Mary Help of Christians School (Cebu), Inc.

Minglanilla, Cebu

COVERAGE
English 7
SY 2023-2024

LEARNING COMPETENCIES

Identify Philippine Literature

during Japanese-American
Colonization.

Analyze the relevance of print

media: newspaper critiquing,
column reading to the literary text

Observe subject-verb agreement

in sentences.

Construct sentences using the

SVA rules.

Apply rules on punctuation.

Identify active and passive

voices.

Transform active sentences to

passive sentences and vise-
versa.

Identify the type of figurative

language used in the sentence
 Mary Help of Christians School (Cebu) Inc.
Minglanilla, Cebu

Second Quarterly Examination Reviewer

English 7
SY 2023-2024

I. SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

1. A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verbs.

 He sings.
 They sing together.

2. The number of the subject is not changed by a prepositional phrase after the subject.

 One of the major types of literature is the drama.

3. The indefinite pronouns anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, neither, nobody, no one, one, somebody, and
someone are singular.

 Nobody is stopping the men.

 Someone was arrested.

4. The words a few, many, both, and several take plural verbs.

 Both enjoy singing the song.

 Many like the drama presentation.

5. When the words some, any, none, and all are followed by a phrase, the verb agrees with the phrase.

 Some of the money was donated to charity.

 All of the seats have been taken.

6. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning such as news, civics, economics, mathematics, physics, and measles take
a singular verb.

 Today’s news is encouraging.

 Mathematics is an exact science.

7. Agreement with compound subjects

a. A compound subject connected by and generally takes a plural verb.

 My classmate and my neighbor watch me perform.

b. Compound subjects that are closely related or that refer to the same person or thing take a singular verb.

 Rice and fish is their usual meal.

 My classmate and neighbor watches me perform.

c. A compound subject involving the use of each or every takes a singular verb.

 Each boy and girl has a role in the drama.

d. Compound subjects joined by either-or and neither-nor take singular or plural verbs depending upon the near
subject.

 Either the director or the actors are expected to receive the trophy.
 Either the actors or the director is expected to receive the trophy.

8. Intervening words like together with, in addition to, as well as, including, and similar constructions following the subject
do not affect the number of the subject.

 Mr. Cruz, together with his children, is in the audience.

9. Words or phrases expressing periods of time, weight, measurement, and amount of money are usually regarded as
singular.

 Two months is such a short time to finish the shooting of the whole movie.
  Twenty thousand pesos was needed to produce the show.

10. Fractions may take singular or plural verbs depending on the of-phrase.

 Two-thirds of the script is finished.

 Three-fourths of the contestants were sent home.

11. Collective nouns take singular verbs when they are used to denote a unit; they take plural verbs when used to refer to
the individual members of the group.
 The crew is prepared.
 The crew are discussing the scene.

12. When the subject and the predicate noun are of different numbers, the verb agrees with the subject, not with the
predicate pronoun.

 The truck’s load is computers and other audio-visual equipment.

 Computers and other audio-visual equipment are the truck’s load.

13. The expression “the number” takes a singular verb; the expression “a number” takes a plural verb.

 The number of characters was reduced.

 A number of new talents were given a contract.
14. The title of a book, even when plural in form, takes a singular verb.

 “Short Plays for Children” is worth reading.

15. There is/ was is followed by a singular noun; there are/ were is followed by a plural noun.

 There is a God that sees all.

 There are practices that are difficult to change.
II. PUNCTUATION

1. End Marks

The three end marks are the period (.), the question mark (?), and the exclamation mark (!). They have a number of basic
uses as well as a few more specialized uses.

Basic Uses of End Marks:

 Use a period to end a declarative sentence, a mild imperative, and an indirect question.

Examples:
Declarative Sentence: The flood destroyed a number of crops.
Imperative Sentence: Read the first three chapters and summarize them.
Indirect Question: My father wondered why we didn’t agree.

 Use a question mark to end an interrogative sentence, an incomplete question, or a statement intended as a
question.

Examples:
Why don’t you agree?
Have you ever wanted to meet the principal?

 Use an exclamation mark to end an exclamation mark to end an exclamatory sentence, a forceful imperative
sentence, or an interjection expressing strong emotion.

Examples:
Exclamatory Sentence: This discovery will have worldwide implications!
Imperative Sentence: Please tell the truth!
Interjection: Oh! What a terrible accident!

Other Uses of End Marks:

o Use a period to end most abbreviations.

o Use a period after numbers and letter outlines.
o Use a question mark in parentheses (?) after a fact or statistic to show its uncertainty.

2. Commas
The comma is used to separate a number of basic elements and to set off many different kinds of added elements within
sentences. As you learn the rules for the correct use of the comma, you will at the same time reinforce your understanding
of sentence structure. Study the rules, making certain you understand each relationship described in the different rules.

