Question Paper

English (BC121): October 2007

Section A
Answer any two from the four questions given below: (2 × 20 = 40
marks)
1. a. Give one word as an example for each of the following sounds: /eE/, /G/, /O#I/, /z/, /e/, /dG/ and /A:/.
b. Write a possible dialogue between you and your friend regarding the weather in your city.
c. Write a letter to your employer requesting him for leave to attend the marriage ceremony of your sister.
(7 + 7 + 6 = 20 marks)<Answer>
2. a. Give the phonetic transcription of the following words marking the primary accent on the appropriate
syllable: Participate, Project (verb), Relinquish and Unfortunate.
b. Write a letter to your friend inviting him to your birthday party.
c. Write an illustrative telephone conversation with a travel agent asking him about the availability of buses to
a city you wish to visit.
(7 + 7 + 6 = 20 marks) <Answer>
3. a. State the uses of a rising tone.
b. Write a possible dialogue between you and your doctor regarding the vision problems you have.
c. Examine the problems that a general Indian speaker faces in pronouncing the consonant sound /t/.
(7 + 7 + 6 = 20 marks) <Answer>
4. a. Discuss consonant clusters giving suitable examples.
b. Assume that you have been invited to attend a job interview in a company today but cannot make it as you
are sick. Write an illustrative letter to the HR manager of a company requesting him to reschedule the
interview.
c. Give the phonetic transcription of the following words marking the primary accent on the appropriate
syllable: Examination, University and Victimise.
(7 + 7 + 6 = 20 marks) <Answer>
Section B
Answer any three from the following, choosing at least one from each part: (3 × 10 = 30
marks)

Part I
5. Draft an illustrative telephone conversation with the principal of a school seeking details of admission for your
younger brother.
(10 marks) <Answer>
6. Write an illustrative dialogue between you and your friend regarding the career you wish to pursue.

(10 marks) <Answer>

7. Draft a letter to the manager of your bank complaining about the high-handed methods used by the recovery
agents in collecting dues from you.
(10 marks) <Answer>
Part II
8. Detail the significance of good pronunciation for a language learner.

