Second Meeting

    

 Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish inventor and philanthropist, bequeathed most of his vast fortune to a trust that he designated as a fund from which annual prizes could be awarded to the individuals and organizations that had achieved through invention or discovery that which would have the greatest benefit to humanity in a particular year. According to the legend, Nobel’s death had been erroneously reported in newspaper, and the focus of the obituary was the fact that Nobel had invented dynamite. He rewrote his will in 1895, thereby establishing, with the original amount of nine million dollars, the Nobel Foundation as the legal owner and administering agent of the funds, and instituting  the  prizes that are named after him. Statutes to govern the awarding of the prizes were written, along with guidelines for operating procedures. Five years after Nobel’s death, the first five prizes, worth about forty thousand dollars each, were to be awarded.

    Originally the five classifications for outstanding contributions designated in Nobel’s will included chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, literature, and international peace. These prizes have been administered continually by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm since they were first awarded in 1901. In 1969, a sixth prize, for accomplishments in the field of economics and endowed by the Central Bank of Sweden, was added. Candidates for the prizes must be nominated in writing by February 1 of each year by a qualified and recognized authority in each of the fields of competition. Recipients in physics, chemistry, and economics are selected by the Royal Swedish Academy, whereas recipients in peace are chosen by the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by Norway’s parliament. With the King of Sweden officiating, the prizes are usually presented in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death. The value, fame, and prestige of the Nobel Prizes have continued to grow. Today the prize includes a medal, a diploma, and a cash award of about one million dollars.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish inventor and philanthropist,

1.       What does this passage mainly discuss?

                A.   Alfred Bernhard Nobel.

                B.    The Nobel Prizes.

                C.   Great contributions to mankind.

                D.   Swedish philanthropy.

2.       Why were the prizes named for Alfred Bernhard Nobel?

A. He left money in his will to establish a fund for the prizes.

B.  He won the first Nobel Prize for his work in philanthropy.

C. He is now living in Sweden.

D. He serves as chairman of the committee to choose the recipients of the prizes.

3.       The word will in paragraph 1 refers to

A.  Nobel’s wishes.

B.  a legal document.

C.  a future intention.

D.  a free choice.

4.       How often are the Nobel Prizes awarded?

A. Five times a year.

B. Once a year.

C. Twice a year.

D. Once every two years .

5.       The word outstanding in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by

A.  recent.

B.  unusual.

C.  established.

D.  Exceptional.

6.       A Nobel Prize would NOT be given to

A.   an author who wrote a novel.

B.   a doctor who discovered a vaccine.

C.   a composer who wrote a symphony.

D.   a diplomat who negotiated a peace settlement.

7.       What does the author mean by the statement : 

These prizes have been administered continually by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm since they were first awarded in 1901?

A.  The Nobel Foundation oversees the management of the money and the distribution of the prizes.

B.   The Nobel Foundation selects the recipients of the prizes.

C.  The Nobel Foundation solicits applications and recommendations  for the prizes.

D.  The Nobel foundation recommends new prize classifications.

8.       Why are the award presented on December 10?

                  A.   It is a tribute to the King of Sweden.

                  B.   Alfred Bernhard Nobel died on that.   

                  C.   That date was established in Alfred Nobel’s will.

                  D.   The Central Bank of Sweden administers the trust .

Problem 106: Addition – Besides

Remember that besides means in addition to. Beside means near.

           noun

besides                adjective

Besides                 our dog,               we have two cats and a canary

Beside                    white,                 we stock green and blue

                                                   beside                             noun

We sat                  beside                         the teacher

               

Avoid using beside instead of besidesto mean in addition.

Examples   

Incorrect              :  Beside Marge, three couples are invited.

Correct                 :  Besides Marge, three couples are invited.

Incorrect              :  Beside Domino’s, four other pizza places deliver.

Correct                 :  Besides Domino’s, four other pizza places deliver.

ncorrect              :  To lead a well-balanced life, you need to have other interests 

                                beside studying.

Correct                 :  To lead a well-balanced life, you need to have other interests                                          besides studying.

Incorrect              :  Beside taxi service, there isn’t any public transportation in town.

Correct                    Besides taxi service, there isn’t any public transportation in town.

Incorrect              :  Janice has lots of friends beside her roommate.

Correct                 :  Janice has lots of friends besides her roommate.

