WRITE LIKE A COLOUMNIST

April 26, 2022 at 7:51 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The portions in ittalics are from the TIME magazine of April 21. The parts that follow are the paraphrased versions of the original. These are written by us. Compare them to learn the art of effective writing.

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TIME .. As Putin Threatens Nuclear Disaster, Europe Learns to Embrace Nuclear Energy Again

Our version .. As Putin brandishes his nuclear arms, a rattled Europe is nudged to shed its aversion to revisit its Nuclear Energy policy

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TIME .. In early March, the world looked on in horror as a fire broke out at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in southeast Ukraine. The blaze at the Zaporizhzhia facility following shelling by invading Russian forces was eventually brought under control, and no leaked radiation was reported, though the potential for catastrophe prompted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accuse his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of “nuclear terrorism.”

Our version ..The world was in a tenterhooks in early March this year after a part of Ukraine’s giant nuclear power complex at Zaporizhzhia caught fire thanks to the shelling by Russia’s invading forces. Luckily, the fire was quickly controlled, and a catastrophe of unforeseen consequences averted. Ukraine’s President Mr. Zelensky was quick to castigate Putin for the recklessness of the Russian forces in targeting the world’s largest nuclear power plant.

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TIME ..“There are six nuclear reactors there,” Zelensky said of Zaporizhzhia. “In Chernobyl, it was one reactor that exploded, only one.”

Our version ..To press his point further, Zelensky reminded the world that the Chernobyl disaster that still rings in everyone’s mind even today involved just one reactor, where as there are six in Zaporizhzhia.

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TIME ..By referencing Chernobyl—the nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine that became the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986—Zelensky was making the stakes very plain. But strange as it may sound, those scenes at Zaporizhzhia may inadvertently contribute to a new dawn for nuclear power.

Our version .. Zelensky aptly referred to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to bolster his accusation that the Russians were very callous in shelling the Zaporizhzhia complex. But, the effect on the international community was quite different. It brought the focus back on to nuclear power.

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TIME .. The instability resulting from the Russian invasion—as well as mounting evidence of war crimes—has made finding alternatives to Russian oil and liquid natural gas (LNG) a policy priority for European nations who want to stop funding Putin’s war machine. With few options that offer true energy sovereignty, there is now renewed enthusiasm for nuclear energy among politicians in Europe. On April 8, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the U.K. would build up to eight new nuclear plants by 2030 to ensure “we are never again subject to the vagaries of global oil and gas prices” and “can’t be blackmailed by people like Vladimir Putin.”

Our version ..The chaos caused by the Russian invasion and the chilling footages of corpses of civilians strewn on roads have really shaken the European conscience. War crimes of such proportions and happening so regularly have painted Russia as an evil and unpredictable power. Europeans with conscience feel uneasy to deal with such a nation on a long term basis for sourcing gas and crude oil. Buying Russian energy amounts to funding its war efforts. So, a continued relationship with Russia looks so abhorrent. Europeans are now looking to buy LNG from elsewhere, so that dependence on Russia ends. But, LNG availability is limited globally. The natural alternative is, therefore nuclear power. The British prime minister has already announced that Britain will build eight new nuclear power plants. By completing these projects by 2030, Britain can bid good bye to Russian gas and oil.

(Please comment if this post helped you.)

[We thankfully acknowledge the benefit we got from TIME magazine.]

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WRITING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

April 25, 2022 at 3:46 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Miscellaneous Grammar exercises to banish your hesitation to write…

Convert from Passive to Active.

1. Great danger is posed to civilians by unexploded land mines.

2. Due to the lurking danger of left-over landmines, refugees returning home have been advised by authorities in Kyiv to wait for security clearance before entering their flats.

3. President Macron was greeted with loud cheers by his boisterous supporters after the election victory.

4. The mood in the Macron camp was turned euphoric by the announcement of his victory.

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Complete the sentences in your own way using your imagination.

Example .. I had to rush out of my study room ……………………

Possible answers ..

  1. I had to rush out of my study room on seeing that my one-year little sister was crawlin towards the burning stove.

Or

  • I had to rush out of my study room when I heard a loud explosion outside.

