9

Noun Phrases

The love of family and the

admiration of friends is
much more important than
wealth and privilege.
c harles

kuralt ,

journalist

(19341997)

Talk about It Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Why?

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Warm-Up 289

9.1
What Are Noun Phrases? 290
9.2
Adding Information to a Main Noun 292
9.3
Adjectives 295
9.4
Noun + Noun 298
9.5
Appositives 301
9.6
Prepositional Phrases 304
9.7 Using Of to Show Possession 306

9.8
Recognizing Adjective Clauses 309
9.9
Subject-Verb Agreement with Long Noun Phrases 312
9.10 Using Noun Phrases in Speaking and Academic
Writing 314

Language Note: Main Nouns 317

Wrap-up Demonstrate Your Knowledge 320

9.11 Summary of Noun Phrases 321

Pronunciation Note: Of307

Warm-Up
A | Read the movie titles and check () I liked it, It was OK, I didnt like it, or I havent seen it. Then compare lists
with a partner.

Ten Famous English Language Films

I liked it.

It was OK.

I didnt like it.

1. The Last Emperor

2. A Hard Days Night

3. A Streetcar Named Desire

4. The Thirty-Nine Steps

5. Empire of the Sun

6. Million Dollar Baby

7. A Beautiful Mind

8. The Wizard of Oz

9. Rebel Without a Cause

10. The Man Who Knew Too Much

I havent seen it.

B | Each movie title above is a noun phrase. Based on these examples, what can you say about noun phrases?
Check () True or False.

true

false

1. A noun phrase has at least one noun or pronoun.

2. Noun phrases sometimes include adjectives.
3. Noun phrases always begin with a, an, or the.
4. There is always a noun at the end of a noun phrase.

C | Look back at the quotation on page 288. Identify any noun phrases.

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9.1 What Are Noun Phrases?

noun phrase

noun phrase

Money

isnt important to

A noun phrase can be:

me.

a single noun or pronoun, as in 1

a word or group of words + a main noun,
as in 2

noun phrase

a lot of good friends.

I have

A lot of people in their twenties

a group of words + a main noun + a group of

words, as in 3

noun phrase

work here.

noun phrase

Debt is

Other words in a noun phrase add important

information (details) to the main noun.

noun phrase

a common problem

for

new graduates.

Notice: A long noun phrase can contain two or

more short noun phrases, as in 4.

long noun phrase

We use noun phrases in different ways in a sentence, as in 58.

subject

subject

A good boss

should be well organized.

subject

object of a verb

My brother

sent

object of a preposition

grew up in
subject

many long emails.

a small town.
subject complement

Yo-Yo Ma

is

a well-known musician.
GOOnline

1 | Adding Noun Phrases Choose a noun phrase from the box to complete each sentence. Then compare
answers with your classmates.

9.1 a

noun phrases
many full-time jobs
public and private schools
the university level
well-paid work

careers in music

1. A lot of people love music, but its not easy to find

many full-time jobs

in this field.

2. A professional singer has a glamorous1 job, but its not usually

.
3. Many musicians teach in

4. A music teacher at

must have

at least a masters degree in music.

careers in sports

5.

are possible in

professionalsports.
6. A sports reporter watches a sports event and gives other people

noun phrases
a detailed description of it
a need
another possible career in sports
many different careers

.
7. There is always

for

photographers and camera operators at sports events.

8. Teaching is

glamorous: attractive in an exciting way

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noun phrases
a wide variety of jobs
everyday items
new things to entertain children
newspapers and magazines

careers in chemistry

9. Toy companies employ chemists to come up with

.
10. Many chemists work in laboratories to improve
like paint or soap.
11. Chemists work in many different fields and have
.
12. Some chemists are writers for

Think about It How many other noun phrases can you find in the sentences in Activity 1?
(Remember: A noun phrase can be a single noun or pronoun.)
Talk about It What other careers in music, sports, or chemistry do you know about? Tell a partner.

2 | Identifying Uses of Noun Phrases How is each bold noun phrase used in these sentences?
Check() your answers.

9.1 b

family facts

1. Everyone in my family lives in the same town.

subject

object
of verb

object of
subject
preposition complement

2. I have many cousins.

3. My parents met in high school.
4. I am the only person in my family who has lived
abroad.
5. My father works as an engineer.
6. My mother is a doctor.
7. On special holidays, my whole family gets
together.
8. I visit my aunts and uncles whenever I go home.
9. My mother-in-law is one of the nicest people
Iknow.
10. When my brother and I were children, we played
basketball all the time.
11. Not all sisters and brothers are good friends.
12. My parents sent all of their children to good
universities.

Think about It What other noun phrases can you find in the sentences above? How is each one used in
the sentence?
Write about It Write four sentences about your family like the ones above. Find the noun phrases and
say how they are used.

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9.2 Adding Information to a Main Noun

We can give more information about a main noun by adding words before or after it.
The information before a main noun usually comes in a particular order, as in 15.
NOUN PHRaSE

determiner

number

adjective

noun

main noun

thorough

research

project.

two

favorite

childhood

memories?

This is

What are

your

Is there

any

new

information

Look at

the

first

chart

There are

problems

a few

on this?
on page 30.
that I cant solve.

For more information on determiners and nouns, see Units 7 and 8, pages 212 and 254.

Notice the kind of information that comes after a main noun in a noun phrase, as in 69.
NOUN PHRaSE

main noun

appositive

prepositional phrase

adjective clause

We just met

our new

boss,

Mr. Wilson.

on the test.

that works for peace.

I answered

all the

questions

The U.N. is

an international

organization

There were

so many

people

in my past

10

I didnt know

11

We are looking for

12

This essay is clearer than

anyone at the meeting.

those who are responsible.
the one that I wrote.

who helped me.

We can also add more information to certain pronouns,

such as:
indefinite pronouns, as in 10
these or those, as in 11
one, as in 12
This information usually comes after the pronoun.
GOOnline

3 | Understanding Noun Phrase Word Order Put the words for each noun phrase in the correct
order to complete the sentences.

