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Title: english
Description: this notes enables student to have a good stand in English language.
Description: this notes enables student to have a good stand in English language.
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NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
COURSE CODE: GST 102
COURSE TITLE: USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION
SKILLS II
GST102
COURSE GUIDE
COURSE
GUIDE
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Course Team
Prof
...
A
...
A
...
I
...
edu
...
nou
...
ng
Published By:
National Open University of Nigeria
First Printed 2004
Reprinted 2014
ISBN 978-058-168-5
All Rights Reserved
iv
GST102
CONTENTS
COURSE GUIDE
PAGE
Introduction………………………………………………………
Course Aims………………………………………………………
...
Course Requirements………………………………………………
...
Study Units…………………………………………………………
...
Strategies for Studying the Course…………………………………
...
I hope you enjoyed studying the first
course GST101
...
I
promise greater enjoyment and reward as you study the second
component of the Use of English and Communication Skills
...
It provides vital
information regarding the structure and the demand of the course
...
GST101 is a pre-requisite to taking GST102
...
This course is to be
offered in the second semester for another fifteen weeks
...
The aims are to expose you to the functions and rules of
English in order that you may be able to communicate effectively using
the language in diverse social and academic settings
...
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
write topic sentences and attain coherence in written English;
develop paragraphs in a logical manner using English;
recognize and produce cause and effect types of paragraphs in
English;
(iv) write accurate formal letters;
(v)
present written reports in a coherent and accurate manner;
(vi) produce summaries of passages in a concise and effective
manner;
(vii) recognize and produce as accurately as possible, the English
vowels and consonants;
(viii) conduct interviews using the English medium;
198
GST102
(ix)
(x)
(xi)
MODULE 4
present seminar and conference papers;
deliver an effective public speech; and
recognize and operate the grammatical rules of English
accurately
...
You will also need to go
through the exercises in each of the units
...
At the end of each unit, you will be required to
submit written assignments for continuous assessment purposes
...
COURSE MATERIALS
The major course materials you will need for the course apart from the
usual pens, pencil and note-books are listed below:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Course Guide
Study units broken down into 20 units: ten units per credit
Tape recorder of your own
Audio and video cassettes of the spoken component of the course
Assessment file
Relevant textbooks, including the ones listed at the end of each
unit
...
The units are divided according to the relevant
language skills of writing, speaking, grammar and usage
...
In this file,
you will find details of work that you must submit to your tutor for
marking
...
You are expected to pass both the continuous
assessment and the final examinations
...
The tutor is expected to conduct tutorials and useful
discussion sessions with you and the other members at the study centre
...
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
The dates to finish the course and to present each assignment will be
announced to you later
...
200
GST102
MODULE 4
SUMMARY
This course guide is an overview of the course GST102: Use of English
and Communication Skills II
...
201
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
MAIN
COURSE
CONTENTS
PAGE
Module 1 …………………………………………………………… 1
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Module 2
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Writing Paragraphs: Topic Sentence and Coherence…
...
Development of Paragraphs: Cause and Effect and
Definitions…………………………………
...
Formal Letters: Complaints and Request……………
...
62
Writing Reports I: Reporting Events……………………
...
90
Writing Summaries I: Techniques of Summarizing……
...
… 136
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Letters and Sounds in English…………………………
English Vowels and Consonants………………………
Interviews……………………………………………
...
…
Public Speech Making…………………………
...
…… 198
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
202
Articles, Concord and Sentences……………
...
……… 208
Gerunds and Participles………………………
...
…………226
Modal Auxiliaries………………………………………
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Developing the Topic
3
...
4
Transitional Devices
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
Mastering
the art of writing a paragraph is essential to success in any form of
writing, whether it is a letter, a report, or a newspaper article, since all
longer pieces contain a series of related paragraphs
...
The division into paragraphs also prevent boredom as
it provides a physical break on the page
...
In unit 1, we shall discuss the organization of paragraphs
and the elements that make a good paragraph
...
To help you understand the paragraph given as examples, we have
provided a glossary at the end of each paragraph, as well as questions on
203
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
reading comprehension and vocabulary
...
2
...
We shall introduce you to the elements that go into the
organization of a good paragraph, such as:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
the topic sentence
the development of the topic
connection between the sentences
the use of transitional devises
...
3
...
1
The Topic Sentence
You already know that any longer piece of writing is divided into a
number of paragraphs
...
This idea or theme is called the topic of the paragraph
...
This topic sentence may be a
statement, a generalization or a problem
...
Very often there
may not be a topic sentence at all, but it may be implied within the
paragraph
...
Example 1: Topic Sentence at the Beginning
The vast majority of people, wherever they live and whatever their
occupation come in contact with animals in one way or another and
have to deal with them
...
Even the modern city
dweller meets animals
...
All over the world, among primitive tribes as well as in
the modern society, there are those who delight in the observation of
animals, and there is a growing awareness of the fact that sharing our
world with our fellow creatures is like traveling together – we enjoy
being surrounded by other beings who, like ourselves, are deeply
absorbed in the adventure of living
...
(From Niko Tinbergen (ed)
...
)
Glossary
contact (n):
quarry (n):
outwit:
city dweller:
roaches:
absorbed:
marvel (n):
affinity:
the condition of meeting or coming together
an animal or bird which is being hunted
win by being cleverer
...
informal word for ‘cockroaches’
...
wonder
...
Beginning a paragraph with a topic sentence helps both the writer and
the reader
...
Your reader will know
immediately what the paragraph is about because the opening sentence
states the central idea
...
2
...
Are animals always a source of pleasure for him? Which words
tell you that sometimes they are not?
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
Find two verbs meaning more or less the same as ‘take pleasure
(in)’
Find an adjective which is equivalent to ‘belonging to the earliest
stage of development’
...
2
...
Example 2: Topic Sentence at the End
In the year 1830, a French official unearthed, in the valley of the
Somme, strange implements of flint now recognized as weapons with
which the men of the Old Stone Age made war
...
Twenty years ago modern
Germans and modern Frenchmen fought again in that same valley for
that same price, with magnificent tools of death that killed ten thousand
men in a day
...
(Adapted from Will Durant: ‘why Men Fight’)
Glossary
unearthed:
implements:
flint:
Stone Age:
dug up
...
very hard gray stone
...
modest:
simple
...
Cro-Magnon man: prehistoric man, who lived in South-Western
Europe and used bone and stone implements
...
lusty battle:
energetic fighting
...
magnificent:
grand and powerful
...
): when is too certain to be questioned
...
The advantage in having it at the end is that all the
206
GST102
MODULE 4
sentences build up to this topic sentence and the conclusion becomes
more effective
...
What are the points of difference? Give two instances
...
’
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
The topic sentence of the paragraph below is hidden somewhere
within the paragraph
...
After
you have completed the exercise, you should check your answer with
that given at the end of the unit
...
Sheltered by its
mother, the growing infant gradually widens its contact with the outside
world
...
Nothing could be more important to the development of an infant
Indian langur than its relationship with its mother
...
Glossary
fasten her attentions upon it: fixes her mind on it by watching it or
listening to it
...
stumbling:
walking on unsteady feet
...
yank (n):
a sudden, sharp pull
...
ventures forth:
takes the risk of going forward
...
If you don’t find a topic sentence, state the main idea of the
paragraph in your own words
...
They
have moved mountains to make room for roads and cities
...
Once everyone cheered at the progress that man made in changing his
environment like this, but now many people are worried by the problems
that such changes can bring
...
Unfortunately, people did not realize that
much of the nourishing food for plants in the river would be trapped by
the dam, so the farmers’ crop would suffer
...
This means that the sea will become more salty and
fewer fish will be able to live in it
...
(From Govil, M
...
(eds
...
)
Glossary
dykes (n):
thick banks or walls built to control water
...
trapped:
held back, blocked
...
2
Developing the Topic
In order to develop the central theme of a paragraph, you have to
expand the idea contained in the topic sentence
...
to the
idea expressed in the topic sentence
...
If you read the paragraph given under example 1 again, you will notice
that this paragraph is developed mainly by adding examples
...
Topic Sentence: “The vast majority of people, wherever they
live and whatever their occupation, come in contact with animals
in one way or another and have to deal with them
...
Examples Given to Develop the Paragraph:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
the hunter
the farmer
the fisherman
the city dweller
...
Summing up: This is done by stating that there is a common
bond between man and other creatures
...
You will notice that this paragraph is
developed slightly
...
Somebody has calculated, for instance, that if all the eggs laid by
codfish were hatched and grew to maturity, the Atlantic would be
packed solid with codfish within six years
...
Only an infinitesimal fraction of all codfish eggs ever become
full-sized cod, and wastage among other fish is as great
...
(From Leonard Engels (ed
...
)
Glossary
circumstances:
conditions; the state of affairs
...
lavish:
plentiful
...
marine:
of the sea
...
codfish:
a large sea fish found in the North Atlantic Sea
...
maturity:
the state of being fully grown or developed
...
Analysis of the Paragraph
209
GST102
1
...
3
...
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Topic Statement: ‘Two main circumstances govern the
relationship of living things in the sea
...
Illustration: The example of the codfish
...
When you write a paragraph of your own, choose the topic and write
down all that you know about the topic
...
This will help you generate new ideas, and also give you
something concrete to work on
...
Only then will your paragraph have unity
...
This
exercise will help you understand the paragraph better
...
b
...
4
...
Find the opposites of:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
barrenness:
terrestrial:
very large:
2a
...
As you develop your paragraph, use only those points which will
support the topic sentence and leave out the rest
...
The secret of the Cockroach’s Survival
210
GST102
MODULE 4
Topic Sentence: The cockroach is one of the earth’s oldest creatures,
older than even the dinosaurs
...
3
...
In a coherent paragraph, the
writer takes the reader logically and smoothly from one idea to the next
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 8
The following sentences go together to form a complete paragraph but
they are in the wrong order
...
After you have done the exercise, you may check your answer with
that given by us at the end of the unit
...
This can easily be demonstrated by a simple experiment
...
This new route will differ from the old by exactly the angle that
the sun has shifted across the sky during the time the ant was
imprisoned
...
Glossary
211
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
former:
rapidly:
light-tight:
imprison:
rely:
3
...
very quickly
...
shut up in prison
...
Transitional Devices
Another technique which brings coherence in a paragraph is the use of
transitional devices between sentences
...
We shall give you an example of
what these transitional devices are and how they can be used
...
Example 4
Man has been able to spread across the earth so widely for four main
reasons
...
Secondly, he can cross any natural barriers such as deserts, oceans and
mountains
...
Most
important of all, he has developed culture; he has learned to make
clothes and build fires which allow him to live in climates where he
would otherwise perish
...
They too can move over unforested land
...
And they, too, can digest many kinds of food
...
Similarly, Macaques have done at least as well
...
(From Elmerl S
...
I
...
) The ‘Monkey’s Success in the
Trees’ in The Primates
...
)
Glossary
terrestrial:
barrier:
perish:
species:
baboon:
Macaque:
212
living on land
...
die; be completely destroyed
...
a large dog-like monkey found in Africa and South Asia
...
GST102
MODULE 4
As you have seen, transitional devices are like signposts in a paragraph
...
In example 4, the words/phrases firstly,
secondly, moreover, most important of all indicate the four main reasons
why man has been able to spread so widely across the earth
...
Too indicates that monkeys also share man’s characteristics
...
The following list includes other words and phrases that function as
transitional devices
...
Give examples:
for examples, for instance, specifically, as an
illustration
...
Express contrast: but, yet, still, however, nevertheless, on the
other hand
...
Indicate time:
now, later, meanwhile, since then, after that,
before that time
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 9
Read example 4 again and answer the following questions:
1
...
3
...
What is the most important reason making man to range so widely
across the earth?
What are the three characteristics that the monkey shares with man?
Monkeys cross natural barriers like rivers by swimming
...
Fill in the gaps by choosing the most appropriate words/phrases
from the list given below:
despite
however
also
yet
but
in the future
213
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Of all the sea’s possibilities for man’s future, the greatest may be its
promise of an important increase in the world’s food supply
...
(i)
...
(ii)
...
(iii)
...
(iv)
...
(v)
...
(vi)
...
Glossary
productive (adj
...
at the earliest stage of development
...
a type of shell-fish
...
any of various types of small ten-legged sea
animals
...
4
...
You are expected to keep on practising how to write topic
sentences
...
5
...
You will learn more about how to develop
paragraphs in the next unit
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Write the Topic Sentence for the following essay topics:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
214
Education should be free for all
...
The Food I like Best
...
To Err is Human
...
0
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Dutta, P
...
; Rao, G
...
; Aisha, Kwara and Others (2001)
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandi National Open
University
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
215
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
UNIT 2
DEVELOPMENT OF PARAGRAPHS:
ILLUSTRATION AND DESCRIPTION
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Illustration
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
In unit 1, we discussed the elements that made a good paragraph – the
topic sentence, development of the topic, thematic coherence, and the
use of transitional devices
...
In this unit, we shall help you to develop different kinds of paragraphs
...
The
different methods of paragraph development can be considered in terms
of two broad categories:
(i)
(ii)
those which stay strictly within the scope of the topic: e
...
illustration, descriptions, definition, as well as cause and effect,
and
techniques which involve a second topic: e
...
comparison and
contrast
...
There are no rules about the kind
of development to be adopted in any writing situation, although some
topics lend themselves more readily to certain kinds of development
than they do to others
...
216
GST102
2
...
3
...
1
Illustration
Giving examples is one of the easiest ways of developing a topic
...
He is also able to persuade the reader that the generalization is
correct because there are examples to support it
...
We often introduce examples or illustrations by using expressions like:
for example, for instance, an example, etc
...
Young birds
and young bats must be taught to fly
...
They never learn to swim
‘naturally’, the mother has to take them out under her flipper and show
them how
...
Older harvest mice build better nests than
beginners
...
Insects, indeed, seem to start life completely equipped with all necessary
reflexes, but even then the concept of ‘instinct’ seems to require some
modification, for they improve their talents with practice
...
[From Evens, B
...
) The Natural History of Nonsense
...
Knopf, Inc
...
): able to keep the temperature of the body rather
high whether the outside temperature is high or low
...
seal:
a large fish-eating animal living mostly on cool seacoasts
and floating ice
...
flipper:
a limb of certain large sea animals, with a flat edge used
for swimming
...
): highly skilled
...
equipped:
provided with what is necessary
...
For
example, you remove your finger on touching something
hot
...
g
...
modification: change
...
spinneret:
an organ of certain spiders which produces a silky thread
used in spinning a web
...
(Note
that the writer of the paragraph above does not merely list the
examples, but tells us in what way each of these animals is
helpless, the results of their helplessness and how they become
self-sufficient
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
This exercise will help you to understand how the paragraph has been
developed
...
Use
these words to fill in the blanks in the sentences given below:
Drowned
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
adept
incredibly
hindrance
deprived
Human babies are
...
Ram was
...
The black South Africans are being
...
A number of people get
...
Lack of money is a real
...
All these are illustrations used in the passage to develop the paragraphs
...
2
Description
You may never have to write descriptions which are complete in
themselves, but you may need to include descriptions in other pieces of
writing, e
...
personal letters, narratives, reports and travelogues
...
Since descriptions are concerned with detail, the larger and more precise
your vocabulary, the better your descriptive writing will be
...
219
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Example 2: Development of a Paragraph by Description
Of the more than 20 species of small whales, our 300-pound playboy is
identified by his gunmetal hide, his 8 to 12 foot length and his laughing
face
...
Though he suckles for about a year
and half, he begins to munch small squid at four months
...
This is also the source of his ‘voice’,
and he can vibrate it like a human lip
...
He hears through a
cushioned inner ear and periodic bone, and has the keenest auditory
sense of any animal
...
7 pounds, which in cell
count per cutic centimetre is the same as man’s
...
[Adapted from Scott, J
...
‘Pranksters of the Sea’ in Marvels and
Mysteries of the Animal World
...
]
Glossary
playboy:
wealthy young man who lives mainly for pleasure
(there it refers to the porpoise)
...
porpoise:
a large sea animal that swims about in groups
...
squid:
a small sea creature
...
): curved like the shape of the moon when it forms
less than half a circle
...
vibrate:
cause to shake continuously and rapidly with slight
movement that may often be felt or heard rather than
seen
...
cushioned:
provided with soft inner lining
...
auditory:
of hearing
...
potential: (Adj
...
IQ:
intelligence quotient
...
(100 represents the average
...
environment: surroundings
...
Notice the
way in which the writer has built up a picture of the porpoise
...
The rest of the
sentences add details to develop the subject
...
Most good descriptions follow this progression from the
general to the more specific
...
begin with the general appearance;
select such physical details as will support the description of
general appearance you have given in your first sentence;
describe each object by giving characteristics such as size, colour,
design, weight, and materials;
in some descriptions, especially of scenes and landscapes,
arrange your details in a definite order, such as near to far, high to
low, left to right, etc
...
Now, we would like to describe a familiar scene, let’s say
your room
...
Before you
write your paragraph, fill in the details in the following columns which
may help you arrange your points
...
…………………
...
…………………
...
…………………
...
…………………
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Reading Comprehension
Let’s read example 2 again
...
(i)
What phrases indicate that the writer has a positive attitude
towards the porpoise?
(ii)
The porpoise suckles for about:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
4 months
...
1½ years
...
Tick the right answer
...
(Fill in the blank)
...
as well as any other animal
...
voice
is
its
Tick the right answer
...
may be capable of being more intelligent than man
...
are less intelligent than man
...
In description, you should be conversant with the appropriate words to
use
...
Again, your description must follow some logical
222
GST102
MODULE 4
order
...
Indeed, the
work of a descriptive writing is to paint a picture of what to be described
in words
...
4
...
You need to practise this way of developing
paragraphs in your day-to-day writing
...
5
...
This is just the
beginning of paragraph development
...
The overall
aim of this exercise is to make you an effective writer
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Write a description of one major town or village you have ever lived in
or visited
...
7
...
Handa, U
...
Functional English: Writing Skills
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
223
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Olaofe, I
...
(1991)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing Co
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
224
GST102
MODULE 4
UNIT 3
DEVELOPMENT OF PARAGRAPHS: CAUSE
AND EFFECT AND DEFINITIONS
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Cause and Effect
3
...
3
Comparison and Contrast
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
I hope you have started developing
paragraphs in your academic studies, using this way of developing
paragraphs
...
You
will learn how to develop paragraphs using cause and effect and
definitions
...
This stresses the
importance of this unit to you
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
use cause and effect technique to develop paragraphs
analyse paragraphs containing cause and effect sentences
analyse paragraphs with definitions
apply the definition technique to the development of paragraphs
use comparison and contrast to develop paragraphs
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
225
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
We often have occasions in our lives to ask “Why did it happen?” or
“What will happen if
...
You may, for instance, want to know the cause of your poor
grades, or of a bus accident, or the effect or consequence of taking
drugs, deforestation, etc
...
For example, a
daughter rebelling against her father and leaving home may have an
apparent immediate cause, but there may also be a chain of causes going
back into the past
...
When you write, you can follow any of these patterns
...
You may trace a chain
of events in which A is the cause of B, which is the cause C, which
causes D, and so on
...
Usually your topic will determine it
...
If the reasons follow a logical
pattern i
...
, if the main event is caused by A, and A in turn by B, and B
by C, the organization is predetermined
...
Then, a good
strategy is to begin with the least important cause and conclude with the
most important
...
Example 1: Development of a Paragraph by Listing the Causes
Hills and mountains are slowly worn away over thousands of years by
the process of erosion
...
There
are several forces of erosion: glaciers which carry rocks weighing
thousands of tons; frost which causes small cracks on rock sides; strong
winds which wear away exposed rocks in deserts
...
Water carries
chemicals dissolved in it that soften rocks
...
Rainwater falling on hills runs onto
226
GST102
MODULE 4
streams and rivers and these carry the weathered rock away
...
(Adapted from Geography by Dougal Dixon, Franklin Watts Science
World)
Glossary
worn away: caused to disappear
...
glaciers:
masses of ice which move very slowly down on mountain
valley
...
Analysis of the Paragraph
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Topic sentence: “Hills and mountains are slowly worn away over
thousands of years by the process of erosion
...
(b)
Process of erosion by water
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
You have just read an analysis a paragraph which lists the causes of
erosion
...
Now, think of
your own life
...
Jot down your reasons
...
What are the various forces of erosion?
2
...
(i)
...
227
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
(iii)
...
(iv)
...
, which carry the (vi)
...
(b)
Effects
Effects or consequences can be handled in the same way as reasons or
causes
...
The paragraph may deal with only
a single effect or refer to several effects
...
Example 2:
Developing a Paragraph by Listing Effects
An earthquake strikes without warning
...
If it strikes a modern city, the damage it causes is as great as if
it has struck a primitive village
...
Underground railways are wrecked
...
Dams burst
...
Gaping crevices appear in
busy streets
...
If it strikes in mountain regions, avalanches roar down into the valleys
...
In the year 1755: Lisbon,
capital of Portugal – the city destroyed entirely and 450 killed; 1970:
Peru – 50,000 killed
...
very great
...
graping crevices: wide opening or cracks
...
avalanches:
large masses of snow and ice, sliding down a
mountain side
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
In earlier sections, we analysed some of the paragraphs for you
...
Cause: The power of
...
Main Effect: The great
...
228
GST102
MODULE 4
Details of the Effect:
On Land
At Sea
In
Region
Mountain
(i) Gas mains burst
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
Summing up: Reinforce the idea of the damage caused by an
earthquake by quoting statistics from the past and the present
...
Now write down what you think will be the results or consequences of
your joining this programme
...
Often, however, cause
and effect are more closely related, forming a chain where A gives rise
to B, B to C and so on
...
The paragraph below illustrates such a chain
...
In the first
place, by its light and warmth, the sun directly provides man with water,
for the heat of the sun causes the damp air over the seas to rise and form
clouds which cool at a high altitude and consequently fall as rain
...
At the same time, rain together with sunlight, enables plants to grow,
and plants provide food for man and also for animals which are
themselves another source of food for man
...
)
229
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Glossary
ultimately:
survival:
high altitude:
in the end
...
great height
...
