Steps to Keep Our Environment Clean

It's easy to have an environmentally healthy lifestyle. You just have to look at the things you do and ask yourself whether there's any better way. We've given you a big head start with this list. 

Do not use paper towels, paper napkins and facial tissues made from virgin fibres and bleached with chlorine. 

Use cloth towels, cloth napkins and handkerchiefs.

Do not buy plastic or foam cups and plates when you have guests or go on a picnic. 

Buy a cheap set of washable dishes and silverware.

Do not buy a paper cup of coffee on your way to work every day. 

Make coffee at work and drink it from a washable mug.

Do not use plastic utensils or bamboo chopsticks just once and then throw them away. 

Use washable utensils when you eat fast food.

Do not eat meat. Raising animals for meat requires a much larger amount of resources than growing vegetables. 

Become a vegetarian.

Do not let the supermarket pack your groceries in a paper bag nested in a plastic bag. 

Bring your own cloth-bags to the supermarket. They hold more and are easier to carry anyway. You can use these bags at drugstores, etc., as well. Many stores give a discount for this.

Do not drive everywhere. 

Walk when going short distances. Take public transit whenever possible.

Do not waste electricity by running your air conditioner all summer. 

Open windows and use fans. Wear cool clothing and drink plenty of water.

Do not use just one side of the page for printing or photocopying. 

Use both sides of a paper for printing. You'll use half as much paper with no extra work!

Do not dry-clean clothing unnecessarily. 

Hand-wash any clothing that can take it.

Do not use chemical fertilizers on your garden or lawn. 

Fertilize your plants with household compost.

WHAT IS PHOBIA ?

A phobia is essentially a human being's irrational fear of something. It could be an object, an animal, a situation or an environment. Such fears are persistent, intense, excessive and unrealistic, which is primarily why phobias are deemed irrational. A clinically phobic person's reactions to what scares him/ her may seem extreme and the fright may not appear to be justified. 

Types of phobias Phobias can be broadly classified into three groups depending upon the situation that brings on fear: 

~ Social phobias: 

Acute fears involving a host of social situations are collectively classified as social phobias. These fears are often mistaken for just shyness, but in fact involve a constant terror of public humiliation, self-consciousness and of being in the limelight. Someone suffering from a social phobia may either have social anxiety disorder or then react to a particular social trigger. 

Such people often avoid social situations and become particularly uneasy when in the company of unknown people. Fear of public scrutiny may cause the person to avoid people to the extent of not eating in restaurants or using public restrooms. Social phobias seem to run in families. People who have been shy or solitary as children or who have a history of unhappy or negative social experiences in childhood, seem more likely to develop this disorder. 

~ Specific phobias: 

These are related to a specific object, animal or insect, people, environment or situation. 

Presented here are a few common specific phobias: 

*Cynophobia: Fear of dogs or rabies

*Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes

*Batophobia: Fear of height

*Tachophobia: Fear of speed

*Claustrophobia: Fear of closed spaces

*Coulrophobia: Fear of clowns

*Latrophobia: Fear of doctors or of visiting the doctor

~ Agoraphobia: This is a generalised phobia individuals tend to have, of leaving home or a small, familiar comfort zone and of panic that might be brought on by making such a move. This is the only phobia that is treated as a medical condition. 

Causes of phobias

Although the definite cause of phobias remains a mystery, these conditions are believed to be at least partly inherited and seem to run in the family. Specific phobias may develop from past experiences, especially in childhood. A bad experience with an object or situation is recorded in the brain by a substance called amygdale. The past encounter invokes fear in a person when faced with a similar situation in the future. Amygdale keeps track of memory and emotions and signals that something is dangerous. 

Social phobias also seem to run in families. People who have been shy or solitary as children, or who have a history of unhappy or negative social experiences in childhood, seem more likely to develop this disorder. 

Agoraphobia is brought about by similar causes. A person is likely to become phobic if he/ she has grown up seeing a parent or family member suffering from a phobia. Also, when parents are overcautious and exaggerate danger, children tend to become phobic. Phobias are a little more prevalent in women and very subjective. While some people have a natural tendency to be more cautious, others are bold and uninhibited. When cautiousness rises to the point of sheer panic, there is need for professional help. 

