Monday, August 10, 2009

Your Own Words Question

As the name suggested, you must use your own words, i.e., you must not use the key words used by the author in the passage. Otherwise, you will get Zero marks for that question.

Questions requiring you to use your own words fall into two broad categories:

1. Use Your Own Words Questions Type (1)
Obtain the points for your answer for the passage, and then rephrase the points using your own words. In other words, it is a factual question that requires you to use your own words in your answer

Example:
· The author criticizes the actions of the early excavators in obscuring the site. Explain in your own words what two other criticism he makes of them.
· Explain in your own words why the gaucho’s house felt like a prison during the ‘thistle years’.

How do you answer this type of question?

· First, locate the answer in the passage, in the author’s words.
· Identify the key words or key ideas (which may be represented by two or more words, which you will have to rephrase) in the author’s expression. As a general guide, one mark = one key word or one key idea that you have to rephrase.
· Replace these key words with synonyms or phrases with similar meaning, or words associated with them. You could also think of the antonyms of these words but these can only be used in certain cases.
· Phrase your answer in a complete sentence.

2. Use Your Own Words Type (II)
This question asks you to explain what the author means by a word, phrase, sentence or expression. You do not have to look for points for your answer as the question only requires you to analyze the author’s use of language.

Example:
· A “rosy picture is painted” for the future of the holiday industry. Explain the author’s expression here.
· Winter sports are said to have a “magical appeal” for tourists. What does the expression “magical appeal” mean here?
· What is meant by “figures in every stage in between”?

To answer this type of question, you go through a similar process as type 1
· Identify the key words or key ideas used by the author
· Substitute each word with synonym/phrase with the same meaning, or words associated with them. Consider what these words suggest.
· Phrase your answer in a complete sentence



Exercise

The chief forest ranger was giving one of his talks on his favorite animal – the tiger. “Although the tiger would rather avoid confrontations with humans, it may attack them under certain circumstances – if a human has trespassed into its territory, or if he is seen as a threat to a female’s cubs. The onset of the old age and consequently diminishing hunting skills may also encourage a tiger to attack human,” he explained. Then, looking directly at the only two tourists in the audience who had expressed interest in night forest trekking, he added, “Since tigers are nocturnal hunters, usually attacking from the rear, I would advise all night forest trekkers to keep their eyes and ears open as they take in the wonders of the forest after dark.

Using your own words, explain why ageing tigers may attack humans.
Why are night forest trekkers advised to keep their eyes and ears open? Use your own words in your answer.

It was in the restaurant of one of the stations in the South that Kovalski experienced his first Indian meal. “I began by watching the people around me,” he recounted. “They were eating with the fingers only of their right hands. To make small balls of rice and dip them into the sauce without the balls disintegrating and without burning your fingers to the bone involved a right set of gymnastics. As for your mouth, oesophagus and stomach, they’re set on fire by the murderous spices. I must have presented a somewhat comic spectacle, because all the clients of the restaurant cracked up. It wasn’t every day that they could have a good laugh at a poor sahib who had undertaken to master his certificate of Indianisation.

“I must have presented a somewhat comical spectacle, because all the clients of the restaurant cracked up.”
Explain what Kovalski is saying here, in your own words.