OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

Vocabulary: Technical Vocabulary (Film, Literature)

Question 1.
Define the terms.
i. Technical Vocabulary
ii. Film vocabulary
i. Technical Vocabulary : Technical vocabulary is a set of words and phrases used in a specific domain. Every discipline has its own specialised vocabulary and in this unit, we will learn the vocabulary that is helpful to write about films and books.

ii. Film vocabulary

  • Film genres (categories or kinds of films): action, adventure, animation film, avant-garde (or experimental) film, biopic (biographies), comedy, detective, docudrama (documentary drama), drama, historical, horror, musical, mythological, rom-com (romantic comedy), sd-fl (science fiction), sitcom (situational comedy), suspense, thriller, western.
  • Themes: coming of age, conflict, fate, friendship, justice, love, prodigal son, revenge, romance, sacrifice, transformation, vengeance.
  • Characters: antagonist, anti-hero, archetype, cardboard character, confidant, foil, narrator, protagonist, two-dimensional character, stereotype.

Exercise I

Match the explanation in column I with the word in column II.

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar 2

Question 2.
Define literacy vocabulary.
Answer:
Some of the common words are story, plot, theme, subject, narration, point of view, setting, characters, narrative technique, action, climax, resolution and so on. Writing genres can be broadly divided into two categories: works of imagination written in verse or prose) and works of information (or instruction; generally written in prose); in other words, fiction and nonfiction, which can be subdivided into the following:

Fiction: Adventure, bildungsroman, comedy, crime, detective, epic, fable, fairytale, fantasy, gothic, graphic, historical, horror, mystery, parody, realistic, satire, science, suspense, tragedy, western and so on.

Nonfiction :
Autobiography, biography, criticism, diaries, essay, journal, letters, memoirs, report, self-help,testimonio, travelogue, treatise, and so on.

Exercise II

Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box.

empirical setting hagiography hypothesis irony
omniscient parody opinion piece pastiche epic
personification persuasive point of view polemical verisimilitude

Question 1.
A biography that treats its subject with undue reverence:
Answer:
hagiography

Question 2.
A mode of writing that uses vigorous and combative language to defend or oppose someone or something:
Answer:
polemical

Question 3.
Writing based on of verifiable by observation and experience:
Answer:
empirical

Question 4.
An idea or theory that is not proven but that leads to further study or discussion:
Answer:
hypothesis

Question 5.
A work that imitates, makes fun of, or comments on an original work:
Answer:
parody

Question 6.
A narrator who knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story:
Answer:
omniscient

Question 7.
A writing style that attempts to convince the reader adopt a particular opinion:
Answer:
persuasive

Question 8.
An article in a newspaper or magazine that mainly reflects the author’s opinion about a particular issue:
Answer:
opinion piece

Question 9.
The quality of appearing to be true or real:
Answer:
verisimilitude

Question 10.
A piece of writing which contains a mixture of different styles:
Answer:
pastiche

Question 11.
The time and place of the action:
Answer:
setting

Question 12.
The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning:
Answer:
irony

Question 13.
Type of figurative language in which a nonhuman subject is given human
characteristics:
Answer :
personification

Question 14.
A book that is long and contains a lot of action, usually dealing with a historical subject:
Answer:
epic

Question 15.
The perspective from which a story is told:
Answer:
point of view

Exercise III

Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box.

linguistics author Why What estimates
fascinating tongue Will three living

This is a commendably short book of only 142 pages, but it is a …………………….. work which addresses …………………….. questions: …………………….. makes a global language? is English the leading candidate? ‘ it continue to hold that position? The …………………….. is a former professor of …………………….. at the University of Reading (England). He tells us that there are today around 6,000 …………………….. languages, but some suggest …………………….. that perhaps 80% will die out in the next century. In terms of mother …………………….. use, Spanish is spoken in more countries and is growing in use more rapidly than any other language.
Answer:
This is a commendably short book of only 142 pages, but it is a fascinating work which addresses three questions: What makes a global language? Why is English the leading candidate? Will it continue to hold that position? The author is a former professor of linguistics at the University of Reading (England). He tells us that there are today around 6,000 living languages, but some estimates suggest that perhaps 80% will die out in the next century. In terms of mother tongue use, Spanish is spoken in more countries and is growing in use more rapidly than any other language.

Grammer : Conditionals

On the basis of the degree of possibility, conditionals are divided into different types:
1. Zero conditional is used to talk about general truths and things that are always true. In zero conditional sentences, if can be replaced with when without changing the meaning. (“The lawn gets wet if/when it rains”). Simple present tense Is used in both clauses (gets-rains).

2. First conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations. It refers to a situation that is real and a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences, the if clause is in the simple present (If the meeting is confirmed), and the main clause is in the simple future (you will be informed).

3. Second conditional is used to refer to a situation that is unreal or impossible. The sentences are not based on fact, and they refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In these sentences, the ill clause uses the simple past (If I were the Prime Minister of India) and the main clause uses would + infinitive (I would make you my secretary). It is not important which clause comes first.

4. Third conditional sentences refer to the past and describe things that didn’t happen. Thus, they are used to refer to an imaginary past condition and its probable past result. In third conditional sentences, the f clause uses the past perfect (if you had tried), and the main clause uses the perfect conditional (You could have done it).

5. In Mixed conditional sentences, the time in the ‘if’ clause is not the same as the time in the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. In these sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect (If you hod worked), and the main clause uses woukt’could might + infinitive (you would have).

Exercise I.

Make zero and first conditional sentences.

Ex:  1. (you / heat Ice / it/melt)
Answer:
If you heat ice, it melts. (Zero conditional)

2. If he ________ (come). I (be) surprised.
Answer:
If he comes, I will be surprised. (First conditional)

1. (People / eat I too many sweets / they / become fat).
Answer:
If people eat too many sweets, they become fat.

2. (you / smoke / you / get cancer).
Answer:
If you smoke, you get cancer.

3. (children / play outdoors / they / have healthy bodies).
Answer:
If children play outdoors, they have healthy bodies.

4. (water/freeze / it / (be) very cold).
Answer:
Water freezes, if it is cold.

5. (everyone / feel / happy / the weather / (be) good).
Answer:
Everyone feels happy, if the weather is good.

6. I early if you
Answer:
I will come early if you want.

7. If they invited, they the meeting.
Answer:
If they are invited, they will attend the meeting.

8. She ………….. in the city, if she ………….. a job.
Answer:
She will stay in the city, if she finds a job.

9. If he ………….. this exam, he ………….. a promotion.
Answer:
If he passes this exam, he will get a promotion.

10. I ………….. a new dress, if I ………….. extra money.
Answer:
I will buy a new dress, if I have extra money.

Exercise II

Make second, third, and mixed conditional sentences.

Ex: If she ………………. (study) Mandarin, she ………………  (go) to China. (Third conditional)
Ans: If she had studied Mandarin, she would have gone to China.

1. If it _______ (win) an international award, the book _______ (sell) in thousands.(Second conditional)
If it won an international award, the book would sell in thousands.

2. We _______ (arrive) on time if you _______ (give) the right directions. (Third conditional).
We would have arrived on time, if you had given the right directions.

3. I _______ (ban) the school bag if I _______ (be) the education minister_______ (Second conditional).
I would ban the school bag, if I were the education minister.

4. If she _______ (prepare) well, she _______ (answer) all the questions. (Third conditional).
If she had prepared well, she would have answered all the questions.

5. If he _______ (invest) wisely, he _______ (live) happily. (Mixed conditional).
If he had invested wisely, he would be living happily.

6. If he _______ (driven) so rashly, the accident _______ (happen). (Third conditional).
If he hadn’t driven so rashly, the accident wouldn’t have happened.

7. “If wishes _______ (be) horses, beggars _______ (will) ride.” (Second conditional)
“If wishes horses, beggars would ride.”

8. If he _______ (to go) to college tomorrow, he _______ (so sad) today. (Mixed conditional)
If he didn’t have to go to college tomorrow, he wouldn’t be so sad today.

9. You _______ (find) the book if you _______ (look) carefully. (Third conditional)
You would have found the book, if you had looked carefully.

10. I _______ (happy) to help you if I _______ (not) in the middle of another meeting. (Mixed conditional)
I would have been happy to help you, if i was not in the middle of another meeting.

Exercise III.

Match the clauses to make conditional sentences.

I Answer II
1. If you had informed in advance j a. if you had prepared well.
2. If I find your key h b. we would have won the match.
3. The door opens f c. if I were you.
4. We will be late i d. We’ll have enough time.
5. You would have had no problem in the interview a e. you wouldn’t feel so awful.
6. I would inform the police c f. if you turn the knob.
7. If we meet at 9 am d g. the audience would understand you.
8. If he had hit a boundary b h. I will call you.
9. If you spoke louder g i. If we don’t hurry.
10. If you hadn’t eaten too much oily stuff e j. I would have kept the lunch ready.

 

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 5th Sem English Film Review, Book Review

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 3 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Film Review, Book Review

Exercise-1.

Question 1.
Describe the process of writing a film review.
Answer:
Film review, also known as movie review, is a journalistic review written for the general readers and is usually published in newspapers, magazines, or published in electronic mode, such as websites, blogs, etc. A good film review typically informs, describes, analyses, evaluates,- and advises.

Step – 1. It gives the readers an assessment of the view-worthiness of a film without giving away too much of its plot: Therefore,-writing film review is a process which requires a special skill to write a good review. The writing of film review involves the following steps:

Step – 2. Understand the genre to which the film belongs. Knowing the features of the genre helps us assess the success or failure of the film according to the criteria relevant to the genre. For instance, we cannot find fault with a fantasy film for not being realistic, nor can we complain about sentimentality in a melodrama.

Step – 3. Understand the purpose of a review. A film review is not merely a narration of the story or plot of the film. It is not entirely an expression of the reviewer’s own opinions. The primary purpose of a film review is to help the reader arrive at a fairly accurate estimate of the film’s nature, quality, and suitability.

Therefore, a good film review should strike a balance between information, inference, and interpretation. Understand the structure of a film review. Although reviewers bring their own character to the reviews they write, most film reviews follow a fairly well-defined structure.

Step 4 : Understand the target reader. Knowing who we are writing for and who is likely to read the review helps us choose the appropriate style and vocabulary. Depending on the target reader, the review can be written in a formal or informal style using vocabulary that is appropriate to that group.

Step 5 : Understand the medium. Although film reviews are generally associated with print media (newspapers and magazines), they have now spread to the electronic media and the cyberspace. Each media has its own style and requirements. Therefore, we have to customize our writing according the medium. What works in one medium may not work in another.

Question 2.
Explain the structure of a film review.
Answer:
Film review, also known as movie review, is a journalistic review written for the general readers and is usually published in newspapers, magazines, or published in electronic mode, such as websites, blogs, etc. A good film review typically informs, describes, analyses, evaluates, and advises.

It gives the readers an assessment of the view-worthiness of a film without giving away too much of its plot. Therefore, writing film review is a process which requires a special skill to write a good review. Although there is no fixed format of a film review, the following structure would be useful.

1. Title/Headline:
The title of the review should be short, catchy and it may suggest the reviewer’s assessment of the film. For example,
‘Tubelight’ fails to light up
‘Tiger’ roars again

2. Subhead/Deck:
This is a summary line that highlights the most noteworthy or interesting feature of the film. The subhead is written below the headline and above the review and is typographically distinct from the rest of the review. For example,
A watchable routine drama with its share of moments.
A predictable storyline embellished with hilarious dialogues.

3. Introduction:
The first paragraph, also known as the ‘lead paragraph’ or the ‘lead’, is the most crucial one. It sets the tune for the rest of the review and makes the reader want to read further. It gives the reader the overview of the film. It also conveys the reviewer’s overall assessment of the film. The overview may also include the background information about the film, its context, and the criteria used for evaluation.

4. Analysis:
The second paragraph should give the outline of the story. The subsequent paragraphs make an evaluation of the film in detail; the assessment of the plot, comments on the lead role and other important characters, screenplay, music, lyrics, dialogues, scenery, cinematography, etc. Reviewers may also cite specific examples in support of their assessment of a poignant scene, a melodious song, a lewd dialogue, etc.

5. Conclusion:
The conclusion will consist of two parts: a summary of the reviewer’s assessment and their advisory (a must-watch, watchable, ignore, etc.)
Example: Karthavyam – Exposes loopholes in the system

It is serious and thought provoking Release Date: March 16, 2018 Starring: Nayanthara, Ramachandran, Sunu Lakshmi Director: GopiNainar Producer: SharathMarar Music Director: Ghibran Editor: Ruben

Introduction:  Lady Superstar, Nayanthara’s critically acclaimed Tamil film Aramm has been dubbed in Telugu as Karthavyam. Touted to be a social drama, the film has hit the screens today. Let’s see whether it impresses us or not.

i. Plot:
Varshini (Nayanthara) is a sincere IAS officer who takes up the challenge of rescuing a four-year kid who falls into a bore well. In this process, Varshini also comes across some unnoticed and political issues which are causing problems in the rural areas where she is deployed. She decides to sort all these issues and the rest of the story is as to how she goes all out and saves the kid and also changes the system for good.

ii. Plus Points:
As expected, Nayanthara is a major plus to the film. She literally lived in her role of a sincere government official and acted with a lot of ease. Being a commercial heroine, Nayan should be appreciated for accepting this unique script which addresses a core issue. The film has a very realistic approach without any deviations.

The last ten minutes of the first half and interval episode are executed well. Especially, the pre-climax sequence and the rescue operation scenes are narrated on an intense note. All the family members, who were showcased as poor and backward citizens did a good job in their given crucial roles. The ending which hints us of a sequel with strong political content looks good.

iii. Minus Points:
Though the film is straight to the point and narrated on a convincing note, it lacks proper commercial elements which may not appeal to the regular audience. Those who expect some good entertainment and glamour from Nayanthara may get disappointed as the film runs on a serious note.

Nayanthara resigning from her reputed post at a crucial conflict point has not been addressed properly. If the director would have handled those episodes quite effectively, things w’ould have been a lot better.

iv. Technical Aspects:
Director GopiNainar shines in addressing a social issue and interlinking it with various burning problems in the rural areas. His intention and questioning the loopholes in the system will make us think for a while.

Music by Ghibran is apt for the film’s mood and his background score brings a lot of depth to proceedings. Production values for this limited budget film are good. Cinematography by Om Prakash is superb. As the core film happens in a remote village, he succeeded in bringing the rustic texture in every frame. Editing by Ruben is good as he kept the film’s run time short and crispy.

v. Conclusion : On the whole, Karthavyam addresses a burning issue in a very straight forward and gripping manner. Nayanthara’scommandable screen presence and director’s intention to expose loopholes in the system are impressive.

But the film clearly lacks the regular commercial elements and this might not go well with the regular entertainment-seeking audience. For all those who like films which are serious and thought provoking, this film is surely worth a watch this weekend for its unique storyline. Rating: 3/5.

Question 3.
Write a review of a film you have enjoyed watching.
Answer:
Baahubaii 2 – Salute to Rajamouli
It is a visual treat to the film lovers Release Date: April 28, 2017 Rating: 4/5
Director: S. S. Rajamouli
Producer: ShobuYarlagadda, Prasad Devineni Music Director: M. M. Keeravani
Starring: Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah

i. Introduction:
Off late, where ever you go, there is only topic and that is how Baahubali 2 is going to be. Directed by the genius Rajamouli, the magnum opus has released in over 8000 screens all over today. Let’s see whether the film reaches our expectations or not.

ii. Plot:
As shown in the first part, Baahubali (Prabhas) is declared as the king of Mahishmati. As part of the kingdom’s ancestral ritual, the would-be king needs to visit the countryside to know what problems the people in his kingdom are facing. In this process, Baahubali visits a small kingdom called Kuntala and falls in love with its princess Devasena (Anushka).

He woos Devasena with his charm and brings her to Mahishmati. But to his shock, Baahubali’s mother, Shivagami (Ramya Krishna) changes her decision suddenly and announces Bhallaladeva (Rana^as the king. Why did Shivagami suddenly announce Bhallaladeva as the king? What is the back story behind her decision? and why did Kattappa kill Baahubali? To know answers to these questions, you need to watch the film on the big screen.

iii. Plus Points:
There are way too many things that impress you in Baahubali 2 but it is practically impossible to pen all of them down in this review. Let me start by talking about the gigantic scale of the film. It is like a never before and never again kind of scenario as Baahubali 2 is huge in every aspect. Every visual of the film is filled with surprises either in terms of graphics or the extravagant sets that have been put up. The costumes, drama showcased and performances are a first of its kind in Telugu films.

Credit should go to Rajamouli for taking Indian films to another level with his mind blowing story telling. The way he has induced a terrific conflict between the two brothers is the major asset of the film. Prabhas unleashes his beastly side in the second part and takes away your senses with his striking performance. From the first scene, his screen presence is top notch and the way he takes Bhallaladeva head on is just terrific.

A lot was said about Anushka’s weight but boy she looks top class in this film. Right from her traditional costumes to her mature look, she has pulled off both the roles with ease. She looks slim and quite beautiful throughout the film. Coming to Rana, it would not be exaggerating to say that Rana will never get such a magnanimous role in the future. What makes the film even more fiery and ghastly is his fabulous villainous avatar. No other actor apart from him could have played this role of a lifetime and Rana has done full justice to it.

Nassar and Satyaraj are excellent in their roles and especially Nasser, is the major highlight among the supporting cast. Ramya Krishna showcases superb emotions and brings a lot of depth to the film. The family emotions are yet another highlight of the film as they elevate the proceedings with a lot of depth. The fistfight between Rana and’ Prabhas is a feast to the eye.

iv. Minus Points:
A number of audiences might get disappointed with the way Rajamouli has answered why Katappa killed Baahubali. Even though, the twist gels well with the script, it might not meet the expectations of many. Once the twist is revealed, the film becomes a bit predictable.

The climax looks a bit rushed upon as things happen way too quickly. Tamanna is hardly seen in the film and only appears during the climax. There are certain areas in the film where pace gets slow and some unforced drama overtakes the proceedings. The romance between Prabhas and Anushka could have been edited out a bit to make things better.

v. Technical Aspects:
Baahubali 2 is one of the most technically efficient films made in India. If part one surprised you with its scale, then second part will leave you speechless with excellent visual effects and emotions. The kingdoms shown and sets created look top-notch on screen. The entire team of Makuta should be appreciated for taking the film to another level with their VFX work.

What takes Baahubali to its peak is the stunning background score of M.M. Keeravani. Even though his songs are not that effective as the first part, the way he elevates the proceedings with his score is impressive. Dialogues are decent and so were the lyrics. Costumes done for every character look top class. The weaponry created and props used look quite lethal. Coming to the director Rajamouli, he has surely done India and the film fraternity proud with Baahubali.

He has dreamt of something out of the box and has also succeeded in bringing life to India’s biggest motion picture. The way he has continued the story in the second part and made the drama even more intense is superb. There is more depth in the proceedings and every character has been given complete justification.

Every frame of Baahubali is his creation and you can’t but salute to the genius of this filmmaker who will be the next big thing in Indian cinema. At times, you just wonder how did he perceive all this in his mind and execute it in such a convincing manner. Technicians like him are rare and Telugu folks should be proud that our own director has gone ahead and proved that nothing is impossible.

vi. Conclusion
On the whole, Baahubali 2 is one film which leaves you speechless. Right from the word go, it has intense drama and action as every frame in the film is a visual wonder. Be it the heroic fights or the lavish war scenes, Rajamouli showcases some never before scenes in Indian film history. This film will be remembered and spoken about for years to come and break every possible record in the country.

The performances, drama and the lavish scale look jaw dropping and make this film a never before experience for every movie lover. Finally, just ignore the simple story line and do yourself a favour by faking your entire family to watch this magnum opus called Baahubali as wonders like these only happen very rarely. Rating: 4/5 ****

Question 4.
Write a review of a film you did not enjoy watching.
Answer:
Review: MLA – Politics mixed with some fun
It is a typical mass masala movie with not much attraction Release Date: March 23, 2018 Starring: Kalyan Ram, Kajal Aggarwal Director: Upendra Madhav Producer: Kiran Reddy Music Director: Mani Sharma Editor: Tammi Raju

i. Introduction
Out of the two films, Kalyan Ram is doing, a typical commercial entertainer called MLA has hit the screens today. Let’s see how it is.

ii. Plot
Kalyan (Kalyan Ram) is a happy-go-lucky youth who falls in love with Indu (Kajal). He proposes to her but Indu rejects him and sets off to her village. Kalyan follows her and requests Indu’s family for her hand. This is the time when Indu’s dad (Jaya Prakash Reddy) throws a challenge at Kalyan and asks him to become an MLA and then marry his daughter. Why did Indu’s dad ask Kalyan to become an MLA? Will Kalyan take up the challenge? And how does he become an MLA is the whole story of the Film.

iii. Plus Points
Kalyan Ram is perfect in the central character of MLA. He looks quite handsome and fit in his new look and carries his role sincerely. Kalyan Ram has improved a lot with his performance and mouthed all the mass dialogues with ease. All his confrontation scenes with Ravi Kishen have been executed well.
Kajal looks lovely as always and the whole story revolves around her.

Performance wise, she has nothing much to do but Kajal does her best in whatever she gets. Posani generates a few laughs here and there. The interval bang has been highlighted quite well and ends the first half on an interesting note. Certain emotions regarding the kids in the second half have been executed well.

iv. Minus Points
MLA is yet another routine commercial drama which has nothing new to offer. The same old storyline, hero challenging the villain and helping the village people have been showcased in many films to date.  The story of the film only kick starts during the interval point and till then the proceedings that are showcased are just below average. The way Kalyan Ram and his gang cheat Ajay looks a bit silly. More romance should have been added between Kajal and Kalyan Ram to make things better.

v. Technical Aspects
Production values of the film are pretty decent as the village set up and mass elements have been showcased well. Mani Sharma’s music is good as all the songs have been also shot well. The camerawork is top notch and so was the background score which elevated the mass scenes quite well. Editing is decent and so was the production design.

Coming to the director Upendra, he has done just an okay job with the film. He chooses a simple story and narrates it in an okayish manner. The only problem with his direction is that he has showcased the same old stuff which we have seen in many movies. The difference here is the energetic performance of Kalyan Ram.

vi. Conclusion
On the whole, MLA is a routine commercial entertainer with some good moments here and there. The confrontation scenes between Kalyan Ram and Ravi Kishan and some decent emotions are major assets. There is nothing new that this film showcases and all those who do not mind this factor and want to watch a typical mass masala movie, this film is for them. Others can look out for better options. Rating: 3/5 ***.

Book Review

Question 1.
Explain the difference between a book report and a book review?
Answer:
A book review is a balanced assessment of a book. It offers a brief description of the book’s key points and provides an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. A book review should not be confused with book reports. Book reports are short descriptions of books.

They summarize and explain the content of a book- its theme, plot, characters, and so on and give a personal opinion-whether they like it or not. Book reviews, on the other hand, are relatively longer. They analyze a book and give a reasoned argument about the strengths and weaknesses of a book. Book reviews provide the following:

  • Basic information about the book-about its title, its author, publisher, number of pages it contains, its price, etc.
  • A preview of the book-what it is about, what it is like, how it works, etc.
  • The reviewer’s response-whether or not the reviewer enjoyed it and for what reason.
  • The reviewer’s advice-whether the book is worth the time, efforts, and money the reader is likely to spend on it.

Question 2.
Describe the process of writing a book review.
Answer:
A book review is a balanced assessment of a book. It offers a brief description of the book’s key points and provides an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. Book reviews, are longer in length. They analyze a book and give a reasoned argument about the strengths and weaknesses of a book. Writing a book review is a process which requires constant practice to master. A book review could be written in four distinct steps:

Step 1: Before reading the book
Before you begin to read the book, think of the elements that could go into your review. For example, try to find out the answers for the following questions:

  • What is the title of the book? What meaning does it convey to you?
  • Who is the author and what else has she/he written?
  • What does the author usually write about? Politics, religion, social issues, etc.
  • What kind of a book is it? Is it a work of imagination or of practical utility?
  • What is the structure of the book? Is it divided into chapters? Do chapters have titles? Is there a preface, introduction, disclaimers, postface, appendix, etc.
  • What is the physical quality of the book? Its appearance, size, bulk, print, quality, etc.

Step 2: While Reading the Book
As you read the book, think of the components of the book which you want to focus in your proposed review. Generally, every book consists of two broad components: content and form. The answer to the question ‘what is the book about?’ is content, and the answer to the question ‘how is it done?’ is form. Content of the book can be divided into the following:

Theme: Theme is the abstract idea that a book explores-freedom, slavery, friendship, beauty, etc. It generally remains unstated and has to be inferred.

Subject: Subject is the concrete manifestation of the abstract idea. For example, to convey the abstract idea of nature’s beauty, the writer may write about flowers or rainbow, or the writer may write about a caged bird to convey the idea of slavery.

Similarly, form is abroad category, and it includes everything that a writer uses to transmit the content: language, style, narrative technique, point of view, setting, symbolism, imagery, and so on. Besides, the review writer uses the following means to convey the idea behind the text:

  • The main theme or chief argument of the book
  • The substantiation of the argument with proof or evidence
  • The important characters or events in the book
  • The language and style of the author
  • The tone and mood of the book-humorous, polemical, genial, informal, etc.
  • Any special feature of the book-illustrations, references to other sources of information

Step 3: As you write
After reading the book and forming an opinion about it, get down to writing about it. Go back to the notes you have made while reading the book and write the first draft of the review when the book is still fresh in your mind.

a. Begin with a short summary of the book without going into details of the book. In the same paragraph, try and contextualize (not evaluate) the book-by referring to other books of author or books by other writers on the subject.

b. After the first paragraph, which introduces the main plot or chief argument of the book, provide further details of the book-how the plot progresses, who the main characters are, how the argument is developed, what the supporting arguments are, etc.

c. After information about the book and discussion, provide your evaluation. Remember that purpose of the review is to give not merely a summary of the book, but also a critical evaluation. If the review is meant for a general readership, description and discussion may be given more space than evaluation. If the review is intended for a specialist readership, evaluation may be given preference over description.

Step 4: After you write
While you should write the first draft of the review as soon as you have read the book and formed an opinion about it, it is advisable to not send the review for publication immediately after writing it.

You should reread your review, preferably after a time gap, and see if you still want to say the same things about the book and in the same manner. While revising and finalizing the review, you should recheck the following:

  • Spelling, particularly of the title, names of the people and places, punctuation and grammar.
  • Factual information about the book, publisher, year of publication, etc.
  • Accuracy of your quotations from the book
  • Logic of your argument based on the evidence from the book or on the basis of your assumptions, opinions, and impressions.
  • Check whether language used is clear or opaque; the style straightforward or convoluted; and the tone cordial or prejudicial. Revision is not a waste of time, but is as important, if not more, as the writing itself. Revision helps you moderate some of the strong impressions you had earlier and thereby makes it more impartial and professional.

