My English Library

SCENE 3: Venice, A Public Place  In this scene from The Merchant of Venice, Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, agrees to give Bassanio three thousand ducats (a type of money) for three months. Bassanio tells Shylock that Antonio will back him up if he can’t pay, but Shylock is worried because Antonio's money is tied up in business ventures that could fail. Even though he has doubts, Shylock finally accepts Antonio's guarantee and asks to meet him. When Antonio arrives, Shylock secretly admits that he hates Antonio. Shylock doesn't like Antonio because he is a Christian and doesn't charge interest when he lends money. This makes it harder for Shylock to do his job as a moneylender, since Shylock makes a profit by charging high interest. Shylock is also angry because Antonio has insulted him in public many times. Antonio tells Shylock that he usually doesn’t borrow or lend money but is making an exception to help his friend Bassanio. During their conversation, Ant...

SONNET 1  Symbolising a fair youth, a beautiful girl, the main theme of this sonnet is the preservation of beauty and legacy through procreation (act of doing sexual intercourse), warning against self-absorption and waste. This excerpt is from Shakespeare's Sonnet 1. Here is a line-by-line explanation: Line 1: "From fairest creatures we desire increase" - Shakespeare begins by stating that from the most beautiful creature (my girl) to whom we desire to reproduce. The word "increase" here refers to offspring, implying that the beauty should not fade but be passed on to the next generation. Line 2: "That thereby beauty’s rose might never die" - This line suggests that by having children, the beauty of this "fairest creatures" can be preserved. "Beauty’s rose" is a metaphor for their beauty, and reproduction, ensures it does not perish. Line 3: "But as the riper should by time decease" - Shakespeare acknowledges that with tim...

CHAPTER 1 1. A veritable bedlam of chirrupings – refers to the noise and confusion caused by the chirrupings of the sparrows   2. Absurd – Illogical   3. Accepted her seclusion with resignation – the grandmother accepted a lonely life as she accepted the separation from her grandson without objection   4. An expanse of pure white serenity – refers to the calm, relaxed and peaceful character of the author’s grandmother   5. Beads – a small piece of glass or stone threaded with others to make a rosary or necklace   6. Bedlam – confusion   7. Blaze – a very large burning fire   8. Bothered – to be concerned   9. Cherished – hold something dear   10. Chirrupings – the noise of a small bird   11. Clasped – hold tightly   12. Contentment – a state of happiness and satisfaction   13. Corpse – dead body   14. Courtyard – verandah   15. Cremated – dispose of...

EXERCISE 1 COMBINE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING NOMINATIVE ABSILOLUTE  1. The sun rose. The fog disappeared. 2. The post was vacant. I offered my services. 3. His house has fallen. He lives with a friend. 4. The class work was over. The teacher left the class. 5. The thief was caught. The police returned to the police station. 6. Rain was plentiful this year. Wheat is cheap. 7. The book has been printed. The boys will purchase it now. 8. The college was closed for summer vacation. The sweets were distributed. 9. The agreement was signed. All were satisfied. 10. The soldier arrived. The mob dispersed. EXERCISE 2 COMBINE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING INFINITIVES  1. The boy studied hard. He wanted to secure good marks. 2. We have no money. We cannot spare it. 3. Victor was much pleased. He heard of his success in the examination. 4. Mr. Khan has a large family. It is his duty to support it. 5. I went to the station. My object was to see off my sister. 6. I went to m...

NOTES Simple Sentences : Those sentences that contains only subject with finite verb. Use of Participle : Words characterized as both verbs and Adjective. Participles:  1) Present Participle = mv¹ +ing  2) Past Participle = mv³ 3) Perfect Participle = having+ mv³ Synthesis Rules For Participles : Only with same subjects. 1) is/am/are/was/were = Being  2) Vb² → Vb¹ = Present Participle  3) V² not immediately after Vb¹= Perfect Participle  4) Vb as Adjective= Past Participle  EXERCISE 1 Combine these sentences into one simple sentence  1. Croner saw his friend. He came out to welcome him.  2. Mickey found the purse. The purse was lost.  3. Sam wrote a letter. He gave it to his servant.  4. Bruce saw the danger. He returned.  5. He raised his gun. He took aim. He shot the tiger.  6. Shylock lost his pen. He searched for it.  7. We met a man. He was carrying a load of wood.  8. Soma was tired of reading. She l...

The Prologe of the Wyves Tale of Bathe   1 "Experience, though noon auctoritee                 "Experience, though no written authority 2 Were in this world, is right ynogh for me                 Were in this world, is good enough for me 3 To speke of wo that is in mariage;                 To speak of the woe that is in marriage; 4 For, lordynges, sith I twelve yeer was of age,                 For, gentlemen, since I was twelve years of age, 5 Thonked be God that is eterne on lyve,                 Thanked be God who is eternally alive, 6 Housbondes at chirche dore I have had fyve --                 I have had five husbands at the church door -- 7 If I so ofte myghte have ywedded bee --   ...

Chapter One: Down the Rabbit Hole Alice was beginning to get very bored. She and her sister were sitting under the trees. Her sister was reading, but Alice had nothing to do. Once or twice she looked into her sister's book, but it had no pictures or conversations in it. "And what is the use of a book," thought Alice, "without pictures or conversations?" She tried to think of something to do, but it was a hot day and she felt very sleepy and stupid. She was still sitting and thinking when suddenly a white rabbit with pink eyes ran past her. There was nothing really strange about seeing a rabbit, and Alice was not very surprised when the rabbit said, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!" Perhaps it was a little strange, Alice thought later, but at the time she was not surprised. But then the rabbit took a watch out of its pocket, looked at it, and hurried on.  At once, Alice jumped to her feet. "I've never before seen a rabbit with ei...