Dr. R. N.

Tiwari
Humanities

Module-4
 English Communication Skills – Year: 2021-22

Semester: I/ II

English Communication Skills

Course Code: 21PCS117 L:T:P:J: 1:1:1:0 CIE Marks: 50

Credit: 1 SEE Marks: 50

Hours: 25 SEE Duration: 03 Hours

Pre-Requisites: Basics of Grammar learnt in PUC –Parts of Speech.

Assessment Test
Course Learning Objectives: The students will be able to

1 To acquire essential language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and

Writing

2 To enhance English pronunciation, vocabulary, and language

proficiency

3 To build competency and acquire language skills that meet global

standard
 RBT HRS
Module-4: Reading Skills

Pre-requisite: 1,2,3,4 T 4/ L1
Reading and comprehension-Tenses

Teaching component:
Reading comprehension, Ethical Communication
Grammar focus; Use of Active Verbs, Tenses, S-V Agreement

Lab: 1 hour

Activity: Book Review, Newspaper Article Reading

Self-study component/Case study: Software
 Reading comprehension

This segment gives the reader a passage to read and comprehend critically. After
reading, he attempts a few related questions. The passages may be literary, prose
fiction, discursive, argumentative, persuasive, lexical, interpretative, applied and
affective. A good and frequent reader does it with a greater ease because he gets
accustomed to the style, techniques and vocabulary of the passages. Since, it has
to be done within the specified time, careful attention is the necessity. The best
way is to read the editorial columns frequently with proper understanding.
The types of reading passages we have come across while reading are
The types of reading passages we have come across while reading are
Narrative,
Descriptive, Factual, Expository/Informative, Argumentative/Persuasive, Analytical, Abstract, etc.
The content of the passage can be comprehended by:
-Reading the passage at a normal speed, breaking it into smaller sections
-Producing the questions about the text being read
-Using the context clues
-Looking for the main idea
-Guessing the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context
-Inferring the mood of the writer such as serious, jocular, sarcastic, etc.
-Referring the meaning of various graphic signals such as punctuation marks, paragraph
indentation, capitalization, etc.
-Understanding the lexical and structural meanings of the words, phrases and sentences and finally
reaching the conclusion to answer the given questions
Dolphins
Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and their stories of
helping the drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more
we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex
than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are
ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we
do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language, but it is much
more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words.
Could any of these mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly, the most
common argument in favor of man's superiority over them that we can kill them
more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the
more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we appear superior
when we destroy them.
Ethical Communication
Ethical Communication:
Ethical Communication is clear, concise, truthful and responsible, but
professionally, there are no guidelines. Thus, it is not challenging. The
core principles are: truthfulness and honesty. The other aspects are:
-Active Listening
-Speaking Non-judgementally
-Speaking from one’s own experiences
-Using receiver’s preferred communication channel
-Avoiding negative attitude
-Not interrupting others while communicating
-Ensuring transparency and honesty
-Respecting confidentiality and privacy., time and place
-Understanding our audiences
 GRAMMAR
Grammar Focus: Use of Active Verbs

Active Passive Voice

Before starting anything, it is important to know what Active and Passive voice is. So, we shall try to
learn in the easiest manner. Look at the simple definition given below:
In Active Voice, the subject acts and in Passive Voice, the subject is acted upon. Before going to the
topic, it is essential to know the location of Subject, Verb and Object in the sentence. So, look at it
carefully.

Active: Kavita loves Rajat.

S V O
Here, Kavita is subject. Usually, subject comes in the beginning. Loves is verb. Verb comes in the
Centre. Rajat is an object. Object comes in the end after verb. In the given sentence, since the subject
works, it is an active voice. The pattern is S-V-O.

Passive: Rajat is loved by Kavita.

O V S
Since the subject is acted upon, it is Passive Voice. The pattern is O-V-S.
Let’s learn the basic rules.

