ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE GRADE 12 LESSON 1 LEARNER NOTES

MEANING IN CONTEXT: PLURALS, USE OF THE APOSTROPHE, HYPHEN AND DASH

SECTION A: TYPICAL EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 1: PLURALS (10 minutes) (Taken from: Various exercises)

Complete the following table. It can be done on this page or rewritten by only giving the number and answer.

[Remember to study Section C – Additional notes and rules before attempting the exercises]

HINT: An apostrophe is NEVER used to form the plural form of a noun.

Example: He borrowed the book’s and video’s from his friend’s. WRONG!

He borrowed the books and videos from his friends.

WORD / PLURAL FORM / WORD / PLURAL FORM
1.1 country / countries / 1.12 lady
1.2 family / 1.13 man
1.3 beauty / 1.14 my life
1.4 bully / 1.15 my wife
1.5 caddy / 1.16 a leaf
1.6 woman / 1.17 a roof
1.7 canary / 1.18 life
1.8 canopy / 1.19 myself
1.9 celebrity / 1.20 yourself
1.10 ceremony / 1.21 my belief
1.11baby / Total = [20]

Question 2: The use of the apostrophe (10 minutes)

Correct the following apostrophe problems by rewriting the sentences correctly.

2.1 At intersection’s many motorist’s are annoyed at having their car’s windscreens’ washed. (4)

2.2 The leopard ate it’s prey to the childrens’ horror.(2)

2.3 The mens’salary’s are disgusting; theirs’ are the lowest in the industry.(3)

2.4 Meal’s at the womens’ hostel are well cooked.(2)

2.5 This T-shirt is hers’.(1)

2.6 My books’ must go back to my sister because it is her’s.(2)

2.7 The bed’s sheets are all dirty.(1) Total = [15]

HINTS:

Apostrophes are ONLY used in TWO cases!

Omission (Leaving out a letter): He will not do his work – He won’t do his work

(When we leave out a letter to shorten a word, it is called “Contraction”:

“Shortened” word because of letter(s) left out, e.g. cannot – can’t)

Possession (Belonging to someone or something): Pete’s book; The mother’s

child.

Question 3: More apostrophe exercises (10 minutes) (Taken from: Various exercises)

Rewrite these phrases correctly by inserting the apostrophe.

Example: The stockings of the girl = the girl’s stockings

3.1. The article written by the director.(1)

3.2 The cars belonging to the Smith family.(1)

3.3 A mine owned by De Beer.(1)

3.4 The secretary who works for the boss.(1)

3.5 The secretary who works for three bosses.(1)

3.6 The friendliness of the neighbours.(1)

3.7 The ball gowns worn by the students.(1)

3.8 The tail on the dog.(1)

3.9 The wool on the sheep.(1)

3.10 The book belonging to Mary.(1) [10]

3.11 Rewrite the following passage in the text box by filling in the apostrophes.[6]

Im so disappointed that Ivans exam results were so poor. Hell never get into college because at least three Cs are required. Now hell have to take all his friends lecture

notes

SECTION B: ADDITIONAL CONTENT NOTES

The topics to be discussed in this session might seem to be a strange combination, but it actually makes sense to combine these into one session. The reason? Learners don’t know how and where to use the apostrophe (’) and OFTEN use it to indicate the plural form of a noun. The formation and spelling of contractions are also linked to the apostrophe, because the omitted letter is indicated by the use of the apostrophe (Example: Do not – don’t).

Plurals

Plurals of nounsPlurals of nouns

ending in –y ending in -o

If a word ends in –y Shorter, simpler nouns

and ispreceded by that end in –o, usually

a vowel, just add “s” gets and –esadded to form

to from the plural: the plural: potato – potatoes

donkey – donkeys; hero – heroes; tomato-

toy – toys; way – ways tomatoes

If a word ends in a –y, Thelonger, more

but is preceded by a “strange” sounding words

consonant, drop the “y” ending in –o, usually just

andadd –ies to form gets an “s” added:

plural: story – stories; manifesto – manifestos

ally - allies

Exceptions to the –o rule:

Photos – photos

Piano – pianos

Plurals of nouns ending in –f and -fe

Most nouns ending in –f or –fetake “s” for the plural: chief-chiefs; dwarf-dwarfs

The following 13 words are the exceptions to this rule (Please study!)

Singular / Plural / Singular / Plural
calf / calves / self / selves
elf / elves / sheaf / sheaves
half / halves / shelf / shelves
knife / knives / thief / thieves
leaf / leaves / wife / wives
life / lives / wolf / wolves
loaf / loaves

The Apostrophe

The apostrophe is NOT used to form the plural of a noun.

