CONVERGENCE - I

Additional English Textbook as per NEP 2020

Semester - I

Published by:
Bengaluru City University Press
Bengaluru City University (BCU)
Central College Campus
Bengaluru - 560 001.
CONVERGENCE - I: Additional English Textbook for all the I Semester
Courses coming under the Faculty of Arts, Commerce and Science of the
Bengaluru City University (BCU) is prepared by the Members of the Textbook
Committee, Bengaluru City University.

© Bengaluru City University

First Edition 2021

Published by:
Bengaluru City University Press
Bengaluru City University (BCU)
Central College Campus
Bengaluru - 560 001.

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 FOREWORD

It is a matter of immense pleasure for me to be a part of the Bengaluru City

University family as its Vice Chancellor. I take this opportunity of
welcoming students from all parts of the world, joining the university in
undergraduate as well as postgraduate programmes. Most of such students
have moved away from the folds of their family and nation to another in their
quest of knowledge. One needs to feel that they are just moving away from
one family to another. Their teachers, seniors and peers, all form an extended
family whom they can look up to for any guidance, support and help to move
ahead in life as professionals in the study programmes they have opted.

In the continuing task of nation building, Bengaluru City University is trying

to promote excellence in higher education for a vibrant and inclusive society
through knowledge creation and dissemination. It is making sincere efforts to
contribute its might by providing the right kind of human resources. It is
striving hard to impart quality education to meet national and global
challenges, towards accomplishing its mission. For students, the degree
represents certification of competence, and a passport to advanced education
or gainful employment, and livelihood and prosperity. They have an
important role to play in the development of the Nation and hence have to
handle their future with confidence and capability.
The University is pursuing the holistic approach as an education bereft of
values is meaningless and not worthy of promotion. Education is meant to
inculcate right values among students to produce socially sensitive citizens.
Thus, it encourages not only curricular activities, but also co-curricular, extra-
curricular and extension activities. I can say with legitimate pride that the
University has achieved far more than just the modest target set at the time of
its inception, by producing trained human resource to serve the country in all
walks of life and by contributing to the knowledge base.

The main objective of the University is to provide higher education of global

standards. Highly experienced and well-qualified faculty members,
continuously engaged in the maintenance and enhancement of student-centric
learning environment through innovative pedagogy, form the backbone of the
University.

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Bengaluru City University is dedicated to providing congenial academic
environment for nurturing young minds to take on the challenges posed by
globalization and advancements in different areas of knowledge. In
consonance with the vision of country's top leadership as reflected in the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the university focuses on producing
trained human resource which has extensive knowledge, modern skills,
diverse abilities, leadership qualities, entrepreneurial abilities, and strong
cultural and ethical values. Importantly, the courses offered are very carefully
designed keeping in view the functionality of output to bridge the gap
between higher education and employment.

BCU is now well placed to capitalize on its formative years and we reiterate
our endeavour to provide premium quality education accessible to all and an
environment for the growth of over-all personality development. Being the
Vice-Chancellor of Bengaluru City University, at this important juncture in
its evolution, I have great pleasure in welcoming the students to achieve
knowledge and virtue through multidisciplinary learning opportunities, with
emphasis on an all-round personality development. Looking forward to the
fresh ideas and energy you bring to our campus and I am confident that your
stay at BCU will be a rewarding journey.

I congratulate the Text Book Committee on its humongous efforts in the

preparation of the material, which includes a variety of Language (Grammar)
Components for sharpening conversational skills. My profound thanks to the
Director, Bengaluru City University Press and their dedicated personnel for
bringing out the text book methodically and promptly. My heartfelt thanks to
the Chair person and all the members of the Text Book Committee who have
taken pleasant pain to explore various themes and grammar components. I
hope the text will highly motivate the teachers and the students to make the
best use of it and develop literary sensibility as well as linguistic skills.

Prof. Lingaraja Gandhi

Vice-Chancellor
Bengaluru City University

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 PREFACE

English has the status of the Associate Official Language in India.

Simultaneous with the growth of Indian languages after Independence,
English continues to be a link language among the States and the Centre,
besides being a vast treasure-house of literature and a purveyor of global
information and technology.

It occupies an important place in college curricula, as a language in most

States and an optional one in a few. Increasing number of students and many
others are voluntarily learning English, several opting to study in English
medium schools. With the diversity of learners from different family
backgrounds, English teachers need to use a combination of several methods,
but not any one method rigidly. While some basic principles of language
absorption have to be kept in view, the techniques of imparting
communicative skills in English should be as varied as the learners
themselves. There is plenty of talk about the importance of English, but very
little relevant guidance on how to teach it in these changing times. This text
book highlights the fundamental principles and problems of learning English
as a later language and outlines several methods of teaching it effectively.
Teachers of English will find the information topical and beneficial in their
day-to-day teaching. Extensive guidance is provided on how to organize
remedial work and language teaching on up-to-date lines. There are useful
and illustrative suggestions on Conversational English and some basic
sentence patterns.

