..........................................................................................................................................

5. ..........................................................................................................................................

TASK 10
It is 2059. what things do you think will have happened to planet Earth and the living beings
on it? Write an astrologer’s column for a newspaper mentioning five things.

Crystal Gazer writes: ................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

30
 Unit 4

Indirect/Reported Speech
When we want to report what somebody has said, we can either quote the exact words (dirct
speech) or talk about what was said without using the exact words (reported/ indirect speech.)
When we use reported speech, we have to follow certain conventions regarding tenses, ad-
verbs and punctuation.

The table below summarises the use of tenses in direct/reported speech.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Present Simple Past Simple
You look lonely! He told her that she looked lonely.
Present Progressive Past Progressive
I’m learning English. He said that they had reached the summit.
Present Perfect Past Perfect
I’ve had enough! She shouted that she’d had enough.
Past perfect Past Perfect
He had never seen such a big turnip. He said he had never seen such a big turnip.
Shall/will Should/Would
Will you dance with me? I asked him if he would dance with me.
We’ll be caught. I was afraid we’d be caught.
Can/May Could/Might
I can’t sing. She swore she couldn’t sing.
Would, could, Might, Ought, Should Would, Could, Might, Ought, Should
You could get hurt. I told him that he could get hurt.
Must Must/Had to
You must leave. She said he must (or had to) leave.

The changes that are made to adverbs of time are listed below.
Direct Indirect/Reported
today that day
this afternoon that afternoor
tonight/this evening that night/that evening
tomorrow the following day/the next day.
31
yesterday the day before
now then/at that time
last night the night before
last week/year the week/the year before
next week/year the following week/year
two weeks ago two weeks before.

The change in time adverbials depends on when the speech is reported.

e.g. Hafeez: ``I’m going to Delhi tomorrow.’’
Reported the same day: Hafeez said he was going to Delhi tomorrow
Reported a week later: Hafeez said that he was going to Delhi the next day.

TASK 1
Report the following conversation using said.
Damini : Have you all seen ``Lagaan’’?
Shaji : I’m going to see it tomorrow.
Singh : I saw it last night.
Leela : I saw it two weeks ago.
...............................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................

TASK 2
What the Stars Say
LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23)
You will know today what others want and what they feel. Something that you will be told
will give you all the information you require. You can expect a surprise in the post. your lucky
number is 8.
Swamy was born on September 30th. What does the horoscope say? Begin:

His horoscope says.....................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................
32
.......................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

It is now a week later. What did the horoscope for last week say? Begin:

His horoscope said .........................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................

Questions in indirect speech have the following features.

1. They do not have that same word order as direct questions.

The teacher asked how I felt.
I wondered why they were digging the road.

2. If and whether are used before questions that do not have a question word.
The driver asked whether/If I wanted to get off at the Chowk.
I don’t know if/whether he’ll help.
TASK 3
You are a journalist. You are making a phone call to fix an appointment with a film star for an
interview. You want to know four things:
1. Where has she gone?
2. When will she be back?
3. Did she go alone?
4. Will she agree to an interview?
Complete the conversation.
You: Do you know ...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
33
Secretary: Sorry, I’ve got no idea.

You: Never mind. I don’t suppose you know .......................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
Secretary: No, I’m afraid I don’t.

You: Oh, well. Do you happen to know ...................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
Secretary: I’m afraid I didn’t see her go out.

You: One more thing, do you think ..........................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
Secretary: I’m sorry, but I really can’t say.

You: Thank you!

Secretary: you’re welcome.

The following pattern is followed in commands and requests.

advise
ask
beg
command you to do it.
I desire that you (should) do it.
forbid
order
request
urge

The other pattern used after verbs denoting request is

advised
forbade
I recommended your doing it.
requested
urged

34
 TASK 4
How to Become a Fluent Speaker of English
1. Don’t use your native language in the English class.
2. Read English newspapers and magazines.
3. Don’t translate into English from your native language.
4. Use a good dictionary.
5. Read as many books as possible.
6. Don’t try to speak fast.
7. Try to correct your own mistakes.
8. Try to learn some new words everyday.
9. Don’t worry about mistakes.
10. Speak to as many people as possible in English.

Report the rules given above.

1. ..........................................................................................................................................

2. ..........................................................................................................................................

3. ..........................................................................................................................................

4. ..........................................................................................................................................

5. ..........................................................................................................................................

6. ..........................................................................................................................................

7. ..........................................................................................................................................

8. ..........................................................................................................................................

9. ..........................................................................................................................................

10. ..........................................................................................................................................

To report effectiverly, various reporting verbs, other than say, tell can be used.
Which of the following conveys meaning effectively?
``I’ll tell the principal.’’
(a) He said he’d tell the principal.
(b) He threatened to tell the principal.
35
 TASK 5
Find ten reporting verbs from the word square below. You can form words horizontally or
vertically.

T S I S N I Y A T E

S H O U T E D S Z X

B C D O T S H O L C

R E A D M I T N C L

E M E S N M U N L A

P U R P O O L E A I

S N A P H R G R I M

I Z G A S P L A M T

H A N D L E V L E N

W E L F O R B I D Y

Now make ten sentences using the reporting verbs.

1. ..........................................................................................................................................

2. ..........................................................................................................................................

3. ..........................................................................................................................................

4. ..........................................................................................................................................

5. ..........................................................................................................................................

6. ..........................................................................................................................................

7. ..........................................................................................................................................

36
8. ..........................................................................................................................................

9. ..........................................................................................................................................

10. ..........................................................................................................................................

Certain conventions of punctuation are followed when quoting the exact word a person speaks.
Look at the sentences below:
She said, ``I know what I’m going to do.’’
The teacher said, ``I want you to read `pride and prejudice’ during your summer vaction.’’
What do you notice about the punctuation? Write five rules about the use of punctuation in
direct speech. You might need words like inverted commas, single inverted commas, double
inverted commas, commas, capital letters, full stop etc.