(10 marks) <Answer>

9. Define ‘ambiguity’, explaining its three types.

(10 marks) <Answer>

10. Give one word as an example for each of the following sounds: /T/, /ó/, /ß/, /u:/, /S/, /U/, /j/, /a#U/, /ð/ and /UE/.
(10 marks) <Answer>
Section C
11. Answer the following grammar and vocabulary based objective questions. Indicate the correct option in your
answer sheet:
(1 × 30 = 30 marks)
A. Choose the right word from among the alternatives to correct the following sentences:
(1 × 6 = 6 marks)
1. The police suspect that the junction of the house might have committed the murder of the old man.
a. jerkin
b. janitor
c. judiciary
d. jurisprudence
2. Ram is a spiritual guru and he has become a cut figure in Hyderabad.
a. cute
b. club
c. cub
d. cult
3. An affective silence prevails in my locality at night.
a. effective
b. affectionate
c. eerie
d. efficient
4. The Aravalli hills look stubborn when compared with the Himalayas.
a. scraggy
b. fluffy
c. furious
d. scandalous
5. Life teaches solitary lessons to one and all.
a. sedentary
b. seductive
c. salutary
d. secondary
6. Rajesh wastes his time chatting with Amit, his gaseous school friend.
a. ghastly
b. ghostly
c. grizzly
d. garrulous
B. Choose the correct article that appropriately fills the blanks: (1 × 4 = 4
marks)
1. Anil is not _____ kind of boy who would lie to his parents.
a. the
b. an
c. no article
d. a
2. I made friendship with ___ Australian on my flight from Delhi to London.
a. a
b. the
 c. an
d. no article
3. I am planning to visit ____ Australia this winter.
a. an
b. no article
c. a
d. the
4. Ravi was born in ___ lower middle class family in Hyderabad.
a. the
b. no article
c. an
d. a
C. Choose the correct form of verb that appropriately fills the blanks: (1 × 10 = 10
marks)
1. A number of Indians ______ to the U. S. A. every year.
a. will have migrated
b. has been migrating
c. migrate
d. had migrated
2. The memory of my school days ____ by the visit of my friend Rakesh.
a. was revived
b. was reviving
c. is reviving
d. have been revived
3. A matter which _______ public protest but did not do so was the molestation of a minor girl by the son of a
prominent politician of Delhi.
a. had roused
b. should have roused
c. can have roused
d. roused
4. It _________ more than ten years ago when I first met Tina.
a. will be
b. will have been
c. should have been
d. must have been
5. The organizers warned the TV cameramen that they ______ to take pictures during the dance performance.
a. would not be allowed
b. should not be allowed
c. will not be allowed
d. cannot be allowed
6. I _____ during my school days but I no longer do it now.
a. can swim
b. may swim
c. used to swim
d. had swum
7. Girish said that he ______his further studies abroad.
a. might pursue
b. had been pursued
c. may pursue
d. will pursue
8. Sita says that she _______ by her in-laws for more dowry.
a. will have been harassing
b. is being harassed
c. had been harassed
d. has been harassing
9. Vijay _____ a decent run in the domestic cricket season this year.
a. have
b. has had
c. have had
d. had had
 10. I _____ to Europe next year.
a. will have been going
b. had gone
c. will be going
d. would have gone
D. Choose the correct meaning of the underlined phrases: (1 × 5 = 5
marks)
1. I can’t make head or tail of the instructions given in the manual of this TV set.
a. cannot understand the instructions even after making rigorous efforts
b. can understand the instructions clearly
c. can understand only some but not all instructions
d. cannot understand the instructions
2. Seth blazed a trail by writing a novel in verse.
a. rebelled against the established conventions
b. set a pioneering example
c. brought disgrace to the art of writing a novel
d. influenced the younger generation of writers
3. I told my son he would never make it to the civil services but had to eat my words when the final list of
successful candidates was announced last night.
a. speak discouraging words
b. speak encouraging words
c. admit I was wrong
d. congratulate him
4. The reporter says that the death toll reported today after the earthquake is just the tip of the iceberg.
a. only part of the total death toll is reported and the number of casualties is likely to rise
b. full death toll is reported and there is no possibility of the number of casualties rising
c. the death toll is based on guesswork and cannot be relied upon
d. the death toll points to the number of dead bodies actually recovered
5. Narayan took to writing like a duck to water.
a. started writing about wildlife and environment
b. showed natural aptitude for writing
c. failed to make his mark as a writer
d. took up writing as a fulltime career.
E. Choose the correct preposition that appropriately fills the blanks: (1 × 5 = 5
marks)
1. The religious bigots in Pakistan do not approve ___ women dancing on the stage.
a. for
b. no preposition
c. of
d. by
2. Raju impressed the audience ____ his speech about the existence of God.
a. with
b. about
c. no preposition
d. by
3. After working as a lawyer for five years I realized that I am not cut ___ for a career in law.
a. in
b. into
c. off
d. out
4. The court acquitted Raman ___ the attempted murder of his wife.
a. no preposition
b. of
c. off
d. by
5. My father is always partial ___ my younger sister.
a. for
b. to
c. no preposition
d. with
<Answer>
END OF QUESTION PAPER

