ASSESSMENT 2 – STUDY MATERIALS

PART A

1. COLLOCATIONS
2. PHRASAL VERBS
3. IF CONDITIONALS
4. CAUSE AND EFFECT EXPRESSIONS
5. DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

PART B

1. LETTER TO THE DEAN

2. INTERPRETING VISUALS
3. ESSAY WRITING – DESCRIPTIVE AND NARRATIVE

PART C

Speaking Test

1. COLLOCATIONS

Complete each sentence with an adjective from the list on the left and a preposition from the list
on the right. You must use each adjective once only but you can use each preposition more than
once.

accustomed at
afraid for
ashamed of
aware on
capable to
dependent
famous
full
good
jealous
proud
ready
relevant
responsible
sensitive
typical
1 She was ____________________ ______ her friend because she had a better dress.

2 The waste paper bin was ____________________ ______ crumpled sheets of paper.

3 This computer is ____________________ ______ producing sophisticated graphics.

4 The town is especially____________________ ______ its elegant architecture.

5 I felt very ____________________ ______ making such a stupid mistake.

6 After weeks of preparation the hall is nearly ____________________ ______ the grand
opening.

7 Could you add this up for me? I’m not very ____________________ ______ maths.

8 Who is ____________________ ______ writing those words on the wall?

9 She was so____________________ ______ her nephew’s achievement that she couldn’t
stop talking about it.

10 It took some time to get the____________________ ______ slower pace of life in the
country after the frantic atmosphere of the town.

11 We try to eat food which is ____________________ ______ the region in which we are
travelling.

12 Are you ____________________ ______ any reason why he should be late?

13 They built nuclear power stations so as not to be ____________________ ______ coal as

their main source of energy.

14 This is not really ____________________ ______ our discussion so can we get back to the
main point of the meeting?

15 He sleeps with the light on because he’s ____________________ ______ the dark.

16 Be careful what you say to Scott. He’s very ____________________ ______ criticism and
sulks for days.

Exercise 2

Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of the verbs below and the preposition
from​​ or ​on​​. Use each verb once only.

borrow
concentrate
congratulate
decide
depend
differ
economise
escape
insist
operate
prevent
recover
rely
resign
retire
suffer

1 She ____________________ ______ her job after she was offered another with more
responsibility and a higher salary.

2 He might come. It will ____________________ ______ how he feels.

3 You must ____________________ ______ the road when you’re driving!

4 He got very annoyed and ____________________ ______ seeing the manager.

5 The surgeon____________________ ______ her immediately and saved her life.

6 I decided to ____________________ ______ my job early even though it meant I wouldn’t

get such a good pension.

7 It will take her weeks to ____________________ ______ such a major operation so she
won’t be back at work for some time.

8 We had security men on the door to____________________ ______ unwanted guests

getting into the party.

9 I’ve sent her a card to ____________________ ______ her passing her test.

10 The bank wouldn’t lend me the money so I had to ____________________ ______ it my

parents.

11 This design ____________________ ______ slightly the first one I showed you.

12 I ____________________ ______ backache so I have to go to a physiotherapist once a

week.
13 After weeks of discussion they’ve finally ____________________ ______ the new colour
scheme for the staff canteen.

14 They managed to ____________________ ______ the prison by bribing a guard.

15 With less money coming, we’ll have to ____________________ ______ food and other
necessities.

If Conditionals

Read the following email from a friend to another.

Dear Dev
I’m really excited about your coming next week. It has been a really long time that we met. As
you had mentioned earlier, we’ll visit a few interesting places when you are here. If you are
interested in historical sites, we will go to Mahabalipuram which is closer to Chennai. We will
start early if you want to spend some time there. If you wish to go a hill station, we will go to
Yercaud, a quiet and lesser known place, which I love. If you had come last week, we would
have visited the Grand Fair. It was an amazing mela of music and art in which performers from
various districts of Tamil Nadu participated. If you were here, you would never miss such a
chance. I know your intense fascination for art.
Awaiting your arrival
Sujit

1. In the above email, underline the sentences that contain ‘if’.

2. Write the if clause and the main clause of the sentences in the boxes below. The first one
is done for you.

If Clause Main Clause

If you are interested in historical sites we will go to Mahabalipuram which is closer
to Chennai

It can be seen that the if clause poses a condition, depending upon which the main clause occurs.
The ​if ​clause states the condition, and the main clause states the result.

Also from the above examples, it is obvious that there are three levels of conditional clauses.
They are

1. Real Conditionals in the Present or Future

2. Unreal Conditions in the Present or Future
3. Unreal Conditions in the Past

Examples:

Real Conditionals in the Simple Present or Future

Condition ​If​ clause or Main Clause

teacher ​comes​​ early ask​​ about the test.

ains​​ heavily ganisers ​will cancel​​ the concert

presentation​ is ​impressive ill make ​it to the second round​.

fielder ​misses​​ the catch will win​​ the match

Unreal Conditions in the Simple Past and Imaginary Result

Unreal Condition ​If​ clause Result or Main Clause

If the teacher ​came​​ early I ​would ask​​ about the test.

If it ​rained​​ heavily the organisers ​would cancel​​ the concert

If the presentation​ was ​impressive you​would make ​it to the second round​.

If the fielder ​missed​​ the catch they ​would win​​ the match

Unreal Conditions in the Past Perfect and Imaginary result

Unreal Condition ​If​ clause Result or Main Clause

If the teacher ​had come​​ early I ​would have asked​​ about the test.
If it ​had rained​​ heavily the organisers ​would have cancelled​​ the concert

If the presentation ​had been you​ would have made ​it to the second round​.
impressive

If the fielder ​had missed​​ the catch they ​would win​​ the match

Exercise

1. Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form. Choose your answers from
the given options.

