Bully for you

The makers of a controversial computer game about bullying have decided to go ahead
and launch it despite calls for it to be banned. In the game, players take on the role of a
new students at a school and have to fight the bullies, by punching them or hitting them
with a baseball bat.

Critics have said that the game encourages violence, but the makers deny this and say
that, while there is violence in the game, it is just an amusing look at school life, besides
which, the violence in the game is directed against the bullies to protect pupils who are
being bullied. The makers also say that players will learn to stand up to bullies.

A British politician, a former minister, has called for it to be banned as it might affect the
way young people perceive violence.

Anti-bullying charities have said that the game might make people respond violently to
bullies, which might make things more complicated and result in injuries.

1 - The makers of the computer game decided not to release it. (T/F) f
2 - In the game, the player takes on the role of a bully. (T/F)f
3 - The game is set in a university. (T/F)f
4 - Everyone agrees that the game encourages violence. (T/F)f
5 - A British politician has spoken in favour of the game. (T/F)f
6 - The politician used to be a minister. (T/F)t
7 - The politician thinks it might make young people look at violence differently. (T/F)t
8 - The anti-bullying charity thinks the game is good because it might make pupils stand up to bullies.
(T/F)f
9 - The anti-bullying charity thinks that people might get hurt because of this game. (T/F)t
10 - The makers of the game have changed the contents before releasing it in the UK. (T/F)f

Reality Television
Reality television is a genre of television programming which, it is claimed, presents
unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and features
ordinary people rather than professional actors. It could be described as a form of
artificial or "heightened" documentary. Although the genre has existed in some form or
another since the early years of television, the current explosion of popularity dates from
around 2000.

Reality television covers a wide range of television programming formats, from game or
quiz shows which resemble the frantic, often demeaning programmes produced in
Japan in the 1980s and 1990s (a modern example is Gaki no tsukai), to surveillance- or
voyeurism- focused productions such as Big Brother.

Critics say that the term "reality television" is somewhat of a misnomer and that such
shows frequently portray a modified and highly influenced form of reality, with
participants put in exotic locations or abnormal situations, sometimes coached to act in
certain ways by off-screen handlers, and with events on screen manipulated through
editing and other post-production techniques.

Part of reality television's appeal is due to its ability to place ordinary people in
extraordinary situations. For example, on the ABC show, The Bachelor, an eligible male
dates a dozen women simultaneously, travelling on extraordinary dates to scenic locales.
Reality television also has the potential to turn its participants into national celebrities,
outwardly in talent and performance programs such as Pop Idol, though frequently
Survivor and Big Brother participants also reach some degree of celebrity.

Some commentators have said that the name "reality television" is an inaccurate
description for several styles of program included in the genre. In competition-based
programs such as Big Brother and Survivor, and other special-living-environment shows
like The Real World, the producers design the format of the show and control the day-
to-day activities and the environment, creating a completely fabricated world in which
the competition plays out. Producers specifically select the participants, and use
carefully designed scenarios, challenges, events, and settings to encourage particular
behaviours and conflicts. Mark Burnett, creator of Survivor and other reality shows, has
agreed with this assessment, and avoids the word "reality" to describe his shows; he has
said, "I tell good stories. It really is not reality TV. It really is unscripted drama."

Q1 - In the first line, the writer says 'it is claimed' because

they agree with the statement.

everyone agrees with the statement.

no one agrees with the statement.

they want to distance themselves from the statement.

Q2 - Reality television has

always been this popular.

has been popular since well before 2000.

has only been popular since 2000.

has been popular since approximately 2000.

Q3 - Japan

is the only place to produce demeaning TV shows.

has produced demeaning TV shows copied elsewhere.

produced Big Brother.

invented surveillance focused productions.

Q4 - People have criticised reality television because

it is demeaning.

it uses exotic locations.

the name is inaccurate.

it shows reality.

Q5 - Reality TV appeals to some because

it shows eligible males dating women.

it uses exotic locations.

it shows average people in exceptional circumstances.

it can turn ordinary people into celebrities.

Q6 - Pop Idol

turns all its participants into celebrities.

 is more likely to turn its particiapants into celebrities than Big Brother.

is less likely to turn its particiapants into celebrities than Big Brother.

is a dating show.

Q7 - The term 'reality television' is inaccurate

for all programs.

just for Big Brother and Survivor.

for talent and performance programs.

for special-living-environment programs.

Q8 - Producers choose the participants

on the ground of talent.

only for special-living-environment shows.

to create conflict among other things.

to make a fabricated world.

Q9 - Paul Burnett

was a participant on Survivor.

is a critic of reality TV.

thinks the term 'reality television' is inaccurate.

writes the script for Survivor.

Q10 - Shows like Survivor

are definitely reality TV.

are scripted.

have good narratives.

 are theatre.

