Enhancing Soft Skills and Personality

Week 5/ Assignment 5
MSQ: 1-10

MCQ: 11-20

True/False: 21-25

MSQ

1. The English language is rich in history and diversity. It originated from Anglo-Frisian

dialects and evolved through Old, Middle, and Modern English, influenced by Latin,

French, and Norse. Some of its regional variations are British, American, and Indian

English, reflecting cultural nuances and making it both a unifying force and a marker

of identity. What are some of the other reasons why one should acquire skills in the

English language?

• It helps one communicate at a global level.

• It increases job opportunities.

• It is not necessary to be grammatically correct.

• It helps one impress regional language speakers easily.

• It is a simple language with no rules.

• It is the official language in nearly seventy countries and connects people.

(The question tests one’s understanding of the importance and benefits of acquiring skills in

the English language. The correct options highlight the practical and professional benefits of

English language proficiency, including increased opportunities for communication and

employment. Lecture 21 discusses the matter in detail.)

2. Identify the plural nouns from the following passage:

 When Roshan entered his sister’s house, he could see how she curated furniture and

the decorations according to her personality. The paintings on the walls added a

vibrant touch, and the vase of fresh flowers on the table filled the room with a sweet

fragrance. He hesitated to bring his kid and her wandering feet on the white carpeted

floor. She offered him some red wine and slices of chocolate cake to the kid. He knew

the little spilling of these things would create a crisis.

• Furniture

• Paintings

• Vase

• Kid

• Feet

• Crisis

(The correct answers are the plural forms of nouns, indicating more than one entity of

that noun. It is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, and mastery of plural nouns

is crucial for effective written and spoken communication in English. In the given list,

“Feet,” “Furniture,” and “Paintings” are plural nouns, whereas “Kid,” “Vase,” and

“Crisis” are singular nouns. Refer to Lecture 25 to know more.)

3. Identify all the professions/fields that Ludwig Wittgenstein was known for.

• Musician

• Philosopher

• Artist

• Lawyer

• Language Researcher

• Linguist
(Ludwig Wittgenstein was an Austrian British philosopher known for his work in the

philosophy of language and logic. He was also a linguist. He was a highly influential figure in

20th-century philosophy, and his contributions to the study of language and mind continue to

be widely studied and discussed. Refer to Lecture 22 for more information.)

4. Sobhita, who teaches English, is asked to mentor a student struggling with grammar.

The student often gets frustrated because he feels he must memorise all the rules

before writing or speaking confidently. Reflecting on the advice, “You don’t learn to

walk by following rules. You learn by doing and by falling over,” how could Sobhita

use this perspective to guide and encourage the student in his grammar-learning

journey?

• You will not read any books on grammar and need not learn any grammatical

rules.

• You will constantly practice your grammatical skills, notice your

mistakes, and remember the correct usage.

• You will not feel disheartened by the mistakes you make while learning

grammar but consider them part of your learning process.

• While speaking a language, you will not care about following grammatical

rules but speaking as you wish.

• You will practice grammar on a tightrope, and the more you fall, the better

you will be.

• You will make your own grammar rules instead of following the existing

ones.

(This is a quote by Richard Branson, as mentioned in Lecture 25. Branson is pointing out a

crucial lesson in learning. According to Branson, failure is not only a part of the learning

process but a method towards learning something. Applying it to learning grammar would

mean that instead of focusing solely on memorising the rules and detesting ourselves when
we make mistakes, we should focus on practising and paying attention to our mistakes. It

would make us more aware of the correct usage and enhance our grammatical skills by

simply accepting our mistakes.)

5. Read the following passage and point out the errors in the sentences:

Tariq recently moved to a city to start working at a new office. He is a hardworking

man. This week, Tariq bought a home in the city centre. Before that, he had lived in a

rented apartment with some of his friends since three years. He invited all his friends

and family to the housewarming party. His best friend, who lives in abroad, surprised

him by coming to the party. He has good relations with Tariq.

• Replace the word ‘new office’ with ‘fresh office’

• Replace the word ‘home’ with ‘house’

• Replace the phrase ‘lives in’ with ‘live’

• Replace ‘housewarming’ with ‘homewarming’

• Replace ‘since three years’ with ‘for three years’

• Replace ‘good relations’ with ‘a good relationship’

(Lesson 23 discusses some common mistakes one encounters in everyday usage of the English

language. Some of these mistakes occur in the given passage as well. The word ‘home’ was

used for Tariq’s recent purchase. As lesson 23 discusses, home is where we belong, with

emotional attachment and value. As such, the word ‘house’ would be a more appropriate

choice in this case. In the case of the phrase ‘lives in abroad’, a preposition (in) has been used

before the word ‘abroad’, which is incorrect. Further, the usage of the word ‘since’ is wrong

when used to specify the time when something began but to talk about how long something

has been happening. As in the case of the given passage, the word ‘for’ is the right choice.

