SIMILES FOR A FRIEND

Athlete A friend is a balancing pole that enables us to walk the tight rope of life without falling.

Physician A soft bandage and a soothing ointment for the cuts and bruises of life.

Botanist A vine that clings to us and hides the discrepancies and rough places of life.

Florist    Greater the ruins, the more closer a friend clings.                                                                                                          

Jeweller A golden link in the chain of life.

A person in mourning One who comes in when the whole world goes out.

COURTESY-  INTERNET

ONLINE NETWORKING TIPS

 

Top 6 tips to ace it on SOCIAL MEDIA

1) Your profile picture, headline and summary are the 3 golden words on LinkedIn, use them well.

2) Engage with other people’s content by adding meaningful comments.

3) Post relatable, observational and knowledgeable content that gives insights or drives conversations.

4) Don’t shy away from creating content just because you feel that no one would read your content or that you don’t have enough experience to talk about something.

5) Build a good network by connecting with relevant people.

6) Be consistent in everything.

COURTESY - LinkedIn

TO BE CONTINUED...

GROUP DISCUSSION

                                                    A GROUP DISCUSSION (GD)

TOPIC - Are we getting addicted to TV serials?

PARTICIPANTS: Ajay, Eva, Binila, Chandru and Salim

Welcoming all to the GD...Let's start.

Ajay: Dear friends, with your permission I would like to initiate the group discussion on       “Are we getting addicted to TV serials?” Could you please lend me your ears?

Eva: Of course, we are all ears. Please do continue.

Ajay: Well, Television today, has become an important member of our family. There are many kinds of TV channels showing a variety of programmes like News, Sports, Movies, Music,Travel etc. However, in the evenings, people usually prefer to watch their favourite serials or soap operas. I am afraid this has now become a kind of addiction. Some of us find it very difficult to skip an episode. We empathise with the characters so much that we always think about these characters and eagerly wait to see them again. And most of the serials are tearjerkers trying to attract the viewers by arousing the emotions of sympathy, sadness, anger etc. In short, serials have become a kind of opium for the masses. And the MNC’s which sponsor these serials show the advertisements of their products in between the episodes at the drop of a hat. They therefore make hay while the sun shines.

Binila: I do agree with Ajay that serials aren’t influencing us in a good way and watching them for a long time does make us empathize with the characters deeply. Some of us take a liking to these serials which show the protagonist as an innocent, vulnerable and gullible person who is made to suffer endlessly for no fault of theirs. The same formula has been repeated in an umpteen number of serials.  

Chandru: Nowadays besides tearjerkers there are horror serials, comedy serials, mythological ones also, catering to the taste of a wide variety of audiences spanning across genders, ages and regions. The number of couch potatoes in our society is going up every day.

Ajay: But I doubt whether other types of programmes hook our audiences as much as these sentimental serials. Can anybody explain why?

Salim: Well, as Miss Binila rightly pointed out, the serials makers fill the episodes with a lot of emotional melodrama, gorgeous faces, twists in the plots etc. All the tricks of the trade are employed to play to the galleries. They take inspiration from popular movies, contemporary events and the present trends in the society. And I must say that some serials do make a good viewing experience giving the audience some food for thought as well.

Eva: With due regards to all your noble opinions, I think youngsters like me care two hoots for these silly tearjerkers that enthuse only the namby pamby ones. I watch TV for movies, musical contests and reality shows that keeps me enthused.  And unlike serials there is no fear of addiction as there is no suspense element in these programmes. They are magnificent with spectacular visuals, sound effects and choreography.

Binitha: Talking about visuals I think the computer graphics has made TV viewing a really enthralling with a lot of edge of the seat experiences.

Ajay: I am afraid, we are deviating slightly from the main topic ie., are we getting addicted to TV serials?

Salim: I think the main reason for some people getting addicted to TV serials is that they don’t consider their leisure time an opportunity to develop various other aspects of their personality that remains passive during the day’s work.

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PHRASAL VERBS TEST

Use the right phrasal verbs in the sentences below.

                                                                                  1. The Chairman hasn’t come. I am afraid the meeting might be put ____.

2.   2. Hang on. There’s still a hope. The Vice Chairman can preside _____ the meeting.

3.   3. I will keep my fingers crossed. The chairman may turn ____ unexpectedly.

4.  4.  But have you made _____ your mind about what needs to be the main topic  of  discussion.    

5.   5. Well, I have zeroed _____ on some important ones.

6.   6. Do speak ______on the incentives to be given to the employees.

7.   7. Of course. I will. Do remind of some more points in case I miss _____ any.

8.   Yeah I will. Can I run ______ the list of topics?

9.   Here you are. I hope the meeting is not called _____.

Yeah. I am quite hopeful. Things will turn _____ as we expected.

ANSWERS

1. off                                                                                            

2. over

3. up

4. up

5. in

6. up

7. out

8. through

9. off

10. out                                                              

TO BE CONTINUED...

MAKE THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

Using Wh-words,Wh-ever and Prepositions for connections.

While communicating in English it's very easy to connect information,ideas,thoughts etc. 

Let's see how:

First we will use wh-words for making connections. 1.HOW: I really don't know how to thank you for this.

2.WHAT:He actually doesn't know what to do next.

3.WHEN:Of course,she knows when the train will reach Kannur.

4.WHY:They don't know clearly why he cried while speaking.

5.WHERE:We do know where you had gone.

6.WHO: It(the dog) probably doesn't know who you are.

7.WHOM:You don't know the person with whom your boss is having the meeting now?

8.WHICH:You know very well which dress to wear for the function, don't you?

9.WHOSE:Ram knows for sure whose handwriting is this. Now let's see wh-ever words for making strong connections.

