GRAMMAR & RULES & EXERCISES
COLLECTED BY"GUELLIL MABROUK"
Contents (click below links).................................pro. English/high education
I/exercises
Unit One: articles and NounsII/answers key
Unit One: articles and Nouns
Answer Key
Unit Four: Modal Verbs
Proofreading Exercise
Correct the errors in the use of articles, nouns and verbs (indicated in the margin) in the following essay:
Mother-daughter relationship is a problem at all times. Since the appearance of mankind, problems in
relations between parents and kids, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, have existed. Some parents
are trying to force their will on their kids, to suppress their kids’ will, like the mother in Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds.”
Others are just trying to teach their kids different things, which will make them ___ good people, but not
break their personality, like the mother in Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl.” But in both cases, relations are not easy.
“Only two kinds of daughters: those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one
kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter.” This phrase in Amy Tan’s story “Two Kinds”
accurately describes the mother-daughter relationship. Jing Mei’s mother wants her daughter to do
everything her way. She nevers asks Jing Mei what she is interested in. The mother of Jing Mei doesn’t care
about her daughter’s opinion. She makes her daughter do things she doesn’t want to do, makes her play
piano, tries to make her a prodigy for others: “Of course you can be prodigy, too … .“ Jing Mei’s mother
wants her daughter to become famous, so she can brag to her friends and relatives. She doesn’t hear her
daughter. She doesn’t see her. Instead, she sees herself and wants to realize all her dreams and hopes in
Jing Mei. Jing Mei tries to fight back. She tries to make her mom like her the way she is: “Why don’t you like
me the way I am? I’m not a genius. I can’t play the piano. And even if I could I wouldn’t go on TV if you paid me
a million dollars.” Then Jing Mei realizes she has power: “ ‘I won’t let her change me,’ I promised myself. ‘I
won’t be what I’m not.’”
In Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl,” the author also discusses the mother-daughter relationship. The girl’s
mother wants her to follow her rules. She gives her commands. Like Jing mei’s mother, she is also tough.
She even humiliates her, saying: “Not like the slut you are so bent on becoming.” But despite all that, the girl’s
mother, unlike Jing Mei’s mother, is not trying to force her daughter to do something against her will. She is
just trying to teach the girl how to be a real lady and a good wife from her point of view. The girl’s mom is
afraid that after all, her daughter is not going to become a good wife and a real lady. You can see in the end
of the text that she is afraid. Her last words are “You mean to say that after all you are going to be the kind of
woman who the baker won’t let near the bread?” The girl is trying to defend herself, but she is doing this
mostly because she wants her mom to stop talking at least for a minute. Unlike Jing Mei, she doesn’t have
anger against her mother. She never feels hate against her.
After I read these two stories, I felt more sympathy for the girl’s mother. Maybe she is too tough, from
the first impression, but analyzing the story and thinking about this, you can feel that she cares about her
daughter. Another reason why I feel sympathy for the girl’s mom is because she is, unlike Jing Mei’s mom,
not trying to transform the girl’s personality. Not trying to break the daughter’s individuality by totally fastening
her will to her daughter. I think that putting too much pressure on your kid is going to make things worse. The
only thing you have to teach your kid is that he or she has to try the best he or she can, and your child has to
know that you are going to love and accept him or her no matter what.
Amy Tan’s “Two Kinds” and Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” touch the deep theme of mother-daughter
relationship, which is not easy, and it gives a lot of material to write about.
ليست هناك تعليقات: