N1ghtL0Rdz

2007-03-27T02:17:00.000-07:00

English Lesson (27th March)

Today we learnt about parallel structure...Basically, we must keep our sentences in our essays consistent.
For example,

Not parallel:Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
Parallel:Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.

Previously, We also learnt about the 7 spheres of life...

Social:Friendship, family and relationships

How does it affect the way people interact with each other?
Are there new ways for people to connect with each other?
Are people closer or more distant as a result?
How does it affect the way society is organised?

Economic:Business, finance, goods and services

Do people find it easier or more difficult to earn money?
Are there greater or fewer opportunities to do business?
Has the way that business is done been changed?
Are there new ways that people buy or sell commodities?
Are there new services and commodities being offered?
How does it affect the way people work?

Ethical:Crime and Morality

Have the moral values of people seen a decline or an improvement?
Has the crime rate been decreased or increased?
Are there new crimes created?
Does it pose new ethical dilemmas?

Cultural:Art and Tradition

Does it give rise to new forms of art?
Does it affect society's traditions and customs?
Does it lead to experimentation and enthusiasm, or does it repress creativity?

Physical:Health and Fitness

How is physical health of people affected?
Is there help or harm given to our bodies?
Which specific parts of our bodies are affected?

Phychological:Mind, Emotion and Perception

How does it affect the way we think?
Does it make us develop new habits?
Does it affect the way we manage or mismanage our emotions?
Does it affect the way we look at ourselves?
Does it affect the way that we look at others?

Political:Government, war and politics

Does it affect the way a country is run?
Does it affect the basic amenities available to people?
Does it affect the way politicians and people react?
Does it affect the population in any way?

2007-03-24T03:14:00.000-07:00

English Lesson (21st March)

On that day, we learnt about a new text type...Argumentative essay
In an argumentative essay, the main purpose is to sway the reader to accept your point of view.
The format of an argumentative essay is as follows:

Introduction:

Hook
Topic
Point of View
Outline of 3 Supporting Arguments

Body:

Topic sentence
Elaboration
Evidence
Objection(must always be present with rebuttal)
Rebuttal (must always be present with objection)
Close

Conclusion:

Re-state point of view
Summary of Supporting Arguments
Memorable Ending

2007-03-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

Naema Disparue (Whereabouts unknown)

This story is a very descriptive story.It is about a man experiencing civil war in his country. The story is an account from the man's diary of his war experiences. The civil war has lasted for 3 years and the story starts off by telling us that Naema who is the narrator's wife had already been missing for five weeks. The women from the other flats helped him out by doing household chores such as sweeping out, cooking meals, washing up and doing the laundry. He knew that Naema was most likely dead and will never come back. But everyday, he hopes and often thinks about his wife. The war had also influenced his kid, due to his early exposure to the ongoing war. When he asked his kid about what should be done to end the war, he replied, saying to kill the lot and keep throwing bombs. The narrator's kid had grown so used to the war that he had been hardened towards the idea of violence and does not hesitate to use violence to solve problems. In the story, corpses are often seen. Disappearances, deaths and funerals had become so numerous that no one counts them anymore and the dead are easily forgotten quickly. Everyday, when he leaves from home, he is unsure of his fate and knows he may never return alive. In the streets, he hardly ever walks along the streets without often glancing back, without being ready to throw himself flat if a grenade is thrown or a bomb goes off. This story illustrates the horrors of war and how it can cruelly and devastatingly change the lives who are caught in it for the worse forever. This story also reminds us of how fragile life is and how it can be so easily taken away.

Foliage-Leaves of a plant

Incredulous-Skeptical

Tenement-A building for human habitation, especially one that is rented to tenants.