Symptoms of phobias

The symptoms of a phobia can be severe and often cause an individual to be caught up in an embarrassing situation. A few of them are outlined here: 

~ An individual suffering from a phobia experiences an unexplained, irrational fear of a specific element in his or her surroundings. 

~ When the individual in question is suddenly faced with the trigger, he or she will immediately plunge into a state of panic. Severe anxiety may cause the person to escape such a situation at the first opportunity. 

~ The individual knows that the fear is irrational, but is unable to control it. If he/ she is unable to run away from what is feared, he/ she undergoes great distress and trauma. 

~ The individual's extreme behavior interferes with his/ her ability to function normally in any situation. In extreme cases, he/ she is unable to lead a normal life. 

~ When the panic attack occurs, the individual is unable to control the fear. There is profuse sweating, palpitation, avoidance behavior, difficulty breathing, intense anxiety, trembling and hot flushes. 

~ Besides irrational fear, the other symptoms of phobic neurosis are physical reactions like headaches, tension, back pain, dizziness and stomach upsets. 

Diagnosis of phobias

If you feel that your anxiety is bordering on a phobia, seek professional help at the earliest. When fear begins to interfere with your work and daily routine and relationships, going to a psychiatrist is the only solution. In very few cases, the phobia goes away on its own without professional help. When you go to a psychiatrist, both a physical and psychological evaluation will be conducted. The physical exam can help rule out any physical causes of your anxiety. The psychological exam will tell about your family's history and whether other family members have had phobias. It will also tell the doctor about any experience or trauma that may have triggered the phobia. Then the mental health professional will ask you to explain your symptoms and when and how they occur. 

One of the biggest problems with diagnosing a phobia is to distinguish it from other psychological disorders like schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and paranoia. As there are no laboratory tests for phobias, it makes them very difficult to diagnose. 

Treatment

Most people are able to overcome their phobias at some point or the other. The most common form of treatment is behavioral therapy. 

The therapist gradually makes the patient face the object of fear. This is done slowly and tactfully. At the same time, the patient is made to relax. Relaxation techniques include relaxed breathing, muscle relaxation training, self-talk or soothing guided mental imagery. The two elements of fear and relaxation help the brain neutralize the fear and treat the phobic stimulus as any other object which doesn't induce fright. Sometimes, hypnosis is also used. For temporary relief, the doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety pills or anti-depressants too. 

Prevention of phobias

There are no preventive measures one can take when it comes to phobias. However, it is advisable to reduce anxiety levels if you are naturally inclined to be nervous. To do this, avoid substances that make you high-strung -- these include tea (tannin), coffee and cola drinks (caffeine), cigarettes and other tobacco products (nicotine). To avoid children from becoming prone to phobias, never overemphasize danger. Keep the legendary boogeyman away. Scaring a child can have adverse effects on his/ her psyche. 

Treatment of phobias is crucial. If left untreated, they can lead to other illnesses like other anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse. It is better to seek help when the problem is small. After all, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

A Visit to Taj Mahal

There are many beautiful and worth seeing historical places in India. But the Taj Mahal of Agra is the most beautiful of all. It is a dream in marble. My friend and I visited that in the last summer vacations. The vision cast a spell over me. It stood in unique majesty. What a fine lay out indeed! This is what one could say on the spot. It looked white on all sides. The green tufts of glass and the green shoots of hot Cyprus trees adorned its majestic beauty. Nature’s beauty made the ground of the building look all the more beautiful. 

We went down the staircase. We found the graves of the king and the queen under the dome in a dark chamber. Multicolored pieces of glass and couplets form the Quran decorated the side walls. The four minarets stood as watch men at each of the main building. 

A full moonlight followed the next day. We visited the Taj again that night. Its beauty smiled in the silvery light of the moon. It was a memorable scene. My joy knew no bounds when I saw its reflections in the river Jamuna. Clear picture of marble could be seen. I closed my eyes and opened them again to find it was a reality. Nay! It was to a dream. 

