Unit 8: Humour And Satire Solution
(A Few Kind Word For Supersitition)
Ways with words
A. Match the following.
transcendental – spiritual, nonphysical or mystical
deplore – to feel or express strong disapproval of (something)
absolve – set free from blame, guilt, or responsibility; release
juju – a charm or fetish used by some West African people
crude – natural state
chronicle – a written record of historical events
B. Find the contextual meanings of the following words from the text and then use them in sentences of your own.
condemn, terror, unbidden, persist, devout, banish, creed, hasten, sober, scorn, yearning, aloof swarthy, humbler
Ans:
Condemn: to express disapproval
- They condemned on the newly issued proposal.
Terror: a feeling of extreme fear.
- The protestors fled from the place in terror.
Unbidden: Without being invited or expected. -Some of them arrived there unbidden.
Persist: To continue to exist.
- If the symptoms persist, you should consult the doctor.
Devout: Showing strong religious feeling.
- Many people in Nepal are devout Hindus.
Banish: To make somebody/something go away.
-They are living in Nepal because they were banished from their country.
Creed: Religious principles or beliefs.
- People of different caste, culture and creed live together in Nepal.
Hasten: to do something quickly.
- We hastened to reach to hospital quickly.
Sober: Serious and sensible.
- It is a sober case. We should handle it carefully.
Scorn: To feel somebody/something stupid.
- She scorned her view and neglected it.
Yearning: a strong and emotional desire.
- Everybody has a deep yearning to visit his/her birth place.
aloof: an unfriendly person.
- She is aloof so no one speaks with her.
Swarthy: having dark skin.
- She is beautiful and has a swarthy complexion.
Humbler: a person who is not proud or arrogant.
-She is humbler than anyone else. So everyone likes her.
C.One of the ways to understand words and their meanings is to learn the origin of the word. For example, the word ‘expand’, which means ‘to spread out or extend’, comes from Middle English expanden, derived from the Latin word expandere: ex-(out)s pandere (to spread). Trace the origins of each of the following words finding such explanations in a dictionary or the Internet. Then make sentences by using each word.
a.Minatory: borrowed from Latin word “Minatorius’. (Which means to threaten.’)
Ans: He spoke a minatory words in his speech.
b.Placated: (derived from Latin word’ Placates’)
(Which means ‘to soothe’)
Ans: The concessions placated the students in a bus fare.
c. Cajoled: Borrowed from French word ‘Cajoler’ which means coaxed.
Ans: He cajoled me into agreeing to do the work.
d.Antedates: borrowed from Latin word ‘ante’ which means before.
Ans: The cold weather antedates their departure from the country.
e.Proliferated: borrowed from French word prolifere which means’ to increase rapidly in number or amount.
Ans: Books and articles on the subject have proliferated over the last year.
f.Philter: borrowed from French word ‘Philtre’ which means ‘to love’.
Ans: The way she tripped across the floor was better than a philter.
D. List any five words found in an English dictionary beginning with the prefix ‘super-.’ What common meaning do all of these words share? How do the words in your list change meaning if you eliminate the prefix ?
(i) Superglue: a very strong glue that sticks very quickly.
(ii) Superhero: a character in a story, film, etc. who has unusual strength.
(iii) Superman: a man who is unusually strong or intelligent.
(iv) Supermarket: a large shop.
(v) Supermodel: a very famous and highly paid fashion model.
Comprehension
Answer these questions.
a. According to the author, what are the four types of superstition?
Ans: According to the auther four types of superstition are vain observances, Divination, idolatory, and Improper worship of the True God.
b.Which language is the word ‘superstition’ derived from? What does it mean?
Ans: The word ‘superstition’ is derived from Latin word supersisto which means’ to stand in terror of the Deity.’
c..How do psychologists understand superstition?
Ans: Psychologists understand superstition as a compulsion neurosis does not banish it.
d. How does superstition differ from religion ?
Ans: Superstition differs from religion that people may believe in different religions, but irrespective to Superstition is the belief in supernatural power whereas religion is the system of believing gods o any religion, superstition is widespread. People from almost every part believe in superstition goddsses.
e.What is the belief of some people in the Middle Europe about sneezing?
Ans: Some people in middle Europe believe that, when a man sneezes, his should is absent from his body for that moment, and they hurry to bless him to prevent soul to be seized by Devil.
f.In the author’s view, why are people so fascinated about superstition?
Ans: In the authors view, people are so fascinated about superstition because it is linked to people’s desire to know their fate, and to have some hand in deciding it.
Critical Thinking
a.What is the key takeaway of this essay? Do you think that this essay is satirical? Why?
