P@ul’s Coaching Home নামে আমার একটা কোচিং সেন্টার ছিল। কোচিংয়ের স্টুডেন্টদের লেকচার শিট দিয়ে পরাতাম। কিছু শিট এখনও আমার কাছে রয়ে গেছে। সেগুলি এক-এক করে আপনাদের সাথে শেয়ার করছি। কিছু ভুল থাকতে পারে। ক্লাসে পড়ানোর সময় শিটের ভুলগুলি শুধরে দিতাম। তবে এখন সময়ের অভাবে সেটা করতে পারলাম না। আপনারা পড়ার সময় একটু কষ্ট করে শুধরে নিয়ে পড়বেন।
আরেকটা কথা। এক্সারসাইজগুলির কোনও সল্যুশন শিট আমি কখনওই বানাইনি। ক্লাসে ইন্সট্যান্টলি সল্ভ করে দিতাম। তাই, আপনাদের কষ্ট করে নিজে সল্ভ করে-করে পড়তে হবে।
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 (dew) in winter. 108) It (rain) since morning. 109) It is high time we (change) our eating habit. 110) It is high time we (start) for the station. 111) It is many years since they first (meet). 112) It is time he (leave) home. 113) It was long since I (see) her last. 114) Jim was greatly (hug) by Delia. 115) Jim’s income (be) shrunk to twenty dollars. 116) Last night I (have) a wonderful dream. 117) Let him (to do) the work. 118) Let the sum (to do) by your teacher. 119) Lucy (break) her leg in a car accident last year. 120) Many (ox) are grazing in the field. 121) Many a boy (be) present in the meeting. 122) Mobin (see) his mother every summer. 123) My brother just (move) to a new place. 124) Nasima (draw) the picture now. 125) Neither of the two boys (be honest). 126) Nimmi wishes she (to be) a millionaire. 127) No man and no woman (be) there. 128) Of late I (do) the work. 129) One should (take) care of one’s health. 130) One should not say anything without (know). 131) Physics (to be ) my favourite subject. 132) Rafiq is (healthy) than his brother. 133) Robin as well as his sisters (sing) well. 134) Rome was not (build) in a day. 135) Ruby (do) her duty properly. 136) Ruman went to New Market with a view to (buy) a shirt. 137) Rupak decided that he (appear) at the H. S. C. Examination the next year. 138) Samira is the (clever) of all the girls. 139) Shamim said that he already (finish) reading the book. 140) She (sleep), don’t disturb her. 141) She is a famous (actor). 142) She normally (take) her breakfast at 7 a. m. 143) She proceeded as though I not (speak). 144) She usually (go) to school by bus. 145) Size do not matter (chop) wood. 146) Slow and steady (win) the race. 147) Something is (good) than nothing. 148) Stop (to write) as the bell rings. 149) Suman just (get) his revenge. 150) Sumi runs fast as if she (to be) mad. 151) Ten maunds (be) a heavy weight. 152) Ten years have passed since he (come) here. 153) The (knife) were all out of use. 154) The agenda (be) carefully set. 155) The baby (cry) because it is hungry now. 156) The baby started (to cry). 157) The banana was cut into two (half). 158) The beggar went away (cry). 159) The bird has (to fly) away. 160) The boy (suffer) from fever for five days. 161) The boy (to bit) by a mad dog yesterday. 162) The bus (leave) before I reached the station. 163) The carpenter (work) for last three hours. 164) The children came to us (run). 165) The colour of his eyes (to be) blue. 166) The dog (to be) a faithful animal. 167) The dogs (bark) all the night. 168) The door was (open) by a Christian. 169) The girls (play) in the field now. 170) The headmaster and the secretary (be) present in the meeting yesterday. 171) The headmaster prevented the boy from (tell) lies. 172) The hen (to lay) an egg yesterday. 173) The man (to hang) for murder. 174) The man seldom (to smoke). 175) The man sold all his (furniture). 176) The man was (reduce) to skeleton. 177) The moon (shine) at night. 178) The old sailor went away (leave) the marriage guest. 179) The patriot looks forward to (receive) his reward from God. 180) The peasantry in Bangladesh (be) poor. 181) The pious (be) happy. 182) The play just (begin). 183) The porter found the words (inscribe) on the door. 184) The prime minister as well as the other members of the cabinet (be) present. 185) The principal desired the notice to be (hang). 186) The Principal wants the building (paint). 187) The quality of the mangoes (be) good. 188) The rich (be) not always happy. 189) The room seems to be (comfort). 190) The students in the class room (be) polite. 191) The train (to leave) to Delhi at 8 P.M. 192) The tree not (bear) any fruit yet. 193) The United States of America (be) a resourceful country. 194) The virtuous (be) blessed. 195) The wages of sin (be) death. 196) The wind (to blow) gently yesterday. 197) The writer dared not (to drive) at night. 198) Their family (live) in Dhaka for the last five years. 199) There (be) four mosques in our village. 200) There (stand) a big tree in front of our college. 201) There (to be) a college in our locality. 202) There are four (M.A) in our school. 203) They (play) football since morning. 204) They (sail) away to the south until they arrived in cold grey sea. 205) They appear as though they just (arrive) from a distant land. 206) They are bent upon (do) the work. 207) They have two (man servant). 208) They just (reach) the play ground. 209) They saw the drunken porter (lie) on the floor. 210) Today she (weight) twenty one stone. 211) Two and two (make) four. 212) We (be) in Dhaka since last week. 213) We are none of us (get) any younger. 214) We have (elect) him our captain. 215) We never planned of (go) there before. 216) We started after the train (start). 217) What (to make) you so angry? 218) What you (do) now? 219) What you (go) to drink now? 220) What you generally (do) for a living? 221) When he (take) his food normally? 222) When was the book (buy)? 223) When you (come) last night? 224) Where they (see) him last week? 225) While (walk) on the road, a plane flew over us. 226) While they (play), the rain came. 227) Why (be) you not with her? 228) Why he (go) to market yesterday? 229) Why Mr. Peter (look) so angry? 230) Why Ruby (do) it daily? 231) Why she (look) so nervous? 232) Why they (to go) there yesterday? 233) Would that I (enter) the room. 234) Would you mind (open) the door. 235) Would you mind (to open) the window? 236) You (see) her lately? 237) 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 Eunis. Were you ever in Eunis, 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 him. Whether he shot himself or was carried away by the Indians, nobody can tel. 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 woman, 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 roaster 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 to-day and 1 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 as 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 as two sitting here, and he creeps up the quay, may be, to get to us.