Question 3.
Explain the. structure of a book review.
Answer:
A book review is a balanced assessment of a book. It offers a brief description of the book’s key points and provides an evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. Book reviews are long in length. They analyze a book and give a reasoned argument about the strengths and weaknesses of a book. Though there is no fixed blueprint or structure for writing review of a book. However, writing book review may broadly follow the following structure:

a. Headline/Title: The title of the review should be short and may suggest the reviewer’s assessment of the book. For example,

  • Shashi Tharoor’s Inglorious Empire: Atonement of the British
  • Chetan Bhagat’s Half Girlfriend: Old wine in an Old Bottle
  • Ramachandra Guha’s Makers of Modem India: Conformity as history

b. Opening Statement: A strong introduction is crucial to the success of a review. The lead paragraph should grab the attention of the readers and make them read the rest of the review. It should provide basic information about the book-title, author, publication details, genre, etc.; a short synopsis of the book; and the reviewer’s overall impression of it.

c. Discussion: Paragraphs following the lead, discuss the book further. The discussion may be spread over two to three paragraphs which form the body of the review. The discussion should cover the important aspects of book-central theme, supporting evidence, style of writing, etc. Relevant passages may be quoted to illustrate the points being made.

d. Assessment: Evaluation of the book should be based on its merits and demerits and not on personal opinions. Praise or criticism of the book should be substantiated by evidence from the book. While unsupported praise is unconvincing, unsupported criticism betrays professionalism and is prejudice. While assessing a book, it is important to remember that the review is of the book that the author has written and not the book the reviewer wishes the author had written.

e. Conclusion: The final paragraph is as important as the lead paragraph. Readers are likely to remember and be influenced by the reviewer’s comments in the last paragraph. The concluding paragraph contains the reviewer’s final comments on the success or failure.

Question 4.
Write a review of a book of fiction (i.e., a book with a story).
Answer:
Bibliography : The Blue Umbrella Author : Ruskin Bond
Publication : Rupa Cover Art : Prasun Mazumdar
It was a Saturday noon when I and my son sat together after lunch. We were discussing the past week’s events at his school. Meanwhile, he insisted on reading a book as it’s been a long time, we read anything. And here is our review of the blue umbrella by Ruskin Bond.

i. Introduction:
The blue umbrella is a children’s novella written by the legendary author Ruskin Bond. The fiction story is set in the hill village of Garhwal. The story revolves around the heroic acts of ordinary characters. A short entertaining story about the ordinary life of people in hills. It’s a reader’s delight to read, how a simple urban stylish blue umbrella makes its owner popular and envied among others in the village.

ii. Plot:
A little girl Binya, loves herding her cows in the Himalayas. While roaming in the hills, she saw a beautiful blue umbrella. The umbrella belonged to some tourists. Binya was desperate to get the beautiful umbrella. She exchanged her lucky charm pendant for an umbrella. Her proud ownership of the attractive umbrella caused her to earn the jealousy of some villagers.

Especially of the shopkeeper Ram Bharosa who wanted to own the best umbrella in the village by hook or crook. The story is engaging and interesting. No, I am not going to reveal if the shopkeeper was able to get the umbrella or not. Read the book and find about it yourself. Let kids enjoy reading fiction.

iii. Characters:
Binya is the main character of the story. She is a simple mountain girl with fair skin. She loved going out with cows. She is brave and kind. The other characters are Vijay (Binya’s brother), Ram Bharosa (the shopkeeper), tourists and a little boy. All the characters have their own quality of being shrewd, kind, clever, and brave. There is also a character who does the wrong action of stealing. And kids, you should not do such actions ever in life.

iv. My Favourite:
I liked the simple writing style of the author. The beautiful village life of Binya roaming in the hillside.Her acts of bravery, kindness and her fondness for the umbrella. The kids tackling the daily chores and helping their mother. The dramatic scenarios and beautification of Garhwal Hills are all well-crafted. Children will learn to be kind, and empathetic with this fiction work.

v. Recommendation:
A good read for youngsters in the age group 8 to 10. Though it is only a one time read, yet a good option to engage your kids. The sketch illustrations are not very appealing to children.

Question 5.
Write a review of a book of non-fiction (i.e., a book with an argument).
Answer:
Title of Review of the Book: Playing It My Way: Inspiring Autobiography Title and Author: Playing It My Way and Bona Mujumdar and Sachin Tendulkar Pages: 486 Price: Rs. 899
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Rating: 3/5 Lead Paragraph

When it was first announced that Sachin Tendulkar was writing an autobiography, the initial feeling was of euphoria. Who would not like to get personal insights from the most popular Indian cricketer ever? Sachin Tendulkar is not merely a person or player: he has become an icon, even an institution. A peek into the heart and mind of such an institution is always a hugely welcome proposition.

However, on second thoughts, the conscientious cricket fan would have realized that the autobiography could not be expected to shake the foundations of world cricket. Tendulkar, who was a reticent man during his career both on and off the pitch, preferring to duck controversy rather than confront it, could not be expected to suddenly throw caution to the winds-. This would not be an image-altering exercise in exposes.

Synopsis of the Book:
This impression was sought to be challenged by the PR exercises Tendulkar and his team carried out before the release of the book. They kept feeding interesting tidbits about the book to the media. Greg Chappell circa 2007 still had the potential to create controversy, and it did. There was a rallying cry from India’s seniors, now happily retired but once hugely disgruntled with Chappell. There were photo ops, television appearances and posturing.

Anyone who has read the book now would know that most of the juicy bits had already been told before the book released. After the storm was over, what we received was rather dull weather. In the form of a mediocre, run-of-the-mill narrative of Tendulkar’s career which is exactly how ‘Playing It My Way’ can be described in stark terms. It would be fitting to describe the book as a chronological recollection of Tendulkar’s career rather than an insight into the genius of Sachin Tendulkar. For a hardcore Indian cricket fan, there is not much to savour.

Details of the Plot:
Every cricket fanatic in India for example, knows that Tendulkar made his debut against a hostile Pakistan attack in 1989. Most also know that he was struck on the mouth by a Waqar delivery in one of the Tests that followed, bled profusely and continued to bat on.

But these pieces of information would at least be of interest to a casual fan, or a very young fan who has fed off the Dhonis and Rainas of the world. It’s the even more mundane bits which challenge a cricket fan’s intelligence. For at the book’s core is a tepid description of the events of every important match and series in Tendulkar’s career.

That kind of information could easily be obtained online. Few really want to be reminded for example, that Tendulkar scored a hundred on a minefield in Perth in 1992. They already know that. The book does not attempt to scratch beneath the surface to reveal the mental and psychological aspects of that great innings, or of most other innings.

Consequently, there is little in the book that could spark fan interest. One aspect of an interesting sports autobiography is the politics behind the scenes, or behind the curtains of power. We get none of this in the book. The 1990s were tumultuous times for Indian cricket off the pitch, and so were the early 2000s.

But Playing It My Way does not even attempt to venture close.Another aspect of a good sports autobiography is an insight into the workings of an art. In the case of Tendulkar, this means insights into the science of batting. While the master batsman does give us some information in this regard, it never becomes the focal point of any chapter.

Nor do we get much in the way of captain-coach relationships, captain-team mate relationships, board-captain relationships, or any kind of cricketing relationships at all. Sachin only consents to blow the cover off his secretive relationship in the early 1990s with his eventual wife Anjali.

The chapter, titled ‘Anjali’, becomes the best chapter of the book simply because Indians love romantic tales (though it has to be conceded that Sachin-Anjali was one of the more interesting romantic stories). This says a lot about the quality of the book itself – if romance is the best part of a megastar sportsman’s autobiography, the manuscript cannot be held in high regard.

Some autobiographies flop because fan expectations are too high. Some flop despite being full of spicy controversies. Tendulkar’s book has outsold most others in India already and yet it a major let down, simply because the author did not TRY to make it insightful which is extremely unfortunate. Eventually, you get the feeling that Tendulkar holds himself back nearly as much in’ his autobiography as he did during his high-profile, extremely successful cricketing career.

SRT merely feeds the fans with things they would like to discuss, and that too without scraping the surface much. Between the chronological drivel, the sub-headings merely speak about issues widely discussed and debated by media and fans. The book is not so much a revelation of Sachin Tendulkar the man as it as an attempt to give the casual fan a reason to discuss Tendulkar’s career.

Nor can it be said that the book is a masterpiece in linguistic expression. The language is plain, even cliched at times. One also gets the impression that the book was written with haste, for there are several statistical inaccuracies.

But the sad truth is that good autobiographies can never be written with haste, for an autobiography is meant to be a revelation of the person behind the image. Another disappointing aspect of Playing It My Way is the lack of first-person insights. Events are described almost dispassionately, like an observer in third person. There is also no attempt to bring in diverse perspectives on any single subject, to make the ardent fan think.

Why then, was this autobiography written? It ends up being a brilliant opportunity that has been superbly wasted. There can be no argument that Tendulkar needed the limelight – he still has it more than some of the players in the current Indian team. Nor is he a struggling ex-cricketer looking to improve his finances, and he is unlikely to ever go down that path. Without the spice of controversy, the force of cricketing intellect or eloquence of language, Playing It My Way is just another ordinary book.

Assessment:
There are a few positives though. Despite the mundaneness, an unbiased fan would come to appreciate and respect Tendulkar the cricketer after reading Playing It My Way. It is simply amazing that a man could play cricket at near-peak level for over a decade while in constant pain. The book succeeds in bringing out the passion for cricket that the master batsman possessed.

It also nullifies half-baked theories that Tendulkar, unlike Dravid, Laxman or Kumble, relied more on genius than on hard work to achieve success. Incredibly, one can say that Tendulkar’s performance over the second half of his career remained underappreciated because we knew little of his physical and mental struggles.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the book succeeds in elevating Tendulkar the batsman, but fails in revealing Tendulkar the person. It is a decent one-time read but would never rank anywhere amongst the greatest sporting autobiographies ever written.

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar

Vocabulary: Analogy and Odd Word Our

Verbal Analogy

Verbal Analogy or Word Analogy is an interesting way to enrich our vocabulary. ‘Verbal’ means related to words and ‘analogy’ means similarity, resemblance or comparison. ‘ Verbal analogy involves identifying relationships or similarities between pairs of words. Verbal analogy can build one’s vocabulary as well as enhance the ability to analyse the relationships between words. Verbal analogies are useful tools to achieve a higher-level ‘ thinking about words and language. Verbal Analogy can help

  • In understanding the relationships between ideas.
  • In improving the ability to think methodologically.
  • In thinking critically and logically.
  • In recognising the multiple meanings of the words.
  • In interpreting the word meaning from the context.

Many verbal aptitude tests in competitive, entrance or professional examinations use verbal analogy to assess the applicant’s logic and reasoning skills and word knowledge. Look at the following pairs of words and try to understand the relationship between them.

  • Love-Hate
  • Create-Destroy
  • Regret-Past
  • Spider-Insect
  • Crocodile-Reptile
  • Whisper-Speak
  • Bat-Ball
  • Bow-Arrow

Let us learn some primary types of relationships which can help us identify the verbal analogy:

Analogy types Examples
Synonyms big-huge, show-reveal, cease-stop, sad-unhappy, weak-frail
Antonyms stop-go, big-tiny, narrow-wide, clumsy-elegant, dumb-intelligent
Function fork-eat, knife-cut, pen-write, shovel-dig, spectacles-see, legs- walk
Degree cold-freezing, difficult-impossible, rare-unique, clean- immaculate
Lack ugly-beautiful, serious-humour, hope-pessimism
Characteristic courage-hero, grass-green, sponge-porous, ball-round, elephant-big
Part to Whole leaf-tree, month-year, student-classroom, letter-alphabet, wheel-car
Type/Kind orange-fruit, anger-emotion, lotus-flower, jazz-music, sonnet- poem
Cause and Effect spin-dizzy, fire-burn, trip-fall, cavity-toothache, earthquake- tsunami

Exercise I.

Fill in the blanks.

Question 1.
Rose : Flower : : Hammer: ………….
a. Tool
b. Instrument
c. Car
d. Song
Answer:
a. Tool

Question 2.
Pencil: Write : : Knife: ………….
a. Erase
b. Cut
c. Clean
d. Cook
Answer:
b. Cut

Question 3.
Banana : Yellow : : Carrot: ………….
a. Blue
b. Red
c. Orange
d. Pink
Answer:
c. Orange

Question 4.
Hungry : Eat : : Tired: ………….
a. Play
b. Run
c. Limp
d. Rest
Answer:
d. Rest

Question 5.
Up : Down : : Left: ………….
a. Right
b. Centre
c. Arrived
d. After
Answer:
a. Right

Exercise II.

Choose the sentences that make sense as per the analogy type.

Question 1.
Function
a. A car is used to walk.
b. A house is used to move.
c. A cup is used to drink
Answer:
c. A cup is used to drink

Question 2.
Type/Kind
a. Salmon is a kind offish.
b. Rice is a type of dessert
c. Parrot is a type of inseri.
Answer:
a. Salmon is a kind offish.

Question 3.
Characteristic
a. A characteristic of ram is to sing.
b. A characteristic of a book is to be Interesting.
c. A characteristic of ice cream is to be cold.
Answer:
c. A characteristic of ice cream is to be cold.

Question 4.
Part to Whole
a. A sister is part of home.
b. A word is part of a sentence.
c. A window is part of cupboard.
Answer:
b. A word is part of a sentence.

Question 5.
Degree
a. Something that is scrumptious is very tasty.
b. Something that is tiny is heavy.
c. Something that is huge is terrible.
Answer:
a. Something that is scrumptious is very tasty.

Exercise III.

Read the following verbal analogies and choose the correct alternative.

Question 1.
Big : Huge: :Tiny: …………….
a. Good
b. Happy
c. Small
d. New
Answer:
c. Small

Question 2.
Amnesia : Memory: : Paralysis: …………….
a. Movement
b. Limbs
c. Handicapped
d. Legs
Answer:
a. Movement

Question 3.
Homeless : Home: : Unemployed: …………….
a. Salary
b. Job
c. Money
d. Sad
Answer:
b. Job

Question 4.
Milk : White: : Honey: …………….
a. Good
b. Costly
c. Sticky
d. Healthy
Answer:
c. Sticky

Question 5.
Selfish: Compassion: : Childish: …………….
a. Playfulness
b. Imagination
c. Intelligence
d. Maturity
Answer:
d. Maturity

Question 6.
Contract: Agreement: : …………….
a. Limerick: Poem
b. Human: Monster
c. Scarf: Jeweflery
d. Dog: Feline
Answer:
a. Limerick: Poem

Question 7.
Conclusion: Essay: : …………….
a. Theme: Song
b. Meal: Dessert
c. Scene: Play
d. Music: Party
Answer:
c. Scene: Play

Question 8.
Nearby: Distant: : …………….
a. permanent: Eternal
b. Criminal: illegal
c. Timid: Brave
d. Speech: Language
Answer:
c. Timid: Brave

Question 9.
Enigma : Mysterious: : …………….
a. Professor: Glib
b. Bigot: Prejudiced
c. Beetle: Venomous
d. Politician: Obtuse
Answer:
b. Bigot: Prejudiced

Question 10.
Blatant : Obvious: : …………….
a. Preeminent: Important
b. Legendary: Incredible
c. Novel: Obsolete
d. Powerful: Dominant
Answer:
d. Powerful: Dominant

Odd Word Out

Read the group of words given below and circle the odd word out

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 1
You must have circled the odd words, clock (does not refer to the weather), bicycle(does not use fuel), bird (does not rhyme), hammer (is not pointed) and peel (can be done just by hand). In odd word out exercises, we are given a list of four or five words and asked to identify the word that does not fit with the rest of the group. There may be different types of lists. The list could contain words that have.

  • similar meanings,
  • similar functions,
  • similar qualities,
  • same part of speech,
  • same rhyme, etc.

Strategies for Solving

The best way to find out the answer is to first determine which words share similarities. If all the words have similarities, then we should approach the problem in a different way. if we think carefully, and logically, we will notice that while the other words have similarities, one word stands out from the rest. Some of the questions that we can ask are:

Do these words:

  • share a similar definition?
  • belong to a similar vocabulary group (E.g., fruits, vehicles, plants; etc….)?
  • rhyme?
  • all begin with the a same letter?
  • represent a specific part of speech?
  • have a similar function?
  • have a common characteristic?

Asking these questions can help us determine the relationship among the words and identify the word that does not fit into the group.

Exercise IV.

Choose the odd word.

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 2
Answer:
1. Nylon
2. Brush/ink
3. Cauliflower
4. Cashew
5. Linger
6. Robust
7. Elated
8. Derision
9. Still
10. Fake
11. Cianfy
12. Talk
13. Refund
14. Cease
15. Flute

Grammer Verbs

I. Regular and irregular Verbs
Read the following sentences and observe the different forms of the verb.

1. a. I always smile at her. (present)
b. I always smiled at her. (past)
c. I have always smiled at her. (past participle)

2. a. She always hurts me. (present)
b. She hurt me when I was young. (past)
c. She has hurt everyone in her family. (past participle)

3. a. They came here very often.(present)
b. They came here last month. (past)
c. They have just come. (past participle

4. a. We speak to her every week. (present)
b. We spoke to her last week. (past)
c. We have already spoken to her. (past participle

Regular Verbs
The past and past participle of the regular verbs in English are formed using the ending—ed.

For example,
OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 3
Here are some spelling rules to remember with regard to the past and past participle forms of regular verbs:

1. Most verbs: add – ed
E.g., wish – wished; fill – filled

2. Verbs ending in -e: add -d.
E.g., date – dated; close – closed

3. Verbs ending in a consonant followed by – y: change the  – yto  – led.
E.g., carry – carried; study – studied

4. Verbs ending in a single vowel followed by a single consonant: double the consonant and add – ed.
E.g., chat – chatted; tap  – tapped

Exercise I.

Write the past form of these regular verbs.

1. talk ______
2. stop ______
3. marry ______
4. rate ______
5. by ______
6. worry ______
7. knot ________
8. call _________
9. arrive _________
10. finish _________
Answer:
1. taled
2. stopped
3. married
4. rated
5. tried
6. worried
7. knotted
8. called
9. arrived
10. finished

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs have different ending in their past and past participle forms. Many common and frequently used verbs in English have irregular forms. Irregular verbs form their past and past partide forms in different ways. Broadly, there are four types of irregular verbs:

1. Verbs in which all the three forms – present, past and past participle, are the same.

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 4

2. Verbsin which two of the three forms, past and past participle, are the same.
OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 5

3. Verbs in which all the three, precinct, past and past participle, are different.
OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 6

4. Verbs in which two of the three, the present and the past participle, are the same.
Some verbs can be both regular and Irregular
OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 7

Exercise II.

Write the past and past participle forms of the Irregular verbs given below.

1. drink ____ _____
2. begin ____ _____
3. swim ____ _____
4. fly ____ _____
5. fall ____ _____
6. sleep ____ _____
7. teach ____ _____
8. slept ____ _____
9. do ____ _____
10. be ____ _____
Answer:
1. drank-drunk
2. Began-begun
3. Swam-swum
4. Flew-flown
5. Fell-fallen
6. Slept-slept
7. Taught-taught
8. slept-slept
9. did-done
10. Been-being (an umbrella word)

Exercise III.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

1. I ___________ (rang/rung) the bell many times, but no one opened the door.
2. Have you ___________ (bring/brought) your guitar with you?
3. The cat has ___________ (drank/drunk) all the milk
4. He did not ___________ (lock/locked) the door last night.
5. Have you ___________ (did/done) your duty?
6. They ___________ (dig/dug) well in the backyard.
7. He ___________ (drove/driven) all the way from Hyderabad
8. She ___________ (went/gone)to a convent school
9. They ___________ (grew/grown) up during the 90s.
10. The man ___________ (become/became) very angry.
Answers:
1. rang
2. brought
3. drunk
4. lock
5. done
6. dug
7. drove
8. went
9. grew
10. became

Exercise IV.

Fill in the blanks with the past or the past participle form of the verb given in brackets.

1. The children —————– (eat) a lot of chocolates in the party.
2. I have —————– (write) a letter of application to the manager.
3. They —————– (have) lunch at a restaurant.
4. Tina has —————– (send) the latest news?
5. Have you —————– (hear) an email to all vendors.
6. She ————— (talk) to the friends.
7. We ————— (go) to see a film last evening.
8. She has not ————— (think) about it yet
9. He ————— (buy) a motorcycle with his first salary.
10. The parents ————— (leave) the child with her grandparents.
Answers:
1. ate
2. written
3. had
4. sent
5. heard
6. talked
7. went
8. thought
9. bought
10. left

ii. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Look at the sentences given below and indentify the ones that make complete sense and those which appear to be incomplete:

1. I bought a bag.(complete)
2. She brought.(Incomplete)
3. The girl laughed.(complete)
4. The teacher took.(incomplete)
5. He opened the door.(complete)
6. The baby cried.(complete)

Transitive Verbs
A transitive verb always has an object. (A noun that receives the action of the verb called the object). The subject transfers the action to the object. Therefore, it can be said that a verb that normally requires an object to complete its meaning is known as a transitive verb.

  • I – took – my bike to the shop.
  • we- played- football last Sunday.
  • In the above examples, the verbs ‘took’ and ‘played’ are followed by the objects
    ‘bike’ and ‘football respectively. Some verbs can have two objects:
  • My sister – gave – me – a laptop.
  • She – showed – us – the new house.

It is also to be remembered that only transitive verbs can be used in the passive examples,

  • My mother bought the books.
  • She explained the problem to her house owner.
  • I received a phone call.
  • The students sent a text massage to the school leader.
  • The girl saw a bird in the bush.

Exercise V

Tick the sentences that are correct and put a cross (×) after the ones in which the objects are missing.

1. hike. (×)
2. She is lying. (✓)
3. Idon’trun.(✓)
4. We enjoyed on the holiday. (✓)
5. She has fallen (✓)
6. Did you buy today? (×)
7. We are trying to do. (×)
8. Where did she go? (×)
9. He was wearing. (×)
10. She is talking. (×)

Intransitive Verbs

An intransitive verb does not require any object to receive its action. Therefore, an intransitive verb does not need an object in a sentence to complete its meaning. However, there may be other information after the verb but not an object. For examples,

  • The old woman collapsed.
  • An accident happened.
  • Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.
  • The girl worked for five hours.
  • The president arrived in city.

Exercise VI

Look at the verbs in the following sentences and circle whether they are transitive or intransitive. (The answer is in Bold)

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 2 Vocabulary, Grammar 8

Exercise VII

Underline the verb and state whether they are transitive or Intransitive.

1. It rained hard yesterday.
2. A noise awakened me.
3. Many soldiers die during a war.
4. In a fairy tale, a princess kissed a frog.
5. Did the Koreans invent gunpowder?
Answers:
1. It rained hard yesterday. Intransitive
2. A noise awakened me. Transitive
3. Many soldiers die during a war. Intransitive
4. In a fairy tale, a princess kissed a frog. Transitive
5. Did the Koreans invent gunpowder? Transitive

Transitive and Intransitive

Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive because they have more than one meaning. The verbs can be transitive in one meaning and intransitive in another meaning. For instance, run when used to refer to the physical movement is intransitive whereas when run refers to guiding or managing, It is transitive.

  • I ran every day when I was 15 years old.(Intransitive)
  • She runs every day to stay fit. (Transitive)
  • My cousin runs his own restaurant. (Transitive)
  • All the friends ran the business successfully. (Transitive)

E.g.:
1. They continued the meeting. (Transitive)
2. The meeting continued till 9 p.m. (Intransitive)
3. The girls are playing outside. (Intransitive)
4. The boys played the sitar very well. (Transitive)

Exercise-VI.

Identify whether the verbs in the following sentences are transitive or intransitive.

1. I have grown tomatoes in my garden.
2. She has grown taller.
3. I returned the books to the library.
4. The children returned to the school after the summer break.
5. The dancer moved gracefully.
6. The boy moved the heavy table easily.
7. My aunt drives very well.
8. She drives the car well.
9. She sings melodiously.
10. She sang the national anthem.
Answers:
(The underlined words are Objects of the Verbs)
1. I have grown tomatoes in my garden. — Transitive
2. She has grown taller. — Intransitive
3. I returned the books to the library. — Transitive
4. The children returned to the school after the summer break. — Intransitive
5. The dancer moved gracefully. — Intransitive
6. The boy moved the heavy table easily. — Transitive
7. My aunt drives very well. — Intransitive
8. She drives the car well. — Transitive
9. She sings melodiously. — Intransitive
10. She sang the national anthem. — Transitive

Exercise IX

Choose the correct alternative. If necessary, use a dictionary to check if the verbs are transitive or intransitive.

1. The teacher cautioned us / cautioned to us that we had a test the next day.
2. Please remember to telephone to them / telephone them after you reach.
3. This morning I sent to you/sent you an email.
4. You should never glue to anyone/glue anyone personal information over the internet.
5. Last week. I lent you/lent to you 200 rupees.
Answer:
1. The teacher cautioned us that we had a test the next day. Transitive
2. Please remember to telephone them after you reach. Transitive
3. This morning I sent you an email. Transitive
4. You should never glue anyone personal information over Transitive the internet.
5. Last week, I lent you 200 rupees. Transitive

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Questions and Answers & Summary by Emma Watson

Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Questions and Answers & Summary by Emma Watson

OU Degree 5th Sem English – Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension I (Short Answer Questions)

Question 1.
In the title “Gender Equality is Your issue Too”, who does ‘your’ refer to?
Answer:
In the title “Gender Equality is Your issue Too”, the term ‘your’ refers to ‘Men’.

Question 2.
Who does the campaign “He For She’ seek to Involve?
Answer:
The campaign “He For She’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to advocates for gender equality. The campaigntries to make sure to galvanize their support to get tangible results in this regard.

Question 3.
What is the main objective of the ‘He For She’ campaign?
Answer:
The main objective of the ‘He For She’ campaign is to try men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality and galvanize as many

Question 4.
What according to Emma Watson is ‘feminism’?
Answer:
According to Emma Watson, feminism means, “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. it is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.”

Question 5.
Why has the word ‘feminism’ become popular?
Answer:
According to the speaker, the word ‘feminism’,which is ‘fightin for women’s rights’, has too often become synonymous with man hating.

Question 6.
What kind of gender-based assumptions did Emma Watson notice as she was growing up?
Answer:
As Emma Watson was growing up, she noticed some gender-based assumptions: when she was 8 year old, she was confused at being called “bossy,”; when she was 14, she started being sexualized by certain elements of the press; when at 15, her girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscly.”; and when at 18 her male friends were unable to express their feelings.

Question 7.
According to Emma Watson, what rights should women have?
Answer:
According to Emma Watson, women should have the right to be paid the same as their male counterparts; the right to make decisions about their own body; the right to be involved on their behalf in the policies and decision-making of their country; the right that socially they are afforded the same respect as men. However, she is sad to say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.

Question 8.
Why does Emma Watson say that life is a ‘sheer privilege’?
Answer:
Emma Watson says that life is a ‘sheer privilege’ for her because her parents didn’t love her less because she was born a daughter. Her school did not limit her because she was a girl. Her mentors didn’t assume she would go less far because she might give birth to a child one day. Emma Watson considers these influencers as the gender equality ambassadors that made her who she is today.

Question 9.
What was the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hiflary Clinton’s speech in Beijing?
Answer:
In 1995, Hitary Clinton made a famous speech In Beijing about women’s rights. Emma Watson feels sad to notice that many of the things that Hillary Clinton wanted to change are still these today.However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male.

Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when only half of it is Invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation of gender quality. Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too.

Comprehension – II (Essay Type Questions)

Question 1.
What is the central argument of Emma Watson’s speech and how does she support it?
Answer:
As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson delivered an enduring speech at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 20 September 2014. She was speaking for the HeForShe campaign. In the title of her speech “Gender Equality is Your Issue Ted’, the term ‘you? refers to ‘Men’. The campaign “He For She’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality.

