John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, who liked eating meat between slices of bread. Maverick A person who breaks from conventional actions Samuel Maverick, a Texas cattle owner who refused to brand the calves of one of his herds as per the requirements. Saxophone A musical wind instrument Adolphe Sax, the Belgian inventor of the musical instrument. Madras A cotton cloth with a design Madras, a city in India, where it was www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 89 or pattern on plain background invented. Rugby A game Rugby school. England, where rugby was invented. Tarantula A large, hairy spider Taranto, a town in Italy where Tarantulas are found. Shylock A greedy money-lender The relentless and vengeful money- lender in Shakespeare s play, The Merchant of Venice. Sousaphone A musical instrument John Phillip Sousa, an American composer who invented the Sousaphone. There are many more words in the English language which originated from names of people or places. Exercise 2 Find out from your dictionary the origins and meanings of the following English words. 1. Lima bean 6. Guppy 11. Guillotine 2. Cardigan 7. Cheddar 12. Macadam 3. Bloomer 8. Quisling 13. Pasteurisation 4. Canary birds 9. Silhouette 14. Watt 5. Ferris wheel 10. Marxism 15. Ohm iii Words formed from blending two or more words portmanteau words Some words in the English language are a blend of two or more words or morphemes. Examples: Word Combination of Meaning Smog Smoke fog A combination of smoke and fog in the air. Fantabulous Fantastic fabulous Incredible, astonishing, unbelievable, wonderful Brunch Breakfast lunch A late breakfast taken some hours before lunch Wikipedia Wiki encyclopaedia A website Comcast Communication broadcast Verizori Veritas horizon Accenture Accent future Spork Spoon fork An eating utensil that is a combination of a spoon and a fork. Skort Skirt shorts An item of clothing that is part skirt and short.


Examples: Word Combination of Meaning Smog Smoke fog A combination of smoke and fog in the air. Fantabulous Fantastic fabulous Incredible, astonishing, unbelievable, wonderful Brunch Breakfast lunch A late breakfast taken some hours before lunch Wikipedia Wiki encyclopaedia A website Comcast Communication broadcast Verizori Veritas horizon Accenture Accent future Spork Spoon fork An eating utensil that is a combination of a spoon and a fork. Skort Skirt shorts An item of clothing that is part skirt and short. Simulcast Simultaneous broadcast To broadcast a programme on television and radio at the same time Cyborg Cybernetic organism Motel Motor hotel A roadside hotel www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 90 Exercise 3 Identify the words that are blended to form the following words. Find out their meanings from your dictionary. 1. Slithy 6. Breathalyser 2. Chortle 7. Cable gram 3. Galumph 8. Camcorder 4. Bash 9. Edutainment 5. Blog 10. Email iv Words formed by use of prefixes and suffixes Some words are formed addition of prefixes and suffixes to other words. Prefixes A prefix is a word part that is added to the beginning of a word to form another word or to change its meaning. The word to which the prefix is added is called the base word. Examples: Prefix Base word New word un friendly unfriendly pre pay prepay A prefix changes the meaning of the base word. For example, the prefix un-above means not . Hence, unfriendly means not friendly . Each prefix has its own meaning.


For example, the prefix un-above means not . Hence, unfriendly means not friendly . Each prefix has its own meaning. More examples of common English prefixes Prefix Meaning Examples misre- pre- ante- anti- contra- counter- en- extra- inter- intra- non- over- post- pre- pro- re- semi- trans- un- under- wrong, incorrectly again before, in advance before, preceding opposing, against, the opposite against opposition, opposite direction put into or on outside, beyond between, among inside, within absence, negation excessively, completely after in time, or order before in time, place order or importance favouring, in support of again half, partly across, beyond not beneath, below misspell to spell incorrectlyrevisit visit again preschool before school antecedent, ante-room anti-aircraft, antibiotic, anticlimax contraceptive, contraband counter-attack, counteract engulf, enmesh extraordinary, extracurricular interact, interchange intramural, intravenous non-smoker, non-alcoholic overconfident, overjoyed postpone, post-mortem precondition, preadolescent Pro-African repaint, reawaken semicircle, semi-conscious transnational, transatlantic unacceptable, unreal, unhappy, unmarried underarm, undercarriage Exercise 4 www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 91 Give the meaning of the following prefixes and write two examples each of words in which they are used. Use your dictionary. 1. Ultra- 6. Infra- 2. Hypo- 7. Hypo- 3. Hemi- 8. Hemi 4. Ex- 9. Ex- 5. Dia 10. Dia- Suffixes A suffix is a word part that is added to the end of a base word to form a new word or to change its meaning. Example: Enjoy able enjoyable Each suffix has its own meaning. The suffix able means capable of . Hence enjoyable means capable of being enjoyed .


He stood outside in the rain completely bare. Base bass N the bottom support of something N the lowest pitches in music We need a new base for that lamp. I sang bass in the church choir. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 94 More examples of homophones lead, ledleast, leased loan, lone male, mail meet, meat mind, mined morning, mourning naval, navel new, knew no, know one, won pear, pair pie, pi piece, peace pier, peer poor, pour rain, reign raw, roar read, reed road, rode sale, sail saw, sore see, sea sun, son tail, tale tea, tee their, they re they re, there tide, tied too, to two, too wail, whale warn, worn weal, wheel wear, whereweather, whether week, weak weight, wait while, wile wood, would write, right yew, you your, you re acetic, ascetic axle, axial formerly, formally ion, iron loch, lock holy, wholly heal, heel ad, add ail, ale all, awl alms, arms altar, alter arc, ark aren t, aunt anger, augur aural, oral away, aweigh awe, oar, or, ore bale, bail band, banned bean, been blew, blue brake, break cell, sell cent, scent, sent cereal, serialcheck, cheque chord, cord cite, site, sight coo, coup cue, queue dam, damn dew, due die, dye doh, doe, dough earn, urn ewe, yew, you faint, feint fair, fare feat, feet few, phew find, fined fir, fur flaw, floor flea, flee flew, flue flour, flower for, fore, four foreword, forward fort, fought gait, gate genes, jeans gnaw, nor, gorilla, guerrilla grate, great groan, grown guessed, guest hale, hail hair, hare Exercise 7 Give the homophones and the meanings of the following words. 1. In 6. Knight 2. Heard 7. Knows 3. Horse 8. Tick 4. Hey 9. Rung 5. Need 10.


Daniel felt happy Daniel felt light-hearted. She was happy with her grade She was pleased with her grade. They sang a happy song They sang a cheerful song. Examples of common synonyms in English about, approximatelyaccomplish, achieve administer, manage admit, confess almost, nearly annoy, irritate answer, reply arise, occur arrive, reach begin, start belly, stomach bizarre, weird brave, courageous chop, cut clerk, receptionist close, shut contrary, opposite correct, right daybreak, dawn demonstrate, protest denims, jeans desert, abandon devil, Satan disappear, vanish eager, keen emphasize, stress enormous, huge, immense enquire, investigate evaluate, assess fanatic, enthusiast fool, idiot sincere, honest skull, cranium soiled, dirty formerly, previouslyfragrance, perfume function, operate garbage, rubbish gay, homosexual grab, seize gut, intestine hard, tough hashish, cannabis hawk, peddle hint, trace, tip homicide, murder hunger, starvation hurry, rush idler, loafer if, whether illustrate, demonstrate imitate, mimic immediate, instant immobile, motionless impartial, neutral impasse, deadlock impolite, rude inconsiderate, thoughtless infamous, notorious informal, casual inheritor, heir instructions, directions jealous, envious joy, delight lacking, missing lethal, deadly ultimate, final uncommon, unusual lousy, awfulmadness, insanity magnify, exaggerate manmade, artificial material, fabric merciless, cruel midway, halfway mind, intellect mirror, reflect mistrust, distrust modern, contemporary movie, film murderer, assassin naked, bare nameless, anonymous nightfall, dusk noon, midday numerous, many object, thing outside, external overlook, miss peaceable, peaceful poisonous, toxic post-mortem, autopsy praise, compliment reasonable, fair refrain, chorus religious, devout respond, reply scarcity, shortage signal, sign silly, foolish vain, useless vary, differ www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 96 suggest, proposesunrise, dawn temper, mood trustworthy, reliable uncooked, rawunforeseen, unexpected unfortunate, unlucky unmarried, single untimely, premature vast, hugewinery, vineyard withstand, resist zenith, peak Exercise 8 Give the synonyms of the following words: 1. Start 6. Collect 2. Come 7. Assist 3. Lengthy 8. Build 4. Shattered 9. Reply 5. Fix 10.


Precious 5. Dangerous 10. Naked v Idioms and Sayings An idiom is a phrase that has a special meaning as a whole. The meaning of an idiom is different from the meanings of its separate words. Examples: It was raining cats and dogs. The idiom raining cats and dogs does not mean that cats and dogs were falling out of the sky! It means raining heavily . I put my foot in my mouth today. The idiom put my foot in my mouth means to say the wrong thing . Sometimes the context in which an idiom is used can give a hint of its meaning. Example: Jeff is talking through his hat when he says that he can spell every word in the English language. This idiom clearly means that Jeff cannot possibly spell every word in the English language. Hence, the idiom talking through his hat means talking nonsense More examples of idioms in the English language Idiom Meaning 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. It was a blessing in disguise. He is a doubling Thomas. That scandal was a drop in the bucket. The exam was a piece of cake. The punishment was a slap in the wrist. The thief received a taste of his own medicine. Something good that is not recognised at first. A sceptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something. A very small part of something big or whole. A task that can be accomplished very easily. A very mild punishment. He was mistreated the same way he mistreats others. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 98 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 11 12 13 Don t add fuel to the fire! The principal is just all bark but no bite. The theory is all Greek to me. We are all in the same boat. The house cost him an arm and a leg. The teacher has an axe to grind with the bursar. Joyce is the apple of my eye. When something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is. When someone is threatening and or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight. Meaningless and incomprehensible. When everyone is facing the same challenges. Very expensive. A large amount of money. To have a dispute with someone. Someone who is cherished above all others.