By filling in the gaps below, you will be able to understand
the organization of the paragraph
...
Main Effect: Man’s
...
Indirect Effect
ii……………
...
iii
...
iv
...
v
...
vi
...
vii
...
viii
...
x
...
xi………………
...
xii
...
Now write a
paragraph of about 150 words combining both the reasons and the
consequences of joining the Open University
...
2
MODULE 4
Definition
Often when we write, we need to explain what something is or means,
especially if we feel that our readers may not be familiar with it
...
The simplest way to define a term is by giving a synonym or by placing
the word in a general class and then distinguishing it from others in that
class
...
Surgeon
operations
...
Some concepts or ideas cannot be defined in such a manner, and for this
purpose extended definitions are useful
...
need the support
of specific examples
...
This is done by adding details like uses,
component parts, examples, being similar to something else, being
different from something else, and stating what it is not
...
Example 4: Paragraph Developed by Definition
A map is a representation of an area of land, sea, or sky
...
For example, Arctic explorers have obtained
considerable help from maps of the coast lines showing settlements
drawn by Eskimo people
...
One of the earliest such maps dates from
about 1400 B
...
It shows not only roads, but also lakes with fish, and a
canal with crocodiles and a bridge over the canal
...
C
...
Wylie
Glossary
representation:
civilization:
accustomed to:
explorer:
a picture
...
use to
...
Analysis of the Paragraph
Definitions:
Generalization:
Example:
Generalization:
Example:
‘A map is a representation of an area of land, sea or
sky
...
Who are accustomed to
travelling
...
Occasionally, maps show not only the roads, but
pictures of other features
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 7
Use the sentences given below to write a paragraph on Mammals
...
You may make any changes in the language and introduce any
connectives you feel are required to write a smoothly flowing passage
...
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
232
Mammals differ from the other vertebrates in their system of
reproduction
...
After birth, the young mammals are nourished with milk secreted
by the milk glands of the mother
...
GST102
(v)
MODULE 4
Mammals are an extremely varied group, ranging in size from the
largest mammal, the blue whale which is 150 tons, to shrews
which weigh only a few grams
...
produced
...
a very small mouse-like animal with a long pointed
nose
...
For instance, look at some of the sentences in exercise 7
...
the blue whale which is 150 tones
...
Relative clauses are of two types: defining and non-defining according
to their function in the sentences in which they occur
...
They are called defining relative
clauses because they define or specify the noun which they qualify
...
A defining
relative clause is never separated from the noun it qualifies by the use of
commas
...
That may refer to persons or things
...
The possessive and objective
forms of who are whose and whom
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 8
Complete the definitions below with appropriate relative pronouns:
1
...
3
...
studies living beings
...
wrote The origin of
Species
...
young are fed on the
mother’s milk
...
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
5
...
has a large brain is called an
anthropoid
...
I went belongs to a friend of mine
...
3
Comparison and Contrast
So far, we have been discussing ways of developing paragraphs which
deal with only one topic
...
In fact,
comparison and contrast are common devices in writing mainly because
we tend to think that way
...
For instance, comparison and contrast dominate our
thoughts when we decide to join a particular college or university, when
we choose a career or a job, and even when we buy a particular brand of
tooth paste
...
Hence, comparison and contrast are a continuous process in our lives
...
(ii)
We wish to clarify the unfamiliar by comparing it with the
familiar
...
There are two ways of arranging information when comparing or
contrasting things
...
Person/thing 1
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Person/thing 2
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
234
GST102
MODULE 4
The other way is to take each point in turn and to compare the two
things in respect of each point like this:
Person/thing 1
Person/thing 2
Point 1
Point 1
Point 2
Point 2
Point 3
Point 3
Example 5: Paragraph Developed by Comparison
The existence of a hierarchy helps to assure order and discipline, and
these things are important among monkeys just as they are among
humans
...
Whenever
people are brought together, they will only be able to reach decisions
quickly if some kind of hierarchy is established
...
The same is true of
monkeys, some animals in the group have to decide when the group
shall move, which direction it shall follow and what action it shall take
to avoid predators
...
(Adapted from The Primates by Eimerl
...
and De Vors, I
...
the leader of the 12 people (jury) appointed to
decide whether a person on trial is guilty or not
...
fighting or disagreement within the group
...
’
Comparison
Subject 1: People
...
Summing up: ‘Some form of leadership is essential
...
’
Reading Comprehension
The paragraph given above is organized by first discussing one
subject and then comparing it with another
...
Fill in the gaps
...
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(d)
The writers of this paragraph:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
believes in dictatorship;
are being practical;
do not believe in equality
...
Example 6:
Developing a Paragraph by Contrast
We live on the planet Earth, a ball of rock 12,750km in diameter
...
But the
Earth is not alone
...
But the two worlds are very different
...
It has no volcanoes or geological activity, it is
airless, waterless and lifeless
...
It supports million of living things – planets, insects, birds,
animals and human beings
...
Since
the moon has no atmosphere to protect it, its surface is heated to 105oC
during its day, and cools to 155oC at night
...
Glossary
rotates:
axis:
turns round a fixed point
...
orbits:
goes round
...
, escape from time to
time with great force from inside the Earth
...
lush:
thickly and healthily growing (especially plants)
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 9
Unlike example 5, the paragraph in example 6 has been organized by
talking about the Earth and contrasting it with the moon
...
Analysis of the Paragraph:
1
...
What is the topic sentence?
Fill in the gaps in the following table to show the contrast
between the Moon and the Earth
...
(ii) ………………………………………
...
(iv) ………………………………………
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 10
237
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Write a paragraph of your own contrasting the Arctic and the
Antarctic regions
...
The expressions of contrast listed here may
also help you in developing the paragraph
...
Northern (Arctic) Region
Southern (Antarctic) region
ice-covered sea-surrounded by land
...
climate less varied; cold
throughout the year
...
empty desert
...
varied climate
...
much plant life
...
Expressions of contrast
Is different from, can be distinguished from, but, yet, while, although,
whereas, despite the fact that, on the other hand are examples of
contrast expressions
...
Johnson: Communicate in writing
...
0
CONCLUSION
In unit 2, we introduced you to the use of illustration and description
to develop paragraphs
...
You will agree with me that these techniques are
extremely useful in writing
...
More importantly, they are useful in
academic writing activities
...
0
SUMMARY
We have discussed different techniques of developing paragraphs in
this unit
...
GST102
MODULE 4
You should now be able to use these techniques in writing paragraphs
on different topics
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Write an essay on this topic
...
0
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi Open University, School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities, February 2001
(report), July 1997 (report) HSTIT 4 Functional English FEG-1
Foundation English Course in English 1, By Permission
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Writing Skills
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
A
...
English and Communication Skills for Academic
Purposes
...
Olaofe, I
...
(1993)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing
Co
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Formal and Informal Letters
3
...
4
Mechanics of Writing a Formal Letter
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
In this unit and the next two, we will concentrate on how to write
different kinds of formal letters
...
For example, people holding important positions in the government may
have to observe certain formalities in the discharge of their duties
...
On certain occasions, we may have to wear a ‘formal’ dress because it is
required by the custom
...
For example, when we receive money from somebody,
we are required to give a formal receipt, that is, a receipt according to
the commercial custom and having a revenue stamp on it so that it is
considered regular and in good order even for legal purposes
...
0
240
OBJECTIVES
GST102
MODULE 4
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
discuss the formal style of communication
distinguish between formal and informal letters
describe the essentials of formal letters
apply the essentials of formal letters to writing such letters
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
For example, the language that we use at home with our family or with
intimate friends is the most informal
...
We are likely
to use formal language with strangers, business associates, people of a
higher status than us, and so on
...
Certain fields of human activities are usually associated
with formal language, for example, business, law, government
...
Examples
Formal
Informal
commence
begin
conclude
end
deteriorate
get worse
aperture
opening
Many phrasal verbs are characteristic of informal style
...
Thus, in the instructions given to candidates at an
examination we may find:
‘It is suggested that candidates spend thirty minutes on each question
...
’
Less formal ways of saying the same things would be:
‘We suggest that you spend thirty minutes on each question
...
’
You must have noticed from the examples given above that in formal
written language the speaker does not refer directly to himself or his
readers and avoids the pronouns, I, you, we
...
You will not normally find a sentence like:
The meeting’ll commence at 4 p
...
Instead, you may come across:
The meeting will commence at 4 p
...
The placing of a preposition at the beginning or at the end of a relative
clause or an interrogative sentence can also distinguish formal and
informal styles:
Examples
She longed for a friend in whom she could confide
...
(informal)
In which street do you live? (formal)
Which street d’you live in? (informal)
There are various degrees of formality as the examples below show:
When his father died, Ramesh had to look for a job
...
On his father’s demise, Mr
...
242
GST102
MODULE 4
At the outset, we may tell you that it is not always necessary to use a
very formal style even in rather formal situations
...
It is always a good
idea to appear natural and friendly
...
2
Formal and Informal Letters
In the course of our life, we all have to write both formal and informal
letters
...
As you are aware, informal letters are likely to be in the form of
extended long-distance private conversation
...
For instance, in a
letter to a relative or a friend, you may wish to describe a place or a
person, tell a story, or even have an argument
...
These letters are, therefore,
rather varied in their styles and contents
...
They are usually written, for example, when you want to request an
organization to do something for you, or when the decisions of the
government have to be conveyed to the people concerned and records
have to be kept
...
They may be
semi-formal (also called semi-official) letters written to
business/professional colleagues and addressed by name
...
3
...
There are certain things that one should keep in mind
when writing a formal letter
...
Remember that the person
you are writing to, hasn’t the time to go through a long rambling
letter
...
’
(ii)
In fact, most formal letters are restricted to one or two main
points
...
Topics that are
too complex to be treated within the space of the usual formal
letters are generally made the subject of reports
...
(iii)
Your letters should be clear, precise and complete
...
Care should be taken to highlight the main
points
...
(iv)
Read this in the light of the suggestions
...
Abdullahi,
We are today in receipt of your letter of 6 October in which you have
asked for the catalogue and prices of our watches
...
In accordance with your request, we have enclosed our latest illustrated
and descriptive catalogue showing the range of watches we
manufacture
...
As you will notice, our watches range from the
traditional types to the latest in quartz, with prices that would suit all
sections of society
...
We assure you that you will be fully satisfied with our products, and you
can place your orders with us unhesitatingly
...
A copy of our standard guarantee terms is also
enclosed
...
Yours sincerely,
You will probably agree that it is not a well-organized letter
...
Obviously, he wants to tell the addressee that he is sending
the catalogue, the price list, and information about the guarantee terms,
and also wants to persuade him to buy the watches from him
...
There are too many details which are unnecessary and rather distracting
...
stocks for Dadin Kowa Store” Also, is there any need for
the entire paragraph beginning with ‘You must be aware that we are
Nigeria’s largest manufacturers of watches
...
Abdullahi,
Thank you for your enquiry of 6 October
...
All
our products carry a two-year guarantee from the date of sale
...
6-7 of the catalogue,
which we think might best suit your market?
If there is any further information you require, please contact us
...
Yours sincerely,
You will agree that this letter is clearer and more precise
...
First, he thanks the reader for
showing interest in his product
...
e
...
After that, in paragraph 3, instead of giving a general description
of the items in the catalogue, he pin-points specifically what would
interest this particular customer, thus further motivating him to buy his
products
...
Figures, dates
and explanations that are incorrect or misleading may cost time, money
and good-will
...
Remember that when you sign a letter, you are responsible for what it
says, and sometimes it may even be legally binding on you
...
245
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
The tone of your letter should always be courteous and considerate
...
Always ask yourself, ‘How
might I feel, if I were to receive such a letter?’
Suppose, for example, you are the manager of a store selling electrical
appliances, and you receive a letter from a customer who wants free
replacement of a defective part, but does not give the cash memo
number
...
’
or
‘Please let us know the cash memo number so that we can process the
replacement immediately
...
Notice that the second version uses the
active voice while the first version is written in the passive voice
...
Instead of writing in a stilted, official language, use a more personal,
down-to-earth style
...
These are generally legal
phrases, or the jargon of a particular trade or profession
...
But, if these are carried too far, it makes our language
stylized and pompous
...
The overuse of ‘set phrases’ is likely to produce wrong
results in that they may sound like polite formulas without any meaning
...
Adebayo,
Letter of Thanks
Thank you for your gracious letter of the 7th instant
...
Be advised that Yusuf and Company could be of some
help to you
...
246
GST102
MODULE 4
Thanking you
Yours sincerely,
Ade Odusote
Store Manager
What are the words/phrases that you might omit? Perhaps we could
replace or omit words/phrases like the following: ‘gracious,’ of the 7th
instant’, ‘query’, ‘I wish to state that
...
’, ‘thanking you
...
Let’s try and avoid this, and we rewrite the letter:
Dear Mr
...
We no longer sell the equipment you have asked for
...
You may like to
write to them for assistance
...
Avoid:
query
I beg to state that
...
causative factors
optimum advantage
benefit/advantage
answer in the affirmative
In (accordance/compliance) with your request
...
I enclose herewith the papers
...
Making an indepth survey
...
causes
greatest
yes
as
you
asked
I enclose the papers
As we agreed
studying
because of
if
247
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
in the majority of instances
notwithstanding the fact that
...
Given below are extracts from letters
...
(i)
‘We hope that you have taken care of your return air/train
booking
...
’
‘We’ve just received the goods we ordered four months ago
...
’
(ii)
(iii)
‘Your request was unclear, so we cannot fulfill your
requirements
...
Chukwu,
Your account with us is overdue
...
2
...
Rewrite them, omitting or
replacing all the words and phrases that you consider incorrect or
inappropriate
...
’
(ii)
‘
...
’
(iii)
Dear Mr
...
’
Pursuant to your inquiry we are pleased to be able to inform you that
‘Future 300’ is available with us
...
(iv)
...
(v)
Dear Parents,
As you are aware, our constant endeavour has been to make steady
improvement in the academic standards and achievements of our
students
...
3
...
We shall talk about the lay-out of the letter as
well as the equipment used
...
We offer you some
hints which you may find useful in composing your letter
...
This may involve
jotting down on a notepad the points you wish to make, and the
order in which you wish to say them
...
In this draft, try to limit your writing to the focus you
have chosen, weeding out unnecessary ideas, words and phrased
...
(iii)
Then, go over the rough draft carefully, checking for mistakes in
grammar, spelling and punctuation
...
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Some Basic Equipment
The appearance of an official or business letter may have a lot of
influence on the recipient who has never seen you
...
Type on an unruled white paper of A4 size, and use envelopes of
good quality
...
b
...
Sometimes your company/office may have its own format or style
...
Otherwise you may follow the
guidelines given below
...
Look at it carefully, and
study the notes that go with it
...
New Park Road
Zaria
...
6th May, 1988
3
...
No
...
The Manager
5
...
Dear Sir,
Formal issue or discussed topic
Re: Vacation Hours
7
...
8
...
Yours sincerely,
Sheu Muazu
...
Re-is put if the letter is a reply to a former letter or former
discussion or issue
...
Do
not put your name above your address
...
The date should go under your address
...
5
...
If the company or the official you are addressing your letter to
has written to you before, there may be a reference number on
their previous letter
...
Write down the name or the designation of the person you are
writing to
...
In case you
write both, you need to remove ‘The’ from before the
designation
...
J
...
(v)
(vi)
(a)
Write down the name of the office or institution that you are
writing to, and then the official address
...
In most official/commercial
correspondence, the normal ways of addressing the person you
are writing to, are as follows:
If you know the name of the person: Dear Mr
...
Surname
With women who do not have a professional title, use Ms
...
If the woman has expressed
a preference for Miss or Mrs
...
Titles like Professor and Captain are not usually abbreviated
...
The choice will depend on the subject of the letter
...
Alternatively, the name of the department may either
appear in an ‘attention’ line, or it may be indicated in the
‘subject’ line
...
Example 2
Subject: Repair of Defective Parts
Dear Sirs,
I am returning the three transistor radios we purchased from you, as
their sound quality is very poor
...
It is perfectly
acceptable to indent it, i
...
start below the end of the salutation
...
252
GST102
MODULE 4
(viii) For the body of the letter, use single space between lines and
double-space between paragraphs
...
(ix)
Start the complimentary: close two spaces below the body of the
letter either towards the right (as shown in the specimen letter) or
towards the left
...
If the recipient is a friend as
well as a business associate, you can close your letter in a less
forma way: ‘Best wishes’ ‘Warm regards’, etc
...
Four spaces below
the complimentary close of the letter, and aligned on the left with
the close, type your full name
...
Then sign your name in the space between the
complimentary close and your typed name
...
Place any such
information on the left, two spaces below the last line of the
complimentary close in a letter
...
R
...
Paul
Mr
...
M
...
As you will notice, the
format is not absolutely correct
...
You may then look at the specimen format given by us
...
0
CONCLUSION
This unit begins the series on formal letter writing
...
You
have also learnt the essentials and mechanics of formal letters
...
This is an opportunity
for you to put into practice what you have learned in this unit
...
0
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
SUMMARY
This unit has exposed you to:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
formal style of communication;
distinction between formal and informal letters;
essentials of formal letters; and
mechanics of writing formal letters
...
6
...
Your letter should not be more than 250 words
...
0
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adopted from: Indira Gandhi Open University School
of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities February 2001
(reprint), July 1997 (reprint) HSTIT 4 Functional English FEG 1
Foundation English Course in English 1, By permission
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Study Skills
...
Olaofe, I
...
(1991)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing Co
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
254
GST102
MODULE 4
UNIT 5
FORMAL LETTERS:
REQUEST
COMPLAINTS
AND
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Letters of Complaint
3
...
3
Letters of Request
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
In this unit
which is a continuation of our series on formal letters, you will learn
about formal letters of request, letters of complaint and how to give a
reply to a letter of complaint
...
This is because you will learn how to write formal letters that
address specific issues better
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
write letters of request
produce a formal letter of complaint
give a reply to a letter of complaint
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
255
GST102
3
...
It then becomes necessary
to write a letter of complaint to the appropriate person, organization or
department
...
Here are some suggestions about letters of complaint:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Take care that your facts are accurate
...
Avoid sounding rude or nasty in the letter
...
Getting angry with
someone who was not at fault is neither fair nor useful
...
Delay not only
weakens your case, but can complicate matters for you, as the
people you’re dealing with may forget the details
...
You need
not begin in any of the following ways:
I am very sorry to bring this up
...
This merely weakens your case
...
Example:
… unless you can give us better service, we shall be forced to consider
other suppliers in the future
...
… please make sure that problems like these do not arise again
...
Notice that the tone is
polite but firm
...
Dear Sir,
Letter of Complaint
On 14th April, 1988, we placed an order for 50 pieces of 20” colour TV
Picture Tubes
...
We
immediately returned these 16” picture tubes with a note indicating the
mistake that had been made
...
Would you please send the Picture Tubes we ordered? If you are unable
to do so, please inform us immediately, so that we can make other
arrangements
...
Sincerely,
P
...
Akuse
Sales Manager
Enclosures: (i) original Order
(ii) Recent bill
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
The first paragraph of the following letter of complaint is missing
...
R-47 Nigerian Airways,
P
...
Box 50, Ikeja, Lagos,
6 April, 1988
...
Dear Sir,
T-Shirt Supplied
...
...
...
...
As a regular customer of Fair Price Clothes, I’m generally pleased with
your garments and hope to continue shopping at your store
...
Ibileye
Choices for the First Paragraph
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
3
...
This has shocked me very much indeed
...
I bought a T-shirt from your shop last week
...
is 6234
...
Replying to Letters of Complaint
You may sometimes be in a position where you have to answer a letter
of complaint
...
To prepare an adjustment letter you must first investigate what
happened, and what you can do to satisfy the person who has made the
complaint
...
Example
‘Thank you for your letter about the order for 50 pieces of 20” colour
TV picture Tubes
...
’
258
GST102
(ii)
MODULE 4
Sometimes it is not possible to deal with the complaint
immediately
...
Example
‘We are sorry we cannot give you an immediate explanation
...
’
If the complaint is justified, explain clearly why the error occurred
...
’
‘We have rechecked your account and find that we have indeed been
sending you the wrong statement due to a confusion in names and
addresses
...
Example
‘We have already sent the correct size of Picture Tubes by road
transport
...
’
‘We have returned the T-shirt to the manufacturer
...
’
(iv)
Sometimes you may have to deal with complaint which is
unjustified
...
Example
‘Our technical department has examined the two-in-one, and found that
there were cracks on the body, as well as in the circuit
...
We can repair the machine for you, but I
am afraid we shall have to ask you to pay for the repairs, as this kind of
damage is not included in our guarantee
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
You are a manager of a company dealing in Air Coolers
...
Write an answer to the letter
...
After you have completed
the letter, you may compare it with the specimen letter given at the end
of the unit
...
30th November, 1987
The Manager,
Quick Electrical Goods,
14, Bazar Street,
Kano
...
The cash memo number is 457
...
This morning, the water pump did not work
...
Since both my
wife and I work, please ask the engineer to come after 6 p
...
Yours sincerely,
D
...
3
Letters of Request
Now that we have discussed the important features of letter of
complaint, let’s take up letters of request in our next discussion
...
There are two kinds of requests you may make:
(i)
260
requests for goods and services;
GST102
(ii)
MODULE 4
requests for information of various sorts
...
It is a letter from a teacher to the
manager of Yankari Tourism
...
Notice, especially, the language used in the letter
...
6 August, 1987
The Manager,
Yankari Tourism,
P
...
box 997,
Bauchi
...
I would like to know the days when your buses run, their timings, and
whether they are air-conditioned
...
Yours sincerely,
M
...
What are
these three ways? They are as follows:
Could you please send me some
...
I would be grateful if you could also enclose
...
Could you (possibly) send me
...
I am writing to inquire about
...
I would be grateful if you could also enclose
...
or
Another point I am not certain about is
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
1
...
Complete the letter given below asking for information about the
course
...
(i)
...
...
the prospectus for the course indicating its
duration and the fees to be paid
...
(iii)
...
2
...
In your letter,
specify how many rooms you require, for how many people, for
how long, your arrival and departure time, and finally, the meals
you will require
...
