English Skills 7

2. Rooms
On the ground floor, there is a big hall in the middle of the house. Around the hall
there is the kitchen, the sitting room and the dining room. The most important
room in the house is the sitting room where there are lots of bookshelves and
some very large, comfortable sofas. There is also a library. Anyone can come
there and read the books of their choice. A comfortable attic room with a balcony
helps me see the outside view from by bed. I love looking at the clear sky lying on
my bed and taking sips of tea. I see all these types of rooms in my dream house.
3. Special features
On the roof, there are solar panels which produce electricity. The house also has
got insulation so that it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In the
garden, there is a pond so that the local birds and animals can come near the
house. There is a garage too so that I can keep my car safely.
4. Conclusion
I would like to live in my house because it is lovely and warm. It is also a
combination of love and art. I would live there with my family. At the same time,
my friends could also come to stay with me. I would be the happiest person in the
world to live in the house of my dream.

Pronunciation

Stress in compound words

26 In compound words, the stress generally falls on the
first part. Listen and practise.

tomato ketchup classroom

cassette tape can opener

motorcycle department store

vacuum cleaner police station

barber shop grocery store

27 List four more compound words and practise saying
them.

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Reading

28 Read and act.

The Superlative Vacuum Cleaner

The doorbell rings.

Housewife : Yes, I’m coming.
She opens the door.
Housewife : Good morning.
Salesman : Good morning, young lady. Is your mother in?
Housewife : My mother? I’m the mother in this house. What do you

want?
Salesman : Dust, madam.
Housewife : Dust?
Salesman : Yes, madam. Dust.
Housewife : I don’t have any dust.
Salesman : Oh yes you have!
He shakes dust onto the floor from a
paper bag.
Salesman : All over your carpet!
Housewife : Hey! I’ve just cleaned this carpet! Why are you putting dust

all over it?
Salesman : Don’t worry, madam. I’ve got the answer to all your problems

here! The superlative vacuum cleaner!
Housewife : The superlative vacuum cleaner! Why’s it called superlative?
Salesman : Because, madam, everything about it is superlative. It’s

the quickest, the cleanest, the cheapest, the smallest, the

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smartest, the most effective, the most beautiful, the latest
vacuum cleaner in the world! And it’s only one thousand
rupees.

Housewife : Are you trying to sell me a vacuum cleaner?

Salesman : Yes, madam.

Housewife : Well, go on, then.

Salesman : I’ve finished, madam.

Housewife : Finished? You haven’t said very much. What sort of a
vacuum cleaner salesman are you?

Salesman : Not a very good one, I’m afraid.

Housewife : I see that.

Salesman : No, I’m a very bad vacuum cleaner salesman. In fact, I’m the
worst salesman in our company.

Housewife : The worst?

Salesman : The worst. I sometimes think I’m the worst vacuum cleaner
salesman in the world.

Housewife : Oh, dear. Do you… like your job?

Salesman : Like my job? No, madam. I detest my job. It’s the most
boring job in the world. Every day it’s the same: “Good
morning, young lady. Is your mother in? …The superlative
vacuum cleaner…The quickest, the cleanest, the cheapest,
the smallest…”

Housewife : Well, is it the quickest?

Salesman : No, it’s probably the slowest.

Housewife : Is it the cleanest?

Salesman : Cleanest? Don’t make me laugh! I don’t think there’s a
dirtier vacuum cleaner on the market. And it certainly isn’t
the cheapest either.

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Housewife : No, no, no. This is not good at all.
Salesman : Pardon?
Housewife : Look, do you want to sell this vacuum cleaner or don’t you?
Salesman : I suppose so.
Housewife : Well, your sales technique is all wrong.
Salesman : Is it?
Housewife : Yes. I could sell vacuum cleaners better than you.
Salesman : No, you couldn’t.
Housewife : Yes, I could. I’ll show you. You come into the house and I’ll

ring the bell and sell the vacuum cleaner to you.
Salesman : You’ll sell the vacuum cleaner to me?
Housewife : Yes.
Salesman : OK. But it isn’t as easy as you think.
Housewife : We’ll see. Go inside and shut the door.
Salesman : All right.
The salesman goes into the house and closes the door. The housewife
rings the bell. The salesman opens the door.
Salesman : Not today. Thank you.
He closes the door. The housewife rings the bell again. The salesman
opens the door again and speaks in a high voice.
Salesman : Yes?
Housewife : Hello!
Salesman : Hello!
Housewife : My goodness me, what a beautiful house you have!
Salesman : Ooh, do you like it?

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Housewife : Like it? It’s the most beautiful house I’ve seen in a long time.
Salesman : Thank you very much.
Housewife : May I come in?
Salesman : Er…
Housewife : Thank you. Oh, what a colourful carpet!
Salesman : Yes, it’s lovely, isn’t it?
Housewife : It’s the most colourful carpet I’ve seen for ages. I should

think it was very expensive.
Salesman : The most expensive one in the shop.
Housewife : And I suppose you don’t have a very good vacuum cleaner

to look after it.
Salesman : A vacuum cleaner? No, I don’t.
Housewife : You don’t have a vacuum cleaner?
Salesman : No.
Housewife : Well, madam, this is your lucky day, because I have here the

best vacuum cleaner that money can buy, the superlative
vacuum cleaner.
Salesman : Is it really good?
Housewife : Good? Good? It’s the… the….
Salesman : (In his own voice) Quickest.
Housewife : …the quickest. The..
Salesman : Cleanest.
Housewife : …the cleanest, the cheapest, the smallest, the smartest, the
most effective, the most beautiful, the latest vacuum cleaner
in the world.
Salesman : (In a high voice again) Ooh! How much is it?

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Housewife : Just one thousand rupees to you, madam.

Salesman : I’ll buy one.

Housewife : Good.

Salesman : (In his own voice) Er…where’s the money?

Housewife : It’s in my handbag on the kitchen table.