A large amount of money. To have a dispute with someone. Someone who is cherished above all others. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 IdiomThe boy did the work at the drop of a hat. The politician is a back seat driver. They were back to square one in their search for the treasure. The government has to go back to the drawing board on the issue of the New Constitution. The investigator realised he was barking the wrong tree. You are beating a dead horse. Stop beating around the bush. I will bend over backwards to see you through school. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. You are biting off more than you can chew. John decided to bite his tongue. MeaningWilling to do something immediately. People who criticize from the sidelines. Having to start all over again. When an attempt fails and its time to start all over again. A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve. To force an issue that has already ended. Avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about an issue. Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything. Stuck between two very bad options. To take on a task that is way too big. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 99 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Tom has a cast iron stomach. That is a cock and bull story. I will have to win, come hell or high water. Don t cry over spilt milk. He likes crying wolf. Tim is a dark horse. Kinyua is a devil s advocate. My father drinks like a fish. This problem is driving me up the wall. The students had a field day with the visiting guests. The food was finger licking good. He changed from rags to riches. I need to get over it. She got up on the wrong side of the bed. You must go the extra mile to achieve your goal. To avoid talking. Someone who has no problems, complications, or ill effects with eating or drinking anything. An unbelievable tale. Any difficult situation or obstacle. When you complain about a loss from the past. Intentionally raise a false alarm. One who was previously unknown and now is prominent. Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that particular side of the argument. To drink very heavily.


Overwhelmed by what is happening at the moment. Carefully watch somebody. To remain joyful in a tough situation. Die To politely ask for someone s full attention. To share a secret that wasn t supposed to be shared. A fair competition where no side has an advantage. To act in a frenzied manner. Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check. Nonsense or meaningless speech. Someone new to the group or area. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 101 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 I said that off the record! I was on pins and needles. The prefects sit on the fence when there is a strike. The dog appeared out of the blue. You will get the job over my dead body. Mark is fond of passing the buck to his brother. Dennis is a peeping Tom. Pipe down! We have heard you! You are pulling my leg. Rise and shine! It s time to go to school. The businessman has run out of steam nowadays. The convict was saved by a bell. He was a scapegoat for amorous politician. The naughty boy got away scot-free. She was sick as a dog. He has a sixth sense. The judge smelt a rat when the witness started trembling. The prosecutor smelt something fishy when the accused winked at the witness. We have to start from scratch. The ball is in your court. They tied the knot in December. Getting a bad start on a relationship or task. No longer have to deal with a tough situation. Something said in confidence that the speaker doesn t want attributed to him or her. Anxious or nervous especially in anticipation of something. Undecided. Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs or appears. When you absolutely will not allow something to happen. Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else. Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people, mainly for his own gratification. To shut up or be quiet. Tricking someone as a joke. Time to get out of bed and get ready for work or school. To be completely out of energy. Saved at the last possible moment. Someone else who takes the blame. To escape and not have to pay. To be very sick with flu or a cold A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead.


Someone else who takes the blame. To escape and not have to pay. To be very sick with flu or a cold A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead. To be suspicious or detect someone in the group is betraying the others. Detecting that something isn t right and there might be a reason for it. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 102 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 I will wait till the cows come home. To make a long story short, you are not coming with us. The government turned a blind eye to the plight of IDPs. I am under the weather today. Forget the water under the bridge. He will pay you the money when pigs fly. She wines and dines with stars. It is without a doubt the best programme. Your guess is as good as mine. To do it all over again from the beginning. It is your decision this time. To get married. A long time. Said by someone during a long boring story. Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legitimate. Feeling ill or sick. Anything from the past that isn t significant or important any more. Something that will never ever happen. When someone is treated to an expensive meal. For certain. I have no idea. Common idiomatic expressions and sayings 1. A bird in the hand is worth to in the bush. Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything. 2. A fool and his money are easily parted. It s easy for a foolish person to lose his her money. 3. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out. 4. A leopard can t change his spots. You cannot change who you are. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 103 5. A penny save is a penny earned. By not spending money you are saving money little by little . 6. A picture paints a thousand words. A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words. 7. Actions speak louder than words. It s better to actually do something than just talk about it. 8. Curiosity killed the cat. Being inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation. 9. Don t count your chickens before they hatch.


Being inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation. 9. Don t count your chickens before they hatch. Don t rely on it until you are sure of it. 10. Don t look a gift horse in the mouth. When someone gives you a gift, don t be ungrateful. 11. Don t put all your eggs in one basket. Do not put all your resources in one possibility. 12. Drastic times call for drastic measures. When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely desperate actions. 13. Elvis has left the building. The show has come to an end. It s all over. 14. Every cloud has a silver lining. Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. 15. Great minds think alike. Intelligent people think like each other. 16. Haste makes waste. Doing things quickly may result in a poor ending. 17. Idle hands are the devils tools. You are more likely to get it trouble if you have nothing to do. 18. If it s not one thing, it s another. When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another . 19. It takes two to tango. A conflict involves two people and both must cooperate to have it resolved. 20. It s a small world. You cannot hide from your evil deeds in this world. 21. Let bygones be bygones. To forget about a disagreement or argument. 22. Let sleeping dogs lie. To avoid restarting a conflict. 23. Never bite the hand that feeds you. Don t hurt anyone that helps you. 24. Practice makes perfect. By constantly practising, you will become better. 25. Rome was not built in one day. -. If you want something to be completed properly, then it s going to take time. 26. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. The bigger and stronger opponent may be more difficult to beat, but when he does, he suffers a much bigger loss. 27. Variety is the spice of life. The more experiences you try the more exciting life can be. 28. When it rains, it pours. Since it rarely rains, when it does it will be a huge, storm. 29. You are what you eat. In order to stay healthy, you must eat healthy foods. 30. You can t judge a book by its cover.


In order to stay healthy, you must eat healthy foods. 30. You can t judge a book by its cover. Decisions shouldn t be made primarily on appearance. Exercise 10 Give the meaning of the italicized idioms in the following sentences. 1. I was completely at sea when the Prime Minister visited my house. 2. Jane has her hands full. She can t take on more work. 3. Do you have a bone to pick with me? 4. I can t make heads or tails of this story. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 104 5. The test was as easy as pie. 6. I am sick and tired of doing nothing at work. 7. I am broke! I have to borrow some money. 8. She dropped me a line yesterday. 9. He filled in for her when she fell sick. 10. My business is in the red. ANSWERS FROM CHAPTER TWO Exercise 1 www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 105 1. Crack 6. Quack 2. Roar 7. Pop 3. Tick 8. Lap 4. Growl 9. Boom 5. Chime 10. Hiss Exercise 2 1. Lima bean a broad, flat, pale-green or white bean used as a vegetable named after Lima, the capital of Peru where it was grown first. 2. Cardigan a kind of a pullover or sweater that buttons down the front named after J.T. Brudwell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan. 3. Bloomer a woman s baggy and long garment for the lower body named after Amelia Bloomer, an American women rights and temperance advocate. 4. Canary birds yellow songbirds named after Canary Islands, Spain, where they are found in large numbers. 5. Ferris wheel a special wheel for an amusement park named after the inventor G.W. Ferris. 6. Guppy the most popular freshwater tropical fish named after R.J.L. Guppy, the man who introduced it in England. 7. Cheddar A firm Cheese named after the English village of Cheddar, where it was first made. 8. Quisling a person who treacherously helps to prepare for enemy occupation of his own county, a traitor named after Vidkum Quisling, a Norwegian politician.


Cheddar A firm Cheese named after the English village of Cheddar, where it was first made. 8. Quisling a person who treacherously helps to prepare for enemy occupation of his own county, a traitor named after Vidkum Quisling, a Norwegian politician. 9. Silhouette an outline portrait or profile named after a French minister of finance, Etienne de Silhouette. 10. Marxism the political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels named after Karl Marx. 11. Guillotine a device used for carrying out executions named after Dr. Joseph Guillotine, the designer. 12. Macadam small, broken stones that are used for making roads named after John L. McAdam, a Scottish engineer who invented this kind of a road. 13. Pasteurisation the process of heating milk, wine, beer, or other liquids hot enough to kill harmful bacteria and to prevent or stop fermentation named after Louis Pasteur, a French chemist, who invented the process. 14. Watt Unit of measuring electric power named after James Watt, a Scottish engineer, who pioneered in the development of the steam engine. 15. Ohm a measure of electrical resistance named after George S. Ohm, a German physicist. Exercise 3 1. Slithy lithe slimy 6. Breathalyser breath analyser 2. Chortle chuckle short 7. Cablegram cable telegram 3. Galumph gallop triumph 8. Camcorder camera recorder 4. Bash bang smash 9. Edutainment education entertainment 5. Blog web log 10. Email electronic mail www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 106 Exercise 4 1. Utra beyond ultraviolet, ultrasonic 2. Syn in union synchronize, symmetry 3. Sub at a lower position submarine, subsoil 4. Peri round, about perimeter 5. Out surpassing, exceeding outperform 6. Infra below infrared, infrastructure 7. Hypo under hypodermic, hypothermia 8. Hemi half hemisphere 9. Ex previous ex-wife, ex-policeman 10.