Similarly, the word ‘relations’ is wrong in the passage. In places where we need to describe

how individuals or smaller groups connect, the word ‘relationship’ is used.)

 6. Mridul, a Reddit user, uploaded the following post on his account. Please read it and

choose the mistakes he has committed.

“dearest gentle readers, As I attend the most exquisite balls of the season, I have

recently come across a bookstore in Mayfair. They has the latest magazines available,

perfect for those seeking to indulge in the most recent gossip and scandalous affairs.

The store is very cosy and welcoming, much like the warmth of a Bridgerton family

gathering. I recommends the place to all of you for a delightful experience unlike any

other.”

Take care, and may you always find intrigue in the pages you turn.

• “dearest gentle readers”: “d” should be capitalised.

• “I have recently come across a bookstore in Mayfair”: “have” should be

replaced with “has”.

• “They has the latest magazines available”: “has” should be replaced with

“have”.

• “The store is very cosy and welcoming”: “is” should be replaced with “are”.

• “I recommends the place to all of you”: “recommends” should be replaced

with “recommend”.

• “Take care, and may you always find intrigue in the pages you turn”: every

word in the sentence should be capitalised.

(In the given Reddit post, the mistakes occur in the usage of the following words: dearest,

has, and recommends. Since it is at the beginning of a sentence, “d” should be capitalised in

“Dearest”. As per subject verb agreement rule, “has” and “recommends” should take the form

of “have” and “recommend”. The correct options highlight these mistakes and indicate the

correct grammatical usage. Refer to lectures 22-25 for further explanation.)

7. Select all correct uses of the words “resume” and “résumé”: After a brief break, the

team planned to resume the meeting to discuss upcoming projects. Each team member
 brought their résumé to share past achievements and experiences relevant to their

roles. Later, the project lead encouraged everyone to résumé their tasks promptly to

meet the deadline. In preparation for the annual performance review, Subhash updated

his resume to reflect on the new skills he had gained over the year. After lunch, it was

decided that all employees would resume work at 2 P. M. sharp. The HR manager

requested that new employees submit a resume during onboarding to keep records

updated.

• After a brief break, the team planned to resume the meeting to discuss

upcoming projects.

• Each team member brought their résumé to share past achievements and

experiences relevant to their roles.

• The project leader encouraged everyone to résumé their tasks promptly to

meet the deadline.

• In preparation for the annual performance review, Subhash updated his resume

to reflect on the new skills he had gained over the year.

• After lunch, it was decided that all employees would resume work at 2 P.

M. sharp.

• The HR manager requested that new employees submit a resume during

onboarding to keep records updated.

(The question tests the correct usage of “resume”, a verb meaning “to continue”, and résumé,

a noun referring to a document summarising qualifications. Errors occur when the wrong

form is used for the intended meaning or when diacritical marks are omitted from “résumé”

in its noun form, leading to confusion with the verb “resume”.)

8. Select the sentences with the correct usage of commonly mistaken words:

• The country’s economical growth has been impressive this year.

 • She explained the principles of gravity using simple experiments.

• The old home on the hill was recently renovated and put up for sale.

• Buying a fuel-efficient car is more economical in the long run.

• The government announced new economic policies to boost the country’s

growth.

• The principle of the school announced a new policy today.

(This question focuses on distinguishing commonly mistaken words, particularly

“economical” vs “economic” and “principle” vs “principal”. Errors arise when the incorrect

word is used for the intended context, such as mixing up “principle”, which means

fundamental truth or rule, with “principal”, meaning the head of a school or main person or

using “economical”, meaning saving money instead of “economic”, related to the economy.)

9. Choose the correctly matched pair of adverbs and their equivalent adverb phrase from

the following:

• Simultaneously – at the same time

• Ultimately – in the end

• Immediately – without delay

• Soon – in a short time

• Formerly – at this moment

• Annually – at an early hour

(This question evaluates the understanding of adverbs and their equivalent adverbial phrases,

which convey the same meaning but differ in structure. Among the given options,

“Simultaneously – at the same time,” “Ultimately – in the end,” “Immediately – without

delay,” and “Soon – in a short time” are correctly matched. Each adverb corresponds

accurately to its phrase, as both forms express the same idea. However, “Formerly – at this
moment” is incorrect because “formerly” means “in the past,” while “at this moment” refers

to the present. Similarly, “Annually – at an early hour” is incorrect because “annually” means

“once a year”. Understanding these distinctions helps identify how adverbs and adverbial

phrases can be used interchangeably while preserving meaning.)