4
...
You
can thus not overlook the suggestions given in this unit about writing
formal letters of complaint and request
...
This is why this unit is of great importance to you
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit, you are exposed to:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
262
how to write letters of complaints;
how to write letters of request; and
the language that goes along with these writing activities
...
The
next unit will also expose you to more of these letters
...
0
1
...
3
...
7
...
Write a letter to
the Manager of the Company lodging your complaint
...
Give him the particulars of the TV set bought and the receipt
number
...
Present the complaint in such a way that a reply will be sent to
you without delay
...
Handa, U
...
(2001
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Study Skills
...
Olaofe, I
...
(1991)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing Co
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
263
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
GST102
MODULE 4
MODULE 2
Unit 1
Formal Letters: Letters about Jobs, Ordering Goods and
Letters to Government and Other Organizations
Writing Reports 1: Reporting Events
Writing Reports II: Reporting Experiments
Writing Summaries I: Techniques of Summarizing
Writing Summaries II: More on Techniques of
Summarizing
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
UNIT 1
FORMAL LETTERS: LETTERS ABOUT JOBS,
ORDERING GOODS AND LETTERS TO
GOVERNMENT AND OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Letters about Jobs
3
...
3
Letters to Government and other Organizations
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
We told you in some details about
the essential elements of a formal letter
...
letters of complaint
...
These are:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
applications for jobs;
letters ordering goods;
letters to government and other organizations
...
2
...
3
...
1
Letters about Jobs
If you are looking for a job, or wish to change your job, you will
probably have to write a number of letters, particularly the letters of
application that you will send along with your curriculum vitae
...
In this
section, we shall discuss some of these letters but shall pay the most
attention to the letter of application
...
(a)
Applications
Whenever you send a copy of your curriculum vitae to an organization
where you are looking for a job, you should also send a personal
covering letter which is known as the letter of application
...
This
letter supplements your curriculum vitae in that it provides information
that is not usually included in the curriculum vitae, or cannot be fitted in
it for lack of space
...
There is an important difference between a letter of application and the
curriculum vitae
...
These facts may qualify you for a number of jobs in
different organizations
...
So your letter goes beyond merely saying
that you have certain qualifications; it shows that your qualifications are
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MODULE 4
appropriate to a specific job and organization
...
Therefore,
your letter and curriculum vitae together explain your qualifications
...
An effective presentation can
easily make even average qualifications appear quite impressive
...
Your letter of application must attempt to do three things:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
catch your reader’s attention favourably;
convince your reader that you are qualified for the position;
ask for an interview
...
If you are applying for a specific job which has been advertised, identify
the job by title, and state where you came to know about it
...
If you do not specify
which job it is that you are applying for, it will confuse your reader, and
give her/him sufficient reason to move on to the next application
...
which was advertised in
The New Nigerian on 21 June, 1988
...
in your organization
...
There may be occasions when you may be exploring the possibility of a
suitable job in different organizations
...
Example
I am looking for a responsible position in the sales department, where
my training in marketing and experience in selling consumer goods may
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
prove useful
...
Once you begun your letter (i
...
stated the title of the job and indicated
where you came to know of it), your aim should be to convince your
reader that you are suitable for the job
...
In your curriculum vitae, you should have listed the basic facts relating
to your education, experience and special skills
...
For instance, if you are
applying for a sales job, indicate that your previous job has taught you to
present a product line effectively
...
However, if you are applying for your first job, highlight how your
education matches the job and show your capacity for hard work and
taking initiative
...
(In response to an advertisement for the post of Private Secretary
to the Chairman in a commercial organization
...
In this post I have had to assume a certain
amount of responsibility
...
I enjoy this type of work, but
with the return of the director’s secretary from maternity leave, I
shall have to go back to my earlier responsibilities
...
2
...
V
...
)
I have the experience of precisely the kind of work that the post
you advertised entails
...
V repair from I
...
I
...
V
...
During this period I also repaired many video
sets
...
In that case you should frankly admit that you are
inexperienced
...
Example
At the moment I am working as a clerk in a government office
...
Although I lack previous experience, I think I have the necessary
personal qualities to be successful in this field
...
My academic record is good, and the officer under
whom I work at present will be able to testify to my willingness to learn
and work hard
...
The final stage of your letter is to ask your reader to do something for
you
...
Now, it is obvious that the aim of your letter is to ask for an
interview
...
The point is to do it tactfully without appearing to beg or
demand
...
I am sure that when you have reviewed all the applications for this
position, you will see that I am best qualified for this job
...
in your company and will be available for an interview at
your convenience
...
The last paragraph of your letter is also the place to state any restrictions
on when you will be available for an interview, or special instructions
about how to contact you
...
You can contact me either
at my home address or at 342643 during regular business hours
...
You must make sure that you type your letter and avoid all errors
...
Given below are sentences taken from an application for the post
of a sales officer
...
(i) My present job requires me not only to sell goods but also to keep
an account of the sales, and do a bit of typing
...
(iii) I am interested in applying for the post of a Sales Officer which
was advertised in New Nigerian on 21 June, 1988
...
(v) You can contact me either at my home address or at 623029
during regular business hours
...
(vii) I have been working in a department store for the last three years
where I have often been in sole charge of the shop
...
2
...
The beginning and
the end of the letter are missing
...
GST102
MODULE 4
16, Wuff Street
P
...
Box 63
Zaria
16/7/88
The Personnel Manager
Cabo Airlines
P
...
Box 779, Kaduna
Dear Sir,
…………………………………………………………………………
...
…………………………………………………………………………
...
I have also completed a
two-year secretarial course at the Institute of Vocational Studies where I
studied commercial subjects and shorthand and typing
...
…………………………………………………………………………
...
…………………………………………………………………………
...
Here is an advertisement that appeared in New Nigerian Times on
7 July, 1988
...
Marketing Manager Pharmaceuticals
A new pharmaceutical unit requires a dynamic marketing manager
...
Applicants should have 3 – 5 years relevant experience
...
Applications giving full biodata and past record may be sent within 10 days to:
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Dhana Pharmaceuticals Pvt
...
47/G-5, Haudala Way
Kaduna
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
(b)
Accepting an Offer
If you are offered a job that you would like to take up, you must write a
brief letter of acceptance as soon as possible, certainly within a week
...
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Begin by thanking the person for giving you the job
...
Take care to identify the job
by title
...
Conclude the letter with a statement that you look forward to
working for your new employer
...
May I thank you for the kindness and courtesy shown to me when
I came for interview on the 16th
...
Thank you for your offer of the post of
...
I have great
pleasure in accepting the offer
...
I am looking forward to working for your company
...
GST102
MODULE 4
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
Imagine that you have received a letter from General Television saying
that you have been selected for the job you applied for
...
Write a letter accepting the offer
...
Ltd
...
Hussain,
I am pleased to be able to offer you the post of Technical Supervisor in
our company
...
You will also be entitled to the regular allowances that
we provide for our employees
...
With best wishes
...
N
...
You will then have to
select the job which is most attractive to you, and write your letter of
acceptance
...
When writing such a letter, begin by giving a thought to your readers
...
They may have counted on your accepting the job
...
Therefore, in your letter of refusal, you must be tactful and courteous
...
If you have
accepted another offer, say so, and explain why
...
You may begin the letter by first thanking them for offering you the
post
...
Examples
Thank you for your letter of
...
in your
organisation
...
Thank you for your offer of post of
...
I am afraid I am
unable to accept your offer as
...
and was gratified
to receive your offer
...
One of the ways in which you can conclude your letter is:
I appreciate your consideration, and I am sure I would have enjoyed
working for your company
...
2 offering you the job of a Technical
Supervisor
...
3
...
Letters ordering
goods have the format of any other formal letter, but there are certain
points which you need to emphasise in such a letter
...
For instance, you must give the
exact name and part number (if necessary) of the item
...
You must specify the quantity needed of each item
...
Be accurate
...
Therefore re-read your letter carefully and
check all price calculations
...
You may, of course, change the organisation to suit your
situation:
(a)
Probably the best way to begin a letter ordering goods is by
coming straight to the point
...
Jolly
R
...
Kumar
Published Price
N750
N1,500
N150
(ii)
Confirming the order we placed with you by telephone this
morning, we request you to supply the following items:
(iii)
We thank you for your quotation of 4th June and shall be glad if
you will supply the following items:
(iv)
Please register our requirements for the month of May and
arrange to supply the following flavours of Top Chef Soft Drink
Concentrate:
Flavours
Mirinda
Maltina
Cocacola
Fanta
Pineapple Juice
Total
No
...
Such an order form should always be sent with a covering letter
...
You could begin
such a letter in the following ways:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)
Thank you for your letter of 7 June regarding the
...
You will find enclosed our official order (No
...
Please find enclosed our order No
...
We thank you for your letter of 5th June and enclose our Order
No
...
You should confirm the terms and the method of payment
...
You may draw on us for the cost of the goods through Union
Bank, Mohammed Murtala Way, Ilorin
...
Once we have received your advice, we shall send a banker’s
draft to
...
You must also confirm the discount (if any) agreed upon
...
We
have, therefore, deducted this while making the payment
...
Please ensure that the discount is allowed in the
invoice, otherwise it will be difficult for us to settle your bill
...
We would like to take advantage of the generous cash discount
you have offered for prompt settlement
...
GST102
4
...
Then, if the consignment does
arrive late, or in a damaged state, your letter is the evidence of the
instructions you gave
...
We suggest delivery by road to avoid constant handling of this
fragile consignment
...
If the goods are fragile, it is better to advise your supplier on how you
want them packed
...
Each piece of crockery should be individually wrapped
in thick paper and stuffed with straws
...
(d)
Always indicate the date by which you need the items
...
Examples
(i)
ii)
iii)
Please complete the above order positively before 25th
September because of the impending rainy season
...
We hope
you will send them immediately by air freight
...
277
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
The following letter is an example of an order letter:
People’s Watch Store
15, Palika Bazar
Maiduguri
3rd May, 1988
Exact Time Watches
25/B Marina
Lagos
Attention: Sales Department
Dear Sirs,
Thank you for your letter of May 1, giving us information about the new
range of watches manufactured by you
...
As agreed, we shall send the payment by bank draft immediately on
receiving the goods
...
Sincerely,
Alfred King
Proprietor
You have already placed your order over the telephone
...
3
...
There may, however, be situations, when you as an ordinary citizen need
to write to various governments or other organisations about the
problems that you may be facing in your daily life
...
We often avoid writing these
letters because we don’t know how to
...
(a)
Letters of Complaint
A letter we have to write frequently is a letter of complaint or protest
...
Your telephone may be out of order for days or even
months without the authorities bothering to repair it
...
The sanitary conditions in your area may be
deplorable
...
Given below is the main part of a letter written by a
resident of Mayapuri complaining about the unhygienic conditions in the
area
...
, A
...
U, are
deplorable
...
The cleaners turn up once in a fortnight and the
garbage is rarely removed
...
With the onset of the rainy season, things have worsened
...
Human excreta from the three houses of the Block are overflowing from
the septic tank to the open drain, as the line to the main sewer is blocked
with concrete which got into it when the road was built
...
What are the points that you should keep in mind while writing such a
letter?
(i)
(ii)
Don’t make the complaint too general, give details of what is
bothering you
...
He gives the precise details of the area he is
writing about: “
...
the three houses of
the Block”
...
Ask for satisfaction firmly but politely
...
279
GST102
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
End your letter forcefully
...
Address your letter of protest to the appropriate person
...
If you have made the same complaint before, say so in your
letter
...
Write a letter of complaint giving details of your
problem
...
(b)
Letters Giving Instructions
We sometimes write letters in which we convey our instructions to
various organisations in order to have something done for us
...
What are the points that you must keep in mind in writing such a letter?
(i)
(ii)
Give the essential information you want your reader to have
clearly and completely
...
The letter given below is from a woman who is writing to the circulation
manager of the magazine she subscribes to, informing him of her change
of residence and instructing him to send the magazine to the new
address
...
O
...
My subscription number is:
D2/478
...
My new address will be 642, Civil Lines, Kano
...
I hope
we shall continue to receive them as regularly as we used to
...
Write a letter to the manager of the bank
instructing him to stop payment
...
(c)
Letters of Request
We often have to request official bodies for various things; this is
probably the most common type of official letter
...
For
instance, you may request the public transport organisation in your town
to run more buses in your area
...
Letters have to be
written to universities asking for application forms or duplicate copies of
certificates
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
D
...
49
No Man’s Land
Kano
17 June, 1987
The General Manager
Emeruwa Transport Corporation
Kano
Dear Sir,
I am a resident of No Man’s Land, an area rather poorly connected to
the rest of the city by buses
...
I request the ETC to improve the bus service from this area
...
It would benefit at least 150
school children and teachers
...
Sincerely,
Shehu Yaardua
...
How is this letter
organised?
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
First, you state the problem
...
Conclude by asking for immediate action
...
When you do the next exercise, you will discover it for yourself
...
Write to the library
asking for information regarding the rules for such membership
...
282
GST102
4
...
You
should start to use suggestions provided in writing official letters
...
5
...
These are:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Applications for jobs; accepting and declining offers
...
Letters to government and other organisations
...
6
...
The lecturer must have a
good University degree and three-year working experience
...
Graduated with 2nd class upper, the applicant must have at least a
Master’s degree
...
Signed
The Registrar
University of Abuja
FCT
Abuja, Nigeria
7
...
School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities
...
HSTITA Functional English, FEG 1
Foundation English Course in English I, By Permission
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Writing Skills
...
Handa, U
...
2001
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
A
...
English and Communication Skills for Academic
Purposes
...
Olaofe I
...
(1993)
...
Zaria: Tanaza Publishing
Co
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Types of Reports
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
What is a report? Though we use the term to refer to a number of
different kinds of written communication, we usually define it as an
organised, factual and objective presentation of information
...
When you write a report, you try to convey some information
to others
...
You may like to describe your personal experiences or
state the results of your investigation
...
News
stories are typical reports, but so are scientific articles, research paper,
survey reports and business reports
...
Let’s start this unit by allowing
you to have a trial on reporting what pertains to your school life
...
2
...
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
3
...
1
Different Stages of Report Writing
How does one write a report? As in the case with any other serious task,
you have to plan your report also
...
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
You have to ask yourself a number of relevant questions
...
While doing so, you will have to take
down notes
...
Now you have to write an outline of the report
...
Most reports contain three main parts: the
introduction, the body, and the conclusion
...
You may also give the background
information, if necessary
...
You may also include figures, tables,
graphs, and charts as supporting evidence
...
Example
The outline of a report on a fire accident can be written as follows:
(The actual report is given later in this unit
...
Conclusion: The reason for the continuation of the fire for a long time
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
As the Cultural Secretary of the Students’ Union at your college give an
outline of your annual report
...
Of course, it will depend on the kind of topic and the kind of
reader you have in mind
...
The following
rules will be useful:
1
...
You must also avoid ambiguity
...
Example
An Ambiguous Sentence: The neighbours avoided the Johnsons because
they were snobs
...
(Or because the Johnsons were snobs, the neighbours avoided
them)
...
Be Simple and Brief: Try to say one thing at a time and say it
briefly and directly
...
Use short sentences as far as possible
...
Example 1
Overloaded Sentence: I prefer a large university because you can meet
many kinds of people with different interests from parts of the country
where there are different ideas, and a wide experience with many kinds
of people is an important part of education
...
In a large university, you can meet people
from many parts of the country and people with different interests
...
Example 2
A Sentence with Unnecessary Words: We thought we had an adequate
supply of food with enough for everyone to eat
...
287
GST102
3
...
In such cases you should replace it by a synonym or a
substitute word
...
Example 1
Awkward Repetition: I have chosen a topic that is a frequent topic of
conversation today
...
Improved Version: I have chosen a topic frequently heard in
conversation today – developing our own natural resources
...
Improved Version: My point is that too much emphasis on college
education makes many people go to college for education they don’t
need or want
...
Avoid Jargon: Jargon is a language that is hard to understand
because it is full of special words known only to the members of
a certain group
...
Example
Jargon: In non-exceptional structures, the coordinates that constitute
multiple units exhibit essential similitude in grammatical functioning
and usually in parallelism of semantic qualities in addition
...
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GST102
MODULE 4
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
Point out the faults in the following sentences:
1
...
3
...
2
Children often anger parents; they don’t talk to them
...
I want to go to college because going to college will satisfy my
long felt desire
...
In this unit, we shall discuss the reporting of events
...
3
...
For
example, whatever kind of work you do, accidents and equipment
failures may occur in your place of work
...
The report on an accident
can even be used by the police or a court of law inquiring into the
matter
...
In the beginning of the accident report, state briefly the nature of the
accident you are reporting on
...
Be sure to include the precise details of the time,
the date, and the place of the accident, the names of witnesses or the
sources of information, and any other important detail
...
Finally, give your suggestions or
recommendations for the prevention of the recurrence of the accident
...
Of course, all accident reports need not follow the
same pattern
...
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Major Fire in Multi-storeyed Building
A major fire broke out in the Byepass, a multi-storeyed building on the
Byepass, Lokoja on the morning of 29th June
...
45 a
...
on the fifth floor and in no time the fifth, sixth , seventh and
eight floors were gutted and thick smoke covered the entire building
...
Tenders from the Lokoja Fire Service and the Defence Fire Service for
Fire Research helped the Byepass Fire Service to rescue the stranded
people
...
Lokoja Air Force
helicopters were also flown to the building to rescue people, but the
operation had to be called off as it was found they were in fact fanning
the flames
...
The fire was fully extinguished around 3
...
m
...
An electrical short-circuit on the fifth floor of the building was reported
to be the cause of the trouble
...
So the Lokoja Fire Force Officials
have decided to issue statutory notices to the owners of about 200 highrise buildings in the city asking them to provide the necessary fire safety
measures
...
)
Glossary
causeway:
extinguished:
veritable:
290
a raised path
...
real
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
4
...
To know how to report events will assist you, not only in your
studies, but also in day-to-day life
...
To be able to
report events as accurately as possible is a skill that you should always
cherish
...
0
SUMMARY
A report is an account of events, experiences, etc
...
An outline has to be prepared
first
...
Your language should be clear, concrete, and precise
...
Try to be simple
...
In your report on accident, you should
give the precise time and place of the accident, and information about
any people killed or injured, the damage caused to property, and the
cause of the accident
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
You have just witnessed a motor accident
...
Write a detail report for the police
...
Be objective
...
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7
...
School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Study Skills
...
Olaofe, I
...
(1991)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing Co
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
292
GST102
MODULE 4
UNIT 3
WRITING REPORTS II: REPORTING
EXPERIMENTS
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Various Steps in Conducting an Experiment
3
...
3
Examples of Reports
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
They can be carried out in a number of fields: from Physics to Medical
Technology, and from Bio-sciences to Fire Science
...
These experiments will demand from you the ability to
choose suitable equipment, to arrange various instruments appropriately,
to observe and record the readings and reactions, and to arrive at the
right conclusions
...
All these activities you will practise in this unit
...
2
...
3
...
1
Various Steps in Conducting an Experiment
(i)
Before planning the actual experiment, you should have an
understanding of the nature of the problem and any theory
associated with it
...
The theory or
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
explanation has, of course, to be proved; but it helps in
formulating a hypothesis
...
You should ask
yourself: Why am I carrying out this experiment? Will it be of
use to me in finding an answer to my problem? Moreover, you
should analyse the problem and put it in simple words
...
(ii)
Experimentation is observation carried out in specific conditions
...
So you should eliminate as many outside influences
as possible
...
Remember that observation implies selection
...
(iii)
You should arrange the apparatus carefully to suit your purpose
and follow the procedure you have in mind for conducting the
experiment
...
It is important to record what is actually seen
including the things not fully understood by you at the time of
conducting the experiment
...
(v)
You may use illustrations like diagrams, drawings, graphs, maps,
or tables
...
With the help of an illustration, you
can present a large number of details in a limited space
...
Different illustrations serve different purposes
...
You will have to use the drawings of the apparatus,
e
...
electrical circuit diagrams, in your report
...
They
are very effective in indicating trends, distribution, and comparisons of
two or more items
...
Tables are used for displaying mathematical data in a compact form
...
1
Reporting an Experiment
Your report should have the following contents:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Subject
Apparatus and other materials used
Procedure
Observations
Conclusions
Drawings, diagrams, or graphs
...
If the purpose of the experiment is not obvious to your reader, you
should explain it in the body of the report and give a detailed
explanation of how you performed the experiment
...
In the concluding part of your report, you should give the results of your
experiment
...
You may include
your recommendations as well
...
Avoid the use of jargon as far as possible
...
In
experiment reports, the passive voice is more suitable than the active
voice
...
3
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Apparatus
Woulfe bottle; thistle funnel; glass jars; with discs as covers; delivery
tube bent at three places; two corks, each with a single hole; trough with
water; and beehive shelf
...
Theory
Hydrogen gas is prepared in the laboratory by the action of dilute
sulphuric acid on granulated zinc
...
Procedure
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
296
The apparatus is set up as shown in figure
...
We make sure that the lower end of the thistle funnel is very near
the bottom of the Woulfe bottle
...
It is observed that as soon as the acid comes in contact with zinc,
a gas is produced
...
The
mouth of the gas jar is closed with a glass disc
...
Observations
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
The colour of the gas jar is observed
...
The gas is odourless also
...
The gas begins to
burn at the mouth of the jar
...
To test whether the gas inside the jar is lighter than air, the gas jar
is covered with a glass disc and placed in an upright position on
the table
...
The glass disc between the two jars is removed
...
The gas in
the upper jar starts burning, but the gas in the lower jar does not
burn
...
Conclusion
The gas collected into the jar is colourless, odourless, combustible and
lighter than air
...
What then are the features of the experiment report just
presented
...
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
The language is impersonal: there is no use of I, we, they –
experimental reports are devoid of the feeling of the person
carrying out the experiment
...
What is observed is stated in plain language
...
The language is a straightforward one
...
The pattern
must be clear and logical
...
The language is formal in style: no abbreviations, contraction of
words (e
...
don’t, I’m isn’t)
...
