AEC Question Bank 

BA Semester II

Basic English: Grammar and Composition–II (AEC)

Question Bank

UNIT – 1: Grammar

(Modals, Synonyms and Antonyms, Word Formation)

Five Unit Questions (Long / Essay Type)

1. Explain the use of modals in English with suitable examples.

2. Discuss the importance of synonyms and antonyms in vocabulary development.

3. Explain different methods of word formation with examples.

4. Discuss the role of grammar in effective communication.

5. Analyse how vocabulary skills improve language proficiency.

SHORT QUESTIONS

1. What are modals?

2. Explain any two modals.

3. What are synonyms?

4. Define antonyms.

5. What is word formation?

6. Explain prefix and suffix.

7. What is compounding?

8. Explain vocabulary building.

9. Why is grammar important?

10. Comment on language accuracy.

UNIT – 2: Writing (Letter Writing)

(Congratulatory, Condolence, Permission Letters, Personal Letters)

Five Unit Questions (Long / Essay Type)

1. Discuss the format and importance of personal letter writing.

2. Explain how to write a congratulatory letter.

3. Discuss the features of a condolence letter.

4. Explain the importance of formal and informal tone in letters.

5. Analyse the role of letter writing in effective communication.

SHORT QUESTIONS

1. What is letter writing?

2. Explain the format of a personal letter.

3. What is a congratulatory letter?

4. What is a condolence letter?

5. Explain polite language in letters.

6. What is the purpose of permission letters?

7. Discuss opening lines of letters.

8. Explain closing lines of letters.

9. What is tone in writing?

10. Comment on written communication.

Bachelor of Arts (English)

Semester – II Course Category: AEC

Paper Title - Basic English: Grammar and Composition-II

Unit – 1: Grammar

Long Answer (10 Marks)

Q1. Define Modals and Explain their various types with suitable examples.

Answer:

Introduction

In English grammar, verbs are generally classified into Principal Verbs (which express action) and Auxiliary Verbs (which help the principal verb). David Green, in Contemporary English Grammar, identifies a special class of auxiliaries known as Modals (or Modal Auxiliaries). Unlike primary auxiliaries (be, do, have), modals do not change their form based on the subject and are used to express the mode or manner of an action.

Definition

A Modal Auxiliary is a helping verb used with a principal verb to express the mode or mood of an action. It indicates the speaker's attitude toward what they are saying - whether they are asking for permission, stating a capability, or expressing a necessity. A Modal is a helping verb that is used with a main verb to indicate the speaker’s attitude, mood, or mental state. They are used to express concepts such as ability, possibility, permission, obligation, and duty.

Key Modal Auxiliaries and Their Uses

The primary modals are: Can, Could, May, Might, Shall, Should, Will, Would, Must, and Ought to.

Detailed Explanation with Examples

David Green categorizes modals based on their functional use in a sentence:

A. Ability (Can, Could)

·        Can expresses present ability or capacity.

o   Example: I can swim across the river.

·        Could is used to express ability in the past.

o   Example: She could read when she was four years old.

B. Permission (May, Can, Could)

·        May is the formal and correct way to ask for or grant permission.

o   Example: May I come in, Sir?

·        Can is used for permission in informal, friendly contexts.

o   Example: Can I use your pen?

·        Could is a more polite and hesitant way of asking for permission.

o   Example: Could I possibly use your phone?

C. Possibility (May, Might, Could)

·        May suggests a strong possibility.

o   Example: It may rain today.

·        Might suggests a weak or remote possibility.

o   Example: He might arrive late, but I doubt it.

D. Obligation and Necessity (Must, Have to)

·        Must expresses a strong personal obligation or a compulsion from within.

o   Example: We must get up early.

·        Must also indicates logical certainty.

o   Example: There is no smoke without fire; there must be a fire.

E. Advice and Moral Duty (Should, Ought to)

·        Should is used for giving advice or suggestions.

o   Example: You should consult a doctor.

·        Ought to is used for moral obligation or social duty.

o   Example: We ought to respect our national flag.

4. Grammatical Characteristics (The "Rules")

According to David Green’s structures, students must remember three specific rules:

1.     Fixed Form: Modals do not take -s, -es, -ed, or -ing. (e.g., "He can," never "He cans").

2.     The "To" Rule: Modals are followed by the Bare Infinitive (the verb without "to"). We say "I must go," not "I must to go." (Exception: Ought to).