Suggested Answers
English (BC121): October 2007
Section A
1. a.
1. /eE/ : Pair
2. /G/ : Pleasure
3. /O#I/ : Boy
4. /z/ : Zero
5. /e/ : Pet
6. /dG/ : Judge
7. /A:/ : Barn
b. Harish: Hi Mahesh! How are you?
Mahesh: Good. How about you?
Harish: Same here.
Mahesh: Going for a walk?
Harish: Yeah! Sort of. Can’t think of doing anything better on a Sunday evening than take long walks in a
park.
 Mahesh: In this weather, it’s a perfect way to pass time.
Harish: Yeah! In fact, I love the winter season more than any other time. Winter in India is never harsh but
perfect for outdoor activities.
Mahesh: I feel the same. My ideal day is one which I spend at home in winter taking hot samosas and hotter
cups of tea.
Harish: My mouth waters at the word, samosa.
Mahesh: Why don’t we have some at that restaurant over there.
Harish: Sure! We’ll walk up to that place.
Mahesh: I have realized that winters in India are pleasant. The temperatures never touch extremes. It’s cool
but never icy cold at any time of the day.
Harish: But summers are harsh with very high temperatures. I dread summer afternoons. Hell may be more
bearable.
Mahesh: The rainy season is also a fine time though power-cuts are frequent then, leaving us to battle
mosquitoes.
Harish: I agree with you. But I have to admit that the smell of the earth after the first raindrops fall is
unmatched in its aroma.
Mahesh: It is…it is…Have you observed one fact? We have only three seasons in our country: Summer,
Winter and Rainy season. We do not have what are called spring and autumn.
Harish: Very true. Our weather may be categorized as subtropical.
Mahesh: Well, we are all set to devour samosas. Come let us go in.
Harish: OK, here we go.
c.
16th July, 2007.
From
B. Srinivas, Software Engineer
Hitech Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Madhapur
Hyderabad.

To
P. Prem, Project Leader
Hitech Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Madhapur
Hyderabad.
Dear Sir,
Sub: Request for leave for one week (17-7-2007 to 24/7/2007).
I request you to grant me leave for one week to attend the wedding ceremony of my elder sister, who is
getting married on 20/7/2007 at New Delhi. I will report back to duties on 25/7/2007.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely,

(B. SRINIVAS)
< TOP >
2. a.
1. Participate : /pA:`tIsIpeIt/

2. Project (verb) : /prE`dGekt/

3. Relinquish : /rI`lINkwIS/
 4. Unfortunate : /ón`fO:TUnEt/
b.
13th July, 2007.
Dear Rahul,

I cordially invite you to my 20th birthday party on 27th July 2007, 6 p.m. onwards at my residence. Please do
attend the function without fail. You know how much I value your presence at every function of mine and
the occasion of crossing my teens is a big one. All our school friends will be present at the function and we
can have loads of fun.

With regards.