Star Wars
The plain, brown cloak that Sir Alec Guinness 1) __________ when he played the character
Obi-Wan Kenobi 2) __________ the Star Wars films is part 3) __________ a collection of film
and television costumes that will be sold. Alec Guiness died 4) __________ 2000.

5) __________ cloak disappeared thirty years ago and was then used in 6) __________ films.
It was even used by people going 7) __________ fancy dress parties. Experts think it will 8)
__________ for £40,000.

Comprehension Questions...
Q1
wear
wore
wearing

Q2
in
 on
at

Q3
off
for
of

Q4
on
in
for

Q5
A
The
Those

Q6
other
others
other's

Q7
to
at
from
Q8
sell
sold
sale
b,a,c,b,b,a,a,a

Rewrite the following sentences so that the verbs will be in the active voice.

1. We are taught grammar by Ms Sullivan.

2. He was praised by the teacher.

3. The injured were taken to the hospital by the firemen.

4. The town was destroyed by an earthquake.

5. The teacher was pleased with the boy’s work.

6. The building was damaged by the fire.

7. By whom were you taught French?

8. You will be given a ticket by the manager.

9. The streets were thronged with spectators.

10. We will be blamed by everyone.

11. The trees were blown down by the wind.

12. The thieves were caught by the police.

13. The letter was posted by Alice.

14. We were received by the hostess.

15. The snake was killed with a stick.

16. The minister was welcomed by the people.

17. He was found guilty of murder.

18. This house was built by John Mathews in 1991.

Answers

1. Ms Sullivan teaches us grammar.

2. The teacher praised him.

3. The firemen took the injured to the hospital.

4. An earthquake destroyed the town.

5. The boy’s work pleased the teacher.

6. The fire damaged the building.

7. Who taught you French?

8. The manager will give you a ticket.

9. Spectators thronged the streets.

10. Everyone will blame us.

11. The wind blew down the trees.

12. The police caught the thieves.

13. Alice posted the letter.

14. The hostess received us.

15. They/somebody killed the snake with a stick.

16. The people welcomed the minister.

17. They found him guilty of murder.

18. John Mathews built this house in 1991.

1. They had finished the job by Monday.

2. I had learnt an important lesson.

3. Amar had made a big mistake.

4. Pooja had won a big prize.

5. They had informed him.

6. The teacher had punished the boy.

7. The master had spanked the poor boy.

Answers

1. The job had been finished (by them) by Monday.

2. An important lesson had been learnt by me.

3. A big mistake had been made by Amar.

4. A big prize had been won by Pooja.

5. He had been informed by them.

6. The boy had been punished by the teacher.

7. The poor boy had been spanked by the master.

ast Continuous Tense

Active sentences in the past continuous tense have the following structure:

Subject + was/were + -ing form of the verb + object

Passive sentences in the past continuous tense have the following structure:

Object of the active sentence + was/were + being + past participle form of the verb + by + subject of the
active sentence

Examples are given below:

Active: She was writing a novel.

Passive: A novel was being written by her.

Active: They were saying their prayers.

Passive: Their prayers were being said by them.

Active: He was giving a lecture.

Passive: A lecture was being given by him.

Changing a negative sentence into the passive

Active: She was not preparing dinner.

Passive: Dinner was not being prepared by her.

Active: He was not making a speech.

Passive: A speech was not being made by him.

Changing an interrogative sentence into the passive

Passive forms of these sentences begin with was or were. If the active sentence begins with a question
word, the passive sentence will also begin with a question word.

Active: Is she writing a letter?

Passive: Is a letter being written by her?

Active: Why were you cheating me?

Passive: Why was I being cheated by you?

Active: Which book were you reading?

Passive: Which book was being read by you?

Active: Why was she beating the child?

Passive: Why was the child being beaten by her?

Active: For what were you making such a noise?

Passive: For what was such a noise being made by you?

Past perfect tense

Active voice: Subject + had + past participle form of the verb + object

Passive voice: Object of the active sentence + had + been + past participle form of the verb + by +
subject of the active sentence

Active: I had never experienced such difficulty.

Passive: Such difficulty had never been experienced by me.

Active: I had not listened to him.

Passive: He had not been listened to by me.

Active: I had finished my work.

Passive: My work had been finished by me.

Active: I had written a letter.

Passive: A letter had been written by me.

Active: He had given a lecture.

Passive: A lecture had been given by him.

Changing an interrogative sentence into the passive

Active: Had she invited them?

Passive: Had they been invited by her?

Active: Had she prepared dinner?

Passive: Had dinner been prepared by her?

Active: Had he given a lecture?

Passive: Had a lecture been given by him?

Figurative Language Poem 8

The Black Land
By Joseph Warren Beach

I will plough the land,

Turning up the black soil.
I will ride upon this heaving surface
As a boat rides upon the water.
Even as a boat
Cleaving the water with an eager keel,
I have run a furrow1
Straight across the ridges.