1. ..........................................................................................................................................

2. ..........................................................................................................................................

3. ..........................................................................................................................................

4. ..........................................................................................................................................

5. ..........................................................................................................................................

37
 Unit 5

Articles
a/an and the are articles in English and they are one of the most difficult aspects of English to
master. This is because the question of where to use or not use articles is more a matter of
usage than grammer.
The table below summarises the use of a/an, the indefinite article with singular, plural (count)
and non-count nouns.
a/an the
Singular
Plural -
Non-count/uncountable -
We use articles for two reasons:
1. To show whether we are referring to things that are known to the speaker and the lis-
tener, or to show that they are not known to either of them.
2. To show whether we are talking about things in general or in particular.

We use `the’ in three defferent contexts:

1. When a thing or person is mentioned twice; the first time we use a/an and the when it is
mentioned the second time:
``A monkey climbed the tree. The monkey belonged to the circus.’’
2. When the thing/person mentioned is unique or one of its type in our experience.
The sun rises in the east.
The Prime Minister hoisted the flag.

3. When a phrase or clause after the noun makes it clear which one is meant.
The gardens of Pinjore are famous.
The man standing behind the counter is my cousin.
The house in the picture is my great-grandfather’s.

38
 TASK 1
Complete the following using a/an or the and a word from the box. You can use the words in
the box more than once.
city continent capital state
island country river mountain

1. Peru is ...................................in South America.

2. Tirana is ................................... of Albania but it does not look like ...................................

European ...................................

3. Asia is ................................... but India is not.

4. The Amazon is ................................... in South America.

5. Mount Everest is ................................... on the border between Nepal and Tibet.

6. Jamaica is ................................... in the Carribean.

7. ................................... around the South Pole is called Antartica.

8. Alaska is ................................... of the USA.

9. Shanghai is ................................... big ...................................

10. Oslo is ................................... of Norway.

The main problem with the use of articles is where to use them and where not to use them.
Here are few rules.
1. Don’t use the (with plural and non-countable nouns) when you are talking about things
in general.
Gold is a precious metal (Not: The gold)
Life is an enigma (Not: The life)
2. Use the with singular countable nouns in generalizations.
The elephant is the largest land mammal.
Life would be unthinkable without the telephone.
3. Use the with adjectives when referring to classes of people.
the blind, the rich, the Dutch.

39
4. Don’t use articles with the following:
(a) Institutions when you refer to the primary purpose.
school, hospital, prison, church, class, bed.
(b) Phrases of time
in summer, on Saturday, in May.
[but we use the when we refer to particular days, months or seasons.]
e.g. It was a very hot summer.
It was the winter of dicount, protests and shootings.
Submit this before the last Tuesday of this month.
(c) with possessives.
Haji’s coat. (Not: The Haji’s Coat)
Rahman’s concert. (not: a Rahman’s concert)
India’s population. (not: the India’s population)
(d) illnesses.
measles, diphtheria, appendicitis etc.
The child has measles
Also: toothache, earache (but a headache, a cold)
(e) geographical areas.
continents (Asia, Europe)
states (Assam, Texas)
towns (Pune, Dhaka)
streets/road/avenues/lanes (MG Road, Park Street)
lakes (Windermere, Hussian Sagar)
countries (Poland, Australia)
Note: The is used with names of countries whose name suggests that they are made up of
smaller units.
e.g: The United States of America, the United Arab Emirates.
If the names of the countries contain Republic, Federation or kingdom, the is used.
The People’s Republic of China.
Use article with
(a) musical instruments
the guitar, the piano, the sitar, the tabla.
(b) place names
seas (the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean)
mountain groups (the Alps, the Himalayas)

40
 island groups (the Maldives)
areas (the Middle East, the Punjab)
rivers (the Nile, the Chenab)
deserts (the Gobi, the Sahara)

TASK 2
Complete the following passage using `the’ or `zero’ article.
He found a box made of ............... wood. It was full of .............. coins, some made of ................
silver, and some of .................. copper. He quickly tested .................. coins. They seemed to
have come from either .................. South Africa or.................. Australia. How could these
have come to this beach? .................. pirates, after crossing .................. Atlantic, must have
buried it in .................. sand on .................. beach. He hid .................. box among some
rocks; he would look at .................. coins later. Now he would swim in .................. sea.
.................. sun was shining, .................. sky was blue and .................. weather was mild.
Micheal Swan has spelt out three golden rules for the use of articles.
1. Do not use the (with plural and uncountable nouns) to talk about things in general.
2. Do not use singular countable nouns without articles.
3. Use a/an to say what people’s professions or jobs are.
(Swan : Practical English Usage, OUP 1980)

TASK 3
Completle the following using a, an, the or zero in the blank spaces. If there are two possible
answers, give them both.
I. A. What would you like for ........................ breakfast, madam?
............. idlis, ............. dosas or ............. cornflakes and ................. toast? ................
tea or ................ coffee?

B. I don’t eat much in ................ morning ............ cornflakes and ............... toast will

A. What about ................ fresh juice?

B. Well, .................. small glass of ................ orange juice.

41
II. Ayesha has come down to Bangalore to work in a big IT firm. This is the letter she wrote
to her friend Leena. Complete it using a, an, the or zero article.
Bangalore,
22-8-2003.
Dear Leena,
Hi! How are you? At last, I’ve found some time to write to you!
Let me tell you about ........... Bangalore. It is ........... big town with lots of ........... schools,
........... colleges and ........... computer firms. You meet ........... people from all over ...........
world here. It is ........... busy city, but very peaceful too. ........... people are relaxed and
friendly. ........... weather is fantastic.