Yours truly,

(RAVINDER)
c. Raju: Hello! Can I speak to Ajay, the travel agent, please?
Ajay: Ajay speaking.
Raju: My name is Raju. I wish to travel to Bangalore this week. I wish to know about the availability of
buses to my destination.
Ajay: Well, sir, buses of all categories – ordinary, semi-luxury and luxury – ply to Bangalore every two
hours round the clock seven days a week.
Raju: I wish to reach Bangalore by 20th July. Which bus will be the most convenient one to travel by?
Ajay: Sir, I suggest you take the Luxury bus which leaves Hyderabad on 19th July at 4 p.m. and you will
reach Bangalore early morning the next day.
Raju: Why Luxury?
Ajay: Sir, in Luxury bus you will have chairs which are very convenient to sit and sleep on. You will have an
air-conditioner to keep you cool. You can also watch TV.
Raju: What is the fare?
Ajay: The fare to Bangalore in a Luxury bus is Rs. 500/-.
Raju: OK, please reserve the ticket for me.
Ajay: Your age, sir?
Raju: I am forty.
Ajay: OK, sir, you may collect the ticket by evening.
Raju: Thank you.
Ajay: You are most welcome.
< TOP >
3. a. Different tones are used to convey different attitudes. A rising tone is used for:
i. Incomplete statements
It is not very /good…
ii. Yes–No type of questions
Is he /looking?
Do you have a´ pen?
iii. Tag questions intending to ask for information
He didn’t • do it / ´did he?
iv. Requests
Shut the ´door.
v. Expressing surprise/disbelief
She ´would?
 b. Madhav: Good morning, doctor. I am Madhav.
Doctor: Good morning. Please sit down.
Madhav: Thank you. Doctor, over the past few months I have been unable to see clearly things at a distance.
Doctor: How old are you?
Madhav: Twenty years old.
Doctor: Please sit in the chair over there…now try to read the letters on that board.
Madhav: E, d, n, h, c, u…I can’t read the smaller letters written below.
Doctor: OK, put these spectacles on and tell me whether you can read the smaller letters.
Madhav: No, I still can’t.
Doctor: OK, I will put different lenses on… now can you read all the letters?
Madhav: Yes, doctor. E, d, n, h, c, u, o, l, a, f, d, h, l, e, n, c, t, p, a, l, c.
Doctor: Very good. Mr. Madhav, you have myopia. The power is minus two. You will have to wear
spectacles from now on.
Madhav: What is myopia, sir?
Doctor: Myopia or short-sightedness is a condition in which distant things appear blurred because their
image is focused in front of the retina of the eye. Spectacles help in focusing the images correctly.
Madhav: Thanks for the information, doctor.
Doctor: I will write down the power of lenses required for you in this prescription. Please order for the
spectacles in any eyewear shop. You will be allright.
Madhav: Thank you very much, doctor. What’s your consultation fee?
Doctor: Rs. 100/-.
Madhav: Here doctor…thank you very much.
Doctor: You are most welcome.
c. Most Indian speakers substitute the RP sounds /t/ and /th/ with and respectively of their languages. But the
speakers from Tamil Nadu replace /t / with / tha / sound as in maatha. As this is a pan-Indian feature, it may
be accepted as a feature of General Indian English (GIE) and the inability to maintain the distinction may not
affect mutual intelligibility among Indian speakers. But when communication with native speakers is
required, it is possible that the pronunciation of ‘thanks’ and ‘then’ in the GIE way may be understood as
‘tanks’ and ‘den’ respectively. It may be noted, though, that in the production of both these sounds the tip of
the tongue is kept lightly between the teeth and the lung air is forced out. But the difference in the
pronunciation of these sounds is that for /t/ the vocal cords do not vibrate, while for /ð / they do. To ensure
larger global intelligibility it is advisable to adhere to the sound values of RP.
< TOP >
4. a. When two or more consonants occur in succession they are called consonant clusters. Consonant clusters
can occur at the initial and final positions of the word. The maximum number of consonants that can be
present in word initial consonant clusters are three and that in a word final cluster are four.
Eg. word initial consonant clusters
/spl-/ splash, spleen
/spr-/ spring, sprain
/spj-/ spurious
Eg. word final consonant clusters.
/-mpts/ prompts
/-mpst/ glimpsed
/-lpts/ sculpts
b.
16th July, 2007.
From
V. Suresh
H. No. 8-6-123
Hanuman Nagar
Hyderabad.
 To
The HR Manager
Vignan Infotech Ltd.
Hitech City, Madhapur
Hyderabad.

Dear Sir,
Sub: Rescheduling of interview for the post of Software Engineer.
Ref: Call letter dt. 10/07/2007.
I was invited to attend an interview for the post of Software Engineer in your company today (16th July,
2007) vide your call letter cited above. However, I am down with an attack of flu. I expect to recover from
the illness in ten days. I request you to postpone the interview with me to 26/7/2007 or later.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely,

(V. SURESH)
c.
1. Examination : /IgzÃmI`neISn/
2. University : /ju:nI`vã:sItI/
3. Victimise : / `vIktImAIz/
< TOP >