Hypo under hypodermic, hypothermia 8. Hemi half hemisphere 9. Ex previous ex-wife, ex-policeman 10. Dia across, through diagonal Exercise 5 1. Hopeful full of hope 6. Greenish having green colour 2. Reader a person who reads 7. Weary tired 3. Childish having manners of a child 8. Fearless lacking fear 4. Greyish having grey colour 9. Kindness the quality of being kind 5. Playful fond of playing 10. Washable can be washed Exercise 6 1. Pen a device for writing an enclosure for sheep 2. Tire to make weary the rubber material on the wheel of an automobile or bicycle. 3. Dove past tense of dive a bird 4. Wound past tense of wind an injury. 5. Mean stingy average 6. Act a dramatic performance doing something 7. Arms upper limbs weapons 8. Block a building obstruct 9. Box a carton fight with gloves 10. Bank edge of a river a money depository Exercise 7 1. In inn 6. Knight night 2. Heard herd 7. Knows nose 3. Horse hoarse 8. Tick tic www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 107 4. Key quay 9. Rung wrung 5. Need knead 10. Sees seize Exercise 8 1. Start begin 6. Collect gather 2. Come arrive 7. Assist help 3. Lengthy long 8. Build construct 4. Shattered broken 9. Reply answer 5. Fix repair 10. Purchase buy Exercise 9 1. Easy hard 6. Sweet sour 2. Whisper yell 7. Stationary mobile 3. Triumph fail 8. Strength weaken 4. Dull interesting 9. Precious worthless 5. Dangerous safe 10. Naked clothed Exercise 10 1. At sea confused 2.


Dangerous safe 10. Naked clothed Exercise 10 1. At sea confused 2. Has his hands full is busy 3. Have a bone to pick with me have a quarrel 4. Make heads or tails make sense 5. As easy as pie very easy 6. Sick and tired can t stand, hate 7. Broke to have no money 8. Dropped me a line yesterday sent me a letter or email 9. Filled in for her did her work while she was away 10. In the red losing money, not profitable CHAPTER THREE PHRASES AND SENTENCES PHRASES www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 108 A phrase is a group of words without a subject or a predicate or both and does not express a complete thought. Therefore, a phrase can never stand on its own as a complete sentence. Using different kinds of phrases enables a writer or a speaker to create informative and descriptive sentences that vary in structure. Phrases combine words into a larger unit that can function as a sentence element. The most common kinds of phrases in English are: Noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositional phrases, gerund phrases and participial phrases. I Noun Phrases A noun phrase consists of a noun and all its modifiers. It can function as a subject, object, or complement in the sentence. The modifiers may include articles, prepositions and adjectives. Examples: a Noun phrases as subjects The lazy old man sleeps all day long. Some school boards reward teachers who produce good results. B Noun phrases as objects Teachers rejected the proposed performance contracts. Critics opposed the controversial marriage bill. C Noun phrases as complements Teaching is a valuable profession. Sheila is a hardworking no-nonsense lady. Exercise 1 Identify the noun phrases in each of the following sentences and indicate whether it functions as a subject, object or complement. 1. I saw a TV show yesterday. 2. Playful animals really fascinate me. 3. Yesterday, I had a thrilling adventure. 4. Swimming is an exciting activity. 5. Twenty university students were expelled last month. 6. She is a certified public health officer. 7. Many of the soldiers were killed in the battle. 8. The old woman carried a heavy load of firewood on her back. 9. Peter seems a very complicated man to understand 10.


The old woman carried a heavy load of firewood on her back. 9. Peter seems a very complicated man to understand 10. A devastating earthquake hit China yesterday. Ii Verb phrases A verb phrase consists of a main verb and its helping verbs. It can function as the predicate of a sentence. The predicate tells what the subject does or is. It tells something about the subject . Examples: John was born in Malindi. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 109 This problem may have contributed to the collapse of the economy. Without highly trained workers, many Kenyan companies would be forced to close down. Sometimes the parts of a verb phrase are separated from each other by words that are not verbs. Examples: He is finally buying a new house. Salesmen must occasionally travel long distances. Some words are joined with other words to make contractions. Examples: He hasn t turned up for the meeting has not We couldn t tell what had killed the cow. Could not I ve ordered them to leave the house. I have . NB: The word not and the contraction n t are adverbs. They are never part of a verb or verb phrase. Exercise 2 Write the verb phrase in each of the following sentences. 1. We should have taken pictures of the wild animals. 2. You must have seen the posters of the event. 3. They should have been told to come with flowers to plant in the school compound. 4. Mr. Muchira would have told some interesting stories. 5. Scientists must ve visited the Menengai Crater. 6. He must have seen some wonderful places. 7. Many advocates do fear the new Chief Justice. 8. The scouts have often made camp here. 9. The bull fighters would sometimes stampede noisily. 10. I could have read the book if he had allowed me. Iii Prepositional phrases A prepositional phrase is made up of a preposition, the object of the preposition, and all the words between them. It often functions as an adjective or adverb, but it can function as a noun as well. Examples: We carried the fruits in our school bags. Adverb telling where The plane flew through the cloud. Adverb telling where Almost half of Africa s population suffers from water related diseases. Adverb modifying suffers . The water supply in the United States is expected to decline dramatically. Adjective modifying water supply .


Adverb modifying suffers . The water supply in the United States is expected to decline dramatically. Adjective modifying water supply . The best time to practise water conservation is before a water shortage. Noun functioning as a complement . Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 110 In sentence 1 above, the preposition is in, the object of the preposition is bags, and the modifiers or adjectives are our and school. Sometimes two or more nouns or pronouns are used as objects in a prepositional phrase. Example: He needs a wife with diligence and a good character. Diligence and character are objects of the preposition with. When prepositional phrases function as adjectives and adverbs in sentences, they are called adjectival and adverbial phrases respectively. A An adjectival prepositional phrase modifies nouns or pronouns. Examples: The woman wears shoes with sharp heels. An adjectival phrase modifying the noun shoes The man with a funny looking dog crossed the road. An adjectival phrase modifying the noun man b An adverbial prepositional phrase modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Examples: Soldiers train for many months. An adverbial phrase modifying the verb train People are lazy in the afternoons. An adverbial phrase modifying the adjective lazy. She arrived late in the night. An adverbial phrase modifying the adverb late . Sometimes one prepositional phrase immediately follows another. Examples: The man led him through the door on the left. Note that the prepositional phrase through the door is an adverbial phrase modifying the verb led and tells where? The second prepositional phrase on the left is an adjectival phrase modifying the noun door and tells which one? A prepositional phrase can be at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence. Examples: At dusk, we began to walk home. The map of the area was very helpful. The path went by a forest and a large lake. Exercise 3 Underline the prepositional phrases in the following sentences and indicate what type each of them is. 1. The oldest building is found in Mombasa. 2. Five companies around the country have bought new fire engines. 3. The barking of the dog scared the strangers. 4. Bulls are bred for hard work. 5. Most bridges are built over water.


Bulls are bred for hard work. 5. Most bridges are built over water. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 111 6. Travellers were spared many miles of travel. 7. I went by bus to the market. 8. At the market, I saw beautiful and unusual people. 9. I also saw a display of colourful clothes. 10. She took him through the lesson with professional expertise. Iv Gerund phrases A gerund is a verb form used as a noun. It is formed by adding -ing to the present these of a verb. Gerunds can be used as subjects, direct objects, objects of prepositions, and complements. Examples: Subject: Fishing is a popular activity in Nyanza Province. Fishing is a gerund, the subject of the verb is Direct object: The sport involves riding. Riding is a gerund, the direct object of the verb involves Object of preposition: The sport is similar to fencing. Fencing is a gerund, the object of the preposition to . A gerund phrase includes a gerund, its modifiers, objects or complements. It always functions as a noun. Examples: Becoming a Tusker Project fame finalist was Msechu s lifetime dream. Gerund phrase is the subject of the sentence. Msechu dreamt all his life about winning the top award. The gerund phrase is an object of the preposition about . One of Msechu s biggest disappointments was losing to Alpha. The gerund phrase is a complement . The game involves jumping over hurdles. Object of the verb involves . Exercise 4 Underline the gerund or gerund phrases in the following sentences and label each one subject, direct, object, object of preposition, or complement. 1. In early days, golfing was a game for the rich. 2. The rich were mostly interested in protecting their status. 3. Playing golf with a commoner would mean lowered status. 4. Much of the rich people s time was spent playing the game. 5. Training thoroughly improved a golfer s accuracy in the game. 6. There he learned about playing the game. 7. Later, he started contesting with other junior golfers. 8. At fifteen or sixteen, he began playing with the professionals. 9. Participating in international tournaments was the golfer s dream. 10. But the greatest dream was winning an in international title.


Participating in international tournaments was the golfer s dream. 10. But the greatest dream was winning an in international title. V Participial phrases www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 112 A participle is a verb form that always acts as an adjective. There are two types of participles: a The past participle it is usually formed by adding d, or -ed to the present tense. Examples: Fooled, the shopkeeper bought fake products. Fooled is a past participle modifying the noun shopkeeper Shaken, he dashed to the police station. Shaken is a past participle modifying the pronoun he The participles of irregular verbs, however, do not follow the above rule: run-run, throw-thrown. B The present participle it is usually formed by adding -ing to the present tense of any verb. Examples: Smiling, the conman stepped out of the shop. Smiling is a present participle modifying the noun conman . Using participles is a simple way of adding information to sentences and to vary sentences beginnings. A participial phrase consists of a present or past participle and its modifiers, objects, or complements. It always functions as an adjective. Examples: Rounding the corner, the conman met two policemen. Rounding the corner is a present participial phrase modifying the noun conman . Surprised by the appearance of the conman, the policemen started blowing their whistles. Surprised by the appearance of the conman is a past participial phrase modifying the noun policemen . A participle or participial phrase is not always at the beginning of a sentence. Sometimes it may appear in the middle but it should be near the noun or pronoun it modifies. Examples: The skilled policemen arrested the conman. The conman, losing control, fought the policemen fiercely. Points to note Both the gerund and the present participle are created by a adding -ing to the present tense of a verb. BUT how can you tell whether a word is a gerund or a participle? It all depends on how the word is used in a sentence. I A participle is used as a modifier in a sentence. Example: Gaining courage, the conman attempted to escape. Gaining courage is a participial phrase modifying conman . Ii A gerund is used as a noun in a sentence.


