Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow (5)
In America, they have freed the language from the stiffling tyranny of the passive voice. Where we would say ceremoniously Trespassing prohibited, their sign boards, as I noticed in the parks of Berkeley, merely say. 'Newly planted, Don't walk or 'Absolutely no parking leaves no room for speculation and no motorist need spend too much time peering out and studying the notice. In a similar situation our authorities are likely to plant a twenty line inscription on the landscape to say, 'Under Municipal Act so and so and this area has been reserved, etc, etc., and any vehicle stationed thereon will be deemed to have contravened subsection so and so of the motor vehicle act, etc., I saw on many American office doors just Do Not Enter. The traffic signs at pedestrian crossing never mince words; they just say 'Go' or 'Wait'.
Answer the following.
(i) Add suffix/prefix for the following words.
(1) Self (2) permanent
(ii) Find out the synonym for the following words.
(1) tyranny (2) contravened.
(iii) How do children get their money back from the money box?
Answers
Answer:
. In the American restaurants they call for Toasted English', referring to English mumins
which though being made in America, now retain 'English' as a sort of concession to their
origin. The same may be said of their language too. Americans too went through a phase of
throwing out the British but retaining their language and letting it flourish on American
soil; the resultant language is somewhat different from its 'British counterpart; it may be
said to have gone through a process of toasting. One noticeable result of this toasting is
that much of the formalism surrounding the use of English has been abandoned.
2. In America, they have freed the language from the stifling tyranny of the Passive Voice.
Where we should say ceremoniously "Trespassing prohibited', their signboards, as I
noticed in the Parks of Berkeley, merely say, "Newly planted, don't walk'. 'Absolutely No
Parking leaves no room for speculation, and no motorist need spend too much peering
out and studying the notice. In a similar situation our authorities are likely to plant a
twenty-line inscription on the landscape to say, Under Municipal Act so and so of the
Motorist Vehicles Act, etc.' I saw on many American office doors just Do not Enter'. The
traffic signs at pedestrian crossings never mince words; they just say 'Go', or Wait'. In a
Hollywood studio I was rather startled to read, Mark Stevens-Keep out.' Mark Stevens
is a busy television personality who does not like to be disturbed by visitors. Incidentally,
it left me wondering why, if Mr Stevens does not like interruption, he should announce his
name at all on the door! But it is one of the minor mysteries that make travel through that
country so engrossing. ,
3. The 'toasting of English has been achieved through other means also. Americans have
evolved certain basic key words which may be used anywhere, anyhow, words which
have universal multipurpose use. I may make my point clear if I mention the example
of the word 'Check' which may safely be labelled the American National Expression.
While British usage confines it to its bare dictionary definitions, the American uses it
anywhere, this expression being so devised that one may blindly utter it and still find
that it is appropriate, for the occasion. Ill check' means I'll find out, investigate, examine,
scrutinize, verify, or probe'. Your check' means your ticket, token or whatever you may
have to produce. 'Check room' is where you leave your possessions for a while. Check
girl' is one who takes care of your coat, umbrella, or anything else you may leave in
custody.
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