Salesman : Oh, right. (In the high voice) I’ll just go and get some money.

He goes to the kitchen to get the money.

Housewife : Good idea, madam. You’ve made the right decision.

The salesman comes back, speaking in his own voice.

Salesman : Do you know, you’re a fantastic saleswoman.

Housewife : Ooh!

Salesman : You have got the fantastic
sales techniques.

Housewife : Do you think so?

Salesman : Yes, you’ve got the best
sales technique I’ve seen
all day.

Housewife : Thank you!

Salesman : Thank you, madam.

He leaves and closes the door.

Salesman : (Speaking to himself,
counting the money) One
hundred, two hundred,
three hundred…one thousand. Now, that’s the way to sell a
vacuum cleaner.

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Comprehension

29 Are the following statements true or false?

a. The salesman carries some dust with him.
b. The lady’s house was full of dust.
c. The salesman was really the worst in his company as he couldn’t sell

the vacuum cleaner.
d. The salesman paid the money from his pocket.
e. The lady finally buys the vacuum cleaner.

30 Answer the following questions.

a. What qualities does the vacuum cleaner have according to the salesman?
b. Was the salesman really unknown about sales techniques?
c. Why did the man go to the kitchen in the house?
d. Who is a better salesperson, the lady or the man? Why?

Vocabulary

31 Match the meanings on the right column and the words
on the left column.

a. handbag ........ a person who sells things

b. salesman ........ the way of convincing people to buy things

c. sales technique ........ a small bag that you carry in your hand

d. selling points ........ not interesting

e. effective ........ continue

f. boring ........ the convincing points in an advertisement

highlighting qualities of goods

g. go on ........ successful or giving good results

h. My goodness me! ........ simply

i. just ........ an expression that is used to express surprise

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Grammar

32 Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adverbs.

He is singing more loudly than the other singers.
a. He arrived…………… than expected. (early)
b. We walked………………. than the rest of the people. (slowly)
c. They called us …………… in the afternoon. (late)
d. My mother and my sister talked …………… than the other guests.

(loudly)
e. He hit his fist …………….. than before. (hard)
f. The short athlete ran………………. than the other runners. (fast)
h. They sang ...................................... (melodiously) than the popular

singers.
i. Today I saw a dance that was danced the ............................... (gracefully)

Speaking

33 Your teacher asks the following questions. Discuss
among yourselves before you answer.

Who do you think the best sports-person in your school is? Why do
you think so?

Who is the fastest runner of your class?
Who gets the highest marks in English in your class?
Who is the tallest person in your class?
Who has the longest hair?
Who is the fastest writer in your class?

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Writing

Writing compare and contrast essay

Look at these two superheroes from movies. Can you name them? Can you
find similarities and differences between these two characters?
Present the information below in the given Venn diagram: similarities in
the middle and differences on the two sides.

Superman Batman Both
wears a cape
shows his face wears a mask help people
have a secret identity
born on Krypton born on earth

travels by flying travels by car (batmobile)

It is always good to plan your essay before you write it. Here you have just
planned a compare and contrast essay. Now see how it can be expanded into
an essay.

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Superman and Batman

Superman and Batman are some of the all-time famous Introduction Paragraph
superheroes. They have magical powers and they help 1 :(Bring in the topics
people in problems. These two characters have a lot of and on what basis they
are similar or different.
similarities and differences. Let’s see once.

Superman appeared in 1938. When fighting crime, he flew Main Body: Body
through the air, wearing a capped costume to disguise paragraph 1 : write
his true identity. Today we know him as The Man of Steel about one of the items
dedicated to helping others, an orphan from the planet talking about its
quality, features and
Krypton.
description :

In 1939 Batman was created. Like Superman, he was a Main Body: Body
capped hero with a secret identity and a mission to make paragraph 2 : write
the world a better place. In some ways, however, Batman about one of the items
was one of a kind. For instance, he was the first superhero talking about its
born on earth. He covered his face with a mask. And quality, features and
to get around, he drove a one-of-a-kind car called the description :

Batmobile.

Now, more than fifty years later, the world is a different Conclusion: Paragraph
place with many different problems. Although times 1
have changed, many of our superheroes have stayed with Give your opinion or
us. With luck there will always be superheroes to call on comment here.

whenever we need one.

34 Similarly write a compare and contrast essay on two
animals: rhinoceros and elephant. Make a diagram
before you write.

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7Lesson Offers, Abilities

and Conditions

1 Read, listen and complete the song. Then, listen again
and sing.

Teacher says, “We’ve got a test.”
Teacher says, “We’ve got a test ..................................”
If you study, you will pass.
If you study, you can pass the test.

Teacher says, “We’ve got a test.”
Teacher says, “We’ve got a test ...............”
If you studied, you would pass.
If you studied, you could pass the test.

Teacher says, “We had a test.”
Teacher says, “We had a test.”
If you had studied, you ................................. passed.
If you had studied, you ................... have passed the test.

Boys and girls say, “What shall we ............. to pass the test?”
And the teacher says, “............................... is the best.”
Boys and girls say, “Can you help us pass the test?”
The teacher says, “I’ll do my .............................”

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Comprehension

2 Discuss the following questions.

a. Which stanza of the song tells us about past event?

b. What does the teacher promise to do?

c. How often do you get tests?

d. What do you do to pass the test?

Conversation

3 Listen and practise.

Raj : If you could be an animal, what animal
Sohan : would you be?
Raj : I would be a lion because the lion is the
king of the jungle. What about you?
I would be a cow because many people
worship the cow. For Hindus, it is a
holy animal. Moreover, a cow is known
as a lovely and innocent creature.

Pooja : If you could get three wishes what would they be?
Gita : First, I would ask for a brilliant mind. The second wish would

be to have a journey to the moon. My last wish would be
making a fantastic machine that would help me see everything
and go anywhere I like.

