ws16

PG222

PGDSE03

P.G. DIPLOMA EXAMINATION JULY 2008.

Spoken English
PHONETIC TRANSCRIPTION AND SPOKEN
ENGLISH
Time : 3 Hours

Maximum marks : 75

1. Explain any TWO of the following in about

50 words each :
(2 5 = 10)
(a)

Write a note on the physical organs of speech.

(b)

Explain the structure of syllable in English.

(c)

What is diphthongs?

2. Read the passage below and then answer the

questions which follow it :
(5 2 = 10)
It has been part of Nelson's prayer that the British fleet
might be distinguished by humanity in the victory
which he expected. Setting an example himself, he twice
gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoubtable,

ws16

supposing that she had struck because her great guns

were silent ; for as she carried no flag, there was no
means of instantly ascertaining the fact. From this ship,
which he had thus twice spared, he received his death.
A ball fired from her mizzen-top which, in the then
situation of the two vessels was not more than fifteen
yards from that part of the deck where he was standing,
struck the epaulette on his left shoulder about a quarter
after one, just in the heat of action. He fell upon his face
on the spot which was covered with his poor secretary's
blood. Hardy who was a few steps from him turning
round, saw three men raising him up. They have done
for me at last Hardy! said he. I hope not! cried Hardy,
Yes, he replied, my back-bone is shot through! Yet
even now not for a moment losing his presence of mind,
he observed as they were carrying him down the ladder,
that the tiller-ropes which had been shot away, were not
yet replaced and ordered that new ones should be roped
immediately. Then that he might not be seen by the
crew, he took out his handkerchief and covered his face
and his stars. Had he but concealed these badges of
honour from the enemy, England perhaps would not
have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the
2

PG222

ws16

battle of Trafalgar. The cockpit was crowded with

wounded and dying men ; over whose bodies he was
with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in
the midshipmen's berth. It was soon perceived, upon
examination, that the wound was mortal. This, however,
was concealed from all except Captain Hardy, the
Chaplain, and the medical attendants. He himself being
certain, from the sensation in his back, and the gush of
blood he felt momently within his breast, that no human
care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should
leave him and attend to those to whom he might be
useful.
Questions :
(a)

What is meant by supposing that she had struck?

(b)

How can Nelson be said to have been partly

responsible for his own death?

(c)

What do you understand by mizzen-top?

(d)

Why did Nelson insist that the surgeon should

leave him and attend to others?

(e)

What qualities in Nelson's character are revealed

by this passage?
3

PG222

ws16

3. Write as directed :
(a)

He

is

(10 2 = 20)

honest

man.

(use

the

appropriate article)
(b)

Rama is most intelligent student in

the class. (use the appropriate article)

(c)

I (walk) everyday to college. (use the

correct form of the verb)

(d)

Essays (write) by different people on the same

subject will never be identical. (use the correct form of

the verb)
(e) What is the time your watch. (use
the appropriate preposition)
(f)
Coffee is grown hill slopes. (Use the
appropriate preposition).
(g) The railway budget has proposed a moderate hike
in (fright/freight) (use the right word)
(h) The rider controlled the horse using
(reins/rains) (use the right word)
(i)

the

Give the antonyms of the following :

(i)

Amicable

(ii)

Lenient.
4

PG222

ws16

(j)

Give the synonyms of the following :

(i)

Bequeath

(ii)

Eulogy.

