3RD QUARTER REVIEWER

'A day in the country' by Chekhov - Summary

A very touching, a reflection of nature’s beauty and the wisdom of country folks.
'A day in the country' is written by Chekhov. It pays homage to an unsung hero, a homeless cobbler whose name is
Terenty. In the beginning of the story a beggar girl named Fyokla, who is 6 years old comes running through a village.
The village is preparing for an approaching storm. She addresses everyone as “uncle”. She is searching for some
particular person. She finally finds Terenty in the kitchen-garden. He is a “tall old man with a thin, pock-marked face, very
long legs, and bare feet, dressed in a woman’s tattered jacket”. He does not look like a hero. But Fyokla is searching
desperately for someone to help in freeing her brother Danilka, whose hand is stuck in a tree. Terenty does not give
importance to the approaching storm and talking reassuringly in fatherly tones he goes to free Fyokla’s brother.
The story tells us that Terenty “answers all questions, and there is no secret in Nature which baffles him. He knows
everything”. The writer further adds that indeed “all the villagers, generally speaking, know as much as he does”. But the
difference is that Terenty is willing to share his knowledge and time with the two orphan children. The children love him for
this reason.The two children retire to a deserted barn after spending the day with Terenty. And Terenty goes to the tavern.
Chekhov further tells about Terenty's sincerity and love for the two orphan children. Terenty comes back later and puts
bread under their heads making the sign of the cross while they are asleep. In this way Terenty is tries to make the lives
of Fyokla and Danilka a little better than his own.
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CASES OF PRONOUNS
Personal Pronouns
Singular SUBJECTIVE /POSSESSIVE OBJECTIVE
1st person I, my mine me
2nd person you your, yours you
3rd person he his him
she her, hers her
it its it
Plural
1st person we our, ours us
2nd person you your, yours you
3rd person they their, theirs them
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Cohesion is a very important aspect of academic writing because it immediately affects the tone of your writing. Although
some instructions may say that you will lose points because of grammatical errors in your paper, or you may lose points if
the tone of your writing is too casual or sloppy (a diary-type of writing of choppy sentences will make the tone of your
writing too casual for academic writing).
Cohesive writing refers to the connection of your ideas both at the sentence level and the paragraph level.
Coherence is another important aspect of academic writing. Literally, the word means “to stick together.” Coherence in
writing means that all ideas in a paragraph flow smoothly from one sentence to the next sentence. With coherence, the
reader has an easy time understanding the ideas that you wish to express.
Topics for Speech Writing
INFORMATIVE SPEECH • Speech intended to inform and to share new ideas and build perceptions about “Tree
Planting.” Give the importance of your topic to the audience. The goal of this speech is to give the audience a new
understanding or new appreciation of some topic with which you might be familiar.
PERSUASIVE SPEECH • Speech written to convince the listeners of the validity of the speaker’s argument about “Why
People Should Connect More with Nature.” This might involve convincing some to change their opinion or at the very least
take into account some ideas that have not really been considered before.
ARGUMENTATIVE SPEECH • Speech that tries to change the reader’s mind by convincing him or her to agree with your
point of view about “Nature vs. Nurture.” This attempts to be highly persuasive and logical. It usually assumes that the
reader disagrees with the writer, but it should be noted that the reader is no less intelligent than the writer. Hence, this
speech should be written objectively, logically, and respectfully.