4 Sit in pairs and talk.

a. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?

b. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to
live?

c. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

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Grammar

The second conditional

To form the second conditional sentences, we use if + past simple in the if
clause and would + base form of verb in the main clause.
If I knew the correct answer, I’d tell you.
We often use were in if clause, instead of was even after I, he, she and it.
If I were rich, I would buy a car.
We use the second conditional sentences:

- to talk about things that are not true now and are not likely to happen
in the future.

If I won the lottery, I’d buy the most beautiful house in the city. ( I can’t
buy that house now and I probably won’t win the lottery in the future.)

- to talk about imaginary situations, things that are completely
impossible.

If I were a flower, I’d offer myself to god. (This is completely impossible.
I will never turn into a flower.)

- to give advice to people.
I’d do my homework regularly if I were you.
If I were you, I would not speak a lie.

5 Complete the sentences with the second conditional.

a. If my friends knew that I had won the first prize, they (congratulate)
........................... me.

b. If they didn’t speak Nepali, I ........................... (use) English.
c. They ........................... (come) if there was no landslide.
d. We would enjoy the picnic, if it ........................... (rain).
e. If I didn’t have the work, I ........................... (watch) the movie.
f. If she were here, she ........................... (start) crying.
g. I would fly in the sky if I ........................... (be) a bird.

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6 Complete the sentences with your own idea.

a. If I were born in an English speaking country .................................
b. If there were flying cars, .....................................................................
c. If you were not sent to school, ..........................................................
d. If you were not able to speak, ............................................................
e. If elephants were as intelligent as humans, ....................................
f. If you were the president of your country, .....................................

Speaking

7 Sit in groups of three or four students. Then, discuss what
things you would take with you if you had to spend fifteen
days in a jungle. Take notes.

8 Go to the front of the class and share what things you
would take with you to the jungle based on your discussion
above.
Writing

9 Write a short paragraph describing what things would you
would take with you if you had to spend a month in a
mountain region where you hardly find any people.

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Conversation

10 Listen and practise.

A : Shall I make you a cup of tea?

B : No, thanks, dear.

C : I’ll prepare dinner tonight, Mum.
You should take some rest.

A : Can I help?
C : Sure. Let’s make chapati.
A : How about making some noodles?
C : That’s a good idea.
A : But what about mum?
C : Why don’t we prepare some porridge

for her?

Answer the questions.
a. What has happened to mum?
b. What dinner are the children having tonight?
c. Are the children having the same dinner as mum?

Speaking

When we offer to do things for people, we can use:
e.g. I’ll+ verb ⇒ I’ll help.
Shall I + verb ⇒ Shall I help?
Can I + verb ⇒ Can I help?
When we offer something to someone, we can use:
Would you like + noun (Would you like some tea?)

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Accepting Declining

Yes please. I’d like to. It’s OK, I can do it myself.

That would be very kind of you. Don’t worry, I’ll do it.

Yes please, that would be lovely. No, thanks.

Yes please, I’d love to. No, thank you.
If you wouldn’t mind.

If you could.

Thank you, that would be great.

11 Sit in pairs and make offers. Then, accept or decline as
per the instructions in the brackets. See an example here.

Host : Can I help you?
Guest : Yes, I’m a bit cold.
Host : I’ll get you a blanket.
Guest : Thank you.
Host : Here you are.
Guest : Thank you very much.

a. The host feels that the guest feels cold. (accept)
b. Raman feels that Sona is thirsty. (accept)
c. The teacher feels that the students do not know the answers. (accept)
d. The helper feels that the passenger does know how to put the seat belt.

(decline)
e. Sohan feels that the lady’s handbag is too heavy. (decline)
f. It is dark inside and Subina is trying to go in. Sujan feels that his sister,

Subina, needs help. (accept)
g. A young lady is standing by a roadside. You are on a bike and you

offer a ride. (decline)

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12 Say the following suggestions in two ways.

Let’s stay at home today.

Why don’t we stay at home today?

How about staying at home today?

Let’s have a party. Let’s make some noodles.
Let’s watch a movie. Let’s organise a game.
Let’s eat outside. Let’s walk for sometime.

13 Sit in groups of four. One of you state a problem and
other three give suggestions. Use different ways of
giving suggestions.

We don’t have bicycles and no buses are running on the street today.

Why don’t we Let’s stay home and
walk? watch TV.
What about asking dad
for a lift?

We don’t have bicycles and no buses are running on street today.
This is the most boring weekend. We have done nothing.
The gas is finished. There is no gas in the shop either.
I have nothing to do now. What shall I do?
I am hungry. I feel I could eat a horse.

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Grammar

Can and could for ability

We use can or could to talk about general ability.
I can swim.
She can fly an aeroplane.
He could ride a bicycle when he was five.
We use can or can’t to talk about ability at present. But we use could or
couldn’t to talk about ability in the past.
We can also use be able to + verb to talk about ability. We can use be able to
with all the tenses.
They will be able to show their talent in the coming years.
They haven’t been able to progress till now.
We normally don’t use be able to to talk about general ability.

14 Complete the sentences with can, can’t, could or couldn’t.

a. This question is too difficult. I can’t answer it.

b. ................................... you play the guitar three years ago?

c. I ................................... open the door because I didn’t have the key.

d. ................................... the teacher see us now? Or is he busy?

e. Have you seen my bag? I ................................... find it.

f. My brother ................................... play chess when he was seven. And
he was very good at it!

15 Complete the sentences with the correct form of be able to.

a. I think he will be able to answer this question. Why don’t you ask
him? (answer)

b. We ................................... an exhibition next week. (not organise)

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c. ................................... that project by next Sunday? (you/finish)
d. My sister is having driving lessons. She ................................... in three

weeks. (drive)
e. I’m really sorry. I ................................... you next Saturday. (not join)
f. Good news! Priya thinks she .................................. us some money.

