English Proficiency Course Introduction
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Questions and Answers

What is the main goal of the course?

  • To learn how to use Webster's Dictionary
  • To focus on art dictionaries
  • To introduce scientific dictionaries
  • To improve English proficiency (correct)

    • What type of dictionary is mainly focused on in the course?

  • Scientific dictionary
  • Language dictionary (correct)
  • Art dictionary
  • General dictionary

    • What does a dictionary provide to help with spelling?

  • Rules for pronunciation
  • Rules for spelling (correct)
  • Etymology of words
  • Examples of word usage

    • What does a dictionary indicate about a word?

    <p>Its part of speech</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way to find a specific word in a dictionary?

    <p>By using the alphabetical order</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of guide words in a dictionary?

    <p>To help locate specific words</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main theme of the story 'Raven and the Coming of Daylight'?

    <p>Understanding natural phenomena</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between Raven and Gull in the story?

    <p>Cousins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Raven's family background in the story?

    <p>Crow family</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the container where Gull kept the daylight?

    <p>A cedar box</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What caused Gull to cry and release the daylight?

    <p>A thorn in Gull's foot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main character that is not a bird?

    <p>The girl</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the daylight being released?

    <p>The Earth received daylight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the false statement about the story?

    <p>Raven pushed a thorn into the girl's foot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the importance of stress in English pronunciation?

    <p>It can change the meaning of words</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of identifying the topic or subject being discussed in a passage?

    <p>To understand the main idea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should you do to learn the pronunciation and stress of English words?

    <p>Use a dictionary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What homework task involves paying attention to the stress?

    <p>Practicing pronunciation of the words photo, photograph, photography, and photographic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many sounds are there in the English language?

    <p>44</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the division of the 20 vowel sounds in English?

    <p>Long and short vowels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of long vowels in English?

    <p>They have little dots above them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a diphthong in English?

    <p>A combination of two vowel sounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many consonant sounds are there in English?

    <p>24</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is stress in English pronunciation?

    <p>The extra force used in pronouncing a word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do some words in English have due to different stress?

    <p>Different meanings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are used to represent the sounds of English?

    <p>Phonetic symbols</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main concern of English students regarding pronunciation?

    <p>Pronunciation of English words</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the symbols used to indicate each speech sound in a dictionary?

    <p>Phonemic symbols</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many vowel sounds are there in English?

    <p>20</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a diphthong in English?

    <p>A combination of two vowel sounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many consonant sounds are there in English?

    <p>24</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of long vowels in English?

    <p>They have two small dots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is stress in English pronunciation?

    <p>The extra force used in pronouncing a word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do phonemic symbols represent in a dictionary?

    <p>The pronunciation of a word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by a tiny mark on the top of a word in a dictionary?

    <p>Stress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a bar code in a computer system?

    <p>To identify items</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a word with different stress patterns?

    <p>Present</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a scanner in a computer system?

    <p>To transfer signals to a computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are computers commonly found?

    <p>In both public and private settings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the computer system in a grocery store?

    <p>The computer system calculates the total price within a few minutes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common use of computers in the field of entertainment?

    <p>Producing graphics for films and TV advertisements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to learn where the stress falls on a word?

    <p>To improve pronunciation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three basic capabilities of computers?

    <p>Storing information, processing instructions, and providing results</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of a computer?

    <p>A device which accepts information and performs operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the computer's operations?

    <p>The computer supplies results of the operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of devices are used for feeding information into a computer?

    <p>Input devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of computers when making decisions?

    <p>They can only decide if one number is less, equal, or greater than another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the limitation of a computer's decision-making capabilities?

    <p>It can only decide three things: less than, equal, or greater than</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the basic capabilities of computers?

    <p>To perform arithmetic operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a computer's memory?

    <p>To store programs and data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is limited by the minds of human beings in a computer?

    <p>The ability to exercise valuable judgments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do computers process information?

    <p>By using logical and mathematical operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea of the passage about computers?

    <p>Computers are machines capable of processing and outputting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of using computers over human beings?

