Table of Contents

Unit Seven: Hobby ......................................................................................................................................................... 1

Unit objectives ........................................................................................................................................................... 1

Section one: Reading.................................................................................................................................................. 1

Section Two: Speaking .............................................................................................................................................. 2

Section three: Vocabulary .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Section four: Grammar ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Section five: Writing ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Unit Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 6

Self Assessment Checklist ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Unit Summary Questions ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Unit Eight: Art ............................................................................................................................................................... 8

Unit objectives ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

Section one: Reading.................................................................................................................................................. 8

Section Two: Speaking ............................................................................................................................................ 10

Section three: Vocabulary ........................................................................................................................................ 10

Section four: Grammar ............................................................................................................................................. 11

Section five: Writing ................................................................................................................................................ 12

Unit Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Self Assessment Checklist ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Unit Summary Questions ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Unit Nine: Education .................................................................................................................................................... 14

Unit Objectives......................................................................................................................................................... 14

Section One: Reading ............................................................................................................................................... 15

Section two: Speaking .............................................................................................................................................. 15

Section three: Vocabulary ........................................................................................................................................ 15

Section Four: Grammar ............................................................................................................................................ 16

Section Five: Writing ............................................................................................................................................... 17

Unit Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

Self Assessment Checklist ....................................................................................................................................... 19

Unit Summary Questions ......................................................................................................................................... 19

Unit Ten: Scientific Discovery ..................................................................................................................................... 20

 Unit objectives ......................................................................................................................................................... 20

Section one: Reading................................................................................................................................................ 20

Section two: Speaking .............................................................................................................................................. 21

Section three; Vocabulary ........................................................................................................................................ 22

Section four: Grammar ............................................................................................................................................. 22

Section five: Writing ................................................................................................................................................ 24

Unit Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 24

Self Assessment Checklist ....................................................................................................................................... 24

Unit Summary Questions ......................................................................................................................................... 25

Unit Eleven : Natural Wonders of Africa ................................................................................................................... 26

Unit Objectives......................................................................................................................................................... 26

Section one: Reading................................................................................................................................................ 26

Section Two: Speaking ........................................................................................................................................... 27

Section Three: Vocabulary ....................................................................................................................................... 29

Section Four: Grammar ............................................................................................................................................ 29

Section five: Writing ................................................................................................................................................ 30

Unit Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 30

Self Assessment Checklist ..................................................................................................................................... 30

Unit Summary Questions ......................................................................................................................................... 30

Unit Twelve: Technology in the Modern World .......................................................................................................... 32

Unit Objectives......................................................................................................................................................... 32

Section one: Reading................................................................................................................................................ 32

Section Two: Speaking ............................................................................................................................................ 34

Section three: Vocabulary ........................................................................................................................................ 34

Section four: Grammar ............................................................................................................................................. 35

Section Five: Writing ............................................................................................................................................... 37

Unit Summary .......................................................................................................................................................... 37

Self Assessment Checklist ....................................................................................................................................... 37

Unit Summary Questions ......................................................................................................................................... 38

Answer Key ................................................................................................................................................................ 38

Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................................ 41
Module Introduction

Dear distance student, we are dedicated to ensuring that our institution provides you with a convenient and accessible learning platform,
regardless of your location. This module is structured into six chapters, each of which is organized into five distinct sections: reading,
speaking, vocabulary, grammar and writing. The chapters are presented in a sequential order to ensure a cohesive and logical progression
of skills and knowledge acquisition.

The reading sections: by incorporating both reading comprehension, this module offers a comprehensive approach to improving your
reading abilities. And, the combination of pre-, while-, and post-reading activities helps you develop effective reading strategies.

The speaking sections: by incorporating model dialogues, oral presentations, and various speaking activities, this module aims to provide
you with a comprehensive approach to improving your speaking abilities, building your confidence, and enhancing your overall
communication skills.

The vocabulary sections: by incorporating vocabulary and word study components, this module provides a comprehensive approach to
vocabulary development. The vocabulary activities, thus, focus on understanding word meaning in context.

The Grammar sections: through consistent practice and engagement with the grammar activities, you can refine your understanding of
grammatical forms, internalize grammatical patterns, and apply them appropriately in real-world communication.

The Writing sections: through incorporating both writing conventions and writing composition components, this module aims to provide
you with a comprehensive approach to improving your writing skills. The writing conventions activities focus on practicing spelling,
punctuation, and capitalization, while the writing composition activities help you develop your ability to construct sentences and
paragraphs effectively.

Module Description
Dear distance student,
This module is one of the two modules that you are expected to complete in the course. It consists of 6 units that are organized into 5
sections: reading, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. Each section is designed to support the development of your
communication skills in English.
Within each section, you will find a variety of activities that allow you to practice and enhance your skills. These activities are
accompanied by explanations and notes that provide additional guidance and clarification on the topics covered. This ensures that you
have the necessary resources to deepen your understanding and apply what you have learned.
At the end of each unit, you will discover a summary, a self-assessment checklist, and a summary exercise. The summary serves as a
helpful tool to reinforce your recollection of the fundamental points covered throughout the entire unit. The checklist functions as a
valuable resource to assist you in monitoring your progress and ensuring that you have comprehensively covered all the essential aspects
of the unit. Lastly, the summary exercise provides you with the opportunity to strengthen your understanding and abilities by reviewing
and implementing the knowledge acquired throughout that particular unit.

To maintain the integrity of your learning experience, an answer key for all the exercises is provided at the end of the module. However, it
is highly recommended that you should not consult the answer key before attempting to answer the questions. This way, you can fully
engage with the material, challenge yourself, and develop your problem-solving skills.

Dear distance student,

The content in this module is designed to be covered within one semester with a total number of 74 hours for the entire module. To allot
the time to each chapter, the hours allocated are:

Chapter 7: 10 hours Chapter 10: 15 hours

Chapter 8: 10 hours Chapter 11: 15 hours
Chapter 9: 10 hours Chapter 12: 15 hours
By completing this module, you will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
1. Develop your speaking, reading and writing skill;
2. Understand word relation and contextual meaning of words; and
3. Understand using appropriate grammar forms in a given situation.
General Guideline How to Use the Module:
 Dear student,

➢ This module is prepared to help you understand the content in detail with your own sole effort.
➢ Thus, you are expected to motivate and inspire yourself throughout the learning process.
➢ Please keep the module safe to ensure it remains long-lasting.
➢ You should also read all instructions given for each item in the module carefully.
➢ In addition, try to use various references as much as you can to support your learning.
➢ Dear student, please relate every question to the given answer that is attached at the end of this module.
➢ Respond to the yardsticks set in the self-assessment section and answer the unit summary in detail. If you find that you
have not met the yardsticks and face challenges with the unit summary questions, please revisit the preceding lessons
again.
➢ As language is learned for interaction, you have to practice and communicate to boost your target language skills
proficiency.

Above all, you are welcomed and supported by the distance education center if you ask for any challenges, you face and require
further clarification.
 Unit Seven: Hobby
Unit objectives

Dear distance student, at the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• answer comprehension questions correctly based on the reading text;

• work out meanings of selected words from the reading text contextually;
• report about hobbies using direct and indirect speech;
• use appropriate words to make sentences complete;
• identify the form and function of ‘reported speech’ and ‘past perfect
tense’; and
• write a 3-4 expository and narrative paragraphs essay.

Section one: Reading

Lesson one: Reading Comprehension

Pre-reading Activity

Activity 7.1: Dear distance student, answer the following pre-reading questions.
1. What hobbies are shown in the pictures?
2. How interested are you in these activities? Why?
3. What activities do you do in your free time?
4. What is particularly interesting about them?
5. What would you like to try? Why?

A B C D

While-reading Activity

Activity 7.2: Dear distance student, answer the following questions based on the information from the reading text.

1. What is a hobby horse?

2. The term hobby is associated with ________ and _________.
3. Which mind activities are referred to as hobbies?
4. Why are listening to music and watching television not considered as hobbies?
5. Which hobbies have declined along with time? Why?
6. Which hobby is gaining popularity in the 21st century?

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 What are Hobbies?
A hobby is a regular activity that is done for enjoyment; typically, during one’s leisure time. It usually refers to a mind activity such as
stamp collecting, sewing, knitting, painting, woodwork or photography, but not activities such as listening to music or watching
television. These latter activities bring pleasure but lack the sense of achievement that is normally associated with a hobby. Unlike most
hobbies, they are not usually structured and organized pursuits. The pleasure of a hobby is associated with making something of value or
achieving something of value.

A large proportion of hobbies are mainly private in nature. However, individual pursuit of a hobby often includes club membership,
organized sharing of activities or products and regular communication between participants. For many hobbies, there is an important role
in being in touch with fellow hobbyists. Of course, some hobbies are communal in nature, for example choral singing and volunteering.

The types of hobbies in which people engage change the world changes. Stamp collecting has declined along with the decline in the
importance of the postal system. Woodwork and knitting have also declined as hobbies, as manufactured goods provide cheap alternatives
for hand made goods. In the 21st century, the video game industry is a very large hobby involving millions of adults and children.
Moreover, through the internet, an online community has become a hobby for many people, sharing advice, information and support.

People who engage in hobbies are those who have interests and the time to pursue them. Hobbies are often pursued with increased interest
by retired people because they have time and seek the intellectual and physical stimulation of a hobby. Children are also an important
group of hobbyists because they often have enthusiasm for collecting, making and exploring and they tend to have plenty of leisure time.

Activity 7.3: Dear distance student, write what the following pronouns refer to in the reading text.

1. It usually refers to for.... (Para. 1, line 1), It refers to __________.

2. they are not usually structured.... (Para. 1, line 5), they refer to _________.
3. because they have time.... (Para. 4, line 2), they refer to __________.
4. they often have enthusiasm.... (Para. 4, line 4), they refer to __________.
Post-reading Activity
Activity 7.4: dear distance student, reflect your ideas based on the following questions.
1. What hobbies are popular in your area?
2. What makes a certain hobby popular?
3. Do you agree that children should spend their free time chatting on the internet as a hobby?

Lesson two: Vocabulary

Activity 7.5: Dear distance student, based on the contexts in the reading passage above, match the words in Column A with their
meanings in Column B.
A B
1.leisure A. enjoyment
2. pleasure B. shared by many people
3. pursuit C. excitement, great interest
4. communal D. motivation
5. stimulation E. free time
6. enthusiasm F. following/practicing

Section Two: Speaking

Reporting someone’s Speeches

Activity 7.6: Dear distance student, study and practice the following dialogue by reading aloud.
Sara: Hi, Genet. How are you?
Genet: Hi, Sara. I am fine, thanks.
Sara: I didn’t expect to see you in the class today.
Genet: Why?
Sara: Hana told me that you broke your leg while you were playing table tennis.
Genet: That’s right. I had an accident a few days ago.
Sara: And she said she saw you in the hospital yesterday.
Genet: Yes, I was in a hospital for a checkup.
Sara: Hana also told me that your doctor recommended that you stay in bed for a few days.

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Genet: Yes, but I am fine today.
Sara: You should have followed the doctor’s advice. By the way, is table tennis your favorite hobby?
Genet: Yes, it is.
Activity 7.7: Dear distance student, make a similar dialogue using reported speech and act it out.

Section three: Vocabulary

Activity 7.8: Dear distance student, fill in the blank spaces using appropriate words from the list in the box. Write only one word
in each gap.
interferes appreciates broadens competitions
horizons entertainment guided

1. Reading books _________ our _________ of knowledge.

2. Playing football never ________ with his study because he is ______ by a study plan.
3. My sister _________ my hobby.
4. There are a number of _________ at the stadium this month.
5. TV shows make great _________.

Section four: Grammar

Lesson one: Reported Speech

Activity 7.9: Dear distance student, re-write the sentences into reported speech form. Use the example below.
Example
Letay: I love playing football.
Hagos (to another person): Letay said that she loved playing football.
1. “I spend my leisure time in reading novels,” said Alemu.
Alemu said that _______________________________.
2. “You pressed the wrong button,” said the mechanic.
The Mechanic said that _________________________.
3. “I will come tomorrow,” said Selam.
Selam said that _______________________________.
4. “Halima has just returned from Kenya,” Melaku said.
Melaku said __________________________________.
5. “Where did you find this book?” Gelana asked.
Gelana asked _________________________________
Grammar Spot
Reported speech
In a reported speech, expressions of time and place have to be changed.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
now straight away/then
Today the same day/Monday/Tuesday, etc
Yesterday the day before/the previous day
Time Tomorrow the next / the following day
last week the previous week/ the week before

Place here there

this that

these those

Example She said, “I have already seen Hana today.”