To make this edition as accessible and continuously relevant as possible, it is

available in both print and electronic formats. We hope this volume will be a
valuable reference for teachers, and a useful resource for educators.
I feel obliged to share my knowledge, analyses, and conclusions for this
edition. The language component is designed to perfect and hone the soft
skills of students, pertaining to effective verbal expression and
communication. It is hoped that the students would make best use of it and
understand the importance of acquiring fine language skills while engaging
with a verbal medium like literature.

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I thank the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of Bengaluru City University for
their consistent support. I thank all the members of this Committee for their
humongous effort, and the publisher who helped us to bring out the text book
on time.

Dr. T. N. Thandava Gowda

Chairperson – UG Board of Studies
Bengaluru City University

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 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF STUDIES IN ENGLISH (UG)

1. Dr. T. N. Thandava Gowda Chairperson

PG Department of English, BCU

2. Dr. Rajaram R. Member

Associate Professor, Dept. of English

3. Dr. P. Sartaj Khan Member

Associate Professor, Dept. of English

4. Dr. R. V. Sheela Member

Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of English

5. Dr. Anita Rao Member

Associate Professor, Dept. of English

6. Dr. Kavita Shastri Member

Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of English

7. Mrs. Ayesha Firdose Member

Associate Professor, Dept. of English

8. Dr. Padmavathy Member

Professor & Head, Dept. of English

9. Mrs. Leena Karanth A. Member

Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of English

10. Dr. Narasimharaju K. Member

Assistant Professor & Head, Dept. of English

11. Mrs. Prasanna Udipikar Member

Associate Professor & Head, Dept. of English

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MEMBERS OF THE TEXTBOOK COMMITTEE

R. Rebecca Suzan
Chairperson
Assistant Professor
Bishop Cotton Academy of Professional Management, Bengaluru.

Leena Karanth A.
Board of Studies Member
Associate Professor
Bishop Cotton Women’s Christian College, Bengaluru.

Asha K. R.
Assistant Professor
Govt. R. C. College of Commerce and Management, Bengaluru.

Dr. Pratibha Singh

Assistant Professor
BMS College of Commerce and Management, Bengaluru.

Jayaprada N.
Assistant Professor
Vijaya College, Jayanagar, Bengaluru.

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 Objectives of the Text Book
Under the auspices of Bengaluru City University, Convergence - I offers
Additional English as a Second Language to students coming from various
sections of the country and outside. Considering the ethnic and linguistic
diversities of the students taking up this paper, the design is to help students
build on their Communicative skills in English, which are very much required
in a heterogeneous country like ours, with many Indians being multi-lingual.

The objectives of the present syllabus are to: -

1. To preserve India’s multi-culturalism through multilingualism

2. To invest in the development of Written and Spoken English skills
3. Broaden the general awareness about the world around by exploring
various aspects of Language.

Text Book Committee

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 Contents

Language Component

1. Paragraph Writing 10
2. Precis Writing 15
3. Event Reporting 21
4. Expansion of Proverbs 25

Question Paper Pattern 29

Model Question Paper 30

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 Paragraph Writing
Paragraph writing is a full and logical development of a single idea. The
single idea maybe one in a series of related ideas which form the general
subject matter of an Essay; so a paragraph is a subdivision of the main subject.
Generally, a new paragraph begins when we introduce a new idea, time or
place.

The structure of a paragraph is simple. The theme of the paragraph is often

expressed in one sentence – generally the First. This sentence is called the topic
sentence because it states the topic. The Topic sentence is supported by relevant
information explaining or amplifying the stated topic.
A good paragraph must have unity, coherence & variety.

Unity:
Each paragraph usually deals with one idea or statement. All the sentences
in the paragraph are logically connected to the central idea. This is known as
the unity in the paragraph.
Coherence:
Coherence involves having the parts of a piece of writing in a meaningful
order. The ideas in a paragraph must be so arranged as to make their logical
relation clear. Ideas in a paragraph can be arranged in a logical order – either in
the order of their occurrence or in the order of their importance.
Variety:
Variety is the spice of life. A standard paragraph maintains the interest of
the reader. It avoids monotony by having many types of words, images,
examples and sentences. The writer ensures that he uses both short and long
sentences, and sentences of different structures.

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Steps involved in developing a Paragraph:
• Think of a specific topic.
• Brainstorm and collect ideas.
• Choose the topic sentence.
• Put the ideas in order around the topic sentence.
• Make your first and last sentences cryptic & effective.

