Activities on On Saying Please

Std 12 English Yuvakbharti

Question and answer on On Saying'Please'.

Read the extract and complete the activities given below: (12)

The young lift-man in a City office who threw a passenger out of his lift the other morning and was fined for the offence was undoubtedly in the wrong. It was a question of “Please.” The complainant entering the lift, said, “Top.” The lift-man demanded “Top-please,” and this concession being refused he not only declined to comply with the instruction, but hurled the passenger out of the lift. This, of course 

was carrying a comment on manner too far. Discourtesy is not a legal offence, and it does not excuse assault and battery. If a burglar breaks into my house and I knock him down, the law will acquit me, and if I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate with reasonable violence. It does this because the burglar and my assailant have broken quite definite commands of the law. But no legal system could attempt to legislate against bad manners or could sanction the use of violence against something which it does not itself recognize as a legally punishable offence. And our sympathy with the liftman, we must admit that the law is reasonable. It would never do if we were at liberty to box people’s ears because we did not like their behaviour, or the tone of their voices, or the scowl on their faces. Our fists would never be idle, and the gutters of the city would run with blood all day. I may be as uncivil as I may please and the law will protect me against violent retaliation. I may be haughty or boorish and there is no penalty to pay except the penalty of being written down an ill￾mannered fellow. The law does not compel me to say “Please” or to attune my voice to other people’s sensibilities any more than it says that I shall not wax my moustache or dye my hair or wear ringlets down my back. It does not recognize the laceration of our feelings as a case for compensation. There is no allowance for moral and intellectual damages in these matters.

A1. Read the following statements and pick out the statement which expresses the 

intention of the writer. (2)

i. There is an importance of good manners and civility.

ii. The wound on one’s self-respect is more painful than physical wound.

iii. One needs to be courteous with a liftman.

iv. Strict laws can civilize people.

A2. Pick out some examples of behaviour from the extract that are not punishable under law. (Any four) (2)

Ans :  The following behaviours are not punishable. 

A) Showing dislike for others' behaviour, or the tone of their voices, or the scowl on their faces. 

B) One can be uncivil as much as he likes.

C) Not waxing moustache or dye hair. 

A3. “The passenger damaged the liftman’s self- respect”. Support your answer with some facts from the extract. (2)

Ans : The complainant entering the lift, said, “Top.” The lift-man demanded “Top-please,” and this concession being refused he not only declined to comply with the instruction, but hurled the passenger out of the lift. This, of course was carrying a comment on manner too far

A4. What if- ‘Discourtesy is a legal offence?’ Write your response in about 30 words.(2)

Ans : If discourtesy is a legal offence, police station will have pouring complaints. The courts will have a long pending cases. The people will be seen fighting here and there. 

A5. Do as directed. (2)

1) If I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate.

(Choose correct alternative to use ‘unless’)

i. Unless I am physically assaulted, it will permit me to retaliate.

ii. Unless I am physically assaulted, it would not permit me to retaliate.

iii. Unless I am physically assaulted, it will not permit me to retaliate.

iv. Unless I am not physically assaulted, it will not permit me to retaliate.

2) The law will protect me against violent retaliation.

(Choose correct alternative to use a modal auxiliary showing ‘obligation’)

i. The law can protect me against violent retaliation.

ii. The law could protect me against violent retaliation.

iii. The law may protect me against violent retaliation.

iv. The law must protect me against violent retaliation.

A6. Find out the words from the passage which mean the following: (2)

i. Lack of courtesy-  discourtesy

ii. Fight with the fists - box

iii. Uncultured - boorish

iv. An attacker - assailant

4.4 The Sign of Four

Q. 5 D Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below. (2x2 = 4 marks)

1. The reception of six pearls helps the story to move forward by providing some 

connection with the other happenings. Illustrate.

Ans :  The reception of six pearls gives a breakthrough to the story 'The Sign of Four'. Mary Morston, the major character in the story has received six pearls from an unknown person one per year. With the last pearl there was a note for meeting. She approached the detective Holmes to get help. Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson agreed to accompany her to an the unknown person. The story moves forward to and unfolds the secret of pearls received by her. 

2. Describe the desired destination of the parties in your words by providing some details.

Ans : Miss Morstan, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were on their desired destination. They were taken to the forbidden neighborhood. The area was not inhabited. Their cab stopped at a house which was as dark as others. A single glimmer appeared in the kitchen. It was a third rate suburban dwelling house. Here they were invited to discuss about some important issue about the treasure.

