language focus - edupub.gov.lk 4.pdf · language focus language functions ... read it and answer...

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Language Focus

Language Functions

• Writing informal lettersDear Mala, .............

• Giving instructionsRemove your shoes......

• Making suggestionsShall we organize a trip?

Grammar

•Adverbial clauses - joining sentences with:

though, although, even though, even if.

eg. Baker’s Falls is visited by many people though it is situated in a secluded area.

• Relative pronouns who, which,that

eg: Sir Robert Horton who was the Governor of Sri Lanka found the Horton Plains.

• Adjectives eg: big ships

• Comparison of adjectives eg: Blood is thicker than water.

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Unit 04 Describing Places

1. A letter from a pen friend

ReadingLast month Mala’s pen friend, Ann visited Sri Lanka. During her visit

she stayed with Mala. When she returned home to England, she wrote toMala.Given below is that letter. Read it and answer the questions that follow.

256/A, Chapel Lane,Howarth,England.29th May 2008.

Dear Mala,

How are you? I arrived home safely on the 25th.Though it was a long journey, I wasn’t much tired. Ithank you very much for your hospitality. Since we stayedwith you, we had ample time for our visits.

I remember the many interesting places in yourbeautiful country. The ruins of ancient kingdoms inAnuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya reflect thegrandeur of your country in the past. I will never forget myexperience at the Yala National park where I saw a lot ofwild animals. It was the first time I saw a herd of elephants.How exciting!

The beauty of NuwaraEliya, the HaggalaGardens, and thecolourful underwaterworld of corals at Hikkaduwa will remain in mymind forever. I presented these four photographsfor an exhibition and they won awards.

3

1

2

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However, I was most impressed with Sigiriya, the rockfortress and the World’s End. I’d be pleased if you can sendme details about Horton Plains.

I hope to visit Sri Lanka again. Give my love to yourparents as well.

God bless you!With love, Anne.

Activity 4.1Writing

a) Identify the features of an informal letter according to the following grid. Copy the grid onto your writing book and write the information in the relevant box.

b) Comprehension Reading / Writing

Write the answers to the following questions in your writing book.a. 1. When did Ann return home?

2. With whom did Anne stay while she was in Sri Lanka?3. What does Anne remember best?4. Does Anne expect a reply?5. What is Anne’s request?6. How did Anne find ample time for her visits?7. How did Anne win an award?

b. 8. Did Anne write to Mala immediately after getting back home?9. Did Anne take pictures of Sigiriya?10. How had Sigiriya got its name?

4

1. Sender’s address

2. Date

3. Salutation

4. Body of the letter

5. Ending

6. Sender’s signature/ and name

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What Anne saw

ruins

wild life

corals

scenic beauty

Numberof thepicture

Where she sawthem

Other places of similar features

c) Copy the following grid into your writing book. Read Anne’s letter again. Find relevant information and complete it.

d) Find single words from the text, similar in meaning to the following words or phrases. Write them in your writing book.

Activity 4.2Writing

1. Write a letter to Anne mentioning that you are sending some informationabout Horton Plains.

2. Write a description of Sigiriya giving the following information.

- the period it belongs to- the king who built it- names of the father and the brother of the king- the distance to Sigiriya from your own place- the time you will take to go there

1. going to a distant place (paragraph 1)2. generous reception of visitors (paragraph 1)3. sufficient (paragraph 1)4. remaining parts of a building after it has been damaged (paragraph 2)5. belonging to times long past (paragraph 2)6. greatness, magnificence (paragraph 2)7. bright, vivid (paragraph 3)8. fortified building or town (paragraph 4)

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Reading

Horton Plains

Horton Plains is situated in the highlands of the Central Province, 32 km fromNuwara Eliya. This is the highest plateau in the country. It is at a height of about 2300metres. This was discovered by Sir Robert Horton. The park which is 3160 hectareswas declared a national park in 1988.