Different types of paragraphs:

1. Descriptive Paragraph:

The purpose of a descriptive paragraph is to allow the reader to experience

the item, phenomenon or event being described as vividly as possible without
physically sensing it. That is, the reader cannot see it, but knows what it looks
like; cannot taste it, but knows whether it is salty or sweet; cannot touch it, but
knows its texture. Descriptive paragraphs typically include modifiers (ex.,
adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases) and figurative language (ex.,
metaphors, personification, similes) to help enrich the "experience" for the
reader.
Describe: I am going to describe a sunset!

Sunset is the time of day when our sky meets the outer space solar winds.
There are blue, pink, and purple swirls, spinning and twisting, like clouds of
balloons caught in a whirlwind. The sun moves slowly to hide behind the line
of horizon, while the moon races to take its place in prominence atop the night
sky. People slow to a crawl, entranced, fully forgetting the deeds that must still
be done. There is coolness, calmness, when the sun does set.

2. Narrative Paragraph:

Narrative paragraphs tell stories. They differ from short stories or novels
in length as well as in the amount of detail provided; they sometimes are little
more than brief vignettes. True narrative paragraphs, however, are similar to

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short stories in that they feature characters, follow a plot line, include a conflict
which is resolved and are told from an identifiable point of view. They may
also establish a setting or include a moral.

Narrate: I am going to narrate a story about the Apollo 11 space mission.

It was July 21, 1969, and Neil Armstrong awoke with a start. It was the
day he would become the first human being to ever walk on the moon. The
journey had begun several days earlier, when on July 16th, the Apollo 11
launched from Earth headed into outer space. On board with Neil Armstrong
were Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin. The crew landed on the moon in the
Sea of Tranquility a day before the actual walk. Upon Neil’s first step onto the
moon’s surface, he declared, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for
mankind.” It sure was!

3. Persuasive Paragraph and Argumentative Paragraph:

The purpose of a persuasive paragraph is to convince the reader of

something, such as the writer's position on a controversial topic or a proposal
for a new project. The structure is often similar to that of an expository piece,
as it is usually helpful to explain a little bit about the subject, but rhetorical
devices are often employed to help sway the reader's opinion. The language
can be highly charged; the intent is to get a reaction.

Persuade: I am going to persuade my neighbours to buy tickets to

the school fair.

The school fair is right around the corner, and tickets have just gone on
sale. We are selling a limited number of tickets at a discount, so move fast and
get yours while they are still available. This is going to be an event you will
not want to miss! First off, the school fair is a great value when compared with
other forms of entertainment. Also, your ticket purchase will help our school,
and when you help the school, it helps the entire community. But that’s not all!
Every ticket you purchase enters you in a drawing to win fabulous prizes. And
don’t forget, you will have mountains of fun because there are acres and acres

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of great rides, fun games, and entertaining attractions! Spend time with your
family and friends at our school fair. Buy your tickets now!

Argue: I am going to present a logical argument as to why my neighbour

should attend the school fair.
The school fair is right around the corner, and tickets have just gone on
sale. Even though you may be busy, you will still want to reserve just one day
out of an entire year to relax and have fun with us. Even if you don’t have much
money, you don’t have to worry. A school fair is a community event, and
therefore prices are kept low. Perhaps, you are still not convinced. Maybe you
feel you are too old for fairs, or you just don’t like them. Well, that’s what my
grandfather thought, but he came to last year’s school fair and had this to say
about it: “I had the best time of my life!” While it’s true that you may be able
to think of a reason not to come, I’m also sure that you can think of several
reasons why you must come. We look forward to seeing you at the school fair!

4. Expository Paragraph:
An expository paragraph explains something; its purpose is to help the
reader understand. Exposition often includes techniques such as the use of
examples or illustrations to support a point or the use of some kind of ordering
(chronological or numerical, for example) to help a reader follow a
process. Exposition needs to be clear; language is often quite direct although
sometimes a writer may use language devices to help illustrate a point.

Expository: Three Types of Planets

People often think all planets are alike, but there are actually three types
of planets in the solar system. The terrestrial planets are made of rock and
metal and are closest to the sun. These include the midsize planets Mercury,
Venus, Earth, and Mars. They rotate slowly and don’t have many moons.
Farther from the sun are the planets called gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
and Neptune. They are called gas giants because they are formed from gases
such as hydrogen and helium. Gas giants rotate fast and have many moons.
Finally, planetoids are objects made up of rock and ice and are too small to

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be true “planets.” Planetoids sometimes even get pulled into a planet’s
gravitational field and become moons themselves. Whether they are
terrestrials, gas giants, or planetoids, the planets in the solar system are
fascinating.