Ans: The key takeaway of this essay is superstition that is prevalent almost all over the world. Yes, this essay is satirical. Superstition is the belief that is not based on any scientific reason. Although there is not any reason to follow it, it is believed and followed worldwide in different forms. Even, educated people like, professors, scientists, doctors believe in superstition. Superstition exists worldwise among people of different caste, culture and religion. In this sense it is satirical that it is believed even in this 21st century.
b.Can education bring change in the belief of superstition? Present your arguments to support your answer.
Ans: It is said that education is the powerful weapon that we can use to change the world. Education brings change in almost every sector and superstition cannot be the exception of it. But superstitious belief is deeply rooted in people’s mind and it can not be eliminated easily. For example: in our country, people consider it bad luck if a black cat crosses our path and do not move ahead until another man passes the way. Even well educated people believe it, too. Therefore, education brings change but it takes time because such belief is deeply rooted in people’s mind.
Writing
a. Write an essay on superstitions that exists in your community in about 250 words.
Ans:
Superstition
Superstition refers to the belief that is not based on any scientific principles. It is the result of
traditional belief and ignorance. Although there is not any scientific reason behind superstition people believe it and it has been in existence in the society for a long time. The superstitious belief exists mostly in developing countries where people are illiterate. But it is also seen in developed societies. In superstitious society, people believe that a particular event brings good or bad luck to them It is also a kind of social evil which hinders the development of the society.
Superstitious beliefs are deeply rooted in the minds so that people would believe in such things. Whether the people are educated or not, once they encounter any superstitious belief, they have a doubt somewhere in the corner of their heart. Some superstitious beliefs which exist in our society are: if we walk under a ladder we will have a bad luck, if a black cat crosses our way, we will have a bad luck. If we see an empty pitcher while starting a journey, we will have a bad luck but if we see a pitcher full of water we will have a good luck and so on Superstitious people believe in luck/fortune rather than their toil. These beliefs are unscientific because there is not any evidence to support them.
More or less superstition exists almost all over the world. Superstition cannot be eliminated from the society easily. As it is one of the social evils, the superstitious people may commit crimes due to ignorance. There is no proof but people’s faith in the existence of god can also be superstition. The evils of society such as untouchability discrimination due to caste, culture, colour, tradition are also the examples of superstition. Superstitious belief does not take society towards the path of peace and progress, but it creates obstacles. Fear of the occurance of something bad leads people to believe in superstition. Many people visit fortune tellers to know about their future but do not realize how reliable they are.
Education is the only one weapon that can abolish superstition from the society. Public awareness should be created and illiterate people should be convinced not to believe in superstition. If the new generation is properly educated, they can contribute to eradicate it. It cannot be uprooted within a day or night but it might take many generations. The educated people should play a significant role to combat against superstition. A collective effort of united people can uproot this social evil from the society. Therefore, superstition should be uprooted from the society as soon as possible for peace, prosperity and development of the society.
b. “Superstition is prevalent in every walk of life.” Argue for or against this statement.
Ans: Yes, it is true that superstition is prevalent in every walk of life. People knowingly or unknowingly believe in superstition. We worship idols every morning that may be a superstition. Performing any task using left hand is not considered good in our society. We largely believe in luck, some days are considered good or bad for doing any auspicious work. The numbers such as 8 and 12 are not considered good, though there is not evidence to prove it. Therefore, superstition can be experienced in our everyday activities.
Grammar
B. Put the verb into the correct form, present simple or present continuous.
a. Nisha speaks (speak) English very well.
b. Hurry up! We are waiting (wait) for you.
c. Excuse me! Do you speak (you/speak) English?
d. She is having (have) a shower in bathroom.
e. How often do you read (you/read) a newspaper?
f. I’m sorry, I don’t understand (not/understand). Can you speak more slowly?
g. You can turn off the radio. I am not listening (not/listen) to it.
h. I usually get up (get up) at 5 o’clock every morning.
i. Look! The river is flowing (flow) very fast.
j. Amrita does not seem (not/seem) very happy at the moment.
C. Are the underlined verbs in the correct form? Correct them where necessary.
a. Water boils at 100° C.
Water boils at 100° C.
b. The water boils. Can you turn it off?
The water is boiling. Can you turn it off?
c. I must go now. It gets late.
I must go now. It is geting late.
d. This sauce’s tasting really good.
This sauce tastes really good.
e. I’m thinking this is your key.
I think this is your key.
f. Are you believing in God?
Do you believe in God?
g. I usually go to school on foot.
I usually go to school on foot.
h. Look! That man tries to open the door of her car.
Look! That man is trying to open the door of her car.
i. The moon is going round the earth.
The moon goes round the earth.
j. I’m getting hungry. Let’s go and eat.
I’m getting hungry. Let’s go and eat