Perpetual-Ceaseless

Unheaval-A sudden, violent disruption

Mutilated-Disfigured

Imperative-Absolutely necessary; unavoidable

Scruff-The back of the neck

Threshold-Entrance or doorway

Loft-Attic; storage area

Rampart-A fortification

Cringe-To shrink, bend or crouch

Gesticulate-To make gestures, especially when speaking as for emphasis

Plaintive-Expressing sorrow or mournful

Lunacy-Insanity

Abeyance-Temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension

Interminable-Unending

2007-03-23T02:49:00.000-07:00

The Limits Of Trooghaft

The story is about a period in time when mankind has been conquered by an alien species, known as Trooghaft. Men are either kept as pets or hunted and slaughtered as food. The behaviour of the Troogs towards Humans and human behaviour towards Animals is very similar in this story. The Troogs divided the humans into four castes. The castes are The Housemen, The Capons, The Ferocious Hound-men and The Quarry-men. The Housemen are humans that were bred as pets. The Capons are humans (mostly women) that are bred for food for the Troogs. The Hound-men are humans meant for hunting the Quarry-men. The Quarry-men are men that have been protected by the most laws. Every five years, there was the Nova Feast where the Troogs hunted men for food and all laws were abandoned. The first attempt to communicate between the two species was through a library in the fifth Troog century. In the story, a quarry-man named Blake is approached by a Troog who was much an exception among his species as Blake. The Troog communicated with Blake through a typewriter and told him that he was against the idea of Troogs eating Humans for food and the Troog also told him of what troogs used to be. The Troog tells Blake that he wants to revive the true Trooghaft and to build a bridge between Trooghaft and Humanity. Blake decides to trust this Troog and not hide or run in previous occasions. However, his woman was captured and cooked in a cauldron and the Troog that had communicated with him had done nothing to save his woman, but instead joined in the feast in which his woman had been cooked. This story reminds us of the cruelty of man towards animals and this story serves as a timely and necessary warning to humans.

Segregate
-verb (used with object)
1. to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group; isolate: to segregate exceptional children; to segregate hardened criminals.
2. to require, often with force, the separation of (a specific racial, religious, or other group) from the general body of society.
–verb (used without object)
3. to separate, withdraw, or go apart; separate from the main body and collect in one place; become segregated.
4. to practice, require, or enforce segregation, esp. racial segregation.
5. Genetics. (of allelic genes) to separate during meiosis.
–noun
6. a segregated thing, person, or group.

Intermittent-Stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again

Arbitrary-
1. subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion.
2. decided by a judge or arbiter rather than by a law or statute.
3. having unlimited power; uncontrolled or unrestricted by law; despotic; tyrannical.
4. capricious; unreasonable; unsupported Eg. an arbitrary demand for payment.

Hermaphrodite-An individual in which reproductive organs of both sexes are present.

Inhibit-
1. to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check.
2. to prohibit; forbid.

Rumps-The buttocks

Fastidious-
1. excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please.
2. requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy.

Malodorous-Having an unpleasant or offensive odor; smelling bad

Hedged-Restrict

Docile-
1. easily managed or handled; tractable.
2. readily trained or taught; teachable.

Surreptitious-Obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized

Nomad-A person with no fixed residence who roams about; a wanderer.

Respite
-noun
1. a delay or cessation for a time, esp. of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief.
2. temporary suspension of the execution of a person condemned to death; reprieve.
–verb (used with object)
3. to relieve temporarily, esp. from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from.
4. to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.).

Extolled-Praised highly

Contemptuous-Showing or expressing contempt or disdain

Throes-Agony of death

Speculated-To reflect

Deduce-To derive a conclusion; infer

Cynic-
1. A person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness.
2. A person whose outlook is scornfully and often habitually negative.

Insentient-Without sensation or feeling

Protuberant-Bulging out; protruding

Tumultuous-
1. full of tumult or riotousness; marked by disturbance and uproar.
2. raising a great clatter and commotion; disorderly or noisy.
3. highly agitated, as the mind or emotions; distraught; turbulent.

Pirouetted-Whirled around

Repugnance-Strong distaste

Doleful-Sorrowful

Anguish-Suffering

Remote-Not direct

Lithe-Flexible

2007-03-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

The Greatest Gift

This meaningful story reminds us that life is a valuable gift and we should cherish it and not just throw it away or waste it. In the story, a man named George Pratt was about to commit suicide by throwing himself into an icy cold river. However, a little man stopped him. Who or what he was, is not known. George tells the little stranger that he wished he had never been born and the little stranger grants his wish. George's adventure into another reality where he does not exist begins when the little stranger gives him a plain little hand-brush. George was oblivious that he had no existence in his new reality until he went to the bank where he worked and finds a derelict building with a sign "for rent or sale" in front of it. When he entered, he soon found out that the bank had closed down ten years ago and his 'suppposed to be' wife, Mary, had married Art Jenkins instead. He just could not face her yet, so he went to his parent's house. He realised no one knew him, including his parents. He was invited into his own house by his mother and discovered that his kid brother had drowned. He realised he had never thought about what would have happened if he had not been there on that day to save him. He also found out that his 'supposed to be' wife had two children with Art. George then went to see Mary and noticed that Mary's marriage with Art was miserable. George felt sorry for her and regretted for not cherishing her. Later, he met with the little stranger by chance and begged him to bring him back to where he belonged. When he returned, everything was back to normal . He was a changed man and he was thankful for the wonderful gifts he had in life from that Christmas eve onwards.

Paunchy belly-Having a large and protruding belly

Satchel-A small bag, often with a shoulder strap

Distastefully-
1. unpleasant, offensive, or causing dislike Eg. a distasteful chore.
2. unpleasant to the taste Eg. a distasteful medicine.
3. showing distaste or dislike.

