Improve Your English – 217 [Archives:2004/700/Education]

Dr. Ramakanta Sahu
I. What to Say
Situations and Expressions (60):
Good wishes for success in exam (I)

Exam marks the culmination of a long process of hard study coupled with sustained efforts to achieve academic excellence. It, therefore, assumes a great significance for students. It provides a precious outlet for them to demonstrate the best of the knowledge and skill they have acquired through diligent study. It also offers an invaluable opportunity for them to scale greater heights of success.
As our countless young friends would at present be bracing themselves to confront yet another exam ordeal at the end of the first semester of this academic year, we present below a bouquet of good wishes for their spectacular success in the exams ahead. May Allah, the most Merciful and the most Compassionate, bestow upon all of them His choicest blessings in the form of physical strength, mental stamina and, above all, an unconquerable will to give a good account of themselves.

– Wishing you success in your exams. This brings more wishes than you could guess for the best of luck and much success. Tons of good luck and good wishes be with you. Now all that is required from you is hard work!
– Best wishes for success in your exams. “The bud of knowledge is seeking the truth the blossom of truth is finding wisdom'. May you dedicate yourself to reach whatever goals you aim for. May you welcome every challenge as an opportunity. May you find in each new day a chance to build a better future.
– All the best for your exams. Make sure you work hard with lots of determination.
– To wish you every success, as you take exam. Hard work and determination, that's what it takes to reach the heights of success. And because you have all these things, it's a pleasure to wish you good luck and success in your exam. Best wishes always.
– Opportunities present themselves and it's the lucky ones who spot them instantly. May you overcome whatever obstacles come in your way and may you fulfill the goals you cherish in your heart and reach out to be the best. Wishing you success and all the happiness that goes with it.
– Hope you've flying success in your exams. Spread your wings and go on to achieve spectacular success. Add another colored feather in your cap.
– Life simply means to go ahead each day courageously, and face the challenges that may come your way. Scores of best wishes come just for you to wish you achieve your hopes and dreams. Best wishes.
– For your exam. We shape our tomorrows from hopes of today. And as you take your exam, here's wishing you all the luck in the world and hope you'll pass out with flying colors and reach your special goal. With wishes for your continued success.

II. How to say it correctly
Correct errors, if any, in the following sentences
1. Most children remain at school at the age of six and sixteen.
2. He avenged on the enemy for the murder.
3. The Yemen Times has the largest circulation of any newspaper in English in Yemen.
4. The thief was arrested and his pockets searched.
5. The patient will die before the doctor comes.

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. If he apologizes, he will be excused.
2. I shall be happy, if you tell me the truth.
3. Much of your success and prosperity in life depends on your sincere efforts.
4. Many a man has fallen a victim to temptation.
5. I who am a teacher lead a simple life.

III. Increase Your Word Power
A. How to express it in one word.
1. Members of a groups, tribe, etc, that has lived in a place from the earliest times.
2. The science of sound.
3. A statement made on oath.
4. One who is able to use the left hand as well as the right.
5. The plea that a person charged with a crime was else where when it was committed.

Suggested answer to last week's questions
1. That which cannot be conquered: unconquerable; invincible (adj.)
2. That which cannot be wounded: invulnerable (adj.)
3. That which cannot be believed: incredible (adj.)
4. That which can easily be set on fire: inflammable (adj.)
5. That which cannot be avoided: unavoidable; inescapable; inevitable (adj.)
6. That which cannot be expressed in words: inexpressible (adj.)

(B) Foreign phrases and Idioms
Give the sources of origin and the meaning of the following:
1. Exceptio confirmat (probat) regulam
2 . fade 3. Fait accompli.
4. fenome 5. gens de letters.

Suggested answers to last weeks questions
1. etranger (Fr.): stranger, a foreigner.
2. et tu Brute! (Lat.): You, too, Brutus! (Caesar's exclamation when he saw his much loved Brutus amongst his murderers.).
3. euge! (Lat.): Well done!
4. eureka! ( Gk.) :I have found it!
5. excelsior (Lat.): Higher.

