H
I
SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR
CENTRE FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION
English for Communication
For
B. A. Part-III
K
(Compulsory English)
J
Copyright ©
Registrar,
Shivaji University,
Kolhapur. (Maharashtra)
First Edition 2009
Prescribed for B. A. Part-III
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form by mimeography
or any other means without permission in writing from the Shivaji University, Kolhapur
(MS)
Copies : 10,000
Published by:
Dr. R. G. Dandge
I/c. Registrar,
Shivaji University,
Kolhapur-416 004.
Printed by :
Shri. A. S. Nalawade
I/c. Superintendent,
Shivaji University Press,
Kolhapur-416 004
ISBN- 978-81-8486-260-7
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Further information about the Centre for Distance Education & Shivaji University may be
obtained from the University Office at Vidyanagar, Kolhapur-416 004, India.
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This material has been produced with the developmental grant from DEC-IGNOU, New
Delhi.
(ii)
Centre for Distance Education
Shivaji University, Kolhapur
n EXPERT COMMITTEE n
Prof. (Dr.) A. A. Dange
Dr. R. G. Dandge
Ag. Vice-Chancellor,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur
I/c. Registrar,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
n ADVISORY COMMITTEE n
Prof. (Dr.) A. A. Dange
Ag. Vice-Chancellor,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Dr. R. G. Dandge
I/c. Registrar,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Dr. R. B. Patil
Director BCUD,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Shri. B. S. Patil
Finance and Accounts Officer,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Dr. B. M. Hirdekar
Controller of Examination
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Prof. (Dr.) U. B. Bhoite
Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg,
Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.
Dr. (Smt.) Vasanti Rasam
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Prof. (Dr.) A. N. Joshi
Director, School of Education,
Y. C. M. O. U. Nashik.
Prof. (Dr.) B. S. Sawant
Dean, Faculty of Commerce,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Shri. J. R. Jadhav
Dean, Faculty of Arts & Fine Arts,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Prof. (Dr.) S. A. Bari
Director, Distance Education,
Kuvempu University, Karnataka.
Dr. T. B. Jagtap
Dean, Faculty of Science,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Prof. Dr. (Smt.) Cima Yeole
(Member Secretary)
Director, Centre for Distance Education,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Dr. K. N. Sangale
Dean, Faculty of Education,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
n B. O. S. MEMBERS OF ENGLISH n
Chairman- Shri. J. A. Mhetre
Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Arts, Science and Commerce, 17, Malhar Peth, Satara
l
Prof. (Dr.) P. A. Attar
Professor and Head, Dept. of English,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
l
Shri. G. M. Shikalgar,
Bhogawati Mahavidyalaya, Kurukali,
Tal. Karveer, Dist. Kolhapur.
l
Shri. B. M. Ladgaonkar,
Yashwantrao Chavan Warna Mahavidyalaya,
Warananagar, Dist. Kolhapur.
l
Dr. Ashok Thorat
10, Usha Manor, Body Gate Bus Stop,
Ganeshkhind Road, Aundh, Pune.
l
Shri. S. V. Shelake
Raje Ramrao Mahavidyalaya, Jath, Dist. Sangli.
l
l
Shri. Pandurang Rangrao Shewale
Shri. Shahaji Chh. College, 296, 'C',
Dasara Chowk, Kolhapur.
Dr. Shreedhar Gokhale
Professor, Dept. of English,
Poona University, Poona, Aundh Pune.
Dr. Rajagopal G.
English and Foreign Languages University,
Hyderabad.
l
Shri. S. D. Thorat
Kai. Sou. Malati V. Patil Kanya Mahavidyalaya,
Urun-Islampur, Tal. Walwa, Dist. Sangli.
l
(iii)
Centre for Distance Education
Shivaji University,
Kolhapur.
English for Communication
Writing Team
n Writers
1.
Shri. Y. S. Kalamakar
2.
Shri. J. A. Mhetre
3.
Shri. P. R. Shewale
4.
Shri. P. V. Satpute
5.
Prof. Dr. Vivek Rankhambe
6.
Mrs. Shailaja Changundi
7.
Dr. N. B. Masal
8.
Mrs. Sumati Salunkhe
9.
Shri. Subhash Shelake
n
Editors n
Shri. J. A. Mhetre
Chairman,
BOS, Shivaji University, Kolhapur
Shri. Y. S. Kalamkar
General Editor,
Shri. P. R. Shewale
S. S. C. Mahavidyalaya,
Kolhapur.
(iv)
Preface
This book of Compulsory English for B. A. Part-III is being published under the
title English for Communication. This is in continuation of our Part-I and II books,
which take into account the needs of our students to use English in day-to-day
communication as well as acquire advanced skills of English in written
communication.
The first section of this book introduces communication skills for written
English. There are several tasks interspersed in these units after each teaching
point, so that the students should practise this skill in the class as well as at home.
Teachers are requested to devise more such tasks and give students ample
practice for spoken as well as written English.
The second section introduces passages of prose and poetry to improve
reading-comprehension skill of the students. There are different types of
comprehension questions under each reading unit to ensure close reading of the
text. There are also questions for testing composition skills in the units of both the
sections.
We hope this book, like the earlier ones, will be of help to both, the teachers
and the students.
Y. S. Kalamkar
J. A. Mhetre
General Editor
Chairman,
B. O. S. (English)
(v)
CONTENTS
Unit 1 Understanding Organization of a Passage
1
Unit 2 Avoiding Errors in Written English
14
Unit 3 Developing Vocabulary and Its Use
36
Unit 4 How to Take Part in a Group Discussion
73
Unit 5 How to Face an Interview
93
Unit 6 English for Formal Official Letter-Writing
104
Unit 7 The Carpet
119
Jyotika Elhance
Unit 8 What is True Civilization?
135
M. K. Gandhi
Unit 9 The Night The Ghost Got In
147
James Thurber
Unit 10 Examinations
160
R. K. Narayan
Unit 11 Unlock Your Own Creativity
172
Roger Von Oech
Unit 12 Is Horror Your Neighbour?
184
Kenneth Lillington
Unit 13 To Be Of Use
196
Marge Piercy
Unit 14 Grandma's Way
204
Anna McLean
Unit 15 Detachment
212
Aroma Bhardwaj
(vii)
Each Unit begins with the section Objectives Objectives are directive and indicative of :
1. What has been presented in the Unit and
2. What is expected from you
3. What you are expected to know pertaining to the specific
Unit once you have completed working on the Unit.
The self check exercises with possible answers will help you to
understand the Unit in the right perspective. Go through the possible
answer only after you write your answers. These exercises are not
to be submitted to us for evaluation. They have been provided to
you as Study Tools to help keep you in the right track as you study
the Unit.
(viii)
Unit-1
UNDERSTANING ORGANIZATION OF A PASSAGE
INDEX :
1.0
Objectives
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Content
1.2.1
Sub – Content I
Self – Check I
1.2.2
Sub – Content II
Self – Check II
1.3
Key to self – check exercises
1.4
Summary
1.5
Exercises
1.6
Field Work
1.7
Further Reading
1
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….1
1.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit, you will be able to :
•
understand how sentences in a passage are interrelated.
•
learn what a topic or initial sentence is.
•
learn how the initial statement is modified, supported, exemplified,
etc.
•
understand how a topic is developed and expanded into a passage.
•
learn the use of logical connectives and their meaning.
•
learn how to get ideas.
1.1 Introduction :
In this unit you are going to study how to organize your writing. Writing is a
complex and difficult skill to learn and master. It is necessary for you to master, this
skill to fare well in your competitive examinations, especially when you are writing
an essay type answer. Your writing should be logical and well-organized.
1.2 Content :
1.2.1 : Let us first look at a small passage, and study how it is organized – how it
begins, how it is developed and how it is concluded.
1.
Statement - a topic
sentence.
2. Modifying the
statement – use
of ‘but’
3. ‘This’ refers back
to ‘waking up and
acting.’
4. ‘and’ sentence adds
something to the
1.
All of us have dreams and aspirations to attain our
rightful place in the sun.
2. But many of us realize that our dreams shall not be
realized unless and until we wake up and start
acting to make them a reality.
3. This requires a proper assessment of one’s
capacities, strengths and weaknesses.
4. And one should then chart out a feasible life goal
and a customized plan for its achievement.
earlier sentence.
‘Then’ expresses
relation of time.
2
You can see how all these sentences in this small passage are inter-related. Some
words are repeated. For example, the word ‘dreams’ is repeated. The pronoun ‘them’
in S-2, refers back to ‘dreams and aspirations’ in S-1. ‘Life goal’ in S-4 is a
substitute word for ‘dreams and aspirations.’
A good piece of writing is thus an organized text. All the sentences in it are
inter-connected logically and meaningfully. The first sentence of a passage decides
the focus of the passage. It can be a topic sentence which is developed further. The
first or initial sentence of a passage can be your opinion :
I think we should declare cricket to be our national game.
a statement of fact :
There are many environmental problems around the world.
a statement made by someone :
Gandhiji says every village should be a republic or Panchayat having full powers for
its development.
You can begin your passage with such statements. It may be your topic or the
main idea. Then you can explain, develop and illustrate this main idea in the passage.
The first sentence of a passage need not always be a topic sentence. You can start
your passage with an observation such as :
Everyday, we come across news of road accidents in the newspaper.
And then you can write a passage about the necessity of safety measures to be
obeyed by the drivers of cars, trucks, buses, etc. This can be a passage about safety
measures to avoid road accidents. There is, thus, a general idea which becomes a
topic or focus of a passage you are writing :
Let us take the statement of Gandhiji given above, and develop a passage based
on it.
The beginning : Gandhiji says every village should be a Republic or
Panchayat having full powers for its development.
Explanation : He was thinking of a village as an independent political unit. A
3
village Panchayat should be able to manage its own affairs. It should have its own
general body, the five elected Panchayat members, and they should regularly meet
and take decisions.
Developing the
topic :
1.
The village should also be a self-supporting
economic unit. The panchayat members should take into
account the resources of the village. For example, its agricultural products, skilled
workmen such as carpenters, masons, etc, the labour force or the total working
population and so on. Then they should sit together and make a list of their needs and
problems, and try to find answers to these problems.
2.
But, it does not mean that they do not depend on others. They can exchange
their goods and services with other villages. Thus, village can be an ideal democratic
community.
Look at the underlined expressions in this passage. The pronouns refer to the earlier
expressions. Nouns like the village, panchayat, are repeated. There are logical
connectors like ‘for example, then, but’. The sentences in the whole passage are in
this way logically and meaningfully related.
Now, you can give a title to this passage. It could be ‘Rural Democracy’, or ‘A
village as a Political unit’. The final sentence is the topic or the main idea developed
through the passage.
You can see from this that any good written composition is logically organized. In
other words, sentences in it are interconnected by different devices. Study the
following small passage, and note the underlined expressions.
I enjoy reading whenever I have free time. One reason I love to read is that I
can sit at home and enjoy reading about a country I have not yet visited.
Another reason is that I can enjoy experiences of the other people through
reading. Their experiences make me wiser and more knowledgeable. The most
important thing is a book can be the best companion of all times. You can carry
it on a plane, in a bus or a train, and it passes time quickly.
4
The underlined expressions mark transition from one reason to the other, and the
passage is organized. Other such transitional signal are :
next, secondly, thirdly, finally, besides, moreover, etc.
They mark progress from one statement to the other.
You have already noted in the passage on Rural Democracy above, a number of
devices like ‘for example, then, but, thus, etc’. Read the following small passage and
note the sentence connectors.
If you are a vegetarian, there are plenty of protein-rich vegetables. For example,
there are nuts, pulses such as beans and peas, etc. Soybeans, particularly, is a
rich source of protein. Deficiency of proteins can prove harmful for the mental
growth of children. For instance, children eating only rice suffer from malnutrition.
The connectors ‘for example’, for instance, to illustrate, etc. are also transitional
signals. Their function is to relate the earlier statement with the following one.
Sometimes, you make a statement and then you modify it. See, for example :
Cricket is a popular game in India. But, it is very expensive. It can be a very alluring
career in sports. Howerver, very few can aspire to it. Though it is an exciting game, it
needs a whole day for a single match; and five days for a test match.
Here the signals like but, however, though, modify the earlier statements by
subtracting some meaning from it. Other such words or devices which modify earlier
statements are :
yet, still, in spite of, despite.
You can see from all the passages given so far in this unit that in a written
composition sentences are logically interconnected through devices such as :
1.
nouns and pronouns,
2.
time expressions (tenses), then, later, etc.
5
3.
transional signals of different kinds
and above all through one single theme.
Secondly, sentences in a passage follow one another in a sequence. You can
easily discover this sequence by the logical devices as well as with the help of nouns
and pronouns and tenses used in the sentences. For example a pronoun can occur
only after a noun for which it is used. Article ‘the’ can tell you that it refers back to
the noun in the earlier sentence – ‘a man’ in the earlier sentence becomes ‘the man’
in the following one. When you come across phrases such as for example, besides,
since, on the other hand, in contrast, etc., they mark relationship with earlier
sentences. This relationship can be of making an addition, giving an illustration, or
explanation, expressing contrast or condition, etc.
The first-sentence in a passage is the initial sentence. There is logically no
sentence before it. The sentences, which follow the first or initial sentence, are
logically connected through a number of devices.
Self – Check I :
(A) Underline the connecting expressions in the following passage : (nouns,
pronouns, articles and logical devices), and state the relationship they have.
Scientists warn that we need to reduce unwanted greenhouse gases in our
environment; especially carbon dioxide. They want us to do so in various ways. First,
we must reduce the carbon dioxide we allow into the environment. We can do this by
changing from coal and oil to cleaner fuels. Coal burning electric plants produce
large quantities of carbon dioxide. On the other hand, burning natural gas produces
fifty percent less carbon dioxide than coal.
The best sources of electricity, however, include water, wind and solar power.
Another important way to reduce the carbon dioxide is to burn less fuel for heating
and transportation.
(B) Rearrange the following sentences into a passage, beginning with the initial
sentence.
1.
Their addiction forces them to spend all their free time in front of the computer.
6
2.
One negative side effect is that people can get addicted to computers.
3.
Back problems and wrist pain are common for people with computer jobs.
4.
Another bad side effect is that using a computer for many hours can be harmful
to health.
5.
This obsession damages their family life.
6.
Computers can cause eye-strain leading to headache.
7.
Computers have several bad side effects.
1.2.2
Getting Ideas :
The important thing in writing is getting ideas. How do you get ideas? Take a
sheet of paper. Write your topic, in bold, in the middle, and circle it. Then write
words or expressions, phrases which come to your mind about the topic, and circle
them also. For example, take the topic : Cricket : a National Game.
Children and adult
both love it
It’s a career for
many
Brings a lot of
revenue
It’s popular
Creates National Spirit
Cricket : A
National Game
Develops sportsmanship
a big crowd
puller
teaches team
sprit
Develops
leadership
quality
a team game
7
teaches
cooperation
There can be some objections to making cricket a national game. What can be these
objections?
It provokes national
animosity
It has become a
business for some
It’s too costly
Objections
requires a lot of
space
It takes up too much
time.
It leads to unfair
practices
Noting down ideas or points like this is called brain-storming. Now you can start
organizing these points, writing two or three sentences for each point. You can have
a second paragraph of this passage dealing with objections. And finally, you can
write a conclusion. Your conclusion will depend on your own point of view. If you
are in favour of the idea, you can answer the objections, and end the passage on a
positive note. Remember to connect your sentences logically.
8
Let us try writing this passage :
Cricket : A National Game
Cricket is an extremely popular game in India. You must have seen how the
streets in big cities are deserted when there is a one-day-cricket match being played.
Thousands of people, young and old, are either at the stadium or sitting before their
TV sets watching the game and sharing its excitement.
Being a team game, cricket develops team-spirit. It develops leadership qualities
among the players. The members of the team together strive to do their best, which
needs cooperation and team spirit. Since the teams are nationally organized, it
develops the spirit of nationality. As cricket is a great crowd-puller, and also a game
played on an international level, there is a lot of money in it. It earns a lot of revenue
for the cricket board as well as for the country. Cricket is, therefore, the fittest
candidate for being the national game of India.
However, some people may raise objections to this view. They say, it is a very
expensive game and only the rich play it. But, this is not entirely true. You can see
cricket being played in small lane and even varandahs, with different kinds of balls
and bats, with the same spirit as in a one-day match. Some say that it arouses
national animosity. Well, which team game doesn’t? Take foot-ball, and even
hockey. National spirit is common to all games. In conclusion, cricket appears to be
the most popular team game fit to be the national game of India.
You can see how the ideas from our brain-storming can lead us to the
organization of a passage. What was our starting point? We started with the Main
Idea – Cricket : a National Game. We jotted down the points that occurred to us.
These points gave us the Body of the passage. Then we noted some Contrary points.
We examined them. And finally we wrote the conclusion.
9
Let us look at some more main ideas, which can be developed into a passage.
1.
My Goals in Life :
immediate goals – first – graduation – course in management – computer application
second – getting a good job – support parents – house of our own. Third – education
of younger brother – sister. Conclusion – only short term goals.
2.
Our Noisy Neighbours :
peaceful life before they came – their teen-age son – loud parties 2 or 3 times a week
– TV/Radio at full pitch – can’t sleep – study – their pets – two dogs – barking
continuously – husband and wife – often quarreling, - screaming and shouting –
lucky break – husband’s transfer – great relief.
These are personal topics. You can have some more personal topics, such as :
The most exciting journey
My uncle/Aunt (Interesting person in my life)
A Terrifying Experience
You can have some general topics like :
Noise Pollution in the city
Uses and Abuses of cell-phones
Fighting Air Pollution
Necessity of Wearing a Helmet.
You can also expand some sayings or proverbs into a good passage :
Haste Makes Waste
You cannot judge a book by its cover
Better to lose a minute than lose life in a minute
10
Let us now try to have brain-storming on one or two of these topics.
3.
Fighting Air Pollution :
causes – burning of coal, fuel – unwanted green-house gasses – esp. carbon dioxide –
reduce it – first change from coal/fuel – cleaner fuels – natural gas – 50% less CO2
than coal – best sources of electricity – water, wind, solar power – second – burn less
fuel for heating/transport – use vehicles using gas and electricity – put carbon–use
tax on people/manufacturers – immedinte steps necessary.
Haste Makes Waste :
4.
lose time – try doing something quickly/carelessly – in a hurry – examples –:
pressure – cooker – did not read instructions; – getting down-quickly – slipped
and fell – lost a week in the hospital; – exams – did not read the time-table
carefully – wrong day-wrong paper – got poor marks. – hurrying results into the
waste of time – money, – remind yourself – haste makes waste.
Self – Check II
(A) Write Brain-storming points on :
College Elections.
1.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
(A) they :
pronoun, refers back to the noun Scientists.
so :
substitute expression for, ‘to reduce unwanted green-house gasses ...’.
first :
enumerative device – meaning the first step.
Carbon dioxide : relates to green – house gasses
this :
refers to the action of reducing.
on the other hand : contrasts coal-burning with burning natural gas.
Nouns repeated in the passage :
11
Carbon dioxide, environment, coal, coal-burning, electric (plants),
electricity, fuel.
(B)
Computers have several bad side effects. One side effect is that people can
get addicted to computers. Their addiction forces them to spend all their free
time in front of the computer. This obsession damages their family life.
Another bad side effect is that using a computer for many hours can be
harmful to health. Back problems and wrist pain are common for people with
computer jobs. Computers can cause eye-strain leading to headache.
Key to Self – Check II
Brain Storming points on College Elections :
Good Points :
Election necessary, Training in democracy, Highlight issues of
students, Create awareness, Training ground for leadership,
Development of personality, debating, obeying rules of elections,
technicalities of voting system, lively atmosphere in the college.
Problems :
Outside influences, provocations, bad means for winning, giving rise
to groups and group enmity, spending money, no programmer or
issues, problem of law and order.
Conclusion :
Necessity of Strict control, observation of rules, canvassing only in
the classes, within campus, ban on outsiders. Good if students follow
norms, create healthy atmosphere.
1.4 Summary :
In this unit you have learned how a passage is organized with the help of a
number of devices which connect the sentences. A passage normally begins with a
topic sentence, or an opinion, etc. It is then modified, explained, illustrated or
12
contrasted. The passage is held together by its single topic or theme. Similarly, the
nouns, verbs and other expressions repeated in it also relate the statements in it with
each other.
Before writing, it is necessary to get ideas. You can write the topic chosen by
you at the centre of a page, and then start putting down any ideas that occur to you
around this topic. There may be ideas supporting the topic, explaining it or even
opposing it. You can then organize these ideas into a passage. Then, finally, you can
write a conclusion stating your opinion.
1.5 Exercises :
1.
Write well-organized passage on the topics from the points given at 1,
2, 3 and 4 above.
2.
Write any ideas that occur to you, around the following topics, and
develop them into good passages :
i)
Uses and Abuses of Cell-Phones.
ii) Necessity of Wearing a Helmet.
iii) You cannot judge a book by its cover.
1.6 Field Work :
Collect newspaper cuttings from the Sunday editions of English newspapers
and study how the passages are organized.
1.7 Further Reading :
Read the personal essays by the writers like A. G. Gardiner, E. V. Lucas, etc.
13
Unit-2
AVOIDING ERRORS IN WRITTEN ENGLISH
INDEX :
2.0
Objectives
2.1
Introduction
2.2
Content
2.2.1
Sub – Content I
[Use of Articles]
Self – Check I
2.2.2
Sub – Content II [Use of Quantifiers]
Self – Check II
2.2.3
Sub – Content III [Use of Tense]
Self – Check III
2.2.4
Sub – Content IV [Subject-Verb Agreement]
Self – Check IV
2.2.5
Sub – Content V [Use of Prepositions]
Self – Check V
2.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
2.4
Summary
2.5
Exercises
2.6
Field Work
2.7
Further Reading
14
2.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit, you will be able to :
•
learn how to avoid errors in your writing.
•
understand how to use articles at appropriate places and where not to
use articles.
learn to avoid errors related to the use of quantifiers such as some,
any, few, a few, etc.
understand where errors can occur in the sentences in subject – verb
agreement.
learn the use of prepositions and to avoid errors in their use.
•
•
•
2.1 Introduction :
English is not our mother tongue, and though it is a second language for the
Indian students right from the primary school, students make mistakes in the use of
English in speech as well as in writing. If you wish to improve your skill of written
English, it is necessary for you to understand the common errors in the use of
English made by most Indian students, and you should try to avoid these errors. You
have another motivation for studying and avoiding these errors. You have to face a
question based on common errors in every competitive examination, as well as in the
tests like I E L T or Toffel. Besides, to be able to write in correct English is in itself a
matter of great merit for you. Let us then look at the areas where we are likely to go
wrong, and improve our written English.
2.2 Content :
2.2.1
Use of Articles :
In Marathi, we do not have anything like articles a, an and the as in English.
We have, of course, our own ways of making meaning of these articles. But, it is
necessary to learn where a, an and the are used in English. Articles occur before a
noun. You are quite familiar with the rule that :
(a) every countable noun, in singular number, takes article a or an before it.
A noun beginning with a vowel sound takes ‘an’.
For example : a man, a table, an idea, an umbrella.
15
But look at the use of ‘an’ in the following sentences :
1.
It is an university in its own right.
2.
This is an unique phenomenon in nature.
3.
I decided to buy an umbrella.
4.
He is now a heir to a big industrial estate.
5.
I will take a hour to finish this work.
The words ‘university’ and ‘unique’ are pronounced with a consonant sound. They
need article ‘a’. The word ‘umbrella’ is pronounced with a vowel, so it takes ‘an’
before it. In the words ‘heir’ and ‘hour’ the sound ‘h’ is not pronounced. They are
said with a vowel first so we must say an heir, an hour. There are words like hotel,
heroic, which do not have stress on the first syllable. If you do not pronounce them
with ‘h’, they can take ‘an’ also. But you have to use ‘a’ before ‘hero’ and ‘holy’ –
He is a hero. He is not a holy man – Here ‘h’ is pronounced, not dropped. Similarly,
note the examples :
6.
My sister is an M.A. in English.
7.
Her uncle was an M P once.
We do not read MA and MP here as Master of Arts or Member of Parliament. We
use abbreviations which begin with a vowel sound.
Remember, every countable singular common noun takes an article a or an at its
first mention. When it is repeated, it takes article ‘the’, because, then it has definite
meaning.
8.
I bought a table and a chair ten years ago. The table is still there, but the chair is
broken.
The table and the chair have definite meaning at their repetition here.
Besides these examples definite article the is used for the following :
(a) Ordinal numbers (number showing a rank)
the first, the second, the third, etc.
the third floor, the second of April, etc.
16
(b) The names of oceans, rivers, seas and straits, mountain ranges
the Pacific ocean, the Nile, the Ganga, the Indian ocean, the Red sea, the Strait
of Gibralter, the Himalayas, the Alps.
(c) The names of most buildings, landmarks, monuments and natural wonders; also
the nouns which are definite in the meaning
the Taj-Mahal, the Ashoka Hotel, The General Hospital, the Empire State Building,
the Ramayana, the Bible, the Mahabharat
(d) The names of countries in plural and the hepublics
the United States
the Falcan Islands
the Republic of China
the British Isles
(e) The title of the head of the state
The President of India, The Prime Minister
(f) Unique things/ or only one such thing :
the Earth, the sun, the moon, the sky, the air (is fresh today)
(g) The superlatives
the best, the most (important), the finest (example).
(h) The group of people/ and the nationals.
the young, the rich, the poor, the French, the Chinese, the Japanese
Examples :
1.
The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer.
2.
There is difference between the French and the English character
3.
The Japanese and the Chinese have made tremendous progress after the war.
You should also know where no article or zero article is used. Note the following
examples :
You are talking about your parents in a home situation.
Mother has gone out to market.
17
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….2
Father is not at home.
Words like father, mother, uncle, nurse, teacher used in their unique situation (home,
hospital, school) take no article :
Father has gone out. Mother is in the kitchen, uncle is in the garden. And nurse is
with grandma.
Teacher wants us to come to school on Sunday for an extra class.
All uncountable nouns which refer to the whole class or refer to non-material
things take no article. For example :
Life is short. Art is long Death is unconquerable.
Light travels faster than sound. History is repeated. Man is mortal. Woman
dictates, man obeys.
Names of meals are without article :
I had breakfast at 8. When do you have lunch?
Dinner will be ready in an hour. What is there for supper?
Modes of Travels we came and by bus institutions like school, hospital.
Now let us do some exercises based upon what you have read :
Self – Check I :
In the following small pieces, articles are wrongly used or not used at all.
Rewrite them using appropriate articles :
1.
There is owl on our roof. There is cat watching a owl with great interest. She
likes to chase the birds, but now she is sitting quietly under tree.
2.
I felt rather hungry. So I went to kitchen. The mother was not at the home. I
opened a fridge but there was nothing except apple and orange. I decided to
have glass of milk.
3.
We normally go to the school by a bus. But I sometimes go by a car, if the father
is going that way. Quite a few students come by the train.
18
2.2.2
Errors related to the use of quantifiers :
Like articles, there are quantifiers such as :
Few/a few, little/a little, much, some, any, both, several
Few/a few :
A few has a positive or affirmative meaning. and few has a negative meaning.
Besides, few/a few are used only with countable nouns. Let us look at the following
sentences :
1.
There were few students. So we had no lecture.
(Here ‘few’ means almost no students.)
2.
You can enjoy staying here. There are a few interesting places to see.
(Here a few means some.)
‘few’ is used with countable nouns only. You can say a few books, a few apples, but
NOT a few information or a few time/oil, etc.
Little/ a little :
Like ‘few’, little also has negative sense, and ‘a little’ means some. Look at
these sentences :
1.
I have to talk to you. Can you spare a little time?
(a little - some)
2.
I have little time left. I can’t wait here.
(little : no time.)
Little/a little is used with uncountable nouns. You can say a little milk a little rain.
Use of much and many :
Like ‘little’, much is used for uncountable nouns, and like ‘few’, ‘many’ is used
for countable nouns. Note the use of much in the following sentences : Remember,
‘much’ usually goes with negative sentences :
19
1.
We didn’t spend much time at the museum because we had only a little time left
to catch the bus.
2.
I don’t think he has much money.
You can use ‘a lot of money’ in positive sense.
3.
He has a lot of money to invest in his business.
4.
It won’t cost much to repair this car.
But It is going to cost a lot to repair this car.
Many is used with countable nouns.
5.
There were many people present at the meeting
6.
He spent many hours playing chess, but did not have much time to study for the
exam.
7.
He has lived here for many year, but does not know much about this place.
Use of some/any :
Some is used in positive sentences and any is negative sentences and questions.
Study there examples :
8.
We needed some flowers, but we couldn’t get any in the market.
9.
If you have any problems, let me know.
10. I don’t have any money on me how, but I can borrow some from a friend.
11. I am very hungry. Give me something to eat.
12. Give me anything, it doesn’t matter what.
You can use some in questions while making an offer or while asking for something.
13. Would you like to have some sweets?
14. Can I have some sugar?
But normally any is used in questions.
15. Do you have any question?
16. Is there any tea left in the kettle?
20
I think there is some if you like.
The same usage holds good for something and anything.
17. I have something to tell you.
18. I don’t have anything to say.
Self – Check II
(A) Rewrite the following sentences filling the gaps with ‘little, a little, much,
few, a few, many, any, anything, some. Some expression may be used more than
ones.
1.
If there are ________ letters for me, could you please send them to this address?
2.
He isn’t very popular. He has _______ friends in the class.
3.
I am so busy. I have ________ time for doing anything else.
4.
I am not very busy today. I haven’t got ______ to do.
5.
I can’t come right now. I have got ________ to do at home.
6.
This is the month of May. Naturally there are ________ tourists here. But, in
rainy season there are _______ tourists, so business is very low.
7.
There is ______ bread in the fridge and also _______ eggs. You can have your
breakfast.
8.
You need _______ money to travel through the whole country.
9.
Are there _______ Alphanso mangoes with you? I would like to buy ______.
10. _______ time is spent doing this exercise. Now let us do something else.
2.2.3
Errors Related to the use of Tenses :
Tenses have their own function or meaning. For example, we use Simple
Present Tense to show
Present Habit
I walk to college every day.
Regular Actions :
21
The Ajanta Express arrives here at 5 o’clock.
Current situation :
My brother teaches in a college.
Remember, the following time adverbials are often used with the verbs in
Simple Present Tense : always, often, every, day, week/month, sometimes, usually.
Similarly, we use Present Continuous Tense to talk about an action going on
now at the time of speaking/writing, or for a planned future action :
Action going on :
They are waiting for a city bus.
Planned action :
I am going to Delhi tomorrow.
Students make mistakes when they forget to use the inflection – s or – es for the
verb when the subject is a third person singular noun.
One caution when you use a continuous form of tense. In English, the verbs of
Perception such as : see, feel, know, hear, understand, touch, smell, love, hate, forget,
remember etc. are not used in continuous form. You should not say ‘I am knowing’
or ‘I am understanding.’
In complex sentences, there are a main clause and subordinate clauses. The
tenses in the main clause and the subordinate clauses. Have logical relationship. See
for example :
When he came to see me,
I was having breakfast.
I had just finished breakfast
The subordinate ‘when’ (time) clause is a fixed time of the past, and the action
in that main clause may be, eithar continuous or it may here been just completed. So
the past tense in the ‘when’ clause is followed by a past continuous (was having) or
past perfect (had finished) in the main clause. Similarly, note the use of sequence of
tenses in the conditional or If-clauses :
If the government offers adequate compensation, the farmers will surrender their
land.
22
If clause
:
Main clause :
Simple present tense
:
offers
will + verb (future)
:
will surrender
If the government offered adequate compensation, the farmers would surrender their
land.
If clause
:
Main clause :
Use of
Simple past tense :
offerec
would + verb (without any tense marker) : would surrender
(This is hypothetical/past tense)
If the government had offered adequate compensation, the farmer would have
surrendered
their land
If clause
:
Main clause :
past perfect tense :
had offered
would + have + past participle : would have surrendered
(would + perfect tense)
(Meaning : The Government did not offer, so the farmers did not surrender)
There is another form of conditional sentence :
Had you been there, you would have won the prize.
