OU Degree 1st Sem English Unit 4 Vocabulary, Grammar
Vocabulary – Collocation
Collocation – A collocation is a combination of words that are commonly used together. Look at the -following sentences:
She has a firm handshake
He paid a visit to his grandmother.
These language chunks (firm handshake, pay a visit) sound natural in English due to long, established usage. Knowing which words usually go together is an important part of being a competent user of the language. It sounds odd if you were to say hard handshake or give a visit. Once learnt, most collocations are easy to remember.
Exercises:
Choose the correct collocation in each of the given pairs:
1. Honest apology — sincere apology
2. Warm welcome — profuse welcome
3. Complete a promise — fulfil a promise
4. Do a mistake — make a mistake
5. Sow benefits — reap benefits
6. Make a difference — bring a difference
7. Have sympathy for — pay sympathy to
8. Gossip writer — gossip columnist
9. Do your duty — work your duty
10. Speak fluent English — speak easy English
11. Press an icon — click on an icon
12. Have a conversation — make a conversation
13. Have a conversation — with make conversation with
14. Glare at — glare towards
15. Play a part — do apart
Answer:
1. Honest apology — sincere apology
2. Warm welcome — profuse welcome
3. Complete a promise — fulfil a promise
4. Do a mistake make — a mistake
5. Sow benefits — reap benefits
6. Make a difference — bring a difference
7. Have sympathy for — pay sympathy to
8. Gossip writer — gossip columnist
9. Do your duty — work your duty
10. Speak fluent English — speak easy English
11. Press an icon — click on an icon
12. Have a conversation — make a conversation
13. Have a conversation — with make conversation with
14. Glare at — glare towards
15. Play a part — do apart
Match the words on the left with those on the right with which they form collocations.
Answers:
1. annual turnover
2. chair a meeting
3. middle management
4. close a deal
5. draw a conclusion
6. launch a product
7. make a profit
8. sales figures
9. market forces
10. lay off staff
Fill in the blanks by choosing from the collocations given below. Each collocation can be used just once. (Some of these form idiomatic expressions: look up their meanings if you need hints.
| save time | make time | stall for time | bang on time |
| about time | rough times | buy time | pressed for time |
| spare time | record time | in time | precious time |
| tell time | time to kill | set time | take time off |
| keep time | great time | hard time | run out of time |
1. Kaif isn’t late for the party. He came exactly 7pm-he is ————–
2. We couldn’t take up another assignment as we were ————–
3. My work hours are flexible. I don’t need to begin at a ————–
4. John asked his boss, ‘I know you’re busy, but can you ————– for me this week?
I need to discuss something with you.’
5. Tsering was so eager to finish that he got done in ————–
6. We’re already very late. If we take this route we shall ————–
7. I can’t spend my ————– on trivial pursuits.
8. You’re going to have a ————– in Singapore!
9. We need to ————– to thoroughly discuss the matter before replying to them.
10. I’m sorry I cannot attend the call now. I’ve and I have to rush.
11. We got there just ————– They were about to close the gates.
12. He gave me a ————– about missing the deadline.
13. Jyothi wasn’t ready for the presentation. She tried to ————– by requesting Dolma to go before her.
14. My computer has been out of order for two weeks. I think it’s ————– I repair it.
15. Vishnu has been through some ————–
16. My music teacher helps me ————– when I play the drums.
17. This weekend I shall ————– from work to meet my school friends.
18. WP have ————– before the train arrives.
19. Lama spends all his ————– helping others.
20. I taught my little niece to ————– with an analogue cock.
Answers:
1. Bang on time
2. Pressed for time
3. Set time
4. Make time
5. Record time
6. Save time
7. Precious time
8. Great time
9. Stall for time
10. Run out of time
11. About time!
12. Hard time
13. Buy time
14. In time
15. Rough times.
16. Keep time
17. Take time off
18. Time to kill
19. Spare time
20. Tell time
Grammar – Articles
Articles : The words a, an and the are called articles. They always come before a noun or noun phrase, and help to identify the person, place, animal or thing referred to by them. The articles a and an are called indefinite articles, and they come before singular countable nouns and identify the person or thing they represent in a general way.
For example, in the sentence A woman came in car’, the indefinite article a only identifies the nouns that follow as some woman and as some car, without telling us anything more specific about their identity. Similarly, in the sentence T saw in object lying there’, the indefinite article an simply identifies what was seen as some object – again in a general way.
The indefinite article a is used when the following noun begins with a consonant sound, and the indefinite article an appears when the following noun begins with a vowel sound. The nouns which follow a in the first two sentences begin with consonant sounds. In contrast, the nouns following an in the last two sentences begin with vowel sounds.
I wrote with a pencil.