The average temperature of Horton Plains is 15oc-22oc with frequently occurringmists and clouds. Horton Plains is fed from both the north-east and south-westmonsoons as well as inter-monsoonal rains. It gets about5000mm rainfall annually. HortonPlains is the most importantcatchment area of the country.Three major rivers of the countrystart from this area, namely : Kelani,Walawe and the Mahaweli. Due tothe high altitude the area is cold.

The park consists of forests andgrasslands with a rich biodiversity. It ishome to a wide variety of endemic faunaand flora. Among the 24 species ofmammals, elk, deer, giant squirrel, wildboar, otter, porcupine and leopard areconsidered special. The bird diversity isalso high with 87 species of birdsincluding migratory birds.

The park is also famous for beautifulflowers. Nelli, Bovitiya, Binara, dwarf bamboo andsome orchid species are endemic. However, mostendemic species are extinct due to poaching andcarelessness of visitors.

Horton Plains also feature many interestingattractions such as the ‘Baker’s Falls’,

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‘Chimmini Pool’ and the famous ‘World’s End’. The ‘World’s End’ is a sheer drop of3700 feet that offers a fabulous view all the way out to the distant southern coastline.We must take necessary steps to protect this treasure for the future generations.

Activity 4.3 (Comprehension)

Reading / Writinga. 1) Where is Horton Plains situated?

2) Who found Horton Plains?3) How does it get rain?4) Why does it become an important catchment area?

b. 5) Identify the key sentences in each paragraph.6) Write questions with the following words to get the underlined phrases as the answers.

a) How far (paragraph 1) ...........................?b) When (paragraph 1) ..............................?c) What (paragraph 2) ...............................?

Activity 4.4 Reading / Writing

Copy the following grid into your writing book and provide the informationon Horton Plains you have got from the text.

1. founder

2. area

3. altitude

4. annual rainfall

5. average temperature

6. rivers that begin there

7. mammals

8. birds

9. flowers

10. special attractions

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Activity 4.5Vocabulary

Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B. Write them inyour writing book.

Activity 4.6 (Group Work)

Speaking / Writinga) Discuss what measures you can take to protect the endemic species andHorton Plains for future generations. The following questions will help you.

• What can we do to protect endemic species?• How can we educate - the visitors to the place?

- the public?- the students?- the foreign visitors?

Write five sentences giving your decisions.b) Build up a conversation among your group members on organizing a trip to Horton Plains.

Follow the clues given below.

• Shall we organize a trip to Horton Plains?• What a good idea!

1. plateau extraordinarily great 2. major height above ground or sea level

3. catchment area the variety of living things in an environment

4. altitude commonly found in a specified area

5. biodiversity an area of level high ground

6. endemic main

7. extinct no longer in existence

8. poaching an area from which rainfall drains into a river

9. sheer take illegally

10. fabulous very steep

A B

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(c) Prepare a notice to be put up on the notice board informing the students about the trip.(d) Write a list of items you hope to take with you.(e) Write instructions / slogans to display at the entrance to the National Park.

eg. Do not bring polythene.

Writing - Messages


A message is a short note written to deliver simple information.

Read the following message.

Now write a reply to Lahiru in your writing book.


WritingWhen you visit various places, you must have seendifferent types of instructions.

eg:

02.04.2008

Janith,

We are going on a trip to Horton Plains. Can I borrowyour camera?

Lahiru

NOTICEWe are organizing........................----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NO PHOTOGRAPHS

REMOVE YOUR SHOES & HATS BEFORE ENTERING

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Identify a specific place for each group from the listbelow. Write a set of instructions to be put up in theplace

1. A Place of historical value.2. A Botanical Garden.3. A National Park.4. A Zoo.5. Your school.

Complex sentencesRelative pronouns: who, which, that

i. Sir Robert Horton was the British Governor of Sri Lanka from1831-1837 discovered the Horton Plains.

‘Who’ is used to describe persons.

ii. Horton Plains is situated at a high altitude is cold.

‘Which’ is used to describe things and animals.‘that’ is used to describe persons, things and animals.

Activity 4.9Join the following pairs of sentences using an appropriate relative pronoun

which / who

1. Mr. K.P. Rajapaksha is the Director of English in our area.Mr. K.P. Rajapaksha will be the chief guest at our prize giving.

