I BTech I SEM : Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

1. Give ANTONYMS of the following words:

     significant X insignificant
     dislike  X  like, liking
     passion X calm, calmness
     luxury   X need, essential, penury
     understatement   X  exaggeration 

2. Give ANTONYMS of the following words:

     Frequently = again and again, often, regularly
     comprehensive = absolute, whole
     comfort    =   amenity, quiet, plenty
     purchase = acquire, buy, again
     prosper = benefit, arrive, bloom, blossom
   
3. Give the meaning of the following phrases and use them in sentences of your own:

     a. Over time=working hours in addition to those of a regular schedule.
          ex: He did five hours over time this week.
      b. long sought after= in great demand , need
          ex: An Olympic gold medal is the long sought after prize in spots.
      c.  expand one's horizons = to experience and learn new things,
           ex: Read more! Go our! and expand your horizons.
      d. try one's hand at something = to try doing something for the first time .
          ex: I might try my hand at a bit of North Indian cooking .
      f. With regard to = concerning, about
          ex: A change in the laws with regard to food safety.

I BTech I SEM English Essentials - The Knowledge Society - A P J Abdul Kalam

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY  -- A P J Abdul Kalam

          The “Knowledge society” is an extract taken from Abdul Kalam’s popular and famous book “Ignited Minds”. He tells that poverty can be rooted out by striking a balance between the past heritage and present day knowledge. He believes  in that India can reach the pinnacles and glory by following certain principles and applying modern technology.

          Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power. India is a land of knowledge and it must rediscover itself. The foreign invasions and the colonial rule weakened India considerably. Knowledge has many forms and it is available at many places. It is acquired through education, information, intelligence and experience. It is manifested in artists, craftsmen, hakims, philosophers and saints. It plays a vital role.    

          India has been a country of great ancient heritage and culture. Knowledge acquisition has been thrust throughout the world. In addition, in Indian culture there has been the Guru-Shishya tradition and sharing of its knowledge even with the foreign travellers and students.

         During the last century the world has been changed from being an agriculture society to an industrial society. Now Technology is playing a crucial role. In 21^st century knowledge has become the primary production resource instead of capital and labour. The qualification of a nation as knowledge society goes with its creation and deployment of knowledge.

          The knowledge society has two very important components driven by societal transformation and wealth generation. The societal transformation is in respect of education, health-care, agriculture and governance.

          In order to emerge as a knowledge super power by 2010 we should have tri-dimensional objects of societal transformation, wealth generation and knowledge protection. For this we have to protect our network and information generators from electronic attacks through surveillance and monitoring. There should be a focused approach to intellectual rights and related issues and Further we should protect our ancient knowledge and culture .

I BTech I SEM English Essentials - In London - M K Gandhi

In London    

               “In London” is an extract taken from the autobiography of Gandhi ,titled “My Experiments With Truth” being  translated into English by Mahdev Desai. Gandhi is known for his simplicity. In this lesson he tells us how he struggled hard when he stayed in London for his education.

              He decided that he should not trouble others. He was a vegetarian and he wanted to cultivate other accomplishments which make him a decent Gentleman in society. Bond street was the centre of fashionable life in London. He felt  that the Bombay clothes were unsuitable to English society. So he bought new ones at “ The Army and Navy” stores. He learnt the art of tying for himself. He wanted to dress like an  Englishman. Gandhi started taking lessons in dancing , French and elocution. He even attempted to take lessons in music but could not follow the Piano. He thought that he should learn to play the Violin in order to cultivate an ear for the Western music.

          In his retrospection he thought that he was not going to spend a life time in England. This thought made him realise that he was wasting money . Having listened to him, the dance teacher was convinced and encouraged him to go ahead. He wrote letters to the other teachers also. They encouraged his idea. He struggled for austerity and frugality. He exercised strict economy in all aspects. His living with a family involved him a lot of unnecessary expenditure. So he decided to take two rooms on his own account. The rooms were close to the business place. So, he walked eight miles every day and this kept him physically healthy.

         Gandhi knew that the Bar examinations did not require great study. On a friend’s advice Gandhi decided to pass the London Matriculation ,though it was difficult he passed in  his next attempt. He was forced to learn Latin which was very useful in the paper of Roman law. Gradually , he acquired a taste for Latin ,French  and Chemistry.

      Anyhow , Gandhi felt that his way of living did not fit in the modest means of his family . So, he adjusted himself with one room instead of two rooms and cooked food at home for breakfast .  Plain living saved his plenty of time and he passed his examination . Gandhi says at the end that he spent only frugal life which by no means of dreary one.

I.        Vocabulary  (page 7)

1.       Make up for

2.       Perpetual

3.       Undertake

4.       Lose heart

5.       Accomplishment

6.       Infatuation

7.       Recluse

8.       Emulate

9.       Lingua franca

10.   Disbursed

II.       Synonyms (Page 8)

1.       Preliminary = Initial

2.       Fashionable = Moderate

3.       Clumsy = Awkwardly

4.       Dreary = boring

5.       Excessive = stylish

6.       Emulate = excel

7.       Perpetual incessant

III.       Antonym (Page 8)

1.       Valuable  X cheap

2.       Civilized X unpolished

3.       Surplus X deficit

4.       Obsolete X latest

5.       Occasionally X often

6.       Ambitious X uninterested

Add –Ons  (A)  (page 8 & 9)

1.       Prophecy

2.       Mortal

3.       Famine

4.       Owe

5.       Debt

6.       Trade

7.       Ancestor

8.       Decree

9.       Borrow

10.   Consent

Add –Ons  (B)  (page 9)

1.       Severe

2.       Shook

3.       Spoke in a low voice

4.       Disappeared suddenly

5.       Skilled people who assist the captain

Add –Ons (C) (page 10)

1.       Acceptance

2.       Consent

3.       Ancestral

4.       Sell

5.       Famine

6.       Borrow

7.       Owed

8.       Prophet

9.       Terrible

10.   Muttered