(past perfect)
(would + perfect tense)
Meaning : You were not there, so you did not win the prize.
Now note the sequence of tenses in the other types of complex sentences :
As/because/ since he had completed his job, he left early.
past perfect
recent past
Though I had completed all my assignments, I did not get credit for them.
past – perfect (earlier action)
recent past
You can visit this place whenever you wish.
present
present
23
By the time we arrived at the station, the train had left.
recent past
past-perfect (earlier action)
He has been working here since he passed his graduation.
(with since and for you always use perfect tense.)
Self – Check III :
Rewrite the following sentences correcting them where necessary.
1.
I sometimes forgot to switch off the T.V. set and mother scolds me for it.
2.
The cat spring up a tree when it saw a dog coming its way.
3.
Mr. Sharma spoke to the customer now. Could you please wait for a while?
4.
We were not understanding his lecture, so we left the class.
5.
Sheela was chatting on the phone when her manager was coming into the office.
6.
When I get ready to go out, Rita called me.
7.
Unless you will agree to our terms, we will not let you go.
8.
If I had enough money, I travel all over the country.
9.
If you had explained it to me, I never have got into trouble.
10. I am waiting at the bus stop since 1.30 p.m. but no bus has turned up yet.
2.2.4
Errors Related to subject/verb Agreement :
Subject verb agreement is an area mainly related to the use of singular third
person subject and present tenses. If a subject noun phrase is a singular third person
NP, the verb will take an inflection – s or – es (in writing). If there are present
continuous and present perfect verb phrases, the auxiliary part of the verb (i.e. a
helping verb) will be :
is/are (writing)
have/has (written)
24
you are familiar with this rule because you have been using these tenses right from
the primary school. But, somehow mistakes are made because you hardly use
English for writing or speaking. Constant use can help you remember such usage in
English. Let us look at examples, where you are likely to make errors.
Two or more subjects :
If a subject phrase contains two or more nouns, it’s a plural subject. The verb
need not take the inflection.
John goes fishing every week. But John and Hanif go fishing every week.
The manager and his staff are attending an important meeting.
Ram and his wife do all the house work together
The nouns which indicate one unit indicate a singular subject :
Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast
(one unit of food.)
There are singular nouns which can be treated as plurals according to the context.
See for example :
The committee/Jury are talking to each other.
(Here we mean members of the committee/Jury so we treat it as a plural subject)
The committee was constituted by the law of parliament.
(Here ‘committee’ is one unit though there could be several members of it.)
Such nouns are :
audience, government, the staff, team, etc. Similarly, the nouns like equipment,
furniture, advice are always singular. There are some nouns which end in – ics, and
they are almost always singular :
athletics, economics, maths, physics, politics.
Some nouns appear to end with – s or – es, but they are singular :
news, means of transport, a television series, a species of bird.
25
We use ‘police’ always as a plural subject.
The police are guarding the house now.
The sum of money is a singular subject.
Fifty thousand rupees is a big amount.
Similarly,
Five years is a long period.
Ten miles is not a short distance
We are often misguided by the noun which is nearer the verb. Be careful about it.
Study these examples :
One of the books is damaged.
(not are, the subject is ‘one’)
The trouble with those people is that they do not try to understand.
(The subject is ‘the trouble’ not people.)
The tallest of the players was injured.
(Of the players, the tallest one.)
The man in charge of the workers was called Rajan.
(The subject is ‘the man’ and not ‘workers’)
The phrases either – or, neither – nor join two singular nouns, the subject is singular.
If they join two plural nouns the subject is plural.
Either Sham or his friend has booked tickets.
Neither officers nor workers have supported the proposal.
The second noun decides if the verb is to be singular or plural.
Either the supervisor or the workers are to blame.
plural
plural
Either the workers or the supervisor is to blame.
singular singular
26
Similarly,
Ram as well as Sham was present
(singular subject) (NOT were)
The manager, along with several assistants, was present at the ceremony.
(singular subject)
Sham, besides his friends, was also present
(singular subject.)
Self – Check IV
Correct the following sentences if necessary.
1.
Dal and Chapati are the best breakfast for me.
2.
The Jury are having their lunch.
3.
The audience was clapping hands after the performance.
4.
The news were really bad.
5.
Ten thousand rupees were put in a fixed deposit.
6.
His maths were really weak.
7.
One of the Ashoka trees were cut down by the gardener.
8.
Neither John nor his friends has attended the meeting.
9.
Seema as well as her friends have come for lunch.
10. Ramesh, besides his cousins, have interest in this business.
2.2.5
Errors Related to the use of prepositions :
Prepositions are unique to English. We do not have prepositions in Indian
languages. As in the use of articles, we make mistakes in the use of prepositions also.
There prepositions of position or place
at, in, on, beside, above, below, up, down, under, behind,
27
Mark the use of these in the following :
I live at 25 MG Road.
The party is at the Ashoka Hotel.
She was at the post-office buying stamps
We us in when we state the town, city or country where we live.
My friend lives in Mumbai.
His brother is in America.
Similarly, we say :
Mother is in the kitchen. Father is in the hall. My sister is in her room. My brother is
playing in the garden.
We use on to talk about the floor of the apartment, or indicate the surface of
something :
We live on the third floor.
The book is on the table.
Children are playing on the beach.
Something is above or below the surface :
The picture is above the table.
The slippers are below the table.
We use ‘beside’ in the sense of by the side or near.
She sat beside me.
Prepositions of Time :
The prepositions at, in, on are also used to indicate Time :
We use at to talk about the exact point of time.
There is a train at 4.00 p.m.
See me at breakfast.
28
I will be there at noon. He came at night.
We make use of at to talk about a specific day.
For example :
at Christmas.
at the prize distribution ceremony.
We use in to point to a period of time :
in the morning, in the month of May, in 2009.
We use on to point to a particular day or date :
On Sunday, on my birthday, on the 10th May, etc.
We use ‘during’ for a longer stretch of a period :
During holidays, during the recess, during the election period, etc.
But apart from these you have to be familiar with important combinations of nouns,
verbs and adjectives with the prepositions. For example, note the following
expressions :
She was traveling on a bus. (not in a bus)
There was no one near me. (not near to me)
She was afraid of spiders.
I agreed with him and decided to help him.
I ran into my friend as I was going to school. (met him by chance)
Let us know the reason for your failure.
You should be polite to your seniors.
I was shocked at his behaviour.
She is very skillful at cooking.
I am not good at maths.
He was trembling with fear.
Can you account for such a large income?
29
He seems to be ambitions of getting distinction.
I will call on you next Sunday. (visit)
Let us call to him.(shout to him to get his attention)
Your wonderful performance calls for a party.
The police charged him with murder.
We have no complaint against him.
Similarly, note the following common combinations :
disgusted with, conform to, hopeful of, liable to; influence on/over, liable for (paying
debts), take offence at (something); play on (the piano), play with an idea, prevail on
(someone to do something), be proud of, search for, object to, translate into, get
admission to, listen to, contribute to, involved in, aspire to (become someone),
sensitive to (something).
The best way to learn the correct use of prepositions is to look up nouns, verbs and
adjectives, and the prepositions they combine with. When you read your text-book or
any standard article in English, pay attention to the use of prepositions and make a
note of them.
Self – Check V
(A) Correct the following sentences for their use of prepositions.
1.
I haven’t seen him from a long time.
2.
As we were tired we rested in the top of the hill.
3.
They have been living here from 1998.
4.
The teacher threw a piece of chalk to the boy in the back row.
5.
We went to Delhi in train but while coming back we were at plane.
6.
I could not talk to you because I was on the party.
7.
I went at hospital to see a friend of mine.
8.
Our farm-house is at the high way behind a restaurant.
30
9.
Our flight is at the 15th of May from 7 o’clock in the morning.
10. It will arrive to the airport on 2 at the afternoon.
(B) Rewrite the following sentences correcting the use of prepositions used.
1.
The prisoner was accused for forging a document, and he was advised to appoint
a solicitor to act with him.
2.
No one agreed to me, and they argued again me opposing what I said.
3.
We did not approve for his plan, yet we helped him on carrying it out.
4.
I do not believe on bargaining for the vegetable vendors.
5.
We prevailed of the principal to accept our proposal.
6.
I was disgusted for what he told me and objected at his proposal.
7.
My brother aspires of become an I A S officer, but he is very sensitive at
criticism.
8.
I was shocked on the news about what happened on the prize-distribution
ceremony.
9.
The leader took offence of what the reporters asked.
10. I am not at all good with mathematics.
Avoiding errors is a vast topic, and even a book length discussion of it would not be
able to cover everything related to it. The objective of these units is to enable
students to write better English, which would prove helpful to them in their career.
This unit should also make students use dictionary more often and note the usage of
nouns, verbs, adjectives and prepositions.
2.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
1.
There is an owl on our roof. There is a cat watching the owl with great
interest. She likes to chase birds, but now she is sitting quietly under a tree.
31
2.
I felt rather hungry. So I went to the kitchen. Mother was not at home. I
opened the fridge but there was nothing except an apple and an orange. I
decided to have a glass of milk.
3.
We normally go to school by bus. But I sometimes go by car, if father is
going that way. Quite a few students come by train.
Self – Check II
1. any
2.
few
3.
5. something
6.
9. any, some
10. much
little
many, few
4.
7.
anything
some, a few 8.
Self – Check III
1.
_____ forget to switch off
2.
_____ sprang up a tree
3.
_____ is speaking to the customer
4.
_____ did not understand his lecture
5.
_____ came into the office
6.
_____ was getting ready
7.
_____ agree to our terms
8.
_____ would travel all over the country
9.
_____ never would have got into trouble
10.
_____ have been waiting at the bus stop
Self – Check IV
1.
Dal and Chapati is ………
2.
Correct
3.
The audience were clapping hands ……..
4.
The news was ……….
5.
Ten thousand rupees is ………
6.
His maths was ……….
32
much
7.
One of the Ashoka trees was ……..
8.
Neither John nor his friends have …….
9.
Seema, as well as her friends, has come ……..
10.
Ramesh, besides his cousins, has interest ……..
Self – Check V
(A) 1.
______ for a long time
2.
______ on the top of the hill
3.
______ since 1998
4.
______ threw a piece of chalk at the boy ……
5.
______ by train ____ while coming back we were on plane.
6.
______ in the party
7.
______ to hospital
8.
______ on the highway behind a restaurant
9.
______ on the 15th of May at 7 o’clock
10. ______ arrive at the airport at 2 in the afternoon.
(B) 1.
_____ accused of _____ to act for him.
2.
_____ agreed with me _____ argued against me ___
3.
_____ approve of his plan _____ helped him in carrying it out.
4.
_____ believe in bargaining with the vegetable vendors.
5.
_____ prevailed on the principal ____
6.
_____ disgusted with ______ objected to his proposal.
7.
_____ aspires to become ______ very sensitive to criticism.
8.
_____ was shocked at ______ in the prize-distribution ceremony.
9.
_____ took offence at what the reporters asked.
10. _____ not at all good at maths.
33
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….3
2.4 Summary :
In this unit you have learnt how to avoid errors in the use of different
grammatical forms such as articles, tenses, agreement rules, prepositions, etc.
Articles and Prepositions are unique to English, and therefore it is necessary to learn
the rules of their use through reading and noting their use in English prose lessons.
Similarly, students should try to understand the use of tense sequences in the
complex sentences. They should note how tenses combine in the main and
subordinate clauses.
2.5 Exercises :
I
II
Insert appropriate articles (a, an, the) in the gaps in the following :
1.
It’s _____ unpleasantly not afternoon. Let us find _____ place to take
rest for ____ hour or two.
2.
In ____ evening, I went out into ____ garden, and saw ______ thin
black snake catch _____ frog. _____ snake seized frog firmly by
_______ head.
Correct the following sentences :
1.
Raju went at the station to book train tickets.
2.
This train does not stop to Talegaon station.
3.
His house is situated in the bank of the river.
4.
The Chairman will arrive on 10 o’clock on the airport.
5.
I think the programme is at the evening in a farm and not to his house.
III Correct the following sentences :
1.
If the workers went on strike, production will be greatly reduced.
2.
They are hungry because they have nothing to eat since last Monday.
3.
Will you give him the report as soon as you saw him?
4.
I have gone to see the principal half an hour ago but he was not there.
5.
She is working here for the last 5 years.
34
IV Correct the following sentences :
1.
Ram and his friend Sham has opened a new shop in the complex.
2.
Sheela, as well as Seema, have passed the examination.
3.
Bread and butter are my favourite breakfast.
4.
The jury is having lunch now.
5.
While I came home, I saw a strange man near the gate.
2.6 Field Work :
Collect the question papers of different competitive examinations and attempt
the questions on correction.
2.7 Further Reading :
Read the Reading – Comprehension passages in your text-book closely
paying attention to the use of articles, tenses, prepositions, etc.
Refer to the University Grammar of English from your college library.
35
Unit-3
DEVELOPING VOCABULARY AND ITS USE
INDEX :
3.0
Objectives
3.1
Introduction
3.2
Content
3.2.1
Sub – Content I
[Words in Context]
Self – Check I
3.2.2
Sub – Content II
[Synonymy and Antonymy verbs]
Self – Check II
3.2.3
Sub – Content III [Synonymy - Nouns]
Self – Check III
3.2.4
Sub – Content IV [Adjectives]
Self – Check IV
3.2.5
Sub – Content V [Antonyms]
Self – Check V
3.2.6
Sub – Content VI [Words and their parts]
Self – Check VI
3.2.7
Sub – Content VII [Problem words]
Self – Check VII
3.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
3.4
Summary
3.5
Exercises
3.6
Field Work
3.7
Further Reading
36
3.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
enrich your vocabulary.
•
understand how to guess meanings of words through the context.
•
learn to make use of synonyms and antonyms.
•
understand that there are different shades of meaning of the synonyms as
well as antonyms.
•
learn how prefixes and suffixes are useful to create new words.
•
learn the use of problem words in English.
3.1 Introduction :
You are going to complete your graduation. When you undertake your postgraduate studies, you may have to read quite a lot, and it could be in English. You
may be thinking of preparing yourself for one or the other competitive examination,
for which English happens to be a compulsory subject. It means, you have to
improve your reading skill, enrich your vocabulary, and be able to communicate
effectively in English. The aim of this unit, therefore, is to show you how you can
increase your word-power, understand meanings of words through contextual clues
and how vocabulary building is a creative process.
3.2 Content :
3.2.1
Words in Context :
(A) Context provided by synonymous expressions :
Your problem is how to get the meaning of an unknown word while reading
something. This meaning is provided by the synonymous expressions which occur in
the sentences. For example, read the following :
1.
The workers demand exhorbitant, that is, excessively high, pay scales.
Here the phrase ‘excessively high’ is synonymous with the word exhorbitant.
2.
Khandala is adjacent, or next to, Lonavala.
37
Here again the meaning of ‘adjacent’ is explained by the phrase ‘next to’. Both the
synonymous expressions are introduced by ‘that is’ and ‘or’. They are the clues for
you to know that they are synonymous, that is, having the same meaning.
(B) Context provided by Antonyms :
Antonyms are words or expressions which have opposite meaning. You can
understand meaning of a word through its antonym given in the sentence itself.
For example, read the following :
3.
His brother’s car, though an old model, is immaculate, on the other hand, his
own car is rather filthy.
Here, the expression ‘on the other hand’ provides the meaning opposite to
‘immaculate’. If the opposite meaning i.e. antonym is ‘fithy’, then the meaning of
‘immaculate’ is ‘clean’. Let us look at another example :
4.
He accepted the job with alacrity, however, his brother appeared gloomy and
without cheer.
Here ‘however’ indicates that ‘gloomy and without cheer’ is the opposite of
‘alacrity’. So alacrity means ‘cheerfulness and enthusiasm.’
Like ‘on the other hand’ and ‘however’, there are following expressions which also
tell you that there are antonyms or expressions with opposite meaning in the
following part of the sentences :
although, despite, instead, but, nevertheless,
whereas, conversely, in contrast, yet.
5.
Her face looked pallid on account of fear, but when she saw her husband, she
had a rosy glow.
To have ‘a rosy glow’ is the opposite of ‘pallid, so ‘pallid’ means white or without
lustre.
6.
Although his father is a venerable man; his uncle is disrespected on account his
unlawful activities.
38
‘Although’ indicates that ‘disrespected’ is opposite of ‘Venerable’. So ‘venerable’
means ‘worthy of respect’.
(C) General context as a clue to meaning :
There may not be a synonym or antonym in the text to give you a clue to
understand meaning of a particular word. Yet, you can guess its meaning from the
general context in the sentence or the context of the whole passage.
Sometimes the expressions like –
for instance, for example, such as, including, consist of
give a clue to the meaning of word, because these expressions occur to illustrate the
meaning.
Let us see :
7.
Young persons have many aspirations, such as getting a good job, going to a
foreign country, start a new business.
The examples coming after ‘such as’ indicate the dreams or desires of young persons.
To aspire, therefore, means to have a strong desire to have or do something.
8.
Our neighbourhood is quite boisterous, as the college students living there
organize week-end parties and play loud music.
The context shows that the college students make a lot of noise, so the
neighbourhood is ‘boisterous’ that is ‘noisy’.
Self – Check I :
(A) Choose the alternative that indicates correct meaning of the word in bold
print :
1.
You cannot go on doing hard work, you need diversion such as gardening,
playing a game, or reading for pleasure.
a.
boredom
b.
some dish to eat
39
c.
pastime
d.
discussion
2.
The new officer did not know the protocol, that is the formality, so the minister
was very angry.
a.
3.
procedure
c.
subject
d.
address
promise
b.
enjoy
c.
do without
d.
accept
Most politicians are mercenary and wish to get elected to make money.
a.
5.
b.
After his first heart-attack, he has decided to abstain from smoking and
drinking.
a.
4.
agreement
merciful
b.
greedy for money c.
patriotic
d.
social
Internet is the most useful device to disseminate information, that is to make it
available to many.
a.
hide
b.
collect
c.
spread or send
d.
record
(B) Choose the alternative that indicates correct meaning of the word in the
bold print :
1.
2.
He is very methodical, on the other hand his brother is rather disorganized.
a.
lacking confidence
b.
disorganized
c.
systematic
d.
legal
The film stars appear to defy traffic laws, which very often lands them in
trouble.
a.
3.
4.
obey
b.
challenge
c.
recognize
d.
protest
At the time of elections, political parties do not mind accepting deserters, who
would like to come back.
a.
loyal workers
b.
sympathizers
c.
flatterers
d.
run-aways.
It was quite apparent that the second test would end in a draw, but it was not
clear who would be the man of the match.
a.
vague
b.
obvious c.
doubtful d.
40
unusual
5.
John’s integrity was not in question, but it was his colleague who was
dishonest.
a.
loyalty
b.
dishonesty
c.
capacity d.
quality
(C) Choose the alternative that indicates correct meaning of the words in bold
print.
1.
2.
Universities should have functional as well as financial autonomy, so that they
should be able to frame their courses independently.
a.
money
b.
independence
c.
power
d.
dependence
In spite of the financial constraint, Vishal started his business and very soon
became a successful industrialist.
a.
3.
4.
restriction
c.
support d.
promise
If America intervened, Kashmir problem would become still more complex,
and India would not like it at all.
a.
advised b.
came between
c.
prevented
d.
became interested
The problem is America’s perception of the problem of terrorism does not
match ours; they see things rather differently.
a.
5.
freedom b.
remedy
b.
information c.
view
d.
analysis
There are communities which follow endogamy, which means that a girl should
marry a boy from the same background as hers.
a.
marrying outside a group
c.
marrying more than one person c.
3.2.2
b.
marrying within a group
marrying within the family
Synonymy and Antonymy :
You have seen in the previous section how synonymous expressions and
antonyms in a sentence can help us guessing the meaning of an unfamiliar wor
Synonyms are words which have nearly the same meaning. But, remember,
41
there cannot be perfect synonyms, that is words which have exactly the same
meaning and use. The synonyms can occur in different contexts. They cannot be
substituted in every context. See for example :
1.
She was seething with anger. To seethe means to boil, but you cannot say ‘she
was boiling with anger.’
2.
to confiscate means to seize or capture. But, you ‘confiscate’ someone’s
property, while you ‘seize’ a chance, an opportunity. Some illness or strong
emotion seizes you.
We cannot use ‘confiscate’ in this sense.
3.
Immunity means tolerance
But, you develop immunity or become immune to some trouble, disease, heat, etc.
You can use tolerance in the context of religious tolerance, personal relationship, etc.
You cannot use immunity in this context.
4.
To thaw means to melt. You can use ‘melt’ for ice or snow. The rise in
temperature started melting the ice on the mountain peaks.
But ‘thaw’ also means become friendly. You can say ‘The relations between India
and Pakistan may be thawing’ or ‘There is thaw in their relationship’. You cannot
use ‘melt’ in this context.
5.
Hunch and Intuition are synonyms.
But ‘hunch’ is used in an informal speech and writing, while ‘intuition’ is formal.
(a) I have a hunch that he will rejoin us soon.
(b) Sometimes you have to base your judgement on intuition.
Now look at the following pairs of synonyms and their Antonyms.
Synonym
abstain
Antonym
do without (something)
enjoy
He abstains alcohol but enjoys eating meat.
senile
forgetful (because of old age)
42
mentally alert
The husband is senile, but the wife is still mentally alert.
eccentric
unusual
normal
My friend, Samit, is eccentric in his eating habits, but his brother enjoys normal
food.
archaic
out-of-date
modern
You come across a number of archaic words in old poetry, so we have to give their
modern meanings in the notes.
perilous
dangerous
safe
The journey into the Himalayas in the rainy season is perilous on account of frequent
landslides, but it is safe in the summer.
autonomy
independence
dependence (or control)
Universities do not enjoy autonomy because their financial dependence on the
government puts many constraints on them.
constraint
restriction
freedom
There should be no constraint on the election machinery; the election officers should
have freedom to take proper decisions.
rapport
close relation
alienation (distance)
The cricket coach has no rapport with the players; some of them feel alienated from
him.
complacent
self-satisfied
careful (or insecure)
He is too complacent about his preparation, but he has got to be careful or he will be
in trouble.
He is not complacent, rather he feels insecure about his position in the company.
impending
forthcoming
past
Everyone is now thinking of impending elections, but they ought to learn from the
experience of the past election.
Look at the following pairs of words which are nearly synonymous.
pay – remit,
come – arrive,
43
costly – expensive,
grant – give, friend – mate
These pairs appear to be synonyms. But, we use them in different contents. We come
across ‘remit’ in a formal kind of writing, as on an electricity or telephone bill :
Remit your bill by a cheque if it is more that Rs. 50/And we use ‘pay’ in a normal day-to-day situations. We do not say ‘I will arrive at
home by five o’ clock’. We can say ‘the train will arrive at 5.’ Similarly, ‘grant’ is
used in an official context : ‘Kindly grant me permission to leave office at 4 o’clock’.
We use ‘mate’ in a colloqnial, informal situation.
The following verbs have a general meaning of ‘walk’, but they have different
shades of meaning.
stroll, wander, march, plod, strut,
stride, stagger, stray, ramble, stalk
But, we cannot use one in the place of the other. We can say ‘The army marched
through the streets’ but not ‘walked’. To stroll is ‘to walk for pleasure.’ We stroll
through a garden. You ‘stray’ when you ‘walk without any direction or aim. And you
‘stagger’ when you are drunk or seriously wounded. To lurk is to walk stealthily with
an intention to steal or attack. A thief lurks in the shadows. A hunter ‘stalks’ through
the jungle for hunting down an animal, we cannot use ‘walk’ here. When we are
tired, ‘we plod to our hotel or home.’
Look at the following verbs which have a general meaning of ‘smile.’
smile, sneer, grin, giggle, laugh, titter, chuckle, guffaw
Mothers always advise their daughters,
‘smile, don’t laugh.’
because laughing loudly is considered mannerless. You can say ‘she smiled sweetly’
but not ‘laughed sweetly.’ Normally, ‘giggle’ is used for girls laughing at a joke,
while ‘titter’ is used for children. ‘The children tittered.’ You ‘chuckle’ with
amusement, but you ‘sneer’ at the shame/failure of your opponent. Children ‘grin’
mischievously, or a patient may ‘grin’ with pain. Grinning is showing your teeth
from ear to ear. ‘Snigger’ is a half-suppressed laughter at something improper. And
44
‘guffaw’ is to laugh loudly at some big joke. This is used more in the context of men
rather than women.
The following verbs have a general meaning of ‘pull’.
pull, draw, drag, jerk, lug, tug, wrench, haul, tow.
You ‘tow’ a car to the garage, but you ‘drag’ a heavy suitcase across the floor. When
you forcefully pull something you ‘wrench’ it. ‘The thief wrenched the safe from the
wall’. The bullocks ‘draw’ a cart, and a coolie lugs a heavy bundle across a railway
platform.
There are pairs of verbs which appear synonymous in one aspect but have
different overtones of meaning. For example :
connive – disregard
thaw – melt
implore – beg
vindicate – justify
confiscate – seize
brag – boast
chew – masticate
plead – beg for
appease – satisfy
Both the verbs mean to ignore what is happening. But to connive at something means
to ignore it purposefully. One who connives at it is equally to blame for the criminal
act. To disregard simply means ignore something as unimportant.
Vindicate is rather formal and has moral overtone. A minister may say that his stand
is vindicated by the court order. Or he may justify action by quoting some rules.
‘Chew your food carefully’ is a very common expression. But masticate is a
technical term for chewing.
The verb ‘thaw’ means turning into liquid form like ‘melt’. But you cannot use
‘thaw’ in the following context :
Listening to his repeated pleas, her heart melted.
This sweet is so good, it melts in the mouth.
When an adamant person becomes soft, you can say :
After a good meal, he began to thaw.
45
Confiscate is a legal tem. You confiscate someone’s property by a court order.
But to seize is to take possession even using force. Seize is a more general kind of
verb in the sense of ‘catch’ of ‘hold’. You can say :
I seized him by the collar (or by the neck).
You cannot use ‘confiscate’ in this sense. Similarly, plead is formal, even
literary while ‘beg for’ is in common use in the sense of request. Plead belongs to the
field of law also. To fling is to throw violently. You fling the door open, which is a
violent action. To implore and to beg both have the meaning of ‘request’. But
implore is formal and literary, while beg is informal. The lover implores his beloved
for her consent, while the assistant begs a permission or favour of the officer.
To brag is to talk excessively about one’s own actions or achievements.
Shakespeare’s character, Falstaff, is a braggart soldier, who is ridiculed for his
bragging. To boast generally means the same and a boastful man is as ridiculous as a
braggart. But boast is sometimes used in a favourable sense :
Our library boasts a very good collection of biographies of eminent people.
He often boasts about his unblemished career as an officer.
Political parties try to appease one community or the other, which means they try to
satisfy it unfairly. To appease and appeasement have acquired rather unpleasant
meaning in Indian politics. Yet appease is a formal verb and you find it in formal
writing and speech. Satisfy is less formal, but not exactly informal, because we
colloquially say ‘are you happy with this?’ instead of ‘does it satisfy you?’ Satisfy
does not have unfavourable shade of meaning which appease has acquired.
There are groups of such verbs which are nearer in meaning but have different
shades of meaning and contexts. You can look up these verbs in dictionary and note
their usage. They may be very familiar to you, but if you look them up in the
dictionary, you will be surprised to see what you never knew.
Verbs related to Memory :
remember, recall, remind, come to mind, reminisce, cast mind back (and, of course
forget, to have memory like sieve, to be blank), to be memorable or be nostalgic,
memorise, learn by heart.
46
Verbs related to ‘seeing’ :
see, observe, look, stare, glare, view, glance, perceive, (to) eye
Verbs related to Eat :
eat, swallow, gorge, gormandize, feed, devour, dine, lunch (v), gnaw (the meat)
Verbs related to Talk :
talk, speak, brag, boast, air (views), express, gossip, prattle, chatter, chat, tell, say,
ask …..
The verbs such as praise, inquire, scold, preach also involve talking.
Self – Check II
(A) The verbs in the following list have a general meaning of CATCH. Look them
up in the dictionary and write sentences to show how they are used in different
contexts.
Catch, hold, grasp, clutch, seize, snatch, grip, clasp, pluck, clench
(B) Study the following verbs. What is the general meaning of each pair? Show how
different they are, using them in your sentences.
prick – pierce, sip – suck, uphold – maintain, tear – slit, rouse – wake up, catch –
grab, slice – chop, evade – avoid, refuse – deny, chastise – rebuke, vanquish –
conquer, undermine – harm, delineate – portray, muzzle – silence, mollify – soften,
abandon – give up.
3.2.3
Synonymy – Nouns :
Like verbs there are nouns which nearly mean the same but they are not exact
synonyms. If there are two words which mean the same in all the contexts, one of
them is less and less used and finally vanishes from the language. Let us look at
some synonymous expressions and how they are used in communication.
Here is a group of nouns which generally mean a place where you live :
house, residence, home, abode, hut, shanty, pad, bungalow, mansion, villa
Though the general meaning is the same, you can easily see how these nouns are
used in different contexts. House is a very common word. Normally you say :
47
My house is opposite the school.
Home involves complex feelings such as love, security, possession and homely
relations. You don’t have to say ‘my home’ because it includes the sense of ‘my’.
Abode is a poetic word and rather archaic (old-fashioned) now. You cannot use it in
normal conversation. Residence is very formal and official term. You talk about
Prime Minister’s residence, not house, and residential address. Hut is an humble
place but more respectable than a shanty, which is poorly made and could be in the
slums of a city. Slums are sometimes called shanty-towns. Bungalow, mansion and
villa are big, luxurious places, but a villa is outside a town or a city in a big garden,
while bunglow and mansion are normally within the city. Bungalow is a one-storey
building. Mansion is a royal place, but now-a-days mansion means a building with a
number of luxurious flats. Pad is a colloquial expression for house : Come to my pad
is very informal expression.
Some nouns are associated with each other through a profession. For example :
solicitor, pleader, advocate, attorney, lawyer, counsellor.
All represent their clients in legal matters. But a solicitor is a lawyer who prepares
legal documents such as a sale of land, a will, etc. and operates in lower courts. The
term solicitor is mostly in England, advocate in mostly used in Scotland and lawyer
and attorney are used in the U.S.A. Attorney can also be the legal officer of a
government, e.g. Attorney General. A prosecutor is also a legal officer of a
government, and operates mostly in lower courts. Barrister is another term used in
England, but a barrister operates in high courts, while a lawyer in lower courts.
Similarly :
shopkeeper, grocer, green-grocer, merchant, trader, hawker, vendor
are all involved in the activity of selling. Shopkeeper is a very general term and
includes stationers, book-sellers, hardware stores, medical-stores, etc. But a grocer
sells foodgrains, sugar, tea and many other household requirements, while greengrocer sells fresh vegetables and fruit. A merchant is normally a whole-sale dealer.
And hawkers sell their goods on a cart, going from street to street. A vendor can be a
newspaper vendor, a seller of newspapers.
48
Here are some more groups of near-related nouns :
1. Story, tale, plot, account
2. accomplice, accessory,
collaborator
3. friend, mate, ally, companion
4. ache, pain, hurt, pang
5. achievement, feat,
accomplishment
6. admiration, appreciation,
adoration, esteem
7. admission, acceptance,
confession
8. advantage, benefit
9. affection, attachment,
fondness, love
10. ambition, aspiration
11. apartment, flat, room, suite
12. apparel, attire, clothes, costume
dress, garment
13. appointment, meeting
14. aptitude, bent, disposition,
inclination, leaning
15. calamity, disaster, adversity
16. campaign, drive, expedition
Story is a very general term, It can be
what really happened, or an outline of
a film or a novel. Plot is specifically
about the arrangement of events in a
novel or a film. A tale is a story, but it
can be gossip. A tale-bearer is a
gossipmonger. When you say give
me an account of what happened,
you want the facts of the situation.
An accomplice is a companion in
a crime. But a collaborator as a
criminal can be the one who
collaborates with the country’s enemy.
