The Sunday News
Charles Dube
THE school year is coming to an end and learners are looking forward to a long holiday. Public examination classes are almost done and those following directly after them are taking over the buttons. Instead of waiting to start working next term wise learners begin preparations now. Some make notes on various subjects now before closing schools. While most learners get overexcited and forget about books the former straight-away hit the ground running.
While it is true that we cannot expect learners to continue studying during such holidays, there is nothing wrong with those who want to read on or research in some areas of interest. In the same spirit this week I give a few examples of what learners of English Language can do as they relax from the tight schedule of learning. For example:
Words denoting places: A building for the lodging and accommodation of soldiers — barracks. A place where money is coined — mint, a place where leather is tanned — tannery, a place where fruit trees are grown — orchard, a place where orphans are housed — orphanage. An institution for the reformation of young offenders — reformatory. A square courtyard bounded by buildings — quadrangle, a Muslim place of worship — mosque.
A wide road lined with trees on both sides — avenue or boulevard. A place where water is collected and stored — reservoir, a place frequented for reasons of pleasure or health — resort, a school for young infants and young children — kindergarten, a place with gambling tables — casino. An underground place for storing wine or other provisions — cellar, a case in which the blade of a sword is kept — sheath, scabbard.
Try the following exercise. Select answers from the list of words provided below it: The house or shelter of an Eskimo -. A house or shelter for a dog – . The home of a lion – . A place where medicines are compounded – . A house or shelter of a horse – . A house or box in which live pigeons or doves – . The resting place for a wild animal – . The dwelling place of an animal underground – . A place for the treatment of sick people – . A residence for monks or priests – . A place where athletic exercises are performed – . A place where treasures of art, curiosities, etc. are preserved or exhibited – museum.
A place where milk is converted into butter and cheese – . An oven or furnace for baking bricks, pottery – . A place where crude petroleum is refined – . A place where Government records are kept – . A place where travellers may obtain lodging and refreshment – . A house for the residence of students – . A place where any manufacture is carried out – . A place where scientific experiments are conducted -. A place where house refuse is reduced to ashes – .
Choose your answers from the following: monastery, museum, burrow, dispensary, hostel, kennel, igloo, kiln, hotel, inn, archives, laboratory, incinerator, stable, factory, lair, hospital, dovecot, dairy, refinery, den, and gymnasium.
Words denoting professions or trades. How much of words denoting professions or trades do you know? Here are some of them: One who tests eyesight and sells spectacles — optician, One who attends to sick people and prescribes medicines — physician. One who treats diseases by performing operations — surgeon. One who attends to the teeth — dentist. A beautician who attends to the hands and fingernails — manicurist. The person in charge of a ship — captain. One carves in stone — sculptor.
One who writes for the newspapers — journalist, reporter, correspondent. One who plans and draws the design of buildings and superintends their erection — architect. One who draws plans — draughtsman. One who deals in flowers — florist. One who deals in medicinal herbs — herbalist. One who deals in fish — fishmonger. One who sets glass in windows, doors, etc — glazier. One who works in lead especially mending pipes — plumber, One who sells small articles such as ribbons, laces, thread — haberdasher. A professional rider in horse races — jockey. One who studies rocks and soils — geologist.
One who studies the past through objects left behind — archaeologist. A Japanese girl who entertains by singing and dancing — geisha. One who sells sweets and pastries — confectioner. One who makes and sells cushions and covers chairs, motor-car seats — upholsterer. One who draws maps — cartographer. One who walks on rocks — funambulist. One who performs daring gymnastic feats — acrobat. One who travels from place to place selling miscellaneous articles — huckster, pedlar, chapman, hawker.
Names by which persons with certain characteristics are known: One who looks at the bright side of things — optimist. One who looks on the dark side of things — pessimist. One who devotes his service or wealth for the love of mankind — philanthropist. One who walks in his sleep — somnambulist while one who talks in his sleep is a — somniloquist. One who delights to speak about himself or thinks only of his own welfare — egotist. One who has an irresistible tendency to steal — kleptomaniac.
What a long exercise! But there are still a lot more other words to learn in addition to these. Treated in isolation will also not help the cause of learners until they learn them and use them appropriately wherever they apply. Note that in some cases there are simple terms which could be used than those offered here. Always use the simplest terms wherever possible than unnecessarily complicate matters.
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