1. I have
2. I wish I had
3. I can speak
4. There is

9.2 a

a lot of good friends

. (good/a lot of/friends)

. (dollars/million/a few)
. (languages/several/foreign)
near my house. (grocery/a/store/large)

5. I would like to have

6. In high school,
7. I am
8. I dont need

someday. (job/a/government)
was biology. (subject/my/favorite)
. (movie/a/famous/star)
. (any/clothes/new)

9. I would like to live in

10. I do

. (modern/building/a/apartment)
to stay healthy. (different/many/things)

Talk about It Which sentences above are true for you? Tell a partner.
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4 | Exploring the Parts of a Noun Phrase Choose a word from the box to complete the bold noun
phrases in the paragraph below.

9.2 a

adjectives
architectural geometric
famous

determiners
his the
several their

nouns
assistant development
building

I. M. Pei
I. M. Pei, one of the most

(1. adjective)

architects

in the world, was born in China in 1917. Pei came to

(2. determiner)

U.S. to study architecture when he

was 17 years old. He worked for

years as an

(3. determiner)

professor at Harvard

(4. noun)

University while he was studying for his masters degree in

architecture. Then he joined a New York real estate
(5. noun)
(6. adjective)

patterns and

corporation called Webb & Knapp in 1948. In 1955, Pei started his own
office. His designs soon became well-known for their
unique use of glass. Among his famous

(8. determiner)

(7. adjective)
(9. noun)

designs are the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the New York City Convention
Center.

(10. determiner)

accomplishments also include updating the Louvre in Paris with a glass

pyramid in one of its courtyards.

5 | Finding the Main Noun Underline the main noun in each noun phrase.
1. the tallest person in your family
2. your favorite part of the Olympic Games

9.2 b

F Y I

4. the second month of the year

When the main noun is a very general word (e.g., person,

part, member, or thing), we often add other words to
make it more specific.

5. a city that you would like to visit

Did you see the thing? (too general; not clear)

6. your favorite subject in high school

Did you see the beautiful thing on the table?

7. the best job that you have ever had

Did you see the strange thing on TV about wild animals?

3. a member of a sports team

8. your favorite thing for breakfast

9. one thing that you really need
10. the last item that you bought

Talk about It Use the noun phrases above to ask a partner questions.
A: Who is the tallest person in your family?
B: My brother is.

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6 | Identifying Noun Phrases Underline the long noun phrase in each sentence below. Then choose a
noun from the box to complete the sentence.

9.2 ab

eyelid

fingernail

head

heel

nose

toes

eyes

foot

heart

knee

thigh

torso

body parts
foot

1. The part of your leg that you stand on is your

2. The back part of your foot is your

3. The part of your face that you use to smell things is your
4. The body part above your neck is your

.
.

5. The five things on your foot are your

6. The piece of skin that covers your eye is your

7. The two things that you see with are your

8. The main part of your body (not your head, arms, and legs) is your

9. The part of your body that pumps your blood around inside is your

.
.

10. The part that bends in the middle of your leg is your
11. The body part between your hip and your knee is your

12. The thin, hard part at the end of your finger is your

Think about It Circle the main noun in each underlined noun phrase above.

7 | Adding Information to Pronouns Complete each question below with information from the box.
(More than one answer may be possible.)

9.2 C

in the wild2

at the grocery store

that tasted really good

who can pay for it

in this book

in your family

that you saw last year

who lives in Canada

on TV

1. Did you buy anything

who want accurate news

at the grocery store

yesterday?

2. Do you know everything

3. When was the last time you ate something

4. Did you watch anything

last night?

5. Do you know anyone

6. Do you like movies? Can you name one

7. What is the best magazine for those

8. Does anyone

live in Europe?

9. Do you think everyone should get medical care or just those

10. Many people have seen an elephant in a zoo, but have you ever seen one
?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above.

2

in the wild: in nature

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9.3 Adjectives
adjective

main noun

some

important

decisions.

I need to make

determiner

2 The two cars were traveling at the same speed.

3 Whats the main idea of this essay?
4 Tom is a typical teenager.
5 Medicine is an interesting profession.
(The profession of medicine interests me.)

6 Bookmarks have a surprising number of uses.

(The number of uses for bookmarks surprises me.)

7 Planes have limited space for luggage.

We use adjectives to describe or give more

information about nouns. In a noun phrase, an
adjective usually goes between a determiner and a
main noun, as in 14.
Most of the time, we use only one or two adjectives
before a noun.
We can use the -ing and -ed forms of verbs as
adjectives, as in 58. Notice the difference in
meaning between the -ing and -ed adjectives.
GRAMMAR TERM: We call the -ing form of a verb the present
participle. The -ed form of a verb is the past participle.

(The space for luggage on planes is limited by the airline.)

8 English is a required course.

(English is required by the university.)

Liz is looking for

10

Your essay has

11

Joe is

12

Heart disease is

a full-time job.
well-developed ideas.

a hard-working man.
an age-related illness.
group-building exercises.

13

We had to do

14

Toy Story is

15

The restaurant serves

a full-length animated movie.

Multi-word adjectives are formed from more than

one word, as in 915. Most are spelled with a
hyphen. Examples of multi-word adjectives include:
adjective

noun

full-time

adverb

-ed participle

well-developed

adverb

-ing participle

hard-working

noun

-ed participle

age-related

noun

-ing participle

group-building

Notice that we can also use more than one adjective

in a noun phrase, as in 1415.

delicious slow-cooked meals.

GOOnline

8 | Using Adjectives Add an adjective from the box to each bold noun phrase. (More than one answer
may be possible.) 9.3 a
long
1. I have a list of the job qualifications.

2. A study in the Journal of Modern Science provides new information on this topic.
3. Volunteering teaches kids a lesson.
4. The sources of energy today are fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil, and coal.
5. Tai chi is a type of exercise.
6. Archeologists discovered a pyramid at an ancient burial site near Cairo, Egypt.
7. This course covers a range of topics.

deadly
graceful
international
long
lost
main
recent
renewable
valuable
wide

8. The sun is a source of energy.

9. English is the language of business.
10. We now have vaccines to prevent the spread of some diseases.

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9 | Noticing -ing and -ed Adjectives Underline the -ing and -ed adjectives in these questions.
1. Do all universities have required courses?

9.3 B

research
says...

2. What are some examples of industrialized nations?

3. Are there many unemployed people in your city?

-ing/-ed adjectives and

multi-word adjectives
are used most often in
academic writing.