A collaborator can also be a coauthor.
Accessory is the one who helps a
criminal in some way but not exactly
in the act of crime. Accessories are
also parts of a machine, etc. Friend
is a common term, but one country
is an ally of another country in war.
Workers call each other ‘mate’ and
we usually talk about classmates
and roommates. They may become
good friends later. Pain is a general
term, it can be physical or mental
suffering. Ache is the pain you
feel continuously, while hurt as a
noun means injury or harm to one’s
feeling. You can say : He is
nursing his hurt. Pang is a sudden
pain you feel at some great loss.
Pang is a sharp feeling of pain. You
talk about pangs of birth.
49
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….4
When we talk about achievement we refer to successful completion of some research
or something completed after a long struggle. Feat is something impossible done
successfully with skill, strength and daring. It can be a physical feat – like lifting
great weight or jumping very high. Accomplishment generally refers to successful
training in arts. We talk about accomplished dancer or musician, etc :
Admiration expresses our satisfaction and regard for someone’s achievement,
while adoration reflects deep love and respect for someone. We evaluate and judge
when we express our appreciation. Esteem means high opinion about someone. We
hold someone in high esteem.
Admission is an admission to an institution, letting someone in as a member. It
can also be admission of a guilt. Confession has a religious and legal meaning. A
criminal gives his confession in the court. Or a Christian goes to church for
confession of having done something wrong. Acceptance is used in the context of
receiving gifts or invitation, and taking responsibility. You can see that the verbs
admit. confess and accept are also synonymous in the same manner.
Advantage is a better position leading to success. You have advantage over
others if you have additional qualifications. Benefit also means advantage, but it
occurs in the context of profit, welfare, etc. There is a benefit cricket match for
someone. Or some funds are used for the benefit of the poor. And sometimes a
criminal gets a benefit of doubt.
A mother feels affection for her baby. A young man tries to win affection of a
girl. Affection is a feeling of love. Fondness also means love, but it is too much or
foolish kind of love. Attachment is the liking one develops for someone or
something. You can feel attachment for a person, a place or a thing. Attachment also
has other meanings such as legal attachment of property.
Aspiration and ambition both mean desire. But ambition is a strong desire and
one has to work hard for it.
50
Self – Check III :
(A) Study the following synonym. They share the same core meaning. But they
are also different. Look up these in the dictionary and write sentences to show
how they are used.
1.
apartment, flat, room, suite (pronounced as swi:st)
2.
apparel, attire, clothes, costume, dress, garment
3.
appointment, meeting,
4.
aptitude, bent, disposition, inclination, leaning
5.
calamity, disaster, adversity
6.
campaign, drive, expedition.
7.
anguish, agony, anxiety, distress
8.
belief, trust
9.
brink, bank, edge, fringe, brim
10. bureau, agency, branch, department, office
(B) Form nouns from the following and use them in your own sentences :
injure, reduce, exclude, bathe, mix, propose, permit, offend, correspond, adjust, use,
resist, normal, brief, ready, relevant
3.2.4
Adjectives :
There are adjectives which appear to be related and to have nearly the same
meaning. But note how they are used differently :
1.
Childish/childlike
i)
You cannot have everything you want. Don’t be so childish.
ii) His childlike simplicity won the hearts of all.
2.
Young/youthful
51
i)
You are young and energetic. You should be ready to accept challenges.
ii) Out teacher of English is full of youthful enthusiasm. She wants to prepare
us
for competitive examinations.
3.
True/truthful
i)
Robinson Crusoe is a novel based on a true story.
ii) I believe what he says. He is a truthful person.
4.
Unreadable/illegible
i)
It is prize-winning novel, but it is so big that I found it unreadable.
ii) His writing is so illegible that I could not make out a single sentence.
5.
uneatable/ inedible
i)
The food they served us in the hotel was almost uneatable.
ii) Some varieties of mushroom are inedible. They can be poisonous.
6.
economic/economical
i)
The unstable government is going to affect the implementation of economic
policy.
ii) You have to be very economical in your use of petrol.
7.
historic/historical
i)
The Prime Minister’s Lahore visit is described as a historic event.
ii) You have to examine a number of historical documents before you begin to
write a biography of this kind.
8.
sensible/sensitive
i)
He is a sensible man. He would not take any hasty decision.
ii) Don’t be so harsh on him. He is a very sensitive poet.
Like nouns and verbs, there are groups of adjectives which are related in
menaing.
small, tiny, little, puny (pronounced as pyu:ni)
52
These adjective refer to size. Tiny is very small. It emphasizes smallness and may
have both favourable as well as unfavourable meaning.
They served us tea in tiny cups.
Children were delighted to see those tiny birds.
Small is used very widely. See for example :
a small man (unimportant), small-eater (one who eats little), small change (coins of
small value), small hours (early hours of the morning), small talk (talk about routine
matters), etc.
Little normally occurs with other adjectives, for example :
a pretty little girl, nice little hut, etc.
Puny means small and weak. The adjectives :
Handsome, beautiful, pretty, good-looking, charming
have generally the same meaning. But handsome is attributed to men and beautiful to
women. You can also say ‘handsome amount, handsome salary’, etc. Pretty is
associated with women and children. You can say ‘a pretty woman, a pretty child.’
Charming can be used both for men and women and it has the sense of overall
personality.
The general meaning of being shy is expressed by adjectives such as :
shy, bashful, blushing, ashamed, shameful, chagrined
But shy, bashful and blushing have favourable meaning, while ashamed, shameful
and chagrined carry unfavourable connotation.
The adjectives related to wealth are :
rich, affluent, moneyed, well-to-do, prosperous
Affluent people live life of abundance and plenty. All rich people may not show their
wealth like this. Moneyed man is a colloquial expression. A well-to-do family
53
maynot be affluent, but has all means of comfortable life. Prosperous indirectly show
possession of wealth. All these words are nearly related in meaning.
Self – Check IV :
Study the adjectives in the following groups and use them in your own
sentences:
1.
Clever, bright, intelligent, smart
2.
friendly, amicable, cordial
3.
fat, plump, obese
4.
cheerful, joyful, buoyant, blithe, lively
5.
tall, lanky
6.
favourite, favourable
7.
trusting, trusted
3.2.5
Antonyms : Words with Opposite Meaning :
Compare the following statements :
1.
The opposition is not considerate.
2.
The opposition is thoughtless.
Considerate and thoughtless are antonyms. Though the meaning is the same,
sentence No. 2 is more forceful and assertive than sentence No. 1 Look at these
again.
3.
It was a quiet place.
4.
It was not a noisy place.
Here again quiet and noisy are antonyms. But sentence 4 does not exactly mean what
sentence 3 says. Sentence No. 4 does not assert or emphasize the place being quiet.
‘He is not a rich man’ does not necessarily mean ‘he is a poor man’. The speaker
may mean ‘he is not as rich as expected.’ You can see that a negative statement and a
statement with an antonym are not the same thing always. For clear and forceful
54
communication, it is necessary to make use of antonyms. We make use of a number
of antonyms in our everyday communication. Look at these pairs :
alive – dead,
dry – wet,
male – female,
open – shut, close
far – near,
tall – short,
costly – cheap,
idle – diligent,
extravagant – frugal,
careless – meticulous, guilty – innocent,
boorish – refined,
afraid – audacious,
devious – straightforward
sceptical – trusting,
the problem here is that word may have different shades of meaning and its antonym
may therefore be different according to its context. For example, in a sentence :
He is a very dry person.
the antonym of dry cannot be wet. You may have to say ‘lively’ or ‘charming’.
Similarly, if you say : It was a cheap joke, no one contradict you saying ‘costly’.
They will have to say :
It was a good joke.’ (or in good taste).
Obstinate, adamant, stubborn, strong–willed are all synonymous but strong–willed
has a favourable connotation. Obstinate is an unfavourable term. The antonyms for
them will depend on such shades of meaning.
1.
He is quite obstinate.
-----
He clings to his views.
2.
Some political parties are
He is compliant. He is ready to make
allowances.
But some are flexible, and will
------
adamant in their approach.
accept your proposal with some
changes.
55
3.
He is a strong-willed person.
-------
He would not easily give in
He is weak-willed and may succumb
to the political pressures.
To any kind of pressure.
Chinese Premiere visiting America said something like this : China has nothing to
steal from a country that cannot produce good microphone. To some this remark
might have struck ‘audacious’ but to others it was ‘rude’. In diplomatic circles some
might have felt that the Chinese Premiere should have been discreet and not so
tactless, because he had gone to ask some favours.
Most antonymous relations appear among adjectives. They belong to the
qualities of people :
cheerful
disconsolate
proud
remorseless penitent
modest or
diffident
clumsy
adroit, careful
fickle
steadfast
affable
disagreeable
immature
experienced
bellicose
genial
reserved
frank,
censorious
appreciative
good-mixer
desultory
methodical
Relations can be :
cordial or cold/frigid
friendly or inimical
intimate or distant
You can find antonyms among nouns and verbs also :
56
Nouns
Verbs
prosperity
adversity
ascend
descend
sympathy
antipathy
appoint
dismiss
competition
monopoly
disclose
suppress
asset
liability
select
reject
affluence
penury
break
accelerate
anguish
happiness, solace
convict
acquit
appointment
dismissal
concur
differ
stinginess
generosity
accept
reject, deny
permit
refuse
Self – Check V
Fill in the gaps in the following sentences choosing appropriate antonym of the
underlined words, from the list given below :
1.
These pellets are supposed to repel mosquitoes, but they seem to --------- them
instead.
2.
He is very rigid in his attitude. If he wants to get his work done, he ought to be ------------- and ready to make adjustments.
3.
In her elegant attire she looked every inch a lady, but her lanky companion in
his -------- and ill-fitting clothes looked like a scarecrow.
4.
The stories they tell are so strange, it is difficult to decide which is a fact and
which a ---------.
5.
The snobbish attitude of his rich relatives made him feel alienated, but when he
came to live with us, he --------- himself to us with his simplicity and hard work.
6.
The investigation carried out by the C.B.I. was only superficial. They did not go
----------- into the matter.
7.
Rising prices is a perennial problem faced by Indian economy. There is an ------- relief when the harvest is exceptionally good.
57
8.
There was ceaseless supply of power last year, and we could achieve our target
of production, but this year, on account of --------- power supply, our production
has suffered greatly.
9.
The minister tried his best to suppress the issue, but someone from his own
secretariat --------- vital information to the press.
10. There is nothing to forbid you to go on a trek to the Himalayas, except that your
health should --------- it.
coarse, fiction, flexible, attract, allow, endeared, intermittent disclosed, deep,
occasional.
3.2.6
Words and their parts
You are familiar with Prefixes and Suffixes, which work like building blocks in
the formation of words. These prefixes and suffixes can help you understand
meaning of an unfamiliar word. For example, take the words ‘telephone and
telepathy:
prefix
:
tele
–
meaning –
far
root
:
phone
–
meaning -
sound
tele
-
meaning
far
Similarly,
path
-
meaning
feeling
There are roots from ancient Latin and Greek languages, which have created a
number of words in English. They also can give you a clue to the meaning of words.
Let us look at some of these common roots and the words created by them.
Root
bio
derm
demos
fer
ject
log
mis, mit
-
Meaning
life
skin
people
carry
throw
speak
send
Words
biography, biology
dermitology
democracy
transfer
reject, project
monlologue, dialogue
dismiss, transmit
58
pater
pel
port
father
push
carry
paternity
propel
transport
phobia
chron
fear
time
scope
see
acrophobia (fear of height)
chronology
(in the order of time)
telescope
somnia
struct
tact
therma
veter
vis
sleep
build
touch
heat
old
see
insomnia
construct
tactile
thermometer
veteran
revise
Prefixes occur at the beginning of a word, and these prefixes also have meaning
of their own. They also provide you a clue to understand meaning of unfamiliar
words. Let us look at prefixes of different kinds and their meanings :
Negative prefixes :
un in-, ir-, il-, im
adis anti mis mal -
unlawful
inattentive
irresponsible
illegal
impractical
amoral
disloyal
against
anticorruption
antiestablishment
wrong
miscalculation
misfortune
bad
malpractice
59
Place Prefixes :
ab -
away
absent
circum -
around
circumspect (spect - see)
trans -
across
transport
inter -
between
international, interfere
pro -
forward
project
sub -
under
substation
epi -
upon
epicenter
de -
down
demote, declass
uni -
one
unilateral, unify
bi -
two
biweekly, bisect
tri -
three
tricolour
quad -
four
quarldruped
cent -
hundred
centimeter
multi -
many
multicolour
mono -
one
monologue
hyper -
excessive
hypertension
ambi -
both
ambidextrous
poly -
many
polygon
oct
eight
octagon
pent
five
pentagone
sept
seven
septet (a group of seven)
pan
all
pan African
pre -
before
prehistory
post -
after
postmodern
re -
again
return, reassemble
retro -
back/backward
retroactive, retrospective
Number Prefixes :
Time Prefixes :
60
Suffixes :
A suffix is attached at the end of a word. There are suffixes which change the
parts of speech, that is a noun changes to a verb, and a verb to a noun, etc, and some
may not.
Like prefixes, suffixes also have a meaning of their own see for example :
able
:
having ability (to do something)
manageable :
can be managed
reachable
:
ate
Terminate
activate
escalate
tion
destruction
promotion
construction
ize
summarize
synthesize
memorize
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
can be reached
readable, pliable understandable, etc.
cause (to become)
cause to end
cause to be active
cause to increase
state, action
state of breaking down
state of advancing
state of erecting
put parts together, make
make a summary
make synthesis
put into memory
-
ist
chemist
biologist
graphologist
:
:
:
:
expert
expert in chemistry
one who studies biology
handwriting expert
-
ish
childish
clownisn
:
:
:
like, resembling
like a child
resembling a clown
selfish
ness
cleanliness
fairness
:
:
:
:
showing self-interest
quality, condition, state
state of being clean
quality of being fair
-
-
-
-
61
-
kindness
less
:
:
state of being kind
without
penniless, useless
-
ly
:
-
y
:
in a certain manner
slowly, sadly, properly
quality or trait
showy, sticky, rainy, windy
-
ify
:
-
ity
:
-
ic
ical
:
-
ology
ous
:
:
cause to become
glorify, clarify,
quality, trait
activity, agility, purity
of like or related to
economic, economical, tragic, comic, comical
science, study of
full of, like
joyous courageous, furious
You can guess meanings of new words with the help of contextual clues as well
as with suffixes, attached to these words. Suffixes tell you the basic grammatical
meaning of a word and also whether it is a noun or an adjective, a verb etc. For
example, look at the suffixes forming, nouns, adjective and verbs.
Suffixes also have a kind of meaning. Besides they change part of speech,
turning a noun into an adjective, etc.
Noun – forming Suffixes :
- ion
- ness
- ant
- ist
- ence
- ment
- sion
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
location, creation, relation
kidness
attendant
specialist
interference
postponement, management
admission
62
-ity
- ation
- acy
:
:
:
ability
admiration, inspiration
accuracy
- ent
- ice
- er
- or
:
:
:
:
president
cowardice
runner, server, driver
conductor, creator
Suffixes forming adjectives :
-y
:
rainy, windy, spicy
- ible
- ful
- ish
- ive
:
:
:
:
credible, audible
helpful, skillful
childish, foolish
active, sportive
- ly
- ant
- al
- ic
:
:
:
:
cowardly
hesitant
legal, normal
economic, economical
- ical
:
- ous
:
- able
:
- ing
:
- some :
- worthy :
- esque :
political
dangerous, industrious
believable
enchanting, interesting
troublesome
trustworthy
picturesque
Verb forming Suffixes :
- ize
- ify
- en
- ate
:
:
:
:
cause to become
make
make
cause to become
specialize (become a specialist)
clarify (make clear)
widen (make wide)
activate (become active)
63
There are some prefixes which also change parts of speech of words. Look at these
examples
Prefix
en out en -
Adj/Noun
able
smart
circle
joy
Verb
enable
outsmart (outsmart someone)
encircle
enjoy
Self – Check VI :
(A) Fill in the blanks in the following sentences making use of appropriate form
of the words given in the bracket :
1.
At the time of terrorist attack of 26/11, it was _______ to cover the event. (risk)
2.
Even at the age of seventy, Mrs. Sharma is as busy and ________ as when she
was young. (act)
3.
But, she is worried about her son’s _______ and laziness. (inactive)
4.
My friend decided to ________ in marketing as he wants to be a marketing
manager. (special)
5.
It is necessary for you to check ________ (accurate) of your accounts before
you send the statement to the Income Tax office.
6.
He joined the company as a worker, but now he is the _______ of the company.
(preside)
7.
They did not give any reason for the _______ of the meeting. (postpone)
8.
The minister failed to _______ the government’s decision of refusing
permission to open a new plant. (clear)
9.
There appear to be some ________ formalities to be completed before starting
construction work. (law)
10. The crisis the world is facing today is more _______ than political. (economy)
11. You can do this job at your _______; we are not going to press you for it.
(convenient)
64
(B) Give negative forms of the following adjectives by adding appropriate
negative prefixes to them. Then make use of them in your own sentences :
secure, mature, definite, probable, selfish, pure, lucky, legal, attentive, loyal
3.2.7
Problem Words :
There are words in English which look alike or sound alike. As a result they are
often
confused for each other. It is necessary to note them for their meaning and usage.
1.
draft
:
rough version of a text
draught :
current of cold air
drought :
famine on account of lack of rains, pronounced as ‘draut’
A number of corrections were made in the draft of the bye-laws and then it was
finalised.
The draught of a cool air refreshed us.
Severe drought made people leave their villages and go to other states in search of
work.
2.
story
:
tale, plot
storey
:
floor, level in a building
Everyone has a story which, he thinks, can be a great film.
We live on the second storey of this building.
3.
suit
:
be acceptable
suite
:
(pronounced as swi:t,) a set of rooms
The proposal did not suit him, so he rejected it.
There is a suite reserved for you in the government guest-house.
4.
prophecy (noun) : prediction
prophesy (verb) : to predict, to foretell
65
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….5
His prophecy about the fall of the government came true.
India may appear comparatively a weak team, but I prophesy that it will win the
world cup.
5.
licence (noun) :
official permission
license (verb) :
to give a licence
Do you have a licence to drive a heavy truck?
James Bond, the hero in the film, is licensed to kill.
6.
enquiry
:
request for information
inquiry
:
formal investigation
We made enquiry at the office for the application forms.
There is an inquiry pending against him for corruption.
7.
council (noun) :
municipal or local management
counsel (verb) :
as well as noun : a lawyer, to give legal advice
The village council was a very effective body in the past.
The defense counsel wanted to cross-examine the witness.
He counseled me not to file a suit.
8.
dairy
:
milk centre
diary
:
daily record, a note-book for it
I note in my diary whenever I take extra milk from the dairy.
9.
morale
:
spirit, state of mind (mora : l)
moral
:
proper or right
The defence minister claimed that the morale of the army was very high.
The opposition demanded the minister’s resignation on moral grounds.
66
Self – Check VII :
Now here are additional pairs of words which are often confused. Look them up
in the dictionary and use them in your own sentences :
accept – except
affection – affectation
alternate – alternative
birth – berth
confidant – confident
device – devise
eligible – illegible
adopt – adapt – adept
goal – gaol
corps – corpse
hoard – horde
human – humane
last – latest
momentary – momentous
eminent – imminent
negligent – negligible
persecute – prosecute
compliment – complement
honorary – honourable
industrial – industrious
regretful – regrettable
collision – collusion
3.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
(A) 1.
4.
(B) 1.
4.
(C) 1.
pastime
procedure
3.
greedy for money 5.
spread or send
systematic
challenge
obvious
independence
4. view
Self – Check II
(A)
2.
2.
5.
do without
3.
run – away
3.
came between
loyalty
2.
restriction
5.
marrying within a group
This is dictionary work for you. Look up each verb in the Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary and note the use. Write sentences using these verbs.
For example :
I am throwing you a ball, catch it.
Please, hold this bag for me. Hold the call, please.
67
He grasped the ledge and tried to go up.
I cannot grasp what he is teaching.
(B)
This is also dictionary work for you. A few pairs are done for you :
1.
The pin attached to the paper pricked me.
2.
I sipped my tea leisurely while reading a newspaper. Mosquitoes suck
your blood. The child sucked the juice with a straw.
3.
We must uphold our values and maintain peace.
You cannot maintain a house with such small income.
Self – Check III :
(A)
This is also a dictionary work for you. Look up these words, note the
difference and use them in your own sentences : For example :
1.
(B)
My friend has an apartment in a multiplex in Pune. But his sister has a
small flat in a colony. There are only two rooms in it. His uncle
always books a luxurious suite in a five – star hotel.
You have a list of noun-forming suffixes in the lesson. Look them up and
form nouns. Use these nouns in your own sentences. Some examples are
given here :
injure
-
injury
reduce
-
reduction :
bathe
-
bath :
propose -proposal :
:
It was a serious injury so we took him to hospital.
People hoped there would be reduction in the petrol
prices.
I had my bath early morning.
His proposal to start his own business is really good.
Self – Check IV (Adjectives)
Look up these adjectives in the dictionary. Note the difference in meaning, and use
them in your own sentences. Some examples are given for you :
1.
He is very clever at persuading people, so he can prove a good salesman. But
he is not bright enough to plan a marketing policy.
She is very intelligent and can easily learn the new module. He looks smart
but he is not intelligent.
68
2.
We can have friendly relations with our neighbouring countries, if there is
amicable settlement of border issues. The P.M. sent cordial invitation to the
President of the U.S.A.
Self – Check V
1.
attract
2.
flexible
3.
shabby
4.
fiction
5.
endeared
6.
deep
7.
instant
8.
intermittent
9.
disclosed
10. permit
Self – Check VI
(A)
1. risky
2.
active
3.
inactivity
4. speacialise
5.
accuracy
6.
president
7. postponement
8.
clarify
9.
legal
10. economic
11. convenience
(B) 1.
insecure :
It is very insecure to travel through the ghats in this fog.
2.
immature
:
He is a good batsman, but rather immature.
3.
indefinite
:
The exams were postponed indefinitely.
4.
improbable
:
It is difficult to believe what he says, it is improbable.
5.
unselfish
:
He is unselfish and honest, which is not a good
qualification in politics.
6.
impure
:
The drinking water in the tank was impure, and
therefore harmful to the students.
7.
unlucky
:
It was unlucky for her not to get admission to her
favourite course.
8.
illegal
:
The sale of land was illegal, so the buyer had to give up
the land.
9.
inattentive
:
He was inattentive in the class, naturally he could not
answer any question.
:
The party decided to expel the disloyal members.
10. disloyal
69
Self – Check VII :
This is also a dictionary exercise for you to work it out on your own.
3.4 Summary :
In this unit, you have come across a variety of ways by which you can enrich
your vocabulary. It is not enough to learn meanings of words. It is necessary to use
them in your own sentences. You can make out meaning of words in sentences
through the context of the sentence itself. Words in sentences are related to each
other in meaning. There can be synonyms and antonyms used in the sentences and
the passage. They can help you understand meanings of the unfamiliar words. There
are a number of synonymous words, but they can have different shades of meaning
and they are, therefore, used in different context. There are suffixes and prefixes
which can be used for forming words. These suffixes and prefixes also have their
own meaning. You can enrich your vocabulary and create new words with the help
of these devices.
3.5 Some additional exercises :
I
Which word from the ones given below means nearly the same as the
underlined word in the following sentences?
1.
He found a cave at the top where someone appeared to live.
a)
2.
c)
discovered
d)
came across
disturbance
b)
neglect
c)
strictness d)
ignorance
In his speech he was very candid about his party’s performance.
a)
4.
arrived at
He was punished for the dereliction of duty.
a)
3.
got b)
sweet
b)
frank
c)
vocal
d)
concerned
The riotous scenes in the parliament and assemblies may create a very bad
impression about democracy.
a)
extreme b)
boisterous
c)
humorous
70
d)
serious
5.
Russia was very much annoyed to NATO countries intervention in the Cosovo
problem.
a)
resistance
b)
mediation
c)
inter-relation d)
interference
II
Select the word which is opposite in meaning of the word underlined in the
following sentences :
1.
He is very diligent young man. You won’t find him wasting his time.
a)
2.
4.
idle c)
curious
d)
inattentive
The American delegation acceded to relaxation of sanctions against India.
a)
3.
brilliant b)
preferred b)
disagreed
c)
discussed
d)
offered
There were disputes among the parties regarding formation of a government. It
was not clear when the new government would be formed.
a)
discussions
b)
c)
mutual agreements
controversies
d)
differences
As sufficient funds were available last year the project could be implemented
successfully.
5.
a)
left unfinished
c)
postponed
b)
d)
carried out
reviewed
The Commissioner resumed his charge after the court order.
a)
refused
b)
gave up
c)
took back
d)
reallocated
III Fill the gaps in the following, using appropriate word from the pair given
below each sentence :
1.
Luckily, there was ----------- damage done to the car, so we could proceed on our
journey.
(negligent, negligible)
71
2.
She was worried whether she could get ---------- at such a short notice.
(birth, berth)
3.
The tenant complained that the landlord ----------- him and his family and made
their life miserable.
(persecuted, prosecuted)
4.
When there is crop failure, the wholesale merchants ---------- the grains and
create artificial scarcity.
(horde, hoard)
5.
Everyone --------- the scientists for successful testing of the AGNI missile.
(complimented, complemented)
3.6 Field Work :
Collect film reviews, book reviews, interesting coverage of events from
newspapers and note the use of unfamiliar words in them.
3.7 Further Reading :
Read English magazines such as India Today, Front Line, etc.
72
Unit-4
HOW TO TAKE PART IN A GROUP DISCUSSION
INDEX :
4.0
Objectives
4.1
Introduction
4.2
Content
4.2.1
Sub – Content I
[Initiating a discussion]
Self – Check I
4.2.2
Sub – Content II
[Inviting/Eliciting Comments]
Self – Check II
4.2.3
Sub – Content III
[Agreement/Disagreement]
Self – Check III
4.2.4
Sub – Content IV
[Intervening a discussion]
Self – Check IV
4.2.5
Sub – Content V
Self – Check V
4.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
4.4
Summary
4.5
Exercises
4.6
Field Work
4.7
Further Reading
73
[Suggesting/Accepting/Refusing]
4.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
know how to address a group/meeting.
•
understand how to start a group discussion.
•
use expressions for inviting comments.
•
express your agreement or disagreement with the views of others.
•
support or oppose an argument of others.
•
intervene a discussion to make your own point.
•
conclude or sum up a discussion.
4.1 Introduction :
Group discussion is a complex skill. But, it is not entirely unfamiliar to you. In
your college, you must have come across occasions to discuss an excursion trip, a
send-off party for someone, a variety entertainment programme, etc. In a discussion,
you have to make suggestions, explain your ideas, propose a plan, try to convince
your friends to accept your point of view, agree or disagree with others and so on.
But here we are talking about Group Discussion as a test for selection of a candidate
for an ambitious job. Here, you come across other young people not known to you.
In a group of four, five or six candidates, you have to show your skill of arguing,
explaining, persuading, agreeing with or supporting someone, or politely opposing
someone’s views. And all this you do making use of your communication skill in
English. Naturally, you need to have command of formal spoken English and you
must also have a lot of common knowledge of the socio-cultural as well as, economic
and political problems. You have to show your skill of reasonable thinking and you
ought to have your own views on these issues.
In this unit, we are going to concentrate on a variety of expressions in English
which you need to use for stating your opinion, explaining, calling attention of
others, agreeing with others, protesting, giving reasons, etc.
Remember, this is not just another lesson for you to read. You must master these
expressions and practice using them in real life. A skill must be acquired and
practiced. All the skills in this section are useful for your career in future.
74
4.2 Content :
4.2.1
How to initiate a discussion :
Addressing the group discussion :
Friends, to indicate a discussion means to start it. You may have to do it. Study
the following ways of how a discussion begins. Learn these expressions. The topic of
our discussion is Special Economic Zones being established in the country.
Making initial statement
I feel that these zones were supposed to be established for welcoming foreign capital
and increasing export trade. But, this is not happening.
Sometimes organizers will state the topic of discussion and the group will be asked
to start discussion. How do you start discussion? See, for example :
Well, friends, the topic given to us for discussion is the use of Inter net in Higher
Education.
How do you make an initial statement? You can say :
Friends, allow me to open this discussion
Personally, I feel internet is a boon for Higher Education, and it should be
increasingly used in colleges and universities.
Note the expressions used for making initial statement :
Let me say that ______ allow me to say that ______
I would like to say that _______
I feel that ________
I think that ________
In my opinion _______
75
There are, of course, a variety of ways for opening a discussion. Note these :
1.
Friends, we have to discuss the topic of The Generation Gap. Shall me start the
discussion?
Let me tell you. I have often heard the older generation say that the young people
today have no respect for their elders.
2.
Friends, shall we start the discussion?
Allow me to say that S E Z is an economic aggression on Rural India.
3.
Friends, allow me to start the discussion on this topic, To be frank, I am not in
favour of S E Z at all.
4.
Friends we have only a short time for discussion.
Let me put my view before you. I think generation gap is a real social problem before
us.
Self – Check I : How will you initiate a discussion on the following topics?
Address the group/meeting, and make an initial statement.
Topics :
1.
Expensive marriage ceremonies.
2.
Boycotting Voting in General Elections
3.
Should cine-stars be given party-tickets?
4.
A craze for English-Medium Schools.
4.2.2 Inviting comments or Eliciting Opinions :
When you initiate a discussion, it may be necessary for you to invite others to
speak. In a group discussion, you can show your leadership quality by making
everyone participate in the discussion. Note the following expressions used for
inviting opinions of others :
You can address a particular person in the group :
How do you react to this observation, Mr. Das?
76
What do you think, Mr. Desai?
I wonder what Ms. Sheela has to say about this?
Would you like to give your views on this, Mr. Parab?
I think Mr. Pawar has something to say about this.
You have to encourage the members of the group individually and make them talk.
The success of such activity depends on each and every member taking part in the
discussion. You can also address the whole group saying :
Any comment on this suggestion?
I am sure some of you would like to say something on this.
Any reaction to this?
This is what I think. I don’t expect you to agree with me, but I would like to be
corrected.
Are you with me? Or do you have any other plan suggestion/view?
Opinions can be strongly stated with expressions like the following :
I am sure that this new policy will help the farmers.
I am convinced that the steps taken by the management are effective.
It is perfectly clear that terrorism is being sponsored by our neighbouring
country.
Sometimes, you may not like to make a strong statement. You may say :
Well, I believe teen-agers are rather unruly, but there are reasons for it.
As I see it, there cannot be one answer to this problem.
From economic point of view, the proposal appears too ambitious.
The way I see it, it’s the money not the love of sports in cricket.
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Self – Check II :
(A) Invite a group member, (by name), to join the discussion giving opinion/reaction
to the following statements :
1.
Marathi cinema has greatly improved since Shwas.
2.
I P L matches should not have been held at the time of general elections.
3.
Australia Tennis took a very unsportive decision.
(B) Express your opinion strongly to the statements given above.
4.2.3
Agreeing and Disagreeing :
During the course of a discussion, it is quite possible for you to agree with
someone’s point of view or disagree with it. Sometimes, you would not like to
completely agree or disagree with any one. You may like to modify the view a little,
giving your own doubts or reservations. You may not be sure about the information
given by others, or there may not be any proof or evidence backing a statement made
by a member.
Note the following examples of Agreement :
I agree with you absolutely.
Agreement, with a point
Internet is a boon to the university students.
supporting an opinion.
Well, I agree with you. But, Internet is still
The speaker agrees but
very costly medium, and everyone cannot
points out a problem.
afford it.
Yes, you have a point there. But, you
The speaker partially agrees, and
cannot say that every proposal of S E Z is
points out that you cannot
against the farmers.
generalize.
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Note the expressions for strong and partial agreement :
Strong Agreement
Partial Agreement
1.
Of course, you are right.
1.
I agree with you upto a point.
2.
Yes, that’s a good point.
2.
I see what you mean, but –
3.
it.
