Useful Videos for Singular and Plural

Dear students,

There are 2 useful videos about Singular and Plural here. Go to take a look for a better understanding in this topic.

(Videos attached)

Examples for Mixed Plurals

Dear students,

Some of you came to asked me today about mixed plurals. Here are some samples for mixed plurals which you can refer to your exercises in the text book.

Examples:

1. The rose is a beautiful flower.

- The roses are beautiful flowers.

2. The lady talked with her niece.

- The ladies talked with their nieces.

3. The case is too small for me.

- The cases are too small for us.

4. The cockroach scampered off when the light was turned on.

- The cockroaches scampered off when the lights were turned on.

Exercise - Irregular Plurals

1. A few _______ strayed into our compound. (cattle)

2. The _______ of today are as capable as the men. (woman)

3. The women in that community have large _______and hands. (foot)

4. The _______ in the store gnawed away at a sack of potatoes. (mouse)

5. Many _______ in some parts of the world still suffer from hunger. (child)

6. We must take good care of our ________ by making regular visits to the dentist. (tooth)

Exercise - Singular and Plural

Dear students,

Copy the exercises here into your exercise book 2, so that you can have more understanding on this topic.

Plurals : Nouns ending with 'y'

A. Insert in each sentence the plural form of the noun in brackets.

1. A few _________and gentlemen were selected to the committee.(lady)

2. The wild _______ are very sweet. (berry)

3. Many ________ around the world are polluted. (city)

4. The school janitor kept the _________ in his pocket. (key)

5. The _______ in the cages at the zoo looked very bored. (monkey)

6. The supermarket needs to provide more _________ for shoppers. (trolley)

Nouns ending with 'o'

1. We could hear _______ in the cave. (echo)

2. _______ contain a lot of vitamins. (tomato)

3. A sack of _________ is quite heavy. (potato)

4. _______ live near the Artic Circle. (Eskimo)

5. The two _______ in the hall need to be tuned. (piano)

6. There were many Greek ________ in ancient Greece. (hero)

Nouns ending in 's', 'sh', 'ch', 'x'

1. The mosque has many beautiful ________. (arch)

2. There were six _______of lemonade on the table. (glass)

3. All _______ are brightly-lit on Christmas Eve. (church)

4. The cut on his leg was so deep it needed five ________. (stitch)

5. The _______ were too heavy and had to be lifted with machines. (box)

6. The _______ were so dry that they could start burning in this hot

weather. (bush)

More On Grammar - Singular and Plural Nouns

Dear students,

I found out that most of you do not understand singular and plural nouns in the class today and most of you often misused it. Therefore, we are going to enhance more on this topic in order to make all of you fully understand.

A noun is a word that names a person, place or thing. Singular Noun is when a noun means one only, it is said to be singular. Examples: boy, girl, book, church, box while Plural Noun is when a noun means more than one, it is said to be plural. Examples: boys, girls, books, churches

Rule 1:

The plural of nouns is usually formed by adding s to a singular noun.

Example: lamp, lamps; cat, cats; fork, forks; flower, flowers; pen, pens

Rule 2 :

Nouns ending in s, z, x, sh, and ch form the plural by adding es.

Example: moss, mosses buzz, buzzes box, boxes

dish, dishes church, churches

Special Note:

If you add s to such nouns as fox, bush, and bench, you will find that you cannot

pronounce them without making an additional syllable. This is why such nouns

form the plural by adding es.

Quick Review

Rule 3:

Nouns ending in y preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by changing

y to ies. Examples: lady, ladies; city, cities; army, armies

Rule 4:

Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel form their plurals by adding s.

Example: boy, boys; day, days

Rule 5:

Most nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant is formed into a plural by adding es. Example: hero; heroes; grotto, grottoes, motto, calico, buffalo ,hero, potato, cargo, volcano, grotto, mosquito* tomato

* tornado* buffalo* portico* veto

*may add s or es

The following are among those that add s only. Example, canto, solo, piano, lasso, halo , memento, albino, sirocco.

Special Note:

Most nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel is formed into a plural by adding s.

Example: folio, folios; cameo; cameos; studio, studios; portfolio, portfolios.

Rule 6 :

Some nouns ending in f or fe are made plural by changing f or fe to ves.

Example: beef, beeves; wife, wives

Exceptions: The following may form their plurals by adding s.

chief, chiefs fife, fifes mischief, mischiefs

hoof, hoofs roof, roofs grief, griefs

kerchief, kerchiefs safe, safes

Irregular

man, men foot, feet mouse, mice,woman, women tooth, teeth louse, lice, child, children ox, oxen goose, geese.

