English Guru

 

Working with words

Accross

A.   Find the words from the text and solve the puzzle. Clues are given below.

1. the custom of having more than one wife at the same time—polygamy

5. to find an acceptable way of dealing with opposing ideas, needs etc.—solutions

6. the process in which towns, streets, etc. are built where there was once countryside—urbanization

7. the process by which somebody learns to behave in an acceptable way in their society—socialization

DOWN

1. ruled or controlled by men—patriarchal

2. the act of taking over a position—domination

3. done in a way without caring if people are shocked—blatant

4. single-parent—lone-parents

B. Find the meanings of the following family-related words and use them in your own sentences.

nuclear family—two married adults, usually man and  a woman ( almost from different lineages and not related by blood) along with their offspring, usually living in  a private and separate dwelling. 

Monogamy— marrying one person at a time

sibling-in-law— the siblings of spouse

milk kinship— milk relationship of brother and sister/ breastfeeding women and their non-biological nursing babies

matrilineal— tracking descents through female ancestors/ system in which ancestry is traceable via maternal rather than paternal lines.

nepotism— favouriting of relatives or personal friends because of their relationship rather than their abilities

maternity— the state of being a mother

C. The following words are from the above text. Each word has two parts.

polygamy, unmarried, nontraditional, dissolution, inequitable

poly, un, non, dis and in are prefixes. They make new words when they are added to

the beginning of other root words.

Make at least five words using the prefixes given. Consult a dictionary to learn how they change the meaning of root words.

pre ⇛Prefix, preprimary, pretest, pregame, preplan

semi ⇛Semiconductor, semifinal, semidesert, semiformal, semicolon

sub ⇛Subsite, subtitle, submarine, subordinate, subeditor

mis ⇛Mismatch, misunderstand, misspell, misshaped, misbehave 

mono ⇛monogamy, monologue, monopoly, monolingual, monograph

un  ⇛unreadable, uncountable, unable, unsuitable, unbalanced

in   ⇛inhuman, indeed, incapacity, incapable, incompetent   

inter ⇛intertwisted, intergenic, interconnection, interrelated, interpose

    Comprehension

A. The headings of the first five paragraphs of the above text are given below.

Write paragraph number next to them.

a. Patriarchal family - 3^rd paragraph

b. Functions of the family- 2^nd paragraph

c. Modern model of family- 5^th paragraph

d. Effects of industrialization on family structure-4^th paragraph

e. Defining family- 1^st paragraph

B. Answer the following questions.

a. What type of family is thought to be the oldest form of the family?

The nuclear family is considered to be the oldest form of the family.

b. How does a family provide security to its members?

- By providing physical, mental, psychological as well as socio-economical security

c. What were the features of medieval European families?

- The main features of medieval European families were meal-dominated and extended.

d. What caused the dissolution of extended families in the West?

- industrialization, urbanization, and migration of married youths from rural areas to urban caused the dissolution of extended families in the West.

e. What change occurred in gender roles in the modern family that emerged after the Industrial Revolution?

-After the Industrial Revolution many changes occurred in gender roles. Such as:

-patriarchal rule began to give way to greater equality between the sexes.

- family roles male or female broke down.

-  caring for the home and children, once the exclusive duty of the female is often shared activity

f. What is family law?

- Family law refers to legal relationships among family members and relationships between families and society, parameters of marriage, the status of children, the succession of property from one generation to another.

g. How is modern marriage defined?

-Modern marriage is defined as a voluntary union between two individuals especially man and woman that unites their live legally, economically, and emotionally.

h. What do special family courts try to do?

-Family court is a special court for legal issues originating from family connections. The family courts try to focus on various sensitive issues like matrimonial issues, spousal property, divorce, custody of children, and so on.

i. What does the legislation on child labour and child abuse declare?

- The legislation on child labour and child abuse declares that " No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment. It also asserts the society's responsibility for a child's best interests.

j. What is common among most legal systems regarding property?

-In most common legal systems, regarding property is according to the decedent's wishes or will. Such property is handed over to the deceased family members mainly spouses or offspring.   

    Critical thinking

a. What changes have started to occur in Nepali families in recent days? What impacts will they bring on the society? Discuss.

    In recent days many changes can be seen in the Nepalese family. Though, patriarchy has its' deep rooted, some changes have started to roll out. Women are empowered. Now, they are not trapped in predetermined household activities. Gender equality and equal rights are evolving in Nepal at a gradual pace. Caring for the home and children, once the exclusive duty of the female is often a shared activity now. Males were the main breadwinners in the family but it is changed to equal responsibility.

    Marriages were organized by parents and all social traditions were followed in the past. But, it has totally changed in recent days. Most of the youths are free to decide about their future. Cohabitation, same-sex marriage, and lone parents are going to be seen. Some couples choose not to marry legally and instead elect to have their children out of wedlock. Voluntary childlessness is increasingly common, and developments in reproductive technology have opened options for those who want to have children outside of a more traditional arrangement.

