A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

                                                                                                                  

A précis is another word for a summary but unlike a summary it is specific. Writing précis gives training in careful reading as it develops one's capacity to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential details.  One needs to describe as accurately and briefly as possible the substance or main ideas contained in a text.  In the ICSE examination, you are to lift points from some specific parts of the passage. Remember, your précis has to be of 60 words only. Be careful in deciding which are the relevant parts and which not. Sometimes the question even mentions which paragraphs you are supposed to refer to. Prepare a draft with pencil in a grid of 60 cells (5 columns x 12 rows). Make necessary edits and corrections. Then make a final copy in ink. Remember not to exceed 60 words. Nor should it be fewer than 58 words. GUIDELINES 1. To write an effective précis, read the passage several times for a full understanding. 2. Note key points. It may, in fact...

(CLICK ON THIS FORMAT AND IT WILL OPEN AS A CLEAR PICTURE. RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE IT THEREAFTER.)  Keep in mind the following things. 1. The letter must begin with the sender’s address: a three-line address in the above format. (House no., Area, City.) Punctuation must be taken care of. 2. The date should be written as either July 8, 2016 or 8 th July, 2016. 3. The salutation should always be ‘Dear ____(first name of the receiver)’. In case of parents, ‘Dear Father’ or ‘Dear Mother’ must be used. 4. Write 3 to 4 paragraphs. The first paragraph must include an informal greeting and reference to the purpose of the letter briefly.          5. The second and third paragraphs must include the main content. One must strictly adhere to what has been asked in the question. There are marks reserved for closing sentence too. 6. The subscription could be one of these:         ...

1. No sooner did she finish cooking than her son shouted he was hungry. OR No sooner had she finished cooking than her son shouted he was hungry. 2. She asked John whom he had met the previous day. 3. Rohit exclaimed that he had done very/extremely well. 4. Nothing but hard work can help you achieve the best. 5. The movie was too bad to be sat through till the end. OR The movie was too bad for me to sit through it till the end. 6. Two final witnesses were heard by the judge before writing the sentence. 7. In all probability, it will rain today. 8. It is said that he is wrongly accused. 9. This bicycle is not only strong, but also stylish. 10. Few other diseases are as deadly as cancer. 11. Before adding the concentrate, (you should) stir the mixture well. 12. Steps for preserving the monuments are being taken by the government. OR Steps for preservation of the monuments are being taken by the government.

Solve this worksheet yourself: 1. Hardly had she finished cooking when her son shouted he was hungry. (No sooner...) 2. She said to John, "Whom did you meet yesterday?" (She asked...) 3. Rohit said, "How well I have done!" (Rohit exclaimed...) 4. Only hard work can help you achieve the best. (Write as a negative sentence) 5. The movie was so bad that I couldn't sit through it till the end. (Use 'too...to') 6. The judge heard two final witnesses before writing the sentence. (Two final witnesses...) 7. It will probably rain today. (In...) 8. People say that he is wrongly accused. (It...) 9. This bicycle is both strong and stylish. (This bicycle is not...) 10. Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases. (Few...) 11. Add this concentrate after stirring the mixture well. (Before adding...) 12. The government is taking steps to preserve the monuments. (Steps for...) ******************** (Answers will be posted on the morning of 14.09.2017)

Instructions for Essay Writing 1. Read the topic carefully. Cover each part of the question properly. Each part has a definite weightage. Do not leave any part unanswered. 2. Choose your topic carefully. All kinds of essays are given due weightage and marks. Never think that a particular choice will result in loss of marks. Story writing for example is as advisable as argumentative or visual-based. But be careful enough to write a story like a story. 4-5 characters, a twist, a lesson in the end, 1st person point of view, some dialogues are needed. 3. High-flown language isn’t needed. Well-phrased sentences and use of appropriate vocabulary is what is given credit. Essays based on personal experiences are always welcomed by examiners. 4. A descriptive essay requires details of sensory perception. Use plenty of adjectives to add weight to your description. 5. In argumentative essays, views for or against the motion are to be accepted. Credit is to be given for a cohesive, well-...