Not far from where I live, there is ........... shopping complex. You should see ........... goods
displayed. I have fallen in love with .......... silks available here. I am planning to get ...........
two suits stitched.
................ work is challenging. I have to work hard because our firm is competing with
........... best in the world.
Why don’t you come down here in ........... winter with Uncle and Aunty? you could stay
with me.

Write soon!
Yours affectionately,
Ayesha.
Prepositions
The preposition is a small word, but it is loaded with meaning, A single preposition in a
sentence can change its meaning.
We were walking along the street.
We were walking across the street.
We were walking towards the road.
Prepositions can be broadly categorised into
(a) Space/place preposition: at, in, on, opposite, below, off, behind, near, by, beside,
under, over etc.
(b) Movement/Direction prepositions: from, to, towards, into, onto, away from, round,
across, along etc.
(c) Time prepositions: at, in, on, before, during, after, till/untill, by, for, since, from, to
etc.
42
 (d) Orientation prepositions: beyond, across, over, past, through, down etc.
(e) Means prepositions: with, by etc.
(f) Other prepositions: against, as, about, of, for, etc.

TASK 1
Complete the sentences given below using prepositions and say what category of preposition
it is. Use the categories given above.
e.g. 1. People were warned to stay away from the crime scene. [b]
2. This train goes ................. Bombay. [ ]
3. The Taj Mahal is ................. Agra. [ ]
4. The thief crept ................. the room. [ ]
5. I could see ................. the lake into the woods with my new binoculars. [ ]
6. The Airlines office is open ................. 9 pm. [ ]
7. He’s been bitten .................a dog. [ ]
8. I want you to submit this assignment .................8 am tomorrow. [ ]
9. Dilip is standing ................. grandpapa in the picture. [ ]
10. He sat ................. the table, writing a letter. [ ]
Complete the following using suitable prepositions from the box below. You will need to use
some prepositions more than once.
on of in under to
off at from after
into round aroun across

1. Put this book ................... the shelf there. And could you put the red box ................... the
floor, please? Yes, ................... the sofa. Good! Now take that horrible vase ...................
the table! Be careful! It’s an ugly vase, but your mother is fond ................ it!
2. The Singapore - Chennai flight arrived ................... Chennai ................... 6 am. The
authorities asked the passengers to queue up at counter 16 ..................they got ...................
the plane. They had received intelligence that someone was trying to smuggle heroin
.................. the country; so a detailed inspection of all hand-baggage was being done
................... the immigration counter.

43
3. Here are some sea-facts:
Magellan sailed .............. the world .............1521.
Carthiginian sailors sailed .............. the Rock of Gibraltar and .............. the Atlantic
before the birth of Christ.
On his non-stop voyage from Britain to Australia, Chichester first sailed ..............
the Atlantic ............. South America.
There are certain expressions where the preposition is not used.
Expressions of time beginning with next, last, this, one, every, each, some, any, all.
See you next Monday. (not on next Monday)
The lecture is in Room 3.8 this afternoon.
You can see me any day you like.
The baby cried all night.
In conversations, we drop the preposition before names of days of the week.
See you Monday morning.
Again, in spoken English we drop the preposition at with expression of
(at) what time .............?
What time did you say the drama begins?
Expressions with words like height, width, length, colour, age, shape etc are used without a
preposition.
She’s the same age as Mala, though she pretends to be younger!
The new fiat has a very nice shape.
He’s the right height to join the Lancers
What colour were his trousers?
You will notice that the verb be is used to connect the subject with these words.
`In’ is dropped in spoken English with these expressions: (in) the same way, (in) this way (in)
another way etc.
They weave the shawls the same way as their ancestors did.
We do not use the preposition `to’ before the word `home’.
I want to go home. (not I want to go to home)
The biggest difficulty learners of English have is using the right prepositions with particular
words and expressions. A short list of these is given here, but the best way to find out which
preposition goes with which word is to refer to a dictionary.

44
agree with (a person) difficulty in (doing something)
agree about (a subject/theme) dream of (think, imagine)
agree on (a decision) dream about (when asleep)
agree to (a suggestion) example of (not for)
anxious about (worried about) look at (gaze at)
anxious for (eager, keen) look after (take care)
anxious + to infinitive (eager, wanting) look for (try to find)
apologise for shout at (aggressive, rude)
arrive at (place/conclusion) shout at (call to, communicate)
crash into (not against) suffer from (not with)
die of (a disease) wrong with
difficulty with (something)

Certain prepositions go before certain nouns in a fixed pattern.

at the cinema, the theatre, a party, university
Come/go for a walk, a swim, a drive, a run
in pencil, pen
in the rain, the snow
in a loud voice, a whisper
in a suit, a sari, a shirt, a raincoat
in the end (finally, after a long time, as in a story)
at the end (as of a programme etc. when something stops)
in time (with time to spare)
on time (exactly the right time)
in my opinion
on the radio, TV, the telephone
TASK 3
Complete this passage using appropriate prepositions.

With incredible deliberation the huge insect rambled ................ Bond’s forehead. It stopped
................ the hair. Bond could feel it nuzzling ................his skin. It was drinking! Drinking
the beads of salt sweat.

The centipede stirred. Slowly, it walked .............. ................ his hair ................ ................
the pillow. Bond waited a second. Now he could hear the rows of feet picking softly ................
the cotton.