The following nouns have no singular:

scissors oats tongs dregs trousers, pinchers , bellows,hears, measles mumps, victuals, tweezers, vespers.

Some nouns are always singular. Some of these nouns may be used in the plural

when different kinds are meant as sugars, coffees, cottons, gold, silver, wheat, corn, molasses, copper, sugar, cotton,news, gallows, mathematics, ethics (other words ending in ics)

*Singular nouns use this and that.

*Plural nouns use these and those.

Grammar - Conditional Clause 'If'

Dear students,

We are going to learn conditional 'If' for today. 'If' is a conditional clause.

Example, If you see her, tell her I called.

If + subject + verb = result

An 'if' - conditional clause is combined with a statement of the result. If is a conditional clause which expressing a possible condition and the main sentence stating the result usually in the Future Tense.

Examples,

1) If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.

2) If I don't teach you, you will not learn how to cook.

3) If we try very hard, we will succeed.

4) If we have the time, we can do many things.

5) If we do not have machines, life will be hard.

6) If we do not dream about new things, we cannot invent them.

Kindly click the link below and enhance yourself with the useful exercises there.

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-21846.php

(Video attached):

Helpful Literature Notes - "How Dalat Got Its Name"

Dear students,

Here are some helpful literature notes for the short story - "How Dalat Got Its Name" as reference for your group assignment.

Themes:

a) Unity is important

- We must be united to help maintain peace and order in our lives. The village was peaceful and villagers lived happily when it was ruled by the wise old chief. After his death, the sons quarrelled about who should be the new chief. The disagreement between brothers severed their relationship and of their extended families. Soon, the villagers were taking sides and chaos followed.

b) Greed

- Greed for power and position will lead to disaster. It makes us selfishly pursue our personal interest without thought of the consequences of our actions on the people around us.

c) Respecting Customs and Our Elders

1. We must always respect traditions. The tradition of the people in the village says that the eldest son should be the new chief. Umat disregarded this and felt he should be the new chief. He felt that being taller and braver than Galau and leading an army made him the better candidate.

2. We must respect our elders. Umat was more concerned about knowing who his father was going to pick as the new chief that he pressed him to name the successor. He should have been more considerate and respectful of his dying father.

d) Wisdom Is Greater Than Physical Strength

- We must not underestimate the power of wisdom to help overcome the most difficult problem. Not every problem can be solved by physical strength. Having a good head on your shoulders is far better as it gives you choices in dealing with any problem. Some of the villagers thought that Galau was weak, not brave and not a war leader. In the end, the villagers realized that his wisdom was as good as another man's strength after he planned a good strategy to prepare for war against Umat and the enemies.

Moral Values:

a) Respecting Customs and Traditions

- We must respect customs as laws and tradition in a community help maintain peace and unity.

b) Being Loyal and Respectful To Our Elders

- We should be loyal and respectful to our family. Lutong tried many times to help his brothers come to an agreement as his father wanted him to give advice to the new chief. He also remained loyal to Galau and stayed in the village.

c) Being Forgiving

- Galau loved his brother even after he betrayed his family and villagers. He mourned and forgave him in the end.

d) Do Not Be Jealous and Proud

1. We should not be jealous of others. Instead be happy for them and support them in any way we can.

2. We must not be proud or think highly of ourselves. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Umat was very proud of his physical strength and ability to lead an army. He did not consider other attributes that make a good chief. He was blind to Galau's good traits.

e) Do Not Be Greedy or Over-Ambitious

- Greed and being over-ambitious can lead to our fall. Umat's extreme greed to be the new chief drove him to join forces with the enemies in order to take control by force. This only led to his demise.

Characters and Characteristics

a) Galau

-fair

-just

-wise and clever

-good to everyone

-peace-loving

-compassionate

-kind and forgiving

-has leadership qualities

b) Umat

-hot-tempered

-good leader

-brave

-proud and presumptuous

c) Lutong

-patient

-sensible

-fair

-respectful

-loyal and faithful

-concerned, loving and caring

Summary Writing

Dear students,

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

We are surrounded by so many electronic gadgets these days. Examples of such gadgets are the cellular phone, the radio alarm or even the watch you are wearing on the wrist.

The first digital watch was invented in 1972. It was a large gold watch with red numbers and cost as much as a small car. It was accurate because it used the new quartz technology.

In the beginning, it was sold in expensive stores. Only film stars, singers and Prime Ministers could afford them. Then, cheaper plastic ones filled the market and you could get one for RM40.