Words are not wasted in experimental reports: the goal of writing
is not to impress but to express real facts as observed
...
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Example 2
Here is an example of a report on a scientific experiment conducted in a
Physics Laboratory
...
Apparatus used
A flask of 1 litre capacity, a thermometer (0-100oC), a stop-watch, a
stand to fix the thermometer
...
The flask is filled up to its neck with water and the water is heated to
80oC
...
The temperature of the water is
noted every minute for the first five minutes; the temperature of the
water is noted after every two minutes for the next ten minutes
...
A graph is drawn showing the temperatures at different times and the
rate of cooling of the water is determined
...
If you are a science student, you will agree with me that
constant practice in experiment writing should be your concern
...
You
should also make sure that you read as many experimental reports as
possible
...
298
GST102
4
...
You should be systematic in your presentation
...
Scientific language
should avoid ambiguous statements
...
5
...
Briefly, you
should follow these steps in conducting an experiment:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Plan the experiment
...
Observe what happens during the experiment
...
Your report should include the aim of the experiment, details of the
apparatus and other materials used, the procedure adopted, the
observations made, and the conclusions arrived at
...
6
...
2
...
What type of language do you use in reporting an experiment?
7
...
School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities, February 2001
(reprint), July 1997 (reprint) HSTIT 4 Functional English, FEG1 Foundation English Course in English I, By Permission
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Writing Skills
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
A
...
English and Communication Skills for Academic
Purposes
...
Olaofe, I
...
(1993)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing
Co
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Example 1: The Nile
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
Summarisation is a skill that you will be called upon to do from time to
time in your academic work
...
You need to summarise all points given during lectures and
private reading activities when preparing for examination
...
Summary is a day-to-day activity
...
In this unit, you will learn the techniques of summarizing
...
2
...
It is my hope that you will be able to perform all the tasks above after
going through this unit
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
3
...
As you know,
the Nile is a great river in Africa which flow through and gives life to
the plains of Egypt
...
The Nile
The great river Nile flows gently in its course through the hot plains in
the first half of the year, but later on, when the melting snows and the
rains on the mountains far to the south swell its tributaries, the Nile
overflows
...
The settlers
found, in the soft rich earth, barley and wheat and other crops could be
planted, even without the use of the plough, and they began to make
many settlements of farmers
...
Glossary
Settlers:
flint:
the first people who began to live there
...
Now you will read the passage a second time, sentence by sentence
...
Then, we shall discuss the reasons for including/deleting
certain words, before proceeding with the next sentence in the same
way
...
These will form a summary of the passage
...
‘The great river Nile flows gently in its course through the hot
plains in the first half of the year but later on, when the melting
snows and the rains on the mountains far to the south swell its
tributaries, the Nile overflows
...
’ The clause that has just been removed, namely,
‘when the melting snows and the rains on the mountains far to the south
swell its tributaries,’ is a less important part of the statement as it only
gives further information relating to the words
...
’ It is for this
reason that it can be removed without damaging the basic meaning of
the sentence
...
What we have
retained so far is the entire main clause
...
Notice also that in the main clause stated above, other phrases can be cut
down to remove some details which are not absolutely essential
...
Details are
necessary in full-scale writing but not in summaries
...
In the blank space below, note
down the words you wish to remove
...
You cannot, obviously, remove “The great river Nile flows’ without
damaging the basic meaning of the sentence, so that has not been
considered a possibility
...
Notice that ‘through the hot plains’ is a contrast to ‘the melting snows,’
but the line in which ‘the melting snows’ occurs has already been found
to be a detail and has been removed
...
Let us read the sentence without this phrase
...
’
GST102
MODULE 4
Do you agree that the sentence still conveys the basic sense of the
original?
Can the other two word groups (ii, iii) be removed as well? What will
happen if ‘in the first half of the year’ is removed from la? If this is
done, the contrast with ‘but later on,’ which is necessary for the
sentence, will be lost and the sentence as a whole will not remain
meaningful
...
Can ‘gently in its course’ be removed? No, because it is being contrasted
with ‘but later on the Nile overflows’
...
So you cannot cut down the sentence any further
...
‘It spreads rich, muddy soil from Ethiopia over its valley and
forms deep stretches of green, fertile lands along its banks
...
Is
there anything in this sentence which is not absolutely essential for its
meaning?
Consider which words you can remove and write these words in the
blank spaces below
...
Once you have written something down, look at the following
words/phrases
...
Let us consider which words can in fact be deleted
...
The sentence states that during its course,
the Nile spreads rich soil over its valley and form fertile lands along its
bank
...
But you can, in order to shorten
the sentence remove (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above, because these words
relate to the sub-ideas and not to the main idea of the sentence
...
The sentence
states what the function of the Nile is
...
Notice that ‘muddy’ is a detail of ‘rich soil’ and ‘green’ is a
detail of ‘fertile’
...
Thus, we can summarise (2) to read:
2
...
’
3
...
’
What can you remove from this sentence without damaging its basic
meaning? In the blank space given below, write down what you think
can be deleted
...
If you read the sentences carefully, you will find that not only the
richness but also the softness of the soil is important here because of the
statement that crops can be planted without the use of the plough
...
Notice that (iv)
is required because it indicates an amazing softness of soil, something
that normal fertile soil doesn’t posses
...
Examples of crops as in (iii) on the other hand, can perhaps be removed
...
’
Another kind of change is also possible
...
’ Can we cut
down some of the common words? In order to do this, the sentence will
have to be written in a shortened form
...
’
Now read the last line of this paragraph
...
304
‘They used stone implements for tilling the soil, and flint for their
weapons; and as time passed they learnt the use of copper
...
You may find it difficult to select the words which can be removed from
here
...
In this case, it
may, instead, be possible to reduce the length of the sentence by writing
a generalisation to cover the examples listed here
...
What general statement can you make to cover these examples? Write
this down in the blank space given below before reading further
...
’
‘Tool-making can cover the making of tools and weapons
...
But the kind of materials used is historically so
important that it seems desirable to retain, that is, not to remove the
mention of stone, flint and copper
...
It spreads rich soil over its valley and form
fertile lands along its banks
...
They learnt the art of
tool-making with the use of stone, flint and copper
...
As it contains all the essential
points of the original, it can be considered a summary of it
...
So, now you are not required to
write new sentences of your own or to combine sentences from the
passage
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Please remember that this is only one form of summary
...
3
...
It goes on to deal particularly with the
Jojoba plant
...
Plants
People depend on plants for their existence
...
Yet most of the plants that are
important to people were domesticated, or tamed, in prehistoric times
...
People have grown these grains as crops in small fields
for thousands of years
...
Because of their records, scientists can predict some of the
problems in domesticating a plant
...
The first reason is that they have never been successful in
taming a wild plant
...
The third reason is that each plant
species is unique, different from other plants
...
The Jojoba is a desert plant that grows wild in the dry regions of the
southwestern United States and northern Mexico
...
On its many woody branches, the jojoba
produces a fruit that is 40 per cent to 60 per cent liquid wax
...
It can be used as a base for all
kinds of cosmetics
...
By domesticating the jojoba, scientists hope to change
unproductive desert land into productive agricultural land
...
Johnston, S
...
S
...
Copyright (c) 1983 by Holt, Rinchart and Winston, Inc
...
)
Glossary
predict: say in advance what will happen
domestication of plants: use of plants for man’s purposes
Now you will read the passage sentence by sentence
...
2
...
Plants in the form of seeds, especially grains, are important to
people because they are the principal ingredients in most
people’s diet
...
They can, therefore, be removed from a
summary
...
Did you decide to remove the whole of the first sentence or some parts
of both sentence 1 and 2? One way of shortening the sentence is to say:
‘People depend on plants, in the form of seeds, especially grains, for
their existence because these are the principal ingredients of human
diet
...
are important to people’ because this idea is already contained in (1)
...
’
Notice also that ‘they’ in ‘they are the principal ingredients’ changes to
‘these’ in the reduced form
...
In the rewritten sentence,
however, there can be some confusion about whether ‘they’ refers to
‘people’ or ‘plants
...
‘These,’ on the other hand, indicates
very clearly that it is plants which are being referred to
...
They may be
some repetition that remains and so, after going through the whole
passage, you may decide to cut out some more words
...
Let us go through the passage sentence by sentence
first
...
3
...
5
...
For example, before history was written, corn and wheat became
part of people’s diet
...
’
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
Underline or write down the words in the above sentences which say the
same thing
...
Did you underline any of the following?
(i)
(ii)
in pre-historic times
before history was written
for thousand of years
...
Notice that the three phrases in (i) very clearly mean the same thing
...
But,
in the context of these sentences, they are very similar
...
Rewrite (3), (4) and (5) as one sentence,
cutting out repetition of words and ideas, in the space given
...
’
In producing this summary, most of (3) has been kept, but (except for
the example) (4) and (5) have been cut out
...
By now you must have begun to understand
when ideas are being repeated
...
7
...
Because of their records, scientists can predict some of the
problems in domesticating a plant
...
Now try and combine the two sentences removing the words
that are similar
...
It is clear that three things are being repeated in the two sentences
‘scientists’, ‘records’ and ‘domestication of plants’
...
Bearing this in mind,
perhaps the sentences can be rewritten as:
‘Scientists have only recently begun to keep records of the domestication
of plants because through these they can predict some of the problems in
domesticating a plant
...
they
‘records of the domestication of plants’
...
Another way to reduce the sentences is to cut out any references to the
scientists who are performing this task
...
’
Notice that the following phrases have been reduced
...
are very recent
‘the domestication of plants’ (6)
‘problems in domesticating a plant’ (7) Problems areas in this field
...
8
...
10
...
12
...
The first reason is that they have never been successful in taming
a wild plant
...
The third reason is that each plant species is unique, different
from all other plants
...
’
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
In what way can you reduce the size of these sentences? Think about
this a little before looking ahead
...
Notice that ‘On the other hand’ seems to be required because it signals
that a different viewpoint is being presented from the one in the earlier
sentence
...
Can you
suggest a word you can use instead?
What words are being repeated in the four sentences above (8-12)?
Underline these
...
Here is one way in which the sentences can be reduced
...
‘However, all the problems/solutions cannot be guessed in advance
because:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
scientists have never been successful in taming a wild plant;
records have been kept for a relatively short time;
each plant is unique
...
’
Note down the points of difference between your version and this one
...
310
GST102
MODULE 4
Now read sentences 13-19 which make up the whole of paragraph 3
...
14
...
16
...
18
...
‘The jojoba is a desert plant that grows wild in the dry regions of
the south western United States and northern Mexico
...
On its many woody branches, the jojoba produces a fruit that is
40 per cent to 60 percent liquid wax
...
It can be used as a base for all kinds of cosmetics
...
By domesticating the jojoba, scientists hope to change
unproductive desert land into productive agricultural land
...
You can jot down
your points here or underline in the paragraph the words that you wish
to remove
...
It is possible to reduce these to the following:
‘The jojoba, a wild desert bush that grows in some parts of the United
States and Mexico, is about 2 metres high
...
’
Second, notice that we don’t state that the jojoba is a wild desert bush:
we don’t make this a separate sentence
...
In your grammar
books you will find an explanation for this relationship, namely that ‘a
wild desert bush’ is a noun phrase in apposition to ‘jojoba’
...
Third, it is not necessary to include in your summary all the details that
occur in a passage
...
However, in a general summary, such as we are attempting
here, detail of any kind which is not needed for the development of the
main point can be deleted
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Fourth, notice that because sentences 13 and 14 have been combined,
the main clause is ‘the jojoba is about two metres high
...
’
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6
Let us now look at sentences 15-19
...
How can we
combine these into fewer and shorter sentences?
First, underline the parts of the sentence that deal with detail which is
not necessary for the main argument
...
State these here
...
Write your combined sentences here
...
Now compare your work with this version
...
There can be other ways as well:
‘Its fruit is 40-60 per cent liquid wax, called jojoba oil, which is
valuable
...
’
Let us analyse what steps have been taken to produce these sentences
...
We draw on sentence 16, removing
the common element ‘liquid substance’ and add ‘called jojoba oil, which
is valuable
...
The main clause of this new sentence now reads: “Its fruit is
40-60 per cent liquid wax
...
’ Remember that the process of condensing sentences
requires you very often to combine sentences in such a way that one or
more sentences become subordinate clauses in the new sentences
...
Sentences 17 and 18 have been combined to give rise to ‘This can be
used in making cosmetic and high quality machine oils’; the common
element in ‘it can be used as a base for’ and ‘it works well as an
ingredient in’ is expressed in ‘this can be used in
...
What about sentence 19? It appears difficult to condense this without
removing the essential point of the passage, so we can just leave it as it
is
...
Compare it with the original text
...
(1) People depend on plants, especially in the form of seeds, or
grains, for their existence because these are the principal
ingredients of human diet
...
(3) Records of the
domestication of plants are very recent and can help predict some
problem areas in domesticating a plant
...
2
...
(2) The jojoba, a wild desert bush that grows in
some parts of the United states and Mexico, is about 2 metres
high
...
(4) This can be used in making cosmetics and
high quality machine oils
...
Now let us go over the summary and consider whether each sentence is
probably linked to the following one
...
Sentences 1 and 2
are connected by means of the word ‘Yet’
...
Is that, however the case? The fact that most plants were
domesticated in pre-historic times (sentence 2) is not being stated in
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
contrast to people’s dependence on plants (sentence 1)
...
What is being contrasted occurs in sentences 2 and 3,
namely the fact that though plants were domesticated in pre-historic
times (sentence 2), yet records of this domestication are very recent
(sentence 3)
...
Sentences 2 and 3 can now read:
‘Most of the plants that are important to people, for example corn and
wheat, were domesticated in pre-historic times, yet records of the
domestication of plants are very recent
...
’
Notice that sentence 2 is made to carry the contrast mentioned above
with the help of part of sentence 3
...
So the second part of sentence 3 (Summary A) is made to stand alone
here
...
The linking word ‘however’ appears at the beginning
of sentence 4
...
This would seem to be a suitable way of
joining the two sentences
...
A new paragraph is started at this point
...
A new paragraph is needed to indicate this change in focus
...
This word ‘example’ very clearly indicates the
nature of the relationship between the jojoba tree and the rest of the
discussion that has taken place earlier
...
So
sentence 2 merely says something more about sentence 1
...
This also makes a statement about the jojoba tree
...
Sentence 5 makes a general statement
about the effect that domesticating the jojoba plant will have on the
productivity of the land
...
314
GST102
MODULE 4
Write the new version of the summary here
...
Summary B
If you wish to shorten this summary further, what can you do?
Different statements are being made in paragraph 1, namely the ones
given below
...
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
People’s dependence on plants
...
The fact that records of the domestication of plants are very
recent
...
Perhaps the points that can be removed are (iii) and (iv) because these
are not absolutely essential
...
The next thing to learn in order to condense a passage further is to be
able to combine two or even three sentences into one by creating
complex sentences with subordinate clauses
...
What changes have been made to the
form in which these statements occurred in Summary A/B?
‘People depends on plants’
...
were domesticated in pre-historic times’ – The domestication
of plants in pre-historic times
...
Consider the following
sentence as an opening sentence for Summary C:
‘People’s dependence on plants has led to the domestication of plants
and grains that are important for man’s existence
...
The change of verb into noun has enabled us to produce this shorter
315
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
version because the main parts of the two sentences, namely, ‘People
depend on plants’ and ‘plants
...
’, ‘the principal ingredients of human diet’ –
‘important for man’s existence
...
g
...
’
What changes have been introduced here to make it different from
Summary B? Note them down here before reading further
...
g
...
’ It is stated here as a
generalisation which links it to the description of the jojoba plant
in the second paragraph
...
’
The first part of this is drawn mainly from sentence 1 quoted above
...
Both these words/phrases are drawn from the sense of the
passage from those parts of Summary A/B that have been left out of
Summary C so far:
The second sentence of paragraph 2 can read:
‘It is a wild desert bush found in some parts of the United States and
Mexico which has fruit consisting largely of liquid wax
...
’
Notice that the following changes are made:
The jojoba – It
...
Its fruits is 40-60 per cent liquid wax – consisting largely of liquid wax
...
The subordinate clauses
are:
(i)
(ii)
found in some parts of the U
...
and Mexico
which has fruit consisting largely to liquid wax
...
’
In what ways has Summary A/B been changed to produce this sentence?
Write down your answer here
...
’
The last sentence of paragraph 2 can read:
‘In addition, by domesticating the jojoba, unproductive desert land can
be changed into productive agricultural land
...
The main change consists in bringing in the words ‘In addition
...
Now read Summary C as a whole
...
Most of the important
plants, e
...
corn and wheat, were domesticated in pre-historic times, but
scientists are still trying to domesticate more plants
...
It
is a wild desert bush found in some parts of the U
...
and Mexico which
has fruit consisting largely of liquid wax
...
In addition, by
domesticating the jojoba, unproductive desert land can be changed into
productive agricultural land
...
0
CONCLUSION
Summarisation is an important skill that you must possess as a student
...
You need to be able to summarise all the points you have
mastered during examination
...
That’s why you must take the
techniques of summarising taught in this unit seriously
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit, you have been exposed to:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
how to separate essential from the non-essential ideas
how to separate details from ideas
how to remove repetition or re-statement from major points or
ideas
giving importance to words which link sentences and ideas; and
becoming aware of how ideas in a passage are systematically
linked to one another
...
The next
unit will expose you to more techniques of summarising
...
6
...
1
...
In summarisation you delete
(a)
(b)
(c)
...
...
In summarisation you reduce the size of a sentence by
4
...
0
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi: Open University
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi National Open University
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Study Skills
...
Olaofe, I
...
(1991)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing Co
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
319
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
UNIT 5
WRITING SUMMARIES II: MORE ON
TECHNIQUES OF SUMMARIZING
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Techniques of Summarizing
3
...
3
Earthworms Back in the Garden
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
In unit 4, we discuss some techniques of summarising
...
In this unit, we shall
take up three passages and show practically how they can be
summarised
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
summarise any passage you read
recognise factors that make summaries effective
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
In this section you are going to be taken through the
processes of summarising the passage on Integrated Pest Management
...
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GST102
MODULE 4
Example 1
You are now going to read a passage on how agriculturists are learning
to deal with creatures who harm crops
...
Now read the passage
...
2
Integrated Pest Management
1
...
(2) As each new chemical pesticide is
used, the insects or rodents gradually become used to it
...
(4) Therefore, farmers, scientists, and food planners are trying a
new method to control the pests that attack their crops
...
2
...
These methods
are specifically developed for individual areas and crops
...
Chemical poisons are used only when
necessary
...
Its aim is
to control pest population so that crops can still grow well
...
Cotton farmers in Texas have been using the IPM method
...
In 1977, three-quarters of the cotton fields in Texas
received no insecticides at all
...
The IPM methods showed the farmers a better way
to control the pests in their fields
...
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been
studying agricultural pests and chemicals
...
Rodents,
including rats, are also gaining resistance to poisons
...
Three years later,
there were 228 species on the resistant list
...
Because so many pests are
becoming resistant to chemical poisons, it is necessary to find
another method of control
...
(From Zukowski-Faust, J
...
S
...
S
...
Copyright ©1983 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc
...
)
Glossary
Pesticides:
substances used to destroy troublesome or destructive
creatures like insects, mice, etc
...
strains:
varieties
...
We are now going to make a summary of the passage by looking for the
important ideas in each paragraph
...
Re-read this paragraph and find a line that
states the main idea
...
It is not always possible
to find the main idea stated in a single sentence
...
If the main idea can be
found in one sentence, that sentence is called a topic sentence
...
’
Notice that sentence 2 merely explains the meaning of sentence 1
...
What
about sentences 4 and 5? You can see that these provide a new point
...
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GST102
MODULE 4
Sentence 1 states the general position-the problem
...
Note that both the problem and the
solution make up the topic of paragraph 1
...
The rest of the passage contains a development of the idea of Integrated
Pest Management, what it consists of, how it is used, and its effect
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
Now, look for the important sentences in paragraph 2 which develop the
main idea
...
Its aim is to control pest
population so that crops can still grow well
...
However, is this
information enough to summarise paragraph 2? If you look again, you
will find that crucial items are left out
...
Write this down here:
The points to be taken from paragraph 2 read thus:
‘Integrated pest management is a plan that combines several different
methods to destroy insects and rodents
...
’
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Can you cut out any words from here? Write down what you can
remove?
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Now check your answer
...
The same
sentence also states its short form ‘IPM’ in brackets
...
e
...
It can be referred to simply as ‘IPM’
...
We
can therefore, change the second use of ‘the pests’ to ‘their’
...
by using the pests’ natural enemies, controlling their breeding
environment
...
Bear in mind what has already been stated
in the summaries of paragraphs 1 and 2 above and choose only what
seems to be necessary from paragraph 3 to continue the argument
...
This is too long
to repeat
...
Write this down here if you
have not already written it in the blank given above
...
To produce this, parts of two
sentences have been combined
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
Now read paragraph 4 and note down the main idea expressed in it
...
Try and find the general point
...
Have you noted down the following:
‘The U
...
Environmental Programme has found that a large number of
pests are resistant to insecticides, so it is necessary to find another
method of control
...
‘The United nations’ has been shortened to ‘The U
...
’ but not
‘U
...
E
...
The U
...
is a well-known organisation, so it will be
recognised by its initials, but the Environmental Programme run by the
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GST102
MODULE 4
U
...
is not generally so well-known, so it needs to be stated in full
...
These cannot be stated separately
but have to be contained within a generalisation: ‘a large number of
pests
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6
Now rewrite all the main points that have pout down separately together
here:
Let’s now read this summary
...
Therefore farmers, scientists and food planners
are trying a new method to control the pests that attack their crops,
namely Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
...
Its aim is to
control pests populations so that crops can still grow well, by using the
pests’ natural enemies, controlling the pests’ breeding environment, and
developing stronger strains of seeds
...
The U
...
Environmental Programme has found
that a large number of pests are resistant to insecticides, so it is
necessary to find another method of control
...
(i)
Are all the points connected to form a single argument? And are
all the sentences properly linked? If you read carefully you will
find that one of the sentences has no proper linking word to
connect it to the previous sentence
...
