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Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
TEXT BOOK EXERCISE:
UNIT 2.4 WRITING
Narrative Essays
A narrative essay is focused on telling a story. It includes important details about the incident. When writing a narrative essay, include details about:
- When and where the event /- incident took place.
- What happened, include significant details
- What is its significance at the personal, societal, country level
Here are some tips that can help you write a good narrative essay.
- Choose a story that is about the topic or theme that you have been assigned or you have chosen.
- Make an outline of the plot before you begin — this will help you put your story in order.
- Describe the important characters such that people can see them.
- Describe the setting in a manner that the readers feel that they are seeing the scene.
- Usually, the third person, i.e. he, she, it , is used along with common and proper nouns (boy, Salim).
- Make sure your theme is clearly illustrated in the story.
- In narrative essays, it is important to keep the readers' interest/ attention.
- Your narrative essays should leave the reader with something to think about.
Exercise 1:
Individually, read the story given below, and answer the given questions:
Two Brothers Tanveer and Junaid were twin brothers. They both looked exactly alike but, in personality, they were quite different in nature. Junaid always thought carefully before doing anything while Tanveer did things without thinking. Their father thought of a plan to make Tanveer realize that he should think before doing things.
One day, he called the two brothers and told them that he had saved enough money to buy one of them a bicycle. Since he had money only for one bicycle, he had decided to set up a competition. The one who would win the competition would get the bicycle. The competition was that both of them should set out right after the morning prayers and walk a distance — as much as each one could — and return by sunset. The one who would manage to complete the task would get the prize. Both the twins readily agreed.
Next morning, both the brothers set off. As usual, Tanveer sprinted off in order to cover a greater distance and win the prize. But Junaid held back and thought about what he should do before setting off.
Tanveer ran far ahead, to the end of the town and further, because he wanted the prize. Junaid, on the other hand, walked until midday and turned around to return home. When Tanveer felt that he had run far enough and Junaid would never be able to catch up with him, he turned around to return home. Unfortunately, because he had been running so fast, Tanveer was very tired, so the return was slower. When he finally returned home, long after sunset, he found that Junaid was already home.
Tanveer demanded his prize for running very far but his father pointed out that he hadn't returned within the time he was supposed to be back, therefore, the prize would be given to Junaid because he had completed the task according to instructions.
a) Why was the twins' father worried?
Ans: The twins' father was very much worried about his son Tanveer because he never thought about the consequences and the results of taking any step or action before doing things.
b) What did he decide to do?
Ans: One day, he called the two brothers and told them that he had saved enough money to buy one of them a bicycle. Since he had money only for one bicycle, he had decided to set up a competition. The one who would win the competition would get the bicycle. he competition was that both of them should set out right after the morning prayers and walk a distance — as much as each one could — and return by sunset. The one who would manage to complete the task would get the prize.
c) Who won the competition? Why did he win?
Ans: Junaid won the competition as he thought about what he should do before setting off.
d) Who lost the competition? Why did he lose?
Ans: Tanveer lost the competition because he did not set his goal. He had been running so fast and went far ahead, to the end of the town. Tanveer was very tired, so the return was slower. When he finally returned home, long after sunset, he found that Junaid was already home.
e) What lesson do you think Tanveer learnt?
Ans: Tanveer learnt that he should also think carefully before taking any step or doing any action like his twins brother Junaid
Summary Writing
A summary gives brief information about a topic. Here are some basic rules to follow when writing a summary of a given passage:
Do's
- Include all the main ideas.
- Select points from all the paragraphs.
- Limit your summary by not including all the details.
- Use simple, short sentences Link sections/ points with appropriate linking words.
Don'ts
- Do not reproduce sentences from the original text.
- Do not repeat any point/ idea.
- Do not introduce new ideas.
- Do not criticise.
- Do not change anything given in the original text.
- Do not give own opinion.
Exercise 4
Work in pairs. Read the following passage and underline the main ideas/ words in each paragraph; do not include any details. The first paragraph has been done as an example.