She said (that) she had already seen Hana that day.

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 In reported speech, tenses of verbs must be changed.
Direct Speech Reported Speech

Simple present “I Simple past She

always drink coffee,” she said said that she always drank coffee.

Present continuous “I am Past continuous

reading a book,” he explained. He explained that he was reading a book.

Simple past Past perfect He said

“Belay arrived on Saturday,” he said. that Belay had arrived on Saturday.

Present perfect Past perfect

“I have been to France,” he told me. He told me that he He told me that he had been to France.
had been to France.

Past perfect Past perfect

“I had just turned out the light,” he explained. He explained that he had just turned out the light.

Past continuous “We Past perfect continuous They told

were living in Addis Ababa,” they told me. me that they had been living in Addis Ababa.

Future Present conditional

“I will be in Gondar on Monday,” he said He said that he would be in Gondar on Monday.

Lesson two: Past Perfect Tense

Activity 7.10: Dear distance student, study the underlined words in the first paragraph. Using it as an example, change the verbs
in brackets in the following paragraphs into the past perfect tense.

Last week, the director announced that the supervisor was going to visit our school the following day. He had been informed about the
supervisor’s arrival two weeks previously. The supervisor’s secretary had called the director to inform him. Hence, the director asked the
staff and students to make necessary arrangements for the visit.

Accordingly, grade eight students ________1 (make) all the necessary arrangements to welcome the supervisor. When the director
inspected the classrooms before the visit, he found that most of the students ________2 (already sweep) the floors. They ______3 (dust)
the desks and ________4 (clean) the windows. Some of the students _________5 (even put on) their best clothes in honor of the visitor.
However, the director was disappointed when he visited the grade seven students’ classrooms. They _______ 6 (not make) any
preparations at all. They _______7 (not clean) the classrooms. They _________8 (not even bother) to pick up the litter lying on the
ground outside. Heasked students for an explanation. They apologized to the director and explained that they _________9 (not hear) the
announcement, since they were taking an examination at that time.
Activity 7.11: Dear distance student, rewrite the following sentences changing the verbs in brackets into the correct forms of the
past perfect tense.
Example:
When my mother came back home last night, I already (sleep).
(When my mother came back home last night, I had already slept.)
1. When we arrived at the bus station, the bus already (leave).
2. After she (wash) her clothes, she went to the market.
3. I took the letter straight to the post office after I (write) it.
4. I (finish) the exercise before the teacher told us to stop.
5. After they (go) to library, they studied hard.
Example:
1. After she had washed her hands, she ate her lunch.’ This has the same meaning as ‘She washed her hands before she ate her lunch.
2. After he had finished his supper, he went to bed. This is the same as ‘He finished his supper before he went to bed.’
3. After the match had started, they arrived. This is the same as “The match started before they arrived.”

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 Grammar Spot
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense shows that an action was completed
before another action in the past. The first action is expressed in
the ‘had + past participle’ form of the verb. The second action
is expressed in the simple past tense form of the verb.

Section five: Writing

Writing Conventions
Lesson one: Organization of ideas in an expository essay
Expository writing is informative writing that presents reasons, explanations, or steps in a process. An expository essay should follow a
logical sequence. Logic and coherence are the main focus of an expository essay. Structurally, a piece of expository writing has the
following components:
• An introduction - introduces the central idea you’ll write about in the essay.
• The main body - presents evidence, explanation, details, etc to support the idea.
• A conclusion - summarizes the main idea and ends the essay.
In general, expository writing:
✓ does not tell a story,
✓ does not persuade a reader but only gives facts and reasons,
✓ can give the steps of a process.
Activity 7.12: Dear distance student, write 3 expository paragraphs on the topic: ‘Bicycle Safety Rules’ and use the following
notes as a guide for your writing.
Introduction: importance of safe riding; accidents due to lack of safety
Idea 1: Wear a Helmet; every time you ride; check it before you put it on; fasten it correctly
Idea 2: Stop and look: when you start to ride; when turning; at every corner; near alleys/driveways; at crossroads
Idea 3: Be safe and be seen; ride with a friend/ an adult; ride during the day; put lights on your bike if you ride in the dark

Lesson two: Narrative Essay and its Characteristics

Narrative writing tells a story. In essays, narrative writing can also be a reflection or an exploration of the writers values told in the form
of a story. The writer may remember his or her past experience, or a memorable person or event of personal significance in the past.
Basic qualities of a narrative essay:
• A narrative essay is a piece of writing that recreates a past experience.
• Unlike other essays, you may write in the first person (I, me, we) because it is a story about you and your personal experience.
• In addition to telling a story, a narrative essay can also communicate a general message or a lesson to be learned.
Points to remember when writing a narrative essay
Situate the narrative in time: I remember when.../I was doing such-and -such when I suddenly remembered....
Chronological order: Starting from the earliest event and coming to the latest one or a flashback from the present experience to a memory
of the past. The supporting sentences that follow should be about this experience and how it is still remembered.
Time sequence: Use transitional words such as first, then, next, after that, afterwards, in the end, eventually.
Use direct speech/quotation: to give life to the narration, a sense of immediacy. Use description to add colour and realism or mystery to
the narration, describing the setting, characters, feelings, etc.
The concluding sentence in this kind of paragraph leads to the action in the next paragraph. The final paragraph brings the experience to a
satisfactory closing statement.
Activity 7.13: Dear distance student, select your favorite past experience and write a narrative composition of 3 paragraphs.

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 Unit Summary
Dear distance student,
Throughout this unit, you have been practicing various skills related to reading comprehension and language proficiency. Specifically,
you have learned how to effectively extract the main ideas and specific details from a reading text. Furthermore, you have developed the
skill of engaging in conversation based on the speech of others, allowing you to actively participate in discussions and express your
thoughts and opinions. Another important aspect covered in this unit is identifying appropriate words to complete incomplete sentences in
a suitable manner.
In terms of grammar, you have explored the expressions of time and place used when reporting someone's speech, enabling you to
accurately convey the information and context of a conversation. Moreover, you have studied the form and function of the past perfect
tense, deepening your understanding of how to express actions or events that occurred before a certain point in the past.
Lastly, this unit has provided an opportunity to delve into the definition and qualities of expository and narrative essays. You have gained
insights into the distinct characteristics of these two types of essays, allowing you to effectively analyze and produce written pieces in
these genres.

Self Assessment Checklist

Please mark a tick (√) if you have acquired the skill or knowledge listed, and an X if you have not:

No. Yardsticks Mark

1 I can identify main ideas and details in reading text.
2 I am able to report someone’s speech.
3 I can understand the contextual meaning and proper place of words.
4 I can use the proper expressions of time and place in reporting direct speech.
5 I know the form and function of past perfect tense.
6 I am able to identify the definitions and qualities of expository and narrative essays.
7 I can write short expository and narrative essays.

Unit Summary Questions

I. Match the words under column ‘B’ with their definitions under column ‘A’.

‘A’ ‘B’
1. to become involved in activities A. interfere
2. the limit of a person’s knowledge B. appreciate
3. to be grateful for something C. broaden
4. the act of amusing people D. competition
5. to make something wider E. horizon
6. a person who helps to direct F. entertainment
7. the act of trying to win G. guided

II. Choose the alternative which has the best answer from the given alternatives.
1. Hadas: When are you having your lunch?
Frewoini: I am eating my lunch now.
Asqual: Frewoini said that _________________________________.
A. She is eating her lunch now C. She was eating my lunch then
B. She was eating her lunch now D. She was eating her lunch then
2. Hagos is over busy that he wishes to have a life of leisure. Leisure means
A. work B. free time C. work time D. study time
3. Most banks have the sense of enthusiasm at their job because they are highly paid. Enthusiasm means
A. disappointment B. excitement C. discomfort D. frustration
4. Report the statement: “We were building all blocks for a year.”
A. They said that we have been building all the blocks for a year.
B. They said that they have been building all the blocks for a year.

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 C. They said that we had been building all the blocks for a year.
D. They said that they had been building all the blocks for a year.
5. After my mother __________ the bed, I closed the door.
A. makes B. has made C. had made D. have made
6. Report the statement: “I will bring my new book tomorrow.”
A. She said that I will bring my new book the following day.
B. She said that she would bring her new book the following day.
C. She said that she will bring her new book the following day.
D. She said that she would bring my book the following day.
III. Write your answer briefly and clearly.
1. What is the difference between an expository essay and a narrative essay?
2. List down the qualities of narrative essay.

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 Unit Eight: Art
Unit objectives

Dear distance student, after this unit lessons, you will be able to:
• read a text to identify main and detailed ideas;
• identify words in their contexts;
• use the present perfect tense in expressing their ideas;
• identify the functions of present perfect simple and past perfect simple
tenses; and
• write a descriptive paragraph or essay.

Section one: Reading

Lesson one: Reading Comprehension

Pre-reading Activity
Activity 8.1: Dear distance student, guess the answers of the following questions.
1. What do the items in the pictures represent?
2. Predict what you think you will be reading about in the text.

While-reading Activity
Activity 8.2: Dear distance student, answer the following questions while reading the text silently.
1. Which paragraph compares art and spoken language?
2. How can art bring communities together?
3. How does art help future generations to have greater understanding of our ways of thinking, values and experiences?
4. In your own words, explain the sentence: “It is through art that future generations may have a deeper understanding of our ways of
thinking, values and experiences.
5. How do art works differ from spoken or written expressions?
6. What does it mean by the sentence, “Art can be a powerful way to bring communities together”?

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 Art and its Roles

The term art covers a diverse range of human activities creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts, expressing imaginative or
technical skill. A work of art can attract one’s attention to observe, view or listen, due to its beauty and its originality. Art provides a
means to express the imagination in ways that are not limited to the logic or formality of spoken or written language. Unlike words, which
come in sequences and each of which has a definite meaning, art provides a range of forms, symbols and ideas with meanings that are
conceptual.

There are different forms of arts. These include: painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, music, dance, theatre, photography and film.
However, whatever form of art we experience; its main characteristics are its pleasing expressiveness, creativity and symbolic
representation of the human condition. In this way, art has had a great deal of different functions throughout its history.

From the earliest age of humankind, it is through art that human beings have communicated their experiences, feelings and imagination.
Art has also been an important means of documenting the collective present. It is through our art that future generations may have a
deeper understanding of our ways of thinking, values and experiences. It is also a means to foster collaboration between different
societies.

Similarly, art can be a powerful way to bring communities together. Research has proved that a greater focus on arts in a community or a
city creates social cohesion, better civic engagement and improved welfare. The creation of community art helps citizens to work together
to share visions of their principles, values and hopes for the future.

Generally speaking, the main role of art is as a means to discover and manifest humankind’s greatest potential as individuals and as social
beings. Art is a way of knowing oneself and shaping one’s future.

Activity 8.3: Dear distance student, answer the following questions based on the text you have read.
1. People are attracted to observe or view art works due to:
A. their great cost and value. C. their representation of human history.
B. their beauty and inventiveness. D. their power of persuasion.
2. Which one of the following forms of art is not in the category of performance?
A. music B. theatre C. sculpture D. dance
3. The sentence, ‘Art provides a means to express the imagination in ways that are not limited to the logic or formality of spoken or
written language’, means:
A. Art never uses language.
B. Art came to be known before the creation of language.
C. Language is more expressive than art.
D. Art does not need words to express itself.
4. The sentence, ‘Art is also an important way to document our collective present’ is similar to
A. Art records current thoughts and feelings.
B. Art disregards our past.
C. Art is a powerful means to reject ancient civilizations.
D. Art is collective
Post-reading
Activity 8.4: Dear distance student, attempt the following questions.
1. Which art do you admire?
2. How do the people in your area create art?
3. How do people in your area perceive the value of art?
Lesson two: Vocabulary
Activity 8.5: Dear distance student, copy the following table into your exercise book and match the phrases under Column B to
their entry words under Column A, which are used in the reading text.