4. Can you name an outstanding restaurant?

5. Does it bother you to ride in a crowded subway car?
6. Whats an interesting topic for a class discussion?

CORPUS

7. Do you like to have unexpected visitors at home?

8. Did you learn some complicated math formulas in school?
9. What was the most exciting period in history?
10. What should two friends do when they have opposing views about something?
11. Why is it important to make an informed decision when you buy something expensive?
12. Why shouldnt you eat spoiled meat?
13. What is the most terrifying experience youve ever had?
14. Do you hope to have a challenging career?

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above.

A: Do all universities have required courses?
B: Many do, but not all.

10 | Choosing -ing or -ed Adjectives Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
1. a. We couldnt believe the

2. a. It was a very
b. Irene had a

(confused / confusing)

(confused / confusing)

(irritated / irritating)

4. a. Heat can be one of the

b. I could tell from the

situation for everyone.

look on her face.

(surprised / surprising)

b. I just want to have a

(irritated / irritating)

airways to help you breathe.

habit I have is that I love to talk.

(surprised / surprising)

5. a. My husband and I have a

silence.

(shocked / shocking)

3. a. Coughing is the bodys way of clearing

b. The most

news.

(shocked / shocking)

b. The whole class fell into

annoyances3 of working in Antarctica.

look on her face that she wasnt expecting us.

(relaxed / relaxing)

(relaxed / relaxing)

approach to parenting.

time on my vacation.

6. a. Librarians offer useful information to students, teachers, and other

b. This study raises some

9.3 b

(interested / interesting)

7. a. What do you think was the most

(interested / interesting)

individuals.

questions about classroom management.

(excited / exciting)

b. I couldnt see the children but I could hear their

part of the movie?

(excited / exciting)

voices.

8. a. He probably would have gotten the job, but he didnt even apply for it. That was a
(missed / missing)

opportunity.

b. I dont understand this report. Theres just too much

3

(missed / missing)

information.

annoyances: things that bother you or make you angry

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 9. a. Given the

(pleased / pleasing)

expression on her face, Im guessing she got the job.

b. They painted the house to give it a more

(pleased / pleasing)

appearance.

Think about It Look at each pair of sentences in Activity 10. How does the meaning of the -ing adjective
differ from the meaning of the -ed adjective?

11 | Learning Multi-Word Adjectives Use the context of each sentence to guess the meaning of the
adjective in the bold noun phrase. Then write your own sentence using the noun phrase.

9.3 c

1. Big-name actors earn a substantial amount of money.

big-name = famous Johnny Depp is a big-name actor.
2. A front-row seat at a concert is usually expensive.
3. Some people enjoy driving fast, but for others it is a hair-raising experience.
4. There are few single-story buildings in any city. The land is too expensive.
5. It is difficult to get from one part of the city to another in the slow-moving traffic.
6. There is little information on the long-term effects of a new medicine.
7. You will get a good grade for a carefully planned presentation.
8. Newly married couples have to adjust to a new way of life.
9. Bright red is an eye-catching color.
10. The majority of people obey the laws. They are law-abiding citizens.
11. Its easy to find things in a well-organized desk.
12. The economy is helped by hard-working families.
13. Its a pleasure to travel with well-behaved children.
14. There are many challenges for the teachers and staff at a newly opened school.
15. Poor-quality products can be harmful and sometimes dangerous to buyers.
16. The Help is an award-winning novel written by Kathryn Stockett.

Think about It Write each bold adjective above under the correct group in the chart below.
Adjective + noun

Adverb + -ed word

Adverb + -ing word

Noun + -ed word

Noun + -ing word

big-name

12 | Using Multi-Word Adjectives Complete these sets of questions with the multi-word adjectives in
the boxes. (More than one adjective may be possible.)
1. How often do you eat at

fast-food

restaurants?

2. Would you rather eat in a restaurant or have a

3. What is one

food?

9.3 c

meal?

awful-tasting
fast-food
home-cooked

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 4. Puzzles are one type of

game. What are some others?

5. Trivial Pursuit is a

game. You need to know a lot of facts.

Canyou think of any other games like this?

6. What are some common

activities?

7. Is there a

team for the next World Cup?

8. Why are

movies so popular?

9. What is the

action-packed
fastest-growing
highly favored

sport?

10. Would you rather have a

job or a part-time one?

11. What are the advantages of working in a

12. Do

business?

people always succeed?

13. Should all students go to a

14. Should education be a
15. Should

knowledge-based
mind-stimulating
time-consuming

university after secondary school?

experience?

students study separately from average students?

family-owned
full-time
hard-working

four-year
high-achieving
lifelong

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions in Activity 12.

A: How often do you eat at fast-food restaurants?
B: A few times a week, maybe.

Write about It Choose three multi-word adjectives from Activity 12 and write new questions. Then ask a
partner your questions.
What is your favorite action-packed movie?

9.4 Noun + Noun

the traffic signal.

Pay attention to

(= a signal for traffic)

Be sure to use

clean food containers.

(= clean containers for food)

The grocery store

is closed.

(= a store for groceries)

Hes

an experienced city planner.

Like an adjective, we can use a noun to describe the

main noun in a noun phrase, as in 14. The first noun
gives information about the main noun. It often says
what kind or type.
If the first noun is a count noun, it is often singular, even
if it refers to more than one thing, as in 34.
GRAMMAR TERM: These noun + noun combinations are also called
compound nouns.

(= an experienced planner of cities)

5 What goes into a business plan?

(= a plan for a business)

6 You should look at the government job listings.

(= listings of government jobs)

Using a noun + noun makes it possible to include more

information in fewer words, as in 57.
Sometimes we use more than one noun before a main
noun, as in 67.

7 She is a well-known country music singer.

(= a singer of country music)

For more information on compound nouns, see Unit 7, page 235.

GOOnline

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13 | Noticing Noun + Noun Underline the noun + noun combinations in these sentences.

9.4 a

The Worlds Best Airport?

1. Singapores Changi Airport has won
many awards from travel groups.
2. The airport has many comfortable areas for
sleeping or watching TV, as well as work desks
and free Internet service.
3. If you are tired, you can rent a nap room for a
fewhours.
4. The airport offers a free bus tour of Singapore.
5. There is a hotel with a rooftop hot tub.
6. There are several movie theaters.
7. The airport has a butterfly garden and an orchid garden.
8. If you spend $10 at one of the many airport stores, you get free admission to the four-story tube slide
(an enclosed slide made from a long tube).
9. Terminal 3 is a little city with a pharmacy, grocery store, flower shop, and jewelry stores. It even has an
indoor amusement park for kids.

