I used to have a coaching center called P@ul’s Coaching Home. I would teach students using lecture sheets. Some of those sheets still remain with me. I’m sharing them with you one by one. There may be some errors in them. When I taught in class, I would correct the mistakes in the sheets. But now, due to lack of time, I couldn’t do that. Please take the trouble to correct them yourself while reading.
Another thing. I never made solution sheets for the exercises. I would solve them instantly in class. So, you’ll have to take the trouble to solve them yourself while studying.
Right Form of Words
Use the right form of words in the brackets:
1) (Mouse) are afraid of cats. 2) A string of pearls (be) less bright than her teeth. 3) A strong wind (blow) since last night. 4) A tiger is not (ferocious) than a lion. 5) Anik said that he (go) home next week. 6) Arabic is (speak) in Arab countries. 7) Bangla (to speak) in Bangladesh. 8) Bread and butter (to be )his daily food. 9) Della (save), every penny she could. 10) Each boy (be) present in the meeting yesterday. 11) Eight years have passed since Jerry (come). 12) Eighty miles (be) a long distance. 13) Either of the two boys (to have) done this. 14) Fahim (play) for two hours. 15) Fifty miles (be) a long way. 16) Five years (to pass) since I met you last. 17) Flowers (be) gift of nature. 18) Had King Solomon been the janitor, Jim (pull) out his watch. 19) Had the Queen of Sheba lived across the airshaft. Delia (let) her hair hang out. 20) Had you brought me here yesterday, I (feel) differently. 21) Had you told me, I (bring) a mule. 22) Hamid (die) last night. 23) Have you (to choose) your career? 24) Have you ever (be) to Cox’s Bazar? 25) He (carry) an umbrella daily. 26) He (come) just now. 27) He (go) ten minutes ago. 28) He (need not) wait for me. 29) He (not write) a letter. 30) He (return) home just now. 31) He (to give) a lecture tonight. 32) He (to go) there tomorrow. 33) He (to lie) on bed in the last evening. 34) He always (help) the poor. 35) He did nothing but (sing) all the day. 36) You had better (to do) the work. 37) He insisted on my (go) to college. 38) He is capable of (do) the work. 39) He is the (old) of the five brothers. 40) He looked at his mother (smile). 41) He never (to eat) meat. 42) He not (return) home last night. 43) He not yet (finish) the work. 44) He recently (return) home from abroad. 45) He speaks as if he (know) everything. 46) He started saving money lest he (fall) into trouble. 47) He talks as if he (to be) mad. 48) He talks as though he (to be) a king. 49) He tells the matter as if he (know) it. 50) He usually (go) to school by bus, but today he (go) by train. 51) He worked hard lest he (fail) in the examination. 52) Her examination (begin) tomorrow. 53) Her head is full of (louse). 54) His eyes (be) fixed upon Delia. 55) Honesty (win) in the long run. 56) How long you (wait) for me? 57) I (receive) your letter yesterday. 58) I (see) her long since. 59) I (see) him long ago. 60) I (see) Rubina recently. 61) I (to lie) on the floor for three hours. 62) I (to see) a tiger yesterday. 63) I am having my house (to repair) 64) I answered (thank) her. 65) I asked what his name (be). 66) I can’t help (listen) to them. 67) I did not get used to (write) on this rough paper. 68) I don’t mind (have) asparagus. 69) I don’t want (leave) this place. 70) I fancy I (turn) a trifle pale. 71) I found a number of (mouse) in the room. 72) I found the boy (sleep) on the bed. 73) I got the work (do). 74) I have a boy (come) from the orphanage. 75) I heard him (to say) so. 76) I just (have) a snack. 77) I just (receive) my father’s letter. 78) I not (choose)my career yet. 79) I saw him (do) it. 80) I saw him (go) to the town. 81) I saw the bird (to sit) on the roof. 82) I want the work (do) by him. 83) I went outside the cabin having (forget) him. 84) I wish I (sing). 85) I wish I (to be) a philosopher like Socrates. 86) I wish I (win) the race. 87) I would help him if he (wish). 88) I would rather (to die) than (to beg). 89) Ice (float) on water. 90) If he comes, I(go). 91) If he did, I (do). 92) If he ran fast, he (get) the prize. 93) If he reads more, he (pass) the exam. 94) If I (be) you. I would not have done this. 95) If I (see) him, I would have given him the news. 96) If I (try). I might have succeeded. 97) If I see him, I (tell) him the matter. 98) If I were a bird. I (fly) in the sky. 99) If I were a dove, I (fly). 100) If someone had not mentioned her name, I hardly think I (recognise) her. 101) If you had helped him, I (help) you. 102) If you play in the rain, you (to catch) cold. 103) If you wanted, I (help) you. 104) Ill news (run) fast. 105) Iron (melt) at a high temperature. 106) It (be) like him.