45
With a crash that shook the room Bond’s body jack-knifed ................ ................ the bed and
................ the floor.
................ once Bond was ................ his feet and ................ the door. He turned ................ the
light. He found he was shaking uncontrollably. He staggered ................ the bed. There it was
crawling ................ the edge of the pillow. Bond’s first instinct was to twitch the pillow
................ the floor. He controlled himself, waiting ................ his nerves to quieten. Then
softly, deliberately he picked up the pillow ................ one corner and walked ................ the
middle of the room and dropped it. The centipede came out ................ the pillow.
(Ian Fleming : Dr No.)
TASK 4
Correct the following sentences which contain the most common mistakes made in the use of
prepositions. Rewrite the correct sentence.
1. We ought to discuss about implementing the new syllabus.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
2. My father was ill of `flu last week.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
3. Why are you angry on me? What have I done?
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
4. He’s bad in language and bad in Maths too.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

5. I died with shame when they asked me to show my jewels.

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

6. The two wheeler I was riding, bumped against the car in front of me.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
46
7. She is an example for all virtues a woman should possess.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

8. Look at the film star - she is dressed with a pink ``ghaghra choli’’.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

9. Let me explain you the problem.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

10. Mr. Paul, when did your interest for tennis begin?

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

11. It is cruel and heartless to laugh on poor people.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

12. Try to be polite with Uncle Hafiz. He’s coming here from Dubai tomorrow.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
13. Shall I order for a cup of tea for you?
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
14. My bike is superior than yours.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

47
 Unit 7

Concord
The agreement of certain grammatical items with each other in number and person is called
concord.
Concord of number is the most important type of concord in English. The rule that is
observed here is
singular subject + singular verb
plural subject + plural verb
The door is shut. (but not) The door are shut.
The doors are shut. (but not) The doors is shut.
subject-verb agreement is the other important type of concord in English.
(a) A clause acting as a subject is considered singular.
Standing at the counter all day is boring.
To claim precedence in such matters is ridiculous.
(b) Plural words and phrases count as singular if they are names, titles etc.
The Two Towers is an excellent movie.
The Minnows was a large cottage next to the golf-course.
Pronouns must agree with nouns they refer to
The girl liked her room.
The girls liked their rooms.
Concord poses problems when the NOTION of plurality/singularity is different from the
GRAMMATICAL rule governing it.
(a) public, police, government, are generally used with sigular verbs. But, if they are
not seen as a single undivided body, then the plural form of the verbs is used.
The committee is unanimous in its decision.
The committee are divided about admission policies.
(b) When two noun phrases are joined by or/either... or, the number of the last noun
phrase determines the number.
Either the father or the childern are lying.
Either the childern or the father is lying.
(c) Co-ordinated subjects usually have a plural verb.
Both my father and mother are glofers.
48
Some plural nouns are always used with a singular verb
 (a) Games: billiards, draughts, checkers etc.
(but): cards are forbidden.)
(b) Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Phonetics, Economics etc.
Physics is a difficult subject.
(c) Nouns denoting amounts and quantities
Twenty-five kilometers is a long way to walk.
This thousand-rupee not is a counterfeit.
(d) In set expressions
(i) more than one... is used with a singular verb.
more than one person was disappointed.
(ii) one of .... is used with a singular verb.
(e) Countries and organizations
The United States is the strongest nation in the world.
The Association of Coffee Growers has pleaded for tax exemption.
TASK 1
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence. Tick your choice.
1. War and Peace {is, are} a great novel by Tolstoy.
2. What he means to do with his dogs {is, are} what I’d like to know.
3. Neither of the sisters {have, has} replied.
4. More than one answer (is, are} possible.
5. Thirty-kilos {is, are} a lot to carry uphill.

TASK 2
Match the sentences halves, then link them using the appropriate verbs in the box.
involve travel be cause plan be

Mumps vigorous exercise

The public a childhood illness
Measles a study of genes
Aerobics fast
Genetics in a demonstration tomorrow
News a swollen neck

49
Now write out the sentences.

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

50
 Section 2

VOCABULARY

51
52
 Unit 1
I Monitor, motherboard, software, floppy are words used with a computer. What are the
following words connected with?
cell, sentence, guards, parole
lens, shutter, flash, speed
sleeper, bogey, track, coach
pawn, knight, king, queen,
frame, pane, catch, blinds

II What do the following stand for? Use a dictionary to find out if you have a doubt.

Very important person

e.g. VIP ...............................................................................
asap ...............................................................................
pc ...............................................................................
IT ...............................................................................
K ...............................................................................
bn ...............................................................................
cv ...............................................................................
CPU ...............................................................................
wysiwyg ...............................................................................
R&D ...............................................................................
oz ...............................................................................

What other phrases can you invent for the above?

III A. Make the opposites of these words using in, un, ir, im, or dis.

........... possible .............. agree ............. allow

............ sufficient .............. movable ............. responsible

............. easy .............. acceptable ............. reversible

.............. qualify .................. regular ............. pleasant

53
B. Complete the following sentences using 10 of the opposites from Exercise A.
1. The proposal by the government was totally ................

2. Leaving a baby alone at home is ................ behaviour.

3. Despite the manager’s assurances, I felt ................

4. This amount of food is ................ to feed all the guests!

5. Your criminal record will ................ you for a post of finance officer.

6. All his ................ assets were seized by the bank.

7. The decision of the judge in that case was ................

8. The judge ................ a further appeal by the accused.

9. Why are you ................ with people who come to visit us?

10. Let’s agree to ................ !

IV. Read the clues given and complete the words. All the words are related to numbers.

e.g. a three-wheeled cycle TRICYCLE

.....................

1. A combat between two people U

.....................

2. Two people singing together E

.....................
I H
3. A period of two weeks .....................

4. In this mathematical system 101=5 N

.....................

5. A period of ten years D

.....................

6. A person with two wives I M

.....................

7. A five-sided figure T N
.....................

8. A dramatic speech for a single actor N G

.....................

9. A government by two or more parties A I

.....................

10. An insect that is said to have a hundred feet. N P E

.....................
54
 Unit 2
I snick + cricket gives you `snicket’. What words do you get when you combine the
following?
smoke + fog = ..............................................................
Breakfast + lunch = ..............................................................
polyester + cotton = ..............................................................
motor + hotel = ..............................................................
work + alcoholic = ..............................................................
television + photogenic = ..............................................................
news + broadcast = ..............................................................
parachute + troops = ..............................................................
breath + analyser = ..............................................................
helicopter + airport = ..............................................................