(C) Words commonly confused
Bring out differences in meaning of the following pairs of words.
1. conspectus, prospectus. 2. evoke, provoke
3 impair, injure 4. attachment, affinity
5.wrong, wrongful.

Suggested answers to last week's questions.
1. fair (adj.) (acting in a just and honourable manner): We should be fair in our perceptions of and perspectives on people and things.
fare (vi.) (progress; get on): How did you fare in the exam?
2 pain (vt.) (cause suffering of mind or body): You shouldn't pain others by your words or deeds.
pane (n.) (single sheet of glass in a window): The new window pane was broken when it was hit by a cricket ball.
3 soul (n.) (the non -material part of the human body, believed to exist for ever): Philosophers believe in the transmigration of the soul.
sole (adj.) (one and only): Rash driving was the sole cause of the accident.
4. main (adj.) (chief): Ramadan is one of the main festivals in Yemen
mane (n.) (long hair on the neck of a horse, lion, etc.): The mane of the lion enhances its beauty.
5. read (vt.) (look at and be able to understand something): I can read your thoughts from your expression.
reed (n.) (part of a wind -instrument that vibrates to produce sound): She is moving her fingers gently on the reeds of the bassoon.

(D) Idioms and phrases
Illustrate the meaning of the following phrases in sentences.
1. to blow one's own trumpet
2. a bolt from the blue 3. to beat black and blue
4. to cast an aspersion 5. to change hands.

Suggested answers to last week's questions.
1. bad blood (a feeling of enmity): There is a lot of bad blood between the two former friends.
2. a book – worm (one who is very fond of reading books): A book-worm as he is, he has hardly any time for family and friends.
3. a fair-weather friend (a friend only during the time of prosperity): If you spend money, it's small wonder that you will be surrounded by many fair-weather friends.
4. to add fuel to the fire (to aggravate the matter): Hard labour coupled with his weak constitution added fuel to the fire and ruined his health.
6. to be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth (to be born and brought up in a wealthy family): She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth; so she finds it hard to understand the misery of the poor.

IV. Grammar and Composition
(A) Grammar
1. Complete the following sentences using one of the sentence types given below
a) You still haven't told me.
b) You've already told me.
c) You haven't told me yet.

Remember: Sentences a and c have almost the same meaning. But a is slightly stronger in meaning and emphatic than c.
1. Could you please do your homework now because you ____
2. Please don't show me the letter again because you
3. We've been waiting for the tickets for two weeks but they ___
4. Could I keep the book for another few days because you've _
5. I've asked him three times to lay the table but he _
7. I'm not going to write to him again, I ________
8. Unfortunately, when I reached the station the train _______

Suggested answers to last week's questions.
The words that do not belong in each list are given in italics
1. dash stroll race hurry
2. vicious cruel violent tender
3. gentle stern harsh severe
4. simple stupid cunning foolish
5. reluctant unwilling hesitant eager
6. ruthless merciful fierce hard -hearted
7. sturdy fragile delicate breakable
8. upset trouble hurt carefree
9. innocent suspicious blameless honest
10. furious surprised mad angry.

(B) Composition: Paragraph Writing
Expand the central idea contained in the saying
49. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

Last week's topic:
48. Barking dogs seldom bite
People lacking in substance make a lot of noise about themselves. Such pompous and self-conceited people boast of their power, position and influence. They employ all possible means to impress others and leave no stones unturned to emphasize their importance. They don't hesitate to exaggerate whatever little they may have which is blown out of proportion to hoodwink others. This is only a ploy to conceal hollowness, lack of substance, and is born out of a feeling of inferiority. Conversely, men of learning, wisdom or means are reserved. They don't show themselves off or blow their own trumpet in order to achieve self-promotion or self-glorification unlike the vainglorious bombasts who believe in their self-proclaimed greatness. As a matter of fact, their humility and modesty speak volumes about their worth or merit. Their deeds are louder than their words.

V. Pearls from the Holy Quran
” And Allah hath full Knowledge about your faith.”
S.4A.25.

VI. Words of Wisdom
“Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood.”)Julia Roberts
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