→ Change Object in Subject

Me – I You – You
Him – He It – It
Her – She Them – They
Us – We Whom – Who

→ Change Subject into Object and use ‘by’ before Object

I– by me You – by you
He – by him It –by it
She – by her Them –by them
We – by us Who –by whom

→ Looking at the subject, make use of the passive form of the verb.
Now, focus your attention on the sentences. Every effort has been made to make it the easiest of easy
and the simplest of simple. Easy formulae with will help you doing it with pleasure and accuracy.
How to change a sentence from Active to Passive Voice:
1. Present Indefinite Tense:

Present Tense:

Formula: is/am/are + 3rd form of the verb (past participle) + by for passive voice.
Active: My mother helps me. Passive: I am helped by my mother. Active: They play cricket.
Passive: Cricket is played by them.
Active: They look after us.
Passive: We are looked after by them.

Past Tense:

Formula: was/were + 3rd form of the verb (past participle) + by for passive voice.
Active: I gave him money.
Passive: Money was given to him by me. Or He was given money by me.
Active: My sister helped me.
Passive: I was helped by my sister.
Active: They liked us.
Passive: We were liked by them.
2. Progressive or Continuous (ing form):

Present Tense:

Formula: is/am/are + being + 3rd form of verb (past participle)

+ by for passive voice.
Active: I am helping him.
Passive: He is being helped by me.
Active: They are playing cricket.
Passive: Cricket is being played by them.

Past Tense:

Formula: was/were + being + 3rd form of verb (past participle)

+ by for passive voice.
Active: He was singing a song.
Passive: A song was being sung by him.
Active: They were helping them.
Passive: They were being helped by them.
3. Perfective Tense:

Present Tense:

Formula: has been/ have been + 3rd form of the verb (past participle) + by for passive voice.
Active: Mohit has done his work.
Passive: His work has been done by Mohit.
Active: I have built this house.
Passive: This house has been built by me.

Past Tense:

Formula: had been + 3rd form of the verbs (past participle) + by for passive voice.
Active: I had misunderstood you.
Passive: You had been misunderstood by me.
Active: My sister had helped me.
Passive: I had been helped by my sister.
4. Modals: (will, would, can, could, shall, should etc.)
Formula: will be/ shall be + 3rd form of the verbs (past participle) + by for passive voice.
Active: I shall help you.
Passive: You will be helped by me.
Active: Nisha will teach me.
Passive: I will be taught by Nisha.

5. Imperatives: (Orders and Requests)

Formula: let + be + 3rd form of the verbs (past participle) (The different forms of ‘be’ are: is was been/ am was
been/ are, were, been)
Active: Do it please.
Passive: Let it be done please.
Active: Shut the door.
Passive: Let the door be shut.
Active: Don’t shut the door.
Passive: Let the door not be shut.
 Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord Rules)

It is important for a learner to have a clear concept of ‘Subject-Verb Agreement’ as it

helps him/her to write correct sentences. Usually, most of the errors are related to
subject-verb agreement only. We call it ‘Error of Proximity’. The rule says that a
verb must agree with the subject in number and person. This rule is also called S-S
and P-P rule. (It means Singular with Singular and Plural with Plural). The given
table will help in learning it in an easy manner:
1 When two or more Use a plural 1. Silver and Gold 2 When a few words Use a singular 1. The house, with
singular nouns or verb. are liked by many join to a singular verb (The verb all its belongings,
pronouns are joined people.
subject by ‘with’ or goes with the was vacated.
by ‘and’ 2. Rajat and Raju
are crazy about ‘as well as’ first subject). 2. The car with all
technology. its accessories is
3. He and I were perfect.
learning together. 3. Justice as well as
Use a singular mercy is respected.
But when the nouns verb. 1. Bread and butter
show ‘one idea’ is tasty.
4. The house, with
and they refer to the 2. Honor and Glory all its belongings is
same thing or is his Passion. insured.
person

