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VU Lecture
VU Lecture
Lesson No:1
Course Aim/Description
This course has been designed to improve
proficiency in English. A reading package with exercises and
activities accompanies these lessons.
Assessment Scheme
You will be assessed through QUIZZES,
ASSIGNMENTS, MID TERM EXAM AND A FINAL
EXAMINATION.
Their weight-age I.e
Quiz - 15%
Assignment - 15%
Mid term exam - 30%
Final exam - 40%
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Introduction to Lesson No. 1
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. Definition of Dictionary
A dictionary is a book that not only lists and records the words
of a language but it also tells you how speakers of the language
spell, pronounce, define, explain and use the words of their
language.
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List of Dictionary Uses (9)
The following is a list of things that can be learned from a dictionary.
(i) spelling
(ii) Pronunciation iii) part of speech
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(i) Spellings
Look at the words catalogue and theatre. You must have noticed that
the dictionary lists both BR E and AE/US spelling of the words. Both
are correct.
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Exercise (i) Spelling
Use the dictionary to answer the following questions about
spelling.
a) What other possible spellings does your dictionary
give for these words?
Theatre Catalogue
b) Does your dictionary say anything about the spelling
‘theatre’ and ‘catalogue’.
c) How is the past tense of the following verbs spelling?
If there are two possibilities, write both.
Theatre Catalogue
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(ii) Pronunciation
Students have problems pronouncing English words. A dictionary will
help you learn the pronunciation of any word but only if you are
familiar with the symbols in which they are written. We will discuss
this in greater detail in the next lesson.
Also look up words above & below the word you are looking up. You
will find that words are often closely related. It will help to extend
your recognition of the word in other forms & contexts.
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Exercise (iv-a) Meaning
Lookup the words ‘fast’ and ‘set’. Write the total number of
different meanings of each word. Include all the numbered and
lettered meanings for each part of speech.
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Exercise (iv-b)
A dictionary will tell you the usage of words and phrases, idioms /
proverbs of the language. It will also tell you about the limitations of the
use of the word. Special labels are used to show this. If a word is no
longer in current use it will be labelled archaic (arch) or obsolete (obs).
Other labels will tell you of the level of usage: whether the word has
literary flavour (poetic) or is slang (sl), formal (fml) informal (infml).
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Exercise( vi-a )Usage Restrictive Labels
Idioms / Two-word Verbs / Phrasal Verbs / Noun Phrase
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Exercise (vi-b) Restrictive or Usage Labels
Guys Cool
Example
Will it be O.K. if I met you at the library about eight.
Label: Colloquial
Meaning: All Right
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(vii) Synonyms and Antonyms:
Similar & opposite mgs of words. Frequently
given but not in all dictionaries.
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Exercise(viii)Foreign Words & Phrases
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ix) General Information
This section varies dicty to dicty. Names of important
persons, places, countries, nationalities, are listed either in the
alphabetical arrangement of words or in special sections at
the back. Some dicts may include rules for spelling,
punctuation, list of common first names in English, systems
of weights and measures, conversion tables, etc...
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How to use a dictionary:
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Step 2: Finding Words Quickly
A) when looking for a word first thumb through pages quickly
Guide Words
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This concludes the first part of our lesson.
Then I will read it out aloud and you can listen carefully
for the general meaning of the story.
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Raven and the Coming of Daylight
by
GAIL ROBINSON AND DOUGLAS HILL
When the earth was very young, it was dark and old like a
winter’s night through all the year’s seasons. Gull was the Custodian
of Daylight, and he kept it locked tight in a cedar box beneath his
wing. Being Custodian made Gull feel very important, and he was
not going to lose his position by letting Daylight out of the box.
Raven put his hand to Gull’s foot, then pretended not to see
the thorn. Instead, he pushed it in deeper.
Like a molten fish the sun slithered from the box, and light
and warmth blazed out over the world.
‘C’ is the correct statement. “The release of daylight over the earth”.
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What is the meaning of this story?
A human attempt at rationalising and
explaining natural phenomenon.
What is a myth?
Its an ancient story containing magical and
religious ideas. An early attempt of mankind
to understand their surroundings and to give
meaning to life.
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THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE TOWN MOUSE
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Does the fable teach you any lesson?
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Reading exercises:
Q.2 Are there any specific lessons the authors want you to learn?
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This brings us to the end of our first lesson
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