COMPLETE MSCE ENGLISSH GRAMMAR by WONGNI CHIPETA (BAED)

COMPLETE MSCE ENGLISH GRAMMAR
A Study Companion For Senior Secondary

School Students
With Literature Tips
Wongani W.D Chipeta(BAED)

COMPLETE MSCE ENGLISH GRAMMAR
A Study Companion For Senior Secondary
School Students
With Literature Tips
Wongani W.D Chipeta(BAED)

Contact details
Cell: +265881 759118/999 365 220

Email: [email protected]
©2022
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or
transmitted in any form, electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical or otherwise except
with prior permission from the owner or in education purposes.
Wongani W.D Chipeta
First printed 2022

Revised edition 2023
©2022 Wongani W.D Chipeta (BAED Feedback to 0881759118/0999365220 or [email protected] 1

List of Table of Contents
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………3
Acknowledgement and Dedications ……………………………………………………………..5
Topic 1: Number and Persons in Verbs………………………………………………………… .6
Student Activity1 ……………………………………………………………………………..… 7
Topic 2: Verb Tenses …………………………………………………………………………... 9
Student Activity 2 ……………………………………………………………………………… 13
Topic 3: Verbals ……………………………………………………………………………..... 16
Topic 4: Registers …………………………………………………………………………….... 20
Student Activity 4 ……………………………………………………………………………….25
Topic 5: Question Tags and Short Responses …………………………………………………..28
Topic 6: Adverbs (Conditional Sentences) ……………………………………………………...33
Student Activity 6 …………………………………………………………………………….... 36
Topic 7: Phrasal Verbs …………………………………………………………………………. 38
Student Activity 7 ……………………………………………………………………………….63
Topic 8: Adjectives (Order of Adjectives) …………………………………………………….. 65
Topic 9: Prepositions …………………………………………………………………………... 71
Student Activity 9 ……………………………………………………………………………... .75
Topic 10: Phrases and Clauses ………………………………………………………………… 77
Student Activity 10 ……………………………………………………………………………. 87
Topic 11: Comprehension ……………………………………………………………………. .. 91
Student Activity 11 …………………………………………………………………………... 101
Topic 12: Note Making …………………………………………………………………….... . 102
Student Activity 12 ………………………………………………………………………….....103
Topic 13: Compositions ………………………………………………………………............. 106
Topic 14: Tips on answering Literature Questions ………………………………………........ 113
Topic 15: General Multiple Choice Questions for practice ………………………………….. 118
References ……………………………………………………………………………………. 122

Foreword
This study guide is designed to help a wide range of students particularly who are preparing to sit
for the Malawi School Certificate of Education Examinations(MSCE). It has been designed in
such a way that even the students who are doing self studies will not find it difficult to study.
A lot of sources have been consulted to make this work rich and complete for MSCE
Examinations preparations following the approved English Syllabus.
Teachers teaching Senior Secondary classes will also find this book helpful as it has all that the
Malawi Senior Secondary Syllabus prescribes. It may be used together with other recommended
text books for acquisition of listening and speaking skills.
Each topic ends with an activity enough for practice in preparation for the National Examinations.
Tips for literature questions have also been included to make the preparations for the English
national examinations complete.
WONGANI W.D. CHIPETA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DEDICATION
Firstly, I thank the Almighty God for enabling me to have the ability to produce this work. I
would also like to thank my dear family members, particularly my wife Doricah and daughter
Hlengiwe (Faith) for the support and encouragement they usually give me during the time I sit
down and try to write something. Son, Wongani Junior, you miss my attention during such times.
Let me also thank Bright Bintonie Mzomah (BA Educ) for always being on my neck pushing me
to write; brother, all this is due to your unending encouragement.
Thanks should also go to my colleagues Vianne Malambo of Misale Community Day Secondary
School for editing, Daniel Chibwe of Mvera Community Day secondary School and Tawina
Mengezi Phiri of Natola Community Day Secondary School for proof reading this work. Elijah
Kasambala of Bandawe Girls Secondary School, you contributed a lot each time I consulted you
for assistance.
My lecturers at Mzuzu University cannot be left out for the knowledge and support they gave me
when I was a student there.
I dedicate this work to my beloved parents Fredrick Chipeta and Serah Mhango who went into
the glory before I achieved anything in life. Little did they know that I took heed to their endless
pieces of advice never to lose focus which today has materialized into something the nation can
count on. May their soul rest in eternal peace.
2022 Edition

TOPIC 1: NUMBER AND PERSONS IN VERBS
Number in verbs refers to the form of a verb which indicates whether its subject is singular or
plural. This is illustrated as follows:
i. A subject in the singular is followed by a verb in singular.

For example:
a) She was present.
b) Favour has gone.
ii. A subject in the plural is followed by a verb in the plural.

For example:
a) They were present.
b) The boys have come.
iii. A verb must agree with its subject in person and number.
For example:
a. He always works hard.
b. Our teacher rarely skips lessons.
The verbs have to agree with number in persons.

Look at the table below:
First Person Second Person Third Person
I am alone You are
We are alone You are alone He/she/it /they are alone
I/we have moved You have moved He/she/it /they have moved
I/we go home You go home He/she/it /they go home
iv. When two or more subjects are connected by “and,” the verb is plural.
For example:
a) Chrissy and Enock are politicians.
b) Joseph and Rose have already written the exercise.
v. When two singular nouns are connected by “and” form a unit, or are considered as one
thing, the singular verb is used.
For example:
a) Bread and butter is eaten at most meals.
b) Cassava and egg is a popular breakfast.

vi. The words “every,” “either,” “neither” “each” are singular and are followed by singular
verb.
For example:
a) Has either of the girls gone?
b) Neither of the nurses has come.
c) Each of the students was given a pen.
d) Every member of the team is fit for the game.
vii. When the word pairs either or neither…nor is used in a sentence the verb agrees with
the nearest subject.
For example:
a) Either you or he is expected to assist.
b) Either Dorcas or you are likely to be chosen.
c) Neither Bright nor I am eligible for this post.
d) Neither Mark nor you have been invited.
viii. If two subjects connected by or/nor differ in number and person, the verb agrees
with the nearer subject.
For example:
a) Either a laboratory or classrooms are to be built.
b) Either classrooms or a laboratory is to be built.
c) Either the students or the teacher is responsible for the damage.
d) Neither Julius nor his friends have succeeded in swimming across.
ix. If two subjects joined by “and” are preceded by the word “every,” the verb is singular.
For example:
a) Every desk, drawer and bookshelf was searched.
b) Every classroom and lecture theatre is occupied.
x. When the subjects are connected by with, as well as, in addition to, the verb takes the
number and person of the subject which stands first.
For example:
a. He with his brothers is responsible for that.
b) I as well as you am included in this invitation.
c) The players in addition to their captain were involved in the fight.
xi. None and no one. The word “none’ is generally plural but is used in different ways as
follows:
A. When ‘none’ is followed by uncountable noun it is used as singular

Example: None of the work is good.

B. When ‘none’ is followed by a countable noun, it is plural. ‘No one’ is always singular
For example:
a) No one was ready.
b) None of them were ready.
c) None of them have been lost since you last counted them.
d) No one is likely to be absent from the examination.
xii. Words denoting sums of money or quantities such as lengths, weights and so on, are
considered as units and take singular verbs.
For example:
a) Twenty kwacha was all I had.
b) Ten months is a long time to wait.
c) Ninety kilometers is a long distance.
xiii. In a compound subject (a subject which contains two or more nouns or pronouns as
subjects of a verb), if one subject is in the affirmative and the other is in the negative,
the verb agrees with the subject which is in the affirmative.
For example:
a) She, not I, is at fault.
b) Marriam, not Precious and Rachel, deserves to be congratulated for this work
Student Activity 1:A
Complete the following sentences with the 3. Chigomezgo hadn’t done ____________
correct word from the brackets for her brother yet.
1. None of the students(was/were) right. a. nothing b. anything
2. Neither of the novels(was/were) c. each thing d. such thing
interesting 4. There are two moto bikes in my garage,
but ________ of them are off the road at
3. Each of the villagers(has/have) received
the moment.
the donation. a. both b. all c. neither d. none
4. Everybody(was/were) busy. 5. Each of the boys did _____work perfectly.
5. Neither(is/are) going there. a. him b. him c. their d. them
6. If anyone insults you, it is wise not to
Student Activity 1:B ______ insults.
Complete the following sentences with the a. their b. the one’s c.anyone’s d. one’s
correct word from the letter (A, B, C or D) 7. The father was happy with him, her and _
a. I b. myself c. me d. mine
1. Malawi do not manufacture cars, 8. She is a serious enemy of __________.
_________ many world countries. a. ours b. us c. ourselves d. we
a. either do b. also do 9. _____________ went to Mzimba together.
c. neither do d. and so a. Their friends and themselves
2. I asked two students to answer the b. Their friends and they
question , but _______of them knew. c. Themselves and their friends
a. none b. either c. neither d. both d. They and their friends

10. Paul and Felix were happy when they a. none b. all c. both d. either
saw_____________ at the party. 16. My brother will not attend the
a. each other b. together graduation ceremony and_______.
c. the other d. themselves a. nor will I b. neither will I
11. She has two daughters. ___________ of c. and not me d. nor I will either
them is a soldier. 17. The pastor refused to accept
a. none b. all c. both d. neither _____________ in return for his help.
12. Malumbo has several houses, ________ a. something b. nothing
of them are mansions. c. everything d. anything
a. both b. all c. any d. neither 18. None of the pilots____ good at flying
13. Uncle Stanford phoned her twice, but the plane.
she did not answer ________ of his calls. a. have been b. was being
a. both b. either c. any d. all c. was d. were
14. Mary did not want to marry ____of them. 19. ______ went to the scene of the accident.
a. either b. both c. any d. all a. Mweluta and myself b. I and Mweluta
15. He has two sons who live in Dedza, c. Mweluta and I d. Myself and Mweluta
___________ of them are teachers.

TOPIC 2: VERB TENSES
Tense: is the correspondence between the form of the verb and the concept of time. The action
related to time can be in the past, present or in the future.
There are mainly three types of tenses namely; Past Tense, Present Tense and Future Tense.
Table showing forms of tenses
Tense Simple Continuous Perfect Perfect Continuous
Present I /you ask I am asking I/you have asked I/you have been asking
She asks You are asking She has asked She has been asking
She is asking
Past I/you asked I was asking I/you had asked I/you had been asking
She asked You were asking She had asked She had been asking
She was asking
Future I/you will ask I/you will be asking I/you will have asked I/you will have been
asking
She will ask She will be asking She will have asked
She will have been
asking
A. THE PAST TENSE
1. The Past Simple Tense
a. This tense is used to express actions which took place in the past.
For example:
i) I bought this shirt last year.
ii) I lived at Uliwa two years ago.
b. It is used in polite requests and to express wishes.

For example:
i. I wanted to speak to you.
ii) I wish I knew where he is.
iii. Did you want to see him?

c. It may also be used in conditional clauses (unlikely conditions).
For example:
i) If I wrote my father today, he would receive the letter tomorrow.
ii) I would write to him if I knew his address.
2. The Past Continuous Tense
a. This tense is used to show that an activity was happening at a time when another activity
occurred.
For example:
i) When I was going to school, I met Mr. Gama.
ii) She ran after me as I was crossing the street.
b. It may also be used to indicate that a number of activities were taking place at the same time.
For example:
i) Elijah was playing football while Blessings was eating rice.
ii) Jimmy was cleaning the window and James was cutting the grass.
iii) While Faith was ploughing, Wongani was milking the cows.
Here, a conjunction is usually used to join two activities happening concurrently.
c. May be used in some conditional clauses expressing a hypothetical state.

For example:
i). If they were living at home, they would not behave in that manner.
ii). They wish they were going to Mchinji again this year.
3. The Past Perfect Tense
a. This tense is used to show that out of two activities which took place in the past, one happened
before the other.
For example:
i) He had already left when they arrived.
ii) At six o’clock, he had finished writing letters.
iii) We went to Kasungu National park because we had heard so much about it.
b. It is also used to indicate the continuation of an activity up to a certain time in the past.
For example:
i) I had been teaching for two years when Paul arrived in Malawi.
ii) In 2019 Chancy had been at Santhe for Four years
c. To express a conditional sentence with impossible condition

For example:

i. If I had known I would not have come here.
ii. He would have gone if he had done the right thing.
4. The Past Perfect Continuous Tense.
This tense is used to indicate that a continuous activity had not been complete before another
activity took place at some later period
For example:
i) When I first met him, he had been studying for a degree.
ii) When the rain started, she had been preparing dinner.
B. THE PRESENT TENSE
1. Simple Present Tense
a. This tense is used to express the habitual actions.

For example
i) They live at Kaporo.
ii) Dumisani speaks Latin.
iii) Serah doesn't smoke.
b. It is also used to express general truths or proverbs.

For example:
i) The sun rises in the east.
ii) Action speaks louder than words.
iii) The earth moves around the sun.
iv. What kills a burning furnace is the ash that it shits.
c. It may also be used to express a present activity immediately completed or declarations.

For example:
i) I pronounce you husband and wife.
ii) I declare the meeting open.
iii) I name this road Orton Chirwa International Airport.
c. It is also used to express future actions which have been decided upon and certain to take
place.
For Example:
i) School starts on Monday.
ii) He leaves for Golomoti next month.
iii) Isabel flies to Washington tomorrow.
d. To express future action in time and conditional clauses:

For example:

i. Unless he sends money before Friday, I will sue him.
ii. Unless Kizito studies hard, he will not pass.
e. Used in exclamations
For example
i. Here comes Jack!
2. The Present Continuous Tense
a. The continuous tense indicates duration. This indicates that the activity is still going on at the
time of speaking
For example:
i) I am going to the market.
ii) They are singing and praying.
iii) The man is working in that building.
b. It is also used to express an action which is happening in the near future.

For example:
i) I am going home tomorrow.
ii) Where are you spending your next holidays?
3. The Present Perfect Tense
a. This tense may be used to express an action that has just been completed but which its results
has current (present)relevance.
For example:
i) I have written an essay.
ii. I have finished my work.
iii) He has cut his finger.
4. The Present Perfect Progressive Tense
a. This tense may be used to indicate an activity which started in the past but is still considered
incomplete to present time.
For example:
i) I have been studying this book for two weeks.
ii) We have been studying French for two years.
iii) She has been with the teacher since morning hours.
b. It may also be used to indicate an activity which is regarded as only recently completed.
For example:
i) I have been spending a few days at home.
ii) These teachers have been attending a refresher course.
iii) The team has been training hard for the competition.

C. THE FUTURE TENSE
1. The Simple Future Tense
a. This tense is used to indicate future activities.

For example:
i) I shall be forty next week.
ii) The goods will be here in few days.
b. The simple future tense is also used in the main clause of a conditional sentence (open
condition).
For example:
i) If you go out in the rain, you will get wet.
ii) I am sure they will come if you ask them.
iii) He will lend it to you if you ask him.
2. The Future Continuous Tense
a. This tense is used to express an activity which will begin before and continue after a given
period of time in the future.
For example:
i) His friends will be waiting at the bus stop to welcome him.
ii) We shall be travelling all night.
iii) After the rain we shall be enjoying the beautiful sunshine.
3. The Future Perfect tense
a. It is used to express an activity which will have been completed by a certain time in the future.
For example:
i) Serah will be turning Seventeen years in September.
ii) I shall have finished this work by four O’clock.
iii) By this time next year, Jane will have written her national examinations.
4. The Future Perfect Progressive Tense
It is used to refer to an activity which extends from the past, through the present into the future.
For example:
i) By the time we arrive he will have been waiting for many hours.
ii) When Abgail gets her degree, she will have been studying at Mzuzu University for four years.
Student Activity 2
Choose the letter A, B, C or D that represents the best option to complete the following sentences
1. I remember how we _________to listen a. use b. used
from our grandfather’s wise sayings. c. were used d. had been used

2. Since he ___________ his first poem in 13. When Serah goes to university, she
2019, he has established himself in poetry. ________ us less often.
a. wrote b. has written a. will visit b. visits
c. had written d. was writing c. would visit d. visits
3. For weeks, Chifundo ___________ 14. While we ___________to Mchinji, we
deeply about what she should do. had a breakdown.
a. would think b. had been thinking a. drive b. had been driving
c. has thought d. was thinking c. were driving d. are driving
4. When Colles reached her village, it was 15. When Favour _______ netball tomorrow,
clear that her brother _____________her. Weston will be harvesting rice.
a. had been expecting b. expected a. is playing b. will play c. will be
c. would expect d. would have expected playing d. would play
5. His son’s intelligence was something he 16. The doctor asked me what disease I _for.
would rather _______________ early. a. was treating b. had been treating
a. have not discovered c. was being treated d. had treated
b. not to have discovered 17. The Education Division Manager said
c. to have not discovered that he _____ the school
d. not have discovered a. will visit b. would visit
6. In 2003, the Iraq-Kuwait war
c. will have visited d. visits
____________ on for over two years.
a. went b. was going 18. The pilot was nervous because
c. had been going c. has been going he ______before.
7. When he saw Judas coming for him at the a. hasn’t flown b. didn’t fly
garden, he immediately knew he_______. c. wasn’t flying d. hadn’t flown
a. has been betrayed b. was betrayed 19. She _____ but I hope she will withdraw.
c. have been betrayed d. had been betrayed a. has been nominated b. nominated
8. By the time I sit for the school certificate
c. will be nominated d. was nominated
examinations next year, I ____ English
for ten years. 20. He waved at Gracious but he _______.
a. will study b. will have studied a. will not look b. wasn’t looking
c. would have studied d. will be studying c. will not be looking d. wasn’t been looking
9. By the time Tizgowere reached home, 22. They ____________ her talking to Anne.
they_________________ food. a. see b. had seen c. will see d. saw
a. were eating b. would eat
c. ate d. had eaten 23. The hunters _____________ nothing
10. The children should be taught the right when they returned home.
things before they ____ in a spoiled way. a. would kill b. would have killed
a. grow b. grew c. killed d. had killed
c. had grown d. had been growing 24. I ______ asked for the laptop the third
11. We were so glad to see you when you __. time, when I do again next week.
a. came b. had been coming a. will have b. would have
c. come d. are coming c. shall have d. could have
12. Our English teacher promised that she 25. By the time Grace left that school, she
_________ us a test this week. _________ mathematics for five years.
a. will give b. has given a. has taught b. shall have taught
c. would give d. will have given c. had taught d. will have taught

26. Tadala ______Lake Malawi ever since. 37. I ___________ with Madalitso for a few
a. has not seen b. had not seen weeks before I went to Botswana.
c. might not see d. may not see a. would stay b. have stayed
27. I ____________ with Madalitso for a c. stay d. stayed
few weeks before I went to Kenya. 38. The school term begins on Monday. The
a. would stay b. have stayed pupils __________away for four weeks.
c. stay d. stayed a. would be b. had been
28. Nyadani ___________ it over and then c. have been d. were
he did as his teacher asked. 39. The classroom ___that is why we’re out.
a. thought b. was thinking a. were swept b. is being swept
c. has been thinking d. thinks c. was being swept d. is swept
27. Tinyade ___________ cooking nsima 40. He __ have typed the letter. I’m not sure.
when we arrived. a. may b. must c. ought d. will
a. began b. had begun 41. They ______________ for four hours
c. might begin d. begins when the ship sank.
28. Maluwa and Tamanda ___________ in a. have been travelling b. travelled
Kamundi Village since 1996. c. had travelled d. had been travelling
a. will be living b. have been living 42. I don’t mind _____________ waiting for
c. are living d. were living a few minutes.
29. When Bauleni _____ football tomorrow, a. to be kept b. keeping
Chimwemwe will be listening to the radio. c. being kept d. to be keeping
a. is playing b. will be playing 43. We’ll give her the message as soon as
c. will play d. would play she_____________.
30. The students _very busy since last month. a. will phone b. will have phoned
a. are b. had been c. have been d. were c. is phoning d. phones
31. The writers- club patron __________ a 44. It’s high time Vitumbiko ___________
play by the time he was twenty-five. another job.
a. directed b. was directing a. should find b. found
c. had been directing d. had directed c. finds d. must find
32. Many children ___________ everything 45. Kondwani has an appointment and
they are taught. ____________ the doctor tonight.
a. are believing b. believed a. should see b. is seeing
c. believe d. were believing c. will see d. would see
33. Jane ____ her sister twice since Tuesday. 46. She realized she didn’t need the text
a. had met b. did meet book which she ____________.
c. should meet d. has met a. just bought b. has just bought
34. The factory is closed because employees c. had just bought d. is buying
_________ on strike since last month. 47. After the civic awareness campaign, the
a. were b. have been community ____________ the dangers of
c. will be d. would be child labour.
35. I wish you ______stop using my phone. a. understands b. will understand
a. will b. would c. can d. might c. is understanding d. understood
36. Maluwa and Tambala _________ in 48. While the guests____ the lights went out.
Kadzuwa Village since 1982. a. are eating b. had been eating
a. used to live b. have been living c. were eating d. have been eating
c. are living d. will be living

TOPIC 3: VERBALS
By definition, a verbal is a word that comes from a verb and has the characteristics of a verb, but
acts like a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
There are three kinds of verbals and these are: a) infinitives b) gerunds c) participles.
A. INFINITIVES
Infinitives are verbs that are not limited in number or person.
In English, an infinitive usually consists of the base form of a verb preceded by “to” (“to” + base
verb form).
For example
The baby’s sister wanted to see what would happen.
“To” is a pointer word that tells us the word is an infinitive. If “to” is followed by a verb form, it
is part of an infinitive.
Some verbs (such as afraid, want, begin, decide, deserve, forget, hope, learn, intend, plan, and
refuse) often go with an infinitive (Verb + “to” + base verb form).
For example
1 Moses covered his face because he did not want to look at God.
2 Then a new king began to rule Egypt.
In some cases, an infinitive is not preceded by “to”. The pointer word “to” is generally not used
following the verbs “dare,” “feel”, “hear,” “help” “make” “let,” “need,” and “see.”
Examples
1. You wouldn’t dare forget.
2. I will make him confess.
3. They let him go.
4. They heard him say that.
5. They saw us do that.
6. We saw him fall.
These words are infinitives as when "To" is added to them they will make sense when used in
other sentences. These infinitives when used without "To" are called bare infinitives.
USES(FUNCTION) OF INFINITIVES
a) An infinitive can serve as subject of a verb.
Example:
i. To err is human.
ii. To know God is to do his will.
iii. To remain free is my goal.

b. As Object of a verb
For example:
i. She likes to laugh.
ii. She wanted to lie.
c. As Complement of the verb

For example:
i.To know Jetu is to be with her.
ii. His plan is to publish a book.
d. To express commands
For example:
i. Abedinego is to stay here till I come back.
ii. No one is to leave the school premises before returning school books.
e. As an adverb
This is when an infinitive is used in the following senses: to show purpose and reason.
For Example
i. He worked hard to succeed.
(Why did he work had?)
ii. He came here to scorn us.
iii. She went to India to study medicine.
f. An infinitive can also function as an adjective showing purpose

For example:
i. She gave me a newspaper to read freely. (describing newspaper)
ii. This is the cash to spend with you.
B. GERUNDS
A gerund is the present participle (“ing”) form of a verb, used as a noun.
For example: “Walking is good exercise.”
In English, a gerund functions as a noun but keeps some of the characteristics of a verb.
The following functions are notable in gerunds:
a. Subject of a verb
For example:
i. Speaking requires energy.
ii. Walking needs legs.
iii. Reading is my favourite hobby.
iv. Working is better than loafing.

b. Object of a verb
For example:
i. Mary enjoys sleeping.
ii. They like eating cakes.
c. Complement of the verb

For example:
i. My best sport is cycling.
ii. Her hobby was painting.
Note: These are nouns and they answer the question "what". Verbs do not answer this "what"
question.
d. Object of a preposition
For example:
i. A brave man saved her from drowning.
ii. He earns a living by selling chamba
C. THE PARTICIPLE
A participle is a verbal form that “participates” in the functions of both verbs and adjectives.
The word “participle” means “participating.”
Participle are verbs that normally end in -ing, -ed or -en.
For example:
i. Wongani and Hlengiwe are swimming.
Note that swimming is not answering the question"what" but rather show the action.
ii. You have broken the mirror.
iii. The water has stopped.
There are some participles however which do not end in -en or -ed but in present continuous
tense still obey the rule of ending in -ing.
For example:
i. She has gone home.
ii. He had ran faster
iii. I had told him to put it up.
USES OF PARTICIPLES
a. They can be used as verbs.
When used as a verb, the past participle follows auxiliaries like "are"," have”, had“has” etc to
form the required tense.

For example
i. He has waited for an hour already.
ii. They have done that for over two years now.
iii. He had waited for two hours when his friends arrived.
iv. He will have waited two hours by the time they arrive.
NB: Used this way, as shown above, the underlined or bold words are not participles but verbs.
b. As adjectives
When used as an adjective, the past participle verbal explains or modifies a noun.
For example:
i. Moses was placed in a hidden baskets.
ii. All living creatures breathe.
iii. Planting seeds are expensive.
Note: Do not confuse the participles ending in -ing which are adjectives here with the gerunds.
Here they describe a noun while in gerunds they are nouns.
Gerund, among other ways, can also be identified when they answer the question “What” since
they are nouns.
Student Activity 3
Identify the underlined words as infinitives, participles or gerunds from the following sentences
1. I saw many students going home.
2. Parenting children needs dedication.
3. Fishing in breeding season is prohibited.
4. Skilled labourers are on demand.
6. Tadala helped me going.
7. He went to study in Cuba.
8. The instructions given on the paper are easy to read.
9. Spitting is a bad habit.
10. His ambition is to pass with good grades.
11. Mr Kamsindo fathered four children.
12. He stopped playing football.
13. The soldiers helped him pass.
14. I enjoy watching wrestling.
15. Living in Malawi is not easy.
16. The player was about to faint.
17. Schools require qualified teachers.
18. I saw him laughing.
19. To win the game is our priority.
20. He drowned in the swimming pool.
21. Planting seeds now is not advisable.