Problem 107: Exception – But  andExcept

Remember that when it is used as a preposition, but means except.

                                                         but                        

                                                       except         noun                                             

All of the students                            but       the seniors       will receive their grades

All of the students                           except  the seniors         will receive their grades

Avoid using exception, except to or excepting instead of except.

Examples

Incorrect              :  All of the group exception Barbara went to the lake.

Correct                 :  All of the group but Barbara went to the lake. or

                                All of the group except Barbara went to the lake.

Incorrect              :  You can put everything but for those silk blouses in the washer.

Correct                 :  You can put everything but those silk blouses in the washe or

                                You can put everything except those silk blouses in the washer.

Incorrect              :  Everyone except  to Larry wants sugar in the tea.

Correct                 :  Everyone but Larry wants sugar in the tea or

                                Everyone except Larry wants sugar in the tea.

Incorrect              :  No one excepting Kathy knows very much about it.

Correct                 :  No one but Kathy knows very much about it. Or

No one except Kathy knows very much about it.

Incorrect              :  The mail comes at ten o’clock every day not Saturday.

Correct                 :  The mail comes at ten o’clock every day but Saturday. or

                                The mail comes at ten o’clock every day except Saturday.

Problem 108: Replacement – Instead of and Instead

Remember that instead of  andinstead both mean in place of, but instead of is used before a noun, adjective, or adverb, and instead is used at the end of a sentence or a clause to refer to a noun, adjective, or adverb that has already been mentioned.

                                                noun                                     noun

                                             adjective                               adjective

                                               adverb       instead of            adverb

We went to                            Colorado     instead of          abroad                on our vacation this year

You should be                         firm            instead of            patient                   in this case

Treat the dog                           gently        instead of            roughly

                                   noun                                                    

                                  adjective                                                            

                                  adverb                       instead

  We went to           Colorado                      instead        

You should be           firm                            instead        

Treat the dog           gently                           instead        

               

      Avoid using instead before a noun.

Examples

Incorrect              : Bob’s father wanted him to be an engineer instead a geologist.

Correct                 : Bob’s father wanted him to be an engineer instead ofa geologist.  or

                                Bob’s father wanted him to be an engineer instead.

Incorrect              : Could I have rice instead potatoes, please?

Correct                 : Could I have rice instead ofpotatoes, please? or

                                Could I have rice instead, please?

Incorrect              : Paula’s problem is that she likes to go to the movies stead of to class.

Correct                 : Paula’s problem is that she likes to go to the movies instead of to class.                                                    or

                                Paula’s problem is that she likes to go to the movies instead.

Incorrect              : We chose Terry instead from Gene as our representative.

Correct                 : We chose Terry instead ofGene as our representative.     or

                                We chose Terry instead.

Incorrect              : It is important to eat well at lunchtime in place buying snacks from vending                                machines
Correct                 : It is important to eat well at lunchtime instead ofbuyingsnacks from vending                              machines.              or

                                It is important to eat well at lunchtime instead.

Problem 109:  Example – Such as

Remember that such as means for example.

                       such as         noun (example)

Some birds    such as      robins and cardinals      spend the winter in the North.

Avoid using such or assuch instead of such as.

Examples

Incorrect            : By using coupons, you can get a discount on a lot of things, such                                                groceries,toiletries,and household items.
Correct                 : By using coupons, you can get a discount on a lot of things, such asgroceries,                            toiletries, and household items.

Incorrect              : Taking care of pets as such dogs and cats can teach children lesson in                                         responsibility.

Correct                 : Taking care of pets such as dogs and cats can teach children lesson in                                         responsibility.

Incorrect              : Magazines such Time, Newsweek, and U.S.News and World Report provide the                          reader with a pictorial report of the week’s events.
Correct                 : Magazines such asTime, Newsweek,andU.S.News and World Report provide the                        reader with a pictorial report of the week’s events.

Incorrect              : Jobs as fast-food restaurants for such McDonald’s or Taco Bell are often filled by                     students.
Correct                 : Jobs as fast-food restaurants for such as McDonald’s or Taco Bell are often filled

by students.

Incorrect              : A metal detector buzzes not only when firearms are located but also when smaller
metal objects as keys and belt buckles are found.
Correct                 : A metal detector buzzes not only when firearms are located but also when smaller metal  objects such askeys and belt buckles are found.