Improve Your English – 230 [Archives:2004/726/Education]
Dr. Ramakanta Sahu
I. What to Say
Situations and Expressions (64)
Wedding wishes (IV)
Marriage of true minds is a golden threshold that opens up a rich treasure-trove of promises and possibilities. It leads both the bride and the groom from 'being' to 'becoming'. Life's highway is not always smooth. It is fraught with troubles and setbacks which require an uncompromising vigor and vitality to surmount all the odds which is possible only by a perfect partnership.
– On your wedding day, may love and gladness fill your hearts and light this special day, adding tender beauty to the sacred vows you say, shining through each moment like the warmth of the morning sun and stay within your hearts to bless the life you've just begun. Congratulations and warmest wishes.
– As you celebrate your wedding, wishing you a very happy and blessed married life. As you tie the knot, just believe in each other and expect the very best. And because life is an endless journey of joys and sorrows, may you find each other's hand firmly clasped and may together in love you learn, grow and pass life's every test. Happy wedding day.
– On your wedding day, wishing you both, a lot of affection, sweet moments that make this a day of perfection – a day to remember and lovingly treasure through a wonderful life time of joy beyond measure! Congrats and best wishes.
– May your wedding day be only the beginning, of a life filled with happiness and love that grows deeper as each dream comes true.
– May your wedding day be filled with happiness and pleasure. A day with many moments to treasure. Congratulations.
II. How to Say it Correctly
Correct errors, if any, in the following sentences
1. It is unfortunate that he is bent to do evil.
2. Many a battle were fought on the soil of India.
3. I am too glad to see you.
4. The master as well as his servants were fast asleep.
5. I shall reach the station before the train arrives.
Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. Reading books gives us at once profit and pleasure.
2. The old building has been converted to an old age home.
3. Both India and Pakistan want to have a good game of cricket.
4. No sooner did the teacher enter the class than the students greeted her.
5. Take care of your son, lest he should fall in bad company.
III. Increase Your Word Power
(A) How to express it in one word
1. The art of spelling words correctly.
2. Science of languages.
3. Science of diseases.
4. Art of postage stamp collecting.
5. Study of vocal, natural sounds.
Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. One who has a total rejection of current religious and moral beliefs: iconoclast (n)
2. The study of coins and medals: numismatics (n)
3. System of naming and classifying: nomenclature (n)
4. Government by a few: oligarchy (n)
5. Science of the study of birds: ornithology (n)
(B) Foreign words and expressions
1. holophrasis
2. hubris
3. hybrid
4. hymn
5. hyperbole
Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. hermeneutics (Gk 'hermeneus' meaning 'an interpreter'): In Christian theology hermeneutics is the finding and interpretation of the spiritual truth in the Bible.
2. heteroglossia (Gk. 'hetero', meaning 'other, different' + 'glossa, glotta', meaning tongue). The term describes the variety and diversity of languages used in epic and in the novel.
3. heteronym (Gk. 'other name'): A term that denotes a kind of creative 'alter ego': a separate character and personality who produced poetry and prose.
4. hexameter (Gk. 'of six feet'): A metrical line of six feet.
5. holograph (Gk. 'entire writing'): A manuscript or letter written entirely by the person in whose name it appears.
(C) Words commonly confused
Bring our differences in meaning of the following pairs of words
1. roll, role, rule
2. sail, sale, sell
3. suit, suite
4. steal, steel, still
5. tenor, tenure
Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. official (adj) (said, done with authority): One shouldn't misuse one's official position for personal gains.
officious (adj) (too eager to use authority): Don't be officious to your subordinates.
2. euphuism (n) (a peculiar style of literature which was fashionable in the 16th and 17th centuries): Euphuism was a common trend in the 17th century literature.
euphemism (n) (use of milder or less blunt words in place of words required): 'Pass away' is a euphemism for 'die'.
3. euphony (n) (pleasantness of sound): The orator's speech was marked by euphony.
cacophony (n) (discordant sound): What a cacophony in the name of music!
4. blush (vi) (become red in the face): I blush for you because of what you have done.
brush (vt) (use a brush to clean or polish): Let me brush up the book shelf.
5. past (adv) (beyond in space): I walked past the hospital.
pest (n) (destructive thing, animal, etc.): Stricter measures are necessary for pest control.
(D) Idioms and Phrases
Bring out the meanings of the following in illustrative sentences
1. utopian scheme
2. to throw mud at
3. to take French leave
4. through thick and thin
5. spick and span
Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. to while away (to spend time unprofitably): You should utilize the time you while away in idle gossip.
2. yearn for (to long for): The modern youth yearn for a life of physical comfort.
3. yeoman's service (very important work done): The United Nations is rendering yeoman's service in forging peace in the world.
4. to tax one's patience (to test one's patience): By talking in such an outrageous manner, you are taxing my patience.
5. ups and downs (good and bad period): Everyone faces ups and downs in life.
IV. Grammar and Composition
(A) Grammar
Put the sentences, which are in wrong order, in the right order
A. 'I shan't take one', said Basham. 'I don't think it will rain.'
B. 'I think it's going to rain,' said Ramzy
C. 'You will get wet if it rains,' said Ramzy.
D. 'No, I won't,' said Basham. 'I shall borrow yours!'
E. 'Yes,' said Hayaf. 'Let's take our umbrellas'
Suggested answers to last week's questions
My darling,
I miss being with you so much. I know I ought to enjoy traveling through Europe with my parents, but I just can't help thinking about you all the time. I know they want me to be happy, but I just feel like coming home to you. I have considered telling them what the matter is, but I don't want to risk making them angry, because they've tried so hard to make me happy.
Tomorrow we have decided to go to Rome and then we're planning to visit Venice for a few days. After that we've arranged to stay in France for a couple of weeks, but I hope getting back before the end of the month.
I promise to write to you every day. I'm looking forward to seeing you again so much that you wouldn't believe it.
I miss you,
Love,
J.
(B) Composition: Paragraph writing
Expand the idea contained in the maxim:
61: Fame is the last infirmity
of a noble mind
Last week's topic
60: Failure is the pillar of success
Failures, setbacks in life can not dampen the undaunted spirit and the unconquerable will of men of action. On the other hand, they take failure as a challenge and swing to action with yet stronger zeal and enthusiasm. Most men who have achieved success in various fields of human endeavor have done so by dynamics of a forceful personality that takes failure with a stride. They march ahead unruffled by the setbacks which they take as a temporary phenomenon and do not stop till the goal is reached. They are endowed with a positive attitude and constructive outlook and know how to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. They strive, seek find and never yield. Consequently, failures instead of throwing cold waters on their spirit, gives them the fillip, the irrepressible urge to achieve the goal, eventually leading to success. All the great inventions and discoveries in the world bear eloquent testimony to man's perseverant quest which ultimately lead to conquest.
V. Pearls from the Holy Quran
” Allah loveth not
One given to perfidy
And sin.”
S4:A107
VI. Words of Wisdom
To burn always with this hard, gem-like flame, to maintain this ecstasy is success of life.”
)Walter Pater
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