TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HOMEWORK STRESS IN YOUR CHILD

TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HOMEWORK STRESS IN YOUR CHILD

·         Set up a study area:

A place dedicated only to homework and studying is the most important aspect of reducing homework stress. An area clear of chaos makes it easier for your child to focus and feel calm while doing homework.

·         Involve yourself:

Not all kids are able to handle homework all by themselves. Some need parental help. So if you find your child overwhelmed by homework, do help him/her in completing the assignments. But be careful to know your limits... as some parents do the homework rather than helping their child do the homework.

·         Stay positive about and during homework:

Children learn most habits from parents... be it good or bad. So if you believe that your child can do the homework successfully…he/she will also believe in it.

·         Break the homework down into small parts:

Set smaller goals towards completing the assignments.  Allow your child to take breaks in-between goals.  Also let your child to set a timer to alert him/her when the break is over, so that he/she can get back to work again. This will reduce homework stress tremendously.

·         Teach your child to relax.

Difficult homework assignments and the pressure to complete multiple projects can cause anxiety, frustration, and even anger in kids. And your child might possibly go through such a tough time once in a while. So help your child to learn a few stress management techniques, such as meditation, listening to music etc. so that he/she can manage stress better.

·         Encourage your child to have a healthy snack or even a meal before homework.

It is difficult to concentrate and feel balanced when hungry. A healthy meal or snack can make a huge difference.

·         Encourage your child to do homework every day.

When doing something on a regular basis, it will become a habit. So encourage your child to do homework or to review notes/lessons every day so that when it is time for a test/exam they are not overloaded with information.

·         Breaks are a must even for older children.

Don’t expect your teenager to be able to sit still for long periods of time. Let him/her to move as needed - go outside to get some fresh air or have a good laugh.

·         Help your child understand the homework. 

Many children waste time by doing the homework incorrectly because they did not understand the directions. Going over the directions before beginning to do the homework will save time and also reduce unnecessary stress.

·         Be an honest supporter to your child.

Lastly, if you feel that your child is overwhelmed or overloaded by homework and it is affecting his/her quality of life, speak to your child’s teacher. He/she will be happy to sort things out.

COMBINING SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO COMPOUND SENTENCE

Combining two or more simple sentences into a single compound sentence

A simple sentence has just one clause. Two or more simple sentences can be combined by the use of coordinating conjunctions. Common coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or, yet, nor, for, so, as well as, not only…but also.

Harry is smart. Harry is handsome.

We can combine these two sentences into one in several ways.

Harry is smart and handsome.
Harry is both smart and handsome.
Harry is smart as well as handsome.
Harry is not only smart but also handsome.

More examples are given below.

He is slow. He is steady.
He is slow but he is steady.

She was annoyed. She said nothing.
She was annoyed but she said nothing.
She was annoyed, yet she said nothing.

I will not oppose your plan. I cannot approve it.
I will not oppose your plan; however, I cannot approve it.

He was all right. He was tired.
He was all right; only he was tired.

Combine the following pairs of sentences into a compound sentence.

1. The way was long. The wind was cold.
2. The wind blew. The lightning splashed. The rain started falling.
3. It was a cold night. We ventured out.
4. He is foolish. He is obstinate.
5. Come in. Go out.
6. Do not be a borrower. Do not be a lender.

Answers

1. The way was long and the wind was cold.
2. The wind blew, the lightning splashed and the rain started falling.
3. It was a cold night but we ventured out.
4. He is foolish and obstinate.
5. Come in or go out. / Either come in or go out.
6. Do not be a borrower or a lender. / Be neither a borrower nor a lender.

ADJECTIVES - CORRECT USAGE

Adjectives: CORRECT USAGE 

Incorrect: Every people know this.
Correct: Everybody knows this. / Everyone knows this.

Incorrect: Each hands have five fingers.
Correct: Each hand has five fingers.

Incorrect: Either roads lead to the airport.
Correct: Either road leads to the airport.

The adjectives each, every, either and neither should be followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.

Incorrect: I have no any friends.
Correct: I have no friends. / I haven’t any friends. / I haven’t got anyfriends.

The word any has a negative meaning. It is not used with ‘no’.

Incorrect: Both men have not come.
Correct: Neither man has come.

Instead of ‘both … not’, we normally use neither.

Incorrect: Shakespeare is greater than any playwright.
Correct: Shakespeare is greater than any other playwright.

Shakespeare himself is a playwright. So, the first sentence actually says that Shakespeare is greater than Shakespeare. As you can see, it does not make any sense.

Incorrect: Samuel is elder than Mark.
Correct: Samuel is older than Mark.

Incorrect: Jennifer is the eldest girl in the class.
Correct: Jennifer is the oldest girl in the class.

The adjectives elder and eldest are only used attributively (before nouns). After a verb, we use older and oldest.

Incorrect: He is more better than I.
Correct: He is better than I.

Adjectives of one or two syllables form their comparative and superlative forms by adding –er or –est. Longer adjectives takemore or most. More and most cannot be used with adjectives ending in –er or –est.

SIMILES

Common similes

A simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared with another things. Here are some common similes in English.

As crooked as a dog’s hind leg

If somebody is as crooked as a dog’s hind leg, they are dishonest.

No one will trust you if you are as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

As fat as a pig

If somebody is as fat as a pig, they are very fat.

I must start dieting. I am as fat as a pig.

As gentle as a lamb

If somebody is as gentle as a lamb, they are very gentle.

The boy is as gentle as a lamb when his parents are around.

As gruff as a bear

If somebody is as gruff as a bear, they are very unsociable.

The lady next door is as gruff as a bear. She never invites people to her home.

As hungry as a bear

When you are as hungry as a bear, you are very hungry.