Write about It Write your own sentences using three of the noun + noun combinations you
underlinedabove.

14 | Forming Noun + Noun Combinations How many noun + noun combinations can you make with
the words in the box?

9.4 A

business

city

food

insurance

report

car

community

government

plan

school

center

family

health

police

world

city school
business school
police school

school community
school food
school report

Think about It Choose one of the nouns above. What other nouns do we commonly use with it? Look in
the dictionary or online to find other nouns. Then report to the class.
school system
school year
schoolteacher

school bus
school day
school library

graduate school
art school
lawschool

Write about It Choose five of the noun + noun combinations above and write sentences with your
ownideas.
The school year in Japan runs from April to March.
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15 | Using Noun + Noun Rewrite the bold noun phrases using a noun + noun combination.
1. Which country has a good system of health care?

9.4 b

research
says...

Which country has a good health-care system?

2. Is the post office an agency of the federal government?
3. What do you think an expert on sleep does?
4. How many people in your family are speakers of a second language?
5. What does a manager of a project do?
6. What can you put on a bite of an insect to make it stop itching?
7. What is the normal temperature of your body?

Noun + noun
combinations can
show different
relationships between
the two nouns, such as:

Parts of a whole: family

members, car engine
Purpose: credit card,
teacher education

8. Do you usually take a nap in the afternoon?

Location: hotel room,

crime scene

9. Do you use plastic or cloth bags for your groceries?

10. Have you ever written an essay for a class in college?

Time: spring rain,

bedtime story

11. Are you currently a student at a university?

12. What are some common symptoms of a cold?

CORPUS

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above.

A: Which country has a good health-care system?
B: I think Canada does.

16 | Identifying the Main Noun When we use several nouns together, its sometimes difficult to identify
the main noun. Can you find the main noun in each bold noun phrase? Underline it.

9.4 b

From the News

1. A bristlecone pine tree in California is the oldest recorded living tree. It is believed to be more than
4,600 years old.
2. The Large Hadron Collider is the worlds highest-energy particle accelerator.4
3. In 2012, Joe Ayoob broke the long-distance paper airplane flight record when he threw a paper
airplane 226 feet, 10 inches.
4. Many scientists believe that an asteroid impact5 caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
5. The first coast-to-coast airplane flight in the U.S. took place in 1911 and lasted 49 days.
6. Fish species loss is accelerating, and soon we may have no more fish to eat from the oceans.
7. Pollution causes poor air quality, and it can be bad for your health.
8. The orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope found water vapor in the atmosphere of a distant star.
9. Some scientists think that music training may help students with language problems.
10. The fastest-growing plant in the world is the giant timber 6 bamboo from China. It reaches its adult
height of up to 18.3 meters in just two months.
11. Movie director James Cameron broke the world depth record when he descended nearly 7 miles in
thePacific Ocean.

particle accelerator: a device that speeds up small matter; used in

scientific experiments

4

5.
6

asteroid impact: a small planet hitting the earth

timber: a tree that is grown to produce wood

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9.5 Appositives
appositive

Mr. Adrian, my lawyer,

Mount Everest, the worlds highest mountain,

can answer this question.

appositive

is 60 million years old.

appositive

There is little water on

Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system.

4 Flat Earth, a fascinating book, was published in 2008.

5 Part of this exam (Section 2) focuses on vocabulary.

6 Mount EverestMount Chomolungma in Tibetan

is 8,848 meters high.

COMPARE

7a Mount Everest is the worlds highest mountain.

Climbing it can be very expensive.

7b Climbing Mount Everest, the worlds highest

We can add information after a

main noun with an appositive, as
in 13. An appositive describes
or gives another name to a main
noun.
GRAMMAR TERM: An appositive is usually
also a noun phrase. Apposition means that
two noun phrases are set side by side.

We usually use a comma before and after an appositive,

as in 4.
We sometimes use a dashlike thisor parentheses ( )
instead, as in 56.
Using an appositive is a useful way of combining
information from several clauses or sentences into one
sentence, as in 7b. This is a short way to give a lot of
information.

mountain, can be very expensive.

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17 | Noticing Appositives Underline each appositive in this paragraph. Then circle the noun phrase it
renames or describes.

9.5 a

Gustavo Dudamel
by Matt Cody
Gustavo Dudamel, the 31-year-old Venezuelan
conductor, is at the center of the classical music
world. In 2009, Dudamel became the music
director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a
leading orchestra in the U.S. Yet as famous as

research
says...
Appositives are
common in news and
academic writing.
They often describe
a proper noun or
technical word.

CORPUS

Dudamel is for his conducting, he is also much

admired for his leadership in music education.
He is one of the leaders of El Sistema, Venezuelas
widely praised music education program. El Sistema has put musical
instruments in the hands of about 250,000 Venezuelan children. Many of
them play in the programs top orchestra, the Simn Bolivar Symphony
Orchestra. Dudamel, a graduate of El Sistema, is the orchestras conductor.
Whether leading musicians young or old, Gustavo Dudamel is the most
charismatic young conductor in the world today.

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18 | Adding Appositives Choose an appositive from the box to complete each sentence below.
a 147-meter-high tomb

input/output

a 4,000-year-old invention

New York Citys largest open space

a favorite destination for skiers

pieces of wood with rounded corners

a language spoken well before 4000 BCE

the frozen continent

a star made of intensely hot gases

the only food that never spoils

a sudden and briefly popular behavior

World Court

9.5 AB

describing places

1. Central Park,

New York Citys largest open space

, is a

model for city parks around the world.

2. The Great Pyramid,

was completed in 2600 BCE.

3. The International Court of Justice (
) is located in theNetherlands.
4. The sun

is the

only source of light and the main source of heat in the solar system.
5. Antarctica,

,
Central Park in New York City

surrounds and covers the South Pole.

6. The lower slopes of the Alps
are covered with forests.
describing things

7. Honey,

, was once used

as a kind of money.
8. Computers work with a number of different I/O (
) devices to exchange information.
9. Unlike a fad

trends

may become popular slowly and may have long-term effects.

10. Toothpaste,

, was
Honey was once used
as a kind ofmoney.

originally made with vinegar and ground stone.

11. About half of the worlds population speaks a language that originally
comes from Proto-Indo-European,

12. As far back as 3600 BCE, the Sumerian people used simple wheels
(

).