There cannot be two opinions about 3.
4.
What you say is quite reasonable.
5.
I have no doubt about it.
That’s true, however –
4. I am inclined to agree with you. But
do you have any alternative?
5. It is
argument.
difficult
to
accept
this
Whether in a group discussion or in a meeting, you have to be polite in expressing
your views, agreement or disagreement. Besides, you ought to give a reason,
specially for your disagreement. If you agree with someone, support this giving your
own reason or an illustration for it. Study the following examples :
I am sorry, but I can’t agree with you here.
The speaker politely disagrees,
There are other ways of stopping corruption.
and makes a point against the
initial statement.
I am afraid, this is an extreme point of view.
The speaker politely disagrees
You cannot stop people coming into Mumbai. and suggests an alternative.
You can shift the big industries outside
Mumbai.
You have missed the point completely. We
The speaker strongly disagrees
object to the present system of examinations,
and gives reason for it.
not the examinations. Some kind of testing
is always necessary.
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I am not with you at all. You can’t blame
The speaker strongly disagrees.
students for absenteeism. Are you sure
And raises a new question.
teachers really make their teaching
interesting?
Very interesting. But this is not at all
The speaker disagrees pointing
practicable. You cannot compel the
out how impractical the proposal
Swiss Banks to remit the money of others
is.
to some other country.
Develop your vocabulary. (Expressions you can use in a discussion)
react
:
The minister refused to react to the question.
What’s your reaction?
He gave a very guarded reaction.
provide for
:
make money etc. available.
How will the government provide for crop insurance?
Is there any provision for school buildings?
feasible
:
infrastructure :
Which can be done. I don’t think this proposal to be feasible.
basic needs (like water, electricity, building, etc.)
They must first invest money for development of infrastructure.
a burning question : an urgent, important matter. Controlling inflation is a burning
question for us.
a moot question : a matter of uncertainty
a bone of contention : a matter of argument or quarrel
a brain wave
: a clever, brilliant idea
a foregone conclusion : a result that is quite certain.
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Self – Check III :
(A) Express your agreement with the following opinions, giving a reason
supporting it.
1.
There should be censorship even for T.V. soap operas.
2.
Media channels did not act in a responsible manner at 26/11 terrorist attack in
Mumbai.
3.
More and more criminals are turning to politics.
4.
Cricket is no more sports, it is a big business.
(B) Express your disagreement, strong or partial, with the following giving
your reason for it.
1.
We should stop production and sale of cars to control pollution.
2.
Marathi Cinema industry mainly produces farcical comedies.
3.
To be secular means not to be religious.
4.
English education is doing a lot of harm to Marathi.
4.2.4
Intervening a discussion :
Sometimes, in a group discussion, you have to break into it to express your
opinion. Let us see what expressions can be useful for this kind of situation. Study
the following :
1.
Listen to me, please. I have to make a point on this particular aspect of this
issue.
2.
If you please, let me have a word on this.
3.
Could you please listen to me for a moment?
4.
Gentlemen, there is another way of looking at it.
5.
May I have your attention, please?
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B.A.III (Compulsory) English….6
Sometimes, the discussion is digressing, that is going away from the topic. It is
going off the track. For example, the topic is Freedom of Press, but some members
start talking about private life of the cine-stars. Then, it is necessary for someone to
bring back the discussion to the original topic by breaking into it. You should, of
course, do it politely, but firmly.
Here are a few expressions which you can use to intervene a discussion :
1.
Friends, I think we are digressing from our subject. We are talking about S E Z,
and not corruption at high places.
2.
Let us come back to our original topic. We were talking about violence in
movies, not violence in Bihar.
3.
That’s very interesting. But I don’t think it relates to our present topic.
4.
Friends, Let us not wander away from the topic. We were discussing Recession.
Do you really think recession will end within six months?
6.
Let me bring our discussion back on its foot. We were talking about generation
gap and not student indiscipline
Sometimes there is a very heated argument as there are hot exchanges between some
members of the group. You have to take a lead to bring the situation under control.
What expressions would you use on such occasions? Study these examples :
1.
Please, let us not get too worked up over this.
2.
Mr. Sharma, let us not use harsh words.
3.
Listen to me, please. Mr. Sahani, do not get angry. And let us not pass personal
remarks.
4.
Let us keep cool, please.
5.
Please, calm down. Let us come to the point.
6.
Let us stop this. Getting angry won’t take us anywhere.
7.
Calm down, gentlemen. Let us not accuse each other.
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Self – Check IV :
(A) Intervene the discussion in the following :
1.
Children do not take interest in sports. Intervene the discussion giving your
reason.
2.
There is a family discussion of celebrating birthday of the mother. Intervene the
discussion suggesting some novel idea of celebrating this birthday.
3.
Violence in films is imitated by the young people. Intervene the discussion
pointing out some other reason for increase in violence.
(B) In the following situations, discussion is going away from the topic. How
will you bring it back to it?
1.
Talking about Adult Education, the members start discussing government’s
higher education policy.
2.
Discussion is on the topic of use of Marathi in the courts of Law. But, members
begin talking about delay of justice in the court cases.
3.
The discussion is on the topic of Law against superstition, but the members start
talking about yoga.
4.
There is a heated argument about corruption among the politicians. How will
you calm down the members and bring the discussion back to the topic?
4.2.5
Making Suggestions/Accepting or Refusing Suggestions, etc.
In the course of discussion, you would like to make suggestions. Similarly, you
may accept or refuse suggestions made by others. Or you may have doubts and you
hesitate to accept what others say. You have to raise objections and point out
consequences if certain suggestion is accepted. Study the following examples where
these expressions are used :
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I have a suggestion, Instead of a three – hour examination,
we should introduce one – hour examination after every
three months on the portions of the syllabus covered
Refusal :
That’s a ridiculous idea. You cannot
Conditional Acceptance :
expect the universities to conduct
three examinations for thousands of
students of different streams.
Your suggestion is practicable
only if you mean internal exams
to be administered by the
colleges.
Raising objections :
Will colleges accept the responsibility?
Who will give passing – certificates?
Can you trust colleges to be objective
and impartial?
Expressing hesitation :
I doubt if it will work.
I don’t know. You will still need a
final examination.
I am not sure how we can expect
Uniformity in the syllabus covered.
I suggest we should hold the adult education classes at night.
Accepting :
Raising a problem :
That’s a good suggestion. We can
ensure attendance of both men and
women. We can start the class at
8 o’clock.
But the teachers are not locals
and they are girls. How will they
come back after the classes?
There is no bus after 8.30.
Expressing hesitation :
Do you think women will be free from
cooking and serving meals by 8 o’clock?
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Expressing Consequences :
We have shown our self-respect in not
signing the pact of C.T.B.T.
But as a result of it we are isolated
in the international community.
Freezing wages is the only solution
to stop inflation.
If we do that it will create a hell of
agitation in the whole country.
Suppose we invite a minister for
this function -invite a number of local leaders.
Then we will have to change the
venue. What’s more, we will have to
Commenting on the attitudes of others :
1.
I think you are being rather unrealistic.
You cannot change the whole system overnight.
2.
You don’t seem to realize the practical problem involved.
3.
Come on, Don’t be unreasonable. You cannot expect opposition to pass the Bill
without comment.
4.
Your attitude is not very helpful. You seem to think only of difficulties and not
solutions.
5.
Look, this is not being considerate.
Small Scale Industries cannot survive with this kind of taxation.
6.
I don’t think you are being sympathetic to the problems of agricultural labour.
Presenting Different Alternative or Solutions :
Problem :
How to make indigenous industries
more profitable.
process of production and introduce
severe quality control.
Air Pollution in the city.
Alternative Solutions
One possibility is to impose trade
barriers.
Alternatively, we should rationalize the
One solution is obviously to restirict the
vehicles only to the highways.
But another possibility is to ban the two
stroke vehicles in the city area.
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Summing Up :
Every discussion must come to an end. You have to sum it up. In summing up a
discussion you have to take up all the main points made by the members in the group
and arrive at some conclusion. You can begin summing up or concluding with one of
the following expressions :
1.
Gentlemen, let me now sum up this discussion.
2.
Friends, the time for this discussion is almost over. Let me go over the main
points made by you.
3.
Let us now conclude this discussion. We all agree that education upto the X
standard should equip students with the knowledge useful for working life.
Ms. Samant has made a point about sex-education as a part of their
curriculum, while Mr. Raskar insists on teaching them functional use of
English.
4.
All right then. Let us conclude our discussion at this point. We all in
general agree that military service should be compulsory. But compulsion
should be only for boys and not for girls. There are two opinions about
conscientious objectors. One is, they should not be forced. The other is such
a plea should not be allowed.
Develop Your Vocabulary :
tentative :
for the time being (not final). This is only a tentative solution to the
problem.
inflation :
expansion of the supply of money (causing rise in wages and prices)
dispose of : get rid of. It’s a problem how to dispose of the waste material.
concur (with): agree with somebody, concur in doing something.
disregard : ignore. We cannot disregard the sovereignty of the country.
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Self – Check V :
A) There is Group Discussion on the following problems/issues. Make
suggestions on each one of them giving a supporting argument.
i)
Disposal of waste material in the city.
ii) Traffic jam on a particular road in the city specially in the evening.
iii) How to involve students in tree plantation.
iv) A chief guest to be invited for annual social gathering.
v)
Access to the book-stacks in the college library for the students of higher
classes.
B) i)
Someone in a group discussion suggests that annual examinations should be
held in October/November instead of in April/May.
(a) Support this suggestion making your own point.
(b) Refuse this suggestion giving your reason.
(c) Express your reservation (doubt) about the feasibility of it.
ii) Someone in a group discussion on cricket suggests that Test Matches
should be completely abolished.
(a) Support this suggestion with your own argument.
(b) React against it giving your reason.
(c) Express your doubt about it giving your reasons.
4.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I :
1.
Friends, the topic for discussion given to us is Expensive marriage ceremonies.
Please, allow me to open the discussion. In my opinion, lavish expenditure on
marriage ceremony is needless and blatant show of wealth.
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2.
Friends we have to discuss the topic Boycotting Voting in General Elections. I
think Boycotting Voting is not a right way to protest against the government.
3.
Friends, we are here to discuss the topic : Should cine – stars be given party
tickets ?
I feel that cine – stars are the citizens and rightful voters, and they have every
right to contest for election.
4.
Friends, the interview committee wants us to discuss the topic ‘A Craze for
English Medium Schools.’
Let me initiate this discussion. I believe this craze for English Medium Schools
is the result of the rise of the international corporate world, where English is the
only effective medium of communication.
Self – Check II
(A) 1.
Mr. Desai, how do you react to this statement? Has Marathi Cinema really
improved?
2.
Mr. Sharma, what would you say about this?
Did these matches really affect voting percentage?
3.
Mr. Prabhu, do you agree that Australia’s decision was unsportive? Was
their concern for security genuine?
(B) 1.
Of course, I am quite happy to see how Marathi Cinema has come out with
some excellent productions.
2.
I don’t think so. Voting pattern has been low even when there were no IPL
matches.
3.
There cannot be two opinions about it. Australia’s security concern was
totally unfounded.
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Self – Check III :
1.
I quite agree with this, because TV soap operas have far wider audience than the
movies, and there ought to be some control over their quality.
2.
This is absolutely true. Our media-channels hardly thought of security of the
people trapped in the hotel Taj. They were enjoying it as a media event.
3.
There cannot be two opinions about it. Every party has fielded criminals for the
parliament as well as for the state assemblies.
4.
I have no doubt about it. The auctioning of cricketers for IPL matches, the big
money floating around in the name of sport show that it is a big business.
Self – Check IV :
(A) 1.
2.
If you please, let me have a word on this. Do you see how children are
burdened with enormous homework and extra classes?
Listen to me, please. I have an idea. Let us give Mother a real holiday,
dinner at Ashoka and ticket for the musical show at Plaza. What do you
say?
3.
Could you please listen to me? We cannot blame only films for violence.
There is severe unemployment problem. Frustration at not finding work
drives young people to crime.
(B) 1.
Excuse me, please, but I think we are digressing from our topic. We are
discussing Adult education and not higher education policy.
2.
Gentlemen, let us come back to our topic. We are discussing use of Marathi
in the courts of law, not cases pending in the courts.
3.
Friends, we are wandering away from our topic. It is not yoga, we are
discussing law against superstition.
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4.
Please, let us not get worked up on this. Our topic is corruption in general.
Let us not drag names of politicians into it.
Self – Check V :
(A) 1. It is necessary to find a site for dumping waste-material away from any
town or village we cannot endanger life of people anywhere.
2.
P. V. Road ought to be made one way, diverting the traffic from the East to a
parallel lane, because vehicles coming from the B. R. Chowk are quite a few.
3.
Students ought to be given some incentive. If a student plants a tree and takes
care of it, we should announce some prize or a certificate.
4.
I suggest we should invite a wellknown dramatist this year. We are holding oneact-play competitions in the college. He will give us useful hints and also speak
about his interesting experiences.
5.
Students of special subjects need to read a lot of extra material. They ought to
have access to the book-stacks in the library. They can then browse through
books and select their readings.
(B) i)
a.
I appreciate this suggestion. Exams in April/May are often disrupted by stormy
rains, or there is unbearable heat.
b.
October/November are months of festivals and interspersed with holidays. This
suggestion cannot be acceptable.
c.
I have serious doubt about holding exams in Oct/Nov. All over the country the
education year starts with June. It should be common in all the states.
ii)
a.
I support this suggestion. Five-day test matches are a sheer waste of time. Only
on the first and the last day there are some watchers.
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b.
I am against abolishing test matches. These matches really test the merit of the
players. The Captain has to plan carefully both batting and bowling. It is a
different game.
c.
I doubt whether test matches can be abolished. They are still very popular. In
fact test cricket is considered to be the real cricket.
4.4 Summary :
Group discussion is a complex skill. You should be able to use English for
stating your opinion, express you agreement or disagreement, take initiative in the
discussion, give your reactions, offer suggestions, and so on. In a group discussion
test your general knowledge, your ability to convince others, your skill in handling
discussion are being tested. There are various expressions in this unit, which students
have to master to be able to take part in a group discussion.
4.5 Exercises :
1. Complete the following Group Discussion according to the notes in the
A:
B:
C:
D:
B:
margin. (You may have to supply complete sentences, clauses or phrases)
Friends, ………. is …….. As you know,
How to stop corruption.
………. is the most ……. problem before
Gives background. Calls
our society. I …….. your views on ………
for views.
………. not possible …….. corruption,
States his opinion &
because ………
reason.
……… rather pessimistic …….. start
Comments on B’s
with ourselves. If we decide …………
views. Suggests. Invites
that can be a good beginning. What
opinion.
………… , Mr. D?
……………………………………….
Expresses hesitation.
…….. ought to be a campaigne.
States his opinion.
……… one man’s job.
……………………………………….
Agrees with D.
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A:
C:
Mr. C, ………. explain how …………
…………. ourselves ?
Well, suppose ‘B’ here ………a
Seeks clarification
politely.
Explains giving example.
B:
certificate, and the clerk concerned
…….. some money, he should ………
to pay.
And lose my job? In practice, everyone
Objects and gives reason.
D:
2.
…….. because ……………….
I …….. Mr. C in this. We ……. Some
kind of sacrifice. Otherwise …………
……… no right to ……… against
corruption.
Supports C, Explains.
Build up short pieces of group discussion on the topics given in the tasks
making use of variety of expressions and interactions given in the Unit.
4.6, 4.7 Field Work and Further Reading :
Read newspapers regularly, specially the editorials, special articles and
write – ups. Read also magazines like India Today, Front Line, etc. Read the letters
sent by the readers to the newspapers.
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Unit-5
HOW TO FACE AN INTERVIEW
INDEX :
5.0
Objectives
5.1
Introduction
5.2
Content
5.2.1
Sub – Content I
[Do’s and Don’ts, Basic preparations]
Self – Check I
5.2.2
Sub – Content II
Self – Check II
5.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
5.4
Summary
5.5
Exercises
5.6
Further Reading
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[Variety of Questions]
5.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
know how to present yourself at the interview.
•
know what clothes to wear and what not to do at the interview.
•
understand how to prepare yourself for interview.
•
know how to enter the interview room and how to face the
interviewers.
•
learn how to answer different kinds of questions.
5.1 Introduction :
You have to face an interview sooner or later, and naturally you wish to do well,
make a good impression with the interviewers, and, of course, get a job ultimately.
Remember, appearing before a board of interviewers is also a kind of experience.
Even if you do not get the job, you at least come to know what it feels like sitting
there in front of four or five members, each shooting questions at you. You should
be psychologically prepared for such interaction. The interviewer may be genuinely
interested in finding out how useful you can be. So you have to give your best in the
interview. So let us see how you should prepare yourself for these occasions.
5.2 Content :
5.2.1
Dos and Don’ts
There are some very common Dos an Don’ts which you ought to remember
when you have to face an interview. Many young people fail to make a good
impression at the interview because their appearance, their awkward manners let
them down. So, keep in mind following Dos and Don’ts :
Don’t play with your hair or chew your nails or fingers. It can make a poor
impression about you, and it shows that you are nervous, not confident.
Don’t wear untidy clothes and don’t even dress like a dandy.
You may have your cell-phone with you. Switch it off.
94
Don’t take a plastic bag to carry your certificates etc. It looks asif you are carrying
dirty clothes for washing.
Don’t wear dirty shoes/chappals.
And now some Dos :
Do enter the interview room with a bright and friendly smile. It shows your
readiness and confidence.
Do dress smartly. Whether you clothes are old or new, have them washed and
pressed.
Do wear a shirt and tie if the interview demands it, that is, if there is such a dress
code for it.
Do have basic information about the company or establishment and a kind of job
they offer.
II
Some basic preparations :
The interviewer would ask you questions arising out of the information you give
in your c.v. and your letter of application. If you have mentioned your previous job,
they will ask you about the nature of work, why you left the job or would like to
leave it, and so on. If you have mentioned any technical qualification, they will try to
judge your ability and knowledge related to it. They might ask you even about your
hobby, interest in sports and any extracurricular activities also. So, be prepared for
answering questions based on your personal information.
You should also be well-informed about your native place, what it is known for,
its geographical and historical importance, if any. At the interview, a member or two
of the board may ask you questions based on general knowledge. If you are regularly
reading newspapers, this will not be a problem for you. Yet, be sure you know about
important events and persons of importance, sports events, cultural events, etc.
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Be there before time :
You should reach the place of interview at least fifteen minutes before time. By
the way, make sure you have checked the day, and date and time. You should put on
comfortable clothes. If you wear something different, it will make you uncomfortable
and self-conscious. You should arrive at the interview well in advance because you
will get time to be familiar with the surrounding. You will get time to relax and
compose yourself. There may be literature of the company or establishment lying
about on the table. There may be interesting things to note, the information which
can prove useful during the interview.
In the interview room :
When you enter the interview room, greet the board-members pleasantly. Do not
take seat until they ask you to sit. Sit with a straight back, don’t lounge in the chair.
Look at the interviewers directly, when they ask you questions. Do not mumble
while answering questions. If you do not know answer to a question, say so frankly.
You should listen to the questions carefully. Answer the questions taking a little
pause. Answer the questions precisely and to the point. When a member of the board
is talking to you, do not look around. It is disrespectful. Look at him and show your
interest in what he is asking.
Self – Check I :
(A) Answer the following questions based upon your c.v. You can write true-tolife answers.
1.
What’s your native place?
2.
Tell us what your native place is famour for.
3.
Where did you do your schooling?
4.
What extra-curricular activities did you do in your college?
5.
Tell us something about your hobbies.
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(B) 1.
2.
5.2.2
Write a short note about what you should remember to do before going for
an interview.
Write briefly about what not to do while going for an interview.
How to answer questions :
You have to be prepared for the questions on your general knowledge – Basic
information about your state, district, the prominent geographical and historical
aspects as well as political information like who the Chief minister is, etc.
But, the interviewers would like to judge you for your aptitude, your motivation
and your expectations also. Study the following interactions :
1.
Why do you think you are suitable for this job?
I’m a graduate with economics as my special subject. Besides, I have
completed a course in computer application.
2.
But, you do not have any experience.
I promise to pick up things quickly.
3.
What kind of career-oriented course did you do in your college?
I did a course in spoken English and soft-skills, which has given me
confidence.
4.
What do you expect the company to provide for you?
This is going to be my first job. I would first like to prove myself useful. I
will be happy with whatever facilities the company provides to the
employees.
5.
Would you like to work overtime?
If it is necessary, I would certainly like to help.
You may have to answer questions arising out of the details of your educational
qualifications, and college life.
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B.A.III (Compulsory) English….7
For example :
6.
What was your special subject at graduation?
I did my graduation in Economics, but, my optional subjects at the second year were
Politics and Sociology.
7.
Did you take part in any extra-curricular activities while in college?
Yes, sir. I took part in Debating Competitions. I have mentioned the prizes I won, in
my c.v. Besides, I used to take part in one-act-play competitions.
If there is a question about your hobby, you should give truthful answer. If you really
have a hobby, describe it. But, if you do not have one, say so frankly. You can tell
them how you spend your leisure.
8.
Do you have any hobby?
No. I don’t have any hobby, Sir. But I spend my free time playing cricket, going for a
swim, or just read a book.
Besides these the interviewers might ask you questions about any courses you did or
are doing. Their intention is to find out how you utilize your time.
9.
Are you doing any training course now?
I am doing a short-term course in Taxation. I will be completing it in two months
time.
10. Will this course come in the way of your job?
No, Sir. It is in the evening, well after working hours.
Questions on any hypothetical situation :
Interviewers might ask you questions on any imagined situation. This is to test
your presence of mind, and your attitude.
See, for example :
11. Suppose your boss wants you to stay beyond working hours for some important
work. But, you have to go because you have some pressing domestic work to attend.
What will you do?
98
My job will always have priority. Domestic work can wait.
12. Your boss has left for airport, but one important file is left on his table.
What will you do?
I’ll try to contact the boss on phone, and inform him that I am setting out for the
airport instantly carrying the file.
13. And if the flight has left?
I’ll E-mail the details of the file to the boss. He must have his lap-top with him.
There are sometimes questions which may be tricky. For example, the
interviewer might want to know your expectations for a monthly salary. If you
already have a job, they will ask you about your present salary. And you will have to
plead for a better settlement. If this is your first job, you will have to answer such a
question tactfully. Study the following interactions :
14. Why are you leaving your job?
Sir, the job you offer gives me an opportunity to use my knowledge of
taxation/software skills. Besides, I need better prospects.
15. What salary do you expect?
I hope you will give me a better salary package taking into account my qualifications
and experience.
OR
16. This is going to be my first job, sir. Yet I hope you will offer me a good
deal.
17. Supposing this job requires you to travel or stay at other places for a few
days?
I won’t mind it, sir, if it’s part of the job.
99
Self – Check II :
(A) Read the following advertisement carefully and answer the questions given
below the advertisement.
Massey Export and Import Company
(Private Ltd.)
254, M G Road, Camp. Pune – 1
invites applications for the following posts :
1.
Receptionist : Graduate of any stream – fluent in English and Hindi, Computer
Savvy, Good personality.
2.
Junior Clerk : any graduate, computer literate with knowledge of MS – word,
Excel/FOX PRO, should know Hindi/Marathi/English typing well – should be
able to handle correspondence in English independently.
(A) Answer the questions in complete sentences :
1.
What is the requirement of the first post?
2.
What certificates will you take with you at the interview for the first post?
3.
How will you answer the questions about the fluency in English and Hindi?
4.
What are the requirements of the second post?
5.
What certificates will you need to show at the interview for the second
post?
6.
When and where are you asked to send your application?
(B) Suppose you are invited for the interview, how will you answer the
following questions?
1.
Why do you wish to join this company?
2.
Are you doing any courses? How will you find time for them?
3.
What extra-curricular activities did you do while in college?
4.
What’s your future plan?
5.
What do you expect the company to provide for you?
100
5.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I :
You have to answer these questions about yourself – e.g.
(A)
1.
My native place is _______
2.
My native places is only a small township. It is a Taluka place surrounded by
small villages, where forming is the main occupation.
OR
My native place is wellknown for its old temples, the Ghats of the River
Krishna, and growing MIDC area with its small-scale industries.
3.
I passed my S.S.C. from Vidya Niketan School in my own township.
4.
I took part in dramatics and debating competitions. I have enclosed my
certificates to my application.
5.
Sir, I hardly had any time for a hobby. I had to help my father on the farm, find
time for my studies. I read fiction whenever I get time.
(B) 1. Before going for interview, I would gather information about the company
or the office, read the advertisement carefully again, and also my application
letter and the c.v. sent to them. I will put on usual respectable clothes, and go to
the place at least 15 to 20 minutes earlier to be familiar with the atmosphere, and
to feel at ease. I will carry my certificates in a folder, neatly arranged.
2.
While going for interview I will not wear untidy clothes. I will switch off
my cell-phone. I will not carry my certificates in a plastic bag. I will take care
that my shoes or chappals are not dirty. In the interview room, I won’t play with
my hair or chew finger – nails.
101
Self – Check II
1.
The first post requires a graduate of any stream. He or she should be able to
speak English and Hindi well; and should know how to work on computer. The
candidate should have good personality.
2.
For the first post I should take with me my certificate for graduation, the mark –
list, certificates of any extra – curricular activity, and certificates about my
spoken English and Hindi examinations. I will also take with me my certificate
of one year certificate course in computer training.
3.
For fluency in English and Hindi, the best way is to answer the questions in
fluent English and Hindi. I can, of course, show my certificates of spoken
English course and Hindi examinations.
4.
The second post, of a junior clerk, requires the candidate to be a graduate, must
have completed computer training in Word, Excel, FOX - PRO. The candidate
should know English and Hindi typing very well, and should be able to write
letters in English.
5.
For the second post, the candidate should take with him/her, the graduation
certificate, a certificate about computer training, and a certificate regarding
Hindi/English typing examination.
5.4 Summary :
In this unit you have learnt about how to prepare yourself for an interview.
There are some Dos and DON’T about the preparation. You should know very
well the information about yourself given in your c.v. you should be able to
answer questions based on it. There are tips about how to dress for interview,
how to carry your certificates, when to go to the place of interview, and how to
present yourself before the interviewers. You should answer your questions
truthfully and confidently. You should have general knowledge about your
native place, the district and the state also.
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5.5 Exercises :
I
Answer the following questions imagining yourself to be the interviewee :
1.
Tell us what your city/district is known for?
2.
You have to work as a receptionist. Why do you think you can do this job well?
3.
(Imagine you already have a job). Why do you want to resign your present job,
and join this company?
4.
What salary package do you expect?
5.
(You have applied for the job of a sales-assistant). Why do you want to choose
this career?
II
Answer the following questions truthfully :
1.
What do you do in your free time?
2.
What is the population of your town/city?
3.
What newspaper do you read? Which is your favourite page of it?
4.
What do you think of the budget presented by the central finance minister?
5.
What extra-curricular activities did you do while in the college?
5.6 Further Reading :
Read both Marathi and English newspapers and magazines such as India Today,
Front Line, etc.
103
Unit-6
ENGLISH FOR FORMAL OFFICIAL LETTER-WRITING
INDEX :
6.0
Objectives
6.1
Introduction
6.2
Content
6.2.1
Sub – Content I : Letters related to appointment, etc.
Self – Check I
6.2.2
Sub – Content II : Office Communication related to
leave, etc.
Self – Check II
6.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
6.4
Summary
6.5
Exercises
6.6
Field Work
6.7
Further Reading
104
6.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
understand the use of formal English in official communication.
•
learn how to draft letters of appointment etc. and learn their format also.
•
learn how to respond to such letters, write acceptance letters, etc.
•
learn how to write letters seeking permission, applying for leave, asking
for transfer, etc.
•
learn, in general, how to handle official correspondence in English.
6.1 Introduction :
Office of any organization has an administrative head. If it is the office of a
college, the principal is the head. In a bank, there is a manager of it, and in a big
company, every department has a head, and there is the General Manager (GM), the
big boss, who looks after the administration of the whole company.
The administration of any office involves recruiting people for a variety of jobs,
calling them for interview, selecting and then appointing them to the posts for which
they are selected. The employees in the office may want to go on leave, they may
seek transfer to some other section or a branch, they may apply for a promotion, etc.
Administration of any office involves a lot of official correspondence related to all
matters concerning personnel management. If it is a big company, there is a separate
Human Resources Department (HR), which carries out all these functions and the
official correspondence related to them. HR department has, of course, a number of
other functions also. In this unit we are going to study some routine official letterwriting and the English used for it.
105
6.2 Content :
6.2.1
Letters Related to Appointment :
Study the following letter :
Mayuresh Chemicals
254 MIDC (old)
Old Bombay Pune Road,
Pune – 18.
Date : 14th April, 2009
Ref No. EST/2008-09/15
To,
Mr. P. N. Joshi
2/7, Shikhar,
M. G. Road, Pune – 1
Subject : Appointment : Post of office assistant
Dear Mr. Joshi,
You are hereby appointed to the post of office assistant on the total emoluments
of Rs. 6,000/- per month. You should convey your acceptance to the H.R. department
before 2nd May 2009. You will be under probation for one year, after joining your
duties.
General Manager
Copies to
1. H.R. Department
2. Accounts section
106
In some offices, a letter of appointment is not addressed to the individual. Instead,
there is an office order regarding the appointment, and copies are given to all
concerned. Study the office order given below :
J.B. Industries Private Ltd.
Sector 3, Plot No. 5 MIDC
Kolhapur.
Office order
Date : 21st April 09.
No. Apptt/2009/25
Mr. Satish Vilas Desai is hereby appointed to the post of a Junior Clerk in the
scale of Rs. 4000-100-10,000, on a probation period of one year from the date of his
joining his duties.
He should report to the head of the accounts section on or before 2nd May, 2009,
with all his documents.
Personnel Manager
Copies to
1.
Mr. Satish Vilas Desai
2.
Accounts section
3.
Finance.
Note the impersonal language used in both the communications – use of passive
structure :
__ is hereby appointed,
- use of the modal should + verb.
107
Note also the typical official expressions such as :
hereby ___
w.e.f.
– with effect from
probation period – a temporary period, for the management to judge the
employee, and decide whether to continue him in the job.
joining report
:
a report of the employee that he has joined his/her
duties from ……
emoluments
:
the salary of the employee
A Letter of Acceptance/Joining Report, etc.
A candidate who gets a letter of appointment or an office order, asking him to
join duties, is supposed to write to the office about his acceptance and when he/she is
going to join duties. He or she may join duties immediately. In that case, he has to
‘submit’ his joining report. Study these letters :
Joining Report :
Satish V. Desai.
25, Rajaram Puri
Kolhapur.
15th April, 2009.
To,
Personnel Manager,
J.B. Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Kolhapur.
Dear Sir,
I am very thankful to you for your letter dated 14th April 2009, appointing me to the
post of Junior Clerk. I am joining my duties today, on 15th of April 2009 b. n. I
assure you that I will discharge my duties to your satisfaction.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
[Satish V. Desai]
108
Note the details of this joining report. It begins with thanks to the Personnel
Manager, gives the date of joining duty, b. n. is ‘before noon’, and a. n. is ‘after
noon’. When you join before noon, you start your work from that very day. The
report closes with assurance that he will discharge his duties satisfactorily.
A letter of acceptance is different. The candidate is not yet joining the duty, but
only accepts the appointment and may join later, on account of some reason of his
own. Study the following letter of acceptance.
A Letter of Acceptance
P. N. Joshi
2/7, Shikhar
M. G. Road, Pune -1
16th April, 2009.
Personnel Manager
Mayuresh Chemicals
254, MIDC
Old Bombay Pune Road,
Pune – 18.
Dear Sir,
I am very thankful to you for your letter dated 14th instant, appointing me as office
assistant. I accept the appointment, but I will be able to join my duties only on the 1st
of June 2009, as I have to complete my unfinished work in the present job, and hand
over charge to the section head.
I hope you will allow me joining time until the 1st of June.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
[P. N. Joshi]
109
Mr. P. N. Joshi here already has a job, he has to resign it, complete his work and
hand over charge to someone. He needs joining time until the 1st June.