107) It dews in winter. 108) It has been raining since morning. 109) It is high time we changed our eating habit. 110) It is high time we started for the station. 111) It is many years since they first met. 112) It is time he left home. 113) It was long since I had seen her last. 114) Jim was greatly hugged by Delia. 115) Jim’s income had shrunk to twenty dollars. 116) Last night I had a wonderful dream. 117) Let him do the work. 118) Let the sum be done by your teacher. 119) Lucy broke her leg in a car accident last year. 120) Many oxen are grazing in the field. 121) Many a boy was present in the meeting. 122) Mobin sees his mother every summer. 123) My brother has just moved to a new place. 124) Nasima is drawing the picture now. 125) Neither of the two boys is honest. 126) Nimmi wishes she were a millionaire. 127) No man and no woman was there. 128) Of late I have been doing the work. 129) One should take care of one’s health. 130) One should not say anything without knowing. 131) Physics is my favourite subject. 132) Rafiq is healthier than his brother. 133) Robin as well as his sisters sings well. 134) Rome was not built in a day. 135) Ruby does her duty properly. 136) Ruman went to New Market with a view to buying a shirt. 137) Rupak decided that he would appear at the H. S. C. Examination the next year. 138) Samira is the cleverest of all the girls. 139) Shamim said that he had already finished reading the book. 140) She is sleeping, don’t disturb her. 141) She is a famous actress. 142) She normally takes her breakfast at 7 a. m. 143) She proceeded as though I had not spoken. 144) She usually goes to school by bus. 145) Size does not matter chopping wood. 146) Slow and steady wins the race. 147) Something is better than nothing. 148) Stop writing as the bell rings. 149) Suman has just got his revenge. 150) Sumi runs fast as if she were mad. 151) Ten maunds is a heavy weight. 152) Ten years have passed since he came here. 153) The knives were all out of use. 154) The agenda was carefully set. 155) The baby is crying because it is hungry now. 156) The baby started to cry. 157) The banana was cut into two halves. 158) The beggar went away crying. 159) The bird has flown away. 160) The boy has been suffering from fever for five days. 161) The boy was bitten by a mad dog yesterday. 162) The bus had left before I reached the station. 163) The carpenter has been working for last three hours. 164) The children came to us running. 165) The colour of his eyes is blue. 166) The dog is a faithful animal. 167) The dogs barked all the night. 168) The door was opened by a Christian. 169) The girls are playing in the field now. 170) The headmaster and the secretary were present in the meeting yesterday. 171) The headmaster prevented the boy from telling lies. 172) The hen laid an egg yesterday. 173) The man was hanged for murder. 174) The man seldom smokes. 175) The man sold all his furniture. 176) The man was reduced to skeleton. 177) The moon shines at night. 178) The old sailor went away leaving the marriage guest. 179) The patriot looks forward to receiving his reward from God. 180) The peasantry in Bangladesh are poor. 181) The pious are happy. 182) The play has just begun. 183) The porter found the words inscribed on the door. 184) The prime minister as well as the other members of the cabinet was present. 185) The principal desired the notice to be hung. 186) The Principal wants the building painted. 187) The quality of the mangoes is good. 188) The rich are not always happy. 189) The room seems to be comfortable. 190) The students in the class room are polite. 191) The train leaves to Delhi at 8 P.M. 192) The tree has not borne any fruit yet. 193) The United States of America is a resourceful country. 194) The virtuous are blessed. 195) The wages of sin is death. 196) The wind blew gently yesterday. 197) The writer dared not drive at night. 198) Their family has been living in Dhaka for the last five years. 199) There are four mosques in our village. 200) There stands a big tree in front of our college. 201) There is a college in our locality. 202) There are four M.As in our school. 203) They have been playing football since morning. 204) They sailed away to the south until they arrived in cold grey sea. 205) They appear as though they have just arrived from a distant land. 206) They are bent upon doing the work. 207) They have two menservants. 208) They have just reached the play ground. 209) They saw the drunken porter lying on the floor. 210) Today she weighs twenty one stone. 211) Two and two make four. 212) We have been in Dhaka since last week. 213) We are none of us getting any younger. 214) We have elected him our captain. 215) We never planned of going there before. 216) We started after the train had started. 217) What made you so angry? 218) What are you doing now? 219) What are you going to drink now? 220) What do you generally do for a living? 221) When does he take his food normally? 222) When was the book bought? 223) When did you come last night? 224) Where did they see him last week? 225) While walking on the road, a plane flew over us. 226) While they were playing, the rain came. 227) Why were you not with her? 228) Why did he go to market yesterday? 229) Why does Mr. Peter look so angry? 230) Why does Ruby do it daily? 231) Why does she look so nervous? 232) Why did they go there yesterday? 233) Would that I entered the room. 234) Would you mind opening the door. 235) Would you mind opening the window? 236) Have you seen her lately? 237) Do you watch television often?
Passage Narration
EXAMPLES WORKED OUT
Ques 1. “But Isaac,” said to one of them, “you have forgotten one thing that belongs to a mill.”
“What is that?” asked Isaac.
“Why, where is the Miller?” said his friend.
“That is true,—I must look for one,” said Isaac.
Ans 1. One of them told Isaac that the latter had forgotten one thing that belonged to a mill. Isaac enquired what that was. The friend asked where the Miller was. Isaac replied that that (absence of the Miller) was true,—and he must look for one.
Ques 2. Then he said to his friend, “Give me your hand! Fare you well! Grieve not that I am fallen into this misfortune for you. Commend me to your wife and tell her how I have loved you!”
Ans 2. He then asked his friend to give him his hand, and bidding him farewell, requested him not to grieve that he had fallen into that misfortune for him (friend) but to commend him to his (friend’s) wife, and tell her how he had loved him.
Ques 3. “I say, boys,” he cried, “I’ll be the judge and you can all bring cases before me, and well have trials.”
