ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7
How the World Began
I. SETTING - The story happened before earth was created
where the gods lived up in the sky. It is evident by the words,
“…long long time ago in Banting, a circular space of great
brightness encircled with a rainbow.”
II. CHARACTERS
1. Magbabaya – the one-headed god, who took pity on
Makabughaw and decided to build an extension so the poor
Makabughaw could rest. Since the beginning of the story he is
a round character, he was sometimes
helpful but most of the time bossy and making orders.
Although in the end he turned mad and engaged in fight, it was
only the course of his actions.
2. Dadanyahan – the ten-headed god, who can give whatever
the two gods needed in order tto build or to make something.
He is a dynamic character for he has changes in his attitudes in
the course of story. From understanding and giving, he turned
to be mad.
3. Makabughaw – the winged god had to flap his wings
continuously to maintain his balance. He sat riskily between
Mabgagaya abd Dadanyan. He made his first wind. He is a flat
character, because he did not undergo any substantial change or
growth in the course of the story. He was always a helper to the
two other gods and just follow what they wished for.
III. PLOT
a. Exposition
The three gods where living harmoniously in the circular space
of great brightness. At first there was only wind and no more.
They agreed to make the earth so Makabughaw could rest.
From the saliva of Dadanyahan and the blessings of
Magbabaya, they were also able to make the first rain that
shaped the different water and landforms on the earth and made
the land vegetative.
b. Rising Action
After making the earth and the different land, water forms and
different plants, they thought there would be someone who will
take care of their creations. So they agreed to form images look
like them. Dadanyahan’s saliva and a blessing of Magbabaya
and the labor of Makabughaw.
c. Climax
After the seventh figure was molded, Magbabaya had to live to
do other things and he told to Dadanyahan not to tamper the
image, but Dadanyahan did and used his creative talents. This
brought them into huge fight.
d. Falling Action
To end the fight they agreed to divide the images. Dadanyahan
got the six images which became the engkantos and
Magbabaya got only one image.
e. Denouement
The first human being sprung from the only image of
 ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7
Magbabaya and the small bits of clay from the image became
the animals.
IV. CONFLICT
MAN vs. MAN – The conflict happened between the two
characters of the story when they did not want to give way to
each other.
V. THEME
Temptation and destruction
Dadanyahan was tempted to touch the image and used his
creativity on them, but he just made unwanted creatures that is
why they had a big fight. It alsodestructed his friendship with
Magbabaya.
II. Dahong Palay
Doctor Arturo B. Rotor’s short story entitled, “Dahong Palay,”
it referred to the venomous snake that almost killed Sebio, the
main character of the story.
The story began by introducing the main character and his
work in the rice fields. He was described as a young man who
had a splendid toughness with a twist – he had small muscles
that did not seem fit for this kind of task. Despite of his “not so
impressive” physical appearance, he was capable of doing
intense work like this.
In some parts at the exposition of the story, it is mentioned
that Sebio was perpetually teased by his neighbors for his lack
of vigor – he looks physically weak. He had that “Sebiong
Pasmado” (Sebio the weakling) identity because of his slight
figure – his chest was flat, his neck was long and his legs were
thin. He always failed to win these “foolish games of strength
and skill” in front of an earsplitting crowd. Because of these
failures, he lacked self-confidence. But on his own, he had an
impressive and exceptional strength that even his relatives did
not know.
On the succeeding part of the story, Sebio’s mother
instructed him to go to his Tia Binay’s house to work and give
the whetstone which his aunt wanted to borrow. When he
reached his aunt’s place, Serbio greeted Tia Binay and all the
workers there a good evening. Tia Binay is described in the
story as an old woman with failing eyes unable to see well even
during daytime. And so, she peered at Sebio. When the young
man told his name to her, she still couldn’t recognize him, until
one cruel joker shouted “Sebiong Pasmado!” Sebio, with
blazing eyes, turned his face to the working men. But then, he
ignored them when he just saw “sneering faces.” He just gave
the whetstone to his Tia Binay and thanked her for the herbs
she gave for his uncle’s rheumatism. After this, he found a seat
in a darkest and farthest corner, and there he took a rest.
The lady was Merci, the girl whom Sebio was attracted to.
Because of Merci and the good-tasting suman that she made,
Sebio recovered his self-control and became his likeable self
again. This was how this beautiful lady affects this young man.
 ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7
In the rising action of the story, the discussion, that was
