Wh-Question Words

We use the wh- question words to form questions when we want to get information about
someone or something. The questions beginning with wh- words are called open questions
because usually there are many possible answers to these questions.

(1) When(about time or period)

e.g. (i) When did you get your first degree?
I got my first degree in 2005.
(ii) When does Many go to school every day?
She goes to school at seven oclock every day.

(2) Where (about a place or location)

e.g. (i) Where do you live?
I live in Wong Tai Sin.
(ii) Where was Julia yesterday?
She went to the library yesterday.

(3) Why (about the reasons of something)

e.g. (i) Why do you study architecture?
I study architecture because I want to design my own building.
(ii) Why was Alan absent from school yesterday?
It was because he was sick.

(4) Who (about the identity of a person / a group of people)

e.g. (i) Who wrote the Harry Potter series?
J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series.
(ii) Who is your school principal?
My school principal is Mr. Wong.

(5) Whose (about the possession of something)

e.g. (i) This class is very noisy. Whose class is it?
It is Miss Johnsons class.
(ii) Whose school bag is this?
 It is my school bag.

(6) What (the information about somebody or something among limited options)
e.g. (i) What sort of lesson does Nancy have on Fridays?
She has a piano lesson.
(ii) What will your brother do after graduation?
He will become a doctor.

(7) Which
e.g. (i) Which book do you want to borrow?
I want to borrow the blue one. It is more interesting.
(ii) Which subject of your curriculum do you like?
I like Mathematics. It is interesting.

Note that we use which when we have a general idea of what the answer will be. We use
what when we expect any possible answers.
e.g. Which club did you join, the Chess Club or the Art Club?
What club did you join?
 DEGREES OF COMPARISON

1. Positive degree
Positive Degree is compares two things that are equal.
The pattern:
Subject + to be + as + adjective + as +object
Subject + verb + as + adverb + as + object
Examples:
a. My book is as interesting as yours
b. His car runs as fastest race car
c. Their house is as big as that one

2. Comparative degree
Comparative Degree is to compare two things not equal.
a. The Pattern for one syllable:
Sub + to be + adjective + er + than + object
Sub + verb + adverb + er + than + object
Examples:
1) Today is hotter than yesterday.
2) Bill runs faster than Bob.
3) This exercise is easier than the last one.
4) Babul works harder than his brother.

b. The pattern for more than two syllables:

Subject + to be + more + adjective + than+ object
Subject + verb + more + adverb + than+ object
Examples:
1) This red dress is more beautiful than the white.
2) He speaks Tamil more fluently than I (me).
3) Tajmahal is more impressive than Red fort.
4) He visits his family more frequently than she does.
3. Superlative degree
Superlative Degree to compare one thing with two or more other things.
a. The pattern for ONE syllable
Subject + to be + the + adjective + est + object
Sub + verb + the + adverb + est + object
Examples:
1) John is the tallest boy in the family.
2) He works the hardest of all the employees in this office.
b. The pattern more than two syllables
Subject + to be + the most + adjective + object
Subject + verb + the most + adverb + object
Examples:
1) Kavalan was the most boring film I have ever seen.
2) Kavya dances the most gracefully of all the participant.
Exceptions:
a) Use the form more+ adjective for adjective ending in the following
suffixes:
ed, ful, ing, ish andous (more useful, more boring, more cautious)
b) When an adjective ends in a consonant +y, change the y
to iand add er or est(happyhappier/ the happiest, dry
drier/the driest) and for some, owand add er or est
(handsomer/the handsomest, narrower/the narrowest)
 Active and Passive Voice

The difference between active and passive voice is the difference between Robert is
writing the paper and the paper is being written by Robert. The active voice emphasizes
one performing an action; the passive voice emphasizes the receiver. In other words, a
sentence written in active voice places the performer as the subject, while a sentence in
passive voice places the receiver as subject. Generally, it is good to avoid the passive voice
since the additional helping verb can make a sentence unnecessarily complex. Using active
voice is one way to tighten syntax (grammatical arrangement) in order to form a clearer, more
direct, concise sentence.

Note the difference between these examples of active and passive voice:

(Passive) My garden was devoured by rabbits.

(Active) Rabbits devoured my garden.

