A. Rewrite the sentences to make them more formal by changing the underlined words.
1 We couldn’t get the same results as other researchers.
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2 Maybe more evidence will be found soon.
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3 In this paper, we’re going to discuss our experiments.
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4 It’s been argued that there hasn’t been enough time for language to develop.
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5 We reckon the theory has a few weaknesses.
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6 In his book. Winters was claiming that human language is much more complex.
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7 It’s important to remember that they’ve found no evidence for this.
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8 We weren’t given enough help.
……………………………………………………………
9 Lots of research needs to be done because of the dangers of mistakes.
……………………………………………………………
10 Maybe language started millions of years ago.
……………………………………………………………
Answers
Possible answers
1 We were unable to obtain the same results as other researchers.
2 Further / Additional evidence may be found soon.
3 In this paper, we will / shall discuss our experiments.
4 It has been argued that there has been insufficient time for language to develop.
5 We believe the theory has several weaknesses.
6 In his book, Winters claims / has claimed that human language is considerably more complex.
7 It is important to remember that they have found no evidence for this.
8 We were provided with in sufficient support / assistance.
9 A good deal of research needs to be done due to the dangers of mistakes.
10 Language may have started millions of years ago.
B. Complete each sentence b by changing the underlined verbs in sentence a into nouns. Write of or by in the boxes.
1 a We analysed the results in the laboratory.
b The ………………. ◻the results took place in the laboratory.
2 a Ancient humans produced stone tools.
b We are interested in the ………………. ◻stone tools ◻ancient humans.
3 a The experiment failed.
b After the ………………. ◻the experiment, we decided to use a different approach.
4 a The researcher will present her findings.
b At 3 pm there will be a ………………. ◻the researcher’s findings.
5 a We will discuss the differences in part 2.
b There will be a ………………. ◻the differences in part 2.
6 a The machine exploded before we could get any results.
b We were unable to get any results after the ………………. ◻the machine.
7 a He discovered the location of the fossils by accident.
b The ………………. ◻the location of the fossils was an accident.
8 a Stick (2009) observed this process in a series of famous experiments.
b The ……………………. ◻this process ◻Stick in a series of experiments is now famous.
9 a New techniques have developed in recent years,
b The ………………. ◻new techniques has continued in recent years.
10 a We understand the relationship much better these days.
b Our ………………. ◻the relationship has improved dramatically recently.
Answers
1 analysis of 2 production of; by 3 failure of
4 presentation of 5 discussion of
6 explosion of 7 discovery of
8 observation of; by 9 development of
10 understanding of
C. Rewrite these sentences without the human subjects (underlined). The clues in brackets will help you. Write in your notebook.
1 They may have identified the true causes.
(Clue: Use the passive.)
………………………………………………..
2 They need to conduct more experiments.
(Clue: Change the verb into an adjective and use it.)
………………………………………………..
3 They didn’t find any evidence for the theory.
(Clue: Use there.)
………………………………………………..
4 They began their experiments five years ago.
(Clue: begin doesn’t need a human subject.)
………………………………………………..
5 When they researched the situation, it showed a link between the two events.
(Clue: Change the verb into a noun and use into.)
………………………………………………..
6 The researchers hoped that they would get a better understanding of the process.
(Clue: Use to.)
………………………………………………..
7 With their research, they have proved that this is impossible.
(Clue: Use an abstract concept as subject.)
………………………………………………..
Use the same techniques for these sentences:
8 They expect that they will find more evidence.
9 They conducted a series of tests because they wanted to investigate the theory.
10 They don’t really understand the cause of this behaviour.
Answers
Possible answers
1 The true causes may have been identified.
2 It is necessary to conduct more experiments.
3 There was no evidence for the theory.
4 Their experiments began five years ago.
5 The research into the situation showed a link between the two events.
6 The researchers hoped to get a better understanding of the process.
7 Their research has proved that this is impossible.
8 It is expected that more evidence will be found.
9 A series of tests was conducted in order to investigate the theory.
10 There is no real understanding of the cause of this behaviour. / The cause of this behaviour is not really understood.