The central argument of Emma Watson’s speech is to make sure to galvanize the support of men in efforts to achieve gender equality. According to Emma Watson, feminism means, “The belief that men and women should have equal tights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and soda! equality of the sexes.” According to the speaker, the word ‘feminism’, which is ‘fighting for women’s rights’, has too often become synonymous with man-hating.

As Emma Watson was growing up, she noticed some gender-based assumptions: when she was 8 year old, she was confused at being called “bossy,”; when she was 14, she started being sexualized by certain elements of the press; when at 15, her girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “musdy.” and when at 18 her male friends were unable to express their feelings.

According to Emma Watson, women should have the right, to be paid the same as their male counterparts; the tight to make decisions about their own body; the right to be involved on their behalf in the policies and decision-making of their country; the right that socially they are afforded the same respect as men. However, she is sad to say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights. In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights.

Emma Watson feels sad to notice that many of the things that Hillary Clinton wanted to change are still there today. However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 percent of her audience were male. Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when men remain uninvolved in or excluded from participating in the conversation of gender quality.

Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal Invitation to men and famously says that gender equality Is their (men’s) issue too. Emma cites the example of her own father’s suicide to show the suicide rate among young men in the UK and says that men too “don’t have the benefit of equality,” and they too are “imprisoned by gender stereotypes.”

Emma Watson reminds the audience that the “He For She’ campaign is not just about women, but about freedom. It is an invitation to both men and women to free themselves from binaries and recognise their total self. She says: “If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted: women won’t feel compelled to be submissive.”

Question 2.
Explain how gender stereotyping affects both women and men.
Answer:
Emma Watson, the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, delivered an enduring speech at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 20 September 2014. She was speaking for the HeForShe campaign. In the title of her speech “Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too”, the term ‘your’ refers to ‘Men’. The campaign “HeForShe’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality.

The central argument of Emma Watson’s speech is to make sure to galvanize the support of men in efforts to achieve gender equality. According to Emma Watson, feminism means, “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.” According to the speaker, the word ‘feminism’, which is ‘fighting for women’s rights’, has too often become synonymous with man-hating.

In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Emma Watson feels sad to notice that many of the things that Hillary Clinton wanted to change are still there today. However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male. Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when men remain uninvolved in or excluded from participating in the conversation of gender quality.

Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too. Emma cites the example of her own father’s suicide to show that the suicide rate among young men in the UK and says that men too “don’t have the benefit of equality,” and they too are “imprisoned by gender stereotypes.”

Emma Watson reminds the audience that the “HeForShe’ campaign is not just about women, but about freedom. It is an invitation to both men and women to free themselves from binaries and recognize their total self. She remarks that when men free themselves from the constraints of gender stereotypes, it will quite naturally lead to change in the status of women. She says: “If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive.”

Question 3.
Explain how understanding gender as a spectrum, instead of as a binary, will free both men and women.
Answer:
Emma Watson, the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, delivered an enduring speech at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 20 September 2014. She was speaking for the HeForShe campaign. In the title of her speech “Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too”, the term ‘your’ refers to ‘Men’. The campaign ‘HeForShe’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality.

Emma Watson mentions Hillary Clinton’s famous speech in Beijing,in 1995 about women’s rights. Emma Watson feels sad to notice that many of the things that Hillary Clinton wanted to change are still there today. However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 percent of her audience were male.

Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when men remain uninvolved in or excluded from participating in the conversation of gender quality. Emma cites the example of her own father’s suicide to show that the suicide rate among young men in the UK and says that men too “don’t have the benefit of equality,” and they too are “imprisoned by gender stereotypes.”

Emma Watson reminds the audience that the “He For She’ campaign is not just about women, but about freedom. It is an invitation to both men and women to free themselves from binaries and recognize their total self. She remarks that when men free themselves from the constraints of gender stereotypes, it will quite naturally lead to change in the status of women.

She says: “If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive.” Therefore, Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too.

Question 4.
Why has gender equality remained unachieved in any country? Give reasons implied In the speech.
Answer:
As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson delivered an enduring speech at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 20 September 2014. She was speaking for the He For She campaign. in the title of her speech “Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too”, the term ‘you? refers to ‘Men’. The campaign “He For She’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. The campaign tries to make sure to galvanize their support to get tangible results in this regard.

According to Emma Watson, feminism means, “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.” According to the speaker, the word ‘feminism’, which is lighting for women’s rights’, has too often become synonymous with man-hating.

As Emma Watson was growing up, she noticed some gender-based assumptions: when she was 8 year old, she was confused at being called “bossy,”; when she was 14, she started being sexualized by certain elements of the press; when at 15, her girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscty.”; and when at 18 her male friends were unable to express their feelings.

Emma Watson says that life is a ‘sheer privilege’ for her because her parents didn’t love her less because she was born a daughter. Her school did not limit her because she was a girl. Her mentors didn’t assume she would go less far because she might give birth to a child one day. Emma Watson considers these influencers as the “gender equality

ambassadors” o “inadvertent feminists” that made her who she is today. She feels sad to say that not many women in the world have been fortunate enough to receive such equality of treatment.

According to Emma Watson, women should have the right to be paid the same as their male counterparts; the right to make decisions about their own body; the right to be involved on their behalf in the policies and decision-making of their country; the right that socially they are afforded the same respect as men.

However, she is sad to say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.According to Emma Watson, gender equality has remained unachieved in any country because of the gender bias and non-involvement of men in the campaign for gender equality. Emma Watson, therefore, would the to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too.

Question 5.
Justify how women’s rights are human rights.
Answer:
Emma Watson mentions Hillary Clinton’s famous speech in Beijingin 1995 about women’s rights as human rights. Emma Watson also advocates the same in her speech. However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 percent of her audience were male. Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when men remain uninvolved in or excluded from participating in the conversation of gender quality. Therefore, she advocates for the involvement of boys and men in the campaign for gender equality.

According to Emma Watson, women’s rights are human rights. She asserts that women should have the right to be paid the same as their mate counterparts; the right to make decisions about their own body; the right to be involved on their behalf in the policies and decision-making of their country; the right that socially they are afforded the same respect as men. However, she is sad to say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.

Emma Watson feels that men are also imprisoned in gender stereotypes. She cites the example of her own father’s suicide to show that the suicide rate among young men in the UK and says that men too “don’t have the benefit of equality,” and they too are “imprisoned by gender stereotypes.” Emma Watson reminds the audience that the “He For She’ campaign is not just about women, but about freedom.

It is an invitation to both men and women to free themselves from binaries and recognize their total self. She remarks that when men free themselves from the constraints of gender stereotypes, it will quite naturally lead to change in the status of women. She says: “1f men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive.” Therefore, Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too.

Question 6.
What are the objectives of the ‘He For She’ campaign and how does Emma Watson seek to achieve them?
Answer:
As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson delivered an enduring speech at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 20 September 2014. She was speaking for the HeForShe campaign. In the title of her speech “Gender Equality is Your Issue Too”, the term ‘your’ refers to ‘Men’. The campaign “He For She’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. The campaign tries to make sure to galvanize their support to get tangible results in this regard.

According to Emma Watson, feminism means, “The belief that men and women should have equal tights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.” According to the speaker. the word ‘feminism’, which is ‘fighting for women’s rights’, has too often become synonymous with man-hating.

As Emma Watson was growing up, she noticed some gender-based assumptions: when she was 8 year ok, she was confused at being called “bossy,”; when she was 14, she started being sexualized by certain elements of the press; when at 15, her girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscly.”; and when at 18 her male friends were unable to express their feelings.

According to Emma Watson, women should have the right to be paid the same as their male counterparts; the right to make decisions about their own body; the right to be involved on their behalf in the policies and decision-making of their country the right that socially they are afforded the same respect as men. However, she is sad to say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.

Emma Watson says that life is a ‘sheer privilege’ for her because her parents didn’t love her less because she was born a daughter. Her school did not limit her because she was a girl. Her mentors didn’t assume she would go less far because she might give birth to a child one day. Emma Watson considers these influencers as the gender equality ambassadors that made her who she is today.

In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Emma Watson feels sad to notice that many of the things that Hilary Clinton wanted to change are still there today. However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 percent of her audience were male. Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when men remain uninvolved in or excluded from participating In the conversation of gender quality.

Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too. Emma cites the example of her own father’s suicide to show that the suicide rate among young men in the UK and says that men too “don’t have the benefit of equality,” and they too are “imprisoned by gender stereotypes.” Emma Watson reminds the audience that the “He For She’ campaign is not just about women, but about freedom.

It is an invitation to both men and women to free themselves from binaries and recognise their total self. She says: “If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive.” Emma Watson concludes her speech by commending the “inadvertent feminists” who believe in equality.

She also assures that even if a “uniting word”, as an alternative to the ‘divisive word’ feminism, may not yet be available, a “uniting movement” is now available in the form of ‘He For She’. Therefore, Emma Watson, through the campaign “He For She’, seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. The campaign tries to make sure to galvanize their support to get tangible results in this regard.

Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Poem Summary in English

As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson delivered an enduring speech at United Nations Headquarters, New York, on 20 September 2014. She was speaking for the He For She campaign. In the title of her speech “Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too”, the term ‘your’ refers to ‘Men’. The campaign “He For She’ seeks to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. The campaign tries to make sure to galvanize their support to get tangible results in this regard.

According to Emma Watson, feminism means, “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.” According to the speaker, the word ‘feminism’, which is ‘fighting for women’s rights’, has too often become synonymous with man-hating.

As Emma Watson was growing up, she noticed some gender-based assumptions: when she was 8 year old, she was confused at being called “bossy,”; when she was 14, she started being sexualized by certain elements of the press; when at 15 her girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscly.”; and when at 18 her male friends were unable to express their feelings.

According to Emma Watson, women should have the right to be paid the same as their male counterparts; the right to make decisions about their own body; the right to be involved on their behalf in the policies and decision-making of their country; the right that socially they are afforded the same respect as men. However, she is sad to say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.

Emma Watson says that life is a ‘sheer privilege’ for her because her parents didn’t love her less because she was born a daughter. Her school did not limit her because she was a girl. Her mentors didn’t assume she would go less far because she might give birth to a child one day. Emma Watson considers these influencers as the gender equality ambassadors that made her who she is today.

In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Emma Watson feels sad to notice that many of the things that Hillary Clinton wanted to change are still there today. However, the most noticeable and disappointing aspect of Hillary Clinton’s speech was that only 30 percent of her audience were male.

Emma questions how we can affect change in the world when men remain uninvolved in or excluded from participating in the conversation of gender quality. Emma Watson would like to take the opportunity to extend the formal invitation to men and famously says that gender equality is their (men’s) issue too. Emma cites the example of her own father’s suicide to show that the suicide rate among young men in the UK and says that men too

Along side practiced advice, the mother also instructs her daughter on how to live a fulfilling life. She offers sympathy, such as when she talks about the relationships her daughter will have with men and talks about how to “bully” men and how a man may bully her daughter. She also warns her daughter “not to speak to wharf-rat boys” (loafers).

She also says that there are many kinds of relationships and some never work out. The mother advises her daughter, ‘If they (relationships) don’t work, don’t feel too bad about giving up’. The mother also tells the girl how to behave in different situations, including how to talk with people she doesn’t like.

However, the, mother’s advice seems caustic and castigating, out of fear that her daughter is already well on her way to becoming a “slut.” She tells the girl, for example, not to squat while playing marbles, not to sing benna (Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs) in Sunday school, and to always walk like a lady. The girl periodically interjects to protest her innocence.

Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Poem Summary in Telugu

UN ఉమెన్ గుడ్విల్ అంబాసిడర్గా, ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ 20 సెప్టెంబర్ 2014న యునైటెడ్ నేషన్స్ హెడ్కార్టర్స్, న్యూయార్క్లో శాశ్వతమైన ప్రసంగం చేసారు. ఆమె ప్రచారం కోసం ప్రసంగించారు. ఆమె ప్రసంగ శీర్షిక “లింగ సమానత్వం మీ సమస్య కూడా”, ‘మీ’ అనే పదం ‘పురులను’ సూచిస్తుంది. “ప్రచారం లింగ సమానత్వం కోసం న్యాయవాదులుగా వీలైనంత ఎక్కువ మంది పురుషులు మరియు బాలురు పాల్గానడానికి ప్రయత్నిస్తుంది. ఈ విషయంలో స్పష్టమైన ఫలితాలను పొందడానికి వారి మద్దతును బలపరచడానికి ప్రచారం ప్రయత్నిస్తుంది.

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ ప్రకారం, స్త్రీవాదం అంటే, “పరుషులు మరియు స్తీలకు సమాన హక్కులు మరియు అవకాశాలు ఉండాలనే నమ్మకం. ఇది లింగాల రాజకీయ, ఆర్థిక మరియు సామాజిక సమానత్వం యొక్క సిద్ధాంతం. స్పీకర్ ప్రకారం, ‘మహిళల హక్కుల కోసం పోరాటం’ అనే ‘ఫెమినిజం’ అనే పదం చాలా తరచుగా పురుష ద్వేషానికి పర్యాయపదంగా మారింది.

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ ఎదుగుతున్నప్ళుడు, ఆమె కొస్ని లింగ-ఆధారిత ఊహలను గమనించింది: ఆమె 8 సంవత్సరాల వయస్సులో ఉన్నప్పుడు, ఆమె “బాసీ” అని పిలవబడటంలో గందరగోళం చెందింద్మి ఆమె 14 సంవత్సరాల వయస్సులో, ఆమె [ైస్ యొక్క కొన్ని అంశాల ద్వారా లైంగిక సంబంధం కలిగి ఉండటం ప్రారంభించింద్ష్మి 15 ఏళ్ళ వయసులో, ఆమె స్నేహితులు తమ క్రీడా జట్ల నుండి తప్పుకోవడం మొదలుపెట్టారు ఎందుకంటే వారు “కండలు” గా కనిపించడానికి ఇష్టపడలేద్షుమ్ర మరియు 18 ఏళ్ళ వయసులో ఆమె మగ స్నేహితులు తమ భావాలను వ్యక్తం చేయలేకపోయారు.

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ ప్రకారం, మహిళలకు వారి పురుష సహచరులకు సమానంగా చెల్లించే హక్కు ఉండాల్ష్మి వారి స్వంత శరీరం గురించి నిర్ణయాలు తీసుకునే హక్కుక్క వారి దేశం యొక్క విధానాలు మరియు నిర్ణయం తీసుకోవడంలో వారి తరపున పాల్గొనే హక్కుక్క సామాజికంగా వారికి పురుషులో సమానమైన గౌరవం లభించే హక్కు, ఏదేమైనా, మహిళలందరూ ఈ హక్కులను అందుకోవాలని ఆశించే ప్రపంచంలో ఏ ఒక్క దేశం లేదని ఆమె చెప్పడం బాధాకరం.

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ జీవితం తనకు ‘గొప్ప హక్కు’ అని చెప్పింది, ఎందుకంటే ఆమె కుమార్తెగా జన్మించినందున ఆమె తల్లిదండ్రులు ఆమెను తక్కువ [పేమించలేదు. ఆమె ఒక అమ్మాయి కాబట్టి ఆమె పాఠశాల ఆమెను పరిమితం చేయలేదు. ఆమె ఒకరోజు బిడ్డకు జన్మనిచ్చే అవకాశం ఉన్నందున ఆమె తక్కువ దూరం వెళ్తుందని ఆమె సలహాదారులు ఉహించలేదు. ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ ఈ ఇన్ఫ్మయెన్సర్లను లింగ సమానత్వ అంబాసిడర్లుగా పరిగణిస్తుంది, ఈ రోజు తనను ఆమెగా చేసింది.

1995 లో, హిల్లరీ క్లింటన్ వీజింగ్లో మహిళల హక్కుల గురించి ఒక ప్రసిద్ధ ప్రసంగం చేశారు. ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ హిల్లరీ క్లింటన్ మార్చాలనుకున్న అనేక విషయాలు ఈనాటికీ ఉన్నాయని గమనించడం బాధగా ఉంది.

అయితే, హిల్లరీ క్లింటన్ ప్రసంగంలో అత్యంత గుర్తించదగిన మరియు నిరాశపరిచే అంశం ఏమిటంటే, ఆమె [పేక్షకులలో 30 శాతం మాత్రమే పురుషులు. లింగ నాణ్యత సంభాషణలో పురుషులు పాల్గానకుండా లేదా మినహాయించబడినప్పుడు ప్రపంచంలో మార్పును మనం ఎలా ప్రభావితం చేస్తామని ఎమ్మా ప్రశ్నించింది.

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ పరుషులకు అధికారిక ఆహ్వానాన్ని అందించడానికి అవకాశాన్ని తీసుకోవాలనుకుంటున్నారు మరియు లింగ సమానత్వం వారి (పురుషుల) సమస్య అని ప్రముఖంగా చెప్పారు. ఎమ్మా యువకలలో ఆత్మహాత్రల రేటును చూపించడానికి తన స్వంత తండ్రి ఆత్మహత్య ఉదాహరణను ఉదహరించింది మరియు పురుషులు కూడా “సమానత్వం యొక్క ప్రయోజనం కలిగి ఉండరు” అని మరియు వారు కూడా “లింగ మూస పద్ధతుల ద్వారా ఖైదు చేయబడ్కారు” అని చెప్పింది.

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ క్యాంపెయిన్ కేవలం మహిళలకు సంబంధించినది కాదు, స్వేచ్ఛకు సంబంధించినది అని [పేక్షకులకు గుర్తు చేస్తుంది. పురుషులు మరియు మహిళలు ఇద్దరూ తమను బైనరీల నుండి విడిపించుకోవాలని మరియు వారి మొత్తం స్వీయతను గుర్తించాలని ఆహ్వానించారు. ఆమె చెప్పింది: “అంగీకరించబడాలంటే పురుషులు దూకుడుగా ఉండాల్సిన అవసరం లేకపోతే, మహిళలు లొంగదీసుకోవలసిన అవసరం లేదు.”

ఎమ్మా వాట్సన్ సమానత్వాన్ని విశ్వసించే “అజాగ్రత్త స్త్రీవాదులను” ప్రశంసిస్తూ తన ప్రసంగాన్ని ముగించారు. ‘విథజన పదం’ స్త్రీవాదానికి ప్రత్యామ్నాయంగా “ఏకీకరించే పదం” ఇంకా అందుబాటులో లేకపోయినా, ఇప్పుడు ‘హెఫోర్షే’ రూపంలో “ఏకమైన ఉద్యమం” అందుబాటులో ఉందని ఆమె హామీ ఇచ్చింది.

Glossary:

Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Questions and Answers & Summary by Emma Watson 1
Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too Questions and Answers & Summary by Emma Watson 2

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

Girl Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Jamaica Kincaid

OU Degree 5th Sem English – Girl Poem Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension – I

Question 1.
List the various tasks the girl is being trained to perform.
Answer:
In the text, ‘Girl’, the mother advices her daughter to focus on doing certain household tasks that a girl or woman is traditionally supposed to perform. She tells her daughter how to do such household chores as laundry, sewing, ironing, cooking, setting the table, sweeping, and washing.

The mother also tells the girl how to do other things she’ll need to know about, including how to make herbal medicines and catch a fish. The mother also suggests to her daughter not to sing ‘benna’ (a Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs) in Sunday school. She warns her not to talk to loafer boys. She talks about relationships with different people. The daughter is also supposed to do agriculture work.

Question 2.
Can you divide the various tasks into different categories (such as ‘domestic tasks’, etc.)?
Answer:
The mother prescribed to her daughter to perform different tasks. The tasks may be divided into different categories. Domestic tasks such as laundry, sewing, ironing, cooking, setting the table, sweeping, and washing; Educational tasks such as not to sing benna (traditional folk songs which are generally considered as seductive; Agriculture tasks such as growing different types of produce; Behavioural tasks such as societal etiquette-what to do and what not to do; Relationship tasks such as how to behave with boys, guests, etc.

Question 3.
Besides instructions, the passage also contains advices, warnings, etc. List all of them separately.
Answer:
The passage contains not only instructions but also advices, warnings, etc. The mother dispenses much practical and helpful advice that will help her daughter keep a house of her own someday. She tells her daughter how to do such household chores as laundry, sewing, ironing, cooking, setting the table, sweeping, and washing. The mother also advices the girl how to do other things she’ll need to know about, including how to make herbal medicines and catch a fish.

Alongside practical advice, the mother also warns her daughter on how to live a fulfilling life. She offers some suggestions about the relationships her daughter will have with men and talks about how to “bully” men and how a man may bully her daughter. She also warns her daughter “not to speak to wharf-rat boys” (loafers). She also says that there are many kinds of relationships and some never work out. The mother-advises her daughter, ‘If they (relationships) don’t work, don’t feel too bad about giving up’.

However, the mother’s advice or warning seems caustic and castigating, out of fear that her daughter is already well on her way to becoming a “slut.” She tells the girl, for example, not to squat while playing marbles, not to singbenna (Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs) in Sunday school, and to always walk like a lady. The girl periodically interjects to protest her innocence.

Question 4.
Do you think the mother is giving all the instructions at once or at different times and places, and at different stages of the girl’s growing up?
Answer:
Though the prose poem “Girl” is a single literary entity, it consists of the mother giving instructions to her daughter at different times and places, and at different stages of the girl’s growing up. The mother’s instructions range from the behaviour at the school to cooking different dishes, to arranging table for the guests, to agriculture work, to maintaining relationships with different people, etc.

It indicates that they are applicable to different places and times. They are also relevant to different stages of her growing up. The mother dispenses much practical and helpful advice that will help her daughter keep a house of her own someday.

Question 5.
How does the girl respond to the instructions?
Answer:
The prose poem “Girl” consists of a single sentence, punctuated by semi-colons. Throughout the text, the mother’s voice dominates the narratives. She gives instructions to her teenage daughter to prepare the girl to be a woman, to mould her character, and to control her private and public behaviour. The entire narrative is interrupted only twice by the daughter who makes a feeble attempt to ask a question or defend herself. The girl periodically interjects to protest her innocence.

For instance, when her mother warns her not to sing benna (a Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs) in Sunday school, the daughter tries to protest and says, “but I don’t sing benna on Sundays at all and never in Sunday school.”

At the end of the text, when the mother talks about preparing bread, the daughter asks her mother a question “but what if the baker won’t let me feel the bread?” Except the two instances, the daughter’s role is mostly limited to passive listener.

Question 6.
List the words and phrases that suggest the setting to be West Indies.
Answer:
In the text, “Girl”, the writer tries to describe her own struggle as a young girl when she was in Antigua. She portrays the mother-daughter relationship. The entire text is contextualized in Antigua, West Indies which is Kamaica Kincaid’s birth place. There are certain words and phrases that suggest the setting to be West Indies such as

“is it true that you sing benna in Sunday school?”
“this is how to make doukona”
“pepper-pot”

Here, the word ‘benna’ means Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs. Antiguan folksongs, or benna, symbolize sexuality, a subject the mother fears her daughter already knows too much about.

Historically, native Antiguans sang benna to secretly spread scandalous rumors and gossip under the uncomprehending British people’s noses. Singing benna in Sunday school, therefore, represents not only disobedience but also sinful, forbidden knowledge that can’t be discussed openly in public, let alone in church.

Similarly, ‘doukona’ represents a Caribbean food item. It is a kind of pudding made from starchy food like dried corn or banana. The compound word “pepper-pot” is West Indian dish consisting of stewed meat or fish with vegetables. Therefore, it is clear that the milieu of “Girl” is purely West Indian.

Interestingly, foods such as ‘doukona’ and ‘pepper-pot’ also act as anchors that squarely place the story in Antigua and the Caribbean. Mentioning these specific regional foods allows Kincaid to recreate a world that’s vivid and different from our own without ruining the story’s structure with unnecessary descriptions.

Question 7.
What could be social and economic status of the family? What clues can you cite to justify your answer?
Answer:
The prose poem “Girl” is set in a particular social and economic milieu. There are certain words of wisdom that suggest that the women live in a poor economic and socially backward status. Similarly, it is the rural setting, wherein passing on such advice is essential for daily living.

She tells her daughter how to do such household chores as laundry, sewing, ironing, cooking, setting the table, sweeping, washing, making herbal medicines, catching a fish, making bread pudding, making pepper-pot, etc. The mother dispenses much practical and helpful advice that will help her daughter keep a house of her own someday.

Question 8.
Although the mother’s voice dominates the passage, it is titled as “Girl”? Comment on the appropriateness of the title.
Answer:
The short story “Girl,” written by Jamaica Kincaid deals with the experience of a mother as a young and female in a poor country. Kincaid’s complicated relationship with her mother comes out in the mother-daughter dynamic in the story. She describes her mother as a literate woman who struggled against her poor circumstances, eventually feeling bitterness toward her children because of all her problems.

The text explores the life of a woman stuck in poverty and resentful of her children. She has also said that her mother’s anger toward her seemed to get worse when Kincaid became a teenager. Just as the voice of the mother in “Girl” resents and worries about her daughter becoming a woman, Kincaid’s mother seemed to become more oppressive and bitter toward Kincaid as she grew older.

Throughout the text, the mother’s voice dominates the narratives. She gives instructions to her teenage daughter to prepare the girl to be a woman, to mould her character, and to control her private and public behaviour. The entire narrative is interrupted only twice by the daughter who makes a feeble attempt to ask a question or defend herself.

The girl periodically interjects to protest her innocence. For instance, when her mother warns her not to sing benna (a Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs) in Sunday school, the daughter tries to protest and says, “but I don’t sing benna on Sundays at all and never in Sunday school.”

At the end of the text, when the mother talks about preparing bread, the daughter asks her mother a question “but what if the baker won’t let me feel the bread?” Except the two instances, the daughter’s role is mostly limited to passive listener.

Comprehension – II

Question 1.
Attempt a character sketch of the mother.
Answer:
The present literary work “Girl” is taken from Kincaid’s first short story collection titled At the Bottom of the River (1983). The “prose poem” is broadly based on Kincaid’s own experiences of growing up in relative poverty with her domineering mother. It consists of a series of instructions, advices and warnings given by a mother to her teenage daughter.

The instructions are intended to prepare the girl to be a woman, to mould her character, and to control her private and public behaviour. Though the title Is after the daughter ‘Girl’, the voice erf the mother dominates throughout the text.

The mother sees herself as the only person who can save her daughter from living a. life of disrespect and promiscuity. She believes the girl has already started down this path because of the way she walks, sits, and sings benna (Antiguan folksongs) during Sunday school, and she imparts her domestic knowledge to keep the girl respectable.

In some ways, the mother is wise: not only does she know how to cook, clean, and keep a household, but she also has a keen sense of social etiquette and decorum, knowing how to act around different types of people. For her, domestic knowledge and knowing how to interact with people bring happiness along with respect from family and the larger community. Her instructions suggest that community plays a large role in Antiguans’ lives and that social standing within the community bears a great deal of weight.

However, there is bitterness in the mother’s voice, and she takes her anger and frustration out on her daughter. She seems to think that none of her wisdom will make any difference and that the girl is already destined for a life of ill repute. She even repeatedly hints that the girl wants to live promiscuously and be a “slut.”

Her fears for the girl actually belie deeper fears of the precarious state of womanhood in traditional Antiguan society. Despite the mother’s caustic remarks and accusations, the fact that she knows how to make abortion-inducing elixirs implies that she has had some illicit relations with men or at least understands that such encounters sometimes occur.

Question 2.
Describe the mother-daughter relationship in the passage.
Answer:
Jamaica Kincaid (born 1949) is an award-winning Caribbean-American writer of fiction and nonfiction. Born, Elaine Potter Richardson, on the island of Antigua, West Indies, she was sent to New York in 1965 to work as an au pair (nanny). In New York, she attended college, studied photography and worked for the New Yorker magazine.