I will sow down this field,

Scattering gems.
With both hands will I scatter
Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.
As I tread the loam2
My feet sink deep.
The black earth embraces my ankles
And clings to my bent knees.
I sing as I go
Scattering emeralds.
The wind sings upon my lips,
And pearls stream off my neck and
forehead.
I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.
Eyes straight forward
Rest on a brightening ultimate slope.

Review Questions 1. A long narrow trench made in the ground by a

plow,
2. Soil with equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay.

Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the
questions completely. If you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.

1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
I will ride upon this heaving surface / As a boat rides upon the water.
Even as a boat / Cleaving the water with an eager keel,

Here are two examples of simile in this poem. The speaker is comparing his plowing
to the motion of a boat riding (first example) and cleaving (second example) across
the surface of the water. The speaker uses the word "as" to make the comparison;
therefore, it is a simile.
There are several other uses of the word "as," but they are not comparisons and, thus,
not similes.

2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared
in each metaphor.
Scattering gems: the speaker compares seeds to gems without using the word "like" or
"as."
With both hands will I scatter Quivering emeralds: the speaker implicitly compares
seeds to emeralds.
And pearls stream off my neck and forehead: the speaker implicitly compares sweat to
pearls.
I am bathed in a sweat of pearls: the speaker compares sweat to pearls without using
"like" or "as."

3. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified and

how.
Cleaving the water with an eager keel: the keel is given the human trait of eagerness.
The black earth embraces my ankles: the earth is given the ability to embrace.
The wind sings upon my lips: the wind is given the ability to sing.

4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.

Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch: the pouch cannot actually be
bottomless.
Some students might interpret "ultimate slope" as hyperbole, and I would give them
credit for this response.

5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your
response.
This poem is about a farmer ploughing a field, scattering seeds, and sweating.

6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the
poem? Refer to text.
The tone that the speaker uses is proud, strong, determined: statements like "I will..."
express the speakers determination.

7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to
text in your response.
This poem might make readers feels happy, because the farmer is singing, or
admiring, because the farmer is free.

Figurative Language Poem 3

From The
Grave
By Robert Blair

Dull Grave!�thou spoil'st the dance of youthful blood,

Strik'st out the dimple from the cheek of mirth,
And every smirking feature from the face;
Branding our laughter with the name of madness.
Where are the jesters now? the men of health
Complexionally pleasant? Where the droll,
Whose every look and gesture was a joke
To clapping theatres and shouting crowds,
And made even thick-lipp'd musing Melancholy
To gather up her face into a smile
Before she was aware? Ah! sullen now,
And dumb as the green turf that covers them.

Review Questions
Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the
questions completely. If you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.

1. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified &

how in each example.

The Grave is give the human quality of being dull.

Mirth is given a cheek with a dimple.
Melancholy is given a musing face and thick lips, or perhaps that is the name of a
girl..

2. Identify an example of hyperbole: explain how it is exaggerated.

The jeters or the droll are given the description of "Whose every look and gesture was
a joke." This is an exaggeration.

3. Identify an example of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared.

Life is compared to a "dance of youthful blood" implicitly.

The process of calling something "mad" is compared to "branding."
It is arguable that society is being compared to clapping theatres and shouting
crowds.

4. Identify and example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.

The deceased girl's / Melancholy's dumbness is compared to the green grass covering
her using the word "as."

5. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker feel about the subject(s) of
the poem? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.

The tone is biting, wry, and pessimistic..

On one hand the speaker is insulting the grave by calling it dull and treating it as a
party-pooper.
On the other hand the speaker is belitting the efforts of humans in the face of death,
almost tauntingly asking "Where are the jesters now?"

6. In line four of the poem, the speaker says that "[the Dull Grave brands] our
laughter with the name of madness." What does the speaker mean by this
line? Explain your answer.

One interpretation of this line is that it is crazy to laugh since death is imminent. In
other words, since we are going to wind up in a grave (a dull one too) and there is no
running or hiding from this fate, one could brand each laugh we share as mad or
crazy. Isn't that pessimistic?

7. What is the thematic message of the poem? In other words, what lesson is the
author attempting to express with this poem?

One thematic message expressed by this poem is that a dull grave awaits us all and
that there will be no laughter or mirth there. The a grey cloud of death hangs over
every party you attend.

Lady
By Amy Lowell

You are beautiful and faded

Like an old opera tune
Played upon a harpsichord;
Or like the sun-flooded silks
Of an eighteenth-century boudoir1.
In your eyes
Smoulder the fallen roses of outlived minutes,
And the perfume of your soul
Is vague and suffusing2,
With the pungence of sealed spice-jars.
Your half-tones delight me,
And I grow mad with gazing
At your blent colors.

