Exam practice

• a.I agree. Everything that lives also dies: a leaf grows, falls and becomes soil for new plants. Even inside our bodies, billions of cells die every day and new ones take their place. So death is not the enemy of life but part of how life goes on. (Someone could disagree: for the person who dies, death is the end of their life, so it is its opposite.)
• b.In a way, yes. Every day we live, one day less is left. Our bodies grow, then slowly age. But we could equally say that from the day we are born we are living, learning and growing: it depends on how we choose to look at it, which is exactly the writer’s point.

a. fiction b. dimension c. dislodge d. confronted e. solace

a. fiction b. grave c. guaranteed (confirmed also fits: “Your death is confirmed”) d. corrupted

Nobody has experienced death and come back to tell us about it, so for him death is an imagined idea. What really exists is life, which only moves from one dimension (form) to another; what we call death is just one of those changes.

Life is a process that moves towards death from the day we are born, so living can also be called dying. In the yoga picture, life is breath: breathing in is life, breathing out is death, so we pass between life and death every moment.

Because death has to happen to everyone, and only because there is death, there is life: the two go together. It is the one thing about our future that is certain.

Yes. According to the speaker, we fear death because we have no idea what it is. We have ideas about everything else, but when we face the moment of death, we really know nothing.

Many people talk about death as if they knew all about it: some are “dead sure” they will go to heaven. But the speaker says these ideas are made up without knowing, just to comfort themselves and handle life; in fact the very idea of death comes from people talking about it without knowing about it.

I believe death is a natural part of life, not something to be ashamed or afraid of talking about. Everything that is born dies: the flowers in our garden, the old dog next door, and one day each of us. My grandmother says that when we remember a person and live by their good example, a part of them stays with us. Science tells us what happens to the body; what happens to a person after that, nobody knows for certain, and different religions answer it differently. For me, the more important question is how we live. Since our time is limited, we should not waste it in anger or fear, but spend it on learning, helping others and enjoying the people we love while they are with us.

• a.A: You look worried. What’s the matter? B: I failed my math exam. A: Did you? That’s too bad. Don’t lose heart: you can retake it, and I’ll help you practice.
• b.A: Why weren’t you at school yesterday? B: My sister had an accident on her scooter. A: Oh, so sad to hear that. Is she badly hurt? B: She broke her arm, but she’ll be fine. A: I’m glad it’s not worse.
• c.A: How was the match? B: We lost the football match, two–one. A: What a pity! You played so well in the first half.
• d.A: You look upset. B: My uncle lost his job at the factory last week. A: I’m sorry to hear that. I hope he finds a new one soon.
• e.A: Is everything all right? B: My friend’s mother fell ill, and she’s in the hospital in Dharan. A: Oh no. I hope she feels better soon.
• f.A: Why are you walking? B: Someone stole my bicycle from the school gate. A: That must be an inconvenience. Let’s report it, and you can share my bicycle until you find yours.

a. follows b. consists c. feed d. earns e. makes f. live g. Do … like h. doesn’t want (does not want) i. adores j. need k. has
(c, f and j are plural subjects, so no -s.)

• a.I don’t check my emails when I get to school.
• b.Do you watch the news on TV every day?
• c.She wears a red dress.
• d.Do you have a school bus?
• e.What do you want to drink?
• f.You don’t need more reading practice.
• g.Your friend doesn’t like computer games.
• h.Mum washes the car once a week.

• a.The swimming pool doesn’t open every day at 9:30 a.m. Does the swimming pool open every day at 9:30 a.m.?
• b.I don’t use my car very often. Do you use your car very often?
• c.John doesn’t come from Mexico. Does John come from Mexico?
• d.I don’t play the piano very well. Do you play the piano very well?
• e.Ann doesn’t watch television a lot. Does Ann watch television a lot?
• f.I don’t write to my parents every month. Do you write to your parents every month?
• g.This car doesn’t break down every five hours. Does this car break down every five hours?