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 A B

1. originality A. the art of the written work

2. collective B. related to hearing
3. manifest C. newness/inventiveness
4. cohesion D. object made by a person
5. literature E. shared
6. foster F. reveal/show
7. conceptual G. unity
8. symbol H. encourage or promote
9. auditory I. non-representational/abstract

10. artifact J. abstract representation

Section Two: Speaking

Activity 8.6: Dear distance student, study and rehearse the following aloud.

Hagos: Hi Girma, I didn’t expect to see you at the art gallery. How is your visit going?
Girma: It’s fine. I’ve been here for over an hour already. There are a lot of works to look at. I have registered the names of many of them.
Hagos: Great. Have you met anyone you know?
Girma: No, I haven’t seen anyone that I know. But I have met many foreigners visiting, and many of them were taking photos.
Hagos: Have you taken any photos yourself?
Girma: Yes, I have taken quite a few.
Hagos: Did the gate guards give you permission to take your camera in with you?
Girma: Yes, they did. But I had to pay a small fee.
Hagos: That’s great Girma. You have chosen a nice museum to visit. Have you visited any other museum before?
Girma: No, I haven’t visited any museum before. This is my first visit.
Hagos: I’m happy that you have found it interesting.
Girma: Yeah! Thanks, Hagos. Bye.
Hagos: Bye.

Activity 8.7: Dear distance student, please attempt the questions below and write your answers into your exercise book.
1. What is the focus of the conversation?
2. What have you noticed from the verbs written in bold?

Activity 8.8: Dear distance student, write questions and appropriate answers using the expression ‘have....’+ past participle then
practices them orally.
Example Student
A: Students, have you done your homework?
B: No, I haven’t done it. How about you?

Section three: Vocabulary

Activity 8.9: Dear distance student, complete the following sentences with appropriate words from the words listed below.

factors handsome competitive career flexible quality

1. The decline in the number of visitors is one of the most important _______ in the discussion on the closure of the museum.
2. The chairperson was elected by a _______ majority.
3. New graduates have to fight for jobs in a highly _______ market.

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4. You need to be more _______ and imaginative in your approach.
5. She started her _______in tourism as a guide.
6. There is a hot argument about the _______ of English language teaching.

Section four: Grammar

Lesson one: Present Perfect Tense

Activity 8.10: Dear distance student, use the present perfect tense to write positive statements.
Example
a. (We / be / here for two weeks).
b. We have been here for two weeks.
1. (I / lose / my keys).
2. (My brother / drink / too much coffee).
3. (My parents / go / to Jimma).
Activity 8.11: Dear distance student, use the present perfect tense to write negative statements.
Example a. (We / not / go / to Adama).
b. We have not gone to Adama.
1. (My new friend / not / meet / my mother.)
2. (The tourists/ not / visit / yet/ Axum monument).
3. (I / not / know / him/ very long).
Activity 8.12: Dear distance student, use the present perfect tense to write questions.
Example a. (We / miss / the bus)?
b. Have we missed the bus?
1. (They / go / to Jimma University)?
2. (She / be / ever/ late for a meeting)?
3. (He / meet / your father/ already)?

Grammar Spot
Present perfect tense - is formed with a present tense form of “to have” plus the past participle of the
verb (which can be either regular or irregular in form). This tense indicates that an action has been
completed at the moment of speaking. It takes time indicators such as already, yet and just.
Example
• The bus has just come. (The bus is here; if you want you can see it.)
• I have walked two kilometers already. (I am still walking.)
• I have closed the door. (The door is still closed.)

Lesson two: The Simple Past and the Past Perfect Tense
Dear distance student, study the words/phrases in bold in the following dialogue to see the uses of simple past and past perfect
tenses.
Teacher: Why did you fail in the final exam?
Meron: I am sorry teacher. I was not in a good mood.
Teacher: Before the exam date, I remember that you had mastered most of the conversations.
Meron: That’s right. But by the time I got to class, the exam had already been started and it made me feel nervous.

Activity 8.13: Dear distance student, write the following sentences putting the verbs in brackets into simple past or past perfect
tenses.
1. He ________ (be) a weaver before he ________ (become) a taxi driver.
2. I ________ (see, never) any of Laureate Afewerk’s paintings before I ________ (visit) his art museum.
3. Early man ________ (use) stones to cut things before the introduction of metal.
4. The weaver ________ (start) his work yesterday by the time I ________ (arrive) at his workshop to see if my dress was being made.
5. The potter ________ (put) the pot on fire after he ________ (mould) it.
6. When they ________ (arrive), we already (leave) the school.
7. She ________ (prepare) the meal before her husband (come) in from work.

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Activity 8.14: Dear distance student, write five sentences of your own using simple past and past perfect tenses.
Example
After I had washed my face, I went to school.
Yesterday I was late for school. When I arrived at school, classes had already begun.

Grammar Spot
The past simple and the past perfect tense
• These two tenses are used to talk about things that happened in the past.
• We use the past perfect to talk about something that happened before another
action in the past. It can be introduced by after, as soon as, and can also be
followed by words such as already, before, by the time

Example I had already finished my homework when he called. First, I finished my homework, then, he called.
• The simple past tense is used to talk about things that happened at a specific time in the past. It is often used with words such as
yesterday, last month, last year, etc.
Example: By the time the bell rang, the students had reached the school gate. (Meaning the students reached school before the bell rang)
• When the time relationship between two past events is clear (as with before, after, and as soon as), it is common to use the simple past
tense for both events. The meaning remains clear.
Example:
• After /As soon as we left the room, they entered.
• All the students were in the class before I came in.

Section five: Writing

Lesson one: Writing Conventions

Capitalization and the Comma
Activity 8.15: Dear distance student: revise when to use capitalization and comma and use capitalization and comma when you
write your composition.
Lesson two: Writing Composition
Writing a Descriptive Essay
Activity 8.16: Dear distance student, write three descriptive paragraphs on your favorite art or artist. Note that the purpose of a
descriptive paragraph is to create a vivid picture of a person, place or thing.

Unit Summary

Dear distance student,

During this unit, you have developed important skills that are essential for effective reading comprehension. Specifically, you have
practiced the ability to identify and pinpoint the main concepts and ideas presented in a text. Furthermore, you have acquired the valuable
skill of guessing the contextual meaning of words encountered in a text. This ability will greatly benefit your overall understanding and
interpretation of written material. Additionally, you have learned how to complete incomplete sentences by selecting appropriate words
from a given domain of words, enhancing your sentence construction skills.

In terms of speaking, you have been exposed to using the present perfect tense. This tense allows you to express actions or experiences
that have occurred in the past but are still relevant to the present. By practicing and incorporating the present perfect tense into your
speech, you are developing greater accuracy and fluency in your spoken English.

Moving on to the grammar section, you have delved into the function and various forms of present perfect sentences. This has expanded
your knowledge and understanding of this important tense. Furthermore, you have explored the difference between the past simple and
past perfect tenses, gaining insight into their distinct functions and usage. In addition to grammar, you have also covered important
aspects of writing, such as capitalization and comma usage. These skills are essential for producing well-structured and polished written
work. Moreover, you have practiced writing descriptive essays, allowing you to refine your descriptive writing skills while applying the
rules of capitalization and comma usage.

12
 Self Assessment Checklist

Please mark a tick (√) if you have acquired the skill or knowledge listed, and an X if you have not:
No. Yardsticks Mark
1 I can identify main ideas and details in reading text.
2 I am able to talk using present perfect tense.
3 I can understand the contextual meaning and proper place of words.
4 I know the form and function of present perfect tense.
5 I can describe differences between past simple past perfect tenses.
6 I am able to use capitalization and comma when writing texts.
7 I can write descriptive essays.

Unit Summary Questions

A. Match the words under column ‘B’ with the similar meanings under column ‘A’
A B
1. Quality A. pleasing appearance
2. Handsome B. changeable
3. Manifest C. feature
4. career D. show
5. flexible E. job

B. Choose the alternative which has the best answer from the given alternatives.
1. Halefom: Have you ever eaten mutton?
Dejen: ________________________.
A. No, I have. C. No, I haven’t.
B. Yes, I haven’t. D. Yes, I hadn’t.
2. Which one of the following is a positive sentence?
A. My father has not been a teacher since last year.
B. My father has been a teacher since last year.
C. Has my father been a teacher since last year?
D. We didn’t meet my friend in the cinema.

3. Which one of the following is a negative sentence?

A. She has just taken a taxi. C. Has she taken a taxi?
B. She has not taken a taxi yet. D. She has been waiting for a taxi.
4. Which one of the following is an interrogative sentence?
A. We have been dancing in the wedding ceremony.
B. We have not been celebrating any wedding.
C. We have just eaten our lunch; we can’t add any more.
D. Have we been dancing in the wedding ceremony?
5. Which one of the following is correctly punctuated and capitalized?
A. Hansa can speak american, british and indian English.
B. Hansa can speak American, British and Indian English.
C. hansa can speak American, British and Indian English.
D. Hansa can speak American, British and Indian english.

C. Write a three paragraph descriptive essay.

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 Unit Nine: Education
Unit Objectives

Dear Distance Student: at the end of this unit, you will be able to:
• identify the theme of a reading text and relate to your daily lives;
• act out a dialogue with future perfect tense forms correctly;
• use the future perfect tense in various sentences appropriately
• use modal auxiliaries to express advice;
• arrange jumbled sentences correctly to form organized paragraphs; and
• write a well-organized paragraph using sequence words.

Section One: Reading

Lesson one: Reading comprehension

Pre-reading Activity
Activity 9.1: Dear distance student, answer the following questions.
1. Why are you attending school?
2. What are the differences between educated and uneducated persons? (How are educated persons different from uneducated persons?)
While-reading Activity
Activity 9.2: Dear distance student, answer the following questions based on the information in the reading text.
1. Which paragraph talks about the benefits of education for self-reliance?
2. Which paragraph talks about the confidence one develops from education?
3. Which countries are examples for having very high literacy rates?
4. Why are uneducated persons usually in difficulty to express their views and opinions?
5. Why do many people still live below the poverty line in underdeveloped nations?

The Importance of Education

There is no unanimous agreement as to what the aim of education is. Some stress its value to the individual. Others emphasize its
contributions to the purposes of society. Even though there are different views, many scholars agree that education does give the
following benefits.
First, if you want to lead a happy life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer, you certainly need to get yourself educated. A great
job and a good social reputation are two of the many benefits of being an educated person. Education is a must for a promising and
secure future and a stable life.
Second, education is very important if you want to be a self-reliant person. It helps you become financially independent. Education also
makes you wiser so that you can make your own decisions.
Third, education gives you confidence. Having a university degree is considered by many to be proof of a person’s knowledge and
wisdom. If someone is highly educated, they have a greater chance of being heard and taken seriously. Generally, uneducated people will
find it harder to express their views and opinions due to lack of confidence. Even if they do so, people may not take them seriously.
Education gives you the confidence to express your views and opinions.
Fourth, education is a key to economic growth. Australia, USA and Japan, for instance, are countries with very high literacy rates. These
countries are prosperous and their citizens have high per capita incomes. On the other hand, in underdeveloped and developing nations
such as Ethiopia, the literacy rate is not so high. As a result, many people are still living below the poverty line. Hence, education is vital
for the economic prosperity of a nation.
Fifth, education saves you from being exploited, fooled or cheated. It is easier to take advantage of innocent and illiterate people than
literate ones.

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Generally speaking, to be educated is better than to be illiterate. We live in a world where we enjoy a number of rights and freedoms. The
literate takes better advantage of these benefits, whereas the illiterate may miss them. Therefore, to become a productive and confident
citizen, you should do your best to succeed in your education.

Activity 9.3: Write what the following pronouns refer to in the reading text.
1. its value.... (Para. 1, line 1), It refers to ___________.
2. they have more chances.... (Para. 4, line 2), they refer to ___________.
3. their views and opinions.... (Para. 4, line 4), their refers to ___________.
4. These countries.... (Para. 5, line 2), these refers to ___________.
5. the illiterate miss them.... (Para. 7, line 3), them refers to ___________.

Post-reading Activity
Activity 9.4: Dear distance student, answer the following questions and write your responses into your exercise book.
1. Illiterate People are more advantageous than literate ones. Do you agree with this statement? Why? Why not?
2. “Education gives you confidence.” How? Explain it.

Lesson two: Vocabulary

Activity 9.5: Dear distance student, the following words are the meanings of words in the paragraph in the passage. Find the
words from the passage.
1. academicians (Para. 1). _____________
2. firmly fixed (Para. 2). _____________
3. rich (Para. 5). _____________.
4. important (Para. 5). _____________.
5. ability to read and write (para. 5) _____________.
6. fame (para. 2)__________.
7. agreed or shared by everyone (para. 1) ___________.

Section two: Speaking

Talking About the Future

Activity 9.6: Dear distance student, practice the following dialogue and study the purpose of the future perfect tense written in
bold.
Abdi : Hi Lemlem, today is Friday. What do you do at the coming weekend?
Lemlem: Hi Abdi Emm, I am not sure. Are you planning to go somewhere?
Abdi: No. I am studying for my exam. By this time on Monday, we will have started taking our first exam.
Lemlem: When do you finish it?
Abdi : By Friday next week, we will have completed it.
Lemlem: Then, next weekend, you will have finished and you will be free to enjoy sometimes with your parents.
Abdi: That’s right. What about you?
Lemlem: Oh, our exam is postponed by one week. This time next week, I will have been very busy studying for the exam.
Abdi: Well, we can study together if you like.
Lemlem: I will think about it and call you later.
Abdi : Thanks. See you later.
Lemlem: See you.
Activity 9.7: Dear distance student, write a short dialogue about what you will do / plan to do next year.

Section three: Vocabulary

Activity 9.8: Dear distance student, fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate words from the word list. Use
only one word at a time.
compulsory adjust robbery disability physician supplement

1. Physical ________ may not hinder someone from learning different skills.
2. It is ________ to wear uniforms in most schools.
3. The thing I dislike most is ________ and theft. The consequence of these criminal acts is to spend your life in prison.
15
4. There is no ________ in our hospital. As a result, patients are suffering a lot.
5. A teacher should ________ the education of students to their individual interests as well as the desired goals of a country.
6. Extracurricular activities are performed by students to ________ their academic studies in the classroom.

Section Four: Grammar

Lesson one: Future Perfect Tense

Activity 9.9: Dear distance student, rearrange the jumbled words below so that they make meaningful sentences using the future
perfect tense.
Example:
a. By /will have/ next week /we/ Friday/ our exam/ completed.
(By Friday next week, we will have completed our exam.)
b. tomorrow/ I / have/ my assignment/ finished/ by/ will
(I will have finished my assignment by tomorrow.)
1. next week/ Chaltu/ Monday/ have/ by/ got/ will/ married
2. by/ joined/ Tekeste/ have/ the army/ October/ will /next year
3. celebrated/ Belete/ will/ tomorrow /his birthday/ have/ by/evening
4. taken/ my uncle/ to the beach/ have/ will/ at the coming weekend/ me
5. will/ next/ introduced/ the government/a new curriculum/ year /have
6. our Grade 8 exams/ will /have /we /taken by/ June
7. arrived/ my mother /will/ before/ have /at Addis Ababa/ tomorrow night
8. We / joined/ Grade 9/ by / September/ will have / next year

Grammar Spot
Future Perfect Tense Note:
The future perfect tense is formed using will have and past participle (V-3) form of a verb and
a time expression beginning usually with ‘by’. It is used to express an action which is
assumed to be completed in the future by the time indicated.
• My father will have reached the age of 75 by December 2020.
• We will have eradicated polio by 2018.
• My daughter will have joined university by next year.

Lesson two: must, must not, have to, don’t have to

Activity 9.10: Dear distance student, complete the sentences using must/mustn’t.
Examples:
✓ Plants must have light and water to grow.
✓ I must study the last two chapters before the test.
✓ Students must not be absent from schools without a good reason.
1. You ______ come and see us sometimes.
2. Alem ______ help you with your homework. It is important you do it yourself.
3. If you are absent for more than three days, you ______ bring a letter from your director.
4. The dentist has told her that she ______ eat any more sweet things. Her teeth are in bad condition.
5. Let’s catch an earlier bus tomorrow. We ______ be late for the class.
Activity 9.11: Dear distance student, complete the sentences using have to /don’t have to.
Examples
Parents have to support their children to attend school.
You have to pass the exams or the school will not accept you.
I don’t have to wear a suit to work but I usually do.
1. I ______ arrive at 9:00 o’clock sharp. My school director is strict.
2. You ______ come if you don’t want to.
3. In Ethiopia, students ______ wear a uniform.
4. I ______ get up early for work tomorrow. It is holiday.
5. He _________ anything if he doesn’t want to reach at this stage.

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Example
• I must write to Gelana. I haven’t written to her for ages. (= The speaker personally feels that she/he must write to Gelana). Have to – in
this case the speaker is not expressing feelings rather she/ he is giving facts. The obligation is often from external situation.
Example
• Children have to wear school uniform at all times when they are in school. (The obligation is imposed by the school which set the rules
and regulations)
• We have to get up early tomorrow to attend the first class. (The time of the first class is the reason for the obligation). Must not - is used
to express negative obligation.
Example
• You mustn’t come late. (You are not allowed to come late.)
• You must not tell anyone what I said. (= Don’t tell anyone). You mustn’t do something means it is necessary that you do not do it.
Don’t have to - expresses that there is no need or obligation to do it.
Example
• I don’t have to wear a suit to work, but I usually do.
I don’t have to means I don’t need to do it/ I am not obliged to do it.
In such cases there is no obligation or necessity.

Section Five: Writing

Lesson one: Writing Convention

A. Organization of Ideas
The organization of one’s thoughts and the use of linking words (first, in addition to, moreover, on the contrary, etc.) can aid the
understanding of the reader by creating a chronological and logical flow of ideas from one sentence to another in a paragraph or an essay.
Therefore, deciding what to include and where to include it is of great importance.
Activity 9.12: Dear distance student, re-arrange the following jumbled sentences to form a logically constructed and coherent
paragraph.
A. Speech was the first means of conveying information.
B. Thirdly, printing helped the dissemination of knowledge in a permanent form.
C. Then, writing as a means of communication introduced a capacity for storing information.
D. The computer is the only medium that can not only store but also analyze information to make decisions.
E. However, all these are passive media.
F. Therefore, the computer is hailed as the fourth information revolution.
B. The Apostrophe (’)
We use the apostrophe (’) to indicate:
1. Omission or contraction
The apostrophe shows that there is an omission (letters have been missed out), or contraction (where a word has been shortened) of a
word. Example: I’m = I am doesn’t = does not
2. Possession (belonging or ownership)
The apostrophe also shows us who the owner of something is.
If the owner is singular, put an apostrophe before the ‘s’.
Example: Abera’s cat (= belonging to Abera)
If the owner is plural and ends in ‘s’ put an apostrophe after the ‘s’.
Example: a boys’ game (= a game for boys)
If the plural does not end in ‘s’ put an apostrophe before the ‘s’.
Example: children’s games (= games for children)
Activity 9.13: Dear distance student, rewrite the sentences putting an apostrophe where necessary.
1. Abeba is my younger sisters classmate.
2. Dont be absent from classes so often.
3. Shes a very clever girl, isnt she?
4. Derartu sends her daughter to a boys school.
5. A flood has destroyed all the farmers crops.
6. Doctors look after peoples health.
7. The mens changing room is occupied.
8. Were late because we couldnt find a taxi.
9. This is Obangs textbook.
Lesson two: Writing Composition
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Activity 9.14: Dear distance student, among the subjects being taught in your school, select one subject and write 4 paragraphs
giving the reasons why you like it most. Make sure the organization of your ideas is appropriate. Use words like, ‘first’, ‘second’,
‘third’, etc. to order your ideas.

Unit Summary
Dear distance student,
Throughout this unit, you have developed essential skills that are crucial for effective reading comprehension. You have practiced how to
grasp both the main concepts and detailed information presented in a reading text. Additionally, you have become adept at identifying
pronoun references, enabling you to accurately understand the connections within a text. Furthermore, you have demonstrated the ability
to guess the contextual meanings of words, enhancing your overall comprehension skills.

Moreover, you have expanded your speaking skills by discussing your future plans using the future perfect tense. This tense allows you to
express actions or events that will be completed in the future before a specific time. By practicing the future perfect tense, you are
developing greater accuracy and fluency in expressing your future intentions and actions. In addition, you have learned how to select
proper words to complete incomplete sentences from a given list of words. This skill is valuable for constructing coherent and
grammatically correct sentences.

On the topic of grammar, you have explored the form and usage of the future perfect tense. This has deepened your understanding of how
to express actions that will be completed in the future. Additionally, you have learned about the modal auxiliary verbs 'must' and 'have to',
and their respective uses, which contribute to your ability to express obligations and necessity.

Lastly, you have gained valuable insights into writing using proper organization of ideas. This skill is crucial for producing well-
structured and coherent written work. Furthermore, you have learned about the function of the punctuation mark 'apostrophe', which plays
a significant role in indicating possession and forming contractions.

Self Assessment Checklist

Please mark a tick (√) if you have acquired the skill or knowledge listed, and an X if you have not:
No. Yardsticks Mark
1 I can identify main ideas and details in reading text.
2 I am able to talk using future perfect tense.
3 I can understand the contextual meaning and proper place of words.
4 I know the form and function of future perfect tense.
5 I can describe the uses of modal auxiliaries ‘must and have to’.
6 I am able to use apostrophe when writing texts.
7 I can write organized ideas.

Unit Summary Questions

A. Choose the alternative which has the best answer from the given alternatives.
1. Jemila: When will you have taken your exams?
Hayat: ________________________________.
A. Two years ago, B. By yesterday, C. Last year D. By next week

2. Physical disability may not hinder someone from learning different skills. Disability means

A. impairment B. ability C. opportunity D. suitability

3. It is compulsory to wear uniforms in most schools. Compulsory means
A. completely B. mandatory C. voluntary D. comprehensive
4. The thing I dislike most is robbery and theft. The consequence of these criminal acts is to spend your life in prison. Robbery
means
A. breaking B. bakery C. stealing D. barberry
5. There is no physician in our hospital. As a result, patients are suffering a lot. Physician means
A. a physics teacher B. a medical doctor C. an academic doctor D. a sport teacher

18
6. A teacher should adjust the education of students to their individual interests as well as the desired goals of a country. Adjust
means
A. reject B. adapt C. accept D. refuse
7. By tomorrow night, she ______________ at Mekelle from Canada.
A. will has arrived B. will have arrived C. have arrived D. had arrived
8. Which one of the following shows ‘an external obligation’?
A. She has to send some money. C. We must take a taxi now.
B. I must wear my new clothes for the holiday. D. They must help one another.
9. Which one of the following is correctly punctuated?
A. doesnt B. childrens’ C. men’s D. womens’
10. Which one of the following is the correct and sensible sentence of the jumbled words ‘visited/She/her/ parents/regularly’?
A. She her regularly visited parents. C. She visited her parents regularly.
B. She visited parents her regularly. D. She parents her visited regularly.
11. Choose the right order to make a sensible paragraph using the jumbled sentences below.
1. The thief entered into the house in hurry.
2. Finally, he caught by local policeman.
3. Then, he carried the stolen properties and went out.
4. Next, he tried to escape.
5. And, he looted every property.
A. 1, 5, 3, 4,2 C. 1, 4, 5, 3, 2
B. 1, 5, 4,3, 2 D. 1, 3, 5, 4, 2

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 Unit Ten: Scientific Discovery
Unit objectives

Dear distance student, by the end of this unit, you will be able to:
• read a text and answer comprehension questions correctly;
• use appropriate language in asking for information;
• use words in new contexts;
• identify the proper functions of gerund and defining relative clauses; and
• write a descriptive essay properly.

Section one: Reading

Lesson one: Reading Comprehension

Pre-reading Activity
Activity 10.1: Dear distance student, answer the following questions.
1. What do you think are the major scientific discoveries in the world?
2. Name the devices in the pictures below.
3. For what purposes do we use these devices?

While-reading Activity
Activity 10.2: Dear distance student, answer the following questions as you read the text below.
1. According to paragraph 1, what is the aim of science?
2. Which discovery made possible the transmission of any message across the internet?
3. Which paragraph describes a quick means of communication as a result of the discovery of science?
4. Which paragraph describes the invention of medicines?
5. How does electricity benefit people in everyday life?
6. According to the text, what is the contribution of the invention of television?

