CXC ENGLISH

Hello there! We’re working through the short stories on the 2018-2020 English B syllabus, and, as always, we have some exercises to brush up your skills for English A. Enjoy your CXC English page! ● What evidence can you find to prove that Berry is a good-natured, hard-working young man?

● What is the significance of the injured child’s reaction to Dr Renfield?

● What comparison can be made between Berry’s situation and that of the crippled children?

● Is this story optimistic or pessimistic about race relations in the USA? Give your reasons.

● What are your feelings towards the following: Mrs Osborn, Dr Renfield, the crippled boy who kicks Renfield, and Berry himself?

POINTS OF PUNCTUATION

Do you know how to use the colon? Look at these three sentences: 1. There are three things that strike the foreigner immediately about Guyanese:

their love of cricket, their hospitality, and their disdain for punctuality.

2. A sudden noise interrupted the quietness: the howl of monkeys in the trees.

3. Quite a number of items are zero-rated for the purposes of VAT: local fruit, bread, cooking oil and pesticides, for instance.

In #3, the colon introduces a list, explaining what was meant by “quite a number of items”; in #2, the colon introduces an explanation of the reference to “a sudden noise”; and in #1, the colon introduces an expansion of the “three things” mentioned earlier in the sentence.

Make up some examples of your own and show them to your teacher to see if you have the idea.

PROBLEM PAIRS

Here are some pairs of words that are easily confused. Read these definitions, and then work through the exercise that follows.

formally in a dignified manner Handsome welcomed his guests formally, into the dining room.

formerly

previously/in earlier times I understand that the building that now houses the library was formerly an art museum.

to suggest or hint something indirectly When Miss Singh told the class that she had seen me near the bookcase, she appeared to imply that I was the person who had taken the dictionary.

to draw a conclusion as you listen to someone speak or observe their actions Mr. Bonnet often used karate and kung-fu as examples of fitness training, causing us to infer that he was a spe cialist in the martial arts.

incredible

story of

unable to believe, astounded As Boysie described the size of the fish he had caught, an incredulous look came over the faces of his hearers.

YOUR TURN NOW

Select the correct word from the pair in brackets. Answers at the bottom of the page.

1. It’s

Taking his place at the podium, Sir and then courteously invited them to move

unbelievable Everyone was amazed at the survival related by the two little girls.

(incredible/incredulous)

that such a tiny woman should have such tall sons.

2. (Formally/formerly) the students did their physical education classes in the hall, but since the beginning of this year they have been able to use the new gym.

3. Whenever I’m with Melanie, she turns the conversation to dieting and exercise, so I decided to ask her point-bland if she’s trying to (infer/imply) that I need to lose some weight.

4. After (formally/formerly) introducing the main speaker, the Master of Ceremonies invited her to come to the podium.

5. Although she is painfully thin, Margaret is forever trying out some new diet pro gramme, so I can only (infer/imply) that she has an eating disorder.

6. Ignoring their (incredible/incredulous) stares, Marcus continued relating the story of how he had been healed at the church meeting.