Example: Gaining courage, the conman attempted to escape. Gaining courage is a participial phrase modifying conman . Ii A gerund is used as a noun in a sentence. Example: www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 113 Gaining courage made the conman look aggressive. Gaining courage is a gerund phrase, the subject of the verb made . Exercise 5 Underline the participial phrases in the following sentences, indicating whether it is a past or present participial phrase and the noun or pronoun it modifies. 1. Defying all odds, Kisoi Munyao attempted to climb to the highest peak of Mt. Kenya for seven times. 2. Failing each time, he refused to give up. 3. Seeing his passion to scale the peak, the government offered him financial assistance. 4. The climber ascended slowly, making steady progress. 5. Pleased with his progress, he camped at eleven thousand feet. 6. The climber, determined to hoist the Kenyan flag, progressed on the following morning. 7. Slipping on the snow, Munyao fell on a dry tree trunk. 8. A rope worn from too many climbs then broke. 9. One of his hot water bottles, slipping to the bottom of the cliff, broke into pieces. 10. Munyao, overcome with joy, finally hoisted the flag at Point Batian. Vi Infinitive phrases An infinitive is a verb form that usually appears with the word to before it. To is called the sign of the infinitive. Examples: to lift to eat to launch to register To is a preposition if it is followed by a noun or noun phrase, but it is a sign of the infinitive if it is followed by a verb or verb phrase. Examples: Joseph longed for a flight to the moon. Prepositional phrase Not until 1985 was he able to succeed. Infinitive An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and its modifiers, objects or complements. It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Examples: To write clearly and concisely can be difficult sometimes. Infinitive phrase functioning as a noun and the subject of the sentence . Proofreading your writing is a good way to ensure the absence of typing mistakes. Infinitive phrase functioning as an adjective modifying the noun way .


2. Around the country adjectival modifying the noun companies. 3. Of the dog adjectival modifying the noun barking. 4. For hard work adverbial modifying the verb bred. 5. Over water adverbial modifying the verb built. 6. Of travel adjectival modifying the noun miles. 7. By bus adverbial modifying the verb went. To the market adverbial modifying the verb went. 8. At the market adjectival modifying the noun. 9. Of colours clothes adjectival modifying the noun display. 10. With professional expertise adverbial modifying the phrasal verb took through. Exercise 4 1. Golfing complement 2. Protecting their status object of the preposition in. 3. Playing golf with a commoner subject 4. Playing the game direct object 5. Training thoroughly subject 6. Playing the game- object of preposition 7. Contesting with junior golfers subject 8. Playing with the professionals direct object 9. Participating in international tournaments subject 10. Winning an international title complement Exercise 5 1. Defying all odds present participial phrase Kisoi Munyao 2. Failing each time present participial phrase he 3. Seeing his passion to scale the peak present participial phrase - government 4. Making steady progress - present participial phrase climber 5. Pleased with his progress past participial phrase he 6. Determined to hast the Kenya flag - past participial phrase climber 7. Slipping on the snow - present participial phrase Munyao 8. Worn from too many climbs - past participial phrase rope 9. Slipping to the bottom of the cliff- present participial - bottles 10. Overcome with joy - past participial phrase Munyao Exercise 6 1. To climb Mt. Kenya noun 2. To climb the mountain noun www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 116 3. To try this risky climb adjective modifying the noun Kenyans 4. To make rapid progress adverb modifying the verb helped 5. With very limited climbing gear adverb modifying the verb reach 6. To reach Point Batian noun 7.


Faces To find out the verb, ask what after the subject. Examples: The young kids did what? Jumped Their faces did what? Shone The key word in the subject of a sentence is called the simple subject. For example, kids, faces. The complete subject is the simple subject plus any words that modify or describe it. For example, The young kids, Their faces. The key word in the predicate is called the simple predicate. For example, jumped, shone. The complete predicate is the verb plus any words that modify or complete the verb s meaning. For example, jumped playfully, shone brightly. The simple subjects and predicates may sometimes be more than one word. For simple subjects, it may be the name of a person or a place. Examples: www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 118 Ballack Obama won the US presidential race. South Africa is the home of many bats. The simple predicate may also be more than one word. There may be a main verb and a helping verb. Tanya has acted in many TV shows. She will be performing again tonight. Objects An object in a sentence is a word or words that complete the meaning of a sentence. It is involved in the action but does not carry it out. The object is the person or thing affected by the action described in the verb. It is always a noun or a pronoun and it always comes after the verb. Example: The man climbed a tree. Some verbs complete the meaning of sentences without the help of other words. The action that they describe is complete. Examples: It rained. The temperature rose. Some other verbs do not express a complete meaning by themselves. They need to combine with other words to complete the meaning of a sentence. Examples: Christine saw the snake. Rose wears goggles. He opened the door. In the above examples, the snake, goggles and the door are the objects as they are the things being affected by the verbs in the sentences. Refer to the topic on Transitive and Intransitive Verbs under the main topic VERBS . Exercise 1 Which groups of words are sentences and which ones are sentence fragments? 1. A huge storm was coming. 2. Behind the wattle tree. 3. After the earthquake. 4. The wind broke several houses. 5. Surprised by a loud noise. 6. Winds of high speed. 7. Rescue workers arrived. 8. From different parts of the world. 9.


Punctuating compound sentences When writing some compound sentences, a comma is used before the conjunction. The comma tells the reader where to pause. Without a comma, some compound sentences can be quite confusing. Examples: Confusing: Jane studied the specimen and her sister took notes. The sentence might cause the reader to think that Jane studied both the specimen and her sister Better: Jane studied the specimen, and her sister took notes. The comma makes the sentence to be clear Sometimes the parts of a compound sentence can be joined with a semicolon ; rather than a comma and a conjunction. Example: Jane studied the specimen; her sister took notes. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 123 Never join simple sentences with a comma alone. A comma is not powerful enough to hold the sentences together. Instead use a semicolon. Example: Incorrect: My father enjoyed the meal, he didn t like the soup. Correct: My father enjoyed the meal; he didn t like the soup. Correct: My father enjoyed the meal, but he didn t like the soup. Iii Complex sentences A complex sentence contains one independent main clause and one or more subordinate dependent clauses. They describe more than one thing or idea and have more than one verb in them. They are made up of more than one clause, an independent clause that can stand by itself and a dependent clause which cannot stand by itself . Example: The picture looks flat because it is colourless. The picture looks flat is the independent main clause whereas because it is colourless is the subordinate dependent clause What is a clause? A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and its subject. There are two types of clauses main clauses and subordinate clauses. Main clauses A main clause is a clause that can stand as sentence by itself. A compound sentence contains two or more main clauses, because it is made up of two or more simple sentences. Each of these simple sentences is a main clause. Example: Robots operate machines, and they solve many labour problems. Robots operate machines and they solve many labour problems are both main clauses. They are also simple sentences. Main clauses are sometimes called independent clauses. Subordinate clauses Subordinate clauses are clauses that do not express a complete thought. So they cannot stand by themselves. Examples: If technology will improve When robots can do the work While electronics will work After the system is complete. None of the above clauses express a complete thought.


So they cannot stand by themselves. Examples: If technology will improve When robots can do the work While electronics will work After the system is complete. None of the above clauses express a complete thought. They are sentence fragments that leave the reader wondering then what? Subordinate clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as if, when, while, and after. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 124 Other examples of subordinating conjunctions: although because so that until as before than whatever as if in order that though wherever as long as provided till whenever as though since unless where Now we can understand a complex sentence better. We have said that it contains one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Main clause subordinate clause The bell started ringing before we were out of bed. The battery needs recharging so that it can work tonight. The subordinate clause can sometimes appear before the main clauses. Examples: When the power failed, the computer stopped. Before you know it, your flat screen television will be stolen. The subordinate clause can also sometimes appear in between the sentence. Example: The medicine man, who knew many tricks, cheated the man that he had been bewitched. Types of subordinate clauses Subordinate clauses may be used in sentences as adjectives, adverbs and nouns in complex sentences. Such clauses are called adjectival, adverbial and noun clauses respectively. They add variety to one s writing. They can also make one s writing more interesting by adding details. Examples: Without subordinate clause: The bushman told us about the hidden cave. With subordinate clause: The bushman, who knew the forest well, told us about the hidden cave. I Adjectival clauses An adjectival clause acts as an adjective in a sentence, that is, it modifies a noun or a pronoun. Examples: The bushman, who knew the forest well, told us about the hidden cave. Who knew the forest well is an adjectival clause that modifies the noun bushman . The bushman told us a legend that involved the cave. That involved the cave is an adjectival clause that modifies the noun legend . An adjective clause usually comes immediately after the noun it modifies. More examples: People still search for the treasure that the pirate hid. As can be seen from the above examples, adjectival clauses, like adjectives, modify nouns or pronouns answering questions like which? Or what kind of?


Informal: The map you saw guides the way. But never omit the relative pronoun if it is in the clause. Examples: www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 126 Correct: This is the forest that has a secret cave. Incorrect: This is the forest has a secret cave. Commas are put around adjectival clauses only if they merely add additional information to a sentence. Example: The map, which you saw, shows the way. This adjective clause can be left out without affecting the grammatical structure of the sentence. It is merely adding information to the sentence by telling us which map? The map shows the way. Ii Adverbial clauses An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause which takes the place of an adverb in a sentence. Just like adverbs and adverbial phrases, adverbial clauses answer the questions where, when, how, to what extent, with what goal result and under what conditions. In addition, an adverbial clause may tell why. Note how an adverb clause can replace an adverb and an adverbial phrase in the following example: Adverb: The Prime Minister gave a speech here. Adverbial phrase: The Prime Minister gave a speech in the afternoon. Adverbial clause: The Prime Minister gave a speech where the workers were striking. Usually, an adverbial clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction like because, when, whenever, where, wherever, since, after and so that. Note that a subordinate adverb clause can never stand alone as a complete sentence. Example: after they left dining hall The above adverbial clause will leave the reader asking what happened after they left the dining hall? Adverbial clauses express relationships of cause, effect, place, time and condition. Cause Adverb clauses of cause answer the question why? Example: Njoroge wanted to kill his uncle because he had murdered his father. Effect Adverbial clauses of effect answer the question with what goal result? Example: Njoroge wanted to kill his uncle so that his father s murder would be avenged. Time Adverbial clauses of time answer the question when? Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 127 Example: After Njoroge s uncle married his mother, he wanted to kill him Condition Adverbial clauses of condition answer the question under what conditions? Example: If the uncle cooperates, Njoroge may decide to pardon him.