Bina was baking a cake.
An owl hooted.
Let me give you an umbrella.
It is important to remember that we are referring to consonant and vowel sounds, and not letters. For example, in the sentences below, the indefinite article a appears with words beginning with u (a letter that usually represents a vowel sound) because in these words the letter is pronounced as the consonant sound /j/.
Vinod wants to join aumyersity.
We are members of a union.
Similarly, in the sentences below, the indefinite article an is used before words beginning with h (a letter that usually represents a consonant sound) because in these words the consonant /h/ is silent and the words begin with a vowel sound.
You are an honest person.
I have been waiting here for an hour.
The article the is the definite article; and it precedes both singular and plural nouns to refer to the person or thing they represent in a specific way. For example, in the sentence ‘Deepu saw the helicopter take off’, the use of the definite article indicates that it was a specific helicopter that Deepu saw, and this information is shared by the speaker as well as by the listener.
Again, in the sentence ‘Will you watch the film?’ the use of the definite article indicates that both the speaker and the listener know which film is being referred to. Look at the following sentences. ”
The acrobat ran up the rope ladder.
Keep the apple and the banana on a plate, (a specific apple and banana, but any plate) The dog chased a cat up a tree, (a specific dog chased some cat up a random tree) Hamid was waiting for Alok at the bus stop.
Uses of Indefinite Articles:
- before a noun that is introduced for the first time in speech or writing
- will tell you about an officer in the Indian navy. (The listener/reader has not heard of the officer before.)
- before a noun which represents not an individual person or thing, but an instance of a whole class
- A doctor must have a lot of compassion. (Here the reference is not to a particular doctor, but to all members of the profession.)
- to indicate the numeral one
- I gave him a rupee, (that is, one rupee)
with personal names in two very specific situations
- when the person referred to is a stranger to the speaker Father has gone to the bank with a Dr Sen. (The speaker does not know who Dr Sen is.)
- when the qualities of the person, and not the person themself, are being referred to Rohit is turning out to be an Einstein, (that is, very good at physics).
Your niece is a Sonal Mansingh. (that is, an exceptionally talented dancer)
Uses of The Definite Article:
1. Before a noun that has already been mentioned and is referred to again in the same piece of speech or writing. Nimi bought a book on marine life. After she read the book, she decided to study oceanography.
2. When used with a singular countable noun, the is used to refer to a whole class of things, objects, etc. The psychiatrist is a doctor who treats mental illness, (meaning, all psychiatrists) The koala is native to Australia, (meaning, all koalas)
3. when used to refer to a noun which is the only one of its kind in a particular situation
I would like to speak to the person in charge here, (only one person is in charge) but I would like to speak to an employee here, (any one out of many employees)
4. when the noun following it is made specific by the use of a qualifying word, phrase or dause
The red flowers are geraniums, (underlined word is an adjective)
The flowers in the vase are geraniums, (underlined words are an adjectival phrase)
The flowers that.l .gave you are geraniums, (underlined words are an adjectival clause)
5. Before the names of mountain ranges (but not mountain peaks or hills), oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and groups of islands (but not with a single island)
Mount Everest is the highest peak In the Himalayas.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Sri Lanka are both dose to India.
We flew over the Pacific Ocean.
6. Before points on the earth, points of the compass, and certain geopolitical regions the South pole, the equator, the west, the Caribbean, the Middle East,
7. With adjectives In the superlative degree Susan is the fastest sprinter in the college.
8. Before adjectives when they are used as nouns referring to a class of people, animals, things, etc.
The strong can carry the logs of wood upstairs, (meaning those who are strong)
She looks after the elderly and the sick.
9. Before the names of holy books, well-known buildings, trains, and newspapers the Granth Sahib, the RashtrapatiBhavan, the Rajdhani Express, the Indian Express
10. Before the plural forms of proper nouns to refer to families The Mehtas are wonderful hosts.
11. Before the singular forms of proper nouns to suggest a comparison
Anu is the Sania Mirza of our college, (implying that Anu is a champion tennis player among the students of our college)
12. Before mass nouns (e.g., air, milk), except when these are made specific by a following phrase or clause
We breathe air. (not ‘the air’)
but We breathe in the air of the sea.
13. Before the names of most diseases
Cancer, if detected early, is curable, (note that headache and cold take before them)
14. Before names of colleges and universities, if the name does not include of Ranjit took a degree in law from Delhi University.
but Ranjit took a degree in law from the University of Delhi.
15. Before the names of meals had at different times of the day
He took us out to dinner
The dinner we had at Sabu’s Tiffin Centre was delicious.