TOPIC 4: REGISTERS
Registers refer to specialized language which is used in different settings or environments, such
as hospitals, banks, courts, e.t.c.
This topic needs to be practically done and NOT be simply memorised.
1. The courts/Law Convict (verb): to decide officially in law

Accused :a person who is on trial in court of court someone is guilty
law Convict (noun): someone who is in prison
Suspect: A person who is believed to have because they are guilty of a crime
committed a crime Sentence: punishment given by a judge in a
Defendant: A person in a law case who is court to a person found guilty of doing
accused of having done something illegal something wrong
Charge (verb): to give an accusation of a Fine: An amount of money that has to be
crime paid as a punishment for a crime
Charge sheet: an official documents on Imprisonment/ jail: Act of being putting
which a police officer records the details of someone in prison as a punishment
a crime of which a person is accused Parole: when a prisoner is released before
Offence/crime: an illegal act their period in prison is finished on
Prosecute: to prove that the accused person condition they will behave well
is guilty of the crime Acquit: to officially declare in court that
Prosecution: the lawyers in a trial who try to someone is not guilty of a crime
prove that a person accused of a crime is Guilt: fact of having done something wrong
guilty of that crime Guilty: responsible for breaking something
Evidence: proof to show that an accused is wrong
guilty of a crime Suspended sentence: set free but not to
Testimony: a statement by a witness in court commit a similar crime within the
Cross-examination: to ask a witness in a prescribed period
crime detailed questions in order to discover Jury: a group of people chosen to listen to a
if they have been telling the truth. case and to establish whether the
Witness: a person in a law court who states person is guilty or not
what they know about a legal case or a Juro: a member of a jury
particular accused person Contempt (of court): behaviour that does not
Plaintiff (complainant): someone who makes obey the rules of a law court
a legal complaint against someone else in a Perjury: the deliberate giving of false or
court misleading testimony under oath
Judgment: an official legal decision,
whether someone is guilty or not 2. Business/ Banking/ Insurance/ Finances
Verdict: an opinion or decision made after Transaction: the act of carrying or
judging the facts made at the end of a trial conducting business

Cheque: a note promising to pay money to a Invoice: a commercial document a seller
named person issues to a buyer, indicating products,
Withdraw: to extract money from an account quantities and prices
Statement: a document that summarises Honorarium: small some of money paid to
financial activity someone for a service for which no official
Payee: one to whom money is paid charge is made
Transit:the carrying of goods from one place Emolument: payment for work that has been
to another on a public transport system done
Counterfeit: false, especially money; Remuneration: payment for work or services
intended to deceive carrying appearance of Salary: a fixed sum of money paid to a
genuine worker on monthly basis
Smuggle: to import goods without paying Wages: a fixed sum of money paid to an
lawful customs charges or duties employee every week for work that needs
Client: a customer or a receiver of gods. physical skills
Profit: total income minus expenditure
Post: to register as losses or profits 3. Crimes
Duty: a tax placed on imports or exports Theft: act of stealing property
Tariffs: a system of government imposed Robbery: offense of attempting to take the
duties levied on imports or exports property of another by force
Insurance: an agreement one pays money to Burglary: the crime of breaking into a house,
a company and the company pays costs in store or vehicle with the intent to steal
the event of an accident or loss Extortion: to get something by threats or
Insure: to provide for compensation if some force
specified risk occurs Pick-pocket: a thief who steals from pockets
Claim: a legal demand for compensation or bags
Claimant: one who makes a claim for Shoplifting: illegal act of taking goods from
payment as a form of compensation a shop without paying for them
Damages: money paid or awarded to a Forgery: act of altering writing or signature
claimant purporting to be made by another
Compensation: money paid to someone in Murder: the act of deliberately killing a
exchange for something that has been lost human being
or damaged Manslaughter: the act of killing a human
Premium: money paid to get insurance. being unlawfully, but not willfully
Installments: portion of money paid in Bestiality: sexual activity between a human
phases and another animal
Hire-purchase: a method of payment where Sodomy: the act of putting a man’s penis
a buyer pays the debt in small amounts until into the anus
the debt is settled Bribery: making illegal payment to a
person in official positions as a means of
influencing their decisions

Fraud: the crime of getting money by Administer: to cause someone to receive
deceiving people something (like injection)
Impersonation: an attempt to deceive by Stethoscope: a medical equipment used to
pretending to be another person listen to the sounds produced within the
Accomplice: an associate/ helper in body
committing a crime Hospital: a building designed to diagnose
and treat the sick, inured or dying and
4. Deaths usually has a staff of doctors and nurses
Deceased: one who has died Dispensary: a room specifically designed for
Bereaved: having suffered the death of a the dispensing of drugs
loved one Clinic: a building, often part of a hospital,
Morgue: a place where dead bodies are kept to which people can go for medical care or
for identification advice relating to particular condition
Mortuary: a place where dead bodies are Pharmacy: a place where prescription drugs
stored prior to burial or cremation are dispensed
Cremation: the act of burning the dead body Dispense: to issue medicine or to make up a
Cemetery: a place where dead bodies are medicine or prescription
buried; a graveyard Prescription: a written order ,as by a
Epitaph: a piece of writing on the grave physician, for the administration of medicine
Postmortem (autopsy): examination of a Ward: large rooms into which a hospital is
dead body to establish the cause of death divided with beds for patients
Invalid: one who is confined to bed because Vaccine: a substance given to animals or
of illness people to prevent them from getting diseases
Mausoleum: a large stately tomb or a Vaccination: art of giving someone a
building vaccine, usually by injection, to prevent one
Tomb: a small building as a burial site for from getting a disease
the dead Anesthesia: a method of preventing
sensation, used to eliminate pain
5. Hospital/Medicine Dressing: material applied to a wound for
Diagnosis: the identification of the nature protection
and cause of an illness Paediatrics: branch of medicine that deals
Surgery: a procedure involving major with the treatment of children
incisions to remove, repair or replace a part Gynecology: the study of medicine
of a body (operation) specializing in the problems of women,
Surgeon: one who performs surgery (a especially reproductive disorders
doctor who performs operation on people or Ante-natal: occurring before birth
animals) Post-natal: relating to the period
Incision: a cut, especially one made by a immediately after a baby is born
scalpel, for surgical operation Convalescent: to recover health and
strength after sickness or weakness

Envoy: one who is sent as a representative
6. Meetings /Interviews/ Parliament/ from government or organization to another
Elections Delegate: a person elected or chosen by a
Vacancy: an unoccupied position group to speak or vote for them, especially
Applicant: one who applies for a job at a meeting
Recruitment: a process or art of finding Emissary: a person sent by one government
candidate for a post in an organisation or political leader to another to take
Eligible: suitable; meeting the conditions for message or to take part in discussions
a job Consul: an official residing in a foreign
Panel: a group of people gathered interview country to protect the interests of citizens
people from his or her nation
Shortlist: to select a list of people who have Ambassador: an official sent to a foreign
been judged suitable for a job country to represent there his or her country
Interview: a formal meeting, in person, for Truce: a period when fighting parties agree
the assessment of a candidate or applicant to stop fighting
Interviewer: one who interviews Asylum: protection given by a government
Interviewee: someone being interviewed to foreigners who have been forced to leave
Minutes:official notes kept during a meeting their own countries for political reasons
Agenda: a list of matters to be taken up at a Refugee: a person seeking protection in a
meeting foreign country due to political or other
Quorum: minimum number of members problems in their own country
required for a group to officially conduct Returnee: a person who comes back to his
business or her own country
Matters arising: issues that crop up during a Repatriation: the process of returning of a
discussion as a follow up to previous issues person to their country of origin or
Apologies: a message telling someone citizenship
politely that one will not attend a meeting Plebiscite: a referendum, especially one that
Proposer: someone who makes a proposal concerns changes in a county’ independence
Amendment: an addition or alteration Ransom: money paid for the freeing of a
Apathy: lack of interest to take part in an hostage
important decision (like voting) Hostage: someone taken as a prisoner by an
Designate: one appointed for a post enemy in order to force the other people
Ward: area represented by a councillor involved to do what the enemy wants
Constituency: area represented by a Captives: a person held by the enemy during
Member of Parliament a war
7. War/Diplomacy 8. The Mass Media

Battle: a fight between armed groups Media: means for publishing or
War: armed fighting between two or more communicating information, like radios
countries

Circulation: the number of people that a Congregation: a group of people who have
newspaper or magazine is sold to gathered in a building or church for prayers
Censorship: the act of removing offensive Celebrant: priest who leads religious
material from a book ceremony
Dissemination:spreading news or Pulpit: a raised platform in a church from
information where a preacher delivers sermon
Publish: to make available to people, Sermon: part of Christian church ceremony
especially in a book, magazine, newspaper Pew: a long wooden seat with a high back,
e.t.c which a row of people sit on in a church
Publication: the act of making information Aisle: a long narrow space between rows of
available to people in a printed form seats in a church, cinema or aircraft
Publicity: the activity of making certain that Ordain: to officially make someone a priest
someone or something attracts a lot of or other religious leader
interest or attention Consecrate: to give someone the title of a
Edit: to correct or make changes to a Bishop in a religious order
piece of text or film before it is printed. Confession: admitting the sins one has
Reception: the act of receiving radio signals committed
Review: a report in a newspaper, magazine Repentance: to be very sorry for the sin
or program that gives opinion about a book committed
or film Excommunicate: to refuse someone from
Reporter: a person whose job is to discover taking part in church activities
information about news events and Hymn: song of praise or worship
describes them for newspapers, radios, etc Carol: religious song usually sung at
Christmas
9. Drama
Cast: the actors in a play. 11. Electricity
Audition: a short performance to show ones Electrical Installation: Electrical equipment
suitability for a particular play song or film that is fixed into the house and is not moved
Auditorium: a large room for public from place to place
meetings or performances Serviceable Cables: Brings the mains supply
Scene: division of an act in the house
Line: words that an actor speaks when Meter: Keeps records of the amount of
performing electricity that is used by the house.
Prompts: words spoken to an actor who has Fuse: A special safety device which prevents
forgotten what he or she is supported to say fire arising in an electrical installation.
during acting Sockets: Power points into which one puts a
Costumes: clothes or materials suitable for plug.
acting or drama Mains: A chief wire carrying electricity into
a building from outside.
10. The Church Electrical appliances: All machines that use

electricity. E.g. Record players, Cookers, electric current
Iron, Kettles etc Load: An amount of electric power
Watt: A word used for measuring the Voltage: Electrical force measured in volts.
amount of electrical power consumed e.g. a Voltmeter: An instrument for measuring
50 watt bulb. voltage
Insulation: The covering of electric wires so Disconnection: To remove the supply of
that they cannot be touched directly. power from a building.
Power Cut: A situation when there is no Black Out: A period of darkness caused by a
electricity available because ESCOM has failure of the electricity supply
switched off the supply. Adaptor: A special type of plug that helps to
Flex: Lead (Wire), which is attached to an connect more than one piece of equipment to
electrical appliance and allows one to move the electricity supply
the appliance about while it is still plugged Load shedding: The deliberate switching off
into the socket. of electricity to control the amount of supply
Electrocuted: Killed by electric current due to inadequate electrical power.
Volt: A unit for measuring the force of an
Student Activity 4
Choose the letter(A,B,C or D) that correctly completes the following sentences
1. The wedding ____ would take place at the 7. All the pews in the church were occupied
Golf Club from 2pm. and some people sat along the _______.
a. officiation b. reception a. aisle b. pavement
c. party d. celebration c. path d. corridor
2. Banda started singing in 1990s and his 8. The manager ____________ his power by
____ song was ‘Mabala’ stealing the company’s money.
a. violated b. misses
a. single b. stage c. debut d. album
c. abused d. mishandled
3. Upon arrival at the church, the pastor
9. One of the duties of the police is to
went to the ____ to wear his cloak. _________ traffic.
a. Onarchy b. Vestry a. lead b. regulate
c. Church d. Goldoire c. dispatch d. conduct
4. The court fined the ____ who prescribed 10. The robbers were charged with
the wrong drug ____________ because they obtained
a. Doctor b. Nurse money by threats.
c. Clinician d. Psychiatric a. extortion b. bribery
5. The school took ____________ measures c. fraud d. burglary
to curb theft in the hostels. 11. The car dealers had given me a
a. deathly b. drastic ______________ for three years.
c. terrifying d. furious a. warrant b. security
6. As soon as his party came in c. guarantee d. bonus
_____________it changed the law. 12. The researcher was trying to
a. force b. position ______________ a collection of folktale.
c. power d. government a. compile b. compose
c. collate d. combine

13. The other ______________ are not a a. attire b. clothes
threat in this business. c. costume d. caftan
a. competitors b. contestants 25. The lawyer asked the witness to give his
c. enemies d. opponents _______________.
14. The ______________ supply of maize a. opinion b. observation
will last several years. c. evidence d. information
a. numerous b. frequent 26. The company was declared bankrupt
c. abundant d. diverse when it had ____________ more debts
15. Have you already paid your monthly than it could pay.
_______________ for the magazine? a. posted b. mounted
a. contribution b. fee c. incurred d. evolved
c. dues d. subscription 27. The duty of responsible ____________
16. The father paid for the expenses houses is to disseminate information.
________ by his son. a. media b. press
a. inherited b. incurred c. air d. announcing
c. solicited d. provoked 28. The insurance company declined to
17. Thokozani is over the moon because he insure the property claiming it was a bad
is the viewers’ ____________ actor. ___________.
a. preferred b. favourite a. collateral b. liability
c. favoured d. popular c. cover d. tenure
18. If you buy a house, don’t forget to 29. The meeting was ____________ and a
_____________ it against fire. new date was communicated to everyone.
a. insure b. guard a. withdrawn b. cancelled
c. protect d. secure c. postponed d. rescheduled
19. I’d have to try and make that cake. Have 30. Mountains are some of the relief features
you got ___________ for it? that interfere with television _________.
a. a formula b. a prescription a. signal b. capture
c. an ingredient d. a recipe c. colour d. picture
20. I have a monthly bank _____________ 31. The witnesses are being ____________
sent to me so that I know how much in the court of law.
money there is in my account. a. questioned b. cross-examination
a. balance b. statement c. prosecuted d. asked
c. overdraft d. cheque 32. The ____________ from the gospel
21. The jury came back into the court and concert are earmarked for charity work.
gave their _________________. a. funds b. charges
a. verdict b. evidence c. proceeds d. fees
c. judgement d. sentence 33. The lady accepted the job although she
22. The flowers in the ___ are well arranged. would only be ______________ half her
a. mug b. bucket c. urn d. vase previous salary.
23. The deceased soldier who had saved the a. winning b. gaining
lives of his friends was given a ___award. c. earning d. deserving
a. prenatal b. posthumous 34. The convict was handed down a fair
c. post-mortem d. predicted _______________ by the judge.
24. The man who was dressed in his clerical a. remand b. charge
____________ gave a good sermon. c. trial d. sentence

35. He was instructed by an insurance 43. Dalo knew I was unwell, so it was
company to pay his ________ in time. ___________ of her to leave me alone in
a. premium b. warranty the hostel.
c. subscription d. donation a. illegal b. unfamiliar
36. Before the meeting began, the c. inconsiderate d. susceptible
chairperson read out the ____________. 44. Disgruntled football fans who ran all
a. theme b. items over the road were fined for _________
c. outline d. agenda traffic.
37. The school performed poorly due to a. restricting b. obstructing
several ___________ of indiscipline. c. baring d. blocking
a. occasions b. episodes 45. Chipeta’s request was _____________
c. cases d. series by the head teacher.
38. The witnesses have testified and now the a. passed b. agreed
accused is waiting for his ____________. c. proofed d. approved
a. verdict b. acquittal 46. One of the safety measures on the road is
c. remand d. judgement to _______ your seat belt.
39. Their colourful _________ added to the a. tie b. fasten c. put on d. wear
beauty of the play. 47. The student _________ permission to go
a. dressing b. costume out of the school campuss.
c. attire d. uniform a. obtained b. acquired
40. The condition of the sick cow gradually c. secured d. earned
______________ as the months went by. 48. Once ________ at the man gave me the
a. degraded b. subsided impression that he was excited.
c. depreciated d. deteriorated a. stare b. glance c. peep d. gaze
41. After a week of recovering well, the 49. The drunkard ________ along the road.
patient suddenly had a serious ________. a. staggered b. marched
a. shortcoming b. inversion c. strolled d. limped
c. downfall d. relapse 50. The sewing machine had to be _______
42. When Sautso ran away from the police, for cleaning.
the villagers ____________ that he was a. demolished b. detached
guilty. c. dismantled d. dissected
a. implied b. reasoned
c. realized d. predicted

TOPIC 5: QUESTION TAGS AND SHORT RESPONSES
A. QUESTION TAGS
These are questions which are asked not because we need information but confirmation of what
we already know.
The speaker wants the person addressed to agree with him or her.
For example:
a) Expecting the answer ‘yes’
They like tea don’t they?
b) Expecting the answer ‘no’

They don’t like tea, do they?
So, Question tags are grammatical phrases in form of questions which are added to statements.
RULES GOVERNING THE FORMATION OF QUESTION TAGS
1. When a statement is positive (affirmative), the question tag must be negative.

For example:
a) Marrium is a teacher, isn’t she?
b) You can speak Ngonde, can’t you?
c) His brother will defend him, won’t they?
2. When the statement is negative, the question tag must be positive

For example:
a) Mr. Mzomah is not a pilot, is he?

b) You cannot ride a lion, can you?
c) Believers do not lie, do they?
NOTE: All auxiliary verbs in the statements are repeated in the question tags, except:
i) Need and dare used positively in the statement are not repeated in the tag.
For example:
a. We need to build a good house, don’t we?
b. He dared to stone the police vehicle, didn’t he?

ii) “Used to” is treated as a full verb rather than an auxiliary.
For example:
a. Emmanuel used to visit us, didn’t he?
b. Jane and Mary used to quarrel, didn’t they?
iii) There is no form like ‘amnt I?’; instead we say "aren’t I?"
For example:
a. I am very happy, aren’t I?
b. I am an expert in vehicle repairs, aren’t I?
3. When the statements contain main verbs, the question tags take a ‘do’ ‘does’ or ‘did’
depending on the tense of the verb in the given statement.
(a) When the statement contains a present tense singular main verb, the question tag takes ‘does’
for the third person singular.
For example:
a. Manyani plays basketball, doesn’t he?
b. Favour passes every examination, doesn’t she?
(b) When the statement contains a present tense plural main verb, the question tag takes ‘do’
For example:
a. Jane and James like music, don’t they?
b. The three girls pass every examination, don't they?
(c) When the statement contains a past tense main verb, the question tag takes ‘did'
For example:
a. Weston liked eating nuts, didn’t he?
b. The girls scored good grades, didn’t they?
c. Viane did not go home, did he?
4. Statements which contain such words as ‘scarcely’, ‘no’, ‘never’, ‘seldom’, ‘barely’, ‘nothing’,
‘no one’ are treated as negatives and therefore take positive question tag.
For example:
a. Nothing was said, was it?

b. No man is an island, is he?
c. I have never played football, have I?
d. I seldom make mistakes, do I?
e. Chigomezgo rarely comes here, does she?
f. They barely visited their parents, did they?
g. They has offended no one, have they?
5. An imperative can be made into less of a command and more of a request by the addition of
affirmative tag in the future tense. All statements which show either a command or more of a
request take the future tense marker ‘will’ and the personal pronoun ‘you’ in the question tag.
This is because a command sounds negative (forcing matters)
For example:
a. Pass me sugar, will you?
b. Open the door, will you?
c. Stand up, will you?
6. All statements which start with ‘let's’ take the future tense marker ‘shall’ and the personal
pronoun ‘we’ in the question tag.
For example;
i. Let’s go, shall we?
ii. Let’s sort this out, shall we?
iii. Let’s talk about AIDS, shall we?
7. When the subject of the statement is everybody, everyone, someone, somebody, anyone,
anybody, no one, no body, none, neither, the pronoun "they" is used as the subject of the tag.
For example:
a. I don't think anyone will come, will they?
b. Neither of them attended the party, did they?
c. Everyone warned you, didn't they?
d. Nobody recognised her, did they?
B. SHORT RESPONSES
Short responses to questions ending with question tags. It is normal to answer those questions
briefly with a yes or no + subject + auxiliary verb. The short response echoes the question tag i.e.
the auxiliary verb is repeated in the same tense.

1. A positive statement with a negative question tag normally expects Yes (Positive) answer.
For example:
(a) The companies have accepted my proposal, haven’t they? Yes, they have.
(b) Juliana accepted it, didn’t she? Yes, she did.
(c) The judge will pass the verdict, won’t he? Yes, he will.
2. A negative statement with a positive question tag normally expects a No (Negative) answer.
For example:
(a) You won’t go, will you? No, I won’t.
(b) Joseph couldn’t do it, could he? No, he couldn’t
3. ADDITIONS TO STATEMENTS
There are two types of additions to statements, namely:

a. Positive agreement.
b. Negative agreement.
A. POSITIVE AGREEMENT
Its pattern is So + Positive Auxiliary + Subject.
For example:
(a) He likes coffee. So do I.
(b) I have been studying hard. So has Daniel.
(c) Doricah can produce good results. So can Thoko.
(d) Weston tried very hard to bring change. So did Rebecca.
2. NEGATIVE AGREEMENT
The pattern for negative agreement is ‘Neither + Positive Auxiliary + Subject.’
For example:
(a) I have no money. Neither has Kino.
(b) Juana doesn’t like Kino’s behavior. Neither does Thomas.
(c) The party Secretary General could not do that. Neither could the president.
Student Activity 5
Complete the following question tags or statements by choosing the best option(A, B, C or D)

1. Mbulaje is coming for the party, _______? 11. There isn’t anything better there, ______?
a. is he b. isn’t he a. are there b. is it
c. will he d. won’t he c. is there d. isn’t it
2. Let us concentrate on our work, ________? 12. You had too much to chew, _________?
a. shall we b. can we a. didn’t you b. hadn’t you
c. can’t we d. shouldn’t we c. wasn’t it d. had you
3. They handed in their work very late, ____? 13. Would you mind telling me what
a. did they b. didn’t they happened? ________________.
c. had they d. hadn’t they a. Yes, I would b. Yes, he wouldn’t
4. We can have the door closed, _________? c. No, not at all d. No, I do
a. could we b. can’t we 14. I nearly missed the bus, _____________?
c. couldn’t we d. can we a. isn’t it b. hadn’t I
5. There aren’t any pupils in the hall, _____? c. wasn’t I d. didn’t I
a. are they b. aren’t there 15. Wenger dared to lead Arsenal Football
c. are there d. aren’t they Club, ________________?
a. didn’t he b. did he
6. The girl ought to know the correct answer,
c. daren’t he d. dare he
___________?
16. They hardly paid tribute to the late
a. does she b. doesn’t she
musician, _______________?
c. ought she d. oughtn’t she
a. had they b. did they
7. We will be travelling to Kasungu next
c. didn’t they d. hadn’t they
week. ________________?
17. Arsenal Football Club has not qualified
a. aren’t we b. are we
for the European Champions League, ___?
c. won’t we d. will we
a. Nor has Manchester United
8. Let us inform him tomorrow, _________?
b. nor did Manchester United
a. should we b. shan’t we
c. neither has Manchester United
c. shall we d. shouldn’t we
d. neither did Manchester United
9. They prepared a delicious meal for us, __?
18. Neither Nyasa Big Bullets nor Mighty
a. did they b. didn’t they
Mukuru Wanderers could find the back
c. have they d. haven’t they
of the net, ___?
10. Do you smoke? ___________________
a. did it b. did they
a. Yes, I smoke b. No, I don’t smoke
c. could it d. could they
c. No, I smoke d. No, I don’t

TOPIC 6: ADVERBS
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
Conditions Sentences are adverbial clauses in which a certain result is achieved after a condition.
The clause usually begins with: if, unless, suppose that, assuming that, e.t.c. This is also
known as the adverb clause of condition or the “if” clause.
For example:
i. Unless you are careful, you will fall.
ii. If I had lost it, I would have told you.
iii. She would weep if she saw me.
Note that: when the sentence begins with the subordinate clause, a comma is inserted. But
when it starts with the main clause the comma is not used.
TYPES OF CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
There are three major types and these are:
A) Likely or possible conditions

These clauses are also known as open future conditions. They take a verb in simple present
tense in the if –clause (subordinate clause) and the future tense in the main clause.
Main clause(future tense) = Subordinate clause( If + present tense
Examples:
i) If she gets the letter, she will regret
ii) Chigomezgo will go to university if she studies with seriousness.
iii. If you speak local languages, you will not learn English.
B) Unlikely or impossible conditions

These have the simple past tense in the subordinate clause and the conditional tense in the main
clause.
Main clause (would/should + simple present) = Subordinate (If + Simple past)
Example:
i. If I were you, I would kill him.
ii. If Jane went to school, she would learn English.
iii. Rebecca would be a teacher if she passed well.

C) Rejected or hypothetical conditions
These have verbs in past perfect tense in the If clause and perfect conditional tense in the
main clause.
Main clause( would + have + past participle)= Subordinate clause( If + hard + past participle)
For example:
i. If I had gone there, I would have seen your son.
ii. Had I known, I would not have married you
iii. He would have preached well if he had prepared well.
D. USING "UNLESS" AND "BUT FOR"
Using unless or But for in conditional sentences shows negative conditions.

Unless is a conjunction meaning “If not.” while But for means "If it hadn't been for".
Examples:
i. Unless you apologise, I will punish you.
ii. Unless you repent, you will not see God.
“Unless you apologise” is exactly as saying “If you do not apologise.”
Look at these other examples where sentences have been re-written using "unless".
i If you don't give me cash, I shall not tell you the truth.
Re-written: Unless you give me cash, I shall not tell you the truth.
ii If he doesn’t dance, you should not worry.

Re-written: Unless he dances, you should not worry.
iii. If you don’t go I will not follow you.

Re-written: Unless you go I will follow you.
iv. If I were not her I would not accept his proposal.