5. Compare and Contrast Paragraph

When authors want to discuss the similarities or differences between two

people, places or things, they use compare-and-contrast paragraphs. For every
aspect of one of the pair that is discussed, the same aspect must be discussed
for the second part of the pair.

Compare/Contrast: I am going to COMPARE and CONTRAST an

ocean and a lake.

Oceans and lakes have much in common, but they are also quite different.
Both are bodies of water, but oceans are very large bodies of salt water, while
lakes are much smaller bodies of fresh water. Lakes are usually surrounded by
land, while oceans are what surround continents. Both have plants and animals
living in them. The ocean is home to the largest animals on the planet, whereas
lakes support much smaller forms of life. When it is time for a vacation, both
will make a great place to visit and enjoy.

Task - Topics for writing Paragraphs:

1. That is why I prefer to live in a city
2. Good health is the most precious of all possessions.
3. Sunday is my favorite day of the week.
4. Journey on a Metro Train.
5. Today banks offer a wide range of services to their customers.

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 Precis Writing

Precis writing is a clear, compact and logical summary of a passage. It

preserves only the essential or important ideas of the original. It is the gist of a
passage expressed in as few words as possible. A Precis should give all the
essential points so that anyone reading it will be able to understand the idea
expressed in the original passage.
Precis writing is one of the most useful skills one can acquire and it
involves summarizing a document to extract the maximum amount of
information and to convey this information in minimum words.

Features of a good Precis:

• It is marked by clarity and precision.
• It is not just copying of the sentences from the original. It should be
written in the précis writer’s own words.
• It is a miniature version of the original passage.
• It must have a logical order and should be well-knit and well connected.
• It must have coherence.
• It must have a title.
• It is written in reported speech.
• It must not contain any details not found in the original.
• The length of the précis should be 1/3 of the original passage.

A well written précis should be substitute for the original work. The goal
of a précis is to preserve the core essence of the work in a manner that is both
clear and concise.

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Example - 1

If today I have a quarrel with another man, I do not get beaten merely
because I am physically weaker and he can knock me down. I go to law, and
the law will decide as fairly as it can between two of us. Thus, in disputes
between man and man, right takes the place of might. Moreover, the law
protects me from robbery and violence. Nobody may come and break into my
house, steal my goods, or run off with my children. Of course, there are
burglars, but they are very rare and the law punishes them whenever it catches
them.

It is difficult for us to realize how much this safety means. Without safety
those higher activities of mankind which make up civilization could not go on.
The inventor could not invent, the scientist finds out or the artist make beautiful
things. Hence order and safety, although they are not themselves civilization,
are things without which civilization would be impossible. They are as
necessary to our civilization as the air we breathe is to us; and we have grown
so used to them that we do not notice them any more than we notice the air.

Precis

Now the strong cannot bully the weak. Law is there to decide disputes.
Modern civilization has given man order and safety. This has enabled the
artists and the scientists to work peacefully and without any hindrance. Order
and safety are not themselves civilization. Yet, they serve the cause of
civilization. Without them, civilization is impossible. They are a part of our life,
such that we do not even notice them.
Words in the Original passage = 200
Words in the Precis = 69
Title: Importance of Order and Safety

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Example - 2

The underlying secret of a lamp’s lustre and splendour is that it spares

not its wick and oil. The wick and oil or the little self is being constantly
consumed and glory, is the natural consequence. There it is, the lamp says spare
your life and you will be immediately extinguished. If you seek ease and
comfort for your bodies and waste your time in sensual pleasure and luxury,
there is no hope for you. Inactivity, in other words, would bring death to you,
and activity and activity alone is life. Look at the stagnant pond and the running
stream. The crystal water of the rustling river is ever fresh, clear, drinkable and
attractive. But on the other hand, see how disgusting, odorous, filthy, dirty,
stinking and stanching the water of the stagnant pond is. If you wish to succeed,
follow the line of action, the constant motion of a river. There is no hope for a
man who would waste his wick and oil by preserving it from consumption.

Precis

Human glory is possible only through hard work and self-sacrifice. A life
of inactivity, luxury and sensual pleasure is in no way better than death. It
results in stunted growth and stagnation. Constant movement of body and mind
in the right direction is the only secret of success. Self-sacrifice is at the back
of all human progress.
Words in the Original Passage = 168
Words in the Precis = 57
Title: Success through Sacrifice OR Hard Work is Key to Success

Example - 3

Now at first sight it might seem as if modern human beings who spend
so much time getting help from machines are very lazy. What are the machines
for but to save people trouble? They are extra limbs which men have made
outside themselves to do their many works for them. Cranes and lifts are extra
arms to do the job of lifting. Trains and motors are extra legs to do the job of
walking and running. Typewriters and printing machines are extra brains to

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save us the trouble of remembering. We have even invented for ourselves
new kinds of limbs and made aero-plane to take the place of the wings we
have not got. And yet it is difficult to suppose that men would have gone to
all the bother of inventing these complicated machines to serve as their extra
limbs merely because they were lazy, that they would have taken all this
trouble merely to save themselves trouble. And in fact, man is not lazy: he is
the most restless and energetic of all living creatures.

