UNIT 4

STRI V I N G F O R
EX C EL L EN C E
 LESSON 1
WISER THAN BEING
INTELLIGENT
 BACKGROUND
In early Indian history, the title Brahman was given to the learned
people in the highest caste of society. The Brahmans were those men
who were highly educated and who understood and carried out the
duties of the priesthood in the Hindu religion. As years passed, not
all men born into the Brahman caste lived up to the high standards
of being well educated. Such is the case in this story.
 THE LION
MAKERS
retold by Dr. Mike
Lockett, The Normal Storyteller
 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
 Can you describe the four main characters in the story?
 How do you think the fourth Brahman felt watching the lion eat the others?
 Why did the first two Brahmans exclude the fourth one to join in their journey?
 What do you think the fourth Brahman has that the others don’t have?
 Why do you think the lion killed the Brahmans who had brought him to life?
 Have you ever let your pride get in the way of your common sense?
 Why did the three Brahmans stay on the ground while the fourth climb up the tree?
 Do you believe that a person who achieved a formal education is better than the
 Why do you think the fourth Brahman let his companions brought the lion back to
one who did not? Justify your answer.
life in the end?
 PREPOSITIONS
Preposition is a word used before a noun or pronoun that shows the
relationship between a noun or a pronoun and the other words in a
sentence. Some prepositions are: in, on, at, to, with, under, above, into, by,
of and since.
Example: He lives in the Philippines.
Someone is standing by our car.
 TYPES OF PREPOSITIONS
1. Preposition for Time (in, on, at)
 TYPES OF PREPOSITIONS
1. Preposition for Place (in, on, at)
 TYPES OF PREPOSITIONS
4. Preposition for DIRECTION (to, toward, through, into)
Example: She went to the mall.
5. Preposition for Agent (by, with)
Example: This manga was written by Fujimaki Tadatoshi.
(Manga is a term used for Japanese comic)
6. Preposition for Instrument (by, with, on etc.)
Example: She comes by jeep daily.
 EXERCISE
A. Fill in the correct prepositions (in, on, at).
Sam went to Ilocos Norte ____ September and came back ____
Christmas. She arrived in Ilocos ____ the twentieth of September
____ the afternoon. She stayed with Aunt Lisa ____ the twenty-
third of December ____ night.
 Study the structures below.
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
1. preposition + noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause:
with (preposition); me (pronoun)
Afrom
prepositional phrase is a group
(preposition); Thomas (noun)
of words that includes the preposition, the
noun or the pronoun that is
by (preposition) dancing (gerund) its object (object of preposition), and any words
that modify the
2. preposition noun or+ the
+ modifier(s) noun,pronoun.
pronoun, The object
gerund, of the preposition will
or clause:
often have
without one or more
(preposition); modifiers
excessively to describe
(modifier); it. (gerund)
worrying
Afrom
prepositional phrase
(preposition); can be also
my (modifier); a combination
grandmother (noun)of a verb and a preposition.
3. verb + verb/
(phrasal preposition:
prepositional verb).
knocks (verb); at (preposition)
 EXERCISE
B. Underline the prepositional phrase in each sentence. Circle the preposition.
1. My grandparents enjoyed boating on the beautiful lake.
2. Spiders do not usually build webs in a busy area.
3. Dancing on a public stage can be a frightening experience!
4. The summer shone brightly in the afternoon.
5. My soccer team played well during the championship tournament.
 SAVE AS
 You are hired as a researcher. You are tasked to research news
articles about people without any formal education but
achieved great success.
 Gather these data and make an essay about their stories. Do it
first in Microsoft Word. Print it out and read it in front of
your classmates.
 LESSON 2
UNIFIED AS ONE
FAMILY
THE RAMAYANA: A
TELLING OF THE
ANCIENT INDIAN
EPIC
 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
 Describe the main characters of the story.
 Do you think Dasharatha was a great king? Explain your answer.
 Was Dasharatha a great father to his sons? Why? Or why not?
 Describe the relationship of the siblings in the story.
 How do Rama and his other siblings differ in their characteristics?
 If you were Rama’s mother, would you support the king’s decision to exile your
son in the forest?
 What is the moral lesson of the story?
 INTERJECTION
Interjections in a Sentence
Interjection is a part of speech that shows the emotion
Here are some interjections with an accompanying sentence:
or feeling of
theAhh,
author. These
that feels are short words or phrases which can stand alone
awesome!
orAlas!
be placed
I’m lostbefore or after
in the middle a sentence.
of the sea.