Ans 3. Addressing the boys, he suggested that he would be the judge and they could all bring cases before him and they all would have trials.
Ques 4. Then Theseus cried, “A boon, O Minos! Let me be thrown first to the beast, for I came hither for that very purpose, of my own will, and not by a lot.”
“Who art thou, brave youth?” “I am the son of him whom of all men thou hatest the most,—Egeus, the king of Athens, and I am come here to end this matter.”
Ans 4. Addressing Minos, Theseus asked for a boon,—to be thrown first to the beast, for he had come thither for that very purpose, of his own will, and not by lot. Minos said that he was a brave youth and asked him who he was. Theseus replied that he was the son of him whom of all men Minos hated the most,—Egeus, the king of Athens, and he was come there to end that matter.
Ques 5. Alexander said to Porus, “How do you desire to be treated?” “Like a king.” “And you have nothing else to request?” asked Alexander. “No”.
Ans 5.
Alexander asked Porus how he desired to be treated. Porus replied that he
desired to be treated like a king. Alexander further asked if Porus had nothing
else to request. Porus replied that he had no other request.
Ques 6.
“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “will you
not stay with me one night and be my messenger? The boy is so thirsty, and the
mother is so sad.”
“I don’t
think I like boys,” answered the Swallow. But the Happy Prince looked so
sad that the little Swallow was sorry.
“It is
very cold here,” he said; “but I will stay with you for one night,
and be your messenger.”
“Thank
you, little Swallow,” said the Prince.
Ans 6. The
Prince appealingly asked the Swallow if the latter would not stay with him one
night and be his messenger. He reminded the Swallow that the boy was so
thirsty, and the mother was so sad. The Swallow replied that he did not think
he liked boys. But the Happy Prince looked so sad that the little Swallow was
sorry. So he said again that though it was very cold there, he would stay with
the Prince for one night, and be his messenger. The Prince thanked the little
Swallow.
Ques 7.
“And pray, sir,” cried my friend, “Do you want all this
money?” “Indeed. I never wanted it more,” returned I. “I am
sorry for that,” cried the Scrivener, “with all my heart; for they
who want money when they come to borrow, will always want money when they come
to pay.”
Ans 7. My
friend asked me politely if I wanted all that money. I replied that I had never
wanted it more. The Scrivener said that he was sorry for that with all his
heart, for they who wanted money when they came to borrow, would always want
money when they came to pay.
Ques 8.
“Indeed Mr Drybone,” cried my friend, “I always thought it would
come to this. Let me see, you want two hundred pounds. Do you only want two
hundred, sir, exactly?” “To confess the truth”, returned I,
“I shall want three hundred; but then I have another friend, from whom I
can borrow the rest.”
Ans 8.
Addressing me by name, my friend said that he had always thought it would come
to that. Requesting me for time to prove this, he said I wanted two hundred
pounds, but he enquired if I wanted only two hundred exactly. I replied that to
confess the truth, I should want three hundred, but I had another friend, from
whom I could borrow the rest.
Ques 9. The
traveller said, “Can you tell the way to the nearest inn?”
“Yes,” said the peasant, “do you want one in which you can spend
the night?” “No,” replied the traveller, “I only want a
meal.”
Ans 9. The
traveller asked the peasant if he (the peasant) could tell him (the traveller)
the way to the nearest inn. The peasant replied that he could and asked the
traveller if he wanted one in which he could spend the night. The traveller
said that he did not, but wanted a meal only.
Ques 10. Policeman
B: Would the barrel be a good place to put a notice up?
Sergeant: It
might, you can put it there.
Ans 10. The
policeman B asked the Sergeant if the barrel would be a good place to put a
notice up. The Sergeant replied that it might be a good place so he could put
it there.
Ques 11.
“Your grandson?” said the vendor. “Yes”, said the old man.
“The son of my only son. Both, my son and his wife were drowned as they
worked on our land when the dikes broke.”
Ans 11. The
vendor enquired whether he was his grandson. The old man replied that he was
his grandson, the son of his only son. He said further that both his son and
his wife had been drowned as they worked in their land when the dykes broke.
Ques 12.
“But are you sure that that’s it?” asked Peterkin.
“Quite
sure,” replied Jack, “for I was particularly interested in the
account I read of it, and I remember the description well. I am sorry, however,
that I have forgotten the descriptions of many other trees which I am sure we
have seen today if we could not recognise them. So you see, Peterkin, I’m not
up to everything yet.”
“Never
mind, Jack,” said Peterkin with a grave patronizing expression of
countenance,—”Never mind. Jack; you know a good deal for your age. You are
a clever boy, sir,—a promising young man.”
Ans 12.
Peterkin asked Jack if the latter was sure that that was it. Jack replied that
he was quite sure, for he had been particularly interested in the account he
had read it, and he remembered the description well. He was sorry, however,
that he had forgotten the descriptions of many other trees which he was sure
they had seen that day if they could not recognise them. So Peterkin would see,
he (Jack) was not up to everything yet. With a grave, patronising expression of
countenance, Peterkin told Jack not to mind this, for he knew a good deal for
his age.
Ques 13. Helen
said, “Odysseus, what dangerous plan is this? How dare you enter Troy
alone? Tell me, what hope the Greeks have of winning the city? If they do, will
Menelaus take me back, or will he kill me when he meets me? If so, it would be
better for me to die here in Troy.”
