BA General Programme

(BAG)
ASSIGNMENT

BEGLA 137: Language through Literature

Question 1

Fill in the blanks with suitable adverbs or prepositions to form phrasal verbs: (10)
i) Please take ……………………………… your coat.
ii) We have taken …………………………………….. a new project.
iii) I was taken …………………………… a doctor because I had been able to cure
some people in the neighborhood.
iv) Seeta takes ………………………………….. her mother.
v) The old lady offered to take ……………………….. the homeless stranger.

Answer

i) off your coat.

ii) on a new project.
iii) to a doctor because I had been able to cure some people in
the neighbourhood. (Note: "cure" is used as a verb here.)
iv) after her mother. (Here, "take after" is a phrasal verb
meaning "to resemble".)
v) in the homeless stranger.
Question 2

Give meanings of the phrasal verbs in the following sentences in a few words. (10)

i) Don’t give in to the threats of the terrorists.

Surrender or yield to pressure.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………
ii) The engine gives off steam.
Releases or emits steam.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………
iii) They tried to cover up the evil dead.
Conceal or hide something undesirable.
............................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
iv) I fell for the beautiful girl.
Developed romantic feelings for someone.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………
v) We’ll see you off at the station
Accompany someone as they leave
…………………………………………
Question 3

i) He usually pitches the ball at the right place.

(verb)
ii) The cricket pitch is wet today. (noun)
iii) Many thoughts raced through his mind when his
son was in the operating theatre. (verb)
iv) I wish to see his personal file. (noun)
v) You have to feed the cat and its kittens. (noun)
vi) He has spelled the word wrongly. (verb)
vii) She came first in the 100-metre race. (noun)
viii) The magician cast a spell on her. (noun)
ix) Please file this letter. (verb) x)
x) ‘The muddy ground was littered with crawling
worms’. (Khushwant Singh: The Mark of Vishnu)
(verb)

Word Usage:

 Pitch: Used as a verb meaning "to throw" in sentence (i)

and as a noun meaning "the playing surface" in sentence
(ii).
 Race: Used as a verb meaning "to move quickly" in
sentence (iii) and as a noun meaning "a competition" in
sentence (vii).
 File: Used as a noun meaning "a collection of papers" in
sentence (iv) and as a verb meaning "to place something
officially" in sentence (ix).
 Spell: Used as a noun meaning "a magical incantation" in
sentence (viii) and as a verb meaning "to write or name
the letters of a word" in sentence (vi).
 Litter: Used as a noun meaning "a collection of discarded
items" in sentence (v) and as a verb meaning "to scatter
things untidily" in sentence (x).
Question 4

Sound Devices in Language:

i) Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the

beginning of words that are close together.

 Example: Peter pipper picked a peck

of pickled peppers.

ii) Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within

stressed syllables of words that are close together.

 Example: Time and tide wait for no man.

iii) Rhyme: Matching sounds at the end of words or

lines of poetry.

 Example: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How

I wonder what you are.

iv) Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate the sound they

describe.

 Example: The bang of the door echoed through

the hall.

v) Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed

syllables in a sentence or phrase.

 Example: Twíckle twíckle lít tle stár, (Stressed

syllables are bolded)
Question 5

Irony: A Twist of Meaning

Irony refers to a contrast or incongruity between what is

expected and what actually happens, often creating a
humorous or thought-provoking effect. Different types of irony
highlight this contrast in various ways:

a. Irony of Situation:

This occurs when the actual outcome of a situation is the

opposite of what was expected or logical. It's a mismatch
between expectation and reality.

 Example: A fire station catching fire is an ironic situation

because the place dedicated to putting out fires becomes
the victim of fire itself.

b. Irony in Satire:

Satire is a form of writing or art that uses humour, sarcasm, or

exaggeration to criticize people, institutions, or ideas. Irony is
often used as a tool within satire to highlight the absurdity
or hypocrisy of the target.

 Example: A political cartoon depicting a politician giving a

speech about honesty while having their hand in the
cookie jar is an ironic use of satire. The image highlights
the contrast between the politician's message and their
actions.
c. Ironic Contrast:

This emphasizes an incongruity between two things that are

directly connected. It can be created through juxtaposition
(placing things side-by-side) or by using words that
contradict the intended meaning.

 Example: Saying "That's great news" in a tone filled with

disappointment is an ironic contrast. The words
themselves convey positive news, but the speaker's tone
contradicts the literal meaning.

Question 6

i) What kind of beauty does the poet want his daughter to

have?

The poet does not explicitly state the exact type of beauty
he desires for his daughter. However, he emphasizes that he
does not want her to be overly beautiful, as described in the
first line: "May she be granted beauty and yet not..."

ii) What are the hazards of being "made beautiful overmuch"?

How does the poet illustrate his point?

The poet outlines two potential hazards of excessive beauty:

 Self-absorption: Women made "beautiful overmuch"

might consider their beauty a "sufficient end," meaning
they become preoccupied with maintaining and
showcasing their appearance rather than developing other
aspects of themselves.
 Social isolation: The poet suggests that overwhelming
beauty might make it difficult for his daughter to find
genuine friends. He uses the phrase "lose natural
kindness and maybe / The heart-revealing
intimacy / That chooses right, and never find a
friend." This implies that excessive beauty might hinder
her ability to connect with others on a deeper level,
hindering genuine friendships.
Question 7

Strategies for Effective and Polite Communication:

Maintaining politeness is crucial for fostering positive

interactions and building strong relationships. Here are some
key strategies for using language politely while doing things:

1. Choose respectful language:

 Avoid harsh words, insults, and offensive

language. Instead, use respectful and appropriate terms
suitable for the context and the individual you're
communicating with.
 Be mindful of cultural sensitivities. Words and phrases
that are considered polite in one culture might be
offensive in another. Be aware of the cultural context and
adjust your language accordingly.

2. Use appropriate tone:

 Maintain a calm, courteous, and professional tone,

even when you disagree with someone. An aggressive
or condescending tone can easily derail communication,
even if the words themselves are technically polite.
 Modulate your voice tone and maintain eye contact
to convey sincerity and respect.

3. Employ positive language:

 Focus on the positive when making requests or

offering suggestions. Instead of saying "Don't do that,"
you could rephrase it as "Would you mind doing this
instead?" This approach is more constructive and less
confrontational.
 Express appreciation and gratitude. A simple "thank
you" or "I appreciate your help" shows respect and
acknowledges the other person's time and effort.
4. Be mindful of non-verbal cues:

 Maintaining good posture, avoiding fidgeting, and

using appropriate facial expressions can all
contribute to conveying a polite and respectful
demeanour. Non-verbal cues often complement and
solidify the message conveyed through words.

5. Be patient and understanding:

 Give others the opportunity to express themselves

fully and listen attentively. Avoid interrupting or talking
over them.
 Be understanding of different perspectives and try
to see things from the other person's point of
view. This demonstrates respect and fosters open
communication.

Additional Strategies:

 Use softening phrases: Phrases like "I was wondering

if...", "Would you be willing to...", or "If it's not too much
trouble..." can soften requests and make them more
polite.
 Acknowledge your mistakes: If you make a mistake or
say something insensitive, apologize sincerely and take
responsibility for your words.
 Be mindful of your body language: Avoid putting your
feet on furniture, crossing your arms defensively, or
engaging in other behaviours that might be perceived as
disrespectful.

By incorporating these strategies into your communication, you

can ensure that your words and actions come across as polite,
respectful, and considerate, leading to more positive and
productive interactions. Remember, politeness is an ongoing
practice, and being mindful of these strategies will help you
refine your communication skills and build stronger
relationships.