In 1973, she changed her name to Jamaica Kincaid in order to write and publish anonymously. Many of her stories and novels describe the struggles of a young girl’s growing up and the mother-daughter relationship. She teaches at Harvard University and lives in Vermont.

The present literary work “Girl” is taken from Kincaid’s first short story collection titled At the Bottom of the River (1983). The ten interconnected stories in this collection, often described as “prose poem”, are broadly based on Kincaid’s own experiences of growing up in relative poverty with her domineering mother. In turn, it also talks about the mother-daughter relationship.

The prose poem “Girl” consists of a series of instructions, advices and warnings given by a mother to her teenage daughter. The instructions are intended to prepare the girl to be a woman, to mould her character, and to control her private and public behaviour. The mother sees herself as the only person who can save her daughter from living a life of disrespect and promiscuity.

She believes the girl has already started down this path because of the way she walks, sits, and sings benna (Antiguan folksongs) during Sunday school, and she imparts her domestic knowledge to keep the girl respectable. In some ways, the mother is wise: not only does she know how to cook, clean, and keep a household, but she also has a keen sense of social etiquette and decorum, knowing

how to act around different types of people. For her, domestic knowledge and knowing how to interact with people bring happiness along with respect from family and the larger community. However, there is also bitterness in the mother’s voice, and she takes her anger and frustration out on her daughter.

She seems to think that none of her wisdom will make any difference and that the girl is already destined for a life of ill repute. She even repeatedly hints that the girl wants to live promiscuously and be a “slut.” Her fears for the girl actually belie deeper fears of the precarious state of womanhood in traditional Antiguan society.

Even though the girl says very little in the story, the fact that readers perceive the mother’s words through her ears makes her the silent narrator and protagonist. The daughter narrates “Girl” as if recalling the memory of her mother from a distant future place. “Girl” is not a word-for-word transcript of an actual conversation between the mother and daughter but a compilation of advice the daughter remembers her mother saying.

She remembers, for example, how her mother constantly accused her of promiscuity and impropriety, an accusation that has apparently haunted her through the years. The inclusion of such remarks in the story illustrates how deeply they affected her while growing up and just how powerful a mother’s influence and opinions can be on her children.Therefore the text “Girl” explains all the complexities involved in the mother-daughter relationship, especially in the Antiguan society.

Question 3.
Based on the mother’s instructions and warnings, attempt a description of the society and culture they are living in?
Answer:
Jamaica Kincaid (born 1949) is an award-winning Caribbean-American writer of fiction and non-fiction. Born, Elaine Potter Richardson, on the island of Antigua, West Indies, she was sent to New York in 1965 to work as an au pair (nanny).

In New York, she attended college, studied photography and worked for the New Yorker magazine. In 1973, she changed her name to Jamaica Kincaid in order to write and publish anonymously. Many of her stories and novels describe the struggles of a young girl’s growing up and the mother-daughter relationship. She teaches at Harvard University and lives in Vermont.

The present literary work “Girl” is taken from Kincaid’s first short story collection titled At the Bottom of the River (1983). The ten interconnected stories in this collection, often described as “prose poem”, are broadly based on Kincaid’s own experiences of growing up in relative poverty with her domineering mother when she was living in Antigua, West Indies.

It also talks about the mother-daughter relationship in the society. The ‘Girl’ presents the vivid description of the Antiguan society and the culture of the main characters-mother and her daughter. From the understanding of the text, we can assume that the Antiguan society is evolving one, with poverty and strong gender roles. Here, the mother is particular about her daughter’s upbringing as a responsible and acceptable young woman in the society.

Importance of Domesticity in the Antiguan Society. The mother believes that domestic knowledge will not only save her daughter from a life of promiscuity and ruin but will also empower her as the head of her household and a productive member of the Antiguan community. She basically believes that there are only two types of women: the respectable kind and the “sluts.”

Undoubtedly for many Antiguan women, domestic knowledge leads to productivity, which in turn wins respect from family and society. Household work therefore brings power and even prestige to women in addition to keeping them busy and away from temptation.

From the reading of the text ‘Girl’, we canrecognize the reverence the mother has for the power of domesticity. Hence, she gives her daughter the numerous specific instructions, such as how to cook pumpkin fritters, sweep, grow okra, buy bread, and wash clothes. For her, domesticity brings respectability in their society.

Food Habits of the Antiguan Society:

The text ‘Girl’ mentions the food habits of the Antiguan people. For example, the mother repeatedly emphasizes food throughout her lecture to reinforce her belief that happiness comes from domesticity. The acts – and art – of making pumpkin fritters, tea, bread pudding, doukona, and pepper pot thus take on greater meaning as elements that link women to their families, their households, and the greater community.

In many ways, food will also be the mother’s greatest legacy as she passes old family recipes and culinary traditions down to her daughter and future generations of women. Interestingly, foods such as doukona and pepper pot also act as anchors that squarely place the story in Antigua and the Caribbean. Mentioning these specific regional foods allows Kincaid to recreate a world that’s vivid and different from our own without ruining the story’s structure with unnecessary descriptions.

Clothing Habits of the Antiguan Society:

The text ‘Girl’ also talks about the clothing habits of the Antiguan people. Cloth and its relationship to appearances and proper housekeeping reappear throughout the story to highlight the importance of respectability. The mother knows that a person’s clothing reveals much about character and personality and that shabbiness implies laziness and poverty.

Washing, sewing, and ironing allow women not only to project their status but also their productivity and self-worth. Neatness in appearance also corresponds to the community’s perception of a woman’s sexual respectability and morality. Organized, productive, well-groomed women appear competent and in control and consequently have much less chance of falling under suspicion of having had illicit relationships with men. The mother therefore stresses the importance of dress and appearance to save the daughter from a life of disrespect.

Benna :

The mother cautions her daughter not to sing benna, i.e. Antiguan folksongs, in the Sunday school. Benna symbolizes sexuality, a subject the mother fears her daughter already knows too much about. Historically, native Antiguans sang benna to secretly spread scandalous rumours and gossip under the uncomprehending British people’s noses.

Therefore, singing benna in Sunday school represents not only disobedience but also sinful, forbidden knowledge that can’t be discussed openly in public, let alone in church. Even though the daughter may not consciously equate benna with sexuality as her mother does, her protestations nevertheless suggest she knows full well benna’s seductive power, mystique, and forbidden qualities. In fact, the girl desperately denies that she has not sung benna in Sunday school with her friends.

Question 4.
Beyond being one mother’s instructions to her daughter, what is the larger relevance of the passage? Explain.
Answer:
Jamaica Kincaid (born 1949) is an award-winning Caribbean-American writer of fiction and nonfiction. Born, Elaine Potter Richardson, on the island of Antigua, West Indies, she was sent to New York in 1965 to work as an au pair (nanny). In New York, she attended college, studied photography and worked for the New Yorker magazine.

In 1973, she changed her name- to Jamaica Kincaid in order to write and publish anonymously. Many of her stories and novels describe the struggles of a young girl’s growing up and the mother-daughter relationship. She teaches at Harvard University and lives in Vermont.

The present literary work “Girl” is taken from JamaicaKincaid’s first short story collection titled At the Bottom of the River (1983). The ten interconnected stories in this collection, often described as “prose poem”, are broadly based on Kincaid’s own experiences of growing up in relative poverty with her domineering mother. In turn, it also talks about the mother-daughter relationship, the gender roles in the traditional. Antiguan society, poverty, food habits, clothing habits, and traditional folk songs, etc.

The prose poem “Girl” represents the mother – daughter relationships. The relationship is presented in the form mother’s instructions to the daughter and the daughter’s little interaction. The text consists of a series of instructions, advices and warnings given by a mother to her teenage daughter.

She tells her daughter how to do such household chores as laundry, sewing, ironing, cooking, setting the table, sweeping, washing, making herbal medicines, catching a fish, making bread pudding, making pepper-pot, etc. The mother dispenses much practical and helpful advice and imparts her domestic knowledge to keep the girl respectable. The instructions are intended to prepare the girl to be a woman, to mould her character, and to control her private and public behaviour.

The prose poem “Girl” is set in a particular social and economic milieu. There are certain words of wisdom that suggest that the women live in a poor economic and socially backward status. Similarly, it is the rural setting, wherein passing on such advice is essential for daily living.

In the text, “Girl”, the writer tries to describe her own struggle as a young girl when she was in Antigua. The entire text is contextualized in Antigua, West Indies which is Kamaica Kincaid’s birth place. There are certain words and phrases that suggest the setting to be West Indies such as

“is it true that you sing benna in Sunday school?”
“this is how to make doukona”
“pepper-pot”

The word ‘benna’ means a Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs. Antiguan folksongs, or benna, symbolize sexuality, a subject the mother fears her daughter already knows too much about.

Historically, native Antiguans sang benna to secretly spread scandalous rumours and gossip under the uncomprehending British people’s noses. Singing benna in Sunday school, therefore, represents not only disobedience but also sinful, forbidden knowledge that can’t be discussed openly in public, let alone in church.

Similarly, ‘doukona’ represents a Caribbean food item. It is a kind of pudding made from starchy food like dried corn or banana. The compound word “pepper-pot” is West Indian dish consisting of stewed meat or fish with vegetables. Therefore, it is clear that the milieu of “Girl” is purely West Indian.

Interestingly, foods such as ‘doukona’ and ‘pepper pot.’ also act as anchors that squarely place the story in Antigua and the Caribbean. Mentioning these specific regional foods allows Kincaid to recreate a world that’s vivid and different from our own without mining the story’s structure with unnecessary descriptions.

Therefore, the text ‘Girl’ has more than just a mother’s instructions to her daughter. It also talks about the mother daughter relationship, importance of domesticity and gender roles in the Antiguan society in West Indies. It offers the social, economic, and cultural conditions of the traditional Antiguan society.

Girl Poem Summary in English

Jamaica Kincaid (born 1949) is an award-winning Canbbearì-American writer of fiction and non-fiction. Born, Elaine Rtter Richardson, on the island of Antigua, West Indies, she was sent to New York In 1965 to work as an au pair (nanny). In New York, she attended college, studied photography and worked for the New Yorker magazine. In 1973, she changed her name to Jamaica Kincaid in order to write and publish anonymously.

Many of her stories and novels describe the struggles of a young girl’s growing up and the mother-daughter relationship. She teaches at Harvard University and lives in Vermont. The present literary work “Girl” is taken from Kincaid’s first short story collection titled At the Bottom of the River (1983). The ten interconnected stories in this collection, often described as “prose poem”, are broadly based on Kincaid’s own experiences of growing up in relative poverty with her domineering mother.

The prose poem “Girl” consists of a series of instructions, advices and warnings given by a mother to her teenage daughter. The instructions are intended to prepare the girl to be a woman, to mould her character, and to control her private and public behaviour.

The entire text consists of a single sentence, punctuated by semi-colons. The mother’s voice dominates the narratives and is interrupted only twice by the daughter who makes a feeble attempt to ask a question or defend herself. The mother intends the advice to both help her daughter and scold her at the same time. Kincaid uses semi-colons to separate the admonishments and words of wisdom but often repeats herself, especially to warn her daughter against becoming a “slut.”

Besides these repetitions, the prose poem “Girl” doesn’t move forward chronologically: there is no beginning, middle, or end to the stream. The mother dispenses much practical and helpful advice that will help her daughter keep a house of her own someday.

She tells her daughter how to do such household chores as laundry, sewing, ironing, cooking, setting the table, sweeping, arid washing. The mother also tells the girl how to do other things she’ll need to know about, including how to make herbal medicines and catch a fish. These words of wisdom suggest that the women live in a poor, rural setting, where passing on such advice is essential for daily living. Moreover, the repetition of phrases observes a specific structural pattern which moves from the part to the whole. See for example the lines below:

This is how you sweep a corner;
This is how you sweep a whole house;
This is how you sweep a yard;

Those lines quoted above also show the mother’s way of thinking and reveal the daughter’s over whelmingness, stress position and submission in opposite to the mother’s pressing, persuasive and oppressive instructive tone.

Alongside practical advice, the mother also instructs her daughter on how to live a fulfIlling lIfe. She offers sampathy, such as when she talks about the relationships her daughter will have with men and talks about how to “bully” men and how a man may bully her daughter. She also warns her daughter “not to speak to wharf-rat boys” (loafers).

She also says that there are many kinds of relationships and some never work out. The mother advises her daughter, ‘If they (relationships) don’t work, don’t feel too bad about giving up’. The mother also tells the girl how to behave in different situations, including how to talk with people she doesn’t like.

However, the, mother’s advice seems caustic and castigating, out of fear that her daughter is already well on her way to becoming a “slut.” She tells the girl, for example, not to squat while playing marbles, not to singbenna(Calypso-like folk songs, focussed on scandalous gossip and sung in a call-and-response form, broadly Antiguan folk songs) in Sunday school, and to always walk like a lady. The girl periodically Inteijects to protest her innocence.

Girl Poem Summary in Telugu

జమైకా కిన్కైడ్ (జననం 1949) కరేబియన్ – అమెరికన్ కల్పన మరియు నాన్-ఫిక్ష్ రచయిత. వెస్టిండీస్లోని ఆందిగ్వా ద్వీపంలో జన్మించిన, ఎలైన్ పాటర్ రిచర్డ్సన్, ఆమెను 1965 లో న్యూయార్క్కు పంపారు. న్యూయార్క్రీ, ఆమె కళాశాలలో చదువుకుంది, ఫోటోగ్రోఫిని అభ్యసించింది మరియు న్యూయార్కర్ మ్యాగజైన్లో పనిచేసింది. 1973లో, అనామకంగా ప్రాయడానికి మరియు ప్రచురించడానికి ఆమె తన పేరును జమైకా కిన్కైడ్గా మార్చుకుంది. ఆమె అనేక కథలు మరియు నవలలు ఒక యువతి పెరుగుతున్న పోరాటాలను మరియు తల్లి-కుమార్తె సంబంధాన్ని వివరిస్తాయి. ఆమె హోర్వర్డ్ విశ్వవిద్యాలయంలో టోధిస్తంది మరియు వెర్మోంట్లో నివసిస్తుంది.

ప్రస్తుత సాహిత్య రచన “గర్ల” కిన్కైడ్ యొక్క మొదటి చిన్న కథా సంకలనం ఎట్ ది బాటమ్ ఆఫ్ ది రివర్ (1983) నుండి తీసుకోబడింది. ఈ సంకలనంలో పరస్పరం అనుసంధానించదిిన పది కథలు, తరచుగా “గద్య పద్యం” గా వర్ణించబడ్డాయి, ఆమె ఆధిపత్య తల్లితో సాపేక్ష పేదరికంలో పెరిగిన కిిన్కైడ్ యొక్క సొంత అనుభవాలపై విస్తృతంగా ఆధారపడి ఉన్నాయి. “గర్ల్ల” అనే గద్య కవితలో ఒక తల్లి తన్ దీనేజ్ కుమార్తెకు ఇచ్చిన సూచనలు, సలహాలు మరియు హెచ్చరికల (శేణి ఉంటుంది.

అమ్మాయిని ఒక మహిళగా తయారు చేయడానికి, ఆమె పాత్రను మలచడానికి మరియు ఆమె ढైవేట్ మరియు పబ్లిక్ ప్రవర్తనను నియంత్రించడానికి ఈ సూచనలు ఉద్దేశించబడ్డాయి. మొత్తం టెక్ప్ ఒకే వాక్యాన్ని కలిగి ఉంటుంది, సెమీ కోలన్లతో విరామ చిహ్నాలు ఉంటాయి. తల్లి స్వరం కథనాలపై ఆధిపత్యం చెలాయిస్తుంది మరియు ఒక ప్రశ్న అడగడానికి లేదా తనను తాను రక్షించుకోవడానికి బలహీనమైన ప్రయత్నం చేసిన కుమార్తె రెండుసార్లు మాత్రమే అంతరాయం కలిగింది.

తల్లి తన కుమార్తెకు సహాయం చేయడానికి మరియు అదే సమయంలో ఆమెను తిట్టడానికి సలహా ఇస్తుంది. కిన్కాయిడ్ సెమీ కోలన్లను వివేకం యొక్క హెచ్చరికలు మరియు పదాలను వేరు చేయడానికి ఉపయోగిస్తుంది, కానీ తరచూ ఆమె పునరావృతం, చేస్తుంది, ప్రత్యేకించి తన కుమార్తె “మురికివాడ” గా మారకుండా హెచ్చరించడానికి.

ఈ పునరావృత్తులు కాకుండా, గర్ల్ పద్యం “అమ్మాయి” కాలక్రమంలో ముందుకు సాగదు: ప్రవాహానికి ప్రారంభం, మధ్య లేదా ముగింపు లేదు. తల్లి చాలా ఆచరణాత్మకమైన మరియు సహాయకరమైన సలహాలను అందజేస్తుంది, అది తన కుమార్తెకు ఏదో ఒక రోజు స్వంత ఇందిని ఉంచుకోవడంలో సహాయపడుతుంది. బట్టలు ఉతకడం, కుట్టుపని చేయడం, ఇ్ట్రీ చేయడం, వంట చేయడం, టేబుల్ వేయడం, ఉడ్చడం, ఉతకడం వంటి ఇంది పనులు ఎలా చేయాలో ఆమె తన కూతురికి చెబుతుంది.

మూలికా ఔషధాలను ఎలా తయారు చేయడం మరియు చేపలను పట్టుకోవడం వంటి వాటి గురించి తెలుసుకోవలసిన ఇతర విషయాలను కూడా తల్లి అమ్మాయికి చెఱుతుంది. మహిళలు పేద, గ్రామీణ నేపధ్యంలో జీవిస్తున్నారని ఈ వివేకవంతమైన మాటలు సూచిస్తున్నాయి, ఇక్కడ రోజువారీ జీవనానికి అలాంది సలహాలను అందించడం చాలా అవసరం. అంతేకాకుండా, పదబంధాల పునరావృతం ఒక నిర్దిష్ట నిర్మాణ నమూనాను గమనిస్తుంది, ఇది భాగం నుండి మొత్తం వరకు కదులుతుంది. ఉదాహరణకు క్రింది పంక్తులను చూడండి:

ఈ విధంగా మీరు ఒక మాలను తుడుచుకుంటారు
మీరు ఇల్లు మొత్తం తుడుచుకునే విధానం ఇలా ఉంటుంది
మీరు యార్డ్ని ఇలా తుడుచుకుంటారు

పైన ఉదహరించిన ఆ పంక్తులు తల్లి ఆలోచనా విధానాన్ని కూడా చూపుతాయి మరియు తల్లి ఒత్తిడి, ఒప్పించే మరియు అణచివేసే బోధనా స్వరానికి ఎదురుగా కూతురు యొక్క తీవ్రత, ఒత్తిడి స్థానం. మరియు సమర్పణను వెల్లడిస్తాయి.

ఆచరణాత్మక సలహాతో పాటు, తల్లి తన కుమార్తెకు సంతృప్తికరమైన జీవితాన్ని ఎలా జీవించాలో కూడా నిర్రేశిస్తుంది. ఆమె తన కుమార్తె పురుషులతో కలిగి ఉండే సంబంధాల గురించి మాట్లాడేటప్పుడు మరియు పరుషులను ఎలా “వేధించాలి” మరియు ఒక వ్యక్తి తన కుమార్తెను ఎలా వేధించవచ్చు అనే దాని గురించి మాట్లాడేటప్చడు ఆమె సానుభూతిని అందిస్తంది.

ఆమె తన కుమార్తెను “వార్ఫ్-ఎలుక అబ్బాయిలతో మాట్లాడకూడదని” (లోఫర్లు) హెచ్చరించింది. అనేక రకాల సంబంధాలు ఉన్నాయని మరియు కొన్ని ఎన్నదికీ పని చేయలేదని కూడా ఆమె చెప్పింది. తల్లి తన కూతురికి సలహా ఇస్తుంది, ‘వారు (సంబంధాలు) పని చేయకపోతే, వదులుకోవడం గురించి చాలా బాధపడకండి. తల్లి తనకు నచ్చని వ్యక్తులతో ఎలా మాట్లాడాలో సహా వివిధ వరిస్థితులలో ఎలా ప్రవర్తించాలో కూడా అమ్మాయికి చెబుతుంది.

Girl – Jamaica Kincald

Wash the white clothes on Monday and put them on the stone heap; wash the color clothes on Tuesday and put them on the clothesline to dry don’t walk bare-head in the hot sun; cook pumpkin fritters in very hot sweet oil; soak your little doths right after you take them off; when buying cotton to make yourself a nice blouse, be sure that it doesn’t have gum in it, because that way it won’t hold up well after a wash; soak salt fish overnight before you cook

It is it true that you sing benna in Sunday school?; always eat your food In such a way that it won’t turn someone else’s stomach; on Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming; don’t sing benna in Sunday school, you mustn’t speak to wharf-rat boys, not even to give directions; don’t eat fruits on the street – flies will follow you; but I don’t sing bernia on Sundays at all and never in Sunday school; this is how to sew on a button; this Is how to make a buttonhole for the button you have

Just sewed on; this is how to hem a dress when you see the hem coming down and so to prevent yourself from looking like the slut I know you are so bent on becoming; this is how you iron your father’s khaki shirt so that it doesn’t have a crease; this is how you iron your father’s khaki pants so that they don’t have a crease; this is how you grow okra – far from the house, because okra tree harbors red ants;

when you are growing dasheen, make sure it gets plenty of water or else it makes your throat itch when you are eating it; this is how you sweep a corner; this is how you sweep a whole house; this is how you sweep a yard; this is how you smile to someone you don’t like too much; this is how you smile to someone you don’t like at all; this is how you smile to someone you like completely;

this is how you set a table for tea; this is how you set a table for dinner; this is how you set a table for dinner with an important guest; this is how you set a table for lunch; this is how you set a table for breakfast, this is how to behave in the presence of men who don’t know you very well, and this way they won’t recognize Immediately the slut

I have warned you against becoming; be sure to wash every day, even if it is with your own spit; don’t squat down to play marbles – you are not a boy, you know; don’t pick people’s flowers – you might catch something; don’t throw stones at blackbirds, because it might not be a blackbird at all; this is how to make a bread pudding; this is how to make doukona; this is how to make pepper

Glossary:
Girl Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by Jamaica Kincaid

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 1 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 1 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 5th Sem English Unit 1 Vocabulary, Grammar

Exercise I.

Match the expressions in column I with the words In column II.

I Answer II
1. English medicine e a. Complaining
2. Cent percent i b. Lighter skin colour
3. Cut the call g c. Blender, mixer
4. Non-veg h d. Best
5. Batchmate j e. Allopathy
6. Wheatish b f. Memorize, cram
7. Cribbing a g. Hang up abruptly
8. Mixie c h. Food containing meat
9. Level best d i. Hundred percent
10. Mug up f j. Classmate

Exercise II.

Make the following sentences more acceptable.

1. I ordered for a coffee.
Answer:
I ordered a coffee.

2. Let us discuss about common errors in English.
Answer:
Let us discuss common errors in English.

3. The meeting is preponed.
Answer:
The meeting is advanced.

4. I was out of station last week.
Answer:
I was out of town last week.

5. I am sending you an application. Please do the needful.
Answer:
I am sending you an application. Please do what needs to be done / Please do what is required.

6. He bought this car a few years back.
Answer:
He bought this car a few years ago.

7. He had studied law. He passed out last year.
Answer:
He had studied law. He graduated last year.

8. Kindly revert back at the earliest.
Answer:
Kindly respond/reply at the earliest.

9. “My computer is not working”. “ok. Do one thing”.
Answer:
“My computer is not working”. “ok, what you can do is” … / “ok, you can do this” / “ok, do this …“ / “ok, here is what you can do.”

10. I am having a headache.
Answer:
I have a headache.

11. On Sundays, I am sitting at home only.
Answer:
On Sundays, I stay at home.

12. I can be able to do it.
Answer:
I can do it. It will be able to do it.

13. Take the umbrella, rain is coming.
Answer:
Take the umbrella, it is raining.

14. I forgot to give key to the watch.
Answer:
I forgot to wind the watch.

15. He failed to get a job and so he is keeping quiet.
Answer:
He failed to get a job and so he is doing nothing.

16. What is your good name, please?
Answer:
May I know your name, please?

17. I’ll go and come.
Answer:
I’ll come back.

18. No parking before the gate.
Answer:
No parking in front of the gate.

19. Parking at the backside.
Answer:
Parking at the back. / Parking in the rear.

20. Have you taken your meals?
Answer:
Have you had your food? / Have you had your lunch (or dinner)?

21. She is my cousin sister but he is my real brother.
Answer:
She is my cousin but he is my brother.

22. Kindly attend the meeting without fail.
Answer:
Kindly attend the meeting.

23. He told he was going to America.
Answer:
He said he was going to America.

24. I will explain you.
Answer:
I will explain to you.

25. Let me suggest you something.
Answer:
Let me suggest to you something. / Let me suggest something to you.

26. Why not you try this idea?
Answer:
Why don’t you try this idea?

27. Please correct if I’m incorrect.
Answer:
Please correct me if I’m wrong.

28. You are calling regarding?
Answer:
Your call regarding

29. Can you repeat it again, please?
Answer:
Can you repeat it, please? / Could you please repeat it?

30. Sorry for the delay in replying to your letter.
Answer:
Sorry for the delay in replying your letter. / Sorry for the delay in replying to you.

Grammer: Framing Questions

information questions (or ‘Wh’ questions)
“Where do you work?”
Information questions begin with ‘Who’, ‘What’, ‘Where’, ‘Hàw’, ‘How much’ and so on, which are called ‘question words’, Questions usin2 these words cannot be answered with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Some information is given in response. Hence, they are called information questions.

E.g., What is your name? Where do you study? Whose choice was it? Who teaches you English? Which subject do you like most? Why is it your favourite subject? How do you go to college?

‘Yes’/’No’ questions “Are you a teacher?”
The response to such questions may be affirmative (“yes”) or negative (‘so”), but it should be all affirmation or all neative.

  • Are you a student?
  • Yes, I am. I No, I’m not.
    Never say
  • Yes, I’m not. / No, I am.

Alternative questions
“Do you Like teaching or administration?”
Such questions offer alternatives and the response may be either or both or neither of the alternatives. Such questions are called alternative questions. Alternative questions are used with the word or’, and they cannot be answered with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. A full sentence is needed as an answer.

Tag questions
“Teaching is a noble profession, isn’t it?”
Note that the question tag at the end draws attention to the statement that precedes it. Such questions are called ‘tag questions’. Question tags are not actually questions they only expect agreement (hence, they may be remembered as ‘confirmation questions’). Tag questions are usually used only in conversation and not in formal English.

→ If the statement is in the affirmative, the tag is in the negative.
You are a student, aren’t you?

→  If the statement is in the negative, the tag is in the affirmative.
You aren’t a bad student, are you?

→  The subject of the tag question is always a pronoun, and it is a substitute for the subject of the statement.
Ramesh is a student, isn’t he?
Zahira isn’t a teacher, is she?

→  The pronoun is used in the tag according to the number (singular/plural), gender
(masculine/feminine) and person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) of the subject of the statement.
Ramesh is a student, isn’t he?
Zahira isn’t a teacher, is she?
Ramesh and Zahira are students, aren’t they?

→ In the tag, as in other ‘Yes-No’ type questions, the verb is shifted to the beginning of the tag.
Your mother is a teacher, isn’t she?