As god is there to bestow nature’s beauty, man’s hand is there to create wonderful pieces of art and architecture. How could man be so perfect in working out the minute details of art? I am full of wonder even now. And I can still see the beauty of the Taj with my mind’s eye, if at all I desire so. Wheat a great beauty man could create! 

The Taj Mahal was built about three hundred and fifty years ago by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved queen, Mumtaj. 

A VISIT TO Z00

Our school broke up for the winter vacations. One day I went to Vandalur zoo with my friends. The entry was by tickets. We went up several steps to purchase the tickets. Then we entered the zoo. 

We walked up and down. A deep canal ran parallel to the footpath. Beyond the canal there were small trees. The cages of the birds were hanging down the branches of the trees. Their multi-coloured feathers gleamed into sunlight. 

Next we saw a small water pond with many kinds of birds swimming in it. It was interesting to see new birds in an enclosure. They twittered, chirped and whistled. They presented nature’s voice. It was pleasing indeed to hear them. We saw many birds there - sparrows, nightingales and owls of different colours set in the closed cage. The owls sat with closed eyes lost in thoughts. We bade a silent farewell to those philosophers among birds and walked on. 

We visited the tigers, lions and bears shut in cages. We saw some hippos and also a rhino. We heared the loud roar of a lion. One tiger was in a fit of anger. The tiger was strong and handsome. I was reminded of Blake’s lines. 

“What immortal hand or eye dare frame the fearful symmetry?” 

Then we enjoyed a boat cruise. I enjoyed it most. We also saw many other fauna like crocodiles, snakes, frogs, fish ad a hundred other creatures. They all felt at home in the zoo. Last of all we saw different kinds of monkeys. 

We passed many happy hours in the zoo. It was a pleasing experience for all of us.

A SUMMER HOT DAY

A man staying in the cool and calm atmosphere of his house can hardly know what heat can do to a person. We sometimes do feel hot in spite of the fan but that heat is bearable. What about the man on the road? Only a person how has had an experience of this can know the difference and appreciate the comfort which we find only by staying within our four walls. It is difficult to know A Hot Summer Day.

I dread heat and cold equally. But once on an exceptionally hot day, I had to remain out of doors on business. I started at eight in the morning, when the heat was somewhat bearable. 

I thought I would finish whatever I had to do before it got unbearably hot. But alas! I had not taken into account the hurdle that was to come that day before me. Every step threw me behind schedule. At noon, worn hot and miserable, I still found me on the road. 

During these hours my clothes got wet with perspiration ad dried up so many times that I made quite a clumsy figure. During this period I had drunk water like a fish. 

Now I thought one again to refresh myself with cold drink. I entered a restaurant. I demanded a cold drink and the bearer there must have taken me for a mad man as they watched me consume some four or five glasses of it. You cannot imagine how much at ease I felt inside that air conditioned restaurant. I almost thought of sitting down there for the rest of the day. But I had to move out to finish my work the day. 

Here on the road, for the first time in the day, I saw a man who was in a greater trouble than myself and who looked more uneasy than I. He was a bald-headed middle-aged man. As he went along I saw to my horror that he went with a bundle on his head. I could not be mad but he was surely almost mad with heat. I cannot say whether he actually went mad by the item he reached home. It made me almost nervous when I realized that my conditions were much better. The next thing I did was to take a bus and return home. 

That day was a day I spent in hell. Next day I read in the newspaper that man had died due to heat. Such was the intensity of summer.

Parents are the Best Teacher

Whether parents are our best teachers or not’ is a never-ending debate and people are divided both in favor and against this argument. Both have a very strong contribution and influence on a child’s learning but in my opinion, parents overtake the teachers in terms of teaching their children.

First of all, I would like to point out that a teacher is not merely a person who takes a text book a

nd read texts from there to a student. Rather a teacher is someone who devotes his/her times to teach someone everything that someone needs to know to advance to next step. Morality, intricacies of life, subject matter knowledge, art, science, history, value of time etc. are something that can’t be taught through academic books and a good teacher is someone who teaches someone these all.

