Advanced English Notes

SAS 1

4 Macro Language skills

 Reading comprehension
 Listening comprehension
 Oral expression
 Written Expression

Technology is rapidly expanding the scope of capabilities for both professional and personal use; such is the case
with smart phones. Professionals now have devices available to them capable of digital media, internet access,
phone communication, multi-person scheduling and office tools for documents and presentations.

Businesspeople that are often mobile may maximize the use of these critical features on smart phones.
Individuals who simply enjoy the luxury of multi-function devices often use these devices for frivolous pursuits
such as downloading catchy ring tones, instant messaging about the latest gossip and looking up the world
record for most cans crushed on one’s head during the Superbowl. This fusion of capabilities and increased
availability of such devices could be a sign of a growing blend in society between work and personal life, or
individuals could simply be taking a luxurious approach to their connectivity in personal lives.

1. The term “frivolous” implies that the author

a. is fascinated by the endless capabilities on smart phones.

b. hopes that technology ceases to expand its scope
c. believes that the average individual does not need a smart phone.
d. has a smart phone.

2. What is the purpose of the conclusion sentence?

a. Assume where technology is headed and how it will affect society

b. Comment on human connectivity through the use of smart phones
c. Predict how the government will regulate and guide future technology
d. Present two possible explanations for the growing popularity of smart phones

3. The main point from the author's view is that

a. Human society will survive despite the serious threat of total annihilation.
b. Man's destiny is not fully clear or visible.
c. Man's safety is assured by the delicate balance of power in terms of nuclear weapons.
d. Man's soul and spirit are immortal.

4. The phrase 'Go to the brink' in the passage means

a. Retreating from extreme danger.

b. Declare war on each other.
c. Advancing to the stage of war but not engaging in it.
d. Negotiate for peace.

5. In the author's opinion

a. Huge stockpiles of destructive weapons have so far saved mankind from a catastrophe.
b. Nations in possession of huge stockpiles of lethal weapons are trying hard to avoid actual conflict.
c. Mankind is heading towards complete destruction.
d. Superpowers have at last realized the need for abandoning the production of lethal weapons.

6. 'Irrepressible' in the second line means

a. unrestrainable
b. incompatible
c. oppressive
d. strong

SAS 2

Reading comprehension is an involved skill. One is simultaneously extracting meaning and constructing meaning with
what is read and seen.

Some of the factors that come into play are:

 Language proficiency,
 Reading fluency,
 Richness of life experiences,
 Exposure to quality reading materials.

Whether print or online, you will encounter materials that you need to be able to understand accurately.

QUESTIONS

1. TRUE – Charts summarize information.

2. TRUE- The direction of data is called “trend”.
3. FALSE- the distance of one point to the next point is called “range”.
4. TRUE- Graphs, diagrams and tables are kinds of charts.
5. FALSE- A pie chart is the most effective kind of chart.

 Range is the distance between the farthest points.

 Charts that you use need to be appropriate to the data that you are showcasing.
 Pie charts are easy to read and can be attractive, but is ideal only for showing only one kind of data. It shows
you parts of a whole.

Data can be summarized in charts:

 Bar graph
 Line graph
 Pie chart
 Diagrams.

 Bar graphs show relationships between different data series that are independent of each other. The height or
length of the bar shows the value or frequency.
 Line graphs show how data changes over time. This is used when showing trends or numbers that are connected
like how sales vary within one quarter.
 Pie charts show how a whole is divided into various parts. It shows percentage distribution.
 Diagrams show how different parts work and overlap.