    <p>Computers can perform tasks faster and more accurately</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the limitation of a computer's originality?

    <p>It can only make decisions based on programming</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many kinds of decisions can a computer circuit make?

    <p>Three</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a computer's program?

    <p>To tell the computer what to do and provide the necessary information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of a computer's operations?

    <p>It can perform tasks according to the instructions given</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do computers accept as input?

    <p>Data and instructions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between hardware and software?

    <p>Hardware refers to the actual machinery, software refers to programs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three types of computers mentioned in the text?

    <p>Mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the limitation of computers when making decisions?

    <p>They are incapable of thinking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a computer's memory?

    <p>To store instructions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of the three types of computers?

    <p>They operate quickly and accurately</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a computer?

    <p>To process information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the computer's operations?

    <p>The computer outputs the results</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a mainframe and a microcomputer?

    <p>Mainframes are large, microcomputers are small</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three basic capabilities of computers?

    <p>Communication, processing, and output</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of references and connectives in a text?

    <p>To make the text smoother to read</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of words can references be?

    <p>Relative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, or adverbs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of conjunctions in a text?

    <p>To join ideas into a relationship</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of recognizing references and connectives in a text?

    <p>It will increase reading speed and comprehension</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of relationship do connectives indicate?

    <p>Various relationships such as result, contrast, comparison, and more</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of italicizing and underlining certain words in the text?

    <p>To highlight references and connectives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do references and connectives help to express in a text?

    <p>Connected ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of recognizing the links between and within sentences?

    <p>Increased reading speed and comprehension</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do words like 'thus', 'therefore', and 'consequently' signal in a text?

    <p>Result</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following words is used to show contrast in a sentence?

    <p>However</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of words like 'for example' and 'to illustrate' in a sentence?

    <p>To provide an illustration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do words like 'first', 'second', and 'third' indicate in a sentence?

    <p>A series of events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using words like 'and', 'also', and 'furthermore' in a sentence?

    <p>To add more information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do words like 'because', 'since', and 'consequently' indicate in a sentence?

    <p>A cause and effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of words like 'like', 'likewise', and 'similarly' in a sentence?

    <p>To show a comparison</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do words like 'but', 'however', and 'in contrast' indicate in a sentence?

    <p>A contrast</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using words like 'therefore', 'consequently', and 'as a result' in a sentence?

    <p>To indicate a cause and effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do words like 'one', 'first', and 'next' indicate in a sentence?

    <p>A series of events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Charles Babbage's attempt to do in 1855?

    <p>Cut out the human being from the machine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who built the first digital computer, MarkI?

    <p>Professor Howard Aiken and IBM</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the innovation of John von Newmann in 1947?

    <p>Keeping instructions inside the computer's memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significant improvement in the second-generation computers?

    <p>Use of transistors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of fourth-generation computers?

    <p>Use of integrated circuits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the expected lifespan of a computer by 1985?

    <p>It might be obsolete</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is considered the father of computers?

    <p>Charles Babbage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of ENIAC, the first digital computer using vacuum tubes?

    <p>It could perform thousands of calculations per second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the impact of microminiaturization on fourth-generation computers?

    <p>It increased their speed and reliability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the characteristic of the first-generation computers?

    <p>They used vacuum tubes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the earliest calculating device used by humans?

    <p>Ten fingers of a man’s hands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who invented the logarithm tables?

    <p>Henry Briggs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the machine designed by Charles Babbage in 1830?

    <p>The Analytical Engine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the series of ten toothed gear wheels in the first real calculating machine?

    <p>To save a great deal of time and reduce the possibility of making mistakes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the German mathematician who independently invented calculus?

    <p>Leibnitz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the abacus still used in some parts of the world?

    <p>Because it can be understood without knowing how to read</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the year in which the first real calculating machine appeared?

    <p>1820</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the Scotsman who devised a mechanical way of multiplying and dividing?

    <p>J.Napier</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was invented in primitive times?

    <p>Abacus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who designed the Analytical Engine?

    <p>Charles Babbage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are being developed in the future?

    <p>Circuits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What saves a great deal of time?

    <p>Machine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can figure out long lists?