10. Which sentences use “relations” and “relationship” correctly?

• The relations between a parent and child deeply influence the child’s

development.

• The relationship between the government and international organisations

needs strengthening.

• Relations between the two nations have improved significantly over the

past decade.

• The siblings have an endearing relationship.

• Healthy relations with neighbouring communities contribute to peaceful

coexistence.

• The relationship between a teacher and a student is crucial for effective

learning.

(This question highlights the distinction between “relations” and “relationship.” “Relations”

refers to formal or general interactions, as in “Relations between the two nations have

improved significantly” and “Healthy relations with neighbouring communities.”

“Relationship” describes specific or emotional bonds, as in “The relationship between a

teacher and a student” and “The siblings have an endearing relationship.” Using “relations”

for a parent-child bond is incorrect, as “relationship” better captures the personal connection.)

MCQ

11. Select the best definition of “mindfulness” from the following:

 • Focusing on multiple tasks at once

• Controlling others’ actions through focus

• Staying fully present and aware of the current moment

• Minimising personal interactions

• Practising self-control in professional situations

• Learning to read others’ thoughts

(Mindfulness involves being utterly present in the moment, acknowledging and accepting

thoughts, feelings, and sensations without distraction or overreaction. This definition aligns

with the speaker’s explanation. For more details, refer to Lecture 21.)

12. In the lectures on Common Errors, identify the term that highlights the importance of

English as an essential tool for global communication.

• The mother tongue of the world

• Chutnification

• The lingua franca

• Pidgin

• The official dialect

• Polyglot

(Lingua franca refers to a language that is widely used as a common means of

communication among people who speak different native languages. It is often used for

international communication in fields such as business, trade, science, technology, and

tourism. Refer to Lecture 21, which discussed how English is the lingua franca of the world)

13. In an English language class where students learn to identify plural nouns, the teacher

asks the students to identify the correct plural form of “scissors.” Choose the sentence

where “scissors” is used correctly as a plural noun:

 • She needs a scissors to cut the paper.

• She prefers a pair of scissors over knife for crafting.

• Can you pass me the scissor?

• She borrowed a scissor from her friend.

• He needs one scissors to finish the work.

• A scissors is necessary for this project.

(This question tests understanding of “scissors,” which is a plural noun in English. The

correct sentence is: “She prefers a pair of scissors over a knife for crafting.” This uses

“scissors” appropriately as a plural noun, often paired with “a pair of” to refer to a single

object. Sentences like “She needs a scissors” and “She borrowed a scissor” are incorrect

because “scissors” is always plural, and “a scissor” or “one scissors” is not standard usage.)

14. Fill in the blanks. Kanpur is one of __ highly polluted ___in the world.

• an, cities

• the, cities

• the, city

• the, City

• a, city

• a, cities

(In the context of the given sentence, the phrase ‘one of the’ is the appropriate choice, where

the definite article does not occur at the beginning of the sentence and hence should not be

capitalised. This phrase is always followed by a plural noun, in this case, ‘cities.’ The correct

option uses the words in the correct form and sequence. Refer to Lecture 25 to recall the

rule.)
 15. A group of friends are deciding on a project and need to take into account various

factors like budget, deadlines, and resources before finalising their plan. What does

the phrase “to take into account” mean in this context?

• To calculate

• To make payment

• To take into consideration

• To excuse

• To set a value upon

• To receive

(“To take into account” means to consider or keep in mind when making a decision,

evaluating a situation, or planning something. It implies giving weight to something and

taking it into consideration while making a choice or judgment. It is a common phrase used in

various settings, including business, finance, and everyday life.)

16. Find the incorrect word in the following sentence: “The women whom my elder

brothers are married to are my sister-in-laws. One of them lives abroad. The other one

stays with us in our ancestral home in Kerala”.

• “an” instead of “the”

• “older” instead of “elder”

• “has married with” instead of “are married to”

• “sisters-in-law” instead of “sister-in-laws”

• The “e” in elder brothers should be capitalised.

• “lives in” instead of “lives”

(The incorrect word is “sister-in-laws,” which should be “sisters-in-law.” In compound nouns

like this, the plural form is applied to the main noun (in this case, “sister”), not the modifier

(“in-law”). The other parts of the sentence are correct: “the” is appropriately used, “elder” is

suitable when referring to older siblings, “are married to” is grammatically correct, and “lives
abroad” is accurate. Capitalising “elder” or changing “lives” is unnecessary in this context.

