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English Notes

comprehension/ reading skills: skimming and scanning. Structure: noun phrase and verb phrase, Vocabulary development: agriculture. Spelling: words commonly misspelt; unified test.

A. COMPREHENSION / READING SKILLS

UNIT 4: DRAMA

CONTENT: EXPLANATION

The passage is a short extract from a full-length play. There are three characters; Salubi, Samson and Kotonou. Kotuno is a driver who wants to give up driving, Samson, a motor park tout, is his mate or conductor. Salubi  is a driver-trainee.

EVALUATION

Answer the questions under the comprehension passage.

READING ASSIGNMENT

More on Drama pages 68-71 of your Effective English

B. STRUCTURE: NOUN PHRASE AND VERB PHRASE.

Content

Definition

Functions

Definition:  A noun phrase is a phrase in which the main word or the head is a noun or pronoun.

Functions:  The noun phrase performs exactly the same functions as a noun.

(i) As subject of a sentence

The big girl

The big ugly girl in the class is quarrelsome.

The big ugly girl who stammers is quarrelsome.

A young talented Nigerian lady was presented an award last year.

The boy in red shirt is my friend.

We bought a brand new car.

The gerundial phrase which is also a noun phrase can function as a subject of the verb e.g.

Telling lies often belittles a person.

Consciously wounding someone is wicked.

The infinitive can also be used as a noun phrase and function as the subject of verb.

To tell lies belittles a person.

To consciously wound someone is wicked.

An adjective can be the head of a noun phrase.

The poor suffer a lot.

The conquered expect no mercy from their conqueror.

The wise learn  from experience.

(ii) As object of Verb

The officer praised the students (Direct Object)

(iii) As subject Complement

The grateful boy called his friend saviour.

His village made him  a chief.

(v) As complement of a preposition

The governor thought of the brilliant lawyer when choosing his cabinet.

The thief hid the gun under his bed.

The Verb Phrase    

The verb phrase is usually made up of a main verb and one or more auxiliary verbs in the following sentences, the verb phrases are in italics.

Dike has done the work (one auxiliary verb + main verb)

Dike has been doing the work since morning (two auxiliary verbs + main verbs + main verb)

Obioma may come with us if he likes.

EVALUATION: Mention the grammatical functions of the underlined expression.

I have given it to the boy.

The rich and the poor are invited

Mr. Henry is an angry man.

I call Jesus my personal Lord and Saviour.

I could have done the work sooner.

READING ASSIGNMENT:

Page 236 of Countdown by Evans

VOCABULARY OF AGRICULTURE – GENERAL TERMS

agrarian economy: A nation whose economy is predominantly based on agriculture

fallow: Allow to stay without cultivation for a while

orchard: A piece of land on which fruit trees are grown

seedling: Young plant grown from seed

barn: Building for storing farm produce, especially yams

cash crops: A crop grown for sale rather than for consumption.

arable land: Farming done on a piece of land good for tilling or ploughing.

mechanized farm: Agriculture practiced with the use of machines.

nursery: Place where young trees and plants are raised for transplanting or sale.
manure: This is fertilizer made from dung.

bumper harvest: This is an unusually large quantity of crop gathered at the end of a farming season.

tendril: This is the soft thin part of a climbing plant needed to be attached to a support.

crop rotation: This is the changing of crops planted on the same piece of land on seasonal basis.

agricultural loan: This is a loan given by government or bank to enable farmer’s farming projects.

hybrid fruits: These are fruits produced from two plants of different species.

amortize : This is to pay money in borrowed in bit.

LIVESTOCK

livestock: these are domestic animals raised for their working ability or for their value as a source of food and other products.

ranches: This a farm/confined space for rearing of animals.

beef:  This is meat from cattle or cow.

animal droopings: Dung or faeces of animals or birds.

broiler: These are young chickens reared for eating.

dairy products: These are food items made from milk, e.g Cheese and butter.

pasture: This is a grassland on which grass-eating animals feed.

pullet: This is a young hen.

vaccinate: Inject with a vaccine as protection against illness.

veterinarian or veterinary doctor: A person who treats animals.

fish-netIt is used to catch fish

FISHERY

cane pole and lineThose are also used to catch fish.
ripplesA small wave on the surface of the water after a net or cane pole has been thrown into the water.
baitAnything used to attract fish so that it may be caught e.g. earthworm.
float Piece of wood or cork at the end of a fishing-line (or string) which moves when a fish bites the hook.
trawlerBoat used for fishing. It drags the fish-net behind it.
fish pondA small area of still water, especially one that is artificial where fish are nurtured  for consumption
fisheryA part of a sea or river where fish are caught in large quantity. The business or industry of catching fish 
fish farmA place where fish are bred as a business.

EVALUATION

Choose five words from the words taught and use them in sentences.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Countdown page 144-145

SPELLING: WORDS COMMONLY MISSPELT; Unified test

Content

Words Commonly  Misspelt

Correct Spellings

Analysis of the words commonly misspelt in English language

Correct Misspelt
accommodationaccomodation
acquaintaquaint
bibliographybibiography
businessbussiness
clarityclearify
colossalcolosal
covenantconvenant
diligentdeligent
environmentenviroment
enmityenimity
excitementexcitement
expatiateexpantiate
foreignerforeigner
incurredincured
grievousgrievious
maintenancemaintainance
misspell misspell
mischievousmischievious
necessarynecessary
pastimepasttime
pronunciationpronouncaition
precededpreceeded
sandwichsandwitch
receivereceive
referredrefered
separateseparate

Others include: harassment, embarrassment, herculean, workaholic, limousine, buoyant, buoy, boulevard, hippopotamus, stethoscope, obstetrician, pneumonia, choreography, commission, accommodation, surveillance, maintenance, agrarian, lovable, duly, gubernatorial, indict, accede, onomatopoeia, Ghanaian, promiscuous , continuous, philandrer, psychiatric. Psyche, burlesque, diarrhoea, obstetrician, stethoscope, flirtatious, sarcasm.   

EVALUATION: Dictation

READING ASSIGNMENT: Count down in English by Evans page 58-62

GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS:

From the list of words lettered A to D, choose the one that is nearest in meaning to the underlined words.

  1. We must move  with the times as there is no point in clinging to antiquated  ideas.  a. foolish  (b) outdated (c) unscientific  (d) useless  (e) wrong
  2. Religious leaders are supposed to be beneficient  (a) clean (b) holy (c) honest (d) kind  (e) malevolent
  3. The minister’s response to the question on whether or not he would retire at the end of his tenure was evasive  (a) concrete (b) clear  (c) definite  (d) elusive  (e) undecided
  4. Femi’s comments were germane to the issue under discussion. (a) complimentary ( b) confidential ( c) insignificant (d) redundant  (e) relevant
  5. The manufactures found the new economic policy auspicious to their plan.  (a) atrocious ( b) favourable  (c) reliable  (d) treacherous (e) unfavourable

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

Passage B, 19-30 pages 353-354 of Countdown in English Language

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