The Importance of Scientific Discoveries

Today science is advancing at an amazing speed and almost everything in our life has changed beyond recognition. It attempts to conquer
the forces of nature and aims to give humankind increasing power over his/her surroundings.

Scientific experiments can yield intelligence about the composition of matter in different ways. One example of this is the discovery of
the electron, our understanding which has changed over the years; it has contributed in a variety of ways to how we live today. Electricity
20
benefits people through everyday use in lighting homes, streets and traffic lights, and powering refrigerators and communication devices.
The application of scientific discoveries is the main reason for the quick pace of modern life. For instance, a journey that took weeks on
foot or horseback was shortened to a few days’ travel, first by the use of steam-powered locomotives and then later by personal
automobiles. Today, travel by airplane allows people to make the same journey in just minutes.

In addition, scientific research has resulted in quick means of communication that has brought people from all over the world together.
We can talk to any person through telephone and mobile phone. Electronic mail (email) has made possible the transmission of any
message across the internet to any person in this world. Furthermore, radio can be used both as a means of receiving information and for
recreation. The invention of television is one of the most important events in human history which has enabled us to see images of people
and things thousands of miles away from us.

The other major contribution of scientific discovery is the invention of medicines to cure severe diseases. This is a significant
contribution of science in the field of health. Plague, small-pox, cholera, leprosy, typhoid and even tuberculosis are no longer terrible
diseases. This is because they can be controlled through scientifically discovered medicines.

Generally speaking, science generates knowledge by means of new discoveries that are often met with disbelief at first; but such
knowledge eventually becomes widespread and common. Every school-age child knows that the earth revolves around the sun, although
this knowledge was rejected when it was first discovered. Most people have a basic understanding of natural processes such as how
moisture evaporates then condenses and falls as rain or how oxygen travels through the body in the bloodstream. Scientific discovery is
the reason for the ever-increasing understanding that people have about the world around them.

Activity 10.3: Dear distance student, write what the following pronouns refer to in the reading text.
1. It attempts to... (Para. 1), ‘It’ refers to _______________.
2. which has enabled us... (Para. 3), which refers to ________________.
3. This is a significant contribution... (Para. 4), ‘This’ refers to ______________.
4. when it was first discovered... (Para. 5), ‘it’ refers to ________________.

Lesson two: Vocabulary

Activity 10.4: Match the words under Column A with their contextual meanings under Column B.
A B
1.revolves A. the act of passing or sending out an electronic message
2. amazing B. causing great harm, awful
3.locomotives C. knowledge and understanding
4. terrible D. astonishing
5. widespread E. moves in a circle
6. transmission F. engines that pull trains
7. intelligence G. existing or happening over a large area

Post-reading Activity
Activity 10.5: Dear distance student, answer the following questions.
1. List some ancient and recent discoveries of science.
2. What effects do the provision and absence of electricity have on the lives of people in rural and urban areas?
3. Describe some of the scientific discoveries which make great contributions to your education and to your life in general.

Section two: Speaking

Asking for Information

Activity 10.6: Dear distance student, study and rehearse the dialogue below.
Receptionist: Good morning! Ethio-telecom. What can I help you?
Customer: Good morning. I’d like some information about putting a landline phone in my house.
Receptionist: Certainly, Sir. I’ll put you through to the customer services office.
Bethelehem: Customer services office. Bethelehem speaking. What can I help you?
Customer: I’d like to know if it’s possible to have a landline phone in my house.

21
Bethelehem: Absolutely. You have to submit a request letter to our customer service office and the office will then let you know when
they’re able to come.
Customer: Ok. When shall I come then?
Bethelehem: You can come at any time during working hours. Please bring all the necessary documents so that our engineers will be
able to bring the new phone and other equipment with them in a short time.
Customer: Can I get some written information about the requirements and service types?
Bethelehem: Of course, Sir. You can come to our nearest office and collect a few brochures about our services.
Customer: Thank you very much. That is very helpful of you.
Bethelehem: Not at all. Are you calling from your mobile phone number now, Sir?
Customer: Yes, I am.
Bethelehem: Then I have your mobile number. Thank you very much. Bye, bye.
Customer: Thank you. Bye, bye.
Activity 10.7: Dear distance student, please write your dialogue using the phrases below and practice the dialogue.
Can you help me …?
Can you tell me …, please?
Could you tell me …, please?
Do you know …?
Do you know how to …?
I hope you don’t mind my asking, but …
I wonder if you could tell me …
I’d like to know …

Section three; Vocabulary

Activity 10.8: Dear distance student, complete the sentences with appropriate words from the box below.
infrastructure system responsible access portable frequency
1. Nowadays, people have easy _______ to technological products.
2. A mobile phone is much more convenient than a landline because it is _______.
3. Do you know what _______ the Radio Ethiopia is on?
4. The company claims that it is not _________for the pollution in the city.
5. The computer _______ has crashed and no one is able to fix it.
6. Governments need to provide the ________ to bring electricity to every home and business.

Section four: Grammar

Lesson: The Gerund

Examples:
1. Jemila is very good at drawing.
2. Running is a good way to keep fit.
3. Smoking is bad for your health.
4. Ayantu is good at listening to people.
Activity 10.9: Dear distance student, fill the gaps with gerunds of the verbs in the following box. Use each verb only once. The first
one has been done for you.
travel swim ride do lie play run get try fly

1. She likes running every morning before breakfast.

2. I usually start _________ my homework, before watching TV.
3.I enjoy _________ on the grass.
4. She doesn’t like _________ with other children.
5. _________ is a fast way of _________.
6. She likes sport, especially _________ horses and _________.
7. Do not give up _________ to find the answer to the question.
8. I lay in bed and thought about _________ up.

22
 Grammar Spot
Gerunds
The gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. Sometimes a gerund is called a
verbal noun because it comes from a verb. Although they name things, like other nouns,
they normally name activities rather than people or objects. A gerund is never used as a
verb. Examples
• Smoking is dangerous for health. (Here the gerund smoking acts as the subject of the
verb.)
• She enjoys reading. (Here the gerund reading acts as the object of the verb.)
• She is interested in acting. (Here the gerund acting acts as the object of the preposition
in.)
• The best form of physical exercise is swimming. (Here the gerund acts as the
complement of the noun exercise.)

Lesson two: Defining Relative Clauses

Example:
The x-ray that was taken after the accident showed two fractures.
The medicine which the patient is taking has strong side effects.
The mobile which I bought for my brother is a new model.
The girl who is a medical doctor in the hospital was my classmate.

Activity 10.10: Dear distance student, identify the defining relative clauses used in the following short text and write the clauses in
your exercise book.
The boy who took me to the Italian restaurant works in a big shop which sells expensive shoes. The restaurant was very modern. The food
which they served was excellent. The waiters always seemed to be busy with the customers whose wallets were full of money. The table
at which we were seated was near a window, so we could see the cars that had been parked by the rich customers outside the restaurant.
They were being watched by a young man in uniform.
After we had finished our meal, the waiter who is my friend came over with a small silver box into which he had already put the bill.
When my friend took the bill out of the box, he opened his eyes in surprise because he had never had to pay so much for a pizza before.

Grammar Spot
Defining (Restrictive) Relative Clauses
Use:
These types of clauses are used to identify the preceding nouns from the other nouns of the
same group. They are essential to the meanings of the sentence.
For Example:
The neighbor is rich. (very general and undefined)
The neighbor who lives in front of us is rich. (defined)
(It tells us which neighbor).
A common error which students make when using this form is to define a noun which is
already completely identified.
For example: My best friend who lives in London is coming at the weekend.
Some students think the above clause in bold is defining the noun ‘friend’, but it isn’t (the
word ‘best’ has already told us which friend it is), it is just adding extra information and it
should be separated by commas. Defining clauses are not separated from the main clause
by comma/commas.

23
Example: The Park which she visited last week is very interesting.
The girl who was given a reward is my sister.
Relative pronouns in defining relative clauses:

Function in a sentence
Subject Object
People who, that who, whom, that
Things/concepts which, that which, that

N.B. Relative Pronouns can be omitted in defining relative clauses when they refer to objects in the sentences.
Example: The girl whom you saw with me is my classmate.
The girl you saw with me is my classmate.

Section five: Writing

Lesson one: Writing Conventions

Descriptive Essay
Dear distance student, as you may remember from previous lessons, the descriptive essay is a type of essay that describes an object, a
person, a place, an experience, an emotion, a situation, etc. Writers use descriptive language to express personal feelings and emotions or
to create mental pictures. This may mean using adjectives and adverbs to modify or add detail to nouns or verbs.
For example
“The man wore a neat, chocolate brown business suit, shiny from wear.” This sentence tells us a lot more about the man and the suit than
the sentence: “The man wore a brown suit.”
Adverbs can also be used to add detail to verbs by telling how something happened, not just what happened.
For Example
The woman carefully considered her options before jumping nervously into the river.
Lesson two: Writing Composition
Activity 10.11: Dear distance student, write a descriptive essay of 3-4 paragraphs on the topic related to a visit to some where you
made.

Unit Summary
Dear distance student,
You have successfully acquired the skills to identify the main ideas and details of reading texts, allowing you to read fluently and
comprehend the contextual meaning of words within the passages. Additionally, you have received training on how to effectively
communicate over the phone as a receptionist, officer, and customer, specifically in relation to the services provided by certain offices.

Furthermore, you have practiced completing incomplete sentences by selecting appropriate words from a given list, honing your ability to
express ideas accurately. In the grammar section, you have been introduced to the functions of "gerunds" and "defining relative clauses"
through ample examples, providing you with a solid understanding of their usage.

Lastly, you have gained experience in describing people or things through writing descriptive essays. This skill will not only enhance your
ability to express yourself creatively but also contribute to your overall writing proficiency.

Self Assessment Checklist

Please mark a tick (√) if you have acquired the skill or knowledge listed, and an X if you have not:
No. Yardsticks Mark
1 I can identify main ideas and details in reading text.
2 I can read fluently by saying words correctly and with good rate and expression.
3 I am able to talk being as receptionist, officer and customer concerning services.
4 I can understand the contextual meaning and proper place of words.
5 I know the form and function of ‘gerund’ and ‘defining relative clause’.
6 I can describe people or things by writing descriptive essay.

24
 Unit Summary Questions
A. Match the words under column ‘B’ with their definitions under column ‘A’
‘A’ ‘B’
1.the underlying foundation A. infrastructure
2.harmonous pattern B. frequency
3.having the duty C. system
4. be able to use D. portable
5. capable of being carried E. responsible
6. the number of repetitions F. access
7. being directed G. guided

B. Choose the best answer from the given alternatives

1. Zemzem: Good morning. Alula Hotel. What can I help you?
Yirgalem: Goodmorning. ______________________________.
A. I would like to order some dishes
B. I would like to get information about the blackboards
C. I would like to know about the number of students.
D. I would like to inform you about my telephone problem
2. Zemzem: Thank you very much. That is very helpful of you.
Yirgalem: ___________________. That is very helpful of you.
A. You are welcome C. Never mind
B. Not at all D. All are possible answers
3. She has finished ________ the bedroom.
A. clean B. cleaning C. to clean D. to be cleaned
4. If you want to join our group , you have to give up_______.
A. smoking B. smoke C. to smoke D. to be smoked
5. Children usually enjoy________ more time with their mothers.
A. spend B. spending C. to spend D. to be smoked
6. ________________ is one kind of sport.
A. Swim B. To swim C. Swimming D. To be swum
7. Hailemariam is good at ___________.
A. draw B. drawing C. to draw D. to be drawn
C. Underline the defining relative clauses used in the following sentences.
1. The dog which was sick has died.
2. The teacher who is coming to the classroom is an English teacher.
3. The umbrella which I threw away was too old.
4. The man that is climbing up seems at risk.
5. Students who wish to learn can be admitted at distance education academy.
6. Merchants who plan to earn much money should form a chamber.
7. The man whom I was calling is my uncle.
8. The school which my brother learns in is a private school.
D. Dear distance student, write your answer briefly and precisely.
1. What is a descriptive essay?
2. What kind of words do we use to describe people or things?
3. Write a 5 paragraphs descriptive essay about yourself.