→ The other ‘be’ forms (‘are, is, was, were’) are repeated in the tag.
They are students, aren’t they?
They were in the college yesterday, weren’t they?

→  In the case of linking verbs other than ‘be’, the appropriate form of ‘dd in the statement is repeated in the tag.
They attend college every day, don’t they? (Present tense, third person plural).
You got good marks last year, didn’t you? (Past tense, second person singular).
She also works at home, doesn’t she? (Present tense, third person singular).

Exercise I

Frame questions to elicit the following answers:

1. He is my friend.
Who is that man? / Who is he?

2. It’s and audio book.
What is this? I What is it?

3. It’s a Thursday.
What day is today? / What day is it today?

4. English is my favourite subject.
what is your favourite subject? (Where selection among indefinite number
Is Involved) / Which is your favourite subject? (Where selection among a limited [definite] number Is involved)

5. I would like to become an astronaut.
What would you like to become?

6. I study in New Ideas College
Where do you study?

7. It is near Charminar
Where is It?

8. I joined last year.
When did you join (the college)?

9. Igobybus.
How do you go to college?

10. I am 18 years old.
How old are you?

Exercise Il

Frame questions to elicit the following answers:

1. My college is about 10 kilometres from home.
How far is your college from your home?

2. I spend nearly Rs. 30 every day on transport.
How much do you spend on transport?

3. I go to the playground once a week.
How often do you go to the playground?

4. I play football.
What game do you play?

5. I play quite well.
How well do you play?

6. I have been playing form the last three years.
How long have you been playing?

7. The one with No. 10 is my jersey.
Which one is your Jersey?

8. I like Ronaldo the most
Who do you like the most? Which player do you like the most?

9. Yes, I would love to meet him.
Would you like to meet him?

10. No I dont watch cricket.
Do you watch cricket?

11. Yes, I used to play cricket when I was in school.
Did you ever play cricket?

12. I prefer to play football.
What do you prefer to play?

Exercise III.

Add question tags to the following statements:

1. Seema sings well, ———–
doesn’t she?

2. He did not go to college, ———–
did he?

3. She is suffering from fever, ———–
Isn’t she?

4. He doesn’t swim well, ———–
does he?

5. They are celebrating their victory, ———–
aren’t they?

6. Gautham should buy this book, ———–
shouldn’t he?

7. Hecanwalkfst, ———–
can’t he?

8. She would like this gift, ———–
wouldn’t she?

9. They had their lunch, ———–
hadn’t they?

10. She will listen to you, ———–
won’t she?

11. They don’t go to the market often,
do they?

12. You paint well,
don’t you?

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

What’s the Language of the Future? Questions and Answers & Summary by Henry Hitchings

What’s the Language of the Future Questions and Answers & Summary by Henry Hitchings

OU Degree 5th Sem English – What’s the Language of the Future? Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension-I. (Short Answer Question)

Question 1.
What is the status of English In the twenty-first century?
Answer:
In the twenty-first century, the world is becoming more urban and more middle class, and the adoption of English is a symptom of this, for increasingly English serves as the lingua franca of business and popular culture. It is dominant or at least very prominent in other areas such as shipping, diplomacy, computing, medicine and education.

Question 2.
What are the Arabic and English languages associated with the UAE?
Answer:
According to the author, a recent study has suggested that among students in the United Arab Emirates “Arabic is associated with tradition, home, religion, culture, school, arts and social sciences,” whereas English “is symbolic of modernity, work, higher education, commerce, economics and science and technology.” In Arabic-speaking countries, science subjects are often taught in English because excellent textbooks and other educational resources are readily available in English.

Question 3.
What helped the spread of the English language in the past and what helps it spread in the present?
Answer:
According to the author, English has spread because of British colonialism, the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, American economic and political ascendancy, and further (mostly American) technological developments in the second half of the twentieth century.

Its rise has been assisted by the massive exportation of English as a second language, as well as by the growth of an English-language mass media. Hitchings opines that today it is English that is the world’s auxiliary tongue. There are more people who use English as a second language than there are native speakers.

Estimates of the numbers vary, but even the most guarded view is that English has 500 million second- language speakers. Far more of the world’s citizens are eagerly jumping on board than trying to resist its progress. In some cases the devotion appears religious and can involve what to outsiders looks a lot like self-mortification.

Question 4.
What example does the author cite to show the craze for English in Korea?
Answer:
The author cites the example given by Mark Abley of the lengths people will go to in order to learn English, seduced by the belief that linguistic capital equals economic capital. According to Abley, some rich Koreans pay for their children to have an operation that lengthens the tongue because it helps them speak English convincingly. The suggestion is that it enables them to produce r and l sounds, although the evidence of the many proficient English-speakers among Korean immigrants in America and Britain makes one wonder whether the procedure is either necessary or useful.

Question 5.
Which two languages may appear to pose a challenge to English in the twenty-first century? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
Answer:
According to the author, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are the two languages that may appear to pose a challenge to the position of English as the dominant world language in the twenty-first century. Hitchings opines that both the languages have more first-language users than English.

However, at present neither of the two languages is much used as a lingua franca, i.e., a connecting language among different language groups. The majority of speakers of Mandarin Chinese live in one country, and, excepting Spain, most Spanish- speakers are in the North and South Americas.

Question 6.
What does the author mean when he says that the main challenge to English may come from ‘within’?
Answer:
Henry Hitchings explains that the main challenges to English may come from ‘within’. There is a long history of people using the language for anti-English ends-of creative artists and political figures asserting in English their distance from Englishness or Britishness or Americanness.

For instance, many writers whose first language has not been English have infused their English writing with foreign flavours; this has enabled them to parade their heritage while working in a medium that has made it possible for them to reach a wide audience.

Question 7.
Which two countries are mentioned as potential sites of challenge to the English language?
Answer:
The author mentioned India and China as potential sites of challenge to the English language.

Question 8.
Why are the Chinese learning English in large numbers? Which unconventional method of teaching English in China does the author mention?
Answer:
In his essay, Henry Hitchings explained the reason why the Chines are learning English in large numbers. According to him, the entrepreneur Li Yang has developed Crazy English, an unorthodox teaching method. It involves a lot of shouting. This, Li explains, is the way for Chinese to activate their “international muscles.” His agenda is patriotic.

Kingsley Bolton, head of the English department at the City University of Hong Kong, calls this “huckster nationalism.” It certainly has a flamboyant quality; one of Li’s slogans is “Conquer English to Make China Strong.” A few dissenting voices suggest that he is encouraging racism, but the enthusiasm for his populist approach is in no doubt, and it is a symptom of China’s English Fever: the ardent conviction that learning English is the essential skill for surviving in the modern world.

Question 9.
What is the result of the two most populous countries adopting the English language? How does it affect the native speakers of the language?
Answer:
Henry Hitchings opines that due the embrace of English in India and China, the English language is changing. Some of the changes are likely to prove disconcerting for its native speakers. The “English-ness” of English is being diluted. English’s centre of gravity is moving; in fact, in the twenty-first century the language has many centres.

The author feels that as this continues, native English speakers may find themselves at a disadvantage. At the same time, native speakers of English tend to assume that their command over English makes it unimportant to learn other languages.

Moreover, there is a chance that a command of English will within twenty or thirty years be regarded as a basic skill for business, and native speakers of the language will no longer enjoy any competitive advantage. The reality is different. British companies often miss out on export opportunities because of a lack of relevant language skills.

Question 10.
What disadvantages are the native speakers likely to face for knowing only English?
Answer:
The author shows that English is both ‘pushed’ and is equally ‘pulled’. He explains that large companies such as British Petroleum (now BP Amoco) have worked with the British Council, set up in 1934 as an “international cultural relations body”, funding educational schemes to encourage foreign nationals to learn English.

The author feels that this is not exactly an act of altruism but for what Robert Phillipson says, “English for business is business for English.” The British Council tries to promote or ‘push’ the British English – for protecting both ‘cultural’ and ‘corporate’ interests. However, the english is the most attractive language in the world today that people are attracted or ‘pulled’ towards learning it

Question 11.
How does the author show that English is both ‘pushed’ and ‘pulled’?
Answer:
According to the author, the result of English spreading to different places is complex. Even as vast amounts are spent on spreading British English, the reality is that English is taking on more and more local colour in the different places where it is used. Accordingly, while the number of languages in the world is diminishing, the number of English is increasing.

Comprehension II. (Essay Type Question)

Question 1.
Explain the main argument of the essay?
Answer:
Henry Hitchings (born 1974) is an author and critic specializing in language and cultural history. The present essay, “What’s the Language of the Future?” is an excerpt from his book The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2001).

The essay outlines the factors that helped the spread of English in the past, the reasons for the ‘English Fever’ in the present and the challenges that English is likely to face in the near future. Presently, English serves as the lingua franca (link language) business and popular culture.

In the countries like, the UAE, English “is symbolic of modernity, work, higher education, commerce, economics, and science and technology.” The spread of English has a business or monetary purpose because excellent books are available in English. According to Sir Richard Francis, the Director General of the British Council, “Britain’s black gold is not North Sea oil, but the English Language.”

Hence the propagation of English is an industry, not a happy accident. The spread of English is for the benefit of the British corporate interests. It is not an act of altruism-welfare of others. As Robert Phillipson says, “English for business is business for English.”

Hitchings feels that there are challenges to the position of English in the 21st century. The main challenges are from Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Both have more first- language users. But they are not used as lingua franca (link language) and limited to a specific geographical areas.

According the author, the main challenge to English may come from within. Due to the embrace of English by Indians and Chinese, the language is changing. Hitchings feels that English’s centre of gravity is moving. In the 21st century, there are many centres. This leads to the creation of many “Englishes”. Increasingly, English is taking more local colour in different places where it is used.

Hence the number of Englishes is increasing. The non native speakers of English, especially creative artists and political figures, are now using the English language for anti-English ends by distancing themselves from Englishness or Britishness or American-ness. Hence, the “English-ness” or “American-ness” of English is being diluted. As a result, the native speakers of English may find themselves at a disadvantage. The number of non-natives speakers increases, the competitive advantage the native speakers enjoy decreases.

Question 2.
Discuss the current status of English as a global language.
Answer:
Henry Hitchings (born 1974) is an author and critic specializing in language and cultural history. The present, essay, “What’s the Language of the Future?” is an excerpt from his book The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2001). The essay outlines the factors that helped the spread of English in the past, the reasons for the ‘English Fever’ in the present and the challenges that English is likely to face in the near future.

In the twenty-first century, the world is becoming more urban and more middle class, and the adoption of English is a symptom of this, for increasingly English serves as the lingua franca of business and popular culture. It is dominant or at least very prominent in other areas such as shipping, diplomacy, computing, medicine and education.

According to the author, English has spread because of British colonialism, the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, American economic and political ascendancy, and further (mostly American) technological developments in the second half of the twentieth century. Hitchings opines that today it is English that is the world’s auxiliary tongue.

There are more people who use English as a second language than there are native speakers. Estimates of the numbers vary, but even the most guarded view is that English has 500 million second-language speakers.

The author cites the example given by Mark Abley of the lengths people will go to in order to learn English, seduced by the belief that linguistic capital equals economic capital.According to Abley, some rich Koreans pay for their children to have an operation that lengthens the tongue because it helps them speak English convincingly.

The suggestion is that it enables them to produce r and l sounds, although the evidence of the many proucient English-speakers among Korean immigrants in America and Britain makes one wonder whether the procedure is either necessary or useful. In this way, the devotion crazy towards learning English in the 21st century appears to be religious and can involve what to outsiders looks a lot like self-mortiucation.

Question 3.
Describe the image and the advantages that English has vis-a-vis the other languages mentioned in the essay.
Answer:
Henry Hitchings (born 1974) is an author and critic specializing in language and cultural history. The present essay, “What’s the Language of the Future?” is an excerpt from his book The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2001). The essay outlines the factors that helped the spread of English in the past, the -reasons for the ‘English Fever’ in the present and the challenges that English is likely to face in the near future.

According to the author, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are the two languages that may-appear to pose a challengeto the position of English as the dominant world language in the twenty-first century. Hitchings opines that both the languages have more first-language users than English. However, at present neither of the two languages is much used as a lingua franca, i.e., a connecting language among different language groups. The majority of speakers of Mandarin Chinese live in one country, and, excepting Spain, most Spanish-speakers are in the North and South Americas.

However, Henry Hitchings explains that the main challenges to English may come from ‘within’. There is a long history of people using the language for anti-English ends – of creative artists and political ugures asserting in English their distance from Englishness or Britishness or American-ness. According to the author, the English language has advantages over Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Presently, English serves as the lingua franca (link language) business and popular culture. Moreover, more people in the world are now attracted or ‘pulled’ towards learning English.

Question 4.
According to the propagation of English is neither ‘a happy accident” nor “an act of altruism”.
Answer:
Henry Hitchings (born 1974) is an author and critic specializing in language and cultural history. The present essay, “What’s the Language of the Future?” is an excerpt from his book The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2001).

The essay outlines the factors that helped the spread of English in the past, the reasons for the ‘English Fever’ in the present and the challenges that English is likely to face in the near future.The author explains how the number of people who can speak English around the world is increasing.

He presents the figures from a survey of 2005 which reveals that more than 80 per cent of people in the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden claimed to be able to speak English. The ugure was around 60 per cent in Finland, 50 per cent in Germany, 30 per cent in France and Italy, and 20 percent in Spain and Turkey.

The author feels that propagation of English around the World isneither ‘a happy accident” nor “an act of altruism’The author explains that the spread of English is actually done for what Robert Phillipson says, “English for business is business for English.” The author explains that large companies such as British Petroleum (now BP Amoco) have worked with the British Council, set up in 1934 as an “international cultural relations body”, funding educational schemes to encourage foreign nationals to leam English.

The author explains that the British Council tries to promote or ‘push’ the British English for protecting both ‘cultural’ and ‘corporate’ interests. However, the English is the most attractive language in the world today that people are attracted or ‘pulled’ towards learning it

Question 5.
What, according to Hitchings, is the likely impact of the “centre of gravity of English” moving?
Answer:
Henry Hitchings (born 1974) is an author and critic specializing in language and cultural history. The present essay, “What’s the Language of the Future?” is an excerpt from his book The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2001). The essay outlines the factors that helped the spread of English in the past, the reasons for the ‘English Fever’ in the present and the challenges that English is likely to face in the near future.

Henry Hitchings opines that due the embrace of English in India and China, the English language is changing. Some of the changes are likely to prove disconcerting for its native speakers. The “English-ness” of English is being diluted. The ‘centre of gravity of English’ is moving; in fact, in the twenty-first century the language has ‘many centres’.

The author feels that as this continues, native English-speakers may and themselves at a disadvantage. At the same time, native speakers of English tend to assume that their command over English makes it unimportant to learn other languages. Moreover, there is a chance that a command of English will within twenty or thirty years be regarded as a basic skill for business, and native speakers of the language will no longer enjoy any competitive advantage.

The reality is different. British companies often miss out on export opportunities because of a lack of relevant language skills. As the result of shifting centre of gravity of English, the English language is taking on more and more local colour in the different parts of the world where it is used. Accordingly, while the number of languages in the world is diminishing, the number of English is increasing.

What’s the Language of the Future Poem Summary in English

Henry Hitchings (born 1974) is an author and critic specializing in language and cultural history. Henry Hitchings was born in 1974. He is the author of Dr Johnson’s Dictionary: The Extraordinary Story of the Book that Defined the World (2005), The Secret Life of Words: How English Became English (2008), Who’s Afraid of Jane Austen?: How toReally Talk About Books You Haven’t Read(2008), The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2011), Sorry!

The English and their Manners (2013), and has recently edited a collection of essays Browse: The World in Bookshops.He has contributed to many newspapers and magazines and is the theatre critic for the London Evening Standard. He became a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2015
.
The present essay, “What’s the Language of the Future?” is an excerpt from his book The Language Wars: A History of Proper English (2001). The essay outlines the factors that helped the spread of English in the past, the reasons for the ‘English Fever’ in the present and the challenges that English is likely to face in the near future.

Presently, English serves as the lingua franca (link language) business and popular culture. In the countries like, the UAE, English “is symbolic of modernity, work, higher education, commerce, economics, and science and technology.” The spread of English has a business or monetary purpose because excellent books are available in English.

According to Sir Richard Francis, the Director General of the British Council, “Britain’s black gold is not North Sea oil, but the English Language.” Hence the propagation of English is an industry, not a happy accident. The spread of English is for the benefit of the British corporate interests. It is not an act of altruism- welfare of others. As Robert Phillipson says, “English for business is business for English.”

Hitchings feels that there are challenges to the position of English in the 21st century. The main challenges are from Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Both have more first- language users. But they are not used as lingua franca (link language) and limited to a specific geographical area. According the author, the main challenge to English may come from within. Due to the embrace of English by Indians and Chinese, the language is changing. Hitchings feels that English’s centre of gravity is moving.

In the 21st century, there are many centres. This leads to the creation of many “Englishes”. Increasingly,English is taking more local colour in different places where it is used. Hence the number of Englishes is increasing. The non-native speakers of English, especially creative artists and political figures, are now using the English language for anti-English ends by distancing themselves from Englishness or Britishness or American-ness.

Hence, the “English-ness” or “American-ness” of English is being diluted. As a result, the native speakers of English may find themselves at a disadvantage. The number of non-natives speakers increases, the competitive advantage the native speakers enjoy decreases.

What’s the Language of the Future Poem Summary in Telugu

హెద్రీ హిచింగ్స్ (జననం 1974) భాష మరియు సాంస్ృతిక చరిత్రలో ప్రత్యేకత కలిగిన రచయిత మరియు విమర్శకుడు. హెన్రీ హిచింగ్స్ 1974 లో జన్మించారు. అతను డా. జాన్సన్ డిక్షనరీ: ది ఎక్స్టటరర్డినరీ స్టోరీ ఆఫ్ ది బుక్ డిఫైన్డ్ ది వరల్డ్ (2005), ది సీక్రెట్ లైఫ్ ఆఫ్ వర్స్: హౌ ఇంగ్లీష్ బీమ్ ఇంగ్లీష్ (2008), జేన్ ఆస్టెన్కి ఎవరు భయపడ్డారు : మీరు చదవని పుస్తకాల గురించి నిజంగా ఎలా మాట్లాడాలి (2008), భాషా యుద్ధాలు: సరైన ఇంగ్లీష్ చరిత్ర (2011), క్షమించండి!

ఇంగ్లీష్ మరియు వారి మర్యాదలు (2013), మరియు ఇటీవల బ్రౌజ్: ది వరల్డ్ ఇన్ బుక్ షాప్స్ అనే వ్యాసాల సేకరణను సవరించారు. అతను అనేక వార్తాపత్రికలు మరియు మ్యాగజైన్లకు సహకరించాడు మరియు లండన్ ఈవెనింగ్ స్టాండర్డ్ కోసం థియేటర్ విమర్శకుడు. అతను 2015 లో రాయల్ సొసైటీ ఆఫ్ లిటరేచర్లో ఫెలో అయ్యాడు.

ప్రస్తుత వ్యాసం, “భవిష్యత్ భాష ఏమిది?” అనేది అతని పస్తకం ది లాంగ్వేజ్ వార్స్: ఎ హిస్టరీ ఆఫ్ ప్రాపర్ ఇంగ్లీష్ (2001). ఈ వ్యాసం గతంలో ఆంగ్ల వ్యాప్తికి దోహదపడిన అంశాలు, వర్తమానంలో ‘ఇంగ్లీష్ ఫీవర్’ కారణాలు మరియు సమీప భవిష్యత్తులో ఇంగ్లీష్ ఎదుర్కొనే సవాళ్లను వివరిస్తుంది. ప్రస్తుతం, ఇంగ్లీష్ లింగువా ఫ్రాంకా (లింక్ లాంగ్వేజ్) వ్యాపారం మరియు ప్రముఖ సంస్తృిిగా పనిచేస్తోంది. యుఎఇ వంటి దేశాలలో, ఇంగ్లీష్ “ఆధునికత, పని, ఉన్నత విద్య, వాణిజ్యం, ఆర్థిక శాస్తం మరియు సైన్స్ అండ్ టెక్నాలజీకి ప్రతీక.”

ఆంగ్ల వ్యాప్తికి వ్యాపారం లేదా ద్రవ్య ప్రయోజనం ఉంది ఎందుకంటే అద్భుతమైన పుస్తకాలు ఆంగ్లంలో అందుబాటులో ఉన్నాయి. బ్రిటిష్ కౌన్సిల్ డైరెక్టర్ జనరల్ సర్ రిచర్డ్ ఫాన్సిస్ ప్రకారం, “బ్రిటన్ యొక్క నల్ల బంగారం ఉత్తర సముద్రపు నూనె కాదు, ఆంగ్ల భాష.” అందువల్ల ఇంగ్లీష్ ప్రచారం ఒక పరిశ్రమ, సంతోషకరమైన ప్రమాదం కాదు. ఇంగ్లీష్ వ్యాప్తి బ్రిటీష్ కార్పొరేట్ ప్రయోజనాల ప్రయోజనం కోసం. ఇది పరోపకార చర్య కాదు- ఇతరుల సంక్షేమం. రాబర్ట్ ఫిలిప్సన్ చెప్పినట్లుగా, “వ్యాపారం కోసం ఇంగ్లీష్ అనేది ఆంగ్లానికి వ్యాపారం.”

21 వ శతాబ్దంలో ఇంగ్లీష్ స్థానానికి సవాళ్లు ఉన్నాయని హిచింగ్స్ భావిస్తున్నారు. ప్రధాన సవాళ్లు స్పానిష్ మరియు మాండరిన్ చైనీస్ నుండి. ఇద్దరికీ మొదటి భాష వాడుకదారులు ఎక్కువ. కానీ అవి భాషా ఫ్రాంకా (లింక్ లాంగ్వేజ్) గా ఉపయోగించబడవు మరియు నిర్దిష్ట భౌగోళిక ప్రాంతాలకు పరిమితం చేయబడ్డాయి. రచయిత ప్రకారం, ఆంగ్లానికి ప్రధాన సవాలు లోపల నుండి రావచ్చు.

భారతీయులు మరియు చైనీయులు ఇంగ్లీషును ఆలింగనం చేసుకోవడం వలన, భాష మారుతోంది. ఆంగ్ల గురుత్వాకర్షణ కేంద్రం కదులుతున్నట్లు హిచింగ్స్ భావిస్తున్నారు. 21 వ శతాబ్దంలో, అనేక కేంద్రాలు ఉన్నాయి. ఇది అనేక “ఇంగ్లీష్ల” సృష్టికి దారితీస్తుంది. పెరుగుతున్న కొద్దీ, ఆంగ్లం ఉపయోగించబడే వివిధ ప్రదేశాలలో మరింత స్థానిక రంగును పొందుతోంది.

అందువల్ల ఇంగ్లీషుల సంఖ్య పెరుగుతోంది. ఆంగ్లంలో స్థానికేతరులు, ప్ర్యేకించి సృజనాత్మక కళాకారులు మరియు రాజకీయ ప్రముఖులు, ఇంగ్లీషు లేదా బ్రిటీష్నెస్ లేదా అమెరికన్-నెస్ నుండి తమను దూరం చేయడం ద్వారా ఆంగ్ల వ్లతిరేక చివరల కోసం ఇప్పుడు ఆంగ్ల భాషను ఉపయోగిస్తున్నారు. అందువల్ల, ఇంగ్లీష్ యొక్క “ఇంగ్లీష్-నెస్” లేదా “అమెరికన్-నెస్” పలుచన చేయబడుతున్నాయి. ఫలితంగా, ఇంగ్లీషు మాతృభాష మాట్లాడేవారు తమను తాము నష్ట్రోవచ్చు. స్థానికేతరుల మాట్లాడేవారి సంఖ్య పెరుగుతుంది, స్థానిక మాట్లాడేవారు అనుభవించే పోటీ ప్రయోజనం తగ్గుతుంది.

Glossary:

What’s the Language of the Future Questions and Answers & Summary by Henry Hitchings

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

Ecology Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by A.K. Ramanujan

Ecology Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by A.K. Ramanujan

OU Degree 5th Sem English – Ecology Poem Questions and Answers & Summary

Comprehension-I. (Short Answer Question)

Question 1.
What season does the ‘action’ of the poem take place?
Answer:
From the first stanza, we can understand that the action of the poem takes place in the ‘rainy season’.

Question 2.
How often do the “Red Champak trees” burst into flowers?
Answer:
The “Red Champak trees” burst into flowers every year.

Question 3.
What caused a “blinding migraine” to the poet’s mother?
Answer:
The poet’s mother has a severe attack of migraine-a very bad kind of headache. Her migraine is caused by the fragrance of the pollen of the flower of the Red Champak trees every time they are in bloom. The fragrance is heavy and suffocating as the yellow pollen spreads everywhere.

Question 4.
The poet says that the “walls had ears and eyes”. What does this mean?
Answer:
The fragrance is heavy and suffocating as the yellow pollen spreads everywhere. Even the doors of the speaker’s house cannot prevent the strong smell from entering the house. The walls of the house are able to absorb almost everything-the sounds, sights, human voices, the harsh sounds produced when new shoes are worn. But they cannot stop the fog of pollen dust from the Champak trees. Therefore, the poet says that the “walls had ecus and eyes”.

Question 5.
How did the Champak tree take birth in the house? How old is it?
Answer:
According to the poem, the poet’s mother says that the Red Champak tree took their birth by the droppings of a passing bird by chance. It means that its seed was seeded by a passing bird’s providential droppings, i.e. a bird (which is a sign of good omen) dropped the seeds of those plants. She says that the tree is as old as she is.

Question 6.
How does the mother try to deal with her migraine?
Answer:
The poet’s mother tries to deal with her migraine with patience as the cold pack on her head and ‘flashing temper’ like her silver ornaments.

Question 7.
Why would the mother not let anyone cut the trees? What does this suggest?
Answer:
The mother would not let anyone cut the trees because she sees the positive side of the tree in her garden. She says that the tree is as old as her and had been fertilized by the droppings of a passing bird by chance which is considered to be a very good omen. Moreover, the tree provides basketful of flowers to be offered to her gods and to ‘her daughters and daughter’s daughters’ every year. This suggests that she has a kind of emotional attachment to the tree, saying that it is as old as her.

Question 8.
How widespread and powerful is the pollen?
Answer:
The yellow dust of pollen carried in the air is thick and heavy like fog. It covers the earth. No amount of wind can sweep the pollen fog away or ‘lift’ it from the house.

Question 9.
What does the tree give to the daughters and the cousins?
Answer:
According to the poem, the tree provides many basketful of flowers to be offered to her gods and to ‘her daughters and daughter’s daughters’ every year, although the tree would give a terrible migraine to one line of cousins as a legacy.

Question 10.
The entire poem, as you may have noticed, can be seen as a single sentence. Identify the connectors that hold the different parts of the sentence together.
Answer:
The entire poem, as you have noticed, can be seen as a single sentence. However, A.K. Ramanujan, the poet, skillfully maneuvers different connectors and punctuation marks to conclude the poem in one single line. The poem can be read either as a single sentence or in stanzas.

There is no rhyme scheme in the poem. The poet uses a number of literary devices in the poem like metaphor, personification, and simile to bring cohesion in the poem.

Comprehension II. (Essay Type Question)

Question 1.
Attempt a character sketch of the mother, as portrayed in the poem “Ecology”.
Answer:
Attipat Krishnaswami Ramanujan (AK Ramanujan) is an Indo-Anglican writer. His literary work represents the Indian culture and tradition. His poem ‘Ecology’ is a mix of the Indian tradition and modernity. The poem highlights the relationship between human beings and nature. It stresses the need for protecting our ecology and environment.