Section B
Part I
5. A: Hello! Am I talking to the principal of Regal School?
B. Yes, please. I am Srinivas, the Principal. How can I help you?
A: Good morning, sir. I am Hitesh. I am doing my graduation in Regal College. I wish to get my younger brother,
aged ten, admitted in your school. I wanted to know a few details regarding admission.
B: Well, Hitesh, you have approached the right school to get your brother admitted. Please ask me whatever you
wish.
A: My brother is studying in a school near my home but I am not happy with it. He has finished his fourth
standard and I wish to put him in a better school.
B: I assure you that our school is one of the best in Hyderabad. You are more than welcome to admit your brother
in our school. A few seats are available in 5th standard. But you should hurry. We have been approached by the
parents of several students for admission. The seats may be exhausted in a couple of days.
A: What’s the procedure for admission?
B: You have to take the admission form of our school, fill it up and submit it along with the transfer certificate
from the previous school. You need to pay an admission fee of Rs. 5000. The procedure is very simple.
A: What will be the monthly fee?
B: Mr. Hitesh, we do not charge fee on a monthly basis but on quarterly basis. And it comes to Rs. 1500/- per
quarter.
A: Tell me something about the faculty of your school.
B: Our teachers, I believe, are the best in business. They are recruited after going through a rigorous recruitment
process. They have degrees in education from reputed institutes in India and abroad.
A: Do you provide computer education to your students?
B: Oh yes, we do. We have classes in Information Technology even at the primary level. By the time they finish
high school, our students are thorough in every aspect of computers.
A: Do you have language learning classes for students?
 B: Yes, we do. We have realized the importance of teaching English to our students and instituted classes in
spoken and written English. By the time our students leave us they are proficient in both oral and written
communication skills.
A: It’s good to hear this. Do you have a playground?
B: Yes, we have a playground with basketball and tennis courts. We even have an indoor stadium with badminton
court and a swimming pool as well.
A: Do you have pick and drop facility?
B: Our school plies about 50 buses which transport students from and to all corners of the city.
A: I am really impressed by what you have said about your school. I wish to immediately admit my brother into
your school.
B: I am glad you say this. Please come down tomorrow and take the admission form.
A: I will do that. I understand that your school is beside Krishna theatre in Raghu Nagar.
B: Yes, it is.
A: OK, then, see you tomorrow. Thanks for the information.
B: You are most welcome, Mr. Hitesh.
< TOP >
6. Kumar: Hi Rohan!
Rohan: Hi Kumar! How are you?
Kumar: Good. How are you?
Rohan: Fine. This is the last place I expected to see you…a park.
Kumar: Well, I came here to clear my mind from the cobwebs of doubts and worry I have about my future. I
thought the fresh air of the park will get my thinking right!
Rohan: What a coincidence! I came here exactly for the same purpose!
Kumar: What? Are you worried, too, about your career plans?
Rohan: Obviously yes. Who would not be worried about his career? Every person, who is in his graduation, will
think about what he has to do to make a living.
Kumar: I am in a terrible dilemma. My father wants me to do some course in computers and enter the IT industry.
He is forcing me to join a computer course right now so that I will finish it by next year by which time I will have
a graduate degree and be ready for taking up a job.
Rohan: It appears to be a pretty good idea, Kumar.
Kumar: It is, Rohan, but I have always had a distaste for technology. How will I fit into the IT industry?
Rohan: So what subjects interest you?
Kumar: Literature. Right from my childhood I have always had a love for the written word. Even today I read
voraciously averaging three books a week. I have also tried my hand at writing and churned out a couple of essays
and short stories.
Rohan: Do you propose to become a professor of English?
Kumar: I don’t mind becoming one.
Rohan: In that case you will have to spend another two years after your graduation to do an M. A. in English. But
that will not be enough. You will have to do spend another four years and acquire a doctorate in English. Only
then you have a chance of joining academics as a professor.
Kumar: Dear me! That’s a long, long time. I don’t want to rely on my father for sustenance for that long.
Rohan: I must also warn you that the salaries in academics are notoriously low.
Kumar: So, what should I do?
Rohan: Well, you can use your language skills in the IT industry and reap rich rewards.
Kumar: How?
Rohan: Well, you must have heard about the job of a technical writer in IT industry.
Kumar: I haven’t.
Rohan: You see, technical writers prepare the documentation required in any IT project.
Kumar: You mean the instructions for operating software.
Rohan: Yeah! You need to have a good command of English and basic knowledge of computers and you can
make it as a technical writer.
 Kumar: I do have a command over the English language and I can do the course my father suggested to acquire an
understanding computers.
Rohan: That’s exactly what I wish to suggest.
Kumar: Can I expect a decent salary as a technical writer?
Rohan: More than a decent salary. I know technical writers earning more than a lakh a month.
Kumar: My goodness! I never thought anybody of any profession could draw such salaries.
Rohan: Kumar, the world has changed now. The IT boom has brought in several changes in the pay packets of
people.
Kumar: Well, you have given me a good suggestion, rather you have shown me the right path to follow. Thank
you so much.
Rohan: You are most welcome, Kumar.
Kumar: So, tell me about your career plans.
Rohan: Well, after talking to you, I also feel like taking up a career in technical writing.
Kumar: Fantastic! Let’s both try out what this career has to offer us.
Rohan: OK, Kumar, I have to make a move now. See you later.
Kumar: See you Rohan. Bye.
Rohan: Bye.
< TOP >
7.
13th July, 2007.
From
Tarun
H. No. 1-2-3
Krishna Nagar
Hyderabad.