Precis

Machines are great time-saving devices invented by man. They act as extra
limbs of man. Cranes and lifts are substitutes for arms, trains and motors for
legs and printing machines for brain. The aero-planes give him wings. This
does not, however, mean that man is a lazy creature. Of all the creatures, he is
the most restless and energetic.
Words in the Original passage = 174
Words in the Precis = 60
Title: Machines as Extra Human Limbs

Task – 1

There is nothing which adds so much to the beauty of the countryside as

water, be it just a little stream trickling over the rocks or a little pond by the
wayside where the cattle quench their thirst of an evening. The rain-fed tanks
that are so common in South India - alas often so sadly neglected in their
maintenance are a cheering sight when they are full. They are, of course,
shallow, but this is less evident since the water is silt-laden and throws the light
back, and the bottom does not therefore show up. These tanks play a vital role
in South Indian agriculture. In Mysore, for example, much of the rice is grown
under them. Some of these tanks are surprisingly large and it is a beautiful sight
to see the sun rise or set over one of them. Water in a landscape may be
compared to the eyes in a human face. It reflects the mood of the hour, being
bright and gay when the sun shines, turning to dark and gloomy when the sky
is overcast.
(Words: 179)

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Task – 2

I am quite aware that it is not the highest type of man who has moderate
ambitions. The really great man is immoderate in his claims upon life: but that
is because he is conscious of his power to give to life in return of incomparable
services. His mind works upon a different plane from mine. His conceptions of
life are lofty and incalculable. He may be serene; as Shakespeare must have
been serene; but he dwells apart, rapt in the inscrutable majesty of power. My
own lot in life is less exalted. I have wanted only to understand human nature.
I have not wanted to improve it, or to change the face of the world. There are
such idealists, men as far above their fellows as spirit is above animalism.

They are bringers of glad tidings to the suffering, the creators of a new era.
They are men of destiny. I admire, I revere them, but my impulses lie more
upon the surface. I cannot too strongly emphasize the fact that I am agnostic
even as regards the destiny of mankind. The stars fascinate and bewilder me;
the beauty of the earth is a mystery to my heart. I love the earth and great many
of those who dwell upon it; but I have never experienced my revelation, and I
remain merely a marveling student of the wonder of the universe and of life
itself.
(Words: 236)
Task – 3

One of the outstanding features of the century has been the improvement
of living conditions of people, more wealth and leisure, and better facilities for
health, security and education. In early civilizations, most communities were
sharply divided into two classes, those who laboured and those who did not.
The small number of rulers - kings, priests, military leaders - lived in great
comfort, and did very little work. The vast majority of the population enjoyed
very few comforts, did lot of work, and had scarcely any political power. In
some societies, there was an even more wretched class, the slaves, who had no
rights at all. The Industrial Revolution of Europe led to the production of vast
quantities of goods, and workers began to be dissatisfied with their poverty.
The factory owners needed skilled workers, and gradually they realised that
they must show goodwill to their workforce, in order to stay in business. As in
many other reforms, some enlightened slowly spread that workers were entitled
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to some consideration. Since men were free to work for any master they chose,
a good master soon had the pick of the workers and old-fashioned employers
found themselves with a factory full of lower-grade workforce. Such a situation
soon led to an all-round improvement in standards, and good employers tried
to raise working conditions still higher. These improvements were speeded up
by the increased organisation of workers in Trade Union movements,
particularly in low-standard factories, where the owner often had to deal with
strike action by dissatisfied workers. Now that the working classes are getting
better and better working conditions, the need to strike has lessened
considerably; and employers and workers alike have come to realise that they
depend on each other for their livelihood.
(Words: 292)
Task – 4

The chief object of the repetitive form of advertisement is to help people

to remember the product. The general principle is similar to that followed by
Bajaj Automotives Ltd: "You just can't beat a Bajaj". The repetition of a phrase,
the inclusion of a trade name or a trade mark in every advertisement. is
intended to impress upon the mind of the listener that name or picture. The
response sought by the advertiser is achieved when a customer enters a shop
for, say, toothpaste. To the shop-keeper's question, "Why particular brand,
please? The customer gives the reply that is in his mind, not necessarily
because he has arrived at a decision by any process of reasoning, nor because
some strong feeling has been aroused for some particular brand, but simply
because he has repeatedly seen the name, and it is associated in his mind with
the idea of a good toothpaste. Some trade names become so common that they
displace the true name of the commodity itself, such as 'Vaseline', the well-
known trade name for 'petroleum jelly'. Advertisements which have relied on
repetition have, in the past, proved very powerful, but with the increased
variety of proprietary articles and products intended for the same purpose, this
kind of advertising is losing some of its value because of the confusion of
names that arise in a customer's mind when he wishes to buy, say, cigarettes,
tobacco, soap, chocolates, tea and other goods which are widely used.
(Words: 248)