The last sentence but one is not related to the previous one
...
By the addition of these words a reason is given for the
improvement of the cotton crop
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
You will have noticed that the first and the last lines of this summary
repeat the same points in different words
...
The last sentence can very easily be removed
because mention of the U
...
Environmental Programme is not
particularly important to the development of the argument
...
Let us go over the steps we took to write this summary
...
Finally, we looked at the summary to check for repetition of ideas
and removed the repetition
...
In
that case, linking or connecting words were required in order to
make it read properly
...
Example 2
You will now read another passage
...
It
talks about natural ways of fertilising the soil
...
Now read the passage
...
3
Earthworms Back in the Garden
1
...
They can increase crop production, turn
and freshen soil, and produce faster growth
...
Weigel is extremely enthusiastic about earthworms
...
” Weigel says,
quoting Charles Darwin
...
Weigel is so excited about the benefits of worms that he is
writing a book about them
...
He has persuaded his wife to put worms in her
houseplant pots
...
He has dreams of armies of earthworms
helping to replace topsoil in the country
...
Wind and
water carry away the soil, and nature needs centuries to replace it
...
Within one year, one thousand earthworms and their descendants
can change approximately one ton of organic matter into one of
the highest-yield growing materials known, according to Weigel
...
If 1,000 pounds of earthworms are working one
acre of land every twenty-four hours, then will produce 1,000
pounds of castings that function as a high-grade topsoil
...
4
...
For example, castings are very porous,
and water flows easily through them
...
In addition, worms tend to be
happiest around the roots of plants
...
The worms’ create a planting
area of even consistency
...
5
...
They
need only moisture, darkness and food from the soil
...
That little known group
which is active in many states, suggests that commercial farmers
reintroduce earthworms in places where they have been killed
through the use of synthetic fertilisers and other gardening
chemicals
...
, Johnson, S
...
and Atkinson, C
...
Between
the Lines, Copyright ©1983 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
...
,
reprinted by permission of the publisher
...
You can begin
in this way: ‘Earthworms are the answer for every garden problem
...
You were expected to complete the above sentence by given examples
of the problems earthworms can solve, as listed in paragraph 1
...
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USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Now re-read paragraph 2 and draw out the main ideas from it
...
Write them down here
...
The
paragraph is about the benefits of worms and the two benefits mentioned
here should be selected for the summary
...
In a summary we are not much concerned with the
view of an individual such as Weigel, but with the facts themselves
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 9
Now re-read 3 and note down the main points
...
Specific examples should not be included unless they also
express a general idea which has not already been stated
...
Check your answers with those given at the end of the unit
...
All references to Weigel are left out
...
Now read paragraph 4
...
Choose adjectives and adjective-like phrases that are used to
describe the effect of worms on the soil
...
In a summary you need basically to provide the main points that are
important for the whole passage
...
Now read paragraph 5 and note down the main points
...
So, first state the
three things that they need, starting with the words:
‘Worms need only
Another point is also being made here regarding a Worm Growers’
Association which is of interest in the context
...
Put in a line about this
...
Now, if the whole summary we have produced is written up, it will read
like this:
‘Earthworms are the answer for every garden problem: they can increase
crop production, turn and freshen soil and produce faster growth
...
Within one
year, 1,000 earthworms and their descendants can change approximately
1 ton of organic matter into one of the highest-yield growing materials
known
...
Worms make the soil porous, absorbent and of even consistency
...
A Worm Growers’
Association is active in many states
...
The first part
all the way up to ‘
...
Each point that is being made up to this stage
consists of a statement of yet another function of the earthworms, so no
further connecting words are required
...
It is, therefore, necessary to indicate that a
different kind of idea is being brought in
...
Let us see how the summary will read with this addition:
‘
...
Worms offer all these benefits, yet they make few demands: they need
only moisture, darkness and food from the soil
...
What about the last sentence of the summary? Does it fit in at that point
in the summary? There is actually no connection between that and the
sentence before it
...
Notice that the summary does not necessarily follow the sequence of
ideas of the original passage
...
What is important is that a clear line of argument develops, even
though in the original passage the line of argument is not so clear
...
Check your answer
with that given at the end of the unit
...
It deals with certain specific examples of volcanoes and their
general effect
...
3
...
(1) The Northern Hemisphere is experiencing a time period of
increased volcanic activity
...
Helens
in 1980 is evidence of this activity
...
(4) Experts
estimated that two cubic kilometers of earth was thrown into the
atmosphere
...
(6) The smoke and volcanic matter were forced straight
up 60,000 feet into a high part of the atmosphere, the
stratosphere
...
(8) Eruptions of this size might take place only
once every decade
...
Eruptions of this type are influencing the Earth’s climate
...
This means that the transparency of
the atmosphere decreases because less light can pass through
...
It reduces approximately ½ oF, about a
quarter of a degree Celsius
...
3
...
For example, in
North America there was a series of eruptions in the early 1900’s
...
Then from 1945 to 1970 the number of annual
eruptions doubled from about approximately 16 to 18 a year to 37
to 40 a year
...
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GST102
MODULE 4
4
...
They believe that volcanoes occur where there is a weakness or
thin spot in the Earth’s crust
...
These weak spots occur
where the enormous plates of crust rock under the continents
meet
...
This is what creates the “ring of fire”, the circle of volcanoes
around the pacific
...
There is probably a relationship between the volcanoes and
earthquakes
...
For instance, after the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake, Mount Lassen in Northern California erupted in
1914
...
The goal of the scientists is to be able to
predict earthquakes, volcanoes, and the weather by studying these
physical conditions
...
; Johnson, S
...
; Atkinson, C
...
: Between the
Lines copyright © 1983 by Holt
...
Inco
...
)
Glossary
Volcano: a hill or mountain with openings through which gases, lava,
ashes, etc
...
eruption: outbreak; bursting forth
...
fault:
(here) place where there is a break in the continuity of layers
of rock
...
‘Volcanic eruptions’ can be replaced by
‘they’
...
If the third also is
equally brief, the effect is very ‘cut and dried,’ the writing doesn’t flow
...
’ It is possible to change ‘volcanic activity’ in the
fourth sentence to ‘this,’ but perhaps if we did this, the sentence might
not remain so clear
...
The first four
sentences do not need any connecting words because each is an
expansion of the same idea
...
The kind of word we add will depend on the
nature of the connection between the last two sentences
...
It is scientists who have drawn such a relationship
...
Scientists do not know what causes
volcanic activity but they do feel that there is a relationship between the
volcanoes and earthquakes
...
In
order to bring out all this, we can therefore add ‘It is felt, however, that’
to the beginning of sentence 5
...
You can check your answer with that given at the end of the unit
...
What points would you add
from the original passage?
Re-read it and write down the points here
...
St
...
You could probably say:
‘The Northern Hemisphere is experiencing a period of increased
volcanic activity
...
St
...
The smoke and volcanic matter were forced
straight up 60,000 feet into the stratosphere
...
’
Notice that in sentence 6 of paragraph 1 the meaning of ‘stratosphere’ is
indicated in the line itself
...
‘The smoke and volcanic matter were forced straight up 60,000 feet’
noun phrase
verb
adverbial of location
into a high part of the atmosphere, the stratosphere?
adverbial of location
noun phrase
The sentence is seen to contain a noun phrase + verb + two adverbials of
location
...
The second noun
phrase, coming as it does after the first noun phrase, repeats the
information of the first
...
’
332
GST102
MODULE 4
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 12
Check Your Progress 2
Now pick out the topic sentence in each paragraph of this passage and
write it down here:
Paragraph 1:
Paragraph 2:
Paragraph 3:
Paragraph 4:
Paragraph 5:
Check your answers with those given at the end of the unit
...
It seems as if the topic sentence in this passage occurs in the first line of
every paragraph
...
However, it must be borne in mind that you cannot always
expect topic sentences to occur at the beginning of paragraphs
...
Short Summary
1
...
3
...
5
...
Eruptions of this type are influencing the Earth’s climate
...
Scientists do not know what causes volcanic activity to increase
...
’
Supposing we were content with the bare bones of the information given
here and did not wish to pack in any more information from the passage
for our summary, can we leave the above paragraph as it is? What
changes in language do you find necessary to introduce, such as the
linking of sentences and the removal of repetition? State the changes
you would make
...
In the third sentence, however, we
have the words ‘volcanic eruptions
...
Having introduced
the example, you then have to bring in something about what happened,
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
but not too much
...
‘The smoke
and volcanic matter were forced straight up 60,000 feet into the
stratosphere
...
Now find the other important points from paragraph 2 which you feel
should be added to the summary
...
If we want to introduce some of the
details, they must be mentioned very briefly
...
We can state the following:
‘Volcanic eruptions influence the Earth’s climate
...
This makes the air
cloudy so that less light passes through, leading to a drop in the surface
temperature of the Earth
...
Other details, which seem a little less important,
are left out
...
Separate
sentences from the original text are joined together (i) with ‘so that’
indicating that the cloudiness of the air allows less light to pass through,
and (ii) with ‘leading to’ indicating again, a further result, namely the
drop in the temperature that is caused
...
State them here
...
The first line can be
retained as it is, with another part which generalises and condenses the
rest of the paragraph added on
...
’
Now find the important points in paragraph 4 which you might wish to
add to your summary
...
334
GST102
MODULE 4
Paragraph 4
A number of details are given in this paragraph and we have to decide
which ones are important
...
They
believe that volcanoes occur where there is a weakness or thin spot in
the Earth’s crust which allows the hot liquid rock deep under the surface
to come out
...
Parts of the third
sentence are added on to the second, making it a complex sentence
...
to come out
...
State
them here
...
The last line states a generalised goal which is not so relevant to the way
the passage has developed, so it can be omitted
...
Usually a volcanic eruption follows an earthquake some
distance away
...
’
Notice that now, as we are expanding the summary, we have not
bothered about the connecting words we had used in the short summary
...
Now let us write the summary as it stands
...
What improvements can you
suggest?
Summary
1
...
‘The Northern Hemisphere is experiencing a period of increased
volcanic activity
...
St
...
335
GST102
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
11
...
1
...
3
...
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
The smoke and volcanic matter were forced straight up 60,000
feet into the stratosphere
...
Volcanic eruptions influence the earth’s climate
...
This makes the air cloudy so that less light passes through,
leading to a drop in the surface temperature of the earth
...
Scientists do not know what causes volcanic activity to increase
...
There is probably a relationship between the volcanoes and
earthquakes
...
’
Consider the summary as it stands, carefully
...
We are now going to write a revised summary, making some of the
changes referred to above
...
Revised Summary
1
...
One of the examples of this was a major
eruption at Mt
...
Helens in 1980 when the smoke and volcanic
matter were forced straight up 60,000 feet into the stratosphere
...
2
...
Scientists as yet do
not know what causes volcanic activity to increase
...
3
...
This makes the air cloudy so that less light passes
through, leading to a drop in the surface temperature of the earth
...
Usually, a volcanic eruption follows an earthquake
some distance away
...
’
4
...
We have been attempting general
summaries when passages have been condensed according to the
purpose of the passage itself
...
In that case, details not so important to
the passage might be selected because you happen to be particularly
interested in them
...
For the
time being, we are left with a choice between the short summary and the
revised summary
...
5
...
0
looking for the important ideas in each passage and the
relationship between them; and
adopting a proper arrangement for the main points in the
summary and linking the various sentences in it with the use of
connectives
...
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Read the passage on Integrated Pest Management which is example 1 of
unit 4 once again
...
337
GST102
7
...
School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities
...
Handa, U
...
Functional English: Writing Skills
...
Handa, U
...
Functional English Study Skills
...
Olaofe I
...
(1991)
...
Zaria: Tamaza Publishing Co
...
A
...
Communicate English
...
338
GST102
MODULE 4
MODULE 3
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Letters and Sounds in English
English Vowels and Consonants
Interviews
Seminar Presentation
Public Speech Making
UNIT 1
LETTERS AND SOUNDS IN ENGLISH
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
Letters and Sounds
3
...
3
Intonation
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
In the next five units, we will be studying
speaking skills
...
We spend at least two thirds of a day speaking to one another
...
That’s why we devote this module to the
art of speaking English intelligently and in a way that people can
understand
...
To speak English well, you have
to learn correct pronunciation
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
make distinctions between the English letters and sounds
describe the English stress patterns
produce the correct English sounds and stress patterns
produce the correct English informative pattern
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
Look at the following words:
even, these, green, read, field, size, machine, key, people
...
e, ee, ea, ie, ei, i, ey, eo in these words represent the same vowel
sound, which also occurs in the usually spelt word suite (meaning a
connected series of rooms to be used together, and pronounced exactly
like sweet)
...
These words are all spelt with -ough, but this spelling gives a
number of different pronunciations: bough has the same vowel sound as
in cow; cough has the same vowel sounds as in cot and has the sound /f/
at the end (We shall use symbols to represent sounds and place them
between slant bars to distinguish them from the letters of the English
alphabet); though has the same vowel sound as in go; rough has the
same vowel sound as in rush; and through has the same vowel sound
as in too
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
List 5 words each (with, as far as possible, different spellings for the
vowels sound) having
(i)
the same vowel sound as in see
...
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GST102
MODULE 4
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
List 5 words each to show how the following vowel letters can have
different sounds, different words:
a, e, i, o, u
...
There are, in fact, more sounds in the
language than there are letters in the alphabet
...
Each sound
is distinct, and the substitution of one of these sounds for another may
either bring about a change in meaning or lead to the production of a
word that does not sound like an English word at all
...
For example, you should be able to distinguish between pairs of words
like:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
(xi)
(xii)
peak and pick,
date and debt,
set and sat,
cut and cart,
heard and hard,
cut abnd cot,
last and lost,
full and fool,
here and hair,
pull and full,
ledger and leisure,
seat and sheet
...
For the correct pronunciation of words, you
must learn to refer to the dictionary all the time
...
It is important to learn these symbols and the sound each
symbol stands for
...
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GST102
3
...
Stress is extra force used in speaking, on a particular word or
syllable
...
Words are made up of one or more separately pronounced parts, called
syllables
...
)
One syllable :
Two syllables :
by a dot)
Three syllables :
Four syllables :
Five syllables :
course, part, one, block, two
...
pen (syllable division shown
English
unit
listen
speaking
foundation
understand
whenever
conversation
television
pronunciation
En
...
nit
lis
...
ing
foun
...
tion
un
...
stand
when
...
er
con
...
sa
...
e
...
ion
pro
...
ci
...
tion
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
How many syllables do the following words have?
(i) this
(ii) section
(iii) spoken
(iv) better (v) prepare (vi)
improve
(vii) broadcast (viii) discussion (ix) composition (x) before
In English words of two or more syllables, at least one syllable stands
out from the rest and we say it has greater stress
...
For example: IEnglish, Ispeaking, imIprove
...
The markI is placed before such a syllable
...
All these
words have been recorded for you on the cassette
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
Make the stress syllables in the following words and say them with the
correct stress pattern
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
accompany
available
university
television
constitution
Why then do you need to know about stress in English? You need this
knowledge because wrongly stressing a word in English may lead to
misunderstanding
...
In a sentence:
IExport the goods and let me have the exIport tariff
...
Also in the two sets of commands
ITurn on the red light
and
Turn Ion the red light
...
The first meaning is you should switch on the red light, while
the second meaning for the second sentence is make a turn whenever
you get to the red light
...
In
many of the Nigerian languages, speakers speak with a strong stress on
every word
...
g
...
Start to learn the English stress patterns
today
...
3
MODULE 4
Intonation
We shall now introduce you to intonation patterns in English
...
We also call them tone groups
...
(The tone group division is shown by the oblique bar /)
...
2
...
4
...
by the time we got home, it was already dark
...
If you need anything else, just ask me
...
Going through your papers, I was surprised to find that you’d
studied journalism
...
On
the stressed syllable of this word there is a movement of the pitch of the
speaker’s voice from high to low or low to high
...
The Falling Tone
We shall show the falling tone with a slanting mark pointing downward,
placed before the nucleus
...
2
...
I haven’t the Itime
...
There’s Ino reIreply
...
; for example:
1
...
3
...
5
...
IWhat’is the Itime?
IWhere’s he Igone?
IWhen will they come?
IWhy are they Ilate?
IHow many have you Igot?
IHow much d’you Ineed?
(c)
Commands; for example:
1
...
IClose the Idoor
...
(d)
Exclamation; for example:
1
...
What an Iexcellent iIdea!
How extra Iordinary!
(e)
Question tags, when agreement is expected; for example:
1
...
It’s Irather Ihot today, /Iisn’t it?
This is a Idifficult Iquestion, /Iisn’t it?
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6
Now look at the following words and sentences which have a falling
tone on the nucleus, and listen to them on the cassette
...
Make sure that the pitch of your
voice moves from a higher level to a lower level on the nucleus
...
toImorrow
They’re Icoming toImorrow
...
Ilight
ISwitch on the Ilight
...
Itime
IDon’t ‘waste my Itime
...
Ipapers
IWhere are the Ipapers?
5
...
Icoffe
Let’s Igo and have some Icoffee
...
Listen to them on
the cassette and then read them aloud yourself
...
A
B
:
:
IWhy don’t you Ibuy a Icar?
I Ihaven’t got the Imoney
...
A
B
:
:
IHave some Icoffee
...
3
...
But it’s Ijammed
...
(A stressed syllable after the nucleus is marked at
the bottom
...
A
B
:
:
IWhat’s the Imatter with you?
I’ve had a Isleepless Inight
...
A
B
A
B
A
B
A
B
:
:
:
:
:
IWho is that `man?
He’s a repIorter
...
I’ll Isend him aIway, then
...
Just Ileave me aIlone
...
I’m Inot interested
...
6
...
After you have checked your answer, read each
dialogue aloud
...
A
B
:
:
I’m leaving tonight
...
A
B
:
:
It’s rather dark in here
...
3
...
I don’t think I can
...
A
B
:
:
We’re going to the zoo tomorrow
...
A
B
A
B
:
:
:
:
Which one d’you want?
I’ll have this one
...
Then I don’t want any
...
We shall indicate this tone
with a slanting mark pointing upward, placed at the bottom of the line
before the nucleus
...
2
...
IHave they Igone?
IWill he aIgree?
D’you Iknow them?
(b)
‘Incomplete’ utterances which form part of sentence, quite often
subordinate clauses
...
2
...
4
...
IIf it Irains / we’ll Igo by Itaxi
...
It’s Itime for the Ilecture / but Ino one has Icome
...
I’d Itake you Isightseeing / if I Ihad the Itime
...
2
...
2
...
ICould I Iborrow your Ipen?
IPlease, Ipour me some Iwater?
IDo come Iin
...
2
...
0
CONCLUSION
The importance of the English sound systems is shown in this unit
...
It has also been able to establish the importance of stress and
intonational patterns
...
This is why you have to take all the suggestions and the
practice exercises in this unit very seriously
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit, you have learnt:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
6
...
The next unit will expose you more to the English sounds
...
349
GST102
7
...
School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities
...
Bausal, R
...
(1997)
...
New
Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
(ed
...
Functional English: Conversation - Speaking
Skills
...
Rubdy, R
...
(1997)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi Open University
...
(All exercises are to be recorded in a cassette and videos)
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
English Consonants
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
In English, there is no perfect
relationship, between spelling and sound
...
In some dictionaries, the pronunciation of words
is shown by the use of, symbols
...
If we learn to recognize the sound that each symbol stands for,
we can learn to pronounce all the new words we come across correctly
...
These are the English vowels and consonants sounds
...
Your knowledge of them is very important
...
To study this unit, you
need the cassette on spoken English in your study
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
recognise the English vowel and consonant sounds
produce these sounds accurately in isolation and in context
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
These
vowels are used by most educated people in English, and this kind of
pronunciation is generally known as ‘Received Pronunciation’ or
‘Standard Southern British’
...
The
symbol for each vowel sound is given and also a key word in which the
sound occurs
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
11
...
13
...
15
...
17
...
19
...
Symbol
/ i: /
/¹/
/e/
/æ/
/ a: /
/ •: /
/u/
/ u: /
/^/
/ Î: /
/ «: /
/ eI /
/ «u /
/ aI /
/ au /
/ •I /
/ Iu /
/ e« /
/ u« /
Key word
sheep
ship
bed
bad
calm
pot
caught
put
boot
cut
bird
cupboard (second syllable)
make
note
bite
new
boy
here
there
poor
The slanting bars (/ /) indicate that the symbol between them represents
a sound and not a letter of the alphabet
...
You can listen to them on the cassette
...
You may check your answers with
those given by us at the end of the unit
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
10
...
They have been recorded for you on
the cassette
...
Write down the symbol for the vowel sound used in each word,
and say each pair bringing out the distinction clearly
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
10
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Some vowel letters in these
words have been underlined
...
Say all these words with the correct vowel
sounds
...
2
...
4
...
about
become
cottage
dreaded
envelop
6
...
8
...
10
...
12
...
14
...
journey
librarian
museum
photograph
pure
When you look up new words in the Longman Dictionary for
pronunciation, you will notice that for some words, the symbol /
/ is
printed in italic, that is, it is slanting
...
Notice also that in
353
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
some places / / is placed above / /
...
Either of these
vowel sounds can be used
...
The upright mark placed
above and before `purify’ indicates that this syllable of the word stands
out from the rest and has greater stress
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Here are some words from the text of this unit
...
You may consult the dictionary, if you like
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
objective
cassette
comprehension
conversation
pronunciation
father
practice
talk
suggestion
question
It should be noted that there are acceptable Nigeria variants of British
R
...
vowels
...
The major vowel sounds and symbols cited
here are the acceptable ones
...
Key word
caught
corn
course
cut
bird
make
note
Vowel Contrasts
354
Vowel in British
Received Pronunciation
/ •: /
/ •: /
/ •: /
/ Ã/
/ Î: /
/ eI /
/ «U /
GST102
MODULE 4
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
Listen to the following pairs of words on the cassette and then read them
aloud yourself, making a clear distinction between the words in each
pair
...