Or

  • I had to rush out of my study room after a sudden shower fell on my cycle parked outside.

(You can write many more such answers. The only requirement is the added [art must fit into the part given in the question.)

Questions ….

1. The deer ran for its life on ………………

2. The gardener refused to work in the garden after ………… 

3. The prime minister’s visit abroad was canceled after …………….

4. The old truck with its massive load of military equipments trundled along the highway ………………………

5. With sweat dripping down from his face, the coal miner ………………..

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Join the sentences to make a single sentence.

1. The baby got up from its sleep and began crying. The mother came running from the kitchen.

2. The beating of drums made deafening noise. The bride was wailing on the eve of her departure to her husband’s home. No one could hear her except her mother.

3. The factory ran to full capacity. It made ammunitions. The ongoing war brought cheers to its owner.

4. The husband was highly erudite and academically brilliant. His wife had studied only till high school. The gulf in their learning kevels didn’t cause any rift. It was rather strange.

5. ,Medicines do not always cure a disease. In some cases, medicines may worsen the condition of a patient. Doctors are aware of this fact.

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ANSWERS….

Convert from Passive to Active.

1. Great danger is posed to civilians by unexploded land mines to civilians.

Ans .. Unexploded landmines pose great danger to civilians.

2. Due to the lurking danger of left-over landmines, refugees returning home have been advised by authorities in Kyiv to wait for security clearance before entering their flats.

Ans ..The authorities in Kyiv have advised the refugees returning home to wait for security clearance before entering their flats due to the lurking danger of unexploded land mines.

3. President Macron was greeted with loud cheers by his boisterous supporters after the election victory.

Ans .. His boisterous supporters greeted President Macron with loud cheers after the election victory.

4. The mood in the Macron camp was turned euphoric by the announcement of his victory.

Ans .. The announcement of President Macron’s victory turned the mood in his camp euphoric.

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Complete the sentences in your own way.

Questions ….

1. The deer ran for its life on ………………

Ans .. The deer ran for its life on seeing a lion approaching it from behind a bush.

2. The gardener refused to work in the garden after ………… 

Ans .. The gardener refused to work in the garden after he spotted a poisonous snake for the second time.

3. The prime minister’s visit abroad was canceled after …………….

Ans .. The prime minister’s visit abroad was canceled after a serious bomb blast happened in the capital causing widespread panic.

4. The old truck with its massive load of military equipments trundled along the highway ………………………

Ans .. The old truck with its massive load of military equipments trundled along the highway reminding the people about the looming danger of a full scale war.

5. With sweat dripping down from his face, the coal miner ………………..

Ans .. With sweat dripping down from his face, the coal miner headed straight to the water cooler to quench his thirst.

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Join the sentences 

1. The baby got up from its sleep and began crying. The mother came running from the kitchen.

Ans .. The mother came running from the kitchen when the baby got up from its sleep and began crying.

2. The beating of drums made deafening noise. The bride was wailing on the eve of her departure to her husband’s home. No one could hear her except her mother.

Ans .. The loud drum beats drowned the wailing of the bride who was getting ready to leave for her husband’s home, but only her mother could hear it.

3. The factory ran to full capacity. It made ammunitions. The ongoing war brought cheers to its owner.

Ans.. The ongoing war brought cheers to the owner of the ammunitions factory that ran to full capacity.

4. The husband was highly erudite and academically brilliant. His wife had studied only till high school. The gulf in their learning kevels didn’t cause any rift. It was rather strange.

Ans.  The gulf of learning between the highly erudite and intellectually brilliant husband and his wife who had studied only till high school level strangely caused no rift among them.

5. ,Medicines do not always cure a disease. In some cases, medicines may worsen the condition of a patient. Doctors are aware of this fact.

Ans .. Doctors are aware of the fact that medicines can worsen the condition of a patient instead of curing them.

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Comprehension exercise with answers

April 19, 2022 at 7:43 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Comprehension exercise..

Then, read the following paragraphs and answer the short questions …

Last month, as bombs rained down on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Anna Horodetska locked up her rented apartment and fled to India, carrying just a couple of T-shirts and a coffee machine – a wedding present from her grandmother.

