Review of passives
Look back on the exercises in this Unit. Discuss why the passive is used in each of these different circumstances.
Can you think of any other times when it is best to use the passive?
The passive is used in the following circumstances:
1. The originator {doer) of the action is considered less important than the action itself. In other words, when the action is to be given more importance or is to be highlighted, we use passive voice.
2. We do not want to identify the originator (doer) of the action eg, (in the sentence Oranges are grown in Morocco.)
3. It is not necessary, relevant and not helpful to mention the originator {doer) of the action. For example, in the headline Terrorists Arrested mentioning the Police is irrelevant as it is implied or understood.
This is especially useful when we want to be brief and eyecatching as in headlines, and notices etc.
4. We have to be more objective in a statement. For example, instead of saying ‘I think the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful mausoleum in the world’ we suggest (in not writing ‘I think’) that it is generally thought to be so. This is effectively done in shifting from a subjective view (T think’) to the objective one by not adding ‘I think’.
5. We are writing in a formal and academic style eg, reports of scientific experiments or of meetings etc. In writing these, the emphasis is merely on the facts etc. Therefore, these are to be as neutral and objective as possible. Repeating or mentioning the originator or the doer in them would look foolish.’
6. It is not known about the originator or the doer of the action eg, when a crime has been committed.
7. We want to describe events and actions from a single point of view eg, the report of Inspector Narayan.
(b) The other times when the passive is used are when a commentary is broadcast eg, of the Republic Day Parade etc.
a) This is the other word for trembling
(b) This is used for smile
(c) You call a person this if he/she has pale gold coloured hair.
(d) This is a quality which relates to high energy and noise
(e) This is related to dancing or moving in a way that involves shaking your hips and shoulders
(f) This is to express a tendency to show violent and wild behaviour often causing damage
(g) We use it for a condition which is serious, uncertain and dangerous
(h) This is a state in which one is forced to stay in a closed space
(i) This is a medical condition involving bleeding in the brain
(j) It is a loud, deep shout to show anger.
(k) This is a condition when the rope or leash is stretched tightly
Answer the following question briefly.
John is a hypocrite. Do you agree with this statement? Substantiate your answer.
Answer the following questions:
With many a curve my banks I fret’—What does the poet mean by this statement?
What according to you are the stages of a person's life? What characteristics
would you associate with each stage? (e.g., childhood: innocence, joy
On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following question
by ticking the correct choice.
The conscience of the speaker pricks her as she has__________.
Answer the following question.
Give an appropriate proverb that conveys the message that this poem carries.
The poet draws conclusions about the family without having met them. He does this in lines such as :
Something went wrong, says the empty house
in the weed-choked yard ...
This is a style of English that is very suitable for a poem. But in ordinary speech or writing we use expressions such as :
|
So it is Therefore it is |
probable likely possible |
that |
| It |
seems appears |
that....... | because..... |
| This suggests that ... |
For example, we could say :
• There are large shoes in the farmhouse. So it is likely that the farmer was a big man.
• It seems that they had a child, because there is a sandbox made from a tractor tyre.
• The kitchen shelves were covered with oil cloth. This suggests that a woman lived in the farmhouse.
Make other sentences like this, using ideas from the poem.
Complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play using the clues given in the box below. Remember that there are more clues given than required.
sell, buying, house, enthusiastic, comes, 200 thousand francs, taking, favour, get, sleeps, money, 300 thousand francs, unhappy, in-laws, walks in strikes, keep
Juliette, the owner of a Villa wants to ____________ it as she is in need of _____________. Moreover, she is not in _____________ of the house. Jeanne and Gaston, a couple visit her with the aim of _____________ the Villa. While Jeanne is __________ about buying, Gaston detests the idea as he does not want his
___________ in that house. Also, he finds the asking price of ____________ to be expensive. When Jeanne and Juliette go around the house, another customer ____________and starts talking to Gaston ___________him to be Juliette's husband. Gaston ____________ a deal with the customer by which he is able to give ____________ to the owner and _______________ one thousand francs for himself.
Look at the verbs in the box and put them in the correct columns in the table that follows
|
believe wish see belong |
hate own regret measure |
know understand forget touch |
weigh prefer hear
|
smell find imagine
|
think cost remember
|
suppose like taste
|
| thought | emotion | possession | perception (often used with can) | measurement |
Some verbs, like the ones mentioned above, are not normally used in the continuous (- ing) form. However, we do sometimes use such verbs in the continuous form. Look at the following examples.
1. “I can’t concentrate on my work because I’m thinking about that beautiful scene.”
2. “I think it is beautiful.”
Choose three ‘since’ expressions and three ‘for’ expressions from the table above. Then write six sentences using the pattern in the box below.