(lend) Writing

16 Look at the table. Write true sentences about Pratham.

draw fly an speak swim ride a
aeroplane Italian bike

two years ago × × √ ××
now × ×
× ×√
in two years √
√

Pratham couldn’t draw pictures two years ago. Speaking
He can’t draw now.
He will be able to draw in two years.

17 Sit in pairs and hold conversations. Use the given clues.

find hundred rupees/ give to teacher
become the prime minister/ make education free

A : What would you do if you found a
hundred rupees in your class?

B : I’d give it to my teacher.

A : What would you do if you became the
prime minister of your country?

B : I’d make education free for all.

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become rich/ help the poor
have magical power/ destroy the evil
have wings/ fly in the sky
win a lottery worth one million rupees/ save it in a bank

Reading

18 When students of grade seven were asked what they
would take with them if they had to spend a month alone
on a desert island, one of the students wrote this:

If I had to spend a month on a desert island, I’d take lots of drinking
water with me. I’d also take a knife, a fishing rod and some matches. If
I caught any fish, I would light a fire and cook them. I love fish

If there were any animals on the island, I’d keep one as a pet and then
I’d have some real company!

If I took any books with me, I’d choose something funny. If I had to
spend a month on a desert island, I would carry a guitar with me and
learn how to play it.

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Another student wrote this:

If I had to spend a month on a desert island, I’d take a water purification
system - a smaller one, that runs with the help of small solar panels. Yes,
definitely I would take a knife. I’d need it for my safety as well as for
survival. I would need fire, too. It would help me keep warm and cook
food. I hope to get some small logs to light the fire there. If I had to spend
a month on a desert island, I’d learn to use the root of the trees first so
that I could survive on them. Oh yes, I would take an MP3 player. I love
music! I’d get it charged with my solar panels.

Comprehension

19 Complete the table.

Things taken Things taken for Things taken for
for survival company entertainment

1st student

2nd student

20 Answer the following questions.

a. Why would the first student take matches?
b. What kind of book does the student want to take?
c. How would the second student get his MP3 player charged?
d. What things would you take with you if you had to spend a month on

a desert island?

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Grammar

The past perfect

The past perfect (had + past participle) is used to talk about an action that
was completed before a definite time or before another action that took
place in the past.
We had finished our dinner by 12.30 yesterday.
After we had completed our homework, father let us watch TV.
But
We finished our dinner at 12.30 yesterday. (It does not mean before 12.30
yesterday.)

21 There are two actions in the following sentences.
Underline the action that happened first.

a. They had finished their work before they went for a walk.
b. She came in after the boss had left the office.
c. The villagers became poor after the flood had swept away their

fields.
d. Dad called to say that he had forgotten his mobile phone.
e. The farmer stopped ploughing only after the sun had set.
f. My friend told me that he had discovered a cave near the cliff.

22 Use the past simple or the past perfect in the following
sentences.

a. Before the police arrived, the robbers .............................. (leave) the
bank.

b. After Saman had broken the window, he .............................. (run) from
the school.

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c. Before the fire .............................. (destroy) the camp, they had left it.

d. Raman .............................. (already / arrive) when they asked me about
him.

e. The president ............................ (just / leave) when we reached his
office.

f. No sooner had they .............................. (reach) home than there was a
heavy rain.

g. Shiva .............................. (break) his ruler when the teacher asked for it.

h. By the end of June last year, the farmer .............................. (plant) the
rice. But this year, there is no sign of rain.

23 Match to make sentences. she had changed completely.
until I saw his show.
a. When we had written our stories, after I had seen that film.
b. I couldn’t sleep well for a week by the time the police arrived.
c. By the time I reached the shop, we gave them to the teacher.
d. The next time I saw her I had forgotten what I wanted.
e. The man had run away
f. I had never believed in magic Speaking

24 Sit in pairs and hold conversations. Use the given clues.

A: why / mother / angry? When you explain the
second action, you can
B: spill / water / broke / bulb earlier
put other words like
A: Why was your mother angry with you? actually, in fact and
additionally according
B: Oh, no. Don’t ask. I spilled water on the
floor. Besides, I had broken a bulb earlier. to situations.

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A: why / they / sad?
B: thieves / break into / house / family / lose a member earlier
A: why / she / upset?
B: her father / scold her / fail / exam earlier
A: why / he / so much / worried?
B: fear / he would die / some robbers / threaten him earlier
A: why / you / look / tired yesterday?
B: be completely exhausted / walk / for seven hours earlier

Reading

25 Read the following article about to the distinguished
personality.

Anuradha Koirala : A Saviour

Anuradha Koirala is a renowned social
worker from Nepal. She is the founder
of Maiti Nepal, an organisation that
rescues and rehabilitates women
who have been abused, kidnapped
or trafficked. In January 2018, she has
been appointed as the chief of Province
no 3. Among the chiefs in all seven
provinces, she is the only women.

Ms Anuradha Koirala was born on
April 14, 1949 in Okhadhunga. For more than twenty years, she worked as
an English teacher in various reputed schools in Kathmandu.

Later, she changed her course of life as she realised that she should do
something for kidnapped and sold daughters of Nepal who had been living
a nightmarish life. With the aim of helping them, Anuradha founded Maiti
Nepal in 1993. Through this organisation she fights for women’s rights.
Today it is a network of legal services, counselling, hostel and rehabilitation
centre, library, vocational training and a school in Kathmandu. It also has

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rescue centres in various parts of the border areas between Nepal and India.

Today, Anuradha is recognized as a social worker who has dedicated her
life defending the rights of women and children. For her contribution,
Anuradha was awarded CNN Heroes Award in 2010. The government of
India has also awarded her with third highest civilian prize Padma Shree.
She got the prize in 2017 from the hand of current Indian President Pranav
Mukharjee. She was also awarded Mother Teresa Awards in 2014.

If she had not worked hard and proved herself, she wouldn’t have got the
award. She is an inspiration to women all around the world.