When the 30-year-old, who worked in an IT company, arrived at the Delhi airport on 17 March, she was welcomed by Anubhav Bhasin, the 33-year-old lawyer she’d been dating for just over a year.

As drummers beat out celebratory tunes, Anubhav went down on one knee and proposed to her and placed a ring on her finger when she said yes.

On Sunday, the couple were married in an intimate ceremony in the Indian capital. Later this month, they will register their wedding in court to make it legally valid. Anna’s one-year visa states the purpose of her India visit is to “marry Anubhav Bhasin”.  (Read this BBC article for the full story. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61034754)

Questions ..

  1. What does ‘bombs rained down on Ukraine’s capital Kiev mean? [In your answer, try to use some of the following words.   .. Pound, Relentless, Battered]
  2. Did Anna Horodetska leave Kiev very hastily? What is mentioned in the above paragraph that makes you to draw your conclusion?
  3. Why did the drummers beat the celebratory tune?  [In your answer, try to use some of the following words.   .. Festive, Euphoric, Ecstatic]
  4. Why did Anubhav go down on his knee? Is it according to Indian tradition?
  5. Why will the couple register their marriage? [In your answer, try to use some of the following words.   .. cloak]
  6. What did Anna declare the purpose of her visit to India in her visa?

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Answers..

  1. What does ‘bombs rained down on Ukraine’s capital Kiev mean? [In your answer, try to use some of the following words.   .. Pound, Relentless, Battered]

Answer .. It means Kiev was being pounded by bombs.

OR

It means Kiev was being battered by bombs relentlessly.

  • Did Anna Horodetska leave Kiev very hastily? What is mentioned in the above paragraph that makes you to draw your conclusion?

Ans .. Anna Horodetska left Kiev in tearing hurry because she had little time in hand. She just picked up a few T shirts, and a coffee machine and left. She had no time to pack other essentials. This shows her hurry in catching the flight.

  • Why did the drummers beat the celebratory tune?  [In your answer, try to use some of the following words.   .. Festive, Euphoric, Ecstatic]

Ans .. Anna’s would-be husband had arranged for the drummer band to convey to Anna and all others that she was really welcome in the new land, and a life of love, and joy awaited her. The beating of drums accentuates the jubilant mood of the occasion.

  • Why did Anubhav go down on his knee? Is it according to Indian tradition?

Ans .. Anubhav was just following the usual way in western societies in which a lover proposes to his would-be wife. Anubhav’s gesture was meant to amuse Anna and make her feel ecstatic.

  • Why will the couple register their marriage? [In your answer, try to use some of the following words.   .. cloak]

Ans .. Registration of a marriage gives the bond a legal status that can’t be severed so easily. Anubhav and Anna must have decided to go for this official procedure to cement their marriage.

  • What did Anna declare the purpose of her visit to India in her visa?

Ans .. Anna candidly stated that she was going to India to marry Anubhav, her lover.

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Grammar & vocabulary exercise with answers

April 16, 2022 at 3:19 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Convert from Passive to Active.

Q1. All my forays into the goal area of the rival side were thwarted by their two defenders.

Q2. My captain and I were utterly dismayed by our failures.

Q3. Surprisingly, two quick goals were clinched by one of our center-forwards named Harpreet.

Q4. At the end of the match Harpreet was felicitated by the president of our hockey club.

Q5. My brilliant stroke play was obscured by the boisterous atmosphere that prevailed on the ground.

Q6. I was disheartened by the non-recognition of my talent by my captain.

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Answers …

Q1. All my forays into the goal area of the rival side were thwarted by their two defenders.

Answer .. The two defenders of the rival side thwarted all my forays into their goal area.

Q2. My captain and I were utterly dismayed by our failures.

Answer .. Our failures utterly dismayed my captain and me.

Q3. Surprisingly, two quick goals were clinched by one of our center-forwards named Harpreet.

Answer .. Surprisingly, one of our center-forwards named Harpreet clinched two quick goals.

Q4. At the end of the match Harpreet was felicitated by the president of our hockey club.