She has a kind of emotional attachment to the tree, saying that it is as old as she is. The speaker’s mother is the centre of the poem. Her attitude towards nature represents the traditional attitude of the Indians towards nature. She suffers from a severe migraine due to the pollen from the Champak trees in their backyard. Every year the tress blossoms at the beginning of the rainy season. The speaker wants to protect his mother from the Champak trees.

He is angry and wants to cut the trees. However the mother strongly opposes his move and is ready to suffer. She argues that the trees give her flowers for offering to God. She thinks about her daughters and granddaughters find happiness in the beautiful flowers.

She loves the Champak trees which are as old as she is. She feels as a part of her family. As she says that the trees are sown by a bird’s providential droppings. The speaker’s mother is sentimental towards the trees and finds happiness among trees in nature. She represents the Indians’ attitude towards Nature.

The Champak trees are a cause of happiness and joy for the mother. But they are the reason for the speaker’s rage, as their pollen causes severe migraine to his mother. The trees are red in colour. They blossom at the beginning of every rainy season.

Their yellow pollen causes severe migraine to the mother. The speaker loves his mother very much. He worries about his mother’s health. He becomes angry and wants to cut down the trees to protect his mother. The mother is sentimental towards the trees. The son has great affection for his mother. Their attitudes are contrary to each other. Here lies irony in the poem.

Question 2.
Describe the Champak trees and their effect on the people and the place.
Answer:
In AK Ramanujan’s poem ‘Ecology’, the “Red Champak trees” play an important role since they have strong effect on the people and the place. They represent the Mother Nature and have influenced the entire family and their relationship.

In the beginning of rainy season, the Red Champak trees burst into flowers. The speaker’s mother suffers from a severe migraine due to the yellow pollen from the Champak trees in their backyard. The speaker becomes furious at the trees and wants to protect his mother from the Champak trees. He is so angry that he wants to cut down the trees.

However, the mother strongly opposes his move and is ready to suffer. The Champak trees are a cause of happiness and joy for the mother. She argues that the trees give her flowers for offering to God. She thinks about her daughters and granddaughters find happiness in the beautiful flowers.

She loves the Champak trees which are as old as she is. She feels as a part of her family. As she says that the trees are sown by a bird’s providential droppings. The speaker’s mother is sentimental towards the trees and finds happiness among trees in nature. She represents the Indians’ attitude towards Nature.

The Champak trees are a cause of happiness and joy for the mother. However, they are the reason for the speaker’s rage, as their pollen causes severe migraine to his mother. The speaker loves his mother very much. He worries about his mother’s health. He becomes angry and wants to cut down the trees to protect his mother. The mother is sentimental towards the trees. The son has great affection for his mother. Their attitudes are contrary to each other. Here lies irony in the poem.

Question 3.
Compare and contrast the attitudes of the speaker and the mother towards the Champak trees.
Answer:
Attipat Krishnaswami Ramanujan (AK Ramanujan) is an Indo-Anglican writer. His literary work represents the Indian culture and tradition. His poem ‘Ecology’ is a mix of the Indian tradition and modernity. The poem highlights the relationship between human beings and nature. If stresses the need for protecting our ecology and environment. The poem depicts the contrastive attitudes of two kinds of people towards the Champak tree and Mother Nature.

The mother loves the trees, though they cause her pain and suffering. The mother feels that the trees are the members of the family. She loves the Champak trees which are as old cis she is. She feels as a part of her family. As she says that the trees are sown by a bird’s providential droppings and they are considered a sign of good omen. She argues that the trees give her flowers for offering to God.

She thinks about her daughters and granddaughters find happiness in the beautiful flowers. She has a kind of emotional attachment to the tree, saying that it is as old as she is. She is sentimental and represents the Indian tradition. In the contrast, the speaker of the poem (her son) becomes furious at the trees and wants to protect his mother from the Champak trees.

He is so angry that he wants to cut down the trees. He is indifferent to ecology and represents modernity. He wants to cut down the trees for their inconvenience to his mother. The poem sensitizes the readers towards the need to protect ecology by depicting the contrasting attitudes of the people from two different generations.

Question 4.
Explain how Ramanujan humanises the issue of ecology in the poem.
Answer:
Tennyson called his present poem “The Flower” as “My Little Fable”. The central idea of the poem is about the way people react to the new ideas and things. Here the poem explains how people react to the growth of a ‘flower’. The narrator sows a ‘seed’ and it sprouts a ‘flower’. But people call it a ‘weed.’ They criticise and curse the narrator as well as the flower with ‘muttering discontent’.

When the flower grows tall and attractive, the same people are also curious. And they start appropriating it as a ‘splendid flower’. As the time progresses, the new is adopted widely and assimilated into the old. Gradually, it loses it novelty aind becomes commonplace. Once again, people lose interest in it and abandon it as useless. Finally the same people call the flower ‘weed’.

The speaker of the poem says that the meaning of clear and uncomplicated. He says:
Read my little fable.
He that runs may read.

However, the poem is not clear in its meaning and complicated one. It throws up multiple interpretations. The flower in the poem is interpreted in different ways; as the Industrial Revolution, Christianity or Tennyson’s own poetry.

In Tennyson’s days, it was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However, Tennyson suggested that the poem be read as a “universal apologue and parable”. The narrator reflects while everyone may see things differently, they should avoid jumping to conclusions on their opinions of things.

Question 5.
Give an account of the house and its occupants as described in the poem.
Answer:
In his poem, ‘Ecology’, A.K. Ramanujan provides a detailed account of the house and its occupants. In turn he humanizes the issue of ecology in the poem. The poem speaks about a house and its occupants. There are three red Champak trees in the backyards of the house. The mother feels that the trees are the members of the family.

‘The black-pillared house whose walls had ears and eyes.’ It had holes and cracks. The walls of the house are able to absorb almost everything-the sounds, sights, the human voices, the harsh sounds produced when new shoes are worn. But they cannot stop the fog of pollen dust from the Champak trees.

The poem depicts the contrastive attitudes of two kinds of people-mother and her son. The mother loves the trees, though they cause her pain and suffering. She is sentimental and represents the Indian tradition. Her son is indifferent to ecology and represents modernity.

He wants to cut down the trees for their inconvenience to his mother. The poem sensitizes the readers towards the need to protect ecology. The speaker, his mother, the daughters and the grand daughters are the occupants of the house. All of them, except the speaker (the son), enjoy the flowers from the trees.

Question 6.
Discuss the tone and the use of irony in “Ecology”.
Answer:
Attipat Krishnaswami Ramanujan (AK Ramanujan) is an Indo-Anglican writer. His literary work represents the Indian culture and tradition. His poem ‘Ecology’ is a mix of the Indian tradition and modernity. The poem highlights the relationship between human beings and nature. In the poem “Ecology” Ramanujan employs an empathetic tone towards nature. Irony plays an important role in the poem. It depicts the traditional and sentimental attitude of an Indian mother towards ecology.

The speaker’s mother has a kind of emotional attachment to the tree, saying that it is as old as she is. She suffers from a severe migraine due to the pollen from the Champak trees in their backyard. Every year the tress blossoms at the beginning of the rainy season. The speaker wants to protect his mother from the Champak trees. He is angry and wants to if the trees. However the mother strongly opposes his move and is ready to suffer. She argues that the trees give her flowers for offering to God.

She thinks about her daughters and granddaughters find happiness in the beautiful flowers. She loves the Champak trees which are as old as she is. She feels as a part of her family. As she says that the trees are sown by a bird’s providential droppings. The speaker’s mother is sentimental towards the trees and finds happiness among trees in nature. She represents the Indians’ attitude towards Nature.

In the contrast, the speaker represents modernism. His rage towards the Champak trees comes from his affection for his mother. The Champak trees are a cause of happiness and joy for the mother. But they are the reason for the speaker’s rage, as their pollen causes severe migraine to his mother. The speaker loves his mother very much.

He worries about his mother’s health. He becomes angry and wants to cut down the trees to protect his mother. The mother is sentimental towards the trees. The son has great affection for his mother. Their attitudes are contrary to each other. Here lies irony in the poem.

Ecology Poem Summary in English

AK. Ramanujan (1929-93) Is the first contemporary Indian English poet to have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in cross-fertilizing English with native literary traditions. AK Ramanujan was a poet, translator, folklorist, and philologist. He was born in Mysore. India and earned degrees at the University of Mysore and Deccan College in Pune and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. Ramanujan wrote in both English and Kannada, and his poetry is known for its thematic and formal engagement with modernist transnationalism.

As a scholar Ramanujan contributed to a range of disciplines, including linguistics and cultural studies. Issues such as hybridity and transculturation figure prominently in such collections as The Striders (1966), Selected Poems (1976), and Second Sight (1986). The Collected Poems of A.K Ramanujan (1995) received a SahltyaAkademi Award after the author’s death.

For much of his career, Ramanujan taught at the University of Chicago, where he helped develop the South Asian studies program. In 1976, the Indian government honored him with the title Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in the country. Ramanujan’s other honors induded a MacArthur Fellowship. The South Asia Council of the Association for Asian Studies awards the A.K Ramanujan Book Prize for Translation in honor of his contributions to the field.

The present poem, ‘Ecology’ is taken from Rarnanujan’s third volume of poems, ‘Second Sight (1986). The speaker in the poem, a devoted son to his mother, is very angry because his mother has a severe attack of migraine; a very bad kind of headache, which is caused by the fragrance of the pollen of the flower of the Red Champak trees every time they are in bloom. The fragrance is heavy and suffocating as the yellow pollen spreads everywhere.

Even the doors of the speaker’s house cannot prevent the strong smell from entering the house. The walls of the house are able to absorb almost everything-the sounds, sights, the human voices, the harsh sounds produced when new shoes are worn. However, they cannot stop the fog of pollen dust from the Champak trees to enter the house.

Therefore, the speaker decides to cut down the trees. However, he is prevented from doing so by his mother who sees the positive side of the tree in her garden. She says that the tree is as old as her and had been seeded by the droppings of a passing bird by chance which is considered to be a very good omen.

She also says that the trees provide basketful of flowers to be offered to her gods and to ‘her daughters and daughter’s daughters every year, although the tree would give a terrible migraine to one line of cousins as a legacy. The yellow dust of pollen is carried in the air which is thick and heavy like covering the earth.

This poem portrays AK Ramanujan’s strong Interest in the family as a very important theme of his poetic craft. His memories of the past would inevitably bring pictures of his family, especially his mother who is self-sacrificing. The sense of irony is indicated when the mother very angrily protests the idea of cuffing down the tree even though she Is suffering badly from the migraine caused by it. She has a kind of emotional attachment to the tree, saying that it is as old as her.

Ecology is a poem which could be read as one single sentence. However, each stanza has one particular idea. There is a casual connection between the ideas and they flow from one stanza to the next, ‘Flash her temper’; an instance of the use of Irony because she is very angry at the idea of having the tree cut down.

Ecology Poem Summary in Telugu

ఎ.క. రామానుజన్ (1929-93) స్థానిక సాహిత్య సంప్రదాయాలతో ఆంగ్లంలో క్రాస్ ఫలదీకరణం చేయడంలో విశేషమైన పరోగతిని సాధించిన మొదటి సమకాలీన భారతీయ ఆంగ్ల కవి. ఎకె రామానుజన్ కవి, అనువాదకుడు, జానపద రచయిత మరియు భాషా శాస్త్రవేత్త. అతను భారతదేశంలోని మైసూర్లో జన్మించాడు మరియు మైసూర్ విశ్వవిద్యాలయం మరియు పూణేలోని దక్కన్ కళాశాలలో డిగ్రీలు మరియు Ph.D. ఇండియానా విశ్వవిద్యాలయం నుండి.

రామానుజన్ ఇంగ్లీష్ మరియు కన్నడ రెండిందిలోనూ ప్రాసారు, మరియు అతని కవిత్వం ఆధునికవాద దేశీయతతో నేపథ్య మరియు అధికారిక నిశ్చితార్థానికి ప్రసిద్ధి చెందింది. పండితుడిగా, రామానుజన్ భాషాశాస్తం మరియు సాంస్కృతిక అధ్యయనాలతో సహా అనేక విభాగాలకు సహకరించారు. సంకలనం మరియు సంస్తతీకరణ వంది సమస్యలు ది స్రైర్స్ (1966), ఎంపిక చేసిన కవితలు (1976) మరియు సెకండ్ సైట్ (1986) వంది సేకరణలలో ప్రముఖంగా ఉన్నాయి.

కవితలు రచయిత మరణం తరువాత రామానుజన్ (1995) సాహిత్య అకాడెమీ అవార్డును అందుకున్నారు. అతని కరరీర్లో ఎక్కువ భాగం, రామానుజన్ చికాగో విశ్వవిద్యాలయంలో దోధించారు, అక్కడ అతను దక్షిణాసియా అధ్యయన కార్యకక్రమాన్ని అభివృధ్ధి చేయడంలో సహాయపడ్డాడు.

1976 లో, భారత ప్రభుత్వం దేశంలో నాలుగో అత్యున్నత పౌర పురస్కారమైన పద్మశరీ బిరుదుతో సత్కరించింది. రామానుజన్ యొక్క ఇతర గౌరవాలలో మాక్ ఆర్థర్ ఫెలోషిప్ కూడా ఉంది. దక్షిణాసియా కౌన్సిల్ ఆఫ్ ది అసోసియేషన్ ఫర్ ఏషియన్ స్ట్రీస్ అవార్డులు. ఈ రంగంలో ఆయన చేసిన కృషికి గౌరవార్ధం అనువాదానికి ఎ.కె.రామానుజన్ పుస్తక బహుమతి.

ప్రస్తుత కవిత, ‘ఏకాలజీ’ రామానుజన్ మూడవ కవితా సంపుది, ‘సెకండ్ సైట్ (1986) నుండి తీసుకోబడింది. తన తల్లికి అంకితభావంతో ఉన్న కుమారుడు థోపాయిమ్లోని స్పీకర్ చాలా కోపంగా ఉన్నాడు ఎందుకంటే అతని తల్లికి మైగ్రేన్ छీవ్రమైన దాడి ఉంద్ష్మి ఎర్రటి చంపక్ చెట్ల పువ్వు యొక్క పుప్పొడి వాసన వలన అవి వికసించిన ప్రతిసారీ చాలా తీ|వ్రమైన తలనొప్పి.

పసుపు పుప్పొడి ప్రతిచోటా వ్యాపించడంతో సువాసన భరీీగా మరియు ఉక్కిరిబిక్కిరి చేస్తుంది. స్పీకర్ ఇంటి తలుపలు కూడా తీవ్రమైన వాసన ఇంట్లోకి రాకుండా నిరోధించలేవు. ఇంటి గోడలు దాదాపు అన్నింటినీ గ్రహించగలవు-శట్దాలు, దృశ్యాలు, మానవ గాత్రాలు, కొత్త బూట్లు ధరించినప్పుడు ఉత్పన్నమయ్యే కఠినమైన శబ్దాలు. అయినప్పదికీ, చంపక్ చెట్ల నుండి పుప్పొడి ధూళి పొగమంచును వారు ఇంట్లోకి ప్రవేశించకుండా ఆపలేరు.

అందువల్ల, స్పీకర్ చెట్లను నరికివేయాలని నిర్ణయించుకున్నాడు. ఏదేమైనా, అతని తోటలో చెట్టు యొక్క సానుకూల వైపు చూసిన అతని తల్లి అతనిని అలా చేయకుండా నిరోధిస్తుంది. ఆ చెట్టు తనలాగే పాతదని, అదృష్టవశాత్తూ ప్రయాణిస్తున్న పక్షి రెట్టల ద్వారా విత్తనాలు వేయబడిందని ఆమె చెప్పింది, ఇది చాలా మంచి శకునంగా పరిగణించబడుతుంది.

చెట్లు తన దేవతలకు మరియు ప్రతి సంవత్సరం ‘తన కుమార్తెలు మరియు కుమార్తెల కుమార్తెలకు’ అందించే బుట్టల పువ్వులను అందిస్తాయని కూడా ఆమె చెప్పింది, అయితే ఒక చెట్టు వారసత్వంగా ఒక వరుస బంధువులకు భయంకరమైన మైగ్రేన్ ఇస్తుంది. పుప్పొడి యొక్క పసుపు ధూళి గాలిలో మోయబడుతుంది, ఇది భూమిని కప్పేలా మందంగా మరియు భారీగా ఉంటుంది.

ఈ కవిత కుటుంబంలో ఎకె రామానుజన్ యొక్క బలమైన ఆసక్తిని తన కవితా నైపుణ్యానికి చాలా ముఖ్యమైన అంశంగా వర్ణిస్తుంది. అతని గత జ్ఞాపకాలు తప్పనిసరిగా అతని కుటుంబం, ముఖ్యంగా ఆత్మత్యాగం చేసే తల్లి చిత్రాలను తెస్తాయి. వృక్షాన్ని నరికివేయాలనే ఆలోచనను తల్లి చాలా కోపంతో నిరసించినప్పుడు, దాని వలన మైగ్రేన్ కారణంగా ఆమె తీీర్రంగా బాధపడుతున్నప్పదికీ వ్యంగ్య భావం సూచించబడింది.

ఆమె చెట్టుతో ఒక రకమైన భావోద్వేగ అనుబంధాన్ని కలిగి ఉంది, అది ఆమెతో సమానమైనదని చెప్పింది. ఎకాలజీ అనేది ఒక వాక్యం వలె చదవగలిగే పద్యం. అయితే, ప్రతి చరణానికి ఒక నిర్దిష్ట ఆలోచన ఉంటుంది. ఆలోచనల మధ్య సాధారణం కనెక్షన్ ఉంది మరియు అవి ఒక చరణం నుండి మరొక చరణానికి ప్రవహిస్తాయి. ‘ఆమె కోపాన్ని ఫ్లాష్ చేయండి వృక్షాన్ని నరికివేయాలనే ఆలోచనతో ఆమె చాలా కోపంగా ఉన్నందున వ్యంగ్యం యొక్క ఉదాహరణ.

Ecology – A.K. Ramanujan

The day after the first rain,
for years, I would come home
in a rage,

for I could see from a mile away
our three Red Champak trees
had done it again,

had burst into flowers and given Mother
her first blinding migraine
of the season

with their street-long heavy-hung
yellow pollen fog of a fragrance
no wind could sift,

no door could shut out from our black-
pillared house whose walls had ears
and eyes

scales, smells, bone-creaks, nightly
visiting voices, and were porous
like us,

yellow pollen fog of a fragrance
no wind could sift,
no door could shut out from our black
pillared house whose walls had ears
and eyes,

scales, smells, bone-creaks, nightly
visiting voices, and were porous
like us,

but Mother, flashing her temper
like her mother’s twisted silver,
grand children’s knickers

wet as the cold pack on her head,
would not let us cut down
a flowing tree

almost as old as she, seeded,
she said, by a passing bird’s
providential droppings

to give her gods and her daughters
and daughters’ daughters basketfuls
of annual flower

and for one line of cousins
a dower of migraines in season.

Glossary:

Ecology Poem Questions and Answers & Summary by A.K. Ramanujan 1

OU Degree 5th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 6 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 6 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 6 Vocabulary, Grammar

OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 6 Vocabulary, Grammar 1OU Degree 4th Sem English Unit 6 Vocabulary, Grammar 2

Exercise 1:

Fill in the blanks with the correct option.

1. To make an “informed” choice, is to make a ________ choice. (wise/neutral)
2: The company wants to assess the ________ of age, income, etc. of their customer base. (democracy/demographics)
3. The company’s is to provide high quality educational services. (machine/mission)
4. A ‘white paper’ is an ________ document. (authoritative/authentic)
5. ________ is the supply of goods a company has for sale. (Inversion? Inventory)
6. When something is “on someone’s radar”, it means that the person is ________ (a pilot? aware of something)
7. To ‘hammer out’ a deal is to ________ a deal. (reach/come across)
8. To accept the first offer is to accept the ________ (initiai bid/first bidding)
9. If the talks are at a ‘stand still’, it means that there is ________. (no danger/no progress)
10. If you take ‘ownership’ of a task, it means you are________. (responsible for it/at risk)
11. In corporate jargon ________, means “things that have to be done”. (action items/act items)
12. If you pay ________, it means you pay in advance. (at the front/upfront)
13. If everyone is ________ , it means that they all agree to a proposal. (on the board/on board)
14. To “get the ball ________ is to start something. (going/rolling)
15. A ________ is one who supplies the goods. (vendor/vandal)
Answers:
1. To make an “informed” choice, is to make a wise choice.
2. The company wants to assess the demographics of age, income, etc. of their customer base.
3. The company’s mission is to provide high quality educational services.
4. A ‘white paper’ is an authoritative document.
5. Inventory is the supply of goods a company has for sale.
6. When something is “on someone’s radar”, it means that the person is aware of something.
7. To ‘hammer out’ a deal is to reach a deal.
8. To accept the first offer is to accept the initial bid.
9. If the talks are at a ‘stand still’, it means that there is no progress.
10. If you take ‘ownership’ of a task, it means you are responsible for It.
11. In corporate jargon, action items means “things that have to be done”.
12. If you pay upfront it means you pay in advance.
13. If everyone is on board it means that they all agree to a proposal.
14. To “get the ball rolling is to start something.
15. A vendor is one who supplies the goods.

Exercise II:

Match the words in the box with their meanings below.

a. Flier
b. Sitcom
c. Advert
d. Editorial
e. TaLk-show
f. Column
g. Paparazzi
h. Soap opera
i. Phone-in
j. Network
k. Propaganda
I. Talking heads
m. Trial balloons
n. Yellow journalism
o. Investigative journalism

1. A group of associated television or radio channels —————-
2. A photographer who follows celebrities in order to photograph them and sell the pictures to newspapers or magazines —————-
3. The term used to describe sensational news reporting —————-
4. A radio or television programme where listeners or viewers telephone the studio and participate in the programme —————-
5. A recurring piece or article in a newspaper or magazine —————-
6. The use of detective-like reporting methods to unearth scandals —————-
7. A serial television or radio drama dealing with daily events in the lives of the same group of characters —————-
8. A shot of a person’s face talking directly to the camera —————-
9. A television or radio programme in which stars and celebrities are invited to talk informally about various topics —————
10. An article presenting the opinion of the editors or publishers —————
11. Comedy programme based on everyday experiences —————
12. Commercial promotion of a product or service —————
13. Information leaked to determine what the political reaction will be —————
14. Small printed notice or advertisement —————
15. The dissemination of information aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviours of large numbers of people —————
Answer:
1. A group of associated television or radio channels. (Network)
2. A photographer who follows celebrities in order to photograph them and sell the pictures to newspapers or magazines. (Paparazzi)
3. The term used to describe sensational news reporting. (Yellow journalism)
4. A radio or television programme where listeners or viewers telephone the studio and participate in the programme. (Phone-In)
5. A recurring piece or article in a newspaper or magazine. (Column)
6. The use of detective-like reporting methods to unearth scandals. (Investigative journalism)
7. A serial television or radio drama dealing with daily events in the lives of the same group of characters. (Soap opera)
8. A shot of a person’s face talking directly to the camera. (Talking heads)
9. A television or radio programme in which stars and celebrities are invited to talk informally about various topics. (Talk-show)
10. An article presenting the opinion of the editors or publishers. (Editorial)
11. Comedy programme based on everyday experiences. (Sitcom)
12. Commercial promotion of a product or service. (Advert)
13. Information leaked to determine what the political reaction will be. (Thai Balloons)
14. Small printed notice or advertisement, (Flier)
15. The dissemination of information aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviours of large numbers of people. (Propaganda)

Grammer – Reported Speech (Including Reporting Verbs)

Exercise 1:

Fill in the blanks with say, said, tell or told.

1. She _____ them she wanted to resign.
2. The principal _____ us to participate in inter-collegiate sport competitions.
3. You don’t need to ____ us that.
4. He didn’t _____ a word.
5. I remember every word you _____ yesterday.
6. Why didn’t you _____ her that in the morning?
7. My friend ____ that he had completed his project report.
8. She called me last night and _____. “Dont worry. I will manage on my own”.
9. The girl _____ that she could speak Japanese fluently.
10. She ____ she had already seen the film.
Answers:
1. She told them she wanted to resign.
2. The principal told to us to participate in inter-collegiate sport competitions.
3. You don’t need to Tell us that.
4. He didn’t say a word.
5. I remember every word you _____ yesterday. (Said)
6. Why didn’t you her that in the morning? (Tell)
7. My friend ____ that he had completed his project report. (Said)
8. She called me last night and _____ “Don’t worry. I will manage on my own”. (Said)
9. The girl _____ that she could speak Japanese fluently. (Said)
10. She ____ she had already seen the film. (Said)

Exercise II.

Correct the following sentences:

1. The traffic police said me I couldn’t park my two-wheeler there.
2. He to he was AishwaryaRai’s husband.
3. He says he was sure that justice will be done,
4. The doctor advised me take bed rest and eat nutritious food.
5. They wanted to know what was my name?
6. He told me to come back tomorrow.
7. She said she was asked to come here.
8. 1 wondered whether he can help me.
9. My cousin said him that he should go out.
10. He said he had bought the bicycle 10 years ago.
Answers:
1. The traffic police told me I couldn’t park my two-wheeler there.
2. He said he was Aishwarya Rai’s husband.
3. He said he was sure that justice will be done.
4. The doctor advised me to take bed rest and eat nutritious food.
5. They wanted to know what my name was.
6. He told me to come back the next day.
7. She said she was asked to come there.
8. I wondered whether he could help me
9. My cousin told him that he should go out.
10. He said he had bought the bicycle 10 years before.

Exercise III:

Change the following sentences from direct to reported speech.

Pay attention to pronouns, tenses and time/place markers. Use suitable reporting verbs.
1. They said, “Dogs were fun to play with.”
2. She said, “Do you live near the school?”
3. The guest said, “I don’t like sugar in my coffee.”
4. Elisa said to me, “How old are you?”
5. She said to him, “When will you be back in your office?”
6. The boss said to the secretary, “Don’t forget to order AS-size paper.”
7. My friend said to me, “I am meeting my project head tomorrow.”
8. They said, “We were planning to visit you next week.”
9. He said, “Please help me lift these bags.”
10. The watchman said to us, “Don’t play cricket in the garden.”
Answers
1. They said that dogs are fun to play with.
2. She asked me if I lived near the school.
3. The guest said she didn’t like sugar in her coffee,
4. Elisa asked me how old I was.
5. She asked him when he would be back in his office.
6. The boss reminded the secretary not to forget to order AS-size paper.
7. My friend informed me she was meeting her project head the next day.
8. They told us that they were planning to visit us the week after.
9. He requested me to help him lift those bags.
10. The watchman warned us not to play cricket in the garden.

Exercise IV:

Now report the Interview In Indirect speech. Pay attention to tense, pronoun, and time/place markers. Use different reporting verbs wherever possible.