A Eulogy is a speech or writing that praises not only a person but also a special animal that has died.
A eulogy should include:
• sentiments for whom you dedicate your eulogy
• happier times with the deceased
• include anecdotes and real-life experiences
• nothing that might be considered offensive or vulgar.
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The Story of Keesh by Jack London- summary
The story of Keesh is a short story which was written by Jack London that was first published in January of 1904. Keesh
was the son of a great huntsman, who was well known and respected in his tribe. Unfortunately, Keesh’s father died when
Keesh was very young. As is often the case, the legendary exploits of Keesh’s father was forgotten with time. After many
years, the child grows to be thirteen. Inspired by tales of his father’s skills as a hunter, and emboldened by his self-
confidence and the lackluster amount of food being gathered by the tribe, he addressed the village elders in the Igloo of
the tribe’s chief. A child addressing the tribal elders was seen as precocious. Keesh declared that he would honor his
father’s memory and became a great hunter, and bring back a wealth of meat for his people. He was scorned, and they
allowed him to go off on his own. Many never expected to hear from him again. Four days later Keesh returned, with an
enormous burden of freshly-killed meat over his shoulders. He explained that an entire polar bear’s carcass laid a day’s
travel from the village. The villagers were stunned by this boy having endured the elements and succeeded in his quest,
became suspicious. After several more hunting excursions on Keesh’s part, all alone and all resulting in enormous
amounts of meat for the tribe, the villagers begin whispering that Keesh is undoubtedly practicing witchcraft. However,
they had no choice but to be loyal to this manchild, as he had begun to provide them all with bounteous food. Keesh had
the appreciative villagers construct for him an enormous Igloo, rivaling that of the chief. After more speculation and
Inuendo as to the source of Keesh’s hunting prowess, it was decided to send two scouts to follow him on a hunting
exhibition. They returned several days later, having been successful in trailing Keesh to his kill, an enormous (and
dangerous) polar bear. They told a tale that the tribal council simply couldn’t believe. Upon his return, the tribe gathered in
Keesh’s igloo to accuse him of witchcraft. He answered their charges well. Keesh explained the source of his hunting
success. He explained why the two scouts sent to follow him observed him striding up to the bear, enraging it, and
convincing it to follow him. He explained why the scouts witnessed his leaving small round balls of food on the ice for the
bear, and why the bear soon became ill, and deranged. He explained how he was then able to spear the bear without
endangering himself.