I haven’t seen him since the day before yesterday.
I have not seen him for ages.
Now that you have seen some techniques for creating vivid images with language, try to compose a poem or write a short descriptive paragraph using similes and colourful expressions. Work in pairs if you prefer. Then read it out to the class.
Choose one of these themes: waves, stars and moon, rocks, sunset or sunrise.
Consider the following for your chosen theme:
• What does it look like?
• What does it feel like?
• What does it sound like?
• How does it move?
• Where do we see it?
• When do we see it?
In Units 1 and 2 you learnt and practised the skill of deducing the meanings of new words by using other words in the given context. Now use that skill to deduce the meanings of words in the article you have read. Here is an example.
(a) They are solitary creatures with the exception of the mothers and calves and breeding pairs, although they sometimes congregate at bathing places.
Deduce the meanings of the following words from the passage you have just read, using other words in the context to help you. Copy and complete the following :
| Word | Words/clues that helped me | what I think the word means | what the dictionary says | were you (✓) (tick mark) or (x) |
| confined | ||||
| ranged | ||||
| overlapping | ||||
| bobbing | ||||
| olfactory | ||||
| aggregation | ||||
| plummeting | ||||
| mortality | ||||
| vulnerable | ||||
| poached |
The residents of Kanpur decide to approach the Chairman of the Municipal Steps which can be taken problem of pollution in their city. In groups of six, play the role of the following : (Cue cards may be given by the teacher)
• A farmer
• An environmentalist
• Chairman of the Municipal Corporation
• President of 'Save the Ganga Project'
• A Human rights activist
In pairs discuss the qualities and characteristics of the tiger and man. Complete the web charts. 
Fill in the blanks :
1. The next generation is not likely to see the tiger because of _________________________
2. ________________ laws against poachers must be enforced.
3. The responsibility of protection of the tiger lies with the ___________________
4. One of the reasons for Tiger becoming extinct is _______________
5. Destroying nature means ________________
6. ___________________ , ________________ ,and _______________ are different types of tigers.
7. ______________ is a wild life conservation project.
8. Tigers are found in the evergreen and monsoon forests of the ______________
9. Though tigers are mostly nocturnal, __________ species may also be active during the day.
10. The body length of the tiger is _______________ cm.
Will and Shall
Look at this cartoon which shows the difference in the use of present continuous and will to express the future.
It’s Mike’s birthday on January 2nd.
As a class, you will need to follow these steps
a. Decide the length of your programme
b. Select two lively presenters whose job is to:
• discuss and agree with other students on their proposals for the programme.
• fix the duration of each item.
• ensure that the programme has enough variety of content.
• decide the sequence of items.
• supervise the script for each item.
• present the programme in a lively manner.
Now enjoy performing/ watching the show.
Write what each symbol means using can, can’t, must, mustn’t.
Allen of MES Indian school has been asked to interview the Minister for Environment and Forests about the world's first zero - carbon city. Here is an extract of the taped interview. Write a short report in the given space.
Allen : It’s remarkable! A city of fifty thousand people and no cars!
Minister : I agree with you. Masdar city in Abu Dhabi will be the world’s first zero- carbon city.
Allen : How will you achieve this?
Minister : Our city will soon run entirely on renewable energy, including solar panels to trap the abundant resources offered by the desert sun.
Allen : So, you will be a shining model for other Governments. Congratulations, Sir.
Minister : Thank you. We are investing in our future. You may wonder how people would go about the city, don’t you?
Allen : I have wondered about it, Sir.
Minister : Our futuristic city will have people moving about in automated pods.
Allen : It’s unbelievable. Forgive me if I find it so fantastic.
Minister : Our Government assures you that this unique city will be ready for people to settle in by 2015. It will have a light railway line, transport pods and no carbon footprints.
Allen : We need air conditioners, don’t we? It’s impossible to live without them here.
Minister : Masdar city will take full advantage of the sea breezes. The city will have a perimeter wall that will protect it from the hot air.
Allen : I wish other countries could plan their expansion in this way.
Minister : In addition to what I have mentioned earlier, the city will be protected from the noise of the nearby Abu Dhabi Airport.
Uae plans futuristic city
by Allen Kuwana
The Zero-Carbon City Project, initiated by the government of the United Arab Emirates, is a milestone in mankind’s efforts to save its planet from the ravages of climate change. The Minister for Environment and Forests, Abu Dhabi, assures our readers that __________________
Work in pairs. Put one pencil on a point on the map where you live, and put another pencil on any other point. Ask your partner to tell the direction for getting to your house.
Prepositions of time
| after | at | before | between |
| by | during | for | from |
| on | past | since | throughout |
| to | towards | until | within |