16. Before nouns like church, college, hospital, when we are referring to them in relation to their primary purpose (prayer, higher education, treatment for illness, etc.) and not as places r buildings
Her daughter is at college, (for education)
but Her daughter cycles to the college, (the building and surrounding campus)
They go twice a week to church, (to pray)
but They reached the church before 7 am. (the building)
17. usually before some collective nouns such as humankind, society and humanity
This is a great service to humanity.
Will society forget such a great person?
18. In phrases with the preposition by showing means of transport/transmission
Mansur came to the city by train.
You can go by car.
Exercises
Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with a, an or the. In case more than one article can be used, use the one you think would be more appropriate than the other (s). If the blank space does not need an articles, indicate this with an X.
1. ………… peacock is in danger of extinction.
2. Could you get me ………… kilogram of tea, please?
3. There is ………… European and ………… Ethiopian among the tourists.
4. ………… Sally I know lives in Bhubaneswar.
5. Sumita found ………… wallet on her way home. She took ………… wallet to the police station.
6. We must work to save …………… tigers from becoming extinct …………. tiger is an important part of the ecosystem.
7. Have you had …………… breakfast?
8. There’s no ………… school today. school is being used as ………… polling station.
9. It is ………… awe-inspiring sight to see ………… Brahmaputra in spate.
10. This is a painting of ………… Western Ghats, and that is a photograph of ………… Mahabaleshwar peak.
11. Mary will go to ………… school when she is three.
Our library has threes copies of ………… Mahabharata.
Answer:
1. The/A/X
2. a
3. a, an
4. The
5. a, the
6. X, The/A/X
7. X
8. X, The
9. an, the
10. the, X
11. X
12. the
Fill in the blanks with indefinite articles where necessary.
1. She doesn’t own …………… car.
2. He came from …………… humble beginnings.
3. I saw …………… bears at the zoo.
4. He asked for …………… milk.
5. She didn’t get invitation.
6. I saw …………… eagle fly by.
7. She was …………… English teacher. She joined …………… union.
8. He bought milk, butter, and …………… loaf of bread.
9. The table is made of …………… wood.
10. Abdul was …………… honest man.
Answer:
1. a
2. an
3. a
4. a
5. an
6. an
7. an a
8. a
9. an
10. an
Insert article wherever necessary.
1. There is……….. book in my backpack ……….. book is very heavy.
2. Do you know where I left ……….. car keys?
3. I enjoy reading detective novels, especially ones by……….. famous author,Arthur Conan Doyle.
4. ……….. French drink wine, while Americans drink beer.
5. ……….. group of MBA students from ……….. University of Mumbai visited Harvard University in United States.
6. ……….. Bible was ……….. first book to be printed by Gutenberg in ……….. fifteenth century.
7. I am fond of ……….. music of Mozart. My grandfather owns ……….. antique piano.
8. Cloth is sold by metre ………… metre of this fabric cost me moon.
9. ……….. sun is at ……….. highest point in ………..sky at noon.
10. After humans, chimpanzee is ……….. most intelligent among animals.
Answer:
1. a, The
2. the
3. the, the
4. The, the
5. A, the, the
6. The, the, the
7. the, an
8. A, the
9. The, the, the
10. the
Correct the following sentences by using the right articles (or by removing articles where not required).
Question 1.
All applicants must possess an university degree.
Answer:
All applicants must possess a university degree.
Question 2.
I am studying for a MA in history.
Answer:
I am studying for an MA in history.
Question 3.
He had spelt the word with a ‘s’ instead of a V.
Answer:
He had spelt the word with an‘s’ instead of a ‘c’.
Question 4.
I always use a HB pencil.
Answer:
I always use an HB pencil.
Question 5.
In the class, the children were having arithmetic lesson.
Answer:
In the class, the children were having an/the arithmetic lesson.
Question 6.
My brother is electrical engineer.
Am:
My brother is an electrical engineer.
Question 7.
The war lasted almost hundred years.
Answer:
The war lasted almost hundred years.
Question 8.
I always get headache if I don’t wear my glasses.
Answer:
I alway, s get a headache if I don’t wear my glasses.
Question 9.
Swiss are very fussy about hygiene.
Answer:
The Swiss are very fussy about hygiene.
Question 10.
His lawyer produced an important new evidence.
Answer:
His lawyer produced important new evidence. (No article)
Question 11.
Give it to cat.
Answer:
Give it to a cat.
Question 12.
Ann is doctor.
Answer:
Ann is a doctor.
Question 13.
Our plants need a water.
Answer:
Our plants need water. (No article)
Question 14.
We had a breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
Answer:
We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. (No article)
Question 15.
We must try harder to stop these people from destroying the nature.
Answer:
We must try harder to stop these people from destroying nature. (No article)
Question 16.
I don’t like driving in a heavy traffic.