    <p>Machine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is still being used today?

    <p>Abacus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of logarithm tables?

    <p>To aid in multiplication and division</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the device that was invented before the mechanical way of multiplying and dividing?

    <p>An instrument with beads</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the reduction of circuitry onto a chip?

    <p>Microminiaturization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What replaced vacuum tubes in computers?

    <p>Transistors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a branch of mathematics that deals with calculations?

    <p>Calculus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process of making computers smaller and faster?

    <p>Microminiaturization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a device that is used for counting?

    <p>Abacus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the circuitry of fourth-generation computers?

    <p>Chip</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the reduction of errors in computers?

    <p>Debugging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process of solving a problem using a computer?

    <p>Figuring out</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three parts of an English word that can be identified?

    <p>Prefix, Suffix, Stem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a prefix in an English word?

    <p>A part attached to the beginning of the stem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of a prefix in an English word?

    <p>To change the meaning of a word to its opposite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of a suffix in an English word?

    <p>To change the part of speech of a word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the stem of an English word?

    <p>The basic form of a word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be learned by understanding how English words are formed?

    <p>The meaning of unfamiliar words</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are prefixes and suffixes referred to as?

    <p>Affixes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many English words can be recognized or guessed by learning a few prefixes and suffixes?

    <p>Hundreds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a stem in the context of English words?

    <p>The root of the word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the mechanical devices and the electromagnetic devices in a computer system?

    <p>The mechanical devices operate more slowly than the electromagnetic devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a good programmer?

    <p>Being able to understand the basic concepts of computer science</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a feature of computer technology?

    <p>It is a fast growing discipline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of students' lack of understanding of the basic concepts in computer science?

    <p>The instructor may have to restructure the course</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a computer and the brain?

    <p>The brain is not mechanical while a computer is</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a computer operator?

    <p>To operate the various machines in a computer installation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of multiplexing in computer systems?

    <p>To combine multiple electrical signals into one optical link</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a computer's memory?

    <p>To store data temporarily</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the computer's operations?

    <p>Processed information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of long vowels in English?

    <p>They are pronounced for a longer duration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a scanner in a computer system?

    <p>To provide input functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of a computer?

    <p>A machine that can process electronic information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a computer system in a grocery store?

    <p>To manage inventory levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the limitation of a computer's decision-making capabilities?

    <p>It can only make decisions based on data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a calculator?

    <p>To make calculations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for both prefixes and suffixes?

    <p>Affixes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do suffixes -ance, -ence, and -ment usually form?

    <p>Nouns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the base word 'mature' when the suffix '-ity' is added to it?

    <p>The 'e' is dropped</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of studying the tables of suffixes and their meanings?

    <p>To find additional examples of suffixes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the suffix that forms the adjective 'comparable'?

    <p>-able</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the suffix '-ity'?

    <p>State or quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the base word in the word 'reclamation'?

    <p>Reclaim</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the suffix that forms the verb 'computerize'?

    <p>-ize</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of locating the base words in words?

    <p>To understand the meaning of the word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the base word 'harmony' when the suffix '-ous' is added to it?

    <p>The 'y' is changed to 'i'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a prefix in word formation?

    <p>A letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a stem word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'il-' mean in the word 'illimitability'?

    <p>not or no</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can you do if you know the stem word and the prefix of an unfamiliar word?

    <p>You can determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many additional words can you make using the stem word 'adapt' and different prefixes?

    <p>24</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'un-' in the word 'unhappy'?

    <p>not; no</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the stem word in the word 'illimitability'?

    <p>limit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it helpful to know prefixes when learning vocabulary?

    <p>Because it helps with understanding unfamiliar words</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of breaking down an unfamiliar word into its prefix and stem word?

    <p>You can determine the meaning of the word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'mega-' mean in computing?

    <p>One million bytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of interblock gaps in computing?

    <p>To separate blocks of data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the base of the decimal system used in everyday life?

    <p>Base 10</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of devices are CRT terminals?

    <p>Interactive devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the description of the logical structure of data called?

    <p>Schema</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main storage locations of a computer called?