“The graph shows the rate at which British people adopted new technology over a 15-year period from 2000 to 2015.
The figures are given as percentages of population. Overall, there was a widespread adoption of new technology during
these years. Nearly nine out of ten people in the UK were online by 2015. The figures for having broadband in the home,
ownership of a smartphone, and use of social media platforms were all high that year too, at around 70 to 80 percent,
and nearly half the population owned a tablet. The only exception to this is smartwatch ownership, which remained
comparatively low at 5 percent.
If we look at the trends over time, we can see that the uptake of new technology increased dramatically in this period.
For example, internet usage tripled, and social media usage grew strikingly by 78 percentage points. Smartphones and
tablets appeared in 2010 and similarly, these followed a steep upward trajectory. However, for some products, the
graph shows that growth slowed down noticeable after an initial surge. Social media usage, for instance, was near zero
in 2005 and shot up to 52 percent in 2010 before climbing more slowly to 80 percent in 2015. Also, broadband
subscriptions rose steadily by 30 percentage points every five years to 2010, but by a modest 4 percentage points after
then. In contrast, the newer technologies such as tablets showed no sign of levelling off. Ownership of all the
technologies was increasing; it will be interesting to see when it peaks.”

SAS 3

Professional and academic writing for this course will target two skills

 the short answer: describing diagrams

 the extended answer: writing essays.

The first few sessions for writing will focus on the short answer – describing diagrams. If “a picture paints a thousand
words” a good chart can show as much as several paragraphs of information.

 Describing charts is a skill that requires you to pay close attention to all parts of the diagram and the data
presented, and be able to analyze the relationship of data.

QUESTIONS:

Bar Graph

Histogram

Pictogram
 Pie chart

Infographic

Line Graph

Flow chart/diagram

Gantt chart
When describing a chart, the first paragraph usually states what the chart is showing and what the main points are.
I I. State the title of the chart
II ▪ The pie chart is about ...
III ▪ The bar chart deals with ...
IV ▪ The line graph (clearly) shows ...
V ▪ The slices of the pie chart compare the ...
VI ▪ The chart is divided into ... parts.
VII II. Look at the time frame
VIII ▪ Present tense? Past tense? Future tense?

The second paragraph describes the numbers or trends you can see. Use data from the chart. Mention what happens to
the individual data and then talk about the relationship of the data. Group your ideas together and go through them one
at a time.
I III. Use the name of the parts
II ▪ The vertical axis shows…
III ▪ The horizontal axis represents…
IV ▪ This curve illustrates…
V ▪ The solid line shows…
VI ▪ The shaded area describes…
VII ▪ This colored segment is for…
VIII ▪ The red bar…

I IV. Describing bar graphs and line graphs

Bar graphs have groups/categories in the x-axis and the numbers on the y-axis. This allows you to compare statistical
data (largest and smallest) between the different groups/categories.
Line graphs have points on a grid that are connected to show changes or trends (increase or decrease). It can show
relationship between objects, numbers, dates, etc.

▪ Verbs: rise, increase, grow, go up to, climb, boom, peak, fall, decline, decrease, drop, dip, go down, reduce, level up,
remain stable, no change, remain steady, stay constant, stay, maintain the same level, crash, collapse, plunge, plummet.
▪ Adjectives: sharp, rapid, huge, dramatic, substantial, considerable, significant, slight, small, minimal, massive.
▪ Adverbs: dramatically, rapidly, hugely, massive, sharply, steeply, considerably, substantially, significantly, slightly,
minimally, markedly.
▪ Adverbs to describe the speed of a change: rapidly, quickly, swiftly, suddenly, steadily, gradually, slowly.

SAS 4

A good speech is one where you can prepare and organize your thoughts well.

What is a concept map?

 A concept map is a visual organization of information usually in the form of a flow chart, table, timelines, Venn
diagrams, graphic organizers, or other forms of charts.

SAS 5

Listening is important to effective communication. Often, not listening well is one source of misunderstanding. Good
listening skills can lead to better relationships, friendships, customer service, productivity, and sharing of information.
Many successful leaders attribute their successes in effective listening skills – listening to clients, listening to employees,
and listening to peers.