The key expressions in the message:

• Heartfelt condolences (the heading)
• We are deeply saddened by the news of the untimely demise of… (untimely: too early; demise: death)
• He was quite popular for his congeniality, diligence and great virtue. (congeniality: being friendly and pleasant; diligence: careful hard work; virtue: goodness)
• At this time of grief, we want to express our sincere condolences to his bereaved family
• and pray for the strength to bear this irrecoverable loss (irrecoverable: that can never be got back)
• We will always cherish his wonderful memories. (cherish: keep with love)
• May the departed soul rest in peace in heavenly abode. (the departed: the person who has died; abode: home). In careful English, in the heavenly abode.

Heading; her name with Late and her years; the news (who, where, why); what she was and did; your condolences to the family; a promise to remember; a prayer; your school’s name and address. About 100 words, in one paragraph.

HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES

Late Subhadra Adhikari (1946 – 2019)

We are deeply saddened by the news that Subhadra Adhikari, the veteran actress, passed away at her residence in Kathmandu due to respiratory problems. She was a famous and well-known senior actress who contributed a great deal to the Nepali film industry, and her performances in superhit films such as Basanti, Basudev, Muna Madan and Chino won the hearts of audiences across the country. At this time of grief, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family and pray for the strength to bear this great loss. Her work will always be cherished. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Teachers, Staff and Students
Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Gorkha

• a.It shows an old sailing ship on the sea at sunset, dark against a red, cloudy evening sky, sailing out towards the open sea.
• b.The pilot (a sailor who knows the dangerous waters near a harbor and guides ships through them) is leading the voyagers out of the harbor, across the bar, to the open sea, on a long journey. In the poem, that journey stands for death.

a – v, b – iv, c – vii, d – iii, e – ii, f – i, g – vi

the sunset and evening star; the sandbar; on a tide; return; the evening bell; sad goodbyes; floating; God

Out of the harbor to the open sea, the “boundless deep”: a metaphor for leaving this life and going into death, the great unknown, which he calls home.

Because it is so full (high and swollen) that it covers the bar deeply and moves smoothly, as if asleep, without breaking into waves. It stands for the calm, peaceful death the speaker hopes for.

They suggest the end of the day, and so the end of the speaker’s life: death is near, with “the dark” after them.

He is going out to sea, across the bar, that is, from this life into death. He doesn’t want anyone to be sad when he goes.

The Pilot, who stands for God, guiding him on his journey beyond time and place. (The tide, “the flood”, carries him; the Pilot guides him.)

No. He is calm and hopeful: he sees death as a journey home, asks for no mourning, and trusts that he will meet God, his Pilot, face to face.

God, the divine guide who, the speaker believes, has been with him all through his life’s voyage, though unseen.

People have very different beliefs. In Hinduism and Buddhism, which many families in Nepal follow, a soul or a stream of consciousness is believed to be reborn in a new life, according to its karma, until it is freed. Christians and Muslims believe in a life after death in heaven or hell, as Tennyson did. Others believe that a person simply ends when the body dies, and lives on only in what they did and in the memories of others. Science can’t answer this question, because nobody can come back to report, which was Sadhguru’s point too. Personally, I am not sure what happens after death, but I believe that the good we do stays in the world after us. So, like Tennyson, I would like to meet the end calmly, having lived well.

• a.funeral: the ceremony held after a person’s death, when the body is buried or cremated.
• b.viewing: a time before the funeral when family and friends come to see the body of the person who has died and say goodbye. (Immediate family: the closest relatives: parents, children, brothers and sisters, husband or wife.)
• c.eulogy (YOO-lo-jee): a speech at a funeral praising the person who has died. (Minister: here, a priest of a Christian church.)

• a.To invite her to the funeral.
• b.On Tuesday afternoon.
• c.Tim’s uncle.
• d.Sing a musical number. (A musical number is a song.)

I would visit the family as soon as I could, with my parents, sit with them quietly and say, I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I would listen if they wanted to talk about the person, and share a good memory of them. I would also offer practical help: bring food, look after the younger children, or take notes at school for a classmate who is away. If I couldn’t go, I would phone or send a short message of condolence, and for someone well known, an organization may publish one in the newspaper. Later, I would keep in touch, because grief doesn’t end after the thirteen days.

