Unit 1 (A Letter to God)
Relative clauses, editing and listening
Use relative clauses and edit a text for missing words.
What a relative clause does. It tells us which person or thing we mean. It starts with who, which or that. Example: 'A tailor is a person who stitches clothes.'
Who or which? Use who for people and which for things; that can be used for both.
- 'A dictionary is a book which contains meanings of words.'
- 'What is the name of the player who hit a century?'
- 'I don't like people who tell lies.'
Clauses about groups. 'Those who believe in hard work will succeed.' 'God helps those who help themselves.' Check who the clause is about before you choose the word.
Editing: the missing word. In Lencho's thank-you letter, one word is missing in each line. Read the line aloud; where it stops making sense, the word is missing. Good answers: thank you for sending a hundred pesos as help; I am very grateful; you were my only hope; your help has increased my faith; this money will help me survive until the crop comes; I promise to work hard. Another word is fine if it keeps the meaning.
Proofreading marks are signs editors use: # for 'give space', a dot for 'full stop', a caret ^ for 'insert'. More are on pp.140-141.
Listening in pairs: The Race. The story is split in two. One partner has the odd sentences, the other the even ones. You read one sentence aloud; your partner writes it down; then they read the next. At the end, read the whole story to each other and check. You will only get it right if you listen carefully. (In the story, Choo-Choo the rat wins by jumping onto Kho-Kho the rabbit's shoulder near the finish.)
Practise this lesson
Questions that get harder as you improve, a Tutor that helps without giving the answer away, and progress you can see. Free for every learner.
No account, no email address. Opens the real product.