Word Synonym/Meaning Word Synonym/Meaning

26. Community, population/ a body
1. Analyze Examine, study, evaluate
Constituency of voters
Method, style, attitude/ go near, 27. Events, activites, happenings, minutes of
2. Approach
talk to Proceedings a meeting
3. Authoritative Reliable, dependable/ confident, self- 28. Quick to react with positivity, reactive
assured Responsive
4. Availability Be able to be used/ be free 29. Sections Units, pieces, segments
to do something
Heir, receiver, payee, someone who
receives an 30. Important, meaningful, revealing,
5. Beneficiary informative
advantage from something Significant
 Exact, definte, precise, particular,
6. Conceptualize To form an idea 31. Specific
determined
Steady, unchanging, regular, constant Physical, mechanical, operational
7. Consistent 32. Structural

Situation, setting, background 33. Hypothetical, conceptual, speculative

8. Context
Theoretical
difference 34. Vary Differ, disagree/ change modify
9. Contrast

Reconstruct, reinvent, 35. Invariably Always, consistently, every

10. Recreate
reproduce time
Can be determined, can be known 36. Require Involve, need, want, demand
11. Definable

Originate, stem, arise/ get something 37. Erratic, changeable, unpredictable

12. Derive
from, obtain Inconsistent
Cheap, inexpesive, practical 38. Unquestionable, inconstestible
13. Economical
Conclusive
Consrevationist, preservationist, 39. Equate Identify, correspond, regard as the same
14. Environmentalist
nature-lover
Admirable, worthy of great 40. Complications, problems,
15. Estimable
respect Complexities difficulties
Obviously, clearly, plainly 41. Awareness, ability to see, hear and sense,
16. Evidently
Perception recognition
Banker, sponsor, investor 42. Impact Influence, impression, effect, power/
17. Financier
crash into, collide
quality of being suited to serve a
purpose well; 43. Regulate Control, legalize, order
18. Functionality practicality
Specify, show, direct 44. Relevant Applicable, related, appropriate
19. Indicate

20. Interpret Understand, infer, take, read 45. Perceive Observe, see, notice

Make or enact laws 46. Providng an interpretation, explanatory

21. Legislate
Interpretative
22. Methodical Systematic, logical, precise 47. Legislator Lawmaker, official, representative

Happen, transpire 48. Restrict Limit, confine, control

23. Occur

Journals, Magazines, 49. Periodic Appearing at intervals,

24. Periodicals
Publications, newspaper recurring
Honorable, ethical, righteous 50. Selective Choosy, careful, discriminating
25. Principled

SAS 6

The pie chart shows the national expenditure of the United Arab Emirates government in 2000. Generally speaking, the
UAE government had a budget of over 300 billion AED and the highest portion of this budget was spent on social
security and health & social services.
As is given in the diagram, the UAE government spent more than 300 billion AED in ten different sectors in 2000. Social
security for the citizens cost the highest budget and it was exactly 100 billion AED. Health and personal social services,
on the other hand, required more than 50 billion and this was the second largest budget money allocation for the UAE
government in 2000. The UAE authority used 38 billion for education, 17 billion for law and order and 13 billion for job,
industry and agriculture.

Defense sector cost them 22 billion which was slightly lower than the debt interests the government paid in this year.
Housing, heritage and environment got 15 billion which was nearly the same as it was allocated for law and order.
Finally, 9 billion was spent on the transportation sector and 23 million for ther sectors which are not specifically
mentioned in the chart.
SAS 7

This pie chart shows the number of freshmen students in each college of PHINMA University of Iloilo in Academic Year
2019-2020. According to the data taken from the registrar, there are 4,321 freshmen students that are currently
enrolled in the university and the College of Management and Accountancy has the highest number of first year
students.

As shown in the chart, the freshmen students are divided into 5 colleges namely College of Criminal Justice, College of
Information Technology and Engineering, College of Management and Accountancy, College of Allied Health Sciences,
and College of Maritime Education.

College of Management and Accountancy got the highest population of freshmen students, numbering about 1296 or
30%. The second most populated college is the College of Criminal Justice which has 1080 freshmen students that take
up 25% of the freshmen population. Next most populated college is the College of Education which has 778 students or
18% of the population. The College of Information Technology and Engineering has 745 freshmen students or 17% which
is only slightly lower than College of Education. Then, the College of Allied Health Sciences has a freshmen population of
302 students or 7%, which is way lower than other previous colleges. Lastly, the College of Maritime Education has the
lowest number of freshmen students garnering 130 students or 3%.