Now that we know the true responsibility of a teacher, we can easily compare our parents and teachers. The things that we learn from our parents are far more important than what we learn from our teachers. I am not denying the invaluable knowledge we learn from our teachers through our academic years, but what we learn from our parents are incomparable. We learn to survive, talk, and distinguish well from bad, values of life, morality and such important other things from our parents. We are the true reflection of our parents and our characters are shaped by their personality and behaviors. Later the teachers help us to enhance our knowledge, horizon and our view of life but the very foundation and ground are made by our parents.

The parents sacrifice so many things of their life just to ensure a better life for us and nothing in this whole world could even be compared with their sacrifice for us. Think of a student who is unable to pay his/her monthly school fees would be cast away from the school and the beloved teachers would scarcely be there to help him/her. On the other hand, the parents would always be there with their every possible effort to help the child.

In summary, the things we learn from our teachers are important for our lives and with those valuable lessons and knowledge we prepare for the future but the things we learn from our parents shapes who we are, who we become and their contribution is much more important compared to the contribution of the traditional academic teachers and that’s why in my opinion parents are best teachers. 

GENERATION CHANGES FREQUENTLY

Our forefathers had religious faith which has lost its hold on the minds of the present generation. As a result of scientific discoveries, we find it very difficult now to believe in the existence of god, in the soul or in a life after death. Religious faith used to be a great propeller to human beings in times of sad times or misfortune. The belief that whatever god did was for the good of human beings serves as a great consolations to people when a natural calamity descended upon them. This belief also provides much solace to them in their bereavement. Difficulties, disappointments and failures were all attributed to God’s will before which people bowed without much questioning. But now those spiritual beliefs have a void in our hearts. We now ask if life has my purpose at all. Now we feel confused and perplexed. 

In certain ways, however, we are surely happier than our forefathers. Our forefathers were the victims of illiteracy, ignorance and superstitions. Ignorance might mean bliss, but that is the bliss of intellectual non- existence or mental blankness. We are today literate and educated. We now know many secrets of nature unknown to our forefathers. We experience an intellectual thrill when we acquire more and more knowledge. We have not more or less got rid of superstitions and imaginary fears, nor are we any more victims of a sense of fatalism. Our forefathers used to attribute everything to the will of fate. But we now feel that our fate is in our own hands. We experience a sort of liberations form the restrictive influence of fate. 

Not only this, the deceit of religious faith has led also the loss of the spiritual abuse of life. Our forefathers were led by the ideal of charity, sympathy, fellow feeling and brother-hood of man. Now people have become utterly materialistic and pleasure mined. Everyone wanted make as much money as possible by fair means or foul. Honesty and integrity are thing of the past. Now here is a mad scramble for money and power. 

Wealth is also today more equitably distributed than before. Socialistic trends all over the world have narrowed the gap between the rich and the poor. Previously, even poverty was regarded as part of the divine scheme of things and was possibly accepted by the people. Now the attitude towards poetry has greatly changed. Poverty is now looked upon as an evil which can be and must be removed. The rich classes do not now have that sense of complacency and they do not now take their wealth for granted. 

We have greater freedom than our forefathers had. Freedom too is an essential condition of happiness. We no longer feel wretched because of any rigid restraints. Woman is today completely emancipated. The young are no longer in the tight grip of their elders, but enjoy a measure of independence unknown before. The joint family system in our country has crumbled, thus diminishing greatly the wretchedness and misery of those who were its victims. There is greater freedom to love and here to parental control over boys and girls has been considerably relaxed. 

We are also happier in the sense that we enjoy better health than our forefathers. Advances in the field of science have made it possible to prevent diseases, to eliminate diseases or to cure diseases. We live cleaner lives in accordance with rules of sanitations than our forefathers could ever do. Our good health depends much on the happiness of the mankind and the health of mankind today is better than ever before. Physical fitness keeps us happy and enables us to derive genuine pleasure from eating, drinking, sports and games and all sorts recreating activities. 