Ans 13. Helen
asked Odysseus what dangerous plan that was and how he dared enter Troy alone.
She requested him to tell her what hope the Greeks had of winning the city, and
if they did so, whether Menelaus would take her back or would kill her when he
would meet her. If so, it would be better for her to die there in Troy.
Ques 14. Helen
said, “I wish that I had never come here, leaving my pleasant home in
Sparta. Surely I was mad when I listened to Paris. And now, if the Greeks take
Troy, who can tell what will happen to me? Yet you are a Greek, and I must help
you. Come with me. I will show you how to make the attempt.”
Ans 14. Helen
said that she wished she had never come there, leaving her pleasant home in
Sparta. She was surely mad when she had listened to Paris. And now, if the
Greeks took Troy, nobody could tell what would happen to her. Yet Odysseus was
a Greek and she must help him; so she requested him to go with her,—she would
show him how to make the attempt.
Ques 15.
Odysseus answered, “The Greeks can never win the city while the statue of
Athene remains in her temple. They say it fell from heaven and was not made by
the hands of mortal men. So I have come to take it away. My friend Diomedes is
waiting outside the walls. The two of us can easily overpower the temple guard
and steal the statue, if only you will help us.”
Ans 15.
Odysseus answered that the Greeks could never win the city while the statue of
Athene remained in her temple. They said it had fallen from heaven and had not
been made by hands of men. So he had come to take it away. His friend Diomedes
was waiting outside the walls. The two of them could easily overpower the
temple guard and steal the statue, if only she (Helen) would help them.
Ques 16.
Odysseus said, “My friends, the time has come to prove which of you are
the bravest, for now, a desperate deed must be done. We must hide inside the
horse, and either we shall win Troy or we shall be found out and die. As soon
as we are inside, the rest of you must burn the tents and set sail for the
island of Tenedos.”
Ans 16.
Addressing his men as friends, Odysseus said that the time had come to prove
which of them was the bravest, for a desperate deed must be done then. They
must hide inside the horse, and either they would win Troy or they would be
found out and die. As soon as they were inside, the rest of the Greeks must
burn the tents and set sail for the island of Tenedos.
Ques 17.
“Jim, darling,” cried Delia, “don’t look at me that way. I had
my hair cut off and sold it because I couldn’t have lived through Christmas
without giving you a present. It’ll grow out again—you won’t mind, will you? I
just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say “Merry Christmas!”
Jim, and let’s be happy. You don’t know what a nice—what a beautiful, nice gift
I’ve got for you.”
“You’ve
cut off your hair?” asked Jim, laboriously.
“Cut it
off and sold it,” said Delia. Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow? I’m
me without my hair, aren’t I?
Ans 17.
Addressing Jim as her darling, Delia implored him not to look at her that way.
She had her hair cut off and sold it because she could not have lived through
Christmas without giving him a present. She assured him that it would grow out again,
and so she hoped he would not mind it. She just had to do it—her hair grew
awfully fast—and appealed to Jim to say ‘Merry Christmas’ so that they might be
happy together. Jim did not know, continued Delia, what a beautiful nice gift
she had got for him. Jim asked laboriously if Delia had cut off her hair. Delia
replied that she had cut it off and sold it, and asked if Jim did not like her
just as well, anyhow,—if she was not herself without her hair.
Ques 18. Girn:
Dr. Stronetz, will you have the goodness to leave the room? We have some
business with His Royal Highness. Urgent business, Dr. Stronetz.
Storn: (Facing
round). Gentlemen, I know you would all gladly lay down your lives for your
Prince, but there are some perils which even your courage cannot avert.
Girn:
(Puzzled). What are you talking about, sir?
Stron: The
Prince sent for me to prescribe for some disquieting symptoms that have
declared themselves. I have made my examination. My duty is a cruel one…I
cannot give him six days to live.
Ans 18.
Gjrnitza requested Dr Stronetz to have the goodness to leave the room, for they
had some business with His Royal Highness,—urgent business. Facing round, Dr
Stronetz told the gentlemen (Girnitza and others) that he feared his business
was more grave, that he had the saddest of duties to perform. He knew the
gentlemen would all gladly lay down their lives for their Prince, but there
were some perils which even their courage should not avert. Girnttz was puzzled
and asked the Doctor what he was talking about. Dr Stronetz replied that the
Prince had sent for him to prescribe for some disquieting symptoms that had
declared themselves. He had made his examination: his duty was a cruel one…he
could not give the Prince six days to live.
EXERCISE
Change into the
indirect form of speech:—
1. He said to
me, “When will you go home? I shall send my son with you.”
2. The boy said
to the teacher, “Please excuse me, sir. I shall never do so again.”
3. He said to
the boys, “Let us start at once, otherwise, we may miss the train.”
4. She said to
them, “Can’t you remain silent for some time? Just let me finish, and then
decide what you are to do.”
5. “I am
old and lonely,” said she. “Have you no pity for my loneliness? Stay
with me, my son, for some time more.”
6. “Boys,”
said he, “come in and sit on the benches here. I have something very
interesting to tell you.”
7. “Has he
failed?” said Jatin. “Yes, bad luck,” replied Samar. “Who
ever dreamed of it!”
8. “The
ruby has fallen out of his sword, his eyes are gone and he is golden no
longer,” said the Mayor; “in fact, he is little better than a
beggar!”
