The term irony refers to a discrepancy, or disagreement, of some sort. The
discrepancy can be between what someone says and what he or she really
means. on verbal irony. The discrepancy can be between a situation that one
would logically anticipate or that would seem appropriate and the situation that
actually develops or situational irony. The discrepancy can even be between the
facts known to a character and the facts known to us, the readers or audience or
dramatic irony.
Working in groups of four complete the following table. Find instances of irony from the play
and justify them.
| thought |
emotion |
possession |
perception (often used with can) |
measurement |
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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.”
- Which sentence expresses an activity in progress at the moment?
- Which sentence expresses a decided opinion?
Used to and Would
(A) Read the passage given below. Substitute ‘used to’ with ‘would’ wherever appropriate so that the passage reads better.
When I was a student, I used to visit the library frequently. The librarian was a kind man and he used to help me select my books. There used to be a small tea shop near the library. After spending a few hours in the reading room of the library, 1 used to go to this tea shop to meet my friends. There used to be an old waiter who kept a corner table reserved for us.
Could you replace ‘used to’ with ‘would’ in every instance?
No. This is because they are used differently.
Read the passage again and complete the sentences below.
1. ‘used to’ is used to describe _______ in the present as well as situations that existed in the past.
2. ‘would’ is used to describe only _______ in the past.
(B) Think of the days when you were eight years old. Write down four or five things you would do or used to do or be. Make sentences like those in the box. Share your experiences with your partner.
2. water
3. Effects of pollution
There is sometimes more than one sensible combination as in the example.
Look at the notes below. Then use the information to complete the paragraph by choosing a suitable word or phrase in each space. Do not add any new information. The first one has been done for you as an example.
Galapagos Islands
Visitors to these Pacific Islands – leave – unstamped – mail them – return home – picture post-cards – show up – since 1960s – self perpetuating post office probably set up – to get news from their family, friends – tradition persisted – post office – establish – 1950s – barrel – replace – many times – weather worn plaques remain.
Tradition has it that visitors to these Pacific Islands (a) leave unstamped, addressed postcards and letters in a barrel at Post Office Bay, to await pick up by other tourists who affix postage and (b) __________ when they return home. Picture post-cards (c) __________ in the barrel since the late 1960s, when tourists began visiting the Galapagos Islands. The self- perpetuating post office (d) __________by whalers in the late 1790s as a way to get news to and from friends and family. The tradition persisted even after a post office (e) __________on the island of Floreana in the 1950s. The barrel (f) __________ many times, but weather worn plaques, where sailors long ago and from far away carved their names, remain.
Do you see any difference in the following sentences?
(a) You can use a ruler to dig holes.
(b) You can use my ruler to dig holes.
(c) You can find a ruler in the study room.
Can is used to express permission, ability, and possibility in these sentences.
In sentence (a) can is used to express ________.
In sentence (b) can is used to express ________ and,
in sentence (c) can is used to express ________.
Can, could, may, might, will, would, must, ought to, shall, should are called Modal verbs.
WRITING A MYSTERY STORY
Mysteries can be divided into several categories. There are puzzling stories, detective I crime stories, and suspense stories. They all give the reader a chance to become involved in the solution of the story through clues and character descriptions.
Characters
Before you start to write, think about the characters you might put in your story.
• What will each character do?
• Why is he or she important to the story?
• In what ways are your characters alike?
• How are they different?
• What can your characters learn from each other?
• One last thing to remember: your characters don't always have to be human. If an animal plays a part in the story, that animal is a character, too
Setting
A story has to happen in a place.
• The setting might be a place you are familiar with.
• It might even be another planet!
• A setting doesn't even have to be a real place.
Details
• Use your Imagination.
• Details help readers understand how something looks, how it feels, how it sounds - even how something smells or tastes!
Plot
• Your characters have to DO something!
• What they do is the Plot of your story.
• To make the plot exciting add Situations.
Ending
• The Ending of a story is the solution to the conflict.
• Solve the problem, dilemma or conflict faced by the main character.
• Show that your main character has changed or grown in some way.
• Tie up all the loose ends. Readers shouldn't have to choose between several hinted endings.