Refer to Lecture 23 for more details.)

17. Someone says in a conversation about politics, “Politics are not meant for everyone.”

What is the issue with this sentence?

• “Politics” should be used with a plural verb.

• “Politics” should be treated as a singular noun, and “are” should be

replaced with “is”.

• The sentence should begin with “The Politics”.

• “Politics” should be in the singular form of “Polity”.

• “Politics” is an uncountable noun and should not be used at the beginning of a

sentence.

• “Are” should be replaced with “were”.

(The word “politics” may appear plural in form, but it is actually a singular noun and it takes

a singular verb, so the correct sentence should be “Politics is not meant for everyone.” Refer

to Lecture 25 for more information.)

18. Identify the INCORRECT sentence in the following passage:

• Kazuko is an orphan who lives alone in the bungalow she inherited from her

late father.

• Her childlike beauty appeals to everyone, and she takes full advantage of it.

• However, she often feels lonely living in the bungalow by herself.

• She decided to convert it into a homestay with three family suits, banquet

halls, and a restaurant.

• She insisted that everyone wear a formal suit to enter the restaurant and kicked

out anyone who did not.

• Some people found this behaviour childish.

(Lecture 22 explains how words like alone and lonely, suite and suit, childish and childlike

are mistaken and used interchangeably. Here, in the phrase “three family suits,” “suits” is

wrongly used instead of “suites” to mean rooms in a building or an apartment consisting of a

series of connected rooms used as a living unit.)

19. Cesar Chavez states, “Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an

exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers.” What does it mean?

• Language is an expensive mirror that shows our reflection.

• The growth of a language depends on the individual speaker’s development.

• Only native languages are authentic forms of communication.

• The language a person speaks reflects their identity, character, and the

collective growth of their community, serving as a true expression of who

they are.

• The language a person speaks restricts their personal development.

• Chavez believes we should speak the language that is the easiest for us to

express ourselves.

(Chavez suggests that the way people speak is not only a reflection of their personal

development but also a product of their cultural and community evolution. Language,

therefore, is not merely a tool for communication; it embodies the values, experiences, and

history of the people who use it. This perspective emphasizes that language is an essential

part of a person’s self-expression and their connection to their community’s growth. Refer to

Lecture 21 for more on this.)

20. Choose the correct word usage: “I have to care for my ________ parents.”

• older

• elder

• aged

• elderly
 • senior

• agedly

(The word “elderly” is the most appropriate choice when referring to parents in the context of

their advanced age, especially in a respectful and formal tone. “Older” is comparative and

does not adequately describe parents’ advanced age. “Elder” is used to compare siblings or as

a noun for senior figures but not for describing ageing parents. “Aged” sounds overly formal

or archaic in this context and is less commonly used in everyday speech. “Senior” is often

used for individuals in society. And “agedly’ is not a valid word.)

True or False

21. “The Himalayas look amazing.” is grammatically correct.

• True

• False

(The sentence has a subject (The Himalayas), a verb (look) and an adjective (amazing) to

describe the subject, forming a complete sentence. The sentence is a simple present tense

sentence and is structurally correct. Besides, the definite article “the” is appropriately used

before referencing any mountain.)

22. ‘?’ and ‘!’ indicate questioning and excitement in a statement, respectively.

• True

• False

(The symbols ‘?’ (question mark) and ‘!’ (exclamation mark) serve specific functions in

written language. A question mark indicates that the sentence is a question, signalling an

inquiry or doubt. An exclamation conveys excitement, surprise, or strong emotion, indicating

heightened feeling or emphasis in the statement. Thus, the statement that ‘?’ indicates

questioning and ‘!’ indicates excitement is true.)

23. The plural form of loaf is loafes.

• True

• False

(The plural of loaf is loaves, not loafes, as nouns ending in -f often change to -ves in their

plural form. Therefore, the correct answer is False.)

24. The word “long” qualifies as both an adverb and an adjective.

• True

• False

(“Long” qualifies as both an adjective and an adverb. For example, it can be used as an

adjective to describe the length of an object or as an adverb to describe the duration of an

action.)

25. Columbus invented America, and Edison discovered the electric bulb.

• True

• False

(The word invented refers to the creation or design of a thing that had not existed before.

Since America existed even before Columbus visited it, the correct word to be used in this

sentence is ‘discovered’.)