Answer:
I don’t like driving in heavy traffic. (No article)
Question 17.
The petrol is expensive.
Answer:
Petrol is expensive. (No article)
Question 18.
They have the really bad roads here.
Answer:
They have really bad roads here. (No article)
Some of the following sentences may have errors relating to the use of articles. Rewrite the incorrect sentences correctly.
Question 1.
The oranges and lemons are citrus fruits.
Answer:
Oranges and lemons are citrus fruits. (No article).
Question 2.
Asif is going to visit the Oxford University.
Answer:
Asif is going to visit Oxford University. (No article)
Question 3.
The government needs to enforce pollution laws. Governments around the world need to cooperate in the fight against the pollution.
Answer:
The government needs to enforce the pollution laws. The governments around the world need to cooperate in the fight against pollution. (No article)
Question 4.
The elephants and the lions are found in India.
Answer:
Elephants and the lions are found in India. (No article)
Question 5.
Have you been to Nilgiri hills?
Answer:
Have you been to the Nilgiri hills?
Question 6.
The history is not really Faiza’s favourite subject, but she finds the history of Greeks fascinating.
Answer:
History is not really Faiza’s favourite subject, but she finds the history of Greeks fascinating. (No article)
Question 7.
You can take Visaka Express to Mumbai.
Answer:
You can take the Visaka Express to Mumbai.
Question 8.
The children have been sent to the bed.
Answer:
The children have been sent to bed. (No article)
Question 9.
English language is full of the confusing rules. English also has many strange idioms.
Answer:
The English language is full of confusing rules. English also has many strange idioms.
Question 10.
Have you ever wanted to climb the Mt Everest?
Answer:
Have you ever wanted to climb Mt Everest? (No article)
Question 11.
Gold you buy here is of the excellent quality.
Answer:
The gold you buy here is of excellent quality.
Question 12.
A TV critic comments on the plot, the acting, and other aspects of a TV show.
Answer:
The TV critic comments on the plot, the acting, and other aspects of the TV show.
Question 13.
Manoj heard a old tale about an unicorn.
Answer:
Manoj heard an old tale about a unicorn.
Question 14.
Philosophy discussed in this book is very difficult to understand.
Answer:
The philosophy discussed in this book is very difficult to understand.
Question 15.
UK laws don’t apply to the USE except at UK embassy.
Answer:
The UK laws don’t apply to the UAE except at the UK embassy.
Speaking – Agreeing And Disagreeing With Opinions
Useful Points to Remember
To express agreement, you can:
- use a direct statement, for example: Yes, it is.
- make a statement followed by an added comment, for example: I agree. The drought is going to affect the crops.
- use a negative question with a falling intonation, for example: Haven’t they?
Other expressions you can use to express agreement are:
That’s right. / Right — There’s no doubt about that.
I agree with you. /I agree. — That’s for sure.
Yes, it is. / Yes, it was. — You bet. (very informal)
Activities 1. (Agreeing with Opinions)
Try the following activities to Improve your speaking skills.
1. Enact Dialogues 1-2 with a partner, taking turns to play the roles of the person stating an opinion and the one agreeing with it.
Read the dialogues below. In all of them, you will find agreement being expressed by means of simple, direct statements.
Dialogue 1.
Amar and his friends talk about the effect of strikes on their studies.
Amar : The student leaders have called for a strike against the fee hike.
Shikha : Have they? Oh, I hate strikes. They disrupt the routine, and we can’t complete the syllabus on time.
Amar : You’re absolutely right.
Alex : The authorities might appreciate our point of view better through dialogue.
Saira : Yes, Alex has a point there.
Dialogue 2.
At a bus stop.
Santa : The buses are overcrowded these days, aren’t they?
Dinesh : Yes. There aren’t enough buses.
Sanita : Exactly. And the service is very poor.
Dinesh : You’ve said it. Sometimes we have to wait for an hour for the bus,
Dialogue 3.
Outside a theatre.
Kamala : That was aan interesting movie.
Kanti : It sure was. It kept us spellbound.
Kamala : It certainly did. Not a minute of boredom.
Kanti : Not at all.
Not at all here means that Kanti agrees with Kamala’s observation Not a minute of boredom.
Dialogue 4.
In a college campus.
Thapa : I think we should have many more vocational courses to choose from.
Moinul : I think so too. More courses will take into account varied interests.
Thapa : Yes, and that will create more opportunities for work. 1
In the dialogues below, you will find statements of agreement being followed by expressions of approval and support, sometimes with some additional comments.
Dialogue 5.
Joymoti and Mani are talking about food.
Joymoti : Leena’s invited us to dinner on Saturday. Are you going?
Mani : I sure am. Leena’s father is a great cook.