Rubrics

 Coherence - The sentences are very coherent, and a wide use of transitional devices is being employed.
 Lexical Resource- Uses sophisticated vocabulary with a very natural control of lexical features
 Grammar and Structure-Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility, and no errors are evident.
 Accuracy of Information-The interpretation presents a clear overview of the topic, and there are no errors.
 Technicalities -There are no errors in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. And, the handwriting is legible.

SAS 8

For example, Filipino has 5 vowel sounds and Cebuano-Visayan has only 3 vowel sounds, whereas English has
approximately 20 vowel sounds. Because of the influence of the mother tongue or the native language, for some people
the words “dean” [dēn], “den” [den], and “din” [din] might sound the same.

Symbol English Examples

[i] bead, peek, receive
[I] him, been, women
[ɛ] says, tread, leopard
[æ] have, bad, act
[e] say, natal, matrix
[a] ox, god, crop
[^] love, blood, trouble
[ə] ago, color, cupboard
[u] shoe, blue, food
[ʊ] pull, book, could
[ɔ] law, daughter, caught
[o] oath, folk, beau
[ɑ] father, hot, body

Coherence and Answers - The sentences are very coherent, and a wide use of transitional devices is being employed.
Answers are very much connected with the topic.
Lexical Resource- Uses sophisticated vocabulary with a very natural control of lexical features and precisions in many
topics
Grammar -The speaker has consistent grammatical control. The errors committed are just simple “slips”.
Pronunciation-Pronunciation is precise and is effortless to understand.
Fluency and Elaboration-Speaks at length without effort, and only few short pauses are evident. Answers are being
elaborated
SAS 9

Word Synonym/Meaning Word Synonym/Meaning

1. Acrid Bitter, hard, resentful 26. Gestation Family way, pregnancy
2. Acronym Words formed from initial letters 27. Gizmo Appliance, contraption, gadget

3. Acute Perceptive/extreme/terrible 28. Hackneyed Cliché, commonplace

4. Bemused Bewildered, distracted 29. Haggard Cadaverous, gaunt
5. Catharsis Purificationorpurgationof 30. Hallmark Emblem, ensign, trademark
emotions
6. Charlatan Fake, impostor 31. Hallo Bawl, bellow, holler
7. Clemency Charity, leniency 32. Hapless Hard-luck, ill-fated, jinxed
8. Cognition Observation, perception 33. Homage Accolade, citation, tribute
9. Congenital Born, natural 34. Ideology Credo, creed, doctrine
10. Cyberspace Virtual computer world 35. Jurisdiction Administration, authority
26. Deplorable Despicable, cheap 36. Keepsake Memento, souvenir
27. Depravity Corruption, debauchery 37. Kickback (slang) bribe or incentive paid to
someone who helped you to
make money
28. Dissolution Disunion, partition schism 38. Laissez-faire Free enterprise, individualism
29. Epiphany An illuminating discovery, 39. Litany Enumeration, recital
realization, or disclosure
30. Equinox Either of the two times each 40 Literate Educated, erudite, learned
year when the sun crosses the
equator
31. Eradicate Abolish, exterminate 41. Marginal Borderline, frontier
32. Facet Angle, aspect, phase 42. Mimic Imitate, caricature, mock
33. Facilitate Pave the way (for), ease 43. Martyr A person who sacrifices
something of great value
for the sake of principle
34. Fervor Ardour, enthusiasm 44. Mentor Coach, counsel, guide
35. Fiasco Catastrophe, debacle 45. Obtuse Blunt, dull
36. Filibuster To carry out insurrectionist activities 46. Opulent Affluent, rich, well- endowed
in a foreign country
37. Garnish Adorn, array, beautify 47. Ornate Over-decorated, extravagant
38. Garrulous Chatty, loquacious 48. Paltry Cheap, despicable
39. Gaudy Flamboyant, flashy, garish 49. Panacea Elixir, cure-all
40. Germane Applicable, apropos 50. Sublime Amazing, astonishing