2. The child had not done his homework.The child was punished.

3. This is my best friend.He helps me in mathematics.

4. Here is the pencil. You lost it yesterday.

5. The dog bit the burglar.The burglar had broken into the house.

which

who

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A Poem


Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow.I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host of golden daffodils:Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glanceTossing their heads in sprightly dance

WILLIAM WORDSWORTHa. 1. What was the poet doing?

2. What did the poet see?3. Where were the flowers? Quote the phrases that tell you the places.4. How many flowers did the poet see? Is he giving the exact number? What do you call such uses of language?5. What does the poet compare the flowers to?

b. 7. Have you ever seen such a beautiful scene? Where did you see it? What did you see there?

eg: - Your own garden - Coral gardens - The sun setting in the beach. - A misty morning - A huge reservoir - A herd of elephants / deer etc.

• Write a short paragraph that describes the scene. • Write a simple poem on it.

WilliamWordsworth (1770-1850) isknown as a nature poet. He took greatpleasure in nature. Many of his poemstell us how he spent his leisure amidstnature-observing birds, trees, flowersetc.

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Reading

The students of grade 8 of Perakum Vidyalaya went on a trip to Nuwara Eliya.After returning, they were asked to write articles on the places they visited.This is the article Mala wrote about Baker’s Falls. Read it and answer thequestions given below.

Baker’s Falls.Baker’s Falls is one of the most eye-catching places for visitors to Horton Plains.

It is situated three kilometres away from theFar Inn Information Centre which is at theentrance to the National Park.

The foot path to the Baker’s Falls liesthrough the misty, cold, and grassy plainsacross narrow brooks. The barefoot walkgives a real delight when the feet touch thecold grass and water.

The 20 metre wide waterfall plunges overa wide rock into a gorge of beautiful wildflowers. It’s so spectacular that you don’t feel like leaving it. Sitting on a rock withyour feet in the icy cold water you can wash away your weariness. The splendid scenecombined with the sound of the waterfall refreshes you and will remain in your memoryforever.

It was Sir Samuel Baker who found this waterfall. He was an avid hunter and anadventurous farmer who resided on the island from 1847 to 1855. While exploring thehunting grounds he found the waterfall and had stopped frequently there ever after. Ithas been named Baker’s Falls after him.


Reading / Writinga. 1. Where is Baker’s Falls situated?

2. What is there at the entrance to the National Park?3. Who found this waterfall? What was he?4. How can you reach the Baker’s Falls?5. What is the width of this waterfall?6. Pick out the words that describe the beauty of the waterfall.

b. 7. How did Samuel Baker find the waterfall?8. How can you enjoy the walk?

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Find single words from the text which give the meanings of the following words/phrases. Write the words in your writing book.

1. pleasant to look at and attractive (paragraph 1) -2. small stream (paragraph 2) -3. without footwear (paragraph 2) -4. enjoyment (paragraph 2) -5. move forward and downward quickly (paragraph 3) -6. fatigue (paragraph 3) -7. make fresh (paragraph 3) -8. eager, greedy (paragraph 4) -9. travelling through (paragraph 4) -10. very often (paragraph 4) -


Fill the blanks of the following sentences using the words found in theactivity 4.12

1. You must enter temples __________.2. There is a small ___________ near my friend’s house.3. Our ___________ vanished after drinking a cup of tea.4. Last week a bus had ____________ into the river by the bridge.5. Low lying areas in Sri Lanka __________ get flooded when it rains heavily.

Activity 4.14 Writing

Find information about another waterfall in Sri Lanka. Write a shortparagraph about it. Include the following information.

- name - any special importance of it- width - any legend related to it- height - whether you have visited it- location

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The following short paragraphs describe some very attractive places of theworld. Read them and match the paragraphs with the places given in thetriangle. Find the country from the ellipse. Copy the grid into your writingbook and fill it by using the information given.

This is the widest as well as themost pictureque waterfall in theworld. The people who visit this,stay there for long hours.