1. The interviewer congratulated the winner and asked him how he felt. The interviewer also asked him how long had been singing.
2. The winner thanked the interviewer and replied that _________
3. Next, the interviewer asked him _________
4. The winner _________
5. Next, the interviewer_________
6. The winner _________
7. The interviewer _________
8. The winner _________
9. The interviewer _________
10. The winner _________
11. Finally, the interviewer _________
12. And the winner advised _________
Answers:
1. The interviewer congratulated the winner and asked him how he felt. The interviewer also asked him how long he had been singing.
2. The winner thanked the interviewer and replied that he felt elated. He added that he had started singing when he was five.
3. Next, the interviewer asked him what the secret behind his success was.
4. The winner emphasised that it was hard work. He was there that day because of his hard work and perseverance.
5. Next, the interviewer enquired how it was recelvin the trophy from India’s most popular cricketer.
6. The winner answered it had been a dream-come-true to receive the trophy from his cricket idol.
7. The interviewer asked how it had felt to perform In front of other celebrities.
8. The winner replied that It was amazing. He added that all of them had complimented him on his singing.
9. The interviewer then asked what his future plans were.
10. The winner said that It was just the beginning and added that he wished to achieve a lot more.
11. Finally, the interviewer asked if he had any message for young people.
12. And the winner advised the young to work hard, to stay focused and to aim to excel in the field you choose and was confident that success was bound to chase them.

Exercise V.

Ask questions and write a report as directed.

Think of 10 questions to ask a friend, classmate, cousin, roommate, teacher, leader, etc. Ask questions and get answers from them. Then, write a report of the interview using reported speech. Use a separate sentence to report each question and answer. Bear in mind the use of pronouns, tenses, place and time markers and suitable reporting verbs while changing the sentences to reported speech.

Example:

Questions Answers
What are you studying?
What is your “favourite colour?
I am studying Fine Arts. I like black.

Written report using reported speech:
Shalu asked his friend Sam what he was studying. Sam replied that he was studying Fine Arts. Then Shalu asked him what his favourite colour was. Sam said he liked black.
Answer:

Questions Answers
1. What are you doing? 1. l am going to music classes.
2. What type of music classes are you going to? 2. I am going for Hindustani classical.
3. How long will it take to complete your course? 3. It will take two more years,
4. What are your plans after the course? 4. I want to become a good singer, preferably a back-ground singer of films.
5. Why do you want to become a singer in films? 5. I want to earn a lot of money,
6. Do you have any interest in acting? 6. No, I don’t have any interest in acting.
7. Are you interested in directing 7. No, I am not interested in directing films.
8. Do you like to sing for Telugu films? 8. No, I prefer to sing for Hindi films.
9. Why do you like to sing for Hindi films? I will get a 9. I like to sing for Hindi films because bettter remuneration.
10. So, are you interested in money? 10. Yes, I am interested only in money because money makes everything.

Written Report Using Reported Speech

Rahul asked his friend Rakesh what, he was doing now-a-days. Rakesh replied that he was going for Hindustani classical music classes. Rahul then asked Rakesh when he would complete his course. Rakesh told that his course of music would take two more years to complete. Rahul, then enquired Rakesh what was his plans after the course. Rakesh replied that he wanted to be a good singer of films, preferably a background singer of films. Rahul again questioned Rakesh why he wanted to be a singer in films.

Rakesh replied that he wanted to earn a lot of money. Rahul again asked whether he had any interest in acting. Rakesh answered negatively and said he was not interested in acting. Rahul also asked him whether he was interested in directing films to which Rakesh replied that he was not interested in directing films. Rahul then asked Rakesh whether he was singing for Telugu films.

Again, Rakesh replied negatively and said that he was interested in singing for Hindi film’s. Rahul asked Rakesh why he was interested in singing for Hindi films. Rakesh told Rahul that he was interested to sing for Hindi films because he would get a better remuneration. Rahul then asked Rakesh whether he was interested only in money. Rakesh said that he was interested in money only. According to Rakesh, money makes everything.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing

Business Reports

Exercise I.

Question 1.
Describe the structure of a formal business report.
Answer:
A business report is a formal statement of facts written for a specific audience to meet specific needs. It is an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after a thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.

Basic principles of a good Report

  • A formal statement of facts
  • Should be conventional in nature
  • Should meet the needs of a specific audience
  • Should include analysis and interpretation of data and the procedure for the collection of data
  • Should contain conclusions reached by the writer based on the data or facts observed
  • May include suggestions and recommendations, when required.

Need of writing Reports

  • Reports play a key role in an organization.
  • An engineer, a business executive or a government official spends a large amount of time in writing reports.
  • Governments and business organizations take decisions based on the information presented or recommendations made in reports.

Reports Types
Written Reports (Formal)

Feasibility Reports, Progress / Performance Reports, Evaluation/Appraisal Reports, Inventory Reports, Inspection Reports, Lab Reports, Media Reports, Survey Report, FI.R. Reports, Project Reports, etc.
Oral Reports (Informal)

Structure of a formal business report
A formal report generally has three Sections

Section I: Front Part:

1. Title Page

  • Contains the title of the report,
  • The report number
  • The organization’s name
  • The name of addressee
  • The name of the report writer
  • The date of submission

2. Preface (optional): the salient features of the report
3. Terms of Reference (ToR): For example,

  • The committee was constituted by the so and so authority to look into the…
  • The committee was entrusted with task of finding…. and report on

4. Letter of Transmittal: a brief Cover Letter-the purpose/objectives or highlights.
5. Acknowledgments
6. Table of Contents/ Content List: lists of headings and subheadings with page numbers.
7. List of Illustrations: tables, graphs, charts or figures with page numbers.
8. Abstract or Executive Summary: objectives, main findings, conclusions and recommendations overall summary-essential information.

Section II: Main Body

1. Introduction: providing background information-why, what, how, for whom you are writing.

2. Methodology / Procedure: the methods of data collection/ methods of investigation.

  • Primary source & Secondary Source
  • Records of the organization, reference to books, directories, standard publications
  • Field Visits, personal inspections, observation
  • Experimentation
  • Case studies
  • Personally Interviewing, getting questionnaires filled in, informal talks with randomly selected persons concerned.

3. Discussion/ Body of the Report: the main part of the report- follow the structure of the Table of Content/Contents List

  • Discusses the problem at length
  • Precise information, what you have discovered
  • Presents analysis and interpretation of the data/facts observed
  • Mainly factual NOT based on your opinions
  • Tables, charts, bullated lists used to make it clearer

4. Conclusions: Here you can give your opinions on facts/information

5. Recommendations:

  • Suggestions, remedies or ways to solve the problem/ improve the situation
  • Should be based on the conclusions.

Section III: Back Part

1. References: list of sources referred to or used
2. Appendices: questionnaires, enclosures, graphs, etc.

  • for detailed information
  • With cross reference to them in the body of the report

3. Questionnaire:
4. Bibliography: List of publications/books you have referred to

Language Bank of a Report
i. Should be formal language NOT informal
ii. Stating Objectives:

  • The purpose! aim/’objective of this report is to …
  • This report aims to
  • This report presents! gives information on…

iii. Passive Voice: For instance,

  • Consumer’s choices were observed during the period of investigation.
  • Three meetings were held with members of the organization.
  • A structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents!consumers.
  • The responses thus obtained are given in the form of …pie diagrams/graphs/ tree diagrams
  • On the basis of the observations of this survey, it is concluded that….
  • The survey was conducted on
  • From the tree diagram, it is established that…

iv. Headings and Subheadings should be short: – grammatically – noun phrase consisting of less than three or four words E.g.: Increase in Market Cost, Non-availability of Raw Material

v. Use of Comparison of Adjectives: For instance,

  • The age group of 15-35 years is more inclined to spend their time with smartphones 15-35 the age group of 45-65 years.
  • The present rate of inflation growth is higher than that of the corresponding period last year.

vi. Recommendations may be numbered and must be in the same grammatical form.

  • E.g. The committee makes the following recommendations:
  • The survey team recommends the following steps:
  • The following steps/measures are recommended:

vii. Outlining Research:

  • E.g. We asked the. ..to
  • We have conducted the research by asking a group of…
  • We examined/ looked are researched… the problems/the issues
  • We compared A and B
  • The sample group was made up of…

viii. Presenting the Findings: We found that, on the whole,….

  • E.g. According to the majority of respondents
  • Overall, people preferred…
  • 65% of those surveyed said that…

ix. Giving Conclusions:

  • E.g. In conclusion….
  • The research shows/demonstrates that…
  • From the evidence/ research we conclude that…

Question 2.
Describe the process of writing a feasibility report.
Answer:
Sample Feasibility Report

Title Page

Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on Entering into Shampoo Production
Prepared for The Managing Director
Prepared by The Marketing Executive
Date:

Acknowledgments

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, I Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.
  • I fail in my duty, if I do not express my gratitude to the …

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Discussion/Description
  • Conclusion
  • Recommendations

List of Illustrations

Figure: Bar graph on the number of shampoos sold in four cities
Table: No. of respondents in five capital cities.

Feasibility Report: a Model

i. Introduction : In today’s busy life style, shampoos have become an essential commodity for many people in India. The earlier practice of applying soaked soap nuts or shikakayi during hair wash was a time-consuming process. Hence, the present generation has got used to shampoos. In addition, shampoos are available in different combinations and consumers have a choice to select a shampoo based on their hair condition.

ii. Discussion! Description : A survey was conducted on shampoo consumers in five states capitals. The different bands of shampoos available in these cities are Himalaya, Gamier, Sunsilk, Head and Shoulders, Nile, etc. The number of respondents from the five capital cities is as follows:

S.No. Place No. of Respondents
1 Hyderabad 200
2 Chennai 200
3 Bengaluru 100
4 New Delhi 300
5 Kolkata 200
Total 1000

Methodology (Mode of collecting data)

A structured questionnaire was administered to the consumers randomly, and they were asked to answer the questions given in the questionnaire. The responses thus obtained are given in the form of pie diagrams:
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 1
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 2
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 3
From the pie chart, it is established that the consumption of shampoos that promise healthy growth of hair is higher. This chart shows the Nile shampoo occupies the first place, as it is helpful in making hair smooth and also controls the hair fall and dandruff to some extent. The cost of this shampoo is affordable, and it is available in various sizes.

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though many shampoos are available in the market, there is still space for a new product and that this is the right time to get into shampoo production. As today’s generation is more conscious of hair fall, they are always ready to try new products. Though Nile Shampoo was rated number one in the survey, people were not satisfied in terms of its treatment of dandruff.

iv. Recommendations
Therefore, we should try to bring out a new product that prevents hair fall and fights dandruff, as this was found to be one of the main gaps in the existing market. As our company has already established itself in the production of hair oil, marking, sales and service, the budget required will not be a problem for us.

Appendix

Questionnaire:

1. Name of the city you are living in?
2. What shampoo are you using?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the price of the shampoo you are using?
5. Is the price right for the product?
6. Are you satisfied with your shampoo?
7. Is there any additional quality you would want to see in your shampoo?
8. Would you try a new shampoo?
9. If yes, what kind of shampoo are you looking for and at what price?

Sample Covering Letter

The Marketing Executive Corporate Office,
Sales Department, Abids
Hyderabad-05

The Managing Director
Parachute Inc.
Mumbai – 01

Lr. No. _____________ date _____________
Sir/Madam, (Salutation)
Sub:
With reference to the subject cited, the feasibility report of is herewith being submitted to your kind consideration
With regards
Yours sincerely (Subscription)

Question 3.
Describe the structure of a progress report.
Answer:
Progress report is one which provides the details about the progress in the ongoing enterprise/product/activity/ any other work of business in nature. For example, the progress report is to be taken up, if an existing company is confident of competing with the other manufactures of the same product and of making a decent profit. Usually, the team observing the progress of a product prepares weekly, fortnightly or monthly reports for the management to take informed decisions.

Structure of a Progress Report
A typical progress report may have the following blueprint:

1. Introduction
The progress report usually begins with the Introduction including the aims of the projects, its venturing into the new field, capturing the market, earning profit, etc.

2. Body of the Report
What is happening to the sale of the product should be precisely described by including facts as these:

  • When was the product introduced?
  • When was it introduced?
  • How is it doing? (Poor/Average/Good)
  • Does the sales graph have ups and downs?

3. Conclusion
The progress report ends with indicating the future of the product in the market.

Blueprint of a Progress Report
Title Page

Report No. XYZ
A Progress Report on Construction of ABC Housing Project Prepared for
The Managing Director Prepared by
The Marketing Executive
Date: 05.10.2020

Acknowledgments

I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report. I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience. Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report. I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Discussion/Description
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations

List of Illustrations

Figure: Bar Graph on the number of floors in each Block in the Housing Project.

Therefore it can be said that a progress report helps the management take stock of a given situation. It is on the basis of the progress report, informed choices are made and decisions are taken with regards to the production.

Question 4.
Describe the structure of an evaluation report.
Answer:
In business communication, an evaluation report plays an important role in decision making. It is a written document that describes how the product has been monitored and evaluated. It presents the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from a particular evaluation, including recommendations for how evaluation results can be used to guide the product improvement and decision making.

For example, imagine after introducing a particular product into the market and checking its progress through several progress reports, the company now wants to evaluate its product. The company assigns this task to one of its senior employees. A typical evaluation report has the structure presented below:

1. Introduction
Evaluation report begins with Introduction. In order to write the Introduction for an evaluation report, one should read the feasibility as well progress reports and summaries both the reports.

2. Discussion/Description
In order to write the description part of the evaluation report, the team should decide the criteria (parameters or expectations) and check whether their expectations are in line with the set criteria or not.

3. Conclusion
The conclusion of the evaluation report is important as it decides the fate of a product. Based on the reporter’s conclusion, the organization decides whether to continue or discontinue the product.

Blueprint of an Evaluation Report

Title Page

Report No. XYZ
An Evaluation Report on Construction of ABC Housing Project Prepared for The Managing Director, ABC Housing Project Prepared by The Marketing Executive, ABC Housing Project Date: 05.10.2020

Acknowledgements

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content

  • Introduction
  • Discussion/Description
  • Conclusions

List of Illustrations
Figure: A rectilinear graph of the sales of the Housing Project

Exercise II.

Question 1.
Write a feasibility Report on the establishment of a small scale industry in your locality.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on Establishing Soup Production Industry near ABC Village Prepared for The Managing Director Prepared by The Marketing Executive
Date: 05.10.2020

Acknowledgements

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
Small-scale industries are very important segment in the industrial sector which can provide huge employment opportunities in our county, especially in the rural areas which semi-skilled and unskilled workers are available. In today’s busy life style, body soups have become an essential commodity for majority people in India.

The earlier practice of applying mud during hair wash was a time-consuming process. Hence, the present generation has got used to soaps of chemical and other aromatic fragrance. In addition, soups are available in different combinations and consumers have a choice to select a soup to suit their body skin condition.

ii. Discussion/ Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report to establish a small scale industry of soup making, a survey was conducted on soup consumers in five cities in the Telangana state. The different bands of soups available in these cities are Lux, Cinthol, Santoor, Lifebuoy, Pears, etc. The number of respondents from the five cities is as follows:

S.No. Place No. of Respondents
1 Hyderabad 200
2 Warangal 200
3 Karimnagar 200
4 Khammam 200
5 Mancherial 200
Total 1000

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A structured questionnaire was prepared and administered to the soup consumers randomly, and they were asked to answer the questions given in the questionnaire. The responses thus obtained are given in the form of pie diagrams: Lux, Cinthol, Santoor, Lifebuoy, Pears.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 6
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 5

From the analysis of the data collected from the sample consumers presented in the pie charts, it is established that the consumption of soups that promise healthy and glowing skin is higher. This charts show the Santoor soup occupies the first place, as it is helpful in making skin smooth and also improves its health to some extent, The cost of this soup is affordable, and it is available in various sizes.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though many soups are available in the market, there is still space for a new product and that this is the right time to get into soup production. As today’s generation is more conscious of fair skin complexion, they are always ready to try new products. Though Santoor soup was rated number one in the survey, people were not satisfied in terms of its effectiveness in durability of skin protection.

v. Recommendations
Therefore, we should try to bring out a new product that provides an extended period of skin care, as this was found to be one of the main gaps in the existing market. Since in our locality is surrounded by a large swathes of forest area, the ingredients such as herbs and aromatic plants used in the herbal soups are available abundantly. Therefore it is feasible to establish a small scale industry of herbal soup production in our locality.

Appendix

Questionnaire

1. Name of the city you are living in?
2. What soup are you using?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the price of the soup you are using?
5. Is the price right for the product?
6. Are you satisfied with your soup?
7. Is there any additional quality you would want to see in your soup?
8. Would you try a new soup?
9. If yes, what kind of soup are you looking for and at what price?

Covering Letter

The Marketing Executive               The Managing Director Corporate Office, Gnanika Small Scale Industry Inc.  Sales Department, Abids
Karimnagar-505 101                       Hyderabad-05
Lr. No. ________________ date _____________
Sir/Madam, (Salutation)
Sub:
With reference to the subject cited, the feasibility report of is herewith
being submitted t your kind consideration.
With regards
Yours sincerely (Subscription)

Question 2.
Think of something that would make your college better. It could be anything better facilities, better infrastructure, better branding and so on. Once you have identified a specific area/areas for lmprovement write a feasibility report on the course of action to be taken.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on Setting up of Student-run Canteen on College Campus
Prepared for The Principal
Prepared by The Student Council
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Principal for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
In order to make a college a full-fledged one, it requires to have well-trained and experienced teaching staff and sufficient infrastructure. We the Student Council is fortunate to have experienced and committed teaching staff in our ABC College of Arts and Sciences. In terms of infrastructure, we have almost everything in place except a canteen for the students.

Since our college is located on the outskirts of the city, it is essential to have a canteen for the students who are coming from surrounding villages and towns who carry lunch boxes for lunch. Moreover, a canteen will act as a hub of idea generation and many productive student activities. Hence, requires a student-run Canteen on our college premises.

ii. Discussion! Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report to establish a student-run Canteen on our college premises, a survey was conducted on a student-mn Canteen on our college premises by interviewing the all the stakeholders. The number of respondents from the five cities is as follows:

S.No. Stakeholders No. of Respondents
1 Students 150
2 Teachers/Lecturers 20
3 Non-Teaching Staff 10
4 Parents 50
5 Alumni 50
Total 300

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A structured interview schedule was prepared and randomly administered to the all the stakeholders students, teachers, non-teaching staff, alumni, and parents, and they were asked to answer the questions given in the interview schedule.

From the analysis of the responses from the sample stakeholders, it is established that the majority of the students, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents and alumni who were interviewed preferred to have a Student-run Canteen on the college campus. Only very few opined to have other infrastructure such as indoor stadium, swimming pool, etc.

The expenditure to construct the proposed student-run canteen can be met through the donations from alumni, and other philanthropists. Moreover, the land for the facility is also available on the college campus.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though different views are offered, there is unanimous opinion to have a student-run canteen on college campus. Our college is located on the outskirts of the city.

Therefore, it is found to be essential to have a canteen for the students mostly coming from surrounding villages and towns carrying lunch boxes for lunch. Moreover, a canteen is considered to act as a hub of idea generation and many productive student activities. Therefore a student-run Canteen on our college premises may be constructed to cater to the students.

v. Recommendations
Therefore, we should try to construct a student-run canteen to provide accommodation for the students coming from far-off villages to take lunch and to help them share their idea in an informal space. Therefore it is feasible to establish a student- run canteen on the college campus.

Appendix

Interview Schedule

1. Do you think that your college has all the facilities essential for a college?
2. What is, in your opinion, the most essential infrastructure requi1 –I in our college?
3. Why did you choose it?
4. What is the best option in terms of expenditure?
5. Suggest the resource mobilization for the construction?

Question 3.
Write a feasibility report on declaring certain shopping areas as no-vehicle zones.
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on declaring certain shopping areas no-vehicle zones
Prepared for The Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda Police
Commissionerate, Hyderabad
Prepared by The President, Uppal Residents Association
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
  • Last but not the least, / Finally, I also thank the Commissioner of Ikilice,
    Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, Hyderabad for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content

i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
In order to make the shopping areas located in the Uppal Zone peaceful, it requires declaring some of the thickly populated areas where the shopping malls are located vehicle-free zones. Traffic is heavy in these areas mainly because of the location of some of the most visited shopping malls.

Especially, during the week-ends, the traffic jams and noise therefrom is common, disturbing the normal life in these colonies. We the residents of the colonies located in the Uppal Zone have been suffering from unbearable noise from heavy traffic running through these colonies.

There are also some schools and hospitals situated in these localities. The decibel level of the noise emanated from traffic vehicles is high and causing untold misery to the students, patients and old age people living in these residential areas. Therefore the shopping areas need to be declared vehicle free zones.

ii. Discussion/Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report on declaring certain shopping areas no-vehicle zones, a survey was conducted by interviewing the residents and the owners of the shopping malls located in the shopping areas. The number of respondents from the shopping areas in Uppal Zone is as follows:

S.No. Place Number of Respondents
1 Residents 200
2 Owners of the Shopping Malls 20

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A semi-structured interview schedule was prepared and randomly administered to the all the residents, and the owners of the shopping malls located in the areas. They were asked to answer the questions given in the semi-structured interview schedule.

From the analysis of the responses from the sample stakeholders, it is analyzed that the majority of the residents and the owners of the shopping malls who were interviewed preferred to declare the shopping areas “vehicle-free zones”. Only very few opined to either shift the shopping areas to non-residential areas or close them.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though different views are offered, majority opinions that the shopping areas should be declared vehicle-free.

v. Recommendations
Traffic is heavy in the areas mainly because of the location of some of the most visited shopping malls. Especially, during the week-ends, the traffic jams and noise therefrom is common, disturbing the normal life in these colonies. The people living in these areas have been suffering from unbearable noise from heavy traffic running through these colonies.

There are also some schools and hospitals situated in these localities. The decibel level of the noise emanating from traffic vehicles is high and causing untold misery to the students, patients and old-age people living in these residential areas. On the basis of the survey findings, it is possible to declare the shopping areas “vehicle free zones” so as to protect the health of the people and peace in the areas.

Appendix

Sample Questions in the semi structured Interview Schedule

1. Do you feel any noise-pollution in your area?
2. What is, in your opinion, the main reason for the noise pollution?
3. What are the adverse effects of noise pollution in your locality?
4. What is your suggestion for reducing the noise pollution?

Question 4.
Write a feasibility report on the practicality of installing solar panels on all roof tops.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A Feasibility Report on the practicality of installing solar panels on all roof tops Prepared for
The Mandal Parishad Chairperson Prepared by
The Panchayat Secretary of XYZ Gram Panchyat
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements

  • I thank all my colleagues for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
  • I am also grateful to the respondents who answered my questions with patience.
    Last but not the least, I also thank the MPDO of XYZ Mandal for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
  • I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Methodology
iv. Conclusions
v. Recommendations

i. Introduction
In present times, India is emerging in the global arena as a leading generator of renewable energy, adopting renewable power strategy at a rapid rate. In its efforts to move further towards sustainable development, the government has set a target to achieve 175 GW of installed capacity of renewable energy by the end of 2022. Out of this, 100 GW is the target set for solar installations.

Till date, 23 GW of this target has already been achieved and 40 GW is under different stages of implementation. Though large scale installations account for 87% of solar power generation, today the adoption rate of solar rooftop panels is accelerating.

The installed capacity of solar rooftops augmented from 117 MW to 1250 MW during 2013-16. Taking this immense growth into consideration, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy through its National Solar Mission of India has set a target of 40 GW power through rooftop solar by 2022. Keeping the benefits of solar energy in minds, the feasibility report is prepared for installing solar rooftop panels on the buildings in our village.

ii. Discussion Description
In order to prepare a feasibility report on installing solar rooftop panels on the buildings in our village, a survey was conducted by interviewing the residents in the village about willingness towards this end. The number of respondents from the village is as follows:

S.No. Place No. of Respondents
1 Residents 500

iii. Methodology (Mode of collecting data)
A semi-structured interview schedule was prepared and randomly administered to the all the residents in the village. They were asked to answer the questions given in the semi-structured interview schedule. From the analysis of the responses from the sample stakeholders, it is analyzed that the majority of the residents who were part of the survey preferred to install solar rooftop panels on their buildings in our village. Only very few opined to continue with the conventional energy sources.

iv. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that though different views are offered, majority opinion is that it is better to install solar rooftop panels on their buildings in our village, sic there are many benefits out it.

v. Recommendations
On the basis of the findings of survey, it can be recommended to go for installing solar rooftops on the buildings In the village. The initiative has many benefits: the biggest advantage of installing rooftop solar panels is that they offer cost savings.

The tariff rates for rooftop solar in comparison to industrial and commercial tariff rates are cheaper by 17% and 27% respectively; electricity prices keep on fluctuating from time to time. So, it is difficult to calculate the expenditure on electricity for a certain period of time.

However, when it comes to electricity generated by solar rooftops, the price of power generated can be calculated easily; though the deficiency of power in India is decreasing rapidly, still there are many people both in the rural and urban areas, who have improper and unreliable access to electricity. Since rooftop solar panels harness the power of the sun to generate electricity, they are eco-friendly.

Furthermore, their cost of operation is also stable; in order to encourage people to adopt solar energy, the government offers tax credits to those who install rooftop solar panels whether it be for residential or commercial purposes.

As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the government pays 30% of the installation cost as a subsidy to the installer; and it reduces carbon footprints and a source of green energy. On the basis of the survey findings, it is possible to install solar panels on the rooftops of the building in the village.

Appendix

Sample Questions in the semi-structured Interview Schedule

  • Do you have an electricity connection?
  • If yes, on an average how much electricity bill do you get per a month?
  • Do you want to install the solar panels on the rooftops of your house?
  • If yes, why do you want to install the solar panels on the rooftops of your house?

Question 5.
Imagine that you are asked to supervise the establishment of a small-scale industry in your locality. Write a progress report on the work being done.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZA
Report on the Progress of Establishment of a Soup Making Industry Prepared for
The Managing Director Prepared by The Sales Manager
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgments

I thank all my colleagues, especially the sales executives who collected the data on the progress of the establishment of Soup making industry in the area for extending their support in the preparation of this report.
I also thank The Managing Director for giving me this opportunity to present this report.
I am indebted to all the persons, irrespective of their class, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions
iv. Recommendations

i. Introduction

In October 2020, our company called for a feasibility report on the prospects of entering into the production of soup making. Accordingly. our Marketing Executive submitted a report. On the basis of the report, the company started the production of the soup, and it launched the product with the brand name “Sankalpa Herbal Soup” on January 19, 2021. Within a week, the soup was distributed to every nook and corner of the country. I have been asked to prepare and present a progress report on the sales of Sankalpa Herbal Soup in the first thred months of its launch.

ii. Discussion/Description

Sankalpa Herbal Soup was launched in three sizes. It is available in 100 gms, 150 gms and 200 gms. In order to prepare progress report on the progress of the soup sales, a survey was conducted among different customers in the five major cities in the country, including hyderabad from Telangana. The analysis of the survey results shows that many customers have tried the soup and liked it very much.

The merchants are also happy with the demand for the soup. However, they viewed that the soup needs to be given much more publicity. It was also identified that many village are not yet aware of the product. Therefore, measures must be initiated to publicize the soup product in rural areas.

However, there is huge demand for the soup and its popularity is on the rise. It was identified that the main reason for demand is its success in protection of the skin in all seasons and its moisturizing quality. The results of the survey are preseited in the form of a bar graph, as shown here:

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 7

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that the demand for the soup is satisfactory and sales are picking up day by day. We introduced the product at the right time. However, there are some lapses too, which need our immediate attention.

iv. Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following recommendations are hereby made for your kind notice and consideration:

  • The product should be published well in villages too.
  • It should be made available in small sizes such as in 50gms.
  • The marketing strategy should be revised.
  • There should be a close watch on shopkeepers who are not promoting our product active. because of high incentives being offered by our competitors.