25
 Unit Eleven: Natural Wonders of Africa
Unit Objectives

Dear distance student, at the end of this unit, you will be able to:
• answer comprehension questions correctly based on the reading text;
• recognize meanings of selected words from the reading text;
• ask for and give information making use of expressions;
• identify the use of non- defining relative clauses, gerund and infinitives; and
• write a descriptive essay incorporating capitalization and the comma.

Section one: Reading

Lesson one: Reading Comprehension

Pre-reading Activity

Activity 11.1: Dear distance student, guess the answer of the following questions.
1. What are national parks? Why are they important?
2. Tell your partner about some of the parks in Africa.
3. What do the following pictures show?

While-reading Activity

Activity 11.2: Dear distance student, copy the following table in your exercise book and complete it by scanning the text below.

Wild animals found

Area Number of
Park Country in the
inkm2 bird species park

Masai Mara
Chobe -
Kruger

Etosha

26
 African National Parks

Africa has the highest concentration of national parks on the planet with 335 national parks, as of 2014, which protect more than 1,100
species of mammals, 100,000 species of insects, 2,600 species of birds, and 3,000 species of fish. Some of the parks are described below.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is widely considered to be the greatest park on earth. It is the most popular park in Kenya. It is named
in honor of the Maasai people who inhabit the region. This legendary 1,800 square kilometer wildlife reserve in East Africa is home to
some 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 400 bird species. This park is also home to large populations of
predators. These include numerous lions, leopards, cheetahs and jackals.

Chobe National Park is found in the northern part of Botswana. It is home to the largest continuous elephant population in Africa. It
covers 12,000 square kilometers with a diversity of ecosystems ranging from arid plains and dry channels to fertile grasslands, dense
woods and watery swamps. Its diverse habitats support a high density and rich variety of wild animals and birds, most notably the huge
elephant herds that number over 40,000 individuals. Winter (April to October) is the best time to go to the Park, as herds of zebras,
antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes and wildebeest gather at the water sources.

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s top safari destination and one of the world’s finest parks. It covers around 19,485 square
kilometers of untamed bush. It is home to an unrivalled diversity of wildlife. Inhabitants include 145 mammal species, the largest number
of mammals found in any game park in Africa, along with nearly 500 bird species. This park is home to wild animals, from hippos,
crocodiles and cheetahs to wild dogs, giraffes and numerous antelope species.

Etosha National Park is Namibia’s park, and it is regarded as one of the best national parks in Africa. This unique national park covers
some 22,270 square kilometers. It is home to some rare and unusual wild animals, including the tallest elephants on the continent.
Common wildlife sighting includes rhinos, giraffes, elephants, lions, various species of antelopes and even cheetahs, leopards and
(depending on season) more than 300 species of birds.

Activity 11.3: Dear distance student, answer the following questions based on the information from the passage.
1. Which continent has the highest number of national parks?
2. Why is winter the best season to visit the Chobe National Park?
3. Which people of Kenya live in the region where the Masai Mara National Park is found?
4. Among the African parks mentioned in the passage, which park is the most extensive one?
5. Which African National Park is home for the largest number of mammals?
6. These include numerous… (paragraph 2,). What does the pronoun ‘These’ refer to?
Post-reading Activity
Activity 11.4: Dear distance student, answer the following questions and report your ideas to the class.
1. Do you know the names of national parks which are found in Ethiopia? List as many as you can.
2. How does Ethiopia benefit from having national parks?
Lesson two: Vocabulary
Activity11.5: Dear distance student, find words in the reading text which have similar meanings to the following words and
phrases.
1. gathering of something in a great number (para. 1) _____________
2. live in (para. 2) _____________
3. respect (para.2) _____________
4. very famous and talked about by a lot of people (para. 2) _____________
5. animals that hunt and eat other animals (para.2) _____________
6. gigantic, very large (para.3) _____________
7. a trip to see and hunt animals (para.4) _____________
8. productive (Para. 3) _____________

Section Two: Speaking

Lesson one: Asking for and offering Information

Activity 10.6: Dear distance student, study the following expressions to ask for and give information and speak out.

If you are a tourist guide, you may use the following notes to provide information.

• Offering to help:

27
Example: Can I help you?
May I help you?
• Asking for more detail:
Example: Which place are you looking for?
• Making a suggestion:
Example: Why don’t you go there?
• Offering more help:
Example: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Would you like any more information?
• Ending the conversation:
Example: Have a good day.
If you are a tourist, you may use the following notes to ask for information.
• Names of main tourist attraction places:
Example: Could you tell me the names of the main tourist destinations/ attractions in Tigray?
• Transport:
Example: What kind of transportation is available to go there?
Cost of transportation:
Example: How much does the transportation cost?
• Time:
Example: How long does it take?
• Places to relax and places to eat:
Example: Is there any place in the park to relax or to stay?
• Seeking personal recommendations/choices:
Example: What is your personal recommendation/suggestion?
Lesson two: Asking and Giving Directions
Activity 11.7: Dear distance student, rehearse and act out the dialogue.
Saba: Excuse me, is this the right way to the park?
Finot: I am afraid; you are not on the right road.
Saba: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the park?
Finot: Turn left and go straight ahead for about a kilometer. You will cross the bridge and turn right at the crossroads. Then, walk for
about one kilometer and you will get there.
Saba: Thank you very much. I think I’ll be able to get there now.
Finot: You’re welcome.
Activity 11.8: Dear distance student, use the following expressions and practice asking for and giving directions. Use your own
situations.
Asking directions
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?
Can you give me the direction to ...please?
Can you tell me how to get to...?
Is this the right way to the...?
Giving directions
Go straight on Turn left/right (into ... street)
Go along up/down/...street
Take the first/second road on the left/right
It is on the left/ right
It is opposite...
It is near... It is at the end (of)...
It is on/at around the corner...
It is behind ...
It is in front of ...
It is next to ...
It is between ...

28
 Section Three: Vocabulary
Activity 11.9: Dear distance student, complete the following sentences using appropriate words from the list below.

fascinating cliff peak elevation generate endemic heritage territory

1. The Walia Ibex is one of the wild animals which are found only in Ethiopia. This means it is _________ to Ethiopia.
2. It is a great achievement to climb a high mountain and reach its _________.
3. Some parks cover a very wide _________ in which different types of wild animals can live naturally.
4. Ras Dashen is the highest mountain in Ethiopia with an _________ of about 4, 533 meters above sea level.
5. Some parks include _________ features which attract many tourists.
6. Unless someone keeps that child away from the edge of the _________ she may fall.
7. Parks can help a country to _________ foreign currency through tourism.
8. We must protect our national _________ as it shows our cultural identity to the other world.

Section Four: Grammar

Lesson one: Articles (indefinite and definite)

Activity 11.10: Dear distance student, study the examples below. Then, copy the following paragraph into your exercise book and
complete the blank spaces with appropriate articles (a/an/ the).

Example: I watched a car as it came up our road. The car stopped outside our house and a man got out. The man was carrying an
interesting bag in his hand. With the bag in his hand, the man looked like a salesman.

Bontu has worked for this park for ten years. Throughout this time, she has shown herself to be ____ (1) intelligent and hard-working
person. She first joined ____ (2) park as ____ (3) assistant manager but was soon promoted to ____ (4) position of ____ (5) manager of
____ (6) park. She manages ____ (7) park with skill and energy. She has ____ (8) good plan for development and this has been
particularly evident in ____ (9) success of ____ (10) park. On ____ (11) personal level, I have found Bontu to be ____ (12) very honest
and considerate person. She is ____ (13) very fair manager and is respected and well-liked by ____ (14) park workers.

Grammar Spot

Articles

In English there are two types of articles. These are indefinite articles and definite articles

1. Indefinite articles include (‘a’ and ‘an’)

These two articles are used:
• with singular countable nouns to mean ‘one’.
we use ‘a’ before consonant sounds and ‘an’ is used before vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u).
Example: Awash National Park is an interesting place to visit.
Erta Ale is a nice place to see.
• We do not use a/ an with an adjective alone (without a noun).
Example
She is a clever student (Not She is a clever).
He is an intelligent boy. (Not He is an intelligent).
2. Definite Article (the) ‘The’ means something like ‘you know which one I mean’ and it is used with singular, plural countable and
uncountable nouns.
Example
The water (uncountable)
The lake (singular countable)
The parks (plural countable)
‘The’ is used:
• to talk about people and things that we have already mentioned or when something is referred to for a second time.
Example
She has bought a new bag. The bag is very interesting.
• When we are saying which people or things we mean.
29
 Example
Who is the boy in the car?
Lesson two: Infinitives
An infinitive will almost always begin with ‘to’ followed by the simple form of the verb, like this: to + verb = infinitive
• Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add ‘s’, ‘es’, ‘ed’, or ‘ing’ to the end.
• Infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Example:
• To sleep is what she wants after class. (To sleep functions as a noun because it functions as the subject of the sentence)
• Wherever Fatuma goes, she always brings a book to read. (To read functions as an adjective because it modifies book)
• Jemila washed her lunchbox to clean out the smell of the stew. (To clean functions as an adverb because it explains why Jemila washed
the box)
Infinitives without ‘to’: An infinitive will almost always begin with ‘to’. However, exceptions do occur. An infinitive will lose its ‘to’
when it follows certain verbs. These verbs are felt, hear, help, let, make, see, and watch.
Example: The teacher made the students stay outside.

Section five: Writing

Writing Convention
Activity 11.11. Dear distance student, revise the use of capitalization and the comma and the techniques of descriptive writing you
have learned before. Then, write a three-paragraph descriptive essay on one of the rivers or lakes you know or have visited
personally in Tigray.

Unit Summary
Dear distance student,

You have sharpened your ability to identify the main and specific points of a reading text. Furthermore, you have diligently practiced
expressing yourself by utilizing phrases for providing and requesting information, as well as giving and receiving directions. Additionally,
you have had the opportunity to enhance your sentence completion skills by selecting appropriate words from a given list. In terms of
grammar, you have focused on fundamental concepts such as articles and infinitives, which are crucial building blocks for accurate
communication. Lastly, you have dedicated time to refining your descriptive essay writing skills while paying attention to proper
capitalization and comma usage.

Self Assessment Checklist

Please mark a tick (√) if you have acquired the skill or knowledge listed, and an X if you have not:
No. Yardsticks Mark
1 I can identify main ideas and details in reading text.
2 I am able to talk making use of expressions of giving and asking for information.
3 I am able to talk making use of expressions of asking and asking direction.
4 I can understand the contextual meaning and proper place of words.
5 I know the form and function of ‘articles’ and ‘infinitives.
6 I can write a descriptive essay employing proper capitalization and comma.

Unit Summary Questions

Choose the best answer from the given alternatives
1. Nesredin: What kind of transportation is available to go to Al Nejashi?
Seid: _________________________________.
A. You can take a motor bike. C. You will arrive two days after.
B. You can enjoy it very well. D. You can pray peacefully.
2. Letay: How long does it take to arrive at St.Marry church?
Masho: _________________________________.
A. It is next to the artifact shops. C. It is too near to get it.
B. It is used for tourism attraction. D. It is the most attractive building.
3. Saba: Excuse me, is this the right way to the park?
Finot: _________________________________.
A. I am afraid; you are not on the right road
B. The park owns very few animals
30
 C. The park is very crowded by tourists
D. The park is surrounded with two known rivers
4. Sara: Thanks. See you.
Fana: ____________.
A. We will go together. C. Nice to meet you.
B. I didn’t see you. D. you are welcome. See you soon.
5. Tigary is the land of fascinating mountains that a lot of tourists visit them. Fascinating means
A. attractive . B. repulsive C. repelling D. revolting
6. We hope to generate some new ideas at the meeting as we are scholars. Generate means A. whole B. create C.
dismiss D. general
7. Red fox is only found in Tigray; hence it is an endemic animal. Endemic means
A. unique B. indigenous C. common D. A and B are answers
8. The birds are busy establishing territories and building nests. Territories means
A. habitats B. roads C. plants D. rivers
9. When I was a child , I used to break ____ egg a day.
A. the B. a C. an D. and
10. She has a short green skirt , but _____ skirt is not brand.
A. the B. a C. an D. or
11. Yesterday, we saw _____ drunk man staggering on the street.
A. the B. a C. an D. and
12. To steal is the criminal task in all societies of the world. The underlined is used as
A. noun B. adverb C. adjective D. preposition
13. The teacher opened the door to get into the classroom. The underlined is used as
A. noun B. adverb C. adjective D. preposition
14. The girl has collected the fruits to eat. The underlined is used as
A. noun B. adverb C. adjective D. preposition

31
 Unit Twelve: Technology in the Modern World
Unit Objectives

Dear distance student, at the end of this unit, you will be able to:
• read to identify main and detailed ideas;
• talk using the expressions of agreement and disagreement;
•write words in their contracted and full forms;
• use the superlative degree in their sentences; and
• write a 3-4 paragraphs argumentative essay.