Wh-ever connections: 

WHICHEVER: I will be on time whichever be the occasion.

WHATEVER: I will do the work whatever be the problems.

WHEREVER: She will find friends wherever she goes.

WHENEVER: He will have food whenever he comes to our house.

WHOEVER:I will have to follow the rules, whoever you are.

HOWEVER:We will find a way, however difficult be the mission.

Prepositions for connections:

Now let's see how we can use prepositions to make connections. Jass has come...to meet you...with his father...for giving the invitation...of his sister's marriage...on 21 st of next month...at 11 am...at their house...in Beypore...near the LP school... So it is very easy in English to keep on adding  information to a sentence by using prepositions as in the given example.


USING "IF" AS A CONJUNCTION: 

Which sentence given below is the most powerful in terms of belief?

If I get a job in an International company, I will go places.

If I started a business, I would earn a lot of money.

If I had got a job in government service I would have become very happy.

Now in these sentence types using the three IFs, the first sentence is spoken by a very confident person having a very strong belief, the second by a not very confident person having a weak belief and the third by somebody who is living in the past.

So by changing the IF pattern in a sentence, can we enhance our confidence and belief in a particular outcome?  The answer is clear from the above example.

TO BE CONTINUED...

THINK IN ENGLISH WITH IDIOMS

AN IDIOMATIC CONVERSATION

(The meanings of all idioms used here is given in the answer section)

May I start now?  I hope you are all very much alive and kicking(1), aren't you?
You seemed to be all ears(2) when I spoke. Thank you.
Now what's the acid test(3) to find out who is the real winner?
Without any beating around the bush(4) let me come to the main point.
The ball is in your court(5) now.
Take the bull by the horns(6). That's the best way to deal with the issue.
I am going to ask you a question. Listen to the options carefully.  Don't jump the gun(7).
I don't know the right answer. I am keeping my fingers crossed(8).
Your team is going great guns(9). Cheers.
What is getting your goat(10) when you start working in that team?
I know how to face the music(11). Leave it to me.
It's a catch 22 situation(12). But let's be positive.

ANSWERS

1.energetic
2.attentive
3.a test which reveals the truth 
4.indirectly referring to something
5.the responsibility is yours to decide
6.face the situation in a direct manner
7.act in a hurry
8.hoping for the best
9.doing very well
10.making you irritated
11.deal with the demanding situation
12.a situation where one has to make some very difficult choices

FOLLOW THIS CONVERSATION WHICH USES IDIOMS LAVISHLY...

You look all at sea....like a ship which has lost its sense of direction and is now wandering in the vast ocean. What's the matter with you man?

I feel very unhappy in my present job. Nothing is working in my favour. I am demotivated with all the kind of work I am doing here.

See, if you are in the corporate sector you have to face the music every minute...I mean be ready for challenges. There's no way out.

But what if starts affecting your health...This job is sapping my enthusiasm for life. I am feeling drained...

Come on...you look alive and kicking...like a fish which has been caught just now. There's absolutely nothing wrong with your health.

OK, OK...you don't find anything wrong with my health...fine. But don't you think the job we are doing here is a bit too demanding.

Yes, you are right...but as they say, the ones who pay the piper can decide the tune, so they pay us our salary and hence make us do what they want.

So what you mean is that we are helpless.
Yes, perhaps. Because we have to play by their rules I mean the rules made by them. We can not change the rules...we cannot be the game changers.
Well...I think that is what we should do now...be game changers. Thank you for the new thought.
You are welcome always.

.......TO BE CONTINUED

THINK IN ENGLISH WITH PROVERBS

The ENLIGHTENING PROVERBS

(The meaning of all the proverbs used is given in the answer section)

I am going to make a blog on English Communication which doesn't look like an easy job. But "Where there is a will, there is a way"(1).

I think I should do this work alone as it is said "Too many cooks spoil the broth"(2).

I understand the difficulties in this mission but remember "Every cloud has a silver lining"(3).

I never criticize others when they make mistakes because I know very well that "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others"(4).

I am not going to do this too fast, "Slow and steady wins the race"(5).

I am happy that the first part of the blog is over."Well begun is half done"(6).

I am going to correct the mistake immediately. "A stitch in time saves nine"(7)

This blog will help all those who want to learn English. "A friend in need is a friend indeed"(8).

There may be many blogs on the same subject but "All that glitters is not gold"(9).

I have done my best. Now I am leaving it to its destiny."Man proposes, God disposes".(10) 

ANSWERS

1. A strong belief can achieve anything.
2. Too many hands at work may not achieve the desired results.
3. There is something good in every bad situation.
4. You cannot blame somebody if you are also imperfect.
5. Real success comes to those who wait and take wise decisions.
6. A good start motivates us till the end.
7. A fault if fixed on time can save us from a lot of trouble later.
8. A true friend renders help when it is needed the most.
9.  Let's not judge something by how it looks initially.
10. No matter how hard we try, there are always some things beyond our control.

Let's think about the: values,qualities,virtues,human tendencies and attitudes preserved for ages... in these proverbs .

All that glitters is not gold.
Handsome is what handsome does.
A stitch in time saves nine.
No pain, no gain.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
One who laughs last, laughs best.
There is no smoke without fire.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Prevention is better than cure.
Man proposes, God disposes.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
A penny saved is a penny gained.
Penny wise, pound foolish.
One swallow does not make a summer.
You cannot have your cake and eat it too.
Necessity is the mother of invention. 
Look before you leap.
A man's house is his castle.
Make hay while the sun shines.
All that glitters is not gold.
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
Birds of the same feather flock together.
Charity begins at home.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
Better late than never.
Truth is stranger than fiction.
Time and tide waits for none.
Slow and steady wins the race.

TO BE CONTINUED...