In both of these sentences, there are two nouns: rabbits and garden. The first
example emphasizes the garden, while the second example emphasizes the rabbits. In the
second example, note that the syntax of the sentence has actually been reversed in order to
accommodate an active voicerabbits now appears at the beginning, and garden appears
at the end. Take a look at the following examples in past, present, and future tense.

Past Tense

(Passive) These jeans were sold in three sizes.

(Active) The merchant sold these jeans in three sizes.

Present Tense

(Passive) These ruby slippers are being given to me by my grandmother.

(Active) My grandmother is giving me these ruby slippers.

 Future Tense

(Passive) The house will be demolished by the government.

(Active) The government will demolish the house.

Becoming Aware of the Passive Voice

Finding instances of passive voice in your own writing can be tricky, but it helps to look for
unnecessary past participles with some form of to be (words like am, is, are, was, were, has
been, have been, had been). If you find your real subject is being acted upon rather than
doing the acting, it is likely that you have found an instance of passive voice.

When to Use Passive Voice

Microsoft Word 2007 will automatically underline all instances of passive voice in
green, a feature both helpful and misleading. While it is usually best to avoid passive voice,
there are times when it is appropriate. Passive voice may sometimes work in creative
writing, journalism, some academic disciplines (especially the sciences) and any instance
where there is no one performing an action (no subject). If a sentence simply reads The
house will be demolished, the passive voice cannot be avoided. Knowing when to use and
not to use the passive voice makes all the difference.
 ASKING FOR AND GIVING DIRECTIONS

Under this topic title, we will learn how to ask for directions and how to give directions to
someone who asked us.

Before Asking For Directions:

Starting to conversation kindly is very good way. So, when we start talking, we can use the
following forms:

Examples:

Excuse me / Excuse me sir or madam.

I am new here.
Im lost.
I am sorry to interrupt you, but
Excuse me, could you help me, please?
I am sorry.
Sorry, I am not from around here.
Excuse me madam, I seemed to be lost.
Hello / Hello sir or madam.

Asking directions:

Sometimes we or someone need to find a place. And we need to ask someone else for
help. When were asking for directions to someone, we use some phrases. These are given
below;

Examples:

Can you give me directions to the nearest hospital?

Are we on the right road for London?
How do you get to the bus stop?
Where is the carnival?
Where can I find the nearest car park?
How do I get to library?
 Is there a pet shop near here?
Where is the nearest post office?
Do you know where the shopping center is?
Is there a sports shop around here?
Can you tell me how to get to train station from here?
How can I get to the pub?
Whats the best way to get to the amusement park from here?
Whats the quickest way to get to the airport from here?
Whats the easiest way to get to the nearest drugstore from here?
Could you tell me where the nearest grocery store is?
Where are you exactly?
How do you get to the supermarket from here?
I am looking for this address, am I in the right place / how can I get there?
Can you tell me the way to the Nature Hotel?
Is this the right way for the campground?
Do you have a map?
I am trying to find an exchange office. Could you tell me how to get there?
I am trying to get to the police station, Can you show me on the map?
Could you help me, please? Im looking for the bank.
Does this bus go to the center?
Do you know the cafe?

Answering the question:

1. If we dont know the answer, we can say;

I am sorry.
I dont know.
I am stranger here myself.

2. If we or someone know the question, give the directions;

* Commonly used verbs for giving directions are colored below.

a. Giving Directions to Say Go Straight;

 Go straight.
Go along the road.
Go down there.
Go down or walk down the street.
Go up or walk up the street.
Go straight along this road.
Go past the bus stop.
Go toward the church.
Go ahead.
Go straight ahead
Go ahead and ask someone.
Go on ahead.
Go straight on until you come to the crossroad.
Go straight on left / right.
Go straight at the lights / at the roundabout /at the junction.
Continue straight ahead for about a mile.
Continue past the petrol station. ( paas the station and continue)
Continue straight on past two traffic lights.
Continue straight ahead for about two kilometres.
Keep going for another station.
Keep going down this Street.
Keep going for another shop hundred metres.
Keep going straight ahead you will see it on the right.
Keep on the straight road.
Keep walking ahead.
Take this road.
Walk to the corner.
Follow this street for 300 metres.
Follow the road until you get to the bank.

b. Giving Directions to Say Turn;