Time Adverbial clauses of time answer the question when? Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 127 Example: After Njoroge s uncle married his mother, he wanted to kill him Condition Adverbial clauses of condition answer the question under what conditions? Example: If the uncle cooperates, Njoroge may decide to pardon him. Place Adverbial clauses of place answer the question where? Example: Njoroge organised a demonstration where his father s murder occurred. Note that an adverbial clause can appear either before or after the main clause of the sentence. Iii Noun clauses A noun clause is a clause which takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase. It can be used in any way that a noun is used. That is, it can act as the subject, object, object of a preposition, or predicate noun in a sentence. Just like a noun, a noun clause answers the questions who, when, or what? Examples: As subjects Noun: Kamau is unknown Noun phrase: Their destination is unknown Noun clause: Where they are going is unknown. The noun clause where they are going is the subject of the verb is. As objects Noun: I know French. Noun phrase: I know the three ladies. Noun clause: I know that Latin is no longer spoken as a native language. In the first sentence, the noun French acts as the direct object of the verb know. In the third sentence, the entire clause that Latin is no longer spoken as a native language is the direct object of the verb know. As objects of the preposition Noun: He talked about him. Noun phrase: He talked about the funny items. Noun phrase: He talked about what you bought at the supermarket. In the first sentence the pronoun him is the object of the preposition about. In the third sentence, what you bought at the supermarket is the object of the preposition about and answers the question about what? As predicate nouns Her first day in school was what shaped her life. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 128 The adverbial clause what shaped her life gives more information about the subject of the sentence Her first day in school. Words often used to introduce noun clauses that when whose what whatever whoever how who whoever where whom Note You cannot tell the kind of a clause from the word that introduces it.


As predicate nouns Her first day in school was what shaped her life. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 128 The adverbial clause what shaped her life gives more information about the subject of the sentence Her first day in school. Words often used to introduce noun clauses that when whose what whatever whoever how who whoever where whom Note You cannot tell the kind of a clause from the word that introduces it. You can tell the kind of clause only by the way it is used in a sentence. If the clause is used as a noun, it is a noun clause. If the clause is used as a modifier, it is an adjectival clause or an adverbial clause. Examples: Whoever built the house was not an expert. Noun clause as a subject No one knew where he came from. Noun clauses a direct object He left the construction site whenever he wished. As an adverbial clause This is the layout which he left behind. As an adjectival clause . Exercise 4 Identify the following sentences as simple, compound or complex. If it is a complex sentence, indicate whether it has an adjective, an adverb or a noun subordinate clause. 1. The hotel is not very old. 2. The hotel is not very old; it was constructed in 1987. 3. It has a strange name, but it attracts many tourists. 4. Whoever broke the mirror will have to pay for it. 5. The Gor Mahia fans hope that the team will win again. 6. Did I tell you about the author whom I met? 7. They are searching for the man stole the cow. 8. People began riding horses at least five thousand years ago. 9. Some people watch the moon as though it affects their lives. 10. Some superstitions developed when people felt helpless about the world around them. 11. The parachute was really a sail that was designed for skiing. 12. The moon orbits the earth every 291 2 days. 13. My dog loves bread crusts. 14. I always buy bread because my dog loves the crusts. 15. Whenever lazy students whine, Mrs. Ndegwa throws pieces of chalk at hem. 16. The lazy students whom Mrs. Ndegwa hit in the head with pieces of chalk complained bitterly. 17. My dog Shimba, who loves bread crusts, eats them under the kitchen table. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 129 18.


Example: Register to vote, said the senator, before the end of the day . If the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence, the forst kword of this sentence is capitalized. Example: I did register, said Carol. It took only a few minutes Commas and full stops are placed inside quotation marks Example: Last night, said Joyce, I listened to a debate Quotation marks and exclamation marks are placed inside a quotation mark if they belong to the quotation. If they do not, they are placed outside the quotation. Examples: Joyce asked, Whom are you voting for? Did Carol say, I don t know yet ? I can t believe that she said, I don t know yet ! Speech tags may appear before, in the middle or at the direct speech. Examples: He said, You know quite well that you have to vote You know quite well, he said, that you have to vote . You know quite well that you have to vote, he said. Exercise 6 Rewrite the following sentences correctly in direct speech. Ensure you puntuiate them accordingly. 1. John said there was a terrible accident in Nairobi. 2. Petro added it happened in Umoja Estate. 3. It involved a train and a bus added John www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 133 4. Sarah asked did anyone die 5. No one died, but the railway line was destroyed answered Peter 6. Over the months said John the railway line has been rebuilt 7. How lucky that no one died exclaimed sarah 8. I think kthey shoul put a railway-crossing sigh board Petro said it would help bus0drivers a lot 9. Or they shoul put bumps on both sides of the railway line to slow down the buses John suggested 10. Who knows what might happen next wondered Sarah INDIRECT SPEECH Indirect speech is used to refer to a person s words without quoting him or her exactly. It is also referred to as indirect quotation or reported speech. The original spoken words are not repeated. The exact meaning is given without repeating the speaker s words. Example: Direct speech: The governor said, Creating new jobs will be my first priority Indirect speech: The governor said that creating new jobs would be his first priority. Several changes do occur when changing a sentence from direct to indirect speech 1.


Don t worry, Joels aid They will be apprehended tomorrow . QUESTION TAGS A question tag or a tag question is a phrase that is added at the end of a statement to turn into a question. When a speaker uses a question tag at the end of a statement, he she is seeking for approval, confirmation or correction. Examples: APPROVAL: I look smart today, don t I? Yes you do. CORFIRMATION: These are the new students, aren t they? Yes they are. CORRECTION: I paid your money yesterday, didn t I ? No you didn t Many learners face a problem of supplying the correct question tags to sentences. This is because they fail to observe the following rules of question tags: 1. A comma must be put to separate the statement with the question tag. A question mark must be placed at the end of the question tag. Examples: Rufftone has released a new album, hasn t he? He is pushing for a decision by tomorrow, isn t he? 2. The auxiliary verb in the statement must be repeated in the question tag Examples: Neson Mandela was in prison for 27 years, wasn t he? The people of South Africa have lost a great hero, haven t they? 3. When there is no auxiliary verb in the statement, the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb Do must be used in the question tag Examples: Mark Francis wakes up very early, doesn t he? Peter Bryan bought an I-pad phone, didn t he ? 4. The subject in the statement must be repeated in the question tag. If it is a noun in the statement, it changes to the appropriate pronoun. If it is a pronoun in the statement, it remains a pronoun in the question tag. Examples: Fatou Bensouda is prosecutor in ICC, isn t she? She does her work meticulously, doesn t she? 5. Wen the statement is positive i.e. It does not have the word not in it , the question tag must be negative i.e. must use the negative word not and visa versa. Examples: David Rudisha has broken another record, hasn t he? Cathrerine Ndereba hasn t been very active, has she? Douglas Wakiihuri does not run any more, does he? Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 136 Ezekiel Kemboi entertains the audience after winning, doesn t he?


Green object complement 5. The queen object complement 6. Stealing the mango participial complement 7. Senseless object complement 8. A kind person subject complement 9. Crying participial complement 10. Trembling participial complement Exercise 4 1. Simple sentence 2. Compound sentence 3. Compound sentence 4. Complex whoever broke the mirror noun clause 5. Simple sentence 6. Complex sentence whom I met adjectival clause 7. Complex sentence who stole the cow adjectival clause 8. Simple sentence 9. Complex sentence as though it affects their lives adverbial clause 10. Complex sentence - when people felt helpless about the world around them adverbial clause. 11. Complex sentence that was designed for skiing adjectival clause 12. Simple sentence 13. Simple sentence 14. Complex sentence because my dog loves crusts adverbial clause 15. Complex sentence whenever lazy students whine adverbial clause www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 139 16. Complex sentence whom Mrs. Ndegwa hit in the head with pieces of chalk adjectival clause 17. Complex sentence who loves bread crusts adjectival clause 18. Complex sentence that drinks too much milk adjectival clause 19. Complex sentence what Aunt Lucy adds to her stew noun clause 20. Compound sentence Answers to Exercise 5 1. Declarative 11. Declarative 2. Imperative 12. Imperative conditional 3. Exclamatory 13. Interrogative 4. Conditional 14. Interrogative 5. Interrogative 15. Declarative 6. Exclamatory 16. Exclamatory 7. Exclamatory 17. Conditional 8. Declarative 18. Imperative 9. Imperative 19. Declarative 10. Conditional 20. Exclamatory CHAPTER FIVE CAPITALIZATION AND PUNCTUATION A Capitalization www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 140 Capitalization is the writing of a word with its first letter as an upper case and the remaining letters in lower case.