D. Add colons (:) and semi-colons (;) to these sentences.
1 Some researchers have claimed that language developed from sign language others believe that spoken language must have come first.
2 The experiment revealed an unexpected problem the process did not work at low temperatures.
3 We have identified three possible causes for the failure of the experiment the equipment may have been faulty the wrong chemical may have been used or the results may have been recorded incorrectly.
4 There are a number of possible interpretations of the sign it could mean the monkey is going into the tree it could simply refer to the fact that there is a monkey in the tree or it could say that this is a tree where monkeys often hide.
5 Early researchers believed this was impossible later researchers have shown that it is in fact possible, but only under specific conditions.
6 There is one final stage in our analysis we need to decide whether the behaviour caused the changes in the brain or whether the changes led to the new behaviour.
Answers
1 Some researchers have claimed that language developed from sign language; others believe that spoken language must have come first
2 The experiment revealed an unexpected problem: the process did not work at low temperatures.
3 We have identified three possible causes for the failure of the experiment: the equipment may have been faulty; the wrong chemical may have been used; or the results may have been recorded incorrectly.
4 There are a number of possible interpretations of the sign: it could mean the monkey is going into the tree; it could simply refer to the fact that there is a monkey in the tree; or it could say that this is a tree w here monkeys often hide.
5 Early researchers believed this was impossible; later researchers have shown that it is in fact possible, but only under specific conditions.
6 There is one final stage in our analysis: we need to decide whether the behaviour caused the changes in the brain or whether the changes led to the new behaviour.
E. Rewrite the sentences, adding the information in brackets.
1 There is a need.
(The need is desperately urgent. The need has existed for several years. Respected experts need to provide answers to the question. The question is hugely important. The question is whether this is good for society.)
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
2 The decision was unpopular with experts.
(They decided to stop the experiments. The decision was taken last week. It was hugely unpopular. The experts were internationally respected. They were experts in chemistry.)
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
3 The failure caused disagreement.
(The operation failed. It failed as a result of insufficient time. Scientists disagreed among themselves. They disagreed deeply.)
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……………………………………………………
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4 The discovery changed understanding.
(Archaeologists discovered a fossil. The fossil was a bone. The bone had been used as a tool. The discovery was incredibly important. Scientists understand how early tools developed.)
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
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5 The prediction led to demands.
(Experts predicted that a new form of life would be discovered. The prediction was extremely widely reported. Scientists demanded more money. They wanted the money to spend on research.)
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
Answers
Possible answers
1 There is a desperately urgent need, which has existed for several years, for respected experts to provide the answers to the hugely important question of whether this is good for society.
2 The decision to stop the experiments, which was taken last week, was hugely unpopular with internationally respected experts in chemistry.
3 The failure of the operation as a result of insufficient time caused deep disagreement among scientists.
4 The incredibly important discovery by archaeologists of a fossil of a bone which had been used as a tool changed scientists’ understanding of how early tools developed.
5 The extremely widely reported prediction by experts that a new form of life would be discovered led to demands from scientists for more money to spend on research.
F. Choose a topic you know quite a lot about and write a brief explanation of it, using formal English, in your notebook. Present the information to your friends.
Answers
your own answers
G. Circle the correct option.
1 ………. began a series of dramatic changes.
a The telephone’s invention by Bell
b Bell’s telephone invention
c The invention of the telephone by Bell
2 For years, he has been carrying out research ………. the life cycle of butterflies.
a of b into c for
3 The problem that led to the failure of the experiment ………. caused by bad weather.
a may be
b may been
c may have been
4 To sum up, there ………. evidence to support the case of the prosecution.
a isn’t enough
b is not a lot of
c is insufficient
5 The sign languages used by deaf people are just as sophisticated as spoken languages ………. the ‘sign’ languages that have been taught to chimpanzees are completely different in terms of sophistication.
a : b , c ;
Answers
1 c 2 b 3 c 4 c 5 c
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