    <p>Primary storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of microminiaturization in computers?

    <p>Smaller computers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a chip in computing?

    <p>A type of semiconductor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of synonyms in language?

    <p>They have similar meanings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'non-' generally mean?

    <p>Not; no</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of computers in decision-making?

    <p>They lack originality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'hyper-'?

    <p>Excessive(ly)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'anti-' generally mean?

    <p>Against</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'mal-'?

    <p>Bad(ly)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'inter-' generally mean?

    <p>Between</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'semi-'?

    <p>Partly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'im-' generally mean?

    <p>Not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'post-'?

    <p>After</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'pro-' generally mean?

    <p>Favoring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'ir-'?

    <p>Not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'un-' mean?

    <p>not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'micro-'?

    <p>small</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'trans-' mean?

    <p>across</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'post-'?

    <p>after</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'anti-' mean?

    <p>against</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'semi-'?

    <p>half</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 're-' mean?

    <p>again</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'non-'?

    <p>not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the prefix 'multi-' mean?

    <p>many</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the prefix 'sub-'?

    <p>under</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'apt' mean in addition to 'fit'?

    <p>likely</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between 'blame' and 'denounce'?

    <p>Blame fixes responsibility, while denounce states intense disapproval</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'rectify' mean?

    <p>to correct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of 'daunted' in the given sentence?

    <p>intimidated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'lucid' mean in the context of an explanation?

    <p>clear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of 'subjugate'?

    <p>to defeat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of 'apt' in the sentence 'When he is nervous, he is apt to laugh'?

    <p>likely</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between 'admonish' and 'praise'?

    <p>Admonish is to warn, while praise is to commend</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'efface' mean?

    <p>to wipe out</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of 'jeer'?

    <p>to ridicule</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to the Course

    • The course aims to improve English proficiency through reading passages, exercises, and activities.
    • The course will be assessed through quizzes, assignments, a midterm exam, and a final exam.
    • The weightage of each assessment is: quizzes and assignments (15% each), midterm exam (30%), and final exam (40%).

    The Dictionary

    • A dictionary is a book that lists words of a language, giving their spellings, pronunciation, grammar, origin, meanings, and uses.
    • There are different types of dictionaries, such as language dictionaries, scientific dictionaries, and art dictionaries.
    • As students of English, the focus is on language dictionaries, e.g., Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary and Webster's Dictionary.

    Uses of a Dictionary

    • Spelling: A dictionary helps with correct spellings and provides rules for spelling.
    • Pronunciation: A dictionary provides a table of pronunciation and guides on how to use it.
    • Grammar: A dictionary indicates the part of speech a word belongs to (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).
    • Origin of words: A dictionary may provide the etymology (origin) of words, especially in older dictionaries.
    • Meaning: A dictionary provides definitions, explanations, and examples of word usage.
    • Usage: A dictionary shows how words are used in different contexts, including idioms, phrases, and colloquialisms.
    • Synonyms and antonyms: A dictionary lists words with similar or opposite meanings.
    • Foreign words and phrases: A dictionary may include foreign words and phrases, such as "coup d'état" and "vice versa".
    • General information: Older dictionaries may include general information, such as tables of conversion, weights, and measures.

    How to Use a Dictionary

    • Alphabetical order: Dictionary entries are arranged in alphabetical order.
    • Guide words: Guide words are bolded words at the top of each page, helping to locate a specific word.
    • Thumb through the pages: Quickly flip through the pages to find the desired word using the guide words.

    Story Time: Raven and the Coming of Daylight

    • The story is a folk tale from North America, about Raven and the coming of daylight.
    • The story revolves around Raven's cleverness in releasing daylight from a cedar box guarded by Gull.### Introduction to the Story
    • The story is a folk tale, an ancient myth that attempts to explain a natural phenomenon, specifically how daylight came to the Earth.
    • The story is an attempt by mankind to understand their surroundings and give meaning to life.

    Plot Summary

    • The story is about the release of daylight over the Earth.
    • The main characters are Raven, Gull, and a girl.
    • Raven and Gull are birds, with Raven belonging to the Crow family and Gull being a type of seagull.