Think about It Which of the appositives above give another name for the noun phrase? Which describe
the noun phrase?
In #1, New York Citys largest open space describes the noun phrase.

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19 | Adding Information with Appositives Rewrite each sentence below, adding an appositive from
the box. Remember to include commas, dashes, or parentheses.

9.5 aB

a city in Bolivia

one of the most beautiful cities in Italy

a city in Brazil

the capital of South Korea

a mausoleum in India

the largest city in California

a popular tourist attraction in Australia

the largest of the seven continents

Bolivia and Colombia

the second largest desert in the world

places around the world

1. Seoul is located on the Han River. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is located on the Han River.
2. Much of the Sahara is uninhabited7.

3. Asia is home to more than one out of every two people in the world.

4. Two countries in South America were named for famous people.

5. La Paz is at about the same height as the top of Japans Mount Fuji.

6. Venice is slowly sinking.

7. Curitiba has one of the best public bus systems in the world.

8. The Taj Mahal is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

9. Los Angeles is a major center for shipping, manufacturing, and finance.

10. Ayers Rock is located in the center of the country.

Write about It Choose a city you know well. Make a list of facts about the city. Then write three
sentences to describe the city, using appositives.
Chongqing, my birthplace, is located on the Jialing River.

20 | Combining Information with Appositives Combine each pair of sentences into one sentence,
using an appositive.

9.5 C

describing famous people

1. Stephen Hawking is a renowned theoretical physicist. He writes about black holes.

Stephen Hawking, a renowned theoretical physicist, writes about black holes.
2. Fred Leverentz is a 72-year-old mountain climber. He has climbed mountains all over the world.
3. Emily Dickinson is a famous American poet. She published only seven poems during herlife.
7

uninhabited: not lived in by people

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 4. Irne Curie was the second woman in history to win a Nobel Prize in science. She was the daughter of
the first woman to win the same prize.
5. The first person to orbit the earth was Yuri Gagarin. He died seven years later in an airplane crash.
6. Aesop was a Greek storyteller in the sixth century BCE. He used animal stories to teach lessons
aboutlife.
7. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an airplane. She disappeared while
trying to fly around the world.
8. Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of the power of peace. He led the nonviolent movement for independence
in India.
9. Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most famous movie directors in history. He made many film classics,
including North by Northwest and The Birds.
10. Agatha Christie was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She is the best-selling
novelist of all time.
11. The Rolling Stones are the longest-performing rock band of all time. The band first performed in1962.
12. Lang Lang has been called the superstar Chinese piano player. He loves opera, jazz, and hip-hop.
13. Andrew Johnson was the seventeenth president of the U.S. He was a tailor before he was president.

Write about It Look for information about three famous people and write a sentence about each one.
Use an appositive in each sentence. Then read your sentences to the class.

9.6 Prepositional Phrases

We can use a prepositional phrase to add more information to a noun phrase, as in 14.
The prepositional phrase often answers the questions what kind or which one.

New Zealand

What are

He has written

Does

has

a population of four million people.

the most important qualities of a good boss?

several papers on climate change.

anyone in the class

have a car?

(What kind of population?)

(What kind of qualities?)

(What kind of papers?)

(Which person or people?)

For a list of common prepositions, see the Resources, page R-9.

Sometimes we use several prepositional phrases in a noun phrase. Each prepositional phrase
adds information to the noun phrase before it, as in 57.

news

about the Museum

Here you will find

We will discuss

reasons

We will meet at

the embassy

for the increase

of the City

in health-care costs.

of the Peoples Republic

COMPARE

of New York.

8a The box on the table is mine. (Which box?)

8b Please put the box on the table. (Where do I put the box?)
9a Dont be late for the meeting on Friday. (Which meeting?)
9b Our meeting is on Friday. (When is the meeting?)

of China

in London.

Wa r ning! A prepositional phrase can function in

different ways. It can add more information to:
a noun phrase, as in 8a and 9a.
a verb or a whole sentence, as in 8b and 9b.
In this case, it is not part of a noun phrase.
(It functions like an adverb.)
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21 | Adding Prepositional Phrases Choose a prepositional phrase from the box to complete each bold
noun phrase.

9.6 a

1. The most important qualities

of a good parent

are patience

and a sense of humor.

2. Traveling to foreign countries is valuable for a number
.
3. The primary goal

of a good parent
of any business
of reasons
of the twentieth century

is to make money.

4. Some technological advances

had a

negative effect on the earths atmosphere.

5. You can easily learn about life

by looking

on the Internet.
6. The land

of a city should be a public park.

7. My teachers have been important figures

8. Fathers play an important role

.
.

9. Stress is one of the worst things

10. There are many opportunities
11. There is very little need

in my life
in other countries
in the center
in their childrens lives

in a big city.
in todays world.

12. There should be a separate section

on all

for children
for money
for work and entertainment
for your health

public transportation.

Think about It Circle the main noun in each noun phrase you completed above.
Talk about It Take turns reading the statements above aloud with a partner. See if
your partner agrees or disagrees and why.
A: The most important qualities of a good parent are patience and a sense of humor.
B: I disagree. I think its more important to be a good listener than to have a sense of humor.

22 | Noticing Prepositional Phrases Underline all the prepositional phrases in each bold noun phrase.
Then say which fact was the most interesting to you. Why?

9.6 b

in the news

1. A team of researchers recently found the bones of four different kinds

of dinosaurs at the same site in New Mexico.
2. The first time that sales of computers to homes in the U.S. were greater
than sales of computers to businesses was in 1994.
3. As a person ages, the thickness of each hair on the head gets smaller.
4. Many species of fish in the oceans are now disappearing.

research
says...
The most common
prepositions used in
noun phrases are:

for on
in to
of with

5. A meteorite crashed through the roof of a house in New Zealand.

CORPUS

6. The placement of an ice pack on an insect bite will relieve the itch.

7. The caffeine in three cups of coffee or tea may help to maintain mental sharpness8 in older women.
8. Researchers at the Erasmus University Medical School in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, found that
boiled coffee significantly increased cholesterol9.
8

mental sharpness: the ability to understand something easily

cholesterol: a potentially dangerous substance in the blood

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 9. The most recent survey of time use in the U.S. suggests that women still do most of the work at home.
10. Everything in the factories of the future will be run by smarter software.
11. A fifth of respondents to a Chinese local-newspaper survey said they had over 5,000 yuan of
digitalproperty10.
12. One researcher found that managers with more money invested in their companies take
fewervacations.

