KEY TO EXERCISES SESSION 1 (answers marked yellow) 3. Complete the following tables. formal informal formal informal appear seem enquire ask ascend climb finish end assist/aid help inform tell cease stop obtain get commence begin preserve keep consume use reject say no decrease shorten/reduce release free demonstrate show repair mend depart go require need desire want reside live formal informal formal informal comprehension understanding immature childish deficiency lack incorrect wrong opportunity chance inferior worse perspiration sweat inexpensive cheap residence house indistinct dim vision sight insane mad/crazy amiable friendly relaxed laid back complete whole responsible in charge energetic lively sufficient enough fortunate lucky vacant empty 4. 1. primarily, principally, essentially, predominantly 2. virtually, practically, essentially 3. solely, exclusively, entirely, totally 4. in sum/to sum up/in summary, essentially, fundamentally 5. attempted, strived for, strived to do 6. prime, chief, primary, principal, fundamental 7. characteristic, representative 8. In no way/respect can London be... 5. In the following examples, the same message is expressed in six different styles, from an extremely formal written style, to the very informal spoken one. Match the sentences with the adequate styles. a) Jargon, very formal. b) Written, formal, clear. c) Written style for the general public (scripted radio or TV news style). d) Formal spoken style (seminar, talk). e) Informal spoken style (discussion). f) Very informal spoken style (chat). I. As the value of Sterling increased compared to other currencies, the government was forced to take tax measures to head off a rapid increase in consumer spending spurred on by cheaper imports. (written style for the general public discourse, scripted radio or TV news style) II. And you see, Sterling got more and more valuable, so as a result, the government had to go round putting up taxes, you see, to stop everyone going out and splashing out, spending all their money on cheap imports. (relaxed, simplified chat, very informal spoken style – the addition of repetition and fillers) III. Consequent to the appreciation in the exchange value of Sterling against other currencies, necessary fiscal measures were introduced by the government in order to reduce the likelihood of an import-led consumer spending surge. (jargon, very formal, this is the style of language used in official reports, technical studies; it is exclusively a style of written English, full of verbal nouns, technical words and passives) IV. As Sterling went up in value, the government had to put up taxes to stop consumers splashing out on too many cheap imports. (relaxed, informal spoken style: discussion, there is plenty of prepositional verbs, all actions are expressed through verbs, not verbal nouns) V. As Sterling's international value went up, the government had to take tax measures to head off a consumer spending boom spurred on by cheaper imports. (formal, spoken style – radio, seminar, talk) VI. After the international value of Sterling rose, the government was obliged to take fiscal measures to reduce the likelihood of a surge in consumer spending led by cheaper imports. (written, formal, clear English, as found in the press or in documents aimed at ordinary educated readers) (Adapted from: http://website.lineone.net/~eshp/styles.htm) 6. 1. pose, 2. focus, 3. confirmed, 4. generates, 5. identified, 6. nature, 7. character, 8. turn, 9. underlines, 10. solid 7. Here is a paragraph that should be written in a more academic tone. Read it through and underline the parts that need to be rewritten and suggest possible improvements. Given the general knowledge of the health risks of smoking, it’s[VAC1] no wonder [VAC2] that heaps [VAC3] of smokers have tried at some time in their lives to quit[VAC4] . However, in most cases, their attempts are unsuccessful. People begin smoking, often when they’re[VAC5] adolescents, for lots[VAC6] of reasons, including the example of parents and pressure from peers. If others in one’s group of friends are starting to smoke, it can be hard to resist going along with the crowd[VAC7] . Once people start smoking, they’re[VAC8] likely to get hooked[VAC9] . The addiction to smoking is partly physiological; smokers become used to the effects of nicotine and experience painful withdrawal symptoms when they give it up[VAC10] . In addition, people[VAC11] become psychologically dependent on smoking as a way of reducing anxiety and coping with particular situations. 8. Identify the informal expressions in the following sentences. Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the informal expressions with a more formal equivalent. 1. With women especially, there is a lot of social pressure to conform to a certain physical shape. (a great deal) 2. Significantly, even at this late date, Lautrec was considered a bit conservative by his peers. (somewhat) 3. It focused on a subject that a lot of the bourgeois and upper-class exhibition-going public regarded as anti-social and anti-establishment. (much) 4. Later Florey got together with Paul Fildes in an experimental study of the use of curare to relieve the intractable muscular spasms which occur in fully developed infection with tetanus or lockjaw. (collaborated) 5. When a patient is admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit, the clinical team should avoid the temptation to start specific treatments immediately. (commence) 6. Therefore after six months the dieter is behaving according to all twenty-six goals and she has achieved a big reduction in sugar intake. (considerable) 7. Modern houses have so many labour-saving things that it is difficult for the person at home to have adequate exercise by doing chores, cooking, and looking after a family. (devices) 8. Simply making the effort to reclaim this wasted stuff for fertilizer would have a positive effect on greenhouse releases. (material) 9. It is difficult to imagine exactly what is meant by saying that such a classification is natural as any collection of things could be classified in this way. (objects) 10. Unfortunately, since there are so many possible explanations, the correct one is most difficult to find out. (ascertain) 11. These exercises can easily be incorporated into an exercise routine, with each exercise done again a number of times. (repeated) 12. Fleming did well in isolating a streptococcus from the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. (succeeded) 13. Effective vaccines prevent such hazards, but only if a social organisation makes sure that all potential mothers are vaccinated in good time. (ensures) ________________________________ [VAC1]it is (contracted forms should not be used) [VAC2]to be expected (conversational language) [VAC3]many (too informal, it also needs backing up with evidence) [VAC4]stop smoking (too informal) [VAC5]they are (contractions should not be used) [VAC6]many (too informal) [VAC7]behaving in a similar manner (conversational language) [VAC8]they are (contractions should not be used) [VAC9]addicted (too informal) [VAC10]stop (conversational language) [VAC11]many people (too definite, it needs more tentativeness and backing up with evidence)