Section one: Reading

Lesson one: Reading comprehension
Pre-reading Activity
Activity 12.1: Dear distance student, answer the following questions.
1. Name the following technological products and mention their importance.
2. Which of these inventions is the latest?

While-reading Activity

Activity 12.2: Dear distance student read the passage below and answer the questions based on the information in the reading text.
Write the answers into your exercise book.

1. What are the latest developments in technology?

2. What were the first written means of communication?
3. On which material were the first communications written?
4. When were paper, papyrus, and wax invented?
Technology and Communication

The process of human communication has evolved over the years, with many path breaking inventions and discoveries heralding a
revolution or progress from one level to another.

Throughout history, developments in technology and communications have gone hand-in-hand. The latest technological developments
such as the Internet and mobile devices have resulted in the advancement of the science of communication to a new level.

32
The invention of pictographs in the ancient world gave us the first written communication. These writings were on stone and remained
immobile. The invention, first of papyrus in 3000 B.C. and later of paper in about 100 B.C. and lastly of wax, in the 15th century, made
possible the transfer of documents from one place to another, allowing for uniformity of languages over long distances. The latest
revolution is the widespread application of electronic technology, such as electronic waves and signals, to communication, resulting in the
electronic creation and transfer of documents over the World Wide Web.

The most significant impact of technology on communication is the spread of the Internet and the possibility of sending emails and
chatting online. In the pre information technology days, a document often required re-typing on the typewriter before the final version was
approved. Sending a letter across a distance to someone else required a visit to the post office and a postage stamp. Faster methods such as
telegrams had severe limitations in text length and were quite costly.

Computers and the Internet have made the process of creating and editing documents and automatically spell-checking and grammar
checking, easy and natural. We can send documents to any part of the globe within seconds through an email, making telegrams and even
ordinary letters mostly obsolete. The Internet has thus increased the speed of communications manifold, and drastically reduced the costs
involved.

The huge amount of knowledge accessible at the click of a mouse has helped improve the quality of communication. Translating a text
from an unfamiliar language into a familiar language, seeking out the meaning of an unknown word, and getting follow-up information
on an unfamiliar concept are all possible, thanks to the Internet.

Activity 12.3: Dear distance student, choose the best alternatives based on the information in the passage above.

1. Which of the following is true?

A. Advancement in technology is slow.
B. Technology has made communication difficult.
C. We can check the meaning of a word on the internet.
D. The internet is the oldest technological development.
2. We can send documents very fast through:
A. an email C. persons
B. letters D. post offices
3. Which of the following is not the use of the internet?
A. Doing spelling and grammar checking
B. Decreasing communication cost
C. Making communication faster
D. Keeping people idle
4. Pictographs:
A. were mobile C. were written on paper
B. were written on stones D. were written on paper
5. Which one is not true about the telegram?
A. It is a faster method. C. It is quite costly.
B. It has severe limitations in text. D. It is quite cheap.

Post-reading Activity
Activity 12.4: Dear distance student, answer the following questions.

1. What do you think are the problems that make technology inaccessible?
2. How can people and government minimize these problems?

Lesson two: Vocabulary

Finding Contextual Meanings

33
Activity 12.5: Match the words under A with their contextual meanings given under B.
A B

1. evolve A. out of date, no longer in use

2. path-breaking B. form of communication through a picture
3. hand-in-hand C. many times
4. pictograph D. old
5. costly E. change, develop
6. version F. opening a new way
7. obsolete G. search for something
8. manifold H. together
9. seek I. expensive
J. variation
K. portion

Section Two: Speaking

Expressing Agreement and Disagreement
Activity 12.6: Dear distance student, study and act out the following dialogue.
Jemal: The old means of communication were better than today’s.
Yasin: Really? I don’t agree with you.
Jemal: Some communication means like letter writing are still used today.
Yasin: That is right. But today’s communication means are better and faster.
Jemal: Do you mean the Internet and the mobile phone?
Yasin: Yes, the two have changed our communications significantly.
Jemal: I agree with you there.

Section three: Vocabulary

Lesson one: Word Contraction
Activity 12.7: Dear distance student, rewrite the following sentences using the contracted form of the underlined words as is done
in the examples.
Example:
• We are very happy about the movie we saw.
We’re very happy about the movie we saw.
• They are coming to the meeting by bus.
They’re coming to the meeting by bus.
• I am sure you will like the mobile I bought for you.
I’m sure you will like the mobile I bought for you.
1. She had completed her exam before she left.
2. Do not disturb me while I’m studying.
3. He does not play tennis.
4. They have made progress.
5. We cannot leave tomorrow.

Activity 12.8: Dear distance student, rewrite the following sentences by writing the full forms of the contracted words.
1. She’s gone to market
2. They’ve eaten their lunch.
3. She shouldn’t go with us.
4. No, he didn’t do it.
5. She won’t come tomorrow.
Lesson two: Arrangement and definition of words

Activity 12.9: Dear distance student, rearrange the letters in brackets to form correct words and fill each blank space as in the
example.
Example: The r..... is an important means of communication. (adori)
34
 Grammar Spot

A comparable adjective can exist in three forms – positive,

comparative and superlative. The positive form is the base form of
the adjective. The comparative form expresses a higher degree of
some quality. The superlative form expresses the highest or least
degree. The superlative degree is used to compare persons and things
of which there are more than two.
The superlative form of an adjective is formed by:
1. adding the suffix -est if the word has one syllable, e.g., tallest.
2. using with most (or least) if the word has more than two syllables,
e.g., most intelligent, least attractive

The radio is an important means of communication.

1. Try to do the c_________ without the use of a calculator. (olcaluatcin)

2. A computer does a t________ amount of work. (mreenotdus)
3. Although the question is of great c_______ some students managed to answer it. (tcoymleixp)
4. What is your o________ if you don’t study? (otpino)
5. Our teacher asked us to c__________ decimals into fractions. (evtoncr)
6. Could you show me the database a___________ (icapltnapio)
7. You need to v___________ your information. (ivefyr)

Section four: Grammar

Lesson one: The Superlative Degree
Activity 12.10: Look at the following examples and use the correct superlative forms of the adjectives in the following text.
Examples:
a. Lions are the ___________ (strong) animals.
Lions are the strongest animals.
b. A giraffe has ___________ neck (long).
A giraffe has the longest neck.
c. Ayelech is ___________ (competitive) girl in the class.
Ayelech is the most competitive girl in the class.

My uncle has 5 daughters. The name of the __________ (1. young) daughter is Beyenech. The __________ (2. old) is Almaz. His third
daughter is the _____________(3. clever) girl. She always comes first in her class. She is also the __________ (4. talented) of the five.
Her father buys her the __________ (5. good) dresses because of her intelligence and hard work. The second daughter, Tadelech, has the
__________ (6. bad) behavior. She always fights with her friends.

Activity 12.11: Dear distance student, join the following pairs of sentences, using ‘where’, ‘when’ or ‘why’.

Example:
a. Here is the shop. I bought my new camera from this shop
• Here is the shop where I bought my new camera.
b. I’m looking forward to the beginning of next year. I’ll be a high school student by then.
• I’m looking forward to the beginning of next year when I’ll be a high school student.
1. This is the hall. The conference will be held in this hall.
2. I know a small restaurant. You can have a nice dinner there.
3. They haven’t fixed the date yet. They will get married.
4. I forgot the time. The plane would land.
5. Tell me the reason. You came late.

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Activity 12.12: Dear distance student, choose the correct relative pronoun to complete each sentence below.
1. This is the time of year _____ most people celebrate the new year.
A. where C. which
B. when D. who
2. A country _____ volume of exports is smaller than her imports can’t be said to be in a good situation economically.
A. when C. where
B. that D. whose
3. The reason _____ he stated for his being dismissed from the job wasn’t found at all
A. why C. whom
B. that D. when
4. The reason _____ we are holding this meeting is to seek solutions to our communication problems.
A. when C. where
B. whose D. because
5. Saturday is the day _____ we usually go shopping.
A. why C. whom
B. that D. when

Grammar Spot
Adverbial Relative Clauses
Adverbial relative clauses are introduced by ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘why’.
‘When’ refers to time.
‘Where’ refers to place.
‘Why’ refers to reason.
Example:
1. 2004 was the year when I went to Addis Ababa.
2. The reason why he is absent is not clear.
3. I love the house where I was born.
The underlined words above are relative clauses
The relative pronouns where, when & why can be used to join sentences or clauses.
They replace the more formal structure of preposition + which used to introduce a
relative clause.
Lesson three: Tag Questions
Activity 12.13: Dear distance student, complete the following sentences by writing appropriate tag questions.
Examples:
Fidel wanted to drink water, didn’t he?
Yanet isn’t in grade 8, is she?
Grade 8 students should study hard, shouldn’t they?
1. I’m on time, __________?
2. Let’s have a computer practice session, __________?
3. Help me a hand to carry the television, __________?
4. People shouldn’t drop plastic bags on the ground, __________?
5. Learning supported by plasma television is very important, __________?
6. Neither of the technologies was absolute, __________?
7. Excessive use of calculator is not good, __________?

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 Grammar Spot
Tag Questions
• A tag question is a short question added after a statement or an imperative to
seek or ask someone’s agreement or confirmation.
• The subject of the tag is usually a pronoun.
• A negative tag is often expressed in a contraction.
• An affirmative statement has a negative tag.
Example: She can speak many languages, can’t she?
• A negative statement has a positive tag.
Example: The question is not difficult, is it?
• The question tag for ‘I am’ is ‘aren’t I?’
Example: I’m late, aren’t I?
• After ‘let’s’ the question tag is ‘shall we?’
Example: Let’s have a discussion, shall we?

Section Five: Writing

Lesson one: Writing Convention
Organization of ideas in argumentation

Study the following explanation before you start to write your composition in order to understand the concept of argumentation.
Argumentation In an argumentative writing, the main purpose of the writer is to convince his/her reader about an issue and persuade
him/her to take some action or reconsider his own perception of the issue. A writer of argumentation presumes that he/she and his/her
readers hold different positions on a subject. He/She attempts to convince readers through logical reasoning. An argumentative essay
states an opinion, and uses facts, examples and reasons to convince the reader. The writer uses ‘should’, ‘had better’, ‘ought to’ and
‘must’ to reinforce opinions. An advertisement or an official announcement is a good example of persuasive writing.

Examples: Drivers should not be permitted to use mobile phones while driving.
Lesson two: Writing Composition
Activity 12.14: Dear distance student, write an essay on the advantages and disadvantages of any type of technology. Use
expressions of agreement/disagreement such as: I agree, In my opinion..., I am afraid ..., I don’t think..., I suppose…etc.

Unit Summary
Dear distance student,

In this unit, you have developed your skills in extracting key concepts and details from a reading text. Additionally, you have honed your
ability to comprehend the contextual meaning of words within a text. You have also practiced effective communication by utilizing
expressions of agreement and disagreement. In terms of vocabulary, you have learned how to contract words and arrange them to identify
their meaning. In the realm of grammar, you have acquired knowledge of the superlative degree, adverbial relative clauses, and tag
questions. Lastly, you have successfully composed an argumentative essay, incorporating essential expressions of agreement and
disagreement.

Self Assessment Checklist

Please mark a tick (√) if you have acquired the skill or knowledge listed, and an X if you have not:
No. Yardsticks Mark
1 I can identify main ideas and details in reading text.
2 I am able to talk making use of expressions of agreement and disagreement.
3 I can understand how to contract words, arrange misspelled words and define them.
4 I know the form and function of ‘superlative degree’ and ‘adverbial relative clauses’.
5 I know the form and function of ‘tag questions’.
6 I can write an argumentative essay incorporating essential expressions of agreement and
disagreement.
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 Unit Summary Questions
Choose the best answer from the alternatives given.
1) Alem: Mobile banking is better than telebirr.
Helen: No, _____________.
A. I agree with that C. I disagree with that
B. I share your idea D. It was in my mind
2) Alem: Most of our teachers are qualified.
Helen : Certainly, _________________.
A. I don’t believe that C. I don’t think so
B. I believe too D. I disagree with
3) Which one of the following is correctly spelled?
A. calculation B. calcalution C. culcalation D. culculation
4) Which one of the following is correctly spelt?
A. termendous B. tremendous C. temrendous D. tromendus

5) Tekeze is __________ river in Tigray.