4. Read the following passage and make notes on it :

(1 5 = 5)
There are eight thousand six hundred kinds of birds,
varying in size from the tiny humming birds to the
largest of all living birds, the ostrich, They are of
different colours and they live in many different places.
They eat different kinds of food and they make different
noises. But, in spite of all this, birds are a group of
animals that are similar in many ways. For example,
they all have feathers. They have warm bodies and the
feathers help to prevent this warmth from being lost.
Only birds have feathers so that if you want to decide if
some unknown creature was a bird or not, you would
only need to see if it had feathers.
As well as having warm bodies and feathers, all birds
have wings. Most birds use these for flying but there are
birds that can not fly, such as penguins and ostriches,
and they use their wings in other ways. Penguins use
5

PG222

ws16

their wings for swimming and ostriches use them when

they run and sometimes for showing off.
Like any other animal, a bird must eat and every bird
has a beak to pick up its food. Because there are many
different kinds of food which birds can eat, the shape of
the beak varies. In fact, it is possible to get a very good
idea of a bird's flood by looking at the shape of the beak.
All birds lay eggs and-the baby bird develops and grows
inside the egg until it finally grows too big and breaks
it-open. After it has hatched, the young bird is still
rather helpless and has to be looked after by its parents
until it is strong enough to -look after itself There are
some birds, such as the cuckoo, which do not look after
their -own young ones but lay their eggs in other birds
nests When the eggs are hatched, the other birds look
after their foster children as if they were their own.
5. Transcribe any THREE of the following passages :
(3 10 = 30)
(a)

Thats a nice suit., I havent seen it before, have I?-

PG222

ws16

No. Its the first time Ive worn it, actually. I only
got it about four days ago. You like it, do you?
Very much. Did you have it specially mode, or did
you buy it off the peg?
I had it made. I very rarely buy a suit so I thought
Id have it tailored, and Im quite pleased
with it.
I should think so. It's very handsome. May I ask
where you got it?
The same place as I got my last one, nineteen
years ago.
Nineteen years? Do you really mean to tell me you
havent had a suit since then?
Thats right. I dont often wear a suit, you see so
they tend to last along time.

PG222

ws16

(b) Nineteen years is certainly a long time; and even if

you dont wear them much, your old one must have
lasted well.
Oh, it did. They did a very good job on it.
What was the name of the tailor?
Philipson. Its quite a small shop right at the end
of King Street.
I know it. Rather a shabby-looking place.. Ive
never been in there.
I wouldn't call it-shabby, but it isn't very modern, I
admit. However, theyre very obliging, and
take a great deal of trouble.
So I can see. I think Ill go along there. I need a
new suit, Oh, by the way, what sort of prices
do they charge?
Pretty reasonable, really. This was eighty pounds.
Thats not bad. I think ill look in there tomorrow.

PG222

ws16

Yes, do. Mention my name if you like. It wont do

any harm, and it might do some good. Ive
just paid my bill.
(c)

I need a couple of shirts. Grey terylene, please.

Certainly, sir, Ill just get some out. Would you
mind taking a seat for a minute. I shant be
long.
No, dont be too long. I havent very much time.
Very good, sir. Heres a nice shirt ; we sell a lot of
this one.
Do you, now? Yes, its the sort of style I want, but I
asked for grey, This is purple.
Purple, sir? Surely not. Its what we call silverblue.
Well, it looks purple to me. Anyway, Id like
something a little less bright, more like the
one Im wearing.
Oh, that sort of grey. I haven't seen that for years.
9

PG222

ws16

I bought it here, six months ago.

Did you really, sir? It must have been old stock.
Well, see if youve still got any left, will you?
(d)

Ah yes, here we are. I m sorry about the dust, sir.

Can I lend you a handkerchief?

No, thank you, Ill survive. Yes, that looks better.
Have you another one like it?
Im afraid not, sir. Its probably the last in the
country.
Oh, all right, Ill take it. How much is it?
Twelve pounds, sir. It was a very good shirt in its
time.
I should think so, at twelve pounds. Can I pay by
cheque?
Certainly, sir. You have a cheque card?
Yes, I have.
And would you just put your name and address on
the back?
10

PG222

ws16

I can never understand that. If the cheque was no

good, Id put a false name and address, wouldnt you?
Youre joking, sir, of course. I naturally assume
your cheque is good.
Very trusting of you. It is, as a matter of fact.
Is there anything else you need, sir? Ties, socks,
vests?
I don't think so, thank you. Good morning.
Good day, sir.

11

PG222