Joymoti : You’ve said it! His biryani is the best.
Mani : You bet it is. I always look forward to meals at Leena’s.
Joymoti : Me too.
Dialogue 6.
Khadir and Anil are talking about the weather.
Anil : It’s been pouring the whole week. The monsoon promises to be good this year.
Khadir : It certainly does. Thank goodness! We do need plenty of rain.
Anil : Absolutely. Particularly after two years of severe drought.
Dialogue 7.
Rosy and Chinmay are talking about television news.
Chinmay : I don’t like watching the news on TV these days.
Rosy : Neither do I. News channels make everything seem sensational. They seem to care more about TRPs than unbiased reporting.
Chinmay : You bet. This is what happens when news channels depend .on advertising to run their businesses.
Dialogue 8.
Sharif and Nandini are talking about a classmate.
Sharif : Chandni hasn’t passed the entrance exam.
Nandini : Hasn’t she? What a pity! She’s such a clever girl.
Sharif : She certainly is. She should’ve worked harder, I feel.
Nandini : Yes. I think so too.
Dialogue 9.
Three friends are discussing the advantages of doing part-time work while in college.
Rajender : I think it’s good to be able to work while in college.
Kavita : I agree. It would help us earn money for our tuition fees and books.
Mukul : You’re right. Besides it will give us a chance to get some hands-on experience.
Dialogue 10.
Anand and Rashmi are talking about their daughter’s wedding.
Anand : I don’t think we should have Soma’s wedding on a Lavish scale.
Rashmi : I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s not wise to spend beyond one’s means.
Anand : It certainly isn’t. In fact, a simple wedding will set a trend in the family.
Rashmi : You’re right.
The dialogues below are examples of how agreement is expressed using a question in its negative form with a falling intonation.
Dialogue 11.
Rajini and Roshni talk about Arun.
Rajini : That boy over there is Arun. Can you guess who he is?
Roshni : I think I can. He must be Surya’s son. He resembles him so much.
Rajini : He does, doesn’t he?
Dialogue 12.
Lalith and Srinath talk about a film.
Lalith : Where were you this afternoon?
Srinath : I went to see Kumbalangi Nights-for the fourth time.
Lalith : I’m not surprised. One can never tire of seeing that film.
Srinath : Not in the least. Both the story and the songs are delightful!
Lalith : They are. Aren’t they?
2. Choose suitable expressions of agreement from the sample dialogues to respond to the following statements of opinion.
For example.
Opinion: Children shouldn’t be given too much pocket money.
Response: I agree with you
Remember that there could be more than one acceptable answer. After you fish, enact them with a partner. Take turns so that each of you gets to say the two lines in the exchanges.
- Opinion: We must cycle to college every day. It’s good exercise.
Response: I think so too. Cycling is good for health. - Opinion: It’s our duty to look after the elderly people in our family.
Response: You’re absolutely right. We have to take care of the elderly. - Opinion: I think we should have more courses in art, music and drania.
Response: There’s no doubt about that. The courses in art, music and drama will provide many employment opportunities. - Opinion: We should have the semester system in college. It would help us study better.
Response: I couldn’t agree with you more. In the semester system, students feel over-burdened due to continuous examinations. - Opinion: We shouldn’t be cutting down trees. We should find ways of transplanting them.
Response: Yes. I agree with you. Trees are future.
3. Respond to the following statements of opinion by adding a comment of approval or regret to an expression of agreement.
For example.
Opinion: The play was such a disappointment.
Response: Yes, it was. Cleary, the actors hadn’trehearsed enough.
Remember that there could be more one acceptable answer. After you finish, enact them with your partner. Take turns so that each of you gets to say the two lines in the exchange.
- I think we should go on an educational tour this winter. That’s a great idea. Educational tour will surely help the students in getting onsite learning.
- We should give our children greater freedom to express their opinion. I think so too.Then only can they think independently in their future.
- We should be compelled to speak English in the English class, shouldn’t we?
Yes, we should. As the result, the concussive atmosphere in the classroom will be created for practising speaking English. - I don’t think Devraj looks good with long hair. It just doesn’t suit him. You’re right. He would rather have a close hair-cut which will give him attractive looks.
- You shouldn’t have spoken so rudely to Ramya.
Yes, I know I shouldn’t have. But I have spoken in a fit of anger. I will meet her to say sorry for my rudeness.
4. Complete the following exchanges using different ways of expressing agreement.
For example:
Opinion: We should depend on rainwater harvesting at least for the garden.
Response: Sure. Perhaps we could even get the water purified for use inside the house.
Remember that there could be more than one acceptable answer. After you finish, enact them with your partner. Take turns so that each of you gets to say the two lines in the exchange.
a. NCC should be made compulsory at college.