3.     Question Formation: To ask a question, we simply move the modal to the front of the sentence.

o   Statement: You can swim.

o   Question: Can you swim?

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, Modals are indispensable tools in the English language that allow a speaker to go beyond stating simple facts. As outlined in Contemporary English Grammar, they provide the necessary "mood" to a sentence, allowing us to distinguish between what is a fact, what is a possibility, and what is a duty. Mastering modals is essential for any student wishing to achieve precision and politeness in their communication.

Q2. Short Answer (5 Marks)

Q1.What are modals? Explain any five Modals with examples.

1. Introduction

In English grammar, verbs are divided into two categories: Principal Verbs (the main action) and Auxiliary Verbs (helping verbs). David Green identifies a special group of auxiliaries called Modals. Unlike primary auxiliaries like do or have, modals do not change their form according to the subject and are used to express the "mood" of the speaker.

2. Definition

A Modal is a helping verb used with a principal verb to indicate the manner or mode in which an action is performed. It expresses ideas such as ability, permission, possibility, necessity, or duty.

3. Explanation of Five Key Modals

According to the structures presented by David Green, here are five essential modals:

1. Can (Ability) It expresses the power, capacity, or ability of the subject to do something in the present.

   • Example: I can swim across the river.

2. May (Permission) Used primarily to ask for or give formal permission. It is more polite than "can."

   • Example: May I come in, Sir?

3. Must (Compulsion/Necessity) It indicates a very strong obligation, a fixed rule, or something that is absolutely necessary.

   • Example: You must wear a helmet while riding a bike.

4. Should (Advice/Suggestion) Used to express a duty or to give a piece of advice to someone.

   • Example: You should take your medicine on time.

5. Might (Remote Possibility) Used to express a very slight or weak chance of something happening in the future.

   • Example: The sun is shining, but it might rain later.

4. Structural Rules for Students

David Green highlights these essential rules for using modals correctly:

• The Invariant Form: Modals never change (we never say "he cans" or "she musts").

• The Bare Verb: Modals are always followed by the root form of the verb (e.g., can play, not can to play).

• The Negative: Simply add "not" after the modal (e.g., cannot, should not).

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, Modals are the Flavoring of English sentences. As David Green suggests in his work, they allow a student to communicate not just the action, but the intent behind it. Mastering these five modals—can, may, must, should, and might—helps students write more precise and polite English.

Q2.What is word formation? Explain any two methods of word formation with examples

1. Introduction

In Contemporary English Grammar, David Green explains that the English language is dynamic and constantly growing. One of the primary ways it grows is through Word Formation. Instead of creating entirely new sounds for every idea, the language uses existing "roots" or "base words" and modifies them to create different parts of speech or new meanings.

2. Definition

Word Formation is the process of building new words from existing ones by adding certain elements (like prefixes or suffixes) or by combining two or more words. It is the mechanical process by which a word changes its form to serve a different grammatical function (e.g., changing a noun into an adjective).

3. Two Methods of Word Formation

According to the structures outlined by Green, here are two of the most common methods:

A. Affixation (Prefixes and Suffixes)

This is the most common method. It involves adding a letter or a group of letters to the beginning or end of a base word.

·        Prefixes: Added at the beginning to change the meaning (often making it negative).

o   Example: un + happy = unhappy; dis + honest = dishonest.

·        Suffixes: Added at the end to change the part of speech (e.g., changing a verb to a noun).

o   Example: act (verb) + ion = action (noun); beauty (noun) + ful = beautiful (adjective).

B. Composition (Compounding)

This method involves joining two or more independent words together to create a single new word with a new meaning. David Green notes that these can be written as one word, two words, or with a hyphen.

·        Example 1: Rain + bow = Rainbow.

·        Example 2: Tea + pot = Teapot.

·        Example 3: Post + man = Postman.

4. Key Rules :

·        Meaning Change: Adding a prefix usually changes the meaning of the word (happy vs. unhappy).

·        Category Change: Adding a suffix usually changes the grammatical category (kind/adjective vs. kindness/noun).

·        Spelling: Be careful with spelling changes when adding suffixes (e.g., rely becomes reliance).

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, Word Formation is a vital tool for any student of English. As David Green suggests, understanding how words are built—whether through Affixation or Composition—allows a student to expand their vocabulary exponentially. By mastering these structures, you can recognize the meaning of unfamiliar words just by looking at their building blocks.