• a.often (one or two a week, every week)
• b.rarely (just once)
• c.always (every day of the week)
• d.usually (four out of five)
• e.sometimes (now and then, not every class)
• f.never (she always misses it)
• g.rarely (two days in five months)
• h.seldom (he asks, but I don’t go)
• i.usually (three or more times a week)

• a.have: two things, friendship and support, joined by and, make a plural subject.
• b.offers: the subject is Hamilton Family Center (one); a shelter for… only describes it.
• c.is: the subject is one (of the sources).
• d.are: the subject is chances.
• e.was: one card (a Pokémon card) comes after There.
• f.were: the nearer subject, assistants, is plural.
• g.have: the subject is hours (plural).
• h.was: the subject comes after the verb: a button (one) was discovered.

Some answer keys give has in a and g. But two things joined by and take a plural verb, and many hours is plural; a singular verb fits an amount only when it is taken as one whole, such as Three hours is a long time to wait.

Start with sympathy (I was so sorry to hear…). Then answer her request clearly (yes, and how you’ll do it), offer something more if you can, encourage her about the tests and the setback, and end with your wish that she gets well soon. Friendly, warm, about 150–200 words.

To: asmita.praja@example.com

Subject: Get well soon, Asmita!

Dear Asmita,

I was so sorry to read about your accident. You must be in a lot of pain, and it must be hard to lie in bed for so long when you’re used to being so busy. Everyone in class asked about you this morning, and Ms. Rachana sends her best wishes too.

Of course I’ll help you. From tomorrow I’ll record every lecture on my phone and send you the recordings each evening, together with photos of my class notes. If anything isn’t clear, just message me, and I’ll ask the teacher for you. I’ll also find out when you can take the unit tests you are missing, so please don’t worry about them now.

Please follow the doctor’s advice and rest as much as you can. Your back will heal faster that way, and the reading can wait. I’ll come and visit you on Saturday with Muna and Tara, if your mother doesn’t mind, and bring some of the novels you like for when you can read again.

You’re right: it’s only a short setback. We all miss you, and we’re waiting for you to come back. Get well soon!

With love,
Salina

• a.Declarative. → Water the plants every evening.
• b.Declarative. → How beautiful the poem is!
• c.Declarative. → When did Tennyson write it?
• d.Interrogative. → The library is open on Saturday. (or The library isn’t open on Saturday.)

• a.False (nobody has died and come back; a near-death experience is not death)
• b.False (we fear it because we have no idea what it is)
• c.False (he wants “no sadness of farewell”)
• d.True
• e.True

• a.Nirmala doesn’t read the newspaper every morning.
• b.Does the bus leave at six?
• c.Where do they live?
• d.My uncle doesn’t have a shop in Butwal.
• e.Does Kushal always help his mother in the kitchen?
• f.When do tigers hunt?

• a.is (the subject is one)
• b.come (thousands of people, plural)
• c.never (before the main verb, misses)
• d.wants (with neither… nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, my sister)
• e.are (crowds comes after there, plural; always doesn’t change it)

HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES

Late Mr. Gopal Prasad Koirala (1952 – 2026)

We are deeply saddened by the news that Mr. Gopal Prasad Koirala, the retired science teacher of our school, passed away at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, after a short illness. For thirty-five years he taught science with patience and joy, and he was loved by every student he taught. The school’s science club, which he started, will keep his love of learning alive. At this time of grief, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and pray for the strength to bear this great loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Teachers, Staff and Students
Shree Bhagawati Secondary School, Nuwakot

To: rabina@example.com

Subject: Thinking of you

Dear Rabina,

I was so sorry to read your email. It must have been terrifying to see the water come into your house, and it must be very hard to leave your home for a month. I’m just glad that you and your family are safe: a house can be repaired, but people can’t be replaced.

How are your parents and your little brother? Are you settling in at your relatives’ home? Please tell me if you need anything at all. Our class has started collecting books, notebooks and clothes for families hit by the flood, and I have set aside my old school bag and two sets of uniform for you. I can also send you photos of my notes every evening, so that you don’t fall behind in your studies.

Don’t lose heart. I remember how bravely you helped everyone after the earthquake, and I know you will get through this too. When your house is ready, I would love to come and help you and your family clean and paint it.

Take care of yourself, and write to me whenever you feel like it.

With love,
Aakriti