To
The Bank Manager
Super Bank
Ram Nagar
Hyderabad.

Dear Sir,
Sub: Complaint against harassment by recovery agents.
I have been a customer of your bank for the last ten years. I maintain a savings bank account (S.B. A/c No.
123456) and last year I have taken a housing loan for Rs. 5 lakhs (loan A/c No. 654321). Regarding the loan I am
paying the EMIs on time. However, there was a slight delay in paying the EMI for the month of May as my
employers who usually credit my salary to my account on the 5th of every month did so two days late (7th May
2007). The same happened in the case of EMI for the month of June, too. I may add that after my salary was
credited to the bank account, it was debited for both the EMI and late payment penalty. In this regard I wish to
bring to your notice the high-handed behaviour adopted by the recovery agents of your bank for a minor delay of
two days. On the 6th of May, just as I was about to leave for my office, one ‘gentleman’ if I may use the honorific,
stopped me at my gate and demanded that I pay up the EMI immediately. I told him I was no conjuror of currency
notes and I would have to check up the reason why my company could not transfer my salary on time. But the
agent simply did not let me go. He caught me by the collar and used vile language against me and members of my
family. I would not use such language against my worst enemy. Anyway he left after threatening me with dire
consequences if the EMI was not paid in two days time. When a delay occurred again in paying the EMI for the
month of June, the same ‘gentleman’ reappeared, this time at my office and repeated his abusive behaviour. This
time he even slapped me in front of my colleagues and ruined my reputation in office once and for all. I wish to
know why I have been subjected to such nasty treatment by your bank when it was a matter of two days delay. If I
do not receive a proper explanation from you apart from an apology in a week’s time, I may have to stop my
dealings with your bank with immediate effect. Please put yourself in my shoes to realize why I am using such a
 serious tone in my letter.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,