Interjection is commonly
Fight! You can do it! followed by an exclamation sign (!) to
Congrats! You finally made it to the top.
express strong or sudden feeling of joy, sorrow, wonder and any
Good grief! Why didn’t you invite me in your party last night?
emotions.
 EXERCISE
A. In the following sentences, identify the interjection and underline it.
1.Hi, I'm glad that you could make it to my party.
2.Wow! You look great tonight.
3.That was the best performance that I have ever seen, bravo!
4.I can’t believe you broke my favorite toy, bah.
5.Hmm, I wonder where I put my keys and wallet?
6.Miners used to shout, eureka, when they struck gold.
 CONJUNCTION
According
Compoundto Conjunction:
2.Conjunction isnumber
a wordofthatwords combined,
Conjunction
connects havingconjunctions
words, two or more
phrases, are classified
words
clauses as:
or sentences.
e.g. as if, asword
1.Example:
Single long as, as far
Conjunction: as, as well as,
Conjunction as soon as,
havingas
He thought for a moment and wrote his answer afterwards. though,
one word as much as, in as
much
e.g. as, and,
for, just as, in but,
nor, orderor,
that,yet,even
so, if,after,
evenalthough,
though, if as,
only,because,
if when,before,
if then,even,
so
I waited for him but he didn’t come.
that,
if, now
lest, that,
now, now
since,when, provided
once, unless
provided, that, rather than,
supposing, where if, both/and,
than, that, though, til, not
You will not pass the exam you study hard.
only/but also, either/or, neither/nor, whether/or, as/as, such/that, scarcely/when,
unless,
Iasdidn’t until,
attend when,
the whenever,
meeting last where,because
week whereas, I wherever,
had colds. whether, which,
many/as, no sooner/than, rather/than
while, who, whoever and why
 TYPES IN CONJUNCTION
There are three
Correlative types of conjunctions in terms of use. These are:
Conjunction
1.2.Coordinating
Subordinating
These Conjunctions
are paired Conjunctions
conjunctions which connect
join words,
subordinate
connect phrases,
clause
two clauses
to main
equal clause.or sentences.
grammatical items
although
such asand orbecause
words,butphrases oryet clauses.if The beforecommonly
although
most since used
because till correlative
since until
whenunlesswhether
conjunctions follows:after
are aswhen while nowhere matter hownor provided
for that so as soon
Eitheras ... Oreven if Both
how ... And
where once Whetherwhile
... Or
Not only ... but also Neither ... nor
 EXERCISE
B. Complete each sentence using the subordinating conjunction from the parenthesis:
1.I visit the Regina Rica _________ I go to Tanay. (once, whenever, wherever)
2.This is the place _________ we stayed last time we visited. (where, when, how)
3._________ you win first place, you will receive a prize. (wherever, if, unless)
4.You won’t pass the test _________ you study. (when, if, unless)
5.I could not get a seat, _________ I came early. (as, though, when)
6.We are leaving Wednesday _________ or not it rains. (if, whether, though)
 EXERCISE
C. Complete each sentence using the correct coordinating conjunction from the
parenthesis:
1.My car has a radio _____ a CD player. (but, or, and)
2.Sharon hates to listen to rap music, _____ will she tolerate heavy metal. (but, nor, or)
3.Carol wanted to drive to Colorado, _____ Bill insisted that they fly. (and, or, but)
4.I’m afraid of heights, _____ I appreciate the view from the top of this building. (and,
yet, nor)
5.I have to be on time, _____ my boss will be annoyed if I’m late. (and, nor, for)
 EXERCISE
D. Complete each sentence using the correct correlative conjunction pair from the
parenthesis:
1.I plan to take my vacation __ in June__ in July. (whether / or, either / or, as / if)
2. __ I’m feeling happy__ sad, I try to keep a positive attitude. (either / or, whether /
or, when / I’m)
3. __ had I taken my shoes off __ I found out we had to leave again. (no sooner /
than, rather / than, whether / or)
 SAVE AS
 You are tasked to make a character blog (online journal) or a website about the
protagonist of the story you have read.
 Your website should include character traits such as appearance, personality,
family, problems or struggles, etc.
 Be sure to include specific details from the story as well as necessary visuals.
