📝 Unit 7: Learning is Fun
Fables & morals · proverbs & idioms · present simple vs continuous · story writing
Task 1 — Match proverbs to meanings (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Match each proverb on the left with its meaning on the right.
Write the correct letter. The first one is done for you.
(1) A stitch in time saves nine. → c (example)
(2) Practice makes perfect.
(3) Unity is strength.
(4) Birds of a feather flock together.
(5) Patience is a virtue.
(6) Better late than never.
(a) People of the same kind keep one another's company.
(b) Repeated effort leads to mastery.
(c) Fixing a small problem now saves a bigger one later.
(d) Doing something late is still better than not doing it at all.
(e) Waiting calmly is a good quality.
(f) People working together are stronger than alone.
Write the correct letter. The first one is done for you.
(1) A stitch in time saves nine. → c (example)
(2) Practice makes perfect.
(3) Unity is strength.
(4) Birds of a feather flock together.
(5) Patience is a virtue.
(6) Better late than never.
(a) People of the same kind keep one another's company.
(b) Repeated effort leads to mastery.
(c) Fixing a small problem now saves a bigger one later.
(d) Doing something late is still better than not doing it at all.
(e) Waiting calmly is a good quality.
(f) People working together are stronger than alone.
(2) b — Repeated effort leads to mastery.
(3) f — People working together are stronger.
(4) a — People of the same kind keep company.
(5) e — Waiting calmly is a good quality.
(6) d — Late is better than never.
5 marks.
(3) f — People working together are stronger.
(4) a — People of the same kind keep company.
(5) e — Waiting calmly is a good quality.
(6) d — Late is better than never.
5 marks.
Task 2 — Present simple vs present continuous (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in each blank with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Choose between the present simple and present continuous.
(1) I (read) ........... an English newspaper every morning.
(2) Look! The cat (chase) ........... a bird.
(3) Tharindu usually (study) ........... in his bedroom, but today he (study)
........... in the garden.
(4) Water (boil) ........... at 100 °C.
(5) Please be quiet — the children (sleep) ........... .
Choose between the present simple and present continuous.
(1) I (read) ........... an English newspaper every morning.
(2) Look! The cat (chase) ........... a bird.
(3) Tharindu usually (study) ........... in his bedroom, but today he (study)
........... in the garden.
(4) Water (boil) ........... at 100 °C.
(5) Please be quiet — the children (sleep) ........... .
(1) read
(2) is chasing
(3) studies; is studying
(4) boils
(5) are sleeping
5 marks.
(2) is chasing
(3) studies; is studying
(4) boils
(5) are sleeping
5 marks.
Task 3 — Choose the correct word (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Select the most suitable word from the box for each blank. There
is one extra word.
Word box: assembly · neglected · respect · reproach · conquered · philosophical · venerated
(1) The temple has been a place of worship and ........... for hundreds of
years.
(2) She always speaks of her grandfather with great ........... .
(3) The general ........... most of the island in just six months.
(4) Don't ........... your duty to your parents.
(5) The school ........... every Monday morning is held in the main hall.
is one extra word.
Word box: assembly · neglected · respect · reproach · conquered · philosophical · venerated
(1) The temple has been a place of worship and ........... for hundreds of
years.
(2) She always speaks of her grandfather with great ........... .
(3) The general ........... most of the island in just six months.
(4) Don't ........... your duty to your parents.
(5) The school ........... every Monday morning is held in the main hall.
(1) venerated
(2) respect
(3) conquered
(4) neglect (you may write "neglected" but the verb form is preferred here)
(5) assembly
5 marks.
(2) respect
(3) conquered
(4) neglect (you may write "neglected" but the verb form is preferred here)
(5) assembly
5 marks.
Task 4 — Add the right idiom (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in each blank with one of the idioms in the box. There is
one extra idiom.
Idiom box: a piece of cake · hit the books · burn the midnight oil · under the weather · let the cat out of the bag · once in a blue moon
(1) The maths paper was easy — a real ........... .
(2) With the exam next week, I plan to ........... every night.
(3) Don't tell Sajini about the surprise — she will ........... .
(4) I'm not coming to practice. I'm feeling a bit ........... today.
(5) Stop watching TV and ........... — your exams are next week.
one extra idiom.
Idiom box: a piece of cake · hit the books · burn the midnight oil · under the weather · let the cat out of the bag · once in a blue moon
(1) The maths paper was easy — a real ........... .
(2) With the exam next week, I plan to ........... every night.
(3) Don't tell Sajini about the surprise — she will ........... .
(4) I'm not coming to practice. I'm feeling a bit ........... today.
(5) Stop watching TV and ........... — your exams are next week.
(1) a piece of cake
(2) burn the midnight oil
(3) let the cat out of the bag
(4) under the weather
(5) hit the books
5 marks.
(2) burn the midnight oil
(3) let the cat out of the bag
(4) under the weather
(5) hit the books
5 marks.