I think so too. It’s a great way to instil the spirit of national integration in the students.
b. I think it’s better to stay in the hostel than at home.
There’s no doubt about that. We can study belier that way.
c. The chairperson’s inaugural speech was such a disappointment.
I agree with you. She spoke so well at last year’s function.
d. It’s such a shame! Sportspersons don’t get the support they need.
That’s right. They could do much better if they had better training.
e. What a performance! Adil danced beautifully today.
You’re right! His footwork has improved a lot.
Some expressions that you can use to disagree directly are:
I m not sure about that.
That’s not how I see it.
I m afraid I don’t agree.
I don’t know about that.
I can’t agree with you on that.
Activities 2. (Disagreeing with Opinions)
Try the following activities to improve your speaking skills.
1. Enact Dialogues 13-19 with a partner, taking turns to play the roles of the person stating an opinion and the one disagreeing with it.
Dialogue 13.
Madhu and Manju talk about a friend.
Madhu : How did you like Sumas seminar?
Manju : I don’t like the way she talks, as though she knows everything.
Madhu : Well, I agree that she sounds a bit bossy, but I don’t think she means to hurt anyone. She does listen to other people’s point of view.
Dialogue 14.
Farida and Sumit talk about a mathematics class they attended.
Farida : What did you think of Dr Kamat’s lesson on polynomials?
Sumit : It wasn’t quite clear.
Farida : Maybe his introduction was a bit confusing, but I quite liked the way he developed the topic.
Dialogue 15.
Ms Joshi and Ms Chhetri discuss a play performed by their students.
Ms. Chhetrl : Don’t you think the programme was a great success?
Ms. Joshi : Yes, to some extent it was. But the English play was disappointing.
Ms. Chhetrl : It’s true that it wasn’t as good as the Hindi play. After all, it was the students’ first attempt. And they did put in a lot of effort, you’ll admit.
In the dialogues below, the speaker uses certain introductory words meant to express disagreement indirectly.
Dialogue 16.
Mrs lyer, Mr Yadav and Mrs Rao talk about sending children to boarding school.
Mrs. Iyer : I haven’t seen your son for a long time.
Mr. Yadav : He’s not here. We’ve sent him to a hostel.
Mrs. Iyer : That wasn’t a good idea. Children in hostels generally learn bad habits.
Mr. Yadav : On the contrary, I think they learn to be more disciplined.
Mrs. Rao : In my opinion, children in hostels feel rather insecure without their parents. That’s not good for them.
Dialogue 17.
Mr. and Mrs Baig are talking about their daughter.
Mrs Baig : I’m happy Sanjeeda has started working.
Mr Baig : I don’t quite like it. She has a small child to look after.
Mrs Baig : The way I look at it. Salman, if she didn’t work, it’d be such a waste of her education.
Mr Baig : Well, she can always work when her child grows up.
Mrs Baig : I’m sure she’ll manage very well with her mother-in-law’s help. She has. offered to baby-sit while Sanjeeda’s at work.
Here,
Mr Baig uses always to suggest what Sajida can do in the future when her child grows up. In this usage, the word does not mean ‘all the time’.
Dialogue 18.
Ranjita and Prem talk about a problem between two of their classmates.
Ranjita Janet had a bit of an argument with Naveen this morning. She wanted to
direct the play for the inter-class competition. Naveen insisted he would direct it.
Prem Frankly, the way I see it, there’s no need to argue. Both of them can work together for the competition.
Dialogue 19
Rama, Saira, Girish and Sarat discuss where to go at the weekend.
Rama I think we should go to a quiet place. We could try Srisailam.
Girish Well, actually, Srisailam will not be quiet at all. It’ll be rather crowded.
Sarat How about going to Araku Valley?
Rama We went there only last month. I don’t think we should go there again.
Saira As far as I’m concerned, it’s not the place we go to but the company that
matters. I think we’ll enjoy ourselves.
2. Make as many statements of disagreement as you can from the following table. Write them down and take turns to say them with your partner.
For example:
You’re right to some extent, but then, can’t you see that farmers have to find other ways of earning a living am case the need arises?
| I can see your point, | But | I feel we can’t be too strict with children. We have to respect their views. |
| Yes, I do agree with | but then | can’t you see that farmers have to find other |
| you up to a point, | ways of earning a living in case the need arises? | |
| You’re right to some extent, | though | Children do have a lot of fun at these camps, you know. |
| students should be given equal opportunities whether they’re girls or boys.
I believe elderly people should have the choice to live on their own if they’d like to. |
1. Yes, I do agree with you up to a point, though I believe elderly people should have the choice to live on their own if they’d like to.
