Grammar 1

Quantifying expressions

Quantifying expressions are important in academic English as it is often necessary to comment on figures or quantities.

A. Number and Amount

Learners of English often choose the wrong noun relating to quantity. For example, you say

Adjectives that can be use with both words:

B. Other nouns relating to quantity

Task 17. Read a paragraph and match the words in bold with their explanations below.

The size of our survey was relatively small-scale. We sent out 200 questionnaires in total (1). Although a couple (2) of people did not respond, the bulk (3) of those sent questionnaires have completed them. The survey shows that, as a whole (4), the population is becoming more aware of the importance of space exploration. Only one of (5) our respondents said that he is totally against the idea.

a) considered as a group rather than individually

b) one out of many respondents

c) in all

d) the majority

e) two or three, a few

C. Comparing numbers and quantities

Task 18. Read the following sentences and translate them in class.

1. Results exceeding 5 cm were eliminated from the survey.
2. The experiment was more or less a success.
3. No fewer than 200 people responded.
4. Fewer and fewer people are staying in the same job throughout their lives.
5. Young people are becoming less and less interested in politics.

Task 19. Read the text and underline all quantifying expressions you can find.

For some years now, scientists have been using a powerful new machine to recreate the conditions that existed at the birth of the universe. The machine generates a massive number of hot, dense, bursts of matter and energy, simulating what happened in the first few microseconds of the beginning of the universe. After no more than ten microseconds, the particles of matter joined together, like water freezing into ice, forming the origin of more or less everything we see in the universe today.

Task 20. Complete the sentences using the correct forms of the words in italics. The words are taken from all “Grammar 1” part.

1. In a ___________ number of cases, there was no reaction at all to the drug. surprise
2. The analysis demanded an ___________ amount of computer time. exceed
3. ___________ numbers of birds inhabit the lake during the winter. consider
4. The course requires a ___________ amount of prior knowledge of computers. reason
5. The survey took a ___________ amount of research time and costs were high. substance
6. In ___________, 12 areas of the Southern Indian Ocean are now closed to deep-sea fishing. totality
7. Groups ___________ four people were considered too large for the experiment. exceed
8. No ___________ than 2,000 new computer viruses are created every year. few
9. In a ___________ number of cases, surface damage was noticed. signify

Task 21. The sentences below are typical of spoken English. Replace the underlined words to make them sound more formal, appropriate for a written assignment.

1. The bulk of our work is concerned with carbon emissions.
2. We have noticed that fewer and fewer students are joining the course.
3. Our team spent a fair amount of time getting funding for the research.
4. In a couple of cases, we could not find any reason for the outbreak.
5. We spent a great deal of time on the project.
6. As you repeat the experiment, use less and less water each time.

Task 22. Use expressions from Grammar 1 part to describe our knowledge about the Solar system.

For example:

Each year astronomers find more and more dwarf planets.

Task 23. Conduct your own survey about some question or scientific problem. Report your result (use Task 17 as an example + A. Number and Amount) and describe the tendency (use part C. Comparing numbers and quantities). Use formal language.

Part II “The Universe”

Lead-In 2

Cosmology (from the Greek kosmos "world" and -logia "study of") is the branch of astronomy that deals with the evolution and structure of the Universe. Physical cosmology is the scientific study of the origin, evolution, large-scale structures and dynamics, and ultimate fate of the universe, as well as the scientific laws that govern these realities.

Before we set off on a journey through space and time, take a few minutes and do the quiz!

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 2034