II. Use the parts of the body given in the box with an appropriate phrase and complete the
sentences. Use a dictionary to help you.

Shoulder leg head

arm foot neck
hand back

e.g. Their favourite aunt was welcomed with open arms.

1. You’ve been sitting at your desk all day. Why don’t you .............................................. ?

2. She swore she’d never ....................................................................... in his house again.

3. I’d give my ............................................................................................... to be 18 again!

4. Poverty and crime often go ..............................................................................................

5. British and American troops fought ..................................................... in World War II.

6. Let’s .........................................our .................................................................. together.

I’m sure we’ll find a solution to the problem.

55
7. Paroo is sick, but she can’t be taken to hospital because her father is ..............................
....................................... in debt and nobody is willing to lend him money.
8. So many of them ........................... their ...................................on their culture when they
left home.

III. With which of the following words can you use ISTANT? put `a’ if you can and a, an, if
you cannot in the boxes provided.
coffee home colour
photos solution insurance
hit game hot water

IV. Given below are five sentences, each with a word in capitals. Make five sentences of
your own using the word in capitals but with a different meaning.
e.g. (a) There were TEARS in her eyes.
(b) The urchin had TEARS in his shirt.

1. (a) Perhaps the film will be SCREENED in the auditorium.

(b) .............................................................................................................................

2. (a) What is that ROW in the canteen?

(b) .............................................................................................................................

3. (a) What a lovely SNAP of the baby!

(b) .............................................................................................................................

4. (a) You can feed the DUCK bread.

(b) .............................................................................................................................

5. (a) Suhas is still a MINOR; he cannot see an `A’ movie!

(b) .............................................................................................................................

56
FOR FUN
Synonyms Crossword
1 2 3 4

5 6

7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14

15

16

Across Down
1. A fool (4) 1. Resemble (4,5)
3. Power, strength (5) 2. He gives tuition (5)
5. Used for boiling water (6) 3. Gentle, uncomplaining (4)
6. Single (3) 4. Great respect (6)
7. Furious (5) 8. A young girl’s laugh (6)
10. Rabbit’s tail (4) 9. Still (3)
11. Nylons (6) 12. Weeps noisily (4)
15. Dependable (8) 13. Fastened (4)
16. Not wet (3) 14. Drama (4)
57
 Unit 3
I What sort of person?
Complete the definitions below using the words in the box. Be careful! There are two
extra words in the box.
bossy versatile linguist bilingual
polyglot gullible fussy erudite
chauvinistic magnanimous knowledgeable greedy

1. A/An ............................. person is someone who has a variety of skills.

2. A/An ............................. is a person who can speak many languages.
3. A/An ............................. person is someone who believes that the sex he or she belongs
to is better than the opposite sex (male/female) in all ways.
4. A/An ............................. is someone who is fluent in two languages.
5. A/An ............................. person is someone who has studied a lot
and who knows a lot.
6. A/An ............................. person is someone who is easily taken-in
and tricked by others.
7. A/An ............................. person is one who is generous towards
other people.
8. A/An ............................. person is one who wants more than his/her fair share.
9. A/An ......................... person is one who is concerned about details - often nonessential
ones.
10. A/An ............................person is one whoo is continually giving orders to others.

II Match the idioms and their meaning.

1. Why did they try to sweep the scandal (a) experimental subject
under the carpet
2. I am worried about my son. He has been (b) bureaucracy
studying round the clock for his entrance test.
3. Her husband agreed to help her, but drew the (c) no conditions
line at wearing a frilly apron.
4. You can win that contract if you play your (d) all the time
cards right.
58
5. I don’t want to treat the students as guilnea-pigs (e) hide something
for new-fangled eduational theories!
6. This is a genuine offer - the car is yours and (f) unfair treatment
no strings attached.
7. When will our government really cut red-tape? (g) refused
It took me an hour and three clerks to
get a form!
8. I agree that the players got a raw deal. (h) adopt good tactics.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

III In what do the following people live?

e.g. A man: a house .........................................
1. An eskimo: ...............................................
2. A soldier: .................................................
3. A convict: ................................................
4. A king: .....................................................
5. A sailor (at sea): .......................................

IV Collar and Tie are words that go together. What words go with the following?
1. Shoes and ............................................
2. Trousers and ........................................
3. Blouse and ...........................................
4. Arms and .............................................
5. Pen and ...............................................
6. Bread and ...........................................
7. Knife and .............................................
8. Food and .............................................
9. Brick and .............................................
10. Pots and ..............................................
59
FOR FUN
Can you change LOSE to FIND in 6 moves. You can change only one letter at a time.

L O S E

Prescribed amount of medicine

To sleep lightly

In a shock

Native of Denmark

Have your evening meal

Good quality

F I N D

60
 Unit 4

I Put the informal / colloquial expressions in the list below in the right column.

twit booze idiot dough a bite

chum pal poison bread clod
grub lolly eats drink

money food friend fool alcohol

.................. .................. .................. .................. ..................

.................. .................. .................. .................. ..................
.................. .................. .................. .................. ..................
.................. .................. .................. .................. ..................
II Replace the underlined words with a more formal one to fit the context. you can choose
from the given list.
1. I was so fatigued after a day with the kids that I was obliged to retire early. ....................
2. The prince sought an audience with his mum in order to advise her to be careful.
Her hubby, he said, was planning to do her in. ................... / ............ / ....................
3. I endeavoured to restrain my wife from buying posh furniture............
4. The accident occurred at 4 am when a plastered motorcyclist
crashed into the tree guard. ...................
5. The weather will remain mainly sunny and dry today, but a nippy
wind will soon be blowing in from the North tomorrow....................
6. You are invited to coffee afterwards where you will be able to have a natter with the
author, whose latest novel has evoked a lot of hooha. ....................... / ................

murder inebriated expensive

chat cold excited reaction
mother children husband

61
III Match the political terms/issues with the statements.

STATEMENTS

We have a lot of people living There are too many bureaucrats

A B
in slums or in the street. in government offices.
It’s a crying shame.

