Course Code : MCS-015
Course Title : Communication Skills
Assignment Number : MCA(1)/015/Assign/2011
Maximum Marks : 100
Weightage : 25%
Last date of submission : 15th April, 2011 (For January Session)
15th October, 2011 (For July Session)
IGNOU MCA MCS-015 Communication Skills
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final year project
Answer all questions. Please go through the guidelines regarding assignments given in the Programme Guide for the format of presentation.
Question 1:
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Thanatos, the god of death, is one of the second generation deities of the Greek pantheon. From Thanatos we get “thanatophobia”: the abnormal, irrational fear of death. It may be fear of the pain and physical agony of dying; or the fear of nothingness after death. If such fear becomes an obsession that cripples normal life, psychiatric help may be necessary.
Another more familiar word from the same root is “euthanasia”. In common language it is called “mercy killing”. It can mean directly causing death by lethal drugs (active) or withholding of treatment (passive). The Netherlands has been the most liberal in accepting euthanasia as a measure to help the patient. The Dutch experience with euthanasia paved the way for further debate and reform in the Western world.
In 1971, the Dutch physician Geertruda Postma administered a lethal dose of medication to end the life of her 78-year-old mother. She reported the matter to the authorities. She was charged with mercy killing and was given a suspended sentence of one week. In 1984, Dr P.L. Schoonheim euthanized his 85-year-old patient, who had already signed a “living will” asking to be euthanized if she could not return to a dignified life. When she knew that her future was bleak, she requested to be put to sleep “as soon as possible”. The doctor acceded to her request and then notified the authorities.
In his defence, the doctor pleaded that he had a conflict of duties, between his duty to the patient and his legal duty not to kill. The Dutch supreme court accepted the plea of conflict of duty leading to irresistible necessity. Meantime, the Royal Dutch Medical Association listed the criteria to be observed when resorting to euthanasia. These included the patient’s explicit, persistent request based on full information; hopeless suffering; absence of any alternative; and the concurrence of a second physician.
Euthanasia in the US is closely linked to the name Dr Kevorkian. He introduced “a death machine” which terminally ill people can trigger to cause their own death. Kevorkian called it “thanatron”. Two patients were assisted by this machine. But then his licence was revoked and he had no access to the chemicals for thanatron. He introduced “mercitron”, which uses carbon monoxide in a gas mask.
Oregon state, while declaring euthanasia illegal, passed the Death with Dignity Act in 1997. This requires a patient to voluntarily administer lethal medication himself, prescribed by a physician. The patient, not the relatives, must ask for assistance to die. The criteria were stringent to ensure the law was not misused.
Canada’s stand on euthanasia came into focus with the celebrated case of Sue Rodriguez in 1992. She was a victim of a terminal disease. She went to court to seek permission to end her life by euthanasia. In a famous outburst, she asked, “Whose body is this? Who owns my life?” She carried her fight to the supreme court of Canada, but didn’t win the case. She committed suicide later.
Meanwhile, India seems to be catching up. The law commission has recommended that “a terminally ill man or a man in a persistent vegetative state can be permitted to terminate it by premature extinction of life”. The Kerala government has received a similar recommendation from its law reforms commission. A test case has been filed this year by 70-year-old Karibasamma in the Karnataka high court seeking mercy killing.
To me, the thought of euthanasia has become less disturbing after I read that King George V of England died in 1936 after a lethal injection that Lord Dawson, the royal physician, administered. (VR Narayanaswami)
Answer the questions given below:
(i) Give two reasons cited in the passage why people are scared of death. (2 Marks)
(ii) Which county triggered the euthanasia debate in the western world?
What is its status in India today? (Marks 1+3)
(iii) What is the author’s own feeling about euthanasia? Pick out that line
to illustrate your answer. (2 Marks)
(iv) What is the criteria to be observed when resorting to euthanasia as per the Royal Dutch Medical Association? How is it different from that of Oregon State? Which is better and why.
(5 Marks)
(v) Give a title to the passage. Say why you decided on the title. (2 Marks)
(vi) What are your own views about euthanasia? Write in about 50 words. (5 Marks)
Question 2:
Read the following letter and give a reply to it keeping in mind the following points: (10 Marks)
- Express regret
- Give a valid reason for not sending the books
- Say when you’ll send them by
- Suggest adequate compensation
The Manager
Ashish Publishing House
5, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, Delhi 110002 011 2327 4050 ()
Dear Sir/Madam
On 23rd June I ordered 25 copies of ‘English in Use’ by A. L. Khanna to be sent to me at the above address.
Two months later, these books have not yet been received.
I would be grateful if you could look into this matter and ensure that the books reach me soon as possible.
