How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

English words: spell the same but may sound different...

and could even have very different meaning!

Years ago, I came up with 'Do you see what I saw?' which seems incorrect but if 'saw' referred to sawing a piece of wood for instance, then it is right. If 'saw' was meant to be past tense of 'see' than it should be 'Did you see what I saw?' or in the present tense: 'Do you see what I see?'. But don't take my word for it, I am HP6 as far as grammar is concerned.

Someone has compiled the following which should be a good test of anyone's English, especially with our present crop of students in mind; with my attempt at explaining in my own way as simple as possible (read that's all I know!) :

1) The bandage was wound around the wound .
(past tense of 'wind' pronounced like 'wine'; wound as in injured part of body)

2) The farm was used to produce produce .
(produce as in yield; produce as in grains or vegetables)

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse .
(as in not to accept; as in garbage)

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
(as in rubbing to make something shine; Polish as in something from Poland)

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
(as a leader; lead could mean bullet in this context)

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert .
(as in leaving a place; desert as in a place full of sand like Sahara Desert)

7) Since there is no time like the present , he thought it was time to present the present .
(as in 'now'; as in 'give'; and as in 'gift')

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
(a type of fish; the biggest drum found in a drum-kit)

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
(as in a type of pigeon; past tense of dive)

10) I did not object to the object .
(as in oppose; as an item referred to)

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid .
(as in void or not valid; as in a disabled person)

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row .
(as in an argument; as in rowing a boat)

13) They were too close to the door to close it.
(as in near; as in shut)

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
(as in 'do' of singular subject; as in female deers)

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
(as in someone who sews; as in sewerage)

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow .
(as in female pig; as in sowing seeds)

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
(as in strong breeze; as in wrap)

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear .
(as in being torn; as in tear drop)

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
(as in subdue; as in a person under observation)

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
(as in confide; as in close)


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