(a)
/ i: /
seek
sleep
reach
leave
deed
/I/
sick
slip
rich
live
did
(b)
/e/
pen
bet
men
lend
letter
/æ/
pan
bat
man
land
latter
(c)
/e/
sent
tell
get
bell
chest
/ e / (or Indian / e: /)
saint
tale
gate
bale
chaste
(d)
/ /
odd
not
got
cost
cot
/ / (or Indian / o: /)
ode
note
goat
coast
coat
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6
Say the following words correctly as shown
...
comprehension /k•mprihens«n/
secrets / Isi:krrts /
mystery
/ Imist ri /
centuries
/I
recent
/ Iri:s nt /
times
/ Itarmz /
355
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
scientists
/ Isai ntrsts /
careful
/I
/
observation / Iobz Iverfen /
experiment (n
...
2
English Consonants
In the first part of this unit, you learnt the vowel sounds in English and
the symbols used for them
...
After learning
these symbols, you will be able to find out the pronunciation of English
words from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English and Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English
...
These are listed below and
have been recorded for you on the cassette
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
11
...
13
...
15
...
17
...
19
...
21
...
23
...
356
Symbol
/p/
/b/
/t/
/d/
/k/
/g/
/ tS /
/ dÎ /
/f/
/v/
/T/
/ /
/s/
/z /
/Z /
/h/
/m/
/n/
/N/
/1/
/r/
/j/
/w/
key word
pen
back
tea
day
key
gay
cheer
jump
few
view
thing
then
soon
zero
fishing
pleasure
hot
sum
sun
sung
led
red
yet
wet
GST102
MODULE 4
Notice that the symbols for the consonants 1-6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19,
21, 22, and 24 are the same as the letters of the alphabet
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 7
Here are ten words
...
Write down
the symbols for the consonant sounds in these words
...
1
...
7
...
thief
there
zoo
joy
2
...
8
...
6
...
yard
measure
song
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 8
Given below are eight pairs of words, and the words in each pair differ
in only one consonant sound
...
Write down the symbols for the consonant sounds that bring about the
difference
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 9
Underline the letters in the following words which represent the
consonant sound shown in brackets
...
357
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Example: /
/ that, think
...
think, this, other, theft, thought, then, therefore
...
ear, few, lower, year, day, cure, toy, future
...
Arrange the words in two separate lists according to the
sound used
...
0
/ – promotion, shore, pleasure, special, assure, fresh, garage
CONCLUSION
You will agree with me after going through this unit that the English
vowel and consonant sounds are important to effective spoken English
...
It means that you
must master these sounds very well before you can be a good speaker of
English
...
This is the only way you can be heard and understood
...
0
SUMMARY
This unit has exposed you to the following:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
358
the English vowel sounds and vowel contrasts;
the English consonant sounds; and
how these sounds are recognised and produced
...
GST102
6
...
Unless they hear and recognise the sounds produced,
they will be unable to write the passage correctly
...
You are expected to listen
and write down the word you heard
...
1
...
7
...
I see the sea
that seems to be shallow through the thorough twinkle eye of the
binoculars
...
School of
Health Sciences and School of Humanities, February 2001
(reprint) and July 1997 (reprint) HSTIT Functional English
...
Bausal, R
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 1
...
Foundation Course in English 3
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 4
...
Audio and video recordings of all the exercises and examples in this
unit
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Unfolding Personality: Specimen Interviews
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
While a written
test shows your grasp of a subject, an interview is meant to bring out
your capacity to think and act responsibly in the job you have applied
for
...
They try
to judge whether you will be able to get on with colleagues and
subordinates
...
e
...
In short, the board wants
to see if a candidate is well-suited for the job he has applied for or not
...
It is, therefore,
necessary to improve your communicative skills in English for an
interview
...
We shall consider the interviews for jobs in sales, and in professions like
medicine, engineering, teaching, management, etc
...
360
GST102
2
...
3
...
1
Preparing for an Interview
Preparation is the first step towards success at an interview
...
First, if you are a candidate, you must do your home-work on the subject
matter well
...
In fact, the best time to begin preparing is the
day you finish your written test and there’s chance of your being called
for an interview
...
Secondly, try to relate what you
have learnt from books to your own previous experience in the line, if
possible
...
If you are applying for your first
job, you must think of the situations that may arise on this job
...
Remember that at the interview, you may be given a
practical problem to solve
...
Besides preparing on the specific subject itself, you must give some
attention to your dress and appearance, because these reflect a man’s
personality
...
The
man who is dressed in a slovenly way with ill-fitting clothes and buttons
missing from shirt sleeves gives the impression that he is careless about
work in general
...
361
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Your preparation is incomplete without a general overview of current
affairs
...
At some interviews, the interview board would
like to know if the candidate is fully aware of trends in culture, politics,
economy, etc
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
Say which of these suggestions for the preparation for an interview are
helpful and useful
...
2
The well-prepared candidate is one who wears the best suit for an
interview
...
Before the interview, one should make a list of situations that are
likely to arise in the job one has applied for and be mentally
prepared to tackle them
...
The best time to begin preparation for an interview is a day or
two before, so that everything one reads is fresh for the interview
...
Read it carefully
...
His shoes are polished and his
general appearances are neat and proper
...
Chairman:
David:
Chairman:
David:
Chairman:
David:
Chairman:
362
Good morning
...
(Skimming, through the biodata sheet in front of him)
Mr
...
What is the nature of your work there?
I have to do everything to promote sales, from
advertising though mass media to obtaining orders from
retailers
...
How long have you been working there?
GST102
MODULE 4
David
Ever since the firm branch was founded
...
Another member: Why do you wish to change your job?
David:
Sir, there are better job prospects in this company
...
And my
first love was really computers
...
This is quite
natural when we already have the problem of
unemployment
...
Third member: From your experience of sales, what do you think counts
most in gaining success in this line?
David:
First and foremost, it’s good advertising
...
Secondly, assurance of quality
...
Chairman:
But what about personal contacts? An officer in a high
position can through personal influence secure a large
order for the company
...
That is an important factor, too
...
Vocabulary
behaviour which is not one’s natural manner
...
retailers:
those who sell things to customers for their own use and
not for resale
...
VCPs
Video Cassette Players
...
prospects
chances (of success)
...
climate
the general temper of people
...
retrieval system a method of finding stored information when it is
needed
...
being trustworthy
...
Let’s analyse the part of the interview you have read above
...
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
His dress and appearance are neat and proper and this gives the
first impression of a man who is careful about his dress and
appearance
...
He greets the chairman of the board and sits down only when he
is asked
...
His reason for wanting to leave the present job is candid
...
He knows the salient facts about computer applications in India
but is probably over-enthusiastic to display his knowledge
...
His ideas about success in sales are convincing and based on
long-term values
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
1
...
3
...
‘The wider the coverage, the greater the chances of winning
orders
...
’
Can you write another sentence with this structure?
Here’s a conversation at an interview for the post of a doctor at a village
hospital
...
He is a young man
of 29
...
Sit down, Mr
...
Where did you do your MBBS?
‘At ABU Teaching Hospital, Sir
...
’
‘You know this is a post for a doctor at a Government village hospital
...
’
‘You know conditions in a village may not be quite favourable for a
young city-bred person like you
...
V
...
?’
‘Yes, sir
...
I’d like to take up the
challenge, anyway
...
Why?
‘Because it is difficult to explain things to illiterate villagers and
convince them that a certain way of living is good for them
...
’
‘Well, for instance, villagers constantly ignore advice about the need for
personal hygiene
...
Here, I would inevitably face resistance
...
’
‘What about the salary being offered?’
‘It is a bit on the lower side, but I think I can manage
...
’
‘I am quite aware of that, Sir
...
But I
assure you
...
You may go
...
houseman: a junior doctor completing hospital training and living in the
hospital
...
incessant: never stopping
...
illiterate: unable to read and write
...
hygiene: cleanliness, generally
...
from inevitable: which cannot be prevented from
happening
...
prevalent: existing commonly
...
villagers suffer from more complex types of
diseases
...
(ii)
Randhir Patel wants to work in a village hospital because:
(a)
(b)
(c)
he has no other job at present
...
he is fond of a quiet, peaceful life
...
Tick the qualities listed here which apply to Randhir Patel
...
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Courteous
Well-informed about the people he is going to work for
...
Honest about his shortcomings
...
Doesn’t want any financial benefits at all
...
’ What meaning would the sentence have if
someone said: ‘Conditions in a village will be quite
unfavourable
...
’
How would the meaning change if he said ‘The salary is very
low
...
’
Here’s a conversation at an interview for the post of an engineer
...
Read carefully
and notice the points about appearance, dress and manner
...
Nwafor, a tall man in his thirties, with unkempt hair, is dressed in a
three-piece suit of dazzling colour
...
Unbecoming horn-rimmed spectacles are perched on the bridge of
his nose
...
Without greeting the
members of the board, he draws a chair to himself and seats himself
with the air of a man who is meeting his equals
...
Nwafor where are you working at present?
Nwafor:
Johnball Engineering Co
...
My work is to look after the making
of bridges on rivers
...
Chairman:
Yes
...
He won’t listen to all the wonderful ideas I’ve
got
...
How can he? After all he’s not as qualified as I
am
...
I have a degree in
engineering from America
...
Nwafor, notice you have some difficulty in
walking
...
?
Nwafor (visibly): That is there from birth
...
Chairman:
We know exactly what we should ask
...
)
Third member:
Mr
...
It has to
be built within a very short period because an
important minister will shortly be passing that way
...
You know he is unreliable
...
Will you give him the contract?
Nwafor:
Yes
...
The end justifies the means
...
You can go now
...
He carries away a pencil which he had picked from the
table (to fiddle with)
...
The end justifies the means: a bad action can be allowed if the result is
good
...
Nwafor is the last choice for
the post
...
Nwafor in a different light
...
Mr
...
He wears spectacles which make him look somewhat
scholarly
...
Nwafor:
Chairman:
Good morning, sir (smiles)
Good morning, Please sit down
...
Where are you
working
...
Nwafor
...
Sir
...
I supervise the
construction of bridges
...
Chairman:
You seem to be doing rather well there
...
The present Chief Engineer is a good old man, but
he won’t accept new ideas in bridge building
...
So I thought I’d take a
break
...
Was it an
accident?
Nwafor:
No
...
(The members of
the board have a laugh at this quip!)
Third member: Suppose you are incharge of a bridge which has to be
built in a very short span of time because a minister
will shortly be passing that way
...
Will you
give him the contract?
Nwafor:
Certainly not
...
368
GST102
MODULE 4
Vocabulary
tradition:
Break:
quip:
the body of principles, beliefs, practices, etc
...
a chance (to make things better
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
1
...
Features
Candidate in
Interview 1
Candidate in Interview 2
Appearance
dress, manner, etc
...
The extracts given below are from an interview for the post of a
Personal Assistant
...
(Example:
‘Mr
...
’)
Improved Version: (I find it difficult to understand my present
employer
...
)
(i) The old man, my father, wants me to aim at higher things,
some of which are impossible to achieve
...
A
...
3
...
Improved version: I feel I can take up greater challenges than
are offered in my present job
...
4
...
5
...
369
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
A candidate for an interview may have some wrong notions
...
That is, he fears the five or six members of the Board will
be waiting to prove he is a big fool
...
All these fears are bound to unnerve a candidate unnecessarily and force
him to adopt a defensive stance
...
A lesson may be learnt from the lives of
many successful men in history
...
First, the members of the board are
human beings just like you and are prone to emotional changes
...
Secondly, success at an interview is certainly important, because it
means a job with a salary, but one does not have to be nervous and
anxious about it
...
Mrs
...
A bag
hangs easily from her shoulder
...
She enters with a jaunty yet respectful gait
...
’
‘Please sit down
...
Imam
...
Sir
...
Where did you do your B
...
?’
‘At the Faculty of Education, ABU, Zaria’
‘And you have an M
...
in English
...
’
‘Where are you teaching at present?’
‘At University of Ibadan
...
’
‘Now why do you wish to change your present job?’
‘I’ve taught at the junior and middle levels for ten years now
...
A
...
Since then I have felt I should teach
higher classes which would be more challenging
...
I mean I want a change now
...
’
‘But I thought teaching pupils in the lower classes was the more
challenging task
...
But I feel a change will do me good
...
The
grammar points are then drawn out from the sentences used
...
If possible, I show them some English
films?’
‘What’s your attitude to the weak students?’
‘Well, I believe in being as patient as possible with them
...
’
‘Whjat was your special paper at the M
...
?’
‘Fiction
...
’
‘Is Hardy your favourite?’
‘He is
...
Every time I read his
books some new reality becomes apparent
...
’
‘Even pessimism can have an appeal
...
’
‘Well, I suppose everyone has his likes and dislikes
...
showing that one feels satisfied with oneself
...
stories or novels about things that did not
really happen
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
1
...
Imam’s
bio-data and work experience in front of them
...
Why is it so?
2
...
Imam wants to teach the higher classes
after getting her M
...
degree in English?
3
...
Imam seems to be an imaginative teacher
...
The members of the Interview Board generally like to find out a
candidate’s views on life
...
Notice the structure of the sentence; ‘I usually have them play
various games
...
Another example would be:
‘I usually have them water the plants before they go
...
6
...
’
‘I believe in being patient with them
...
’
It means that she considers certain things to be of worth
...
7
...
This is not
unusual if the member concerned happens to be a bad-tempered
person
...
It is, therefore, wise to respond by giving
a balanced and logical answer
...
Imam does
when she is asked ‘Do you mean to say you find teaching in the
lower classes beneath your dignity?’
Now here is a provoking statement made at an interview
...
‘As an air-hostess you have to tolerate some rude remarks by
passengers
...
’
4
...
One day you may need to appear
before an interview panel
...
You
need to read this unit again in order to be sure that you are a master of
all that have been discussed
...
0
MODULE 4
SUMMARY
In this unit, you learnt about how to interact during an interview
situation
...
0
An interview Board tests whether you have the proper qualities
for the job
...
In order to make good impression in the very beginning, you
should be properly dressed when you appear before an interview
panel
...
They should be said in a convincing manner
...
You are to interview some people in your town or
village
...
Start your interview this way:
Interviewer:
Girl:
Interviewer:
Girl:
7
...
Hello Sir
...
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
©Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
HSTIT Functional English
...
Bausals, R
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 1,
Foundation Course in English 2, Foundation Course
in
English 3
...
Handa, U (ed
...
Functional English: Conversation - Speaking
Skills
...
Rubby, R
...
(1997)
...
New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi Open University
Audio and Video Recordings of all the examples and exercises in this unit
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
How a Seminar is Conducted
3
...
4
Logical Development of the Talk or Paper
3
...
6
Discussion
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
Conferences and seminars help to bring experts in a particular subject
together to present their experiences and views
...
Thus a seminar may be held on any important aspect of national life like
pollution of the environment or the declining state of education
...
It is not possible to give examples
from more than one seminar, but the aspects studied here are useful in
general for preparing papers for most seminars
...
One important aspect of a
seminar talk is proper delivery
...
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2
...
3
...
1
Inauguration of the Seminar
The seminar is usually opened by a distinguished person invited by the
organisers of the seminar
...
’ Your expertise in the field of environmental studies will
contribute to the finding of a solution to the great problem which
threatens city life today
...
N
...
His studies in recycling
of chemical waste in urban industries has earned him a name all over
the world
...
I have great pleasure in inaugurating this seminar and wish
you success in your deliberations
...
2
How a Seminar is Conducted
A seminar may continue for two or three days, and be divided into a
number of different sessions
...
Each session
is presided over by someone distinguished in the field
...
After each paper he invites questions
and comments and thus a discussion follows
...
If you are giving a seminar talk or reading a paper, you must think of
your main points, the order in which you will present them and the time
at your disposal
...
You
may, if you like, project the main points of your paper onto a screen by
using an overhead projector, if one is available
...
Use any audio-visual aids that you consider useful
...
One of the aims of a seminar is to arrive at a solution to a
problem in a particular field
...
Discussions following a seminar talk must be heated and forceful
...
3
...
G
...
Vice-Chancellor, Indira Gandhi
National Open University
...
Example
Distance Education: What, Why and How?
Introduction
In this paper, I would like to deal with three aspects of distance
education:
(a)
(b)
(c)
What is Distance Education?
Why Distance Education in a country like India? and
How of it? i
...
the forms of Distance Education in this country
...
’ As Keegan points
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out: “Even a cursory reading of educational literature shows that
distance systems are usually ignored
...
” However, its importance is being
realised all over the world and certainly in developing countries, more
by the policy makers than by the educationists
...
’ It is known by a variety of names, viz
...
There is, what Fred Jevons calls; “a bewildering
nomenclature”
...
“This
description is not very much appreciated because it carries vibes of old
London external system which usually provides examination but not
teaching
...
In some countries,
the term, ‘Correspondence Education’ is widely used
...
‘Home Study’ is sometimes used to describe correspondence
programmes of private schools both in North America and Europe
...
No
doubt, some of them enjoy very good reputation, but several of them are
far from it
...
The Distance Education today lays
emphasis not only on print medium but also on other media
...
(From Studies in Distance Education, edited by B
...
Koul and others A
...
O
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
1
...
3
...
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3
...
3 in the introduction the speaker has drawn
our attention to the main concerns of his paper and defined Distance
Education
...
Why Distance Education?
Now let me turn to the second question: the need for Distance Education
in India
...
Broadly, the trends are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
inequalities in education, i
...
the question of access to education;
quality of education; and
relevance
...
It is true that during
the last 40 years there has been a remarkable expansion in education,
particularly at the tertiary levels
...
For instance, in 1951,
there were only 22 universities in this country; today, there are about
160
...
The expenditure on education has risen from Rs 114 scores in 1950-51
to over 6000 scores in 1948-85
...
e
...
8% which compress
very unfavourably with some of the countries like Philippines (25),
South Korea (18), Japan (30) U
...
S
...
(18) and U
...
A
...
These
figures show that higher education in India lags far behind the above
countries
...
Even a conservative estimate for
2000 A
...
indicates that the likely enrolment in higher education is
expected to double, i
...
roughly, there will be 61/2 million students
...
It is clear
that we will face a crisis of growing intensity unless the present
problems are tackled
...
This certainly is not a
happy state of affairs
...
It is certainly
not possible in a society which is democratic and wants to improve the
standard of life of its people
...
If we look at the situation in the
states, we find that tremendous pressures are exercises on the
governments to open more and more institutions of higher learning,
whether colleges or universities, and very few democratic governments
can afford to resist such pressures even assuming that such a resistance
is desirable
...
Therefore, the
expansion of educational facilities becomes necessary
...
Now we see that
even this phenomenal expansion has not met the demands, and
inequalities continue to exist
...
All long, expansion meant increasing the number of formal
educational institutions, which suffer from certain rigidities
...
All these are considered essential attributes for imparting education and
if these attributes are not there, education cannot take place
...
At the
same time, there are governments which cannot afford to employ fulltime teachers all the time and provide costly infrastructure in the form of
buildings
...
As a result, expansion on a large scale
becomes very difficult
...
The
inevitable conclusion one draws from this is that, if large and varied
sections of population are to have access to education, our approach to it
must change
...
Distance education is one such
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alternative and it has the potential to transcend the barriers of time and
space
...
How can a democratic government deal with inequalities
in higher education?
Why is it not possible to have a large scale expansion of
educational facilities through the formal education system?
2
...
3
...
It discusses
a particular feature of the formal system of education
...
That
universities and other institutions of higher education are not only elitist
but also irrelevance to the social needs is the often repeated comment
...
Where we need more technical
education, we are providing for more arts courses; where we need more
intermediate level technologies, we are producing more engineers and
doctors, and where we need more continuing education to update the
skills and knowledge of the working people, we are providing more of
general education
...
Very few institutions
today provide opportunities for such education
...
To recapitulate, there are problems
of access, quality and relevance
...
We have,
therefore, to think of alternative and different strategies
...
Thanks to the availability of modern communication
technologies, it is possible for us to provide access to education to a
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large number of people, improve the quality of education and provide
relevant courses
...
(ii)
Each major section in a talk must be followed by a summary of
the main points discussed
...
In the next section of the talk the speaker discusses which
sections of society will benefit from Distance Education
...
The University Grants Commission also encouraged the starting of
correspondence courses and said that these courses were expected to
cater for the following categories of students:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Students who have to discontinue their formal education owing to
pecuniary and other circumstances
...
Students who have to discontinue their education because of lack
of aptitude and motivation but who might later on become
motivated
...
Individuals who look upon education as a life-long activity and
might like to improve their knowledge in an existing discipline or
acquire knowledge in new areas
...
(From Studies in Distance Education)
Now say what features of the Open University system listed below will
be especially helpful to the categories of people listed above
...
They use multi-media for instructional purposes and electronic
media as important components
...
The material is prepared by teams of experts
...
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(vi)
(vii)
One can study according to one’s own pace and convenience
...
e
...
E
...
, students living
in geographically remote areas will especially benefit by the use
of electronic media
...
V
...
3
...
An anecdote, a
story or a quotation helps to clinch the talk effectively
...
G
...
He draws inspiration from
mythology
...
The origin
of Distance Education lies basically in the philosophy that the society
has a responsibility to provide educational opportunities to those who
for some reason or the other cannot go to the conventional system
...
However, Ekalavya
was determined to learn and what happened subsequently is known to all
of us
...
Subsequently, his skills in
archery surpassed those of the best pupil of Dronacharya
...
The point, however, that
needs to be made is that today a motivated leaner cannot be and must
not be ignored for any reason whatsoever
...
Today’s democratic society cannot afford to overlook the
interest of Ekalavyas nor can Dronacharyas say ‘no’ to them
...
Open Universities
are universities for the modern Ekalavyas
...
It is said that
there was a time when, if a student wanted to learn, he had to go the
Aristotle
...
Therefore, let us take full advantage of the technologies available for
extending educational opportunities to all those who want to have access
to it
...
Write a suitable conclusion to a talk on the subject based on the points in
this extract
...
About 50 per cent of the 70 million children
working in different industries in India today may come under the
definition of child bonded labour, said the general secretary of Bandhua
Mukti Morcha here today
...
This most heinous crime against
childhood and humanity is yet to be recognised as a desperate problem
at all levels of our society, he added
...
