Oral, Comprehension , Grammar, Words for the Week 5 – SS2 English Lesson Note (Third Term)

This lesson covers four areas. Oral English: placing stress on words of two or more syllables. Reading: paraphrasing poems and dramatic works by re-expressing them in simpler words. Grammar: concord, the agreement of the subject with the verb in a sentence. Vocabulary: ten words for the week.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• place stress correctly on two-syllable and three-syllable verbs and nouns;
• explain what a paraphrase is and how it differs from a summary;
• state and apply the rules of concord;
• use the correct verb form after singular, plural and joined subjects;
• recognise the ten words for the week.

How is stress placed on words of two or more syllables?

Two-syllable words: simple adjectives, adverbs and prepositions

• Stress the first syllable when the second syllable contains a short vowel and one or a final consonant. E.g. ENter, ENvy, Open, Equal.
• A two-syllable verb that ends in the diphthong (Óu) is also stressed on the first syllable. E.g. FOllow, BOrrow.
• Stress the second syllable if it contains a long vowel or diphthong, or ends with more than one consonant. E.g. withDRAW, inVITE, conTACT, aLIVE.

Three-syllable verbs

• If the last syllable contains a long vowel, a diphthong or more than one consonant, stress it. E.g. resuRRECT, enterTAIN.
• If the last syllable contains a short vowel and not more than one consonant, stress the second syllable. E.g. enCOUNter, deTERmine.

Two-syllable nouns

Stress the first syllable if the second syllable contains a short vowel. Otherwise, stress the second syllable. E.g. MOney, PROduct, LArynx, eSTATE, balLOON, deSIGN.

Three-syllable nouns

• If the last syllable contains a short vowel or the diphthong /Óu/, it receives no stress. If the middle syllable contains a long vowel or diphthong, or ends with more than one consonant, that middle syllable is stressed. E.g. poTAto, diSASter, boNANza, syNOPsis, apPOINTment.
• If the last syllable contains a short vowel and not more than one consonant, stress the first syllable. E.g. QUANtity, EXercise, CUStody, SCHOlarship, EMperor, CInema.

What is a paraphrase?

A paraphrase is saying or rewriting something in different words that makes it simpler. Paraphrasing may mean using fewer words, or it may require using more words and changing the structure or sentence.

How is a paraphrase different from a summary?

A paraphrase is different from a summary to an extent. In a summary, you pick out the essence, the bare bones of the matter, and you leave out illustrations and examples. In a paraphrase, you re-express the same information in a simpler, less complicated, less figurative form. Any illustrations and examples are also paraphrased.

Passage for reading

The passage, Nazzruddin, is an extract from A Bend in the River by V.S. Naipaul. It reveals his (Nazzruddin’s) plans to put up his property for sale. He, however, used terms that could not easily be understood by anyone not in the business world.

What are the rules of concord?

Concord is the agreement of the subject with the verb in a sentence.

1. When the subject is in the third person singular, the verb in the present tense takes ‘s’ or ‘es’. E.g. Monica listens attentively.
2. When the subject is in the first person, second person or third person plural, the base form (the plural verb) is used. E.g.
   • We go to church every Sunday.
   • You brush your teeth every morning.
   • They/the children make a lot of noise in school.
3. In a noun phrase, the verb must agree with the head word, that is, the main word. E.g.
   • One of my students has travelled abroad.
   • Every one of the pupils was rewarded.
4. Two or more singular nouns connected by ‘and’, expressing the same person, idea or thing, must take a singular verb. E.g.
   • Rice and beans is my best food.
   • The long and short of the matter is that we must work.
   • My friend and teacher has made my dream come true.
5. Two or more nouns connected by ‘and’ but referring to different things must go with a plural verb. E.g.
   • My friend and my brother have arrived.
6. A group of words starting with ‘each’ or ‘every’, ‘either’ or ‘neither’ should take a singular verb. E.g.
   • Every man and woman has his destiny.
   • Each student was asked to pay some fee.
   • Neither Tolu nor Teni pays attention to instructions.
   • Either Tiler or Tony has done the needful.
7. If one of the two nouns connected by ‘nor’ or ‘or’ is plural, or differs in person, the verb agrees with the noun closest to it in the sentence. E.g.
   • Either Temi or her sisters are interested in novels.
   • Neither the Principal nor the teacher has come to school.
   • Either my brother or I am travelling next week.
   • Neither you nor Victoria has paid the required due.
8. Indefinite pronouns, and nouns ending with ‘s’ but singular in meaning, must take singular verbs. E.g.
   • Everybody is here.
   • Everything is alright.
   • Everyone has spoken.
   • Nothing has happened.
   • Politics is a dirty game in Nigeria.
   • The news is broadcast at 6 pm.

Words for the week

• Incendiary
• Winsome
• Rapport
• Sovereign
• Vitriolic
• Quaint
• Pathology
• Acrylic
• Gourmet
• Abhor

Evaluation

1. Mark the stressed syllable in these words: follow, withdraw, balloon, quantity.
2. What is a paraphrase? State one way in which it differs from a summary.
3. Choose the correct verb: (a) Everybody (is/are) here. (b) Either my brother or I (am/is) travelling next week. (c) Each student (was/were) asked to pay some fee.
4. State the rule of concord for two nouns joined by ‘and’ that refer to different things, and give one example.

Assignment

1. Write the stress pattern of these words: estate, money, emperor, scholarship, determine.
2. Write two sentences using ‘neither … nor’ and two using ‘either … or’. Make the verb agree with the correct noun.
3. Write one sentence for each of rules 4 and 5 of concord.