2. I can see your point, thoughl feel we can’t be too strict with children. We have to respect their views.
3. You’re right to some extent, but then students should be given equal opportunities whether they’re girls or boys.
4. I can see your point, but then children do have a lot of fun at these camps, you know.
Activities 3.
Try the following activities to improve your speaking skills.
Question 1.
Enact Dialogues 20 and 21 with a partner, taking turns to play the roles of the person stating an opinion and the one disagreeing with it.
Dialogue 20.
Thomas and his cousin are talking about restaurants that serve good coffee.
Thomas : You can get the best coffee in town at Cafe Noir.
Pinky : I’m sorry, I don’t agree. I think India Coffee House serves the best coffee.
Dialogue 21.
Renu and Susheel talk about the right age for retirement.
Renu : Everyone should retire at fifty-eight.
Susheel : That’s not the way I see it. People should be given the option to work for a few years more if they are healthy and if they want to.
Question 2.
Fill in the blanks in the statements with the expressions of disagreement given below.
The way I look at it… It seems to me that …. Personally, I don’t think ….
I’m sorry, but I disagree. Actually, I quite like…
a. It seems to me that she’s been given a good role in this movie. She’s usually very good in tragic role.
b. Actually. I quite like her hairstyle. It makes her look younger.
c. The way I look at it: there’s too much talk on how to bring them up. After all, our parents brought us up without this kind of fuss, didn’t they?
d. Personally. I don’t think people are more aware of environmental issues now than they were some years ago.
e. I’m sorry, but I disagree. The workers are far more willing than we think. They just need the right kind of encouragement.
Question 3.
Match the statements of disagreement competed in Activity 2 (above) as responses to the opinions expressed below by writing their numbers in the spaces provided. After you finish, enact them with your partner. Take turns so that each of you plays the two roles.
a. I don’t know what the world is coming to. People aren’t concerned about conservation at all. (d)
b. The actor was dreadful, wasn’t she? (a)
c. I feel we don’t know enough about bringing up children. I read up all there is on the topic. (c)
d. Doesn’t Shaila look silly? I wonder what she’s done to her hair. (b)
e. Workers in our factory have no commitment. All they want is money and other benefits. (e)
Question 4.
Work with a partner to prepare and enact dialogues to suit each of the following situations. Each student in the pair should take turns to state an opinion and react (either agree or disagree) to it. Each conversation should last at least four turns, with both partners stating his/her opinion and then defending it. You can use the expressions you have learnt in this chapter. You must not write the dialogue down.
Situation 1:
Your friend believes that the films produced today are inferior to those produced forty years ago.
Ram: Hi, Bheem! Don’t you think that the films produced today are inferior to those produced forty years ago?
Bheem: Yes, to some extent they are. But there are some good films produced even today.
Ram: Well, I agree with you. But the old films are better in terms of narration in a natural way.
Bheem: Frankly, the way I see it, the old film have their own value, so do the modern film.
Situation 2.
Your friend says that it is essential for students to get some work experience before they their formal education.
Aran : Hi, Akhil! I think it is essential for students to get some work experience before they finish their formal education.
Akhil: On the contrary, I think formal education and vocational education should go hand in hand.
Aran : That’s a good idea. But it may require a lot of investment.
Akhil : In my opinion, it can be possible even with the same expenditure that is being spent on the present day education.
Situation 3.
Your parent insists that you should cut down your extra curricular activities in order to focus on your studies.
Parent : Divya! It’s better you should cut down your extra curricular activities in order to focus on your studies.
Divyasri : On the contrary, I think co-curricular activities help me in focussing on education as well as help maintain my good health
Parent : As far as my opinion is concerned, the co-curricular activities would kill your valuable time.
Divyasri : Frankly, the way I see it, they are part and parcel of education.
Situation 4.
Your colleague feels that the office should give some employees the option to work from home.
Nikk i: Hi, Lucky! I think the office should give some employees the option to work from home.
Lucky : You’re absolutely right. It will help us maintain social distance in the office space during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Nikki : You’ re right. Besides, the employees need little travel and the chance of getting affected with COVID-19 will be reduced.
Lucky : You’re absolutely right.
Post Reaping – Self-Analysis
Self-analysis:
Self-analysis is a very important skill for those who wish to improve themselves. It begins with soul searching: a penetrating examination of our own beliefs and motives. It needs an in-depth analysis of our own personality, including emotions, attitudes and behaviour. It is a process we need to carry out independently without the help of another person.
Introspection is an excellent method of self-analysis. Introspection is self-examination or the contemplation of ones own thoughts and sensations; it is practised by turning our mind inwards and looking at what is within our own mind. By observing our own thoughts and actions, we come to know about the person we actually are. This can be done on a regular basis by spending a few minutes each day to recollect what we did, why we did it, and whether we did it right or whether it could have been done better. There are two popular tools used for self-analysis
- SWOT and
- Johari window.