Comprehension

26 Choose the correct answer.

a. Anuradha Koirala was initially a (dancer / singer / teacher).
b. She has been appointed as the chief of province 3 in (2012 / 2017 /

2018).
c. Anuradha won an award in 2010 from (CNN / BBC / Star News).
d. Anuradha got (Mother Teresa Award / Padma Shree Award / Indian

President Award) from India.

27 Answer the following questions.

a. Who is the founder of Maiti Nepal?
b. What activities does Maiti Nepal do?
c. Why was Anuradha Koirala awarded with the CNN Heroes Award

2010?
d. How do the women around the world take her?
e. What political post does she hold?
f. When and where was she born?

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Vocabulary

28 Match each word with its synonym.

a. appoint .............. combating

b. bad .............. service

c. fighting .............. honour

d. respect .............. nominate

e. master .............. rehabilitation

f. facility .............. cease

g. magical .............. evil

h. stop .............. enchanting

i. restoration .............. skilled person

Listening

29 Look and guess who they are.

They are two great political figures in Nepal.

30 Listen and answer.

a. Who are being talked about?
b. Which parties did they belong to?
c. Were both of them prime ministers of Nepal?

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31 Listen and take notes.

Koirala Bhandari
First ...........................................PM Leader of .................................party

Fought against ................................ Fought against .................................
Was born in ...................................... Known for ......................................
Died in ............................due to ..... Was born in .................................
Died in ......................... in .................
...................................................
Also known for ................................ ...................................
Has written several ........................ At the age of ...................................
His wife ...........................................
and .......................
Two of his famous books:...............

and .......................

Writing

32 Find a person around you who you want to talk about.
The person can be your teacher, your parents, neighbour
or any famous person who lives nearby. Go to the person
and ask the following questions. Note down what the
person says. Before you ask the questions, tell him / her
about the purpose of coming.

When were you born?
Where were you born?
Are you married?
When did you get married? (if married)
Do you have any children? (if married)

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What is your favourite colour / food /music / singer / actor?
Could you share about your normal day?
How do you spend your days?
What are your hobbies?
Is your hobby your profession?
What did you want to be when you were like us?
Did you change your aim? Why?
Could you share some interesting childhood memories with us?
Have you won any awards or prizes?
How did you feel when you won your first award?
Now, what do you want to do in your life?
Why do you want to do that?
What do you want to say the young people like us?
What should they do to be successful?

Good morning/ afternoon, ….,
My name is …. I’m here to take a short interview with
you as a part of our project. Actually, I am going to
write your short biography. So, I would like to ask you
some questions.

33 Now taking help of the notes you have taken, write a
short description of the person’.

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Writing biography

We write a biography to talk about the main events of someone's life. When
someone writes his / her life story it becomes an autobiography. If someone
else writes someone’s life story it becomes a biography.

34 Read the given biography and labels. In the same manner
write a biography of a person you admire the most.

Write the name of Louis Braille (1809-1852)
the person with
birth and death
years

Write the most Louis Braille was born in France in 1809. In 1812, he
important things had an accident and went blind. When he was ten,
that happened in he went to a school for blind children.
the person’s life.

Use to begin with To begin with, Louis was very unhappy. The school
to introduce a
subject. had books with raised letters made with metal,
which blind people could feel with their fingers. But

it was very difficult to read and there were only 14

books in the school.

Use soon after or Soon after, a man called Charles Barbier visited the
later to say what school. He showed the boys his invention, called
happens next.
‘night writing’. It was a code of 12 raised dots. It was

also very difficult to read, but it gave Louis an idea!

Use during During the next three years, Louis invented a new
to show what
happened over a code, which only used six raised dots. Today we call
period of time. it ‘Braille’. It was very simple and easy to use. Later,
Louis become a teacher for blind people. He also

translated many books into Braille.

Finish by writing Now, Braille is used in almost every language all
the person’s
most important over the world’

achievement.

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The consonants Pronunciation

35 Listen and learn to pronounce the consonants.

/p/ pen, spin, tip /b/ but, web

/t/ two, sting, bet /d/ do, odd

/tʃ/ chair, nature, teach /dʒ/ gin, joy, edge

/k/ cat, kill, skin, queen /g/ go, get, beg

/f/ fool, enough, leaf /v/ voice, have

/q/ thing, teeth /ð/ this, breathe, father

/s/ see, city, pass /ʃ / shoe, she, shift

/z/ zoo, rose /ʒ/ pleasure, beige

/h/ ham /r/ run, very

/m/ man, ham /n/ no, tin

/w/ we /ŋ/ singer, ring

/l/ left, bell

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8Lesson Rules
Everywhere

1 Read, listen and sing.

There are so many rules
To tell you what to do.
Things you should or shouldn’t do
To have a good day at school.

You should eat a good meal
Each and every day.
So you don’t get hungry during class
And you can concentrate.

You shouldn’t go to bed late.
It’s not good for you.
Or you’ll yawn throughout your lessons.
And forget what you have to do.

There are so many rules.
To tell you what to do.
Things you should or shouldn’t do
To have a good day at school.

You should not eat food in the class.
It could make such a mess.
But you should always do your work
To prepare you for success.

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You should take a shower everyday
To make sure you don’t smell.
And remember you shouldn’t stay outside
When the class resumes after the bell.
There are so many rules
To tell you what to do.
Things you should or shouldn’t do
To have a good day at school.

a. How many rules are there and why are they there?
b. What can you do and what can’t you do.

Listening

2 The teacher is telling his students about how to use
the language lab. Listen to the audio and answer the
following questions.

a. How many computers are there in the lab?
b. How many audio recorders are there?
c. How many children should share a computer?
d. Is the internet connected to the computers?
e. Where should they go if they want to record their own voice?

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3 Are the following statements true or false? Listen to
the audio again and check.

a. Children can talk to their Facebook friends using the computers in the
lab.

b. Children are not allowed to bring CDs from home.

c. Children can’t use the CDs without permission.

d. Children are allowed to use emails in the lab.

e. They have to use the headphone while listening to the audio.

f. They can put the book back to the shelves.

g. They can make noise in speaking sessions.

