Gambits

Reading Skills

Once a man was waiting for a taxi.

A beggar came along and asked him for some money. The man ignored him. But being a professional, the beggar kept on pestering him. The man became irritated when he realized that the beggar would not leave him alone unless he parts with some money.

Suddenly an idea struck him. He told the beggar, "I do not have money, but if you tell me what you want to do with the money, I will certainly help you."

"I would have bought a cup of tea", replied the beggar.

The man said, "Sorry man. I can offer you a cigarette instead of tea".

He then took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to the beggar.

The beggar told, ’I don't smoke as it is injurious to health.’

The man smiled and took a bottle of whisky from his pocket and told the beggar, "Here, take this bottle and enjoy the stuff. It is Really good".

The beggar refused by saying, "Alcohol muddles the brain and damages the liver".

The man smiled again. He told the beggar, "I am going to the race course. Come with me and I will arrange for some tickets and we will place bets. If we win, you take the whole amount and leave me alone".

As before, the beggar politely refused the latest offer by saying, "Sorry sir, I can't come with you as betting on horses is a bad habit."

Suddenly the man felt relieved and asked the beggar to come to his home with him. Finally, the beggar's face lit up in anticipation of receiving at least something from the man. But he still had his doubts and asked the man, "Why do you want me to go to your house with you?”

The man replied, "My wife always wanted to see how a man with no bad habits looks like."

What’s a Gambit?

A gambit is a word or a phrase, which helps us to express what we are trying to say.

To continue and conclude a discussion in an interesting, motivating and effective way, the learners need a variety of structures and vocabulary.

Conversation sounds natural and interesting if ‘gambits’ are used. A gambit is a conversational tool that gets us going

Four types of gambits

Openers

Links

Responders

Closers

Where are gambits used?

‘Gambits’ are used at various points in a discussion for various purposes like:

• Agreeing• Emphasizing• Thinking ahead• Correcting oneself• Interrupting• Politely expressing reservations• Opinions• Disagreeing etc.

• Agreeing• Emphasizing• Thinking ahead• Correcting oneself• Interrupting• Politely expressing reservations• Opinions• Disagreeing etc.

The gambits reflect the attitude of the person to the topic or the people in the context

Asking for information I’d like to knowCould you tell meDo you happen to know

Breaking in or Interrupting May I interrupt for a moment?Excuse me for interrupting but I can say something here.Can I ask a question?I’d like to comment on that

To come back to the topic AnywayTo get back to what I was saying

Changing the subject Talking of that reminds me----That reminds me----By the way----Oh! Before I forget------

Emphasizing a point I honestly feel ----I strongly believe -----I’ m positive -----I personally think/ believe/ feelTo my mind------If I had my way------What I am more concerned with is—From my point of view------That’s just the point------

Sequencing of actions First of all, Then, next, After that, FinallyEventually

Listing excuses First of all the main reason isAnother reason isBesides thatAnd on top of itAnd finally

Stating the main point The trouble is…The problem is----The point is-----Don’t forget that----

Match the following1. Do you think the doctor

could see me right away?

2. I'm terribly sorry.

3. How about going to a movie?

4. You're late. Try to come on time.

5. I have a sore throat.

6. Would you like one of these?

7. Can you help me?

8. Fill it up please.

1. No, thanks. I’m full.

2. I’d love that.

3. Yes, she is almost finished.

4. Sure, I’d be happy too.

5. That’s ok. Don’t worry.

6. I will. I am sorry.

7. Would you like a candy?

8. Regular? Or Premium?

Apply appropriate gambits to the following:1. You'll finish this at home, won't you? 2. Do you mind telling me what time it is? 3. I'd better be going. 4. I'm sorry. I can't find the book you lent me.5. Do you have change for a ten?6. Would you like to order now?7. Do you mind if I leave now?8. I haven't seen you for ages. What have you

been up to?9. It's great to see you again.10. What a beautiful shirt!11. Does this bus go to the terminal?12. How was your weekend?13. Can you turn that down? It's too noisy.

Reading is psycho-linguistic guessing game. It is a conscious, deliberate and purposeful activity.

Reading Skills

Extensive reading

Intensive reading

2 approaches to reading and studying textbooks

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTEM THE PRWR STUDY SYSTEM

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTEM

5 STEPS:

SURVEY QUESTION READ RECITE REVIEW

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTEM

STEP 1 – SURVEYPreview the article or chapter: Study the title – a short summary Read the first & last paragraphs Look over headings and subheadings Explore the text by noting italicized,

bold printed sections; briefly review pictures, diagrams, and graphs

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTE

STEP 2 – QUESTIONConvert the first heading in the selection

into a question or a series of questions

For example: If the heading is: “The Uses of Plants in Cities”You could make that into: “What are the uses of plants in cities?”

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTEM

STEP 3 – READ

As you read, make up more questions: What is the main idea in this

paragraph? What are supporting examples?

Then read to find the answers to your questions.

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTESTEP 4 – RECITE

After completing a section of reading, look away and see if you can recite the answers to your questions.

This will help you see exactly what you know and what you don’t know

THE SQ3R STUDY SYSTEM

STEP 5 – REVIEW

After you complete all the sections,

review the entire selection.

See if you can recite the answers to

your questions

THE PRWR STUDY SYSTEM

4 STEPS:

1. PREVIEW2. READ3. WRITE4. RECITE

THE PRWR STUDY SYSTEM

Step 1 - PREVIEW

Make a 5-minute preview of the material to get a sense of the main topics and ideas in material

THE PRWR STUDY SYSTEM

Step 2 – READ AND MARK THE SELECTION

Read the material completely without stopping.

As you read, underline, check, star or highlight significant points.

READING TO COMPREHEND

Pay attention to: Definitions and examples Enumerations or lists Heading and subheadings Signal words – emphasis, addition,

change of direction, illustration Main ideas in paragraphs and short

selections

THE PRWR STUDY SYSTEM

Step 3 – WRITE STUDY NOTES

Write notes in the margin of the text.

OR

Prepare separate sheets of study notes.

THE PRWR STUDY SYSTEM

Step 4 – RECITE STUDY NOTES Convert your notes into study

questions.

Ex: What are the uses of plants in cities?

Recite your answer until you no longer have to look at your notes.

Factors which slow down reading

Regression Vocalization Lack of Vocabulary and familiarity

with sentence structure Word-by-word reading Failure to understand the structure

of paragraphs

Guidelines for Improving Reading Efficiency

1. Knowing why we are reading.2. Cultivating the practice of picking out the main

ideas in a passage3. Adapting the methods of reading to the nature of

the matter in front of you and to the objective.4. Getting the physical setting right5. Reading in silence6. Reducing eye movements to a minimum.7. Keep forcing yourself to move ahead.8. Making a practice of locating key words and phrases9. Practicing concentration.10. Adding to your vocabulary11. Learning to distinguish the characteristic structure

of the passage of writing

TEST READING SKILLS

A JOB OPPORTUNITY (1) Susan: God! I am fed up with my job. Henry: Hey, now I think there’s a perfect job

for you. It was in the paper today. S: What? H: Here it is…European Space Agency

requires translators. S: ESA??? Didn’t know it? H: That’s what it says…They want English

translators to work from French and German. S: Oh! so they need a degree in French and

German? Well I m fit for that and also have plenty of experience. What else are they asking for?

H: Just that. A degree and three or four year experience. They also say the person should have a lively and requiring mind.

S: Well, had I stayed a little longer in my present job, I would have lost my entire mind. What does it tell about the salary?

H: Hey it says it is negotiable. So I suppose, it depends on education, experience. Ah! In addition to basic salary, there are also a few additional benefits. Have a look yourself.

S: Hmmmm…. Travel and social security plus relocation expenses are paid. This isn’t bad. I better write for it straightaway.

Why does she want a new job? What is the perfect job for her? Which company is offering the position? Which language degrees are needed? What are the job requirements? What type of person are they looking for? What is the salary? What are the extra benefits? What type of expenses is paid for? Does she want the job?