    Key Events

    • Gull was the custodian of daylight, keeping it in a cedar box under its wing.
    • Raven thought that if Gull had a thorn in its foot, it would make Gull cry, and daylight would be released.
    • A thorn magically appeared in Gull's foot, causing it to cry, and daylight was released from the box.
    • The sun slipped out of the box, bringing daylight to the Earth.

    Character Relationships

    • Gull and Raven are cousins in the story.

    Truth or False Statements

    • True statements:
      • Raven and Gull are birds.
      • Gull and Raven are related (cousins).
      • The sun slipped out of the box.
    • False statements:
      • The removal of the thorn from Raven's foot is the main idea of the story.
      • Raven felt important being custodian of daylight.
      • Daylight was kept under a wing.
      • Raven pushed a thorn into the girl's foot.
      • Gull at once opened the box.
      • Gail Robinson is the author of the story (the authors are Gail Robinson and Douglas Hill).

    Course Overview

    • The course aims to improve English proficiency through reading passages, exercises, and activities.
    • The course is assessed through quizzes, assignments, a midterm exam, and a final exam, with a weightage of 15%, 15%, 30%, and 40% respectively.

    Dictionary

    • A dictionary is a book that lists words of a language, giving their spellings, pronunciation, grammar, origin, meanings, and uses.
    • There are different types of dictionaries, including language dictionaries, scientific dictionaries, and art dictionaries.

    Uses of a Dictionary

    • A dictionary helps with correct spellings and provides rules for spelling.
    • A dictionary provides a table of pronunciation and guides on how to use it.
    • A dictionary indicates the part of speech a word belongs to (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).
    • A dictionary may provide the etymology (origin) of words, especially in older dictionaries.
    • A dictionary provides definitions, explanations, and examples of word usage.
    • A dictionary shows how words are used in different contexts, including idioms, phrases, and colloquialisms.
    • A dictionary lists words with similar or opposite meanings (synonyms and antonyms).
    • A dictionary may include foreign words and phrases, such as "coup d'état" and "vice versa".
    • Older dictionaries may include general information, such as tables of conversion, weights, and measures.

    How to Use a Dictionary

    • Dictionary entries are arranged in alphabetical order.
    • Guide words are bolded words at the top of each page, helping to locate a specific word.
    • Quickly flip through the pages to find the desired word using the guide words.

    Story: Raven and the Coming of Daylight

    • The story is a folk tale from North America, about Raven and the coming of daylight.
    • The story revolves around Raven's cleverness in releasing daylight from a cedar box guarded by Gull.

    Introduction to the Story

    • The story is a folk tale, an ancient myth that attempts to explain a natural phenomenon, specifically how daylight came to the Earth.
    • The story is an attempt by mankind to understand their surroundings and give meaning to life.

    Plot Summary

    • The story is about the release of daylight over the Earth.
    • The main characters are Raven, Gull, and a girl.
    • Raven and Gull are birds, with Raven belonging to the Crow family and Gull being a type of seagull.

    Key Events

    • Gull was the custodian of daylight, keeping it in a cedar box under its wing.
    • Raven thought that if Gull had a thorn in its foot, it would make Gull cry, and daylight would be released.
    • A thorn magically appeared in Gull's foot, causing it to cry, and daylight was released from the box.
    • The sun slipped out of the box, bringing daylight to the Earth.

    Character Relationships

    • Gull and Raven are cousins in the story.

    Truth or False Statements

    • True statements: Raven and Gull are birds, Gull and Raven are related (cousins), and the sun slipped out of the box.
    • False statements: The removal of the thorn from Raven's foot is the main idea of the story, Raven felt important being custodian of daylight, Daylight was kept under a wing, Raven pushed a thorn into the girl's foot, Gull at once opened the box, and Gail Robinson is the author of the story.

    English Pronunciation Basics

    • English language has 44 sounds, which cannot be fully represented by the 26 letters of the alphabet.
    • Phonetic symbols are used to represent the sounds of English and can be found in dictionaries.