1. I will come if I ………………. time.

will have

had

have

2. If you ……………… into Peter, tell him that he owes me a letter.

ran

run

had run

3. If he is late, we …………………. without him.

will start

would start

would have started

4. If you ………………. me, I would have told you.

asked

will ask

had asked

5. Will it be all right if I ………… a friend tonight?

bring

brought

had brought

6. If he ………….. a bit faster, he could have won.

has run

had run

ran

7. If I hadn’t been so tired, I ……………… up.

would not give

would not have given

will not give

8. If you ………………… to learn a musical instrument, you have to practice.

want

wants

wanted

Complete the sentences.

1. If I ​(have)​ _______ a compass, I would give it to you.

2. If he hadn’t been ill, he ​(run)​ _______ the marathon.
3. If you go to Ireland, you ​(need)​ _______ a raincoat.
4. We ​(miss/not)​ _______the train if we had got up earlier.
5. If we lived in the country, the kids ​(play)​ _______ outside all day long.
6. If they ​(eat/not)​ _______that much, they wouldn’t have got a stomach ache.
7. I will not be able to write you if you ​(give/not)​ _______ me your address.

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type III.

1. If the midfielders _______ the ball more exactly, our team _______ more chances to
attack.
2. If the forwards _______ faster, they _______ more goals.
3. Their motivation _______ if they _______ a goal during the first half.
 4. The fullbacks _______ one or the other goal if they _______ their opponents.
5. If the goalie _______ up, he _______ the ball.
6. If the referee _______ the foul, he _______ a penalty kick to our team.
7. Our team _______ in better form if they _______ harder the weeks before.
8. The game _______ better if the trainer _______ a substitute in during the second half.
9. If it _______ a home game, our team _______ the match.
10. If our team _______ the match, they _______up in the league.

Phrasal Verbs

Read the following passage

When my mother ​set off​​ for work today, her scooter ​broke down​​, and so she ​ended up ​taking
the train. As soon as she ​got off​​, she ​bumped into​​ an old schoolmate, Priti. While they were
talking, Priti ​brought up​​ something which my mother had already ​found out​​ from some mutual
friends- that she had ​come into​​ some money and had ​set up​​ her own business. Priti told my
mother that there was a lot to ​sort out​​, and offered to ​take​​ my mother ​on​​, but she
turned​​ Priti ​down​​ straight away.

When my mother ​clocked in​​, her boss ​had a go at​​ her, ​telling​​ her ​off​​ in front of all her
colleagues. As my mother ​got over​​ the initial shock, she told her boss that she would ​make up
for​​ being late, but it ​turned out​​ that the boss had ​blown up​​ over an important business project
which had ​fallen through​​, after a client of my mother had ​pulled out of​​ ​a contract. The boss
told my mother that she wouldn’t ​get away with​​ it, that she had ​let​​ everybody ​down​​, and
just ​went on​​and on….

Finally, my mother ​ran out of​​ her cool and patience and ​answered back​​. She boldly said she
was not going to ​put up with​​ it any longer, and if he wanted to ​lay​​ her ​off​​, he should ​go ahead​​.
She just ​walked out​​, called Priti and told her that she’d like to ​take​​ her​ up​​ on her offer. Though
the day started on a terrible note, later everything ​worked out​​ perfectly!

The words in bold indicate a particular usage of verbs that make the flow of narration smooth
and casual. These are called phrasal verbs.

Phrasal verbs are common verb forms used widely in the spoken forms of the language. It
generally has the structure verb + preposition. Learning phrasal verbs help in participating in
conversations as casual spoken English contains a lot of phrasal verbs.

Call off vs. call

● The meeting was called off due to some emergency at the head office.
 ● I’m planning to call everyone for the meeting.

Get along vs. get

● The students get along well with the physical trainer though he is very strict.
● I need to get a higher score in the exam to top the class.

Phrasal Verbs in Contexts

Phrasal verbs are used in everyday interactions and a few common contexts with the phrasal
verbs related are given in the following sections.

Travel

Krish: You are driving so well. So can you just ​drop ​me​ off​​ at the airport?
Maya: Okay, shouldn’t be a problem. Do we need to ​pick ​Alok​ up​​ on the way?
Krish: Yes. Let me just brief you about this trip. The plane should ​take off by 4.30 p.m. We are
checking in ​at 8.a.m. tomorrow at Park Residency in Mumbai and we plan to ​check out at by 5
p.m. the day after. Then we ​set out to Dubai. They say there is so much to ​look around​​. I’m
definitely ​looking forward​​ to this trip.
Maya: In that case you should ​get in the airport at 3 so that you wouldn’t have to ​hurry up​​.
Getting away​​ on a vacation is so much fun.
Krish: Looks like we’ll have to ​speed up​​ to reach there on time.
Maya: Isn’t you brother coming to ​see ​you​ off​​?
Krish: Oh yes!

The common phrasal verbs used in the context of travelling as seen above are:

Pick up - to fetch someone from a place and take them somewhere else
Set out - to start a journey
Drop off - to take someone to a place and leave them there
Check in - to register at a hotel
Check out - to leave and pay for your stay at a hotel
Take off - when a plane leaves and begins to fly
Get in –to enter a place
Get away - to leave to go somewhere for a break
Get on - to climb on board
Speed up - to increase speed
Look around - to explore what is near in your area
Hurry up - to rush and not waste time
See off - to go the place someone is leaving from to say goodbye
Look forward –wait eagerly for something to happen

Now read the following passage and fill in with suitable phrasal verbs
My trip to Singapore

When I got an admission to pursue Aeronautics at the National University of Singapore, it was a
dream come true. My family came to _________ me ______ at the airport the day I left. My
father was worried and asked me to _________ so that I wouldn’t miss my flight. I felt both
excited and anxious but I was __________ to the academic experiencesthere. After I ___ the
plane I realized how painful _________ from the family was. The flight _____ at the scheduled
time and I was quite thrilled when my plane was ________ on the runway. My father’s friend
was waiting to ____ me ____ and after a little conversation he _____ me _____ at the campus.