Task 5 — Comprehension: Unity is Strength (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the following fable and answer the questions.
An old farmer had four sons. They argued day and night and even came to blows
over little things. Their fights brought sorrow to the farmer and worry to
the neighbourhood. One evening, after a fierce quarrel, the father called all
four of them and laid a bundle of four sticks on the table.
"Break this bundle," he said.
The eldest son took the bundle, pressed it across his knee, twisted it and
heaved at it. The bundle did not break. The second tried, then the third, then
the youngest — none could break it.
Meanwhile, the youngest jeered at his brothers and thought they were very
incompetent. He thought he was very clever and took one stick at a time and
easily broke all of them.
The old father then smiled at his sons and said, "Children, do you understand
what happened? It is always easy to break the sticks one by one, but when
they are bundled together, none of you could break them. In the same way, the
four of you should always be together. No one will be able to hurt you then."
The four brothers realised what their father was trying to teach them and
forgot all their enmity and learnt that unity is strength.
From that day onwards, they never fought with each other and lived together
in peace and harmony.
(1) How many sons did the farmer have?
(2) What did the father use to teach them the lesson?
(3) Write the sentence that gives the moral of the story.
(4) Who broke the sticks one by one?
(5) Underline the correct title for this story:
(a) The Lazy Farmer's Sons
(b) Unity is Strength
(c) Sticks Can Win Wars
An old farmer had four sons. They argued day and night and even came to blows
over little things. Their fights brought sorrow to the farmer and worry to
the neighbourhood. One evening, after a fierce quarrel, the father called all
four of them and laid a bundle of four sticks on the table.
"Break this bundle," he said.
The eldest son took the bundle, pressed it across his knee, twisted it and
heaved at it. The bundle did not break. The second tried, then the third, then
the youngest — none could break it.
Meanwhile, the youngest jeered at his brothers and thought they were very
incompetent. He thought he was very clever and took one stick at a time and
easily broke all of them.
The old father then smiled at his sons and said, "Children, do you understand
what happened? It is always easy to break the sticks one by one, but when
they are bundled together, none of you could break them. In the same way, the
four of you should always be together. No one will be able to hurt you then."
The four brothers realised what their father was trying to teach them and
forgot all their enmity and learnt that unity is strength.
From that day onwards, they never fought with each other and lived together
in peace and harmony.
(1) How many sons did the farmer have?
(2) What did the father use to teach them the lesson?
(3) Write the sentence that gives the moral of the story.
(4) Who broke the sticks one by one?
(5) Underline the correct title for this story:
(a) The Lazy Farmer's Sons
(b) Unity is Strength
(c) Sticks Can Win Wars
(1) Four sons.
(2) A bundle of four sticks.
(3) "It is always easy to break the sticks one by one, but when they are bundled together, none of you could break them."
(4) The youngest son.
(5) (b) Unity is Strength.
5 marks.
(2) A bundle of four sticks.
(3) "It is always easy to break the sticks one by one, but when they are bundled together, none of you could break them."
(4) The youngest son.
(5) (b) Unity is Strength.
5 marks.
Task 6 — Notice: a reading club (40–50 words)
(5 marks)
You are starting a new English Reading Club at school. Write a
notice for the noticeboard. Use about 40–50 words.
Include:
• the day and time the club meets
• the venue
• who can join
• one benefit of joining.
notice for the noticeboard. Use about 40–50 words.
Include:
• the day and time the club meets
• the venue
• who can join
• one benefit of joining.
ENGLISH READING CLUB — JOIN US!
Do you want to read more and speak with more confidence? The new English
Reading Club meets every Wednesday at 1.30 p.m. in the library. All students
from Grade 8 to 11 are warmly invited. Each member receives a free copy of a
short story to read at home.
— Nimali Perera, Founder.
50 words. 5 marks.
Do you want to read more and speak with more confidence? The new English
Reading Club meets every Wednesday at 1.30 p.m. in the library. All students
from Grade 8 to 11 are warmly invited. Each member receives a free copy of a
short story to read at home.
— Nimali Perera, Founder.
50 words. 5 marks.
Task 7 — Short paragraph (50–60 words)
(5 marks)
Write a paragraph on ONE of the following. Use about 50–60 words.
(a) Why I enjoy learning English
(b) A book that changed me
(c) My favourite proverb
(a) Why I enjoy learning English
(b) A book that changed me
(c) My favourite proverb
MODEL — A book that changed me (60 words)
The little book that changed me was Charlotte's Web. I bought it at a stall
in Pettah for forty rupees. By the end I was sniffling for a spider, of all
creatures! What it taught me was simple: kindness can come from the smallest
places. Every time I help a younger student now, I think of Charlotte.
5 marks — opens with the book, gives a vivid moment (40 rupees / sniffling),
states the lesson, closes with how it changed behaviour.