 Create a private group in Facebook for the whole class. Post your work for further
discussion and evaluation among your classmates and your teacher.
 LESSON 3
MAKING FRIENDS
CABULIWALLAH
Rabindranath Tagore
 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
 What does Cabuliwallah mean?
 Why was Mini frightened of the Cabuliwallah?
 How did the Cabuliwallah overcome Mini’s fears of him?
 Why was Rahmun arrested?
 What had Rahmun carried with him for many years? How did this
change the feelings of Mini’s father?
 What lesson/s have you learned from the story?
 COHESIVE DEVICES
To add an idea to the one already stated
moreover, likewise, in addition, further, furthermore, equally important
Coherence refers to the linking of ideas in a logical sequence or order.
To contradict or limit something
 Cohesion refers to the organization of sentences and ideas in your essay working
although, still, on the contrary, nevertheless, however, at the same time
together as a whole within their paragraphs.  They hold together by cohesive
To show an arrangement of your idea by time and place
devices  (transitional words and expressions). This makes it very easy for the reader
first, finally, presently, meanwhile, at this time, at length
to follow your presentation of  information in the essay. They don’t get lost or
To exemplify some idea
confused. Did you write in clear paragraphs that are organized around central
for example, in other words
ideas? It’s like listening to a story that’s smooth and easy to follow.
To sum up what you have said
in fact, as a result, in short
 EXERCISE
A. Combine the following pairs of sentences to be one sentence. Use appropriate
cohesive device(s).
1.    Bob is an only child. He is very independent.
2.    Andy watched her favorite TV show. Andy went to bed.
3.    She went to work. She didn’t want to go.
4.    My cat was hungry. It had not eaten since breakfast that day.
5.    A book can be a lot of fun. A book can be boring.
 SAVE AS
 Compose a three-stanza poem about real friendship. It is better if you
put rhymes in it. You can use figurative language as well. Share your
poem with your seatmate on your left to evaluate your work and vice
versa.
 Create a private group in Facebook for the whole class. Post your
work for further discussion and evaluation among your classmates
and your teacher.
 LESSON 4
SEASONS OF LIFE
Seasons divide a year which is marked by specific weather and
As you read the text, find out how the poet
hours in daylight. The number of seasons is not the same with
interprets seasons and how it symbolizes changes
all nations. Some have four seasons - spring, summer, autumn
in one’s life.
and winter; while some have only two which include our
country - the dry and the wet season.
THE SEASONS
Kalidasa
Make a brief interpretation on the seasons mentioned on the poem you
had read.
SUMMER THE RAINS
 GERUND
Gerund is a verb form ending in –ing used as a noun. It is identical to the present
participle in form but differs in functions. It functions as the subject, the
complement, or the object of a sentence. Gerund is also called verbal noun.
Examples: Dancing is my talent. [SUBJECT OF SENTENCE]
Her favorite hobby is dancing. [COMPLEMENT OF SENTENCE]
I enjoy dancing. [OBJECT OF THE VERB]
Gerunds can be made negative by adding “not.”
Examples: He feels like not singing.
 EXERCISE
A. Use gerunds in the following sentences:
1. To praise all alike is to praise none.
2. To give is better than to receive.
3. Always check the oil, before you start the car.
4. She loves to sing songs.
5. I am tired to wait.
6. I like to read poetry.
 INFINITIVES
B. Infinitives can be made negative by adding not.
Infinitives
Example:areThe
mademost
up important
of to plus the
thingordinary
is not toform
giveofup.
the verb.
Examples: To givesometimes
C. Infinitives a smile brings joy towithout
are used others.to when it follows the prepositions but,
A. Infinitives
except and besides.can be used as the subject, the complement, or the object of a sentence.
Examples:
Example: ITo didwin is ourexcept
nothing main goal. [SUBJECT
[to] watch TV allOF daySENTENCE]
long.
Our main
D. The goal is without
infinitive to win. [COMPLEMENT
to is used with some OFverbs
SENTENCE]
like let, help, make, see,
Theyhear,
watch, wantfeel,
to have
win. [OBJECT OF VERB]
and observe.
Example: Sometimes, we let things [to] pass by.
He made me [to] do it like this.