Moen-jo-Daro or the 'Mound of the Dead' is one of the oldest cities in the world. Few people live there today, but 4,500 years ago, it was a large, busy city. It is in the province of Sindh, at a distance of 27 kilometres from Larkana, on the right bank of the Indus River. It was one of the early urban settlements in the world. The city was built around 2600 BC. It was one of the largest city-settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization of south Asia. The Indus Valley Civilization developed around 3000 BC, from the prehistoric Indus culture. At its height, the Indus Civilization spanned much of what is now Pakistan and North India.
Nobody knew anything about Moen-jo-Daro until 1922, when some villagers found pieces of old smooth pots and old bricks at the place where the city was discovered. These pieces of old pots and bricks were brought to Sir John Marshall, an English civil servant, whose work it was to look after historical remains. When he looked at them, he at once knew that they were pieces of very old pots. He decided that the area should be dug up as there might be remains of an old city.
So, the men started digging and as they dug, more and more such pieces came up, till there appeared, bit by bit, a city of straight roads, and well-built houses. When the people saw all this coming up, from what they had so far taken to be only mounds of clay and sand, they were very surprised and excited. Each house was made of large baked bricks and had a bathroom and servant quarters closed by. Covered drains ran beside the streets. Even the streets were made of baked bricks. There was a wide road in the middle of which had shops on both sides. This road continued on to the houses of the workmen.
The people of this city must have been great traders, with the river Indus so near and the sea within easy reach. The country side must have been fertile since wheat, rice and cotton grew there. The farmers also kept cattle. There were skilled craftsmen who made things from gold, silver and ivory. Clay dolls and carts were made for the children to play with.
For a long time, these people lived a happy life. They were quite rich and travelled from place to place on business or for pleasure. Their city was well-planned and clean. The rain water did not remain on the streets. We do not know what happened to them. Either they were raided from the north or some great earthquake destroyed them.
Exercise 5:
Work in pairs. Use the underlined key words and write a summary of the above passage. Look at the Do's and Don'ts given in the boxes above.
You may begin like this:
Moen-jo-Daro, in Sindh, was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization developed around 3000 BC, in areas that today form Pakistan and North India. Moen-jo-Daro, one of the oldest cities in the world, was built around 2600 BC.
After you have written the summary, exchange your work with another pair. Read each others' work and give feedback, stating what is good and what needs to be changed.
Ans: Summary OF Paragraph:
MOEN-JO-DARO
Moen-jo-Daro, in Sindh, was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. This civilization developed around 3000 BC, in areas that today form Pakistan and North India. Moen-jo-Daro, one of the oldest cities in the world, was built around 2600 BC.In 1922, some villagers found pieces of old smooth pots and old bricks. When Sir John Marshall, whose work was to look after historical remains, looked those pieces, he decided to dig up the area.
After digging, a city of straight roads, and well-built houses appeared. House and streets were made of baked bricks. There was a wide road in the middle of which had shops on both sides. This road led to the workmen's houses.
The people of this city were traders. They used to grow wheat, rice and cotton. Their skilled craftsmen made things from gold, silver and ivory. Clay toys were also found.
They were quite rich and travelled from a lot. The city was well-planned and clean. We are not sure either they were attacked or earthquake destroyed them.
UNIT 2.5 STUDY SKILLS
Note: For acquiring additional language skills. Not to be formally assessed.Editing Practice (Continued) There are many types of activities that can help sharpen our editing skills. One such activity is the C-test. In this activity incomplete words have to be completed by using the context for clues to guess what the word might be.
Exercise 1:
The following passage is about The Duties of a Good Citizen'. Beginning from the second word of the second sentence half or sometimes half plus one extra letters have been removed from every second word. Work in pairs and first orally complete all the words. Once you have done so, write the complete passage in your notebook.