Turn right.
Turn left.
 Turn left past the bank. ( pass the bank and then turn left )
Turn back. ( go back)
Turn left after the bridge.
Turn right at the second turning ( turn left when you reach the turning )
Turn right from the first alley.
Turn left on to Daniel Street.
Turn left at the end of the corridor.
Turn right / left at the traffic lights / roundabout, etc.
Turn right on after you pass the market on the right also.
Turn left after you pass the bakery.
Turn left past the phone shop.
When you see a school on your right hand side, turn left in to European Street.
Turn left after you pass the bakery.
Go right / left at the end of the road.
Take the first right.
Take the first / second / third street on the left / right.
Take the first left when you enter Steven Road.
You need to take a left / a right at the next traffic lights.
Take a right / left at the junction.
Take the second exit at the T- junction and then turn right at the traffic rights.
When you get to Paris Street, take your next right.
After you pass the restaurant on your left, take a right at the next crossroad.
If you take the road on the left, youll come to the post office.
Take a left when you come to the main street.
Round the corner from the post office.

c. Giving Direcitons to Say Cross;

Cross the pub.

Pass the school.
You will cross some traffic lights.
Cross the taxi rank and you are there.
Go over the bridge.
Giving locations:

* Commonly used prepositions for giving locations are colored below.

It is

on the left.
on left.
on the right.
on right side.
on the straight ahead.
on left after the gas station.
straight ahead on the right.
straight ahead of you.
straight ahead on the left next to the book shop.
opposite.
opposite the bank.
on opposite side of the Street.
across the road.
near my office.
next to Mall.
behind the hospital.
in front of the bus station.
between the our office and the supermarket.
on the right in between the pet shop and the grocery store.
at the end of Paris Street.
on/at the corner of Daniel Road.
over there, near the police station.
just right / left around the corner.
(just) around the corner.
just around the corner on the left / right side.
left around the corner next to the market.
left around the corner from the subway.
further down the road on the left.
the biggest / smallest building on the left.
 in the centre of the town.
the first turning on the right after the bank.

Other useful phrases for giving direction:

It is this way / that way.

You are going to wrong way.
You are going in the wrong direction.
You will pass a bakery on your left.
It will be on your left or right.
This straight road will lead you to the hospital.
You will see the entrance on the left.
You will pass a taxi rank on your left.
Follow the sign for the town centre.
You will see the car park infront of you.
You cant miss it.
Come off the motorway / highway at the junction.
The signpost said London 18 miles or America.
Follow the signs to..
You will come to a bus station.
You will see the Black Lake.

Landmarks:

When giving directions we will often use landmarks help the other person understand where to
find it.

These are listed below; traffic lights, crossroads, junction, level crossing, signpost, T-junction,
dead end, underpass, roundabout, flyover, motorway, bridge, railway bridge, railway line, dual
carriageway, pedestrian crossing, zebra crossing, stop sign, hospital, police station, shopping
centre, garage, petrol station, Airport, bus stop,station, Bookshop, Building and etc
Asking for repetation:

Sorry, I didnt catch that.

Could you say that again please?
Could you repeat it again please?
What did you say the streets name was?
Could you speak up please?
Could you speak a little louder?
Could you show me please?

Finishing Conversation:

Thanks for help. Bye .

Thank you for help. Good bye.
Thank you for spending your time with me. Have a nice day!
 List of Fruit in English

apple
apricot
avocado - the plural is avocados though you may see avocadoes (less frequently).
banana
blackberry
blackcurrant
blueberry
boysenberry - is a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry
cherry
coconut
fig
grape
grapefruit
kiwifruit - sometimes written as two words kiwi fruit. It has the same form in singular
and plural kiwifruit.
lemon
lime
lychee - sometimes called litchi in US English
mandarin
mango - the plural of mango can be either mangos or mangoes.
melon - the generic name for most types of melon
nectarine - the same a peach but without fur on its skin
orange
papaya - In some countries it is called pawpaw.
passion fruit - In United States it is written as two words while in some countries it is
written as one word: passionfruit. The plural of passion fruit is either passion fruit or
passion fruits. See our notes about the plural of fruit above.
peach - same as a nectarine but with a slight fur on its skin
pear
pineapple
plum
pomegranate
quince
raspberry
strawberry
watermelon
 List of Vegetables in English