“Little
better than a beggar,” said the Town Councilors.
9. “I am
glad that you are going to Egypt at last, little Swallow,” said the
Prince, “you have stayed too long here, but you must kiss me on the
lips.”
“It is not
to Egypt that I am going,” said the Swallow, “I am going to the House
of Death. Death is the brother of Sleep.”
10. “Go
back in peace my son,” said Minos. “It is a pity that one so brave
should die.” Theseus said, “I have sworn that J will not go back till
I have seen the monster face to face.” At that Minos frowned and said,
“Then thou shall see him; take the mad man away.”
11.
Teacher—Well, Kami, what’s the matter with you? You look so sad.
Kanti—My sister
is ill, sir. The doctor says it is a bad case.
Teacher—Sorry
to hear this. What’s the disease?
Kanti—It is a
case of typhoid, sir.
12. Perseus
replied, “Indeed, O King, I think there is no task from which I would
shrink in fear.”
“If I
thought that, my boy,” said the King, “I would let you undertake a
task that I am saving for the bravest man in my kingdom.”
13. “Ah,
those days are past,” sighed the King, “such heroes do not live in
our times.” “You are wrong!” cried Jason, “Acre are many
heroes waiting only for the chance to do great deeds.” The King laughed
aloud and said, “Is it possible that you have never heard the story of the
Golden Fleece? Long years have I been waiting for a hero to bring it
hither.”
14. “Oh beautiful lady,” said the fisherman, “why have you come to this island in such a strange ship? Who are you, and where do you come from? You look like a king’s daughter, and the boy looks like the son of a god.” Instead of answering, Danae said, “Tell me what country I have come to, and what sort of people live here. I am very unhappy.”
15. Then Danae knelt down before him and cried, “Oh, sir, have pity upon me, and let me live in your house as a servant. Be kind to me, for I am a king’s daughter, and this boy’s father is a god. I will be no trouble to you and I will not be idle. I can work better than any of the maidens in my own country.” Dictys raised her up and said, “My daughter. I am old, and I have no children to make my home cheerful. Come with me, then, and you shall be a daughter to me and to my wife, and this your baby shall be our grandchild.”
16. Sergeant: Stop! Didn’t I tell you to stop? You can’t go on there.
Man: Oh, very well. It’s a hard thing to be poor. All the world’s against the poor.
Sergeant: Who are you?
Man: You’d be as wise as myself if I told you, but I don’t mind. I’m one Jimmy Walsh, a ballad-singer.
Sergeant: Jimmy Walsh? I don’t know that name.
Man: Ah, sure, they know it well enough in Ennis. Were you ever in Ennis, Sergeant?
17. “What’s your name, my good woman?” asked he.
“Judith Gardenier.”
“And your father’s name?”
“Ah, poor man. Rip Van Winkle was his name, but it’s twenty years since he went away from home, and never has been heard of since. Whether he shot himself or was carried away by the Indians, nobody can tell. I was then but a little girl.”
“Where is your mother?”
“Oh, she too died but a short time since.”
18. He said, “Sir, I did not beg of you. Sir, we have good land and we have never been starving like this before, having such good land. But this year the river rose, and men starve even on good land at such times. Sir, we have no seed left even. We have eaten our seed. I told them, we cannot eat the seed. But they were young and hungry and they ate it.”
19. “What is the sum?” said Robin Hood, “Tell me the truth of it.”
“Sir,” he said, “it is four hundred pounds; the abbot lent it me.”
“If you lose your land,” said Robin Hood, “what will become of you?”
“I must make ready and get me gone over the salt sea to the land where Christ lived and died on Mount Calvary. There is no help for it; farewell, my friend, and good luck to you.”
20. “Is not the young prince of Athens standing among you?” said the king. “I am he, your Majesty,” answered Theseus proudly, “and I have a favour to ask you. I pray you, let my companions sleep in the courtyard tonight, and let me enter the labyrinth alone. In the morning the others may follow.” “The prince wishes to die alone,” answered the king. “Let him do so.”
21. “Prince Theseus,” said Ariadne, “my heart grieves for you and your friends who must die this dreadful death. You are brave and strong, and your sword is sharp. Why should you not slay the monster and escape tonight with all your companions?”
“Fair Princess,” answered Theseus, “my arm is strong enough to slay any creature; but they tell me that even if I kill the Minotaur, I can never find my way back out of the labyrinth.”
22. “My daughter,” she said, laying her hand on Ariadne’s shoulder, “listen to the advice of an old woman who has had much experience in life. Be content to reign as queen of your art among women, but do not compare yourself with the gods. Ask pardon for the foolish words you have just spoken. I promise that Minerva will grant it.”
23. “See, Sancho,” said Don Quixote, “see those thirty huge giants towering over the plain! I shall do the world a great service if I rid it of such cruel and greedy monsters as those giants always are.”
“What giants?” asked Sancho staring about him.
“Why, those straight before you, with the long outstretched arms,” his master replied.
“O Sir,” said Sancho, “those are not giants which are standing up there, but windmills. And their arms are nothing but the sails, which turn round when the wind blows and make the mills go.”
24. Judge—You are a witness for the prisoner?
Witness—I am, my lord. I heard that he was to be tried today and I have walked twenty miles to speak of the truth of him.
“What is your situation in life?”
“A labourer, my lord; nothing but a day-labourer.”
“How long have you known the prisoner?”