3 When two nouns Use a singular 1. Every boy and 4 Some nouns look Use a singular 1. Physics is a
are attached by verb. every girl will plural in their forms verb. difficult subject.
‘and’, come with come to the but are Singular in 2. No news is good
‘each’ or ‘every’ college. use news.
2. Each boy and 3. The ways of sin
each girl is is death.
responsible for this
happening.
5 Some nouns look Use a singular 1. The cost of
singular but are verb. one dozen
plural in meaning Bananas is Rs.
60/-.
2. The cost of two
dozen Bananas is 6 When there are a Use a singular 1. Either of the
Rs. 120/-. few words viz. verb. friends is good.
either, neither, 2. Neither of the
many a, each and girls was crazy.
everyone 3. Many a man has
done it.
4. Each student is
7 When two subjects Use verb with 1. Either you or he responsible for this
are connected by the nearer is interested to mistake.
‘or’ or ‘nor’ and the word. participate in the 5. Everyone is
persons are college fete. requested to take
different 2. Either he or I am dinner before
sadly mistaken. leaving.
3. Neither you nor
he is upset on this
issue.
4. Neither my mom
nor I am planning to
see the exhibition.
 9 When there are Use a singular 1. Everyone helps
8 When two singular Use a singular 1. The Principal indefinite pronouns verb. me.
subjects are joined verb. and Venue viz each one, anyone, 2. No one is busy.
by ‘and’ and they Director everyone, someone, 3. Somebody is
refer to one subject addresses the no one, many a, calling you.
anybody, somebody, 4. Many a man
only gathering.
each, every has done so.
2. The roller and 5. Each one is
pester is durable. happy.
3. Slow and 6. Everyone is
steady wins the crazy.
7. Each boy and
Use ‘The’ race. each girl was
with both the appreciated in the
But with different subjects and 1. The Principal college function.
. individuals. keep the verb and The Director 8. Each and every
student is
in plural. move together. responsible for it.

10 When units of Use a singular 1. Two liters of 11 When there is ‘aUse a plural verb. 1. A number of
‘time’ and verb. milk is used in number of’ cricketers are
‘measurement’ is the temple for lethargic.
used puja. Use a singular
When there is verb. 1. The number of
‘The number of’ students is
anxious about me.
 13 When plural nouns Use a singular 1. The US has a
12 When plural nouns Use a singular 1. Ten kilometers are used as proper verb. big force.
show some fixed verb. is a long distance. names 2. Gulliver’s
quantity as a 2. One thousand Travels was
whole rupees is a big written by
amount for kids. Jonathan Swift.

14 When collective Use a singular 1. The committee

nouns are taken as verb, otherwise a has submitted its 15 When there are’ Use either a 1. Much pains
a whole plural verb. report in time. pains’ and ‘means’ singular or a has been taken.
2. The committee and there is a plural verb. 2. Great pains
are divided on consistency in the have been taken.
one issue. sentence

16 When there is a Use a 1. The public is 17 When there is ‘The + Use a plural 1. The poor are
description of a singular verb. very supportive. adjective’ verb. suffering a lot.
family, audience, 2. My family is
public, crowd and happy.
team 3. The team is
great.
18 When there is ‘No + Use a singular No student was 19 When there is an Use a singular 1. More than one
singular countable verb. seen in the expression ‘more verb with student has done
noun’ college. than’ singular subject it.
and plural verb 2. More than ten
with plural boys have
subject. participated in
the concert.

20 Use of none or none Use 1. None of the 21 When there are Use a singular 1. A few of the
of singular/plural Machines is expressions- many verb with students have
verbs, working. of, several of, a few uncountable completed the
depending on 2. None are of, most of, a lot of, nouns and a task.
situations. interested in lots of, a great deal plural verb with 2. There is a
learning. of, plenty of and a countable great deal of
3. None show majority of nouns. business
more interest in between the two
improvement. contesting
parties.
3. A majority is
/are interested.
Tenses
 Direct and Indirect Speech
We know that the art of reporting the words of a speaker is called Narration. It can be done in two
ways. One way is to express his statement exactly the way he has expressed.
Example: Ankit said to me, “I shall go to the market in the evening”.
This is called Direct Speech or Direct Narration.

The other way is to express his statement in our own words.

Example: Ankit told me that he would go to the market in the evening.
This method is called Indirect Speech or Indirect Narration.

It is important for the learners to know a few more things. Look at the sentence given below:

- Ankit said to me, “I shall go to the market in the evening”.

- Here, Ankit is ‘Reporter’. ‘Said to’ is the Reporting Verb, me is an object and I shall go to the
market in the evening.” is the Reported Speech

- In the above sentence, the Reporting Verb said to changes into told, Inverted Commas changes into
that and Reported Speech shall go changes into would go.
Basic Rules for changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech:

-The Reporting Verb ‘said to’ is changed into ‘told’.