Moral Lesson: He succeeds in showing to the community that his father is a figure of people who contributed to the
community life by looking into Keesh’s work. We can get some moral values that we have expressed in the detail that we
have to appreciate the people’s work and sacrifice and we should not give prejudice first before we can prove someone
else work.
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Demonstrative Pronouns A demonstrative pronoun points out a noun. The demonstrative pronouns are that, these,
this, and those. That is a good idea. These are hilarious cartoons. A demonstrative pronoun may look like a
demonstrative adjective, but it is used differently in a sentence: it acts as a pronoun, taking the place of a noun.
Interrogative Pronouns An interrogative pronoun is used in a question. It helps to ask about something. The
interrogative pronouns are what, which, who, whom, and compound words ending in “ever,” such as whatever,
whichever, whoever, and whomever. What on earth is that? Who ate the last fig Newton? An interrogative pronoun may
look like an interrogative adjective, but it is used differently in a sentence: it acts as a pronoun, taking the place of a noun.
Indefinite Pronouns An indefinite pronoun refers to an indefinite, or general, person or thing. Indefinite pronouns include
all, any, both, each, everyone, few, many, neither, none, nothing, several, some, and somebody. Something smells
good. Many like salsa with their chips. An indefinite pronoun may look like an indefinite adjective, but it is used differently
in a sentence: it acts as a pronoun, taking the place of a noun. Relative Pronouns A relative pronoun introduces a
clause, or part of a sentence, that describes a noun. The relative pronouns are that, which, who, and whom. You should
bring the book that you love most. That introduces “you love most,” which describes the book. Hector is a photographer
who does great work.
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Song of Autumn by French author Charles
Baudelaire-summary
The song is really a ballad; Baudelaire is grieving humanities lack of benevolence from one person to another, the
deterioration of relationships. and the isolation that has thus been imposed. Nature figures prominently in his imagery;the
summer light is eclipsed by chilly fogs- trees, the symbol of life have toppled and fallen-
the sun over the north pole is red and bloodied (hell), whereas the sun in the heavens gives us energy and life-
the narrator's heart will be a red and frozen block like the north pole- it is a lifeless existence.
The 3rd stanza represents the destruction of man's spirit; lifeless logs symbolize the men who've built empires, the
foundation of great nations, only to see the spirit of those men crumble as they destroy one another.
Logs are then used again as battering rams to destroy the towers we've built, and then comes the final image of the coffin
which represents death; social death mind you, as humanity sinks ever lower into a state of apathy.
throughout the ballad we envision humanity's loss. It is gradual and marked by the seasons of nature.
"Summer represents warmth, compassion, and life toward humanity; Baudelaire notes that "our summers are too short!"
(line 2). Winter symbolizes the "hate, anger, horror, chills, the hard forced work" while autumn is decadence and power
(line 6). According to Baudelaire, man is in between seasons, as shown in the following statements: "Yesterday was
summer. Now autumn knocks" (line 15). If man is not in a state of life or decay, man is in limbo. This line implicitly states
that man has a chance to change course. However, without that change, man will face autumn and winter." (1)
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USE OF QUOTATION MARKS
We use quotation marks when quoting directly what a speaker has said and to emphasize ideas in a text. Let’s learn how
to use the quotation marks correctly:
Rule 1 Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes. Examples: The sign changed
from “Plant,” to “Don’t Plant,” to “Plant” again within 30 seconds. She said, “Water the plants.” She said, “He said, ‘Water
the plants.’”
Rule 2 The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark
should be placed inside the quotation marks. Examples: She asked, “Do you love Mother Earth?” Do you agree with the
saying, “Mother Earth is the answer to all our needs”? Here the question is outside the quote.
NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins.
Rule 3 When you have a question outside quoted material and inside quoted material, use only one question mark and
place it inside the quotation mark. Example: Did she say, “May I plant more trees?”
Rule 4 Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks. Example:
He said, “The tree said, ‘Please don’t cut me down.’”
Rule 5 Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only. Examples: “When will you be here?” he asked. He asked
when you will be there.
Rule 6 Do not use quotation marks with quoted material that is more than three lines in length. Rule 7 When you are
quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake or presents material in a confusing way, insert the term sic in
italics and enclose it in brackets. Sic means, “This is the way the original material was.” Example: The farmer said, “I
would rather die then [sic] uproot the trees to build a house.”
Should be than, not then.
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STUDY THE PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT THAT YOU COPIED IN YOUR NOTEBOOK…….
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To Build a Fire by Jack London- summary and
analysis
Jack London was born in San Francisco in 1876. He witnessed the settlement of the last frontier.
Jack London uses certain techniques to establish the atmosphere of the story. By introducing his readers to the setting,
prepares them for a tone that is depressed and frightening. Isolated by an environment of frigid weather and doom, the
author shows us how the main character of the story is completely unaware of his surroundings.
The only world the man is truly accustomed to, is his own. Never being exposed to such a harsh climate, draws us to the
conclusion that the environment is the determining factor of his survival, as well as his dog’s too. Anything that the man
and his dog comes into contact with, creates an anticipation for disaster in the story.
London places a strong emphasis on the setting in the introduction to the story. “Day had broken cold and grey,
exceedingly cold and grey…” He repeats these phrases to redefine to his readers the impact the setting has on the lives
of the characters. The gloominess of the setting instills feelings in the man and the dog, of a constant battle with this world
of depression they are in. Being given no sense of imagination, the man is only gifted with his practical knowledge. He
therefore is shown to lack the experience and thought to adapt to the conditions encompassing him.
Typically, man never wants to deal with the reality, especially when it is unpleasant. “But all this-the mysterious, far-
reaching hairline trail, the absence of sun from the sky, the tremendous cold, and the strangeness of it all- made no
impression on the man.” Blocking out the bothersome temperatures and climate he is surrounded by, he never really
attempts to face this personal monster of his. What he would do if the inevitable happened to him, is his personal monster.
This situation causes the man to become selfish, only focusing on his present actions and thoughts. The man’s ignorance
to his surroundings foreshadows a possible downfall.
London provides us with subconscious hints in his writing, that lead his readers to believe that the man will suffer a
tragedy in the end of the story. “Its instinct told a truer tale than was told to the man by the man’s judgment.” Having only
the knowledge of his previous experiences, the man is at a disadvantage to the dog. The dog by nature, is an animal that
has an innate gift of instinct. The setting placed in this type of habitat, is the main conflict of the story. Under the cold
conditions, the dog has the ability to survive because it has always known how. Only using his judgment, the man can’t
understand how to prevent a disaster from occurring. London has already given away the ending, as a result of his
constant focus of the effect the environment has on the man not knowing the means of survival that the dog knows.
Lured to the plot of the story, we keep on reading always anticipating the danger of the climate to overcome the man. “On
the other hand, there was no keen intimacy between the dog and the man. The one was the toil slave of the other, and the
only caresses it had ever received were the caresses of the whip lash and of harsh and menacing throat sounds that
threatened the whip lash.” Feeling apprehension toward the man, the dog was not concerned with the welfare of the man.
If the man was to come upon serious danger, the dog would not be eager to offer itself for help. Not being concerned with
anything remotely imaginative, the man put himself in a position to expect death. His selfishness and ignorance keeps him
in an array of danger and disaster.
The climax point of the story, London causes the man to fall through the ice and wet himself up to his knees. Preparing
himself in advance, might have prevented the man’s horrible downfall. However, the man never took the precautions in his
mind to even begin to think of how to cope with the deadly situation. The only help he was given for the situation, was the
advice of an old timer from Sulphur Creek. Violently, the man attempted to stop his appendages from freezing, but failed
as the dog just watched. “The sight of the dog put a wild idea into his head. He remembered the tale of the man, caught in
a blizzard, who killed a steer and crawled inside the carcass, and so was saved.” Using such a suspicious tone when
calling to the dog, the dog grew fearful of the man sensing a danger it had never experienced before.