Appendix

Sample Questions In the semi-structured Interview Schedule

  • Do you use our brand soup ”Sankalpa Herba? Soup”?
  • Why?
  • Do you suggest any improvements in the product?

Question 6.
Write a progress report on your collection of data about school dropouts in the colonies around your college.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A progress report on the collection of data about school dropouts in the
colonies around the college
Prepared for The Mandai Education Officer
Prepared by Hrushikesh, Student Study Project group leader
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

  • I thank all my classmates and friends who were involved in collecting the data about school dropouts in the colonies around the college.
  • I also thank the Mandai Education Officer for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions
iv. Recommendations

i. Introduction
School going children are seen going not to schools but to work or to other non agricultural work. Beautiful childhood turns into spoilt and burdened adulthood. This is especially true in the case many children living in the nearby colonies around the ABC College. As part of a student study project undertaken by the students of the college, the issue of school dropouts in the nearby colonies around the college was taken up.

In the process, the required data was being collected from the sample of parent and school dropout respondents. A group of students from our college have got divided themselves into sub-groups and have been on their visit to the nearby colonies for the last one month. A progress report on the collection of data about school dropouts in the colonies around the college is hereby present

ii. Discussion/Description
Though child labour is prohibited in our country, there are so many young children seen either working in the roadside dabo.s. moteLs, hotels, construction work, and agriculture-related work. This results in constant rise in the number of school dropouts in the near by colonies around our college.

A survey method with a structured questionnaire has been adopted in order to study the exact number of school dropouts in these colonies, the main reasons for such increase in the dropout rate and the measures required for taken up.

The population of the survey constitutes all the children of school going age group and according
to Census 2011 is around 2500 in the colonies around our college. Stratified random sampling technique based on their age and the qualification of their parents’ education and economic background was chosen for the purpose of data collection. The colony wise progress in the data collection process is presented in the form of a bar graph as shown here:

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 8

Bar graph shows the number of colony wise school dropouts from the selected five colonies (Blue indicates the figures of total sample and red shows the figures of the already covered school dropouts).

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that 3930 out of sample of 5000 school dropouts from the selected colonies around the college have been enumerated along with their demographic variables. It constitutes 78.6 percent of the sample school dropouts

iv. Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following observations and recommendations are here by made for your kind notice and consideration:
i. Some of the sample school dropouts were not available since they were engaged in the labour works.
ii. There needs to be some cooperation from the schools located in the colonies in the survey process so as to step up the data collection process.

Appendix

Questionnaire (for both children and parents)

1. Why are you not going to school?
2. What are your parents?
3. Do you send your child children to school. if any support is provided to your family?
4. If yes, what kind of support do you expect from the government?

Question 7.
Assume that you are selected as a green volunteer. Prepare a progress report on the tree plantation drive being carried out in your locality.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
A progress report on the tree plantation drive being carried out in ABC Nagar
Prepared for The District Collector
Prepared by Hrushikesli. a Green Voluneer
Date: 05.06,2021

Acknowledgements:

I thank the Word member and all my friends from my colony who were involved in data collection process on the tree plantation drive being
carried out in ABC Nagar. I also thank the District Collector for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions
iv. Recommendations

i. Introduction
A tree plantation drive was held in the ABC Colony on 10th Aug, 2020. The duel objectives of this drive were to enhance the tree cover in the colony and to sensitize the residents towards importance of trees. In this program, members of the Colony Welfare Association and the residents were made to plant a tree each at the designated place.

Each tree was marked by a plate mentioning the name of the tree, and the name of the person that planted it. Each member of the associations has taken the responsibility of nurturing their tree. This also creates among the colony children a sense of belonging to nature, As a Green Volunteer, I am authorised to present the following progress report of the tree plantation drive undertaken in my colony:

ii. Discussion/Description
The survey method was adopted as the methodlogy to data collection and analysis. After analyzing the data, it was identified that the tree plantation drive in the colony went on as per the plan. Firstly, time-slots to different streets were given between 11am to 1pm. residents came to the site with a member of the association as per the schedule and planted the trees. They were given information about the naine and type of tree, colour of its flowers, its blooming season and about what are they expected to do to take care of it.

On this occasion one tree each was also planted by our guests Municipal Chairperson and Ward member and other representatives of Government. In all, 200 trees were planted on the occasion, all of which are flowering trees. The trees that were planted were Gulmohar (Delonik Regia), Jacaranda (Jacaranda Mimosifolia), Kanak Champa (Pterospermum Acerifoliuni), Kurejia or Mexican Silk Cotton (Ceiba Petandra) and Tota (Erythrina Variegata). The street wise trees planted as part of the plantation drive is presented in the form of a bar graph, as shown here:
………………………..

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey. it is concluded that 200 saplings were planted during the plantation drive. In the street Number 3, the highest number of saplings was planted. In the contrast, in the street number 4, there were 30 saplings were planted. It was concluded that there should be follow up action on the part of the colony association to take care of the plants to grow into big trees

iv. Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following observations and recommendations are hereby made for your kind notice and consideration:

  • The residents of the colony and volunteers should be allotted with watering the plants even during the summer season.
  • There should be a regular green audit to ascertain the survival of the plants and green cover in the colony.

Appendix

Programme Schedule Sheet

  • Inauguration 10:00AM
  • Plantation Drive 11:00 AM -1:00 PM

Question 8.
Write an evaluation report on the socio-economic and environmental Impact of the small-scale industry in your locality.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
An Evaluation Report on the socio-economic and environmental impact
of the Soup making industry near ABC village
Prepared for The Managing Director (Sankalpa Herbal Soup)
Prepared by The Marketing Manager (Sankalpa Herbal Soup)
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgements:

I thank all persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report. I also thank the Managing Director (Sankalpa Herbal Soup) for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content

i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions

i. Introduction
After going through the progress reports of the last one year, it can be said that the sales graph of “Sankalpa Herbal Soup” is not consistent, The management examined the progress reports and implemented the recommendations made in the reports. Now the management wants to evaluate the product.

ii. Discussion Description
The management has adopted the following criteria to evaluate the quality, popularity, profit margins, etc. of the “Sankalpa Herbal Soup”.

  • At least 50% of the people should use the product.
  • The profit margin should increase by at least 3-4% every month.
  • The brand name of the product should become a household name.
  • At least 45% of sales should be in villages.
  • There should be 100% satisfaction from the consumers.

After going through the details, it was found that the product has met the majorily of the criteria. As expected by the management. more than 50% of people are using the soup and the profit has increased almost every month, though not at the desired rate.

This soup has been received well by consumers, and it has become a household name in some areas. There is 90% satisfaction among the consumers. However. 100% satisfaction is very difficult to achieve. Sales in villages are increasing month by month and have now gone up to 38%.

Sales graph of the Sankalpa Herbal Soup in the last 6 months:
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 9

From the above graph, it can be observed that there was a steady and constant growth in the sales of the soup during last six months.

iii) Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that the sales of the soup are picking up, and profits will also improve gradually. There should be improvement in sales in some areas. Many indicators match the expectations of the management. Therefore, it is desirable to continue the product, particularly since there have been no losses so far.

Question 9.
Write an evaluation report on a new course of study introduced 2 years ago.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
An evaluation report on the new course of study introduced 2 years ago
Prepared for The Board of Studies, Department of Commerce,
Osmania University
Prepared by The Principal, XYZ College
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgments:

I thank all persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.
I also thank the Board of Studies, Dept. of Commerce, Osmania University, Hyderabad for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content
i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions

i. Introduction
After having gone through the increased admissions during the last three years in the new course ‘B.Com. Business Analytics” introduced 2017-18, it can be said that the admission graph of the course is consistent in its upward trend. The college management examined the year-wise response of the students getting admission into this particular course and initiated necessary measures to keep the demand for the course high. Now the college management wants to evaluate the course outcomes.

ii. Discussion! Description
The college management has adopted the following criteria to evaluate the quality, popularity, employability of the students studying “B.Com. Business Analytics”.

  • There should be 100% admissions into the course.
  • The demand for the course should increase by at least 5% every year.
  • At least 80% of pass-out graduates should get campus recruitment.
  • There should be 100% satisfaction from the stakeholders-students, parents, alumni, and employers.

After going through the details, it was found that the new course has met the majority of the criteria, As expected by the college management, more than 100% of students have been applying for the new course using the soup and demand for the course should increase by at least 5% every year. This course has been received well by the commerce student community.

There is 100% satisfaction among the students and it shows the popularity of the course among the commerce students. Employability of the students who have completed the course is 100%. since all the graduates of the “B.Com. Business Analytics” have been absorbed into the industry through the campus recruitment dive.

The following graph presents the applications, admission and employability of the “B.Com. Business Analytics” in the last 3 years: From the above graph, it can be observed that there has been an upward trend in the course admissions and employment for the course during last three years.

Conclusion:
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that the demand for the course has been increasing over the years from 150 applications in 2017-18 academic year to 650 applications in 2019-20 academic year. In order to accommodate the growing demand, the number of seats has also been increased with the prior permission of the university.

There should be improvement in sales in some areas. Except in the academic year 2017-18, there has been 100% employment provided for the course graduates as part of the college campus recruitment drive. Many indicators match the expectations of the college management. Therefore, it is desirable to continue the course with increased seats in our college.

Question 10.
Write an evaluation report on online admissions into undergraduate courses.
Answer:
Title Page
Report No. XYZ
An Evaluation Report on online admissions into undergraduate courses
Prepared for The Convener, DOST, Telangana
Prepared by The Principal, XYZ College
Date: 05.06.2021

Acknowledgments:

I thank all persons, irrespective of their cadre, who extended their helpful hands in the preparation of this report.
I also thank the Convener, DOST, Telangana, Hyderabad for giving me this opportunity to present this report.

Table of Content

i. Introduction
ii. Discussion/Description
iii. Conclusions

i. Introduction

Degree Online Services Telangana known as DOST is a unified, online degree admission system for students in Telangana by Government of Telangana. The DOST online service, brings all government colleges, autonomous colleges, private and aided colleges under one system.

Over 2.2 lakh students were allotted seats in various degree colleges in all state universities-Osmaflia University, Kakatiya University, Telangana University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Satavahana University and Palamuru University in May and July every year.

In order to get an admission for bachelor’s degree in universities in Telangana, they are required to register on the DOST portal: dost.cgg.gov.in. Since the introduction of the online admissions through DOST platform in 2016, there have been many changes to make the platform user-friendly and hassle free. However there are some issues that need attention. In this context, the evaluation report on the DOST is essential.

ii. Discussion/ Description

The college management has adopted the following criteria to evaluate the quality, user-friendliness and other issues related to the DOST platform:

  • There should be 100% satisfaction among the stakeholders, especially students.
  • Online admission schedule should be followed strictly.
  • There should be an increase in the online applications by at least 2-3% every year.

After having gone through the details, it was found that the online admissions into undergraduate courses through the DOST platform have not met the majority of the criteria. As expected by the stakeholders, especially students and parents, the online system is not working.

Only 70% of student applicants are satisfied with the online admission system through DOST. Due to many reasons. the online admission schedule has been disturbed almost every year. It was identified that there an increase in the online applications into the undergraduate courses through DOST by 3% every year.

iii. Conclusion
On the basis of the observations of its survey, it is concluded that

  • Aspiring students need to register their web options on the official website and opt for colleges. After the admission process begins, the students receive SMS when a seat is allotted in a degree college.
  • The student admission process was linked to biometric system in 2017-18. For the academic year 2018-19. it was linked with Aadhaar of students. There are 3 phases in the admitting the students.
  • Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE). Hyderabad. conducts the
    Degree Online Services Telangana Admission on the official website i.e., dost.cgg.gov.in.
  • DOST admission is provided on the basis of merit and reservation criteria. It is a state-level admission process through which candidates are offered admission to courses such as BA. B.Com, B.Sc, B.Com (Voc), B.Com (Horis), BSW, BBM, BCA. Therefore, it is desirable to continue the course with increased seats in our college.
  • There will be constant rescheduling of the online admission process due to many reasons. And satisfaction levels of the stakeholders are not up to the mark.

Media Reports

Exercise 1.

Question 1.
Explain the inverted pyramid’ style of wilting a media report.
Answer:
Writing media reports is different from writing general reports or essays. Unlike other reports, media reports begin with the conclusion and disclose the details gradually. In order to grab the attention of the reader, media reports use the most essential element of the report first, followed by details and supporting information in order of diminishing importance.

This method followed in writing media reports is known as the ‘inverted pyramid’ style of writing because it turns the conventional structure upside down by starting with the conclusion. It is also sometimes referred to as the ‘front loading’ style because it gives the most important information first and directly.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 10
Question 2.
Describe the process of writing a media report.
Answer:
A good media report is one that catches the attention of the reader quickly and is able to convince the reader to read through the story. Remember that today’s reader has many alternative sources of information and has no patience with badly written and I or badly presented reports. The following are some of the techniques followed in writing media reports:

i. Compose a catchy headline: The headline is your “hook” to catch your reader – use vivid language and verbs. Convey the basic idea of the story in one line; use two lines only if absolutely necessary. You may find writing the headline easier after you have finished your media report.

ii. Lead the first paragraph with answers to the questions who, what, when, where and why. Be brief and give the most relevant details. Numbers should not merely be listed, but woven into the text in a readable manner. Give facts in an accurate but entertaining manner.

iii. Follow the “inverted pyramid” style in the remaining paragraphs of your media report. The inverted pyramid style gives details in descending order of importance. Start with the most important and newest information. Continue with remaining details, ending with the oldest and least important. Include as much information as needed but no more.

iv. Proofread your copy and double check. Follow the style guide used by your media outlet. Check for spelling and grammar errors even if your word processing program has a built in error-checker. One helpful technique in proofreading is reading your media report backwards. This technique makes errors stand out. Verify dates, times, addresses and the spelling of names.

Question 3.
List some important points to be kept in mind while wilting media reports.
Answer:
A good media report is one that catches the attention of the reader quickly and is able to convince the reader to read through the story. Remember that today’s reader has many alternative sources of information and has no patience with badly written and/or badly presented reports. The following are some of the guidelines for writing media reports:

  • Use clear and simple language, shorter words and active verbs. For example, ‘We watched the match” instead of The match was watched”.
  • Avoid jargon and slang and complex sentences and try to conclude only one idea in a sentence.
  • Make each paragraph present only one idea and concept. ‘Front load’ each paragraph, i.e., start each paragraph with the main idea or conclusion of the paragraph.
  • Be direct. Make your point first and then explain. The front loading or ‘direct approach’ may be considered inelegant, blunt and even rude perhaps in other kinds of writing. However, it is the preferred style of media reports because their target reader is one who wants to grasp information quickly and easily.
  • Give details but only as much as required. Cut out the flab.
  • Always remember that the reader is under no obligation to read the report. You have to catch the reader’s attention and make sure you do not lose it.

Exercise II.

Write media reports on the following topics:

Question 1.
Decline in the number of applications for admissions into engineering courses.
Answer:
Applications for Admission into Engineering Courses declined
Students are averse of tech courses but opting for traditional degree courses
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 11
There is a striking decline in the number of applications for admissions into engineering courses in colleges in Telangana state. This year there have been only 1,90,524 applications for the total seats of 1,08,175. Last year this number was slightly higher with 2,76,233 students aspired for the engineering education.

The B.Tech. admissions in Telangana engineering colleges are purely based on merit. Every year, at least 2 lakh students appear for the state-level engineering entrance exam, and the competition for B.Tech. admission in Telangana is moderate. Intermediate second-year students who are aspiring to pursue B.Tech. in Telangana must clear the entrance test to secure admission.

The Telangana State Board of Technical Education and Training (TSBTET) has released the official details about the total number of seats available in government and private engineering-colleges across the state. The official seat matrix of Telangana engineering colleges can be checked below.

College Type Total No. of Colleges Total No. of Seats
Govt. Engineering Colleges 14 3,055
Private Engineering Colleges 200 1,05,120

Lack of employment of opportunities, lack of quality engineering education and cost of the courses are some of the main reasons for the decline in the number of applications for the engineering courses.

Question 2.
Private and foreign universities setting up campuses in the state soon.
Answer:
Telangana govt, gives permission to 5 private universities
Approval for nine private universities given preliminary approval in
February last; Foreign universities to open Campuses
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 12
In a significant move, the Telangana government has cleared permission to five private universities in the state. The government promulgated an ordinance giving permission to five universities and operate from the current academic year 2020-21 on Wednesday. There is also talk of allowing foreign universities to open their campuses in the state soon.

In fact, the state government has given preliminary approval for nine private universities in February last and was about to enact legislation. However, after giving preliminary permission, the matter was referred to a ministerial subcommittee to examine the credentials of each of the nine universities.

After a thorough study, the committee made certain recommendations based on which five of them were given permission. The five new private universities are – Tech Mahindra (Bahadurpalli), Woxsen University (Sadasivapet), Mallareddy University (Dulapalli), SR University (Anantasagar, Warangal) and Anurag University (Venkatapur, Ghatkesar).

Guru Nanak Educational Society, Srinidhi Educational Society, National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR) and MNR Medical College & Hospital which were given preliminary approvals were now denied permission. Vagdevi, Vignan Group, Amity, Radcliff, etc. had also applied for university status, but the government rejected them.

How and from when these private universities operate
The new private universities permitted by the state government will start academic activity from the current academic year 2020-21. Admissions into these universities will be made on JEE merit or Eamcet score. TechMahindra has been running technical courses in association with JNTU- H for a few years now while Anurag and SR Educational Institution are already established colleges. Woxsen specializes in design and architecture, but they will be adding other engineering courses, too from this year.

Reservation for Telangana local students
As specified by the Telangana State Private Universities Act, 2018, the private universities are supposed to reserve 25 percent seats to local students in admissions. For being considered as local, a student has to study in Telangana for at least two years or intermediate course. However, there won’t be any fee concession under any quota.

Question 3.
Student demand their college buildings to be included in the heritage building list.
Answer:
Growing Demand for heritage building State for College Building
Students have been pushing for its inclusion in the Heritage List
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 14
Students and staff demand that “The building complex of our City College here should be tagged with heritage status” as part of the new scheme initiated by the University rants Commission (UGC) for conservation of history-rich buildings in colleges and universities. The students and staff explain that the Arts and Sciences College buildings on the sprawling campus, which are a century-old, should be set for national attention in view their history, heritage and influential in higher education.

“We submitted the proposed last year to include the buildings in the UGC Heritage List. We hope that it will make it into the List this time. If listed we can avail ourselves of the fund of Rs 5 Core for the conservation of the buildings.” Dr D. Hrushikesh, Principal of the college, told our special correspondent on Wednesday.

Started in 1920 with Dr Rajeshwar as Principal, the City College celebrated its lOOrd college day in April last. The Arts and Sciences College constructed in Saracenic architecture have the pride of being host to Rabindranath Tagore in 1935 when he delivered a series of lectures on the campus. The three buildings that will get attention are Main Hall (1920), Conference Hall (1922) and Ganghi Hall (1923).

“Plinth area of these buildings is over one lakh square feet and the architecture is a marvel in Hyderabad,” the Principal said. Dr Gnanika, Vice-Principal, said that buildings were constructed with a long-term vision. “Our college was an influential institution in the pre-Independence period. The cherished buildings certainly deserve the heritage status and we hope for status,” she added.

Question 4.
Students want their campus to be declared a vehicle-free zone.
Answer:
Students want their campus to be declared a vehicle-free zone
Vehicular noise spoil peace on the campus
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 14
The students of Osmania University campus demand for declaring their campus vehide-free zone. Traffic is heavy in the roads running through the campus area mainly because of the location of some of the most visited shopping malls in the surrounding areas. Students lamented that the traffic jams and noise therefrom is common, disturbing the normal life on the university campus, especially during peak hours and the week ends.

They complained that they have been suffering from unbearable noise from heavy traffic running through the campus. The decibel level of the noise emanated from traffic vehicles is high and causing untold misery to the students Living in the hostels on the campus. Therefore the students of Osmania University demand that their campus need to be declared vehicle free zone.

Question 5.
Students take out a rally In support of boycotting boycotts.
Answer:
Students take out a rally In support of boycotting boycotts
Boycotts hampering Academic Schedule
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 15
The students of Osmania University campus and affiliated colleges took out a rally in their respective college premises and raised slogans against boycotting classes. They decried that due to the frequent calls for boycotting classes that hampar the academic schedule and are affecting the academic atmosphere in the educational institutions.

Taking out the massive rallies, the student leaders raised “Boycott the boycotts” and “No to Bundhs”. They appealed to all the political parties not to pollute the college atmosphere with constant boycotts of classes. “We are taking out rallies to bring awareness among the general public about the bad effects of the boycotts on the education and studies”, a student leader explained the objective of the rallies across the state.

Question 6.
Symposium held on” Should Colleges become Coaching Centres?”
Answer:
Symposium on “Should Colleges become Coaching Centres?”
‘That kilts the very purpose of the colleges’, opine the experts
Our Special Correspondent
Hyderabad: UPDATED: MAY 10, 2020 05:30 IST
UGC member Dr Maurya Prasad viewed “If colleges were turned into coaching centres, it would defeat the very purpose of the educational system”. Delivering the Key Note Address at the symposium organised by the University College of Arts and Social Sciences, Osmania University here on Monday, Dr Prasad reminded the audience the objectives of establishing colleges in India and how the ecosystem of the coaching centres hamper the essence of the functioning of the colleges.

However, he suggested having a centre in every higher educational institution for imparting coaching classes for various competitive examinations such as UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC exams, and state service exams such as Group I, Group it etc.

University Vice Chancellor Dr ABC also spoke on the occasion and assured that his university will set up one state-of-the-art Career Guidance and Coaching Centre on the university campus to cater to the needs of the students who aspire for the various competitive examinations and career guidance. Arts College Principal Dr XYZ presided over the symposium and over five hundred delegates from across the country were participated in the symposium.

Question 7.
Rising trend of students of professional courses opting to write competitive examinations.
Answer:
Rising Trend in Professionals opting for Competitive Examinallons
‘Service motto arid privilege’ are attracting them
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 16
Mr. Hrushikesh Dasari, a graduate from HT Mumbal secured the all India 1 Rank in the Civil Services Examination 2020 the results of which were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) late Last night. When asked the motivation for his opting Civil Services, Mr. Hrushikesh who left a lucrative package from a reputed MNC in the USA said that the pleasure and privilege associated with public service attracted him towards the Indian Administrative Service (lAS). Interestingly, there are 78 candidates with engineering and technology background in the top 100 all India ranks this year. This figure was almost akin to the last year’s which stands at 76.

Dr Murali Ramana, Director of the XYZ Coaching Centre, Hyderabad explained the main motives behind the rising trend of students of professional courses opting to write competitive examinations-respect, privilege, service motto and power associated with the Civil Servies.

Question 8.
Parents want an academic calendar that suits local weather conditions.
Answer:
‘Prepare Academic Calendar suiting local weather
conditions’: Parents’ Association
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 17
Hyderabad: UPDATED: MAY 10, 2020 05:30 1ST

The Telangana Parents Association (TPS) urged the officials of the School Education to revise the Academic Calendar by keeping the local weather conditions in mind. Usually, every year school classes end by 21 st April and summer holidays begin thereafter till June 12.

However, they explained that for the last couple of years, the summer sets in during the mid-February and the day temperatures are touching over 400 C. They recounted the instances of their children getting dehydrated in the month of February during the school hours. There were reports unfortunate incidents of heat-wave related deaths in schools in some parts of the states.

Therefore, the parents’ body, in a press release, requested the Education Minister to take a call in this regard and revise the Academic Calendar in order to suit it to the local weather conditions so as to strengthen the academics of their wards.

Question 9.
Companies complain about the mismatch between students’ marks and their knowledge levels.
Answer:
‘Mismatch between students’ marks and their knowledge
levels’: Industry Bosses
Need for a forge between Industry and Academia
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 18
The CEOs of the multinational companies complained that there is strong mismatch between students’ marks and their knowledge levels. In the symposium “Alliance between Industry and Academia” held on Monday in the College Auditorium, Arts College, Hyderabad, the Chief Executive Officers of the reputed Multinational Companies Located across the country expressed a unanimous opinion saying that when they visited various college campuses, they were surprised to find out that the outgoing graduates and postgraduates were unable to exhibit the minimum skill set required for their companies.

They lamented that even the students’ with the scores over 95% of marks or 10/10 grades fail to perform the very essential soft skills and life skills in the work place. Representing the FICCI, Mr. Guiarla opined that there should be a close alliance between the academic institutions and industries and the curriculum should constantly be revised to meet the needs of the industry. He suggested introducing industrial training as a part and parcel of the curriculum so as to impart the employability skills among college graduates.

the students’ with the scores over 95% of marks or 10/10 grades fail to perform the very essential soft skills and life skills in the work place. Representing the FICCI, Mr. Guiarla opined that there should be a close alliance between the academic institutions and industries and the curriculum should constantly be revised to meet the needs of the industry. He suggested introducing industrial training as a part and parcel of the curriculum so as to impart the employability skills among college graduates.

Question 10.
Students organize a round table on “My ideal College”.
Answer:
“My Ideal College”
That provides enabling academic environment
OU Degree 4th Sem English Business & Media Report Writing 19
My ideal college is the one which provides enabling academic environment in which every individual student can realise his or her innate abilities and to mould themselves in to an all-round personality with unwavering faith in the harmony between environment and human beings.” opined a student participating in the roundtable conference held by the Student Joint Action Committee in the University Auditorium on Friday.

Echoing similar views, another student delegate said that her ideal college should have all the sources both human and material resources, It should have well-qualified, experienced and committed teaching and non- teaching staff and should be adequately equipped with state of the art infrastructure facilities- adequate classrooms, office rooms, staff rooms, separate washrooms for both boys and girls, canteen, sports and games facilities, NCC, NSS, Indoor Games, Swimming Pool, greenery, etc.

Question 11.
Write a media report on: Conference held on “Should Colleges become Coaching Centres?”
Answer:
A conference was held on 15th of July at the Tagore auditorium in Secunderabad. The conference was an argumentative topic i.e., “Should colleges become coaching centres?” Many eminent and well-known educationists and writers took part in the conference.

Besides this, about a hundred undergraduate students from different colleges of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad participated in this conference along with a few teachers. “Colleges should not become only coaching centres. Educational institutions like colleges should spread the aroma of a collection of educational values besides acquiring knowledge.

Acquiring knowledge is only a part of it”. This is what the famous young writer Chetan said on the occasion. Similarly, the Secretary of the All India Council for Technical Education, Mr. Isaac reminded the students and teachers, who participated in the conference, that colleges should not compel the students to cram tons of information.

Addressing the audience, he repeatedly said that the students are coached now-a-days to mug up information. The education, now imparted to the students in colleges, does not make them more creative, rather makes them mug up machines. One of the students, by name Miss Parvathy, belonging to Ill semester B.Sc, from “Ravindra College, Hyderabad” declared that these so called, money minded colleges should be controlled by enacting laws. She repeatedly warned such colleges that their coaching culture should be curbed.

Question 12.
Write a media report on: “Parents want an academic calendar that suits local weather conditions”.
Answer:
“Parents want an academic calendar that suits local weather conditions”, Hyderabad, 15th June Parents of the twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, whose school-going children are facing certain problems regarding the academic calendar, met at Nizam college and passed a resolution the form of a memorandum to be submitted to the managements of the private schools and to the D.E.Os of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The proposal was to split the vacation into two parts Le., a month of vacation in May, during summer and another month of vacation in December Le., during winter.

OU Degree 4th Sem English Study Material