[C] = Countable Noun - [U] = Uncountable Noun

artichoke [C]
asparagus [U]
aubergine [C] and [U] - (called eggplant in United States)
beet [C] - (called beetroot in British English)
beetroot [C] and [U] - (called beet in United States)
bell pepper * [C] - (Just called pepper in British English or with its color beforehand
just as red pepper or green pepper. In Australia and New Zealand it is known as
capsicum)
broccoli [U] - (broccoli is an uncountable noun so there is no plural of broccoli)
Brussels sprout [C]
cabbage [C] and [U]
carrot [C]
cauliflower [C] and [U]
celery [U]
corn ** [U]
courgette * [C] - (called zucchini in United States)
cucumber * [C] and [U]
eggplant * [C] and [U] - (called aubergine in British English)
green bean * [C] - (sometimes called French bean in the UK)
green onion [C] - (called spring onion in the British English)
leek [C]
lettuce [C] and [U]
mushroom *** [C]
onion [C] and [U]
pea [C]
pepper [C] - (called bell pepper in British English. In Australia and New Zealand it is
known as capsicum)
potato [C] and [U] - (the plural of potato is potatoes - potato is sometimes
uncountable as in mashed potato)
pumpkin * [C] and [U]
radish [C] - (the plural of radish is radishes)
spring onion [C] - (called green onion or scallion in United States)
squash * [C] and [U]
sweet potato [C] - (kumara in New Zealand)
tomato * [C] - (the plural of tomato is tomatoes)
zucchini * [C] - (called courgette in British English)
 Transport Vocabulary

(aero)plane(s) (bi)cycle(s) boat(s) bus(es) car(s)

helicopter(s) lorry(lorries) moped(s) (motor)bike(s) ship(s)

submarine(s) /
tanker(s) taxi(s) train(s) tram(s)
sub(s)

tube train(s) /
underground van(s) yacht(s)
train(s)
1. motorbike

small motorcycle with a low frame and small wheels and elevated handlebars

2. bus

a vehicle carrying many passengers

3. train

public transport provided by a line of railway cars

4. tram

a wheeled vehicle that runs on rails and is propelled by electricity

5. taxi

a car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in
exchange for money

6. cab

a car whose driver is paid to take you to a particular place

7. plane

a fixed-wing aircraft that is powered by propellers or jets

8. car

a motor vehicle with four wheels

9. ship

a vessel that carries passengers or freight

10. scooter

a wheeled vehicle with small wheels and a low-powered gasoline engine geared to the
rear wheel

11. ferry

a boat transporting people or vehicles over a body of water

12. bicycle

a vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

13. underground

an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)

14. subway

an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)

15. wait

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

16. passenger

a traveler riding in a vehicle but not operating it

17. rush hour

the times at the beginning and end of the working day when many people are traveling
to or from work

18. pedestrian

a person who travels by foot

19. crowded

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

20. fast

acting or moving or capable of acting or moving quickly

21. slowly

without speed

22. traffic

things coming and going in a particular locality

23. traffic jam

 a number of vehicles blocking one another until they can scarcely move

24. left

being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing
north

25. right

free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth

26. drive

operate or control a vehicle

27. ride

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

28. get off

leave a vehicle, aircraft, etc.

29. get on

get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)

30. journey

the act of traveling from one place to another

31. take

get into one's hands

32. queue

a line of people or vehicles waiting for something

33. transit

a journey usually by ship

34. check in

announce one's arrival, e.g. at hotels or airports

35. pay cash

pay (for something) with cash

36. credit card

a card (usually plastic) that assures a seller that the person using it has a satisfactory
credit rating and that the issuer will see to it that the seller receives payment for the
merchandise delivered

37. walk

use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

38. departure

the act of leaving

39. arrival

the act of coming to a certain place

40. arrive

reach a destination

41. single

existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual

42. return

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

43. ticket

a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on
public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)

44. luggage

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

45. baggage

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

46. passport

a document issued by a country to a citizen allowing that person to travel abroad and
re-enter the home country

47. security

the state of being free from danger or injury

48. flight

an instance of traveling by air

49. gate

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

50. boarding pass

a pass that allows you to board a ship or plane

51. boarding

the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft

52. delayed

not as far along as normal in development

53. aisle

a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

54. departure lounge

lounge where passengers can await departure

55. airport

an airfield equipped with control tower and hangars as well as accommodations for
passengers and cargo

56. station

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel

57. railway station

terminal where trains load or unload passengers or goods

58. bus stop

a place on a bus route where buses stop to discharge and take on passengers