Soon people realized that not everyone needed a digital watch because not everyone was interested in split-second accuracy. Only people like scientists, sportsmen and technicians needed that in their work. Also, it was hard to make digital watches pretty and sophisticated.

So, today digital watches are bought as additional timepieces for sports functions, competitions or sessions to the gym. In fact, digital watches are mainly worn by children who probably need a cleat display of time in digits.

Write a summary in which you invented describe the story of the digital watch from the time it was invented to the present moment. Your summary should not be more than 60 words including the 10 words given as follows.

The digital watch was invented in 1972 and its new .......

Group Assignment : Role-Playing

Dear students,

After you have watched the sample video of your seniors about the role-playing of the short story, "How Dalat Got Its Name", here's a group assignment for you. I want all of you cooperate with your group members and have the role-play of the short story- " How Dalat Got Its Name". I believe all of you will do a better job than your seniors.

What you should have in your role-playing activity?

- theme

- moral values

- settings

- characters (protagonist vs antagonist)

- characteristics

Total marks : 25

Presentation Date : 1st week of December 2009

Due Date To Pass Up Video CD : 2nd week of December 2009

Literature(short story) - How Dalat Got Its Name

Dear students,

We are going to learn literature today -" How Dalat Got Its Name". Please read the synopsis of the short story below.

Synopsis:

War is an interaction in which two or three or more opposing forces have a "struggle of wills". War is not necessarily considered to be the same as occupation, murder, or genocide because of the reciprocal nature of the violence struggle, and the organized nature of the units involved.

There are many types of warfare which are conventional warfare, unconventional warfare, nuclear warfare, chemical warfare and so on. Conventional warfare is an attempt to reduce an opponent's military capability through open battle. It is a declared war between existing state. The opposite of conventional warfare, unconventional warfare, is an attempt to achieve military victory through acquiescence, capitulation, or clandestine support for one side of an existing conflict. Nuclear warfare is a war in which nuclear weapons are the primary method of coercing the capitulation of the other side, as opposed to a supporting tactical or strategic role in a conventional conflict. Intentional air pollution in combat is one of a collection of techniques collectively called chemical warfare. Poison gas is one of the chemical weapons. Various treaties have sought to ban its further used. Non-lethal chemical weapon, such as tear gas and pepper spray. are widely used, sometimes with deadly effect.

There are many causes of war such as opposing interests and capabilities (specific socio cultural differences and similarities between the parties), contact and salience (awareness), significant change in the balance of powers, individual perceptions and expectations, a disrupted structure of expectation, a will to conflict, etc.

Now, we can see how war and power struggle has given a great impact in the short story, "How Dalat Got Its Name" by Heidi Munan. In this short story, power struggle between two brothers, Galau and Umat has brought chaos to their peaceful village. The old chief did not name his successor before he died is the beginning of the conflict in this short story. The custom of the land has give the preference to give to the eldest son to be the heir which is Galau but Umat did not satisfied with the tradition because he believes that he is the right person to be the leader because he is brave, strong and a good leader. The dissatisfaction discontentment has caused the two brothers apart. Umat become the enemy of his own brother and then war breaks out. Many people died including Umat. This is how war has affected human beings. It caused the brothers apart, injuries and deaths.

Below is the sample video of your seniors who participated in the role-playing activity for the short story -"How Dalat Got Its Name".

(Video attached):

What is E-mail ?

Dear students,

What is e-mail ? E-mail is the abbreviation of Electronic Mail. An e-mail is a method of exchanging digital messages. When human live without electricity, they used pigeon to transfers message; when human live without Internet connection, they used postman to delivers letter and parcel. Therefore, when human finally live with electricity and Internet connection, they use a new method named "e-mail" to replace handwriting letter.

E-mail systems are based on a store-and-forward model in which e-mail computer server systems accept, forward, deliver and store messages on behalf of users, who only need to connect to the e-mail infrastructure, typically an e-mail server, with a network-enabled device.

An electronic mail message consists of 2 components which are the message header and the message body (e-mail's content). The e-mail message header consists of an information, including an originator's e-mail address and one or more recipient addresses. Usually additional information is added, such as a subject header field.

E-mail is a very sophisticated and convenient technology tool. It is because it helps us to contact with anyone at anytime without limitations. For example, we can compose a letter and send it to our friend who are studying at Australia now and within 10 minutes, our friend will received the letter. The letter we named it as " Electronic Mail ( E-mail) ".

* Below is a video of how to use e-mail (attached) :