COMPREHENSIVE REVISION NOTES: ENGLISH LANGUAGE (WEEKS 1-11)

Class: SSS 1
Curriculum: Nigerian National Curriculum (WAEC/NECO/JAMB Standards)

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SECTION 1: GRAMMAR AND USAGE

1. Parts of Speech (Review)

The building blocks of the English language.

• Nouns: Names of people, places, things, or ideas (e.g., Lagos, Integrity, Student).
• Pronouns: Used instead of nouns (e.g., He, She, It, They, Ourselves).
• Verbs: Action or state of being (e.g., Run, Is, Become).
• Adjectives: Describe nouns (e.g., The diligent student).
• Adverbs: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (e.g., He ran quickly).
• Prepositions: Show relationship in time/space (e.g., In, On, Under, Between).
• Conjunctions: Joining words (e.g., And, But, Or, Although).

2. Tenses

• Present Simple: Habitual actions (I eat daily).
• Past Simple: Completed actions (I ate yesterday).
• Future Simple: Actions yet to happen (I will eat later).
• Present Perfect: Action completed at an unspecified time (I have eaten).

3. Concord (Subject-Verb Agreement)

Rule: A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.

• Example 1: The teacher writes on the board. (Singular)
• Example 2: The teachers write on the board. (Plural)
• Special Rule (Neither/Either): When "Neither/Nor" joins two subjects, the verb agrees with the closer subject.
  • Example: Neither the principal nor the teachers are present.

4. Active and Passive Voice

• Active: Subject performs the action. (The boy kicked the ball.)
• Passive: Subject receives the action. (The ball was kicked by the boy.)

5. Direct and Indirect Speech

• Direct: "I am hungry," said Tunde.
• Indirect (Reported): Tunde said that he was hungry.
  • Note: Present tense changes to past tense in reported speech.

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SECTION 2: WRITING SKILLS (COMPOSITION)

1. Narrative Writing

Telling a story. It must have a plot, characters, and a climax.

• Sample Topic: "My First Day in Senior Secondary School."

2. Descriptive Writing

Creating a "word picture" of a person, place, or object. Use sensory details (sight, smell, touch).

• Sample Topic: "A Traditional Wedding Ceremony I Attended."

3. Expository Writing

To explain, inform, or define a topic objectively.

• Sample Topic: "How to Prevent Malaria in Our Community."

4. Argumentative Writing

To persuade the reader to accept your point of view.

• Format: Introduction, Body (at least 3 points with evidence), and Conclusion.
• Sample Topic: "Technology has done more harm than good to students."

5. Letter Writing

• Informal Letter: To friends/family. (1 Address, Salutation: Dear Kola, Closing: Yours sincerely).
• Formal Letter: To officials. (2 Addresses, Date, Formal Salutation, Heading, Closing: Yours faithfully).

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SECTION 3: ORAL ENGLISH (PHONICS)

1. Vowel Sounds

• Monophthongs (Pure Vowels):
  • /i:/ as in Seat, Beat
  • /ɪ/ as in Sit, Bit
• Diphthongs (Gliding Vowels):
  • /eɪ/ as in Gate, Play
  • /aɪ/ as in Rice, My

2. Consonant Sounds

• Voiced vs. Voiceless:
  • /p/ (Voiceless - Pat) vs. /b/ (Voiced - Bat)
  • /f/ (Voiceless - Fan) vs. /v/ (Voiced - Van)

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SECTION 4: COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY

• Comprehension: Always read the passage twice. First for general meaning, second for specific answers. Do not copy "word-for-word" from the passage unless asked to quote.
• Summary: Be brief. Use your own words. Focus only on the main points requested by the question.

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SECTION 5: REVISION EXERCISES

Part A: Grammar (Objective)

1. Neither of the two boys _______ the answer. (a) know (b) knows (c) knowing (d) have known.
2. The cake was eaten by the dog. (Change to Active Voice).
3. "I will visit you tomorrow," Mary said. (Change to Indirect Speech).
4. Identify the adverb in this sentence: She sang the anthem beautifully.

Part B: Phonics

Pick the word that has the same vowel sound as the one underlined:

1. Seat: (a) Sit (b) Feet (c) Set (d) Head
2. Gate: (a) Cat (b) Father (c) Wait (d) Get

Part C: Composition (Theory)

1. Write a letter to your friend in another school, telling him/her about your preparation for the upcoming examinations.
2. Write an essay on the topic: "The Importance of Discipline in Schools."

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ANSWER KEY (FOR TEACHER/STUDENT SELF-CHECK)

Part A:

1. (b) knows (Neither is singular).
2. The dog ate the cake.
3. Mary said that she would visit me the following day.
4. Beautifully.

Part B:

1. (b) Feet
2. (c) Wait

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Study Tip: For the exams, focus on Concord and Letter Writing Formats, as these carry the highest marks in English Language Paper 1 and 2.