Sergeant: Are you keeping a good lookout?
Man: I am, and for no reward too. Aren’t I the foolish man? But when I saw s man in trouble, I never could help trying to get him out of it.
29. “Who are you?” said the Swallow.
“I am the Happy Prince.”
“Why are you weeping then?” asked the Swallow; “you have quite drenched me.”
“When I was alive and had a human heart,” answered the statue, “I did not know what tears were, for I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci, where sorrow is not allowed to enter.”
30. “I will wait with you one night longer,” said the Swallow. “Shall I take him another ruby?”
“Alas! I have no ruby now,” said the Prince; “my eyes are all that I have left. They are made of sapphires, which were brought out of India, a thousand years ago. Pluck out one of them and take it to him. He will sell it to the jeweller and buy firewood, and finish his play.”
“Dear Prince,” said the Swallow, “I cannot do that.” “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “do as I command you.”
Practice Sheet on Infinitives, Participles and Gerund: 1
A) Fill in the gaps using infinitives where necessary:
1. ___ err is human. 2. I taught him ___ read. 3. He is about ___ die. 4. He seems ___ be an honest man. 5. He appears ___ be a rich man. 6. We take him ___ be a fool. 7. The old man is too weak ___ walk. 8. I am glad ___ receive your letter. 9. This is a house ____ let. 10. We went to the field ___ see the game. 11. I walked fast ___ avail the bus. 12. ___ speaking the truth, he is an honest man. 13. ___ be brief, I am ruined. 14. I saw him ___ go home. 15. He need not ___ go there. 16. He made me ___ do it. 17. I heard him ___ say this. 18. We watched him ___ go. 19. You dare not ___ do it. 20. He was seen ___ go. 21. He was made ___ do it. 22. He was heard ___ say this. 23. Rahim was not let ___ go. 24. I wished ___ have gone there. 25. He seems ___ have seen better days. 26. They are reported ___ have done this. 27. I request you ___ help me kindly. 28. I request you ___ do this quickly. 29. The Headmaster advised me ___ study regularly. 30. This is an easy chair ___sit on. 31. Munira is eager ___ study engineering. 32. He need not ___ do whatever he likes. 33. This is a house ___ sell. 34. You had better ___ go than stay here. 35. He seems ___ be better today.
B) Rewrite the right form of the verbs in the verbs in the brackets and write whether it is gerund of participles:
A (roll) stone gathers no moss
The hunter looked at the (fly) bird
We saw him (run)
The beauty of the (rise) sun charms all.
Give me some (write) paper
I found the boy (stand)
A (burn) child dreads the fire.
The Minister came to visit the (erode) riverbanks.
There is a (break) chair in the room.
They will not receive the (reject) goods.
(Reach) home, he went straight to his mother.
(Read) the book, he gave it to me.
(See) the film, we shed tears.
(Be) informed of the incident, he went to the spot.
C) Fill in the following passage using right participles from the box:
reaching, ringing, being, closed, standing, caught, caused, plying, unlicensed, waiting, coming, taken.
Before reaching the school, he heard the final bell (a). (b) school, he found the gate (c) So he could not enter the class (d) by the class teacher. He was (e) outside. The Headmaster found him (f) and wanted to know the reason of his (g) late, (h) asked by the Headmaster, he said politely that he was (i) in a traffic jam (j) by the (k) rickshaws (l) the city roads.
D) Join the following pairs of sentences by using participles :
I saw the old man. He was walking.
I put some tea dust in the water. The water was boiling then.
We visited the area. The area was affected by the flood.
His father has bought a car. The car is made in Japan.
He closed the door. Then he went out for a walk.
The sun set. Then he returned to the hostel.
