ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of English Language & Applied Linguistics)

WARNING

1.  PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.

2.  SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN “AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

Course: Modern Grammatical Theory (5668)

Level: MA TEFL Semester: Autumn, 2017

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 40

ASSIGNMENT No. 1

Q.1 What do you understand by the term, “transformational generative grammar”? What important role does it play in any language? Discuss in detail. (10)

Q.2 How would you define the projection principle? Does it apply to all or certain individual languages? Discuss your viewpoint with suitable examples. (15)

Q.3 Tree diagrams are used for presenting/showing syntactic structures.

a) Make a tree diagram for the following structure. (10)

– Usman had a terrible dream last night.

b) Are there some other ways of showing syntactic structures? (05)

Q.4 What is meant by the properties of the language faculty, a concept used by Chomsky? Discuss in detail. (10)

Q.5 Discuss the concept that certain principles are not universal in all the languages, and yet they create a syntactic movement. Justify your viewpoint with suitable examples. (15)

Q.6 Differentiate between the rules of a language and the principles of a language and give examples of a few rules and principles. (10)

Q.7 a) Write a sentence, point out its head using a tree diagram. (05)

b) Use the same sentence to create the sentence node, the NP node and the VP node. (05)

c) What is a modifier and an intensifier in a sentence? Give an example of
each. (05)

Q.8 What do you understand by passive transformation? Discuss in detail the rules for the passive transformation of sentences. (10)


ASSIGNMENT No. 2

Assignment 2 is based on a research-oriented activity. You are required to study the relevant area/conduct research and prepare a brief report on your findings in the area given. You will then have to submit one copy of the report to the tutor within the scheduled period and at the same time present the report/project in one of the tutorials (the schedule/plan of the tutorials for the presentations will be intimated by the tutor concerned or the Regional Director). The compulsory presentation carries 100 marks, 40 marks for the written report and 60 for the presentations.

A few guidelines for the written report and the presentation:

a) The written report should have an introduction, body and conclusion. It should be written in clear concise and correct English.

b) It should be 5-8 double spaced typed/handwritten pages.

c) The presentation is to be assessed and evaluated mainly in.

i. Contents of the assignment/report

ii. Communication skills

iii. Language accuracy

iv. Language fluency

v. Presentation style

You may use transparencies, charts or any other relevant material for impressive presentation with the permission of your tutor.

Choose and elaborate any one of the following statements. Consult a few books or articles on the statement you have chosen and write a brief literature review to demonstrate your understanding on the concept. Apply the concept in a practical situation and state the findings. If possible give some suggestions/recommendations that you find suitable in your specific situation.

Attempt one of the following activities:

The study of grammar all by itself will not necessarily make you a better writer. But by gaining a clearer understanding of how our language works, you should also gain greater control over the way you shape words into sentences and sentences into paragraphs. In short, studying grammar may help you become a more effective writer.

Or

In the light of your study in the related area do you think the principles of Universal Grammar can be applied to second language learning? Discuss in detail. Support your point of view with solid, practical reasons. Quote from different sources you came across during your study. Acknowledge the source properly. Consider the case of any second language learner (adult/young learner) whom you know as a teacher. Observe the learner for quite some time and state whether or not the principles of Universal Grammar facilitated his/her second language learning process. Give the findings/details in your assignment and present verbally in the tutorials.

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