SECTION C: SOLUTIONS AND HINTS TO SECTION A: TOPIC 1

QUESTION 1: PLURALS

WORD / PLURAL FORM / WORD / PLURAL FORM
1.1 country / countries / 1.12 lady / Ladies [y – ies]
1.2 family / Families [y – ies] / 1.13 man / Men [new word]
1.3 beauty / beauties / 1.14 my life / our lives [pronoun and noun in plural]
1.4 bully / bullies / 1.15 my wife / our wives [f – ves]
1.5 caddy / caddies / 1.16 a leaf / many leaves
1.6 woman / women [new word] / 1.17 a roof / many roofs [f – fs, exception to rule]
1.7 canary / canaries / 1.18 life / lives
1.8 canopy / canopies / 1.19 myself / ourselves
1.9 celebrity / celebrities / 1.20 yourself / yourselves
1.10 ceremony / ceremonies / 1.21 my belief / our beliefs [f – fs: exception to rule]
1.11baby / babies / Total = [20]

QUESTION 2: APOSTROPHES

2.1 At intersections √ many motorists √ are annoyed at having their cars‟√

windscreens √ washed.(4)

2.2 The leopard ate its√ prey to the children’s√ horror.(2)

2.3 The men’s √ salaries √ are disgusting; theirs √ are the lowest in the industry.(3)

2.4 Meals √ at the women’s√ hostel are well cooked.(2)

2.5 This T-shirt is hers.√(1)

2.6 My books√ must go back to my sister because it is hers.√(2)

2.7 The beds’√ sheets are all dirty.(1)

Total = [15]

QUESTION 3: APOSTROPHES

[All these apostrophes are used to indicate possession – belonging to someone or something]

3.1 The editor’s article √

3.2 The Smith family’ cars√

3.3 De Beer’ mine √

3.4 The boss’s secretary √

3.5 The three bosses’ secretary √

3.6 The neighbour’s friendliness √

3.7 The students’ ball gowns √

3.8 The dog’s tail √

3.9 The sheep’s wool √

3.10 Mary’s book √ (10)

3.11 √I’m so disappointed that √Ivan’s exam results were so poor. √He’ll never get into college because at least three Cs are required. Now √ he’ll have to take all

his√ friends’ lecture notes and ask all his teachers for help. What a pity! √That’ll

teach him a lesson. (6) [16]

HINTS:

I’m = omission of a letter – I am

Ivan’s = possession – exam results belonging to Ivan

He’ll = omission of a letter – He will

Friends’ = possession – notes belonging to his friends

That’ll = omission of letter – That will

ǃLearner Note: Before attempting these questions, please study the notes in Section C and ask your class teacher if there is something you don’t understand. You have to know the rules of punctuation if you want to improve your writing and comprehension skills.

Question 1: 20 minutes

(Taken from: X-Kit, Eng HL Gr 10, Pearson/Maskew Miller Longman)

1.1Punctuate the following note using all the correct punctuation marks. (NO commas

after the greeting and the closure)(15)

dear john

never do that again did you think that if you took my chocolate out of the fridge you would not be found out yes I know you have a sweet tooth but that is no excuse for stealing my bar one especially as i was saving it to eat in bed tonight

yours hungrily

angela

1.2See how many ways the following sentence can be written with different punctuation marks, to indicate how many things James and Luke took on their picnic. (14)

James and Luke took a mango juice ham sandwiches and fruit salad a bottle of sunblock and their costumes.

1.3 Explain the functions of the commas in the following sentences.(8)

1.3.1 My brother, the dentist, bought a new sports car.(2)

1.3.2 He will, of course, drive very slowly, obey all the traffic rules, watch out for

pedestrians and keep his cellphone off.(2)

1.3.3 However, when my mother isn’t in the car, he will drive at top speed.(2)

1.3.4 Putting his foot on the accelerator, he heard the engine roar.(2)

1.4 Rewrite these sentences by inserting the correct punctuation marks.(3)

1.4.1 Simphiwe asked Can I go to the movies tomorrow(2) (½ x 4)

1.4.2 Marius shouted at Tom, “Don’t you come near me(1) (½ x 2)

Total = [40]

SECTION D: ADDITIONAL CONTENT NOTES

Punctuation is the use of symbols in written text in order to help communicate meaning correctly and to make understanding easier. In general learners do not know where and how to use the correct punctuation marks. This causes them to lose marks when writing – whether in Papers 1, 2 or 3. The revision of the rules of punctuation is therefore of the utmost importance.