Health

Read this email sent by a mother to her son staying in a hostel studying abroad

Dear Krishna
I’m sure you are comfortable there doing what you always wanted to do. I’m so happy for you.
I’m writing now to advise you on a few healthy eating habits, as you know I believe in
prevention more than on cure. Don’t ​bolt down your food as always, chew it and then swallow
it. Try to ​cut out on leftovers and ​cut back on salted food items. You know well that high fat
food ​clogs up inside. If possible ​chop up some fruit and keep them handy. If you don’t want to
put on weight you should definitely ​take up some regular exercise. In case you ​come down
with a cold try and ​fight it off with the usual medication you ​dose up​​. You’ll miss the sandwich
I used to ​whip up​​ quickly for you before you catch your school bus.

With love
Mom.

The common phrasal verbs used in the context of food and health as seen above are:

Bolt down – to eat your food very quickly

Whip up – to prepare (a meal) very quickly
Chop up – to cut into small pieces
Cut out – to stop doing something

Cut back – to do less of something

Clog on – to block and create a problem

Put on – to add or accumulate

Take up – to start a habit

Come down – catch an illness

Fight off – oppose and come over

Dose up – take medicine

Complete the sentences with the correct form of thephrasal verbs in the box.

stay away from stick to try outgive up cut down on take up get over go without
call on turn off work out put on get rid of start off with
1. I really think you should __________chocolate - you shouldn’t eat so much.
2. It was a serious accident. It took me three months to _________ it.
3. Last year I ________ yoga and I really enjoy it now.
4. I didn’t enjoy eating raw spinach, so I ________ it ______.
5. He __________in the gym twice a week.
6. I had to ___________ sugar because I’ve decided to reduce its consumption.
7. I have just __________ with fruit and buttermilk for breakfast. I’m trying to __________
meat and eggs.
8. We’ve decided to __________ all the junk in the refrigerator.
9. The others were all drinking cola but I __________ to fresh juice.
10. Zumba dancing is a fun way to lose weight if you’ve _____ some.

Relationship

Here is a list of to-do’s as found on the desk of a family counselor.

● It is always better not to argue hard before children. They will have none to ​look up to​​.
● If you ​fall for​​ outward appearances, be sure to double check the person’s background.
● Making up​​ between friends is better than finding new ones.
● Never ​put down​​ your children before others.
● Sometimes it’s okay to ​put up with​​ little tantrums that children throw.
● Accommodating each others’ weaknesses help in ​getting along with the most difficult
colleagues.
● Look after​​ of your aged parents. After all it is they who have ​brought you up​​.
● A child ​takes after​​ its parents, not just literally.
● It can be stressful to ​live up to​​ others’ expectations. Never try to please everyone.
● Always ​stand up to​​ unfair demands. Recommend it to your family too.
● Create happy moments. They are only ones you’ll have to ​look back​​ later.
The common phrasal verbs used in the context of relationship as seen above are:

Look up to - to respect and admire someone

Fall for - to start having strong feelings about someone
Fall out - to argue with someone and stop being friendly with them
Make up - to become friends with someone after a fight or argument
Put down - to say bad things about someone; to insult
Put up with - to tolerate; to accept an unpleasant situation
Bring someone up - take care of a child
Take after someone - to look like someone in your family
Live up to - reach an expected standard​
Stand up to someone - refuse to accept unfair treatment or behaviour
Look back on something - remember something that happened in the past​

Exercise
Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence:
1. John really ___ his father. He is a hardworking man who has never been dishonest.

o Put up with
o Look up to

2. Tina finally ___ with her best friend Mira. They hadn't been talking for a few days.

o Put down
o Made up

3. The trainee couldn’t tolerate the bossy atmosphere in the company. He declared that he
wouldn’t ___ that anymore.

o Fall out
o Put up with

4. Sheila _____ a boy she never knew. It turned out to be a complete disaster.

o Fell out
o Fell for

5. The coach praised his team during the tournament. He knew well that ___ while they were
losing was of no use.

o Putting them down

o Made them up

6. Rita has ___ with her father because she has been spending the pocket money carelessly.
 o Fallen out
o Looked up to

7. The relatives argued over the baby’s nose – whether it had _____ the paternal or maternal
grandmother.
o Taken after
o Taken care
8. I’ve always tried to ________ my mentor’s expectations.
o Live up to
o Stand up to
9. When I ______ on my school days I fondly remember the fun we had in the school canteen.
o Look back
o Look after
10. My mother always tells me “ ______ to unfair authority.”
o Stand for
o Stand up
4. Cause and Effect Expressions

In science and technology, we discuss almost everyday the causes of certain problems and we
research into the effects of certain things. In fact science is the study of causes and effects.
Therefore, as learners of science and technology, it is very important to learn the structure of
cause and effect sentences.

When we talk about an effect resulting from a certain cause, we use expressions such as:
because, since, as, owing to, due to...

Connectors of cause and result:

Conjunctions (followed by a complete sentence):

Because, as, since
Therefore, as a result, consequently, that’s why, for this reason, so, and so
So + adjective or adverb + that
Connectors followed by a noun sentence, a noun or a gerund:
Because of, on account of, owing to, due to, as a result of

Examples

Owing to his intelligence, he managed to solve the problem.

The police arrested him because he broke into a bank.

The police arrested him since he broke into a bank.

She can't read the letter as she is illiterate.