Plot is known as the foundation of a novel or story, around which the characters and settings are built. It is meant to
organize information and events in a logical manner. When writing the plot of a piece of literature, the author has to be
careful that it does not dominate the other parts of the story.
Primary Elements of a Plot
There are five main elements in a plot.
1. Exposition or Introduction
This is the beginning of the story, where characters and setting are established. The conflict or main problem is introduced
as well.
2. Rising Action
Rising action which occurs when a series of events build up to the conflict. The main characters are established by the
time the rising action of a plot occurs, and at the same time, events begin to get complicated. It is during this part of a
story that excitement, tension, or crisis is encountered.
3. Climax
In the climax, or the main point of the plot, there is a turning point of the story. This is meant to be the moment of highest
interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering what is going to happen next.
4. Falling Action
Falling action, or the winding up of the story, occurs when events and complications begin to resolve. The result of the
actions of the main characters are put forward.
5. Resolution
Resolution, or the conclusion, is the end of a story, which may occur with either a happy or a tragic ending.
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The Voice of the Mountain by Stephen Crane-
summary
There's a old giant name Popocatepetl who is forbidden to move by the King of Everything. The King of Everything is
afraid that he will make great holes in every step he takes in land. One day, his friend, the little eagle suggested him to
summon the little animal (human) because the little human can invent things to satisfy his hunger. Popocatepetl summon
the little animal but the little animal asked to be paid. Popocateptl was very angry that the little animal bowed and prayed.
He promised to make him a pair of wings but he didn't kept it.
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Structures of Modification (Adjective and
Adverb)
Adjective as Head Adjectives that habitually modify a noun or verb also become the head of the structure of
modification.
a. Qualifier as Adjective Modifier A word that modifies an adjectives is called a qualifier. Words like very, rather,
enough, etc. are qualifiers. Example: - She is very pretty. -The sound was loud enough.
b. Adverb as Adjective Modifier An adverb that modifies an adjective ends in {-ly} Example: The widely famous (singer)
If an adjective comes after the linking verb, the adverb no longer modifies the adjective .
The adjective functions as the modifier of the structure of complementation. Example: -The house seems clean
everywhere. -Her voice always sounds perfect
The structures of modification of words which you learned from your previous lessons are not the only kind among its
variety. There are still some which you have to discover and study in order to be more proficient in the language. Consider
the following pointers:
c. Noun as Adjective Modifier In some special expressions, noun can modify adjective. Example: stone cold (coffee) sea
green (cloth)
d. Verb as Adjective Modifier An adjective can be modified by a verb in present participle form (-ing) that usually
precedes the adjective, or by to-infinitive that follows the adjective. Example: freezing cold hard to say
boiling hot good to see
e. Adjective as Adjective Modifier In special expressions, an adjective can modify another adjective. Example: icy
cold dark blue deathly pale
f. Prepositional Phrases as Adjective Modifier Prepositional phrases that function as adjective modifiers usually follow
the adjective.
Example: easy on the eyes good for nothing stronger than ever
Adverb as Head There are four class words that can modify the adverb.
a. Qualifiers as Adverb Modifier Example: very easily, rather slowly, happily enough
b. Adverbs as Adverb Modifier Example: far away, sometimes below
c. Noun as Adverb Modifier Example: a meter away, some way up
d. Prepositional Phrases as Adverb Modifier Example: away for a week, behind in his work, outside in the cold.

