Current Affairs 3rd Class

Poem on Antonyms  You say yes, and I say no, You say stop, and I say go, You say fast, and I say slow, These are opposites! You say day, and I say night, You say dark, and I say bright, You say heavy, and I say light, These are opposites! You say big, and I say small, You say short, and I say tall, You say none, and I say all, These are opposites! You say wet, and I say dry, You say low, and I say high, You say laugh, and I say cry, These are opposites! You say hot, and I say cold, You say bought, and I say sold, You say young, and I say old, These are opposites! You say fat, and I say thin, You say lose, and I say win, You say out, and I say in, These are opposites!     LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:

• learn and remember opposites.
• improve your vocabulary by learning the words which have similar meaning.  

  QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW

• Language is exciting - it has fabulous patterns to play with, we can use it to share, to learn, to explore, to communicate, to express. Opposites add beauty to our language and help us to express what exactly we wish to communicate.
• Antonym means opposites. If you wish to write an antonym of a word, you simply write the opposite of that word. v   Will you sing a song of opposite with us? Let's Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning.

    PLAY TIME              Number of players required: 2 or more The first player will say ?Brigadier says? and give a pair of antonym like ?smile and frown?. The other player will act out opposites that involve movements. Now the second player will give a pair of antonyms and the first one will act out. the player who does not act correctly or does not say the right pair of antonym loses and sp the other one will automatically win.         COMMON ANTONYMS          

• Synonyms are the words which have the same meaning. Like: for big the synonyms can be huge, enormous, gigantic.
• List of common synonyms:

Antonyms and synonyms are used to beautify the language. It becomes boring to use the same word again and again. Hence you can use different words to communicate the same thought. Different words for ?said? enquired answered whined warned whispered yelled sighed asked questioned more...

Real Life Example Sometimes the same words may have different patterns depending on the situation or implication. You don't remember my name, do you? (rising: expresses surprise) You don't remember my name, do you? (falling: express amusement or resignation) Your name?s Mary, isn't it? (rising: expresses uncertainty) Your name's Mary, isn't it? (falling: expresses confidence)   LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:

• know about wh - questions and their benefits in English language. 
• form question tags.  

QUCIK CONCEPT REVIEW They are five wh- questions- WHAT, WHERE, WHO, WHY, WHEN. HOW is WHO written backwards. The "grammar" used with wh- questions depends on whether the topic being asked about is the "subject" or predicate of a sentence. For the subject pattern, simply replace the person or thing being asked about with the appropriate wh-word. Example: Someone called me up. Question framed will be: Who called me up? For the predicate pattern, wh- question formation depends on whether there is a helping verb in the original sentence. Helping verbs are verbs that precede main verbs. Example: We can do it? Question: Who can do it?   PLAY TIME Players required 2 or more. Take a ball and throw towards your partner asking wh- questions. The other player will answer and ask another wh- question from the third player. The person who is not able to answer correctly or ask the correct wh- question is out and the player who remains till the end is the winner.   QUESTION TAGS A question tag is a question added at the end of a sentence. Speakers use question tags chiefly to make sure their information is correct or to seek argument. They consist of a statement and a tag. A negative tag is used with an affirmative statement whereas a positive tag is used with a negative statement. Question tags are used in English for two main purposes:     1.   To get someone involved in a conversation, to encourage a response. 2.  To confirm information that you think is true.   THERE ARE RULES TO FORM QUESTION TAGS 1.   After positive statements, we use a negative tag. Example: You are from belhi, aren't you? Krish is here. isn't he? 2.  After negative statements, we use a positive tag. Example: I am not surprised, am I? Iqbal and Danny aren't lazy. are they? 3.  If the statement has a modal, it is repeated in the tag. Example: Rekha can go herself, can't she? You should not sleep late, should you? 4.  With the Simple Present Tense we use do / does - don't / doesn't? With the Simple Past Tense we use did / didn't. Example: Chetna listens to music, doesn't she? Shiva works at a bank, doesn't he?

Historical Preview In 1980, there was a finding made that conjunction ?and? takes the role of other conjunctions. People use it more often in place of other conjunctions.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• understand what conjunctions are. 
• learn some important conjunctions.
• learn the usage of conjunctions.

  QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW   A conjunction may be called the glue in the sentence as it join words, group of words or sentences. It is a word you can use to combine words or sentences together. The most common conjunctions are and, but, or, so. In your daily life you will find conjunctions all around you. All you have to do is observe. Let me give you some examples.