Note these expressions. Note also how the acceptance letter begins. It thanks the
employer, then states the acceptance, and this is followed by a request for permission
to join later, giving a reason for it.
Remember, this is a basic kind of communication you come across when you
enter a job market.
Self – Check I :
(A) Suppose you are the manager of a bank. Write a letter of appointment for the
post of clerk to a person, (man or woman), giving all the necessary details.
(B) Write either a joining report or a letter of acceptance depending on the kind of
appointment letter written by you.
6.2.2
Office Communication Related to Leave of Absence, etc.
Employees of any establishment are governed by rules and service conditions.
If, for any reason, they wish to remain absent from work, they must apply for such
leave of absence. The rules allow them casual leave of say 8 or 10 days per year, and
Earned Leave for 10 or 15 days a year, etc. Each management has its own leave
rules. Let us see how to apply for such leave of absence :
Satara
17 May 2009.
th
Manager
Union Bank of India
Satara Branch, Satara.
Sub : Application for a leave of absence.
Sir,
My brother is getting married and the ceremony is going to be held at Mumbai
on the 21st May 2009. I request you to grant me casual leave for three days from
21/05/09 to 23/05/09. I have not availed of any casual leave so far.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
[S. N. Patil]
Account Section
110
Note the details given in the leave application –
The reason for leave
The period,
And the last sentence says that Mr. Patil has not enjoyed any causal leave so far.
Note also the expressions :
-
the ceremony is going to be held at –
-
I request you to grant me –
-
I have not availed of any casual leave
The verb ‘avail’ is followed by the preposition ‘of’. Normally, the structure is ‘avail
oneself of’. But, ‘avail of’ can also be used.
Application letter for transfer :
As an employee, you may have an occasion to seek transfer from one branch of
a company or bank, etc. to another one. You need to apply for this, giving
appropriate reason/s for such request. Study the following application requesting
transfer. Only the content of the application is given here :
Sir,
I have been working at the Kolhapur branch of the company for the last five years. I
am recently married, and my wife is employed at Pune in a Junior college as a
teacher. I, therefore, request you to transfer me to our Pune branch. I would not claim
any kind of expenses for this transfer.
I shall be greatly obliged for this favour.
Yours faithfully,
Ram Deshmukh.
Note the details. The first sentence gives necessary information about the employee.
111
Note the use of
-- the present perfect tense : have been working
- the prepositional phrase stating the period : for the last five years.
The next sentence states the situation. This is followed by a request for transfer.
A Letter of Application seeking Permission :
As an employee, your service rules require you to get permission of your
employer, if you wish to take any special course, or training of any kind. When you
do it successfully, and get a certificate, you will have to get it recorded in your
personal information already given to the office of the company, bank, etc. It is,
therefore, better for you to obtain permission from your establishment. Study the
following application seeking permission :
Sir,
I have been working in the company for the last three years. I wish to acquire
advanced qualification in computer programming. I have, therefore, decided to do a
course in C++ and JAVA. Since my classes will be only three days a week and in the
evening, this will not interfere with my work in the company. I have to request you
to grant me permission to do this course.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
S. V. Pradhan
Note again the details of this application. The letter states the nature of the course,
why he wants to do it, and the timing of the course. He assures that his doing this
course will not interfere with his job.
Resigning a Job :
Sometimes an employee may resign his present job if he/she gets a better
opportunity elsewhere. This kind of job-hopping is quite a familiar phenomenon in
112
the corporate world. However, you ought to do this decently, keeping good relations
with your present employer.
If you are a permanent employee, you may be required to give a notice of three
months in advance, in some cases a month in advance, if you wish to resign your job.
You may request your employer to waive this condition and relieve you of your
duties immediately. Let us see how such resignation letters are written.
Dear Sir,
I have been serving with the company for the last five years. I have acquired a
special qualification in computer application, which I cannot use in the present job as
an accounts clerk. I was, therefore, seeking a job in the field of I. T. where my
services can be better utilized. I, therefore, wish to resign my job with you. I have to
request you to relieve me of my duties from the 1st of June 2009. Kindly waive the
condition of a notice period. I shall be greatly obliged to you for this favour.
I am very grateful to you and my colleagues here for a wonderful work culture,
and healthy feeling of a family.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
B. S. Rathod
Self – Check II
(A) Mr. S. B. Shelke, cashier in the Laxmi Coop Bank, needs causal leave for a
period of 4 days, as his father is hospitalized, and it is necessary for him to attend to
him. Write a letter of application for leave on his behalf, giving necessary details.
(B) You are employed as a Sales Assistant with Tushar Electrical Appliances,
Pimpri, Pune, who have a branch at Kolhapur. You need a transfer to this branch.
Write a letter requesting transfer, giving reason/reasons.
(C) You are employed with Brijlani Machine Tools, MIDC Pimpri – Chinchwad,
Pune – 18. You wish to resign your job to join another company, as a Marketing
Manager. Write a letter of resignation, with a request to relieve you immediately.
113
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….8
6.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I :
Only the texts of the letters are given. You can imagine the details such as the
addressee, place, date, etc.
(A)
15th June 2009
Ref : Apptt/Est/45/2009
Office – Order
Sub :
Appointment : Junior Clerk
Mr. M. P. Desai is hereby appointed as clerk in the scale of Rs. 5000-5010000, and other allowances. He should convey his acceptance and join his
duties in the office of the Manager, Sangli Branch, on or before 1st July, 2009.
He will be under probation for one year after joining his duties.
Chairman
M T Urban Coop. Bank
To
Shri. M. P. Desai
Sangli
Copies to :
1)
The Manager, M T Urban Coop. Bank, Sangli Branch, Sangli.
2)
Establishment.
114
(B) To
Manager,
MT Urban Coop Bank
Sangli Branch, Sangli.
Ref :
Office Order No. 45/2009 dated 15th June 2009.
Sir,
I am very thankful to you bank for appointing me as a clerk in your bank. I
accept the appointment, and I will be joining my duties today i.e. on 20th July
2009. I assure you that I will do the job assigned to me to your satisfaction.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
Self – Check II :
Kolhapur
(A)
14th July 2009
Manager,
Laxmi Coop. Bank,
Kolhapur.
Sub :
Leave of absence.
Sir,
I am sorry to say that my father is admitted to Sanjeevani Hospital in the city. I
have to attend to him in the hospital, as there is no one else to look after him. I,
therefore, request you to grant me casual leave for four days from 15th to 18th
July, 2009.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
(S. B. Shelke)
Cashier.
115
(B) Manager
Tushar Electrical Appliances,
Pimpri, Pune – 18.
Sub :
Request for Transfer to Kolhapur.
Sir,
I have been working in the company at Pune for the last five years, as a Sales
Assistant. I am a resident of Kolhapur district, of a village near Kolhapur. My
parents are very old. My father is ailing, and there is no one to look after them. I
have to look after them as I am the only son. I, therefore, request you to transfer
my services to Kolhapur branch. I hope you will consider my request from
humanitarian point of view.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
(------------------)
116
Pune
15th July 2009
(C)
Manager
Brijlani Machine Tools,
M I D C, Pimpri – Chinchwad,
Pune – 18.
Sir,
I have been working with you, as a Sales Assistant, for the last 7 years. I am
very grateful to you and my colleagues in the department for a wonderful
working atmosphere and fellow feeling. However, I wish to resign my job, and
join, as a Marketing Manager, in Tushar Electrical Appliances, Kolhapur. Since
Kolhapur is my native place, and I have better prospects there, I request you to
accept my resignation, and relieve me of my services by the end of the month.
I once again thank for healthy and Cooperative atmosphere in the company.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
(-----------------)
6.4 Summary :
In this unit you have learnt how to use English for official correspondence. In
the office administration, you need to use English for writing letters of appointment,
requests for leave of absence, requests for transfer, etc. and also official replies for
such letters. You may have got a new job, and you have to write a letter of
resignation to your present employer. Such official correspondence is very common
in every establishment. In these letters, you learn a set of expressions in the register
of the official use of English. You also learn how to address the boss, how to explain
your reasons, excuses, personal problems in your letter in a polite manner.
117
6.5 Exercises :
1.
Write responses to the letters A. B. and C above.
2.
You are working with Brijlani Machine Tools, Pune. You wish to join a
course in SAP which is only in the evening after working ours. Write a
letter to the company requesting for permission to join the course, assuring
them that it will not interfere with your work.
3.
Write a response to the above letter.
6.6 Field Work :
Visit the offices of the small scale industries, banks, etc. in your area and collect
samples of official letters of the types in this unit.
118
UNIT 7 : THE CARPET
-
INDEX :
7.0
Objectives
7.1
Introduction
7.2
Content
7.2.1
Text - I
Self – Check I
7.2.2
Text - II
Self – Check II
7.2.3
Text – III
Self – Check III
7.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
7.4
Vocabulary Exercises
7.5
Summary
7.6
Exercises
7.7
Writing Activity
119
Jyotika Elhance
7.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
know the socio-economic condition of the people of Vikrampur.
•
understand the indifferent and nonchrlant attitude of the people of
Vikrampur.
•
understand the reason of the dejection of the priest of the Shiva temple.
•
know how the doctor’s selfless service and dedication helps to save the
people during the outbreak of the disease.
•
understand the character of Seth Hajarimal.
•
know how the doctor succeeds in bringing change in the attitude of the
people, and removes caste and class prejudices among the people of
Vikrampur.
7.1
Introduction :
‘The Carpet’ is a story, originally written in Rajasthani, byJagdish Mathur Kamal
and translated into English by Jyotika Elhance. Jyotika Elhance is a senior Lecturer
in English at Vivekanand College, Delhi. The story was first published in ‘Indian
Literature’ of July 2008.
The story is about the young doctor belonging to a low-caste community, who, with
his dedication and selfless service during the outbreak of a disease, succeeds in
changing the vanity, apathy and nonchalant attitude of the villagers. The statement
with which the story ends ‘Let’s spread this carpet afresh’ has symbolic significance.
7.2.2
Content
7.2.1
Text :
Vikrampur was fairly well-known village of around 100-150 small houses. The
inhabitants of this village were, by and large, quite prosperous. The rich had their
business in Kolkata and Mumbai. Once in a year, probably, they would visit the
village for a brief while and then go off again for long periods.
120
Money, being mercurial by temperament, does not stay for long at one place or
with one person. It is elusive by nature and is accompanied by several vices as well.
The rich landlords of the village were quite often given to taking opium and liquor.
As such, many a time, strange things would happen with queer outcomes. The
haughtiness of the earlier times had mellowed down considerably, but the vanity and
arrogance were still intact. The rich would often twirl their moustaches in a manner
that was very much reminiscent of the Rajput clan. Now, their commanding voices
could not be heard beyond the outhouses.
In this village, people were generally engrossed in their own world. They
worked at their own pace and were never bothered about anyone apart from
themselves. They always tried to be one-up on each other. In fact, they loved
watching the flames from afar but rarely would they make any efforts to douse them.
Such was the nonchalant attitude that had been bequeathed on them by their
ancestors.
In the middle of the village there was an ancient Shiva temple, which was a
centre of lot of activity throughout the day. The reason for this probably was the
local market that used to come up in the vicinity everyday. From morning to evening,
there would be a continuous melee of vegetable vendors and other villagers. Inside
the temple, towards the right hand side there was a cemented ledge for people to sit
and chat. There was a time when people used to flock there from daybreak to gossip
endlessly. But now everything had changed. People had become extremely busy. No
one had any time to spare. This sort of apathy from people nowadays saddened the
temple priest no end. He would carry on his routine tasks without fail. Every
morning at the daybreak, he would spread a carpet and fold it back at dusk and put it
inside the temple. He would grumble to himself : ‘What kind of world is this? Where
have the human beings lost themselves? Why are they drifiting away from each
other? Why have they become so mechanical?’ The priest used to feel utterly
dejected, as he wasn’t able to share his feelings and emotions with anyone. There
was no one who would understand and empathise with him.
Days went by. Lots of changes took place everywhere. People changed, the
living conditions of people also changed but the condition of the village remained
121
same as ever. It was very much similar to Sambhar lake where the water does not
change despite adding salt. Whoever came to this village, brought his own
preconceived notions with him which he would carry everywhere. He would not put
them down nor would he let anyone trample on them.
Glossary and Notes :
mercurial (adj)
:
often changing, not constant
elusive (adj)
:
tending to disappear or escape
queer (adj)
:
strange, different from what is expected.
vanity (n)
:
worthlessness, having too high an opinion of one’s abilities.
reminiscent (adj) :
reminding or suggesting
clan (n)
:
group of families, people closely connected by similar aims,
interests.
engross (v)
:
occupy all the time
douse (v)
:
to put out, to throw water over (flames).
nonchalant (adj) :
not showing or feeling interest or enthusiasm.
vicinity (n)
:
the surrounding district, neighbourhood
melee (n)
:
uncontrolled crowd, gathering
ledge (n)
:
narrow horizontal shelf jutting out from a wall.
apathy (n)
:
lack of interest
empathise (v)
:
share another person’s feelings.
preconceived (adj):
formed in advance and not based on knowledge or experience
Self – Check I
A. Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1.
The residents of Vikrampur were by and large __________
a)
uneducated
b)
uncivilized
c)
poor
d)
rich
122
2.
3.
4.
The prosperous landlords of the village were addicted to __________
a)
gambling and drugs
b)
gambling and liquor
c)
opium and liquor
d)
opium and gambling
The residents of Vikrampur were __________
a)
self – centered
b)
self – sacrificing
c)
kind and generous
d)
enthusiastic to help others
The priest used to feel dejected because _________
a)
everybody in the village was very busy
b)
there was no one to share his feelings
c)
the people had become very mechanical
d)
the people were given to bad habits.
B. Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
Where did the rich people of Vikrampur have their business?
2.
To what were the rich landlords of Vikrampur addicted to?
3.
What was the attitude of the people towards each other?
4.
Which temple was there in the village Vikrampur?
5.
What made the temple priest sad?
7.2.2
Text - II
A few days ago, a doctor came to this village. He was a very wise, levelheaded
and hard-working person. He was clear-hearted and guile-less, as well. Within a few
days, he understood the actual problem with which the village was besieged. It did
not take him long to comprehend the general attitude of indifference and apathy in
the villagers. They always appeared to be cowed down under their own weight. Why
would they even dream of empathizing with others’ sufferings?
123
The doctor went about his work with full patience and dedication. He believed
that gradually everything would become all right. He began by utilizing his own
spare time. Whenever he was free, he would go and sit in the temple. Initially, he
started with casual greetings to the passers by and then gradually got acquainted with
them. His dispensary was a little way off from the village and people usually had to
make special trips to visit him. But once he started sitting in the temple it became
very convenient for every one.
While the doctor was trying his bit to change the outlook of the villagers,
suddenly there was an outbreak of disease. Every single person in the village caught
the virus and became indisposed. There was no one left to take care of the sick and
ailing. The doctor worked day in and day out. He did everything that was within his
power and was finally successful in controlling the outbreak much before any help
could arrive from the town. He was able to nurse everyone back to good health. It
was the doctor’s dedication and care that prevented any untoward harm to any
villager.
The villagers were completely over-awed by the doctor’s selfless service and
were filled with deep gratitude. They now understood the real worth and importance
of this man. In fact they started believing that people like him were the real treasure.
The doctor became very popular. People started queuing up outside his dispensary
just to chat with him, but the doctor remained his usual humble self and continued
with his work with the same concentration.
Seth Hajarimal also belonged to this village but now the bigger towns like
Mumbai and Kolkata had become his home as he was more at ease there. He had also
become extremely wealthy. When he heard about the outbreak of the disease and the
praises that were being showered on the doctor, Seth Hajarimal felt a sudden desire
to see his village. As soon as he came, the first thing that he did was to send for the
doctor. The doctor, at that time was going to see a patient. He did receive the
message on the way, but he continued on with his journey promising to come after
paying a visit to the ailing patient. This was rather unusual. The Seth was a highly
influential person and no one had the courage to go against his wishes. Even Surya
Dev would first shower its warmth on Seth’s haveli and only later on the rest of the
124
village. The villagers would shiver in the bitter cold but if anyone wanted to warm
their hands they would first wait for the Seth’s permission. No one could dare think
otherwise. This was the kind of power he wielded.
When the villagers heard the doctor’s reply, they were visibly stunned. They
attributed it to his immaturity and lack of understanding of the ways of the village.
They didn’t want him to face the brunt of the Seth’s ire. As such, all of them
assembled to prevent the situation from getting out of control. The doctor could not
understand why the people were so scared. They told him that he had trespassed the
unwritten code of conduct laid down by Seth Hajarimal by ignoring his summons so
off-handedly. He had brought disrepute to the entire village.
When the doctor heard this he couldn’t help smiling. He then set out at once and
stopped only when he reached the haveli. Calling out for the Seth, he climbed the
stairs and reached his room. Once there, he greeted him and said, “Sir, here I am, at
your service. How can I help you?”
The Seth looked up and saw a young boy smiling pleasantly. The Seth, who was
around fifty years of age, had no dearth of people waiting for him. People would
queue up to fulfill his every desire and demand, but he had never met anyone who
would have the audacity to reply back to him. Today he had met such a person and
that too in his own village on the threshold of his own house. The Seth did not utter a
single word; he kept staring grimly at the doctor.
The villagers, who had assembled outside, began requesting the Seth to forgive
and forget. They pleaded, “To err is human. He isn’t aware of the rules here. The
doctor is new to the village. He is immature; you have both the maturity and
experience. Do spare him, we plead on his behalf. Forgive him.”
Sonaram who, till now had been ailing and to whom the doctor had just paid a
visit, somehow also managed to reach there to request Seth Hajarimal to forgive the
doctor. Seth and Sonaram were sworn enemies of yester years. They never saw eye
to eye. Two years ago, Sonaram had contested for the Sarpanch elections and
defeated Seth’s man very badly. Since then both of them had become arch rivals.
Earlier it was the defeat in the elections and now the impertinence of this young boy
125
….. the Seth could not think any further. His anger kept on growing with each
passing moment.
Glossary and Notes :
guile (n)
:
cunning, deceit
besiege (v)
:
surround
cowed down (phr) :
frightened
indisposed (adj)
:
ill, sick
untoward (adj.)
:
unfortunate
wield (v)
:
hold in one’s hand, possess
ire (n)
:
anger
trespass (v)
:
do wrong, disobey
dearth (n)
:
shortage, scarcity
audacity (n)
:
daring, fearlessness
sworn enemies (phr) : extreme in dislike.
yester years (phr) :
recent past
impertinence (n) :
rudeness, disrespectfulness.
Self – Check II
A. Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1.
2.
The people greatly wondered to see ________
a)
the doctor’s selfless service
b)
the doctor working day in and day out
c)
the doctor’s skill in treating the patients.
d)
the doctor’s knowledge of the diseases
By caste the doctor was _______
a)
an ironsmith
b)
a barber
c)
a chamar
d)
a potter
126
3.
4.
5.
Seth Hajarimal decided to visit his village in order to meet __________
a)
his relatives
b)
the patients
c)
the doctor
d)
the Sarpanch
People used to queue up in front of Seth Hajarimal’s haveli ___________
a)
to get some money from him
b)
to get some advice from him
c)
to tell him about their problems
d)
to fulfil Seth’s desires and demands
In Vikrampur, ignoring the orders of Seth Hajarimal was treated as _________
a)
revolutionary behaviour
b)
disobedience of the unwritten code of conduct
c)
a legal and serious offence
d)
immaturity of the person
B) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
What kind of attitude was there of the villagers of Vikrampur?
2.
Why were the villagers indisposed?
3.
When did the villagers understand the value and importance of the doctor?
4.
Why did Seth Hajarimal feel a sudden desire to visit his village?
5.
What was the reason behind the rivalry between Seth Hajarimal and
Sonaram?
7.2.3
Text – III
The doctor kept observing everything for a while. When he saw things getting
out of hand, he could not contain himself any longer. He stepped ahead and started
speaking, “I am really sorry if I have hurt anyone. All this enmity and rivalry is due
to the caste and class prejudices. Forget everyone else. Take my example. Did
anyone ever question me about my caste? No. Why? …… Because I am a very
competent person and I am a government servant also. I have the expertise and magic
in my hands. That’s why my caste issue got over-shadowed. But, today I want every
127
one of you to listen to me – I am a Chamar by caste. I belong to a very low caste and
class but is there any single house in the entire village that I have not visited? Is there
anyone in this village who has not accepted medicine from my hands? I don’t want to
stretch this issue unnecessarily. Let me be very honest and very brief. All these castesystems and issues of untouchability have survived till this date only because of
man’s own self-centerdness. I am absolutely sure of one thing that if we all sit
together and decide on anything unanimously, we will definitely succeed. This is for
you to understand and decipher. For me everyone and everything is equal. I can settle
down anywhere be it a village or a town. But one thing is certain that I would never
want any rift or any animosity in the village because of me. To avoid this, I am
leaving the village and going away this instant. I ask for your forgiveness if I have
wronged anyone unknowingly or unintentionally.” Saying this the doctor got up and
started walking away. Everyone was stunned. They had lost their voices and sat still
rooted to their seats.
The Seth too watched the doctor go. When he was about to disappear out of
sight, his trance was broken. He suddenly got up and started running after him. He
charged like a wild beast that had broken free of its leash.
He was able to catch up with the doctor near the Shiva Temple. He held his hand
and pleaded for his forgiveness, “Please don’t desert this village. Don’t go away. I
was wrong. I accept my mistake. You have won.”
The doctor’s eyes filled up with unshed tears. The Seth embraced him lovingly.
In the mean time, Sonaram also reached there. The Seth hugged him too and all of
them moved towards the temple saying – “Let’s spread this carpet afresh.”
Glossary and Notes :
Unanimously (adj.) : agreement of all the people on a decision or an opinion.
decipher (v)
:
succeed in understanding, interpret
rift (n)
:
crack, break, split
trance (n)
:
dreamy state in which one concentrates on one’s thought and
does not notice what is happening around.
leash (n)
:
strap or cord for controlling a dog or any animal
128
Self – Check III :
A. Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1.
2.
3.
Nobody in the village questioned the doctor about his caste because _____
a)
everyone knew the doctor’s caste
b)
they didn’t dare to ask about his caste
c)
the doctor was a very competent person
d)
the villagers believed that the doctor belonged to a very high caste.
The doctor decided to leave the village because ________
a)
he didn’t like the villagers.
b)
he didn’t want any animosity among the villagers because of him.
c)
there was an outbreak of a disease.
d)
the doctor was treated badly by Seth Hajarimal.
In the end Seth Hajarimal requested the doctor _______
a)
to leave the village at once.
b)
to forgive all the villagers for their mistake.
c)
to visit his haveli regularly.
d)
not to desert the village by going away.
B. Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
Why had the caste-issue of the doctor got over-shadowed?
2.
What, according to the doctor, is the reason behind untouchability?
3.
Who told the caste of the doctor to the villagers?
4.
Who started running after the doctor to stop him?
5.
How did Seth Hajarimal greet the doctor in the end?
7.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
A. 1.
d)
rich
2.
c)
opium and liquor
3.
a)
self – centred
129
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….9
4.
B. 1.
b)
there was no one to share his feelings.
The rich people of Vikrampur had their business in Kolkata and Mumbai.
2.
The rich landlords of Vikrampur were addicted to opium and liquor.
3.
The attitude of the people was monchalant towards each other.
4.
There was the ancient temple of Shiva in the village Vikrampur.
5.
The apathy of the people of Vikrampur made the temple priest sad.
Self – Check II
A. 1.
a)
the doctor’s selfless service.
2.
c)
a chamar
3.
c)
the doctor
4.
d)
to fulfil Seth’s desires and demands.
5.
b)
disobedience of the unwritten code of conduct.
B. 1.
There was the attitude of indifference and apathy in the villagers.
2.
The villagers became indisposed because of the outbreak of the disease
caused due to the virus.
3.
When the doctor took care of sick and ailing villagers and nursed everyone
back to good health then the villagers understood the value and importance
of the doctor.
4.
When Seth Hajarimal heard about the outbreak of the disease in his village
and praises showered on the doctor he felt a sudden desire to visit his
village.
5.
Sonaram contested for the Sarpanch elections and defeated Seth
Hajarimal’s man and that was the reason behind the rivalry between them.
Self – Check III
A. 1.
c)
the doctor was a very competent person.
2.
b)
he didn’t want any animosity among the villagers because of him.
3.
d)
not to desert the village by going away.
B. 1.
The caste issue of the doctor gor overshadowed because he was competent
person and expert in his professtion.
130
2.
According to the doctor, man’s own self-centredness is the reason behind
untouchability.
3.
The doctor himself told his own caste to the villagers.
4.
Seth Hajarimal started running after the doctor to stop him.
5.
Seth Hajarimal embraced the doctor and greeted him lovingly.
7.4
Vocabulary Exercise :
A. Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
words/phrases in the following sentences :
1.
2.
3.
4.
Mercury is elusive by nature.
a)
glistening
b)
liquid
c)
difficult to capture
d)
deceptive
There was a melee of the MPs around the Speaker’s Chair.
a)
slogan – shouting
b)
uncontrolled gathering
c)
meeting
d)
discussion
The scientists are always engrossed in their research.
a)
worried about
b)
confused
c)
occupied all the time
d)
grossly troubled
The apathy among the people saddened the temple priest no end.
a)
lack of interest
b)
lack of virtues
c)
lack of respect
d)
lack of faith
131
5.
6.
The doctor was guile-less, so he could not understand why people were afraid.
a)
having no knowledge
b)
unintelligent
c)
having no clue
d)
lacking deceit
The father became very sad to see the impertinence of his son.
a)
self – centeredness
b)
disrespectfulness
c)
unkindliness
d)
unfaithfulness.
B. Use the following idioms/phrases in sentences of your own :
1.
to be acquainted with
2.
to be cowed down
3.
day in and day out
4.
to take the brunt of one’s ire
5.
sworn enemy
6.
to break free of one’s leash
7.5 Summary :
This is a story of the people living in a small village called Vikrampur in
Rajasthan. The residents of this village were self – centred and indulged in their own
world. They were arrogant, indifferent and had no sympathy for others. The rich had
their business in Kolkatta and Mumbai and occasionally visited their village. The
priest of the Shiva temple used to spread the carpet in the temple for the villagers to
sit and chat. But now everything had changed and no one would turn up there, so the
priest felt utterly dejected.
The days went by and a doctor came to this village. As he was wise, educated
and clear-hearted, he quickly understood the attitude of apathy in the villagers. He
tried to change the attitude and outlook of the villagers by guiding them. Suddenly
there was an outbreak of a disease and everyone caught the virus and became
132
indisposed. The doctor worked day and night, nursed every sick person in the village
and put them all in good health. The people were astonished to see the doctor’s
selfless service. They started quecuing up to express their gratitude to him. The
doctor became very popular in the village.
Seth Hajarimal, who belonged to this village but had his business and stay in
Kolkatta and Mumbai, heard the praises of the doctor. He felt sudden desire to visit
his village in order to see the doctor. When he arrived in Vikrampur, he sent for the
doctor. The doctor was on his way to see a patient. He continued his journey
promising to come after paying a visit to the ailing patient. Seth Hajarimal got angry,
as nobody ever dared to behave against his wishes. The people of the village pleaded
that the doctor was immature and unaware of Seth’s power. They requested Seth to
forgive the doctor.
Meanwhile, Sonaram also reached spot and when Seth saw him he became more
furious because Sonaram had defeated Seth’s man in the last Sapanch elections. The
doctor came to know everything. He asked Seth to forgive him. He told the people
that the reason of rivalry among the villagers is the caste the class prejudices. He
further told them that he himself is a Chamar but nobody asked him about his caste
as he nursed everyone and put them in good health. He further said that he was
leaving the village as he never wanted any animosity in the village because of him.
He walked away from them. Then, Seth got up suddenly and started running after
him. He caught the doctor near the Shiva temple and embraced him lovingly. He
asked the doctor to forgive him and not to desert the village. He also hugged
Sonaram and all of them went to the temple saying ‘Let’s spread this carpet afresh.’
7.6 Exercises :
A. Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each :
1.
What does the narrator say about money and its effect upon the people of
Vikrampur?
2.
What change had come over on the people of Vikrampur?
3.
What did the temple priest feel about the change in the people?
4.
What qualities of the doctor impressed the villagers?
133
5.
How did the doctor take care of the sick villagers during the outbreak of a
disease?
6.
Why did the doctor keep aside the message of Seth Hajarimal?
7.
Why were the people of Vikrampur under the influence of Seth Hajarimal?
8.
How did the villagers plead Seth Hajarimal to forgive the doctor?
9.
Why did the doctor decide to leave the village and to settle down
elsewhere?
10. What did the doctor say about the caste and the class?
B. Write short notes on the following :
1.
Seth Hajarimal.
2.
The doctor’s efforts to change the outlook of the villagers.
3.
The doctor’s meeting with Seth Hajarimal
4.
The doctor’s views on caste – system and untouchability.
5.
The significance of spreading ‘The Carpet.’
7.7 Writing activity :
1.
Write a paragraph on Influence of Money on character
2.
Write an essay on ‘Changing Face of Indian Villages’.
134
UNIT 8 :WHAT IS TRUE CIVILIZATION?
M. K. Gandhi (1869-1948)
INDEX :
8.0
Objectives
8.1
Introduction
8.2
Content
8.2.1
Sub – Content I
Self – Check I
8.2.2
Sub – Content II
Self – Check II
8.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
8.4
Summary
8.5
Exercises
8.6
Field Work
135
8.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit, you will be able to :
•
understand greatness of Indian civilization as explained by Mahatma
Gandhi.
•
learn how other civilizations have perished but the Indian civilization
still persists.
•
understand what Mahatma Gandhi means by true civilization.
•
to know his views on machinery and big industries.
•
understand his criticism of large cities and modern civilization.
•
know the difference between the Indian and the Western civilization.
8.1 Introduction :
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the great nationalist leader is popularly known as
Mahatma Gandhi. Every Indian knows him for his great sacrifice for our country.
This interview is taken from The Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Volume No.
IV, The Basic Works. This deals with Mahatma Gandhiji’s ideas about true
civilization. He expresses his views on the Western notion of modern civilization. He
praises the values of the Indian ancient civilization. The editor, in this interview, is
Gandhiji himself. You should read Mahatma Gandhiji’s autobiography - The Story
of My Experiments With Truth inorder to understand Gandhiji’s Philosophy.
8.2
Content :
8.2.1
Content I :
Reader : You have denounced railways, lawyers and doctors. I can see that you
will discard all machinery. What, then, is civilization?
Editor : The answer to that question is not difficult. I believe that the
civilization India has evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the
seeds sown by our ancestors. Rome went, Greece shared the same fate; the might of
the Pharaohs was broken; Japan has become Westernized; of China nothing can be
said; but India is still, somehow or other, sound at the foundation. The people of
Europe learn their lessons from the writings of the men of Greece or Rome, which
136
exist no longer in their former glory. In trying to learn from them, the Europeans
imagine that they will avoid the mistakes of Greece and Rome. Such is their pitiable
condition. In the midst of all this, India remains immovable and that is her glory. It
is a charge against India that her people are so uncivilized, ignorant and stolid, that it
is not possible to induce them to adopt any changes. It is a charge really against our
merit. What we have tested and found true on the anvil of experience, we dare not
change. Many thrust their advice upon India, and she remains steady. This is her
beauty: it is the sheet-anchor of our hope.
Civilization is that mode of conduct which points out to man the path of duty.
Performance of duty and observance of morality are convertible terms. To observe
morality is to attain mastery over our mind and our passions. So doing, we know
ourselves. The Gujarati equivalent for civilization means “good conduct”.
If this definition be correct, then India, as so many writers have shown, has
nothing to learn from anybody else, and this is as it should be. We notice that the
mind is a restless bird; the more it gets the more it wants, and still remains
unsatisfied. The more we indulge our passions the more unbridled they become. Our
ancestors, therefore, set a limit to our indulgences. They saw that happiness was
largely a mental condition. A man is not necessarily happy because he is rich, or
unhappy because he is poor. The rich are often seen to be unhappy, the poor to be
happy. Millions will always remain poor. Observing all this, our ancestors dissuaded
us from luxuries and pleasures.