Majority of these poor
children are engaged in unorganised agricultural sector, followed by the
carpet industry spread in the Mirzpur
...
The concentration of child labour can also be seen in the glass or bangle
making industry of Firozabad, UP, stone quarries and brick kilns, lock
industry of Aligarh (UP), match and fireworks industry of Sivakasi
(Tamil Nadu) and diamond industry of Jaipur and Surat
...
The Bandhua Mukti Morcha has decided to organise a five-day
international seminar on ‘Child Servitude in South Asia’ here from June
30
...
6
Discussion
The discussion on a seminar talk might bring up a disagreement in views
or take the form of a question seeking clarification
...
These points may then be raised at
the time of discussion
...
Here is an excerpt from another paper entitled ‘support Services in
Distance Education’ presented by Prof
...
Read this excerpt carefully and see what questions might arise
in your mind about the use of support services like audio, video, T
...
and radio, library facilities and counselling (giving advice and tutorial
help to the student)
...
Support Services in Distance Education
Audio cassettes and video tapes are also very effective teaching media
...
He can stop the cassette
or video tape at any stage, go over any section of the cassette or tape as
often as he needs and use it again and again for revision or recall
...
Educational film strips and films too
could be very useful as effective media in the teaching-learning
processes
...
It is particularly useful when an institution has to deal with
students scattered over vast areas and in countries where there is
shortage of specialists
...
Tele-tutoring can be developed into a
very useful student support service in the Distance Education system
...
The learners and the tutors do not have to travel for
interaction, seminars, etc
...
In the first phase we should take immediate steps to
adopt such devices as are easily available and within the reach of our
learners, e
...
Radio, Television, Telephone, Audio-Cassettes and Video
Tapes
...
In the third phase we
should keep an eye on the future and try to develop the latest and
sophisticated communication technologies in collaboration with the
developed countries
...
Each study centre should have a counsellor who should be
competent enough to give general counselling, advice, and guidance to
the students on methodology of learning through the Distance Education
system and general aspects of the various courses
...
The centre should also have subject tutors who
may be available to the students for consultation and guidance
...
Tutorial support is of crucial
importance to the learners and serves as a great morale booster for them
...
The study centre should also have a good library, audio and video
equipment, telephone and listening laboratory facilities
...
The study centres can also organise distribution of course materials
...
Each mobile unit has study carrels for
about 4 students, a tutor’s cabin, radio telephone storage for files, library
books, audio visual viewing equipment for multiple viewing of different
programmes by different students, a micro computer stational and space
for laboratory work
...
However, he has the support of two other tutors – the subject
tutor for evaluating students’ assignments and the local telephone tutor
for sorting out the learners’ problems that cannot be resolved by him
...
They are free to spends any length of time talking
to the tutor individually or as a group, using resources materials, writing
assignments, etc
...
The mobile learning centre could form a very useful
support services for Distance Learners, and should be specially suitable
for developing countries
...
Here is one that might have arisen:
‘In our country, not many students have telephones at home
...
As a number of people need to use the telephone for important
business activities and emergencies, it would be improper to use the
phone for a long time to discuss academic problem
...
’
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
1
...
Put this in the
form of a discussion
...
If you were the person who gave the talk above, how would you
answer this question: “How can people living in remote mountain
and desert areas of India where there are very poor transport
facilities make use of the study centres?” You may base your
answer on the case of North Island College in Canada cited later
in the paper
...
0
CONCLUSION
Seminar presentations are some of the academic activities that you may
be called upon to undertake in your academic life
...
The suggestions in this unit are
appropriate and relevant
...
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5
...
The seminar is sometimes inaugurated by a distinguished person
who says a few words about the theme of the seminar and
welcomes all the participants
...
A
particular aspect of the main theme or topic is dealt with at each
session
...
Link the different aspects of your paper properly and logically
...
6
...
In seminar presentation, the speaker makes
(a)
...
of it and presents his
(c)
...
2
...
of a particular subject together to present
(e)
...
3
...
(g)…
...
(i)
...
4
...
(l)
...
(n)
...
0
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
February 2001
(reprint) and July 1997 (reprint), HSTIT Functional English
...
K
...
1997: Foundation Course in English 1
...
Foundation Course in English 3
...
Handa, U
...
2001: Functional Skills
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 4
...
At least 3 seminar presentations are on audio and video cassettes
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Body of the Speech
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
In the last unit, (unit 4) we discussed seminar presentation
...
Seminars and conferences help to bring experts in a particular subject
area together
...
In a public
speech, you may not necessarily be speaking on a topic in your subject
area
...
2
...
3
...
1
Beginning a Public Speech
Making a public speech in Nigeria is quite different from making a
public speech in another country
...
We dare not use such
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examples in public speech in Nigeria
...
In Nigeria, protocol (official recognition and respect) is very important
...
Welcome Address by the National Coordinator,
National Open University of Nigeria (NOU) at the NOU Opening
Ceremony of the Course Materials Development Meeting
held at the Banquet Hall of Kogi State, Lokoja, on 4 March, 2002
Protocols
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Prince Abubakar
Audu
The Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Babalola Borishade
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Alhaji Bello Usman,
Tafidan Gusau
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, who is also the
Chairman of the Occasion, Senator Dr
...
Garba
Matazu
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Chief Patric Adaba
The Special Adviser to Mr President on Education, Chief S
...
Babalola,
Distinguished Senators and Members of the National Assembly, and
especially those who are from this state and have found time to come to
their grassroots to support this occasion
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education
Members of the Kogi State Executive Council
Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly
Chairpersons and Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals
Directors of the Federal Ministry of Education and other Ministries
International Development Partners, especially our Experts from the
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Vancouver BC Canada
Distinguished Participants
Friends, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen
...
I warmly welcome you all
to this historic occasion that has brought over 125 top-rate academics
from Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning and 3 International Experts
from the Commonwealth of Learning to Lokoja, the Capital of Kogi
State, for a one-month long Course Materials and Instructional
Development of the National Open University of Nigeria
...
This seems to epitomise the situation that Nigeria has found
itself since the opening in July 22, 1983 of the first National Open
University which was suspended by means of a budgetary
pronouncement made by General Buhari on April 25, 1984
...
To fulfil the promise of providing Education for
All, it will be difficult and perhaps absolutely impossible to provide
classroom-based and time dependent education
...
The only
viable solution is to consider a cost-effective, efficient and quality
oriented alternative which allows as many as would wish to undertake
learning without any hassle whatsoever
...
The Nation has now realised how much
we have lost and continue to lose if we have to thread on the path that
keeps a large segment of our population illiterate
...
Nigeria
today can only provide tertiary education to less than 20 per cent of
those who require it, while over 60 million Nigerians are still illiterates
...
Education is the key to
becoming a clever country, and the guide towards becoming a
Knowledge-based Society
...
As a result, all nations of the world, especially the developing countries,
desirous of a cost-effective, convenient, conducive, efficient and
comprehensive way to educate all its citizens have embraced open and
distance learning
...
It is in this
regard that President Olusegun Obasanjo has told the nation, ‘Enough of
our groping in the dark and wallowing in ignorance and illiteracy, and
that it is time to face very squarely the issue of enhanced access to and
equitable provision of educational facilities to all Nigerians’
...
The only way to do this is for the country to embark upon open and
distance learning
...
It uses a
variety of media and technologies to provide and/or improve access to
good quality education for large numbers of learners wherever they may
be
...
It is therefore not difficult to see the need for restarting the National
Open University at a time when the number of those who need to be
educated continues to increase beyond bounds, just as it is becoming
extremely expensive for Government both State and Federal to fund
education through the traditional mode of instructional delivery
...
What has Lokoja got to do therefore with open and distance learning to
warrant our assembling here today? For those who might not have
considered it, there are very many reasons why Lokoja is central to the
national movement to re-establish Open University in Nigeria
...
First, Lokoja
occupies a historic place in the making of a nation called Nigeria today
...
It opened up the city to all Nigerians and allowed all and sundry
to draw from the fountain of the Niger with insatiable quest for
knowledge of discovery
...
The late Bishop Samuel Ajayi
Crowther spearheaded antislavery crusade in Nigeria and erected the
Iron of Liberty at a spot where slaves were set free in Lokoja
...
The third and
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also significant place of Lokoja was the crucial role it served as a
practice ground for distance education by many Northern Nigeria Emirs
in the 1800s
...
What the Colonialists did not realise
was that these Emirs used distance education method to keep in constant
touch with their subjects and were continually a step ahead of the
colonialists who never seized to be amazed at how informed and
intelligent the people they sought to colonise were
...
These forerunners of
the Nigeria style of open and distance learning have their graves in
Lokoja and should constitute an interesting tourist attraction
...
And here we are in Lokoja defying the intense heat at this time of the
year to write 183 courses and adapt 235 others in 54 programmes
carefully chosen to kick-start the re-establishment of the National Open
University in Lagos
...
Our
one-month workshop is only three days old and we have already started
to see the signs of success, commitment, excitement and enthusiasm by
all
...
I thank all those who have
helped with all the arrangements for this workshop especially my small
core of staff who have found it difficult to work with a Nigerian who has
adapted the Chinese way of working round the clock
...
Notable amongst them are The Commonwealth of
Learning, who sent us three world experts, and UNESCO that has
promised us lots of support
...
Let me thank all our
distinguished members of the House of Assembly who have come to
demonstrate their support to the course of educating the ordinary
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Nigerians who constitute the bulk of their electorate
...
The
Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Borishade, has spent
sleepless nights with a lot of groups and committees set up to work out
the restarting of the National Open University so tirelessly that he can
now recite any thing connected with ODL by heart even though he is a
nuclear engineer
...
I cannot
quantify the enormous support and unreserved enthusiasm with which
Kogi state government has showered on us since we began planning this
Workshop
...
Yesterday, on a visit to our Hotel, the
Governor placed all the facilities of the state at our disposal and insisted
that he would only allow us function in the best atmosphere possible
...
Finally, I must thank the Almighty God for making today a reality in the
journey we have embarked upon in taking the distance out of education
...
With the support of all of you here, and the goodwill of all Nigerians,
we will continue to march ahead towards the goals of Education For All
anywhere, anytime and through any appropriate and convenient
communication means
...
Thank you very much
...
Use the space below
...
Have you completed the exercise
...
Compare your responses with the ones I give below:
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(i)
The speech started with a long list of people to recognise before
the speech actually begins
...
In an
important public speech in Nigeria, you must observe these
protocols, if not you may be regarded as impolite, uncultured and
undiplomatic
...
How many
people were listed in that speech? Abut 16 of them in all were
given special recognition
...
This is to give
prominence to the gathering and to show that those who gathered
are responsible people
...
This
background must be captivating e
...
As the Executive Governor has the singular privilege to welcome
you to the State, my brief is a relatively simple one
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
What were the words of welcome in the National Coordinator’s
Speech?
What are the questions raised?
On what premise will the speech be based?
What are the reasons for gathering?
If you have provided answers to these questions, then turn to my
discussion
...
(i)
Words of welcome
I warmly welcome you to this historic occasion
...
for one month long course materials and instructional
development of the Open University of Nigeria
...
On what premise will the speech be based:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
If education is very expensive, try ignorance
...
To fulfil the promise of education for all
...
2
Body of the Speech
In speech, quite different from essay writing, the body of what to be said
should be presented as if it is to be spoken
...
It should also be linked together by
spoken expressions such as As I’m going to start the lecture, My first
point, The first thing we will be considering in this speech or talk is
...
The order must be logical, it must not be full of jargons
that majority in the audience may not understand, it should capture the
attention of the listener and be easy to follow
...
List examples of all of these in the speech
...
...
...
...
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Do you find some of the characteristic features of public speech in the
body of the welcome address? Let’s find out
...
However, we know that no nation can afford to provide education
to all its citizens through the traditional classroom – based faceto-face mode
...
? I will mention
only three due to time constraints
...
And here we are in Lokoja, defying the intense heat at this time
of the year
...
I thank all those who have helped with all arrangements
...
Permit me to thank the Education Tax Fund (ETF) who boldly
decided to sponsor this workshop
...
I cannot quantify the enormous support and unreserved
enthusiasm with which Kogi State government has showered
...
Finally, I must thank the Almighty God for making today a
reality
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
11
...
Cross check them with the ones you identified
...
Logical Presentation of Ideas
The welcome address was presented in a logical manner
...
The second paragraph is used
to illustrate the internal cohesion of the idea presented in 2nd paragraph:
if one thought Education is very expensive, try ignorance
...
The second paragraph as analysed above starts with a topic sentence
...
No doubt
this is a very logical presentation of ideas
...
Thus, he selected his words very carefully to avoid the jargons
typical of the field of Distance Education
...
These include:
The only way to do this is for the country to
...
What has Lokoja got to do therefore with open and distance learning
...
Second, Lokoja was a prominent
...
Your excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
...
Today, a major educational milestone
In speech situations anytime a speaker draws attention to a particular
thing or to his audience, he is trying to wake the audience up and assist
them to follow his speech
...
Not difficult to
see makes the audience to try to find out why it is not difficult to see
...
Anytime the words like first, second and third are
mentioned, the audience is anxious to get the point that will follow
...
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Easy to follow
By drawing attention to major points, asking an important question and
answering it and giving a point and supporting it with proofs, the
speaker is able to make his speech easy to follow
...
3
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Read the concluding part of the speech or listen to it on your audiorecorder and bring out the ways the speaker concluded the speech
...
Now that you have completed the exercise, let’s discuss the concluding
parts of the speech of the National Coordinator, National Open
University of Nigeria
...
Stage 1:
State 2:
Stage 3:
Stage 4:
thanking those who had made the occasion and the event
possible
...
soliciting the support of all to march ahead towards the
goals of Education for all
...
Thank you very much
...
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Public speeches should never end abruptly
...
The final thing to be take home must be
emphasised
...
It
must have a lasting impression on the audience
...
0
CONCLUSION
Have you gained anything in this unit? I think you should gain
something
...
The sample speech of the National Coordinator of the
National Open University of Nigeria should be a challenge to you to
want to try your hands at writing interesting public speech
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit, you have learnt:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
how to begin a public speech;
how to present the body of the public speech; and
how to conclude a public speech
...
6
...
Your assignment at that launching is to make a speech titled
“The Review of a book well-written
...
Be sure you
put all the characteristics of a speech meant to be real
...
0
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
The Audio and Video Recording of the Welcome Address of the
National Coordinator, National Open University and Distance
Education, Professor Olu Jegede
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Concord of Number and Person
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
In this last module (module 4) of this course, we shall be treating
another very wide topic on grammar and usage
...
Usage denotes the way the structure
of the language affects our use of English
...
This is followed by concord and the English
sentence itself
...
2
...
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Getting Started!
English is a language that is structured in its own peculiar way
...
These include nouns (boy, girl, life etc
...
g
...
g
...
) adverbs (quickly, slowly, hurriedly, etc) and so on
...
3
...
1
Articles
In this section, you will learn the use of articles
...
Look at the following sentences:
1
...
An old man here does not refer to any particular person, it is
preceded by the indefinite article an (An is used before a vowel
sound and a before a consonant sound)
...
The man standing there is a friend of mine
...
So I use the definite article the
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
Fill the gaps with appropriate articles
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
10
...
402
...
Are you going to
...
bus came
from behind and hit my bicycle
...
door
...
I had to stand for
...
What
...
rich family
...
teacher
...
honest man
...
good judge of poetry
...
arrest of our leaders caused the riot
...
13
...
15
...
soldiers
...
warrant for Shastriji’s arrest
...
news
spread
quickly
throughout
...
I was awakened by
...
The common errors of the Nigerian users of English are to omit articles
where they should be used and to use them where they should not be
used
...
3
...
Let’s see how these verbs are used
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
9
...
I am afraid I shall not be able to help you
...
What is the nature of this life of ours?
Is this simply part of the order of nature?
Man is the only creature that consumes without producing
...
We are born, we are given just so much food
...
Jones was too drunk to remember to shut the door
...
Jones was already snoring
...
Notice that verb be has the forms am, is, are, was, were, depending on
the tense (present or past), the person (first second, or third), and the
number (singular or plural) of the subject
...
am (used with I in the present tense)
Examples
I am a Nigerian
...
(I am is written as I’m in an informal style
...
is (used with he, she, it and singular nouns, in the present tense
...
My friend Ramesh is working hard these days
...
English is spoken in a large number of countries
...
Example: He’s, she’s it’s)
3
...
Examples
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
You are very good at Mathematics
...
We are also going there
...
(are is often combined with the subject and written as ‘re in an informal
style Examples: You’re, we’re, they’re)
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GST102
4
...
)
Examples
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
I was in Zaria yesterday
...
Mohan was writing a letter when I went to see him
...
5
...
You were not at home when I rang you up
...
Ten people were killed in a bus accident yesterday
...
When the grammatical subject is there, we use is or are, was or
were, depending on the number of the true subject following the
verb
...
There is a man hiding behind the bushes
...
There was an interesting programme on television yesterday
evening
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verb be (am, is, are, was,
or were)
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
injured in yesterday’s accident
...
you busy now?
I
...
There
...
I
...
I think this
...
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GST102
(b)
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
do
The present tense forms are do and does
...
Examples
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
I do not smoke cigarettes
...
Shyam does not speak Bengali
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
you know how to make a cup of tea?
I
...
...
he comes to office by bus?
How
...
Of these, have is used with plurals and with I and you
...
Examples
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
My friends Sunil has dark hair
...
Have you read Animal Farm?
I have not seen many English films
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Fill in the blanks with have or has
...
they got a school in their village?
Now, you
...
GST102
MODULE 4
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
I
...
The teacher
...
...
3
Types of Sentences
Sentences in English belong to four main types according to
grammatical structure
...
(affirmative)
We do not generally speak to farmers ‘growing’ animals
...
(ii) Look round the room you are in
...
Which set shall we put them in?
...
...
Why are there so many different kinds of workers?
...
...
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GST102
(d)
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Exclamatory Sentences
This is a sentence that ends with an exclamation mark (!)
Example
You will see a surprise!
Life is short!
Hey! Who goes there?
English sentences are also looked at from another perspective
...
Examples
(a) Simple Sentences
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Susan is a girl
...
Abdullahi is intelligent
...
(b)
Compound Sentences
(i)
(ii)
Ngozi and her husband went home
...
All these sentences have more than one subject (Ngozi and her husband)
and more than one predicate, in some cases (came home and saw him)
...
(ii)
This is the dress which my first son bought for me
...
(d)
Compound Complex Sentences
(i)
John and Mary whom you have lift and some food items have
finally taken us to court
...
(ii)
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GST102
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In all these sentences, we have compound subjects (John and Mary) and
the agreement and the violation) and complex embeddings (e
...
to the
condition that we find ourselves
...
0
CONCLUSION
As you can see in this unit, the English sentence cannot be spoken or
written anyhow
...
The articles
and the concord are to be used appropriately in all sentences
...
The
statement, interrogative command and exclamatory sentences all
combine to make communication in English meaningful
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit, you have learnt:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
the form and use of the articles in English;
the form and the use of concord in English; and
the types of sentences in English
...
Other units will discuss many
other English grammatical items that play significant role in
communication
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Insert the articles in their proper places in the paragraph
...
This is day that Lord has made
...
Things
have not been so good in country like Nigeria as it is nowadays
...
Houses built by many are uncountable
...
Glory be to Almighty God
...
0
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
February 2001
(reprint ) and July 1997 (reprint)
...
Bansal, R
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 1, Foundation
Course in English 2, Foundation Course in English 3
...
Handa, (ed
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open
University
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Ways of Expressing the Future
3
...
4
The Past Continuous Tense
3
...
6
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
This unit introduces you to an important aspect of English
...
Tenses are so important in written and spoken English that a
whole unit has to be devoted to it
...
Aspectual forms suggest whether an event is
going on, is completed or will be completed
...
That is,
the rule that says if any event is in the past, the tense must be in the past
and if the event is happening at the present, all the tenses must be in the
present
...
The field
of tenses is so wide that no single unit can do justice to it
...
You
will surely need to read many English grammar books to be able to
capture the details pertaining to tenses in English
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
identify and use simple present and present continuous tenses
identify and use correctly the simple past tenses
identify and use the past perfect tenses
identify and produce the present and past perfect tenses
identify and produce the present perfect continuous tenses
...
0
MAIN CONTENT
3
...
The simple present tense has the simple form of the verb (called plain
infinitive), with -s or -es added when there is a third person singular
subject
...
The present continuous tense has a form of the verb be (agreeing with
the subject in number and person) and the -ing form of the verb (called
the present participle)
...
The simple present tense is generally used to refer to:
(i)
a habit
Example: I go for a walk every morning
...
The present continuous is generally used to refer to an action going on at
the moment of speaking
...
Look! He is coming now
...
Examples
I hear a strange noise
...
I know the Principal very well
...
He wants to be a teacher
...
I remember your friends Susan
...
I am liking some of the television serials
...
We are having no stamps in stock
...
This bag is containing all my books
...
All these are wrong
...
1
...
5
...
She
...
I
...
My brother
...
I
...
My father
...
Every time you
...
(think)
you
...
He
...
You cannot go now
...
(rain)
3
...
4
...
Here are
some examples:
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
(simple future)
We are going to spend the vacation in Delhi
...
(likelihood)
The train is going to start
...
(planned programme)
I’ll be staying here for a week
...
(official schedule)
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets to
indicate the future
...
(leave) for Calcutta tonight
...
(be) able to come to the meeting
...
(go) the station this evening to meet my friend
Gopal
...
It
...
not (work) in this office any longer
...
3
The Past Indefinite or the Simple Past Tense
Examples
(i)
The Nightingale heard him, and she looked through the leaves
and wondered
...
(ii)
Notice
(a)
(b)
(i)
(c)
414
that these events took place in the past and are not related to the
narrator’s (speaker’s) present;
that we form the simple past tense:
by adding - d or - ed to the regular verbs
look – looked
fill – filled
narrate – narrated
or (ii) by adding t
dream – dreamt
learn – learnt
or (iii) by changing some letters of the word
eat – ate
teach – taught
or (iv) by not changing the verb at all
cut – cut
hit – hit
shut – shut;
that with most verbs we indicate or interrogate by using did as a
helping verb
...
