5
Basic Writing Skills
For solutions to exercise
A. OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
1. (a)
2. (c)
3. (c)
4. (d)
B. SUBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
Short Answer Ques�ons
1. Phrase is a group of words that just gives some hint of the idea that the sender of the message wants to
communicate. Hence, phrase only gives partial meaning but not a complete meaning.
2. A group of words which gives complete meaning of the idea that the sender of the message wants to communicate
is called sentence. Examples:
Dogs bark.
It is a good hospital.
3. An adjective describes, modifies or gives more information about a noun or pronoun. For example: small, happy,
some, good.
Example sentences: The little girl had a pink dress.
4. A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea.
For example: Jyoti, Delhi, table, cat, teacher.
Example sentences:
Jyoti lives in Delhi.
Rohan uses pencil and paper to write letters.
Long Answer Ques�ons
1. There are mainly FIVE different kinds of phrases based on different parts of speech.
i. Noun phrase: A group of words that does the function of a noun in a sentence is called a noun phrase.
For example:
• His sudden resignation is a mystery.
• A fifty-year-old man was sitting in the garden.
ii. Adjective Phrase: A group of words that does the function of an adjective in a sentence is called an adjective
phrase.
For example:
• My neighbour is a man with strange habits.
• This chain is made of gold.
iii. Adverb phrase: A group of words that does the function of an adverb in a sentence is called an adverb
phrase.
For example:
• He lived in Saudi Arabia once upon a time.
• Please place the chemicals in the safe place.
iv. Verbal phrase: A verbal phrase consists of any of the three non-finites - participle, gerund or infinitive- and
its objects or modifiers.
For example:
• You must work hard to pass your board examination with good marks.
• He enjoys playing cricket in the evenings.
• Taking long strides, he soon reached there.
v. Prepositional phrase: A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object and any modifiers of the
object. These phrases add descriptive details to a sentence.
For example:
• He looked under the table and the chair.
• The flower vase is on the table.
• He cleaned the car after the storm.
2. There are four key components of good writing. These are:
i. Solid structure: Every good piece of writing should incorporate three structural elements that is an
introduction, a body and a conclusion. This structural rule holds true no matter what form of written
communication you choose-a paragraph, an essay, a letter, a memo, an email, or a report.
ii. ‘Crystal clear’ clarity: It is important, as an ambiguous message that gives mixed or confusing signals to your
receiver may lead to confusion and may even lead him/her to ignore the message.
iii. Consistency: Consistency helps you convey a clear, well-organised message. So try to avoid from contradicting
yourself or changing your viewpoint frequently.
iv. Selection of right medium: The choice of the medium of communication is an important factor. Hence,
choose the medium that best communicates your message.
3. Below are the three ways of sentence formation:
i. Enlargement of the subject: Sometimes, the subject of a sentence is preceded or followed by a qualifying
word or words like a noun or an adjective. It adds meaning to or elaborates the subject. It is called an
enlargement or attribute.
For example:
• Lazy Ronak failed the examination.
• A desire to win is necessary for success.
ii. Extension of the predicate: Sometimes, the predicate of a sentence is preceded or followed by a qualifying
word or words like a noun or an adjective. It adds meaning to or elaborates the predicate. It is called an
Extension.
For example:
• The rich man donated generously.
• Ronak failed the annual examination.
iii. Object and complement of the predicate: When the verb in the predicate is transitive, it needs an object
to complete its meaning.
For example:
• I know her.
• He helped me in my studies.
But if the verb in the predicate is intransitive, it does not need any object; it is complete in itself. However,
if the speaker wants to further clarify the meaning of the intransitive verbs of the predicate, he may use
a complement. Sometimes, even the intransitive verbs of the predicate need additional words (verbs)
to complete their meaning. Such additional verbs are called Verb of Incomplete Predication.
For example:
• The rich businessman donated generously.
• Ronak is a software engineer.
4. Choose any four out of the below six parts of speech.
i. Noun (naming word)
A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea.
For example: Jyoti, Delhi, table, cat, teacher, pencil, city, lion, wish
Example sentences:
• Jyoti lives in Delhi.
• Rohan uses pencil and paper to write letters.
ii. Pronoun (replaces a Noun)
A pronoun is used in place of a noun or noun phrase to minimise duplication.
For example: I, you, we, they, he, she, it, me, us, them, him, her, this, those
Example sentences:
• I have a car.
• She is good-looking.
iii. Adjective (describing word)
An adjective describes, modifies or gives more information about a noun or pronoun.
For example: small, happy, some, good, big, old, crazy, five
Example sentences:
• The little girl had a pink dress.
• I have a big house.
iv. Verb (action word)
A verb is a word which describes an action (doing something) or a state (being something). For example:
have, do, like, work, go, speak, run, walk, have, like, are, is, eat, play, live, Example sentences:
• Reena is going to school.
• He loves his car.
v. Adverb (describes a verb)
An adverb is a word which usually describes a verb. It tells you how something is done. It may also tell you
when or where something happened.
For example: slowly, quietly, very, always, never, too, well, tomorrow, here
Example sentences:
• I entered the room quietly.
• Yesterday, I ate my lunch quickly.
vi. Preposition (shows relationship)
A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word. They can indicate time, place,
or relationship.
For example: at, on, in, from, with, near, between, about, under
Example sentences:
• I left my keys on the table for you.
• I am going to France.