“As long as I have known anything. We were playmates together, went to the same school, have lived in the same place.”
25. “Aha, Perseus,” cried the King, “so you have come back without doing what you promised to do. Your courage is not so great as you would have us believe.”
“Nay, your majesty,” answered Perseus, “I have slain Medusa, and have brought you her head.” “That you must prove by showing us the head,” said the King. “Since your majesty insists, behold the head!” Perseus cried; and drawing it from the bag, he held it high before the King.
26. Columbus: They drink too much.
Pedro: They are simple men and must have their relaxation. We have not all your vision, captain.
Columbus: You are beginning to doubt, Pedro. Give me the contents of your mind. I am an impatient man prone to be unjust, but I mean well.
27. Francisco: Must simple men suffer because of your knowledge?
Columbus: Simple men shall do their duty.
Francisco: There are limits to duty. Men will give up many things for duty, but you ask too much. Country, family, friends, perhaps even life itself,—all these things you ask us to give up for your glory.
28. Man: Ah, Sergeant, I was only singing to keep my heart up. It sinks when I think of him. To think of us two sitting here, and he creeps up the quay, maybe, to get to us.
সার্জেন্ট: তুমি কি ভালোমতো পাহারা দিচ্ছ?
লোকটি: হ্যাঁ দিচ্ছি, আর তাও বিনা পারিশ্রমিকে। আমি কি বোকা লোক নই? কিন্তু যখন দেখি কেউ সমস্যায় পড়েছে, তাকে সাহায্য করার চেষ্টা না করে পারি না।
২৯. “তুমি কে?” বলল নিশীথপাখী।
“আমি সুখী রাজপুত্র।”
“তাহলে কেন কাঁদছ?” জিজ্ঞেস করল নিশীথপাখী; “তুমি আমাকে একদম ভিজিয়ে দিয়েছ।”
“যখন আমি জীবিত ছিলাম এবং আমার মানুষের হৃদয় ছিল,” উত্তর দিল মূর্তিটি, “আমি জানতাম না অশ্রু কী, কারণ আমি বাস করতাম সাঁ-সুসি প্রাসাদে, যেখানে দুঃখের প্রবেশাধিকার নেই।”
৩০. “আমি তোমার সাথে আরও একটি রাত থাকব,” বলল নিশীথপাখী। “আমি কি তার জন্য আরেকটি রুবি নিয়ে যাব?”
“হায়! এখন আমার কোনো রুবি নেই,” বলল রাজপুত্র; “আমার চোখ দুটোই আমার বাকি সম্পদ। এগুলো নীলকান্তমণি দিয়ে তৈরি, যা হাজার বছর আগে ভারত থেকে আনা হয়েছিল। একটি উপড়ে নিয়ে তার কাছে পৌঁছে দাও। সে ওটা জহুরির কাছে বিক্রি করে জ্বালানি কিনবে, আর তার নাটক শেষ করবে।”
“প্রিয় রাজপুত্র,” বলল নিশীথপাখী, “আমি এটা করতে পারব না।” “নিশীথপাখী, নিশীথপাখী, ছোট্ট নিশীথপাখী,” বলল রাজপুত্র, “আমি যা বলছি তাই করো।”
ইনফিনিটিভ, পার্টিসিপল ও জেরান্ডের ওপর অনুশীলনী: ১
ক) প্রয়োজনমতো ইনফিনিটিভ ব্যবহার করে শূন্যস্থান পূরণ করো:
১. ___ ভুল করা মানবিক। ২. আমি তাকে পড়তে ___ শিখিয়েছি। ৩. সে মরতে ___ যাচ্ছে। ৪. সে একজন সৎ লোক বলে ___ মনে হচ্ছে। ৫. সে একজন ধনী লোক বলে ___ মনে হচ্ছে। ৬. আমরা তাকে বোকা বলে ___ মানি। ৭. বৃদ্ধ লোকটি হাঁটার ___ জন্য খুবই দুর্বল। ৮. তোমার চিঠি পেয়ে ___ আমি আনন্দিত। ৯. এটি ভাড়া দেওয়ার ___ একটি বাড়ি। ১০. খেলা দেখতে ___ আমরা মাঠে গেলাম। ১১. বাস পেতে ___ আমি দ্রুত হাঁটলাম। ১২. সত্য কথা ___ বলতে, সে একজন সৎ লোক। ১৩. সংক্ষেপে ___ বলতে, আমি ধ্বংস হয়ে গেছি। ১৪. আমি তাকে বাড়ি যেতে ___ দেখেছি। ১৫. তার সেখানে যাওয়ার ___ দরকার নেই। ১৬. সে আমাকে দিয়ে এটা করিয়েছে ___। ১৭. আমি তাকে এটা বলতে ___ শুনেছি। ১৮. আমরা তাকে যেতে ___ দেখেছি। ১৯. তুমি এটা করার সাহস ___ রাখো না। ২০. তাকে যেতে ___ দেখা গেছে। ২১. তাকে দিয়ে এটা করানো ___ হয়েছে। ২২. তাকে এটা বলতে ___ শোনা গেছে। ২৩. রহিমকে যেতে দেওয়া ___ হয়নি। ২৪. আমি সেখানে যেতে ___ ইচ্ছে করেছিলাম। ২৫. মনে