Re-written: Unless I were her I would not accept his proposal.
v. If he had known he would not have listened to my advice.
Re-written: Unless he had known he would not have listened to my advice.
vi. He would not pass the examination if he did not work hard.
Re-written: Unless he worked hard he would not pass the examination.
Using ‘But for’

Example:

i. But for Dumisani, Misale team would have lost the game.
ii. But for his quickness, I would have been drowned.
E. THE USE OF "NO SOONER...THAN"
When no sooner is used in a sentence, it takes than. When it occurs at the beginning of a
sentence, the subject auxiliary inversion is followed.
Examples:
i. Dad had just arrived when when the rain started.
Re-written: a. Dad had no sooner arrived than the rain started.
b. No sooner had dad arrived than the rain started.
ii. I had finished working when the Dorcas entered the room.
Re-written: a. I had no sooner finished working than Dorcas entered the room.
b. No sooner had I finished working than Dorcas entered the room.
F. THE USE OF "HARDLY...WHEN"
Hardly is an adverb which conveys a negative sense when used in a sentence. It takes "when" in
a sentence. When it occurs at the beginning of the sentence, the subject auxiliary inversion is
followed. The subject inversion is a situation where the subject and the auxiliary verb exchange
positions in a sentence.
Examples
i. The program had not begun when we arrived.
Re-written: a. The program had hardly begun when we arrived.
b. Hardly had the program begun when we arrived
ii. Serah had not finished reading when the lights went off.
Re-written: a. Serah had hardly finished reading when the lights went off.
b. Hardly had Serah finished reading when the lights went off.
G. THE USE OF "ALTHOUGH", "DESPITE" OR "IN SPITE OF"
The use of Although requires a subject and a verb when it is used in a sentence. When the same
sentence use ‘Despite’ or ‘in spite of’, these two are used before a noun or gerund in a sentence.
For example:
i. Although Pauline is intelligent she failed the examination.
Re-written: a. Despite being intelligence, Pauline failed the examination.
b. In spite of being intelligent, Pauline failed the examination.
ii. In spite of danger they continued the journey.
Re-written: a. Although it was dangerous, they continued the journey.

b. Despite the danger, they continued the journey.
iii. Although he is poor, he is hardworking.
Re-written: a. In spite of being poor, he is hardworking.
b. Despite being poor, he is hardworking
c. In spite of poverty, he is hardworking.
Student Activity 6
Choose the letter(A,B,C, or D) that has the answer that best completes the sentences.
1. _____________ you agree with me, we 11. Tamara would have travelled to the lake
cannot walk together. if she ________________ a car.
a. Before b. However a. has b. had c. has had d. had had
c. Unless d. Whenever 12. If he __________ me, I would have told
2. ____________ he mocks him, he depends him the truth.
on him. a. has been asking b. had been asking
a. When b. Whereas c. If d. Though c. has asked d. had asked
3. If Tamara had worked extra hard, she 13. If Mwayi _____________ the
_______ excelled in her studies. examinations, he will go to college.
a. shall have b. would have a. would pass b. is passing
c. will have d. could have c. passed d. passes
4. The mistake _____________ avoided if 14. The guard would not have been up if he
you had been careful in the first place. __________ the truth.
a. could be b. would be a. tells b. told
c. could have been d. will have been c. had told d. had been telling
5. If we happen to see each other again, we 15. If you drink this water, you _______sick.
____________ smile. a. get b. will get
a. could b. will c. would d. can c. would get d. will have got
6. You will find us here if you ____to come. 16. If Nanthowa had joined them, she
a. decide b. should decide _______ herself.
c. can decide d. decided a. will enjoy b. had enjoyed
7. If Namagetsi were in town tomorrow, she c. would have enjoyed d. would enjoy
_________ to visit us. 17. If my father were here he ____________
a. is coming b. may come for us all.
c. will come d. would come a. would pay b. would have paid
8. I would never have accepted his apology c. will pay d. will have paid
if he ___________ humble. 18. If the sun __________ tomorrow, we’ll
a. wouldn’t be b. wasn’t go on a picnic.
c. hadn’t been d. couldn’t me a. will shine b. shines
9. If I had had a hoe, I __________ the field. c. is shining d. will be shining
a. will till b. would till 19. I will buy some oranges if the seller
c. will have tilled d. would have tilled __________ soon.
10. She will wash your clothes, provided she a. has arrived b. will arrive
______________ the time. c. shall arrive d. arrives
a. has b. will have 20. If you ___________ tomorrow, I shall
c. would have d. had accompany you.

a. come b. will come 30. No sooner __________ the door than the
c. came d. may come thief fled.
21. Shall I have to obey the teachers when I a. had I opened b. would I be opening
___________ to school? c. was I opening d. have I been opening
a. am going b. shall go 31. ________ the poor family education
c. go d. will go background, she managed to graduate with
22. I shall be grateful if you __________ me a Doctorate Degree.
the goods. a. Although b. Even though
a. will send b. shall send c. Despite d. Whereas
c. send d. are sending 32.No sooner ________ I left the place than
23. It is high time you ________ take your it started raining.
studies seriously. a. did b. had c. have d. were
a. began b. begun 33. ___________, she would have listened
c. had began d. would have been to her parents.
23. I did not know if he _______ attending a. Did she know b. Have she known
the meeting. c. If she knew d. Had she known
a. will be b. would be 34. _____had they been granted an increase
c. shall be d. would have been of pay than they asked for another.
24. If he ____________ our advice, he a. No sooner b. Sooner
would not do things this way. c. Hardly d. As soon
a. seek b. sought 35. Unless the army worms are controlled,
c. could seek d. had sought people ____________ poor harvest.
25. If I were you, I ________ till tomorrow. a. would have b. will have
a. will wait b. would wait c. will not have d. would not have
c. could wait d. would have waited 36. They said they will go to the function
26. Many will pass the MSCE examinations provided transport ______ on time.
if they _______ hard in form three. a. comes b. will come
a. had worked b. will work c. would come d. will have come
c. worked d. have worked 37. Had we known, we ________ extra food.
27. I would not sleep if I ______ to bed now. a. would bring b. would have brought
a. go b. went c. will have brought d. will bring
c. had gone d. would go 38. We would have responded if she
28. If I ___________ rich, I would have _______us.
bought an expensive car. a. has invited us b. invites us
a. were b. had been c. will invite d. had invited
c. was d. have been 39. The workers would have given up if they
29. Unless the maize in the garden is ______
fertilized it __________ high yield. a. were threatened b. had been
a. will produce b. would produce threatened
c. produces d. does not produce c. are threatened d. had been
threatened

TOPIC 7: PHRASAL VERBS
By definition, phrasal verbs refer to the combination of a verb and a preposition or adverbial
particle.
Phrasal verbs may sometimes have two or three parts. Normally, phrasal verbs have hidden
meanings (idiomatic) beyond the combined words.
Phrasal verbs can be mastered not by memorising but through reading newspapers and literary
work like short stories amongst other sources.
Phrasal verbs when used are used as verbs.
The following words are, among others, commonly used with verbs to form phrasal verbs:
They, therefore, take forms of different tenses. They can be in present, past or future tenses just
like normal verbs. Look at the examples below:
 I asked around but nobody has seen my book.
 Make a sound budget else you may end up buying what you have not planned.
 They seem to have wronged each other but I hope they will make up soon.
The sentences above are in three different tenses.
Some phrasal verbs are followed by prepositions, therefore, great care need to be taken when
using them. In such cases, the whole part is regarded as one phrasal verb.
For example:
 Why did you run away from me?
 We are looking forward to your help.
Some Examples of Phrasal verbs (in present tense):
Abide by :Accept or follow a decision or Act on: Affect

rule. Act out: Perform something with actions
Account for: To explain. and gestures..
Ache for: Want something or someone a lot. Act out: Express an emotion in your
Act on: To take action because of something behaviour.
like information received. Act up: Behave badly or strangely.

Act upon: To take action because of how life is going.
something like information received. Ask around: Ask a number of people for
Act upon: Affect information of help.
Add on: Include in a calculation. Ask for: Invite someone.
Add up: To make a mathematical total. Ask for: To provoke a negative reaction.
Add up: Be a satisfactory explanation for Ask in: To invite somebody into your house
something. Ask out: To invite someone for a date.
Add up to: Have a certain result. Ask over: Invite
Add up to: Come to a certain amount or Ask round: Invite someone.
figure. Auction off: Sell something in an auction.g
Agree with: suit
Back away: Retreat or go backwards
Aim at: To target.
Back down: Retract or withdraw your
Aim at: Intend to achieve.
position or proposal in an argument
Allow for: to consider or include something
Back into: Enter a parking area in reverse
when making plans or calculations or when
gear.
making judgement about something.
Back off: Retreat
Allow for : to make it possible for something
Back out: Fail to keep an arrangement or
to happen.
promise
Allow of: to make it possible for something
Back out of: Fail to keep an agreement,
to happen or be accepted.
arrangement.
Amount to: to be the same as soothing else
Back out of: Exit a parking area in reverse
Amount to :to result in a particular total or
gear.
amount or add up to Back up: Make a copy of computer data.
Angle for: Try to get something indirectly, Back up: Support.
by hinting or suggesting. Bag out: Criticise.
Answer back: To reply rudely to someone in Bail out: Save, rescue.
authority. Bail out: Remove water from something that
Answer for: Be held responsible for a is flooded.
problem Bail out of: Pay a bond to release someone
Answer for: Speak on behalf of someone or from jail
from knowing them Bail out on: Stop supporting someone when
Argue down: Beat someone in a debate, they are in trouble.
discussion or argument. Bail up: Talk to someone and delay them.
Argue down: Persuade someone to drop the Bail up: Rob someone at gunpoint.
price of they are selling Ball up:Confuse or make things complicated
Argue down: Try to persuade people not to Ball up: Roll or form into a round shape.
accept a proposition motion etc Bang about: Move in a place making a lot of
Argue out: Argue about a problem to find a noise.
solution Bang on: Talk at great length.
Ask about: Ask how someone is doing, Bang on about: Keep talking about
especially professionally and in terms of something
health. Bang out: Play a musical instrument loudly.
Ask after: Enquire about someone's health, Bang up: Put someone in prison.

Bang up: Damage badly esp, the car Blow in: Arrive, sometimes suddenly or
Bank on: Count or rely on. unexpectedly.
Bargain down: Persuade someone to drop Blow off: Not keep an appointment.
the price of something they are selling Blow off: Ignore, not do something.
Bargain for: Expect something to happen Blow off: Expel gas from the anus.
(usually negative) Blow out: Extinguish candles, matches, etc..
Barge in: Enter a place and interrupt. Blow out: Defeat decisively.
Barge into: Enter a place and interrupt Blow over: When a scandal gets forgotten.
people rudely Blow up: Explode.
Bawl out: Scold, shout at someone. Blow up Inflate.
Bear out: Confirm that something is correct Blow up: Enlarge (e.g., photograph).
Bear up: Resist pressure/ cope with Blow up: The beginning of a storm.
something difficult Blow up: Lose your temper, become angry.
Bear with: Be patient. Blurt out: Say something quickly without
Beat up: Attack violently. thinking, especially if you shouldn't.
Beef up: Make something stronger or more Board up: Cover windows or doors with
solid wood, metal, etc
Belt up: Fasten your seatbelt Boil over: When people lose their tempers
Black out: Fall unconscious/ lose light and things get nasty.
Blast out: Leave the ground- spaceship or Boil up: Feel a negative emotion strongly.
rocket. Boil up: Cook or heat something to boiling
Block in:Park a car and obstruct another point.
car Bolster up :Give support, reinforce,
Block in: Shade or fill in.. strengthen.
Block off: Obstruct an exit to prevent people Book in: Make a reservation in advance.
from leaving. Book in: Check in at a hotel.
Block out: Stop light from entering or Book up: Reserve.
leaving. Boot up: Start a computer.
Block out: Try not think about or feel Border on: Be located next to a place.
something because it is upsetting or painful. Border on: Be very nearly something.
Block up: Fill a space so that nothing can Bottle away: Store up.
pass. Bottle out: Lack courage to do something.
Blow away: Kill. Bottle up: Not express your feelings.
Blow away: Beat rivals or competitors by a Bounce back: Recover.
large margin. Bowl over: Surprise someone greatly
Blow away: Impress greatly. Brace up: Feel more confident or optimistic
Blow away: When the wind moves about something.
something from a place. Branch out: Move into a different area of
Blow down: When the wind forces business, etc..
something to fall. Break away: Leave an organisation, usually

to form a new one. Bring out in: Cause a health problem or
Break down: End negotiations reaction.
unsuccessfully. Bring round: Make someone wake up from
Break down: Start crying. unconsciousness or an anaesthetic.
Break down: Stop working especially a Bring up: Mention.
machine Bring up: Raise a child.
Break down: Remove a barrier or obstacle. Bring up: Be officially charged with a crime.
Break in: Go into a building to steal Brush off: Ignore, pay little attention.
something. Brush up: Improve a skill quickly.
Break in: Interrupt something. Bubble over: Become very excited.
Break off: Break a piece from something. Buckle up: Fasten a seatbelt.
Break off: End a relationship. Bug out: Open your eyes wide in surprise.
Break out :Start (war, conflict, epidemic). Build up: Develop a company.
Break out of: Escape. Build up: Increase.
Break through: Pass a barrier or obstacle. Bump into: Meet by chance
Break up: Break into many pieces. Bundle up: Wrap or tie things together.
Break up: Close an educational institution Burn down: Burn completely.
for the holidays. Burn off: Remove by burning or similar
Break up: Finish a relationship. process
Brick up: Close or fill a space with bricks. Burn out: Lose enthusiasm and energy to
Bring about: Make something happen. continue in a demanding job
Bring along: Bring someone or something to Burn up: Destroy completely by fire.
certain place. Burn up: To be or cause to be highly
Bring back: Cause someone to remember. annoyed.
Bring back: Return. Burst into: Catch fire very quickly.
Bring down: Make a government fall. Burst into: Laugh, cry or clap loudly.
Bring down: Make something cheaper. Buy into: Accept an idea.
Bring forth: Produce something, make it Buy off: Pay someone to stop them causing
known or visible. trouble.
Bring forth: Produce. Buy out: Buy somebody's share in a
Bring forth: Make something happen. company.
Bring forth: Remove something from where Buy up: Buy all of something.
it is kept or hidden Call after: Name someone after somebody
Bring forward:Make something happen else.
earlier than originally planned Call back: Return a phone call.
Bring on: Cause something to happen or Call for: Demand.
speed up Call for: Go to collect something.
Bring on: Make something appear. Call for: Telephone for something.
Bring out: Release or publish Call for: Go and collect someone to take
Bring out: Elicit a response. them out.

Call for: Require. Catch at: Take or grab hold of something.
Call in: Get someone to come and do a job Catch on: Become popular.
Call in: Stop and visit. Catch on: Finally understand what is going
Call off: Cancel. on
Call off: Order someone to stop attacking. Catch out: Discover or prove that someone
Call on: Ask for help. is lying.
Call on: Ask someone to do something, Catch out: Put someone in an unexpected
especially to speak in public. and difficult situation (often passive).
Call out: Expose or accuse someone of Catch up: Get work, etc, up to date.
wrong doing or incompetence. Catch up: Reach someone who was ahead of
Call up: Summon someone for military you.
service. Catch up in: Become involved, often against
Call up: Telephone. one’s will.
Calm down: Stop being angry or Catch up on: Do something that should have
emotionally excited. been done earlier
Cancel out: Have an opposite effect on Catch up with: Meet someone after a period
something that has happened, taking things of time and find out what they have been
back to the beginning. doing
Cap off: Finish or complete, often with some Catch up with: When something negative
decisive action. starts to have an effect.
Carried away: Get so emotional that you Catch up with: Punish someone after they
lose control. have been doing something wrong for a long
Carry forward: Include a figure in a later time.
calculation. Catch up with: Learn something new that
Carry forward: Make something progress. many people already understand
Carry off: Win, succeed. Cater for: To provide what is necessary.
Carry on: Continue. Cater to: To provide what is needed, often
Carry out: Perform a task. seen negatively.
Carry over: Continue past a certain point. Change over: Change a system.
Carry through: Complete successfully. Charge up: Put electricity into a battery.
Cash in: Convert shares, bonds, casino Charge with: Accuse somebody of a crime.
chips, etc, into money. Chase down: Try hard to find or get
Cash in on: Benefit or make money on something.
something, especially if done unfairly. Chase off :Force a person to leave or go
Cash out: Illegally access a bank account or away.
credit card and steal money. Chase up: Ensure that someone remembers
Cash out: Exchange something for money, to do something.
collect winnings. Chase up: Try to get someone to pay a bill,
Cast off: Dispose, get rid of. debt, etc.
Cast out: Expel, reject. Chase up: Try to get more information about

the progress of something Clear off: Leave somewhere quickly.
Cheat on: Deceive or betray, often in a Clear out/up: Tidy up thoroughly and throw
sexual and/or emotional context away unwanted stuff
Check in: Register on arriving at a hotel or Clear up: Explain.
at the airport. Clear up: Improve (weather).
Check off: Mark something on a list as Cling on: Hold tight.
done. Cling on to: Try to keep something or to
Check out: Pay the bill when leaving a maintain beliefs, hopes, etc..
hotel. Close down: Close a shop, branch or
Check out of: Settle up and pay before business permanently.
leaving a hotel Close down: Stop an opponent being a
Check over: Check something very carefully challenge.
Cheer on: Encourage. Close in: Surround, envelop.
Cheer up: Be less unhappy. Close in: Approach, get near.
Chew off: Remove by biting. Close in on: Get near someone.
Chew on:Thinks about something carefully Close in upon: Get near someone.
before deciding Close off : Block a place to stop people
Chew over :Think about an issue. entering.
Chew up: Chew up Damage something Close on : Get nearer.
inside a machine Close out .
Chill out: Relax. Close out: Close or stop using.
Chip away at: Gradually reduce something Cloud over: Get very cloudy.
to make it less powerful, effective, etc. Come about: Come across Find by accident.
Chip in: Contribute some money or idea in a Come along: Come along Move faster or
discussion keep up.
Choke off: Stop or restrict. Come apart: Break into pieces..
Choke out: Clog or overwhelm. Come around: to Agree with or accept
Choke up: Become tearfully emotional. something you had previously disapproved
Chop down: Fell or cut down a tree. of or disliked..
Chop up: Cut into small pieces Come back: Return
Chuck away: Dispose of something you no Come before: Appear in court charged with
longer need or want a crime or offence
Chuck up: Vomit, be sick. Come by: Visit.
Clamp down on: Restrict or try to stop Come by: Acquire.
something. Come down: Rain.
Clean off: Remove dirt or something dirty. Come down on: Criticise heavily.
Clean out: Tidy up thoroughly and throw Come forth with: Provide information.
away unwanted things Come in: Arrive for flights.
Clear away: Leave a place. Come in: Receive news.
Clear away: Remove or tidy. Come into use: Start being used.

Come off: When something breaks off. Count down: Wait impatiently or excitedly
Come off: Be successful. for something to happen.
Come on: Encouragement. Count for: Be recognised as important,
Come out: A secret is revealed. worthwhile or valuable.
Come out: Be published or otherwise Count in :Include or involve
available to the public. Count on/upon :Depend, rely.
Come out: When the sun appears Count on: Expect something to happen and
Come out of: Recover consciousness. base plans on it.
Come out with: Make something available. Count out: Exclude
Come out with: Say something publicly and Count up: Add.
unexpectedly Cover for: Provide an excuse
Come over: Affect mentally in such a way as Cover for: Do someone's work while they
to change behaviour (related to 'overcome'). are temporarily absent
Come through: Arrive (messages and Cover up: Conceal, try to stop people
information). finding out
Come through: Communicate an emotion. Crack down on/on :Use more authority than
Come through: Produce a result. usual
Come through with: Provide something Crack up: Have a nervous breakdown.
needed. Crack up: Burst out laughing
Come to: Become conscious, wake up from Crack up: Damage a car badly.
anaesthetic. Cream off: Separate the best or most
Come to: Result in. talented people so that they can receive
Come up: Appear. special or different treatment.
Come up: Rise (the sun). Creep in: Get included despite attempts to
Come up against: Encounter problems or keep it or them out
difficulties. Creep over: Start to have a negative feeling.
Come up with: Think of solution, excuse, etc Creep up on: Approach without someone
Come upon: Find by chance. realising.
Conjure up: Create something without many Crop up: Appear unexpectedly
resources. Cross off : Delete, remove from a list.
Cool down: Get cooler Cross out: Put as line through some writing
Cool down: Become calm. to show it is wrong.
Cool off: Become calmer. Cross up: Confuse, deceive.
Cost up: Calculate how expensive some Cruise through: Pass or succeed easily.
work is going to be. Crumb down: Clear a table in a restaurant.
Cough up: Lose possession of a ball, etc. in Cry out : Shout because you are in pain.
a contact sport. Cut across: Go across a place rather than
Cough up: Expel something from your lungs around it to make the journey quicker.
or throat by coughing. Cut across: Affect people of different
Could do with: Need or want something groups, classes, etc.

Cut back :Reduce/ Remove branches from a Dig up: Remove something from the ground.
plant or tree to encourage future growth. Dig up: Make a hole in a road, the ground,
Cut back on: Reduce expenditure. etc
Cut down : Consume less. Dine out: Have dinner outside your home.
Cut down :Cut something from high . Dip in: Put something in a liquid for a short
Cut down on :Reduce time
Cut in: Drive in front of another vehicle Dish out: Serve food
without warning. Dish out :Give something, usually when you
Cut in: Interrupt. shouldn't
Cut it out : Stop your unfair or unreasonable Dive in: Start doing something, usually
behavior without planning.
Cut off: Disconnect Dive into: Reach inside something quickly.
Cut off : Isolate or make inaccessible Divide up: Share.
Cut out :Exclude. Do away with: Abolish, get rid of.
Cut out :Cut a picture or similar from a Do up: Repair and renovate.
magazine, etc Do with: Wish for or ask for (usually after
Cut up: Cut into smaller pieces. can or could). E.g.I could do with a cold
Damp down: Calm or reduce feelings, beer about now.
emotions. Do without: Manage without something.
Dash down: Write something quickly Double as/up: Have a second function or
Dash off: Leave somewhere quickly purpose.
Dawn on: Finally realise or understand Doze off :Fall asleep.
something. Drag on: Be unnecessarily long.
Decide on/upon: Choose, select. Draw back: Retreat, move backwards.
Decide upon: Choose, select. Draw down: To deplete by consumption or
Die away:Become quieter/ inaudible (sound) heavy spending.
Die down: Decrease or become quieter. Draw even: Equalize one’s competitive
Die for: Want something a lot. position.
Die off : Become extinct. Draw in: Get dark earlier.
Die out :Become extinct or disappear. Draw in:Arrive at a station(for trains/buses).
Dig in :Excavate a protective shelter Draw into: Get involved in something
(military). unpleasant.
Dig into/fish out: Reach inside to get Draw up: Prepare a contract.
something. Draw up: When a vehicle stops.
Dig out: Find something you haven't used, Dream of: think or consider.
seen, etc, for a long time.. Dream up: Invent something, have an idea.
Dig out: Dig to remove something or Dress down: Dress casually.
someone from. Dress down: Scold.
Dig up: Find something that is supposed to Dress up: Dress very smartly.
be secret. Drift apart: Slowly cease to be close to or

friends with someone. lake, source, etc.
Drift off: Start to fall asleep Dry up: Stop being supplied with something/
Drill down: Search through layers of have nothing especially income
information on a computer Dry up: Be unable/ run out of ideas to speak.
Drill down through: Get to the bottom of Dry up: Dry plates, dishes, cutlery, etc, after
something, get detailed data. washing them up
Drink up: Finish a drink. Duck out of: Avoid doing something.
Drive away: Force an animal or someone to Dwell on/upon: Spend a lot of time on
leave a place. something.
Drive back :Repulse, force back. Ease off: Reduce pressure.
Drive off: Drive away from a place. Ease up: Relax, calm down.
Drive out: Force someone to leave a place. Eat away: Destroy slowly
Drive up: Make something increase. Eat up: Eat all of something
Drive up: Arrive in a vehicle. Eat up: Consume.
Drop around: Visit someone, often without Edge out: Gradually push someone or
making an arrangement. something out of their
Drop around: Deliver Edge up: Approach slowly.
Drop away: Become smaller- amount, Embark on/upon: Start a project or venture
numbers. Empty out: Remove something completely.
Drop back: Move towards the back of a End in: Finish a certain way.
group End up: Become or do something
Drop by: Pay a brief visit unplanned.
Drop in: Visit without having made End up with: Get as a result of something.
arrangements. Enter for: Join or enter a competition.
Drop off: Take something or someone to a Enter into: Become involved in or accept.
place and leave it or them there. Eye up: Look carefully at someone.
Drop off: Fall asleep Fall about: Laugh a lot.
Drop off: Decrease in number or amount. Fall apart: Break into pieces.
Drop out: Quit a course Fall apart: Become emotionally disturbed
Drop over: Visit for a short time and unable to behave normally.
Drop through: Come to nothing, produce no Fall back: Retreat.
results. Fall behind: Make less progress.
Drown in: Cover excessively with liquid. Fall down: Fall on the ground
Drown out: Be so loud that another sound Fall for: Be attracted to, fall in love.
cannot be heard. Fall for:Believe a lie or a piece of deception
Drum up: Increase support or interest. Fall in: Collapse eg. The ceiling fell in
Dry off: Dry something quickly, or dry the hurting a lot of people
surface. Fall into: Start doing something unplanned.
Dry out : Dry something fully. Fall off: Decrease.
Dry up: Lose all the water from a river, Fall out: Argue and be on bad terms with

someone. File away: Put a document in the correct
Fall out: Lose hair. place for storage in a filing system
Fall over: Fall on the ground. File for: Apply for something legally, like
Fall through: Be unsuccessful divorce or bankruptcy.
Fall under: Become controlled. Fill in: Complete a form
Fasten down: Tie something so that it Fill in: Substitute someone at work or act on
doesn't move. behalf.
Fasten onto: Follow someone closely, esp. Fill in on: Give someone information
when they don't want your company. Fill out: Complete a form
Fasten up: Close, attach e.g. seatbelts. Fill up :Fill something completely
Fathom out: Understand something Filter out: Remove something unwanted.
Fatten up: Give an animal a lot to eat to Find out : Discover.
make it fat Finish off: Finish completely.
Feed off: Eat food as part of an animals diet Finish off: Kill a person or animal, often
Feed off: Use something to your advantage when they have already been hurt.
Feed on: Consume in an animal's diet. Finish off: Beat, make game victory certain
Feed on: Give something to animals a Finish up : Finally get somewhere, usually
particular food. without planning to go there.
Feed up: Give someone a lot of food to Finish up with: Have or do something at the
restore their health, make them bigger, etc. end or as the last of something.
Fence in: Enclose an area. Finish with: End a relationship.
Fence off: Enclose an area to keep animals Finish with: Stop dealing with someone.
or people out. Finish with: Finish using or requiring. Eg.
Fend for: Take care of yourself or someone Can I read the paper once finished with it.
with help from other people. Fire off : Shoot, fire a gun (usually
Fend off: Resist something successfully. repeatedly).
Fiddle about/around: Waste time doing silly Fire up: Excite, become excited.
things, or doing things unsuccessfully. Firm up: Make things clearer in a
Fiddle away: Waste time negotiation or discussion.
Fight back :Defend yourself, resist an Firm up: Exercise to make muscles harder
attack. and remove fat
Fight back: Try to control and emotion and Fish for: Try to get some information or to
keep it get someone to say something
Fight it out/battle it out: Struggle to see who Fish out: Remove something from a bag,
wins, both by arguing or fighting pocket, etc.
Fight off: Fight an attacker and force them Fish out: Remove from water, such as the
back. sea, rivers, etc.
Fight off: Resist an illness or emotion. Fit in: Get on in a group of people.
Figure on: Plan, expect. Fit in: Have enough time or space for
Figure out: Find the answer to a problem. something

Fit in with: Be convenient or occur Freeze out :Force to retire or withdraw from
conveniently at the right time or as planned. membership, a job, etc.
Fit into: Become part of. Freeze over: Become covered with ice (lake,
Fix up: Make an arrangement. river, pond, etc).
Flag down: Signal at a vehicle to stop it. Freeze up: Be blocked with ice.
Flag up: Raise an issue, or highlight its Freeze up : Stop working because the parts
importance. of a machine won't move.
Flare out: Get angry suddenly. Freeze up: When a computer stops working.
Flare up: When trouble suddenly appears. Freeze up: Be paralysed with fear.
Flick through/flip through(magazine/book): Freshen up: Wash quickly and improve
Look through something quickly eg appearance.
magazine or TV station to check what is on. Freshen up: Add more alcohol to a glass
Flip off: Extend your middle finger as a before it is empty.
gesture of contempt. Frighten away: Scare someone so much that
Flip out: Become very excited and lose they go away.
control Frighten away: Scare or worry someone
Fluff out/up: Shake or pat a cushion so that enough to stop them doing something they
it fills with air. had planned.
Fly about/around: Circulate (rumours, etc). Frighten off: Scare someone so much that
Fly by: When time appears to move quickly. they go away.
Focus on: Concentrate. Frighten off: Scare or worry someone
Fold up: Make a sheet of paper smaller. enough to stop them doing something they
Follow on: Leave to meet someone after had planned
they have left the place you're at. Frown on : Disapprove.
Follow through: Do what is necessary to Gang up: Form a group against something
complete something or make it successful. or someone.
Follow up: Do something to check or Gang up against/on: Harass, bully (in a
improve an earlier action. group).
Follow up: Find out a problem and act on Gear to: Organise or arrange something for
Fool about: Not be serious. a particular purpose, audience, etc. (Often
Fool about: Be unfaithful. passive)
Fool around: Not be serious Gear towards: Organise or arrange
Fool around: Be unfaithful. something for a particular purpose,
Fool with: Play with something dangerous audience, etc.
Forge ahead: Make a lot of progress in a Get above: Behave as if you are better or
short time. more important than others.
Forge ahead: Move forwards very quickly. Get across: Communicate successfully
Freak out: Become very disturbed or angry. Get across: Go from one side to the other.
Freeze out: Shut out or exclude by Get after: Chase.
unfriendly treatment. Get ahead: Progress.