• When you go to a restaurant with your parents, the waiter would ask for your choice: mango shake or banana smoothie?
• When you are not well and you go to the doctor's clinic, he would advise you to: take the medicines regularly and drink plenty of water.
• You go to a grocery shop and ask the shopkeeper to give you: one bread, one packet of butter and a dozen eggs.
• You tell your mother that you will either have a chocolate cake or a pineapple cake for your birthday.
• Your teacher instructs you in the class: You may read a book or draw something but there should be no noise in the class." All these are instances of conjunctions being used in our day-to-day life and you will certainly agree that they occupy an important position. Right?  

SOME IMPORTANT CONJUNCTIONS ARE Do you know that conjunctions are also very helpful in making your writing interesting? This can be done by combining two or more shorter sentences into one longer, more interesting sentence.

• Example: Pam bought three pencils. She lost two of them.
• You can combine them as: Pam bought three pencils but she lost two of them.
• For lunch I ate a sandwich. I ate potato chips. I ate a cookie.
• You could also write this as: For lunch I ate a sandwich, potato chips and a cookie. Doesn't that sound better!  

Conjunction Chart Some more conjunctions to remember: For, and, Nor, But, Or, Yet and So AND          joins two similar words or sentences. BUT           is used in an unlike situation. SO              means 'for this reason'. WHILE      means 'at the same time as'. BECAUSE means 'for the reason that'. IF                means 'on the condition that'.     PLAY TIME You can play this between three or more friends. You are required to sit in a circle. The first child will whisper a conjunction into the second child's ears. The second child will think of another conjunction and whisper the more...

Amazing Facts You will observe that every interjection has an exclamatory mark after it as in Hurrah! In fact, any sentence starting with an interjection is an exclamatory sentence.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you:-

• learn interjections.
• apply them in your day to day communication.

  Quick Concept Preview An interjection express a sudden feeling or emotion in Look at the following pictures. All of them-express some or the others. All these emotions can be expressed using interjections. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.   [Note: There are many more emotions and so many more interjections. We have only given a few samples.]     Learn interjections just for the pleasure of expressing your feelings as effectively as you can!   Poem When we want to say that we are happy, we may say hurrah! Yo ho! or Yipee!! When we want to show our sorrow we may say Ah! Alas! or oh no! When we want to show our wonder or amaze we may say what! oh! or simply gaze, you may simply nod your head or add to feelings, by using interjections and make your sentence appealing.

Poem on Preposition 1. Below is grass above is snow beyond the mountains lies the snow across the frozen lake we go above the clouds are full of snow inside the house nice and warm on the trees is snow around me its very cold thought out the days I spend except when spring comes.   2. Over the steep hill, under the blue sky, across the long bridge, down the hill, into a fast run, through the thick trees, past the other runners, through the pouring rain, under the red hot sun, into my house for a rest     LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:-

• understand prepositions.
• learn about different types of prepositions.
• Understand the correct usage of preposition.  

  QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW Read the given sentence His book is on table. Here the word ?on? has two functions: 1.  It makes a connection between the words 'book' and 'table'. 2. It indicates the relationship between the 'book' and with reference to the table. Such a word is called a preposition.     DEFINITION A word that is placed or positioned before a noun or a pronoun to show the relation between two nouns or pronouns in a sentence is known as a preposition. The word literally means 'positioned before' something. Examples:

• The boy is standing on the box.
• The boys is sitting in the box.
• The boy is jumping over the box.
• The boy is hiding behind the box
• The boy is sleeping under the box
• The boy is standing in front of the box.

        SPECIAL USES OF SOME PREPOSITIONS                 Misconcept/ Concept Misconcept: The preposition ?till? is used with the distance. Example: Can you come with me till the end of the road? Concept: Till is used only with time. So in the above sentence we will use 'to' instead of 'till'. Can you come with me to the end of the road?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:

• be able to differentiate between vowels and consonants.
• be able to use the articles o. an. the correctly.  

  QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW There are three articles in the English language. They are: The first time you speak of something use A or An. The next time if you repeat that object, use The. For example: I have a ball. The ball is red. Another example: Please pass me a spoon, (any spoon) Please pass me the spoon, (the spoon that we both can see) Now, isn't that easy to understand. Let  us learn some more things about articles. Children, you all know that there are 26 letters in the English alphabet. The letters a, e, i, o, u are called vowels and the remaining 21 letters are called consonants.

• The article A is used before words beginning with consonant sound.
• The article An is used before words beginning with vowel sound. 
• The article An is also used before a silent h:as, He waited for an hour.     