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 Event Reporting
A report is a brief account of an event that has already taken place. A report
helps in recording the events of importance that occur in our day-to-day life. It
attempts to present the firsthand information of an incident or event. A report
of an event presents a record of events that took place. A report of an event
includes one’s ideas, opinions and impressions about the event.

Points to remember:
• Mention the place, date, time and other relevant facts about the event.
• Include information collected from the people around or affected by the
event.
• Write the name of the reporter.
• Provide a suitable title/heading.
• Write in past tense.
• Write in reported speech and use passive form of expression.
• Develop ideas (causes, reasons, consequences, opinions) logically.
• Write in a less formal and more descriptive manner, while writing a
report for a school magazine.
• Present your ideas and impressions to make the report interesting.

Marks will be awarded for:

• Title
• Reporter’s name
• Content
• Expression: Accuracy + Fluency

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Example - 1

You are Suresh of Jain College, Bengaluru; as Secretary of your college Co-
curricular Activities Club, you visited a slum area in your city where people
suffered a great loss of life and property in a massive fire. The students of your
college rendered their services and material help to the victims. Write a report
in 100-125 words for your college magazine. (Bengaluru 2020)

Students’ Service to Victims of Fire

By: Suresh
Jain College

14th February, 20xx. A major slum area in Vilas Nagar was gutted by a
massive fire on 10th February, 20xx. The fire whose exact cause is still not
very clear caused extensive damage to life and property. Ten persons lost their
lives, many were injured and about two hundred people were rendered
homeless. Our school joined hands in providing relief to the victims. The
students of our school got together and collected food packets, old clothes,
medicines, utensils, etc. to be distributed to these homeless and helpless people.
Ten students and three teachers personally visited this slum area to ensure
proper and fair distribution of the items that had been collected and thus
provided some relief to these unfortunate people in their time of crisis and
misery.

Example – 2

Your college organised an exhibition-cum-sale of items prepared under Work

Experience Certificate by your college students. Prepare a report in 100-125
words for a local daily. You are the Coordinator, S.U.P.W. Activities, Nitte
College, Mangalore.
An Exhibition-Cum-Sale
By: ABC, Coordinator, SUPW Activities
Nitte College, Mangalore

3rd Aug. 20xx, Mangalore. Our college organised an exhibition-cum-sale

of items prepared under Work Experience by our students, on the 31 st of July,

22
in the college lawns. It was heartening to see the overwhelming response our
endeavour got from not only the parents but also from the general public who
showed a lot of interest in the items made by the students. A wide array of
items such as candles, greeting cards, jewellery boxes, wooden handicrafts
had been prepared by talented students.

The students were really encouraged by the positive feedback they got
from everyone present. Our principal too was personally present there all the
time interacting with everyone. He appreciated the students’ hard work and
creativity and announced that the money collected from the sale of items
would be donated to an old-age home in the vicinity of our school. Our
principal also decided that such initiatives would be taken up by our college
more frequently to motivate the creative students and to help a noble cause.

Example – 3

The state government has banned the use of plastic bags. You are Amarjeet, a
reporter for The National Herald. Write a report in 100-125 words on how the
ban is being ignored and what damage the indiscriminate use of plastic bags
in causing to the environment.

Environment Unfriendly Polybags

By: Amarjeet, Staff Reporter
The National Herald

In the year 2002 the government had banned the production and use of
plastic bags in our country. But unfortunately, these are now being widely used
again everywhere. Not only are we using a huge number of polybags daily but
we are also discarding them in our drains uncaring about the fact that they
will block the flow of drain water. Polybags are also a threat to our
environment. They cause pollution, kill wildlife and are responsible for using
up the natural resources of the earth. They are one of the main factors that
litter the landscape. If burnt, they will infuse the surrounding air with toxic
fumes.
The main problem of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable. The
decomposition of plastic takes around a thousand years, so with the plastic
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rubbish produced each day it is likely that this problem will never be solved.
While the government works out ways to lessen the impact of polybags on the
environment each one of us too should shoulder some responsibility for this
problem that ultimately harms us all.

Task - 1
You are the Cultural Secretary of your college, Bengaluru. A week-long
Music and Dance festival was organised by your college. Write a report in
100-125 words for your college magazine.