Get ahead of: Move in front of. Get down: Manage to swallow.
Get along / along with: Have a good Get down: Descend, leave a vehicle.
relationship. Get down: Leave the table after eating.
Get along/ along in : Progess. Get along Get down to: Start working seriously.
with Have a good relationship with Get in: Arrange for someone to do a job in
someone. your home, workplace, etc.
Get along with: Deal with, handle a Get in: Arrive (train, plane, etc.). Her plane
situation GETS IN at 2am our time.
Get around: Persuade, convince. Get in: Arrive home.
Get around to: Finally manage to do Get in: Enter a car or building.
something, make the effort to do something. Get in with: Become friendly with,
Get at: Criticise. ingratiate with
Get at: driving at (Meaning). Get into: Become involved or interested
Get at: Be able to reach, find, access Get into: Be accepted or admitted.
Get at: Use threats, payments, bribes, etc, to Get into: Start a habit or way of acting or
affect someone's testimony or decision. behaving
Get away: Escape. Get off: Escape punishment.
Get away:Go on holiday or for a short break Get off: Leave a bus, train, etc..
Get away with :Not get caught, criticised or Get off!: Don't touch, leave alone.
punished for doing something wrong. Get on: Continue doing something.
Get away with: Achieve something, despite Get on: Make progress, deal with something
not doing it correctly or properly with a reasonable degree of success.
Get back: Return. Get on: Have a good relationship
Get back: Return something. Get on at: Criticise unfairly.
Get back :Revenge Get on with: Have a good relationship.
Get back at : Take revenge. Get onto: Start discussing a topic.
Get back into: Start doing something after Get onto: Enter a plane, train, etc.
stopping for some time Get out: Leave the house to visit place and
Get back to: Respond to a contact socialise.
Get back to: Respond when you know the Get out: Become known when people want it
answer. to remain secret.
Get back to: Start doing something again Get out: Leave a place, escape.
after an interruption. Get(sthng) out: Remove something from
Get back together: Restart a relationship. where it is stored to use it
Get behind: Support. Get out: Remove dirt or something
Get by on: Manage on a certain amount of unwanted
money. Get out: Publish, make available for the
Get by with: Have enough of something to public to see or buy.
do the job. Get out of: Leave a car, van, etc..
Get down: Write, record. Get out of: Stop a regular activity or habit.

Get out of: Make someone confess or tell the playing badly, etc.
truth. Give away: Betray, report to authorities.
Get over: Recover from something, feel Give back: Return something that someone
better. has lost.
Get over: Solve, find a solution Give in: Stop doing something because it's
Get over: Communicate, make people too hard or requires too much energy.
understand. Give in: Submit homework, etc.
Get through: Finish. Give in: Surrender, accept defeat.
Get through: Help someone or something Give in to: Agree to something you don't like
succeed or pass a test or exam. Give in to: Allow a feeling or desire to
Get through: Endure or deal with a difficult control you.
experience. Give it to: Criticise harshly or punish
Get through: Be accepted or passed (laws, someone for something.
proposals, etc). Give off: Emit pollution or something else
Get through: Manage to pass unpleasant.
Get through: Arrive. Give out: Distribute.
Get through: to Make someone understand. Give over to: Transfer responsibility to.
Get through:to Contact, especially by phone. Give up: Stop doing something that has
Get through: to Reach a stage in a been a habit.
competition. Give up: Surrender, stop trying.
Get to: Arrive. Give up: Allow someone to sit in your chair,
Get to: Start discussing a topic or go to the take your place, etc.
point Give up on: Lose faith in or stop believing
Get to: Have the opportunity to do in something or someone.
something. Give way: Collapse, break.
Get together: Meet socially. Give way to: Yield, surrender, retreat.
Get up: Get out of bed. Give way: to Relinquish position or
Get up: Organise. ascendancy.
Get up to: Do something wrong or naughty. Give way: to Be replaced by something
Ghost away: Remove someone secretly of better, cheaper, more modern, etc.
discreetly. Give way:to Allow a vehicle to pass in front.
Give away: Entrust your daughter to her Give way to: Surrender to strong emotions.
husband through the marriage ceremony Give up: Surrender to the police/authorities.
Give away : Tell a secret, often Go about: Deal with something.
unintentionally. Go about: Circulate
Give away: Distribute something for free. Go across: Move to another side or place.
Give away : Give without asking for or Go after: Chase, try to get
expecting payment Go against: Lose decision/verdict of a court
Give away: Give an advantage to your Go ahead(with): Proceed ot proceed with
opponent in a sport by making a mistake, Go before: Precede.

Go by: The passing of time. Grow upon: Like something that you didn't
Go down: Decrease, get smaller. like at first.
Go down: Sink. Gun for: Try to destroy an opponent.
Go down Sunset Hack into: Break into a computer system
Go down: Be eaten or swallowed. Hack up :Chop or cut into small pieces.
Go down: Fall to the ground. Hammer away at: Work relentlessly.
Go down : Stop working, especially Hammer into: Repeat something over a
computers. Eg. The computer system WENT period of time to make someone remember it
DOWN for an hour last night. Hand back: Return something.
Go down: Be received by people, in terms of Hand down: Pass on to the next generation.
their reaction. Hand down: Give a formal decision.
Go down to: Be defeated. Hand in: Submit work for appraisal.
Go down with: Fall ill. Hand on: Give to someone else.
Go for: Attack. Hand on: Transmit knowledge to the next
Go for: Choose, select. generation.
Go in for: Like, have an interest in Hand out: Distribute.
Go off: Stop working (electric/electronic Hand over: Give
equipment). Hang about: Spend time somewhere not
Go off with: Elope, run away with someone. doing much
Go off with: Steal. Hang around: Stay in a place.
Go on: Continue. Hang back (from): Delay or avoid doing
Go on: Progress.. something.
Go past “Pass without stopping. Hang it up: Retire, quit
Go round: Circulate Hang on: Wait.
Go through: Experience. Hang onto: Keep.
Go towards: Contribute. Hang out: Spend time socially.
Go up :Rise or climb. Hang out for: Wait or refuse to do
Goof around: Fool around, not be serious. something until you get what you want.
Goof up: Mess, spoil. Hang together: Work together when things
Grasp at: Try to take hold of something are difficult.
quickly Hang up: End a phone call.
Grasp at: Take an opportunity without Hang with: Spend time with.
hesitation. Hate on: Be jealous, abuse or have an active
Grind down: Reduce or destroy someone's hatred of someone.
enthusiasm. Have on: Have an electronic device
Grind into: Press or twist something hard switched on
into something else. Head for: Move or travel towards
Grind up: Reduce to small pieces. Head off: Stop someone or force them to
Grow up: Develop in a place or for a reason change direction.
(city, town, etc Head off: Prevent something bad happening.

Head off: Leave somewhere to go to another Hold up: Being Delayed when travelling.
place Hook into: Persuade someone to do
Head up: Be in charge. something they don't want to do.
Hear about: Get to know some information Hook up: Meet someone
Hear from: Receive a phone call, email, Hunt down: Search for someone to punish
letter or other communication from someone or kill them.
Hear of: Know of something or someone's Hunt out: Search until you find something.
existence Hunt up: Search for and manage to find
Hear of: Receive news, updates or something
information about someone. Iron out: Remove small problems or
Heat up: Make food hot. irregularities.
Help out: Give assistance. Jam on: Apply or operate something
Hinge on: Depend very much or completely. forcefully
Hinge on: Be an essential point for the Joke around: Be funny, or try to.
development of a story. Jot down: Make a quick note
Hinge upon: Depend very much or Juice up: Make something more exciting or
completely. perform better
Hit back: Attack or criticise. Jump in: Enter a conversation
Hit for: Get someone to pay or donate Jump on: Criticize, attack
money Keep around: Keep something near you
Hit out at: Respond angrily to criticism. Keep at: Continue with something difficult.
Hold against: Have a grudge against Keep away: Don't allow someone near
someone, or little respect. something.
Hold back: Not show emotion. Keep back: Maintain a safe distance.
Hold back: Prevent something moving Keep from: Control yourself, refrain.
forwards or progressing. Keep in: Not allow someone out.
Hold back : Not disclose information or Keep off: Not talk about.
make it public. Keep off: Not tread on something.
Hold back from: Not allow yourself to do Keep on :Continue.
something Keep out: Not allow someone to enter.
Hold down: Stop someone or something Keep up: Not let someone go to bed.
from moving. Keep up: Maintain a continuous action,
Hold off : Stop someone from attacking or persist.
beating you. Keep up at: Continue, not quit.
Hold on: Wait. Keep up with: Move at the same rate.
Hold on :To hold tightly.. Keep up with: Stay up to date
Hold onto: Keep as long as possible. Kick down: Break something with your feet
Hold out for: Wait for something better or Kick off: Start a game of football.
refuse something now for something better Kick off :When trouble starts
in the future. Kick out: Expel.

Kill off: Reduce or exterminate a population Let off :Not punish.
by hunting, pollution, development, etc.. Let out: Allow to leave or go out.
Knock about: Beat someone Level off: Stabilize the altitude of airplane
Knock back: Shock. Lie down: Rest.
Knock down: Demolish.. Lie with: Have the right to make a decision.
Knock down: Hit and injure someone. Eg. The decision about the contract LIES
Knock off: Finish work for the day. WITH the courts.
Knock off: Produce or create something Light up :Light or start smoking a cigarette
quickly. Light up: Illuminate.
Knock out: Hit and make somebody Lighten up: Be less serious.
unconscious. Line up: Arrange in a line.
Land in :Get someone into trouble. Line up: Arrange events for someone
Land up in: Arrive, end a journey in a place, Link up :Connect, join.
often without planning. Link up with: Connect with someone or
Lash down: Fall heavily (rain). contact them.
Lash down: Secure sthing with ropes/ cords Listen up: Pay attention (often used as a
Lash into: Criticise someone strongly. command
Lash out: Suddenly become violent Live by: Follow a belief system to guide
Lash out: React angrily. your behaviour.
Lash out: Spend a lot of money on luxuries. Live for: Believe something is extremely
Lash out against: Criticise something important.
strongly. Live on: Not be forgotten. e.g. He's been
Laugh off: Pretend something (an injury, dead for many years, but his name LIVES
news, etc.) isn’t important. ON
Lay down: Establish rules or procedures. Live together/with: Have a relationship and
Lay off: Make an employee redundant. live in the same place without marrying.
Lay on: Organise, supply. Live up to: Meet expectations or standards.
Lead to: Result in. Live with :Accept something unpleasant.
Leak out: Become public knowledge. Load down: Burden(verb).
Lean on: Put pressure on someone to get Load up: Fill a machine or vehicle.
them to do what you want. Lock away: Lock in a safe place.
Leap at: Take an opportunity Lock away: Put someone in prison or a
enthusiastically mental hospital for a very long time.
Leap on: Show interest in or try to use Lock down: Make very secure
something to your advantage. Lock in: Lock a place to stop someone
Leave(smthing) on: Not turn off. leaving.
Leave out: Not include. Lock(someone) out : close a place to stop
Let down: Disappoint, fail to keep an someone getting in.
arrangement. Lock up: Close all doors, windows, etc..
Let in: Allow someone to enter. Lock up: Lock something in a safe place

Lock up: Put in prison or a mental hospital. Make out: Be able to see or hear something.
Log in/into: Enter a restricted area on a Make towards: Head in the direction.
computer system. Make up: Stop being angry with someone.
Log off/out: Exit a computer system. Make up: Put on cosmetics.
Look after: Take care. Make up: Invent a story.
Look back: Think about the past. Make up for: Compensate.
Look down on: despise, demean, have a low Mark off: Tick, cross out/mark something to
opinion of. show that it has been dealt with.
Look for: Try to find. Mark up(opp. of mark down): Increase the
Look forward to: Wait for or anticipate price of something.
something pleasant Mash up: Mix sources of audio, video or
Look into: examine, research, other computer sources.
investigate(not scientific). Measure up: Find the size of something.
Look on: Watch something like a crime Measure up: Be good enough, meet the
without helping or taking part required standard.
Look on as: Consider, regard. Melt down: Heat something solid, especially
Look out: Be careful metal, until it becomes liquid.
Look out for: Keep alert and try to see. Mess around with: Have a sexual
Look through: Read quickly. relationship outside marriage or a
Look to :Expect, hope. permanent relationship.
Look up: Consult a reference work Mess over: Treat someone badly.
(dictionary, phonebook, etc.) for a specific Mess up: Spoil or ruin.
piece of information.. Mess up: Make something untidy or dirty.
Look up: Find, trace an old friend. Mess with: Become involved in something
Loosen up: Become more relaxed or damaging or dangerous.
comfortable. Mess with: Annoy, bother.
Lose out: Be at a disadvantage. Mess with : Associate (negative).
Lose out to Be less successful. Mete out :Give people harsh punishments or
Lust after: Be attracted sexually. treatment
Lust after: Want something very much. Miss out: Not do something enjoyable or
Make after: Chase. rewarding
Make away with: Steal. Miss out: Not include.
Make for: Head in a certain direction Mix up: Confuse.
Make into: Change something into Mix up: Make something lively. e.g. The DJ
something else. MIXED UP the night with some hard
Make it: Arrive or get a result techno.
Make it up: to Try to compensate for doing Mock up: Make a model of something to
something wrong. show or test it.
Make off: Leave somewhere in a hurry. Mop up: Resolve a problem.
Make out:Discern/understand a small detail Mop up:Remove a liquid that has been spilt.

Mount up: Increase over time. Pack off: Send someone away.
Move ahead :Make progress, often after a Pack out: Fill a venue.
pause or delay. Pack up: Collect things and put them where
Move along: Develop or progress in a you keep them.
reasonable or satisfactory manner. Pal up: Become friends.
Move away: Leave the area where you have Palm off: Get someone to accept something
been living. that isn't true.
Move away from: Stop doing or using Part with: Give something away, especially
something to change to something different. when you don't want to.
Move in: Start living in a place. Pass around: Give out something to
Move into: Start living in a place. everybody there.
Move on :Change the subject or your job Pass away: Die.
Move out :Leave a place you live or work in Pass back: Return.
Move out :Remove. Pass by: Go past without stopping.
Move towards: Make preparations for Pass by: Visit briefly
something. Pass down: Transmit information or give
Move up :Move to make space. property to younger generations.
Mull over: Think about an issue or problem. Pass off: Happen in a certain way.
Nag at: Repeatedly criticise someone Pass on: Give a message to someone.
verbally. Pass on: Decline an invitation/ opportunity.
Nail down: Succeed in getting, achieve. Pass on: Die.
Nail down: Understand fully. Pass on to: Change topic or subject.
Name after: Give someone a name to Pass out: Faint, lose consciousness.
remember another person. Pass out: Distribute.
Narrow down: Remove less important Pass round:Distribute/give/present to people
options to make it easier to choose Pass through: Visit a place without stopping
Nod off: Fall asleep. or only stopping briefly.
Note down: Write something short like a Pass through: go through/ encounter things
phone number for future reference.. Pass to :Give ownership or responsibility to
Open up: Start to talk freely about smthing. someone.
Open up: Open a shop/business for the day. Pay back: Repay money borrowed
Operate on: Perform surgery. Pay back: Take revenge on
Opt for: Choose. Pay for: Purchase
Opt in/into: Choose to be part or a member Pay into: Deposit money.
of something. Pay off: Completely repay a debt
Opt out: Choose not to be part of something. Pay off: Produce a profitable or successful
Owe to: Be the reason for something. result.
Pack away:Put something where it belongs. Peg down: Fasten something to the ground.
Pack in: Stop doing something/ breakdown Peg out: Put the washing outside to dry
Pack in: Fill a venue. Phase in :Introduce gradually.

Phase out: Remove gradually. Play up to: Flatter someone.
Pick off : Target individuals to change a Play up to: Behave in a way expected.
group. Play with: Touch and move something to
Pick on :Bother, annoy, criticize or make occupy your hands.
fun of someone. Plead out: Plead guilty to get a reduced
Pick out: Identify from a picture. sentence or fine.
Pick through: Search something that is Plough back: Re-invest money you have
disordered for something. made into a business.
Pick up: Learn quickly. Pluck at: Pull or fiddle with something
Pick up: Collect. nervously.
Pick up after:Tidy a mess someone has made Plug in: Connect machines to the electricity
Pick up on: Correct someone when they say supply.
something wrong. Point out: Make someone aware of
Pick up on :React to something. something.
Pick up on: Comment on something said Poke about: Move things around or search
earlier in a conversation in a casual way to try to find something.
Pile up: Accumulate or accumulating into a Polish off :Finish, consume
heap Polish up: Improve something quickly.
Pin down: Get a fixed idea, opinion, etc, Pop in: Visit for a short time.
from someone. Pop off/out: Go out for a short time.
Pin down: Discover exact details about Pour down: Rain hard.
something. Power down/off: Cut the electricity supply
Pin up: Fix something to a wall, or other to a computer or electronic device.
vertical surface, with a pin Power up: Turn a computer or electronic
Plant out: Put a young plant that has been device on so that it is ready to use.
grown in a pot/greenhouse into the ground. Press ahead: Continue with something.
Play around: Be silly. Press for: Apply pressure to get permission
Play around: Be sexually promiscuous or or to obtain something.
unfaithful. Press forward with: Continue or go ahead
Play at: Pretend to be something. with a project, process, plan, etc.
Play back: Listen to or watch something Press into: Bring or force into use.
you've recorded. Press on: Continue with something.
Play down: Try to make something seem less Prey on: (animal) catch and kill another
important. animal for food.
Play off : Play a game to decide who the Price up: Charge more for something.
winner is. Print out: Make a hard copy of a computer
Play on: Continue playing a sport though document.
there might be a reason to stop. Pull ahead: Overtake, move in front.
Play on: Continue playing music. Pull apart: Destroy an argument, theory, etc.
Play on/upon: Exploit a weakness. Pull apart: Stop people or animals fighting

Pull away:( vehicle) moves from a place. Quarrel out: Argue with someone about a
Pull back: Score a goal or point when losing specific subject.
Pull back: Move away from a place, Quarrel with: Dispute or disagree with
especially when talking about soldiers. something.
Pull back: Move away from someone. Quieten down: Fall silent
Pull back: Decide not to do something or not Quit on: Stop working/functioning, or
to be involved with it any longer. associating with someone, espec. when they
Pull down: Demolish. need support.
Pull in: When a train arrives at a station. Race off: Hurry away, leave somewhere
Pull in: Attract. quickly.
Pull in/over: Stop a car by the road side Rain down on: Fall in large numbers. E.g
Pull off: Start moving (vehicles). Bombs rained down on the Ukrainian cities.
Pull on: Put clothes on. Rake in: Earn, make money easily
Pull out: Start moving (train). Rake it in: Make a lot of money.
Pull out: Move out of traffic. Ramble on: Talk at length without getting to
Pull out: Withdraw. the point
Pull together: Work together as a team. Or Rat on: Inform authorities about someone's
regain control of your emotions wrongdoings.
Pull up: Slow and stop a car. Reach out: Stretch your arm to get smthing.
Put across: Communicate, convey a message Reach out for: Try to achieve something
Put aside: save something e,g. money. difficult.
Put away: Put something back in the correct Reach out to: Ask for help.
place. Reach out to: Offer help.
Put away: give up or denounce Reach out to: Try to communicate and
Put down: Stop holding (but withdraw) establish good relations with people.
Put forward: propose Read off: Read a list aloud for someone to
Put in: Install. write down.
Put off: Postpone. Read out: Read aloud rather than silently.
Put off: Stop liking something or somebody. Read up on: Research. E.g. I've been
Put on: Get fat. reading up on Japan as I'm going there next
Put on: Start wearing. year.
Put out: Extinguish a cigarette, fire, etc.. Reel off: Quote statistics or facts rapidly
Put through: Connect someone by phone. Reel off: Score a lot of points or win a lot of
Put(something) towards: Make a financial games one after the other.
contribution. Rent out: Let, grant a service or allow usage
Put up: Allow someone to stay at your house for a fee
for a night or a few days. Ride off: Go away on a bike, horse, etc.
Put up: Show skill or determination in a Ride on: Depend on.
contest, competition, fight, etc. Ring back: Return a phone call.
Put up with: Tolerate. Ring in: Telephone to inform or confirm

something. Run on: Be powered by e.g. The van runs on
Ring off: Finish a phone conversation diesel.
Ring out: Make a sudden loud sound Run out of : Have none left.
Rip off :Charge excessively or obtain money Run over: Hit with a vehicle.
unfairly. Run to: Go to someone for help.
Roll back: Retreat. Rush away: Leave a place in a hurry.
Roll back: Reduce or remove. Rush into: Do something too quickly.
Roll by: Pass (time). Rush off: Depart in a hurry.
Roll on: When smthing continues to happen. Saddle up: Put a saddle on and prepare an
Roll out: Launch or introduce a new animal to ride.
product, initiative, etc.. Sail through: Pass easily, succeed.
Roll up: To appear in large numbers for an Save on: Reduce or avoid consumption to
event. cut costs.
Romp in: Win easily. Save up (for): keep money for a particular
Root out: Find the source of a problem and purpose.
remove it. Saw off: To remove something by cutting it
Root up: Dig a plant out of the ground. with a saw.
Rope in: Get somebody to help. Saw up: Cut into pieces with a saw.
Rope into: Get someone to help or become Scale back/down(opp. scale up): Make
involved, usually when they don't want to. something smaller than originally planned.
Rough up: Assault. Scare away: Frighten someone some much
Round off: Finish something in a that they go away.
satisfactory manner. Scout about: Look in different places for
Rub down: Dry/ clean smthing with a cloth. something.
Rub in: Apply a substance like cream or Scout out: Search for something.
ointment and rub it until it is absorbed. Scout up: Try to find someone for a task or
Rub out: Delete ink or pencil with an eraser requirement.
Rule out: Exclude a possibility. Screen out: Exclude.
Run across: Meet or find accidentally See into: Accompany someone into an office
Run after: Chase, pursue. See off: Go to the airport, station, etc., to
Run after: Try to become romantically say goodbye to someone.
involved with someone. See out: Accompany a guest to your front
Run against: Oppose, make difficulties door when they are leaving your house.
Run around: Be very busy doing many thing See through: Continue with smthing to the
Run away: Escape from people end
Run down: Hit a pedestrian with a vehicle. See to: Deal with something. He
Run down: Lose energy/ power e.g battery. Sell off: Sell a business or part of it.
Run for: Campaign for a position. Sell off: Sell something cheaply because you
Run into: Meet by accident. need the money or don't need it.
Run off: Make photocopies. Sell out: Have no more of something left

because it has been bought. Shout out: Say something loudly, often to
Send for: Ask someone to come and help attract someone's attention.
Send off: Expel a sports player from a Show around: Take someone to a place to
match. show them certain parts.
Send off: Post a letter. Show off: Behave in a way so as to attract
Set apart: Distinguish, be better than or attention.
different from others. Show off: Display smthing you are proud of.
Set aside: Overturn a court verdict or Show over: Take someone to a site of the
decision. scene.
Set off/out: Start a journey. Show up: Attend something or arrive
Set off: Cause, trigger events. somewhere.
Set out: Arrange, organise. Show up :Become clear or apparent.
Set to: Ready to work hard or Shrug off: Disregard something, not
enthusiastically. consider it important or harmful.
Set up: Prepare equipment, software, etc., Shut down :Close a business, shop, etc..
for use. Shut up: Stop talking or making noise.
Set up: Start a company. Shut up: Close for a period of time.
Set up: Trick, deceive.The police set them up Shy away from: Avoid doing something
Settle down: Start living a fixed and routine because you lack confidence
life. Side with: Support someone.
Settle for: Accept whatever is available. Sign away: Give away legal or property
Settle in: Get used to. rights.
Settle on: Agree. Sign for: Write a signature on behalf on
Shade in: Make a part of a picture darker someone.
Shake up: Upset or shock. Sign in: Register at a place.
Shake up: Make major changes to improve Sign in(opp. sign out): Open a computer
or save a company, organisation, etc. program that requires a name and password
Shake up: Mix things in a container by Sign off: End a message.
shaking hard. Sign off: Stop doing something to leave
Shape up: Develop in a positive way. Sign off on: Give official approval.
Shape up: Improve to reach an acceptable Sign on: Agree to participate.
standard. Sign on: Start broadcasting.
Shave off: Shave completely. Sign on: Employ.
Ship out: Send goods to a place Sing along: To sing when a piece of music is
Shoot up: Damage with gun-shots. being played or performed by someone else..
Shoot up: Increase quickly, grow. Sing out: sing loudly.
Shop around: Look around for the best Sing up: Sing louder.
price, quality, etc.. Single out: Select or choose one from a
Shout down: Make so much noise to stop group.
someone being heard. Sit about: Sit and do nothing, especially

when you should be working. Spill out: Express/ display emotions openly
Sit around: Sit idly, doing nothing. Spill over: When something bad has a wider
Sit back: Wait for something to happen impact on other people or situations.
without making any effort. Spill over: Flow over the edge or top of a
Sit back: Relax in a chair. container.
Sit in for: Take on someone's Spin out: Lose control (vehicle).
responsibilities the owner is absent Spit out: Say something angrily.
Size up: Assess a situation/person carefully. Splash out: Spend a lot of money on
Slice off : Cut, remove an amount or part of something that is not essential.
Slice up: Cut completely into pieces/slices Split up: Divide into groups.
Slip away: Lose an opportunity or the Spring back: Return to original position
chance of winning, succeeding, etc. after being bent, forced or when pressure is
Slip away: Pass quickly (time). removed. Spring from: Appear suddenly and
Slip by: Pass quickly (time). unexpectedly.
Slow down: Reduce speed. Spring from: Be the cause of something.
Slow up: Slow the progress of something. Spring up: Appear suddenly.
Smash down: Demolish or break something Square up: Pay back a debt.
down. Square with: Match, conform to.
Smash in: Break something by hitting it Squeeze up: Get more people into a space
repeatedly. than normal or comfortable.
Smash up: Destroy, break into many pieces. Stack up: Put things in a pile.
Smoke out: Force someone out of a place Stack up: Accumulate/increase.
they're hiding in. Stamp out: Get rid of something.
Snap off: Break a piece off something. Stand aside/Step aside: Leave a position so
Sneak out: Depart furtively. that someone else can take it.
Sniff around: Look around to see how good Stand back: Keep a distance from
smthing is or to try to find smthing better something.
Sniff out: Find smthing by smell (usu. dogs). Stand by: Support someone.
Sober up: Stop showing the effects of Stand by: Be ready and waiting for
alcohol or drugs. something to happen
Soften up: Weaken. Stand down/Step down: Leave a job or
Soldier on: Continue even when things get position so that someone else can take it.
difficult. Stand down: Finish being asked questions in
Sort out: Resolve a problem. a court.
Spark off: Cause something, usually Stand for: Accept or tolerate behaviour.
unpleasant, to happen. Stand in for:Substitute someone temporarily.
Speak out: Talk openly and freely. Stand out: Be extraordinary and different.
Spell out: Explain something in great detail. Stand up for: Defend, support.
Spill out :Come or flow out of a box, Stand up to: Keep your principles when
container, etc. challenged by an authority.