Glossary and Notes :
denounce (v)
:
evolve (v)
:
Pharaoh
:
stolid (aj)
:
anvil (n)
:
sheet-anchor (n) :
unbridled (adj) :
dissuade (v)
:
to say something publicly against something.
to develop naturally and gradually.
the title of the ancient king of Egypt.
not easily excited, opposed to change.
large heavy block of iorn used by a smith.
someone or something on which one finally depends.
uncontrolled.
to turn away.
137
Self – Check I :
I
Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1)
According to Gandhiji, the glory of Indian Civilization is that it is ………..
a)
2)
3)
old
b) unbeatable
c) changing
d) westernized
The charge against India is that her people are …………
a)
lazy
b)
always fighting
c)
ignorant & uncivilized
d)
supersititious
The Gujarati meaning of civilization, as Gandhiji says, is ………..
a)
being moral
b)
good conduct
c)
being brave
d)
being rich
II. Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1)
Which Asian civilization has been Westernised?
2)
From where do the Europeans learn their lessons?
3)
How does Gandhiji define civilization?
8.2.2
Content II
We have managed with the same kind of plough as existed thousands of years
ago. We have retained the same kind of cottages that we had in former times and our
indigenous education remains the same as before. We have had no system of lifecorroding competition. Each followed his own occupation or trade and charged a
regulation wage. It was not that we did not know how to invent machinery, but our
forefathers knew that, if we set our hearts after such things, we would become slaves
and lose our moral fibre. They, therefore, after due deliberation, decided that we
should only do what we could with our hands and feet. They saw that our real
happiness and health consisted in a proper use of our hands and feet. They further
reasoned that large cities were a snare and a useless encumbrance and that people
would not be happy in them, that there would be gangs of thieves and robbers,
prostitution and vice flourishing in them and that poor men would be robbed by rich
men. They were, therefore, satisfied with small villages. They saw that kings and
their swords were inferior to the sword of ethics, and they therefore, held the
138
sovereigns of the earth to be inferior to the Rishis and the Fakirs. A nation with a
constitution like this is fitter to teach others than to learn from others. This nation had
courts, lawyers and doctors, but they were all within bounds. Everybody knew that
these professions were not particularly superior; moreover, these vakils and vaids did
not rob people; they were considered people’s dependants, not their masters. Justice
was tolerably fair. Their ordinary rule was to avoid courts. There were no touts to
lure people into them. This evil, too, was noticeable only in and around capitals. The
common people lived independently and followed their agricultural occupation. They
enjoyed true Home Rule.
And where this cursed modern civilization has not reached, India remains as it was
before. The inhabitants of that part of India will very properly laugh at your
newfangled notions. The English do not rule over them, nor will you ever rule over
them. Those in whose name we speak we do not know, nor do they know us. I would
certainly advise you and those like you who love the motherland to go into the
interior that has yet been not polluted by the railways and to live there for six
months; you might then be patriotic and speak of Home Rule.
Now you see what I consider to be real civilization. Those who want to change
conditions such as I have described are enemies of the country and are sinners.
Reader : It would be all right if India were exactly as you have described it, but
it is also India where there are hundreds of child widows, where two year old babies
are married, where twelve year old girls are mothers and housewives, where women
practice polyandry, where the practice of Niyoga obtains, where, in the name of
religion, girls dedicate themselves to prostitution, and in the name of religion sheep
and goats are killed. Do you consider these also symbols of the civilization that you
have described?
Editor : You make a mistake. The defects that you have shown are defects.
Nobody mistakes them for ancient civilization. They remain in spite of it. Attempts
have always been made and will be made to remove them. We may utilize the new
spirit that is born in us for purging ourselves of these evils. But what I have described
to you as emblems of modern civilization are accepted as such by its votaries. The
Indian civilization, as described by me, has been so described by its votaries. In no
139
part of the world, and under no civilization, have all men attained perfection. The
tendency of the Indian civilization is to elevate the moral being, that of the Western
civilization is to propagate immorality. The latter is godless, the former is based on a
belief in God. So understanding and so believing, it behoves every lover of India to
cling to the old Indian civilization even as a child clings to the mother’s breast.
Glossary and Notes :
indigenous (adj) :
fibre (n)
:
deliberation (n) :
native.
structure.
careful consideration.
encumbrance (n)
vice (n)
ethic (n)
tout (n)
:
:
:
:
burden.
bad or evil conduct.
moral principle.
agents (to make people buy or do something)
polyandry (n)
Niyoga
:
:
custom of having more than one husband at the same time.
a practice in ancient India which permitted a childless
widow to have intercourse with the brother or any kinsman
of her dead husband.
purge (v)
emblem (n)
votary (n)
propagate (v)
behove (v)
:
:
:
:
:
to make clean or free.
symbol.
devoted follower
to spread widely, canvas.
to be right (for somebody) to do something.
Self – Check II
Comprehension Questions :
I
Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1)
Gandhiji says real happiness and health consisted in proper use of ………..
a)
2)
machines
b) hands and feet c) our mind d) our brain.
The power of the sword is inferior to the power of …………
a)
money
b) ethics
c) soul
140
d) brain
3)
4)
5)
According to Gandhiji, our forefathers considered cities to be …………
a)
industrial centres
b) rich and prosperous
c)
snares and encumbrances
d) more civilized than villages
Gandhiji advises the reader and others like him to go to the interior of the
country to understand …………
a)
Indian agriculature
b)
how Home Rule works
c)
religions of India
d)
civilization
The reader points out that in India girls dedicate themselves to prostitution
…………
6)
a)
due to poverty
b) in he name of religion
c)
due to unemployment d) to become rich
The tendency of the Western civilization is ………..
a)
to elevate the morality.
b)
to propagate immorality
c)
to propagate spirituality.
d)
to elevate the immorality.
II. Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1)
Which three things of ancient India remained same as before?
2)
What is observing morality according to Gandhiji?
3)
Where is real happiness, according to Gandhiji?
4)
What does Gandhiji think of Vakils and Vaids?
5)
What is the occupation of common people in India?
6)
How would the inhabitants of rural India react to the modern civilization?
7)
What is the tendency of the Indian Civilization?
141
III. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each:
a)
How does Gandhiji describe Indian Civilization?
b)
Why is Gandhiji against railways and machinery?
c)
Why were our ancestors satisfied with small villages?
d)
What drawbacks does the reader find in Indian Civilization?
e)
How does Gandhiji defend Indian Civilization against the charges of the
reader?
IV. Vocabulary Exercises :
(A) Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
word/phrase in the following sentences.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Polygamy is one of the bad practices in India.
a)
Custom of having more than one wife.
b)
Custom of having more than one husband.
c)
Custom of widow marriage.
d)
Custom of child marriage.
Crown is an emblem of a king.
a)
Symbol
b)
Ornament
c)
Gift
d)
Image
The tendency of the Indian civilization is to elevate the moral being.
a)
to spread
b)
to lift high
c)
to teach
d)
to learn
Interior of India hasn’t been polluted by the railways.
a)
culture
b)
big cities
c)
remote villages
d)
atmosphere
Gandhiji wants to discard all machinery.
a)
to utilize
b)
modernize
c)
to replace
d)
to throw away
It is not easy to induce Indian people to adopt any changes.
a)
persuade
b)
teach
c)
compel
d)
tell
142
7)
Western world has new-fangled notions.
a)
practices
b)
fashions
c)
ideas
d)
religious rites
(B) Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of words underlined
as instructed in the brackets.
1)
A man is not necessarily happy because he is rich. (use a noun)
2)
Our ancestors knew invention of machinery. (make it a verb)
3)
This injustice was not tolerable to us. (use a verb)
4)
To perform the duty and to observe the morality are convertible terms. (Use
them as nouns)
5)
There was ignorance in Indian people. (Make it adjective)
6)
Gandhiji believed that big cities were traps for the poor. (use a noun)
(C) Use the following idioms / phrases in sentences of your own :
1)
to sow the seeds
2)
to share the fate
3)
in spite of
4)
to be inferior to
5)
to set a limit
6)
to thrust something upon
8.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
I.
1. (b) unbeatable,
II. 1.
2. (c) ignorant & uncivilized,
3. (b) good conduct
Asian civilization of Japan has been westernized.
2.
The Europeans learn their lessons from the writings of the men of Greece
and Rome.
3.
Gandhiji defines civilization as the mode of conduct which points out to
man the path of duty.
143
Self – Check II :
I.
1.
(b) hands and feet
2.
(b) ethics
3.
(c) snares and encumbrances
4.
(b) how homerule works
5.
(b) in the name of religion
6.
(b) to propagate immorality
II. 1.
The three things of ancient India, which remained the same are the plough,
the cottages and the education.
2.
To observe morality is to attain to mastery over our minds and passions.
3.
The real happiness, according to Gandhiji, is a proper use of our hands and
feet.
4.
Gandhiji thinks that the Vokils and Vaids are dependents of people not their
masters.
5.
The occupation of common people in India, according to Mahatma Gandhi,
is agriculture.
6.
The rural people of India would laugh at the modern civilization.
7.
The tendency of the India civilization is to elevate the moral being.
III. a)
Mahatma Gandhi says, Indian civilization is based on solid foundation of
tested experience. Our ancestors set a limit to our passions and indulgences.
They knew that happiness does not depend on being rich. It is in working
with our hands and feet. The Indian civilization cultivates moral being.
b)
Gandhiji thinks that machinery would make people slaves and they would
lose their moral character. The interior of India, where railways have not
reached, is not polluted. They enjoy independence and true Home Rule.
Railways would bring pollution of modern civilization to them.
c)
According to Gandhiji, our ancestors were satisfied with small villages
because small villages do not have gangs of thieves and robbers, and
prostitution as in the cities. Small villages are independent and enjoy true
home rule and happiness.
d)
The reader points out several drawbacks of Indian civilization. He mentions
child marriages and child marriages. Similarly, he points out how girls
become prostitutes in the name of religion. The sheep and goats are killed at
the altars of god.
144
e)
Gandhiji tells the Reader that the defects should not be counted as
civilization. There are efforts made to remove these defects. There is no
perfection anywhere. But, the tendency of Indian civilization is to
encourage moral character. This is more important.
IV. Vocabulary Exercises :
A) 1.
(a) custom of having more than one wife.
2.
(a) symbol
3.
(b) to lift high
4.
(c) remote villages
5.
(d) to throw away
6.
(a) persuade
7.
(c) ideas
B) 1.
A man does not necessarily has happiness because he is rich.
2.
Our ancestors knew how to invent machinery.
3.
We could not tolerate this injustice.
4.
Performance of duty and observance of morality are convertible terms.
5.
Indian people were ignorant.
6.
It was Gandhiji’s belief that big cities were traps for the poor.
C) 1.
If you sow the seeds of discontent you will certainly reap trouble.
2.
He had to share the fate of his partners in the crime.
3.
In spite of warning he tried to cross the railway line.
4.
You should not consider yourself inferior to your classmates.
5.
The university set a time limit for submitting admission forms.
6.
You cannot thrust your ideas upon others.
8.4 Summary :
This unit is an interview with Mahatma Gandhi, who is being interviewed by the
Reader on the nature of true civilization. Gandhiji was against machinery and large
scale industry as well as railways. He did not believe that machines and railways
could be marks of civilization. In his opinion Indian civilization is on a sure ethical
foundation in comparison with western civilization. He thinks the Indian civilization
exists in remote villages, where people enjoy home rule, and there is no pollution
brought by modern civilization. He is critical about the big cities, where people are
145
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….10
robbed, there is prostitution and number of problems. He agrees that there are defects
in Indian civilization, but these defects can be removed. They cannot be called
civilization.
8.5 Further Exercises :
Write short-notes on the following :
a)
Indian concept of happiness.
b)
Modern concept of civilization.
c)
Gandhiji’s view of civilization.
8.6 Field Work :
1)
Go to the library, refer the encyclopedia and write some examples of polygamy,
polyandry and niyoga in Indian mythology.
2)
Write an essay on Gandhiji’s notion of true civilization.
146
UNIT 9 : THE NIGHT THE GHOST GOT IN
-
INDEX :
9.0
Objectives
9.1
Introduction
9.2
Content
9.2.1
Sub – Content I
Self – Check I
9.2.2
Sub – Content II
Self – Check II
9.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
9.4
Summary
9.5
Exercises
9.6
Field Work
147
James Thurber
9.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit, you will be able to :
•
humorous situation created by the narrator about his idea of a ghost.
•
funny account of waking up the neighbour by throwing a shoe at the
window.
•
the behaviour of the police on entering the house.
•
the incident of shooting by the grandfather, who dreams about the civil
war.
•
the racy narrative style of the narrator and his sense of humour.
9.1 Introduction :
James Thurber (1894 - 1961), born in Columbus, Ohio, was an American
author, cartoonist and celebrated wit. He was known for his contributions (both
cartoons and short stories) to The New Yorker magazine. He lived in Paris, writing
for the Chicago Tribune. His first book ‘Is Sex Necessary?’ appeared in 1929. In
1950 he published, modern fairy tales for children, ‘The 13 clocks’, and ‘The
wonderful O’ in 1957, which were hugely successful. Later he published his
memories under the title ‘The Years with Ross’ in 1959.
‘The Night The Ghost Got In’ is a story taken from the collection ‘My Life and
Hard Times (1933). It centres on a common situation; the narrator (the first – person
speaker, standing in for Thurber as a young man) hears a strange sound downstairs in
the middle of the night. He assumes that it is a ghost, but his mother calls the police,
who are thoroughly befuddled by the odd characters of the Thurber household and
their way of life. It is interesting to know the twist in the tail.
9.2.1
Text : Part I
The ghost that got into our house on the night of 17 November 1915 raised such
a hullabaloo of misunderstandings that I am sorry I didn’t just let it keep on walking
and go to bed. Its advent caused my mother to throw a shoe through a window of the
house next door and ended up with my grandfather shooting a patrolman. I am sorry,
therefore, as I have said, that I ever paid any attention to the footsteps.
148
They began about a quarter past one o’clock in the morning, a rhythmic, quickcadenced walking around the dining room table. My mother was asleep in one room
upstairs, my brother Herman in another; grandfather was in the attic, in the old
walnut bed which, as you will remember, once fell on my father. I had just stepped
out of the bathtub and was busily rubbing myself with a towel when I heard the steps.
They were the steps of a man walking rapidly around the dining-room table
downstairs. The light from the bathroom shone down the back steps, which dropped
directly into the dining-room; I could see the faint shine of plates on the plate-rail; I
couldn’t see the table. The steps kept going round and round the table; at regular
intervals board creaked, when it was trod upon. I supposed at first that it was my
father or my brother Roy, who had gone to Indianapolis but were expected home at
any time. I suspected next that it was a burglar. It did not enter my mind until later
that it was a ghost.
After the walking had gone on for perhaps three minutes, I tiptoed to Herman’s
room. ‘Psst!’ I hissed, in the dark, shaking him ‘Awp,’ he said, in the low, hopeless
tone of a despondent beagle – he always half suspected that something would ‘get
him’ in the night. I told him who I was. ‘There’s something down there!’ I said.
Instantly the steps began again, circled the dining-room table like a man running, and
started up the stairs towards us, heavily, two at a time. The light still shone palely
down the stairs; we saw nothing coming; we only heard the steps. Herman rushed to
his room and slammed the door. I slammed shut the door at the stairs top and helped
my knee against it. After a long minute. I slowly opened it again. There was nothing
there. There was no sound. None of us ever heard the ghost again.
The slamming of the doors had aroused mother : she peered out of her room.
‘What on earth are you boys doing?’ she demanded. Herman ventured out of his
room. ‘Nothing’, he said gruffly, but he was, in colour, a light green. ‘What was all
that running around downstairs?’ said mother. So she had heard the steps, too! We
just looked at her. ‘Burglars!’ she shouted intuitively. I tried to quiet her by starting
lightly downstairs.
‘Come on, Herman,’ I said.
‘I’ll stay with mother’, he said ‘She’s all excited.’
I stepped back onto the landing.
149
‘Don’t either of you go a step’, said mother. ‘We’ll call the police’. Since the
phone was downstairs, I didn’t see how we were going to call the police-nor did I
want the police-but mother made one of her quick, incomparable decisions. She
flung up a window of her bedroom, which faced the bedroom window of the house
of a neighbhour, picked up a shoe, and whammed it through a pane of glass across
the narrow space that separated the two houses. Glass tinkled into the bedroom
occupied by a retired engraver named Bodwell and his wife. Bodwell had been for
some years in rather a bad way and was subject to mild ‘attacks.’ Most everybody we
knew or lived near had some kind of attacks.
It was now about two o’clock of a moonless night; clouds hung black and low.
Bodwell was at the window in a minute, shouting, frothing a little, shaking his fist.
‘We’ll sell the house and go back to Peoria,’ we could hear Mrs Bodwell saying. It
was some time before mother ‘got through’ to Bodwell. ‘Burglars !’ she shuoted.
‘Burglars in the house!’ Herman and I hadn’t dared to tell her that it was not burglars
but ghosts, for she was even more afraid of ghosts than of burglars. Bodwell at first
thought that she meant there were burglars in his house, but finally he quieted down
and called the police for us over an extension phone by his bed. After he had
disappeared from the window, mother suddenly made as if to throw another shoe, not
because there was further need of it but, as she later explained, because the thrill of
heaving a shoe through a window glass had enormously taken her fancy. I prevented
her.
Glossary and Notes :
James Thurber was partially blinded by a childhood accident – his brother
William shot an arrow at him. When he was unable to participate in games and sports
with other children, he developed a rich fantasy life which found its outlet in his
writings.
advent (n)
: arrival
patrolman (n)
: policeman who keeps watch over an area
cadenced walking
: walking with rhythm.
Indianapolis
: A State in the Middle West of the US. It is the site of an
annual motor race known as Indy 500.
150
tiptoe (v)
: walk quietly and carefully with one’s heels raised.
despondent (adj)
: in a low spirits from loss of hope and anger.
beagle (n)
: a small short-legged dog.
gruffly (adv.)
: in rough and low voice.
whammed (wham) (v): threw something with a loud sound.
tinkled (v)
: made light, clear ringing sound.
engraver (v)
: one who carves words or designs on a metal piece.
frothing (v)
: bringing froth (white foam) to the mouth while talking
excitedly.
heaving (v) (heave) : throwing.
Self – Check I
Reading Comprehension :
A. Answer the following questions in a word or a phrase or a sentence each :
1.
On what day did the incident of ghost take place?
2.
What is the name of the narrator’s brother?
3.
What was the narrator doing when he heard the steps?
4.
What was the suspicion in the mind of the narrator’s brother?
5.
Why did the mother throw a shoe through a window of the house next
door?
6.
Why was the mother not able to use the phone in her house?
B. Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1)
2)
The ghost was walking around …………….
a)
in the attic
b)
dining – room table
c)
the house
d)
the garden
The narrator’s mother threw …………… through her neighbour’s window.
a)
a stone
b)
a book
c)
a shoe
d)
a plate
151
3)
4)
5)
The narrator at first thought that the footsteps he heard were of ……………..
a)
a ghost
b)
his grandfather
c)
his brother
d)
a burglar
The incident took place when it was ……………..
a)
a starry night
b)
a cloudy night
c)
a moonless night
d)
a full moon night
Apart from the narrator and his brother Herman, the slamming of the doors was
heard by …………..
a)
the narrator’s mother
b)
the police
c)
the narrator’s grandfather
d)
the narrator’s brother
9.2.2
Text - II
The police were on hand in a commendably short time : a Fort sedan full of
them, two on motor-cycles, and a patrol wagon with about eight in it and a few
reporters, They began banging at our front door. Flash-lights shot streaks of gleam up
and down the walls, across the yard, down the walk between our house and
Bodwell’s. ‘Open up!’ cried a hoarse voice. ‘We’re men form Headquarters!’ I
wanted to go down and let them in, since here they were, but mother wouldn’t hear
of it.
‘You haven’t a stitch on, ‘she pointed out. ‘You’d catch your death.’ I wound
the towel around me again. Finally the cops put their shoulders to our big heavy front
door with its thick bevelled glass and broke it in : I could hear a rending of wood and
splash of glass on the floor of the hall. Their light played all over the living-room and
criss-crosssed nervously in the dining-room, stabbed into the hallways, shot up the
front stairs and finally up the back, They caught me standing in my towel at the top.
A heavy policemen bounded up the steps. ‘Who are you?’ he demanded. ‘I live here,’
I said ‘Well, whattsa matta, ya hot?’ he asked. It was, as a matter of fact, cold; I went
to my room and pulled on some trousers. On my way out, a cop stuck a gun into my
ribs. ‘Whatta you doin’ here’ he demanded. ‘I live here,’ I said.
The officer in charge reported to mother. ‘No sign of anybody, lady,’ he said.
‘Musta got away-whatt’d he look like?’ ‘There were two or three of them,’ mother
152
said, ‘whooping and carrying on and slamming doors.’ ‘Funny,’ said the cop. ‘All ya
windows and doors was locked on the inside tight as a tick.’
Downstairs, we could hear the tramping of the other police. Police were all over
the place; doors were yanked open, drawers were yanked open, windows were shot
up and pulled down, furniture fell with dull thumps. A half-dozen policemen
emerged out of the darkness of the front hallway upstairs. They began to ransack the
floor : pulled beds suitcases and boxes off shelves. One of them found an old zither
that Roy had won in a pool tournament. ‘Looky here, Joe,’ he said strumming it with
a big paw. The cop named Joe took it and turned it over. ‘What is it?’ he asked me.
‘It’s an old zither our guinea-pig used to sleep on,’ I said. It was true that a pet
guinea-pig we once had would never sleep anywhere except on the zither, but I
should never have said so. Joe and the other cop looked at me a long time. They put
the zither back on a shelf.
‘No sign o’ nuthin’,’ said the cop who had first spoken to mother. ‘This guy,’ he
explained to the others, jerking a thumb at me, ‘was naked. The lady seems
historical.’ They all nodded, but said nothing : just looked at me. In the small silence
we all heard a creaking in the attic. Grandfather was turning over in bed. ‘What’s
‘at?’ snapped Joe. Five or six cops sprang for the attic door before I could intervene
or explain. I realized that it would be bad if they burst in on grandfather unannounced
or even announced. He was going through a phase in which he believed that General
Meade’s men, under steady hammering by Stonewall Jackson, were beginning to
retreat and even desert.
When I got to the attic, things were pretty confused. Grandfather had evidently
jumped to the conclusion that the police were deserters from Meade’s army, trying to
hide away in his attic. He bounded out of bed wearing a long flannel nightgown over
long woolen underwear, a nightcap, and a leather jacket around his chest. The cops
must have realized at once that the indignant white-haired old man belonged in the
house, but they had no chance to say so. ‘Back, ye cowardly dogs!’ roared
grandfather. ‘Backt’ the lines, ye goddam lily-livered cattle!’ With that, he fetched
the officer who found the zither a flathanded smack alongside his head that sent him
sprawling. The others beat a retreat, but not fast enough; grandfather grabbed
153
Zither’s gun form its holster and let fly. The report seemed to crack the rafters;
smoke filled the atic. A Cop cursed and shot his hand to his shoulder. Somehow, we
all finally got downstairs again and locked the door against the old gentleman. He
fired once or twice more in the darkness and then went back to bed.’ That was
grandfather!’ I explained to Joe, out of breath. ‘He thinks you’re deserters. ‘I’ll say
he does,’ said Joe.
The cops were reluctant to leave without getting their hands on somebody
besides grandfather; the night had been distinctly a defeat for them. Furthermore,
they obviously didn’t like the ‘layout’, something looked-and I can see their
viewpoint-phoney. They began to poke into things again. A reporter, a thin-faced,
wispy man, came up to me. I had put on one of mother’s blouses, not being able to
find anything else. The reporter looked at me with mingled suspicion and interest.
‘Just what the hell is the real lowdown here, Bud?’ he asked. I decided to be frank
with him. ‘We had ghosts,’ I said. He gazed at me a long time as if I were a slotmachine into which he had, without results, dropped a nickel. Then he walked away.
The cops followed him, the one grandfather shot holding his now bandaged arm,
cursing and blaspheming. ‘I’m gonna get my gun back from that old bird,’ said the
zither-cop. ‘Yeh,’ said Joe. ‘You-and who else?’ I told them I would bring it to the
station house the next day.
‘What was the matter with that one policeman?’ mother asked, after they had
gone.’ ‘Grandfather shot him,’ I said. ‘what for?’ she demanded. I told her he was a
deserter. ‘Of all things!’ said mother. ‘He was such a nice-looking young man.’
Grandfather was fresh as a daisy and full of jokes at breakfast next morning. We
thought at first he had forgotten all about what had happened, but he hadn’t. Over his
third cup of coffee, he glared at Herman and me. What was the ida of all them cops
tarryhootin’ round the house last night?’ he demanded. He had us there.
Glossary and Notes :
James Thurber was partially blinded by a childhood accident – his brother
William shot an arrow at him. When he was unable to participate in games and sports
154
with other children, he developed a rich fantasy life which found its outlet in his
writings.
heaving (v) (heave) : throwing.
sedan
: a car for four or more people.
bevelled glass
: sharp-edged glass with sloping surface.
tramping
: walking heavily making noise.
yanked open (v)
: pulled open with force.
ransack (v)
: search the place thoroughly.
zither (n)
: a stringed musical instrument.
strum (v)
: play the instrument.
desert (v)
: leave without intending to return.
deserter (n)
: a person who has run away from military services.
smack (n)
: a sharp blow.
sprawl (v)
: fall with one’s limbs spread out in an awkward way.
rafter (n)
: a beam – forming part of the internal frame work of a roof.
wispy (adj)
: small, thin
low down (n)
: (slang expression) – true fact, inside information
phoney (adj.)
: false
tarryhooting
: lingering.
Self – Check II
I) Vocabulary Exercises :
A) Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
words/phrases in the following sentences :
1. The advent of the ghost caused my mother to throw a shoe through a window of
the house next door.
a) the period of four weeks
b) arrival
c) adventure
d) disappearance
2. Grandfather was in the attic.
a) a dining room
b) a living room
c) a bedroom
d) a store room
155
3.
4.
5.
Herman looked at me in some alarm. I had only the bath towel around my waist.
a)
fear
b)
anxiety
c)
loud noise
d)
signal
Glass tinkled into the bedroom occupied by a retired engraver named Bodwell
and his wife.
a)
one who cuts words or designs b)
one who writes stories
c)
one who signs
one who paints
d)
Over his third cup of coffee, the grandfather glared at Herman and me.
a)
look at someone angrily
b)
c)
look at someone with suspicion d)
look at someone kindly
look at someone pointedly
B. Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of words underlined
as instructed in the brackets.
1.
The children stepped out of the bus and ran into the garden. (Use V-ing)
2.
After he had disappeared from the window, mother suddenly made as if to
throw another shoe. (Use a noun)
3.
I suspected that it was a thief. (Use noun)
4.
The Cop named Joe took an old zither and turned it over. (Use V-ing)
5.
Somehow, we all finally got downstairs again and locked the door against
the old gentleman. (Use v-ing)
6.
The Cops were reluctant to leave without getting their hands on somebody
besides grandfather : the night had been distinctly a defeat for them. (Use
adverb)
C. Use the following idioms/phrases in sentences of your own :
jump to conclusion
beat a retreat
get through
venture out
in a bad way
156
II. Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
Where was the grandfather sleeping?
2.
Why did the grandfather attack the policeman?
3.
Why did the mother not allow the narrator to go down?
4.
How did the police get into the house?
5.
What made the police rush into the attic?
III Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1)
2)
3)
4)
The mother of the narrator ………… throwing a shoe through a window.
a)
disliked
b)
was thrilled in
c)
enjoyed
d)
was delighted in
One of the cops named ………… took an old zither and asked, “What’s it?”
a)
Bodwell
b)
Roy
c)
Joe
d)
Herman
The Grandfather in the story was …………….. in politics.
a)
a Unionist
b)
an Army Officer
c)
a Confederate
d)
a retired police officer
Mother wanted to throw another shoe through the window because
………………
a)
there was a ghost
b)
she wanted to frighten the burglar
c)
she enjoyed the thrill of it
d)
she wanted to wake up the neighbhour
9.3 Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
I.
1.
17 November 1915
2.
Herman
3.
He was taking bath
4.
that something would ‘get him’ in the night
5.
she thought the burglars were downstairs
II. 1.
b)
2.
c)
3.
a)
4.
157
b)
5.
c)
6.
a)
Self – Check II :
I.
(A) 1.
II. (B) 1.
b)
2.
d)
3.
b)
4.
a)
5.
d)
Stepping out of the bus, the children ran into the garden.
2.
After his disappearance from the window ……..
3.
My suspicion was that it was a thief.
4.
The cop named Joe, taking an old Zither, turned it over.
5.
Somehow, we all finally got downstairs again locking the door …….
6.
The cops leluctantly left without ………….
(C) 1.
We must find out all the facts; we should not jump to conclusions.
2.
When the policemen started firing, the demonstrators beat a hasty
retreat.
3.
It was difficult to get through the examination without any preparation.
4.
Don’t venture out of your house in the curfew.
5.
She is in a bad way, and must be admitted to hospital.
9.4 Summary :
This story is a fictionalized account of life in the Thurber household. A strange
sound downstairs in the middle of the night sounds to the narrator like footsteps of
someone walking quickly around the dining room table. He thinks that it is his father
or brother just home from a trip, but after a few minutes have passed and the walking
has not stopped, he goes to wake his brother Herman. This sound brings different
ideas in the minds of members of his family. The mother of the narrator thinks that
there might be the burglars downstairs. Herman, like the narrator, takes it as ghosts.
The grandfather behaves in a different way on the background of this situation. The
Cops run downstairs when they hear a creaking sound in the attic where the
grandfather was turning over in bed. When he sees the police he concludes that they
were deserters from Meade’s army, he shoots at a Cop who is wounded by this shot.
There is also a reporter with the police who sees the narrator who has put on one of
mother’s blouses not being able to find anything else. He looks at the narrator with
158
suspicion and interest. The grandfather’s comment at break reveal that he knew there
were cops at the house at night.
9.5 Exercises :
I
II
Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each :
1.
What things indicate that Herman was frightened?
2.
What did the narrator think when he heard the foot-steps?
3.
How did the mother react to the slamming of the door?
4.
Who were the Bodwells? How did they react to the incident narrated in the
story?
5.
What steps were taken by the police to catch the burglars?
Write short notes on :
1.
Grandfather
2.
The Cops on duty
3.
The encounter between the narrator and the reporter
4.
Mother of the narrator
5.
Humour in the story
9.7
Writing Activity :
1.
All the family members have gone on a tour and you are alone in the house.
Narrate the incident imagining that somebody knocks on the door at
midnight.
2.
You have gone on a one-day picnic to a sanctuary with your friends. While
walking in the jungle you are lost there. Narrate the incident about what
happened next.
159
UNIT 10 : EXAMINATIONS
-- R. K. Narayan
INDEX :
10.0
Objectives
10.1
Introduction
10.2
Content
10.2.1
Sub – Content I
Golssary
Self – Check I
10.2.2
Sub – Content II Glossary
Self – Check II
10.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
10.4
Summary
10.5
Exercises
10.6
Field Work
10.7
Further Reading
160
10.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
understand the views of the writer on examination system in India.
•
learn the weakness of examinations in the Indian Educational System.
•
learn how examinations affect the learners psychologically.
•
understand the Western point of view of examinations.
•
appreciate the writer’s sense of humour and the style of writing a
personal essay.
10.1
Introduction :
R. K. Narayan [1906 -
]
You must have watched Swami and Friends on TV and greatly enjoyed it. R. K.
Narayan is the celebrated Indian novelist writing in English. His novel The Guide
became a wellknown movie in Hindi and English. His other famous novels are The
Bachelor of Arts, The English Teacher and The Dark Room. He has also written
essays on educational and cultural topics. This extract is taken from one such
collection, Reluctant Guru. Examinations have always been a topic of hot discussion.