 EXERCISE
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct infinitive verb:
1. He will be prepared ______ (proposing) his idea to the managers.
2. He was satisfied ______ (getting) it across.
3. I am always rewarded ______ (explaining) that difficult therapy.
4. They will be irritated ______ (getting) such low wages.
5. He was unfit ______ (doing) the cash with him.
 GERUND PHRASE
A3. Gerund
Perfect Gerund,
Phrase isActive
the combination
– [having] +of[past
gerund participle]
and the word or words that modify it.
There are Her
Example: four having
forms ofwatched
gerund.the movie made her cry.
1. Present[Having
Example: Gerund,watched
Active –the[- ing]
movie is the gerund phrase and the subject
modified
Example:
by her.]
Cheating is like stealing.
4. Perfect
[Cheating
Gerund,is thePassive
subject– while
[havingstealing
been] is+ the
[pastsubjective
participle]complement.]
2. PresentHer
Example: Gerund,
havingPassive
been –exposed
[being]to+other
[past cultures
participle]
made her broad-minded.
Example:
Example:
[Having
She dislikes
been exposed
being treated
to otherlikecultures
a kid. is the gerund phrase and the
subject
[Being
of the
treated
sentence.]
like a kid is the object of the verb dislikes.]
 INFINITIVE PHRASE
1. Present Gerund, Active – [- ing]
Example: I am glad to see you again.
2. Present Infinitive, Passive – [to be] + [past participle]
Example: He wants his name to be carved in the Hollywood Walk of Fame
someday.
3. Perfect Infinitive, Active – [to have] + [past participle]
Example: He pretended to have seen the film.
4. Perfect Infinitive, Passive – [have been] + [past participle]
Example: The picture is believed to have been painted in 18th century.
 EXERCISE
C. Write three sentences using gerund phrases.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
D. Write three sentences using infinitive phrases.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
 SAVE AS
 How many seasons do you think have passed in your life?
 Create your own evolution photo album slide show using After Effects
Template. Add some captions and background music. Create a private group in
Facebook for the whole class. Post your work for further discussion and
evaluation among your classmates and your teacher.
 You can visit the link below as a guide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7AWyxTe4H8
LESSON 5
WINGS OF
FREEDOM
THE TAME BIRD
WAS IN A CAGE
Rabindranath Tagore
 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
 What was the poem all about?
 How would you interpret the symbolism of the bird in the poem?
 What do you think was the poet’s intention in writing the poem?
 What is the moral lesson of the poem?
 PARTICIPLE
A participle or participle phrase is a word or group of words
formed from a verb which can be used mainly as an adjective.
Example: The woman carrying a baby is my sister.
[The participle phrase carrying a baby describes the
woman.]
 USES OF PARTICIPLE
1. Subject
The chainsaw used in cutting trees was misplaced.
[The chainsaw is the main subject of the sentence but it is described specifically by
the participle cutting - as ‘a chainsaw which is used to cut trees’.]
2. Direct object
We saw our classmate dancing in the plaza.
[The participle dancing used to describe what the subject (classmate) is doing in the
plaza.]
 FORMS OF PARTICIPLE
4.1. Perfect
Present Participle,
Participle,Active
Active- [ends in –ing]+ [past participle]
– [having]
Example: Caroline,
Example: walking the
Having chosen to school, sawthe
winner, an remaining
owl. contestant gave her a
2. Present
bitter Participle, Passive – [being] + [past participle]
smile.
Example: The note being written is confidential.
5. Perfect Participle, Passive – [having been] + [past participle]
Being beaten, the pitiful young boy was hurt so badly.
Example: Having
3. Past participle been chosen the winner, she came forward to meet her
parents
The at theprincipal
third back stage.
part of a verb is used with a helping verb to make the perfect tense in
the active voice and all tenses of verb in the passive voice.
Example: The names written on the board are those who pass the exam.
 EXERCISE
A. In each sentence below, underline the participle from each sentence.
1. Studying the frown on his mother’s face, Andy realized his error.
2. Thinking rapidly, Tim answered the teacher’s question correctly.
3. Jumping up and down, the fans swarmed onto the ball court.
4. She chose the pony standing under the tree.
5. Seeing the actress at the park, the children waved and cheered.
 SAVE AS
 Compose a song about freedom. Make a slideshow about it with your
voice as a background song. You can borrow the rhythm of other songs
as long as it fits your self-composed song.
 Add some pictures which show the value of freedom.
 Create a private group in Facebook for the whole class. Post your work
for further discussion and evaluation among your classmates and your
teacher.