Study the following table

(Taken from: X-Kit, Eng HL. Gr 10, Maskew Miller Longman/Pearson)

Punctuation marks and their functions

Punctuation mark / Function / Example
Capital letters /
  • To begin sentences
  • For proper nouns
  • For titles
  • For the pronoun
/
  • The farmer keeps pigs
  • Durban, Pumla,Norway
  • The road to Mecca
  • I

Full stop (.) /
  • Marks the end of a sentence
  • Indicates abbreviations when the abbreviation doesn’t end with the last letter of the full word
/
  • Thabo plays soccer.
  • adv. Prof. Feb. a.m. but Dr Mr Snr Sgt, Miss

Comma (,) /
  • Separate items on a list (and replace the comma)
  • Indicates a slight pause or interruption
  • After yes, no, however, therefore
  • Introduces direct speech
To indicate parenthesis in a sentence
  • Marks off the person addressed
/
  • We took food, drinks, a blanket and lighting.
  • When he plays, he always wins.
  • Yes, I know he is bright, however, he isn’t a nerd
  • Lola said, “I love my ball”.
  • Never, if you can remember, leave your phone unattended
  • Mimi, please come here.

Question mark (?) /
  • Indicates question
  • Expressed doubt
/
  • Have you made your bed?
  • Really?

Exclamation mark (!) /
  • Shows anger, frustration, determination or any other strong emotion
  • Indicates a strong tone
/
  • I definitely am going! That’s the third time I’ve asked you! You must never do that again!
  • Stop making that noise!

Hyphen (-) /
  • Separates incomplete words at the end of a line
  • Clarifies punctuation and meaning
  • Forms compound nouns and adjectives
  • Indicates hesitation or stuttering
/
  • In-capable
  • Co-operate, pre-empt, they had to re-count the votes. (As opposed to recount – meaning to tell)
  • A world of make-believe; a run-down building
  • P-p- lease, Sir, m-m-ay I have some m-m more? (Oliver Twist)

Brackets (parenthesis) () /
  • Indicates additional information in the same way as commas and dashes
/
  • I knocked hard (my knuckles are still red) but they wouldn’t answer

Ellipsis (…) /
  • Indicates that words have been omitted
  • Shows a trailing off in thought
/
  • Don’t count your …. they hatch
  • “I can’t remember …” said the old man.

Semi-colon (;) /
  • Replaces a conjunction (and, or, but, also) to join clauses
  • Used to balance two opposing or similar
/
  • She was delighted by the film; she hated the leading actress
  • She spent her money carefully; she saved her pride

Colon (:) /
  • Introduces dialogue or direct speech
  • Introduce a list
  • Introduces a title, reference or explanation
/
  • Hamlet: To be or not to be
  • The folder contained: a memo, pen, and lunch
  • Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit

Dash (-) /
  • Shows an interruption or an abrupt ending
  • Indicates parenthesis, making it stand out more than the use of commas
  • Makes the words which follow it more dramatic; introduces a climax or anti anti-climax
  • Indicates hesitant speech
/
  • - yes, but-
  • Elvis Presley – beloved by many fans – had only one child
  • When Uncle Joe died I inherited - his debts
  • I’m – unable- to- be the judge of- that - situation

SECTION E: SOLUTIONS AND HINTS

1.1Dear √ John √

Never √ do that again!√ Did √ you think that if you took my chocolate out of the fridge,√ you would not be found out?√ Yes,√√ I know you have a sweet tooth,√ but that is no excuse for stealing my Bar One,√ especially as I √ was saving it to eat in bed tonight. √

Yours√ hungrily

Angela(15)

1.2 a mango√, juice√, ham√, sandwiches√, fruit√, salad√, a bottle...

a mango juice√, ham√, sandwiches√, fruit salad√, a bottle .....

a mango√, juice√, ham sandwiches√, fruit√, salad, a bottle ..... (14)

1.3

1.3.1 Separates additional information √– the dentist √

1.3.2 Separates a phrase – of course√; separates a list √

1.3.3 Separates a sentence adverb – however√; Separates a clause √

1.3.4 Used after a phrase √ – putting his foot on the accelerator √(8)

1.4

1.4.1 Simphiwe asked,√ “√ Can I go to the movies tomorrow?√”√(4x½)

1.4.2 Marius shouted at Tom, “Don’t you come near me! ½ ” ½(2x½) (3)

Total = [40]

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