Improve Your English – 242 [Archives:2004/750/Education]

Dr. Ramakanta Sahu
I. What to Say
Situations and Expressions (68)
Friendship Day (III)

Friendship is an invaluable treasure. It lends luster and glory to life. A friend is an asset of a life time and adds meaning to a person's worth. That is why it is said, a man is known by the company he keeps.

– A friend like you is a special gift to me, a delight to the eye and wrapped with affection. The essence of our friendship lies in your unbeatable faith in me, the way you synchronize your thoughts with mine and your utmost patience to lend me your ears and heed my problems. You are worth a million praises, my friend!
– Dear friend! You've always been there in my hours of need, setting a true example that 'A friend in need is a friend indeed'. I'm truly thankful for everything you've done for me.
– Friend1 I'll always stand by you. We find that we can handle any challenges life sends, if we rely on our inner strength and the help of caring friends.
– The way our friendship is growing suggests that we surely have a long way to go, friend!
– Nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile than a true, loyal friend and the warmth of a smile – for just like a sunbeam makes cloudy days brighter, the smile of a friend makes a heavy heart lighter. This is a warm and loving message for a special friend.
– You have made my days a lot more brighter and my burden seem lighter. You're really special for being all the wonderful things that make you a special friend. You surely deserve a lifetime, filled with joys that never end.

II. How to Say it Correctly
Correct errors, if any, in the following sentences
1. They are twins, but they are not at all like one another.
2. Have you seen either of those four boys?
3. Richard was beaten in the final because Tom had trained harder than him.
4. In the end it was me who solved the problem.
5. Politicians forget that it is us voters who have to pay.

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. There are reports that the university will close on 1 September but in fact the holidays will begin on 15 September.
2. We usually go on a picnic on the last day of December, but we are going on the New Year's Day this year. (omit 'definitely')
3. I was not aware that my colleagues knew it was my birthday, so it was a surprise to find a card on my desk. (omit 'actually' and 'real')
4. Basham is very well-organized and keeps his books all together.
5. He didn't seem altogether pleased when he heard the news.

III. Increase Your Word Power
1. Something that exists in or moves through air.
2. Science dealing with the forces exerted by air (or other gases) in motion.
3. Science of aviation.
4. Person who claims to have great love for and understanding of what is beautiful in nature.
5. Study of the cause of a disease.

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. Army officer who does office work for a superior officer: adjutant (n)
2. Officer in Command of a country's warships: admiral (n)
3. Period of life between childhood and maturity: adolescence (n)
4. Make impure or poorer in quality by adding something of less value: adulterate (vt)
5. An exciting or dangerous journey or activity: adventure (n)

(B) Words and phrases of foreign origin
Give the source of origin and meaning of the following:
1. orientalism 2. orismology 3. ottava rima
4. oxymoron 5. palaeography

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. officialese: A term coined by Sir Ernest Gowers in Plain Words (1948) to denote the pompous, abstract, euphemistic, polysyllabic periphrastic and circumlocutory language often used by officials, bureaucrats, politicians, sociologists, educationists and others. Ex: 'We are in receipt of your esteemed order of the 29th instant and beg to inform you that.
2. onomatopoeia (Gk. 'name-making'): The formation and use of words to imitate sounds. For example: 'ding-dong', 'crackle', 'whizz', 'zoom'.
3. opera (Lat. 'opera'): Dramatic composition with music.
4. opere citato (Lat. 'in the work cited'): Often abbreviated to op. cit. it refers to a book to which reference has already been made.
5. operetta (It. 'little opera'): A light drama consisting of musical interludes and spoken dialogues which are often satirical.

(C ) Words commonly confused
Bring out differences in meaning of the following pairs of words
1. respectable, respectful
2. re-dress, redress
3. ostensible, ostentatious
4. honorary, honorable
5. gracious, graceful

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. acquire (vt) (gain for oneself by skill or ability, by one's own efforts): He has acquired a reputation as an excellent classroom performer.
require (vt) (need): The situation in my family requires that I should be there with them.
2. arrogate (vt) (claim, assert): Please don't arrogate any motive to my words.
derogate (vi) (take away a merit, good quality, right, etc.): All his remarks were meant to derogate the honor enjoyed by the Minister.
3. visitors (n) (persons who visit): There are many summer visitors at the hill resort.
visitants (n) (a supernatural visitor): Angels and spirits are heavenly visitants.
4. strict (adj) (stern, demanding): The Dean of our Faculty is a strict disciplinarian.
severe (adj) (rigorous, violent): The police were quite severe with the thief.
5. timid (adj) (easily frightened): He is as timid as a rabbit.
coward (adj) (person who runs away from danger): He is a coward who cannot face his enemy boldly.

(D) Idioms and phrases
Use the following phrases in illustrative sentences
1. the die is cast
2. be with someone in spirit
3. put two and two together
4. loom large
5. have other fish to fry

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. give (someone) cold shoulder (to ignore someone deliberately): I got the shock of my life when my most intimate friend gave me cold shoulder.
2. put on your thinking cap (to think of a way to solve a problem): It is hightime you put on your thinking cap to evolve a remedy to the problem.
3. a leading light (an important person): Chomsky is a leading light in modern linguistics.
4. bag and baggage (with all one's belongings): The British colonialists left India bag and baggage.
5. donkey work (the difficult and unrewarding part of a task): The Head always wants me to do the donkey work for him.

IV. Grammar and Composition
(A) Grammar
Use the following notes to make sentences of your own using 'so' or 'such'
Remember: the noun comes before 'so' but after 'such (a)'
1. students / enthusiastic (so)
2. car / expensive (such)
3. rent / high (so)
4. city / crowded (such)
5. football players / good (so)
6. coffee / strong (so)
7. journey / long (such)
8. children / naughty (such)
9. film star / talented (so)
10. company / successful (so)

Suggested answers to last week's questions
1. The length of the stick was six feet.
2. She was in the same class as her cousin.
3. She had less money than her brother.
4. The police man made the men go away.

(B) Composition
Complete Majid Al Ali's letter of application using the following verbs:
contact discuss employed welcome involved apply enjoy notice advertised matches

Majid Al- Ali
Al Rakas Street
Hayel Street
Sana'a

The Cultural attache
Indian Embassy
Djibouti Street
Sana'a

Dear Mr. Krishna Kumar,
I am writing to )) for the position of Public Affairs Associate which was )) last week in Yemen Times.
Although I am presently )) by a non-profit making organization, it has always been my intention to work in an embassy. I would particularly )) the chance to work for your organization and as you will )) on my enclosed CV, the job you are offering )) both my personal and professional interests.
My work experience has familiarized me with many of the challenges )) in public relations today. I am sure that this, together with my understanding of the needs and expectations of your organization, would be extremely relevant to the position. Moreover, I am fluent in English and would definitely )) working in a professional environment.
I would be pleased to )) my CV with you in more detail at an interview. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to )) me if you require further information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your sincerely,
Majid Al Ali

V. Pearls from the Holy Quran
“Those who disdain His worship and are full of pride, He will gather them all together to answer to Him.”
S4: A172

VI. Words of Wisdom
” I count life just a stuff
To try the soul's strength on.”
)Robert Browning
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