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."

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

The gambits reflect the attitude of the person

Asking
fortopic
information
Id like
to the
or the people
in to
theknow
context
Could you tell me
Do 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?
Id like to comment on that
To come back to the topic

Anyway
To 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/ feel
To my mind-----If I had my way-----What I am more concerned with is
From my point of view-----Thats just the point------

Sequencing of actions

First of all,
Then, next,
After that,
Finally
Eventually

Listing excuses

First of all the main reason is

Another reason is
Besides that
And on top of it
And finally
The trouble is
The problem is---The point is----Dont forget that----

Stating the main point

Match the following

Do you think the doctor
could see me right away?

1.

No, thanks. Im full.

2.

I'm terribly sorry.

2.

Id love that.

3.

How about
movie?

3.

Yes, she is almost finished.

4.

You're late. Try to come

on time.

4.

Sure, Id be happy too.

5.

Thats ok. Dont worry.

6.

I will. I am sorry.

7.

Would you like a candy?

8.

Regular? Or Premium?

1.

5.
6.

7.
8.

going

to

I have a sore throat.

Would you
these?

like

one

of

Can you help me?

Fill it up please.

Apply appropriate gambits to the following:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

You'll finish this at home, won't you?

Do you mind telling me what time it is?
I'd better be going.
I'm sorry. I can't find the book you lent me.
Do you have change for a ten?
Would you like to order now?
Do you mind if I leave now?
I haven't seen you for ages. What have you been
up to?
It's great to see you again.
What a beautiful shirt!
Does this bus go to the terminal?
How was your weekend?
Can you turn that down? It's too noisy.

Reading Skills
Reading is psycho-linguistic guessing game. It
is a conscious, deliberate and purposeful
activity.
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 SURVEY
Preview 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 QUESTION
Convert 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 SYSTE

STEP 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 dont 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.
2.
3.
4.

PREVIEW
READ
WRITE
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
questions.

notes

into

study

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
Knowing why we are reading.
2. Cultivating the practice of picking out the main
ideas in a passage
3. Adapting the methods of reading to the nature of
the matter in front of you and to the objective.
4. Getting the physical setting right
5. Reading in silence
6. Reducing eye movements to a minimum.
7. Keep forcing yourself to move ahead.
8. Making a practice of locating key words and phrases
9. Practicing concentration.
10. Adding to your vocabulary
11. Learning to distinguish the characteristic structure
of the passage of writing
1.

TEST READING SKILLS

A JOB OPPORTUNITY (1)

Susan: God! I am fed up with my job.

Henry: Hey, now I think theres a perfect job
for you. It was in the paper today.
S: What?
H: Here it isEuropean Space Agency requires
translators.
S: ESA??? Didnt know it?
H: Thats what it saysThey 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 isnt 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?