3. Write the character sketch of Sherlock Holmes as a professional detective. 

Ans:  Sherlock Holmes is a  major character in the story. He is a professional detective. In the novel 'Sign Of Four' Mary Mortsan gives her case to Holmes to solve.  He has a business tone and extraordinary concentration dealing with his client. He is very peculiar in dealing with the case. He derives some conclusion from handwriting. He goes to the root of the case and comes with a solution. He is a kind and brilliant detective. 

4. Compare the thought process of Holmes and Dr. Watson in handling the case.

Ans: Holmes is of the opinion that the judgment should not be biased by personal qualities. He observes the handwriting in the note and draws conclusion that the writer is a man of self esteem and character. For Holmes there is no mystery in the case. To Watson the handwriting seems legible and regular. 

5. Narrate the case of Miss Morstan in your words. 

Ans: Mary Morstan's father disappeared on 3rd of December, 1878 from a hotel. She was about to meet him at the hotel. She complained about the missing of her father at the police station. She advertised about it. She met her father's friend Major Sholto. But he was not found. Then in 1882 she found an advertisement for her address. She responded to the advertisement and she received a pearl. Since then she received such pearls for six years. With the last pearls she had a letter with a message - She was wronged and should have justice. 

6. Sherlock Holmes deduced facts from the back files of the times. Justify by providing 

few details.

Ans: Sherlock Holmes found after consulting the back files of the Times that Major Sholto died upon the 28th of April 1882. Within a week of his death, Mary Morstan receives a valuable present repeatedly. In a letter with a last pearl she is described as wronged woman. Sherlock Holmes deduced that it was about her father. Sholto's hair knows something about the mystery about Mary's father's disappearance. 

7. ‘You are a wronged woman, and shall have justice’. Interpret the statement to highlight the conflict in Miss Morstan’s mind.

Ans: Mary Morstan receives a precious pearl every year since 1882. In the sixth year with a pearl there was a letter which reads 'You are a wronged woman, and shall have justice’. Her father major Morstan who was an officer in an Indian regiment. He reached London but disappeared before meeting his daughter. His friend Sholto and Major Morstan had looted treasure. But Sholto cheated Morstan. Sholto told this to his sons. They wanted to compensate and so they arranged Meeting with Mary Morstan by writing the letter.

8. Dr. Watson reflects Miss Morstan's state of mind. Discuss with some examples.

Ans: Dr Watson was nervous and depressed as he was accompanying Mary Morstan and Holmes. He sensed that Mary Morstan also was suffering from the same feeling.  

9. Holmes had a competence about the route of their travel. Suggest some points to clarify the statement.

Ans: Sherlock Holmes had a competence about the route of their travel in London. On the journey he muttered the names of places such as Rochester Row, Vincent Squae Vauxhall Bridge Road, Wordsworth Road Stockwll Place Robert Street . 

10. The mention of new places adds a pace to the story. Justify.

Ans : The story opens at the place of Sherlock Holmes. It takes us to Lyceum Theatre. The story takes us to family estate of Thaddeus. The mention of places like the Thames and Baker Street adds pace to the story. It has also references to  Agra, Andaman Islands.

11. Mary Morstan found Holmes as right person to handle her case. Give reason

Ans: Sherlock Holmes had unraveled  Mrs Cecil Forrester domestic complication. She was impressed with his kindness and skills. She recommended her employee Mary Morstan  to hand over her case to Holmes. With his skills he solved her case too. 

12. Write the character sketch of Dr. Watson as a sensitive character.

Ans: Dr Watson is a narrator of the novel 'Sign of Four'. He appears as a friend of Sherlock Holmes. He helps Holmes in his profession of detective. He is a very sensitive. He is ready to help even the clients of Holmes. He is attracted to Mary Morstan in the very first meeting. 

13. The paper found in the desk of captain Morstan is the center of the action. Explain.

Ans : Mary Morstan found a curious paper in her father's trunk. She brought the paper for Holmes to observe. Observing the paper he concluded that the paper was an important documents. The paper was of Indian make and appeared as a map . On the paper  the words were written 'The Sign of Four, - Jonathan Small, Mahomet Singh, Abdullah Khan, Dost Akbar.' The story is about the hidden treasure described in the paper. 