Stand up to: Resist damage. Take after: Look like, resemble.
Stare down: Look at someone until they Take aside: Get someone alone to talk to
cannot look at you. them.
Start off: Make something start or begin a Take back: Retract a statement, admit that
journey something was wrong.
Start up: Open a business. Take down: Make notes /write down in full.
Start up: When an engine starts working Take in: Absorb information.
Stay on: Remain longer than anticipated. Take it: Accept criticism.
Stay out: Not go home. Take off : When a plane departs or leaves
Stay up: Not go to bed. the ground.
Stem from: Originate, be caused by. Take off: Remove.
Step forward: Offer help. Take on: Allow passengers on a ship/plane.
Step in: Get involved by interrupting Take out: Extract or remove.
something Take out: Go out socially with someone,
Step up: Increase. especially a date.
Stick around: Stay in a place for some time. Take over: Assume control of a company or
Stick at: Continue doing something despite organization
difficulties. Take over: Start a job or position that
Stick by: Support someone when they are someone had occupied before you.
having difficulties. Take through: Explain something to
Stick down: Join surfaces with glue. someone.
Stick to: Not change. Take up: Fill or occupy time or space.
Stick together: Support each other. Talk out: Discuss a problem or issue to find
Stiffen up: Become rigid. a solution.
Stir up: Make trouble for someone else. Talk over: Discuss.
Stitch up: Sew something so that it is closed. Team up: Work with someone or a group to
Stop over: Stay somewhere when on a achieve something.
journey. Tear apart: Disturb or upset greatly
Storm off/out: Leave a place angrily. Tear away: Remove a surface violently.
Straighten out: Make something straight. Tear down: Demolish.
Strike back: Attack, take action against Tear off: Remove part of a form or letter
someone who has hurt you. using your hands, not scissors.
Strike down: Kill. Tear up: Destroy.
Strike down: Make someone ill. Tear up: Have eyes fill with tears.
Stumble across/upon: Find something Think over: Consider something carefully.
accidentally. Think through: Consider all the possibilities
Sweep through: Pass easily, succeed. and outcomes of a situation.
Syphon off: Divert money illegally. Throw away: Discard something when no
Tag on/onto: Add an additional point to longer needed.
something written or spoken Throw off/out: Get rid of something

Throw off: Produce light or heat. Turn on: Cause someone to feel attraction
Throw out: Reject. or pleasure.
Throw out: Expel. Turn on: Start a machine like the radio
Throw up: Vomit. Turn out: Stop a light.
Tick away/by: Pass (of time). Turn out: Attend.
Tick off: Put a mark on an item in a list Turn up: Appear.
when it has been dealt with. Type out: Write a full or finished version of
Tidy up: Put things in the correct place in a a text on a computer.
room. Type up: Type a finished version.
Tie back: Fasten or secure so that it doesn't Urge on: Encourage.
obstruct. Use up: Finish or consume all of something.
Tie down: Secure something to prevent it Usher in: Make important changes happen.
moving. Wait up: Not go to bed because you are
Tie in: Agree, be connected or support. waiting.
Tie up: Tie or fasten something securely. Walk away from:Leave smthing you don't
Tighten up: Make something more secure or like
function better. Walk away with: Win easily.
Time out: End/close because of a time limit. Walk on: Continue walking.
Tip off: Secretly inform the police or Walk out: Leave work because of a dispute
authorities. with the management.
Top up: Refill something that isn't empty yet. Walk out: Leave a place angrily or because
Touch down: Land (planes). you are not satisfied.
Touch on: Mention. E.g. The talk touched on Wander off: Leave a place, usually without
the issue, but didn't give any new telling other people.
information. Wander off: Stop paying attention.
Track down: Find after a long search. Wash away: When floods/waves completely
Trade off: Bargain, make a deal or remove a structure, building, etc..
compromise Wash up: Clean everything used to prepare
Trickle down: Pass benefits from economic food and eat it.
expansion through the economy to the less Wash up: Wash face and hands.
fortunate. E.g. Despite the economic boom, Waste away: Become very thin and weak,
few benefits have trickled down to the poor. usually due to illness.
Tune in: Watch/listen to a TV or radio show Watch out for: Be careful of something.
Tune up: Improve the performance of a Watch over: Keep an eye on something or
machine or engine. someone to check that there's no trouble.
Turn against: Stop liking and start disliking. Water down: Make something weaker and
Turn away: Not allow someone to enter a less effective.
place. Wave down: Make a hand signal to stop a
Turn down: Reject an offer, invitation, etc vehicle.
or reduce. Wave off: Go to a place where someone is

leaving to wave goodbye. Wise up: Stop being stupid.
Wave on: Make a hand signal to tell Work on: Improve or develop
someone to keep moving. Work out: End nicely.
Wear away: Erode, remove gradually. Work out: Find the answer or solution.
Wear down: Make something weaker. Wrap around: Cover with clothing, usually
Weigh out: Measure a certain amount of to keep warm OR encircle with part of your
something by weight. body or arms
Weigh up: Assess. Wrap up: Finish.
Well up: Feel tears starting. Write down: Make notes.
Well up:Feel an emotion strongly. Write in: Send a letter to a TV station, etc..
Wind down: Relax. Write out: Write something completely.
Wind down: Slowly close a business or Yield to: Surrender. Zero in on Direct or
organisation. focus attention on.
Wind up: Close a company because it's Zip it: Keep quiet, say nothing.
unprofitable. Zip up: Keep quiet.
Wipe out: Kill all of a population, make Zoom in: Focus more closely.
extinct. Zoom out: Focus less closely.
Student Activity 7
Choose the letter(A,B,C, or D) that has the answer that best completes the sentences
1. The players were so far away that I 7. The company directors took all night to
couldn’t __________their faces. ____________ their minds.
a. see through b. make out a. make up b. make out
c. see over d. make out c. make off d. make over
2. The doctor reported late for duties 8. The noise __________ as the prefect
because her car _____________. entered the classroom.
a. broke off b. broke out a. died off b. died down
c. broke down d. broke away c. died out d. died up
3. After everything, there was a grand dance 9. Mr Mandazi is unable to __________ his
to__________ the day’s festivities. mind about the offer.
a. round off b. round up a. get up b. use up
c. round out d. round in c. bring up d. make up
4. When Namaseko discovered that her son 10. The rich man ____ poor people in his
looked miserable, she asked him to ___. village; as a result many people do not
a. cheer out b. cheer up like him.
c. cheer on d. cheer off a. looks forward to b. looks down on
5. Mavuto’s clothes were wet and he had to c. looks away d. looks up to
______________. 11. I will ______ the idea to her and see if
a. dry them over b. dry them out she accepts it.
c. dry them off d. dry them up a. put up b. put across
6. Our Mathematics teacher asked us to c. put off d. put out
______ while she was marking our work. 13. The bride ____________ a bouquet of
a. hang off b. hang over flowers to her bridesmaids.
c. hang around d. hang on

a. gave away b. gave up a. drew up b. drew on
c. gave in d. gave over c. drew down d. drew across
14. Switch on the radio, I want to ________ 25. All the learners were able to understand
with current affairs. him because he managed to_____ his
a. catch up b. look over points clearly.
c. keep on d. get along a. put out b. put down
15. The little boy will ________ the bus at c. put forward d. put across
the Crossroads Bus Stop. 26. Soldiers are not allowed to ___________
a. drop down b. drop off when they are doing fitness exercises.
c. drop out d. drop away a. fall down b. fall away
16. The car battery has ____________; c. fall out d. fall off
which is the reason why it cannot start. 27. This room is in very bad shape, but we
a. run off b. run down must _______ as there isn’t any other.
c. run out d. run away a. put up it b. put with it
17. We need to _________ a set of c. put up with it d. put it put
conditions for this contract. 28. Pemphero still __her pen pal in Germany.
a. draw out b. draw down a. keeps in touch to b. keeps touch with
c. draw off d. draw up c. keeps in touch with d. keeps in touch at
18. Gumede was unable to _____ the 29. We couldn’t have our favourite meal to
difference between red and white we had to _________with some snacks.
because he is colour blind. a. make up b. make over
a. make up b. make out c. make do d. make out
c. make over d. make sure 30. After the break they ______ to business.
19. The generator ______________ while a. got back b. got on
dinner was being served. c. got over d. got away
a. broke away b. broke off 31. In the end, the rumour ______ to be true.
c. broke out d. broke down a. turned off b. turned up
20. They couldn’t ______ the plan of the c. turned out d. turned on
complicated house. 32. Teachers should always behave well
a. make off b. make out since pupils _________ them.
c. make up d. make over a. look to b. look up to
21. This tradition has been ___________ c. look on d. look on to
from generation to generation. 33. Be on your guard and never get
a. handed in b. handed down __________ drug business.
c. handed out d. handed over a. mixed up in b. mixed up with
22. It took him several weeks to__his illness. c. mix with d. mix in
a. come over b. get over 34. The car _______ suddenly with
c. go over d. get round screeching brakes.
23. They used to be very good friends but a. pulled down b. pulled around
now they have ____________ c. pulled up d. pulled away
a. moved out b. moved away 35. The entertainment perfect was told to
c. fallen out d. fallen in _______the video set every night.
24. One of the staff members ____________ a. lock in b. lock up
a plan of activities. c. lock off d. lock away

TOPIC 8: ADJECTIVES
An adjective is a word that is used to describe a noun or a pronoun. An adjective usually
provides information about the word it describes by answering the questions, “What kind?”
“How many?” “Which one?” “How much?” etc.
ADJECTIVES VS PRONOUNS
Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those) may stand alone as pronouns.
For example:
i. What is that?
ii. What are these for?
The same pronouns above may equally function as adjectives.
For examples:
i. Abraham brought these things to God.

ii. Those cases belong to Mary.
The pronoun these explains the noun things while those explains the noun cases. Therefore, they
are adjectives.
The way the pronouns these and those have been used would equally apply to this and that
when used as adjectives.
The interrogative pronouns (which, what) may be used as adjectives so long as they describe
that particular noun.
For examples:
i. Which food belongs to Grace?
The pronoun “which” explains the noun “food.” Therefore, “which” is an adjective.
For example:
What law are you talking about?
Indefinite pronouns (with the exception of none) may be used as adjectives.

Look at the following examples:
i. Some children like to study English while others do not.
ii. One person enjoys reading and yet another person does not.”
Interrogative pronouns (what, which, and whose) also stand alone as pronouns.

For example:
Which do you prefer?
Nevertheless, when these very same interrogative pronouns are used before nouns,
they become adjectives.
For example:
i. Which colour do you prefer?”
ii. In which room is my girlfriend lying?
Indefinite pronouns (all, another, any, both, each, either, few, many, most, neither, several,
some) also stand alone as pronouns.
For instance:
i. Many went to war, but few returned.”
ii. Few were available and we could not cook.
iii. Either of them was present.
iv. Neither of us is right.
When these very same indefinite pronouns are used before nouns, however, they become
adjectives.
For example:
i. You will be the owner of many shops in future.
ii. Many men have tried and failed.
iii. The fishermen are on either side of the river.
iv. Wongani supported neither party.
Possessive pronouns (my, our, your, his, her, its, their) if used before nouns are sometimes called
possessive adjectives.
For example:
i. I will make your name famous.
ii. I want her sister, the younger and beautiful one.
iii. They did not cut their tails as if they were not told.
ORDER OF ADJECTIVES
Sometimes several adjectives appear before a noun in a sentence. This chain of adjectives is not
written anyhow qualifying that particular noun. They follow a pattern or an order called order of
adjectives.
For this reason, a simple formula has to be used when arranging adjectives. This formula is
abbreviated as: DOSASCOMUN

D O S A S C O M U N
Derter Opinion Size Age Shape Colour Origin Mate Use/Purp No

miner rial ose/classi un
fier
A, an, Good, Big, Youn Round, Orange Malawi Chick Dinning, fee
the, bad, small, g, old, oval, rod, , green, an, en, swimmin d,
some, a poor, mediu middl spiral, yellow, Chines Silk, g, tabl
few, simple, m, e, coiled, black, e, Pine , cooking, e,
many, difficult, large, stone square, white, Spanis Golde eating, plat
more, hard, extra- age, triangle, pink, h, n, boiling, e,
little, tough, large, ancie rectangul etc Germa diamo evening, ring
such, excellent long, nt, ar, n, nd, morning, etc
some, a, , short, mode circular Europe silver governme
two, expensiv tall, rn, an, etc nt, mora,
three, e , over latest etc
none, marvelo sized
us, cute,
immacul
ate
Sometimes, there are questions which have participles and religion. Then on the given formula,
include particples between colour and origin and religion between origin and material. Examples
of participles are: carved, stolen, Broken, boiled, spoilt, written, cooked, roasted etc. Examples
of religion are: Catholic, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, orthodox, Anglican, Islamic etc. To
complement the usual order of adjective formula, this can help to remember the additions:
Quantity adjectives appear at the beginning before opinion adjectives.

Example: I met two nice large vehicles at Goliati.
Adverbs appearing together with a chain of adjectives should be ordered by placing adverbs first
before adjectives.
Example: Neno is really beautiful small Malawian town.
Under any normal circumstance, the order has to move from left to right-hand side. If your
movement is otherwise, it is wrong. It is supposed to be the clockwise-ever motion (forward ever,
backward never). It does not matter if you skip one item and land onto the next or the other item,
so long as the motion is progressively clock-wise motion not anti-clock-wise.

Student Activity 8
Choose the letter(A,B,C, or D) that has the order that best completes the sentences
1. It was___________ moment. c. vimbuza Malawian best
a. a long unbealivable embarrassing d. Malawian best vimbuza
b. an embarrassing unbealivable long 10. The old man was treated by a ___ doctor.
c. a long embarrassing unbealivable a. young sympathetic Malawian medical
d. an unbealivable long embarrassing b. sympathetic young Malawian medical
2. They published the story of the ___writer. c. Malawian young sympathetic medical
a. young creative Malawian d. young medical Malawian sympathetic
b. Malawian young creative 11. Nabanda is always in her _____dressing.
c. creative young Malawian a. Chewa ancient good traditional
d. Malawian creative young b. good ancient Chewa traditional
3. Thoko found the bull in a ________ field. c. ancient good traditional Chewa
a. Vast rectangular grazing d. good Chewa traditional ancient
b. grazing vast rectangular 12. The white man managed to beat _drums.
c. rectangular vast grazing a. several leather locally-made
d. vast grazing rectangular b. locally-made several leather
4. My sister owns a _____cottage at the lake. c. several locally-made leather
a. green grass-roofed magnificent d. leather locally-made several
b. grass-roofed green magnificent 13. She plans to construct _________ hall.
c. magnificent green grass-roofed a. a spacious assembly magnificent
d. magnificent grass-roofed green b. an assembly spacious magnificent
5. Many people came to watch the ___ c. a spacious magnificent assembly
dances. d. a magnificent spacious assembly
a. modern colourful traditional 14. The potter is sells ___pots for decoration.
b. colourful modern traditional a. earthen oval green modern
c. traditional colourful modern b. modern oval green earthen
d. colourful traditional modern c. green earthen modern oval
6. This is an ___________ piece of music. d. oval earthen modern green
a. African entertaining contemporary 15. Our team wore ____________ jerseys.
b. entertaining African contemporary a. red over-sized football Chinese
c. entertaining contemporary African b. red Chinese over-sized football
d. African contemporary entertaining c. over-sized red Chinese football
7. The artist is a ______________ woman. d. Chinese red over-sized football
a. dark Zambian tall young 16. They are carrying _____________ coins.
b. tall dark young Zambian a. small silver old round
c. Zambian dark young tall b. old silver small round
d. tall young dark Zambian c. small round old silver
8. He carried ________ bags. d. small old round silver
a. many heavy striped shopping 17. The artist is a ___________ man.
b. many striped heavy shopping a. handsome tall young Jamaican
c. striped heavy shopping many b. tall handsome young Jamaican
d. heavy many shopping striped c. Jamaican tall handsome young
9. We demanded for the _______dancers. d. handsome young tall Jamaican
a. best Malawian vimbuza 18. Karonga is well known for ____cuisine.
b. best vimbuza Malawian a. delicious traditional Ngonde

b. traditional delicious Ngonde a. large ripe red
c. Ngonde delicious traditional b. ripe red large
d. traditional Ngonde delicious c. large red ripe
19. She managed to carry _________ bags. d. ripe large ripe
a. many heavy travelling 28. They proposed Nachisale’s name
b. many travelling heavy because of her ________ face.
c. heavy many travelling a. beautiful small oval brown
d. traveling many heavy b. brown oval small beautiful
20. They have bought a _________ car. c. small beautiful oval brown
a. big Japanese white d. oval brown small beautiful
b. big white Japanese 29. I saw Yusufu buying ___________ ring.
c. Japanese white big a. an Italian new interesting
d. Japanese big white b. an Italian interesting new
21. Chitedze has a ___________ tooth. c. a new interesting Italian
a. shiny front silver-plated d. a interesting new Italian
b. front shiny silver-plated 30. On her birthday, Chiyanjano was given
c. front silver-plated several __________ portraits.
d. shiny silver-plated front a. beautiful big multi-coloured family
22. My sister brought a _____________ belt. b. big multi-coloured beautiful family
a. brown new leather c. big family beautiful multi-coloured
b. new brown leather d. beautiful multi-coloured family big
c. leather brown new 31. The school has bought ________ tables.
d. new leather brown a. brown small wooden dining
23. I found Sambani reading ______ story. b. small brown dining wooden
a. a new detective intriguing c. dining small brown wooden
b. a detective new intriguing d. small brown wooden dining
c. an intriguing new detective 32. The Reserve Bank has introduced
d. an intriguing detective new ___________ coins.
24. Sekanawo saw ____spear at the museum. a. new hexagonal small silver
a. an old long pointed Ngoni b. small silver new hexagonal
b. an old long Ngoni pointed c. new small silver hexagonal
c. a Ngoni pointed long old d. small new hexagonal silver
d. a pointed Ngoni long old
25. As we approached the border, we saw 33. The road has been paved with ____slab.
________ bridge lying in the river. a. huge stone grey b. huge grey stone
a. an old broken wooden c. grey stone huge d. grey huge stone
b. a broken wooden old 34. The chief engineer has ordered _______
c. a broken old wooden equipment for All African Games.
d. an old wooden broken a. special outside broadcasting
26. She bought _________ mangoes. b. special broadcasting outside
a. three delicious large yellow c. outside special broadcasting
b. three large yellow delicious d. outside broadcasting special
c. yellow delicious three large 35. Mother bought a _______ radio for me.
d. yellow large delicious three a. transistor big black cheap
27. I like buying ____________ tomatoes. b. big black cheap transistor
c. cheap big black transistor
d. black cheap big transistor
36. Many people like to wear ______jeans. a. beautiful brand-new silk
a. faded blue American casual b. silk beautiful brand-new
b. casual faded American blue c. brand-new beautiful silk
c. blue faded casual American d. brand-new silk beautiful
d. American blue faded casual 42. Where are _______ boys?
37. That dress is of _________ material. a. both those young two
a. remarkably light coloured b. those two both young
b. light remarkably coloured c. both those two young
c. coloured remarkably light d. those both young two
d. remarkably coloured light 43. He wore a __________ robe.
38. Chisomo lost her ______ ring. a. new woven Islamic Turkish
a. very beautiful diamond engagement b. woven new Islamic Turkish
b. diamond very beautiful engagement c. new woven Turkish Islamic
c. very beautiful engagement diamond d. woven new Turkish Islamic
d. diamond engagement very beautiful 44. They sang __________ hymns.
39. He bought his wife some _____ sandals. a. soothing modern Pentecostal
a. green leather new Bata b. modern soothing Pentecostal
b. green new leather Bata c. modern Pentecostal soothing
c. new green leather Bata d. soothing Pentecostal modern
d. new leather green Bata 45. The priest admired _______ lawnmower.
40. Alexander knew that he had to face up to a. a small Hungarian yellow
his _________ responsibility. b. a Hungarian small yellow
a. new moral heavy b. heavy moral new c. a small yellow Hungarian
c. moral heavy new c. heavy new moral d. a yellow small Hungarian
41. Grace said she had bought a _______
scarf as a present for her sister.

TOPIC 9: PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are words usually put before the words they control.
Normally, prepositions are placed before a noun or pronoun which they govern. However,
preposition as the name suggests "pre-position" are as positioned before its complement. In some
cases, preposition is even used at the end of a sentence or after its complement.
For example:
Which house did you live in?
What mess has she got into!
Prepositions may be simple(one word) or complex(multi-word).

For example:
They slept in a bus.( simple)
They always study under a mango tree. (complex)
Prepositions can:
a. Show position: eg in, below, to, under, on, above, opposite, in front of, behind etc
b. Show time: eg for, at, in, between, since, by, up to etc
c. Show cause/ reason/purpose: eg on account of, because of, due to, out of, for etc
d. Show direction: eg towards, past, through, etc
e. Show concession: eg in spite of, despite, apart from, as well as, besides, in addition to etc
Prepositions can be placed after verbs or adjectives or some other words to form a complex
preposition.
For example: beware of, angry with, submit to, team against, etc
Note: For the mastery of complex prepositions, memorizing will do no good. The prepositions
need to be practiced in sentences.
Here is a list of some prepositions following some words to form complex prepositions:
abide..............by adhere........ To afraid......... Of

absorbed....... In admit........to/into agree.......... To(proposal)
abstain ......from advantage…Over(sb)/of agree............. With(a
accomplice......with (sth) person)
accused...... (Sb) of(sth) advantage........ Of(sth) about/on sthaim .......at
accustomed..... To affection.......... For alternative......... To
addicted........ To afflicted......,. With amazed.......... At

angry............with/at(sb) bearing.............. On to gain sth)
angry............at/about(sth) campaign........ Against/for content..............with
anxious.......... For(sb) capable............... Of contrary.............to
anxious........ About (sth) concern.............. For/about control............ Over
apologize.....To(sb) for (sth) careful...............about/for connive..........at/in(sth)
appetite..... For caution........ About/against connive..............with(sb)
approach........to charge.............. With close...................to
akin........to claim..................on/to complain.........to(sb)about/
acclimatize........ To clash....... With(sb)over(sth) of(sth)
apparent........ To(sb) collide................with crash...............into
apparent...... From(sth) Collude........with(sb)in(sth) convenient......... For(sb/sth)
appoint.......(sb)to(sth) comment................on converse.............. With
apply........ To(sb)for(sth) compare..........to(=to show convict........... (Sb)of(sth)
appropriate........ To/for likeliness) cure(v).......(sb)of(sth)
approve..............of compare ..............with(=to cure(n).............for
aptitude............ For show contrast) concern(n)...about/for/over.
ashamed............ Of compassion.......... For concerned(adj)........about/f
aspire...................to compatible........... With or/over(=worried)
assent..................to compensation....... For concerned(adj).......about/w
associate..........with compliance............ With ith(=interested in)
(dissociate........from) compliment............. On deal........in(=trade)
assure...............of comply................. With deal.......with(=to take
astonished........ At conducive............. To appropriate action).
atone................. For confide.............in(=trust) delight.................in
attached..............to confide.............to(=tell) depend......... On/upon
attend..................to confidence.............In. deprive..........(sb/sth)of(sth)
attribute......(sth) to (sth/sb) confident............. Of/about desist............... From
appeal........ To(sb)for(sth) confined........(Sb/sth)to(sth) destitute................of
avail.........(oneself)of(sth) conform............ To detrimental............ To
authority...........On(=expert) conformity......... With deviate................ From
bad............for(=harmful) congenial............. To devoid................. Of
believe.............in congratulate.......(Sb)on(sth) differ..........from(sb/sth)=t
beneficial................ To connect.......(sth)to(sth) o be different from sb/sth
benefit................ By/from consent............. To differ............with(sb)
blame..........(sb/sth)for(sth). consist................of about/on/over (sth)=to
boast................of contemporary........ With disagree with SB
bound............... For contempt........... For different.........From/to/than
burden(n)............... To contend...With(=to have to disgusted.......... At/by/with
burden(v)................with contend........for(=to dispense............ With
busy.................with compete against sb in order dispose.............of

die.......................of feed/live.....on(=eat) identical....... With
Eg:person died of accident. fight….With(sb)about/for ignorant......... About/of
Die.........with(=disease) (sth) impact..... Of(sb)on(sth/sb)
Die.............for(=purpose) fill .........(sth)with(sth). impose........... On
dissent..........from fill....................in(sth) impress....... (Sb) with(sth)
dote........... On/upon fit/unfit..............For impression......... On(sb)
doubt(n)/doubtful(adj) ... fond.....................of impression..... Of(sth)
about fondness............ impressed........with/by
drenched....... In/with Forfeit............from/of independent........ Of
decline......... In/of frightened............ At indifferent/callous......to
eager................. For full.......................of indispensable...... To(sb/sth)
eligible............... For fuss...........about/over indispensable….For(doing
engaged........In/on(sth)=bu fed up..............with sth)
sy doing sth) glad.......about (=happy) infected................ With
engaged.....To(sb )=having glad.......of(=greatful) infer....................from
agreed to marry sb glance............... At influence..... Over(=control)
enthusiasm......... For/about good......at(=able to do sth influence...On/upon(effect)
entrust......(sb)with(sth) well)skillful inform.............. Of
entrust.......(sth)to(sb) good.........for(=suitable) inquiry............about/into
envious/jealous......Of convenient insight............ Into
envy...............at grapple........... With insist.................on
entitle/entitlement.....To grateful.......to(sb)for(sth) insistence..........on
equal........... To grief........... At/over interact.............. With
escape......... From grieve.........for/over interaction.......With (sb/sth)
essential........ To/for guard.........Against interaction....... Between
excel..............at/in guilty........ About(=feeling (two things or persons)
exception.............. To ashamed because you have interested........... In
excuse.......... (Sb) done sth that you know is interfere......... In(=get
for(sth)=forgive wrong) involved)
excuse........ For (=reason) guilty........ Of(=having interfere..... With(=prevent)
exemption.......... From done sth illegal) invest....................in
expose.........(sth)to (sb) harmful/injurious.....To involved...............in
encroach..........on/upon heir...........to ( sth) irrelevant............... To
expect....... (Sth)from (sb) heir..........of (sb) irrespective........... Of
fail. ...............in hint.............at meddle............... In
faith................. In hope........... For keen......................on
faithful............. To hope...........for/of kind/cruel............to
famous........... For hopeful........... About/of lack....................of
fearful.............. For (sb) hostile............. To lacking................in
fearful.............. Of(sth) habit......of(doing sth) lament...........over

laugh................. At persist........in/with(sth) rob....................of
lead.....................to pleased...........With resign............ From
leave......for(a place)=go to pleasing........... To search................ For
liable....... For(=legally popular............. With seek..............for
responsible for paying the pray......to(sb)for(sth) senior/junior.......To
cost of) prefer...... (Sb/sth)to(sb/sth) sensitive...... To/about
liable........ To(=likely to be preferable............. To sequel................to
punished by law for) pretext...............for short...................of
listen............. To prevail......on(=persuade) similar................ To
longing(n)/long(v).........for prevail.......over(=defeat) smile/sneer/giggle...At
look/stare/gaze.......at prevent.......... From sorry.........about/for
lust.....................for pride............. In spend.............on
march................on prior............... To stick...... To(=to continue
married..............to prohibit..........from doing sth despite
marvel................at prone................ To difficulties)
meditate/concentrate......on proud............... Of subject............. To
mourn................. For provide..... (Sb)with(sth) submission........to
nag.....................at provide......(sth)fo(sb) suffuse.............with
need/necessity....For pessimistic....... About succeed.............. In
negligent............. In positive...........About succession........in
nervous........About/of quarrel........About(sth) succumb...........to
notorious.......... For quarrel....... With(sb) suffer.................from
obedient............. To ready............ For superior/inferior......to
object/objection.....to reconcile..... To(sth) supplement.......... To
oblige.....(sb)with(sth) reconcile..... (Sth)with(sth) supply....... (Sth)to (sb)
obliged..... To(sb)for (sth) recover(v).......from supply.......(sb)with(sth )
obsession..........with recovery(n)......from surprised/shocked....At
obsessive.......... About refer............... To suspect.......(sb/sth)of(sth)
open...... To(sb/sth) reference.......... To suspicious............. Of
opportunity......for(sb/sth) rejoice.......... At/over sympathize.....with(sb/sth)
opportunity......for/of(doin related............... To thankful ......for(sth)
g sth) rely...................on thankful............. To(sb)
part........from(=leave sb) remind..............of thirst/hunger/desire.......For
part......with(=to give sth to remorse.......... For threaten......(sb)with(sth)
sb else) request............for tired..................... Of
partial............... To resemblance..... To stick................... Of
partially.........For(sth) resolve...............on tremble.......... With
passion..............for responsible.....for (sth) true..................to
pertain................to restricted........ To used.................to
persist..........in(doing sth) rid....................of victory...... Over/against.