He can't run fast for he is too fat.

Due to the bad weather, they didn't go for a picnic.

The cause of global warming is pollution.

Due to his laziness, he didn't pass the exam.

Because / since /as / they are smart and intelligent, they forgive each other's mistakes.

Exercise 1

1. Doctors believe some bacteria are more resistant nowadays _____ the misuse of
antibiotics.

2. _____ you have no more money to spend, you will have to stop buying useless things.

3. He’s embarrassed about being bald _____ he always wears a wig.

4. I knew I couldn’t win. _____, I didn’t play the match and I decided to do more practice to
improve my performance for the next competition.

5. _____ the traffic jams I arrive late for work every day.

6. She was an annoying woman _____ no one wanted to invite her to a party.

7. The students were happy _____ the teacher helped them finish their projects.

8. You are not following the doctor’s advice _____ you won’t get better.

9. Jagan is _____ confident that he won’t even consider the possibility of not getting the job.

10. _____ the rain had poured for three days without a rest, there were floods in the area.

Exercise 2

The following information presents causes and effects of shopping online. Study the information
and complete the following sentences.

wide variety of products easy to compare prices

 SHOPPING ONLINE

save time products delivered directly to your home

a. ________________________ a wide variety of products offered on the internet, buying

online is quite popular.

b. ___________________________________________. ___________________, buying online

can save you money.

c. ___________________ products are delivered directly to your home, online

shopping is quite convenient.

d. ___________________________________________. __________________, you can have

more time for hobbies.

Exercise 3

Read the following passage and identify expressions which connect the cause and the effect.

Many Moroccan women suffer from illiteracy for many reasons. First, some women are illiterate
because (as – since) they couldn’t join schools when they were young. Other women suffer from
illiteracy since schools are far from their houses. Moreover, some parents are poor; consequently,
(as a result- therefore-hence – then- so – as a consequence-) they can’t afford to send their
daughters to school. As a result, they are ignorant. Because (since-as) many women in Morocco
are ignorant, they can’t have jobs or take other responsibilities outside their homes. The illiteracy
of women is also due to (the result of/the effect of/the consequence of) some social stereotypes.
For example; some parents think that sending their daughters to school may give some people a
wrong image about their personality. Since universities are far from many places, some girls just
decide to stop their education immediately after their schooling. For this reason, many of them
are unemployed as they haven’t got any professional diploma. The illiteracy of women results in
(leads to – causes – is the cause of) many social problems. The kids will not do well at school
since their mothers can’t help them with their school work. A high rate of divorce is also a result
of the illiteracy of women. This is because an illiterate woman can’t solve her problems within
her family.

There are more than one way to connect cause and effect sentences. Look at the sentences:

The fight was cancelled. There was a strike.

The answer can be:

(A) There was a strike. Consequently, the flight was cancelled.

(B) As a result of a strike, the flight was cancelled.

(C) Since there was a strike, the flight was cancelled.

Exercise 4

Try and complete the following.

He lost his ticket. He couldn’t board the plane.

(A) _____________________________________________
(B) _____________________________________________
(C) _____________________________________________
There was a thick fog. The traffic had to slow down.

(A) _____________________________________________
(B) _____________________________________________
(C) _____________________________________________
Exercise 5

Try this matching exercise

1. Owing to ​being over-crowded,

Britain’s main cities all have… a) . …the more pollution ​is created.
2. We are part of an unhealthy,
consumerist and throwaway society,
which … b) …​creates​​ an environmental crisis.
3. One effect​​ of living on the street is
that… c) …drug abuse and crime rates rise.
4. In a city, light, heat, transport and
food must all be supplied
artificially ​as​​… d) …roads crawling with cars.
5. The ​consequence​​ of too dense a e) …we are living a life removed from
population is that… nature.
f) …one or all of these areas (housing,
6. Cities face a number of problems healthcare, education, jobs and a
which ​are due to.​​. certain quality of life) must suffer.
7. A city crowded with people ​leads
to… g) . …overcrowding.
 8. The greater the population, the more
h) …a number of people living on the
natural resources are burnt up
street
and, ​consequently​​..

Exercise 6

Pick the best cause and effect expression to fill the blank.

1. Many species of wildlife are becoming extinct, __________ the rainforests are being
destroyed.
a. therefore
b. since
c. so
d. consequently
2. __________ logging provides jobs and profits, the government is reluctant to control it.
a. So
b. Consequently
c. Due to
d. Since
3. Hemp can be used to make paper, __________ it could reduce the need for logging.
a. therefore
b. so
c. due to
d. because
4. Hemp was grown throughout history __________ its versatility; it can be used to make
many different things.
a. due to
b. because
c. since
d. as a result
5. Hemp is related to the marijuana plant; __________, it is illegal in many countries.
a. so
b. because
c. due to
d. as a result
6. Hemp cannot be used to produce high quality paper, __________ its low THC content.
a. because
b. as
c. because of
d. consequently
 7. __________ Canada has legalized hemp farming, we can expect to see pulp and paper
produced from hemp very soon.
a. Therefore
b. Due to
c. So
d. As

DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECH

1. Direct Speech
In direct speech, we convey the message of the speaker in his own actual words without any
change to another person.

2. Indirect Speech
In indirect speech, we convey the message of the speaker in our own words to another person.

3. Procedure of changing direct speech into indirect speech

1. Remove comma and inverted commas.

2. Put "that" between the reporting and reported speeches.(it is optional to put "that"
between the reporting and reported speech)
3. Change the 1st letter of reported speech into small letter except for "I"
4. Change the pronoun of the direct speech according to the rules described in table
2
5. Change the tense of the direct speech appropriately according to rules described in
table 3.
6. Change the words expressing nearness in time or places of the direct speech into
its appropriate words expressing distance as per table 1

4. Rules for changing Direct into Indirect Speech

1. The past tense is often used when it is uncertain if the statement is true or when
we are reporting objectively.

Indirect Speech
Conversion Direct Speech Condition
 Present Tenses in the If the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense.
Direct Speech are
changed into Past Tense.