Appraisingly-
1. to estimate the monetary value of; determine the worth of; assess Eg. We had an expert appraise the house before we bought it.
2. to estimate the nature, quality, importance, etc Eg. He tried to appraise the poetry of John.

Scoffed-To mock at or show scorn

Battered-A damaged area on the face of type or on a plate.

Immaculate-
1. free from spot or stain; spotlessly clean: immaculate linen.
2. free from moral blemish or impurity; pure; undefiled.
3. free from fault or flaw; free from errors: an immaculate text.
4. Biology. having no spots or colored marks; unicolor.

Hoarsely-
1. having a vocal tone characterized by weakness of intensity and excessive breathiness; husky: the hoarse voice of the auctioneer.
2. having a raucous voice.
3. making a harsh, low sound.

Wreath-
1. a circular band of flowers, foliage, or any ornamental work, for adorning the head or for any decorative purpose; a garland or chaplet.
2. any ringlike, curving, or curling mass or formation: a wreath of clouds.

Cordially
-adjective
1. courteous and gracious; friendly; warm: a cordial reception.
2. invigorating the heart; stimulating.
3. sincere; heartfelt: a cordial dislike.
4. Archaic. of or pertaining to the heart.
–noun
5. a strong, sweetened, aromatic alcoholic liquor; liqueur.
6. a stimulating medicine.
7. anything that invigorates or exhilarates.

Obscure
–adjective
1. (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract.
2. not clear to the understanding; hard to perceive: obscure motivations.
3. (of language, style, a speaker, etc.) not expressing the meaning clearly or plainly.
4. indistinct to the sight or any other sense; not readily seen, heard, etc.; faint.
5. inconspicuous or unnoticeable: the obscure beginnings of a great movement.
6. of little or no prominence, note, fame, or distinction: an obscure French artist.
7. far from public notice, worldly affairs, or important activities; remote; retired: an obscure little town.
8. lacking in light or illumination; dark; dim; murky: an obscure back room.
9. enveloped in, concealed by, or frequenting darkness.
10. not bright or lustrous; dull or darkish, as color or appearance.
11. (of a vowel) having the reduced or neutral sound usually represented by the schwa (ə).
–verb (used with object)
12. to conceal or conceal by confusing (the meaning of a statement, poem, etc.).
13. to make dark, dim, indistinct, etc.
14. to reduce or neutralize (a vowel) to the sound usually represented by a schwa (ə).

Tenet-Any opinion, principle, doctrine, dogma, etc., esp. one held as true by members of a profession, group, or movement.

Bewilderment-The condition of being confused or disoriented.

2007-03-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Samphire

This was a difficult story to understand. I had to read it a few times just to get a gist of what happened. In the story, Lacey is a control freak whereas Molly is a timid wife. Unfortunately, the couple do not seem to be getting along well with each other that well and Molly attempts to kill her husband, Lacey. The story starts off with the couple on a cliff where Lacey finds a clump of Samphire. Lacey wanted to prove to Molly that it really was Samphire. therefore, Lacey had to persuade Molly really hard to make her come up the cliff as she was afraid of heights. Molly gained an interest in the Samphire and in the morning she wanted to see it again. This also pleased and excited Lacey. When Molly saw the opportunity to kill Lacey that morning as he was reaching down at the edge of the cliff, she pushed him. However, Molly could not find the strength to push him hard enough so as to make him fall to his death. When Lacey gained back his balance, he was shocked that Molly had nearly killed him and continued to deceive himself that it was an accident as he could not accept the fact that Molly had tried to kill him.

Fondle-To handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress

Coined-To devise

Solicitor-
1.One that solicits, especially one that seeks trade or contributions.
2.The chief law officer of a city, town, or government department.

Promenade
-noun
1. a stroll or walk, esp. in a public place, as for pleasure or display.
2. an area used for such walking.
3. a march of guests into a ballroom constituting the opening of a formal ball.
4. a march of dancers in square dancing.
5. a formal dance; prom.
-verb (used without object)
6. to go for or take part in a promenade.
7. to execute a promenade in square dancing.
-verb (used with object)
8. to take a promenade through or about.
9. to conduct or display in or as if in a promenade; parade: They promenaded their prisoner before the townspeople.

Comical-Producing laughter; amusing; funny

Astonished-To fill with sudden wonder or amazement

Aplomb-
1. imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
2. the perpendicular, or vertical, position.

Steeplejack-One who builds or maintains very high structures, such as steeples.

Falsetto-A male voice in an upper register beyond its normal range.

Visage-The face or facial expression of a person; countenance.

2007-02-26T23:58:00.001-08:00

English Lesson (27th Feb)

Today i learnt how to write a speech...these are the main points...