হচ্ছে সে ভালো দিন দেখেছে ___। ২৬. তারা এটা করেছে বলে ___ জানা যায়। ২৭. আমি তোমাকে দয়া করে আমাকে সাহায্য করতে ___ অনুরোধ করি। ২৮. আমি তোমাকে এটা তাড়াতাড়ি করতে ___ অনুরোধ করি। ২৯. প্রধান শিক্ষক আমাকে নিয়মিত পড়াশোনা করতে ___ পরামর্শ দিয়েছেন। ৩০. এটি বসার ___ জন্য একটি আরামদায়ক চেয়ার। ৩১. মুনিরা প্রকৌশল পড়তে ___ আগ্রহী। ৩২. সে যা ইচ্ছে তাই করার ___ দরকার নেই। ৩৩. এটি বিক্রয়ের ___ জন্য একটি বাড়ি। ৩৪. এখানে থাকার চেয়ে যাওয়াই ___ তোমার ভালো। ৩৫. আজ তাকে ভালো লাগছে বলে ___ মনে হচ্ছে।
খ) বন্ধনীর মধ্যে থাকা ক্রিয়াপদগুলোর সঠিক রূপ লেখো এবং সেগুলো জেরান্ড না পার্টিসিপল তা লেখো:
একটি (গড়াতে থাকা) পাথরে শ্যাওলা জমে না
শিকারী (উড়ে যাওয়া) পাখিটির দিকে তাকাল
আমরা তাকে (দৌড়াতে) দেখেছি
(উদীয়মান) সূর্যের সৌন্দর্য সবাইকে মুগ্ধ করে।
আমাকে কিছু (লেখার) কাগজ দাও
আমি ছেলেটিকে (দাঁড়িয়ে থাকতে) দেখলাম
একটি (পোড়া) শিশু আগুনকে ভয় পায়।
মন্ত্রী (ক্ষয়প্রাপ্ত) নদীর তীরগুলো দেখতে এসেছিলেন।
ঘরে একটি (ভাঙা) চেয়ার রয়েছে।
তারা (প্রত্যাখ্যাত) পণ্যগুলো গ্রহণ করবে না।
বাড়ি (পৌঁছে), সে সোজা তার মায়ের কাছে গেল।
বইটি (পড়ে), সে আমাকে দিল।
ছবিটি (দেখে), আমরা কেঁদেছিলাম।
ঘটনার কথা (জানতে পেরে), সে ঘটনাস্থলে গেল।
গ) বক্স থেকে সঠিক পার্টিসিপল ব্যবহার করে নিম্নোক্ত অনুচ্ছেদটি পূরণ করো:
reaching, ringing, being, closed, standing, caught, caused, plying, unlicensed, waiting, coming, taken.
স্কুলে পৌঁছানোর আগেই সে শেষ ঘণ্টা (ক) শুনতে পেল। স্কুলে (খ) পৌঁছে, সে গেটটি (গ) দেখতে পেল। তাই সে ক্লাস টিচারের দ্বারা (ঘ) ক্লাসে প্রবেশ করতে পারল না। সে বাইরে (ঙ) ছিল। প্রধান শিক্ষক তাকে (চ) দেখতে পেলেন এবং তার (ছ) দেরি হওয়ার কারণ জানতে চাইলেন। প্রধান শিক্ষকের দ্বারা (জ) জিজ্ঞেস করা হলে, সে বিনীতভাবে বলল যে সে (ঝ) যানজটে আটকে পড়েছিল যা (ঞ) অনুমোদনহীন রিকশার দ্বারা (ট) শহরের রাস্তায় (ঠ) সৃষি হয়েছে।
ঘ) পার্টিসিপল ব্যবহার করে নিম্নোক্ত বাক্যজোড়াগুলো একত্র করো:
আমি বৃদ্ধ লোকটিকে দেখেছি। সে হাঁটছিল।
আমি ফুটন্ত পানিতে কিছু চা পাতা দিলাম। পানি তখন ফুটছিল।
আমরা এলাকাটি পরিদর্শন করলাম। এলাকাটি বন্যায় ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হয়েছিল।
তার বাবা একটি গাড়ি কিনেছেন। গাড়িটি জাপানে তৈরি।
সে দরজা বন্ধ করল। তারপর সে হাঁটতে বেরিয়ে গেল।
সূর্য অস্ত গেল। তারপর সে হোস্টেলে ফিরে গেল।
শামস ময়মনসিংহে গিয়েছিল। সে তার শৈশবের বন্ধু
H) Replace
infinitives of the following sentences by gerund
Telling a lie
is a great sin. I like eating vegetables. This is a room for living in. His hobby
is travelling. Walking is good for health. He started learning English. Stealing
is a sin. It is bad finding fault with others. It is essential speaking English
to have fluency. Planting a sapling is everybody’s responsibility.
I) Complete the
following sentences by using an appropriate gerundial form of verbs:
You cannot
learn English without practicing the four language skills. Listening is the first skill you
should practice. The second one is speaking. The third one is reading while the fourth
skill is writing. Unless you practice the skills, you cannot succeed in learning any
foreign language. Teachers engaged in teaching English should create an environment
in the class favourable for acquiring this language.
Practice Sheet
on Linkers/The Linking Words
A) Match the
half of the sentences in column A with the sentences nearest in from column B.
Join them with an appropriate pronoun (that, which, or who).