 

14. “I may be very obtuse, Holmes, but I fail to see what this suggests.” Justify the statement by highlighting the difference in deducing the case.

Ans :  Sherlock Holmes finds no great mystery in the case of Mary Morstan. He finds some suggestive facts from the Times. It reads that Major Sholto died on the 28th of April, 1882. Dr.  Watson fails to connect this fact with Mary's case. But Holmes deduces  that Mary's father who disappeared knew  Sholto in London. After Sholto's death Mary received a pearl and letter. 

15. Find support from the text which elaborates the tone of the narrator when he compares himself with Miss Morstan.

16. The narrator makes Miss Morstan’s journey comfortable while going to an unknown place. Narrate in your words.

Ans : The narrator, Miss Morstan and Sherlock Holmes were on journey to unknown place.  The narrator endeavoured to cheer and amuse Miss Morstan by memories of his adventures in Afghanistan. He told her anecdotes. 

17. ‘The coachman is described as a faithful servant’. Justify the statement in your words.

Ans : In the novel the coachman is described as faithful servant. He had to carry Miss Morstan and her two friends. Mary Morstan, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson reached at the Lyceum Theatre. A small, dark, brisk man in the dress of coachman was waiting for them. On seeing them he enquired if they were the parties with Mary Morstan. He scanned them with penetrating and questioning eyes. He asked Mary to promise that her  companions were not police officers. He carried them only after she promised.

18. Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mary Morstan reached at the third pillar of the Lyceum Theatre. Describe the state of mind of the trio.

Ans : Dr. Watson was nervous and depressed . Miss Morstan was also suffering from the same feeling. They were engaged on strange business. Sherlock Holmes remained unaffected from petty influences. 

4.3 Around The World in Eighty Days

 5 C Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below. (2x2 marks)

1. Explain how the author has made use of International Date Line and time zones in his novel.

Ans : Phileas Fog accepts the challenge of going around the world in eighty days. The members of the Reform club in England accepts the wager for twenty-thousand pounds. Fog goes around the world. He goes through Brindisi, Suez, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Yokohama , San Fransico, New York  and Liverpool. He thinks that he has missed the deadline of eighty days and hasn't reached London. His companion Passepartout  learns that their journey through the different time zones had gained them a day. They reached London a day before the deadline. The author has aptly used time zones in his novel 'Around the World in Eighty days.' 

2. 'Money was never a concern for Mr. Phileas Fogg; it was for honour he accepted the 

wager.' Discuss.

Ans: Mr Phileas Fogg has the opportunity to double his fortune. But Fogg's adventurous journey has nothing to with the money. He accepts the wager to preserve his hon our and prove his worth. He wants to show the members of the Reform Club  that he can do anything he sets out to do. He spends nearly all of his money along the way . This shows that for Fogg, honour is more important than money. 

3. Phileas Fogg's travel around the world was full of adventures and surprises. Illustrate.

Ans : The title  'Around The World in Eighty Days'  itself indicates the adventures in the novel. The novelist takes the readers to a journey of many hair-raising incidents and exciting, adventurous and thrilling places. The journey with trains and ships add adventures. To the surprise Fogg wins the heart of a beautiful and charming woman in India. The detective arrests Fogg at Liverpool. The great surprise is that he keeps his word travelling around the world in eighty days. 

4. Explain how the time gained of a full day is revealed to Mr. Fogg.

Ans : Passepartout is sent to engage a clergyman. He runs out out to get a reverend to marry Fogg and Aouda whom Fogg brought from India. The marraige is to be solemnised the next day on Monday according to them. Passepartout learns that the next is Sunday not Monday. He concludes that their journey through the different time zones had gained them a day. and that they are not late. He hurries home and reveals the truth to Mr Fogg.  

5. Passepartout stations himself outside Phileas’ door. Give reasons.

Ans: Passepartout stations himself outside Phileas' door because he wants to keep watch upon his master. Mr. Phileas confined himself as he thought he didn't reach London in time and lost the wager. Knowing that Englishmen  governed by a fixed idea sometimes resort to suicide. Mr Phileas may do that.  Passepartout wants to avert the situation if happens. He remains outside Phileas's door without the knowledge of Phileas. 