A. as long as B. longer than C. the longer D. the longest
6) Nathanael is __________ of our family.
A. the generous B. as generous as C. more generous D. the most generous
7) Summer is a season when flowers bloom. The adverbial relative clause refers to
A. time B. place C. reason D. all are answers
8) The classroom where we learn in is too dirty. The adverbial relative clause refers to
A. time B. place C. reason D. all are answers
9) The issue why they were in the prison was theft. The adverbial relative clause refers to
A. time B. place C. reason D. all are answers
10) Let’s wash our hands to have our lunch, _______?
A. don’t B. do we C. won’t we D. shall we
11) I am an investor engaged in manufacturing,___________?
A. am I B. amn’t I C. are I D. aren’t I
12) Which expression is used in writing an argumentative essay?
A. In my opinion B. I am afraid C. I don’t think D. All are answers

Answer Key
Unit Seven
Activity 7.2 Activity 7.3.
1. It is a name of a toy. 1.hobby
2. recreation and leisure 2. listening to music and watching television
3. stamp collecting, sewing, knitting, painting, woodwork 3. retired people
and photography 4. children
4. because they lack the sense of achievement Activity 7.5.
5. stamp collecting, woodwork and knitting 1. E 2. A 3. F 4. B 5. D 6. C
6. the video game industry and social media.

Activity 7.8. 1. broadens /horizons 2. interferes /guided Activity 7.10. 1. had made 2. had already swept 3.
3. appreciates 4. competitions 5. entertainment had dusted 4. (had) cleaned 5. had even put on 6.
Activity 7.9. had not made 7. had not cleaned 8. had not even
1.Alemu said that he spent his leisure reading novels. bothered 9. had not heard
2. The mechanic said that I had pressed the wrong button. Activity 7.11.
3. Selam said that she would come tomorrow/ the next 1. had already left 2. had washed 3. had written 4.
day/the following day. had finished 5. had gone
4. Melaku said that Halima had just returned from Kenya.
5. Gelana asked me where I had found the/ that book.
Unit Summary Questions
I. Match: 1. A 2. E 3. B 4. F 5. C 6. G 7.D II. Choose 1. D 2. B 3. B 4. D 5.C 6. B

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 Unit Eight
Activity 8.2.
1. The first paragraph
2. by creating social cohesion, better civic engagement,....
3. By documenting the collective present.
4. Accept any sensible sentence/response. (e.g. Visual arts show past history, give examples of our past life, etc.)
5. Art provides a means to express imagination. But language uses sequenced words with definite meanings.
6. Accept any possible interpretation. (e.g. When creating art together, people express their inner-most thoughts and
feelings. This leads to a better mutual understanding.)
Activity 8.3. 1. A 2. C 3. D 4. A Activity 8.5. 1. C 2. E 3. F 4. G 5. A 6. H 7. I 8. J 9 B. 10. D
Activity 8.9. Activity 8.10.
1.factors 2. handsome 1. I have lost my keys.
3. competitive 4. flexible 2. My brother has drunk too much coffee.
5. career 6. quality 3. My parents have gone to Jimma.
Activity 8.11. Activity 8.13.
1. My new friend has not met my 1. .had been, became 2. had never seen , visited
mother. 3. had used/used 4. had started, arrived
2. I have not known him very long. 5. put, had molded 6. arrived, had already left
3. The tourists have not yet visited Axum 7. had prepared, came
Monument.
Activity 8.12.
1. Have they gone to Jimma University? 2. Has she ever been late for meeting? 3. Has he met your father already?
Unit Summary Questions
A. Match : 1. C 2. A 3. D 4. E 5. B B. Choose: 1. C 2. B 3. B 4. D 5. B

Unit Nine
Activity 9.2. 1. Paragraph 3 2. Paragraph 4 3. Australia, USA and Japan 4. due to lack of confidence/other
people don’t take them seriously 5. because literacy rates are not high
Activity 9.3. 1. education 2. educated people 3. uneducated people 4. countries with very high literacy
rates 5. benefits/advantages
Activity 9.5. 1. scholars 2. stable 3. prosperous 4. vital 5. literacy 6. reputation 7. unanimous
Activity 9.8. 1. disability 2. Compulsory 3. robbery 4. physician 5. adjust 6. supplement
Activity 9.9.
1. By Monday next week, Chaltu will have got married. Or: Chaltu will have got married by Monday next
week.
2. By October next year, Tekeste will have joined the army. Or: Tekeste will have joined the army by
October next year.
3. By tomorrow evening, Belete will have celebrated his birthday. Or: Belete will have celbrated his birthday
by tomorrow evening.
4. When the coming weekend is over, my uncle will have taken me to the beach. Or: My uncle will have
taken me to the beach when the coming weekend is over.
5. At the start of next year, the government will have introduced a new curriculum. Or: The government will
have introduced a new curriculum at the start of next year.
6. By June we will have taken our Grade 8 exams. Or: We will have taken our Grade 8 exams by June.
7. Before this time tomorrow night, my mother will have arrived at Addis Ababa. Or: My mother will have
arrived at Addis Ababa by this time tomorrow night.
8. By September next year, we will have joined Grade 9. Or : We will have joined Grade 9 by September
next year.
Activity 9.10. 1. must 2. mustn’t 3. must 4. mustn’t 5. mustn’t
Activity 9.11. 1. have to 2. don’t have to 3. Have to 4. don’t have to 5. doesn’t have to
Activity 9.12. A → C → B →E → D → F
Activity 9.13.
1. Abeba is my younger sister’s classmate.
2. Don’t be absent from classes so often.

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 3. She’s very clever girl, isn’t she?
4. Gelane sends her daughter to a boys’ school
5. A flood has destroyed all the farmer’s/ farmers’ crops. (Depends on whether you are talking about one
farmer or many.)
6. Doctors look after people’s health.
7. The men’s room is occupied.
8. We’re late because we couldn’t find a taxi.
9. This is Obang’s textbook.
Unit Summary Questions
Choose: 1. D 2.A 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. B 7. B 8. A 9. C 10. C 11.A

Unit Ten
Activity 10.2.
1. to conquer the forces of nature and to give humankind increasing power over his/her surroundings
2. Electronic mail/ e-mail.
3. Paragraph 3
4. Paragraph 4
5. It is used for traffic lights, refrigerators, and communication devices.
6. It enabled us to see images of people and things thousands of miles away from us.
Activity 10.3. 1. Science 2. the invention of television 3. the invention of medicines
4. the scientific fact that the earth revolves around the sun
Activity 10.4. 1. E 2. D 3. F 4. B 5. G 6. A 7. C
Activity 10.8 1. access 2. portable 3. Frequency 4. responsible 5. system 6. Infrastructure
Activity 10.9. 2.doing 3. lying 4. playing 5. Flying ... travelling
6. riding...swimming 7. trying 8. getting
Activity 10.10. The boy who took me to the Italian restaurant works in a big shop which sells expensive shoes.
The restaurant was very modern. The food which they served was excellent. The waiters seemed always to be busy
with the customers whose wallets were full of money. The table at which we were seated was near a window. We
could see the cars that had been parked by the rich customers outside the restaurant. They were being watched by
a young man in uniform.

After we had finished our meal, the waiter who my friend is called came over with a small silver box into which he
had already put the bill. When my friend took the bill out of the box, he opened his eyes in surprise because he had
never had to pay so much for a pizza before
Unit Summary Questions
Match: 1. A 2. C 3. E 4. F 5. D 6. B 7. G choose: 1. A 2. D 3. B 4.A 5. B 6. C 7. B
Underline defining relative clauses
1. The dog which was sick has died.
2. The teacher who is coming to the classroom is an English teacher.
3. The umbrella which I threw away was too old.
4. The man that is climbing up seems at risk.
5. Students who wish to learn can be admitted at distance education academy.
6. Merchants who plan to earn much money should form a chamber.
7. The man whom I was calling is my uncle.
8. The school which my brother learns in is a private school.

Unit Eleven
Activity 11.2.
Activity 11.3. Activity 11.5.
1. Africa 1. concentration 2. inhabit 3. Honour 4. legendary
2. Because herds of zebra, antelopes, 5. predator 6. huge 7. safari 8. Fertile
buffalo, giraffe and wildebeest Activity 11.9.
gather at the water sources in winter. 1.endemic 2. peak 3. territory 4. elevation
3. Maasai 5. fascinating 6. cliff 7. generate 8. heritage
4. Etosha (22270 square kilometres) Activity 11.10

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5. Kruger 1.a 2. the 3. the/a 4. the 5. (the) 6. the 7. the 8. a 9. the 10. the 11. a 12. a
6. Predator populations 13. a 14. the
Unit Summary Questions
Choose: 1. A 2.C 3. A 4. D 5. A 6. B 7. An 8. A 9. C 10. A 11. B 12. A 13. C 14. B

Unit Twelve
Activity 12.2. 1. the Internet and mobile devices 2. Pictographs
3. On stones 4. 3000 B.C., 100 B.C. and 15th Century A.D.
Activity 12.3. 1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. D
Activity 12.5. 1. E 2. F 3. H 4. B 5. I 6. J 7. An 8. C 9. G
Activity 12.7. Activity 12.8.
1.She’d completed her exam before she had left. 1. She has gone.
2. Don’t disturb me while I’m studying. 2. They have eaten their lunch.
3. He doesn’t play tennis. 3. She should not go with us.
4. They’ve made progress. 4. No, he did not do it.
5. We can’t leave tomorrow 5. She will not come tomorrow.
Activity 12.9. Activity 12.10
1. calculations 2. tremendous 3. complexity 1. youngest 2. oldest/eldest 3. cleverest
4. option 5. Convert 6. application 7. verify 4. most talented 5. best 6. worst
Activity 12.11. Activity 12.12
1. This is the hall where the conference will be held. 1.B 2. D 3. B 4. D 5. D
2. I know a small restaurant where you can have a nice dinner. Activity 12.13.
3. They haven’t yet fixed the date when they’ll get married. 1.aren’t I 2. shall we 3. will you 5. isn’t it
4. I forgot the time when the plane would land. 6. was it? 7. is it 4. should they
5. Tell me the reason why you came late.
Unit Summary Questions
Choose: 1. C 2.B 3.A 4. B 5. D 6. D 7.A 8. B 9. C 10. D 11. D 12. D

Glossary
Module: a course which includes learning objectives, instructional materials, activities, and assessments
Distance student: a learner who participates in an educational program remotely
Pre-reading activity: an activity and strategy employed by a reader before engaging with a text
While-reading activity: an activity and strategy used by a reader during the actual reading process
Post-reading activity: an activity which occurs after the reading process
Reading comprehension: the ability to understand and interpret the meaning of a written text
Restrictive clause: a type of dependent clause that provides essential information to identify or define the noun it modifies
Non-Restrictive clause: a type of dependent clause that provides additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies
Expository essay: a type of academic writing that aims to explain, inform, or describe a topic in a clear, concise, and objective manner.
Narrative essay: a type of academic writing that tells a story, often based on the author’s personal experiences or observations
Descriptive essay: a type of academic writing that focuses on providing a detailed and vivid account of a person, place, object, or
experience

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 Number of bird Wild animals found in the
Park Country Area inkm2 species park
Masai Mara Kenya 1,800 square KMS 400 lions, leopards, cheetahs and jackals.

Chobe Botswana 12,000 square KMS (not stated)- zebra, antelopes, buffalo, giraffe
wildebeest
Kruger S. Arica 19,485 square KMS 500 hippos, crocodiles and cheetahs’ wild
dogs, giraffes’ antelopes
Etosha Namibia 22,270 square KMS More than 300 elephants, rhinos, giraffes, lions,
antelopes’ cheetahs, leopards

Argumentative essay: a type of academic writing that presents a clear position or opinion on a controversial issue and supports it with
logical reasoning, evidence, and counterarguments

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