If in direct speech you find say/says or will say.

Do Not Change Tense of

Direct speech the words within the quotation marks
reported Speech in
talk of a universal truth or habitual action.
Indirect Speech sentence

The reporting verb is in a present tense.

2. When there are two sentences combined with the help of a conjunction and both
sentences have got different tenses. then change the tenses of both sentences
according to the rule.
3. Words expressing nearness in time or places are generally changed into words
expressing distance.

Direct Speech Word Indirect Speech Word

Here There

Today that day

Change of place and time
this morning that morning

Yesterday the day before

Tomorrow the next day

 next week the following week

next month the following month

Now Then

Ago Before

Thus So

Last Night the night before

This That

These Those

Hither Thither

Hence Thence

Come Go

4. Change in Pronouns
The pronouns of the Direct Speech are changed where necessary, according to their relations
with the reporter and his hearer, rather than with the original speaker. If we change direct
speech into indirect speech, the pronouns will change in the following ways.

Rules Direct Speech Indirect Speech

 The first person of the reported speech She says, "I am in tenth She says, "I am in tenth
changes according to the subject of class." class."
reporting speech.

The second person of reported speech He says to them, "You He tells them that they have
changes according to the object of have completed your completed their job.
reporting speech. job."

The third person of the reported She says, "She is in tenth She says that she is in tenth
speech doesn't change. class." class.

5. Change in Tenses
The past perfect and past perfect continuous tenses do not change.

Rules Direct Speech Indirect Speech

Simple Present Changes "I always drink coffee", she She said that she always drank
To said coffee.
Simple Past

Present Continuous "I am reading a book", he He explained that he was

Changes explained. reading a book
To
Past Continuous

Present Perfect Changes She said, "He has finished She said that he had finished
To his work" his work.
Past Perfect

Present Perfect "I have been to Spain", he He told me that he had been to
Continuous Changes told me. Spain.
 To
Past Perfect Continuous

Simple Past Changes "Bill arrived on Saturday", He said that Bill had arrived on
To he said. Saturday
Past Perfect

Past Perfect Changes "I had just turned out the He explained that he had just
To light," he explained. turned out the light.
Past Perfect (No
Change In Tense)

Past Continuous "We were living in Paris", They told me that they had
Changes they told me. been living in Paris.
To
Past Perfect Continuous

Future Changes "I will be in Geneva on He said that he would be in

To Monday", he said Geneva on Monday.
Present Conditional

Future Continuous She said, "I'll be using the She said that she would be
Changes car next Friday." using the car next Friday.
To
Conditional Continuous

6. Changes in Modals

Rules Direct Speech Indirect Speech

CAN changes into He said, "I can drive a car". He said that he could
COULD drive a car.
 MAY changes into He said, "I may buy a computer" He said that he might
MIGHT buy a computer.

MUST changes into He said, "I must work hard" He said that he had to
HAD TO work hard.

These Modals Do Not Change: Would, could, might, should, ought to.

Would They said, "we would apply for a They said that they
visa" would apply for visa.

Could He said, "I could run faster" He said that he could

run faster.

Might John said, "I might meet him". John said that he might
meet him.

Should He said, "I should avail the He said that he should

opportunity" avail the opportunity.

Ought to He said to me, "you ought to He said to me that I

wait for him" ought to wait for him.

7. Changes for Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences consist any of these four things:

o Order
o Request
o Advice
o Suggestion
 Most commonly used words to join clauses together are ordered, requested, advised and
suggested. Forbid(s)/ forbade is used for the negative sentences.

Mood of Reporting verb in indirect verb

Sentence in
Direct Speech

Order ordered

Request requested / entreated

Advice advised / urged

Never told, advised or forbade (No need of "not" after "forbade")

Direction directed

Suggestion suggested to

Warning warn

(If a person is called

addressed
directly)

Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences expresse emotions. Interjections such as Hurrah, wow, alas, oh, ah are
used to express emotions. The word "​that​​" is used as join clause.

A. Rules for conversion of Exclamatory Direct Speech Sentences into Indirect

Speech Sentences

1. Exclamatory sentence changes into assertive sentence.

 2. Interjections are removed.
3. Exclamation mark changes into full stop.
4. W.H words like , "what" and "how" are removed and before the adjective
of reported speech we put "very"
5. Changes of "tenses" , "pronouns" and "adjectives" will be according to the
previous rules.

Mood of Sentence in Direct Reporting verb in indirect verb

Speech

sorrow in reported speech Exclaimed with sorrow/ grief/ exclaimed sorrowfully or

cried out

happiness in reported speech exclaimed with joy/ delight/ exclaimed joyfully

surprise in reported speech exclaimed with surprise/ wonder/ astonishment"

appreciation and it is being applauded

expressed strongly

Interrogative Sentences
Interrogative sentences are of two types:

1. Interrogative with auxiliaries at the beginning.

2. Interrogatives with who, where, what, when, how etc., i.e. wh questions.

A. Rules for conversion of Interrogative Direct Speech Sentence into Indirect Speech
Sentences
There are some rules to change direct to Indirect speech of Interrogative sentence:

RULES
 Changes Direct Speech Indirect Speech Condition
Condition

Reporting said/ said to Asked, enquired or demanded.

Verb

If sentence begins with joining clause should be if or whether.

auxiliary verb
Joining
Clause
If sentence begins with then no conjunction is used as
"wh" questions "question-word" itself act as joining clause.