23 | Identifying Prepositional Phrases in Noun Phrases Read this article. If a bold prepositional
phrase adds more information to a noun, underline the noun it describes. (Only some describe noun
phrases. Others function as adverbs.) 9.6 C

Ocean Storms
Ocean storms form when the temperature in one area is different
from the temperature in another nearby area. Warm air rises and
cool air falls, creating a difference in atmospheric pressure.
If the pressure changes in a large area, winds start to blow in
a huge circle. High-pressure air is pulled toward a low pressure
center and thick clouds form. As the storm gains speed and moves
over the ocean, very heavy rain begins to fall. And storms can get
even stronger if they are moving over warm waters.
Under certain conditions, an ocean storm can strengthen and become a hurricane. The center of the
storm, known as the eye, is fairly calm. However, the strongest, fastest winds of a hurricane blow in the
area around the eye known as the eyewall, which can be about 16 to 80 kilometers wide.
Wind speeds in the most severe ocean storms have reached more than 250 kilometers per hour. Some
storms have produced more than 150 centimeters of rain. Many ocean storms cause high waves and ocean
surges. An ocean surge is a constant movement of water that can reach as high as 6 meters or more. This can
cause major damage to shore areas.

Think about It What kind of information does each bold prepositional phrase above give?
In one area explains which air temperature.
In atmospheric pressure explains what kind of difference.

9.7 Using Of to Show Possession

1 I dont know the title of the book. (NOT: the books title)

Sometimes we use a prepositional phrase with of to

show possession. This is common when we:

2 He walked to the end of the hallway.

talk about a nonliving thing, as in 12

(NOT: the hallways end)

3 Water is needed for the production of electricity.

talk about an abstract thing or idea, as in 34

(NOT: electricitys production)

use a possessive phrase that is more than two

words long, as in 5

4 The success of the plan depends on cooperation.

(= the plans success)

Wa r ning! In 13, it would usually be incorrect to use

a noun phrase + -s. In 45, it is the speakers choice.

5 The appointment of the new sales manager will be

announced soon. (= the new sales managers appointment)

CorreCt the Common errors (See page R-13.)

Please dont drink from that waters glass.

10

The parents of Sylvia are here.

digital property: for example, audio and video clips that can be downloaded online

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24 | Pronunciation Note: Of Listen to the note. Then do Activity 25.

Before vowel sounds, of is pronounced /v/. For example:
1 the heat of August

sounds like

the heatuv August

Before consonant sounds, of is reduced to //. For example:

2 the problems of the world

sounds like

the problemsuh the world

You dont have to use the reduced form, but you need to understand it in conversation.

25 | Pronouncing Of Listen and write the missing words in each question. Then listen again and check ()
the sound you hear.

9.7 a

of /v/

1. Do we usually have class in the middle

of the day

2. Are you the owner

3. How many years

?
have you had?

4. Who is the author

5. What day

is it?

6. Do you ever watch the end

first?

7. Do you know the rules

8. Are you a member

9. Have you ever left before the end

10. Are you worried about the state

11. Are you excited about the future

12. What was the result

13. Whats on the cover

14. Whats the name

15. Is anyone in your family the parent

16. Do you have a good sense

17. Is there a museum

in your city?

18. What is the definition

19. How many hours

?
did you do lastweek?

20. What is your favorite time

Talk about It Ask a partner the questions above. Pay attention to how you
pronounce of.
A: Do we usually have class in the middle of the day?
B: Yes. Our class is at 2:00.

of //

?
research
says...
Using of to show
possession is much
more common than
using a possessive s,
especially in academic
writing.

CORPUS

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Think about It Answer these questions about each prepositional phrase you wrote in Activity 25.
Is the noun a nonliving thing?
Is the noun an abstract thing or idea?
Is the possessive phrase more than two words long?
1. In #1, a day is an abstract thing.

11.

2.

12.

3.

13.

4.

14.

5.

15.

6.

16.

7.

17.

8.

18.

9.

19.

10.

20.

26 | Using Of to Show Possession In this paragraph, the writer has used too many possessive

determiners. Use prepositional phrases with of to rewrite some of them. (More than one answer is
possible). 9.7 a

Manatees
Manatees are water animals sometimes called sea cows because of
their large size and gentle nature. Although they do not have many

the actions of people

natural predators, peoples actions have interfered11 with manatees

in recent years. Humans interference with manatees habitats
is one of the main problems. For example, Floridas manatees no
longer migrate south as they once did, but now stay near warm
waters created by power plants. Another problem is boats. A boats
paddles can cut a manatee, killing it or leaving terrible scars. This may occur partly because of a boats
sound. Large boats emit low-frequency sounds that manatees cannot hear. However, manatees will swim
away from a boat with a higher frequency, according to some researchers findings. Another major problem
for manatees is the red tide. Toxic12 algaes growth causes the red tide, and the toxins damage the manatees
nervous system.

Talk about It Compare your answers above with a partner. How are your changes different?

interfere: to become involved in the activities of someone or something else in an unwanted or harmful way
toxic:poisonous

11 
12

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9.8 Recognizing Adjective Clauses

The main goal of this chart is to help you recognize adjective clauses. Adjective clauses are covered in more
detail in Unit10.
Another way to give more information about a main noun is by adding an adjective clause after it, as in 14.
NOUN PHRASE

main noun

We know

He is looking for

I have

people

an interesting

job

that pays a lot of money.

boss

who doesnt like to make decisions.

I prefer

adjective clause

a lot of

activities

who can speak two languages.

that I can do outdoors.

GRAMMAR TERM: A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb.

5 Do you know everyone that works here?

6 I would fire an employee who was dishonest.
7 Do you want to see the coat I bought?

(= the coat that I bought)

8 Many of the people I know are artists.

(= the people who I know)

9 When are the people who are doing the work going to

be finished?

Adjective clauses often begin with a word like that or

who, as in 56. This word refers back to the noun or
pronoun before it.
Words like that and who can be the subject of an
adjective clause, as in 56. However, when there is
another subject, we can usually leave out that or who,
as in 78.
Notice that a noun + an adjective clause can come in
the middle of a sentence, as in 810.

10 The class I need to graduate was canceled.

COmPARE

11a We bought some milk yesterday. Where is it?