Yours faithfully
Gorang Vinayak
Director
Question 3:
This is the beginning of a presentation on ‘mock interviews’. Complete it in about 100 words.
(10 Marks)
Mock Interview
Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen.
All of us must have at some stage faced interviews and may have to do so at some point in life. This requires one to be well prepared. Many a time people opt for professional training to enhance communication skills and preparation for the interview. But if one doesn’t have the time and finances to support that, what does one do?
Herein lies the importance of mock interviews. They simulate an interview setting and train the person in facing the actual interview with confidence.
Question 4:
Use your imagination and creativity to complete the sentences in the mini-compositions below.
(10 Marks)
a) Students often wonder whether it’s worth attending special classes to improve their English.
I would say it depends on ………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Some Students…………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Others, however, ……………………………………………………………………….
In some ways,…………………………………………………………………………..
All in all, I think ………………………………………………………………………..
b) There are many reasons why I love …………………….……………………………
One reason is…………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Another..………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
What is more,…………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Above all,……………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………..
Question 5:
Complete this paragraph filling up the gaps with suitable words from the box.
(15 Marks)
develop impact overcome conversation
influences shyness master professional
difficult recognize break start
discovered successful perceive
Small talk is crucial in any relationship. Everyday conversation can make or ________________ relationships in our personal and ___________ lives. Unfortunately, most people don't realize how important small talk is, and hence do not do anything to _______________ or improve this skill. Developing the ability to make small talk is not as ___________ as many other work related skills once we ___________ its importance and worth.
A Stanford University School of Business study showed its ____________ on business success. It tracked MBA's 10 years after graduation, and _______________ that grade point averages had no bearing on their success but _______________ did. Most __________ were those who could make conversation with anyone from strangers, to secretaries, to bosses to customers.
Small talk has a great impact on your success in 'personal' relationships, because it ________________ how others see you in terms of intelligence and confidence. Most people _____________ good conversationalists as more intelligent and confident.
Despite the importance of small talk, most people don't do it well. One major reason is _________________ and another common reason is not knowing how to ____________ a conversation. There are also some who do not have anything to say. All of these difficulties can be ____________, once you decide to _______________ this art.
Question 6:
By adding dis-, im-, un-, in- and mis- to the words given below, form words of opposite meaning: (10 Marks)
i understand vi judge xi sane Xvi Mature
ii agree vii movable xii clear Xvii courteous
iii audible viii comfort xiii necessary xviii conduct
iv voluntary ix rest xiv possible xix Behave
v continue X earthly xv pious xx Human
Question 7:
Complete the sentences. Use must, mustn’t, and needn’t. (5 Marks)
i) He needs an injection before he goes on holiday.
He …… ….……make an appointment with the doctor.
ii) You can get your visa to Egypt in a day.
You … ………..get it yet, as your trip is late next month.
iii) I need to go to London very early tomorrow.
I…… ……….stay up late.
iv) It isn’t necessary for her to check in at the airport at 6.30.
She…… ………….check in until 7.00.
v) I’d like to do a little shopping on the way to the airport.
No, you… …………., or you’ll miss your flight to New York.
Question 8:
Put the verbs given in brackets in the simple past tense: (15 Marks)
One morning Akbar …………..(go) for a walk with Prince Salim and Birbal. After some time they ………..(come) to the bank of a river. It ………….(be) a hot morning and they ………..(sit) down in the shade of a tree. A few minutes later Akbar………..(say), “Shall we go and bathe in the river?” Birbal put his hand into the water and ………..(say), “I wouldn’t like to bathe.”
Akbar and Prince Salim ………..(take) off their clothes and ………….(give) them to Birbal. Then they ………..(get) into the water and……………(bathe) in it.
Akbar……….(say) to Prince Salim, “Birbal is standing in the sun and holding our clothes. He looks like a washerman’s donkey.” Akbar……………..(call) out to Birbal and ……………(say), ‘You’re carrying a donkey’s load.’ Birbal………….(bow) and very respectfully ………….(say), “No sir, I’m carrying the loads of two donkeys.”
Question 9:
Fill in the blanks with the prepositions of time such as: in, on, at, by, from,
for, during, until, to: (5 Marks)
i) Electricity failed twice……………..the film show.
ii) Wait here………………. I come back.
iii) The shops are closed……………Tuesday.
iv) She married……………..the age of 20.
v) There was no one to look after him……….his old age.
vi) We had finished our homework…………….afternoon.
vii) We can walk this distance………………….an hour.
viii) He learnt to drive a car………….the summer vacation.
ix) The shop remains open………………10am……….7pm.
x) I hope to finish the work…………..tomorrow.