Answer .. At the end of the match, the president of our hockey club felicitated Harpreet.

Q5. My brilliant stroke play was obscured by the boisterous atmosphere that prevailed on the ground.

Answer .. The boisterous atmosphere that prevailed on the ground obscured my brilliant stroke play.

Q6. I was disheartened by the non-recognition of my talent by my captain.

Answer .. The non-recognition of my talent by my captain disheartened me.

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List of new words used in the earlier Passive -Active exercise. Learn them.

Boisterous, Dismay, Foray, Thwart, Obscure, Felicitate, Clinch, Mar, Court, Ruckus, Clinching

Fill in the blanks with the right word. Choose it from the three choices given in brackets.

  1.  In the New Year party, most revelers were drunk. They played loud music and created very unruly scenes inside the club. Son, the police arrive to stop the restrain the ——————– (ruckus, mar, boisterous) gathering.
  •  I had worked hard to score cent percent in mathematics, and had, in fact, done well in the test. When I saw my marks, I was utterly disappointed. I conveyed my ———— (dismay, thwart, clinch)
  •  After the murder, the police raided the house of the prime suspect and unearthed a dagger with blood stains hidden in a shallow pit. When the police submitted these findings in the court, the judge accepted them as —————- (clinching, clinch, mar) evidence of the involvement of the suspect in the crime.
  •  The Indian trade delegation worked hard to persuade their U.S. counterparts to buy the Covid vaccines from India. After a marathon 6-hour negotiation, the Indian side ————- (foray, obscure, clinch) the order and returned home happy.
  • The hunter went deep into the forest to shoot the man-eater. Sadly, his ————– (foray, felicitate, court) proved to be fatal as the tiger attacked him and killed him before feasting in his flesh.
  •  There are a few politicians in India who have no control over their tongues. They make rude and vulgar public comments against their rivals, and ——————– (obscure, court, mar) needless controversy.
  •  Utkalamani Gopabandhu Dash was born in an —————– (obscure, dismay, mar) village of Odisha, and later became the state’s most revered social leader.
  •  Gopabandhu had many critics who tried hard to ——— (thwart, mar, felicitate) his attempts to spread education in rural corners of Odisha.
  •  He wrote a beautiful essay, but his writing was ———— (obscure, marred, thwart) by multiple spelling errors. The examiner took a dim view of the answer and gave just pass mark.

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Answers…..

  1.  In the New Year party, most revelers were drunk. They played loud music and created very unruly scenes inside the club. Son, the police arrive to restrain the ————boisterous——– (ruckus, mar, boisterous) gathering.
  2.  I had worked hard to score cent percent in mathematics, and had, in fact, done well in the test. When I saw my marks, I was utterly disappointed. I conveyed my ——dismay—— (dismay, thwart, clinch)
  •  After the murder, the police raided the house of the prime suspect and unearthed a dagger with blood stains hidden in a shallow pit. When the police submitted these findings in the court, the judge accepted them as —-clinching———— (clinching, clinch, mar) evidence of the involvement of the suspect in the crime.
  •  The Indian trade delegation worked hard to persuade their U.S. counterparts to buy the Covid vaccines from India. After a marathon 6-hour negotiation, the Indian side ——-clinch—— (foray, obscure, clinch) the order and returned home happy.
  • The hunter went deep into the forest to shoot the man-eater. Sadly, his —foray———– (foray, felicitate, court) proved to be fatal as the tiger attacked him and killed him before feasting in his flesh.
  •  There are a few politicians in India who have no control over their tongues. They make rude and vulgar public comments against their rivals, and —-court—————- (obscure, court, mar) needless controversy.
  •  Utkalamani Gopabandhu Dash was born in an ——–obscure——— (obscure, dismay, mar) village of Odisha, and later became the state’s most revered social leader.
  •  Gopabandhu had many critics who tried hard to —–thwart————– (thwart, mar, felicitate) his attempts to spread education in rural corners of Odisha.
  •  He wrote a beautiful essay, but his writing was —-marred——– (obscure, marred, thwart) by multiple spelling errors. The examiner took a dim view of the answer and gave just pass mark.

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