(TARUN)
< TOP >

Part II
8. Pronunciation is an integral part of language learning. Indifference to proper pronunciation is based on the
mistaken belief that pronunciation means only sounds, and such a limited focus to affect learners’ overall
pronunciation. It plays an important role in several aspects of communication or language use.
Pronunciation and listening comprehension. As listeners expect spoken English to follow certain patterns of
rhythm and intonation, speakers need to employ these patterns to communicate effectively. Similarly, listeners
need to know how speech is organized and what patterns of intonation mean in order to interpret speech
accurately. Thus, learning about pronunciation develops learners’ abilities to comprehend spoken English.
Pronunciation and spelling. Learning about pronunciation also helps learners with the spelling system of English,
although there is no a one-to-one correspondence between sound and its spelling in English. Right pronunciation
makes the learner know the different sounds that, for example, letter ‘a’, can have. For instance, ‘a’ can be
pronounced in five different ways, as these words demonstrate: same, sat, father, call, and about. It is only through
right pronunciation that a learner can intuitively articulate the right sounds.
Pronunciation and grammar. Pronunciation conveys grammatical information. For example, the following two
sentences convey different meanings:
a. I’m sorry. You can’t come with us.
b. I’m sorry you can’t come with us.
The difference between (a) and (b) can be shown in speech only through the choice of right pause, rhythm and
intonation that form an integral part of right pronunciation. In (a), a rise and fall in pitch on sorry followed by a
pause perform the same function as a period. This tells the listener that I’m sorry constitutes one idea. A rise and
fall on come indicates that the next set of words constitutes a second idea. In (b), only one rise and fall on come
indicates that there is only one idea in this group of words, that is, I’m sorry that you can’t come with us. This
example shows how rhythm and intonation can perform grammatical functions.
Pronunciation and reading. Lack of knowledge of pronunciation can even affect reading. Consider the following
two examples. The mispronunciation of two sounds can lead to wrong identification of a word. For example, a
cartoon that depicted a half-dozen cavemen carrying clubs, had a following caption: “Why don’t we start a club
club?” To understand the humor of this cartoon, many people have to say the line out loud, that is, listen to how it
sounds to get to the meaning, because visually the duplication of the word club can be misleading. Moreover, if
you stress the second club, the line makes no sense. The stress has to fall on the first club, which is where stress
falls on compound nouns. (A club club would be a club for people who own clubs.)
Pronunciation, then, is not only important for oral communication, but it is closely linked with listening
comprehension, spelling, grammar, and reading. To ignore pronunciation is to ignore important information that
can support these other skills. Bad English pronunciation may confuse people even if you use advanced English
grammar. We can use simple words and simple grammar structures that make people understand you but we
cannot use “simple pronunciation”.
< TOP >
9. The phenomenon of the same language structure signifying two or more meanings at the same time is known as
ambiguity. Ambiguity, therefore, arises when a word, phrase, sentence, or other communication can be
interpreted in more than one way. However, it is certainly distinct from vagueness, which arises when the
boundaries of meaning are indistinct whereas ambiguity is when the meaning is clear but there are many
meanings; the expression can be interpreted in many ways. When negation, quantifiers, and adverbs are sentence
operators (higher predicates), it can result in ambiguities as in the following sentences:
i. Every woman loves one man.
a. There is one man that every woman loves.
b. Every woman loves some man or other.
The ambiguity can be of different types:
Lexical ambiguity
Lexical ambiguity arises when the given context is insufficient to determine the sense of a word that has more
than one meaning. For example, the word “bank” has several meanings, including “financial institution” and
 “edge of a river”. Suppose someone says “I deposited 5000 Rs in the bank”, the intended meaning is clear. But
sometimes even the context does not help much; for example, if one says: “I am going to the bank”, the meaning
is not clear. The words whose senses express closely related concepts can also be a source of ambiguities. For
example, Good, it can mean ‘useful’ or ‘functional’ (That's a good plier), ‘exemplary’ (She's a good student),
‘pleasing’ (This is good soup), ‘moral’ (He is a good human being), and probably other similar things. “I have a
good wife’ isn’t clear about the intended meaning.
Syntactic ambiguity
In English language we have many words that belong to more than one lexical class. Indeterminacy of referred
lexical class can result in ambiguity, called syntactic ambiguity. For example, bank can be both a noun or a verb,
duck can be both a noun or a verb. This can also lead to ambiguity. For example,
I saw her duck.
1. A girl owns a few pet ducks and I saw one of them.
2. I saw her in the action of ducking or moving herself away or down.
Referential ambiguity
The use of pronouns sometimes make the object that is referred to a little ambiguous in meaning. For example,
1. Don’t go there.
2. I want him to leave.
3. He gave her the book.
In all the above sentences as to what is ‘there’, who is ‘him’ or ‘he’ is unclear. This can lead to ambiguity but
generally the knowledge of the context helps in clarifying the meaning of the sentences.
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10.
1. /T/ : Church
2. /ó/ : But
3. /ß/ : Thank
4. /u:/ : Boon
5. /S/ : Ship
6. /U/ : Put
7. /j/ : Yet
8. /a#U/ : Now
9. /ð/ : This
10. /UE/ : Poor
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Section C
11.
A.
1. b
2. d
3. c
4. a
5. c
6. d
B.
1. a
2. c
3. b
4. d
C.
1. c
2. a
 3. b
4. d
5. a
6. c
7. a
8. b
9. b
10. c
D.
1. d
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. b
E.
1. c
2. a
3. d
4. b
5. b
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