Grammar

can / could / may / be allowed to

can / could

We use can to give somebody permission to do something. To deny
permission to do something, we use can’t.

You can use my phone. You can’t park your car here.

While asking for permission to do something, we use can and could. The
difference between can and could is not the tense but politeness. Could
is used to be more polite. We use could when we are talking to someone
who is not very familiar to us or someone who is older than us.

Can I take your notebook today, Ravi?

Could I take this newspaper, Dad?

may
We can also use may to ask for permission to do
something and to give or refuse permission to
do something. May is more formal and polite
than can and could.
May I talk to you for a minute, ma’am?
I’m sorry. I’m busy now. You may come later.

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be allowed to
We use be allowed to to talk about something that we are permitted to
do or not permitted to do. This is mainly used while talking about rules.
You are not allowed to wear jeans to school.
She is not allowed to use father’s computer.

If someone asks you for permission, you may give permission or deny
the permission.
If you want to give permission, say “Of course, you may / can / could”.
If you want to deny permission, say “I’m sorry. You can’t.”

4 Choose the words from the list and complete the
conversation. Use only one word in each space.

can can’t allowed will why about

Bimal is going on a school trip the next day. He is keeping his things in a bag.
Bina : Hi brother! Can I help you pack?
Bimal : I don’t know. I ............................... fit all my things in the bag.
Bina : You ............................... take two

bags, can’t you?
Bimal : No, I ................................ We’re

............................... to take only
one bag.
Bina : What have you put in it?
Bimal : I’ve put in my volleyball, some
board games and other stuffs.

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Bina : ............................... don’t you leave the ball at home?

Bimal : I must take the ball.

Bina : You ............................... not be able to put anything else in it, but
I’ve got an idea. ............................... you wear anything you like
on the bus?

Bimal : Yes, we’re ............................... to wear anything we like.

Bina : What ............................... putting on all the clothes?

Bimal : Oh dear! I don’t think that’s a good idea.

5 Sit in pairs and practise the above conversation.

Speaking

6 Sit in pairs and take turns asking and granting
permission. Use can, could or may. Be careful about the
degree of politeness. Change the role and practise asking

and denying permission.

J = polite JJ = very polite JJJ = extremely polite

Can I go to the
party, mum?

Of course, you can.

Can I go to the
party, mum?

No, you can’t. You have
exams from tomorrow.

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a. You want to go to a party. Ask your mother. J
b. You want to go home early. Ask your teacher. JJJ ☺☺
c. You’re on a bus and you want to close a window. Ask a stranger.

JJ☺☺
d. Some of your friends have a new book. You want to look at it. J
e. You want to ask your uncle’s friend a question. JJ
f. You are at a museum. You want to take a photograph. JJJ ☺☺

7 Sit in pairs. Ask and grant permission with a condition.

a. You want to play in the leisure period. Ask your teacher. The teacher
wants you to complete the project.
Students : May we play in our leisure period, sir?
Teacher : You may but you must complete the project work first.

b. You want to go to the cinema. Ask your father. Father asks you to take
your brother.

c. You want to use your brother’s computer. Ask your brother. Brother
asks you not to interfere with his documents.

d. You want to go to the party. Ask your mother. Mother wants you to
come early.

8 What do your parents let you do or not let you do? Write
five sentences using ‘let’ and ‘allow’. Include one sentence
that is false.

My parents don’t let me play loud music late at night. (true)
My father allows me to come home when I want. (false)
Now sit in groups of about six students. Read your text aloud. Check if
your friends can find the false statement.

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Reading

9 What’s the problem with Suman? Read the given
dialogue and find.

Ramesh : Hey Suman…what’s wrong?

Suman : I really want to go camping with
my friends next weekend but I’m
not allowed to go. My parents
say I’m too young.

Ramesh : Oh, it’s too sad! I had a similar
problem last month. My dad
didn’t let me go to the concert.

Suman : Actually, my parents usually let
me do things. I’m allowed to go cycling with my friends at
weekends. I’m even allowed to go to the cinema. But this is a
bit different. They say I mustn’t stay out overnight.

Ramesh : Really? It’s the same with me.

Suman : I guess all parents have similar rules. Does your father let you
stay up late to watch TV?

Ramesh : Well, yes, sometimes - but only if I’ve done all my homework!

Comprehension

10 Answer the following questions.

a. Where does Suman want to go?

b. Why can’t he go there?

c. Why didn’t Ramesh go to the concert?

d. What does Suman say about his parents and weekends?

e. What does Ramesh’s dad sometimes let him do?

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Pronunciation

Rhyming words

11 There are 10 rows of words below. Only two words
in each row are rhyming words. Which are they? First
read and tick. Then, listen and check.

A B C D
door flour moor hour
tomb bomb womb comb
wallet ballet chalet Kate
of tough puff dove
leapt debt left met
lead said maid bid
aisle file hazel fizzle
lease dish please increase
cough trough rough
bough ware were wore
wear

Speaking

Request

We can use can, could, will, would or may to make polite requests. We
use would or could to be more polite.

Modal verb Subject Base verb Accept Decline.
Will you help me with my Yes, of Sorry, I
maths homework, course. can’t.
Can I’d be happy I’m not
Would please? sure. When?
Could to.
Certainly. No way!
No problem.

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12 Sit in pairs. Make polite requests using the clues.
First accept the requests. Then change role and hold
conversations again. This time decline the request.

carry my bag
close the window

fetch me a glass of water

give me your notebook

help me do the homework Reading

13 Read and learn.

Zoos: Bad or good?