11b Wheres the milk (that) we bought yesterday?

An adjective clause lets us combine two ideas into

one sentence, as in 1113.

12a I have a good friend. He helps me all the time.

12b I have a good friend who helps me all the time.
13a A tornado has very strong winds. They blow in a circle.
13b A tornado has very strong winds that blow in a circle.
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27 | Noticing Adjective Clauses Underline the adjective clause in each sentence. Name or identify each
person, place, or thing described. Then compare ideas with a partner.
1. Name a type of living thing that you are afraid of.
2. Identify the countries that you have visited.
3. Identify a food that you cant stand13.
4. Name a place that you enjoyed visiting.
5. Name a person who you admire.

13

9.8 a

research
says...
Adjective clauses are
common in all types
of writing. In fiction
and news, they often
identify or describe a
person.

CORPUS

cant stand: dislike a lot

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 6. Name a person who has helped you in an important way.

7. Name a famous scientist who lived in the twentieth century.
8. Name a job that requires two or more languages.
9. Identify a city that is near some mountains.
10. Name a tool that you can use to open a bottle.
11. Think of a word that means very good.
12. Name an artist who is alive today.

28 | Adding Adjective Clauses Match the first part of each sentence on the left with an adjective clause
on the right.

9.8 a

interesting and unusual jobs

1. A wind turbine14 mechanic repairs the turbines g

a. who are traveling by plane.

2. Food stylists arrange the food

b. that have been lost in deep water.

3. A wildlife rehabilitator15 helps wild animals

c. that is used in magazine advertisements.

4. A sports event coordinator is the person

d. who want to lose weight.

5. A sports psychologist helps athletes

e. that are buried underground.

6. Salvage divers find things

f. that a famous actor isnt allowed to do.

7. Flight attendants assist people

g. that are on top of the 140-foot towers.

8. A dietician helps people

h. who plans special events for a game.

9. An archeologist studies the past by studying

i. who want to improve their performance.

oldbuildings

j. that have been injured.

10. In a movie, a stunt person does the dangerous

things

Write about It Choose one of the sentences above. Do an online search for more information about
the job. Then write a short paragraph with details about the job.

29 | Using Adjective Clauses Guess the language of origin and meaning of each word on the left. Write
sentences using words from each column. Then compare ideas with your classmates.

9.8 b

Tycoon is a Japanese word that means a successful businessperson.

Word

Language of origin

Meaning

1. tycoon

English

a large group of people who sing together

2. revenue

French

the income of a government or company

3. tornado

Greek

a note that you write to someone at work

4. soprano

Chinese

a thick sauce that is made with tomatoes

5. pajamas

Persian

loose pants and a top that you wear to bed

6. catsup

Italian

a successful businessperson

7. chorus

Japanese

the highest singing voice

8. memo

Spanish

a violent storm with strong winds that blow in a circle

14

wind turbine: an engine that gets its power from the wind
rehabilitator: someone who brings something back to a normal or healthy condition

15 

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30 | Noticing Adjective Clauses Underline the adjective clauses in these test prompts and circle the
noun each clause describes.

9.8 b

essay test prompts

STUDY STR ATEGY

1. Are children who play sports less likely to get into

To identify some adjective clauses, look for

a noun + a word like that or who.

trouble than children who dont play sports?

2. What is the most important subject that students should

a problem that I had . . .

people who know me . . .

study in high school?

3. Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your
opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should sometimes do things that they do
not enjoy doing.
5. Countries, businesses, and schools are three areas that need good leaders. Choose one of these areas and
describe the most important qualities of a leader in that area.
6. What is one skill that every person needs to learn?
7. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of
humor) that a person can have? Why?
8. Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to
themselves. What are the advantages of having friends who are different from you?
9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The decisions that people make quickly are
always wrong.
10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are
about real events and real people.

Write about It Choose one of the essay test prompts above and answer it in writing.

31 | Identifying Adjective Clauses The adjective clauses in these sentences dont use that or who.
Underline the adjective clauses and circle the noun each clause describes.

1. The nicest thing I own is a piece of jewelry from my mother.

2. Good writing is the most important skill I have learned.
3. Global warming is the most serious problem we face today.
4. There are many things I like about tennis.
5. The first thing I do in the morning is to drink a cup of coffee.
6. A good friend is someone I trust.
7. The best advice I ever received was from my father.

9.8 b

STUDY
STR ATEGY
To identify some
adjective clauses, look for
a noun + noun/pronoun
+ verb.

the nicest thing I own . . .

some people I know . . .

8. The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns.

9. There are many different things you can do to stay healthy.
10. The worst thing an employee can do is to steal from the company.

Write about It Rewrite sentences 16 above with your own ideas.

The nicest thing I own is a sweater from my mother.

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32 | Combining Sentences Combine each pair of sentences using an adjective clause.

9.8 c

1. I have many friends. They email me all the time.

I have many friends who email me all the time

2. There were a lot of people on the street. They were wearing costumes.
There were a lot of people on the street who

3. I read an interesting article. It explains the benefits of crying.

I read an interesting article that

4. When I was in Turkey, I met some of my relatives. They still live in my parents village.
When I was in Turkey, I met some of my relatives

5. My brother is a doctor. He works with cancer patients.

My brother is a doctor

6. Many people are concerned about their health. They eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.

7. I have a good friend. She is always giving me advice.

8. My brother lives in a building downtown. It was once a factory.

9. An introduction is part of a book or essay. It comes at the beginning.

10. Two students went to the hospital. They were injured.

9.9 Subject-Verb Agreement with Long Noun Phrases

subject

verb

The natural vegetation of the upper Amazon River

is

Shaun White, a famous snowboarder,

The color of the trees

Every place that we visited on the islands

Most of the people who live in this city

changes

designs

clothes in his spare time.

in the fall.
was
are

tropical rain forest.

cheap.

friendly.

The verb in a sentence

usually agrees with the main
noun in the subject: We use a
singular verb with a singular
main noun and a plural verb
with a plural main noun, as
in 15.
In a long noun phrase, dont
be confused by the words
that follow the main noun,
asin 35.
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33 | Subject-Verb Agreement Circle the main noun in each bold noun phrase. Then write the correct form
of the verb in parentheses.

