Giving Advice and Warnings (Letter to Kunsang & 2012 Movie Review)

Chapter I : A Letter to Kunsang

Vocabulary in use

Find the words from the text that give similar meaning to the following.

a. cosmopolitan, advanced, worldly, sophisticated
b. certainly, definitely, absolutely, undoubtedly
c. joyful, delighted, ecstatic, blissful
d. horrible, loathsome, disgraceful, appalling
e. enchanting, fascinating, charming, attractive

Reading comprehension

Answer these questions.

a. Who has written the letter?

Manisha has written the letter.

b. Whom is the letter addressed to?

The letter is addressed to Kunsang.

c. Where does Kunsang want to go?

Kunsang wants to go to the biggest metropolitan city of Nepal.

d. Why does Kunsang want to leave his village?

Kunsang wants to leave his village because he wants to find job in the city.

e. Why does Manisha want her nephew to give it a second thought?

Manisha wants her nephew to give it a second thought because she believes that leaving high school and home could make him and everyone else in the family very unhappy and that his ambition could ruin his life.

f. What suggestions did Manisha give Kunsang? Make a list.

Manisha suggests that Kunsang think about his parents' support and education before making a decision, complete his studies, and have a serious talk together before making a final decision.

g. Do you like Kunsang’s idea of stopping his studies? Why? Why not? Explain.

I don't like Kunsang's idea of stopping his studies because I believe that it is important to complete one's education before entering the workforce, as this can provide a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that can be beneficial in the long term.

Suppose you are Kunsang. Write a response letter to your aunt.

Dear Aunt Manisha,

Thank you for your letter and for your concern. I apologize if my decision to seek a job in the city has caused you any worry. I understand your concern about my education and my parents' support, and I assure you that I have thought about these things before making my decision.

I understand that completing my studies is important, and I promise that I will do my best to balance my studies with my work. I am confident that the skills and experiences I will gain from working in the city will benefit me in the long run.

I also want to assure you that I am not taking my parents' love and support for granted. I know that they have always been there for me and I am grateful for everything they have done for me. I hope that you can understand my decision and support me as I embark on this new journey.

Sincerely,
Kunsang

Chapter II : Movie Review: “2012” is a Perfect Disaster

Vocabulary in use

Rewrite the following sentences choosing the correct phrases/words from the list below for the bold word/s

boom, unbelievable, misinterpretation, extremely large number of people, a protagonist, the people who speak American Indian language in Central America and Mexico, movie reviewer, broadens, appealing

a. The film critic awards four stars to the film ‘2012”. → The movie reviewer awards four stars to the film ‘2012”.

b. Emmerich fleshes out a bit of pseudo-history and some pseudo-science in “2012”. → Emmerich broadens out a bit of pseudo-history and some pseudo-science in “2012”.

c. John Cusack is in a leading role. → John Cusack is the protagonist.

d. “2012” kills zillions without breaking a sweat. → “2012” kills an extremely large number of people without breaking a sweat.

e. According to the critic “2012” is enormously satisfactory, amazingly accomplished and irresistible. → According to the critic “2012” is enormously satisfactory, amazingly accomplished and appealing.

f. The calendar of the Mayans had a misapprehension of “2012” as the date of humanity’s doom. → The calendar of the the people who speak American Indian language in Central America and Mexico had a misinterpretation of “2012” as the date of humanity’s doom.

g. The special effects of the movie are incredible. → The special effects of the movie are unbelievable.

h. In “2012’, the world ends with a bang. → In “2012’, the world ends with a boom.

Reading comprehension

Read the movie review, and decide whether the following statements are true or false.

a. “2012” is a film about the disaster that kills a great number of people. → True
b. The director of the movie has also contributed in its writing part. → True
c. Chiwetel Ejiofor played the role of a doctor. → False
d. Mark Gordon is one of the producers of “2012”. → True
e. The critic finds the special effects of the movie incredible. → True

Read the text again, and answer the following questions.

a. Who is Roland Emmerich?

Roland Emmerich is the director of the film "2012".

b. When was the movie “2012” released?

The movie "2012" was released on November 13, 2009.

c. What misconception is captured in the beginning of the movie?

The movie "2012" begins with the misconception that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012.

d. Why do audience not feel bored while watching the movie?

The audience does not feel bored while watching "2012" because the story telling is good.

e. What makes “2012” the perfect movie?

"2012" is considered the perfect movie because it is the best movie of its kind ever made and gets everything right, including the actors, story telling, dialogue, and special effects.

f. What are the differences between "2012" and other movies?

The main differences between "2012" and other movies are that "2012" depicts the literal end of the world and has a greater number of deaths and larger scale disasters. Other movies may have earthquakes or explosions, but "2012" has California sinking into the sea and an atom bomb size detonation that wipes Yellowstone off the map.

Note down the major points of the movie review. Paraphrase them. Develop this into a paragraph with a suitable title, topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

Movie Review: "2012" is a Perfect Disaster

"2012" is a highly successful disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich that follows the story of the end of the world as predicted by the Mayan calendar.

