Notions and Functions Guide

english hum-1109 Hum-1109 Technical English

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Part 1: The Master Rule Book (Categorized)

Study Strategy: Memorize one standard sentence for each notion. I have prioritized the examples found in your provided “Notions.pdf” and Slides as they are the standard answers expected by the examiners.

Category A: Social Interactions (Politeness & Formalities)

Notion	Source Sentence (Memorize This)	Source
Greeting	Good morning Hasan, How are you? (or) How do you do?	,
Introduction	May I introduce you to our Principal? (or) I am Rafiq. I am from Khulna.	,
Farewell	See you again. (or) Good bye, see you soon.	,,
Thanks	Thank you very much. (or) Thanks a lot.	,
Apology	I am sorry for giving you false information. (or) Don’t be worried. It’s ok.	,
Seasonal Greeting	Happy Eid Day to you. (or) Happy birth day to you.	,,
Good Wish	Have a nice time. (or) May you prosper in life.	,
Congratulations	Congratulations on your brilliant result. (or) Well done, boy!	,
Condolence	I am extremely sorry for the death of your father.	,
Welcome	You are welcome. (External: Standard usage)	-

Category B: Feelings, Opinions & Reactions

Notion	Source Sentence (Memorize This)	Source
Approval	What a good result you have done. (or) The girl is very beautiful.	,
Disapproval	How can I support the illegal action?	,
Dislike	I hate gambling. (or) I am not fond of sweets.	,
Liking	I like to read novels.	,
Preference	I prefer milk to tea. (or) You had better see a doctor.	,
Pleasure	It gives me great pleasure to welcome you.
Regret	I regret that I cannot help you.	,
Sorrow	I feel sorry for my misdeeds.	,
Sympathy	I am really sorry at your failure in the examination.	,
Compassion	I feel deeply sorry for the victims of the natural disaster.
Exclamation / Surprise	Fie! you have told lies. (or) What a nice bird it is!	,
Love	I love spending time with my family.
Fear	She felt a deep fear when walking alone at night.
Worry	I am worried about my exam. (External: Standard usage)	-

Category C: Directives (Action & Requests)

Notion	Source Sentence (Memorize This)	Source
Advice	You should read attentively.	,,
Command	Stop fighting. (or) Go ahead.	,
Instruction	Go straight.	,
Request	Please, give me your pen.	,
Offer	Would you like to enjoy a cinema?	,
Invitation	Would you like to come and have lunch with me?	,
Permission	May I come in, sir?	,
Proposal	Let us go out now.	,
Suggestion	Let us play now. (or) Why don’t you try again?	,,
Promise	I promise, I shall come tomorrow.	,
Willingness	Will you lend me some money?	,
Wish	I want you to read the novel.	,
Insistence	We are determined to give up telling lies.	,

Category D: Negative & Aggressive Notions

Notion	Source Sentence (Memorize This)	Source
Annoyance	I can not tolerate you. (or) Don’t disturb me.	,
Threat	I will kill you. (or) You will be punished if you do not read.	,
Warning	Be careful of your studies.	,
Imprecation (Curse)	Go to dogs. (or) Go to hell. (or) May you suffer for your sins!	,,
Rude	It was rude of him to interrupt.
Tension	The tension in the room was palpable.

Category E: Abstract Concepts (Modals Overlap)

Notion	Source Sentence (Memorize This)	Source
Obligation	You have to go there.	,
Possibility	It may rain today.	,
Probability	It may rain this evening.
Intention	I am going to marry next month.

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Part 2: PYQ Practice (Year-Wise Analysis)

Check which notions appear most frequently. I have extracted these directly from the provided solution files.

• 2024 (CSE): Annoyance, Disapproval, Imprecation, Farewell, Suggestion, Threat.
• 2023: Approval, Disapproval, Congratulation, Offer, Compassion, Good wish.
• 2022: Approval, Disapproval, Imprecation, Offer, Threat, Good wish.
• 2021: Annoyance, Command, Offer, Farewell, Regret, Warning.
• 2020: Apology, Congratulations, Farewell, Pleasure.
• 2019: Congratulation, Seasonal Greeting, Imprecation, Invitation, Permission, Proposal, Threat.
• 2018: Approval, Disapproval, Apology, Farewell, Threat, Good wishes, Imprecation.
• 2017: Anger, Surprise, Apology, Permission, Worry, Pleasure.
• 2016: Apology, Love, Tension, Condolence, Rude, Fear.

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Part 3: Expert Comments & Hacks

1. The “Imprecation” Hack

• What is it? “Imprecation” appears frequently (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 CSE) and confuses students. It simply means “A curse”.
• Cheat Sentence: “Go to hell.” or “Go to dogs.”.

2. Compassion vs. Sympathy vs. Condolence

• Condolence: Specifically for death. I am sorry for your father’s death.
• Sympathy: For general misfortune/failure. I am sorry at your failure.
• Compassion: A deep feeling of sorrow for others’ suffering. I feel deeply sorry for the victims.
• Hack: If you forget, start all three with “I am sorry for…” followed by the specific tragedy.

3. The “Notion” vs. “Modal” Confusion

• Sometimes the exam asks for a notion (e.g., “Permission”) in the Modal section, or vice versa.
• Permission: May I come in?
• Offer: Would you like…?
• Obligation: You have to… or You must…

4. Missing Notions (External Additions)

• Anger (2017): I am very angry with you. (Standard external usage).
• Worry (2017): I am worried about my results. (Standard external usage).
• Rude (2016): It is rude to talk loudly. (Standard external usage).

Summary Cheat Sheet (Memorize these 5 lines to cover 50% of cases):

1. Imprecation: Go to hell.
2. Approval: I approve of your decision.
3. Disapproval: I do not like this.
4. Threat: I will kill you.
5. Farewell: See you again.