Task - 2
You visited a Job Fair organised by the placement cell of your college,
Mysuru. You were impressed to see that nearly 55 companies from various
sectors such as information technology, telecommunication, electronics etc.
offered jobs to the final year students of your college. Prepare a report in 100-
125 words for your College Magazine.

Task - 3
Recently a cultural programme was arranged by Cultural committee of your
college with the help of local artists of the city for raising funds to
help an association for the differently-abled children of your city. Write a
report in 100-125 words for publication in the newsletter of your college.
You are the Secretary of the Social Club of your college.

Task - 4
Write a report in 100-125 words on ‘No Tobacco’ campaign organised by
your college in the academic session 2020-21. You are the Cultural Secretary,
Maharani’s Arts College, Bengaluru.

Task - 5
Write a report as an eyewitness to the fire accident that occurred in your
neighbourhood (Vijayanagar, Bengaluru). Your report should be within 100-
125 words, with all the necessary details.

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 Expansion of Proverbs
A Proverb is a brief popular saying that gives advice, a well-known
saying that contains a wise thought. Proverbs have meaning that applies to
various stages of life, they reflect the ways of the world and always contain
words of wisdom.

Cambridge Dictionary defines it as, a short sentence, etc.,

usually known by many people, stating something commonly experienced or
giving advice.
Ex. Too many cooks spoil the broth: It means that too many people involved
in a task or activity, could ruin it.
Necessity is the mother of invention: It means, when the need for something
becomes essential, one will be forced to find a way of achieving it.
Look before you leap: It means that we must consider the possible risks and
effects before we decide to do something.

In this Unit, you will be required to write a short composition explaining

the idea embodied in a given proverb. Expansion of a Proverb involves
understanding its meaning and significance, what it implies and how it relates
to the present time.

Think of one or two examples from real life, or from books you have read
and movies you have watched or from other sources. Now, arrange your
thoughts in a logical manner, using simple language. You could also mention
other proverbs which express a similar meaning. Remember to make the
opening and conclusion interesting and impressive.

Step 1: Understand the symbol of the words in the proverb:

Most proverbs are symbolic. The name of place or animal or thing or

person stands as a symbol of some quality. We have to try to understand that
in the context of the proverb.
For example take the proverb, ‘Rome was not built in a day‘. Here the
noun ‘Rome’ is the name of a place, a great city. So what does Rome stand for?
It stands for Greatness or Success.
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 Or let us take the proverb ‘All that glitters is not gold’. The noun Gold is
a precious metal. So Gold is symbolic of something precious or of great value.

Step 2: Substitute the meaning in the proverb:

Take the two previous examples. ‘Rome was not built in a day’ and ‘All
that glitters is not gold’. Now substitute the symbols we found out earlier in the
sentences.
We can understand that the first proverb implies achieving greatness or
success does not happen overnight, it does take a lot of time and effort; and the
second proverb implies that all that glitters is not precious.

Step 3: Look for a story or anecdote or example or illustration:

Now that you have understood what the proverb stands for, you should
look for a suitable story to illustrate it. These stories could be fables, stories
you have read growing up. Aesop’s fables and Panchatantra are great sources.
Or, you could look for examples from real life.
For example, for the proverb ‘Rome was not built in a day’, you could talk
about the former President of India, Late. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam; that to achieve
greatness it took many years of dedication and perseverance, and it did not
happen overnight.
For the proverb, ‘All that glitters is not gold’, you could think of an
instance when you were deceived by a friend. You probably believed in his/her
sweet words and thought he/she was trustworthy, but you were wrong; not
everything that is shiny and attractive is valuable.

Step 4: Quote similar proverbs:

“Without labour, nothing prospers” by Sophocles is similar to ‘Rome was

not built in a day’; and the proverb ‘Appearances are deceptive’ is similar to
‘All that glitters is not gold.

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Step 5: Sum up the paragraph:

Conclude the paragraph by reiterating the idea behind the proverb, you
could use the words ‘Thus’ or ‘So’ or ‘The proverb advises that’ and let the
readers know that you are signing off.

Example – 1
Haste makes waste (or) Slow and steady wins the race.
When we do any work, we should be very careful, and not be in a hurry.
We should work slowly and steadily to get good results. For example, while
climbing a tall tree or a hill, we should be very careful. Any negligence or haste
will cause accidents. The proverb ‘Better safe than sorry’ conveys the same
meaning.
The story of ‘hare and tortoise’ we learnt in our childhood teaches a very
good lesson in this regard. In the story, the tortoise walks slowly and steadily.
It wins the race with confidence. Whereas the hasty but lazy hare finally loses
the race with its over-confidence. Similarly, the student who reads regularly
from the beginning can easily pass the examination and get good marks. But
the student who reads hastily just before the examinations, may fail.
Hence, in every walk of life, to reach our goals, we should make our efforts
continuously and carefully.