Précis writing basically means to write a summary with a limited number of words as specified in the question. The number of words may vary from 40 —100. In the ICSE examination, you are required to write a précis of 60 words. The following points should be kept in mind while answering the compulsory précis questions. According to the number of words specified in the question, two sets of lines and columns (meaning two grids) should be drawn first. Each line and column has to be numbered accordingly. Only one word is to be written in each box as has been shown to you. After the grids are ready, the headings ‘Rough Précis’ and ‘Fair Précis’ should be written above each grid. While completing the Rough Précis, words may exceed the number specified in the question. E.g. If you are asked to write a précis in not more than 60 words, the rough précis may exceed the number to 65 or 68. Keeping the question in mind. Choose the points needed for your answer from the passage. Detai...

There are two kinds of superlative degrees. ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE This superlative describes the best thing/person in a class. He is the most disciplined boy of the school. No other boy of the school is as disciplined as he is/him. No other boy of the school is more disciplined than he is/him. This book is the best among all books. No other book is as good as this. No other book is better than this. NON-ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE This superlative describes one of the best things in a class, but not the absolute best. He is one of the most disciplined boys in the school. (This means he is one among the best boys but not the only one. Remember to use a plural noun like 'boys'.) He is more disciplined than many other boys in the school. Few (or Not many) boys in the school are as disciplined as  him. Few (or Not many) boys in the school are more disciplined  than him.

1. CONSISTS OF VS. COMPRISES With consists we use 'of' but not with 'comprise(s)'. The team consists/consisted of eleven players. The team comprises/comprised eleven players. (NO 'OF') 2. OWING TO Owing to is used for mentioning reasons for something that has happened. It means 'on account of'. We cancelled the match owing to the heavy rain. His reading was hesitant owing to a stammer. 3. ALL/ EACH/ EVERY All the projects have been assigned. (plural verb) Each of the projects has been assigned. (singular verb) OR Each project has  been assigned to a responsible manager. Every project has  been assigned. (Every lays emphasis on completion of the task) 4. NONE/ NEITHER None is used for more than two people or things. None of the mangoes is sweet. (None of the mangoes are sweet is also accepted.) Neither is used when we talk of two persons or things. Neither of the doctors is  skillful. Neither doctor is  skillful. 5. IN ...

‘Enterprise’ is an allegory of human condition on earth and of the frequent efforts, failure and frustrations which man is subject to by the very nature of his earthly life. The poet describes a pilgrimage where each pilgrim faces difficulties and disillusionment along the way and realizes that one’s own insufficiency is the root cause of all unaccomplished goals. A group of men undertakes a journey moved by noble aspirations, but it all ends in failures and frustrations as is usually the case with human attempts for some noble achievement. The pilgrimage becomes a weary trek by the time the goal is reached. The goal is alluring but the process of reaching it empties its glamour and glory. A number of people, including the narrator, decide to go on a pilgrimage. They are city dwellers and the journey they undertake is to some romantic, primitive hinterland. They start with hope, courage and determination, with their minds full of noble ideas and ideals. They are out to make s...

As a part of your charitable initiatives, you want to establish an old age home. Write a note for the sponsors based on the following guidelines. Reason for establishment – place – no. of old people that can be housed – facilities to be provided – grant required – people associated – working committee – finance needed on a continual basis – conclusion. (As report writing is an exercise in amplification, the candidates are required to only expand the given guidelines well, with some useful facts, figures and information . THIS INFORMATION COULD BE PROVIDED BY IMAGINATION.) As a part of our charitable initiatives, the Poorna Welfare Society, Gomti Nagar, is making efforts to establish an old age home ‘Karuna’ for the aged destitute, that will provide them with complete care and try to bring their lives out of loneliness. ‘Karuna’ will be constructed on a piece of land donated to the society last year. The land area is 3500 square feet and it is located in Viraj Khand, Gomti N...