GST102
MODULE 4
Examples
The Student did not dance with the girl
...
4
The Past Continuous Tense
This tense emphasises the continuity of events in the past
...
Examples
The butterfly was running after a sunbeam
...
3
...
It is formed by using has or have with the past participle form
(sometimes called the third form) of the verb
...
(And I still remember
them)
...
(And at the moment of speaking, I am
still cold)
...
It would be incorrect to say:
I have written a letter an hour ago
...
)
415
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
The correct form would be:
either
I have written a letter
...
The present perfect tense is often used with expression like just, since,
for, etc
...
6
The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still
continuing
...
Examples
(i)
(ii)
The farmers have been ploughing their fields for two hours now
...
)
My friend has been studying English since 10 o’clock
...
)
Notice the difference between these two sentences:
(i)
(ii)
The farmers were ploughing their fields when it started raining
...
)
The farmers have been ploughing their fields for some time
now
...
)
Sometimes, the present perfect continuous is also used for an action that
has just finished after it has continued for some time
...
I have been playing cricket
...
One morning, Akbar
...
After some time, they
...
It
...
(sit) down in
the shade of a tree
...
(say), “Shall
we go and bathe in the river?” Birbal put his hand into the water
and
...
”
416
GST102
MODULE 4
Akbar and Prince Salim
...
(give) them to Birbal
...
(get) into the
water and
...
Akbar
...
He looks like a washerman’s donkey,”
Akbar
...
(say), ‘You’re
carrying a donkey’s load
...
(bow) and very
respectfully
...
”
Use the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets
...
(be) a very witty person,
...
(not like) him
and
...
While the barrister
...
(not seem) to be paying any attention to him
...
(pat) his
huge dog, which
...
(say)
something to it
...
(stop) and
...
“Go on,”
...
“I beg your pardon,”
...
(think) your lordship
...
”
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Put the verbs given in brackets in the present perfect or the present
continuous tense:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
I not (see) a film since December
...
I (try) to swim for years but I not (succeed) yet
...
The servant (wait) for an hour now
...
(vi) I (read) this essays five times but I can’t understand
it
...
(viii) You (eat) for ice creams already
...
417
GST102
3
...
There are several examples of this tense
...
to express the continuation of an action up to a certain time in the
past:
Gajpat had looked after the baby on several occasions by the time
the encounter with the hyenas took place
...
after wish to express what is impossible:
Karim said to his wife, “I wish you have not fallen into the river
...
She said that she had accidentally fallen into the river
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5
Match the questions in Column A with the appropriate reply in Column
B
...
A
1
...
3
...
5
...
418
B
Did you put the milk
a
...
dinner at Sheela’s wedding?
home
...
movie with Aviansh?
Why did Anita drop out
of the class?
Did you register the letter?
Why was Hamid so happy
yesterday?
She realized that she
...
No, Mother had already
put…
...
(already finish) eating by the
time I got there
...
Because I
...
e
...
(just pass)
his driving test
...
No, the post office
...
GST102
MODULE 4
The sequences (or order) of two past actions are illustrated with the
following examples:
Examples
(a)
(b)
Before Morrision put Manning’s head on the oven he had taken
off his shoes
...
Let’s examine the sequence (the order) of the two past
actions/activities/events referred to in each of the above sentences:
(a)
(b)
1st action/activity/event
2nd action/activity/event
had taken off (his shoes)
(then) put (Manning’s head
ion the oven)
has put (a cushion under Manning’s head) (then he realized it) did
not look (natural)
Notice that for the earlier action/event the past perfect is used; for the
later action/event the simple past is used; The past perfect is thus used to
describe an earlier event looked at from a point of time in the past
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6
Use the past perfect forms of the verbs given in brackets in these
sentences:
1
...
The farmers sowed the seeds after they
...
It started raining before they
...
We return home later at night and were very hungry
...
(already)
...
After we
...
Mother
...
(make) some
sweets
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 7
Complete the following paragraph using the correct simple past or the
past perfect forms of the verbs given in brackets
...
The previous evening Corbett
...
They
went to the spot Corbett
...
Robin
...
(stand)
...
(come) to the bushes where the leopard
...
Corbett
...
He
...
He
...
(have) fifteen hours to nurse his anger against men
...
(lead) Corbett into the thick jungle
...
(stop)
...
(attract) the dog’s attention
...
(see) the leopard’s tail
...
(see) the tip of
the tail moving
...
Corbett
just
...
(Adapted from Jim Corbett: Man-Eaters of Kumaon)
...
0
CONCLUSION
Tenses in English are very important
...
You need to use the correct
tenses when speaking or writing
...
Indeed you must learn the English
tenses and use them accurately all the time
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit, you have been exposed to different kinds of tenses in
English
...
We hope you will mind your tenses as from now on
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Question A
Use the correct form of the verb out of those given in brackets
...
2
...
4
...
I (am/is/are) hungry, thirsty and tired,”
murmured David to himself
...
A young
girl (was/were) coming out of the shop with a basket of rice on
her arm
...
“I (do/does) not want any money
...
”
“I (am/is/are) her domestic help
...
David followed her
...
His shoes (was/were)
torn, his hat (was/were) crushed, and from head to toes he
(was/were) powdered with chalk and dust
...
6
...
8
...
10
...
12
...
She (was/were)
there in the garden
...
Go
away
...
“I am (are/is/am)
David Coperfield
...
”
David (was/were) so miserable that he started crying
...
Mr
...
She told him, “This boy (is/am/are)
my brother’s son
...
Tell me
what I should do with him
...
Dick (look/looked) at David, smiled and said, “Give him a
bath
...
After the bath David
(was/were) wrapped up in shawls and (was/were) taken to bed
...
The first two have been done for you
...
Singh’s class does not seem to be getting anywhere at all today
...
Dr
...
(just/write) the title of the poem
...
(paint) a picture
for a long time; nobody knows that it is because he
...
Murali
...
(complete) only the
first paragraph
...
(work) on the
science project for three hours but
...
Poor Singh! He
...
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GST102
7
...
School of
Health Science and School of Humanities
...
HSTIT - Functional English,
FEG I - Foundation Course in English I
...
K
...
(1997)
...
Foundation
Course in English 2
...
Handa, (ed
...
Functional English
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open
University
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Participles
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
This unit continues with the broad section of this module which is
grammar and usage in English
...
Gerunds are verbal nouns
which can play the role of a noun in some positions in an English
sentence
...
Some of these are: flying, dancing, stealing, etc
...
They are very important in the day-to-day English usage
...
You should also use them correctly in your day-to-day
usage of English
...
0
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
recognise gerunds in English
use gerunds accurately in English
recognise participles in English
use participles accurately in English
...
The next
section defines it and provides you with many examples of gerunds
...
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GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
3
...
1
Gerunds
A gerund is a verbal noun, that is, a noun which describes an action or
experience and has the form of a present participle (the ing from)
...
Example
‘building’ in the sentence:
The building of the bridge was slow work
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
He gave me (smoke) a long time ago
...
Who enjoys (go) to hospital?
Is it worth (bother) about?
(See) is (believe)
...
7
...
8
...
9
...
10
...
(beginning of a sentence)
I like flying planes (used as complement)
...
(used as a verb complement)
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
You still have a lot to learn, if you’ll forgive my saying so
...
Would you mind coming with me to Mohan’s house; I wish to
congratulate him on his winning an award in the Quiz Contest
...
The doctor asked him (leave) the room without (give) him a
chance (say) what his problem was
...
The doctor advised him (stop) (drink)
...
Don’t (switch) off the light before (go) to bed
...
Gerunds are very important in English usage
...
By the use of gerunds, you can
reduce I saw the plane that was flying to London to I saw the plane
flying to London
...
2
Participles
Participles are the two forms of a verb called present participle and past
participle which may be used in compound forms of the verb or as
adjectives
...
(past participle used to form the passive voice)
...
He had a worried look
...
Add -ing to each verb before using it
...
2
...
4
...
We need a _______ door here
...
A ________ chair is better than an ordinary one, but it is much
more expensive
...
His wife is always complaining about something
...
A distinction must be made between a participle (or perfect tense) and a
past tense
...
Present
go
see
do
consider
write
read
cut
say
play
Past
went
saw
did
considered
wrote
read
cut
said
played
Participle
gone
seen
done
considered
written
read
cut
said
played
As you can see from all of the examples on the table, it is possible for
the past tense to be the same as the participle as in ‘considered’
...
g
...
In some others, they are the same e
...
cut -cut and readread (although the pronunciation is different)
...
g
...
(e
...
a tired man, caged
birds)
3
...
The
common errors linked to the use of participle in Nigeria is the omission
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GST102
MODULE 4
of the participle in spoken or written English and the confusion between
the participle and the past tense
...
2
...
4
...
Your case will be consider
...
(informed)
He felt unconcern about the issue
...
(defeated)
He interrogated me and got me confuse
...
You
become unintelligent and illiterate if you speaks or write English like
this
...
They cannot count you among the educated
...
2
...
4
...
Your case will be considered
...
He felt unconcerned about the issue
...
He interrogated me and got me confused
...
0
CONCLUSION
The two grammatical items treated in this unit are very important
...
You should be
sure you use these grammatical forms correctly in your day-to-day
spoken and written English
...
0
SUMMARY
In this unit you have learnt about:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
the gerunds
the participles
the importance and the usefulness of these grammatical items
...
427
GST102
6
...
May I request you 1 __________ in your materials for 2 _________
...
We found it necessary to 5 ________ traffic to the secretariat to 6
________ the computer operators 7 ________ without distractions and
interruption
...
m
...
Some
great improvement in the variety and quality of food served has also 12
________
...
0
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are Adopted from: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
February 2001
(reprint) and July 1997 (reprint)
...
By Permission
...
K
...
(1997)
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open University
Handa, U
...
Functional English, 2 – Writing Skills, 3 – Study Skill
4 – Speaking Skills
...
428
GST102
MODULE 4
UNIT 4
THE ACTIVE, PASSIVE AND THE INFINITIVE
CONTENTS
1
...
0
3
...
0
5
...
0
7
...
1
The Active Voice
3
...
3
To + Infinitive
Conclusion
Summary
Tutor-Marked Assignment
References/Further Reading
1
...
They are grammatical elements that play a great role in the
use of English
...
If you use these forms wrongly
you become ridiculous, not heard or misunderstood
...
2
...
3
...
1
The Active Voice
Active voice is a form of direct statement whereby the subject of a
sentence takes an object without any inversion
...
Let’s
illustrate this
...
In the sentence, there is no inversion or interchange of the yam
and John
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
Can you make at least five more sentences that are in the active voice
...
Use the space provided below:
...
...
...
...
S
V
O
(b) Everybody needs a girl
...
S
V
O
(d) She saw Steven on the road
...
S
V
O
(f) Silas and others made secret exits
...
Active voice
patterns of a sentence are useful if you want to present any point directly
without going round about
...
Note that there are some sentences that are not in the active voice
despite the fact that they have a subject, a verb and an object
...
Such objects are not in the active
voice because they cannot be reversed or inverted to form the passive
voice
...
They all carry complement objects and thus are better called sentences
with complement objects
...
S
V
Oo
Life is not all bed of roses
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
Try to change all the sentences a – f above round by placing the objects
in the subject position and the subject in the object position
...
Let’s do it after you have attempted it
...
(a)
He cleared his throat
changed to
His throat was cleared by him
...
(c)
She grabbed his hand
changed to
His hand was grabbed by her
...
(e)
He noticed the girl
changed to
The girl was noticed by him
...
431
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Note: in changing these sentences, the following alterations were made:
she
her
(she changed to her)
he
him
needs
is needed (present)
needed
was needed (past)
noticed
was noticed (past)
made
was made (past)
There is also the addition of by as in by her, by me, by Silas, by Steven,
etc
...
All the
interchange of the subject to object and object to subject position done
above make the new sentence passive sentences: by is used for the
passive sentences
...
A girl is needed by everybody
...
Steven was seen on the road
...
Secret exists were made by Silas and others
...
2
The Passive Voice
In addition to the examples of passive sentences given above, look at the
following examples of the passive voice:
1
...
If scientific skill is allowed free scope
...
with the present continuous tense
(is/are + being + past participle)
changes that are being wrought
...
with the present perfect tense
(has + been + past participle)
...
This subject has been much discussed
...
432
GST102
4
...
The human race will be exterminated
...
with modal verbs
(can/must + be + past participle)
Food production can be increased
You must be restrained
...
The passive voice is used when we are more interested in the action than
in the ‘doer’ of the action
...
(We have not said who killed him)
...
Example
The meeting was addressed by the Prime Minister
...
Similarly, we use the passive in
the description of processes and the narration of historical events
...
The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526
...
To protect the
whale from the cold of the Arctic seas, nature has provided it
with a thick covering of fat called blubber
...
It produces a great quantity of oil which –––––––––
(can make) into food
...
No household can get on without it, for it ––––––
––––––––– (use) in cooking
...
Soaps ––––––––––––––
(make) from vegetable and animal oil
...
For these creatures to become oil, it was necessary that they
––––––––––––––––––––––– (should imprison) between layers of
rock for an enormous length of time
...
The
rocks in which oil –––––––––––––– (find) are of sea origin too
...
(From G
...
Thornley: Easier Scientific English Practice,
Longman)
(b)
The sense of doom in us today is not a fear of science; it is a fear
of war
...
Science has obviously multiplied the power of the warmakers
...
This hope ––––––––––– never –––––––––––––
(fulfil)
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4
Select suitable verbs from those given below and use their ‘passive’
forms in the following advertisement:
quote, print, invite, open, complete
Tender Notice
Printing of Annual Report
Sealed tenders ––––––––––– from reputed printing houses for the
printing of the Annual Report of the Corporation
...
The rates of printing should ––––––––––––––––
434
GST102
MODULE 4
The tender papers ––––––––––––––– by a committee in the presence of
the tenderers on 16
...
87
...
Managing Director
...
The passive is used for explaining the procedure for
carrying out a particular thing
...
e
...
He saw John (personal) If you want to remove he you will use the
passive
...
That is the nonfinite Verbals
...
For
example, the verb be has the finite forms am, is , are, was, were and the
non-finite forms being and been
...
3
To + Infinitive
The forms of the verb that can be used after other verbs and with to
before it (such as go in I can go, I want to go, and it is important to go)
is called the infinitive
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
7
...
Why did you make us (wait) for so long outside?
I am sorry (inform) you that the company finds itself unable (let)
you (file) your claim before the end of the year
...
Would you like (join) the army?
He seems (know) the whole area
...
435
GST102
8
...
10
...
Is it necessary for me (attend) the meeting? I’d much rather (stay)
at home
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6
Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into one sentence
using the pattern ‘too
...
Examples:
It is very cold
...
It is too cold to go out
...
He can’t work
He is too tired to work
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
He won’t understand this study
...
He couldn’t speak
...
I didn’t see the signpost clearly
...
He can’t get married
...
He won’t see you now
...
Examples
It is necessary that we should do something
...
He was the first person who congratulated me on my birthday
...
2
...
4
...
436
There was no place where we could hide
...
It is better that he should receive it from his father
...
I was the only one who recognised him in the dark
...
(a)
We use ‘to + infinitive’ to talk about the purpose of doing
something (that is, why someone does something):
(i)
Badrinath went out to buy stamps
(because he wanted to buy stamps)
...
(ii)
(b)
We also use ‘to + infinitive’ to talk about the purpose of
something, or why someone has/wants/needs something:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
This fence is to keep stray animals out of the garden
...
We need a match to light this stove
...
Example
Why did Kusum phone you? (invite me to her birthday party)
She phoned to invite me to her birthday party
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
10
...
Sharma have a Secretary? (type his letters)
Why did the Minister want an aircraft? (take him to the site of the
accident)
Why are you going to the hospital? (have an operation)
437
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Do you know what? The common errors that the Nigerian users of
English make when using the infinitive is to use the infinitive with the
past tense
...
Do not say:
I did not see him to told him
Say
I did not see him to tell him
...
Again, you
will look intelligent and illiterate
...
4
...
These are the active, the passive and the infinitive
...
As tiny as they are, they can spoil
you English and make you unintelligent
...
5
...
You can use all of these grammatical items correctly while speaking or
writing English
...
6
...
2
...
438
Assign the computer operator and let the writer know who 1
...
–––––––––––––––––––––––
–– the work
...
–––––––––––––––––––– and 4
...
The name of the computer operator 5
...
GST102
4
...
6
...
7
...
––––––––––––––––––––– as
this 7
...
When the job 8
...
–––––––––– and collect it
...
–––––––––––––––– access ––––––––––––––––– the
soft copy of their materials
...
––––––––––––––––– strictly
12
...
a
...
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
February 2001
(reprint) and July 1997 (reprint)
...
Bansal, R
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 1,
Foundation Course in English 2, Foundation Course in English 3
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open
University
...
0
2
...
0
4
...
0
6
...
0
Introduction
Objectives
Main Content
3
...
2
Ought to, Should, and Would
3
...
0
INTRODUCTION
In this last unit for this course, you will be exposed to some aspects of
grammar and usage in English
...
Modal auxiliaries are some aspects of helping verbs which can vary the
tense of the verb
...
You need modal auxiliaries to be able to
state possibility (may), probability (might), obligation (ought to) and the
rest
...
As you study the auxiliaries in this
unit, you should pay special attention to the ways they are used
...
2
...
3
...
1
Modal Auxiliaries
There are some special verbs in English which are called modal
auxiliaries
...
440
GST102
MODULE 4
They can be used in the present and past tenses i
...
car/could,
will/would, may/might
...
(i) It means, ‘know how to’, ‘be able to’
...
I couldn’t do that new job; it was too difficult
...
Let’s go where we can have some freedom
...
(ii)
It can also mean ‘be allowed to’ (by rules)
...
g
...
(The rules do not allow this)
...
g
...
g
...
This is because can means be able
...
(ii)
Example
He may come or he may not
...
It can also mean ‘have permission to, be allowed to’
...
441
GST102
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
Fill in the blanks with may or can in the following sentences:
1
...
2
...
3
...
4
...
5
...
”
(c)
Must; have to
Study the use of must and have to in the following sentences:
You must clean your own boots
...
)
You have to clean your own boots when you join the army
...
)
Both must and have to are used to express an obligation
...
The other important point to bear in mind is that
have to is preferred for habits and must for an obligation that is urgent
...
I must inform him at once; he has got the job
...
Therefore, had to is used for the
past, and will have to for the future
...
John is retiring in 1990; he will have to look for a new job if he wants to
continue his son’s education
...
2
...
4
...
442
I ________ leave now; it is getting late
...
You________ try to be a little more tactful
...
If there is a problem, you ________ report it to me at once
...
MODULE 4
10
...
Tell him he ________ be here by five; I insist on it
...
Whenever he wants to eat, I ________
get up and cook for him
...
You ________ visit us again some time
...
2
Ought to, Should, and Would
7
...
9
...
(It’s your duty)
...
(But you didn’t, and now it is too late
...
(It’s my suggestion/advice
...
(more polite than ‘I want to…’)
Ought to is very often used when we wish to refer to the duty of the
person referred to by the subject
...
Ought to does not carry a speaker’s
authority as (must, does) nor does it indicate an outside authority as
(have to, does)
...
Should
can also be used in the same way as ought to
...
(The doctor insists on it
...
You ought not to smoke so much; you are wasting your money
...
Gill
...
Gill insists on it
...
Gill
...
Gill’s authority
...
Gill
...
Gill’s is involved here, but the speaker thinks that obeying Mr
...
)
Note: ought to with the perfect infinitive (e
...
, ought to have done,
ought to have gone) expresses a duty or a course of action that was
neglected
...
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
Fill in the blanks with ought to, have to or must in the following
paragraph:
I ________ have gone to see Mr
...
He passed away this
morning in the hospital; they ________ bring the body home
...
His three
sons ________ be present before they removed the body to the
cremation ground
...
Should can be used in same way as ought to, but it is less forceful than
must or have to because no authority is involved
...
It is a usual way of giving advice
...
(duty)
You shouldn’t tell lies
...
(advice)
You have written it wrongly
...
(correct again)
They shouldn’t allow parking in this street; it is too narrow
...
Example: He insisted on my selling the house
...
1
...
3
...
5
...
He was anxious for everyone to have a chance to work
...
He agreed to the two winners sharing the prize money
...
Study the use of would in the following sentences
...
(i)
(ii)
444
I want some bananas
...
GST102
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
MODULE 4
I want to see the manager
...
Would like is more polite than want
...
He would rather/sooner talk himself than listen to others
...
They would wait for us in the market everyday
...
(insisted on visiting)
“Why don’t you get your visa extended?”
“I’ve requested the officer several times to do it, but he wouldn’t”
(insisted on not doing)
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
3
________ you mind opening the window? It is too hot in here
...
“The manager isn’t in”
...
perhaps you ________ be good enough to inform me of any
change of programme before hand
...
He said he ________ be sorry to see the end of such lovely
weather
...
“He ________ have worked harder
...
2
...
When you
are not sure of anything you use may/might
...
When you want
to express ability you use can/could
...
4
...
0
USE OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS II
Modal auxiliaries enable you to express obligation, compulsion
and give orders
...
Modal auxiliaries are useful for signalling politeness e
...
would
like, may I, could I etc
...
You must learn them
...
5
...
You have also
practised using these auxiliaries in different contexts
...
They should also be used in appropriate
academic situations
...
0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate modal auxiliaries
...
2
...
4
...
6
...
8
...
10
...
You ________ want to consult a doctor, if need be
...
If you wish you ________ submit your work
...
Please consult the secretariat ________ require to see a doctor
...
If you ________ make it try and check me up
...
0
MODULE 4
REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
© Materials are adapted from: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
February 2001
(reprint) and July 1997 (reprint)
...
Bausal, R
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 1,
Foundation Course in English 2, Foundation Course in English
3
...
Handa, U
...
(2001)
...
New Delhi: Indira Gandhi Open University
...
(ed
...
Foundation Course in English 4 New Delhi:
Indira Gandhi Open University
...
447
Title: english
Description: this notes enables student to have a good stand in English language.
Description: this notes enables student to have a good stand in English language.