The boy was as hungry as a bear when he got home from school.

As innocent as a lamb

If someone is as innocent as a lamb, they are very innocent or naïve.

Everybody loves Julie. She is as innocent as a lamb.

As meek as a lamb

If somebody is as meek as a lamb, they are very quiet or docile.

As a teenager Frieda was as meek as a lamb. I still can’t believe that she has become an aggressive business woman.

As nervous as a cat

If somebody is as nervous as a cat, they are very nervous.

She was as nervous as a cat during the interview.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE EXERCISE

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE EXERCISE

Clauses that are introduced by a subordinating conjunction are called subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause cannot stand alone. It has to be attached to an independent clause.

In English, there are mainly three types of subordinate clauses:adjective clause, adverb clause and noun clause.

Underline the subordinate clause in the following sentences.

1. As he was not there, I could not speak to him.

2. I waited for him until he came.

3. We eat so that we may live.

4. I don’t know whether he is innocent.

5. If you eat too much, you will fall ill.

6. I am sure that you are wrong.

7. The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.

8. Tell me where you have put my books.

9. The man who committed the theft last night has been caught.

10. It is difficult to understand why he distrusts his own children.

Answers

1. As he was not there, I could not speak to him.

2. I waited for him until he came.

3. We eat so that we may live.

4. I don’t know whether he is innocent.

5. If you eat too much, you will fall ill.

6. I am sure that you are wrong.

7. The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.

8. Tell me where you have put my books.

9. The man who committed the theft last night has been caught.

10. It is difficult to understand why he distrusts his own children.

TWO WORD VERBS EXERCISE

TWO WORD VERBS EXERCISE

Complete the following sentences

1. The politician broke ———————– in the middle of his speech. (up / in / down / off)

2. Could you blow —————– the candle? (off / on / out / up)

3. At last the storm has blown —————- (off / over / out / in)

4. The opposition parties said that they would bring ————– a No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister. (up / forward / out / about)

5. The witness said that she could not call ————— the whole events. (up / in / on / at)

6. The labour union leaders have called —————- the strike. (off / on / at / in)

7. The investigating officer tried to call —————- vital information from the accused. (off / forth / up / out)

8. The army foiled the terrorists’ plan to blow ——————— the bridge. (out / off / up / over)

9. He is cut —————- for a career in sales and marketing. (out / off / up / down)

10. If you work hard, you will come ——————- with flying colors in the examination. (out / off / on / after)

Answers

1. The politician broke down in the middle of his speech.

2. Could you blow out the candle?

3. At last the storm has blown over.

4. The opposition parties said that they would bring forward a No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister.

5. The witness said that she could not call up the whole events.

6. The labour union leaders have called off the strike.

7. The investigating officer tried to call forth vital information from the accused.

8. The army foiled the terrorists’ plan to blow up the bridge.

9. He is cut out for a career in sales and marketing.

10. If you work hard, you will come off with flying colors in the examination.

CHANGE INTO PASSIVE VOICE

CHANGE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO THE PASSIVE FORM

1. R.K Narayan wrote this book.

2. I bought a diamond necklace.

3. You know me.

4. They invited him to their party.

5. He closed the doors and windows.

6. Our team expected to win the match.

7. Brutus accused Caesar of ambition.

8. He taught me to read Hindi.

9. One expects better behaviour from an educated person.

10. They were watching the film The Titanic.

11. You must endure what you cannot cure.

12. The curator showed some ancient vessels.

13. The rules forbid passengers from crossing the track.

14. All desire wealth and some acquire it.

15. Abraham Lincoln emancipated four million African slaves.

Answers

1. This book was written by R.K Narayan.

2. A diamond necklace was bought by me.

3. I am known to you.

4. He was invited to their party.

5. The doors and windows were closed by him.

6. The match was expected to be won by our team.

7. Caesar was accused of ambition.

8. I was taught to read Hindi by him.

9. An educated person is expected to behave better.

10. The film The Titanic was being watched by them.

11. What cannot be cured must be endured.

12. Some ancient vessels were shown by the curator.

13. Passengers are forbidden from crossing the track.

14. Wealth is desired by all and acquired by some.

15. Four million African slaves were emancipated by Abraham Lincoln.

SENTENCE SYNTHESIS

 

SENTENCE SYNTHESIS

There are very many ways to combine sentences. For example, we can use conjunctions or relative pronouns. Conjunctions merely connect two clauses. The relative pronoun also acts as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause.
Participles and infinitives can also be used to connect clauses.

Exercise

Combine the following sentences.

1. He stood on tip-toe. He reached for the bunch of grapes. (Use a present participle)

2. He works very hard. He wants to obtain the first rank in the examination. (Use an infinitive)

3. The boy complained to the teacher. His bicycle had been stolen. (Use a relative pronoun)

4. I like to watch television. More than that I like to read books. (Use prefer)

5. I was looking for a book. Then I came across this old photograph. (Use while)

6. Susan got the telegram. She started for home at once. (Use as soon as)

7. You should not go to his house. You should not speak to him. (Use neither…nor)

8. The house is spacious. It will accommodate us all. (Use enough)

9. The germ is very small. It cannot be seen with the naked eye. (Use too…to)

Answers

1. Standing on tip-toe, he reached for the bunch of grapes.

2. He works very hard to obtain the first rank in the examination.

3. The boy whose bicycle had been stolen complained to the teacher.

4. I prefer reading books to watching television. / I prefer to read books rather than watch television.

5. While I was looking for a book, I came across this old photograph.

6. As soon as Susan got the telegram, she started for home.

7. You should neither go to his house nor speak to him.

8. The house is spacious enough to accommodate us all.

9. The germ is too small to be seen with the naked eye.