Unit – 2: Writing (Letter Writing)

Long Answer (10 Marks)

Q1. Explain the format and importance of personal letter writing. Write a sample congratulatory or condolence letter.

Answer:

1. Introduction

In David Green's Contemporary English Grammar, letter writing is described as an art that bridges the gap between individuals. Unlike formal business letters, Personal Letters (or Informal Letters) are written to friends, relatives, and acquaintances. They are characterized by a conversational tone and an intimate style, reflecting the personality of the writer.

2. Importance of Personal Letter Writing

According to Green, personal letters serve several vital functions:

• Emotional Connection: They help maintain relationships across distances in a way that speech cannot.

• Permanence: A letter provides a physical record of affection or sympathy that can be kept and reread.

• Clarity of Thought: Writing allows the sender to organize their feelings and express them more deeply than a casual conversation.

• Social Etiquette: Sending letters for specific occasions (like success or bereavement) is a mark of a cultured and thoughtful individual.

3. The Format of a Personal Letter

David Green outlines a standard six-part structure for informal letters:

1. The Heading: This includes the writer's address and the date, usually placed in the top right-hand corner.

2. The Salutation (Greeting): This is the informal opening, such as "Dear [Name]," or "My dear Father,".

3. The Body: This is the main part of the letter. Green suggests it should be divided into paragraphs and written in a simple, natural style.

4. The Courteous Leave-taking: A short, polite phrase like "With best wishes" or "With love".

5. The Subscription: The closing signature, such as "Yours sincerely," or "Yours affectionately,".

6. The Signature: The writer's name (usually just the first name for close friends).

4. Sample Letter: Congratulating a Friend on Success

 [Heading]12, Rose Villa, Station Road, Rajkot. October 15, 202X

[Salutation] My dear Rahul,

[Body] I was absolutely thrilled to see your name in the merit list of the Senior Secondary Examination results published yesterday. Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your brilliant success!

I know how hard you have worked throughout the year, and it is wonderful to see your dedication pay off with such high marks. You have made us all very proud. I am sure this achievement is just the beginning of a very bright future for you.

What are your plans now? Do let me know when you are free so we can meet and celebrate properly.

[Leave-taking & Subscription] Give my regards to your parents.

Yours sincerely, [Your Name]

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, personal letter writing remains a fundamental skill in English composition. As David Green illustrates in his book, following a clear format ensures that the letter is readable and respectful, while the content allows for the sincere expression of human emotion. Whether it is a letter of congratulation or condolence, the structure provides a framework for meaningful communication.

Q2. Short Answer (5 Marks)

Q2. Write a short congratulatory letter to a friend on his/her success.

Q1.Sample Letter: Congratulating a Friend on Success

 [Heading] 12, Rose Villa, Station Road, Rajkot. October 15, 202X

[Salutation] My dear Rahul,

[Body] I was absolutely thrilled to see your name in the merit list of the Senior Secondary Examination results published yesterday. Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your brilliant success!

I know how hard you have worked throughout the year, and it is wonderful to see your dedication pay off with such high marks. You have made us all very proud. I am sure this achievement is just the beginning of a very bright future for you.

What are your plans now? Do let me know when you are free so we can meet and celebrate properly.

[Leave-taking & Subscription] Give my regards to your parents.

Yours sincerely, [Your Name]

Q2.Write a letter to your parents seeking permission for a college educational tour.

[Writer’s Address] B.A. Hostel, Block-A, City Arts College, Ahmedabad.

[Date] January 31, 2026

[Salutation] My dear Father,

[Body] I hope you and Mother are in the best of health. I am writing to share that my semester is going well and I have been attending all my lectures regularly.

Our Department of History has organized a four-day educational tour to the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra next month. As you know, these sites are a major part of our "Ancient Indian Art and Architecture" paper. Our professors believe that seeing these monuments in person will help us understand the cave architecture much better than just reading about it in textbooks.

The college has arranged a special bus and faculty members will be accompanying us for safety. The total cost for the trip is ₹3,500, which includes travel, entry fees, and stay. Since this tour is also linked to our internal project work, I am very keen to participate.

I request you to kindly grant me permission to go and send the necessary funds by next week. Please convey my respects to Mother and love to my younger brother.

Your loving son,

[Signature]

[Your Name]