We enjoy greater physical comfort today than ever before. Physical comfort by itself is not happiess. Because happiness is a mental conditions which can exist even without physical comfort. But, for the majority of people, physical comfort certainly constitutes to happiness. Scientific inventions of our time have made lives easier by greatly diminishing the need for manual labor of physical exertion. We also have more leisure in these times and along with leisure we have many more sources of pleasures. Physical comfort, leisure and pleasure have surely increased and augmented human happens in our times. 

There is, however, one aspect of our life today that fades out our happiness and that is the fear of war. If a global war breaks out, it will be a nuclear war and a nuclear war will destroy the world. This is a fear which haunts people of our times and which tends to poison our happiness. In many ways, as has been seen above, we are happier than our forefathers. But our forefathers never felt afraid of total destructions of the world. Today the thought of war is a source of constant anxiety.

The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.

Man, through the ages, has undergone many changes from the time when he depicted a herd of mammoths on the walls of his cave to these days when he can create beautiful pictures and even make coffee by use of computer technologies without leaving his favorite chair. The 20th century made huge steps in developing computer technologies and reached many goals that made our life much easier. What should we expect in the 21st century? 

First of all, I think that the pace of our life will speed up: we will move faster from one place to another, from one continent to another using high speed jet airplanes. Second of all, I believe that we will be able to do many things that take much time now without leaving our house. Computers will be everywhere including out clothes. Many people will have chips and mini computers inserted in their heads to hold huge amount of information and have a quick access to it. 

But what will be the most amazing thing in the 21st century is the flights to the outer space and Mars that will be available to all people. Scientists say that Mars has many things similar to the Earth's. Moreover, they say that with the help of modern technology people can artificially create conditions that will allow people to live there on the constant basis. 

To sum up, I am sure that many amazing changes will be brought by the 21st century. Furthermore, I think that with the help of the contemporary technologies people can do many things that were even difficult to imagine a century ago. So, nowadays it is rather difficult and even impossible to imagine all changes that will happen in the next decades.

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Who invented the plunger?

John S. Hawley, a New York confectioner, invented the modern plunger in 1874, initially patenting it as a "vent-clearer" designed to clear clogged pipes. His patent described a rubber cup attached to a handle, which allowed users to clear obstructions without needing a plumber. In 1876, he improved the design by adding a thickened rim for durability and effectiveness. Although Samuel Prosser had patented a similar device in 1777 for toilet flushing, Hawley's design is recognized as the precursor to the household plunger we use today. 

After inventing the plunger, John S. Hawley pursued various careers, primarily in the candy industry. He joined Wallace & Company as a junior partner before starting his own confectionery business in 1875. This led to the establishment of Hawley & Hoops, a successful candy company known for diverse products, including chocolate and licorice confections. Hawley's entrepreneurial ventures spanned multiple states and included roles in the lumber and mining industries, showcasing his diverse interests and successes beyond the plumbing tool he invented

The history of film

The history of film

The Early Years of Film (1890s-1920s)

The history of film began in the late 19th century with the development of photographic technology. Key early pioneers included:

- Eadweard Muybridge, who used multiple cameras to capture motion in the late 1800s[3]

- The Lumière brothers, who presented the first projected moving images to a paying audience in Paris in 1895

- Georges Méliès, a French filmmaker known for his innovative special effects in early films like *A Trip to the Moon* (1902)

In the early 20th century, the film industry grew rapidly, with the rise of Hollywood and the establishment of major studios. Films became longer and storytelling became the dominant form[4]. Notable films from the silent era include *The Great Train Robbery* (1903) and *Battleship Potemkin* (1925)

## The Golden Age of Hollywood (1920s-1950s)

The introduction of sound in the late 1920s ushered in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Films like *The Jazz Singer* (1927) used synchronized dialogue. By the 1930s, nearly all feature films had sound and some were in color. 

During this period, cinema became the principal form of popular entertainment, with people often attending cinemas twice a week[4]. Ornate "picture palaces" seating over 3,000 people were built in towns and cities. 

 The Modern Era (1950s-Present)

In the 1950s, television began to compete with cinema for audiences. However, the film industry adapted by producing more films in color and widescreen formats

The 1960s saw the rise of independent and art house cinema, with movements like the French New Wave. The 1970s ushered in the blockbuster era with films like *Jaws* and *Star Wars*.

Today, the film industry continues to evolve with new technologies like CGI, 3D, and streaming platforms. However, the core elements of storytelling and visual artistry that defined cinema's early days remain central to the medium's enduring appeal and importance as an art form.

journey by air

I have been deeply moved on three occasions in my life. The first was when I stood on The top of a snowy peak in the Niligiris. My first sight of the sea was another occasion which moved me very deeply. But my first flight in the air was the most exciting experience in my life. I took A Journey By Air. 

I was travelling form Chennai to Maldives by air. I entered the aeroplan in the morning. At first it was no better than getting into a car or bus. The noise of the machine made me feel that it was different. Soon the plan took off and rose in the air higher and higher. The buzzing sound which had fascinated me from ground now belonged to me. The things below looked so tiny. 

The plane flew very fast rushing through the air without a bump or a jolt when all of a sudden bad weather overtook us. The plane began to swing from side to side and the pilot was a little troubled in controlling it. But I felt happy like a bird swigging in the air. Some of the passengers moved about and felt sick. Some slept in their seats but I sat still with great attentions. I took the greatest pleasure in looking at the scenery of the different places as we passed over. 

After an hour’s flight we were told that we were passing over Indian Ocean which looked like a meadow from high in the air. It was a lovely sight. The sun was just setting. The ships below looked like toys which float in a tub of water. The blue sea on the right and left was simply enchanting. 

We had our dinner at our seats and I was introduced to the members of the plane crew. There was the chief pilot who commanded the plane. Then there was a co-pilot, a navigator and three belonging to the plane. One of them was an engineer, another radio expert and the third radioman. There were also pursers and air hostesses to look after the passengers. 

I do not know when I fell asleep. My father woke me up. It seemed to be a big dash through the air. I was very anxious to get a glimpse of main land. But when we were approaching the landing zone, strong winds overtook us. Fog blinded our views. I was badly disappointed. Our plane finally touched down at the airport from where we drove off to a hotel in the heart of city of Chicago. The whole flight had taken us nearly five hours. It was a very interesting and exciting one indeed.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

Prize distribution is one of the most important functions of a school. It is a memorable event in the history of the institution. It is held and marks the end of the academic year. 

The prize distribution in our school was held in the first week of March. It was held in the school hall. The Director of Education was invited to preside over the function. The rooms were white washed and cleaned. The school compound was colorful with flower pots and banners. Maps, pictures and paintings were hung on the walls. Chairs were arranged for the visitors. The stage was beautifully decorated. 

Prizes were arranged neatly on a separate table. The prize winners sat near the stage. 

The Chief Guest arrived exactly at four. He was warmly received by the principal and other members of the staff at the gate. The school had played the national song. The scouts gave him a guard of honor. He was accompanied to the auditorium by the principal and members of the school committee. 

The function started with a song. It was followed by a short drama. The principle read the annual report about the progress, examination results and extra-curricular activities of the school. The chief guest gave away the prizes. I also won a prize for standing first in my class. After that the chief guest delivered a short speech. He praised the school for it all-round progress and brought home to the student’s their duties and responsibilities. 

The principal thanked the chief guest and the function came to an end amidst cheers.

A Scene at Railway Station

Travelling by trains is very cheap and comfortable so a railways station is a place full of great hustle and bustle. Here we come across people form different parts of the country in different fashions and colors.

Last Sunday, I went to the Chennai central station to see off my friend. He was going to Calcutta by the Howrah Mail. The waiting hall was crowded with all sorts of passengers. There was a long queue in front of the booking window. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry. A passenger’s pocket was picked. But the pickpocket was caught red-handed and handed over to the police. I bought the ticket and came off. We soon reached the platform. The scene there was very interesting. Passengers were waiting eagerly for the arrival of the train. Some were sitting on benches and smoking or reading newspaper. A few were pacing up and down the platform. The vendors were having a busy time. There was rush at tea-stall. The coolies in red uniforms were sitting in a line.

The train stamped in. There was noise and commotions everywhere. There was a great rush at the doors of compartments. Many passengers got down and many more got in. Coolies were seen carrying heavy bundles of luggage on their heads. Children clung to their parents in the great rush. The whole platform was full of noise.