venue............. For wonder......... At(=be yearning............ For
wait.................for surprised) yield.................. On
want.................of worthy............... Of yield............... VG.....to
waste............on(sth) write...... (Sth)to(sb) thrive................... On
withdraw..........from write..... In(ink/pencil) self-sufficient........in
wonder...... About (=think write........ With(a pen) debate....... On/about/over
about) yearn..............for divergence.......between
Student Activity 9
1. I was scared ___________death when I 13. I will never a letter to Alinafe because
saw the python. she does not reply _________ letters
a .of b. with c. to d. about nowadays.
2. he plunged out ___________ the pool and a. to b. at c. on d. into
asked his friend to do likewise. 14. Machona’s minibus collided
a. at b. into c. over d. in ___________ a long vehicle.
3. I have never read about it. I just take a. at b. with c. against d. into
it________ trust. 15. The cat confronted the rat __________
a. on b. with c. in d. to the corner of the room.
4. The boy asked a question that was not a. at b. in c. on d. by
relevant ________ what we were discussing. 16. When you go to town, remember me
a.on b. to c. about d. with _______ my daughter.
5. Chipatso has read a book _________ a. with b. by c. for d. to
which this film is based. 17. After the chaos in the market, the
a. about b. from c. on d. in situation is _______ control.
6. Owing ___________ his ill health, our a. under b. on c. in d. into
teacher has retired from work. 18. Our celebration was called __________
a. to b. by c. from d. with because of poor resources.
7. Kanjiwa congratulated the team ________ a. up b. off c. in d. for
its success. 19. The mother was anxious __________
a. at b. for c. on d. about her daughter’s health.
8. Despite being her first time to take the a. at b. on c. about d. of
ferryboat, she did not seem worried _____it. 20. Their ideas are contrary __________
a. with b. in c. about d. through accepted beliefs.
9. Malawi Queens triumphed _________ a. with b. by c. to d. againstI
their opponents. 21. I could not mistake her _________ her
a. to b. over c. for d. at sister.
10. I looked ____her number in the directory. a. with b. to c. over d. for
a. up b. for c. on d. at 22. It is not true that animals are devoid
11. Mr Gama tied his sheep _______ a tree. __________ intelligence.
a. on b. against c. to d. by a. for b. of c. on d. with
12. Many candidates spent too much time 23. The boy said that we would not count
____the first part of the examination paper. _______ him since he might not be able to
a. with b. at c. in d. on attend the party.

a. on b. out c. in d. with a. with b. of c. from d. by
24. The captain broke __________ tears of 41. Most parents do not believe __________
joy after winning the trophy. hitting their children.
a. for b, with c. out d. into a. in b. on c. at d. by
25. Employing juviniles is tantamount 42. The farmer feeds his cow ___________
_______ child abuse. corn and beans.
a. on b. of c. to d. in a. by b. on c. for d. in
26. As the fight continued, some of us 43. Many people prefer coffee ________ tea.
decided to take __________ our heels a. to b. than c. against d. besides
a. to b. on c. from d. with 44. All the guests left the hall _____ sunset.
27. We walked ___________ the beaches of a. on b. in c. at d. by
the beaultiful Lake Malawi. 45. I did not hear what Alipo said because
a. on b. down c. off d. at he muttered __________ his breath.
28. A weird face appeared ____ the mirror. a. under b. by c. with d. in
a. into b. from c. on d. in 46. I can’t figure ____________ why he is
29. A rat scuttled _________ the curtain. always late for classes.
a. above b. from c. behind d. over a. up b. out c. over d. in
30. Kanase managed to swim ________ the 47. The rich man disguised himself ___a
river safely. beggar.
a. through b. across c. on d. in a. with b. as c. from d. for
31. Mr Banda’s car runs ________ lead-free 48. The young man did not approve
petrol. ___________ old people who misbehave.
a. with b. by c. on d. of a. of b. for c. on d. with
32. Maria has a talent ___________ music. 49. Kwezani had learnt seven languages
a. in b. for c. about d. on _________ the time he was twelve years old.
33. We have evry confidence _________ his a. at b. until c. before c. by
powers of diplomacy. 50. Our workshop is equipped ________ all
a. on b. in c. with d. over the latest machinery.
34. The girl accidentary knocked the jar ___ a. by b. in c. with d. from
a. over b. up c. off d. through 51. He mad a very good speech _____the
35. Akuzike differed ___John in many ways. last occasion.
a. by b. over c. on d. with a. on b. at c. in d. by
36. The treasurer has been requested to 52. While exploring the town, I came
account _________ the missing money. ____________ a magnificent shop.
a. on b. for c. in d. of a. across b. along c. over d. round
37. The accountant was charged _________ 56. His friends dissuaded him ________
fiddling the books. taking the test.
a. for b. against c. on d. with a. about b. into c. for d. from
38. I wish Nabetha wouldn’t show _______ 57. When he was taken to the hospital, the
her newly acquired wealth so much. doctor suggested that he should be operated
a. up b. over c. off d. down ____.
39. ________ all likelihood, we will never a. out b. in c. up d. on
know the real reason for his actions. 58. Patuma always turns ___ late for parties.
a. In b. On c. With d. Of a. up b. out c. off d. down
40. The child is suffering ____________
cerebral malaria.

TOPIC 10: PHRASES AND CLAUSES
I. PHRASE:
What is a phrase?
A phrase is a group of related words that does not necessarily constitute the meaning of the
sentence and has no finite verb. Finite verb is a verb that has a subject and shows the tense.
Examples:
i. John cooks nsima. (cooks shows present tense).
ii. He painted the car. (painted shows past tense).
Note that the main verb in every sentence is the finite verb. Without it, the sentence doesn’t
make sense. Modal Auxiliary verbs are also finite verbs. For example:
i. They will pay for this. (will is auxiliary)
ii. You can think whatever you like.
However, there are some verbs that are non finite. Non finite do not change based on the tense.
Good examples of non finite verbs are Gerunds, infinitives and participles. They are also called
Verbals.
Examples:
i. John loves dancing. (Gerund)
ii. Hlengiwe hates to sing. (Infinitive)
iii. She fixed a broken window. (participle)
iv. They took a winding road. (participle)
Now, let us look at the examples of phrases.

i. The boy is in the bathroom.
ii. The woman spoke very well.
iii. The boy carrying the coffin is mine.
TYPES OF PHRASES
The type of a phrase is determined by the head of the phrase. The head of the phrase is the part
of speech from where the phrase begins. The phrase is mostly named after the name of the head.
The example above have "in", "very" and "carrying" as the heads of the phrases.
Most of the phrases are introduced by a preposition. They are preposition phrases. However, the
functions the phrase plays determine the type of the phrase it is classified.
A. PREPOSITION PHRASE
Prepositional phrases are grouped into three categories based on their functions as follows: i.
preposition phrase, ii. Preposition phrase as adverb phrase and iii. Preposition phrase as adjective
phrase.

a. PREPOSITION PHRASE FUNCTIONING AS PREPOSITION PHRASE
A complete or true prepositional phrase has no question to answer. In other words it is not guided
by any question. It functions as a preposition.
For example:
i. Weston received a gift from Ukraine.

ii. Tiyamike is the son of Mr Ngoni.
b. PREPOSITION PHRASE AS ADVERBIAL PHRASE
The head is a preposition but the phrase performs the function of an adverb. It therefore becomes
an adverbial phrase if it answers questions like the adverb. The questions may be showing place,
reason, time, manner, etc.
For example
i. I slept in a big house.

Adverbial phrase, modifying verb “slept” because you can ask the question, where?
ii. The man left in a hurry.

An adverbial phrase of manner modifying the verb “left” because it is answering, how?
iii. Uta slept in the lab.

Adverbial phrase of Place, modifying verb “slept”
iv. Makamu came because of you.
Adverbial phrase of Reason modifying verb “came”
v. Atupere walked so rudely.

Adverbial phrase of Manner, modifying verb “walked”.
vi. Doricah came in the morning.

Adverbial phrase of Time, modifying verb “came”
c. PREPOSITION PHRASE AS ADJECTIVE PHRASE
The head is a preposition but the phrase performs the function of an adjective. In this case, the
phrases are therefore adjectival phrases. They answer the question "which".
i. The pen with a red cover is yours.

Adjectival phrase, qualifying noun “pen” because it is answering the question, which pen?
ii. The lion in the den is sick.

Adjectival phrase, qualifying the noun, The lion.

iii The nurse of some beauty has passed away.
Adjectival phrase, qualifying the noun nurse.
B. ADJECTIVAL PHRASES
These are phrases that qualify nouns in sentences. They also answer the question "which?"
For example:
a. Formed from prepositions as explained above.
i. The man with a wooden leg is intelligent.

ii. We slept at the hotel near the lake.
b. Formed from infinitive phrases. (If there are problems with infinitives revise topic 3".
i. His shelf to keep important books was marvelous.

ii. The money to spend on holiday is lost.
iii. This is the bottle to keep pure alcohol.
c. Formed from participle phrases.
i. The students staring at us are happy.

ii. The man building the mansion is my father.
iii. The glasses broken by Dumisani are expensive.
iv. Dancing perfectly, the girls received the awards.
C. ADVERB PHRASES
These answer questions that begin with how, why, when, where and to what extent, etc. They
modify verbs, adverbs, and adjectives.
a. Formed from preposition phrases
i. Uta slept in the lab.

ii. Makamu came because of you.
iii. Lacily came in the morning.
b. Formed from the adverb heads
i. Atupere walked so rudely.

ii. Yvone ran very fast to work.
c. Formed from infinitive phrases.
i. He went there to buy cotton.

ii. Sam played the game to collect full points.
D. NOUN PHRASE
These perform the functions of a noun.
a. Formed from infinitive phrases
i. To succeed in life is his ambition.

ii. He would like to know the truth.
iii. Your desire to help others is a good thing.
b. Formed from Gerunds
i. Playing football is very interesting.

ii. Dumisani enjoys watching Hollywood movies.
Note: The phrases discussed above can also be classified into Infinitive phrases, Gerund phrases
or Participle phrases based on the heads of the phrases.
Appositive phrase
An appositive is a noun or pronoun that is placed next to another noun or pronoun to identify or
give additional information about it.
For example:
i. Chigomezgo’s brother Wongani is studying the same course his sister studied.
The noun in bold, Wongani, is an appositive as it identifies the brother of Chigomezgo.
ii. Mr Malambo, the teacher, has given us a tough assignment.
An appositive phrase is, therefore, an appositive plus any words that modifies the noun.
Sometimes, commas are used to set off appositives that are not essential to the meaning of a
sentence.
Appositives phrases function as noun phrases, in apposition to the given nouns or pronouns.
Examples of appositive phrases:

i. Take your son to Makota school, a secondary after Dedza Government Secondary, to have
good education.
ii. After eating his favourite food, nsima with chambo, she left for work.
iii. Martse, the hip hop musician, died a shocking death.
iv. Russia, neighbor of Ukraine, is a rival of the USA.
v. Mr Mzoma wrote a good short story“The missed opportunity” two years ago.
II. A CLAUSE
A Clause is a group of related words with a finite verb. The main difference between a clause
and a phrase is that, a clause contains a finite verb while a phrase does not.

A clause has the main and subordinate components. The main clause is that part of a sentence
that can stand on its own. The subordinate clause cannot stand on its own while the subordinate
clause cannot stand on its own.
For example:
I don’t know where he slept.
But sometimes both the main clause need to depend on each other.
For example:
This is not what I told you.

In this sentence, the main clause, "This is", cannot stand on its own. And the subordinate clause,
"what I told you," can’t too.
The main and the subordinate clause here are interdependent (they depend on each other).
TYPES OF CLAUSES
There are only three types of subordinate clauses namely: Noun clause, adjective clause and
adverbial clause
A. NOUN CLAUSE
A Noun Clause is the one which does the work of a noun. A noun clause answers the question
introduced by the word “what”. It is also known as, the that clause because of the relative
"that" which sometimes introduces it.
Noun clauses, like single nouns and noun phrases have the same functions as follows:
a. Noun clause as subject of a verb

This is when the clause is at the beginning of a sentence.
Examples:
i. What you are doing is useless.

Subject of “is”.
ii. Why he did that remains unknown.
Subject of “remains”.
iii. What you are doing seems very difficult.

Subject of "seems"
iv. That he will refuse the offer is very unlikely.

Subject of "is".
b. Noun clause as object of a verb

This is when the subordinate clause succeeds the main verbs except the verb “be”. The verb in
the main clause is an action verb. Noun clause which is object of a verb may be:
(a) A statement direct or indirect
For example:
i. He said “where do you live?”

ii. He told me that the debt had been paid.
(b) A question, direct or indirect
For example:
i. He asked me where I lived.

ii. He said, “Where do you leave?”
iii. Can you tell me what the time is?
c. The object of the Preposition
A noun clause functions as the object of a preposition governed by a preposition when it occurs
immediately after the preposition.
For example:
i. The car was sold for what it was worth.

ii. The head teacher was pleased with what he said.
iii. They will be very thankful for whatever you can give them.
iv. The student always pays attention to whatever the teacher is saying.
d. The Complement of a Verb
A noun clause functions as a complement of a verb if it completes the meaning to the state or
linking verb. The verb does not make complete sense without the clause. It works when it has
been preceded by the verbs: be is, was, were, appear, etc.
For example:
i. This is what I want.

Function: Complement of the verb ‘is’
ii. It appears it will rain.

Function: Complement of the verb ‘appears’
iii. The fact is that he doesn’t really try.

Function: complement of the verb ‘is’

iv. It seems that Duncan has never played the game before.
Function: Complement of the verb ‘seems’
v. The winner will be whoever scores highest points.

Function: Complement of the verb ‘will be’
vi. In apposition to a noun
A noun clause performs this function when it explains more about a noun to give further
information. Usually the noun appositioned is an abstract noun.
For example:
i. The rumour that she had passed pleased us.

Function: In apposition to noun ‘rumour’
ii. The fact that the prisoner was guilty was plain to everyone.
Function: In apposition to noun ‘fact’
iii. The news that we are having a holiday tomorrow is not true.
Function: In apposition to noun ‘news’
iv. The idea that you can do this work without thinking is quite wrong.
Function: In apposition to noun ‘rumour’
NOTE:
When a clause with abstract noun has a subordinate beginning with “that” it may be noun clause
in apposition to that abstract noun or it may be an adjective clause qualifying the abstract noun
mentioned. To avoid confusing a noun clause in apposition to a noun with adjective clause
therefore, observe the following clue:
i.When relative pronoun “that” is easily replaced by “which”, then it is not a noun clause even if
it has an abstract noun. Look at the example below.
(a) The rumour that she had passed pleased us.
(b) The rumour that was circulating pleased us.
In (a), when you try to replace “that” by “which” the sentence loses the flow. This clause is
therefore a noun clause in apposition the “rumour”.
In (b), “that” is easily replaced by “which”, therefore it is not a noun clause. The underlined part
is qualifying an abstract noun “rumour”, hence is performing the function of an adjective.
ii. If the abstract noun which is the subject in the sentence is removed and the sentence still gives sense,
then it is a noun clause in apposition to that removed abstract noun. Look again at the two sentences:
(a) The rumour that she had passed pleased us.
(b) The rumour that was circulating pleased us.
Try to delete “The rumour” in both sentences. You will note that sentence (a) will read:
That she had passed pleased us. The sentence gives the same meaning. It is a noun clause.
Sentence (b) will read:
That was circulating pleased us. The reader will raise the question: What was circulating?
Therefore, sentence (b) needs a noun or something that was circulating to make the sentence give

a complete sense. That was circulating therefore describes the missing subject, hence functions
as an adjective.
B. ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
This is a group of words which does the work of an adjective by qualifying a noun in a sentence.
The noun being qualified is called an antecedent. The antecedent usually has an article before
it.An adjective clause is normally introduced by a relative pronoun such as who, whom, which,
why, where, when and that. It answers the question Which?
For example:
i. The shirt that you bought is torn.
ii. The book which you lent me was interesting.
iii. Thank you for the help that you have given me.
iv. The rumour that you heard is not true.
NOTE: Sometimes the relative pronouns can be omitted but the subordinate adjective clauses
can still be understood. This is when the relative pronoun stands in place of an object.
For example:
i. The book I want is on the table.
Function: It qualifies noun ‘book’
ii. The man you sent to me has run away.
Function: It qualifies noun ‘man’
iii. The man you spoke to is my brother.
Function: It qualifies noun ‘man’
iv. The rumour that was circulating pleased us.
Function: It qualifies noun “rumour”.
TYPES OF SUBORDINATE ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

a. Defining Adjective Clauses
b. Non-defining Adjective Clauses
a. The Defining Adjective Clause
It is the one which tells precisely who or what the noun is. This is a clause which when removed
from the sentence; the sentence does not make perfect sense.
For example:
i. I have read the book which he wrote.
ii. The boy who is in the house is a thief.
iii. This is the girl who has come out with a distinction.
b. The Non-Defining Adjective Clause
These are clauses that are not very important to the words they qualify. They merely give
additional information or a mere remark. They are normally separated from the rest of the
sentence by the use of commas.

For example:
i. My father, who came last week, is a great man.
ii. The book, which I bought last week, has proved to be useless.
iii. Mr. Saladi, who was here a few hours ago, was once a driver.
Even if this clause is removed, the sentence still has definite meaning and makes a complete
sense.
In both when you remove a subordinate clause in a noun clause the sentence doesn't make sense
while when you remove a subordinate clause in an adjective clause it still makes sense.
C. ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Adverbial clauses do the work of adverbs in sentences. They modify verbs, adjectives or other
adverbs. They are introduced by such words such as when, where, while, as, after, before, until,
if, unless, because, since, so, that, although, than, provided that, supposing that and as if. There
are nine types of adverbial clauses and these are:
a. Adverbial Clause of Time.
These modify verbs in sentences. They tell when an action was done and are introduced by
words such as when, until, after, before, since, as, while, and as soon as.
For example:
i. We met once since he arrived from Mzuzu.
It modifies the verb ‘met’
ii. I learned a lot of French while I was in Paris.
It modifies the verb ‘learned’
b. Adverbial Clause of Manner
Adverbial clauses of manner modify verbs in sentences. They tell how an action was done and
are introduced by words such as ‘as’, ‘as though’ and ‘as if’. They indicate the manner in which
something is done. They answer the question how?
For example:
i. He ran as if he was chased.
It modifies the verb ‘ran’
ii. They spoke as though they were mad.
It modifies the verb ‘spoke’
c. Adverbial Clause of Place
Adverbial clauses of place modify verbs in sentences. They tell where an action was done and
are introduced by words such as where and wherever.
For example:
i. I will follow you wherever you go.
ii. They are sleeping quietly where I slept yesterday.

d. Adverbial Clause of Reason or Cause
Adverbial clause of reason modifies verbs on sentences. They tell why an action was done and
are introduced by such words as because, since, as and for.
For example:
i. They sent him back for he had no fees.
ii. The teacher punished us because we were late.
e. Adverbial Clause of Concession
Adverbial clauses of concession modify verbs in sentences. They show contrast and are
introduced by words such as though, although, even though, occasionally by even, if wherever,
whenever, however, whether, or not, no matter, whether or not.
For example:
i. Though he was late, he came at last.
ii. Even if you try hard, you won’t succeed.
f. Adverbial Clause of Condition
Adverbial clauses of condition modify verbs in sentences. They indicate conditions under which
an action can be done (indicate on what condition a thing happens, happened or will happen).
They are introduced by if, unless, provided that, supposing that whether, as long as, or that (after
supposing, provided, on condition)
For example:
i. If you go I shall follow you.
ii. I shan’t go unless he asks me.
g. Adverbial Clause of Purpose
Adverbial clause of purpose modifies verbs in sentences. They tell a purpose for doing a certain
action. They are introduced by so that, in order that, for fear that, lest
For example:
i. Some people eat so that they may live.
ii. Others seem to eat in order that they may eat.
iii. I am telling you this lest you should make a mistake.
iv. We worked hard so that we could pass the examinations.
h. Adverbial Clause of Comparison
Adverbial clause of comparison modifies adjectives in sentences. They compare two actions and
are introduced by ‘than’ and ‘as’

For example:
1. She likes beer more than I do.
Function: It modifies an adjective ‘more’
2. This work is not easy as you think.
Function: It modifies adjectives ‘easy’
3. That question is easier than I thought.
Function: It modifies an adjective ‘easier’
4. Rose has done better than she did last year.
Function: It modifies an adjective ‘better’
i. Adverbial Clause of Result
Adverbial clauses of result modify adjectives and adverbs in sentences. They tell the result of an
action and are introduced by so … that.
For example:
i. The sun was so hot that we sat in the shade.

ii. Serah was so intelligent that she passed every examination.
NOTE: An adverb clause of result associated with degree is introduced by so … that, such …..
that, or so … as to.
For example:
i. He ran so fast that I could not catch him.

ii. It was such a warm day that I took off my jacket.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A CLAUSE AND A PHRASE
A clause is related to a phrase in the sense that both are groups of words representing a part of
speech. The only difference between the two is that a clause includes a finite verb whereas a
phrase does not include a finite verb.
Student Activity 10
1. I purchased the book for which you bid. a. Adverb clause modifying “met”
a. Noun clause object of “purchased” b. Noun clause object of “met”
b. Noun clause object of preposition c. Adverb phrase modifying “met”
“for” d. Adjective clause qualifying “I”
c. Noun phrase object of preposition 3. The cat slept under the tree.
“for” a. Adjective clause qualifying “cat”
d. Adjective clause qualifying “book” b. Adverb clause modifying “slept”
c. Adverb phrase qualifying “slept”
2. Mary and I once met when we were at
d. Adjective phrase qualifying “cat”
school.
4. He left the place in a hurry.

a. Adjective phrase qualifying a. adverb clause, modifying “is not so
“place” easy”
b. Adjective clause qualifying b. noun clause, object of verb “is”
“place” c. adjective clause, qualifying
c. Adverb phrase modifying “examination”
“place” d. adverb phrase modifying “ is not so
easy”
d. Adverb phrase modifying “left”
11. He told Dalo why he works hard.
5. The pen which you left is lost. a. noun clause, object of “told”
a. Adjective clause qualifying b. adverb clause, modifying “told”
“pen” c. adjective clause, qualifying “Dalo”
b. Noun clause in apposition to d. noun clause, complement of “told”
“pen” 12. Clothes of the latest fashion are always
c. Noun clause object of “is lost” sought after.
d. Noun clause complete of “is lost” a. adverb phrase, modifying “are”
6. I thank you for the assistance you have b. noun clause in apposition to
given my daughter. “clothes”
a. noun clause, object of verb “thank”. c. adjective phrase, qualifying “clothes”
b. adverb clause, modifying “thank”. d. adjective clause, describing “clothes”
c. noun phrase, object of verb “thank”. 13. That was how we triumphed in the
d. adjective clause, qualifying competition.
“assistance”. a. noun clause, object of “was”
7. The head teacher asked me why I came b. noun clause, complement of “was”
late. c. participle phrase, qualifying “was”
a. adjective clause, qualifying “me” d. adverb clause, modifying “was”
b. noun clause, object of verb “asked” 14. The match began once the rains had
c. noun clause, in apposition to “me” stopped.
d. adverb clause, modifying “asked” a. noun clause, object of “began”
8. This is the farm I would like to buy. b. adverb clause, modifying “began”
a. adjective clause, qualifying “farm” c. adjective clause, qualifying “match”
b. noun clause, in apposition to “farm” d. adjective phrase qualifying “match”
c. noun phrase, object of “farm” 15. She looked surprised at the door which
d. adverb phrase , modifying verb “is” was locked.
9. I shall discuss this issue with you when a. noun clause, in apposition to
you come back. “surprised”
a. noun clause, object of verb “shall b. adverb clause, modifying “surprised”
discuss” c. adjective clause, qualifying “door”
b. noun phrase, object of verb “shall d. adjective phrase, qualifying “door”
discuss” 16. The thief was locked up in a room so
c. adverb clause, modifying “shall that he should not escape.
discuss” a. adverb clause, modifying “locked up’
d. noun clause, in apposition to object b. adjective clause, qualifying “room”
“you” c. adjective phrase, qualifying “room”
10. The examination is not so easy as you d. adverb phrase, modifying “was
think. locked up”
17. Chikwanje works as hard as he can.

a. adjective clause, qualifying c. adverb phrase, modifying “wanted”
“Chikwanje” d. adjective clause, qualifying “driver”
b. noun clause, object of “Chikwanje” 24. After wearing his glasses, Mr. Phiri left
c. adverb phrase, modifying “works” home.
d. adverb clause, modifying “works” a. adjective phrase, qualifying “Mr.
18. The house by the lake belongs to Chief Phiri”
Mapiri. b. adverb clause, modifying “left”
a. adverb phrase, modifying “belongs” c. noun phrase, in apposition to Mr.
b. noun phrase, object of “house” Phiri.
c. adjective phrase, qualifying “house” d. adverb phrase, modifying “left”
d. adjective clause, qualifying “house” 25. Cleaning of the streets is appreciated by
19. What the nurse said surprised the patient. many.
a. noun clause, subject of “surprised” a. noun phrase, in apposition to “many”
b. adverb clause, modifying “surpised” b. noun clause, in apposition to “many”
c. noun clause, complement of c. noun clause, subject of “is”
“surprised” d. noun phrase, subject of “is”
d. adjective clause, qualifying “patient” 26. Her passion was helping the under-
20. Our assumption is that the situation will privileged.
improve soon. a. adverb clause, modifying “was”
a. adjective clause, qualifying b. noun phrase, object of “was”
“assumption” c. noun phrase, complement of “was”
b. noun clause, complement of the verb d. adjective clause, qualifying
“is” “passion”
c. noun clause, object of “is” 27. The outgoing chairperson delivered her
d. adverb clause, modifying “is” speech with deep emotions.
21. The students now realize that destroying a. adverb clause, modifying “delivered”
school property is bad. b. adjective clause, qualifying “speech”
a. adverb clause, modifying “realize’ c. adjective phrase, qualifying “speech”
b. noun clause, complement of d. adverb phrase, modifying “delivered”
“realize” 28. The path that passes through the grazing
c. noun clause, object of realize” field is rarely used.
d. adjective clause, qualifying a. noun phrase, in apposition to “path”
“students” b. adjective clause, qualifying “path”
22. We stayed at the hotel you c. noun clause, in apposition to “path”
recommended. d. adjective phrase, qualifying “path”
a. noun phrase, in apposition to “the 29. The mother went to the place where she
hotel” could find her daughter.
b. adjective phrase, qualifying “the a. adjective clause, qualifying “place”
hotel” b. adverb clause, modifying “went”
c. adjective clause, qualifying “the c. noun phrase, object of “went”
hotel” d. noun clause, in apposition to “place”
d. adverb clause, modifying “stayed” 30. He begged that his friend’s life might be
23. The driver wanted to know if we could spared.
hire him. a. adverb phrase, modifying “begged”
a. adverb clause, modifying “wanted” b. adjective clause, qualifying “he”
b. noun clause, object of “wanted” c. noun clause, object of “begged”

d. adverb clause, modifying “begged” c. noun clause, subject of “will
31. How the thief got in is a mystery. remain”
a. noun clause, complement of “is” d. adjective clause, qualifying
b. noun clause, subject of “is” “mystery”
c. noun phrase, subject of “is” 37. The door leads to the crowded and dusty
d. adverb phrase, modifying “is” room.
32. He went there in the morning. a. adverb clause, modifying “leads”
a. adverb phrase, modifying “went” b. adverb phrase, subject of “leads”
b. adjective phrase, qualifying “he” c. noun phrase, object of “leads”
c. noun phrase, object of “went” d. noun clause, object of “leads”
d. adjective clause, qualifying “he” 38. What surprised me was how he missed
33. The hospital, along the road, is being the train.
renovated. a. adjective clause, qualifying “me”
a. noun phrase, in apposition to b. adverb clause, modifying “surprised”
“hospital” c. noun clause, object of “surprised”
b. adverb clause, modifying “is” d. noun clause, complement of “me”
c. adjective phrase, qualifying 39. How the thief was caught remains a big
“hospital” puzzle.
d. noun clause, subject of “is” a. noun clause, subject of “is”
34. The girl next to me is my neighbour. b. adverb clause, modifying “is”
a. adjective clause, qualifying “girl” c. noun phrase, subject of “is”
b. noun phrase, in apposition to “girl” d. adverb phrase, modifying “is”
c. adjective phrase, qualifying “girl” 40. Apoche is the student whom we chose to
d. noun clause, in apposition to “girl” represent us.
35. The boy jumped over the electric fence. a. noun clause, subject of “is”
a. noun clause, object of “jumped” b. noun phrase, object of “is”
b. adverb phrase, modifying “jumped” c. adjective phrase, qualifying
c. adjective phrase, qualifying “boy” “student”
d. adverb clause, modifying “jumped” d. adjective clause, qualifying “student”
36. How he managed to cross the river will 41. Volunteers, boys or girls, are wanted.
remain mystery. a. noun clause, in apposition to
a. noun phrase, subject of “will “volunteers”
remain” b. noun clause, object of “volunteers”
b. adjective phrase, qualifying c. noun phrase, in apposition to
“mystery” “volunteers”
d. noun phrase, object of “volunteers”

TOPIC 11: COMPREHENSION
The word ‘comprehension’ means ‘the ability to read or hear and understand what
someone writes or says or what someone sees’. It involves someone’s ability to interpret
and translate messages. This definition implies that unlike the traditional way of getting learners
to show their ability to understand written passages, comprehension, in a broader sense, applies
even for passages that the teacher or another learner can orally put across, or if it is a story, tell to
the class. Sometimes the readers may be required to express their own opinion on contentious
issues appearing in some passages. In so doing, the readers or listeners may agree or disagree to
the point of view of the writer or speaker.
Thus, to comprehend is to be able to do the following from what one hears, reads or sees:
a. Mention what has happened; who has done it; when it was done; where it was done
b. State why and how it was done
c. Explain personal judgement of a character’s action
d. Infer meaning of given words, phrases and statements etc
In Malawi, although comprehension includes understanding what someone says or understanding

what you see, Comprehension based on a written text is the most popular and examinable one.
A. GUIDELINES WHEN ANSWERING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
This is a crucial part in the assessment of comprehension. During examinations, most candidates
do not do well in comprehension because of lack of knowledge in what is required in making
responses to given questions. Candidates should be aware that knowing answers to questions is
one thing; but the ability to express the answers is totally a different thing that matters if a
candidate is to excel. A number of factors must be considered when tackling questions as follows:
I. Brevity of the answer
Most students think that if they make a long response, they will score a better mark. However,
the opposite is true. The longer the response the more mechanical errors there may be. As such,
a. Students should not beat about the bush. Rather, they should go straight to the answer.
b. As much as possible, students should not repeat the question or any part of it.

Type of questions How to respond
Who-/ when-/ where- qs Students should just mention the person, date,
or place.
E.g. Who was Dumisani’s daughter?
Where was Favour born? E.g. Chigomezgo or She was Chigomezgo
When was Wongani born? at Mlare
when Bingu was the president
in 1995
What-qs,
E.G. What did Precious see at the lake?
crocodiles and ships
What made Isabel go to the lake? She saw crocodiles and ships.
to buy fish for relish
She went to buy fish for relish.
Why-qs, e.g. Why did Faith go to Kasungu? to give medicine to her brother
sinceshe wanted to give medicine to her

brother
Her brother was sick, so she wanted to give

him medicine.
Give a reason for the Caesar's promotion. He had given a good plan for his company.
since he had given the company a good plan
How was Chifundo communicated for her by mail

success ?
The board wrote her a letter.
through a letter
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Why-questions and how-questions can be approached from several angles:
1. Why-Questions
a. Expressing answers as phrases beginning with “to…”

Example: “to look for herbs for her mother”
b. Expressing answers as adverb clauses of reason or purpose beginning

i. so that…
ii. in order that…
iii.so as to…
iv. since…
The use of because.... should be avoided.
c. Writing answers in sentence form.
2. How-Questions
a. Answers expressed as phrases beginning
i. by…
i. through…
b. Answers expressed as sentences
II. Answers be explained in the candidates’ own words

One of the commonest and most costly problem is that of repeating the answers verbatim, or
simply extracting a sentence as it is in the text and writing it as the answer to a given question.
This practice is called lifting. Students must avoid lifting but should learn to use their own
words in answering questions.
III. Responses should be properly punctuated

Careless punctuation or no punctuation at all may cost students marks. Therefore, all rules of
punctuation, including orthographic rules must be closely followed. The following points must
be taken into account:
a. No full stop should be put at the end of a response which is a single word or phrase.
b. First letters of proper nouns should be capitalized.
c. First letter shouldn't be capitalized if the response in in phrase form.
IV. Questions requiring expression of meaning should follow the rules below:
When reading comprehension passage, take note of the underlined or bold words as they may
appear later in the questions.There are two types of questions requiring candidates to express
meaning, namely:
a. “Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage”

b. “Explain the meaning of the following phrases as used in the passage”
a. Giving meaning

This question requires a one-word answer(synonym of the given word), except in special
circumstances.
The general principle is that students must consider congruency between the question and the
answer. In other words, the form and grammatical value of the question should be the same as
that of the responses they give. Congruency is looked at in terms of:
i. The part of speech of the question in the answers shouldn't change
It follows that responses should be expressed in the part of speech of the question, for example,
noun, verb, adverb, adjective, etc. In addition, the form of the part of speech should be matched
as well. For instance, if the word is a noun, consider number (Singular/Plural) and form
(Gerund/Ordinary).
ii. The tense and form of the verb

Many candidates lose marks on questions that require giving meaning because they do not match
the question and its tense and verb form. The rule is that there must be a match so that when the
response given replaces the word in question the flow of the sentence is not disturbed. Equally,
the verb form must be matched as well.
Conditions for two or more words for answers
As already pointed out, the general rule in answering the question “Give the meaning of the
following words as used in the passage” is that candidates give a one-word response. However,
there are two exceptions to this rule, namely:
i. When it has proved difficult to find a suitable word.
For example,
1. Tip-toed: moved on toes
2. In-situ: the original habitat of a thing
3. Ex-situ: outside the original habitat of a thing
4. Status quo: the way things are now
5. Pork: hog meat
ii. When the answer does not give an exact meaning without a modifier or qualifier
For example:
1. chastise: punish severely
2. bizarre: totally strange
3. thrilled: so excited
4. dunderhead: very stupid person
b. Explaining Meaning

Questions under this category come in the form of phrases picked from the passage.
For example:
i. “Had reached the sanctuary of”

ii. “Made a bee line”
iii. “Raced back to”.
1. When writing responses to such questions, several rules must be applied as follows:
i. The tense, form and part of speech of the verb in the question must match that of the answer.
Slight changes may be there, of course.
Example:
a. “had reached the sanctuary of” =“had arrived/come to safety of”
b. “made a bee line” =“went straight to”
c. “raced back to”= “quickly remembered/ stared back into”
ii. Students must strictly limit their responses to what the question demands. The question itself
is a component of a particular sentence in the passage. For instance, “made a beeline” is part of
the following sentence:
She then made a bee line around the furniture to the bedroom. As such just like in giving
meanings stated above, expressing the answer as a sentence is wrong. It creates an awkward
sentence. Suppose a candidate wrote the answer in a sentence form, like this: “ Pilirani went
straight”. If you fit this into the original sentence, it would read: “She then Pilirani went straight”
which is awkward. So, it is only the answer that matters.
V. Questions requiring character description Students should avoid using:
a. relationships, e.g. brother

b. physical qualities, e.g. tall
Rather, they should base their description on personality characteristics or behavioural qualities,
e.g. brave, impulsive, stubborn, kind etc.
Note that character can be identified through:
a. What someone says about themselves

b. What others say about the character
c. How the character acts or reacts
d. How the character thinks about others
VI. For questions requiring predicting/suggesting a title for a passage

The word “title” is defined as a brief and inclusive heading of a passage. A title therefore is to

bear the following characteristics:
a. Not a sentence.
b. Be short and concise.
c. Must capture the general idea of the passage.
d. Not a proverb or saying.
e. Must not be the name of complementary characters.
Formulating suitable titles for passages
Three ways of coming up with suitable titles include:
a. Theme, that is, the central idea or lesson contained in or carried by the given passage, e.g.
“The Reunion”
b. Character, especially of the major character and how the same conducts him/herself, e.g.
“Pilirani and the Unexpected Visitor” or “James; the rainmaker”
c. Plot. The candidate focuses on the major thing to which the plot or a series or events in the
story point to e.g. “The Unexpected Visitor”
Apart from the points discussed above students should avoid the following Common Mistakes in
Comprehension
a. Answers out of context.

b. Answers expressed in general terms.
c. Factual misrepresentation.
d. Incorrect spellings.
e. Use of wrong tense.
d. Giving two answers where the requirement is one answer.
g. Making responses in direct speech.
h. Faulty grammar in responses.
i. Use of short forms, contractions and abbreviations.
SUMMARY WRITING
The word summary refers to a short version containing gist of something. It is a shortened
version of something that has been said or written, containing only the main points. At MSCE
Level, students are required to summarize passages in one paragraph of between 70 and 100
words. Summary writing involves putting main points of a given passage in prose.
Stages in summary writing

1. Students are required to read the passage thoroughly in order to understand it. If they do not
grasp the ideas in the passage, after the first reading, then it should be imperative to them to re-
read the passage. In the course of reading, they identify key ideas from the passage.
Two major approaches to identifying key ideas from a given passage:

a. Following what the narrator or the major character does.
This approach is applicable if the passage is a short story.
b. Tracking down topic sentences in the paragraphs if the passage is in the form of an essay.
Topic sentences are introduced by signaling devices, e.g. firstly, secondly, in addition, in fact,
finally, etc.
2. List down the selected ideas in point form. As much as possible, stick to only relevant and
more important points.
3. Link up the points that have been listed down in one paragraph. Several things must be
considered during this stage:
(a) Preciseness of the points

(b) Brevity in the points
(c) Grammatical correctness of the points
(d) The word range of the summary. In marking a summary exercise, the teacher/examiner
counts the words used in the summary and simply ignores everything you write which exceeds
the target.
(e) Expressing the ideas in one’s own words. Remember, lifting is prohibited.
4. Edit your summary.
During this stage, you are expected to:
(a) Make attempts to perfect grammar.

(b) Check correctness of spellings.
(c) check consistency of tense
(d) verify the number of words that you have written. As much as possible, apply all means of
reducing content to reach the target words.
5. Write the final copy of the summary. Do not put the title except when asked to do so.
Having identified all the necessary points, linked them up, polished them and verified the
number of words in which they are expressed and the consistency of the tense, you can now
neatly jot down the final draft. Make sure that the summary is written in a single paragraph with
not less than Six (6) main points.
6. Remember:

a. To create natural flow of ideas. Reference ties and connectives can be used, e.g. all the same,
however, further, in fact, then, and, etc. These create cohesion and coherence of points in the
summary.
b. To be consistent on the tense used. Though the simple present tense may be used, it is more
encouraged to use the reportorial pattern. This is where the candidate places him/herself in the
shoes of an observer who later reports what they saw.
c. To simplify or express in simple and direct language all figurative expressions that may be
part of an important idea.
d. If the passage is in the first person point of view, change it to third person point of view in
your summary.
d. To avoid short forms(like Exams, maths, demos,etc) , contractions( like I'm, aren't, should've,
etc), abbreviations(like e.g., etc., i.e., pvt, ltd., pple, tv,MBC, ZBS, OVC, VDC, AU, EU, PP,
DPP, MCP, UTM, etc) symbols, slung( Wanna, gonna, ok, yap, dad/daddie, mum/mummie) and
cell phone language(Lyf, becoz/coz, gud, ‘u’, ‘r’, pliz, wat, de/da, wud, 4 for "for", nyt/9t, 2 for
‘to’ or "too", dis, dat, mek).
Common mistakes students commit when writing summary
1. Giving a summary of a totally different story (off-point summaries).

This is so because different candidates interpret the instruction “Summarise the passage in
your own words” differently. Chief examiner's report show that 10 percent of candidates every
year provide summaries of:
i. Stories they have read elsewhere.

ii. Memorable events that have taken place in their families.
iii. Things that spoil the lives of youths.
iv. Note-making passages.
2. Writing a summary as if it were a folktale. Folktales begin with phrases “Once upon a time”;
“A long time ago”; “Sometime in the past” or “In a certain village there was a man called ….” A
candidate who does this does not deserve any mark at all. Again, do not open your summary with
the same words which the passage opened with.
3. Lifting the lines of the summary from the original passage.
4. Presenting a summary in which characters are not addressed by names. For example, some
students/candidates will write “In a certain town there was a certain woman… One day the
woman received an unknown visitor…” Here as well, the student/candidate gets nothing.
5. Some students/candidates use irrelevant names in their summaries.

For example, Instead of Chapita one may write Chepita. If this error of using wrong name occurs
it is assumed the student/candidate has written his/her summary from a different story.
6. Other learners will present their summaries in point form. Summary follows a constructive
approach to organising collected information.
7. Not following the given word-range, i.e. “between 70 words and 100 words”. Some write
under 70 while others beyond 100 words. This is a mistake. Again do not write the number of
words within borders( i.e 70 words or 100 words exactly). Write around 85 to 95 words.
8. Use of direct speech in the summary. This is usually the case where the candidate has lifted
the response. However, some candidates will mix their own sentences and lifted ones.
9. Inconsistent use of tense is another problem that most learners face every time they summarise
passages. Students who are not so good at grammar may better use the past tense to write what
they read.
10. Incorrect spellings
11. Poor punctuation
12. Lack of subject/verb agreement
13.Lack of parallelism in sentence structures etc.
14. Poor Flow of the passage.
15. Writing numbers wrongly when the question is asking numbers. Note that a question that
requires a number as a response, write all numbers between 1 and 99 in words; from 100 and
above, write either in words or as a figure.
Student Activity 11 and sample answers

Summarise the paragraphs below following any of the three techniques discussed above:
(i) Whenever I take La, I experience headaches, nausea, and a slight fever. Sometimes I vomit.
(not more than six words)
Sample Answer: I am allergic to La.
(ii) Life was becoming increasingly tough. The children had been sacked from school for failing
to pay fees. Barely a week later, water and electricity were disconnected. All we lived on were
alms collected from the street by our last born, Masuzgo. (not more than 7 words)
Answer: We barely survived.
(iii) The journey was long and tiring. Most members of the group got exhausted and started
complaining bitterly. In the end we decided to camp at a certain place for a night. (not more than
13 words)
Answer: Since we were too tired, we camped overnight.
Now try to summarise the following into the number of words indicated in the brackets.

(a) There was suddenly a great noise emanating from the café. Students were heard shouting
insults on the kitchen staff because of the poorly cooked mealie meal. In a short meeting that
they had convened, the students agreed not to accept the noon meal. (not more than 8 words)
(b) All days are not Sundays really. Unlike all the previous journeys, last week’s sail over Lake
Malawi was not rosy. Our small steamer, Mwanahanja, met a heavy storm between Makuzi and
Msuli Points. It was tossed like a pith on a fast flowing river until it hit a rock. Water started
coming in through the hole that the accident had created. She could not move on, and eventually
got submerged. (not more than 10 words)
(c) Nelson was sent to the superette to do some shopping. When he came back, his basket was
filled to the brim with all sorts of items like sugar, soap, biscuits, cooking oil, jam, bread, tooth
paste, etc. (between 6 and 10 words)
Read the following passage and then summarize it in not less than 70 words and not more than
100 words.
No one really knows how it all started. I asked Angela if she knew who had conceived the idea,
but was noncommittal to disclose. Even Miss Steamer expressed ignorance about how the two
score and one students had quickly organized themselves and flocked out of the gate in a noisy
crocodile and ascended Namizimu Forest. All I remember is that some excited finale had run the
errand of asking us to meet at the gate.
I had all along longed for a stroll to the forest. Now that a giant communications company,
Celtel, was mounting a transmitter uphill, my curiosity to go there was all the more stimulated.
We checked out at the gate in style, with the security personnel, Ankolo Aipa and Ankolo
Sikumbiri, waving us good bye. Anisusho, the last one to get out of the gate, soon caught up with
us even before we reached Monomotapa Superrette opposite MAYNET (Malindi Aids Youth
Network) offices. No sooner had we reached the newly-constructed Celtel Corridor than we
came face to face with our English teacher, the architect of the adventure, waiting for us.
The only stranger in our midst was full of fun. It was then that I learnt that his students fondly
called him Mr Bangster because he would sway from side to side as he moved. He was a man in
his early thirties, tall and slim. His long hairy emaciated arms culminated into long fingers, with
which he would jab in emptiness whenever he wanted to emphasize a point. His equally long but
strong legs rested on heavily veined feet, safely tacked in newly purchased American made
snickers. An ant surviving the wrath of his boots would count itself lucky, for he moved with
such emphasis that a fearful bachelor sleeping alone in his house would think a ghost was after
his life. The style of his tender beard gave him the look of a Hollywood film star. We were so
engrossed in his Shona folktales and descriptions of places that we did not even feel the midday
sun scorching us.
Well, the landscape below us was marvelous. The shimmering waters of Lake Malawi could
easily be mistaken for a solidified white magma on the surface were it not for the fishermen
scattered about its length and breadth. We had the rear opportunity of capturing the source of the
River Shire. The Shire looked like a tired snake as it meandered its course down Fort Johnston

valley into Lake Malombe. Still to our left, hamlets could be seen from across Lusalumwe River
all the way to Chindamba’s where we were. Green foliage sheltered all infrastructures at St
Michael’s save the somehow ancient asbestos-topped classroom blocks. Across Lake Malawi,
the Nankumba Peninsula was covered in a mist, which obscured our clear view of the hotels
lined along the white western beaches of the twin-v, the southern end of the lake. Looking right,
we could see a white massive rock off the shores of Moto-Mtengeza Village. Close by, lay the
famous Chilanga’s Two Pillars Leisure Centre, a hideout to some notable dealers from the
township.
As we approached the apex of the hill, our destination, inquisitiveness heightened within me. I
increased my pace to catch up with Nicola, who was busy recording what she could find
worthwhile. The transmitter, standing at the towering height of 150 metres, had been built on a
square foundation. Towards its very end were three long bulbs, which sent signals into three
different directions at a 35 kilometre radius. A bricklayer working on the site quickly rushed to
our rescue when he saw us nosing about for some information. By the time he started briefing us,
all but one ten of us had withstood the bite of hunger. The story of the satellite dish, that it would
render impotent anyone passing in front of it when it was switched on, was still fresh when we
happily descended the hill. As we passed by the Supermarket, our teacher treated us to a feast of
the sweet cane, probably from Namwela.
Sample Summary of the passage above

An English teacher had organised an impromptu tour of Namizimu Forest where Celtel company
was mounting a transmitter. The teacher had led forty one students. A teacher from another
school also accompanied them. This teacher was nicknamed Mr Bangster by his students because
of the way he moved. His appearance and skill in narrating Shona folktales captivated the
interest of the students. Students also enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the lake and the villages
below. After getting some information at the site about how transmitters work, the group
returned. They were then bought sugarcane by their teacher.

TOPIC 12: NOTE MAKING
Note-making is the process of taking down important ideas from a written exposition.
In other words, note-making involves identifying and writing down important points from what
one is reading.
Note-making is about breaking down a passage into main points or sub-headings and
supporting points under a heading or title. The supporting points are put down in phrases.
RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN WRITING NOTE MAKING
Paragraphs in Note Making are very important. Each paragraph gives a clue on what the student
has to grasp. Note making has three arms namely Title, main points and supporting
points(content). These follow a particular lay out or style and each segment has rules as follows:
A. TITLE
It is also called heading. It is formulated from the topic sentence, i.e. a sentence that gives us the
central idea of the passage. The topic sentence is usually in the first paragraph of a given passage.
A good title must be:
a. Brief and to the point (not exceeding five words)

b. Expressed as a phrase, not a sentence
c. Encompassing of the general idea of the passage
d. Written on the top of the page but centered.
e. In block letters and not underlined
f. Unnumbered
g. Written in words that have not been abbreviated. Symbols too are not allowed in the title.
B. MAIN POINTS
These are also referred to as sub-headings or sub-titles. They are formulated
from the topic sentence for each paragraph. They are usually introduced by signaling devices in
each paragraph e.g., Firstly, furthermore, another point, in addition, lastly, etc. They are usually
at the onset of each paragraph.
Good main points must be:

a. Brief and in phrases
b. Written from the margin
c. Numbered by using capital Roman numerals I, II, III,etc, Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3 etc or capital
letters A, B, C, etc
d. Be in phrase written in small letters and underlined. Note that the first letters of the words or
proper noun in the main point must be put in the upper case(capitalized). Note that it is not
acceptable to write main points in upper case.
e. Without abbreviations and symbols
f. Without a full stop at the end as they are phrases.

C. SUPPORTING POINTS
These are the ideas that elaborate and expand the thought in the main points. They therefore fall
under the main point that they support. There are two classes of supporting points: higher level
and lower level supporting points. Lower level points usually illustrate the idea further like
examples.
Well written supporting points must be:
a. Relevant to the main point under which they appear

b. Numbered according to level especially using i, ii, iii, etc, 1, 2, 3, etc or a, b, c etc. Be
consistent in the choice you make.
c. Written away from the margin
d. Expressed as phrases. The phrases must make sense, and where applicable include standard
abbreviations, contractions and symbols. Note that at least 3 convectional abbreviations or
contractions and at least 3 symbols should be included in your notes.
e. Written in the lower case except where there is a proper noun
f. Without punctuation marks at the end
g. Indented at the fall of each level
h. Without underlining
i. Write a minimum of 16 points
Student Activity 12 A
Read the passage below and come up with a title, one main point and possibly its supporting
point
The antbear is an extraordinary creature in appearance and habits. Even its name in English is
strange for it has two names and both of them are only partly right. The antbear has its own
characteristics as to be discussed.
One of the antbear’s strangest characteristics is its very unusual teeth. They are tube-shaped and
rootless and covered in a cement-like substance, instead of enamel. It is these tube-like teeth
which puts the antbear into the order of mammals known as Tubelidentata. However, the antbear
is the only living representative of this group. The young antbear develops milk-teeth which are
numerous, but the adult animal develops only four or five of these peglike molars. They are all
identical and they never stop growing. These are so complicated that they are now almost
completely useless: they are just a relic from an earlier stage of evolution.
SAMPLE OF NOTE MAKING PASSAGE

Student Activity 12B
Read the following passage carefully and afterwards make a summary of it in NOTE-
FORM. In your summary:
a. Provide a suitable title for the passage
b. Give the main points
c. Supply supporting points for each main point

Marks will be awarded for note-style, brevity and fair-copy layout.
Malawi is a country least known for minerals. However, creation gave her another sort of
blessing. She has what many other countries do not have – the lovely lake. Indeed, Lake Malawi
is a blessing to the country in a number of ways.
The first way is through provision of fish to the people. The lake harbours different types of fish.
The most popular species of fish found in the lake is ‘Chambo’. For your own information,
‘Chambo’ is a type of fish found only in our lake. Other types of fish found in the lake include
‘Kampango’, ‘Bombe’, ’Usipa’ and list is endless. Fish are very essential in our diets. They
provide us with protein necessary for body repair and growth.
The lake also acts as a tourism charm that beckons visitors to our country. Unlike many other
African lakes, Lake Malawi has fresh water. That is the reason why the visitors like to visit the
lakeside so that they can swim in fresh water of our lake. In this way, the lake helps in capturing
foreign currency, which is boost to our economy.
Thirdly, the lake helps the country in transport system. It provides a water-way. You can have
fun on the lake when you board our ships such as Mtendere. You can travel from Chilumba to
Cape Maclear using the lake as a waterway. Apart from ships, many people use canoes and small
boats to travel from one place to another along the lake shore. There are also barges that ferry
cargo to ports in the north from Monkey –Bay.
Finally, the lake is a blessing through the wide shores it has. These shores provide opportunities
to our businessmen and women to build hotels, lodges and inns along the lake. These are places
where very important conferences are held. Tourists spend their time at these places as well. All
this is possible because of the lake. The lake, indeed, is a blessing to the country.
EXPECTED WORK OUT

1. Identify the topic.
Guide: From paragraph 1, the expected answers could be:
(a) Blessings of Lake Malawi
(b) Benefits of Lake Malawi
2. Identify the main points being guided by the signaling devices.
(a) Provision of fish
(b) Tourism charm
(c) Transport system
(d) Wide shores
3. Identify the supporting points that explains the main points and later lower level supporting
points
Note: This is like your planning of the note making. Then following the rules stipulated above,
come up with a full fair copy

SAMPLE OF FAIR COPY AND LAYOUT
. BENEFITS OF LAKE MALAWI
1 Provision of fish
a. contain diff. species
i. Chambo
-most popular
-found only in L. Mw
ii. Kampango
iii. Bombe
iv. Utaka
v. Usipa etc.
b. fish essential in diet -source of protein for body growth
2 Tourism charm
a. contain fresh H2O for swimming
b. capture foreign currency
i. boost economy thru. tourists
3 Transport System
a. ships e.g. Mtendere sail fr.Chilumba to Cape Maclear
b. canoes & small boats move along shore
c. barges tpt cargo fro. M/Bay to n.