Do not capitalize little words such as a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor etc. C Titles of shorts stories, songs, articles, book chapters and most poems. Examples: Half a Day short story Kigeugeu song Three Days on Mt. Kenya short story www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 141 The Noun Clauses chapter in a book Grass Will Grow a poem E Religious names and terms Examples: God Allah Jesus the Bible the Koran Do not capitalize the words god and goddess when they refer to mythological deities. F Major words in geographical names Examples: Continents Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia Water bodies the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Nile River, River Tana, Lake Victoria. Landforms the Rocky Mountains, the Aberdares Mountains, the Rift Valley, the Sahara Desert. Political Units the Kirinyaga County, the Central Province, Inoi Sub-location. Public Areas Nairobi National Park, Wajee Nature Park. Roads and Highways Jogoo Road, Kenyatta Avenue, Uganda Road. G Names of organisations and institutions Examples: Kianjege West Secondary School, United Nations, University of Nairobi, Nairobi Women s Hospital Note that here you capitalize only the important words. Do not capitalize such words such as a, in, and of. Do not capitalize such words as school, college, church and hospital when they are not used as parts of names. Example: There will be a beauty contest at school. H Months, days and holidays Examples: June Labour Day Tuesday December Kenyatta Day Mashujaa Day Do not capitalize names of seasons: autumn, summer, winter, spring I Languages, races, nationalities and religions Examples: Chinese Kikuyu Christianity Caucasian Bantu Nigerian Muslim Oriental J The first word of every sentence Example: What an exciting day it was! K The pronoun I Example: www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 142 What should I do next? L Proper Nouns Examples: Lang ata Cemetery Ann Pauline Nyaguthii Kangaita Women s Group Muhigia Teachers Sacco M Proper Adjectives Examples: We ate at an Italian restaurant She is a German N The first word in greetings and the closing of a letter.


H Months, days and holidays Examples: June Labour Day Tuesday December Kenyatta Day Mashujaa Day Do not capitalize names of seasons: autumn, summer, winter, spring I Languages, races, nationalities and religions Examples: Chinese Kikuyu Christianity Caucasian Bantu Nigerian Muslim Oriental J The first word of every sentence Example: What an exciting day it was! K The pronoun I Example: www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 142 What should I do next? L Proper Nouns Examples: Lang ata Cemetery Ann Pauline Nyaguthii Kangaita Women s Group Muhigia Teachers Sacco M Proper Adjectives Examples: We ate at an Italian restaurant She is a German N The first word in greetings and the closing of a letter. Examples: Dear Mark, Yours sincerely, Dear Bryan, Yours faithfully, My dear Mum, Very truly yours, O Quotations Examples: Jamlick exclaimed, This book would make a great movie! Where, asked the stranger, is the post office? It s late, Billy said. Let s go home! P First word of each main topic and subtopic in an outline Examples: 1. Parts of speech A. Nouns i Proper nouns Exercise 1 Correct all errors of capitalization in the following sentences. 1. This play is a revision of shakespeare s earlier play, the merchant of venice. 2. John kiriamiti wrote my life in crime 3. I admire women who vie for parliamentary seats 4. Benard mathenge and his wife have travelled to america. 5. My grandmother grew up in witemere. 6. The nile river is one of the largest rivers in africa. 7. Each year tourists visit maasai mara national part. 8. The tv show papa shirandula has attracted many viewers. 9. Uganda and kenya have signed an agreement over the ownership of migingo islands. 10. Our country got it s independence in december 1963. 11. On christmas day, all my relatives gathered at my home. 12. Waiyaki is a fictional character in ngugi wa thiongo s novel, the river between. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 143 13. The city of mombasa gets its water from river tana. 14.


Skin diseases B. Verbs 5. Hereditary diseases 1. Types of verbs 6. Lifestyle diseases 2. Uses of verbs 7. Infectious diseases between numerals representing dollars, cents, before a decimal and in percentages Examples: 25.65 165.42 25.3 b The question mark ? The question mark is used at the end of an interrogative sentence a sentence that asks a question . Examples: When was the Times Tower built? Who built it? C The Exclamation mark ! The exclamation mark is used at the end of the exclamatory sentence and after an interjection. An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feeling, emotion or emphasis. An interjection is a word or group of words that expresses strong feelings . Examples: Exclamatory sentence: Oh, what a tall building it is! Interjections: Superb! Fantastic! Impressive! An exclamation mark can also be used at the end of an imperative sentence that expresses strong feeling. Example: Sit! And stay in that chair if you know what s good for you! Ii The comma www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 145 There are a number of uses of the comma in English. A comma generally tells the reader where to pause. They are used: to separate words in a series except the last The three or four items in a series can be nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, independent clauses, or other parts of sentences. Examples: Nouns: John, Jim, Jack walk to school everyday. Verbs: He located, patched, and sealed the leak in the tyre. Adverbs: She walked quickly, steadily, and calmly. Prepositional phrases: He walked through the park, over the bridge, and onto the streets. Independent clauses: The match was over, the crowd cheered, and Barcelona received the first- place trophy. Adjectives: The fresh, ripe fruit was placed in a bowl. Note in the above examples that a comma must be used just before the conjunction. Before the conjunction in a compound sentence Some students were taking their lunch, but others were studying. Marto photographed the accident scene, and he sold the pictures to the newspaper. Example: Would she be a lawyer, or would she be a doctor? Note: A comma is not required in very short compound sentence in which the parts are joined by and.


Serah, do you know where I kept my phone? How is your leg, grandpa? To set off the spoken words in a direct sentence or quotation from the speech tag Examples: Jackson said, After my injury I had to learn to walk again. The therapists urged me to keep trying, he continued. If the speech tag interrupts the spoken words commas are used after the last word of the first part of the spoken words and after the last word in the speech tag. Example: After a while, he added, I was walking without a cane . Note: When a sentence is indirect or reported, no commas are used. Example: He added that after a while he was walking without a cane. When writing dates Place a comma after the day of the month. Examples: July 3, 1965 December 12, 2010 when referring to geographical location. Place a comma between the name of the town or city and the name of the state, district, or country. Examples: Kibingoti, Kirinyaga County Mombasa, Kenya www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 147 after the closing of a friendly or business letter. Examples: Dear Rose, Yours sincerely, iii The semicolon ; and the colon : a The semicolon ; The semicolon is used: to separate the parts of a compound sentence when no conjunction is used. Example: Mountain climbing is exciting; it can also be dangerous. Note that the semicolon replaces the comma and the coordinating conjunction. Conjunctions that are commonly replaced by semicolons are and, but, or, for, and nor. Before a conjunctive adverb that joins the clauses of a compound sentence conjunctive adverbs are words like therefore, however, hence, so, then, moreover, nevertheless, yet, consequently, and besides . Example: The competition takes place in July; however, I prefer August. To separate the parts of a series when commas occurs within the parts. Example: Last year I flew to Johannesburg, South Africa; Cairo, Egypt; and Kingston, Jamaica. Iv The colon : The colon is used: to introduce a list of items Example: My school bag contains the following items: exercise books, text books, pencils, pens, a geometrical set, and a packet of crayons. After the greeting of a business letter Example: Dear Mr.


Example: Last year I flew to Johannesburg, South Africa; Cairo, Egypt; and Kingston, Jamaica. Iv The colon : The colon is used: to introduce a list of items Example: My school bag contains the following items: exercise books, text books, pencils, pens, a geometrical set, and a packet of crayons. After the greeting of a business letter Example: Dear Mr. Mututho: between numerals that represent hours and minutes and between chapter and verse in a biblical reference Examples: 9:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. Exodus 2:1-3 v The Hyphen - The hyphen is used: www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 148 to divide a word at the end of a line of writing. Note that only words with two or more syllables may be divided at the end of a line and words should be divided only between syllables. Example: When walking along the streets of Naivasha Town, he met his friend, Waina- ina. Never divide a word of one syllable and do not divide words to leave a single letter at the end or beginning of a line. Incorrect: a-ttraction Correct: attra-ction. In compound adjectives that come before the nouns they modify and in certain compound nouns. Examples: Samuel Wanjiru was a world-famous athlete. She is my sister-in-law. In compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine and in fractions. Examples: seventy-three relatives one-quarter full vi The Apostrophe The apostrophe is used: to form the possessive of a singular noun Add an apostrophe and an s. Examples: the baby s cot James s car Joseph s radio to form the possessive of a plural noun that does not end in s Add an apostrophe and an s. Examples: children s men s women s to form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in s Add only the apostrophe. Examples: tricksters tenants to form the possessive of an indefinite pronoun Use an apostrophe and an s. Examples: everybody s somebody s nobody s Note: Never use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun like our, yours, hers, theirs.


Examples: children s men s women s to form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in s Add only the apostrophe. Examples: tricksters tenants to form the possessive of an indefinite pronoun Use an apostrophe and an s. Examples: everybody s somebody s nobody s Note: Never use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun like our, yours, hers, theirs. In names of organisations and business, Show possession in the last word only www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 149 Example: the United Nations brochure in hyphenated terms Show possession in the last word only. Example: My mother-in-law s photograph album in cases of joint ownership Show possession in the last word only. Example: Peter and Patrick s Limousine in forming contractions In contractions, apostrophes replace omitted letters. Examples: she s she is aren t are not I m I am it s It is isn t is not we ll we will can t cannot won t will not they ve they have To show that part of a date has been omitted Examples: The tribal clashes of 08 the tribal clashes of 2008 The 82 coup attempt the 1982 coup attempt vii Quotation Marks The quotation marks are used: to enclose the spoken words in a direct sentence. Indirect sentences need no quotation marks. Example: Direct speech: The presidential candidate promised, Creating new jobs for the youths will be my first priority. Indirect speech: The presidential candidate promised that creating new jobs would be his first priority. Note: i Always begin a direct quotation with a capital letter. Example: The minister said, You must conserve our environment. Ii When the spoken words are divided by the speech tag, begin the second part of the quotation with a small letter. Example: Bring me the money, said the moneylender, before the end of the day. If the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence, the first word of this sentence is capitalized. Example: I am scared, said the borrower. That moneylender is a brute. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 150 iii Place commas and fullstops inside quotation marks Place semicolons and colons outside quotation marks.


