Read the following sentences.
Steve Ansell is a tourist. He is visiting Bangladesh and now travelling Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarbans. Yesterday he went to Nilachal and Chimbuk Pahar (hill). On the way he was surprised to see the floating clouds on the top of the hills and trees around. Many times he uttered, "Wow! What a great surprise! What a fantastic view!" Steve has taken many snapshots of the natural beauties of Bangladesh. Many times he showed me the photographs taken from Rangamati Lake and told me, "How wonderful your country is!" He added Bangladesh is truly called 'The beautiful Bangladesh'. Steve will explore Khagrachari tomorrow.
The underlined sentences in the text above are examples of exclamatory sentences. All sentences express Steve's excitement to see the natural beauty of Bangladesh. That is exactly what exclamatory sentences are used for. These sentences usually start with 'how' or 'what'. A note of exclamation (!) is used at the end of these sentences.
If you begin your sentence with 'how, then an adjective follows the word.
Eg. "How wonderful your country is!" (How + adjective+subject+verb)
If you begin your sentence with 'what', then a noun follows.
e.g. What a great surprise! (what+ noun+subject+verb) (meaning What a great surprise it is!)
b Sometimes we use some short exclamatory words at the beginning of these sentences.
Examples
Hurray! Our school football team has won the match.
Damn! They have scored another goal!
Alas! His father is no more.
Oh dear! Very sorry to hear your distress. I'm sure you will be okay soon.
Gosh! These kids will make me mad.
Activity 1
Here are some situations. Read them and write how you are going to express your surprise or excitement in these situations.
Your favourite cricketer has scored a century.
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You are surprised to see the beauty of St. Martins Island.
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You hear any interesting news.
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You read a book and is impressed by a character.
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Your friend has broken his leg in an accident.
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You are sympathetic to the misery of a friend.
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Your brother saved a baby from an accident by risking own life.
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