supposedly about the “big snake,” turned into a competition
between Pabio and Sebio – to win Merci’s heart. Once again,
another set of “games of strength and skill” was conducted
during their time of work. In this part, Merci told the noisy
workers that her “nanay” did not need any son-in-law, for she
was strong enough to work. Pacio confidently asked Tia Binay
what her son-in-law must be like, but she refrained from
answering – until everybody in the place answered for her.
Exasperated Merci disagreed to all their responses and said that
Tia Binay’s son-in-law must first be her husband.
Just like what happened in all his “games of strength,”
he lost. What made him feel more shameful was that, Merci,
the lady he tried to impress, was watching him. However,
Merci was very understanding. In the story, she actually
approached Sebio in a very nice way, as if nothing happened.
She asked the young man to help her get some hay for them to
roast some corn to eat. Expectedly, Sebio eagerly followed
Merci. Finally, there was someone who understood him. His
disgust at himself rose, caused him to kick the pile of hay. The
lady sympathized Sebio, this eased his emotions somehow.
The serpent described in the climax of the story was the
“Dahong Palay.” This was what might have bitten Merci, if
Sebio didn’t made a move to save her. This snake gives off
poisonous venom to the bitten victim that if not treated
immediately, it may cause death. In the story, Sebio felt the
“searing course” of the deadly poison from his leg up to his
fast-beating heart. He could see only hazy faces. He became
too pale. Fortunately, the loud voices of those people who
surrounded him kept him conscious.
In the falling action, Sebio had taken the sharp knife and
slashed across the two pin pricks. Dark blood came out slowly
from his bitten leg. And then, he took the red-hot iron and
thrust it into the wound. He treated himself in a way that
showed how unbelievably strong he is to the horrified crowd.
Sebio gained the respect of the people around him after
showing his bravery. The crowd told him that he would never
be called “Sebiong Pasmado” again. This was how the story
ended up.
III. Elements of a Narrative
There are 7 elements of narrative:
1. Plot -What happens in the story; events that occur from
beginning to end.
2. Conflict - A struggle between forces
1) Human vs. Human
2) Human vs. Nature
3) Human vs. Society
4) Human vs. Her/Himself
3.Setting - when and where the story occurs (time and place)
 ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7
a. Place : geographical location; where is the action of the story
taking place?
b. Time : when is the story taking place? (historical period, time
of day, year, etc
4. a. Character
Protagonist: the character whose actions form the basis of the
plot or the main character
Antagonist: character who opposes the protagonist and or creates
obstacles for him/her forces that work against the protagonist’s
success (e.g. protagonist ’ s own character traits)
4.b. Character
a. Dynamic (or Round) character: A complex, multidimensional,
developed, embodying a number of qualities and traits. A
character that changes throughout the story
b. Static (or Flat) character : A character that never changes (one-
sided) Embody or represent a single characteristic, trait, or idea,
or at least a small number of such qualities
Atmosphere - Mood pervading the story, The feeling aroused in
the reader by the setting, plot, characters and devices (e.g. feeling
of horror, uneasiness, peace)
5. Theme - The main point or central concept around which the
story is focused. Statement about life or human nature conveyed
or implied through the story. Can be the author ’ s message or
central insight that s/he is trying to communicate through the
story
Examples of themes include: love, betrayal, friendship, war, etc.
6. Point of View - Method of narration
First person narrator: “I” told from a highly personal perspective
Third person narrator: “He” , “She” Told from an outside
narrator who is not a character in the story
Omniscient : means all-knowing and the narrator in such a
circumstance can direct the reader's attention to the inner
thoughts of any of the characters and controls the sources of
information
Third Person: Limited Omniscient : what the narrator knows and
sees is restricted to what one central character can know and
see. This limited perspective can explain things differently from
a first person point of view.
7. Literary Devices - Part of the style of a piece of writing, used
to make it more interesting. Examples include: imagery,
symbolism, humour, dramatic irony, figurative language (e.g.
metaphor, simile), flashback, foreshadowing, etc.
IV. Characterization - is the process by which the author
reveals the personality of the characters.
Types of characterization: direct and indirect
a. Direct characterization - is when the author TELLS the
audience what the personality of the character is.
Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both at the
game.”
The author is telling us that the boy is patient and the girl is
kind.
 ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7