Let us see how a novelist deals with it.
10.2
Content :
10.2.1 In a civilized world the examination system should have no place. It is a
culmination of all sadistic impulses. Learned commissions and conferences meet and
speculate why young men are always on the verge of blasting street lamps and
smashing furniture. In technical language it is known as ‘Student indiscipline’. It has
always amused one to note the concern the problem causes and how it always ends in
woolly, banal resolutions such as : students should be encouraged in all their creative
activities, and to build up a healthy, robust and studious outlook; students should be
given compulsory military training, asked to perform compulsory rural service, and
compulsory what not. Students should keep out of politics (a great many others ought
161
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….11
to keep out of politics too; in any case, it’s too late to suggest this as students were
inveigled into politics not so long ago in our history).
The real wrecker of young nerves, however, is the Examination system. It builds
up a tension and an anxiety neurosis day by day all the year round, all through one’s
youth, right into middle age (for some). I remember the desperate nervousness that
debilitated me from January to April every year. After four decades, I still jump off
my bed from nightmares of examination. I feel convinced that the examination
system was devised by a satanic mind. The anxiety and sleeplessness, the gamble
over possible questions, the hush-hush and grimness of the examination hall, the
invigilators (the very word has a Grand-Inquisitorial sound) watching like wardens at
the gallows, the awful ritual of breaking open the seal of the examination papers, the
whole thing now appears ridiculously ritualistic and out of tune with a civilization in
which man is capable of taking a stroll thousands of miles above the earth towards
the moon.
If I became a Vice-Chancellor, my first act would be to abolish all secrecy that
surrounds question papers. Instead of permitting wild speculations or, as it happens
nowadays, advance sale of questions in the black market, I would take advertisement
space in newspapers and publish the questions in every subject, adding under each a
credit line : ‘Set by Professor so and so.’ I would not hesitate to announce with
courage the names of those who are going to evaluate the answers and decree failures
and successes. I would add a postscript to every question paper : ‘If you cannot
answer any of the above questions, don’t despair. Remember your examiners are not
infallible and may not do better if placed in your predicament. Your inability to
answer will in no way be a reflection on your intelligence. We apologise for the
embarrassment. Also remember, if you expect a first class and do not secure even
passing marks, don’t rave against your examiner, he is also a human being subject to
fluctuating moods caused by unexpected domestic quarrels or a bad digestion just
when he is sitting down to correct your paper; also, not being an adding machine,
occasionally he may slip and arrive at 7 while totaling 8 and 3. Please forgive him.’
162
I
Glossary and Notes :
culmination (n) [culminate (v)] : the final result
sadistic (adj)
: sadist is a person who enjoys giving pain to others. Marquis
de Sade was a French aristocrat of the 18th century, who
specialized in this philosophy. Sadistic impulse is the
impulse to inflict pain on others.
commissions (n)
: bodies of learned persons appointed for a particular purpose.
on the verge of
: close or near to doing something.
wooly (adj)
: confused.
banal (adj)
: commonplace, uninteresting (remarks, decisions, statements,
etc.)
inveigled : inveigle (v): trick someone into doing something.
not so long ago
: the writer is referring to Gandhiji’s appeal to the students to
boycott colleges.
wrecker (n) : wreck (v): to wreck means to destroy or break
neurosis (n)
: nervousness on account of excessive anxiety.
debilitate (v)
: make weak.
hush – hush (n)
: quietly secretive
invigilators (n)
: supervisors (in the examination hall)
Grand-Inquisitorial sound : inquisition was an enquiry by the officers of Church in
the Middle Ages for religious offence. It involved physical
torture, even burning. The writer compares it with the torture
of examinations.
gallows (n)
: place where criminals are hanged
credit line (n)
: a line showing the name of the paper-setter.
infallible (adj)
: not making any mistake.
predicament (n)
: difficult situation
163
Self – Check I :
A. Choose the most correct alternative from the ones given below each of the
following statements :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
According to the writer, the problem of students indiscipline is related to
________
a)
our political system
b)
educational commissions and conferences
c)
the examination system
d)
lack of creative activities among the students
The writer considers examinations to be the source of ________
a)
gambling over possible questions
b)
anxiety neurosis
c)
desperation among the teachers
d)
power for the examining bodies
The writer would like to abolish ______
a)
all examinations
b)
the examining bodies
c)
secrecy surrounding question papers
d)
the rituals in the examination hall
The writer feels that the examination system is devised by ________
a)
teachers who like to torture students
b)
the boards that want to make money
c)
the government which needs graduate clerks
d)
Satanic mind that would like to control students
The writer thinks that the examiner gives less marks because _________
a)
he has no sympathy for the students
b)
his mood is spoiled by something
c)
he does not have adding machine
d)
he does not have time to read the papers.
164
B) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
What is anxiety neurosis?
2.
According to the writer how were students involved in politics in our
country?
3.
Why are commissions appointed by the government?
4.
What can spoil the mood of the examiners?
C) Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each :
1.
What remedies did the Commissions recommend to stop student
indiscipline?
2.
What was the effect of examinations on the writer when he was a student?
3.
What would the writer do if he became a Vice-chancellor?
4.
How does the writer describe the atmosphere in the examination hall?
5.
Why does the writer say that the examination system must have been
devised by satanic minds?
10.2.2 At a certain university in America I met an advanced soul. He taught
Political Science. One month before the annual examination, he cyclostyled (or
‘Xeroxed’) the questions and distributed them among his students, who thereafter
spent nearly twelve hours a day in the library in the ‘Assigned reading room.’ I
described to him our habits of hiding the questions till the last moment. He remarked,
‘Why on earth keep the boys in the dark over questions that after all concern them?’ I
explained, ‘We believe in mugging up; on average 200 pages per subject, and fifteen
subjects in a year. One who can demonstrate that he can recollect three thousand
pages in the examination hall will be considered a first-class student in our country,
although he need not understand a word of what he reads, or remembers a syllable of
what he has read after the examination. The whole aim of our education is to strain
the faculty of memory……’
‘Your system must have been devised before Caxton, when there was no printed
book, and handwritten books were chained and guarded. Memory is not so important
today. Our need is for more libraries and multiple copies. The only condition I make
for my boys is that they spend at least six hours a day in the library a month before
165
the examinations, and while writing their answers I permit them to refer to the books.
My only condition is that they should write their answers within the given time.’
In my college days, I had a professor of history, who said, ‘It’s a pity you have
failed. If you didn’t know the answer, you could have written any answer you knew;
if you didn’t know anything of the subject, you could just have copied the question
paper. If you couldn’t do even that, you could have told me and I would have given
you marks.’
‘I didn’t know you were an examiner, Sir.’
‘What a pity, they ought not to keep it a secret. All our troubles are due to it.
After all, you have listened to my lectures for a year and that’s enough.’
I had another professor from Scotland who taught us English; an enlightened
soul, who marked a minimum of 35 per cent on all papers, and raised it on request.
He was accessible, and amenable to reason and even to bargaining. He would ask,
‘What marks do you expect to get?’
‘Sixty, sir.’ He would pick up the answer paper, glance through it, shake his
head ruefully. ‘I have given you the minimum, of course, but I’ll raise it to 40.’
‘Sir, please make it 52, I want at least a second class.’
‘All right. I hope your interest in Literature is genuine.’
‘Undoubtedly.’
Oh, but for this noble soul, I’d never have passed in English.
Glossary and Notes :
rave (against) (v)
: speak strongly or wildly against.
accessible (adj)
: easy to meet and talk to
ruefully (adv)
: sadly, regretfully
Caxton : William Caxton (1421 - 91) : English printer of the 15th century responsible
for starting the first printing press in England.
amenable (to reason) : agreeable (to accept a reasonable suggestion)
166
Self – Check II :
1.
2.
3.
In America, the teacher of Pilitical Science _________
a)
made his students read twelve hours a day.
b)
distributed questions of annual examination one month before the
exam.
c)
told students to write anything.
d)
asked students to approach him for more marks.
The writer’s professor of history felt that _________
a)
the writer should have written at least a few answers.
b)
the writer should have studied well.
c)
It was enough that the writer listened to all his lectures.
d)
the writer should have copied from someone.
The professor of Political Science was in favour of ________
a)
keeping the question paper secret.
b)
students writing the answers at home.
c)
with books examinations.
d)
students writing from their memory.
B) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
What was the practice of the professor of Political Science in America?
2.
Who was Caxton?
3.
What condition did the professor of Political Science make for his students?
C) Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each :
1.
How is the American system of examinations different from the Indian
system?
2.
According to the Professory of History what should a student do to pass the
examination?
167
Self – Check III Vocabulary Exercises :
(A) Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
words/phrases in the following statements.
1.
Political parties speculate that economic relations will have no effect on
elections. (use noun)
2.
The culmination of the terroist attack was cancellation of the whole tour.
(use the verb)
3.
The writer is ridiculing the examination system. (use adjective)
4.
Do not eat late at night. It will be difficult for digestion. (use verb)
5.
Books are easily accessible in this library. (use verb)
(B) Use the following idioms/phrases in your own sentences :
10.3
1.
keep out of
2.
mug up
3.
amenable to
4.
but for
5.
why on earth
6.
on the verge of
Key to Self – Check Exercises :
Self – Check I
A) 1. (c) the examinations
2. (b) anxiety neurosis
3. (c) secrecy surrounding question papers
4. (d) satanic minds that would control students.
5. (b) his mood is spoiled by something.
B) 1. Anxiety neurosis is a mental sickness caused by the tension, (here it is the
tension created by the examinations.)
2. The writer indirectly suggests that the students were involved in politics
during the freedom movement.
3. The Commissions are appointed by the government to find the causes
behind student indiscipline.
168
4.
The mood of the examiners can be spoiled by unexpected domestic quarrels
or bad digestion.
C) 1. The Commissions recommended involvement of students in creative
activities. They also suggested compulsory military training. They
recommended compulsory rural service also. They suggested that students
should be kept out of politics.
2. The writer developed nervousness on account of the examinations. He used
to feel weak specially during the period from January to April. He used to have
anxiety and sleeplessness.
3. The government appointed commissions to investigate the causes of
students discipline. The students indulged increasingly in blasting street lamps
and smashing furniture. The government wanted the commission to suggest
remedies for curbing this indiscipline.
4. The writer describes the examination hall as a grim place like some prison.
There is atmosphere of secrecy and tension. The invigilators appear like cruel
inquisitors of the European middle-ages. They are like wardens keeping watch
on the prisoners.
5. The writer says that the system of examinations must have been created by
Santanic minds. It is devised with wicked intention for torturing students. It is
sadistic. It causes anxiety and sleeplessness among students.
Key to Self – Check II :
I
A) 1.
(b) distributed question of annual examinations one month before the
exam.
2.
(c) it was enough that the writer listened to all his lectures.
3.
(c) with books examinations.
B) 1.
The Professor of Political Science in America used to distribute
question papers one month in advance.
2.
Caxton was a printer who started the first printing press in England.
169
3.
The professor of Political Science made a condition that his students
should spend at least six hours a day in the library one month before
the exams.
(C) 1.
The American System of examinations is very liberal and tension free.
Question-papers are given to the students one month in advance. They are
required to study in the library twelve hours a day for a month. They can write
answers taking books with them. On the other hand, in India, students never
know the questions. The question-papers are distributed only in the
examinations hall. And the students have to writer answers from their memory.
2.
The professor of History says a students should write any answer he knows.
If he does not know anything of the subject, he should just copy the question
paper. Finally, if he did not do even that, he could approach the professor and
request him to give him passing marks.
Key to Self – Check III : Vocabulary etc.
(A) 1. It is a speculation of the political parties that …………
2. The terrorist attack culminated into the cancellation of the whole tour.
3. The writer is describing the examination system as ridiculous.
4. Do not eat late at night, you will find it difficult to digest.
5. You can easily access books in this library.
(B) 1. Teachers say that students should keep out of politics.
2. You cannot mug up two hundred pages of answers.
3. The opposition parties in the Parliament are not amenable to reason; they
keep shouting.
4. But for the rains, the crops would have been destroyed.
5. Why on earth you need so much time? You can do this in just one hour.
6. This bridge is on the verge of collapsing. The PWD must do something
quickly.
10.4 Summary :
In this unit, you find very interesting and light-hearted criticism of the Indian
examination system. The writer looks at the examination system from the point of
170
view of the students. He describes how examination time creates anxiety neurosis
among students. He draws a realistic but rather a grim picture of examination hall,
comparing it with a prison-cell. He contrasts American examination system with the
Indian one. He tells us how the American professor of Political Science is against
secrecy surrounding question-papers. He is in favour of with-books examinations,
and circulates question-papers to his students one month in advance. The account of
the Professor of History is rather funny. He tells the writer to copy the question-paper
in the answer book, or simply demand marks, without writing anything. For him, it
was enough that the writer listened to his lectures.
10.5 Exercises :
Write short notes on :
1.
Western Examination system.
2.
Anxiety Neurosis Caused by Examinations.
3.
Students Indiscipline.
10.6 Writing Activity :
Write a paragraph each on the following :
1.
With books examinations.
2.
How to control copying in the exams.
10.7 Further Reading :
Read personal essays by wellknown writers such as A. G. Gardiner, Charles
Lamb, etc.
171
UNIT 11 : UNLOCK YOUR OWN CREATIVITY
-- Roger Von Oech
INDEX :
11.0
Objectives
11.1
Introduction
11.2
Content
Sub – Content I
Self – Check I
Sub – Content II
Self – Check II
11.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
11.4
Summary
11.5
Exercises
11.6
Field Work
11.7
Further Reading
172
11.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
understand how creative thinking is blocked by mental locks.
•
learn that some rules are good, but many others can be harmful to
creative thinking.
•
learn what creativity is, and how you can respond to problems creatively.
•
understand that there are a number of mental locks created right from the
school life.
•
understand that it is necessary to look for different answers for a
problem, throw away rules, and go beyond narrow practicality.
•
11.1
learn to play with problems and stop thinking negatively.
Introduction :
This article is by Roger Von Oech, published in Reader’s Digest, February 1987.
The writer very persuasively argues why young people should come out of their
mental blocks and think creatively. In this fast changing world, you need to explore
new ideas without fear. You must respond to your problems creatively. Do not read
this merely for your examinations. This is very pragmatic advice for you to be
successful in your career.
11.2
Content :
11.2.1
Sub – Content I
When young, we’re naturally creative because we let our minds run free. But as
we’re taught to follow the rules, our thinking narrows. For much of life this can be a
blessing : it wouldn’t do to create a new way home from work if it meant driving
down the wrong side of the road.
173
But in many areas of our lives, creativity can be a matter of survival. Things are
changing too fast to get along simply with old ideas. Half of what any technical
engineer had learnt ten yeas ago became obsolete in only three years; it happens even
sooner now. And what about our home lives? With, for instance, more and more
women opting for careers and independence, couples have to be more creative about
their relationships to avoid conflicts.
Fortunately, creativity isn’t all that mysterious. One important creative trait was
well-defined by Nobel Prize-winning physician Albert Szent-Gyorgyi when he said
“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody
has thought.”
“Mental Locks” : How do we start “thinking what nobody has thought?”
Usually it takes a whack on the head, like Sir Isaac Newton supposedly had when an
apple striking his skull awakened him to the laws of gravity. Whacks can range from
something as major as losing a job to something as trivial as wanting an unusual dish
for a dinner party. We’re more likely to respond creatively – which is to say, think of
a new idea – if we’ve already been chipping away at the “mental locks” that close
our minds.
What are these locks? For the most part they are our uncritical acceptance of
seven common statements :
(1) “Find the right answer.”
Almost from the first day of school, we’re taught that there’s one right answer to
every problem. But many important issues are open-ended. Take the question, “What
do I do now that I’ve lost my job?” The obvious right answer is : “Look for another
job.” There is also a second right answer. “Go back to school and learn a new trade.”
Or a third : “Start your own business.”
The mere act of looking for a second answer will often produce the new idea
you need. As French philosopher Emile Chartier said, “Nothing is more dangerous
than an idea when it is the only one we have.”
174
I
Glossary and Notes :
obsolete (adj)
:
out of use
trait (n)
:
a characteristic, typical behaviour
whack (n)
:
a blow (on the head, etc.)
trivial (adj)
:
unimportant, of little value
Self – Check I :
Comprehension
(A) Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1. ‘To let our minds run free’ means :
a) disobey the authority.
b) indulge in dreams.
c) think without any rules or conventions.
d) follow your whims.
2. Rules can be a blessing for much of our life because ______
a) rules are prescribed by the elders.
b) normally most rules relate to common sense.
3.
c) breaking a rule is punishable.
d) you need not think what to do.
By a ‘Whack’ on the head the writer means ________
a) a physical blow on the head
b) an accident.
c) a shocking situation.
d) a new idea.
B) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
Why does the writer say that following rules can be a blessing for much of
life?
2.
Why is it necessary for couples to be creative about their relationships?
3.
How is creativity a matter of survival nowadays?
4.
What is a ‘Whack’ on the head?
5.
What is a mental lock?
175
(2) “That’s not logical.”
Hard, logical thinking can be death to a new idea because it eliminates alternatives
that seem contradictory. New ideas germinate faster in the loose soil of soft thinking,
which finds similarities and connections among different things or situations.
(3) “Follow the rules.”
To get an idea, you often have to break rules that no longer make sense. My friend
Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari Inc. and inventor of the first video game, is a
dedicated rule breaker. Once Bushnell was trying to make coin-operated games more
fun. For a long time he followed the rule that the playing field had to be 66
centimetres wide. Only when he threw away that rule and made the field 76
centimetres was he able to increase the game’s possibilities.
(4) “Be practical.”
To grow, ideas initially need the wide realm of the possible, rather than the narrow
one of the practical. You can enter this realm by asking, “What if …..?”
An engineer in a chemical company startled his colleagues by asking, “What if
we put gunpowder in our house paint? When it starts peeling in a few years, we just
put a match to it and blow it off.” The house might blow up with such a paint, but
this engineer was talking to “idea” men who brushed aside the impracticality and
started thinking. Eventually they came up with the idea of an additive that could later
be activated and cause paint to be easily stripped off walls. The company is now
developing the process.
(5) “Don’t be foolish.”
Humour can show us the ambiguity of situations, revealing a second and often
startling answer.
Being foolish is a form of play. If necessity is the mother of invention, play is its
father. When faced with a problem, let yourself play, risk being foolish. And write
down the ideas that then come to you.
(6) “That’s not my area.”
Fresh ideas almost invariably come from outside one’s field of specialization.
176
Creative people have to be generalists, interested in everything and aware that
what they learn in one field might prove useful in another. We’re all generalists at
home – chefs, decorators, teachers, gardeners, handymen – and home is where to
start being creative. The average homemaker is confronted daily with more creative
opportunities than the middle manager in a company sees in a month.
(7) “I’m not creative.”
Most of us retain the idea that creativity is only for artists and inventors. And when
we criticize ourselves as not creative, we set in motion a self-fulfilling prophecy. A
person who thinks he’s not creative in his everyday life won’t try a creative solution
to an important problem.
Self – esteem is essential to creativity because any new idea makes you a
pioneer. Once you put an idea into action, you’re out there alone taking risks of
failure and ridicule.
As management consultant Roy Blitzer has said, “The only person who likes
change is a wet baby.” But we need change – the type of change that comes only
through the creative thinking of all the people, not just the geniuses.
Glossary and Notes :
eliminate (v)
:
remove
germinate (v)
:
start growing
ambiguity (n)
:
confusion (on account of more than one meaning)
startling (adj)
:
shocking, surprising
generalists (n)
:
those who have interest in different fields of knowledge
(as against specialists)
prophecy (n)
:
prediction, a statement but what is going to happen.
self – esteem (n)
:
confidence in one’s own ability
pioneer (n)
:
the first one to do something
ridicule (n)
:
scornful or unkind words.
177
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….12
Self – Check II :
A) Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1.
2.
3.
4.
According to the writer, new ideas occur when ________
a)
you start thinking logically.
b)
you do not accept alternatives.
c)
you find similarities and connections in different things.
d)
you just stop thinking.
Nolan Bushnell was an inventor of ________
a)
Computer.
b)
Video games
c)
T.V.
d)
cell phone
You can think creatively if you _________
a)
study the rules carefully.
b)
make new rules.
c)
follow the foot-steps of the elders.
d)
break rules.
According to the writer, being foolish __________
a)
can be dangerous.
b)
can lead to new ideas.
c)
can be practical.
d)
can be ridiculous.
B) Answer the following question in one sentence each :
1.
What are we normally taught in school?
2.
If you lose your job, what can b the second right answer for the problem?
3.
How can humour be helpful?
4.
What is the common belief about creativity?
5.
Why is having only one idea dangerous?
178
C) Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentence each :
1.
How is ‘finding one answer’ a mental lock?
2.
What is the importance of soft-thinking and breaking rules in being
creative?
3.
What is the difference between the realm of possible and the realm of
practical?
4.
What does the writer mean by being a generalist?
Self – Check III Vocabulary Exercises :
(A) Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
words/phrases in the following sentences :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
With the advent of cell-phone the land-line phone may soon become
obsolete.
a)
useful
b)
unnecessary
c)
out of use
d)
obligatory
He considered the issue trivial, so he did not talk about it.
a)
difficult
b)
unimportant
c)
sensitive
d)
confidential
How to acquire adequate electric supply for the state is an open-ended
issue.
a)
having no answer
b)
having no end
c)
having different answers
d)
unending
His self-esteem does not allow him to consult anyone.
a)
independence
b)
importance
c)
knowledge about self
d)
good opinion about himself.
Let us note down all the possibilities, and then we shall eliminate them one
by one.
a)
consider
b)
drop
c)
try
d)
read
179
(B) Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of words underlined
as instructed in the brackets.
1.
How he amassed all the property is mysterious. (use the noun)
2.
They wanted him eliminated from the team. (use noun)
3.
His ideas startled us. (use adjective)
4.
They decided to eliminate him from the team. (use its antonym)
5.
He has interest in every field. (use adjective)
(C) Use the following idioms/phrases in sentences of your own.
1.
blow (something) off.
2.
mental lock.
3.
put into action.
4.
set in motion.
11.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises :
A) 1.
(c) think without any rules or conventions.
2.
(b) normally most rules relate to common sense.
3.
(c) whack on the head is a shocking situation.
B) 1. While following rules, we need not think too much, as these rules are based
on common sense.
2. When both (husband and wife) are working, they have to think creatively
for avoiding conflict.
3. Creativity is a matter of survival because things are changing too fast and
old rules may not help.
4.
A whack on the head is a shocking situation which makes you think newly.
5.
A mental-lock is accepting a rule blindly without thinking if it is useful.
Self – Check II :
A) 1.
2.
(c) you find similarities and connections in different things.
(b) Nolan Bushnell was an inventor of Video-games.
180
3.
(d) You can think creatively if you break rules.
4.
(b) According to the writer, being foolish can lead to new ideas.
B) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
In schools, we are normally taught that there is only one right answer.
2.
The second right answer can be to start your own business.
3.
Humour can reveal to us a startingly new answer to our problem.
4.
It is commonly believed that creativity is only the faculty of the artists and
inventors.
5.
Having only one idea is dangerous because it stops all the roads.
C) Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each :
1.
To think that there is only one answer to a problem is a mental lock. It stops
your thinking and you cannot get a new idea. For example, if you lose a job, and
you think that getting another job is the only answer, then you can do nothing.
Getting another job may not be possible.
2.
Soft thinking is like loose soil. It enables you to discover connections between
different things. You can get new ideas by looking at similarities and
differences.
3.
The realm of practical is a narrow one. There are no new ideas. You must follow
rules or conventions in the realm of practical. But the realm of possible opens
new areas. You ask ‘What if …..?’, and this can bring new ideas to you. The
writer has given an example of a suggestion of using gun-powder in the house
paint. It is not practical, but it started people thinking newly.
4.
Creative people have interest in different fields of knowledge. In this sense,
they are generalists. It you are a specialist, you cannot think of relationship of
your problem with other areas.
Self – Check III (Vocabulary and Grammar)
A) 1.
2.
(c) out of use
(b) unimportant
181
3.
(c) having different answers
4.
(d) good opinion about himself
5.
(b) drop
B) 1.
It is a mystery how he amassed all the properly.
2.
They wanted his elimination from the team.
3.
His ideas were startling.
4.
They decided to include him in the team.
5.
For him every field is interesting.
C) 1.
The cover of pressure cooker blew off.
2. He is brought up in a traditional family set-up, so he has a number of
mental locks.
3.
It is not enough to make a plan, you must put it into action.
4.
Once the elections are declared, the whole state unit will be set in motion.
11.4 Summary :
In this unit, the writer tells you how it is necessary for you to think creatively.
He points out that life has changed, and it is changing fast. As a result the old way of
thinking may not help you to find answers to your problems. You should break rules,
play with the problem to get ideas. We have mental blocks, which prevent us from
getting new ideas. For example, there need not be one right answer to a problem. But
we are taught in school to find a right answer. Similarly, logical thinking may not
always help. To get ideas, one should have interest in other related fields. Being a
specialist does not help in getting ideas.
11.5 Exercises :
Write short notes on the following :
1.
Different kinds of mental locks
2.
How to get ideas.
182
11.6 Field Work :
Make a list of problems you face and try to think of alternative answers to these
problems.
11.7 Further Reading :
Read the books on Transactional Analysis such as I Am OK You Are OK,
Games People Play, etc.
183
UNIT 12 : IS HORROR YOUR NEIGHBOUR?
Kenneth Lillington
INDEX :
12.0
Objectives
12.1
Introduction
12.2
Content and Glossary
Self – Check Exercises
12.3
Key to self – check exercises
12.4
Summary
12.5
Further Exercises
12.6
Writing Activity
184
12.0
Objectives :
After working with this unit, you will be able to :
12.1
•
understand advertising agencies make use of different techniques to
promote goods.
•
learn how fear is created through one’s own imagination.
•
learn how human emotions, fear, apprehensions, desires are used to
promote the sales of goods.
•
understand the effect of anti-climax at the end.
Introduction :
This age is called ‘an age of Advertisements.’ Ads have become part and parcel of
the modern life. People go to any extent to advertise their product. Advertising
companies employ surprising tactics to advertise the product. They use emotional
bonds, relationships, human being’s passions, fears, apprehensions to promote their
products. Here is a demonstration of advertisement through one-act-play which
surprises the readers/audience in the end.
Pre-reading Questions :
1)
Do you like advertisements? If yes, why?
2)
Which advertisements do you like most?
3)
Do you remember any advertisement which you feel rather striking?
12.2
Content :
SCENE : The Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussand’s.
ENTER the GUIDE, left, before the closed curtain. He speaks over his shoulder as he
moves, halting at the Partition of the curtains.
GUIDE : Well, Sir, this is the Chamber of Horrors. Do you still want to go through
with it?
Enter VISITOR.
185
VISITOR : Oh, yes, I think so. Well, I mean, I’m sure I do, You’re offering a
hundred pounds to anyone who’ll spend the night in this place, and I could
do with a hundred pounds.
GUIDE : Not much use to you when you’re stark stiff with terror, Sir. Very few of
em come out sane in the morning. Take my advice, Sir – turn back!
VISITOR : No, no. I’ve got n-nerves of steel. Go ahead.
GUIDE : All right. In we go.
He makes as though to turn a key, and the curtains part.
Dim lighting reveals nine models grouped around the stage. Sykes, Brown, Pink,
and Black are on pedestals in the foreground, with Jane the Ripper seated, centre, an
open razor held elegantly above her head. To the rear of these models are the
Hangman and the Hanged man, and the Executioner and his victim.
GUIDE : There you are, sir. Pretty little lot, aren’t they?
VISITOR (A trifle shaken) : Look kind of ….. real, don’t they?
GUIDE : Ah, it’s a good job they’re not, Sir! This one (Pointing to Sykes) was
Sykes, the Strangler. He had six wives. They never discovered their bodies.
VISITOR : I bet those wives could tell some tales!
GUIDE : Yes, sir. Old wives tales. Now this (Indicating Brown) was Brown, the
Bodysnatcher. Look at his eyes! Evil aren’t they?
VISITOR : (pathetically facetious, addressing Brown as he passes him) : Good
evening!
GUIDE : And now, here we have ….
BROWN (from the side of his mouth) : ‘Evening.
VISITOR (spinning round in alarm) : Hey! I say – did you hear that?
GUIDE : Hear what, Sir?
VISITOR : He – he said good evening to me!
GUIDE : Impossible, Sir. Your nerves are playing you tricks.
186
VISITOR : I – I suppose so.
GUIDE : Well, as I was saying. This is Pink, the Poisoner, and this is the Multiple
Murderer, Black, who boiled his victims alive, and disposed of their bodies
by eating them.
VISITOR (horrified) : Wh – what, while they were still alive?
GUIDE : Wouldn’t put anything past him, Sir. (He turns back to Jane.) And now, sir,
finally like, last but not least, your favourite and mine, the Female Fiend of
Dusseldorf – Jane the Ripper!
VISITOR : Good Heavens! What a hag!
GUIDE (gloomily humorous) : Careful, Sir. She may be listening. Well, I must leave
you now. Good night, sir, and – good luck.
Exit GUIDE.
THE VISITOR, after an apprehensive glance at the Models, comes down centre and
sits gingerly on a chair, his back to them.
The lights change to green, and as they change, a slow movement from the
models is perceptible. Then SYKES THE STRANGLER steps deliberately down
from his pedestal, and points a slow finger at the Visitor.
SYKES : Now, with hope locked out, and him locked in,
MODELS (together) : Let the midnight orgy of human demons begin. (BROWN
THE BODYSNATCHER step down.)
BROWN : Fool, to share a chamber with such as we,
MODELS (together) : Whose bones make ghastly music on the gallows-tree! (PINK
THE POISONER steps down.)
PINK : Fear shall fret his heart till sanity break.
MODELS : This is a dream from which he shall never awake! (BLACK THE
MULTIPLE MURDERER steps down.)
BLACK : Tremble, boy, for evil is our endless labour : (JANE THE RIPPER rises
and stands forward.)
187
JANE : What foul form stands at your side?
MODELS : IS HORROR YOUR NEIGHBOUR?
The VISITOR, who has been showing signs of increasing uneasiness throughout
this chant, suddenly springs up, his back still to the models. They step silently back
to their positions and freeze. With desperate courage the VISITOR swings round to
face them. They are, of course, exactly as they were when he came in.
VISITOR (in a high-pitched voice) : They moved! I know they did! They’re creeping
up on me while my back’s turned. (He looks wildly about, and espies a
bucket, left, which be picks up and places at the foot of Sykes.) There!
Now, if he moves, he’ll kick the bucket! N-not a bad joke, that, in the
circumstances.
SYKES stoops quickly, picks up the bucket, and hangs it on the arm of Brown. The
VISITOR turns, see that it has been moved, and gives a cry of horrors.
VISITOR : No, no! It can’t be! I’m seeing things! My nerves are playing me tricks! I
know what I’ll do! I’ll whistle to keep my spirits up!
VISITOR : (whistling the tune) : There’s an old mill by the stream –
MODELS (together, with terrific gusto) : NELLIE DEAN!
Visitor is panic-stricken. The MODELS point their fingers at him, screaming
with savagely derisive laughter. He runs up and down, all control shattered.
VISITOR (yelling above the din) : Help! Help! Help! Help!
The MODELS are suddenly still and silent, but the VISITOR continues
shrieking.
VISITOR : Help, help, HELP!
Enter GUIDE
GUIDE (as before, gloomily calm) : Anything wrong, Sir?
VISITOR : Gi – give me something for my nerves, quick!
A great change comes over the Guide. His manner is charged with
overwhelming brightness.
188
GUIDE : Something for your Nerves, sir? Oh, yes!, sir I know the VERY THING!
He runs out, to return immediately with a huge bottle.
GUIDE : NERVO for the nerves, sir!
The Chamber is flooded with light.
MODELS (together, with immense enthusiasm) : Ah : NERVO!
JANE THE RIPPER rises and minces right up to the footlights.