Punctuation Question Mark Full Stop

sentences is expressing do/does is removed from sentence.

positive feeling

Helping
if 'No' is used in do/does is changed into did.
Verbs
interrogative sentences

Did or has/have Had

o Helping verbs (is, am, are, was, were) are used after the subject.
o Adverbs and pronouns are converted according to the table 1 and table 2
respectively.
Punctuation in Direct Speech
In direct speech, various punctuation conventions are used to separate the quoted words from the
rest of the text: this allows a reader to follow what's going on.
Here are the basic rules:

RULES EXAMPLES
 The words that are actually 'He's very clever, you know.'
spoken should be enclosed in
inverted commas

Start new paragraph every 'They think it's a more respectable job,'
time when a new speaker says said Joe.
something. 'I don't agree,' I replied

Comma, full stop, question 'Can I come in?' he asked.

mark, or exclamation mark 'Just a moment!' she shouted.
must be present at the end of 'You're right,' he said.
reported sentences. This is
placed inside the closing
inverted comma or commas.

If direct speech comes after Steve replied, 'No problem.'

the information about who is
speaking, comma is used to
introduce the piece of speech,
placed before the first
inverted comma.

If the direct speech is broken 'You're right,' he said. 'It feels strange.'
up by information about who 'Thinking back,' she said, 'he didn't
is speaking, comma (or a expect to win.'
question mark or exclamation
mark) is used to separate the
two reported speech

Rules for conversion of Indirect Speech to Direct Speech

To change from Indirect to Direct Speech, keep the rules of the Direct Speech are applied in the
reverse order.

1. Use the reporting verb, "say" or "said to" in its correct tense.
2. Remove the conjunctions "that, to, if or whether etc". wherever necessary.
3. Insert quotation marks, question mark, exclamation and full stop, wherever
necessary.
4. Put a comma before the statement.
 5. Write the first word of the statement with capital letter.
6. Change the past tense into present tense wherever the reporting verb is in the past
tense.
7. Convert the past perfect either into past tense or present perfect as found
necessary.
8. Be careful about the order of words in the question.

The following table will enable to find the kind of sentence:

Indirect (Conjunction) Direct (Kind of Sentence)

That Statement (or) Exclamatory sentence

to, not to Imperative

requested + to Begin the imperative sentence with "please"

if or whether Interrogative sentence (Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb +

...?)

What, When, How (Wh or How + Helping Verb + Subject + Main Verb + ...?)
etc.,

Rewrite the following sentences in the indirect speech using the following reporting verbs
appropriately.

Request / deny / admit / complain / refuse

1) The convict said to the Inspector, “Please allow me to see my sick father.”

2) The girl said, “I have not taken your research notes.”

3) The father said, “I am responsible for the child’s bad behaviour.”

4) The tourist said to the hotel manager, “there is too much noise in the neighbourhood at night.”

5) The minister said, “I will not apologise to anyone for this.”

WRITING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

(a) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper against the use of unfair means by students
in examinations.

From
Name
17, MG Road
Chitra Town
Mumbai.

September 2 , 2017

To
The Editor,
The Tribune,
Mumbai.

Dear Sir,
I seek to express my views on the use of unfair means by students in examinations. I shall feel
highly obliges if you publish my views on the subject in your esteemed Daily.

The use of unfair means by students has become very common. But the menace has assumed
dangerous proportions now. Copying in examinations goes on unchecked. No wonder, here and
there, some invigilators are found helping the examiners in the use of unfair means. The evil has
become deep-rooted.
 The system of examination needs, complete overhauling. In fact, examinations have become a
farce. They have lost their meaning. Among the reform in the examination system, introduction
of internal assessment, setting of objective type questions and other models can be suggested.
The purpose of holding examination is to test the ability of the students. Any system of
examinations that does not serve this end is purposeless. The sooner it is abolished the better it
will be.
I hope these views of mine will go a long way in making examinations meaningful.
Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
(Name)

(b) Letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your views on water shortage in your
area

From
Name
17, MG Road
Chitra Town
Mumbai.

September 2 , 2017

To
The Editor,
The Tribune,
Mumbai.

Dear Sir,
I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities, through the columns of your esteemed
newspaper, towards an extremely vital and tormenting problem of our neighbourhood.

For the last several months, the people of this residency, in spite of paying all types of taxes and
utility bills, are encountering problems due to water shortage. Most of the time, pressure of
the water is low and it takes quite a lot of time to fill a bucket. We are facing the torture of
hot summer without proper water supply. I regret to point out that it seems as if there is
nobody to take care of the citizens and solve their problems. The authorities have not paid
any attention or given a positive response to the repeated requests of the residents. The
situation has now reached at an alarming stage, which may result in the form of protests and
caustic damages of the government buildings.
The concerned authorities are therefore requested to look into this matter without further delay and
take suitable steps to solve the problem.
Thanking you for your cooperation.
Yours truly,
(Name)

(c) You recently read an article in a newspaper that portrayed the youngsters of today in a
very poor light. You wish to write to the editor about how it is untrue. Write a letter to the
editor explaining it.

From
Name
17, MG Road
Chitra Town
Mumbai.

September 2 , 2017
 To
The Editor,
The Tribune,
Mumbai.

Dear Editor
I was disappointed to read your article on 25​th​ August “Young people don’t care”. I am
tired of reading stories labeling all young people as uncaring, lazy or selfish, when this is just not
true!
As a young person, I play tennis and volleyball, help out as a mentor for my fellow students
and do volunteer work in my community. I also care about my family and friends, and I am
passionate about issues that affect my society. It is not that young people don’t care what’s
happening, it’s that adults and older people don’t ask or don’t want to listen to what young
people have to say!