2

The tooth Relic of the LordBuddha is kept here. It is reveredby the Buddhists all over theworld.

3

This is a beautiful marblepalace built by an emperorcommemorating his dead wife.Her body is placed inside this.

4

This huge wall was built toprotect the country from foreigninvasion. It is the only man madecreation on earth that is visiblefrom the moon.

5

No. Place Country Natural / Importance of it man made

1.2.3.4.5.

These are huge constructions.The bodies of dead kings(mummies) are preserved andplaced in them. The interiorchambers are beautifullydecorated with paintings.

1

Taj Mahal

Temple of the Tooth relic

Pyramids

Great wall of China

Niagara Falls

CanadaChinaIndia

Sri Lanka Egypt

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WritingIn groups find details on different types of places of interests in Sri Lanka.Write a brief description on one of them. Prepare a brochure for tourists. Giveit a title.

eg. - Temple of the Tooth Relic- name- location- importance of the place- special attractions- whether a resthouse avail

able close by- accommodation

Join sentences using - though, although, even though, even if.

Look at the following sentenceBaker’s Falls is visited by many people it is situated in a secluded area.

Adverbial ClauseThe adverbial clause is introduced with the conjunction ‘though’Other conjunctions that can be used are:

although, even though, even if


Match A with B. Join the sentences using suitable conjunctions. Write themin your writing book, making the necessary changes.

though

A B

1.I managed to catch the bus.2.I went to school.3.Sir Arthur C. Clarke became a great scientist.4. She didn’t win the race.5.He succeeded in his education.

it rained heavily. she ran fast. he was very poor. i got up very late. he had to give up his

education to do a job.

Adverbial clause

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Activity 4.18 Reading

The following is the description Anne sent to Mala. Read it and providesubtitles for the three paragraphs.

(a) The River Thames is the longestand the most important river in England.It begins its journey at Thames Headas a small creek. Becoming very wideand deep, it flows into the North Seaat the Thames Estuary. The river getswater from the springs in mountains,rain, snow and over twenty tributaries.The river contains over eighty islandsand supports a variety of wildlife. Theriver has supported human activity for thousands of years providing habitation, waterpower, food and drink.

(b) It is also a major highway both forinternational trade through the port ofLondon, internally connecting to the Britishcanal system. Both big and small ships go upand down transporting passengers and freight.The River Thames flows through London,the capital of the United Kingdom. It hasgenerated a range of river crossings. TheLondon Bridge and the Tower Bridge are themost famous among them. Both these bridgesand the river have a special appeal to writers,artists, musicians and film makers.

(c) The 244m long Tower Bridge inLondon opened in 1894 is unique. The bridgeopens from the middle allowing the big shipsto pass through. The river traffic is so highthat the bridge opens about a thousand timesa year. It is crossed by over 40000 peopleeveryday.

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Reading / WritingAnswer the following questions.

a. 1. Where is the River Thames?2. Where does it begin?3. From where does it get its water?4. How does it help human beings?5. What are the famous bridges built to cross the river?

b. 6. Give sub-titles for paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).7. What is unique about the Tower Bridge?8. Why do you think people like to visit England?

Activity 4.20 ListeningWrite number 1 to 6 in your writing book. Your teacher will read the followingsix sentences. Listen to the teacher and mark √ √ √ √ √ or X against the number.

1. The longest river in England is the River Thames. 2. There are islands in the river. 3. The River Thames doesn’t provide water power. 4. The River Thames is a major highway only for international trade. 5. There are only two bridges to cross the River Thames. 6. Only small ships can pass through the Tower Bridge.

Activity 4.21Prepositions

Copy the following paragraph into your writing book. Fill the blanks usingcorrect prepositions.

The River Thames is __________ England. It starts _________ ThamesHead. It gets water __________ the springs and rain. It is mostly used _________transport. Many ships sail __________ and down the river. There are many bridges__________ it. ‘London Bridge’ is one famous _________ them. It is famous__________ the writers.

