Improve Your English – 265 [Archives:2005/816/Education]

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February 14 2005

Dr. Ramakanta Sahu
I. What to Say

Situations and expressions (76):

Job advertisement (II)

Language of ad is bound to be captivating in order to capture the consumers' attention and win their hearts. Especially when an organizer looks for the potential work force of the right ability, aptitude and attitude ,the ads need to be extremely apt and appropriate.

– Do you wish to make your dream come true while your friends sleep?

– Touch the future of Telecom with ))

– If you are looking for an environment with endless learning opportunities and best recompense, then be part of one of the finest institutes. Be part of the vibrant team of )-

– “My perks include developing self-confidence, self-esteem and discipline. I work for )-“

– Are you sure you are 'you'? If this be so, a leading group committed to aesthetics and modernity is looking for you or your clones who can make an impression of individuality.

– Want to kick start your career in banking? We are looking for graduates to aggressively promote competitive financial products of the bank.

II. How to Say it Correctly

Correct errors, if any, in the following sentences

1. He had hardly recovered from his illness than he had another heart attack.

2. Supposing if I give you a cheque how will you deposit it?

3. As he is generous, so he spends lavishly.

4. They had hardly gone a few yards that they met Rashid.

5. Unless you do not give up bad habits you will have to repent.

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

1. He parted with his friend due to ideological differences.

2. An honorable person prefers death to dishonor.

3. I introduced my friend to my neighbors.

4. She must be compensated for the loss suffered by her.

5. The milk was too hot to drink.

III. Increase Your Word Power

(A) How to express it in one word

1. To work on or talk about silly things.

2. Of a liquid to flow or fall out in drops little by little.

3. A short private road leading from the street to a house.

4. To rain in very small drops or very lightly.

5. Ready to fall asleep.

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

1. Written order for payment of money by a bank: draft (n)

2. To cause (someone) to feel weak after illness: drag down (vt)

3. A network of actions and methods for catching criminals: dragnet (n)

4. A very attractive person of the opposite sex: dream-boat (n)

5. A person fond of looking smart in fine clothes: dressy (adj)

(B) Synonyms and Antonyms

(i) Synonyms

Given below are some words followed by four answers. Mark the answer which is nearest to the meaning of the given word

1. chide

a. to make fun of b. to rebuke

c. to cheat d. to flatter

2. riddle

a. to entangle b. to question

c. to explain d. to fill with holes

3. stringent

a. shrinking b. long drawn-out

c. sarcastic d. severe

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

Word Synonym

1. deport to banish

2 alleviate to lessen

3. chauvinism blind patriotism

(ii) Antonyms

Given below are some words followed by four answers. Tick the answer which gives the opposite meaning of the given word.

1. adornment

a. blemish b. perfect c. sincere d. approve

2. refinement

a. spotless b. courage c. vulgarity d. poverty

3. optimism

a. dread b. despair c. abandon d. straight forward

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

Word Antonym

1. aggravate pacify

2. exhilaration despondery

3. pensive jubilant

(C ) Words commonly confused

Bring out differences in meaning of the following pairs of words

1. as, like

2. alibi, excuse

3. elapse, lapse

4. fruit, fruits

5. enough, sufficient

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

1. authentic (adj) (known to be true :an authentic book or document is one in which things stated are as they really happened): The certificate produced by the candidate was authentic.

genuine (adj) (true; really what it is said to be. A genuine book or document is one that is written or made out by the person whose name it bears. It is opposite of 'fake'): It is uncertain whether the book is genuine.

2. attempt (vt) (to make an effort to do something with some hope of success): He attempted to accomplish the difficult task.

try (vt) (to test by use and experience, but with greater uncertainty of result): I'm not sure of the outcome, but shall certainly try once.

3. cavalcade (n) (company or procession of persons on horseback or in carriages): The cavalcade in the ceremonial parade presented an interesting spectacle.

procession (n) (number of persons, vehicles, etc., moving forward in an orderly way): The marriage procession forced the traffic to come to a grinding halt.

4. forceful (adj) (full of force): The speaker presented a forceful argument.

forcible (adj) (involving the use of force): The police made a forcible entry into the building.

5. limit (n) (the farthest edge or point): You must observe the limits of decorum in your words and acts.

limitations (n) (disability or inability): I'm aware of my limitations.

(D ) Idioms and phrases

Use the following idioms in illustrative sentences

1. in the long run

2. play it safe

3. make (someone's) blood run cold

4. take the bull by horns

5. take one's life in one's hands

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

1. go in one ear and out the other (to make no impression): You have no mind to learn. That's why the lesson goes in one ear and out the other.

2. like a lamb to the slaughter (meeting danger or difficulty quietly and without resistance): The murder accused went to the execution ground like a lamb to the slaughter.

3. bring home the bacon (earn enough money to support one's family): He went abroad for five years and brought home the bacon.

4. get lost (a rude way to telling someone to go away): 'I don't want to see your face. Get lost,' shouted the angry husband at the wife.

5. be behind bars (be in prison): The culprit was apprehended and is presently behind bars.

IV. Grammar and Composition

(A) Grammar

Match what the speaker is doing in sentences 1-10 with the ways of talking below

suggesting, repeating, threatening, denying, claiming, warning, replying, admitting, promising, advising

1. I'm fine, thank you.

2. If you don't shut up, I'm going to hit you very hard.

3. Don't go too close to the dog – sometimes he bites.

4. I stole the money from the desk.

5. I had absolutely nothing to do with the robbery. I wasn't even in the country.

6. I won't ever forget you, and I'll write every day.

7. Why don't you go to the cinema this evening?

8. As I said before, I think you're making a mistake.

9. There's definitely a ghost here – I've seen it with my own eyes.

10. I think that if I were in your position, I would talk to her and tell her exactly how you feel.

Suggested answers to the previous week's questions

1. I'm afraid my salary leaves me little money to spend on entertainment.

2. Fortunately I have made very few/a few good friends since I came to live here.

3. I find little time for reading.

4. There are a few/very few jobs available in this area.

5. Few people came to the meeting.

6. There was a very little turn out of supporters at the football tournament.

7. You've been eating biscuits again. There are very few biscuits in the tin!

(B) Composition

Expand the idea contained in the maxim

89: One sparrow does

not make a winter

The previous week's topic

88: One is as young as one feels

Youth is not a mere phase in the course of one's physical growth and development. More so, it is a mental condition characterized by interest, enthusiasm, verve, vivacity, energy, dash and drive. It symbolizes a spirit of flamboyant intoxication and of triumphant stride.,It signals a time to go flashing from one end of the world to the other both in mind and body. Imbued by an unconquerable will , energized by an indomitable power and an irrepressible urge, youth is ,indeed,a metaphor for relentless exploration and expansion. As such, it has little to do with chronological or physical age because it is concerned with the typical mindset or mental make up. A person may be old in age but still young in mind or spirit if he is capable of displaying youthful exuberance and vigor,that is, if his inner springs of hope , aspirations and joy are alive. So there is no one -to- one correspondence between physical and mental age. Youth is a matter of attitude, perception or feelings, and is not dependent on chronological age.

V. Pearls from the Holy Quran

“Your (real) friends are (not

less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the Believers, – those who establish regular prayers and pay Zakat and bow down humbly (in worship).”

S5:A55

VI. Food for Thought

“We are one, after all, you and I. Together we suffer, together exist, and forever will recreate each other.”

)Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
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