Wide shores
4
a. provide business opportunities
i. men & women build hotels, lodges + inns
b. host conference
c. attract tourists

TOPIC 13: COMPOSITIONS
These are systematically arranged ideas written in a single or more paragraphs.
Candidates who prepare to sit for Malawi School Certificate of Education Examinations are
expected to write any of the following compositions: letter writing, speech, report or short story.
There are two questions from which a candidate is asked to choose one. The questions are in the
following pairs:
(a)Letter(Business/formal) or short story
(b)Report or short story
(c)Speech or short story
PLANNING TO WRITE COMPOSITIONS
In whatever choice the student makes during the examinations, planning on what to write is very
important for failure to plan a composition is as good as preparing to fail.
During the examinations, instructions in the paper provide 10 minutes for candidates to plan their
composition. On the contrary, most students do not utilise this time for planning due to the
following reasons among others:
a. They think that planning is a wastage of time. So they are quick to go direct into writing.
b. Most of the students are not trained by their teachers. Some teachers do not emphasize on the
importance of planning hence students find it useless.
c. Some students do not even know what or how to plan
DANGERS OF NOT PLANNING A COMPOSITION
a. The composition essay lacks direction. The student may go back and forth as he doesn't have
guidelines when writing. This may lead the student to run out of ideas or to jam on the way.
b. It is difficult to generate good and strong points to incorporate into composition as writing is
in progress.
c. There is a high probability of writing either too short an essay or too long.
HOW TO PLAN A COMPOSITION?
Given a question, the candidate has:
a. to brainstorm the possible points s/he is going to put in the essay. These points should include
main as well as supporting which will be expanded in writing to form the content of the essay.
b. to balance the points to avoid raising points that focus on one segment only. To clarify this
point, a student may be asked to write a letter or a report on the problems that have hit their area
following a heavy storm that has blown off the roof of the rural hospital. If not well planned, the

student may write problems they face throughout the composition. This type of writing shows
that the points are not balanced due to lack of planning.
c. to show creativity by raising points that are mouth-watering and attract the attention of the
reader who in this case is the one marking the scripts. It should be said here that composition
contains lies that are used to explain the truth. For this reason, avoid exaggerating the facts but
be realistic instead.
It should be noted that the success of any composition depends on how much a candidate appeals
to the sense of the reader. Try as much as possible to raise appealing points.
Apart from raising good points, plan to write in a good English. This appeals more to the reader.
ACTUAL WRITING OF A COMPOSITION
Never start sentences using conjunctions like Because, but, and, so, etc
Observe paragraphs when writing. The number of paragraphs or what to include in each
paragraph is determined during planning.
Avoid combining words or cutting words(contractions) except in a speech which is deemed as

the word of mouth.
Example of words that students wrongly combine: Iam instead of I am, Infact instead of In fact,
Inorder instead of In order, can not instead of cannot, in stead for instead, etc.
Examples of words contracted which is an error are: don't instead of do not, didn't instead of did
not, can't instead of cannot, etc
Use simple English. You do not earn high marks for using difficult vocabulary.
Avoid writing your essay on:
i. Obscene subjects
ii. Attack on disability
iii. Attack on gender bias
iv. Political subjects
v. Religious concepts
vi. Issues restricted to your area alone
Learn to divide time: be neat, speedy and accurate. Cancel out neatly when an error has been
made.
Use the hand writing that you are comfortable with. Do not panic to change for the sake of
exams, you will not go far with it.

Punctuation rules have to be followed at all cost.
Do not combine tenses to avoid confusing the reader.
Write the words within the required number i.e 350-500 words as short essays are heavily
penalised by being marked out of half of the full marks.
LETTER WRITING
GENERAL RULES IN WRITING A BUSINESS LETTER
May be block style or indented but the block style is better as it does not have a lot of things to
confuse.
Block style doesn't require punctuation marks like commas and full stop in the address,
salutations and valediction except on date.
Ensure that capital letters are written where necessary.
On the date, do not omit "th, rd, nd, st", and should be written as 19th March not 19th March. Do
not write the date as 19-01-2005 or 19/03/2005.
Title should not be underlined when in capital letters but underline when in lower case(small
letters)
Paragraphs should be observed by skipping a line.
Signature should be written between Yours faithfully and the ending name e.g.
Yours faithfully
Signature
Collins Zimwanda
EXAMPLE OF PLANNING A LETTER WRITING
QUESTION
Imagine, that at your school, fire broke out in one of the hostels, that it caused much damage to
property. Fortunately, nobody died but several injuries were reported. As a student at the school,
write a letter to the Officer In-Charge of the police station in your area giving the information on
the accident.
Planning the content
a. Naming the school, location(district, traditional authority, common physical features like
trading centre etc). These should be in one Paragraph

b. Cause of the fire. In one paragraph
c. Damage caused. Be in 2 or 3 paragraphs each presenting a damage cause
d. Assistance required. Be in 2 paragraphs each presenting a different request.
e. Concluding statement. Be in a single paragraph but not too long
LETTER LAYOUT
Misale Secondary School

Post Office Box 15
Tembwe
Mchinji
19th March, 2022
The Officer In-Charge

Kamwendo Police Unit
Private Bag 2
Magawa
Dear Sir
FIRE ACCIDENT AT MISALE SECONDARY SCHOOL
I would like to write about the fire that broke out in one of the hostels here at Misale Secondary
School.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Yours faithfully
Signature
Faith Mhango

REPORT WRITING
Planning a report
QUESTION
Imagine that the bridge that connects your area to the urban center has been washed away by the
floods due to heavy rains. This has caused a number of problems to the people in the area. Write
a report to the ministry of local government about it.
Planning may involve
a. Area location(name,district, traditional authority, distance from the main road, common
physical features, approximate population, occupation of the people). Be in one paragraph
b. Causes(heavy rains, one week non-stop, washed bridge, fields, houses, livestock etc). Be in
one paragraph
c. Problems. 2 or 3 points(i. inaccessibility to the market and results, ii. students failure to go to
school and results, iii. no chance reach to a health facility and results). Be in 2 or 3 paragraphs
based on the number of main points.
d. Assistance needed. 2 points(i. urgent bridge repairing, ii. health personnel urgently needed due
to cholera outbreak). Be in 2 paragraph each expanding a raised point.
e. Conclusion.
Note: Do not write the date as 19-03-2022 or 19/03/2022
LAYOUT
19th March, 2022.
From : Rebecca Longwe, Mwenilondo Secondary School, Post Office Box 25, Karonga.
To : The Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Post Office Box 567, Lilongwe.
FLOODS HIT OUR AREA
I write to report to you about the floods that hit our area resulting to the washing away of a
bridge that connects the area to the urban centre.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Finally, I will be grateful if you come to our rescue by providing with extra resources that can
help in fixing the bridge.
Signature
Rebecca Longwe
(Concerned citizen)
WRITING A SPEECH
A speech is not very different from other types of composition. The following are the
characteristics of a speech that have to borne in mind:
(a) When writing a speech, it must be assumed that the writer is actually speaking to his/her
audience and there is use of personal pronouns like “I”….,“you”, etc
(b) It must be assumed that the audience consist of people of different social and professional
positions and the speaker (writer) must address them beginning with the highest ranking
individual and end with the lowest. Don't put too many of them for the sake of covering up the
space.
c. A speech is deemed as a word of mouth and therefore contractions are allowed
e.g: The headmaster, members of staff, parents and my fellow students, I wish to thank you for
your kind gesture
NOTE:
1. A speech is not a letter so it should not have a name at the end
2. The language should be formal
3. No address required
4. Mostly present tense is used
5. Begin with a title
Planning a speech
QUESTION

Imagine that your area has no health facility and a close one is very far to reach. The minister of
health is on tour and will stop in your area to assess the problems your area is facing. As a youth
representative, write a speech on behalf of the members of the area to present on the ceremony.
Planning
Welcoming remarks (Formalities welcoming the guests and purpose of speech). Be in one
paragraph
Problems faced due to lack of Health Centre. (2 or 3 points). Be in 2 or 3 paragraphs.
What the community has done (3 – 4 points). Be in a single paragraph
Required assistance (2 points). Be in 2 paragraphs
Conclusion(in a single paragraph). End with recognizing the audience by addressing them in
order of their ranks but this time don’t mention all.
LAYOUT
HEALTH PROBLEMS IN OUR AREA
The Guest of honour, Minister of Health; The Principal Secretary of Health; The District Health
Officer for Karonga District; Traditional Authority Kyungu; Ministry officials; All chiefs; my
fellow youths; ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of people of Katili, I would like to welcome you Madam to this important occasion
whereby we have been given an opportunity to present the health problems this community is
facing.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Lastly, the Guest of honour, distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen. I thank you for
paying attention.

TOPIC 14: TIPS ON ANSWERING LITERATURE QUESTIONS
Students during the Malawi School Certificate of Education Examinations meet literature
questions to make their English paper complete.
The MSCE Examination paper has two sections: (a). Section A which examines students skills
acquired in poetry and short story analysis, and (b). Section B which demands students to write
essays one from each book, a play or novel.
SECTION A QUESTIONS
Questions demand students to provide short responses from the given poem or short story.
Questions are in present tense therefore students are also expected to write their responses in
present tense.
When the question demands to present a theme, students have to present it in noun form. For
example: violence, superstitions, love, courage etc
When the question demands to present a character which an individual portrays in the story or
poem, the response should be given in an adjective form. For example: He is violent, loving,
superstitious etc
SECTION B QUESTIONS
This section demands students to write their responses in an essay form.
There are two types of essay questions which students are expected to meet namely: (a) Loaded
essay questions and (b) Multiple essay questions.
Loaded or blocked essay questions demand a student to concentrate their responses on a single
concept asked in a question.
Students are expected to write eight points in eight separate paragraphs with supporting points.
No lengthy introduction is needed except a brief one which quotes what the question demands.
This also serves as a title of the essay.
Example of a loaded essay question
Discuss with eight points how some individuals contribute to different characters' miseries in the
novel the Pearl by John Steinbeck.
For such a question, students are expected to raise eight points all of which will address the
concept of how individuals brought miseries to other characters.
An introduction of the loaded essay can be written as follows:

Some individuals in the novel the Pearl by John Steinbeck contribute to the miseries of different
individuals as follows:
Then points will follow in eight separate paragraphs
Multiple Essay Questions
In these types of questions, students are asked the question that cover several concepts be it
regarding themes or characters.
For example:
Discuss the characters of the following individuals are portrayed in the play Macbeth by William
Shakespeare:
i. Lady Macbeth
ii. Macdulf
Here the students will write characters portrayed by the individuals in question separately. Four
points will be under Lady Macbeth and another four on Macdulf. Never combine the two. A
single introduction can however serve as the introduction of the multiple essay but remember to
number the individuals in the way they are numbered in a question after the introduction. For
example:
The following individuals in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare portray their characters
as follows:
(i). Lady Macbeth
(ii). Macdulf
IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE IN ESSAY WRITING
a. Remember to number the question you are answering.

b. Write in present tense
c. Write in grammatically correct English.
d. Don't use the first person point of view and second point of view in an essay but rather use
Third person point of view.
e. Don't write skeleton paragraphs. Present a point and then support it with relevant points or
examples from the book in question.
f. Don’t write your essay using a certain man, a certain place, somewhere, someone, and other
such as these words which shows uncertainty. Be precise by mentioning the characters and
locations properly.
g. Points be presented in a paragraph form and NOT in bullet form.

h. There is no need for a separate concluding paragraphs. The last point of the essay, I.e. point
number eight marks the end of your essay.
MODEL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Sample question 1:
Describe in eight points the mistakes made by individuals and explain how each mistake
would have been avoided in the book, “the pearl by John Steinbeck”.
Sample essay writing:
In the novel the Pearl, some individuals made mistakes which could have been avoided in the
following ways:
Firstly Juana makes a mistake by thinking that the doctor is going to cure her baby. She does not
realize that he is the one who made the baby sick in the first place by giving the baby the white
powder. This could be avoided by sticking to their tradition medicine rather than involving the
doctor who does not have the best interests of the people at heart.
Not only that, Juana makes another mistake by returning the pearl to her husband. Superstition
aside, Juana is right about one thing. The pearl is trouble. This item they thought would make
them rich causes them to lose everything. Because of it, their baby dies, and their lives will
never be the same and this could have been avoided by throwing the pearl back into the sea when
she had the chance.
Furthermore, Kino is aware that everybody in the town or village wants to steal his pearl and
faces many attacks in the process. This could be avoided by selling the pearl just to get rid of it
and free himself from the attackers when he is offered fifteen hundred pesos.
In addition to that, the Pearl buyers knows that the world pearl is worth alot of money and will
give them more profits once they buy it but they offer an acceptable price as low as six hundred
pesos which makes Kino not to sell it . This could be avoided by the buyers offering at least a
fair price.
As this is not enough, Kino knows that after the pearl discovery everybody is an enemy because
they all eye the pearl to the point of hunting him like an animal. Despite all this, he proceeds to

take with him his wife and a kid on a dangerous journey to sell the pearl and lost the baby on
their way. This could be avoided by putting some senses into Juana`s head to stay safe at his
brother`s house.
Kino also makes a mistake by not taking advise from Juana and Juan Thomas that the pearl is
evil and he should get rid of it. It later brought troubles like losing their only house and a canoe
which could have been avoided by taking the advice.
Another mistake is made by the doctor who refuses to help Kino when his Son Coyotito is beaten
by a scorpion because Kino has no money. Later The Doctor pays a visit to Kino upon hearing
that he has found the world pearl and ask for the pearl to keep it safe but is not given. This could
have been avoided by being there for Kino when he needed help to gain his trust.
Lastly Juan made a mistake by not listening to Kino when she was told not to follow Kino on his
way to sell the the Pearl because that`s where the son was shot dead. This could have been
avoided by staying at Juan Thomas` house.
Sample question 2.
Describe with four points how the following individuals portray both admirable and un-
admirable characters in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
a) Macbeth
b) Lady Macbeth
Sample Answer
The following individuals portray both admirable and un-admirable characters in the play
Macbeth as follows
a) Macbeth
Firstly, admirable characters are shown as Macbeth is courageous. He fights the traitors
MacDonald in a battle to defend Scotland from the Irish invaders. Due to his courageous deeds,
King Duncan promotes Macbeth to be the thane of Cawdor.

Apart from being courageous, Macbeth is loyal to the king. He risks his own life to fight for king
in defence of Scotland.
On the contrary, un-admirable characters are shown as Macbeth proves to be weak. He is easily
manipulated by his wife lady Macbeth to murder an innocent loving king. Macbeth is not able to
make his own decisions without the influence of the wife. Without the influence of Lady
Macbeth, Macbeth could not have killed the king
Apart from being weak Macbeth is over ambitious. By being over ambitious, Macbeth eventually
kills the king and becomes king of Scotland himself. Unfortunately, Macbeth finally dies while
defending his ill- gotten crown. The English army led by Macduff attacks Macbeth’s castle and
Macbeth is defeated and killed because of being over ambitious.
b) Lady Macbeth
Admirable characters are portrayed as Lady Macbeth is compassionate. When he recognizes that
King Duncan resembles her father as he sleeps; Lady Macbeth fails to kill him but feels
compassionate for him.
Lady Macbeth is also hospitable. She accepts to accommodate the king to Inverness castle. She
prepares good food and place to sleep for the king
On the other hand, Lady Macbeth has Un-admirable characters since she is manipulative. She
manipulates her husband to kill the king. Macbeth is reluctant to kill the king but is pressurized
into it by his wife.
Lastly, Lady Macbeth is cruel. After plotting to murder King Duncan she does not stop there.
She smears the blood on the chamberlains in order for them to be blamed for the death of the
king.

TOPIC 15: GENERAL MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
In each of the following, choose the word 11. When the plane_____, police surrounded
(s) (A, B, C or D) that best completes each it to welcome the president
of the following sentences. A. scoured ground B. touched down
1. My children prefer rice_____ nsima. C. landed down D. bounced the floor
A. with B. to C. from D. than 13. Mandevu went to Kasungu Hospital to
2. It is too hot in this room, would you mind have his foot operated _________ .
_____ the windows? A. to B. over C. on D. off
A. open B. opening
14. As soon as Chigumu saw the fire, he
C. to opening D. to open
3. If you had seen her, _____ understood tried to put it ______________.
what I mean. A. away B. off C. out D. about
A. you would B. you would have 15. Buluzi dissuaded Linda ______smoking.
C. you would have been D. you would been A. on B. from C. for D. in
4. Makota failed to take part ____ the 16. Katakwe plunged ____________ the
Chibuku knock-out competition. swimming pool.
A. in B. on C. with D. at A. at B. in C. over D. into
5. During the last meeting, the dead boy put 17. Patrick wants the radio switched on so
____ his ideas very clearly. that he ____________ with current affairs.
A. aside B. across C. through D. straight A. catches up B. gets along
C. looks over D. keeps on
6. My pen has stopped working. If you have 18. After reading about the dangers of
two please____ me one. smoking, the patient decided to ______.
A. borrow B. lend C. give D. lent A. give it off B. leave it
7. Mrs. Banda ____ the fly from her coffee C. give it up D. leave it off
cup and continued drinking. 19. James is unable to ____________ his
A. scooped out B. scooped off mind on the girl to marry.
C. scooped in D. scooped away A. get out B. make up
8. Although the laws did not allow, the C. use up D. bring down
president insisted____ having the elections. 20. Chikutumbwe was not thirsty because he
A. in B. on C. at D. of ____________ some milk.
9. I will go home today if your father ____ A. drunk B. has just drunk
me again. C. just drank D. had just drunk
A. beats B. beat 21. If you don’t start watching until 8:30
C. will beat D. would have beat tonight, the programme __________.
A. will have already begun B. will begin
10. The inauguration of the new hospital
C. has already begun D. had already begun
was presided___ by the state president.
22. Mavuto would have escorted you if he
A. on B. out C. over D. about
_______________ a car.
A. has B. had
C. would have D. had had
23. Unless the army worms are controlled, 34. When you make a mistake _________
people ______ poor harvest. neatly using a ruler
A. would have B. will have a. cross it out b. cross it over
c. cross it through d. cross it out
C. will not have D. would not have
35. When I told him that his request had
24. The problem could hardly be solved, ___? been accepted, his face _________.
A. could it B. couldn’t it a. lit over b. lip up
C. can it D. cant it c. lit out d. lit through
25. Let’s ask him some difficult questions, _? 36. Her friend dropped _____ to see her.
A. will we B. shall we a. out b. in c. away d. through
C. won’t we D. don’t we 37. At first no one liked the song, but it soon
caught____________.
26. They never saw me, ______________?
a. up b. on c. off d. away
A. didn’t they B. have they 38. Most workers were laid_______ since
C. did they D. don’t they there wasn’t much work.
27. Nobody can refute this, ____________? a. off b. down c. up d. aside
A. can he B. can’t he 39. Though his application was turned
C. can they D. can’t they ___________, he didn’t lose hope.
28. The abductors are demanding a a. back b. off c. away d. down
____________ before releasing the boy. In each of the following questions, choose
A. bonus B. prize the part of speech (A, B, C and D) that
C. compensation D. ransom best describes each of the underlined
29. The shoe company was declared words.
bankrupt after it had ________ more debts
that it could repay. 40. I have been waiting for you ever since.
A. mounted B. incurred A. preposition B. conjunction
C. evolved D. posted C. adverb D. adjective
30. The rebels ______________ the
41. All my wants cannot be provided by you.
chairman purely for political reasons.
A. noun B. verb
A. murdered B. slaughtered
C. pronoun D. adjective
C. massacred D. assassinated
31. The village drunkard _____________ on 42. The poor man sold everything except his
his way home. blanket.
A. limped B. staggered A. adjective B. preposition
C. strolled D. marched C. adverb D. conjunction.
32. Research has shown that a number of
illnesses are ____________ to smoking. 43. The girl sitting is beautiful.
A. based B. joined A. verb B. adverb C. adjective D. noun
C. linked D. delinked 44. The girls were afraid of snakes.
33. As soon as we saw the fire,we tried to__ A. Noun B. Verb
a. put it off b. put it down C. Preposition D. Adjective
c. put it out d. put it away

45. She received a written apology B. modern sandy hunting vast
A. Verb B. Preposition C. vast modern sandy hunting
C. Adjective D. Adverb D. modern vast sandy hunting
46. The visitor left happily. 54. His ______________ is so dirty.

A. Adverb B. Adjective A. expensive tiny brown woolen
C. Noun D. Verb B. tiny expensive brown woolen
C. woolen expensive tiny brown
47. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. D. tiny expensive woolen brown
A. Noun B. Verb
C. Adjective D. Adverb In each of the following questions, choose
(A, B, C and D) that best describes and
In each of the following questions, choose gives the function of the underlined
the order of adjective (A, B, C and D) that phrase or clause.
best complete the sentences.
55. The musician seated at the big piano is
48. Our school has bought___ plates. Theresa.
A. big nice plastic B. plastic big nice A. noun clause in apposition to ‘musician’
C. nice big plastic D. big plastic nice B. adjective phrase, qualifying ‘musician’
49. The priest admired___ lawnmower. C. noun phrase, in apposition to ‘musician’
A. the small Hungarian yellow D. adjective clause, qualifying ‘musician’
B. the Hungarian small yellow 56. After we won the fight, we shook hands.
C. the small yellow Hungarian A. adverb clause, modifying ‘shook’
D. the yellow small Hungarian B. noun clause, subject of ‘shook’
50. He bought a _____ tablet for his wife C. noun phrase, object of ‘shook’
A. big black glassy B. glassy big black D. noun phrase, complement of ‘shook’
C. black glassy big D. big glassy black 57. Mabanzi arrived after many tiresome
51. Chikondi is a Manager of a _____ hotel. hours of great pain.
A. magnificent green grass-roofed A. adverb phrase, modifying ‘arrived’
B. green grass-roofed magnificent B. noun phrase, object of ‘arrived’
C. grass-roofed green magnificent C. noun phrase, complement of ‘after’
D. magnificent grass-roofed green D. noun phase, object of ‘after’
52. Yakobo is listening to __________music. 58. The new textbooks were mixed with
A. Jamaican contemporary boring those purchased earlier in the day.
B. boring contemporary Jamaican A. noun clause, object of ‘those’
C. boring Jamaican contemporary B. adjective phrase, qualifying ‘those’
D. contemporary boring Jamaican C. adjective clause, qualifying ‘those’
53. The enemies met at the ________ground. D. noun phrase, object of ‘with
A. sandy vast modern hunting

59. The decision to weed non performing 62. The woman broke into the house which
students was welcomed by parents. is on the left hand side of the bank.
A. Adjective phrase, modifying ‘decision’ A. noun clause in apposition to ‘house’
B. Noun clause subject of ‘was welcomed’ B. adverb clause modifying ‘broke’
C. Adjective clause modifying ‘decision’ C. adjective clause qualifying ‘house’
D. Noun phrase in apposition to ‘decision’ D. noun phrase object of ‘broke
60. The thieves broke into our school under 63. Stand here till I tell you to sit
the cover of darkness A. Noun clause object of ‘stand’
A. Preposition clause, object of the sentence B. Adjective clause qualifying ‘here’
B. Adverb phrase of manner, modifying C. Adverbial clause modifying ‘stand’
‘broke’ D. Adjective phrase qualifying ‘her’
C. Adjective phrase, qualifying noun
‘thieves’
D. Noun clause, object of the verb ‘broke’
61. You should give us ideas that can help

the school.
A. Adjective clause qualifying noun ‘us’
B. Noun clause, object of ‘ should give’
C. Adverbial clause object of ‘ should give’
D. Noun phrase object of ‘ should give’

REFERENCE
Banda, M.A.,(2014) English Grammar for Schools(Rev. ed.). Blantyre: Dzuka
Chafulumira, W.(2013) Practical English Grammar. Blantyre: CLAIM
Chibambo, M(2012) New-New Schools English Language and Grammar. Mzuzu: Rarexve
Publications
Chipeta, W.W.D(2014) Malawi School Certificate of Education's Comprehensive Study Guide to

Smouldering Charcoal). Unpublished
Kadyoma Dr, F.(2017) Senior Secondary Students' Book 3. Nairobi: Longhorn
Kadyoma Dr, F.(2017) Senior Secondary Students' Book 4. Nairobi: Longhorn
Kamwaza, H.J(2022) Magawa cluster training notes for language teachers
Malawi Senior Secondary Teaching Syllabus, English Language
Malawi National Examinations Board Past Papers
Matukuta, B., e tal(2012) Senior Secondary Certificate English Students' Book 4. Nairobi: EAEP
McCallum, A., e tal(1998) Language Arts Today. New York: McGraw-Hill
Murphy, R.,(2012) English Grammar in use(Fourth Edition): Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press
Phiri, P.C.,(2013) Senior Secondary English:A Practical Approach to Comprehension and Note-
Making. Blantyre: CLAIM

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COMPLETE MSCE ENGLISH GRAMMAR

A Study Companion For Senior Secondary

With Literature Tips

Wongani W.D Chipeta(BAED)

With Literature Tips

Wongani W.D Chipeta(BAED)

Cell: +265881 759118/999 365 220

Wongani W.D Chipeta

First printed 2022

©2022 Wongani W.D Chipeta (BAED Feedback to 0881759118/0999365220 or [email protected] 1

©2022 Wongani W.D Chipeta (BAED Feedback to 0881759118/0999365220 or [email protected] 2

WONGANI W.D. CHIPETA

©2022 Wongani W.D Chipeta (BAED Feedback to 0881759118/0999365220 or [email protected] 3

©2022 Wongani W.D Chipeta (BAED Feedback to 0881759118/0999365220 or [email protected] 4

i. A subject in the singular is followed by a verb in singular.

ii. A subject in the plural is followed by a verb in the plural.

The verbs have to agree with number in persons.

First Person Second Person Third Person

I am alone You are

We are alone You are alone He/she/it /they are alone

I/we go home You go home He/she/it /they go home

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A. When ‘none’ is followed by uncountable noun it is used as singular

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Student Activity 1:A

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Table showing forms of tenses

Tense Simple Continuous Perfect Perfect Continuous

She was asking

A. THE PAST TENSE

1. The Past Simple Tense

b. It is used in polite requests and to express wishes.

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2. The Past Continuous Tense

Here, a conjunction is usually used to join two activities happening concurrently.

c. May be used in some conditional clauses expressing a hypothetical state.

3. The Past Perfect Tense

c. To express a conditional sentence with impossible condition

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4. The Past Perfect Continuous Tense.

B. THE PRESENT TENSE

1. Simple Present Tense

a. This tense is used to express the habitual actions.

b. It is also used to express general truths or proverbs.

c. It may also be used to express a present activity immediately completed or declarations.

d. To express future action in time and conditional clauses:

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2. The Present Continuous Tense

b. It is also used to express an action which is happening in the near future.

3. The Present Perfect Tense

4. The Present Perfect Progressive Tense

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a. This tense is used to indicate future activities.

2. The Future Continuous Tense

3. The Future Perfect tense

4. The Future Perfect Progressive Tense

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