 Use a comma before the conjunction to separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Example:
My mother loves to visit foreign countries, but my father prefers to explore the United States.

 Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

Examples:
Words: The report was clear, pertinent, and well written.
Phrases: We reached the ruins by bus, by mule, and by foot.
Clauses: The survey revealed that many refugees had lost members of their families, that they had no
money, and that they suffered severely from malnutrition.

 Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank.

Example:
A tall, dignified woman rose to speak.

 Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase or clause.

Examples:
Introductory Words:
Nouns of Direct Address:
Common Expressions:
Introductory Adverbs:
Prepositional Phrases:
Participial Phrases:
Infinitive Phrases:
Adverb Clauses:
Well, I find it difficult to decide.
Maria, who won the game?
Of course, I’ll do it for you.
Certainly, you may borrow the book.
At the very top, my father paused to enjoy the view.
Walking slowly, she reached the valley in about two hours.
To pass the test, they studied every night for a week.
When the team got off the plane, hundreds of onlookers began to cheer.

Other Uses of the Comma:

o When a geographical name is made up of two or more parts, use a comma after each item.

Example: We traveled to St. Albert, Ontario, Canada, by car.

o When a date is made up of two or more parts, use a comma after each item except in the case of a month
followed by a day.

Example: I saw the play on October 6, 1980.

o When a name is followed by one or more titles, use a comma after the name and after each title.

Example: Theresa Kelly, M.D., is my doctor.

o Use a comma after each item in an address made up of two or more parts.

Example: We sent the package to S.C. Chung, 14 Street, Sacramento, California 95827.

o Use a comma after the salutation in a personal letter and after the closing in all letters.

Examples:
Salutations: Dear Jimmy, / My dear friend,
Closings: Your friend, / Sincerely,

o With numbers of more than three digits, use a comma after every third digit counting from the right.

Example: 186, 000 miles per second

3. Semicolons and Colons

The semicolon (;) and the colon (:) are similar-looking punctuation marks with very different uses. A semicolon can be
used to establish a relationship between two or more independent clauses and also to prevent confusion in sentences
containing other internal punctuation marks. A colon can be used as an introductory device to point ahead to additional
information as well as in other special situations.
  Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are not already joined by the conjunction and, but, for, nor, or,
so, or yet.

Example: They were noble souls; they not only possessed loving hearts, but brave ones.

 Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional
expression.

Example: Our goal was to cover twenty miles the first day; instead, we covered half that distance.

 Use a colon before a list of items following an independent clause.

Example: Be sure to bring the following: pen, ruler, and glue.

Special Situations Requiring Colons:

o Time Expressed in Numerals

Example: 7:10 PM / 12:01 AM

o Biblical References

Example: Deuteronomy 4:11

o Subtitles of Books and Magazines

Example: The Causes of World War I: A Chronology of Events

4. Quotation Marks

Direct quotations from other people can support the ideas or arguments of a writer. Direct quotations also enliven short
stories, novels, and other works of fiction. When the characters themselves speak, the writing becomes more exciting.

 A direct quotation represents a person’s exact speech or thoughts and is enclosed in quotation marks (“ “).

Example: The President said, “I will ask the next session of Congress to appropriate funds to help blighted urban
communities.”

5. Dashes

The dash, a much stronger mark than a comma, signals a sudden break in the structure or thought of a sentence. A
simple, dramatic punctuation mark, the dash should not be used haphazardly in place of the comma and other separators.
Overuse of the dash reduces its dramatic effect and indicates a lazy writer, one who has not mastered the rules of
punctuation.

 Use dashes to indicate an abrupt change of thought, a dramatic interrupting idea, or a summary statement.

Example: The sailboat was built— you may find this hard to believe— in one month.

 Use dashes to set off a nonessential appositive or modifier when it is long, when it is already punctuated, or when
you want to be dramatic.

Example: Two battles— the battle at Saratoga and the battle at Yorktown Heights— were the subject of his research.

6. Parentheses

Parentheses are used to enclose material in a sentence or a paragraph. Although commas are generally used for this
purpose, parentheses are preferred in certain cases. Parentheses are the strongest separators a writer can use. Because
of their strength, they should be used infrequently.

 Use parentheses to set off asides and explanations only when the material is not essential or when it consists of
one or more sentences.

Example: In 1945, Gabriela Mistral (her real name was Lucila Godoy Alcayaga) became the first Latin American to
win the Nobel Prize for Literature.

 Use parentheses to set off numerical explanations such as dates of a person’s birth and death around numbers
and letters marking a series.
 Example: Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) wrote the poem inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

7. Brackets

Brackets have one major use: to enclose a word or words inserted in a quotation when you are quoting someone else.

 Use brackets to enclose a word or words you insert in a quotation when you are quoting someone else.

Example: “The results of this vote [98-2] indicate overwhelming support for our proposal,” he stated.

