Here are a few sentences with transitive verbs, adapted from the text. Identify the noun phrases that are the verbs’ objects, and underline them. Then turn these sentences into a passive form.

• He expected a sudden change of rules.

• Nothing prevents writers from using actual science.

• He revealed that he didn’t know the difference between the element and the compound.

• He demonstrated that he couldn’t tell the difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and reduced the plot to a shamble.

• The writer must carefully explain to the reader all the boundary conditions of the imaginary society.

Observe how the paragraph, as a form, has been used in the essay. Some paragraphs consist of just one sentence. What purpose do you think the author had in putting them in this manner?

Mark the linkers used by the author to connect the point he makes in one paragraph with that in the next. For example, let me explain the difference that makes in the last line of Para 1 of Section II. These are called discourse markers or discourse signallers.

Literary Allusions

(i) Look up a literary dictionary or encyclopaedia or the internet to understand the references to the following mythical creatures.

1) Centaur: 2) Satyr3) Sphinx: 4) Harpy: 5) Gryphon: 6) Gorgon: 7) Pegasus:

(ii) Find out about the story of Achilles and Hector.

Some verbs take a that-clause after them. Find the verb asks in the last paragraph of the first part of this text (which begins ‘I don’t even ask that…’) and note how it is followed by that clause. Look for other verbs, in this text as well as in the earlier ones, that are followed by a that-clause (verbs such as believe, know, realise, promise…)