The police should catch more The government is spending more

C criminals, and our courts should D on salaries and pensions than
send a lot more of them to jail. what it is getting as revenue!

Too many people from across One is as bad as the other -

E the border are trying to come F they are in it for themselves.
into this country to live.

POLITICAL TERMS
1. The civil service is too big.
2. Homelessness is a problem.
3. Illegal immigration is a problem.
4. People are worried about law and order.
5. Politicians of various parties are unpopular.
6. The budget deficit is huge.

Statement A B C D E F
Political Terms

IV Complete the following using an appropriate word from the box.

flash attack wink piece

gust hint clap stroke

1. The young mother did not get a ........................... of sleep because the baby was teething.
2. Winning the lottery was an incredible ........................ of luck.

62
3. Most young people get an alarming ........................of nerves before an examination.
4. The ........................ of lightning was followed by a ........................ of thunder and all the
animals panicked.
5. He was reading her letter when a sudden ........................ of wind tore it from his hand
and whirled it away.
6. ``If there is the slightest ........................ of trouble in the college, you’ll all be sus-
pended’’, the principal threatened.

FOR FUN
Complete the word square using the clues.

1 2 3 4
E 1. A sound sent back
2
2. A familiar way of saying a person
3
3. An animal that looks like a large rabbit
4
4. Not shut

63
 Unit 5
I Use the following prefixes with appropriate nouns and answer the questions in a word/
phrase. One has been done as an example.

micro anti post mono multi

pro semi sub psuedo auto

1. What drug does a doctor prescribe to fight infections?

.......................................................................................................................

2. What device helps a passenger plane fly without human control?

.......................................................................................................................

3. What kind of oven cooks food very fast?

.......................................................................................................................

4. What is a student studying for his master’s degree called?

.......................................................................................................................

5. These types of companies have branches in many countries. What are they called?

.......................................................................................................................

6. What is an aircraft, with two sets of wings, one over the other, called?

.......................................................................................................................

7. This train, used in Japan, runs on a single rail and is very fast. What is it called?

.......................................................................................................................

8. What is the hidden level of the mind that psychologists study called?

.......................................................................................................................

9. What do you call the invented name under which people write?

.......................................................................................................................

10. What do we use as a puncutation mark to separate parts of a complicated sentence?

.......................................................................................................................
64
I In what situations would you hear these expressions? Describe the situations in 2-3
sentences each.

1. Not at all.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

2. Help yourself.

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

3. Not on your life!

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

4. What are you getting at?

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

5. Just my luck!

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

6. I don’t get it.

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

65
III. The following is a part of a story written in old fashioned English. Rewrite it in modern
English. You will need to think of what gruffly, smartly and proud mean in the passage.
Now, when he came to the king’s gate he found a proud porter. And the porter, seeing that he was
ill-clad, called to him gruffly, ``Thou churl, withdraw thee smartly, without delay, or else I will
break thy head! If thou seekest again to come in, it shall rue thee, for then I shall beat thee’’!
[churl; peasant, (rude person)]
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................

IV Complete the following

e.g. Man is woman as boy is to girl.
1. Goals are to soccer as tries are to ............................

2. Putt is to golf as pot is to ............................

3. Nursery is to plant as incubator is to ............................

4. Fir is to evergreen as chinar is to ............................

5. Grimm is to fairytales as Aesop is to ............................

6. Lawnmower is to grass as sandpaper is to ............................

7. Policeman is to thief as gamekeeper is to ............................

8. Noodles is to Chinese as pasta is to ............................

66
FOR FUN

What three-letter word must you place in front to make four new words in each group?

THER ADOM

TRY LIN

ACHE ULAR

ORAMA ULATION

67
 Unit 6
I Choose the appropriate word and complete the sentences.
arrangement/appointment
1. (a) I have an ......................... with the dentist at 10am.
(b) I have an ......................... with the courier - he picks up letters from my office
every day.

stationery/stationary
2. (a) The passenger train was ......................... when the goods train hit it.
(b) The college buys all its ......................... from the cooperative stores.

wait/expect
3. (a) I usually ......................... here for the bus.
(b) I ......................... the bus will be late as usual.

loose/lose
4. (a) .................. trousers and short tops are the fashion this year.
(b) You’ll have to ...................... weight if you want to wear jeans.

mean/think
5. (a) What does `momo’ .........................?
(b) What do you -------- of my new hair cut?

II Complete these proverbs.

1. More ............................................, less speed.

2. Better safe ............................................

3. Where there’s a will ............................................

4. A stitch in time ............................................

5. A bird ............................................ is worth ............................................

6. A barking dog ............................................

7. A bad workman ............................................

8. ............................................ in one basket.

68
 9. ............................................ dreads the fire.

10. ............................................ can’t be choosers.

III Complete the words below to match the meaning.

1. The person to whom a cheque
is written p--e-
2. The lowest level of interest a bank
charges for lending money b---r---
3. A document used for the transferring
of money from one bank to another b---d----
4. A computer printout sent by a bank regarding
debits and credit in your account s------n-
5. You do this when you take out more money
than you have from a bank accout. o---d---

IV Which word does not belong to the set? Circle it.

Mr Mrs Miss Ms
General Major Colonel Commander
Labrador Dalmatian Alsatian Siamese
Id superman super Ego

Now write a one-line explanation about why the circled word is different.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
69
FOR FUN

Do you know the answers?