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Activity 4.22Vocabulary

Find single words from the text, similar in meaning to thefollowing words or phrases. The word begins with the letter given.Write them in your writing book.


Speaking / WritingIn groups select a major river in your country. Find information about it andwrite a composition.

Find : 1. where it begins 2. how it gets water3. its major uses 4. how it helps the country5. anything unique

Adjectives

Adjectives are words that give qualities. Adjectives say more about nouns.

eg :- big ships

adjective noun

Activity 4.24a. Pick out five adjectives from the text and write them in your writing

book. Write five sentences using them.

1. a small stream of water (paragraph a) - c _____2. rivers flowing into another (paragraph a) - t _____3. river mouth into which the tide flows (paragraph a) - e _____4. a piece of land completely surrounded by water (paragraph a) - i ____5. a load of goods transport by ship (paragraph b) - f _____6. town or city where the government of a country is carried out (paragraph b)-c__

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positive comparative superlative tall taller tallest big bigger biggest

Activity 4.25b. Copy the following grids into your writing book.

(i) Provide suitable nouns for the (ii) Provide suitable adjectives for following adjectives. the following nouns.

Activity 4.26c. Adjectives are graded and are used to compare nouns.

1. The yellow balloon is as big as the green balloon.2. The red balloon is bigger than the green balloon.3. The blue balloon is the biggest.

Note :- When we use the comparative degree, we use ‘than’ after the adjective.

eg :- .......... bigger than ............

When using the superlative, we use ‘the’ before the adjective.eg :- ...........the biggest ..............

adjective nounbeautiful ------------good ------------brave ------------modest ------------old ------------clever ------------new ------------small ------------timid ------------specious ------------

adjective noun------------ river------------ mountain------------ teacher------------ beggar------------ climate------------ school------------ frock------------ pen------------ book------------ umbrella

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interestingcheap

highthick

beautiful

timid

oldlong

eg. The River Thames is the longest and the most important river in England.

Copy the following sentences into your writing book. Fill the blanks selectingthe appropriate adjectives from the diagram.Use the correct degree of theseadjectives.

1. Pidurutalagala is the ----------- mountain in Sri Lanka.2. Butterfly is a ------------ insect.3. My sister is ------------- than I.4. The Nile is the ------------ river in the world.5. Blood is ------------ than water.6. The Rabbit is a ------------ animal.7. Silver is ------------ than gold.8. This is an ----------- novel.


Write five sentences using comparative and superlative degrees ofcomparison.

eg: Anjali’s umbrella is more beautiful than Surani’s. Malani’s umbrella is the most beautiful of all.

positive comparative superlative much more most good better best bad worse worst expensive more expensive most expensive interesting more interesting most interesting

•When the adjective has more than one syllable,“more”and “most”are used before comparative and superlative degrees.

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Activity (a)• Read the following extract from the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte and enjoy.• Draw a picture of what comes to your mind when you read the story.• Put up your pictures on the wall paper in your classroom.

The house was three storeys high : a large manor built ofstone, with a grey balcony round the top, which gave it apicturesque look. There were rooks in the trees behindthe house, and they flew over the lawns and grounds toalight in a large meadow, where I could see some tallthorn trees as large as oaks, from which the place musthave got its name, Thornfield. Further off, there werehills, not so high as those round Lowood ; and a littlevillage clustered on the side of one of the hills, with itsroof-tops half hidden by more trees. The tower of achurch could be seen not far away from the gates thatshut off the Thornfield land from the road.

[An extract] - Jane Eyre

Activity (b)There are idioms related to bridges. Match the following idioms with their meanings.Write them in yourwriting book.

Idioms1. Bridge the gap.2. Water under the bridge.3. Burn your bridges.4. Cross that bridge when you come to it.

Meaningsa. If something belongs to the past and it isn’t important or troubling any more.b. Deal with a problem when it arises, but not until that point.c. Make a connection where there is a great difference.d. You do something that makes it impossible to go back from the position you have taken.

Charlotte Bronte

Suspension Bridge

Enrichment

language focus - edupub.gov.lk 4.pdf · language focus language functions ... read it and answer...

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