Example – 2
Strike while the iron is hot.
The proverb tells us that when an opportunity comes our way, we should
make use of it without wasting time. Only when the iron is hot, can we bend it
into any shape by striking it. It cannot be bent once it is cooled.
‘Make hay while the sun shines’ conveys the same idea. Hay means dried
grass like straw. It has to be stored for the cattle. We have to dry the grass and
make the hay while the Sun is shining to store it for the future. Once we lose
the opportunity, we cannot dry the grass in winter or rainy season.

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 These proverbs tell us that we must make use of a good opportunity when
it knocks our door. If we miss it, we cannot get the same opportunity back. A
student has to pay attention to his studies and work hard. If he neglects his
studies, he will not get the results he desires, and will not get another
opportunity to prove his worth. So, we must make use of the available time
and opportunities well and do the right thing at the proper time.

Example – 3
A stitch in time saves nine.

This proverb tells us the importance of taking action in a timely manner,

and dealing with a specific problem immediately, otherwise, we risk it getting
much worse later on. By being careful in small things, we can avoid major
dangers.
For example, if a cloth is torn a little, we must immediately attend to it and
stitch it. Otherwise, the tear of the cloth becomes bigger and cannot be
stitched. Similarly, any symptoms related to ill-health should be treated
without delay. Otherwise, the disease may aggravate and prove fatal. This
proverb can be applied to relationships too; when we sense a problem we must
solve it immediately. If we don’t, the problems may get intense and more effort
may be required to mend the relationship.
‘Procrastination is the thief of time’ said by the English writer, Edward
Young, expresses the same thought. Hence, the proverb suggests that if a
problem is not fixed when it is small, it could require more effort to fix it
later.

Task – Expand the following Proverbs:

1. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
3. Every cloud has a silver lining.
4. If you play with fire, you’ll get burned.
5. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.

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 Additional English
I Semester Question Paper Pattern

Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 60

SECTION – A (Language Component – 40 marks)

I. Paragraph Writing 2x5=10

II. Précis Writing 1x10=10
III. Event Report Writing 1x10=10
IV. Expansion of Proverbs 2x5=10

SECTION - B (Course Book – 20 marks)

I. Answer any two questions in about 80 to 100 words (2 out of 3)

2x5=10
II. Answer any one of the following in about two pages (1 out of 3)
1x10=10

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 I Semester Additional English
Model Question Paper
Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 60

SECTION – A
(Language Component – 40 marks)

I. Write a paragraph in about 100 - 150 words on each of the following

topics: 2x5=10

a. Fake news
b. Online versus Offline classes

II. Write a Précis for the following: 1x10=10

Leadership is a multi-dimensional function requiring knowledge and

understanding of many organizational needs. As a leader you must master the
various roles that are required to handle different people and circumstances
with skill and efficiency. A leader’s role differs materially from that of a
manager. While a manager must focus on implementing specific tasks, the
leader must act as a grandmaster, strategist, directing the game as a whole, and
organizing the players. All leaders have different talents, and may be stronger
in some skills than in others. To be successful you must be able to fill a number
of roles, using a range of skills and leadership styles according to the task, the
situation, and the people involved. Administration is a key role of the leader,
and nowadays there is much more to the role than simply “running a tight ship”
on a predetermined course. The modern administrator is expected to be
creative, devising processes and streamlining activities, not only to ensure the
smooth running of procedures, but also to increase efficiency. To get the best
from your team, set aside time to organize systems that will minimize time-
wasting and improve productivity. Look for ways to reduce paper work – direct
communication is usually more effective.

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III. Event Report Writing: 1x10=10

A book fair and a few cultural competitions were organised by the Cultural
Committee of your college. You are the Cultural Committee Co-ordinator,
write a report in 150-200 words for the college magazine.

IV. Expand and interpret the following proverbs: 2x5=10

a. Don’t judge a book by its cover

b. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

SECTION - B
(Course Book – 20 marks)

I. Answer any two of the following in about 80 to 100 words: 2x5=10

1. Explain how Gajala saves the elephant in the story “The Rogue”.
2. Why did the clerks and postmen consider Ali as a madman in “The
Letter”? What impression do you form about Ali after reading the story?
3. Write a short note on the mythological references in the poem “Moonrise”?
What is the significance of these references?

II. Answer any one of the following in about two pages: 1x10=10

1. Comment on the socio-cultural practices depicted in the short story “The

Unpalatable Offering”.
2. “The Taxi Driver” reflects a dilemma between principles and practicality.
Elaborate.
3. Explain how Toru Dutt relives her childhood in the poem, “Our Casuarina
Tree”.

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