Have you ever been to a zoo? Most
of the large cities of the world
have a zoo. In fact, some cities, like
Chicago in the USA, have two. In
Nepal, too, we have a fairly big zoo.
It’s the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel,
Lalitpur. This zoo has formed an
organisation called Friends of Zoo
(FOZ). With this, the zoo brings
young students nearer to the zoo
and it is getting popular among the young students. However, some people
believe that the zoo should be closed. They argue that while the zoo may
be fun for humans, they are not fun for the animals. These animals were
taken from their homes and families and kept in restricted areas, whereas
in their natural habitats they would normally move around over a large
area. Further, often zoo animals must do tricks in animal shows or pose for
photographs with visitors to the zoo.

Supporters of zoos believe that they should remain open. They argue that

English Skills Book - 7 189

zoos provide chances for all people to see animals that they may never see
otherwise. How many people would be able to afford to travel all over the
world to see the animals they can see in one day in a zoo? Zoos also educate
people about animals. Perhaps someone who sees a rhinoceros at a zoo will
be more likely to refuse to purchase products made from wild rhinoceroses.
Another function that zoos serve is as a place for breeding animals that
may otherwise go extinct.

Are zoos bad or good? Valid arguments can be made for both sides of the
issue. If you could decide, would you choose to keep zoos open or to close
them? Or might we be able to make zoos better places for the animals to
live there? Finally, ask yourself this: if you were a wild animal, would you
prefer to live in a zoo or in your natural habitat?

Comprehension

14 Are the following statements true or false?

a. There’s a zoo in the capital city of Nepal.
b. Animals in the zoos get their natural habitat.
c. Zoos can help people learn about animals.
d. Those people who have seen animals in zoos are less likely to kill

animals in natural habitat.
e. Supporters of zoos say that zoo can help protect animals serving as a

breeding centre.

15 Answer the following questions.

a. Why do some people say that zoos should be closed? What are their
three arguments? Pick from the first paragraph.

b. What are the positive sides of zoos? Write three arguments from the
second paragraph.

c. How can zoos help protect endangered animals?
d. What does the writer believe? Do you think he or she supports zoos?
e. Do you support or oppose zoos? Why?

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Writing

Madanpur-5, Nuwakot
30 January 2018

Mr Bashudev Munal, The Programme Presenter
Children’s Programme
Radio Nepal
Singha Durbar Kathmandu

Dear sir,

I am a regular listener of your programme. I like the news and songs.
In yesterday’s programme you announced about the writers’ workshop.
I would like to take part in the workshop but I couldn’t catch the
information. I wonder if you could give detailed information about the
workshop. Could you let me know how I could send the application?

Also I would like to dedicate a song to my friends Vishnu, Sarad, Seema
and Bina. Would you mind playing a popular song by Deepak Limbu?

Sincerely,
Kabina Rai

16 Read the letter above and answer the following questions.

a. Who sent this letter?
b. When was the letter written?
c. Where does Kabina live?
d. How many requests does Kabina make in the letter?
e. Who is the letter sent to?

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17 Write a similar letter of request to your favourite
programme on TV or radio.

Would you mind Speaking
helping me with my
maths homework? No, not at all.

The request made by using would you mind needs a negative reply to
accept the request. If you say yes, you mean that you mind doing what
the person asks.
Accept the request: I wouldn’t mind at all. / Not at all. / Of course not.
/ No, I’d be happy to. / No, I’d be glad to.
Decline the request: Sorry, I can’t. / I won’t have time. / Sorry.

18 Sit in pairs and hold conversations. Use the given clues and
Would you mind to start the requests.

You want your friend to help in your study.
You want some money. Ask your friend.
You want to go to Sundhara but you don’t know the way. Ask someone on
the street.
You are in a bus. You want someone to open the window. Ask.

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Listening

19 Radio Nepal Children’s Programme is conducting a
young writers’ workshop. Listen to the conversation
between a student and the receptionist and complete
the form.

Fifth Annual Young Writers’ Workshop

12 November 2018 at Academy Hall
Kamaladi, Kathmandu

To be considered as a participant in the Writer’s Workshop, you must
complete this application form and provide a writing sample. Applications
must be received by October 12, 2018.

Participant’s name: .....................................................

Address: .....................................................

Phone: .....................................................

Birth date: ...................................

Grade in school: .....................................................

Parent’s name: .....................................................

Parent’s daytime phone: .....................................................

Please tick the workshop you are most interested in attending:
Writing poetry
Writing personal essays
Writing mystery stories
Writing argumentative essays

English Skills Book - 7 193

Conversation

20 Listen and practise.

Sameer : Has anyone seen my
purple shirt?

Mum : It might be in the wash.

Dad : No, Seema must have
taken it. I think she was
wearing it when she
went out.

Sameer : But she’s not allowed to
take my things without asking!

Mum : You should talk to her once.

After sometimes, Seema arrives home.

Sameer : You shouldn’t have
taken my shirt without
my permission!

Seema : I know, but look, I have
brought you this big
bar of chocolate…

Sameer : All right, but you must
ask next time.

Seema : …and this ice cream is also for you.

Sameer : Well, for this shirt you don’t have to ask.

Seema : My nice brother!

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Grammar

Obligation

We use must or have to to talk about something we are obliged to do. We
use have to mostly for rules.
You have to finish your work before you leave.
I must go home early today. I’m going to my uncle’s wedding.

But

In negative sentences, mustn’t and don’t have to are different in meaning.
Mustn’t is used to express prohibition.
You mustn’t run.
(It means it is wrong to run. You are prohibited from running.)
You don’t have to run.
(It means it is not necessary to run. But you can run if you like.)

Similarly

Must doesn’t have a past form. We use had to or didn’t have to instead of
must to talk about the past obligation.

21 Use must, have or has and complete the sentences.
Remember must is not followed by to.

a. I .......................... visit my grandmother this weekend. I miss her.
b. You .......................... to get a new passport. Otherwise, you won’t be

able to travel abroad.
c. Teachers .......................... to wear a uniform. That’s the rule.
d. A person .......................... to take off shoes before entering the temple.
e. Do you .......................... to go to school on Saturdays?
f. I have broken my yet another pen. I .......................... be more careful

from next time.
g. We .......................... find a faster way to do this work. It’s taking too

much time.

