Week 9 – SS2 Third Term English Language Notes

WEEK NINE
TOPICS

1. Comprehension: African Plucked Lutes
   
2. Structure: Idioms
   
3. Vocabulary Development: Words Associated with Politics and Government
   

1. Comprehension: African Plucked Lutes pg 197 – 198, Effective English
   

   This is a passage about the African plucked lutes. It explains how they are made, how they are played and what they are used for. It describes the lutes perfectly.

 EVALUATION
Answer the questions on this passage.

 READING ASSIGNMENT
Pg 197 – 198 of Effective English

1. Structure: Idioms
   

   CONTENT
   An idiom is a phrase or group of words whose meaning cannot be deduced from the individual meanings of the words in the phrase. The following are few examples of idiomatic expressions.

   1. To play the ostrich – avoiding reality or danger
   2. To play God – to act like you all-powerful
   3. To leave no stone unturned – to do everything possible
   4. To be an edge – to be hot tempered
   5. Icing on the cake – sample of the real thing
   6. To keep the flag flying – maintain a good impression
   7. To lead a dog’s life – to live in misery
   8. To keep body and soul together – to survive
   9. To cook the books – to falsify accounts
   10. In the red – in debt, going bankrupt
   11. A fair weather friend – an unfaithful friend
   12. Chicken hearted/ liver-hearted – cowardly
   13. Feather brain – foolish
   14. Eagle-eyed – very good sight/very observant.

 EVALUATION
Write our five more idiomatic expressions with their meanings.

 READING ASSIGNMENT
Pg 196 – 200 Effective English

1. Vocabulary Development: Words Associated with Politics and Government, pg
   

• Manifesto – programme of action, policy of a party.
• Ballot-box – box into which voters put their ballot papers.
• Suffrage – right to vote in a national election.
• Primaries – first stages of party election to select a candidate.
• Nomination – act of naming a candidate for a poster office
• Aspirant – someone who desires to hold a political office.
• Rigging – manipulating the votes to favour one candidate.
• Votes – opportunities to indicate a choice of leader.
• Election – choosing by vote
• Ballot – voting, votes
• Sovereign – self-governing, independent
• Party – association of people with political aim.

 EVALUATION
Use five of the words above in sentences

 READING ASSIGNMENT
Pg 166 – 167 of Countdown English

1. Essay Writing: Descriptive Essay: A festival I like.
   

   Outline
   

• Identify the festival
• Mention when and where it is celebrated
• Explain why it is celebrated
• Discuss the preparation for this festival
• Describe the costumes (if any) used for it.
• Explain the processes/events logically.
• Highlight its significance/special features
• Mention what you like about it and why
• Conclude with a captivating remark.

 EVALUATION
Write a descriptive essay on the outlined topic above.

 READING ASSIGNMENT
Pg. 13 – 16 Countdown English

 GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Define idioms giving copious examples for them.
2. Write out five other words peculiar to government and politics.

 WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
SECTION A
Write out the meanings of the following idioms.

1. The teacher was talking over the student’s head.
2. I couldn’t make a head or tail of what he was saying.
3. Davies burnt his fingers in the business deal.
4. Don’t take me for a ride.
5. You should set your teeth for this cause

 SECTION B
Section D, practice 2, pg. 145