Q&A - PSLE English
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adbie:
I remember reading one or two years back that a series of books on grammar called 'About Grammar' was being produced by MOE and NIE. I am not up-to-date with what's what. If anyone knows about this, please share.Hi, I'm looking for the authoritative guidebook on grammar for the PSLE standard, if it exists. Appreciate any help here.
Apparently, there are differing grammar rules. I've come across examples in assessment books, past test papers and internet that aren't consistent.
Some grammarians prefer to sit on the fence and claim that certain grammar rules are flexible. This is not good because there's only 1 correct answer in the exam!
See for instance:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1088105/1/.html
Rgds
R -
thanks ridcully for your explanation. Its a pleasure to read them.
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Hi - More S&T queries.
1) The security guard told the children, "Do not play in this area".
The security guard told the children ________________________________.
DS ans : The security guard told the children to not play in that area.
Answer key : The security guard told the children not to play in that area.
(My instinct was to go with the answer key, as that is how I would say it. But any views on whether DS answer could be acceptable?)
2) As he came late, he missed the first part of the concert programme.
If he had _________________________________________________________.
DS: If he had not come late, he would not have missed the first part of the concert programme.
Answer key : If he had come early, he would not have missed the first part of the concert programme.
(meaning is the same, but any implication due to the doube negative - apart from making a cumbersome sentence?)
Please advise and thanks in advance. -
Please help to explain this qn from Pei Chun 2011 Prelim, ans key is (4) but why not (1) :
My elder sister has been so busy with her work the past week that she has not got round to ______ her laundry.
(1) do
(2) does
(3) done
(4) doing -
Hi,Ridcully
Can u please help me with these:
She could not bear to leave when she heard the little girl _____loudly.
answer given is scream and not screamed, can explain.
TIA -
Hi Can someone help me with the henry Park q66.
Qs Tim is afraid of the dark. He does not want to sleep alone.
My DS answer - Fearing of the dark, Tim does not want to sleep alone.
Answer given - fearing the dark, Tim does not want to sleep alone. -
vidhyalog:
DS's answer is acceptable: There is no change in meaning.DS ans : The security guard told the children to not play in that area.
Answer key : The security guard told the children not to play in that area.
(My instinct was to go with the answer key, as that is how I would say it. But any views on whether DS answer could be acceptable?)
Your DS's answer is an example of a split infinitive. The old chestnut that you cannot split an infinitive is buried. However, to my ears, it sounds better not to split [or is that 'to not split'?!]. Thus, I personally prefer the answer key's 'not to play'.
The preferred form is not to split an infinitive unless there is a compelling reason, such as for emphasis:
Teacher Ridcully wishes to boldly go where no grammarian has gone before.vidhyalog:
No implication for PSLE's purposes.2) As he came late, he missed the first part of the concert programme.
If he had _________________________________________________________.
DS: If he had not come late, he would not have missed the first part of the concert programme.
Answer key : If he had come early, he would not have missed the first part of the concert programme.
(meaning is the same, but any implication due to the doube negative - apart from making a cumbersome sentence?)
In terms of audience, you will find that people whose first language is Chinese sometimes have problems comprehending double-negatives.
Rgds
R -
ms_lim:
'Got round to' is a phrasal verb. The preposition 'to' needs to be followed by a noun or noun equivalent such as a gerund. 'Doing' is a gerund and so fulfils the role. 'Do' is a verb.Please help to explain this qn from Pei Chun 2011 Prelim, ans key is (4) but why not (1) :
My elder sister has been so busy with her work the past week that she has not got round to ______ her laundry.
(1) do
(2) does
(3) done
(4) doing
Rgds
R -
htn:
'Heard' is a verb of perception. We normally have this pattern of usage:Hi,Ridcully
Can u please help me with these:
She could not bear to leave when she heard the little girl _____loudly.
answer given is scream and not screamed, can explain.
verb of perception + object + base form/gerund
Rgds
R -
r2010:
'Fearing' requires an object. An object is a noun or noun equivalent, not a prepositional phrase. Hence, 'the dark' is a noun phrase and so is fine, whereas 'of the dark' is a prepositional phrase and so is not fine.Qs Tim is afraid of the dark. He does not want to sleep alone.
My DS answer - Fearing of the dark, Tim does not want to sleep alone.
Answer given - fearing the dark, Tim does not want to sleep alone.
Rgds
R
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