6. Passepartout blamed himself for the misfortune of his master. Justify.

Ans : Passepartout blamed himself for the misfortune of his master Mr Fogg. He had concealed Fix's errand from his master. Fix had revealed his true character and purpose . If he had warned his master about Fix's purpose, his master would have given proof of his innocence. Fix would not have been on the heels of his master to arrest him.

7. Compare the remorse in the minds of Mr. Fogg and Aouda for the seeming failure of his wager.

Ans: Aouda is surprised when Mr Fogg is arrested. Her heart revolts against a charge of robbery on Fogg. She weeps bitterly as she can do nothing to save her protector. Mr. Fogg thought that he was rich enough when he decided bring Aouda from India. She would be free and happy. But as he lost his wager he was ruined. 

8. Explain the stress on the mind of Fogg after returning from world tour at Saville Row.

Ans: After returning from the world tour at Saville Row, he did not open the windows and doors. No appearance of change was visible. He bore his misfortune with calmness. He could not sleep throughout the night. He did not take his breakfast and dinner. He buried himself in setting the affairs right. 

9. Narrate the happenings at Reform Club on the 80th day of the wager.

Ans : The  five club members awaited Mr Fogg at Reform club on the 80th  day of the wager. They were excited about winning the wager as they were sure Mr Fogg would not reach there in time . Thomas Flanagan enquired about arrival of last train. They were constantly looking at the clock. They counted the seconds. At the fifty-fifth second a loud cry was heard followed by applause. And Phileas Fogg appeared before the pendulum beat the sixtieth second. He put his promise of traveling the world in 80 days. 

10. There was no general agreement about Mr. Fogg’s success in the opponents. Discuss.

11. Narrate the happenings at a prison where Fogg was kept under arrest.

Ans: Mr Fogg was kept in prison. He was arrested by Fix, the detective for robbery. Passepartout would have fallen upon Fix had he not been held by some policemen.  Aouda and he had remained at the prison to see Mr Fogg. Mr Fogg seated motionless, calm and without anger on the bench. At thirty-three past two Fix disclosed that the real robber is arrested and he set Mr Fogg free. 

12. All is well that ends well. Justify in the light of the extract from the novel ‘Around the 

World in Eighty Days.’

Ans : Mr. Phileas Fogg 

13. Winning the heart is preferred to the winning of wager. Express by supporting the 

details.

Language Study MCQ Test

Group Discussion (GD)

Following expressions are useful for group Discussion.

Expressing opinions

I believe……

I think…….

Could I make a point, please?

In my opinion……

It seems to me……

Expressing agreement

Absolutely

You’re right……

I fully agree with…..

Expressing disagreement

I’m afraid I don’t agree with…..

I’m sorry but I see it a little differently.

I can see your point but…..

You may have something there but…..

I respect your point of view, but I’m sorry I can’t go along with you on.......

Suggesting

I think we should……

Why don’t we…..?

Let’s……

Couldn’t we……?

Don’t you think we could….?

Asking for opinion

What is your opinion on….?

What do you feel about…?

I wonder what do you think about…..?

I’d like to know your stand on…..

Interrupting

I’m sorry to interrupt but….

Excuse me. Could I add something, please?

That’s true. Sorry, but…..

Handling Interruptions

Just a moment please. Could I finish what I am saying?

If you would just let me finish…….

Could you wait for a minute, please.

Concluding

To summarise/conclude,……

We can conclude by saying……

Let’s run quickly through the main ideas before concluding

Sample Group Discussion Activity

Mayank, Anagha, Yash and Anuj are participating in a group discussion. The evaluator has given them a topic 'Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are killing creativity.'  Write suitable dialogues for each participant giving his/her opinion on the topic.

Evaluator : You've all been given a few minutes to think on today's topic for discussion . The topic is 'Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are killing creativity.'  You may begin now.

Mayank :

Anagha : 

Yash     :

Anuj.    :

Evaluator : You've all been given a few minutes to think on today's topic for discussion . The topic is 'Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are killing creativity.'  You may begin now.

Mayank : I think the topic of the discussion is very relevant these days. Having a cell phone in every hand, social media like Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter became teenagers' priority. They are spending hours and hours on it. They prefer surfing and sharing to surging creativity. 

Anagha : I agree with Mayank. Social media has taken a place of books and playgrounds. Friends on Facebook are getting more importance than friends on the ground. Features like cut, copy and paste kill the creativity. What do you feel about it Yash?

Yash     : I'm afraid I don't agree with you both. Many teenagers are using social media to reveal their creativity. They are creating videos of their talent and sharing them with the public. Even some youngsters are creating short film and getting appreciation. Social madia has become a strong platform to showcase talent and creativity.

Anuj      : Excuse me. Could I add something, please. 

Yash : Yes, you may.

Anuj : I would like to share my view regarding social media. Social media has emerged as a boon . Whether it's a bane or boon depends upon the user. Sometimes we are sticking to social media beyond limit. Spending time in posting and checking for likes, comments and shares will definitely kill creativity. Still I feel that social media has given a platform to learn many things. 

Online Grammar Test on Into The Wild

Instructions: 

1. Read the activities carefully.

2. Read all the options.

3. Type the answer in the given box where options are not given.

4. For match the columns select the appropriate option by clicking/ touching.

5. Solve twice for better results. 

6. It's not a test but a learning experience.

 

Antonyms and Word meanings

acquit

antonyms: arraign, condemn, convict, indict

arrogant

antonyms: humble, meek, modest

attractive

antonyms: forbidding, repellent, repugnant

bright

antonyms: black, dark, dim, dull, murky, shadowy, shady, somber

careworn

antonyms: carefree

cheerful

antonyms: cheerless, dark, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, dispirited, doleful, down, gloomy, glum, heavy, heavy-hearted, joyless, lugubrious, melancholy, miserable, moody, morose, mournful, sad, saturnine, serious, sulky, sullen, unhappy, woebegone, woeful, wretched

civil

civility

antonyms: disrespect, incivility, rudeness

comfortable

antonyms: embarrassed, ill at ease, uncomfortable, uneasy

conflict

antonyms: accord, agree, coincide, harmonize

convenience

antonyms: inconvenience

courtesy

antonyms: discourtesy, insolence

deep

antonyms: shallow

distant

antonyms: adjacent, close, immediate, near, recent

drab 

antonyms: bright, colorful, dashing, garish

dreadful

antonyms: heavenly

elegant

antonyms: cheesy, garish, gaudy, inelegant, ostentatious, shabby, tacky, tasteless, tawdry, vulgar

evil

antonyms: good, goodness

excellence

antonyms: faultiness, inferiority, shoddiness

exterior

antonyms: interior

faint

antonyms: intense, strong, thick

friendly

antonyms: antagonistic, antisocial, baleful, bellicose, belligerent, gruff, hostile, icy, ill, ill-disposed, inhospitable, standoffish, stern, uncongenial, unfriendly, unsociable

harsh

antonyms: dulcet, mellifluous, smooth, soft, subdued, sweet, tender

haughty

antonyms: humble

heavy

antonyms: ethereal, light

honest

antonyms: deceitful, dishonest, insincere, lying

humiliate

antonyms: honor

ignoble

antonyms: noble

import

antonyms: export

innocent

antonyms: corrupt, sinful, wily

insolent

antonyms: deferential, polite

last 1

antonyms: first, front, leading

lasting

antonyms: ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, short-lived

liberty

antonyms: bondage, constraint, restraint, slavery

luxurious

antonyms: miserable, poor, spartan, wretched

melt

antonyms: freeze, set, solidify

narrow

antonyms: broad, wide

natural

antonyms: artificial, factitious, man-made, preternatural, synthetic, unnatural

neat

antonyms: disorderly, messy, shabby, slovenly, untidy

obscure

antonyms: clear, plain

pleasant

antonyms: acrid, annoying, beastly, dirty, disagreeable, distasteful, dreadful, foul, gruesome, obnoxious, odious, offensive, squalid, stark, tiresome, ugly, unpleasant

polite

synonyms: courteous, gracious, mannerly, well-behaved, well-bred, well-mannered

antonyms: brusque, cheeky, discourteous, disrespectful, ill-mannered, impertinent, impolite, insolent, insulting, nasty, nervy, rude, smart, uncivil, ungracious, unmannerly

public

synonyms: common, communal

antonyms: personal, private, privileged, restricted

radiant

synonyms: bright, effulgent, fulgent, glowing, luminous, refulgent, resplendent, shining

antonyms: dark

reasonable

synonyms: judicious, logical, rational, sensible, sound, well-founded

antonyms: absurd, irrational, unreasonable

refuse 1

synonyms: decline, deny, reject, repel, withhold

antonyms: abide, accept, grant, proffer, provide

refuse 2

synonyms: garbage, junk, rubbish, trash, waste

sensitive

antonyms: impassive, impervious, unresponsive

set

synonyms: lay, place, posit, put

social

synonyms: communal, gregarious

antonyms: solitary

solicitous

synonyms: anxious, attentive, considerate

solitary

synonyms: alone, lone, lonely, only, unaccompanied, unsociable

antonyms: accompanied, gregarious, social

spiritual

synonyms: psychic

antonyms: physical

stale

synonyms: dry, wilted

antonyms: fresh

strange

synonyms: curious, eccentric, funny, odd, peculiar, queer, singular, unusual, weird

antonyms: normal, ordinary, typical, usual

stranger

antonyms: intimate

strong

synonyms: forceful, mighty, powerful, puissant, sturdy, vigorous

antonyms: delicate, feeble, flimsy, frail, puny, sickly, weak, weakly

success

synonyms: smash

antonyms: dud, failure, flop, nonsuccess

superior

synonyms: ranking, senior

antonyms: inferior, junior, subordinate

thick

synonyms: fat

antonyms: diaphanous, gauzy, sheer, thin

tiny

synonyms: diminutive, lilliputian, miniature, minuscule, minute, pint-size, teeny, wee

antonyms: astronomical, colossal, enormous, gigantic, huge, immense, mammoth, massive, mighty, monstrous, mountainous, stupendous, tremendous, vast

tolerable

antonyms: intolerable, unbearable

victory

synonyms: success, triumph

antonyms: defeat, failure

violence

synonyms: assault, attack, force, outburst, rampage

visible

antonyms: hidden, invisible

vital

synonyms: life

warm

antonyms: chilled, chilly, cold, cool, cutting, nippy

worthy

antonyms: unworthy

Word meanings Definition

acquit [transitive verb] - to clear (someone) of a charge or accusation, as in a court of law.

arrogant [adjective] having or displaying an attitude of inflated self-importance or pride.

attractive [adjective] having qualities that draw others; having the power of attraction.

benediction [noun] a blessing, especially the one pronounced over the congregation by the clergyman at the end of a religious service.

bright [adjective] filled with, reflecting, or emitting much light; shining.

careworn [adjective] showing the effects of prolonged worry.

cheerful [adjective] full of cheer or good spirits; happy.

civil [adjective] of or concerning citizens or the general population.

civility [noun] courteous behavior; politeness.

comfortable [adjective] having a feeling of well-being or bodily ease.

confidant [noun] one to whom a secret or secrets are entrusted.

conflict [intransitive verb] to be in strong opposition or disagreement; differ.

convenience [noun] the quality of being suitable or handy for one's purpose or need.

courtesy [noun] politeness, good manners, or consideration for other people.

decadent [adjective] tending to indulge in sensual pleasures; hedonistic.

deep [adjective] having great space below or behind a certain point; reaching far down or back; not shallow.

desert1 [noun] a very dry, often sandy area with little or no plant growth.

distant [adjective] far away in time or space.

drab1 [adjective] lacking in color or cheer; dull; dreary.

dreadful [adjective] producing great fear, horror, or awe; dread.

elegant [adjective] beautifully and tastefully designed or decorated.

elusive [adjective] hard to perceive, understand, or remember.

evil [noun] a spiritually or morally corrupt and destructive force; absence of good.

excellence [noun] the fact or state of being extremely good or of high quality.

exhaust [noun] the escape of fumes from an engine, or the fumes themselves.

exterior [adjective] on or related to the outside or outer side.

faint [adjective] weak, feeble, or slight.

friendly [adjective] sociable and lacking hostility.

harsh [adjective] rough and unpleasant to the senses, especially hearing.

haughty [adjective] proud in a manner that shows disdain for others; arrogant.

heavy [adjective] having much weight.

honest [adjective] truthful or sincere.

humiliate [transitive verb] to cause (someone) to lose pride or feel disgraced; embarrass; mortify.

ignoble [adjective] of low or dishonorable character; contemptible.

import [noun] something imported from another country.

importer [noun] a person or business that brings items in from another country so that they may be sold as merchandise.

innocent [adjective] free from corruption or knowledge of evil.

insolent [adjective] rude, arrogant, or offensively forward in speech or manner.

last1 [adjective] coming after or finishing behind all others.

lasting [adjective] enduring or persisting for a long time.

legal [adjective] of or relating to law.

liberty [noun] freedom from bondage, oppression, or captivity.

luxurious [adjective] marked by or providing great comfort or material wealth.

melt [intransitive verb] to change from a solid to a liquid state through heat or pressure.

moral [adjective] of, relating to, or concerned with the principles of right and wrong in human conduct.

narrow [adjective] having little breadth or width.

natural [adjective] of, pertaining to, produced by, or existing in nature.

neat [adjective] orderly in appearance, state, or habits; tidy.

obscure [adjective] appearing faint or indistinct.

pleasant [adjective] pleasing; agreeable.

polite [adjective] demonstrating good manners or thoughtfulness; well-trained in deportment; courteous.

protagonist [noun] the leading character in a literary work.

public [adjective] of, for, or pertaining to all members of a community; not private.

radiant [adjective] emitting heat or rays of light.

reasonable [adjective] in accordance with clear thinking and good judgment.

refuse1 [transitive verb] to decline to accept or give.

sensitive [adjective] very responsive to and affected by sense impressions.

set [transitive verb] to put in a particular position or location.

setting [noun] surroundings; context; environment.

social [adjective] living in groups or communities instead of alone.

solicitous [adjective] anxiously or tenderly concerned or attentive (usually followed by about, of, or for.)

solitary [adjective] being, traveling, or living without others; alone; unaccompanied.

spiritual [adjective] pertaining to the soul, or the immaterial higher self.

stale [adjective] having lost the moisture, taste, effervescence, or the like that is associated with freshness.

strange [adjective] unusual; curious; odd.

stranger [noun] a person with whom one is unacquainted.

strong [adjective] having or showing great physical power or strength.

success [noun] a person or thing that is successful.

superior [adjective] higher in rank, station, or degree.

thick [adjective] relatively great in the measure of the smallest dimension from one side to the opposite side.

tiny [adjective] extremely little; minute; miniature.

tolerable [adjective] capable of being put up with or endured.

victory [noun] success in a struggle against an enemy, opponent, or obstacle.

vigour [noun] a spelling of vigor used in Canada and Britain. See vigor for more information.

violence [noun] the intentional or uncontrollable causing of pain, injury, or harm.

visible [adjective] able to be seen; perceptible through sight.

vital [adjective] pertaining to or characteristic of life

.

vociferous [adjective] crying out, especially in protest; vocal; clamorous.

warm [adjective] having or emitting moderate heat.

worthy [adjective] deserving (often followed by "of").

wrong [adjective] not true, factual, or correct.

Online Grammar Test on Big Data Big Insight

Idioms and Phrases

Crowning achievement - greatest accomplishment of one's career and life

To crown the effect -  to give additional perfect effect

Crown of thorns - something that causes pain and suffering

Crowning glory - someone's greatest achievement

To crown it all - used for all about the last and worst thing 

One-size-fits-all - suitable for all circumstances

Once in a blue moon - rarely

One man army - a well trained and heavily armed

Once bitten twice shy - an unpleasant experience induces caution

One up on - having an advantage over

To one's heart's content - to the fullest level of satisfaction

In a jiffy - in a very short time

Piece together - create something by joining the seperate parts of it together

Time and again - repeatedly

Frantic speed - very quickly

be completely stumped - confused, not to know what to say 

Be broken - give up hope

Feel out of place - feel uncomfortable

Speak at length - review in detail

Feel at home - feel comfortable

Sea of knowledge - lots of knowledge

Broaden one's horizon - expand one's interest/knowledge

To hit the bull's eye - to get something exactly right

He worked hard and hit the bull's eye in the exam.

To be taken by surprise - to encounter someone who is not prepared

Enemy was taken by surprise with the advent of Indian army.

To get a toehold - to obtain an initial, stable position

Under the cover of - being kept secret

Thieves moved under the cover of darkness

A spell of - a short period

One's second innings - another part

Touch the hearts - make feel better

Keep one going - give enough energy

In pursuit of - in order to achieve something

To smell a rat - to feel something foul

To be keen -  to be interested

On the trail of -   searching someone

To feel under the weather  - to feel sick, ill