The little book that changed me was Charlotte's Web. I bought it at a stall
in Pettah for forty rupees. By the end I was sniffling for a spider, of all
creatures! What it taught me was simple: kindness can come from the smallest
places. Every time I help a younger student now, I think of Charlotte.
5 marks — opens with the book, gives a vivid moment (40 rupees / sniffling),
states the lesson, closes with how it changed behaviour.
Task 8 — Letter / data description (~100 words, 10 marks)
(10 marks)
Answer (a) OR (b). Use about 100 words.
(a) Write a letter to your friend recommending one English book you have just
finished. Include: title and author, a one-sentence plot, your favourite
character, why your friend will like it.
(b) The table below shows the favourite methods of learning English among
200 students. Write a description.
Table: Reading 75 · Watching English films 50 · Listening to songs 35 ·
Speaking with friends 25 · Writing a diary 15.
(a) Write a letter to your friend recommending one English book you have just
finished. Include: title and author, a one-sentence plot, your favourite
character, why your friend will like it.
(b) The table below shows the favourite methods of learning English among
200 students. Write a description.
Table: Reading 75 · Watching English films 50 · Listening to songs 35 ·
Speaking with friends 25 · Writing a diary 15.
(b) MODEL — Table description (102 words)
The table shows the favourite methods of learning English among 200 students
of our school. Reading is by far the most popular method, chosen by 75
students, while watching English films is second at 50. Listening to songs
comes third with 35 students, more than the 25 who learn by speaking with
friends. Writing a diary is the least popular method, with only 15.
In summary, three-quarters of the students prefer reading or watching, which
are input-only methods. Speaking and writing — the two skills examiners
reward most — are clearly under-practised.
10 marks — accurate data, comparison phrases used, ends with a useful insight.
The table shows the favourite methods of learning English among 200 students
of our school. Reading is by far the most popular method, chosen by 75
students, while watching English films is second at 50. Listening to songs
comes third with 35 students, more than the 25 who learn by speaking with
friends. Writing a diary is the least popular method, with only 15.
In summary, three-quarters of the students prefer reading or watching, which
are input-only methods. Speaking and writing — the two skills examiners
reward most — are clearly under-practised.
10 marks — accurate data, comparison phrases used, ends with a useful insight.
Task 9 — Story / article (~200 words, 15 marks)
(15 marks)
Write on ONE of the following. Use about 200 words.
(a) Write a fable about an animal that learns a hard lesson.
(b) An article for a magazine titled 'How I improved my English'.
(c) A speech on 'Why reading is still the best teacher'.
(a) Write a fable about an animal that learns a hard lesson.
(b) An article for a magazine titled 'How I improved my English'.
(c) A speech on 'Why reading is still the best teacher'.
(a) MODEL — The Hare's Apology (216 words)
There was once a hare so quick on his feet that no animal in the forest could
overlook him. He boasted that no other creature could keep up with him for
ten metres. Every morning he sat by the old banyan tree and reminded the
squirrels, the deer and even the elephants of his record.
One afternoon a tortoise crawled past on the path to the river. "Race me,"
the hare said, laughing. The tortoise looked up calmly and agreed. The whole
forest gathered at the riverbank to watch.
The hare bolted out of the starting line and was halfway to the river
before the tortoise had taken twenty steps. He sat down under a jak tree to
rest. "I shall have a small nap and still beat him by a mile," he thought.
When he woke, the sun was sinking. He raced down the path — and saw the
tortoise just stepping into the river, the crowd cheering.
The hare hung his head. "I am sorry," he said. "I had the speed, but you had
the patience."
The tortoise smiled. "Don't be sorry, friend. Just remember."
Moral: Speed without patience wins nothing; patience without speed wins
everything that lasts.
15 marks — clear characters, build-up, dialogue moment, surprise turn,
moral on a separate line, fresh re-telling of a classic.
There was once a hare so quick on his feet that no animal in the forest could
overlook him. He boasted that no other creature could keep up with him for
ten metres. Every morning he sat by the old banyan tree and reminded the
squirrels, the deer and even the elephants of his record.
One afternoon a tortoise crawled past on the path to the river. "Race me,"
the hare said, laughing. The tortoise looked up calmly and agreed. The whole
forest gathered at the riverbank to watch.
The hare bolted out of the starting line and was halfway to the river
before the tortoise had taken twenty steps. He sat down under a jak tree to
rest. "I shall have a small nap and still beat him by a mile," he thought.
When he woke, the sun was sinking. He raced down the path — and saw the
tortoise just stepping into the river, the crowd cheering.
The hare hung his head. "I am sorry," he said. "I had the speed, but you had
the patience."
The tortoise smiled. "Don't be sorry, friend. Just remember."
Moral: Speed without patience wins nothing; patience without speed wins
everything that lasts.
15 marks — clear characters, build-up, dialogue moment, surprise turn,
moral on a separate line, fresh re-telling of a classic.