    Vowel Sounds

    • English has 20 vowel sounds, divided into short and long vowels.
    • Short vowels include: e as in "pit", a as in "fact", e as in "hat", u as in "but", oo as in "put", and ʊ as in "about".
    • Long vowels include: ee as in "see", ah as in "car", eh as in "pet", oa as in "go", and oo as in "boot".
    • Long vowels are indicated by a little dot in front of them to show they are lengthened.

    Diphthongs

    • Diphthongs are sounds made by combining two vowel sounds.
    • There are 8 diphthongs in English: a as in "say", i as in "bye", oi as in "toy", o as in "go", u as in "cow", a as in "fare", i as in "pear", and e as in "her".

    Consonant Sounds

    • There are 24 consonant sounds in English.
    • Consonant sounds are produced by a complete or partial stoppage of breath.
    • Examples of consonant sounds: b, p, t, d, k, m, n, ng, f, v, s, z, h, j, w, r, l, and sh.

    Stress

    • Stress is the extra force used in pronouncing or speaking a particular word.
    • English is a stress-timed language, and stress varies in different words.
    • Dictionaries indicate the stress of a word with a tiny mark above the word.

    Words with Same Spelling but Different Meanings

    • Some words in English have the same spelling but different meanings due to different stress.
    • Examples: "rebel" (noun) and "rebel" (verb), "present" (noun) and "present" (verb).

    Importance of Stress and Pronunciation

    • Stress can change the meaning of words, e.g., photo, photograph, photography, and photographic.
    • Practice pronouncing words correctly, paying attention to the stress.

    Pronunciation using Dictionaries

    • English words can have confusing spellings, making it difficult to pronounce them correctly.
    • Phonemic symbols in dictionaries indicate each speech sound, helping with pronunciation.
    • Examples of words with different pronunciations:
      • Chorus (k sound)
      • Church (chey sound)
      • Ration (sh sound)
      • Machine (sh sound)

    Vowels

    • There are 20 vowel phonemes in English:
      • 7 short vowels
      • 5 long vowels (indicated by two small dots in front of the symbol)
      • 8 diphthong vowels (produced by combining two vowel sounds)

    Consonants

    • There are 24 consonant sounds in English, produced by the complete or partial stoppage of breath.

    Stress

    • Stress is the extra force used in pronouncing or speaking a particular word.
    • Dictionaries indicate stress with a tiny mark on top of a word.
    • Examples of words with different stress:
      • Mother (first part stressed)
      • Hotel (first part stressed)
      • Rebel (n: rebel, v: rebel)
      • Present (n: present, adj: present, v: pre`sent)

    Computers in Daily Life

    • Computers are an integral part of our lives, affecting many aspects of daily life.
    • Examples of computer use:
      • Offices and public organizations
      • Banking and financial transactions
      • Film and TV production
      • Shopping and retail
      • Personal errands

    Exercises

    • Exercise I: Identify words heard in the passage about computers.
    • Exercise II: Use a dictionary to find the correct stress for given words.

    Understanding Computers

    • A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that operate switches or magnetize tiny metal cores, capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters, and characters.
    • The basic idea of a computer is that we can make the machine do what we want by inputting signals that turn certain switches on and off, or magnetize or demagnetize the cores.

    Processing of Information

    • The basic job of computers is the processing of information, defined as a device that accepts information in the form of instructions (program) and characters (data), performs mathematical and/or logical operations, and then supplies results of these operations.
    • The program, or part of it, which tells the computer what to do and provides the information needed to solve the problem, is kept inside the computer in a place called memory.

    Powers of Computers

    • Computers have three basic capabilities: circuits for performing arithmetic operations, means of communicating with the user, and circuits that can make decisions.
    • Certain computers (minicomputers and microcomputers) are used to control directly things such as robots, aircraft navigation systems, medical instruments, etc.

    Input and Output Devices

    • Common methods of inputting information include using punched cards, magnetic tape, disks, and terminals.
    • Input devices read the information into the computer, and output devices include printers and CRT display screens.