My vigor3 is a new-minted penny,

Which I cast at your feet.
Gather it up from the dust,
That its sparkle may amuse you.

Review Questions 1. A woman's bedroom or private room

2. Gradually spread through or over
3. Physical strength and good health.

Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the
questions completely. If you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.

1. Identify two examples of simile: explain which two things are being compared in
each simile.
You are beautiful and faded
Like an old opera tune
Played upon a harpsichord;

Or like the sun-flooded silks

Of an eighteenth-century boudoir.

In these two similes, the lady is compared to an old opera tune played on a
harpsichord and the lady is also compared to sun-flooded silks or an eighteenth
century boudoir.

2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared
in each metaphor.

In your eyes / Smoulder the fallen roses of outlived minutes: in this example, time
passed is compared to fallen roses.
My vigor is a new-minted penny: compares the speaker's vigor to a penny.
And the perfume of your soul / Is vague and suffusing / With the pungence of sealed
spice-jars: students may interpret the perfume of the soul line to be a metaphor. I
believe that it is an example of personification, but I would give them credit for it. In
both cases, when she compares it to the pungence of sealed spice-jars, that is a
metaphor.

3. Identify one example of personification: explain what is being personified and

how.

the perfume of your soul Is vague and suffusing: the soul is being personified, as it
cannot wear perfume.
Students may also interpret the phrase "outlived minutes" to be an example of
personification.

4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.

And I grow mad with gazing / at your blent colors::the speaker is exaggerating the
effect of gazing at the lady. The speaker is not literally going mad.

5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your
response.
This poem is about a vigorous young woman staring at an old lady. The speaker is
quite intrigued by the appearance of the old lady, and she hope that the old woman is
amused by her as well.

6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the
poem? Refer to text.
The speaker is intrigued by the old woman and does not hesitate to compliment her.
She is mainly respectful, but perhaps a bit untactfully honest. This is shown in lines
like: "You are beautiful and faded." It is nice to call her beautiful, but I don't think
anyone would like to be called faded, even if it is an acurate statement.
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to
text in your response.
The mood of the poem is still and calm. It feels as though I am waiting. Like the
speaker, the old woman and I are all waiting around at a retirement home or
something. Phrases like this: "And I grow mad with gazing," make me feel like we
have

all been waiting around for a while.

Figurative Language Poem 8
The Black Land
By Joseph Warren Beach

I will plough the land,

Turning up the black soil.
I will ride upon this heaving surface
As a boat rides upon the water.
Even as a boat
Cleaving the water with an eager keel,
I have run a furrow1
Straight across the ridges.

I will sow down this field,

Scattering gems.
With both hands will I scatter
Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch.
As I tread the loam2
My feet sink deep.
The black earth embraces my ankles
And clings to my bent knees.
I sing as I go
Scattering emeralds.
The wind sings upon my lips,
And pearls stream off my neck and
forehead.
I am bathed in a sweat of pearls.
Eyes straight forward
Rest on a brightening ultimate slope.

Review Questions 1. A long narrow trench made in the ground by a

plow,
2. Soil with equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay.

Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the
questions completely. If you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.

1. Identify one example of simile: explain which two things are being compared.
I will ride upon this heaving surface / As a boat rides upon the water.
Even as a boat / Cleaving the water with an eager keel,

Here are two examples of simile in this poem. The speaker is comparing his plowing
to the motion of a boat riding (first example) and cleaving (second example) across
the surface of the water. The speaker uses the word "as" to make the comparison;
therefore, it is a simile.

There are several other uses of the word "as," but they are not comparisons and, thus,
not similes.
2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared
in each metaphor.
Scattering gems: the speaker compares seeds to gems without using the word "like" or
"as."
With both hands will I scatter Quivering emeralds: the speaker implicitly compares
seeds to emeralds.
And pearls stream off my neck and forehead: the speaker implicitly compares sweat to
pearls.
I am bathed in a sweat of pearls: the speaker compares sweat to pearls without using
"like" or "as."

3. Identify two examples of personification: explain what is being personified and

how.
Cleaving the water with an eager keel: the keel is given the human trait of eagerness.
The black earth embraces my ankles: the earth is given the ability to embrace.
The wind sings upon my lips: the wind is given the ability to sing.

4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.

Quivering emeralds out of a bottomless pouch: the pouch cannot actually be
bottomless.
Some students might interpret "ultimate slope" as hyperbole, and I would give them
credit for this response.

5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your
response.
This poem is about a farmer ploughing a field, scattering seeds, and sweating.

6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the
poem? Refer to text.
The tone that the speaker uses is proud, strong, determined: statements like "I will..."
express the speakers determination.

7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to
text in your response.
This poem might make readers feels happy, because the farmer is singing, or
admiring, because the farmer is free.