Getting Started
Contextual Analysis: The introductory pictures depict scenarios requiring polite interaction. In the first, a man takes photographs; in the second, people buy goods; and in the third, travelers wait in a departure lounge. In these settings, people make requests using modals like "Could you..." or "Would you mind...".
Thomas & Jerry
This story explores the delicate balance between professional ambition and familial duty. It follows Jerry, an elderly father, as he navigates the emotional distance between him and his successful son, Thomas.
A. Vocabulary: Meanings from the Text
| Word | Contextual Meaning |
|---|---|
| burden | A load, typically a heavy one |
| approached | Came near |
| stunned | So shocked that one is temporarily unable to react |
| departed | Left, especially in order to start a journey |
| graveyard | A burial ground |
| weird | Very strange; bizarre |
| content | Satisfied |
| radiated | Shined with energy or happiness |
| scurried | Moved or ran somewhere suddenly or rapidly |
B. True or False
| Statement | Status |
|---|---|
| Jerry did not use to get letters from his son. | False |
| The neighbours helped Jerry find the way to meet his son. | True |
| Thomas was eager to meet his father in his office. | False |
| Thomas asked his father to stay with him for a week. | True |
| Thomas felt bad to see his father in his workplace. | False |
| Parents’ happiness is tied up with their children’s success. | True |
C. Comprehension Questions (Solved)
a. Why did Jerry go to the city?
b. What did the father want from his son?
c. Did the father come back to the village happily? Why?
d. What made Thomas decide to visit his father?
e. Why did Jerry take the loan?
f. Why did Jerry return home without telling his son about the loan?
g. What lesson do you learn from this story?
Grammar I: Modals for Requests & Offers
- Can: Informal/General (Can I help you?)
- Could: Polite/Formal (Could you tell me...?)
- Would: Invitations/Preferences (Would you like...?)
Conversation Completion
-
Complete the following conversation
- A: Can I get you something to drink? / B: Yes, please.
- A: Could you tell me where the nearest community school is?
- A: Would you like me to answer the phone? / B: Yes, that would be lovely.
- A: Can I play now? / B: OK. You may.
- A: Could I come round to your house sometime later?
- A: Would you mind passing me that register, please?
- A: Would you like me to talk to the head teacher? / B: Yes please! Could you?
- A: Could you lend me Rs. 200, please?
- A: Would you mind if I used your pen, madam?
Formal Request Letter
To: The Headteacher
Subject: Request for Inter-house Volleyball Tournament
The match will be played among the four houses in the school. It will start after school on Friday. We have requested Mr. Chulung Chaudhary, our sports teacher to help us conduct the match. Mr. Chaudhary is planning to ask three of our senior students to help him. We are thinking of doing the preliminary round of the match on Friday. We plan to do the quarter-final and semi-final on Monday as it is a public holiday. The final will take place next Friday. The house captains are thinking of forming volunteer team of students to maintain discipline and help the match run smoothly. As Mr. Chaudhary has allowed us, we will be using the school playground and the ball as well as the net. We have also requested Ms. Manmaya to be the umpire. We, the students at Ashigram Nature Club, would like to ask you to be the chief guest at the programme and encourage the students.
The Culture of Dance
Visual Context: The performers are engaged in cultural dances such as the Tharu dance and Jhyaure dance. These are widely popular in the Terai and Hilly regions of Nepal respectively.
A. Vocabulary: Synonyms from the Story
| General Word | Synonyms used in Text |
|---|---|
| man | lad, chap, fellow |
| came | approached, arrived |
| clothes | dress, trousers |
B. Multiple Choice Exercise
- a. The storyteller is probably: i. a comedian
- b. When he arrived at the disco, he first: ii. saw some guys dancing
- c. Now his age may be about: iii. 40 years
- d. The lovely girl: iii. danced at last
- e. The story can be best described as: i. humorous
Grammar II
A. Sentence Matching
| Part I | Part II (Match) |
|---|---|
| I'd | like to rent an apartment. |
| Would it be | possible to invite my cousin? |
| Would you be able to | get me a ticket for the concert? |
| Could you recommend | a good dentist? |
| Can I book a | table for six? |
| Would | you like me to call a taxi? |
B. Creative Request/Offer Completion
Show Sample Completions
- Would you like me to call my sister to the party?
- Can I enter the temple without flowers?
- Could you help me to solve the problem?
- Would it be possible to go to the park without an entrance ticket?
- Would you mind opening the window?
- Could you possibly open the door?
- Would you like me to pass the compass?
Writing II
Nepal is home to diverse dancing cultures. The Gurung community is famous for its Rodhighars, where young people gather to share songs and dances. Similarly, the Rai community performs the Chandi Naach (Sakela) during the Udhauli and Ubhauli festivals to celebrate nature and ancestors. These dances are not just entertainment; they are a radiated form of our cultural history that makes our communities content and united.