 LESSON 6
ROOTING MY
ROOTS
ON LEARNING
TO BE AN
INDIAN
Santha Rama Rau
 COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
 What do you think is the writer’s intention in writing the piece?
 What is the author’s tone in the story?
 Do Filipinos and Indians share the same traits and cultures? Cite some.
 Why can’t Rau be reconverted to Hinduism?
 What do you think will happen when Rau meets her friend for tea time? How
would she explain that they cannot have tea time or dinner anymore? What do you
think could be the possible reaction of her friend?
 EFFECTIVE USE OF WORDS
8. Negate Nominalizations
6.10.5.3.1.Reduce
Avoid
Use action
Remove Phrases
Clichés
wordiness.
Redundancy
verbs
to Words
in the active voice whenever possible.
Instead of: The report gave an analysis of the accident.
Instead
Clichés
Active:
Instead
A. Avoid
of:
are
The
of:People
double-teaming
overused
Mina
boyswhoissang
aexpressions.
pianist
experienced
theterms
firstwho
line
such
Expressions
isatofvery
traveling
asthethe
talented.
song.
following:
like
knowlastbetter
but not
thantheto label
least, their
face the
luggage.
Revised: The report analyzed the accident.
Revised:
music,
Passive:litmus
Revised: Experienced
a The
period
Minafirst
test,
isofaline
tried
one
very
travelers
ofweek
talented
and
the songtrue
know end
pianist.
was
and
better
result
sung
otherthan
bytime-worn
free
the
to label
gift
boys.their
phrases
luggage.
personal
add opinion
nothing to
9. Delete Superfluous (Extra) Phrases
7.your
4.2.Expunge
B. Use
Put
Avoid
writing
wordy
specific
phrases
Expletives
but
phrases
wordsthat
words;
instead
on
echoathey’re
diet.
theofquality
general
usefulinwords.only
question:
for padding a word count, but
Avoid meaningless phrases that clutter sentences such as: at the present time, for all
There
instructors
General:
Wordy: areoval
IorThe
will
and
there
innice
now
editors
shape
isyoung
make
is a(and
weak
larger
aboyfew
readers)
way
turned
critics
in tosize
will
start
inconcerning
donations
notice.
ashorter
sentence.the
in
forduration
matter
the disaster
of yourvictims.
practicum
intents and purposes and in the event that.
Instead
Instead
Specific:
performances.
C. Exclude
of:
of:The
There
Last
redundant
generous
but
arenot several
the
words
young least,
goodthat
boyour
reasons
are
donated
next
already
tospeaker
his
delay
implied
unused
making
is from
asclothes
part
Pampanga.
thisofdecision.
foranthe
abbreviated
fire victims.
term:
Instead of: At the present time, more people are computer literate.
Revised:
Revised:
Concise:We
machine Our
in
I will
should
“ATM
nextnowspeaker
delay
machine.”
makemaking
isa from
few critics
this
Pampanga.
decision
about your for several
practicum
reasons.
performances.
Revised: Currently, more people are computer literate.
 EXERCISE

A. Rewrite the

Answers
following sentences
so that they are no
longer redundant.
 SENTENCE VARIETY
A rambling sentence may be defined as any sentence that is
Sentence variety refers to the use of a variety of
exceedingly long, and contains too many independent clauses. sentences
where it has a broad vocabulary and a healthy mix of
Rambling sentences often confuse and leave readers out of breath if sentence
structure
read aloud.andThegrammar.
purpose ofToa sentence
vary sentences,
is to stateexpand
a singleshort anda
idea or
choppy
small setsentences by adding
of related ideas; details.sentence states many ideas,
a rambling
most of which have nothing to do with one another.
 EXERCISE
B. Correct the rambling sentences.
1.2. The ice andcontrollers
Air traffic the snow work
and the penguins
in the controland the at
towers
seals
airportalland
maketheyuphave
part very
of a special world
important jobsand
andvery
theyfew
people
must know get towhere
experience
all theitplanes
so I think it would
are, both in thebeair
fantastic
and on the to ground.
explore Antarctica and do something
unique.
 SAVE AS
 Think of specific Filipino traditions that are familiar to you. [ Maximum of five
(5) ]
 Describe them briefly and write your views on them, whether positive or
negative.
 Do it on Microsoft Word.
 Create a private group in Facebook for the whole class. Post your work for
further discussion and evaluation among your classmates and your teacher.