1. Why are the 14th and 15th letters of the alphabet so important?
2. Which six-letter word in English does not have the vowels a, e, i, o, u?
3. Do you know the story about the bed?
4. What is yours but used often by others?
5. What must others take before you can have it?

Your photograph. 5.
Your name. 4.
It hasn’t been made-up as yet. 3.
Rhythm. 2.
We cannot get ON without them. 1.
Answers

70
 Section 3

PARAGRAPH WRITING

71
72
 1.1 What is a Paragraph?

A paragraph is a number of sentences grouped together that relate to one topic or a group of
sentences that develop a single point.
A good paragraph deals with one topic or one idea. This idea is expressed in the topic
sentence, which is usually the first sentence in the paragraph. All sentences in a good para-
graph relate to the topic sentence. A good paragraph also has a concluding sentence.
TASK 1
Look at the following paragraphs and identity the topic sentence (TS), the supporting
sentences (SS) and the concluding sentence (CS)
A In times gone by, lions lived in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa. ( ) Humans killed
hundreds of lions either out of fear or for sport. ( ) When areas were cleared to make towns
and villages, lions and other animals were killed in large numbers. ( ) Now there are no lions
left in the Middle East oro Northern Africa. ( ) Lions can be found in Asia and the Eastern
part of Central Africa. ( ) They are mostly found in Zoos or national parks. ( )
B In these modern times we live a fast-paced life. We speed on highways that never end,
take jet planes to travel faster. ( ) Fast food restaurants save us time. ( ) Our machines
are working faster than ever, and we can enjoy more leisure time. ( ) Then, in our leisure
time, we grumble because things move too slowly ( )
There should be no irrelevant information in a paragraph; if there is, then the paragraph is badly
written, because the meaning link between the topic sentence and other sentences will be lost.
TASK 2
Look at the following paragraph. Is there any irrelevant information? Underline the irrelevant
sentences, if any, in the paragraph.
Our dog Buster is a sprightly, mischievous spitz. The first thing he did when he was brou ght
home from the breeder’s farm was to chew up my rubber slipper. The breeder lives on a farm
on the outskirts of the city. She was a teacher once, but now she has taken up breeding dogs.
Next he `read’ my father’s newspaper thoroughly - a shredding machine couldn’t have done a
better job. Then he chased our neighbour’s poor little kitten all round the garden, yapping
furiously. He had a big grin on his face, but we were exhausted.
Now rewrite the paragraph without the irrelevant sentences. Think of a title for the paragraph.
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
73
..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

TASK 3
What is wrong with the following paragraph?
Hint: What is the topic sentence?
I love swimming in the sea at Kovalam, is in Kerala, which is a state in South India.
Kerala is the only state which has reached the target of 100% literacy.

Write your answer here.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

Now you write a five-sentence paragraph. Begin the paragraph like this.

I love swimming in...................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

74
 1.2 Principles Of Constructing Good Paragraphs

1.2.1 A good paragraph must have UNITY. To achieve unity, there should be only one idea
in each paragraph.
TASK 4
Look at the following passage. There are two main ideas, and therefore, there must be two
paragraphs. Read the passage and use/to indicate where a new paragraph should begin. Also
underline the topic sentence of each paragraph.
There was a time in history when this land we now call Britain was not an island. It was
joined to the rest of Europe, and hills and forests once stood where the North Sea and the
English Channel are today. Then, owing to some great earthquakes, much of the land sank,
the sea rushed in and only high parts remained above the surface of the water. How do we
know this? Fishermen trawling in the North Sea and the English Channel have found in their
nets the bones of pre-historic animals that must have been roaming about on what was once
dry land. Sabre-toothed tigers, mammoths and other creatures that have disappeared long
ago could not have been paddling about in canoes, could they?
1.2.2 ORDER, or the logical sequence of thought is a feature of good paragraphs. There
must be chronological order ifi an event is being described or logical development of
thought if it is a question of ideas/opininos or even a process.
TASK 5
Put the following sentences in the correct order to make a coherent paragraph. Sentence (b) is
the first sentence.
(a) Others feared that, one day, he might accept the crown of Rome which had been offered
him. ( )
(b) On March 15th, in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated on the steps of the Capitol in
Rome. (1)
(c) Some were jealous of his outstanding success as a general. ( )
(d) A number of rich and famous Roman senators plotted his downfall. ( )
(e) So his `friends’, Brutus, Cassius and Casca with others thrust their daggers into the great
leader. ( )
(f) Then they dipped their daggers in his blood and held them up for all to see. ( )
1.2.3 A paragraph should be fully DEVELOPED. An idea expressed in the topic sentence
should not be abandoned half-way through.
Look at the following paragraph. What is wrong with it?
There are three reasons why I am not admitting my child to that school. In the first place, the
school is far away from where we live. Yes, the school does have a bus, but can you imagine a child
of 5 having to spend nearly an hour to reach school? That’s the time it takes for the bus, with a lot
of pick-up points on the way. I definitely will not send my child to that school.
The topic sentence says that there are three reasons, but the paragraph ends up mentioning
only one. This is a paragraph that has not been fully developed.
75
Now look at the improved version of the same paragraph.
There are three reasons why I am not admitting my child to that school. In the first place, the
distance my child will have to commute is too much. Secondly, I cannot afford the fees. Thirdly,
and most importantly, I do not approve of the type of education the school offers.

TASK 6
Write a short paragraph according to the specification given below. Begin with the topic
sentence provided. Add supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.
TOPIC SENTENCE: There are both advantages and disadvantages in owning a TV.
SUPPORTING SENTENCES: Two advantages and two disadvantages.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Explain why you do or do not like owning a TV.
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................