He is an honest man;      

• Remember children, A and An are used before a singular noun. E.g. a cat. an inkpot, a chair,-an ice cream. So A and An are never used with plural or uncountable nouns i.e. (things we cannot count like water, milk, sugar, flour, meat, music). article The is used with the names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, newspapers, holy books, etc. The is also used before things unique of their kind Eg. The sun. The earth. The moon.
• Always remember that articles are not used with names of  people, countries, states, lakes, languages,  

Words like useful, one, European begin with a vowel but instead of the article an, we use the article a before them as they do not begin with a vowel sound. 5o we say, a useful book. a one rupee note and a European tourist   PLAY TIME Write 20 different nouns or adjective-noun pairs beginning with vowels and consonants on separate chits of paper. The chits are shuffled and thrown in the centre. Each player picks up a chit and says the word aloud along with the article that should go with it. Points are scored on the basis of right answers and the time taken to say the word which should not be more than 3 seconds. The words can be cock, blanket, engine, old story, haunted house, best speaker, moon, earth, duck, Bible, year, sweetest fruit, etc.

• Now let me see how much you have understood about articles.
• Where do you use the articles A and An?
• When do you use the article The? v   What number of nouns do articles a and an denote?
more...

Real Life Example We use adverbs in daily life to show intensity of action or giving specific details.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:

• learn the use of adverbs in sentence construction and in the expression of English language.
• learn to differentiate adverb from other parts of speech and observe how to and to what extent they modify them.  

An adverb is a word that describes an action verb   An adverb can describe how an action happens. Example: Jason quickly read the book. How did Jason read? Quickly. An adverb can describe when an action happens. Example: Emma left early. When did Emma leave? Early. An adverb can describe where an action happens. Example: Lily and Ben played here. Where did Lily and Ben play? Here.   KINDS OF ADVERBS (A) Adverbs of Manner: They describe how the actions are done. Example- Slowly, fast, loudly (B) Adverbs of Place: They show where an action is or was done. Example- My friend is waiting outside.                   They came forward.                    Stand here.   (C) Adverbs of Time: The adverbs show when an action is or was done. Example- I meet him everyday. Come home early. (D) Adverbs of Degree: They show how much or to what extent a thing is done. Examples- They often talk to me.                     He rarely loses his temper. (E) Adverbs of Frequency: These are used to show the number of times an action is or was done. Example: I saw her only once. He has already been punished twice. (F) Interrogative Adverbs: These adverbs are used for asking questions. Example: When do we meet ?                   Why are you so sad ?       A Poem on Adverb The ship was sailing smoothly the crew was singing merrily, then came the storm monstrously everyone ran on the deck hurriedly the captain said to everyone politely, let us all face it gracefully The storm went away "we are safe", said the captain ecstatically.     Amazing Facts We can form adverbs by adding 'LY' to adjectives. Example: Loud-Loudly; Bright-Brightly Sometimes we may have to change the spellings before we add- 'LY' we remove 'E' or 'Y' Example: Simple-Simply; True- Truly

A Poem Tenses tell the time, they are the basis of English Grammar, mastering them is not an easy crammer. But if you strive you will be on the way, to achieve efficiency in the usage of tenses every day. English language will then seem more easy and flexible Your ability to express will improve in double. For tenses are the Roots of the tree on which English Grammar stands you see.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:

• learn the different types of tenses used in English Grammar.
• learn to identify the types of tenses of a given sentence.
• apply the correct form of tenses in the construction of sentences.  

  QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW Tense of a sentence gives you an idea of the time when the incident mentioned in a statement takes place.     TYPES OF TENSES Tenses can be- divided into three types.     PRESENT TENSE Present tense can be further sub divided into (1) Simple Present, (2) Present Continuous, (3) Present Perfect, (4) Present Perfect Continuous. 1. Simple Present Tense: A sentence is called simple present tense when it describes an action that occurs daily or as a habit. Even for universal truths we use Simple Present Tense. It is also used for the actions which may occur in the future but are in form of time table.     Structure 1st form of verb is used as simple present tense. Examples:

• The sun sets in the west. (universal truth)
• All the cars stop at this crossing, (regular action)
• Michael teaches social studies in a school, (regular action) 
• Rajdhani leaves at seven in the morning, (as per time table) 
• The teacher said if she works hard she will pass.
• I drink tea. (Regular habit).

2. Present Continuous: In the present continuous tense, the action is on going/still going on and hence continuous. The present continuous tense is used to talk about actions that are happening at this current moment and will go on for some time.   Structure Is/am/are+ verb +ing. Examples:

• Please wait for a moment, Shyam is talking to Mary.
• We are late: he will be waiting for us at the restaurant now.
• Mom, I am playing football.
• Are they still living here?
• She is having her breakfast now.  

