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P.G. DIPLOMA EXAMINATION – JULY 2008.

Spoken English

PHONETIC TRANSCRIPTION AND SPOKEN ENGLISH

Time : 3 Hours Maximum marks : 75

1. Explain any TWO of the following in about 50 words each :

(2 5 = 10)

(a) Write a note on the physical organs of speech.(b) Explain the structure of syllable in English.

(c) What is diphthongs?

2. Read the passage below and then answer the questions which follow it : (5 2 = 10)

It has been part of Nelson's prayer that the British fleet might be distinguished by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting an example himself, he twice gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoubtable, supposing that she had struck because her great guns were silent ; for as she carried no flag, there was no means of instantly ascertaining the fact. From this ship, which he had thus twice spared, he received his death. A ball

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fired from her mizzen-top which, in the then situation of the two vessels was not more than fifteen yards from that part of the deck where he was standing, struck the epaulette on his left shoulder about a quarter after one, just in the heat of action. He fell upon his face on the spot which was covered with his poor secretary's blood. Hardy who was a few steps from him turning round, saw three men raising him up. ‘‘They have done for me at last Hardy!’’ said he. ‘‘I hope not!’’ cried Hardy, ‘‘Yes,’’ he replied, ‘‘my back-bone is shot through!’’ Yet even now not for a moment losing his presence of mind, he observed as they were carrying him down the ladder, that the tiller-ropes which had been shot away, were not yet replaced and ordered that new ones should be roped immediately. Then that he might not be seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief and covered his face and his stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honour from the enemy, England perhaps would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle of Trafalgar. The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men ; over whose bodies he was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen's berth. It was soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This, however, was concealed from all except Captain Hardy, the Chaplain, and the medical attendants. He himself being certain, from the sensation in his back, and the gush of blood he

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felt momently within his breast, that no human care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave him and attend to those to whom he might be useful.

Questions :

(a) What is meant by ‘supposing that she had struck’?

(b) How can Nelson be said to have been partly responsible for his own death?

(c) What do you understand by ‘mizzen-top’?

(d) Why did Nelson insist that the surgeon should leave him and attend to others?

(e) What qualities in Nelson's character are revealed by this passage?

3. Write as directed : (10 2 = 20)

(a) He is —————— honest man. (use the appropriate article)

(b) Rama is —————— most intelligent student in the class. (use the appropriate article)

(c) I —————— (walk) everyday to college. (use the correct form of the verb)

(d) Essays (write) by different people on the same subject will never be identical. (use the correct form of the verb)

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(e) What is the time —————— your watch. (use the appropriate preposition)

(f) Coffee is grown —————— hill slopes. (Use the appropriate preposition).

(g) The railway budget has proposed a moderate hike in —————— (fright/freight) (use the right word)

(h) The rider controlled the horse using the —————— (reins/rains) (use the right word)

(i) Give the antonyms of the following :

(i) Amicable

(ii) Lenient.

(j) Give the synonyms of the following :

(i) Bequeath

(ii) Eulogy.

4. Read the following passage and make notes on it :

(1 5 = 5)

There are eight thousand six hundred kinds of birds, varying in size from the tiny humming birds to the largest of all living birds, the ostrich, They are of different colours and they live in many different places. They eat different kinds of food and they make different noises. But, in spite of all this, birds are a group of animals that are similar in many ways. For example, they all have feathers. They have warm bodies and the feathers help to

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prevent this warmth from being lost. Only birds have feathers so that if you want to decide if some unknown creature was a bird or not, you would only need to see if it had feathers.

As well as having warm bodies and feathers, all birds have wings. Most birds use these for flying but there are birds that can not fly, such as penguins and ostriches, and they use their wings in other ways. Penguins use their wings for swimming and ostriches use them when they run and sometimes for showing off.

Like any other animal, a bird must eat and every bird has a beak to pick up its food. Because there are many different kinds of food which birds can eat, the shape of the beak varies. In fact, it is possible to get a very good idea of a bird's flood by looking at the shape of the beak.

All birds lay eggs and-the baby bird develops and grows inside the egg until it finally grows too big and breaks it-open. After it has hatched, the young bird is still rather helpless and has to be looked after by its parents until it is strong enough to -look after itself There are some birds, such as the cuckoo, which do not look after their -own young ones but lay their eggs in other birds’ nests When the eggs are hatched, the other birds look after their ‘foster children’ as if they were their own.

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5. Transcribe any THREE of the following

passages :

(3 10 = 30)

(a) That’s a nice suit., I haven’t seen it before,

have I?-

No. It’s the first time I’ve worn it, actually. I

only got it about four days ago. You like

it, do you?

Very much. Did you have it specially mode, or

did you buy it off the peg?

I had it made. I very rarely buy a suit so I

thought I’d have it tailored, and I’m quite

pleased with it.

I should think so. It's very handsome. May I

ask where you got it?

The same place as I got my last one, nineteen

years ago.

Nineteen years? Do you really mean to tell me

you havent had a suit since then?

That’s right. I don’t often wear a suit, you see

so they tend to last along time.

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(b) Nineteen years is certainly a long time; and even if you don’t wear them much, your old one must have lasted well.

Oh, it did. They did a very good job on it.

What was the name of the tailor?

Philipson. It’s quite a small shop right at the

end of King Street.

I know it. Rather a shabby-looking place.. I’ve

never been in there.

I wouldn't call it-shabby, but it isn't very

modern, I admit. However, they’re very

obliging, and take a great deal of trouble.

So I can see. I think I’ll go along there. I need

a new suit, Oh, by the way, what sort of

prices do they charge?

Pretty reasonable, really. This was eighty

pounds.

That’s not bad. I think ill look in there

tomorrow.

Yes, do. Mention my name if you like. It won’t

do any harm, and it might do some good.

I’ve just paid my bill.

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(c) I need a couple of shirts. Grey terylene, please.

Certainly, sir, I’ll just get some out. Would you mind taking a seat for a minute. I shan’t be long.

No, don’t be too long. I haven’t very much time.

Very good, sir. Here’s a nice shirt ; we sell a lot of this one.

Do you, now? Yes, it’s the sort of style I want, but I asked for grey, This is purple.

Purple, sir? Surely not. It’s what we call silver-blue.

Well, it looks purple to me. Anyway, I’d like something a little less bright, more like the one I’m wearing.

Oh, that sort of grey. I haven't seen that for years.

I bought it here, six months ago.

Did you really, sir? It must have been old stock.

Well, see if you’ve still got any left, will you?

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(d) Ah yes, here we are. I ’m sorry about the dust, sir. Can I lend you a handkerchief?

No, thank you, I’ll survive. Yes, that looks better. Have you another one like it?

I’m afraid not, sir. It’s probably the last in the country.

Oh, all right, I’ll take it. How much is it?

Twelve pounds, sir. It was a very good shirt in its time.

I should think so, at twelve pounds. Can I pay by cheque?

Certainly, sir. You have a cheque card?

Yes, I have.

And would you just put your name and address on the back?

I can never understand that. If the cheque was no good, I’d put a false name and address, wouldn’t you?

You’re joking, sir, of course. I naturally assume your cheque is good.

Very trusting of you. It is, as a matter of fact.

Is there anything else you need, sir? Ties, socks, vests?

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I don't think so, thank you. Good morning.

Good day, sir.

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