Luckily, my friend got a comfortable seat near a window. Soon all were settled. It was time for the train to depart. The guard flew the whistle and waved the green flag. The engine whistled and the train began to move. There was waging of hands and hand kerchiefs. The train gains speed and kept the stations. The platform looked a deserted place once again.

Idioms

Idioms with Examples

* Blessing in disguise

Something good which isn't recognized in the first instant.

Eg.Getting out of the place was a blessing in disguise for me.

* A doubting Thomas

A skeptic person who needs a tangible evidence to believe.

Eg.My boss is a doubting Thomas, there is no point trying to convince him.

* A dime a dozen

Something that is available in plenty and commonly.

Eg.Such bags are available dime a dozen on Fashion Street.

* A leopard can't change his spots

You can't change who you are.

Eg.It's true a leopard can't change his spots, but he sure can change his strategy.

* Against the clock

A hectic dash or running against time.

Eg.Finishing the paper was a race against the clock.

* Cry wolf

To intentionally give a false alarm.

Eg."Stop crying wolf, or else no one will come to your help in case of need."

* Devil's advocate

Someone who takes a position in an argument without knowing the truth. Or someone who counters the argument without believing in it.

Eg.He is just playing devil's advocate. Don't fall for the trap.

* Turn over a new leaf

Changing for the better

Eg.After Ajith was released from prison, he decided to turn over a new leaf and become an honest man.

* Hit below the belt

To act in an unfair matter

Eg.The candidate of the opposition party spread false rumours about the Minister. People felt that he was hitting below the belt.

* Gift of the gab

The ability to speak well

Eg.The ability to speak well

ACTIVE PASSIVE

Tense		Subject	Verb	Object
Simple Present	Active:	Rita	writes	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	is written	by Rita.
Simple Past	Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	was written	by Rita.
Present Perfect	Active:	Rita	has written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	has been written	by Rita.
Future I	Active:	Rita	will write	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	will be written	by Rita.
Hilfsverben	Active:	Rita	can write	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	can be written	by Rita.

Examples of Passive

Tense		Subject	Verb	Object
Present Progressive	Active:	Rita	is writing	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	is being written	by Rita.
Past Progressive	Active:	Rita	was writing	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	was being written	by Rita.
Past Perfect	Active:	Rita	had written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	had been written	by Rita.
Future II	Active:	Rita	will have written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	will have been written	by Rita.
Conditional I	Active:	Rita	would write	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	would be written	by Rita.
Conditional II	Active:	Rita	would have written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	would have been written	by Rita.

FACTS ABOUT INDIA INDEPENDENCE 15TH AUGUST 1947

Here are some interesting facts related to India's independence:

1. Date of Independence: India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. However, the formal transfer of power took place at midnight on August 14-15, as Lord Mountbatten chose this date because it also marked the second anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

2. Partition: The independence of India also led to the partition of the country, resulting in the creation of two separate nations, India and Pakistan. The partition led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history, with millions of people displaced.

3. Non-Violent Movement: Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. The Salt March of 1930 and the Quit India Movement of 1942 were significant non-violent protests that drew international attention.

4. First Prime Minister: Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of independent India. He delivered the famous "Tryst with Destiny" speech on the eve of independence, which outlined the vision for the newly independent nation.

5. The Indian National Congress: The Indian National Congress (INC) was the principal leader of the Indian independence movement. Founded in 1885, it became the platform for many key leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and others.

6. National Flag: The Indian national flag was adopted on July 22, 1947, just before independence. The flag, designed by Pingali Venkayya, consists of three horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green, with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at the center.

7. Mountbatten Plan: The last Viceroy of India, Lord Louis Mountbatten, played a crucial role in the transfer of power. His plan, known as the Mountbatten Plan, outlined the process for partitioning India and granting independence to both India and Pakistan.

8. Radcliffe Line: The boundary demarcation line between India and Pakistan is known as the Radcliffe Line, named after Sir Cyril Radcliffe, who was appointed to draw the borders. The line was hastily drawn and