Thanking you
Yours truly,
(Name)

(d) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper about how the uncontrolled use of mobile
phones is damaging our children.

From
Name
17, MG Road
New Bose Town
Mumbai.
September 2 , 2017

To
The Editor,
The Tribune,
Mumbai.

Dear Sir,
I wish to highlight a key issue in the present society – the use of mobile phones by children
which to a certain level is left unchecked and can cause dangerous problems later.
Astudy published by the journal Child Development has taken a look at how parents’ use of
technology affects their children’s behaviour, and has concluded that “technology-based
interruptions in parent–child interactions” – a phenomenon known as “technoference”- could be
associated with a greater incidence of poor behaviour on the part of children. Almost half (48%)
of the parents in the study admitted to three daily incidents of technoference in their interactions
with their kids, and the researchers say that these seem to correlate with young children being
more prone to whining, sulking, restlessness, frustration and outbursts of temper.
Most parents feel bad that they can pay their children only cursory attention when they come
home, but the attention to the screen is the very thing that keeps the children engaged. The issue
is only becoming graver by the day and needs immediate attention.
I hope that my letter sees the light of the day and sets every reader thinking about the hazards of
uncontrolled mobile phone usage by children.
Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
(Name)

Exercise
1. Write a letter to the editor on the topic" Spreading garbage in and around locality"
2. Write a letter to the editor on the topic "Bad roads in your locality"
 3. Write a letter to the editor on the topic "Girl child education"?
4. Write a letter to the editor on the topic " Use of junk food"?
5. Write a letter to the editor on the topic " Exam stress"?
6. Write a letter to the editor on the topic "Role of science and technology"?
7. Write a letter to the editor on the topic " Importance of Sports and Games "?

ESSAY WRITING – DESCRIPTIVE AND NARRATIVE

Writing essay is an integral part of academic life. The word essay is derived from the Latin word
‘exigere’ which means to explore, investigate and show.

A good essay is a proof that the writer can

• Think critically

• Develop an idea

• Explore critical aspects related to the topic

• Present the ideas coherently

Essays are important components not only in the final semester exams but are vital to all
competitive examinations and international standardized language tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
There are several types of essays that you will be asked to write. For example, essays can be:

• Expository (information-oriented)

• Narrative (a story which can be real or false)

• Descriptive (explaining an idea vividly)

• Argumentative (taking a stance)

• Discursive (offer a balanced view)

Exercise 1 What type of writing is found in the following?

1. Freedom at Midnight by Jawaharlal Nehru - _______________________

2. An account of a wild dream you had - _______________________

3. A website giving information about admission to the college- _______________________

4. An email to the principal about the need to expand the library - _______________________

5. An essay on the scenery of a waterfall- _______________________

6. A log of classroom activities done as noted by a teacher- _______________________

7. An essay about Gandhi’s concept of ahimsa (non-violence) - _______________________

8. An article attempting to look at the pros and cons of internet- _______________________

9. An academic paper about the life of tribal leaders in Madhya Pradesh-

_______________________

10. An editorial on the need for world peace in a newspaper- _______________________

Structure of an essay

A paragraph contains a topic/introductory sentence, main points, supporting sentences and a

concluding sentence. Similarly, an essay expands into an introductory paragraph, paragraphs
containing ideas and supporting ideas and a concluding paragraph. An essay may be of various
lengths. However, it always advisable to follow the word limit specified, if there is any.

What does the examiner look for in an essay?

• Every sentence must, in some way, be relatable to the topic given

• A broad understanding stemming from critical reading

• Logical and well-substantiated arguments

• Academic style with suitable vocabulary

• Well-planned and structured presentation

Writing an expository essay

An expository essay

• deals with an event, person, place or phenomenon

• provides factual information on the topic

• follows a chronological order (usually)

• though explanatory in nature, interprets data

Sample essay 1
Read the sample essay given below. The paragraphs have been numbered.

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy

(1) The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is one of the gravest industrial disasters in the history of mankind.
This fateful accident happened in the year 1984 on the night of 3 December in Bhopal, the
capital city of Madhya Pradesh, in central India. The gas that leaked and claimed so many lives
is methyl isocyanate or MIC in short. Union Carbide India Limited’s plant in Bhopal was the site
in which the accident occurred.

(2) The reason for the gas leak was the entry of water into one of the storage tanks of MIC
resulting in an increase in pressure and temperature which, in turn, led to the bursting of the tank
releasing the poisonous gas into the surrounding atmosphere. It was around 9:30 pm that a huge
amount of water entered the tank and the tank is reported to have burst around 12:30 am when
the whole city was sleeping. It was the chemical reaction between water and MIC that turned
fatal.

(3) The two local hospitals were soon flooded with victims and the doctors could not support the
incoming flow as they had no clue about the chemical compounds which had affected the
patients. Out of the eight lakh people in Bhopal, 2000 died instantly and 300,000 were severely
injured. Along with the human population, thousands of animals were killed. Water resources
were rendered non-potable and the very air became deadly. Though the accident happened in
1984, a study conducted in 1990 revealed that those who survived suffered internal injuries both
physical and psychological which kept surfacing frequently. These diseases ranged from
blindness, failure in immune systems to even menstrual problems in women.

(4) A thorough analysis of the causes and effects of the tragedy has attracted global attention. It
was a lesson learnt the hard way as the gas leak has rendered the succeeding generations
unhealthy and vulnerable to diseases. The poor levels of safely and maintenance, workers’
dissatisfaction due to unacceptable degrees of health hazards were all found to be concrete
reasons for the gas leak.

(5) Apart from loss of life and property, the environmental degradation caused by the gas leak
has turned the whole area around it infertile. The vegetation is almost bare and the animals have
literally vanished from surrounding areas. Though legal litigations have been a long process,
proving quite dissatisfactory to the victims, the environmental loss is irreversible.

Read the essay carefully again. Notice that each paragraph covers the following sub-topics:

Paragraph 1 - Introduction

Paragraph 2 – Reasons for the gas leak

Paragraph 3 – Effects of the gas leak

Paragraph 4 –Environmental concerns

Paragraph 5 – Conclusion and present status

This is the basic structure of the expository/informative essay.

This sample expository essay deals with an event – The Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It provides factual
information on the event – as in dates, place, how it all started, who were involved and what
actually happened. It is also obvious that it follows a chronological order – it starts with the gas
leak, the reasons that have caused it, the effects and connects the relevance to the present
condition. Though it actually explains the gas leak event in detail, it also interprets the data.

Exercise 2

Now try writing expository essays on your own on the following topics. You will have to
collect facts and data before you start.

1. The Indian Independence Movement

2. History of smart phones

3. Understanding Social Media

4. Forests in India

5. Popular tourist spots in the world.

Writing a narrative essay

A narrative essay

• has a personal voice which shares views on a topic

• is personal and unique in experience

• is usually written in the first person, with the ‘I’ speaking throughout

• follows a structure like a plot in a story

• contains a conflict and a climax that resolves it.

Sample essay 2:

My first day at college

As soon as I finished school, I was eagerly looking forward to stepping into a college and get my
degree. I had many dreams and expectations of my college life, just like anybody else in my age.
Though my parents told me several stories about their college lives and how to make the best use
of it, my discussions with friends gave me different ideas. I tried to balance both in my head as I
wanted to have a good time at college and at the same time learn new concepts that would help
me in future.

The first day of my college arrived and my parents dropped me at the gate, wishing me all the
best. I walked slowly towards my classroom, hoping to find and make friends with whom I
would spend the next few years. As all of us were from different places; we were all a little
hesitant to talk with each other. However, we smiled and as the teacher entered the classroom,
we all stood up and wished him in chorus. I was feeling tense not knowing the reason. The
teacher told us in detail about the importance of the next four years in our lives. What interested
me more was about the resources and opportunities that were awaiting us.

I always imagined that a college was a place to study and write exams just like a school, but after
my teacher spoke I understood the amount of freedom we had. There were many clubs including
a book club, a sports club, a volunteering club and a host of other such organisations. Unlike
school where we had to focus only on studies, college provides us opportunities to discover and
develop our talents. This excited me a lot and I decided to make friends with those who were
equally enthusiastic and interested in such activities.

Thus the first day of my college widened my thinking about education and I understood that as
we grow, we need to explore what we are good at, move out of our comfort zones and try new
things. It made me realise that we need to grow into a holistic person, useful to our families,
societies and to ourselves.

Exercise 3 Now try writing a narrative essay on your own on the following topics.

1. Best memory from my childhood

2. The biggest challenge I faced and overcame

3. My favourite journey

4. A friend I miss

5. A mistake I learned from

INTERPRETING A PICTURE
STEP 1 INTRODUCE the picture (genre, origin, topic / theme, etc.).

STEP 2 DESCRIBE the picture (general impression, parts, etc.).

STEP 3 ANALYZE and INTERPRET the picture (context, reactions, etc.).

STEP 4 CONCLUDE / GIVE YOUR OPINION about the picture.

• Genre

The document is a painting / a cartoon / a comic strip / a poster / an ad (advert, advertisement) / a

mural / a drawing / a photo(graph) / a black and white picture / a map / the cover of a magazine /
a website homepage / etc.

• Title

This painting is entitled …

• Origin

The document comes from …

The document is taken from a magazine …

It was published in …

It was drawn / painted / taken by …

The photographer / cartoonist / artist is …

• Topic / theme

The document represents …

It is about … / It deals with …

It features … / It shows …

• General Impression(s)

We can see / notice …

The scene takes place in a city / suburb / in the countryside …

The scene is set in a wealthy / poor neighbourhood.

The main characters are …

There are many dark / light colours.

The painting is very realistic.

• Parts

This image / picture / painting is divided into two / three parts.

This element takes up two-thirds of the space.

Use the present continuous o (BE + V-ing) to describe a picture!

The man in the foreground is + V-ing …

There is an old woman who is walking a dog in the background.

• Focus

in the top

right-hand

corner

the top

in the distance

in the background

in the top

left-hand

corner

The focus of the picture is …

The viewer’s attention is drawn to …

• Feelings

We can easily imagine that … because … that …

We can see …, so the woman must be …

As we can see …, we can deduce that …

We can notice that … so we can suppose

What happened before / what has just happened when …

Use a modal with HAVE + past participle.

Use the past simple + ago / a date /

Use the present perfect with just.

What is going to happen afterwards

• Use BE GOING TO + V.

• Use BE LIKELY TO + V.

• What are the artist’s intentions?

The photographer / cartoonist / artist criticizes …

The artist certainly wants to raise the controversial issue of …

The artist wants to make us aware of [+ noun]…

The cartoonist’s goal is probably to highlight …

The aim of the cartoonist is probably to hi

I think the painter wanted to show that …

Perhaps the artist wanted to convey an impression of

This picture portrays … in a negative light because …

Give your opinion

I think this picture is quite (+ ADJ.) because … …

As far as I am concerned, … / Personally, … / To me, …

I think this cartoon brilliantly illustrates …

I think the photographer is very talented because

What strikes / shocks / surprises me in this picture is

Some useful adjectives

shocking – funny / humorous – ironic – witty – original – stereotyped – conformist –

straightforward – moving – dull / flat / boring – poignant – scary / frightening –

provocative – challenging – convincing – unconvincing – exaggerated – etc.