8. Hyphens

Hyphens are used to join certain numbers and parts of words, to join some compound words, and to divide words at the
end of the lines. Although it resembles the dash, the hyphen is distinctly shorter.

 Use a hyphen when writing out the numbers twenty-one through ninety-nine.

Examples: thirty-three inches / forty-seven acres

 Use a hyphen with fractions used as adjectives.

Examples: one-half inch / three-fifths majority

 Use a hyphen in words with the prefixes all-, ex-, self-, and words with the suffix –elect

Example: all-powerful / ex-football player / self-adjusting brakes / president-elect

 Use a hyphen to connect two or more words that are used as one word, unless the dictionary gives a contrary
spelling.

Examples: brother-in-law / jack-of-all-trades

 Use a hyphen to connect a compound modifier before a noun unless it includes a word ending in –ly or is a
compound proper adjective or compound proper adjective or compound proper noun acting as adjective.

Examples: a strong-willed aunt / a well-deserved award

 Use a hyphen within a word when a combination of letters might otherwise be confusing.

Examples: a bell-like sound / a semi-invalid

 Use a hyphen between words to keep the reader from combining them erroneously.
Examples: The new-car owner worried about potholes.
The new car-owner was proud of her acquisition.

9. Apostrophes

An apostrophe is used to show possession or ownership. The location of the apostrophe depends upon the characteristics
of the noun.

 Add an apostrophe and an –s to show the possessive case of most singular nouns.

Examples: the girl’s photograph / Samuel Clemens’s pen name was Mark Twain.

 Add an apostrophe to show the possessive case of plural nouns ending in –s or –es.

Examples: the boys’ shirt / the charts’ figures

 Add an apostrophe and an –s to show the possessive case of plural nouns that do not end in –s or –es.

Example: the men’s suits / the children’s toys

 Add an apostrophe and an –s (or just an apostrophe if the word is a plural ending in –s) to the last word of a
compound noun to form the possessive.

Examples: the Red Cross’s volunteers / King George III’s army / my father-in-law’s ranch

 To form possessives involving time, amounts, or the word sake, use an apostrophe and an –s or just an
apostrophe if the possessive is plural.

Examples: a month’s vacation / three months’ work

 A dime’s worth / three dimes’ worth

 To show joint ownership, make the final noun possessive. To show individual ownership, make each noun
possessive.

Examples:

Joint Ownership: Will and Martin’s dog, a greyhound, has won a number of prizes.

Individual Ownership: Susan’s, Marie’s, and Alice’s papers were graded by the teacher.

III. VOICE OF VERB (ACTIVE VOICE AND PASSIVE VOICE)

Voice is a feature of a verb that indicates whether the subject of a sentence is the doer or the receiver of the action. If a
person or thing denoted by the subject is the doer of the action, the verb is said to be in the active voice. If the person or
thing denoted by the subject is the receiver of the action, the verb is in the passive voice.

Compare the following sentences. Note the changes made in the italicized parts of the sentence as the verbs are changed
from active to passive voice.

Active Voice

1. Maria touched Labang.

2. Leon paid Ca Celin twice the usual fare.

Passive Voice

1. Labang was touched by Maria.

2. Ca Celin was paid twice the usual fare by Leon.

This is also another form of passive voice:

1. When the doer of the action is not known or is unimportant

 The Dead Sea Scrolls were written in ancient times. (Writer is unknown)

IV. FIGURES OF SPEECH ( Paradox, Irony, Oxymoron, and Apostrophe)

Irony:
Definition: Irony is when something happens that is the opposite of what you expect.

Example: If you plan a beach day and it rains, that's ironic because you expected sunshine for a beach day, but the
opposite (rain) happened.

Paradox:
Definition: A paradox is a statement or situation that seems contradictory or doesn't make sense, but it has some
truth.

Example: Saying, "I'm nobody" is a paradox because by saying you're nobody, you're actually identifying yourself, which
is a contradiction.

Oxymoron:
Definition: An oxymoron is when two words with opposite meanings are combined to create a new meaning.

Example:"Deafening silence"
In this oxymoron, the words "deafening" and "silence" have opposite meanings. "Deafening" implies something very
loud, while "silence" suggests the absence of sound. So, "deafening silence" creates a vivid image of a silence so
profound and intense that it almost feels loud or overwhelming.

Apostrophe:
Definition: Apostrophe is a figure of speech where someone absent, dead, or something non-human is addressed as if
it were alive and could reply.

Example: "O, Moon, why do you look so sad tonight?" Here, the speaker is talking to the Moon as if it can hear and
respond.
In summary:

Irony is about things happening differently from what you expect.

Paradox is a statement that seems contradictory but has some truth.

Oxymoron is combining opposite words to create a new meaning.
Apostrophe is when someone talks to something non-human or absent as if it can hear and respond.