Nouns

WHAT IS A NOUN?

A  noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place, thing and abstract ideas.

TYPES OF NOUNS
There are several different types of nouns. The first one is known as concrete nouns. Concrete nouns are divided into two groups which are the common nouns and also the proper nouns. Let's see the diagram below on the explanation of concrete nouns.

Here are some examples of common nouns.

Here are the examples of proper nouns.

The second type of noun is known as abstract nouns. Let's see the diagram below on the explanation of abstract nouns.

The examples of abstract nouns are:

The next type of noun is known as countable nouns. Let's learn further about countable nouns with the help of the diagram below.

So, here are the examples of countable nouns.

The next type of noun is called uncountable nouns. Let's explore more about the use of uncountable nouns.

The examples of uncountable nouns are:

Now that you've learnt several types of nouns, let us test your understanding by doing the exercise below!

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

You may check the answers here.

Thanks for reading. :)

Comeback

Hello people, sorry for not updating this blog for so long. Been busy with assignments and all. Gonna update more on this page. Thanks for viewing, people. :)

SHORT STORIES FORM 4 : FRUITCAKE SPECIALS - Literary Analysis

SYNOPSIS

The Fruitcake Special is the  story if the effects of a perfume on men. It was accidentally created by Anna, a chemist. When Mr Amos gets a whiff of the perfume he feels he is in love with Anna and so invites her out for dinner. He does not behave like a man in love and Anna is surprised and upset. When she wears the Fruitcake perfume again, Mr Amos and a waiter become enticed and both make declarations of love to her. The situation become chaotic when a fight ensues between two men.

THEMES

• Illusion vs Reality
• Be realistic in life
• Appearances can be misleading

MORAL VALUES

• We should not be taken in flattery.
• We must not be too proud of our looks.
• We must not belittle other people.

PLOT

• EXPOSITION – Anna creates a Fruitcake perfume and dabs on it. Mr Amos becomes intoxicated with her when he gets a whiff of it. Anna is very surprise with this sudden interest.
• CONFLICT – During dinner, Mr Amos is not as attentive as he was in the morning. Anna dabs on the Fruitcake perfume in the ladies room.
• CLIMAX – Mr Amos becomes enamoured and makes declarations of love to her. A waiter also makes love declarations to her. A fight starts between Mr Amos, the waiter and Sabrina, Mr Amos’ girlfriend. Anna realises it is the effects of the fruitcake perfume.
• FALLING ACTION – Anna wants to find the ‘special something’ in the fruitcake but is unable to.
• RESOLUTION – Anna resigns from Amos Cosmetics and she settles for the pizza delivery man, Armstrong, who has his own pizza company.

CHARACTERS

• Main characters

1. Anna, the narrator
2. David Amos, owner of Amos Cosmetics

• Minor characters

1. Narrator’s mother
2. Narrator’s Aunt Mimi
3. Waiter at restaurant
4. Sabina, David Amos’ girlfriend
5. Armstrong, the pizza delivery man

POINT OF VIEW

• First person point of view

TONE, MOOD, ATMOSPHERE

• Light-hearted and humorous
• Comedic and entertaining

LANGUAGE AND STYLE

• Simple and easy to understand the language

SHORT STORIES FORM 4 : QWERTYUIOP - Literary Analysis

SYNOPSIS:
This story is about a young graduate named Lucy Beck who has justfinished her ‘O’ levels at Belmont Secretarial College. Being a slow learner herself, she has noconfidence that she will find a job. Fortunately, she is offered a job by Mr. Ross, the Manager ofRoss and Bannister’s. During her first day, she encounters many peculiar incidents. Later, shefinds out that there is a spirit lingering around the office who is adamant in holding on to herposition as the company’s secretary. Towards the end of the story, Lucy tries to get rid of thespirit that has been haunting that place for many years by putting the spirit at peace.


SETTING:
The story revolves around two main settings: 
-Lucy’s house which she shares with her motherand her Uncle Bert.
-The office of Ross and Bannister’s where Lucy works as a secretary.


CHARACTERS:

1) Lucy Beck : 
She is a young, shy and insecure graduate of secreterial studies. She is dissatisfied with her current life and is determined to improve it. She obtains a position with Ross and Bannister’s, only to find that the position comes with a chilling secret.

2) Ghost of Ms. Broome : 
She was the previous employee of Ross and Bannister’s. She is unwilling to let go of her position and continues to defend her post, even after her demise.


3) Lucy’s mother : 
A housewife who lives a hard life. She has to support her brother.


4) Uncle Bert : 
Depends on his sister for support. He is also a drunkard.

5) Harry Darke : 
Ross and Bannister’s handyman. He is an old man who has been working with the company for years.


6) Mr. Ross : 
The younger partner of the company.


THEMES:


1) DETERMINATION:
Despite the supernatural nature by which Ms. Broome badgers and demoralises Lucy, sheshows no signs of giving in to her demand. Instead, she is steadfast in defending her position asthe secretary.


2) POSSESSIVENESS:
Not even death could part Ms. Broome from what she feels is rightfully hers. She continues tohaunt the office through her electronic typewriter. 


3) LOYALTY:
As with her possesiveness towards her job, Ms. Broome was also extremely loyal towards Mr.Bannister. Even after she passed on, her spirit continued in its endeavour to serve her employer.


4) LONELINESS:
Loneliness can be a strong influence in a person’s life. Ms. Broome had no life outside of heroffice. That made her more possesive of her position in the company; a possesiveness thatwent beyond the grave.


5) COMMITMENT:
This attribute can be clearly seen in both Lucy and Ms. Broome. Both are extremely committedto their profession.


6) THE SUPERNATURAL:
It is interesting that such an integral character in the story happens to be an ethereal entity. Yet this theme is rather prominent in the story.


7) COMPASSION:
This theme holds water especially in the final confrontation between Lucy and Ms. Broome. It isnot through hatred nor coercion that Lucy manages to outsmart Ms. Broome, rather, it wasthrough compassion and understanding of Ms. Broome’s intentions.