JANE (to the audience, in a most ingratiating voice) : Are you run–down, nervous, a
prey to unnecessary fears? Can’t sleep? No appetite? Then take NERVO,
the finest of all Nerve Tonics. Obtainable from all chemists, prices one-andnine and three shillings; and remember – the large bottle contains three
times as much as the smaller.
SYKES, BROWN, PINK and BLACK step from their pedestals and stand four
abreast. The HANGMAN, the EXECUTIONER, and their victims watch them with
radiant approval.
SYKES : When you’re in a fearful fright,
MODELS (together) : NERVO soon will put you right.
BLACK : NERVO for the highly – strung,
MODELS (together) : NERVO for the old and young!
VISITOR (beaming) : I’ll certainly buy a bottle of NERVO right away!
JANE THE RIPPER and the GUIDE bow to the audience, and as they straighten
up, pick up from the floor a large placard which bears the inscription – ADVT.
Notes :
1)
Madam Tussaud’s Museum : It is a world-famous museum where statues of wax
of world famous personalities are kept.
2)
Skyes, Brown, Pink, Black, Jane the Ripper Hangman, Hanged man,
Executioner Executed : are ill famous criminals for their horrible deeds.
3)
Chamber of Horror : A room where the statues of criminals are exhibited.
189
Glossary :
stark stiff (adj)
:
motionless with fear
nerves of steel
:
strong-minded
old wives tales
:
foolish or superstitious stories usually traditional
pathetically (adv) : (collq): with contempt
facetious (adj)
:
mocking
nerves are playing tricks: nerves create illusions
playing tricks
:
deceiving
fiend (n)
:
a devilish person
hag (n)
:
witch, an old woman who does evil deeds
gloomily (adv.)
:
depressingly
apprehensive (adj)
:
fearful
gingerly (adv)
:
cautiously
perceptible (adj)
:
noticeable
hope locked out and him locked in : his hope gone and he locked inside
orgy/ (n) : (collq)
:
wild merry – making
gallows – tree –
:
tree where a man is hanged
fret (v)
:
worry, trouble
foul (adj)
:
wicked, evil
freeze (v)
:
become unmoving with fear
creep (v)
:
slowly, stealthily come from behind
espy
:
catch the sight of
derisive (adj)
:
mocking
mince (v)
:
walking gracefully
ingratiating (adj)
:
in a manner to please
run down (of a person, his health) : exhausted, tired from mental strain
abreast (adv)
:
side by side
radiant (adj)
:
showing joy or love
highly strung (adj)
:
very tense and nervous
190
Self – Check Exercises :
Comprehension Questions :
A) Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
The meaning of ‘I have got nerves of steel’ is _________
a)
I don’t care about anything.
b)
I have nerves of metal.
c)
I am not afraid of anything
d)
I am hard to convince
The models started moving slowly; _________
a)
When the visitor and the Guide were talking.
b)
When the guide left the chamber.
c)
When the visitor was watching the models carefully.
d)
When the guide left the chamber and the visitor.
‘My nerves are playing tricks’ means _______
a)
I have illusions.
b)
My nerves are hurt badly.
c)
My nerves make me mad.
d)
I am nervous.
The visitor cries for help because ________
a)
He is afraid of staying in the chamber.
b)
He sees a ghost.
c)
The models moved and mocked at him.
d)
he is attacked.
This play advertises ____________
a)
horror
b)
Nervo medicine
c)
the criminals
d)
Madam Tussaud’s Museum
191
B) Answer the following questions in one sentence each.
1.
Why does the visitor become ready to spend a night in the chamber of
Horrors?
2.
What does the Guide advise the visitor?
3.
Whose models are kept in the chamber of Horrors?
4.
What happened to the wives of Sykes?
5.
Whom does the visitor call ‘hag’?
6.
What does the visitor ask from the Guide?
7.
What is ‘Nervo’?
8.
What is the meaning of ‘With hope locked out and him locked in’?
C) Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each :
1.
Describe the chamber of Horrors.
2.
What happens when the guide leaves the chamber?
3.
Whose models are kept in the chamber of Horrors?
4.
What illusions does the visitor experience in the Chamber of Horrors?
5.
How does the play end?
D) Vocabulary Exercises :
a)
Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
word/phrase in the following sentences.
1)
He went out in gingerly fashion.
a)
2)
3)
cautiously
c)
gracefully
a)
a wild merry-making
b)
c)
a revelling
d) expenditure
d)
moisily
an excessivenoise
Models minced across the ramp in the fashion-show.
walked gracefully b)
rushed
c)
strutted
d) noisily
As she was engrossed in her work, she couldn’t espy a thief.
a)
5)
b)
An orgy of rave parties is obnoxious.
a)
4)
carelessly
stop
b)
catch sight of
c)
catch
d) listen to
Many people try to ingratiate themselves with powerful people.
a)
win favour of b) be grateful to
192
c)
be polite d)
be helpful
b)
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of words underlined
as instructed in the brackets.
c)
1.
The problem before the municipality was how to dispose of the garbage.
(use a noun)
2.
The children fretted the idea of going back to the same school. (use
adjective)
3.
We halted at the hotel and took some rest. (use a noun)
4.
Very few people come out sane from the chamber of horrors. (use a noun)
5.
His speech was facetious. (use adverb)
Use the following idioms/phrases in sentences of your own
old wives tale, run down, highly-strung, to keep one’s spirit up, have nerves of
steel.
12.3
Key to Self – Check Exercise :
A. 1.
c)
B. 1.
The visitor will get a hundred pounds if he spends a night in the chamber of
2.
d)
3.
a)
4.
c)
5.
b)
Horrors.
2.
The Guide advises the visitor not to spend the night in the chamber of
Horrors.
3.
Models of notorious criminals like Jane the Ripper, sykes, Brown, Pink, etc.
are kept in the chamber of Horrors.
4.
Six wives of Sykes were killed by Sykes and their bodies were never
discovered.
5.
The visitor calls Jane the Ripper a hag.
6.
The visitor asks for something for his nerves from the guide.
7.
Nervo is a medicine, tonic to cure nervousness, fear etc.
8.
The meaning is that the visitor is locked in with the notorious criminals and
hope for his survival is very less.
C) 1.
The chamber of Horrors at Mandame Tussand’s :
There is dim lighting around the nine models, Sykes, Brown Pink and Black
on the pedestals. They are in the foreground. Jane the Ripper is seated at the
193
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….13
centre. An open razor is held elegantly above her head. In the background
there are models of the Hangman and the Hangedman and theExecutioner
and his victim.
2.
When the guide leaves the chamber, the visitor glances at the models
apprehensively, goes to the centre and sits very carefully on a chair with his
back to these models. Then the light changes to green, and very slowly
those models move. Sykes comes down from his pedestal and points a slow
finger at the visitor. The Models start speaking and singing together fearful
warning. The visitor is very afraid but still his back is towards them. When
the models realize that the visitor is frightened, they step silently back to
their positions and freeze. When the visitors turns back and looks at them,
he feels that his nerves are playing tricks. Then he starts yelling for help.
3.
Models of Sykes the strangler, Brown the bodysnatcher, Pink the poisoner,
Black the multiple murderer, Jane the Ripper, and Hangman and the hanged
man, the Executioner, and his victim are kept in the chamber of Horrors.
4.
The visitor feels that the modes moved. He is afraid that they are creeping
up behind him. He puts a bucket at the foot of Sykes. But the Bucket is put
back on the arm of Brown. When the visitors turns and looks at the bucket
he starts screaming.
5.
The play ends in an anti-climax and a pleasant shock. The visitor yells with
fear. The Guide comes and the visitor asks for something to quieten his
nerves. All the dreadful criminals gather round the visitor and advertise
NERVO, the medicine for setting nerves right. Jane the Ripper and the
Guide bow to the audience, and pick up the placard of the advertisement
and go away.
Vocabulary Exercises :
a)
1.
b)
2.
a)
3.
a)
4.
b)
1.
Disposal of garbage was the problem before the municipality.
2.
The children were fretful to go back to the same school.
194
b)
5.
a)
3.
We took made a halt at the hotel to rest.
4.
Very few people came out with sanity from the chamber of horrors.
5.
He spoke facetiously.
12.4 Summary :
Madame Tussand’s chamber of horrors is well known for the fearful waxmodels of the famous multiple murderers. The wax-models are so life-like that they
appear to move. There is a prize of hundred pounds for anyone who can sit for the
whole night in the chamber of horrors without losing nerves. The play opens with the
Guide and the visit to who would like to accept the challenge. The Guide warns him,
but the visitor says he has nerves of steel. In the chamber, alone at night, in dim
lighting, the visitor begins to have illusions. Finally, he breaks down and cries for
help. The Guide enters, and the visitor requests him to give him something for his
nerves. It is then that the fearful modes (who are really live character), come forward
and together advertise the medicine NERVO, for strong nerves. The end of the play
is, thus, an anti-climax. It turns out to be very imaginative advertisement.
12.5 Further Exercises :
Write short-notes on the following :
1)
Creation of atmosphere of horror in the play.
2)
The change in the mental state of the visitor.
3)
Anti – climax in the one-act-play.
12.6 Writing Activity :
1.
Effect of Advertisements on society.
2.
Use of Advertisements for public good.
3.
Advertisement as an art.
195
UNIT 13 : TO BE OF USE
-- Marge Piercy
INDEX :
13.0
Objectives
13.1
Introduction
13.2
Content
Self – Check I
13.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
13.4
Summary
13.5
Exercises
13.6
Field Work
196
13.0 Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
•
realize importance of the work culture of people who immerse
themselves in their work.
13.1
•
understand how the real workers become part of their work.
•
know that those who work take the world forward.
•
learn that the things they create for use become the works of art.
•
understand that the poet celebrates real work in this poem.
Introduction :
This poem is written in praise and admiration of those people who believe in hard
work. They immerse themselves into the work undertaken by them. The are
everywhere, ploughing fields, passing on bags, shaping mud into beautiful objects.
These objects were once created for use but now they are the works art. Their real
use is forgotten. The poet admires the spirit of these people to be of use and take the
world forward.
13.2
Content :
The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.
197
I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who stand in the line and haul in their places,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters,
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.
I
Glossary and Notes :
dallying (v) (to dally) :
wasting time (doing something slowly)
shallows (n)
:
shallow water
seals (n)
:
animals living on land as well as in water in the
Arctic region (Here seals refer to the black heads of
swimmers)
parlor generals (n)
:
generals who relax in the parlor (instead of fighting
on the battlefield)
deserters (n)
:
soldiers who run away from the field.
put out (v)
:
extinguish (fire).
botched : botch (v)
:
spoil something doing it badly
Greek amphoras
:
ancient Greek clay pots (used for storing wine or oil)
198
Hopi vases
:
Hopi tribuls (Pueblo Indians) of North-Eastern
Arizona, North America. They are known for their
beautiful pottery. ‘Hopi’ means the peaceful ones.
Self – Check Exercises :
I
Comprehension :
(A) Rewrite the following sentences choosing the most correct alternative from
the ones given below each :
1.
2.
3.
4.
The poet loves best the people who _______
a)
swim with sure strokes.
b)
become natives of the element of water.
c)
involve themselves into the work completely.
d)
swim in the shallow waters.
The poet would like to be with people who _______
a)
lead the others.
b)
harness others to work and get it done.
c)
are generals in the army.
d)
submerge themselves into their work.
To do the same work again and again, you need to be _____________
a)
skillful
b)
intelligent
c)
patient like a buffalo
d)
strong
Greek amphoras and Hopi Vases were originally created as _________
a)
art objects.
b)
antique things.
c)
things for worship.
d)
things of use.
199
(II) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
What does the poet mean by ‘to become natives of that element’?
2.
What kind of people ‘dally in shallow waters’?
3.
What metaphor does the poet use for people who ‘swim off’ plunging into
the work?
4.
What quality does a water buffalo have for the workers to imitate?
5.
What kind of workers are indicated by the poet in the third stanza?
6.
What happens if the work of the world is botched?
(III)
Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each :
1.
How does the poet describe people who jump into work head first?
2.
According to the poet what must people do to move things forward?
3.
What work do the people do who submerge themselves in the task?
4.
How are parlor generals and field deserters different from those who really
work?
5.
How does the poet contrast work not done well and the work done well?
6.
What is the significance of Greek amphoras and Hopi vases?
IV Vocabulary Exercises :
(A) Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
words/phrases in the following sentences :
1.
The media reported that the security agencies had botched the job.
a)
2.
given up c)
spoiled
d)
refused.
thinking
b)
playing
c)
joking
d)
working
You can work as a mason, if you do not mind smearing your hands.
a)
4.
b)
Is he serious? Or is he still dallying with the idea?
a)
3.
completed
cutting
b)
hurting
c)
dirtying d)
washing
he is a deserter from the army, and the police are looking for him.
a)
one who is a criminal
b)
one who has left without permission
c)
a thief
d)
a spy
200
(B) Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of words underlined
as instructed in the brackets.
1.
You must work to satisfy your boss. (use a noun)
2.
The potter shaped the earthen pot artistically. (use noun and adjective)
3.
He put harness on the bullocks and took the cart to market. (use a verb)
4.
I do not know anything about his financial status. (use a noun)
(C) Use the following idioms/phrases in sentences of your own.
1.
submerge in the work
2.
worth doing
3.
out of sight
4.
made to be used
13.3
I
II
Key to Self – Check Exercises :
1.
(c) involve themselves into the work completely.
2.
(d) submerge themselves into their work.
3.
(c) patient like a buffalo
4.
(d) things for worship.
1.
Here, to become natives of that element means to become one with it, fully
submerge into it.
2.
People who avoid work dally in shallow waters.
3.
The poet uses the metaphor of seals to describe the swimmers.
4.
The water buffalo shows great patience doing its work in the mud and the
muck.
5.
In the third stanza, the poet refers to the farmers, labourers passing on bags,
coolies, etc.
6.
If the work is botched, not done well, it smears and dirties the hands.
201
III
1.
The people who jump into the work head first, are like skillful swimmers who
disappear out of sight swimming ahead. They look like seals with only their
heads visible. They are patient like water buffaloes straining in the mud.
2.
The poet says that people must have great patience to take the work forward.
They have to do the same thing again and again, like a water buffalo straining in
the mud and never getting bored with the work. They should be like an ox
pulling a heavy cart.
3.
People who submerge themselves in their task are farmers who go to the fields
for sowing and harvesting. They are the workers, who pass on bags, standing in
a row or hauling something up. They work in common rhythm. They are
common people doing hard work.
4.
The parlor generals do not work. They sit at home in their arm chairs, and from
there they direct others. Similarly, deserters run away from the field of work.
These two are different from the real soldiers and workers. The soldiers fight on
the battle-field, but generals sit in their parlor.
5.
Work not done well results into dirtying your hands. It crumbles down.
Everything is spoiled. But work done well brings satisfaction. It is clean and it
has a good shape. She gives example of Greek amphoras and Hopi vases, which
are shapely and beautiful.
6.
Greek amphoras and Hopi vases are the symbols of work done well. Greek
amphoras were made for use, to keep wine or oil. But they were so beautiful that
they are now put in the museum as the objects of art. Similarly, Hopi Vases
were made to store corn. They too are beautiful objects put in the museum as
works of art.
IV Vocabulary Exercises :
(A)
(B) 1.
2.
1.
(c) spoiled
2.
(b) playing
3.
(c) dirtying
4.
(b) one who has left without permission
You must work to the satisfaction of your boss.
The potter gave an artistic shape to the earthen pot.
202
3.
He harnessed the bullocks and took the cart to market.
4.
I do not have any knowledge about his financial status.
(C) 1.
He was so submerged in his work that he forgot to have his lunch.
2.
Social work among the tribals is worth doing for their health and education.
3.
Well, he is out of sight and out of our mind also. He may have found a new
job.
4.
These vases are made to be used, not for decoration.
13.4 Summary :
This poem is written in praise of the people who worship work and always try
to be of use. They are deeply immersed into their job, without dilly – dallying
anywhere. They become part of their work. The poet compares these people with a
water buffalo, which shows great patience and strains in the mud hauling things
forward. These people are not like the generals, who sit at home, or like the soldiers
who run away from the field. The poet would like to be with these people. She says
that the work done well is clean and beautiful like Greek amphoras and Hopi Vases.
13.5 Further Exercises :
Write short notes on the following :
1)
The theme of the poem.
2)
The Poet’s attitude to the objects of art.
3)
Contrast between hard-working people and parlor generals.
13.6 Writing Activity :
1.
The objects of art and the objects of use.
2.
How to be of use to the community.
203
UNTI 14 : GRANDMA’S WAY
-- Anna McLean
INDEX :
14.0
Objectives
14.1
Introduction
14.2
Content : The Text of the Poem
Self – Check Exercises
14.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
14.4
Summary
14.5
Further Exercises
14.6
Writing Activity
204
14.0
Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
14.1
•
understand the importance of cleanliness.
•
learn how to respect elders in the family.
•
realize the value of advice of the old people.
•
understand that criticizing old people and neglecting them is not good.
Introduction :
Anna McLean is Norwegian by birth. She teaches management at the Bahrain
Training Institute, Bahrain. Writing poetry is her hobby.
In this poem, the poet shows how educated arrogant young ones little realize the
value of experience of the old ones in the family. ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’
may appear to be a very commonplace maxim. But these commonplace maxims are
eternally true. The young speaker in this poem realizes her folly a little too late.
14.2
The Poem :
“Cleanliness is next to godliness” grandma would say.
as with soap and a flannel she showed me the way.
Of bacteria and virus she knew little or nowt,
but with duster and map she scurried about.
She cooked for her family, and sometimes for pay
working it seemed both night and day.
As her interest in food she passed on to me,
a career as a cook I began to see.
205
When I went to college she bristled with pride.
Glad I was getting what she’d been denied.
But knowledge was followed by the arrogance of youth
and grandma’s way of doing things I now thought uncouth.
The things she had taught me were quickly outdated
and all of her wisdom I often berated.
Through the love in her eyes I sometimes spied hurt
as the dust in her home, I translated as dirt.
Blindness and age were her only crime,
and I repaid her love with my tongue, not my time.
To my shame it’s too late now to think “if only”
I’d been there more often she’d have been less lonely.
If I’ve a person to thank for success, she’s the one;
though I didn’t know it until she was gone,
for as I grew older her words came back oddly
clean thoughts and good deeds are in truth almost godly.
I
Glossary and Notes :
flannel (n)
:
soft loosely woven wollen cloth.
bacteria (n)
:
microscopic organisms (germs) that exist in large numbers in
air, water and soil and cause diseases.
virus (n)
:
simple organism, smaller than bacteria, causing infectious
diseases.
scurry (v)
:
run with short quick steps across the floor.
bristle (v)
:
show indignation, anger, pride.
uncouth (adj) :
rough, ill mannered, not refined.
berate (v)
criticize
:
206
Self – Check Exercises :
I
Comprehension questions :
Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Grandma had no knowledge of __________
a)
cleanliness and godliness
b)
soap and flannel
c)
bacteria and virus
d)
duster and mop
Grandma passed on her ________ to the speaker.
a)
habit of cleanliness
b)
faith in God
c)
knowledge of cooking
d)
ways of doing things
The grandma had been denied _______
a)
education
b)
freedom
c)
career
d)
wisdom
The speaker in the poem thought Grandma’s ways of doing things ______
a)
neat and clean
b)
rough and outdated
c)
without and understanding
d)
dirty
The speaker understood the importance of grandma’s teaching after _____
a)
she took up the career of a cook
b)
she completed education
c)
the death of grandma
d)
leaving home for college
207
6.
II
II
a)
neglected grandma’s advice
b)
hated grandma.
c)
didn’t repay grandma’s love
d)
couldn’t visit grandma frequently when she was lonely
Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1)
How did grandma stress the importance of cleanliness?
2)
For whom did grandma cook food?
3)
What did grandma pass on to the speaker?
4)
Why did the speaker choose career as a cook?
5)
Why did the speaker ignore grandma’s way of doing things?
6)
What, according to the speaker, were grandma’s crimes?
7)
Why does the speaker feel ashamed of herself?
14.3
I
The speaker feels ashamed of herself because she ________
Key to Self – Check Exercises :
1.
(c) bacteria and virus.
2.
(c) knowledge of cooking.
3.
(a) education.
4.
(b) rough and outdated.
5.
(c) the death of grandma.
6.
(d) couldn’t visit grandma when she was lonely.
1.
Grandma stressed the importance of cleanliness by telling the poet that
‘cleanliness is next to godliness.
2.
Grandma cooked food for her family.
3.
Grandma passed her interest and knowledge of cooking on to the speaker.
4.
The speaker choose career as a cook because
5.
The speaker ignored grandma’s way of doing things because turned
arrogant in her youth.
208
6.
According to the speaker blindness and old age were grandma’s crimes.
7.
The speaker feels ashmed of herself because she was away from grandma
when grandma was lonely in her old age.
14.5 Summary :
This poem is about an arrogant young girl who didn’t realize the value of
experience and advice of her grandma. Her grandma used to stress the importance of
cleanliness by telling her to use soap and flannel, though the grandma had no
knowledge of bacteria and virus. She worked hard day and night to keep her family
happy. She cooked food for the family. But she was uneducated, so the speaker in
this poem always criticized grandma’s way of doing things. When she started her
college education, she thought grandma’s way of doing things rough and outdated.
The speaker understood the importance of grandma’s teaching after her death.
She feels guilty for neglecting her grandma’s advice. She also feels ashamed of
herself because she was not with the grandma, when she became blind, old and was
spending her last days in loneliness. Now, the speaker has grown old and grandma’s
words are echoing in her ears. She expresses her thanks and gratitude to her grandma
for the success she achieved in her life.
14.5 Further Exerciese :
I
Answer the following questions in three to four sentences each :
II
1)
What household duties did grandma do for the family?
2)
How did the speaker change after getting education?
3)
What did the speaker think of grandmother’s teaching and advice?
4)
Describe the life of grandma in her old age.
5)
How does the speaker repent her treatment to grandmother?
Write short notes on the following :
1.
Grandma’s views on cleanliness.
2.
The poet’s repentance for disobeying her grandmother.
3.
The Speaker’s Relationship with her grandmother.
209
B.A.III (Compulsory) English….14
III Vocabulary Exercises :
A. Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
phrase/word in the following sentences :
1.
2.
3.
The farmers scurried for shelter as soon as it began to rain.
a)
searched here and there
b)
walked slowly
c)
ran quickly
d)
searched
The father berated his son when he saw his progress report.
a)
congratulated
b)
praised
c)
threatened
d)
criticized
The police spied three thieves running in darkness.
a)
searched
b)
noticed
c)
caught
d)
watched
(B) Rewrite the following sentences using correct form of the underlined words,
as indicated in the brackets :
1.
Grandma became lonely on account of her blindness. (use the adjective)
2.
With the college education, the speaker became arrogant. (use a noun)
3.
I could see hurt in the eyes of mother. (use a verb)
4.
Grandma felt pride when the speaker went to college. (use adjective)
(C) Use the following idioms/phrases in sentences of your own :
1.
pass on to
2.
show the way
210
3.
outdated
4.
to my shame
14.7
Writing Activity :
1.
Write an essay on ‘My Grandmother’
2.
Write your views on ‘cleanliness is next to godliness.’
3.
Write a small paragraph on ‘the career I want to choose.’
211
UNIT 15 : DETACHMENT
-- Aroma Bhardwaj
INDEX :
15.0
Objectives
15.1
Introduction
15.2
Content : The Text of the Poem
Self – Check Exercises
15.3
Key to Self – Check Exercises
15.4
Summary
15.5
Further Exercises
15.6
Writing Activity
212
15.0
Objectives :
After working with this unit you will be able to :
15.1
•
understand what it means to be a girl in a family.
•
learn about traditional attitudes to and expectations from daughters.
•
learn about a girl’s feeling that one day she must leave father’s house.
•
learn about disappointment a girl experiences after the marriage.
•
understand that detachment is the fate of everyone that is born as a girl.
Introduction :
Aroma Bhardwaj is a budding Indian English writer. She is a poet, essayist and a
fiction writer. She writes on thematics of human values and interests. The present
poem is a very good example of poet’s keen observation and knowledge of the past
and present. She writes from her personal experience and tries to give positive
approach to a woman’s life. The poem speaks about common and universal
experience of a girl.
Before reading this poem, you should think over the following questions and try to
understand their implication.
Pre-reading questions :
1)
Does our society give equal treatment to both girls and boys? If not, state
reasons.
2)
What do you think of inequality between man and woman?
3)
Why are the girls told that their house is where they are married?
4)
Why is not their father’s house theirs?
5)
Does your mother/parents tell the girls to behave properly? Why?
6)
Do you like to be a girl/daughter?
7)
Would you wish to be born as a girl, given choice?
213
15.2
Content : Poem
Mother used to say :
“You are a girl, learn some more manners,
and if you are virtuous, it matters!”
That I had to leave father’s home one day,
Had become a thought for everyday.
And my stay there was evanescent,
Never made me feel permanent,
Also the feeling of transitory home,
Snatched away the feeling of being-at-home.
I longed for a perpetual home,
Although love and care was abundant at father’s home,
I thought my search was over and wishes granted,
When I left my native abode for my husband’s homestead.
Again I was wrong,
That dwelling was a place to which I did not belong,
The order and principles were stern and firm,
And I had to maintain a strict decorum.
But in this process of displacement,
A new home and a new placement,
I learnt to be detached,
Learnt to celebrate life but never get attached.
Once I hated to be a daughter,
Because it was hard to follow conventions and order,
I realized later that my birth as a daughter was a perquisite
transcend myself and make this life more exquisite.
For detachment is a divine virtue,
214
A virtue that Lord Shiva adorns,
A virtue that Lord Krishna professes,
A virtue that all sages gospel,
A virtue that fell in my lap just
Because I was born as a Girl.
Notes and Glossary :
evanescent (adj) :
quickly fading
transitory (adj)
:
lasting for a short time only
being-at-home
:
feel comfortable and secured
long (vi) (for)
:
desire something, earnestly long to do something want to
do it.
perpetual (adj)
:
continual, never-ending
abundant (adj)
:
plentiful
homestead (n)
:
house with the land and out buildings round it; farmhouse.
dwelling (n)
:
place of residence. abode (n) (old and literary/poetic use):
house
stern (adj)
:
demanding and enforcing obedience
decorum (n)
:
right and proper behaviour as required by social custom
displacement (n) :
being put out of the right or usual position
detach (v)
:
keep mind uninfluenced.
detachment (n)
:
being uninfluenced by surroundings, and opinion of others
perquisite (n)
:
privilege
transcend (vt)
:
go beyond the range of human experience, reason
exquisite (adj)
:
very beautiful, great
adorn (vt)
:
decorate or beautify
profess (v)
:
claim, affirm.
gospel (v)
:
admire, prescribe
sage
:
wise man
215
Self – Check Exercises :
I
Comprehension Questions :
Rewrite the following choosing the most correct alternative from the ones
given below each :
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
What does the speaker desire?
a)
good manners
b)
virtues
c)
permanent home
d)
a new place
According to the mother ________ are important for girls.
a)
beautiful clothes
b)
household duties
c)
homely qualities
d)
manners and virtues
What makes the poet feel insecure at her father’s house?
a)
The thought that it is not her house
b)
Her parents have to leave that house
c)
Lack of love and care at her parent’s house
d)
Lack of freedom at her father’s house
What does the poet learn in the process of displacement?
a)
to celebrate life
b)
to make life excellent
c)
a virtue of detachment
d)
Never to become happy
‘Process of displacement’ in the poem means ________
a)
going to a new place
b)
getting better place
c)
losing a place
d)
girl’s going to her husband’s place after marriage
II) Answer the following questions in one sentence each :
1.
What is the girl always told by her parents?
2.
What became a thought of everyday for the poet?
3.
What makes a girl feel insecure at the parent’s house?
4.
When did the girl think that her search was over?
216
5.
Why did the girl think that she was wrong?
6.
Why did the girl hate to be a daughter?
7.
Who have praised the virtue ‘detachment’?
III) Answer the following questions in 3 to 4 sentences each.
1.
State the reasons for a girl’s/daughter’s insecure feelings.
2.
What does the girl learn after her marriage?
3.
Why does the girl think that her being a girl is an additional gift? Is it a
sarcastic remark? Why?
4.
Describe the process of ‘displacement’?
15.3
I
Key to Self – Check Exercises :
1.
(c) permanent home.
2.
(d) manners virtues.
3.
(a) The thought that it is not her house.
4.
(c) a virtue of detachment.
5.
(d) girl’s going to her husband’s place after marriage.
II
1.
The girl is often told by her parents that she must learn some more manners and
be virtuous.
2.
The thought occurred to her everyday that she had to leave father’s house one
day.
3.
The girl feels insecure at the parents house because she knows that it is not her
permanent house.
4.
When the girl in the poem got married and left for the husband’s house, she
thought that her search was over.
5.
But the girl realizes her mistake because the husband’s house is not her house,
and she has to obey stern and strict rules.
6.
She hated to be a daughter because at the father’s house she had to follow
conventions and order.
7.
The virtue of detachment is praised by Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and the sages.
217
III.
1.
A girl, as a daughter, feels insecure because she is often told by the parents that
she must one day get married and leave her father’s house. She is expected to
learn more manners and conventions. She realizes that her stay in father’s house
is only temporary.
2.
After her marriage, the girl realizes that her husband’s house is also not her
house. Here she has to obey more strict rules and conventions. Her search for a
permanent house or her own house is defeated.
3.
The speaker in the poem sarcastically says that her birth as a daughter was a gift.
She is sarcastic because she is being displaced. She has no house of her own.
Life has taught her to be detached. This detachment she learns is a virtue praised
by Gods like Shiva and Krishna and all the sages. A girl has to cultivate this
detachment because is her fate.
4.
The life a girl is the process of displacement. As a daughter she is reminded that
she must learn more manners, because one day she will have to go to her
husband’s house. This constant reminder starts the process of being displaced.
This displacement does not end with marriage. Her husband’s house is not her
house. She has to observe discipline and decorum of a new house.
15.4 Summary :
The theme of the poem is the feeling of displacement a girl feels because she is
all the time reminded that she has to leave home one day on her marriage. In her
father’s house, she is told to learn manners, cultivate virtues because she has to go to
the father-in-law’s house. She does not feel that she has a permanent home of herself.
Even after the marriage, it is her husband’s house, with different rules, and customs.
She learns to be detached, never to feel attachment to any house. The speaker in the
poem sarcastically says that she experiences detachment which gods like Shiva and
Krishna, as well as sages appreciate. This virtue of detachment is a divine virtue
given only to the girls.
218
15.5
Further Exercises :
Write short notes on the following :
1)
Theme of the poem.
2)
Image of a daughter reflected in the poem.
3)
Comment on Virtue in the last stanza.
Vocabulary Exercises :
a)
Choose the alternative which gives correct meaning of the underlined
words/phrases in the following sentences :
1)
Politics used to be perquisite of the property-owning classes.
a)
2)
privilege
d)
precondition
surprising
b)
sudden
c)
feeling
d)
c)
involvement d)
short lived
coolness
b)
impartiality
aloofness
claimed
b)
declared
c)
offered
d)
decided
literature d)
thought
She is always spreading the feminist gospel.
a)
b)
c)
Mahatma Gandhi, time and again professed non-violence as the greatest
virtue in human-life.
a)
5)
emolument
She has an air of detachment.
a)
4)
b)
The evanescent sensex boom in Indian Economy is quickly followed by
recession.
a)
3)
bonus
ideas and principles
b)
religion c)
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of words underlined
as instructed in the brackets
1.
He hates being a low-paid worker. (use a noun)
2.
Mother wants her daughter to have virtues. (use adjective)
3.
She has a longing for career as an officer. (use a verb)
4.
The boy is very much attached to his grandmother. (use a noun)
5.
She has learnt to be detached in her husband’s house. (use a noun)
219
c)
Use the following idioms/phrases in the sentences of your own.
Being – at – home, maintain decorum, long for
15.6
Writing acitivity
Write a paragraph on the following topics :
1.
Status of Indian woman in public life.
2.
Unequal treatment to a girl at home.
3.
Marriage as an experience of displacement for a girl.
220