University Study Notes: English-I

University: Purbanchal University
Programs: Bachelor of Interior Design (B.I.D.) / First Semester / Final (New)
Available Subject Papers:
- English-I (BID 106.3HS): 2025
- Mathematics-I (105.3HS): 2024
Exam Duration: $03:00\,hrs$
Full Marks: $70$
Pass Marks: $28$
General Instructions: Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable. Figures in the margin indicate full marks.

Concept: Converting a speaker's verbatim words into a report without using the exact quotes, typically requiring tense shifts and pronoun changes.
Examples from Practice:
- Mohan says, "I am a doctor."
- John said to his mother, "I shall go to bed now."
- He said to me, "What is your name?"
- She asked me, "Are you happy in your new job?"
- He said to me, "How long will you stay here?"

Concept: Changing the focus of a sentence from the performer of the action (active) to the recipient of the action (passive).
Examples from Practice:
- He is to invite me. (Passive: I am to be invited by him.)
- Nobody told me the news. (Passive: I was not told the news.)
- She made me sing. (Passive: I was made to sing by her.)
- Two lions were killed. (Active conversion required.)
- Who is creating this mess? (Passive: By whom is this mess being created?)

Concept: Expressing hypothetical scenarios or dependencies using "if" clauses.
Examples from Practice:
- Type 1 (Real/Possible): If you ask a policeman he $\text{(tell)}$ you the way. (Correct: will tell)
- Type 2 (Hypothetical): I $\text{(help)}$ you if I could, but I\'m afraid I can\'t. (Correct: would help)
- Type 2 Advice: I $\text{(not/buy)}$ that coat if I were you. (Correct: would not buy)
- Type 2 Descriptive: This soup isn\'t very nice. It $\text{(taste)}$ better if it wasn\'t so salty. (Correct: would taste)
- Type 2 Reality vs. Hypo: We live in a city and don\'t need a car, but we would need one if we $\text{(live)}$ in the country. (Correct: lived)

Greeting: Standard forms of initiating communication (e.g., "Good morning," "Hello").
Requesting: Asking someone to perform an action politely (e.g., "Could you please open the window?").
Prohibiting: Explicitly forbidding an action (e.g., "Smoking is strictly prohibited in this area").
Asking for Permission: Seeking authorization (e.g., "May I use your telephone?").
Apologizing: Expressing regret for a specific error (e.g., "I am terribly sorry for being late for the meeting").

Concept: Ensuring the verb matches the number (singular or plural) of the subject.
Examples from Practice:
- The teeth of this girl $\text{(is/are)}$ white. (Correct: are)
- Everybody $\text{(was/were)}$ asked to remain quiet. (Correct: was)
- Neither of the men $\text{(is/are)}$ here yet. (Correct: is)
- Several of the sheep $\text{(is/are)}$ sick. (Correct: are)
- The number of boys present $\text{(is/are)}$ . (Correct: is)

Hearing: A physiological process; the involuntary act of perceiving sound through the ears.
Active Listening: A conscious, psychological process where the listener is fully concentrated, understands, responds, and remembers what is being said.
Signs of Active Listening:
- Verbal Signs: Positive reinforcement (e.g., "Yes," "I see"), remembering previous points, questioning, reflection, and clarification.
- Non-verbal Signs: Smile, eye contact, posture (leaning slightly forward), mirroring, and avoiding distractions.

Developing Speaking Skills: Focuses on fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary enrichment, and public speaking practice to improve oral communication.
Fundamentals of Effective Writing:
- Clarity: Using simple, direct language.
- Conciseness: Avoiding unnecessary words.
- Correctness: Adhering to grammar and spelling rules.
- Coherence: Logical flow between ideas.
Instruction Writing: Descriptive process writing that provides step-by-step guidance. Basic features include brevity, use of imperative verbs, and sequential order.

Language Forms vs. Functions:
- Form: The grammatical structure of the sentence (e.g., imperative, declarative).
- Function: The purpose of the communication (e.g., ordering, informing, apologizing).
Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae (CV):
- Resume: Typically a 1-2 page summary of skills and experience tailored for a specific job.
- CV: A comprehensive, multi-page biographical document detailing the whole course of a career, including academic achievements, publications, and awards.

Advertisements: Structure for a "To Let" ad for a vacant flat, including location, amenities (size, water supply, parking), and contact details.
Job Application and Bio-data: A formal letter addressed to a prospective employer for a specific post, accompanied by a structured bio-data (personal details, education, experience).
Memo (Memorandum): An internal communication tool. Example task: Informing staff at an educational consultancy to use a high-speed Wi-Fi ID during Zoom meetings with clients.

Target: Describe a specific location with potential to become a future tourist hub. Focus on unique features, accessibility, and cultural or natural attractions.