SWOT expands to strength, weakness, opportunity and threat. Self-analysis requires us to be aware of our strengths, that is, what we are capable of doing well so that we can multiply our strengths and improve ourselves further. But we can become egoistic unless the knowledge of our strengths is balanced with that of our weaknesses, that is, what we are not capable of doing and why.
When we are aware of our own weaknesses, we can begin to minimise them and control them. Opportunities are contexts which help us to hone our strengths which we often overlook or avoid. Threats, on the other hand, are disguised opportunities which we need to face as challenges, by overcoming which we become stronger and the threat becomes an opportunity for betterment.
| open self | blind self |
| hidden self | unknown self |
These represent the following aspects of our personality which can be explored deeply to understand and improve ourselves:
- The open self reveals that aspect of a persons character which is known by the person themself and is also known by others;
- The blind self refers to that aspect of the personality which is unknown to the person themself but which others may know;
- The hidden self implies what the person knows about themself that others do not know;
- The unknown self is that part which is unknown to the person as well as to others.
Using these parameters for seLf-analysis requires a deep understanding of the concepts and regular practiced
Think and Respond
Question 1.
You have come across the words ‘addiction’ and ‘cure’. How would a person discover that he/she has an addiction? How would self-analysis help to identify the addiction? Is it possible suggest that self-analysis helps cure addictions? Give an example of a person who has overcome his/her addiction through self-analysis.
Answer:
Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behaviour even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. The term ‘addiction’ not only refer to dependence on substances such as ganja, heroin or cocaine. There is substance addiction and non-substance addiction.
Some examples of non-substance addiction include: gambling, food, internet, gaming, cell phone, sex, etc. Someone with addiction will continue to misuse the substance or activity in spite of the harmful effects it has. Many people, but not all, start using a drug or first engage in an activity voluntarily. However, addiction can take over and reduce self-control.
Similarly, the ‘cure’ means to restore to health, soundness, or normality cured someone of the ‘addiction’ in this context. We can identify our addiction in two ways: identification by ourselves and identification by others. The process of ‘self-analysis’ can not only help us identify our‘ addiction’ but also help us cure the addiction. For example, I have a friend who is addicted to gaming on the mobile phone which has spoiled his health as well as career.
However, through the self-analysis process, he has overcome his addiction. Firstly, he has followed the process of ‘introspection’ whereby he has self-examined and contemplated on his own thoughts and sensations. And identified that he has been losing control over his own thoughts due to continuous gaming.
Then he has applied the self analysis tool SWOT: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Through this process, he has realised his own strengths such as playing cricket, watching movies, chatting with his friends; and has started spending time on these activities, so as to shift his focus from gamingon mobile phones.
He is well aware of his weakness of playing video games on mobile phones and has strong desire to overcome his weakness. When he has thought of the opportunities available to hm and threats or challenges he is supposed to face in his life. In this way, he has overcome his addiction to video gaming.
Question 2.
When we travel we may have bad experiences. But when we recollect the same experiences years later, we forget the negatives and become nostalgic. For instance, college may seem restrictive during one’s student years, but ten or twenty years later a student may return there thinking that the time spent in college was the golden period of his/her life. Do we need to use self-analysis to correct’ these distorted images or can we continue to harbour such harmless illusions?
Answer:
It is quite natural for us to think about some experiences as bad though they are not so. In fact, they are great feelings or memorable experience in the course of time. For instance, college may seem restrictive during one’s student years, but ten or twenty years later a student may return there thinking that the time spent in college was the golden period of his/her life.
Usually, people have distorted images of such experiences and there is a possibility for to continue to harbour such harmless illusions. However, we need to use self-analysis to correct such mis understanding and misconceptions. Self-analysis is an importance skill to improve ourselves.
The process of self-analysis begins with ‘soul searching’ whereby we have a deep examination of our own beliefs and motives. In other words, it is an in-depth analysis of own personality, including emotions, attitudes, and behaviour. When we experience something, it is better for us not to brand the experience as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
We should be aware of the fact that every experience is an experience that will be a part of our memory. When we brand one experience as ‘bad’, we allow it to hurt us and remains as nightmare throughout our life. It is certain that in the course of time the perceived ‘bad’ experience will become nostalgic for us and with an adult peace we look at it in altogether different perspective.
By adopting the self-analysis tool, we can overcome the tendency of branding of our experiences in preoccupied notions and avoid harbouring such allusions in mind. Through self-analysis, we can enjoy every moment in a cheerful manner looking at it as an enchanting experience.