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A Grain As Big As A Hen's Egg by Leo Tolstoy-
summary

One day the King was brought an unusually large grain of corn. He had ordered his wise men to discover where this grain
came from. The wise men couldn't find an answer and thus suggested that maybe peasant may know where this is grown.
The wise men bought a old peasant in the King presence. The old peasant, was wearing two crutches. He could hardly
see and hear what the King was showing and saying to him. When he understood he said that he didn't know where this
grain could have been grown. He suggested that maybe his father knew about it.
The King summoned his father. The father was wearing a crutch but had a clearer vision and hearing than his son.
Nevertheless, he still didn't know where it came from. He also suggested that maybe his father would know.
The King summoned his father too. The grandfather does not have crutches, has good hearing and eyesight. He told the
King that a grain as big as that could have only been grown during his time.
The King then asked why, unlike his son and grandson, he could walk, see, and hear better. The grandfather said that it
was because during their time, people did not depend on others for labor.

Moral Lesson: Reading this short story made me realized that some of us benefit from the hardwork of our ancestors.
People unintentionally neglect the importance of hardwork and effort. Some people became so dependent that they don’t
even work hard for themselves. We may be the new generation of the society, but still, we should have this initiative to
stand on our own feet and start making our lives better just like what the elders did for us.
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O. Henry, whose real name is William Sydney Porter is one of the best known American writers. He was noted for writing
stories with surprise endings. In the story “The Last Leaf,” a character connects a withering vine with leaves blown out by
the coldness of autumn to her chance of enduring a severe illness.

The Last Leaf by O. Henry- summary

The Last Leaf" is a story about 2 female roommates and aspiring artists that live in Greenwich village. One of them,
Johnsy, gets sick with pneumonia, and the doctor doesn't give her much of a chance. Johnsy's roommate, Sue, keeps
watch over her and notices her counting. She asks why, and Johnsy replies that she is counting the "Leaves on the ivy
vine. When the last one falls, [Johnsy] must go, too." Soon, there is only one leaf on the vine, and Sue is in despair that it
will fall, and Johnsy will die. She expresses her fears to the unconventional and often grumpy old man that lives
downstairs, Mr. Behrman. He comes up and sits with her for a while. The next morning, Sue opens the blinds to find the
leaf still there, and Johnsy recovers. Later it is revealed that it was painted there by Behrman, who then, from exposure to
Johnsy, and the cold, died of pneumonia at the old age of 60 years old.

Moral Lesson: The story ''The Last Leaf'' is all about young girl who is dying from pneumonia.
According to her, she will die after the last leaf fall from the plant on window, so the old lady paints the last leaf.
The moral of the story is a small sacrifice will add huge value to the life.
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“If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth…” Arthur C. Clarke-
summary
As the narrative begins, the Father takes his son Marvin outside the space colony. Marvin is 10 and they live in the
separated space colony. They go through the boy’s beloved place — the Colony Farmlands. Marvin likes the plants and
the smell of life as there is no it in the residential levels. It would be nice to stay there, but they should go. Marvin saw the
photographs of the land out and watched it on television screen, but now he is to face with it in real time. As they set off,
he finds there was a blinding sun, black sky and numerous shining stars; Marvin loves stars but their twinkling now seems
to him to be a lie, as they shine constantly .
They race fast, as trying to escape from something. The Colony is left over the horizon, and now they are racing down
through valleys and feet of mountains. Marvin is a little afraid of such landscapes, but they are not the first explorers of
this road. After hours of driving among the hills and mountains which seemed not to end ever, they finally get to the valley
which is not covered with dark, although it obviously should be. The source of light is opposite to them.
They stop, but Marvin keeps his eyes closed. In few minutes he looks through the shine: he sees the lines of continents,
the atmosphere, clouds. The planet was beautiful with its sunsets, seas, rains and snow. He knew about it as well as
about the Armageddon. But now he still cannot go there as it is contaminated with radiation.

The Father tells him about the destroying of the planet, and about their Colony — the only one in the whole world. It is a
small oasis that should prevent them from the Nature. Of course it would not function for a long time if they had no any
aim. Now Marvin understands the reason and purpose of their pilgrimage. He would never touch this world himself, but he
should tell his descendants about it. One day they will use the ships waiting near the colony to return to the Earth and get
their heritage back.
Marvin doesn’t look back when leaving the valley. The boy goes back obediently.
Moral Lesson: It would be tragedy to destroy life on earth, for the earth is a beautiful place. The moral is it important to
keep hope alive even in the worst circumstances.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
GODBLESS! Sir Mark