  PAST TENSE 1. Simple Past Tense: Simple past tense is used to narrate an action of the past. The verb in the past tense usually ends with an '-ed'. It can also be changed by making the change of the vowel as in 'drink' - 'drank'. Past tense is also made by changing the complete word,as,go - went.   Structure 2nd form of verb. Examples:

more...

Activity Prepare two charts: one for activities you do on weekdays and another for activities you do on you weekends. You will surely find two different sets of verbs, now make a list of those verbs and write sentences on your own with each verb. Show this activity to you teacher for correction. This will ensure you knowledge of verbs.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you:-

• know about verbs.
• understand Transitive and Intransitive verbs.
• learn the formation and uses of verbs.  

QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW Verbs are important elements of language and grammar. integral part of our speech, conversation and writing mode. Verbs determine the position and action of nouns and pronouns.     DEFINITION A verb is a word used to tell or assert something about some person or thing. Example: A. Susan is painting a beautiful picture. B. Peter is singing a song. C. Tina is shopping clothes for her party.   D.  John is drinking milk from a bottle. E. The baby is crawling on the floor.     Now read these sentences

The girl reads the story book.

The girl reads loudly.

In sentence 1, the action denoted by the verb 'reads' passes over from the doer or subject girl" to some object 'story book". The verb 'reads' is , therefore, called a Transitive verb. (Transitive means 'passing over') In sentence 2, the action denoted by the verb "reads' stops with the doer or subject "girl" and does not pass over to an object. The verb 'reads' is, therefore, called an Intransitive verb. (Intransitive means "not passing over") A Transitive verb is a verb that denotes an action which passes over from the doer or subject to an object. It means sentences having transitive verb will have an object. An Intransitive verb is a verb that denotes an action which does not pass over to an object, eg. He ran a long distance. The baby sleeps.   A. Formation of Verbs from Nouns   Misconcept/concept Misconcept: It is common Misconcept that a sentence containing a verb always has an object i.e. Transitive. Concept: The real concept is that there are also verbs that do not have an object and express a state being or an action. Eg- soldiers fight bravely (action), the baby sleeps (state)   B. Formation of Verbs from Adjectives     Poem Laugh or cry Wet or cry Kick or catch Borrow or snatch Action time - says the verb Practice me and your language will be superb.

Real Life Example Suppose you are lost while going to the market. What do you do? Simple Make a call to your mother and just describe the place.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES This lesson will help you to:-

• identify words that describe people, place, animals and things in sentences.
• understand various types of adjectives.  

  QUICK CONCEPT REVIEW

• A word that describes a noun or pronoun is called adjective. For example, a small child, a black cat. In these phrases 'small' and 'black' are adjectives.
• Anytime you describe something, you are using an adjective.
• To learn to describe various senses such as sight, sound, taste and touch as accurate as possible, we use adjectives.
• This is how adjectives can help you. You will be able to express yourself better using them.

Here are a few adjectives to help you describe better. An honest man, a beautiful girl, a green balloon, a red car, a blind man, a tall man, little juice in the glass, an intelligent boy, sour milk, sweet mangoes.   TYPE OF ADJECTIVE (a) Adjective of quality: They ask the question ?of what kind? from the noun. Example: A red shirt.                                 What kind of shirt?A red shirt Example: She is a beautiful princess. What kind of princess?                                     Beautiful                                 The grapes are sour.   (b) Adjective of quantity: They ask the question how many? or how much? from their noun.                 Example: There are three men.                How many men?Three    There is some sugar left.    How much sugar? some. (c) Demonstrative adjective: Adjective which points to a person, place or thing is called a demonstrative adjective.     ADJECTIVES ARE OF THREE DEGREES Positive                        Comparative             Superlative Big                               Bigger                          Biggest Strong                         Stronger                    Strongest These degrees of comparison help us to describe things more clearly and accurately.     CERTAIN COMMON RULES

• Positive degree is used to describe the quality of a person or thing. For example: The man is tall. The cat is black.
• Comparative degree is used when you make a comparison between two persons or things. For example: He is taller than you. She is more beautiful than her sister.
• Superlative degree is used to compare more than two things or sets of things. Example: He is the tallest boy in the class. She is the most beautiful of all.  

  Important Tip To make comparative forms, we usually add the ending ? er to one- syllable adjectives and ? est to make their superlative forms. For adjectives with three or more syllables, more...