Example: Bring me the money, said the moneylender, before the end of the day. If the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence, the first word of this sentence is capitalized. Example: I am scared, said the borrower. That moneylender is a brute. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 150 iii Place commas and fullstops inside quotation marks Place semicolons and colons outside quotation marks. Examples: Last month, the borrower explained, I borrowed some money from the moneylender. Carol said to the borrower, And you refused to repay back on time ; however, the borrower did not agree. These candidates were suggested in the article Our Country s Future : Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and Martha Karua. Iv Place question marks and exclamation marks inside quotation marks if they belong to the quotation. Place them outside if they do not belong to the quotation. Examples: Carol asked, How much money did you borrow? Did the borrower say, I can t remember ? You are a fool! Exclaimed Carol. V Use single quotation marks to enclose a title or quotation within a quotation. Example: Carol heard the borrower say, I can t remember before she lost her temper. If the tile or quotation within the quotation ends the sentence, use both the single and the double quotation marks after the last word of a sentence. Example: Carol heard the borrower say, I can t remember. V In a quotation of more than one paragraph, use quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and the end of the final paragraph. Exercise 1 Punctuate each of the following sentences appropriately. 1. He earned about three million dollars that year 2. You know who Jomo Kenyatta was, don t you 3. What a wonderful and inspired leader he was 4. He was also a person who helped many people 5. Some people write stories but others write poems. 6. Try to write a concise informative and interesting letter. 7. Also make sure your letter as a heading an inside address a salutation a body a closing and your signature. 8. One of the most exciting modern developments I believe is the computer. 9. Today is July 2 2011. I will never forget this date. 10. I have lived in Sagana Kirinyaga County since 2008.


What a wonderful and inspired leader he was!4.He was also a person who helped many people.www.arena.co.ke 0713779527 152 5.Some people write stories, but other write poems.6.Try to write a concise, informative, and interesting letter.7.Also make sure that your letter has a heading, an inside address, a salutation, a body, a closing, and your signature.8.One of the most exciting modern developments, I believe, is the computer.9.Today is July 2, 2011.I will never forget this date.10.I have lived in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, since 2008 11.Try submitting your work to the following publishers: Longhorn Publishers, Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, or Oxford University Press.12.Remember, a writing career requires the following traits: confidence, perseverance, and a thick skin!13.Long ago, people used hand sharpened straws and reeds as pens.14.Fountain pens were invented in our great grandparents time.15.Soft-tip pens and rolling-ball pens were invented twenty-five years ago.16.What would you do if you couldn t build a house for yourself?17.You d find someone who could build it for you, wouldn t you?18.These archives are important to modern historians research.19.In his play Shreds of Tenderness, John Ruganda said, People who have never lived through a coup d etat have romantic ideas about it. 20.Mr. Mureithi said, A short letter to a friend is an insult. Www.arena.co.ke 0713779527.


A TEACHER S Guide TO THE SIGNET CLASSICS EDITION OFHENRIK IBSEN sA DOLL s HOUSEby LAURA REIS MAYERS e r i e s E d i t o r s :Jeanne M. McGlinn and James E. McGlinnboth at University of North Carolina AT ASHEVILLEA Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House2Copyright 2008 by Penguin Group USA For additional teacher s guides, catalogs, and other resources, please visit www.penguin.com academic or write to:TABLE OF CONTENTSAn Introduction......................................................................................................3List of Characters....................................................................................................3Synopsis of the Play................................................................................................4Prereading Activities...............................................................................................5I. Building Background Knowledge in Literature............................................5II. Building Background Knowledge in History and Culture..........................7III. Building Background Knowledge Through Initial Exploration of Themes..........................................................................8During Reading Activities.....................................................................................11I. Analyzing Through Group Response..........................................................11II. Analyzing Through Individual Response .................................................16After Reading Activities........................................................................................19I. Topics For Discussion And Essays..............................................................19II. Connecting To The Wild Duck, Hedda Gabler, and The Master Builder....20III. Group And Individual Projects................................................................21About the Author of This Guide..........................................................................26About the Editors of This Guide..........................................................................26Free Teacher s Guides............................................................................................27PENGUIN GROUP USA INC.Academic Marketing Department375 Hudson StreetNew York, NY 10014-3657http: www.penguin.com academicIn Canada, write to:PENGUIN BOOKS CANADA LTD.Academic Sales90 Eglinton Ave. East, Ste. 700Toronto, OntarioCanada M4P 2Y3Printed in the United States of AmericaA Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House3AN INTRODUCTIONTo a generation of students raised on liberated dolls such as Barbies and Bratz, Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House uncovers a shocking secret: some dolls don t get to play the roles they really want. Ibsen s Nora Helmer is a doll trapped in her house, a condition underscored by the fact that all the play s action takes place in her own living room.


East, Ste. 700Toronto, OntarioCanada M4P 2Y3Printed in the United States of AmericaA Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House3AN INTRODUCTIONTo a generation of students raised on liberated dolls such as Barbies and Bratz, Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House uncovers a shocking secret: some dolls don t get to play the roles they really want. Ibsen s Nora Helmer is a doll trapped in her house, a condition underscored by the fact that all the play s action takes place in her own living room. Repressed by a husband who expects her to fulfill her wifely and motherly roles under strict guidelines of morality and appearance, Nora discovers she has a will of her own. Ultimately, Nora realizes there is only one path that leads to her true identity, and that path begins outside the doll house. As a genre study, A Doll s House is a realistic drama that highlights the cultural conflicts of the nineteenth century. With its shocking and controversial conclusion, it marks a monumental, historic shift in the role of theater. Yet Ibsen s masterpiece remains a celebration of the art of theater. With its emphasis on individual characters, costumes, and personal props such as Nora s macaroons and tarantella dress, Ibsen s play transforms common stage conventions into a prophetic vision of a new society, one where individuals, both men and women, are free from the restraint of playing pre-determined roles. Today s teachers are in a unique position to share the historic, theatrical, and cultural significance of A Doll s House. Proving the adage that everything old is new again, FOX Broadcasting has announced a new television series scheduled to premiere in January 2009. Its central character is a woman whose job requires her to play a new personality every week. In between roles, her memory is erased. But her blossoming self-awareness and search for true identity soon mark her as subversive. The series is titled . . . Dollhouse. This guide is designed to assist teachers in planning a unit accessible to readers of various levels and learning styles. Ideas include opportunities for listening, speaking, writing, and creating. Pre-reading activities are provided to prepare students for reading a nineteenth century reality play, and to challenge students to think about Ibsen s themes. During-reading activities ask students to read more critically.


Ideas include opportunities for listening, speaking, writing, and creating. Pre-reading activities are provided to prepare students for reading a nineteenth century reality play, and to challenge students to think about Ibsen s themes. During-reading activities ask students to read more critically. And post-reading activities encourage students to evaluate the significance of A Doll s House by analyzing Ibsen s style and comparing the play to other works, including Ibsen s The Wild Duck, Hedda Gabler, and The Master Builder. The scope and variety of activities offered in this guide can be used selectively by teachers in focusing on the objectives of their course and the goals for their students. LIST OF CHARACTERS Major CharactersTorvald HelmerA lawyerNora HelmerTorvald s wifeDr. RankTorvald s closest friendMrs LindeNora s childhood friendNils KrogstadA bank clerkMinor CharactersIvar, Emmy, BobThe Helmers three small childrenAnne-MarieTheir nurseHeleneA maidDelivery BoyA Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House4SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAYAct OneNora Helmer enters her lovely living room laden with packages and a Christmas tree, humming a happy tune and sneaking a macaroon. Her husband, Torvald, greets her with questions about her spending, calling Nora his little lark, squirrel, spendthrift, and sweet tooth. Nora reminds him that they have no worries since Torvald has just been offered a bank managerial position, but her husband opts for caution. When Torvald inquires what she desires for Christmas, Nora asks for money. Two visitors enter the house: Dr. Rank accompanies Torvald to his study, and Mrs. Linde, an old friend who has been out of touch, joins Nora. The two women share confidences, and Nora reveals that she has hidden more than macaroons from her husband. Due to Torvald s serious illness several years prior, Nora explains, she had to finance a year of recovery in Italy. While she told Torvald that her father had left them the money, Nora actually forged her father s signature and borrowed the money from a lawyer named Krogstad. Justifying her dishonesty by saving Torvald s health and pride, Nora explains that she has been secretly working to pay off the loan, and she is almost free of her debt.


Due to Torvald s serious illness several years prior, Nora explains, she had to finance a year of recovery in Italy. While she told Torvald that her father had left them the money, Nora actually forged her father s signature and borrowed the money from a lawyer named Krogstad. Justifying her dishonesty by saving Torvald s health and pride, Nora explains that she has been secretly working to pay off the loan, and she is almost free of her debt. Krogstad enters next, hoping to salvage his position at the bank by speaking to Torvald. After Krogstad leaves, Nora is able to talk Torvald into giving Mrs. Linde a position at the bank. Torvald, Dr. Rank, and Mrs. Linde leave, and Nora visits with her three children. Krogstad returns with a threat: Nora must get Torvald to keep Krogstad s position at the bank, or Krogstad will reveal Nora s deception and forgery. Upon Torvald s return, Nora questions him about Krogstad s past, and Torvald explains that Krogstad lost his own reputation due to forgery. Declaring that such a lie infects the whole life of a home, Helmer returns to his study, leaving Nora anxious but determined. Act TwoThe curtain rises on the same room the next day, which is Christmas. Nora paces frantically, anxious that Krogstad will return to reveal her forgery to Torvald. The nurse enters with a box of masquerade clothes for the next evening s festivities, and Nora questions her about children who grow up without mothers. Kristine Linde enters, and as she helps Nora repair her masquerade dress, Nora confides in her friend once again. Assuring Kristine that she did not get the money from Dr. Rank, Nora asks Mrs. Linde to play with the children while she speaks to Torvald. Promising to scamper about and do tricks if only Torvald would give in, Nora asks her husband to keep Krogstad at the bank. Reminding her that rumors would spread about his wife s influence, Torvald denies Nora s request. When she says his concerns about propriety are petty, Torvald becomes incensed and sends Krogstad s termination letter to his home. Dr. Rank confides to Nora that he is dying and that he has loved her for years.


