Word formation

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 418.

Style and register

Language Focus: Vocabulary

You may find it useful to refer to the table on page 62 for the following exercises.

Find words and phrases in the text on pages 98-99 which mean the same as the words in italics in the following sentences. Are the words in the text forma, informal or literary?

1 The fish is nor something you would miss if you were searching for it. (para. 1)

2 How could something so large quietly disappear without being missed? (two expressions – paras. 1 and 6)

3 Diversity is life's biggest advantage. (para. 2)

4 There are only about 7,000 taxonomists who can tell one species from another. (para. 2)

5 When the researchers reached 50,000, they started to get alarmed: according to these calculations, there might be 20 million species to be described. (para. 4)

6 But taxonomists are worried by something more serious than the task of counting. (para. 5)

7 Species are continuously developing, growing and dying. (para. 5)

8 65 million years ago a 10-kilometre asteroid hit the Yucatan in Mexico. (para.6)

9 Not everyone agrees these numbers are accurate. (para. 6)

10 The result of this rapid loss of species could be extremely serious for the planet. (para. 8)

1 Find the following words in the text. What part of speech (noun, verb or adjective) is each word in the text? What other forms of the word are possible?

1 grows (para. 1) 5 habitation (para. 3)

2 diversity (para. 2) 6 verge (para. 6)

3 nutrients (para. 2) 7 precision (para. 6)

4 distinguish (para. 2) 8 exploitable (para.7)

2 Use an appropriate form of each word to complete the sentences below.

1 It is difficult to make ………… measurements of the numbers of endangered species.

2 It should be possible to ………… the riches of nature without destroying it in the process.

3 Many species may seem ………… from one another to the non-specialist.

4 Most parts of Europe were once ………… by wolves and bears.

5 The gradual ………… of species is a process which has occurred over millions of years.

6 Their claim that we shall soon have classified all existing species ………… on the ridiculous.

7 Warm, damp conditions may encourage the ………… of harmful bacteria.

8 Young children need ………… food if they are to grow up strong and healthy.

3) Fixed phrases: with prepositions

Fixed propositional phrases may be tested in Paper 1 and in Paper 3. Look out for such phrases in your reading and make a note of them.

1 Rewrite the following sentences using the phrase in brackets. Make all the necessary changes to the rest of the sentence. Remember that if a verb follows a preposition, it will always be in –ing form.

1 Half of all the creatures on the planet are about to become extinct. (on the verge of)

2 The bear has been wiped out in most countries of the European Union other than France and Spain. (with the exception of)

3 The government is setting up more nature reserves to try to save the remnant populations of these animals. (in the hope of)

4 He got the job because he had had so much experience with animals. (on the strength of)

5 The government does not understand what ordinary citizens need or want. (out of tune with)

6 With her tutor's help, she came to be recognized as a leading talent in her field. (under the guidance of)

2 Now rewrite these sentences. This time you only have the key word.

1 Fair-skinned people are more likely to get skin cancer from over-exposure to the sun. (risk)

2 The charity appeal did very well. (response)

3 The police suspected that he had broken into the building, and arrested him. (suspicion)

4 High production rates are often achieved only when the quality of the work is reduced. (expense)

5 Mary was short and plump, and was very different from her mother, who was tall and willowy. (contrast)

6 The medal was awarded to the retiring mayor for his services to the town. (recognition)