Two things to learn about speeches:
1.Style - What is the situation i am in?
2.Structure - What are the parts of the speech?
(Adjust your style to suit the situation)

Two factors to bear in mind:
1.Audience - live, specific
2.Topic - Formal, Informal

Main parts of a speech......

Introduction:

Thank the audience for the opportunity to speak to them about a particular topic.
Attention-getting hook
Main pt
Brief summary

Body:

3 sub-pts
Support

=> each pt should be supported by evidence, examples, anecdotes

If necessary, anticipate and rebut a counterargument

Conclusion:

Restatement of main pt
Summary of 3 sub-pts
Challenge to the audience
Memorable ending

2007-02-07T01:30:00.000-08:00

English Lesson (6th Feb)

Today, i learnt about how to write a summary. Mr Sim gave us a worksheet to write down the basic steps on how to write a summary and to practice re-writing and re-phrasing sentences.

The Basic steps are:

1. Find out exactly what you have to search for.
- Write out on rough paper the words of the question that tell you what to search for.
( read question carefully such as noting what you are supposed to write and which part of the passage you are allowed to use.)

2. Search for relevant points.
- Go through the whole passage (or selected lines) and underline strictly just what you need to answer the question.

3. Say it your way
- Make brief notes of what you have underlined in your own words.

4. Write it
- Write your notes, concentrating on writing good, accurate sentences.

2007-02-01T04:33:00.000-08:00

English lesson (31st Jan)

On that day, i learnt about adverbial phrases and clauses, including the differences between the two.
But we mainly focused on Clauses. We did quite an interesting activity on that day. We formed groups and were asked to write advice (supposedly to other students) by forming clauses using conjunctions that were provided on the worksheet that was given to us by Mr Sim. Every group came up with crap advices...hahaha...so funny... Unfortunately, i also saw some sick advices made by other classes. What are they thinking???

Anyway, these are some of the main points i learnt:

An adverbial phrase is a group of words that performs the function of an adverb. It modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb by answering the how, when and where questions. Like all phrases, it cannot stand alone.
Eg.

Ethan completed the race like a champion. (how)
It was lucky Susan arrived home after the storm broke. (when)
Unfortunately, the bandit vanished into a maze of warehouses. (where)

An adverbial clause is the same as an adverbial phrase except that it contains a finite verb. Like all clauses, it must have a subject and a predicate.
Eg.

Jade dances like she has never danced before. (how)
Just as Penny passed a note to Pip, Mrs Petunia walked by. (when)
There's an embarrassing rip in my jeans where you can see my underwear. (where)

2007-01-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

English lesson (24th jan)

Today, we just went through some of my homework (vocabulary exercise and comprehension). But i didn't do it as i could not find the time to do it. Too busy -.- . But nonetheless, due to my very limited vocabulary, i learnt many words today...hehe...

Abased: To lower in rank, prestige or esteem
Abetted: To encourage, support or help especially in wrongdoings
Abashed: Embarrassed; ashamed
Benign: Beneficial influence; favourable
Remonstrate: Argue in protest or opposition
Prejudiced: The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgements or convictions
Relinquished: To retire from; give up or abandon
Expatriate: One who has taken residence in a foreign country away from his homeland
Indicted: Charge; to accuse of wrongdoing
Interdicted: To probibit or forbid
Vindicated: To clear of accusation, blame , suspicion or doubt
Dejected: Being in low spirits; depressed; disheartened

2007-01-23T04:33:00.000-08:00

English lesson (23rd jan) and Personal Recount

I thought today's lesson was going to be a normal one, but i was wrong...SJJ splited us in groups and then i thought..."ok, this is lesson is going to be very slack. I can talk and relax..haha.." However, i never expected that we had to act out a narrative story we would have to come up with. I got a big shock when i heard that. I was forced to act today and i seriously hate acting. I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT. I just could not do it when i had to act hysterically with my hands waving. I didnt want to look like a crazy lunatic.-.-

Well lets move on to my assignment......

I can only relate "mischievous" to my life.
The definition of mischievous is : playful, troublesome and causing mischief

When i was in Primary school, i was one very mischievous boy. I remembered i used to skip my prefect duties everyday to play soccer. I sure did got into a lot of trouble with the prefect master until i lost count of the number of times i got suspended. hehe. I also used to have an interest with spiders. I loved to catch them and put them in plastic bottles. I sure freaked my mum out when one day i brought back home a spider almost as big as my hand. Man it was big!!! My mum then become paranoid that the spider would escape and run around the house. But i assured her that it would not happen as i knew that this spider was poisonous and maybe even deadly. I placed it under my bed during the night when i went to sleep. But when i woke up in the morning, the whole bottle was gone. I searched frantically for it, but to no avail. I soon found out that my mum secretly took the bottle with the spider in it and threw it down the rubbish chute. Poor spider i thought...