Q&A - PSLE English

[Muffins]

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?

2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
.... as long as...
What is the ans?

Many thanks again.

Though am not TAS, I will attempt to ans your questions, if that is ok with you....

For Q1, I am more inclined to write the first one, as the question specifically talks about the nest being disturbed, and to be on the safe side, that would be the better bet.

For Q2, the answer is:

I have known that weird man for as long as he has stayed in that dilapidated house

OR

That weird man has lived in that dilapidated house for as long as I have known him

A longer explanation may be provided by someone else. I'm just giving the gist of the thing...

Hope this helped!

[Tang]

Muffins:

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?

2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
.... as long as...
What is the ans?

Many thanks again.

Though am not TAS, I will attempt to ans your questions, if that is ok with you....

For Q1, I am more inclined to write the first one, as the question specifically talks about the nest being disturbed, and to be on the safe side, that would be the better bet.

For Q2, the answer is:

I have known that weird man for as long as he has stayed in that dilapidated house

OR

That weird man has lived in that dilapidated house for as long as I have known him

A longer explanation may be provided by someone else. I'm just giving the gist of the thing...

Hope this helped!

Hi,

For the first question, I will go for (b).

For the second question, I will go for the second proposed answer.

[Muffins]

jia you tang! only one more post to being a blue belt!

[The Alternative Story]

[quote]Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?[/quote]Hi Starlight,

The answer is the first one as the second one is complicated and hard
to understand. Usually when 2 negatives ('undisturbed' and 'will not leave') are used in a sentence, it makes the sentence difficult to understand,
hence it is not advisable to do so.
[quote]2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
.... as long as...
What is the ans?[/quote]The answer should be just as what Muffin said:

That weird man has lived in this dilapidated house for
as long as I have known him.

OR

I have know that weird man for as long as he has lived in this
dilapidated house.

The 'as long as' usually means 'provided that/providing'.

Eg:

I will listen to him as long as he does not shout (condition).

However in the example that you gave, there is no condition.
Hence 'as long as' is used more to mean for 'as long a time'.
[quote]Many thanks again[/quote].

No problem!

TAS

[starlight1968sg]

Hi TAS,

Thanks again for replying.
I agree on the part that 2 negatives in a sentence is not encouraged. But I was surprised as this was the model ans but my dd wrote the other one. Thus I need to seek your advice.

English is such a \"beautiful\" language.

[The Alternative Story]

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

Thanks again for replying.
I agree on the part that 2 negatives in a sentence is not encouraged. But I was surprised as this was the model ans but my dd wrote the other one. Thus I need to seek your advice.

English is such a \"beautiful\" language.

Hi Starlight,

You are welcome Yes the rules of English grammar are not clear
cut at times.

TAS

[hoskins8h]

Tang:

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?

I feel that (b) is the better answer and doesnt sound awkward to me even with the double negative.
It means that the bird will not leave her chicks to die unless the nest is disturbed.

(a) sounds strange and gives me the feeling that the bird may leave her chicks to die, whether the nest is disturbed or not. And if disturbed, will sure leave her chicks to die.

[starlight1968sg]

hoskins8h:

I feel that (b) is the better answer and doesnt sound awkward to me even with the double negative.

It means that the bird will not leave her chicks to die unless the nest is disturbed.

(a) sounds strange and gives me the feeling that the bird may leave her chicks to die, whether the nest is disturbed or not. And if disturbed, will sure leave her chicks to die.

The model ans is (b). But I think TAS has valid reasons too; two negatives complicate a sentence.

[starlight1968sg]

Hi TAS,

1) Tom became very depressed after his mother died last year.
The cause of .....
Ans1: The cause of his dead mother last year made Tom very depressed.
Ans2: The cause of his mother's death last year made Tom very depressed.

2) The suspect finally named his accomplice. The police were questioning him relentlessly.
..... under....
Ans: The suspect finally named his accomplice under police's relentless questioning.

Thanks.

I am unsure of the answers. :roll:

[Muffins]

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

1) Tom became very depressed after his mother died last year.
The cause of .....
Ans1: The cause of his dead mother last year made Tom very depressed.
Ans2: The cause of his mother's death last year made Tom very depressed.

2) The suspect finally named his accomplice. The police were questioning him relentlessly.
..... under....
Ans: The suspect finally named his accomplice under police's relentless questioning.

Thanks.

I am unsure of the answers. :roll:

For Q1, your second answer is correct...

For Q2, your answer seems correct... :idea: