ENG1515: 2023 ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
ASSIGNMENT 1
UNITS 1 & 2
Due date: 03 April 2023
Answer all questions.
Section A: Content-Based Questions
1. The teaching of English in rural areas is faced with many challenges that teachers
need to take into consideration. Identify TWO examples of factors that affect learners’
acquisition of English in rural areas. (4 marks)
2. English is perceived to be a hegemonic language.
2.1. Explain what you understand by the term hegemonic language. (2 marks)
2.2. In what way do you think English became a hegemonic language? (2 marks)
3. English is considered to have many varieties.
3.1. What do you understand by the term language varieties? (2 marks)
3.2. Explain how one language can have different varieties. In your explanation,
provide [two] examples of different language varieties that exist in your home
language. (4 marks)
4. Prefixes and suffixes are used to change the meaning of a word. Answer the
following questions regarding these two word-formation structures.
4.1 What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix? (2 marks)
4.2 The word “irresponsible” contains a prefix and a suffix. Identify the prefix and the
suffix in this word, and then state the meaning of the prefix and the suffix in the word.
(4 marks)
4.3 State what part of speech is the word “irresponsible”. (1 mark)
5. The word “irregardless” is sometimes used by second language speakers of English
and it is grammatically incorrect.
5.1. Identify the root word of the word. (1 mark)
5.2. Provide a reason why this word is grammatically incorrect. (3 marks)
SUB-TOTAL: [25 MARKS]
, Section B: Application-based questions
6. Read the following poem and answer the question that follows.
Little Ducks
Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only three little ducks came back.
………………………………………………………..
Sad Mother duck
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
The sad Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
And all of the five little ducks came back.
Source:https://bilingualkidspot.com/2018/04/23/popular-nursery-rhymes-for-kids-
english/, Accessed May 18, 2022.
6.1 Some of the sound devices that help learners to learn how to pronounce English
words, especially in the earlier grades, such as in the Foundation Phase, include the
following: alliteration, assonance, rhyme, and onomatopoeia. Read the following poem
and identify any TWO of these devices. Justify your choice of the identified device in
each case by referring to the sounds in the words in the poem below. (4 marks)
ASSIGNMENT 1
UNITS 1 & 2
Due date: 03 April 2023
Answer all questions.
Section A: Content-Based Questions
1. The teaching of English in rural areas is faced with many challenges that teachers
need to take into consideration. Identify TWO examples of factors that affect learners’
acquisition of English in rural areas. (4 marks)
2. English is perceived to be a hegemonic language.
2.1. Explain what you understand by the term hegemonic language. (2 marks)
2.2. In what way do you think English became a hegemonic language? (2 marks)
3. English is considered to have many varieties.
3.1. What do you understand by the term language varieties? (2 marks)
3.2. Explain how one language can have different varieties. In your explanation,
provide [two] examples of different language varieties that exist in your home
language. (4 marks)
4. Prefixes and suffixes are used to change the meaning of a word. Answer the
following questions regarding these two word-formation structures.
4.1 What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix? (2 marks)
4.2 The word “irresponsible” contains a prefix and a suffix. Identify the prefix and the
suffix in this word, and then state the meaning of the prefix and the suffix in the word.
(4 marks)
4.3 State what part of speech is the word “irresponsible”. (1 mark)
5. The word “irregardless” is sometimes used by second language speakers of English
and it is grammatically incorrect.
5.1. Identify the root word of the word. (1 mark)
5.2. Provide a reason why this word is grammatically incorrect. (3 marks)
SUB-TOTAL: [25 MARKS]
, Section B: Application-based questions
6. Read the following poem and answer the question that follows.
Little Ducks
Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only three little ducks came back.
………………………………………………………..
Sad Mother duck
Went out one day
Over the hill and far away
The sad Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
And all of the five little ducks came back.
Source:https://bilingualkidspot.com/2018/04/23/popular-nursery-rhymes-for-kids-
english/, Accessed May 18, 2022.
6.1 Some of the sound devices that help learners to learn how to pronounce English
words, especially in the earlier grades, such as in the Foundation Phase, include the
following: alliteration, assonance, rhyme, and onomatopoeia. Read the following poem
and identify any TWO of these devices. Justify your choice of the identified device in
each case by referring to the sounds in the words in the poem below. (4 marks)