    Circuits that Make Decisions

    • Computer circuits can make decisions, but only of a limited type: Is one number less than another?, Are two numbers equal?, and Is one number greater than another?

    Speed and Limitations

    • A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds, even thousands, of logical decisions without becoming tired or bored.
    • A computer can replace people in dull, routine tasks, but it has no originality; it works according to the instructions given to it and cannot exercise any valuable judgments.

    Key Concepts

    • Computers are machines capable of processing and outputting information.
    • Instructions and data must be given to the computer to act on.
    • Computers have limitations, such as only being able to make logical decisions and not being able to do anything without being told what to do.
    • References are words or phrases that link ideas within a text, making it smoother to read and increasing reading speed and comprehension.
    • References can be:
      • Relative pronouns (e.g. his, her, its)
      • Demonstrative pronouns (e.g. this, that, these)
      • Adverbs (e.g. then, next, previously)
      • Substitutes for words that have come earlier or will come later

    Connectives

    • Connectives are transitional markers that connect ideas together, indicating relationships between them.
    • Types of connectives:
      • Result (e.g. thus, therefore, consequently)
      • Contrast (e.g. but, however, in contrast)
      • Comparison (e.g. like, similarly, equally)
      • Illustration/Example (e.g. for example, to illustrate, including)
      • Cause and Effect (e.g. because, since, as a result)
      • Series/Time Sequence (e.g. one, first, next, previously)
      • Addition (e.g. and, also, furthermore)

    Examples of Connectives

    • Result:
      • Thus, therefore, consequently, accordingly, as a result
    • Contrast:
      • But, however, in contrast, conversely, nevertheless, yet
    • Comparison:
      • Like, similarly, equally, just as, in the same way
    • Illustration/Example:
      • For example, to illustrate, once, for instance, such as
    • Cause and Effect:
      • Because, since, as a result, so, if...then
    • Series/Time Sequence:
      • One, first, next, after, previously, soon, meanwhile
    • Addition:
      • And, also, furthermore, in addition, second, third, finally

    References and Connectives in Practice

    • Sample paragraphs demonstrate the use of references and connectives to link ideas together.
    • Exercises help identify references and connectives in given paragraphs.

    Recap

    • Recognizing references and connectives improves reading speed and comprehension.
    • Knowing the different types of connectives helps to better understand relationships between ideas in a text.

    History of Computers

    • The first calculating device was the ten fingers of a man’s hands, which is why today we still count in tens and multiples of tens.

    Abacus and Mechanical Calculating Machines

    • The abacus, a bead frame, was invented and is still used in some parts of the world because it can be understood without knowing how to read.
    • In the 17th and 18th centuries, many people tried to find easy ways of calculating, including J.Napier, who devised a mechanical way of multiplying and dividing, and Henry Briggs, who produced logarithm tables.
    • Calculus, another branch of mathematics, was independently invented by Sir Isaac Newton and Leibnitz.

    Development of Computers

    • The first real calculating machine appeared in 1820 as the result of several people’s experiments, using a series of ten toothed gear wheels.
    • Charles Babbage, an Englishman, designed a machine called ‘The Analytical Engine’ in 1830, but never finished it.
    • In 1930, the first analog computer was built by Vannevar Bush, an American.
    • The first digital computer, Mark I, was completed in 1944 by Professor Howard Aiken and IBM.
    • John von Newmann developed the idea of keeping instructions inside the computer’s memory in 1946.
    • The first commercial computers, using vacuum tubes, came out in 1950.
    • The second generation of computers, using transistors, was developed in 1960 and were smaller, faster, and more dependable.
    • The third generation of computers, using integrated circuits, appeared in 1965 and could do a million calculations in a second.
    • The fourth generation of computers, with microminiaturization, has arrived, making computers even smaller and faster.

    Characteristics of Computers

    • The development of computers has led to a rapid increase in speed and decrease in size, with the possibility of computers becoming obsolete quickly.
    • Computers have evolved from using vacuum tubes to transistors to integrated circuits, making them smaller and more dependable.