    Nepalese families have seen parted in recent years. They are changing their living styles. Most of the young marriage couples have migrated to city areas. The village houses have been abandoned. They are seeking new and better opportunities. The families in the rural areas and village areas have been decreasing day by day.

    The  Nepalese societies lack youth manpower these days. They have left their homeland in search of jobs. Due to the political instability, corrupted bureaucracy system, nepotism, and favoritism in the country, many youths don't want to stay in the country. Globalization and rapid development in technology is another cause of fraction in the family. Leaving their old dependence and children at home, many youths are abroad. Some of them have lost their life in foreign lands. Due to the cause of technological development, their desires are increasing every day.  Mirage of fulfilling such infinite desires, family members forget their duties and responsibilities. The sense of love, affection, care, cooperation, security, peace, and harmony are lacking these days in Nepalese families. 

b. We see many elderly people in elderly homes these days in Nepal. Some of them are abandoned while others live there willingly. Do you think Nepali people are deviating from their traditional culture? Give reasons.

    Writing

A. Write an essay on The Importance of Family. In your essay, you can use these guiding questions.

•   Why family is important to you.

•   Why family is or is not important for society.

•   How you think families will change in the future.

B. Some people think it is better to live in a nuclear family. Other people think that living in an extended family is more advantageous. What do you think? Write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of both.

    Family isn't always blood, but it's always about belonging. It's the friends who become your chosen kin, the neighbors who share your doorstep smiles, the furry friend who greets you with slobbery kisses. It's the feeling of never truly being alone, even when miles apart, because you know you're held by invisible threads of love and support.

    The family unit, our first taste of community, shapes us in profound ways. But what form should it take? Should we seek the intimacy of the nuclear family or embrace the bustling warmth of an extended one? Both possess strengths and weaknesses, weaving unique tapestries of life.

    Nuclear families are like cozy nests. Parents focus on each child, tailoring support and building tight bonds. Kids learn independence and self-reliance. Privacy flourishes, making space for personal growth. A small circle can lead to isolation and loneliness. The burden of childcare and domestic tasks falls heavily on parents, potentially causing stress and fatigue. Children may lack exposure to diverse perspectives and the wisdom of elders, their world confined to a single generation.

    Extended families are like bustling hives. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles share the load, easing pressure on parents. Kids learn from a web of love and experience, gaining social skills and lifelong connections. But navigating many opinions and sharing space can be tricky. Privacy shrinks, and individual needs might get lost in the crowd.

    Ultimately, the ideal family structure is a subjective dance between individual needs and cultural contexts. Both nuclear and extended families offer unique advantages and challenges, shaping us in distinct ways. What matters most is the quality of love, support, and connection that nourishes our personal growth, regardless of the family constellation we find ourselves in.

   Grammar

Modal verbs

A. Study the given sentences carefully.

a. Please read this letter for me. I can't see without my glasses.

b. After working for a couple of years in China, I can speak Chinese now.

c. When he was 40, he could earn six digit salary.

d. After six hours' climbing, we were able to reach the summit.

e. Yesterday, I lost my keys. I looked for them everywhere but I couldn't find.

B. Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

a. 'How much was your parking ticket?' 'Fifty rupees.' 'Oh well, it ………… been worse.'

i. could have           ii. must have            iii. should have

b. It …………. got lost in the post. These things happen sometimes.

i. can't have             ii. might have                        iii. must have

c. 'Sorry I'm late. I got delayed at work.' 'You ……….. called. I was really worried about you.'

i. must have            ii. could have                         iii. would have

d. 'I don't think he meant to be rude.' 'He ……… said sorry.'

i. must have           ii. might have                          iii. would have

e. 'Whose signature is this?' 'I don't know. It ……….. be Manoj's. That looks a bit like an M.'

i. must                     ii. could                                   iii. should

f. I had it when I left the office so I ………. lost it on the way to home.

i. mustn't have        ii. must have                          iii. should have

g. You ……….. think it's funny, but I think it's pathetic.

i. might                   ii. should                                iii. could

C. Complete the following sentences with appropriate endings. Use correct modal verbs.

Example: She could be a doctor; however,…………….…………… .

She could be a doctor; however, she preferred to be an advocate.

a. At the end of the course, …………….……………

b. If you want to earn a lot of money, …………………………………..

c. You were not in your house yesterday. You …………………………

d. I'm quite busy tomorrow. I …………………………………………

e. When you were a small kid …………………………………..

f. My car is broken. I ………………………………………….

g. I've got a fast speed internet at home. I ……………………….

h. Even though she didn't study well, she ………………………………..

i. There are plenty of newspapers in the library. You ...........………………..

if you want.

j. What do you think you were doing, playing in the road? You …………….

k. I have no time. I ……..

l. You don't look well. You …………..