-In place of Inverted Commas “ ”, that is used.
-Pronouns are also changed according to the table given below:
Remember!
1stPerson Pronouns (I, me, my, we, our, us) change according to the subject of
the Reporting Verb.
2nd Person Pronouns (You, your, yours) change according to the object of the
Reporting Verb.
3rd Person pronouns (He, him, his, she, her, they, them, their) do not change at
all.
Examples: Here ‘D’ stands for Direct Narration and’ I’ stands for Indirect
Narration. Here are a few examples.

Set-1: 1stPerson Pronouns (I, me, my, we, our, us) change according to the
subject of the Reporting Verb.
D-He says, “I am a student”
I-He says that he is a student.
D-You say, “I am a good student.”
I-You say that you are a good student.
D-They say, “We should help everyone.”
I-They say that they should help everyone.
Set-2: 2nd Person Pronouns (You, your, yours) change according to the object of the Reporting
Verb.
D-She says to me, “You have performed your task well.”
I-She tells me that I have performed my task well.
D-You say to him, “You have completed your task.”
I-You tell him that he has completed his task.
D-I say to them, “You have completed your tasks.”
I- I tell them that they have completed their tasks.

Set-3: 3rd person does not change at all.

D-She says, “He does not like me”.
I-She says that he does not like me.
D-He says, “He has spoken the truth”.
I-He says that he has spoken the truth.

Changing Tense:
Set -4: When the Reporting Verb is in the present or Future Tense, the verb in the Reported
Speech will not change.
D-The professor says, “Rajat understands the truth”.
I- The professor says that Rajat understands the truth.
D-The teacher has said, “Rajat understood the truth”.
I- The teacher has said that Rajat understood the truth.
Set -5:
When the Reporting Verb is in past tense, the verb in the Reported speech will change in
corresponding past.
Simple Present into Simple Past
D- Ayushi said, “I am unwell”.
I- Ayushi said that she was unwell.
Present Continuous into Past Continuous
D-He said, “I am doing the work”.
I-He said that he was doing the work.
Present Perfect into Past Perfect
D-She said to me, “I have seen this place”.
I- She told that she had seen that place.
Present Perfect Continuous into Past Perfect Continuous
D-He said, “It has been raining since morning”.
I- He said that it had been raining since morning.
 Module-4 Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the suitable forms of the Tense given in the
brackets.

1. My mother ____ (cook) food for us. (Present Indefinite

Tense)

2. She _____ (wish) everybody decently. (Present Indefinite)

3. Birds are _____ (fly) in the air. (Present Continuous)

4. The Sun _____ (rise now) (Present Continuous)

5. He _____ (spend) all his life in the service of poor.(Present Perfect)

6. We _____ (see) the Taj twice. (Present Perfect)

7. I _____ not _____ (read) since morning. (Present Perfect
Continuous)

8. Sarla _____ (suffer) from fever for a week. (Present Perfect

Continuous)

9. I _____ (come) to this town in 1980. (Past Indefinite)

10. The two convicts _____ (escape) from prison last night. (Past
Indefinite)

11. He jumped off the train while it _____ (move). (Past

Continuous)

12. I _____ (lie) awake in my bed. (Past Continuous)

15. He ____ (waste) his money for a long time in gambling. (Past
Perfect Continuous)

16. My mom _____taking (take) care of me for the last twenty years.
(Past Perfect Continuous)

17. God willing; we _____ (meet) again. (Future Indefinite)

18. If you run fast, you _____ (catch) the train. (Future Indefinite)

19. He _____ (do) his work sincerely. (Future

Continuous)

20. I _____ (help) him whole heartedly. (Future

Continuous)
ANSWERS

1. Cooks 7. Have not been 13. Had finished 19. Will be doing

2. Wishes 8. Has been [Link] won 20. Shall be helping

3. Flying 9. Came [Link] been wasting 21. Will have won

4. Is rising 10. Escaped [Link] been taking 22. Will have reaped

5. Has spent 11. Was moving [Link] meet [Link] have left

6. Have seen 12. Was lying 18. Will catch 24. Will have gone