Shams went to Mymensingh. He met his childhood friends.
They staged a drama. The drama was written by Qazi Nazrul Islam.
Give me some paper. I want to write.
The police have recovered the things. The things were stolen yesterday.
E) Complete the following sentences with participles :
We found the children ___ in the garden. The house ___ fifty years ago still looks beautiful. The class now being ___ by the Headmistress will continue for forty minutes. The house now ___ constructed belongs to Mr Hossain. I have just ___ my lesson. Now I can play. Look at the ___ birds. The water ___ through this pipe is not polluted. We should drink ___ water. People who drink water ___ arsenic may get arsenicosis.
F) Read the passage again and pick out the three kinds of participles.
People drinking arsenic polluted water for long may get arsenicosis. It is not contagious and you will not get arsenicosis by a man infected by this fatal disease. We must have safe water or purified water to drink. Surface water is safe as it is not contaminated by arsenic. Water flowing in the river is arsenic free. But it is not safe because of its being mixed with different pollutants. Having purified surface water, we can drink it. Arsenic is found in ground water supplied through tube-wells and deep tube-wells. As arsenic is not destroyed even if water is boiled, we should not drink boiled water collected from these sources. Rainwater is safe if you have collected and preserved it in a clean container. However, there is a scarcity of pure water and we must know the water purifying means.
G) Find out the gerunds and write them by using infinitives if possible:
Reading books is a good habit. Stop writing. He learns drawing. He is fond of riding. I am thinking of going there. Seeing is believing. My hobby is reading, The old man carries a walking stick. We need safe drinking water. The police used laughing gas.
H) Replace infinitives of the following sentences by gerund
To tell a lie is a great sin. I like to eat vegetables. This is a room to live in. His hobby is to travel. To walk is good for health. He started to learn English. To steal is a sin. It is bad to find fault with others. It is essential to speak English to have fluency. To plant a sapling is everybody’s responsibility.
I) Complete the following sentences by using an appropriate gerundial form of verbs :
You cannot learn English without ___ the four language skills. ___ is the first skill you should practice, The second one is ___. The third one is ___ while the fourth skill is ___. Unless you practice the skills, you cannot succeed in ___ any foreign language. Teachers engaged in ___ English should create an environment in the class favourable for ___ 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 at the garden.
B) Fill in the blanks with appropriate linking words
1) He closed his house…his friends had gone. 2) He could not pass…he tried often. 3) He did not try hard…he could not pass. 4) He disposed of all his property….left the country. 5) He gave me the word…he would help me. 6) He had his house cleaned…his friends came. 7) He is rich…his brother is poor. 8) He is…playing…running. 9) He left his bed…the sun peeped through the window. 10) He left the house…the rain stopped. 11) He will do this…he is stopped by you. 12) He will not escape death…rich he may be. 13) Hurry up…you will miss the train. 14) I like him….he is truthful. 15) I trust his word…he speaks the truth. 16) I will trust you…you sign your name. 17) I wish to know…he will come or not. 18) It is a long time…I saw you last. 19) Life is full of tears…none wishes to die. 20) My father says…this book is mine. 21) Nasir…his brother is ill. 22) She has none…than her mother. 23) She went to bed…for she felt very tired. 24) Work hard…you may succeed. 25) You may go out…the rain has stopped. 26) She will…do this…leave the room. 27) Shut the door…the child may not go out. 28) The girl is clever…(she) cannot do the work quickly. 29) The girl is quick….(she) reads very well. 30) The girl will come…she is allowed to do so. 31) The man is so irresponsible…none can rely on him. 32) The man kept silent….he knew nothing. 33) The mice will play….the cat is away. 34) They could not tell…they were fined. 35) Try hard …you will fail.
C) Fill in the blank spaces with the suitable connectors chosen from those in brackets.
1. European housewives shop daily….they do not have left-over food to throw away. (Therefore, But, Further)
2. He doesn’t need any money from us….we should be going to him for a loan. (In addition, On the contrary, But)
3. He doesn’t study at all….he sits and day-dreams. (Instead, On the other hand, Besides)
4. He had spent a good deal of life in America….he had lived for a year, or so in France. (After all, Nevertheless, besides)
5. I must go now….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…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….it was very expensive. (Therefore, Besides, Otherwise)
8. She was not pleased by his skating technique. She was delighted…by his self-control and pose, (therefore, in fact, however)
9. She was tired out after her long walk….she went to bed early. (But, Finally, So)
10. Student unrest in colleges has declined….there is continuing need for change in higher education. (Still, Besides, In fact)
11. The doctor told him to rest….he went on working. (Yet, Hence, Incidentally)
12. The reporters waited patiently for the Prime Minister until noon….they began to batter the press secretary with questions. (However, Moreover, Then)
13. The term papers are very brief….they were better than I expected. (Still, although, Besides)
14. They don’t often use it over the weekend you can borrow it if you want to. (Yet, Moreover, So)
15. They had not paid the rent for several months …..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….steady writing for a time will soon tire one’s hand…, no matter how tired one becomes, the character of typed letters never changes…script tends to get sloppy after long periods of writings…, 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…. 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,….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…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….