1.2 Types of Paragraphs

1.3.1 Descriptive
``Description is the art of translating perception into words’’. (Kane and Peter:
OUP; 1986)
When you write a descriptive paragraph, you try to reproduce in words what you see, hear or
experience. The aim of a descriptive paragraph is to be as accurate and effective as possible.
Study the descriptive paragraph about a garden given below. Is it an effective paragraph?
David Moss lived with his family in the last house in Jubilee Row. The house was like all the
others, but their garden was something quite out of the ordinary; it ran stright back of the
first twenty yards, like all other gardens; then, when the others stopped, this took a sudden
turn to the right and, in another minute, it reached an unexpected destination. When the other
gardens ended in a hedge, a fence or a stretch of wire-netting, the Moss’s garden was brought
to a stop only by the softly flowing waters of the River Say.
76
 TASK 7
Write description of a place you know or like very much. To make sure that you catch the
attention of the reader in the first two sentences, think of a powerful topic sentence. Remem-
ber to include effective supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
Descriptions can be of objects too. While, describing a place or scene, you can decide which
features you will focus on; but while describing objects, the description should be compre-
hensive and as accurate as possible.
TASK 8
How do you describe an egg?

77
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................

TASK 9
Look at the still life painting below. Describe it in about 150 words.

78
..........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................

Description can be of persons too. However, while describing persons, we tend to choose
details that we feel reflect the personality of the individual.
My grandmother had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was criss-cross of
wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere... Her silver locks were scattered untidily
over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in audible prayer.

TASK 10
Now you write a paragraph describing a friend or relative. Describe what you feel are the
features that reflect his/her personality.
Processes too can be described. Much of the text in your science books describes a function
or a process.

..........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
79
..........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................

A process can be represented through a diagram or pictures - the text that accompanies these
diagrams/pictures describes the process verbally.

TASK 11
Read the following text and transfer the information to a process-diagram (flow chart)
The writing material also came to be called papyrus. To make it, the stalks of papyrus reeds
were split into long strips with the help of a sharp needle. Those strips were laid side by side
on a flat stone slab and a gummy solution was spread together and dried too form sheets,
which were then rubbed with stone, shell or bone, till they became smooth.
Now complete the diagram describing the paper making process. Use short sentences/phrases.

80
 TASK 12
Given below is a drawing illustrating how a green plant makes food. Study it and write a
paragraph describing the process.

..........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................
81
..........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
Narrative paragraphs describe what happened. Read the paragraph below, in which the writer
has narrated an event to support the topic sentence.

Car Accident
It is this mad craze for speed that is responsible for many road accidents. Only last year, I
witnessed what might have been a fatal accident on the Kashmir road. I was motoring down
from Srinagar, and as I was nearing Kohala, I came upon the wreckage of two cars on the
road. The smash had been caused by a car taking a sharp curve at 60 kmph and crashing into
a car coming up. Happily, no one was killed, but many were badly injured, and the two cars
were total write-offs. To drive fast down a twisting mountain road is to court disaster.

TASK 13
Write a narrative paragraph describing an exciting/interesting/strage event. Write about 150
words
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1.3.2 Reflective
Reflective paragraphs deal with ideas and opinions. In other words, they are concerned with
our brain, thinking and other cognitive aspects. Most reflective paragraphs try to justify or
persuade. Read the following paragraph about Mercy. Which is the topic sentence?
To forgive an injury is often considered to be a sign of weakness; it is really a sign of strength. It
is easy to allow oneself to be carried away by resentment and hate into an act of vengeance; but it
takes a strong character to restrain these natural passions. The man who forgives an injury proves
himself to be the superior to the man who has wronged him, and puts the wrong-doer to shame.
Forgiveness may even turn a foe into a friend. So mercy is the noblest form of revenge.
This paragraph is about what the writer thinks. The supporting sentences are used to strengthen
the main idea that mercy is not weakness. Notice how the writer has first presented the com-
mon view and then introduced his own view. Also notice how he achieves an impact by
placing the topic sentence at the end of the paragraph.

TASK 14
Choose one of the topics given below and write a 120-word paragraph about your ideas on
the topic.
Anger Gratitude Humility Contentment
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Most of us have our own opinions about various subjects and issues. Any person who has an
opinion will try very hard to persuade others that he/she is right. To make people agree with
one’s opinion/s, writers try to persuade readers using facts, logically developed argumets and
even an appeal to feelings.
Read the excerpt below from an essay (translated) of Francois Jacob (geneticist and Nobel
Prize Winner) How does he persuade us?
Scientists have come under increased attack in recent years. They are accused of being heartless
and conscienceless, of not caring about their fellow humans, even of being dangerous people who
do not hesitate to descover new means of destruction and coercion and to use them. That is giving
them too much credit. In any population sample there is a constant proportion of stupid people
and of crooks, be it among scientists or insurance agents, writers or peasants, priests or politi-
cians. And inspite of Dr. Frankenstenin and Dr. Strangelove, catastrophes in history have been
caused more often by priests and politicians than by scientists.

TASK 15
Write a 150-word paragraph defending students, who are generally thought to be boisterous
and troublesome (especially by educational authorities).
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Read this excerpt from James Agate’s essay titled ``Against Education’’. What devices does
he use to make his writing effective?
Now I have a very limited belief in education. In my view nine-tenths of, I won’t say the human
race, but London children, are the worse for education. And for the reason that the education they
are given is the wrong sort... I do not believe that instruction in my time has had any effect except
to increase the number of ways in which the young people to-day can be common. You teach a
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young girl to read; and she reads nothing except the film magazines. You give her music lessons;
her only interest in music is the bilge spewed by crooners. You teach her to write; at twenty she can
hardly spell her name. You teach her deportment; she jitterbugs. You tell her that cleanliness is
next to godliness; she covers her face with messes and her nails with filth. Explore her mind to its
inmost crannies and you will find nothing there except curiosity about the latest hair-dye.

TASK 16
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Write a paragraph of about 150 words on Examinations using the following structure.

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