The Duties of a Good Citizen
If we just think for a minute, about the things and services we use in one day, we shall realize how much we owe to society. The mil_ brings mi __ for u__; t__ baker ba__ the br__; the pri__ prints o_ books; t__ driver dri__ the b__ in wh__ we g__ to sch__ or t__ place o__ work. T__ teacher tea__ the pup__ at sch__ the doc__ treats t__ sick a___ the shopk___ sells arti___ of da___ use. T__ traffic pol__ regulate t__ traffic s_ that w__ may tra__ without a_ fear o__ accident.
W_ must re__ society f__ all th__ gifts. I_ a mil__ mixes wa___ in milk, h__ can h__ expect o__ members o__ the society t__ treat h__ fairly? I__ a shopk__ gives sh___ measure o__ sells sub-st___ goods, h__ must b__ prepared t__ get t__ same ki__ of trea__ from oth__. If w__ ignore tra__ rules, w__ not on__ endanger t__ lives o__ others b___ our o__ as we___.
Ma__ benefits w__ enjoy a__ provided b__ our o__ country a__ society. I__ is ther__ our du__ to b_ loyal a__ patriotic t_ Pakistan. W__ should p__ our ta___ promptly, fu__ and hone__ so th__ we m__ continue t__ enjoy a___ social bene__.
Is___ lays gr__ stress o__ our dut_ as citi___. The Ho__ Prophet (pe__ be up__ him) on_ said, "God lays so much stress on the rights of our neighbours that I almost thought they would get the right of inheritance in our property". In short, we cannot be good Muslims without being good and dutiful citizens.
Ans: If we just think for a minute, about the things and services we use in one day, we shall realize how much we owe to society. The milkman brings milk for us; the baker bakes the bread; the printer prints our books; the driver drives the bus in which we go to school or the place of work. The teacher teaches the pupil at school, the doctor treats the sick and the shopkeepers sells articles of daily use. The traffic police regulate the traffic, so that we may travel without any fear of accident.
We must repay society for all these gifts. If a milkman mixes water in milk, how can he expect other members of the society to treat him fairly? If a shopkeeper gives short measure or sells sub-standard goods, he must be prepared to get the same kind of treatment from others. If we ignore traffic rules, we not only endanger the lives of others but our own as well.
Many benefits we enjoy are provided by our own country and society. It is therefore, our duty to be loyal and patriotic to Pakistan. We should pay our taxes promptly, fully and honestly, so that we may continue to enjoy all social benefits.
Islam lays great stress on our duty as citizen. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) once said, "God lays so much stress on the rights of our neighbours that I almost thought they would get the right of inheritance in our property". In short, we cannot be good Muslims without being good and dutiful citizens.
Exercise 2
You are the editor of your school magazine. Work in pairs to edit the following passage for the school magazine.
Students have mainly three basic duties. They must obey their parents, teachers and elders. Students must help there parent in simple home chores. they must not became unresponsive to parents or teachers.
Students must fellow the standard discipline. They must establish a routine with studying. They learn and practice good manners and habits. They must focus on their studies. Regular reading should be a part of their daily routine and this reading habit makes them more intelligent and knowledgeable and moreover, it also improves their overall languach skills and vocabulary. Besides study they must exercise daily. They avoid watching too much TV. They must be polite and respectful towords every one. They must eat healthy food and avoid eating good that is unhealthy.
Ans: EDIT PASSAGE
Students have mainly three basic duties. They must obey their parents, teachers and elders. Students must help their parents in simple home chores. They must not become unresponsive to parents or teachers.
Students must follow the standard discipline. They must establish a routine with studying. They must learn and practice good manners and habits. They must focus on their studies. Regular reading should be a part of their daily routine and this reading habit makes them more intelligent and knowledgeable and moreover, it will also improves their overall language skills and vocabulary. Besides study, they must exercise daily. They must avoid watching too much TV. They must be polite and respectful towards every one. They must eat healthy food and avoid eating goods those are unhealthy.
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