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22 Fill in the blanks with mustn’t, doesn’t have to, don’t
have to or had to.

a. He is only four. He .......................... cross the road by himself.
b. You .......................... go to the supermarket. I’ll do it.
c. Ram .......................... work till late hours when he was young.
d. Binita .......................... pay school fees. She has got a scholarship.
e. You .......................... watch TV for many hours. It’s bad for your eyes.
f. Madhu .......................... help his younger brother till last year. This year

his father helps him.
g. We .......................... eat now. We can have dinner during the break.
h. My sister .......................... study as hard as I do. It’s not fair.
i. We .......................... swim in this river. It’s very dangerous.

Writing

23 Write eight rules for your classroom. Make a sentence
using can, can’t, must, mustn’t, be allowed to, be (not)
allowed to, have to and don’t have to each.

Speaking

24 Paurakh talks about the rules they have to follow at
home. Read the following and talk about the rules that
you have to follow at home.

I think our house rules are OK. My brother and I can go to the park or
play with our friends after school, but we have to finish our homework
first. I have to go to bed early on the weekdays. I don’t have to get up
early on Saturdays, but I must tidy my room. I can go out with my
friends at the weekend, but I have to be back home early.

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Reading

25 Read and learn.

Gawain and the Green Knight

It was New Year at the court of King Arthur. The King, Queen and all
the knights of the court were celebrating. Suddenly, the door opened and
everyone turned round. A knight rode into the room on a magnificent
horse. The knight and his horse were completely green!

The strange Green Knight got
off his horse and spoke, “I
know that King Arthur and
his knights are famous for
their bravery. I have come to
test their bravery with a little
game. Here is my axe. One of
you, brave knights, must try
to cut off my head. But, next
year, on the same day I will try to do the same to that knight.”

A brave and honest knight, Sir Gawain, stood up and said, “I’ll do it.” With
no hesitation, he took the axe and cut off the Green Knight’s head. Then,
the strangest thing happened. The Green Knight picked up his head, got on
his horse and left the room!

Ten months later, Sir Gawain went off to find the Green Knight. He came to
a magnificent castle. The lord of the castle invited him to stay for the New
Year. Sir Gawain and the lord made an agreement. They agreed to give
each other anything they received.

The next day, the lord of the castle went out hunting. Sir Gawain stayed in
bed. Suddenly, the lady of the castle, the lord’s wife, came into his room.
She was beautiful. She kissed Sir Gawain and then left. When the lord of
the castle returned, he gave Sir Gawain a deer he had caught. Sir Gawain
gave the lord a kiss.

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The next day the same thing happened. On
the third day, the lady of the castle kissed Sir
Gawain and then gave him a special belt. She
said it would save his life. Sir Gawain did not
give the belt to the lord of the castle because he
thought it might be useful when he went to see
the Green knight.

On New Year’s day, Sir Gawain went to meet
the Green Knight. As they had agreed, the
Green Knight took out an axe. He was going
to cut off Sir Gawain’s head, when suddenly he
stopped. He tried second time as well, but again stopped. The third time,
he cut Sir Gawain’s neck a little but didn’t hurt him.

Sir Gawain was angry. He said, “Why did you try three times? We agreed only
once!” The Green Knight told him that he was, in fact, the lord of the castle. “I
didn’t cut you the first two times because you were honest for two days! But on
the third day, you didn’t tell me about the belt. So I had to cut you!”

Sir Gawain returned to King Arthur’s court. He was sad because he had not
been honest. He decided to wear the belt around his neck for the rest of his
life. He told King Arthur, “When I become arrogant, I can look at the belt
and remember that I am not a perfect knight.”

Comprehension

26 Put the following events in order according to the story
of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

a. The Green Knight didn’t cut off Sir Gawain’s head.

b. Gawain went back to Arthur’s court, but he was unhappy.

c. Sir Gawain and the lord agreed to exchange everything they received.

d. Sir Gawain cut off the Green Knight’s head.

e. Ten months later, Sir Gawain went to look for the Green Knight.

f. When King Arthur was celebrating New Year, a strange knight arrived.

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g. The Green Knight picked up his head and got on his horse.
h. Sir Gawain stayed with the lord of the castle.
i. A lady visited Sir Gawain and kissed him.
j. The last day she gave him a belt but Sir Gawain said nothing to the

lord.

27 Answer the following questions.

a. Why did the Green Knight want to play this game at King Arthur’s
court?

b. What were the conditions of the game?

c. Who was the lord of the castle?

d. Why did Gawain not give the lord the belt?

e. Why did the Green knight use his axe three times?

f. Why was Sir Gawain unhappy at the end?

Vocabulary

Describing a person

General appearance : handsome (especially for males), good-looking
beautiful, pretty (especially for females)
cute (especially for children)
Skin : freckled, fair complexion, tanned, wrinkled,

dark-skinned
Hair : curly, spiky, straight, neatly-combed, silky,

shaved head
thick or bushy (to say lots of hair)
bald, has receding hairline (for no hair or little

hair)
Hair colour : black, brown, grey, golden

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Hair styles : ponytail, pigtail, spiked, crew cut

Facial hair : moustache, beard, clean-shaved, unshaved

Built : fat, overweight, skinny, thin (for describing
negatively)

plump, slim, well-built (for describing positively)

chubby (especially for describing children
positively)

28 Listen to the audio and identify the person in the
picture. Who is left at the end? Describe the person
yourself.

Miss Mr Miss Miss Mr Mr Kiran
Usha Tang Kripa Juna Rai Pandey

29 Look at a person in your class. Fill in the following table
with suitable describing words.

Name :................................................................ General Clothes
Age Height Figure/built Hair Face appearance

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