b. Indirect Characterization - is when the author SHOWS

things that reveal the personality of the character.
NOTE: There are FIVE different methods of indirect
characterization: speech, thoughts, effect on other characters,
actions, and looks. (STEAL)
i. Speech- What does the character say? How does the
character speak?
Example: “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this
summer! I love being outside!”
This shows us that the character is upset about his sister’s
behavior and inability to think of others.
iv. Actions- What does the character do?
How does the character behave?
Example: The girl rode the lawn mower through the house
and into the garage.
This shows us the girl is not concerned with rules or safety.

This shows us the character is upbeat and happy.

ii. Thoughts- What is revealed through the character’s
thoughts and feelings?
Example: I wish it would stop raining. I am tired of sitting
inside!
This shows us the character is not happy about the
situation.
v. Looks- What does the character look like? How does the
character dress?
Example: The little girl left the game with slumped
shoulders and a frown on her face.
This shows us the little girl is not enjoying herself and is
upset.

iii. Effect on Others- What is revealed through the

character’s effect on other people? How do other
characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?

Example: The boy glared at his sister as she ate his dessert.
 ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7
V. Noun - is a word used as the name of a person, place or
thing
2. Functions of a Noun
What does a noun do in a sentence?
It acts as the subject of a sentence that performs the action of
the verb. The subject has to be a noun. It cannot be a verb, an
adverb, an adjective or any other part of speech. Nouns are
basic to sentence structure because they, along with pronouns,
provide the subject of the sentence. In addition, a noun
functions as a direct object of a verb, an indirect object of a
verb, object of a preposition, or a complement.
(1) Noun as subject of verb
The subject (in bold) can be a person, place, thing or idea. It
performs an act or shows a state of being as expressed by the
verb. The subject is easily recognized as it usually comes at the
beginning of a sentence and is followed by a verb.
Examples:
 The man stepped on my toes.
 The car smashed into a wall.
 Both of them fell down the stairs.
 I accidentally hit my head on the bookshelf.
2) Noun as direct object
The direct object (in bold) is a noun in a sentence. The object is
acted upon by the subject, and It typically comes after the
verb.
Examples:
 Tom bit his nail.
 I am painting the doghouse.
 Her dog followed her to the park.
 Strong wind blew their tent down.
(3) Noun as indirect object
The indirect object (in bold) is a noun in a sentence. An
indirect object represents a person or thing that receives the
effect of the action of the verb. It usually comes between the
verb and the direct object.
Examples:
 He fed the monkeys bananas.
 The mother was cooking her family a seafood dinner.
 Jack sent a letter to his parents.
 She poured drinks for the boys.
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(4) Noun as object of a preposition
The object of preposition (in bold) is a noun in a sentence. The
object comes after the preposition as shown here in following
examples.
Examples:
 Joe broke his nose in a fight. (Preposition: in)
 Two puppies followed behind the girl.
(Preposition: behind)
 Birdwatching is a favourite hobby of the villagers.
(Preposition: of)
 Everyone is complaining about the boss.
(Preposition: about)
(5) Noun as object of a verbal
A verbal is a word formed from a verb but functions as a noun
or an adjective. Only a noun can be an object of a verbal,
which can be a gerund, an infinitive or a participle. It is shown
in bold in the following example sentences. The objects are
underlined.
Examples:
o Winning
the lottery jackpot was his biggest dream.
o To escape
from the
prison was all he wanted.
o Having found his father’s car keys, he
demanded a reward.
(6) Noun as a predicate complement
The predicate complement is a noun (or an adjective) that is
joined to the subject of the sentence by a copulative verb. A
copulative verb is also known as a linking verb. The following
sentences show the predicate complement in bold. The
copulative verbs are underlined.
Examples:
 The tribal chief is the fattest man in the tribe.
 These two apples are the only rotten ones..
 Aunt Barbie could be the biggest woman in the
neighbourhood.
(7) Noun acts as an adjective or modifier of another noun.
Words that are usually used as nouns are also used as
adjectives, as a separate word preceding the noun or combined
with the noun to form a single word (see ‘Compound nouns.’)
For example, mountain is usually a noun, but it can be used as
an adjective to modify a noun, goat as in (1) below. The
following show in bold the nouns acting as adjectives and the
modified nouns that follow them and the single words
 ENGLISH REVIEWER – GRADE 7

comprising nouns acting as adjectives and the nouns that they

modify.

Examples:

o That one looks like a mountain goat.

o Dog fleas must seek out another dog when the

dog dies.
o Blowing out the candles, grandmother's denture
landed on the birthday cake.
o He was snoring under a big beach umbrella.
o Grandfather used to say duck eggs are better
than chicken eggs.

A noun must be in the singular form when used as an adjective

as shown above. There are, however, some
exceptions: sports club, a goods train, a sales conference.

Nouns acting as adjectives are combined with the nouns that

they modify to form a single word.

o She saw a dark figure waving to her from

her doorway.
o There is a layer of fine dust on your bookcase.
o In the farmhouse, the hoots of owls were the
only things they heard.
o Each night he set several mousetraps around
the house and in the garage.
o He brought along his toothpaste but forgot
his toothbrush.