The film has a strong cast, including John Cusack and Amanda Peet, and boasts incredible special effects. The story telling is engaging and the dialogue is a mix of wise cracks and emotional moments. Despite not being considered art, "2012" is considered the best movie of its kind ever made and surpasses other disaster films in scale and number of deaths depicted.

Overall, "2012" is a thrilling and expertly crafted disaster film that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Grammar

Imagine Kunsang has visited Manisha. What might have Manisha told her nephew? Complete the following sentences with suitable expressions of advice, suggestion or warning.

a. Kunsang, you mustn’t ignore your parents' support and education.
b. You have to complete your studies first.
c. You ought not make this decision in a hurry.
d. If I were you, I would think before it's too late.
e. You aren't allowed to ignore your parents' love and sacrifices for you.
f. You may find the city appealing and attractive, but remember that you are not living a useless life in your village.
g. You are not supposed to leave high school and home without considering the consequences.

Walking on foot along the roads may sometimes be dangerous. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modal verbs to give a sense of pedestrians’ safety.

The roads may be dangerous for pedestrians. Even for those who are not driving, it is important to be aware that traffic may be approaching from unexpected directions. Apart from motorways, it’s not illegal crossing the road at any point. It is advisable to use crossings, some of them controlled by traffic lights, whenever you can. You should cross the road when the green signal is on but, if the light is flashing, don’t start to cross.

There are crossing points known as zebra crossings which have black and white road markings and orange flashing beacons at each side of the road. Drivers must give way to pedestrians on the crossing. Pedestrians of developed cities can also use subways and overhead bridges for their safety.

Don’t forget, pedestrians must not walk along or cross any motorways at any time.

Writing

Write a dialogue between two students who have distinct views on the qualities of a captain or a leader.

Dibas: I think a captain or a leader should be someone who is confident and assertive. They should be able to take charge and make decisions without hesitation.
Rames: I disagree. A good captain or leader should be someone who listens to others and values their opinions. Being too confident or assertive can come off as arrogant or domineering.
Dibas: But if a captain or leader is too hesitant or indecisive, it can lead to chaos and confusion.
Rames: That's true, but I think a balance is important. A captain or leader should be confident enough to make decisions, but also open to hearing the perspectives of others and considering different options.
Dibas: I see your point. A captain or leader should be able to strike a balance between confidence and openness to others' ideas.
Rames: Exactly. It's about finding the right balance and being able to adapt to different situations.

Write a book/movie review. You may include answers of these questions: Who were the characters/actors? Who published/produced it? Who was the author/director? What was the plot? What problem was highlighted? How was the problem/s solved? What did you like/dislike about it? Did you like the ending? If you were the author/director, how would you end the story?

Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic novel published in 1960 by Harper Lee. It tells the story of young Scout Finch and her experiences growing up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression.

The main characters include Scout, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, a lawyer who defends a black man named Tom Robinson against false accusations of rape. The novel explores themes of racism, prejudice, and social injustice through the eyes of Scout as she learns about the world and the people around her.

One of the most notable problems highlighted in the book is the racism and prejudice that exists in Maycomb and the impact it has on the lives of the characters. This problem is ultimately solved when Atticus successfully defends Tom in court, despite the overwhelming evidence against him.

What I liked most about the book was the way it tackled difficult and sensitive issues in a way that was both thought-provoking and accessible to readers of all ages. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story is beautifully written.

One thing I disliked about the book was the way it ended. While the ending was satisfying in many ways, I felt like there were still some unresolved issues that could have been explored further.

If I were the author, I would have liked to see more resolution in terms of the impact Atticus's defense of Tom had on the town and its residents. I would have also liked to see more growth and development in the characters, particularly Scout, as she continues to navigate the complexities of life in Maycomb. Overall, however, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a powerful and timeless novel that is well worth reading.

Suppose your maternal uncle is planning to go abroad. Your mother advises him to follow a few dos and don’ts. Prepare a dialogue between your mother and maternal uncle using the given hints. You can add your own points if you like.

Hridaya: Sister, I'm planning to go abroad.
Bimala: Why do you want to go?
Hridaya: I've heard that there are many job opportunities abroad and the income is better there. I think it will provide a better and more secured future for me and my family.
Bimala: That's true, but you also have to be careful. There are risks of fatal diseases and accidents in some countries.
Hridaya: I know, but I will take all the necessary precautions.
Bimala: Make sure you do. Also, keep in mind that skilled manpower is highly paid abroad. If you have any special skills or knowledge of different languages, it will be very beneficial for you.
Hridaya: Yes, I've thought about that.
Bimala: Another important thing is to go legally. Don't take any shortcuts or illegal routes. Get all the right information from the government offices and consider taking help from the helpline if necessary.
Hridaya: Thank you for your advice, sister. I will make sure to follow all of these points.