    Understanding Word Formation

    • An English word can be divided into three parts: prefix, stem, and suffix.
    • Prefix: comes before the stem, usually changes the meaning of a word (e.g., de- in demagnetize means 'reduce' or 'reverse').
    • Stem: the root of the word, the fundamental element common to all forms of the word (e.g., measure).
    • Suffix: attached to the end of the stem, usually changes the part of speech (e.g., -er in programmer means 'someone who').
    • Both prefixes and suffixes are referred to as Affixes.

    Prefixes and Suffixes

    • Prefixes:
      • usually change the meaning of a word (e.g., im- in immeasurable means 'not capable of being measured').
      • examples: de-, re-, en-, inter-, trans-
    • Suffixes:
      • usually change the part of speech (e.g., -able in breakable changes verb to adjective).
      • examples: -ance, -ence, -er, -ist, -ness, -ion, -ly, -al, -ic, -ful

    Word Formation Examples

    • Stem: act
      • Prefix: re- (e.g., react, reenact)
      • Suffix: -ion (e.g., action), -ive (e.g., active), -less (e.g., actionless)

    Locating Base Words

    • Difficulty in locating base words due to spelling changes when suffixes are added.
    • Rules to locate base words:
      1. If a base word ends in e, the e may be dropped when a suffix is added (e.g., mature + ity = maturity).
      2. If a base word ends in y, the y may be changed to i when a suffix is added (e.g., harmony + ous = harmonious).
      3. Base words may undergo other spelling changes when suffixes are added (e.g., reclaim + ation = reclamation).

    Exercise Answers

    • Exercise 1: Locate base words in boldface words.
    • Exercise 2: Identify parts of speech for words with suffixes.
    • Exercise 3: Fill in blanks with appropriate forms of words (operation, acceptance, solution, remark, communication, calculation, mechanic, necessity, dependence, technology).

    Word Formation - Prefixes

    • A prefix is a letter or group of letters added to the beginning of a stem/base word to create a new word.
    • Prefixes can change the meaning of a word, e.g., "un-" means "not" or "opposite of", as in "unhappy" (not happy).

    List of Common Prefixes

    • un- (not, opposite of)
    • non- (not, without)
    • dis- (not, opposite of)
    • in- (not, opposite of, in)
    • im- (not, opposite of)
    • il- (not, opposite of)
    • a- (not, without)
    • pre- (before)
    • post- (after)
    • anti- (against, opposing)
    • pro- (for, in favor of)
    • inter- (between, among)
    • hyper- (excessive, beyond)
    • mal- (bad, wrong)
    • mis- (bad, wrong)
    • pseudo- (false)
    • semi- (half, partly)

    Exercise 1: Defining Words with Prefixes

    • Examples of using prefixes to create new words, e.g. "asocial" (prefix "a-" + stem "social")

    Study of Prefixes

    • Negative and positive prefixes
      • Negative prefixes: un-, non-, dis-, in-, im-, il-, a-
      • Positive prefixes: re-, over-, multi-, inter-
    • Prefixes of size
      • semi- (half, partly)
      • macro- (large)
      • micro- (small)
      • maxi- (big)
      • mini- (little)
    • Prefixes of location
      • inter- (between, among)
      • super- (over)
      • trans- (across)
      • ex- (out)
      • sub- (under)
    • Prefixes of time and order
      • ante- (before)
      • pre- (before)
      • post- (after)
      • retro- (backward)
    • Prefixes of numbers
      • semi- (half)
      • mono- (one)
      • bi- (two)
      • tri- (three)
      • quad- (four)
      • multi- (many)
    • Other prefixes
      • pro- (for)
      • auto- (self)
      • co- (together)
      • neo- (new)
      • pan- (all)

    Exercises 2-4: Using Prefixes

    • Exercises to practice using prefixes to create new words and identifying prefixes in sentences

    Review of Suffixes

    • Review of suffixes and how they work

    Synonyms

    • Words that have the same or nearly the same meaning
    • Characteristics of synonyms:
      • Similar meanings in only one sense
      • Shades of meaning in addition to the shared meaning
    • Examples of synonyms: big, large, huge, enormous, monumental, gigantic, immense, and colossal

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