When she says his concerns about propriety are petty, Torvald becomes incensed and sends Krogstad s termination letter to his home. Dr. Rank confides to Nora that he is dying and that he has loved her for years. Unable to ask the doctor for help after his admission, Nora asks for a lamp to be brought in. Krogstad, having received his termination, returns to threaten Nora again, and the two admit that though they have both considered suicide, neither can brave it. Krogstad leaves, but his letter revealing all is clearly heard entering the mail slot. Nora keeps Torvald from reading the letter by begging his help with the tarantella dance she will perform at the masquerade. Dancing frenetically as though her life were at stake, Nora keeps Torvald occupied re-teaching her the dance. But tomorrow night, she promises him, then you ll be free. A Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House5Act ThreeThe act opens, once again, in the Helmer s living room, where Kristine Linde awaits the Helmers return from the party upstairs. Nora has just danced the tarantella. As Mrs. Linde waits, Krogstad arrives at her request. Kristine asks Krogstad to give them a second chance at a relationship. Krogstad agrees, promising to retrieve his letter of revelation, but Kristine convinces him to let the truth come to light for the good of both Nora and Torvald. The Helmers arrive from the party, Kristine leaves, and Torvald s amorous mood is interrupted by a visit from Dr. Rank, who leaves his calling card marked by the black cross that announces his impending death. Helmer tells Nora that he has often wished for some danger to befall her so that he can rescue her, and Nora seizes this opportunity to encourage Torvald to read Krogstad s letter. Torvald reads it and immediately chastises Nora, claiming she has wrecked his happiness and ruined his future. Torvald explains that Nora can stay in the house but will be unfit to raise the children. From now on, Torvald claims, happiness doesn t matter; all that matters is . . . The appearance. When a letter arrives including Nora s cancelled debt, Torvald is happy again.


. . The appearance. When a letter arrives including Nora s cancelled debt, Torvald is happy again. But Nora is forever changed by her husband s reaction, and after removing her masquerade costume, she sits down with Torvald to share the first serious conversation of their eight year marriage. Declaring she has been wronged greatly by both her father and her husband, Nora compares her existence in their homes to a doll in a doll house. When Torvald declares his wife cannot leave because her husband and children are her most sacred duties, Nora responds with I have other duties equally sacred. . . .Before all else, I m a human being. Nora is determined to remain strangers unless the greatest miracle of all could happen the ability to live together in a true marriage. Nora departs, and the audience is left with the sound of a door slamming shut. PREREADING ACTIVITIESThese activities are designed to deepen students background knowledge of literary symbols and traditions, and to introduce them to the play s major themes. Note: Consult other Teacher s Guides to Signet Classics; they contain ideas that can be adapted to prepare students to read and enjoy this play .I. BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE IN LITERATUREIntroduction to A Doll s HouseTreasure HuntOne way to arouse students interest in studying any play is to have them bring or draw objects which are connected to the plot, characters, or theme of the play. You can provide students with a list if you want to do this activity before they read the play OR they can brainstorm a list after they read different parts of the play or as a post-reading activity. Students can gather or create a range of objects, from easy to difficult, to bring to class to organize displays. Here are a few suggestions for a class reading A Doll s House:1.SETTING: a dollhouse, a masquerade mask, a peasant costume, a box of macaroons, a map of Norway, an audio tape with the sound of a slamming door or gypsy music suitable for the tarentella. A Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House62.CHARACTERS: a mommy doll, three children dolls, a lawyer s name plate, a business card with a black cross, a forged letter. 3. THEME: objects which symbolize individualism, deception, identity, and reality vs.


A Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House62.CHARACTERS: a mommy doll, three children dolls, a lawyer s name plate, a business card with a black cross, a forged letter. 3. THEME: objects which symbolize individualism, deception, identity, and reality vs. appearance prior to the scavenger hunt allow students to brainstorm ideas of objects which suggest these abstract qualities .Probable PassagesTo encourage student predictions, generate a list of ten to fifteen words related to A Doll s House. Ask students to write a probable passage paragraph that predicts the content of the play by using all the words from the list. After the play is read, students can return to the passage and make corrections to their summaries. Possible words might include: dollhouse, black cross, tarantella, masquerade, forgery, bank, mailbox, door, blackmail, husband, wife, reputation, morality. Circle MapTo build anticipation and to make connections by studying the play s title, ask students to draw a circle map at their desks as you model one on the board. In the middle of the circle, write A Doll s House. Ask students to predict what the play will be about by filling in the circle with words and ideas associated with a doll house. Model how to draw a frame around the circle map. Ask students to fill in the frame of reference with sources for their associations. For example, if students wrote toy in the circle, they might write my childhood in the frame of reference. Encourage abstract associations such as playing parts or fantasy role-play. Metaphoric ConnectionsA Doll s House utilizes the traditional metaphor of role-playing or masking to represent a character s repressed identity. Ask students to research other works of literature that incorporate masking and to create bibliographic entries and short summaries for each source they find. Arrange for a class period in the computer lab or media center and provide students with links or titles in order to initiate their searches. Either on the computer or in written form, individual students or teams can summarize the plot of their selection s and add works cited type entries with source information. Afterwards, summaries and bibliographic information can be compiled and shared in class to demonstrate the pervasiveness of the masking role-playing metaphor in literature. Titles for research might include:1. As You Like It2. Cinderella3. Much Ado About Nothing4.


As You Like It2. Cinderella3. Much Ado About Nothing4. Pinocchio5. Pygmalion6. Romeo and Juliet7. Sleeping BeautyA Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House7Genre StudyCritical ReadingWhile Ibsen is classified as a realistic dramatist, his theatrical career is often divided into three distinct periods that define the styles of his individual plays. The foreword to the Signet Classics Centennial Edition of Ibsen: Four Major Plays discusses Ibsen s developing style with particular emphasis on A Doll s House. Ask students to read Rolf Fjelde s Foreword and choose an appropriate comprehension strategy for note taking. Students might take Cornell Notes, double-column notes, or use post-its. To process their thinking, allow students to turn and talk after they have completed the reading. Reality TelevisionIn order to encourage students to think about the choices a playwright must make when creating a play with the look and feel of real life, ask students to develop a new reality T.V. show. Explain to students, however, that unlike the current television offerings, these reality shows must actually attempt to appear real. Like the realistic dramatists of the 19th and 20th centuries, students must discard lofty or overblown theatrics and storylines in exchange for the actual and the everyday. Their characters must be unable to arrive easily at answers to their predicaments. Students or teams must create a proposal for their show that answers the following questions:1.On what everyday situation or dilemma will your show focus?2. What everyday characters will your show include?3. What physical or philosophical problems of daily living, either social, philosophical, or psychological, will your show examine?II. BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE IN HISTORY AND CULTUREWomen s Rights TimelineAsk students to create a digital or hard copy timeline that details the growth and development of women s rights from as far back as the Anglo-Saxon period in Europe through the current day. Both historical and literary items may be included. Highlights might include Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley s A Vindication of the Rights of Women 1792 , Sojourner Truth s Ain t I A Woman? 1851 , Lydia Chapin, Susan B.


Both historical and literary items may be included. Highlights might include Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley s A Vindication of the Rights of Women 1792 , Sojourner Truth s Ain t I A Woman? 1851 , Lydia Chapin, Susan B. Anthony and the 19th Century Women s Suffrage Movement, and the still elusive Equal Rights Amendment ERA .19th Century Background MultiMedia Presentation Using Inspiration! Or another multi-media program, ask students to research and produce a 1-3 minute audio-story or podcast introducing the class to one of the following topics:1. Henrik Ibsen 2. 19th century Norway3. Realistic drama4. Tarentella dance5. 19th century women s roles in the WestA Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House8All students need is a microphone and an audio-editing software program like Audacity, which can be downloaded for free. Students create an MP3 file with their information and include transitional commentary. Next, students upload the podcast to a free site such as iTunes, or ask the local webmaster to post it to the school website. Classmates, parents, and other community members can listen to the recordings online or download them to their ipods. III. BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE THROUGH INITIAL EXPLORATION OF THEMESIndividualism versus Social ResponsibilityWalkabout SurveyTo activate prior knowledge and connections to the play s themes, have students perform a survey. Using a survey question that generates thought, provide students with a nine block 3 X 3 handout ready for responses. On the left side of the blocks going down, create blanks for three Informers. On the top of the blocks going left to right, create blanks for Detail 1, Detail 2, and Detail 3. Students then walk around and ask three different Informers to answer the survey question, giving three facts each. Students record their Informers facts in the blocks. After returning to their seats, students summarize in writing what they have learned from their classmates.


On the left side of the blocks going down, create blanks for three Informers. On the top of the blocks going left to right, create blanks for Detail 1, Detail 2, and Detail 3. Students then walk around and ask three different Informers to answer the survey question, giving three facts each. Students record their Informers facts in the blocks. After returning to their seats, students summarize in writing what they have learned from their classmates. Sample questions to generate a walkabout survey for A Doll s House include: What is the definition of freedom? Does social responsibility impede the rights of the individual? What are society s expectations for mothers? What are society s expectations for fathers? Can a person contradict these expectations and still be a good mother or father? Do society s expectations prevent a parent s individual growth? Are society s expectations of parents outdated in today s world?Gender Roles and MarriageGender Roles DiscussionAs a class, read The Story of an Hour, the short story written by American realist Kate Chopin in 1894. Discuss as a class:1. How does Chopin depict a high-class marriage at the turn of the nineteenth century?2. How does Chopin illustrate the role of women in nineteenth century Western Civilization? 3. To what does Mrs. Mallard refer when she thinks to herself, Free! Body and soul free! ? 4. Discuss the irony in the story s last line: She had died of heart disease of joy that kills. A Teacher s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s HouseThe Art of AdvertisementProvide groups of students with magazine, Internet, and television ads that can be perceived as gender specific or sexist. Consider commercials for cleaning products, food, cars, and alcohol. Ask students to analyze the following:1. Describe your advertisement in one paragraph. If print, start from the most obvious image and move to the details. If video, describe in sequential order. 2.What, if anything, about the advertisement makes it gender specific or sexist?3. Is the ad appealing? Why or why not? What is your group s reaction?4. What is the intended effect of the advertisement on the consumer?5. Is the company justified in portraying its product in this fashion?