Column A
1. There were
three people in the room
2. There was a
narrow bridge
3. There are
still people in the world
4. There was a
small stream
5. There have
been rumours
6. There aren’t
many workers
7. There are a
lot of toys in the shop
8. There was a
man at the barbecue
Column B
a. have never
seen a television.
b. the finance
minister is going to resign.
c. connected
the two halves of the village.
d. I would like
to get for the children.
e. was wearing
only a pair of shorts.
f. would
welcome an increase in income tax.
g. I had never
seen before.
h. ran at the
bottom of the garden.
B) Fill in the
blanks with appropriate linking words
1) He closed
his house after his friends had gone. 2) He could not pass though he tried often. 3) He did
not try hard so he could not pass. 4) He disposed of all his property and left the
country. 5) He gave me the word that he would help me. 6) He had his house
cleaned before his friends came. 7) He is rich while his brother is poor. 8) He
is either playing or running. 9) He left his bed as the sun peeped through the window. 10)
He left the house after the rain stopped. 11) He will do this unless he is stopped by you.
12) He will not escape death however rich he may be. 13) Hurry up or you will miss the
train. 14) I like him because he is truthful. 15) I trust his word because he speaks the
truth. 16) I will trust you if you sign your name. 17) I wish to know whether he will come
or not. 18) It is a long time since I saw you last. 19) Life is full of tears yet none
wishes to die. 20) My father says that this book is mine. 21) Nasir as well as his brother is
ill. 22) She has none other than her mother. 23) She went to bed early for she felt very
tired. 24) Work hard so that you may succeed. 25) You may go out now that the rain has stopped.
26) She will either do this or leave the room. 27) Shut the door lest the child may not go
out. 28) The girl is clever yet (she) cannot do the work quickly. 29) The girl is
quick and (she) reads very well. 30) The girl will come if she is allowed to do so.
31) The man is so irresponsible that none can rely on him. 32) The man kept
silent as if he knew nothing. 33) The mice will play when the cat is away. 34) They
could not tell why they were fined. 35) Try hard or you will fail.
C) Fill in the
blank spaces with the suitable connectors chosen from those in brackets.
1. European
housewives shop daily Therefore they do not have left-over food to throw away.
(Therefore, But, Further)
2. He doesn’t
need any money from us On the contrary we should be going to him for a loan. (In addition, On
the contrary, But)
3. He doesn’t
study at all Instead he sits and day-dreams. (Instead, On the other hand, Besides)
4. He had spent
a good deal of life in America Besides he had lived for a year, or so in France.
(After all, Nevertheless, Besides)
5. I must go
now By the way if you want that book I’ll bring it next time. (Besides, In addition, By
the way)
6. In order to
buy a scooter, I may draw on my savings On the other hand I might approach my uncle for a loan.
(On the other hand, On the contrary, As a result)
7. It wasn’t a
good hotel Besides it was very expensive. (Therefore, Besides, Otherwise)
8. She was not
pleased by his skating technique. She was delighted however by his self-control and
pose. (therefore, in fact, however)
9. She was
tired out after her long walk So she went to bed early. (But, Finally, So)
10. Student
unrest in colleges has declined Still there is continuing need for change in higher
education. (Still, Besides, In fact)
11. The doctor
told him to rest Yet he went on working. (Yet, Hence, Incidentally)
12. The
reporters waited patiently for the Prime Minister until noon Then they began to
batter the press secretary with questions. (However, Moreover, Then)
13. The term
papers are very brief Still they were better than I expected. (Still, although,
Besides)
14. They don’t
often use it over the weekend So you can borrow it if you want to. (Yet, Moreover,
So)
15. They had not
paid the rent for several months As a result they were made to vacate the house.
(However, On the other hand, As a result)
D) Fill in the
blanks with suitable connectors.
Typewriting is
much less tiresome than writing by hand. One can type for hours without fatigue whereas steady
writing for a time will soon tire one’s hand Moreover no matter how tired one becomes,
the character of typed letters never changes while script tends to get sloppy after
long periods of writing Furthermore typing is always legible with a minimum of effort.
At times the personal script is so poor that it is difficult, if not
impossible, to read. The biggest advantage however is speed. A good typist can type
from forty to seventy words per minute, while the same person can write only
about twenty to thirty words per minute by hand Therefore every student should learn to
type because of the many advantages which typing has over script.
E) Insert the
correct connectors/linkers in the blank spaces.
1. The rent is
high and the house is not in a suitable position.
2. The child
has gone into the park…his mother was searching for him in the street.
3. They stole
all the jewels…..they murdered the woman.
4. After a term
of comparative idleness he worked very hard in the last week…., he came top in
the examination.
5. Mr M.A.
Rashid is tired of teaching…., he is looking forward to his retirement.
6. He admits
that he took the umbrella without permission…., he stole it.
7. He was very
tired….he was unable to sleep until after midnight.
8. She drove
very fast to the airport….she missed the plane.
9. Do you mean
I am busy?….I am out of work.
10. The
airlines charge half-price for students…., I have already bought my ticket to
New York.
11. He examined
the car. The….was slightly damaged.
12. I saw him
on Friday and he seemed to be in perfect health. The….day he died.
13. He didn’t
explain what the letter signified….did she.
14. He says he
wants to marry Susan….he shouldn’t be quarrelling with her all the time.
15. He is
rather foolish. I’m afraid…, she’s genius.
16. Tom was the
victim of a confidence trick. Tuku was tricked….