9.9 a

Facts about Languages and Names

are

1. The six official languages of the United Nations (U.N.)

Arabic, Chinese, English,

French, Russian, and Spanish. (is/are)

2. The most common name in the world

Mohammed. (is/are)

3. In nearly every language, the word for mother

with a /m/ sound. (begins/begin)

4. The only language that capitalizes the first-person singular (I)

5. Seoul, the South Korean capital,

English. (is/are)

the capital in the Korean language. (means/mean)

6. One of the few people who single-handedly16 invented an alphabet for a living language
Sequoyah, a Cherokee Indian. (was/were)
7. In Chinese, the characters (or symbols) for danger and opportunity

the word crisis.

(forms/form)
8. Only four common words in the English language

in -dous: hazardous, horrendous,

stupendous, and tremendous. (ends/end)

9. The only common 15-letter word in the English language that can be spelled without repeating a
letter

uncopyrightable. (is/are)

10. Children who study another language

higher on basic skills such as reading and

math. (scores/score)
11. The most widely spoken forms of the Chinese language

Mandarin, Cantonese, Gan,

Hakka, Min, Wu, and Xiang. (is/are)

12. The longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order
almost. (is/are)
13. A person who speaks several languages

more job opportunities than a person who

speaks just one language. (has/have)

14. The Germanic family of languages

Danish, Dutch, English, German, and Swedish,

among others. (includes/include)

15. Most countries in Europe

a number of regional or minority languages, some of which

have become official languages. (has/have)

16

single-handedly: done by one person, without help

noun phr ases

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9.10 Using Noun Phrases in Speaking and Academic Writing

strengthening And softening in sPeAKing

1 Thats a very interesting question.

2 We had a really clear view of the stage from our seats.
3 The president has some pretty good ideas.
4 Im having such a bad day. (NOT: a such bad day)
5 Kelly doesnt have a very loud voice.

(NOT: Kelly doesnt have a pretty loud voice.)

We use certain words to strengthen or soften an

adjective in a noun phrase.
In speaking, we often use informal words like very,
really, pretty, and such, as in 15. Notice:
We use such before a / an with singular nouns
as in 4.
We dont use pretty in negative sentences, as in 5.

strengthening And softening in AcAdemic writing

6 Japanese is an extremely difficult language to learn.

7 When we did the test again, we got significantly

In academic writing, we often use more formal words

like very, extremely, significantly, or quite, as in 68.

better results.

8 Based upon our research, we arrived at quite a

different conclusion. (NOT: a quite different conclusion)

comPAre

9a Gustavo Dudamel is a conductor, and he is 31 years

old. He is from Venezuela. He became the music

director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2009.
9b Gustavo Dudamel, the 31-year-old Venezuelan

conductor, became the music director of the Los

Angeles Philharmonic in 2009.

referring BAcK with noun PhrAses

10 During the 1930s, roads, bridges, and schools were

built all over the U.S. Most of these structures are still
in use today.

(structures = roads, bridges, and schools)

11 Today the company made the announcement that

400 employees would lose their jobs. This statement

came during an interview with the companys
president.

Notice that we use quite before a / an with singular

nouns, as in 8.
Packing a lot of information into longer noun phrases is
very common in academic writing.
In 9a, the writer uses several short sentences to
communicate the information. Using many short
sentences is common for beginning writers.
In 9b, the writer uses longer noun phrases in a single
sentence. This allows the writer to communicate a lot
of information in fewer words.

In writing, we often start a sentence with a noun

phrase that refers back to an idea in a previous
sentence, as in 1011. Doing this helps connect the
ideas from one sentence to the next.
In both 10and11, the writers use this / that / these / those
to make it clear which ideas they are referring back to. For
variety, the writers also use synonyms for words from the
previous sentences.

(statement = announcement)

introducing detAils And exAmPles

12 The author of the article The Amazing Effects of

Music explains that music affects the body in many

positive ways. One of the obvious effects is that it can
put you in a better mood. Another benefit is that it
can lower your blood pressure.

In writing, we may introduce details and examples of

an earlier idea with words like one, another, or the first,
asin 12.

GOOnline

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34 | Strengthening/Softening Adjectives in Speaking Choose one strengthening/softening word

and one adjective from the box to complete the noun phrase in each conversation below. (More than one
answer may be possible.) 9.10 a
strengthening/
softening words
pretty
really
such
very

adjectives
careful
expensive
good
great

amazing
awful
bad
big

smart
surprising
terrible

hard
important
nice
serious

1. A: Sarah is graduating next week, but I dont know what to get her.

research
says...

B: Hmm. How about a watch?

A: Oh, yeah. Thats a

really nice

idea.

2. A: $120 for a textbook! Can you believe it?

B: Why do we need

a(n)

textbook?

A: I know. Its ridiculous.

3. A: How did you lose your wallet?
person.

B: I dont know. Sometimes Im not a

4. A: The snow has been falling all morning.
B: I knowit looks like a

In spoken language,
the most common
types of noun phrases
are a single pronoun
or a single noun.
Longer noun phrases
are more common
in formal written
language.

5. A: I think Im going to quit my job and go back to school.

B: Really? I dont think thats

a(n)

CORPUS

storm.
decision.

A: Why not?
6. A: What happened to you? You look exhausted.
B: I had a

day, and I didnt get much sleep last night.

7. A: Wheres Carlos today?

B: Didnt you hear? He was in a

bicycle accident.

A: Oh, no!
8. A: Did you like the pictures I posted online?
B: Absolutely. Youre

a(n)

photographer!

9. A: What did your father want?

B: Im not sure. He said he had a

question to ask me.

10. A: My phone keeps turning itself off. Do you think I should get a new one?
B: That doesnt sound like a

problem. Let me see if I can fix it.

Talk about It Work with a partner. Choose two or three of the noun phrases you completed above.
Writenew conversations with them. Present your conversations (or a conversation) to the class.
A: Why dont we go to the park this weekend?
B: Sure. Thats a really nice idea.

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35 | Strengthening/Softening Adjectives in Writing Read this article. Circle each adjective and the
word that strengthens or softens it. Then underline the full noun phrase.

9.10 a

Bicycle Transportation Around the World

In some countries today, a fairly large percentage of the
population uses bicycles for basic transportation. For
example, in China, Bangladesh, and some parts of the
Netherlands, people use bicycles for more than 40 percent of
all trips. Other countries, like the U.S. and Canada, however,
have significantly lower bicycle usean embarrassingly low
1 percent. How do we explain these differences?
In countries like the Netherlands, people think of bicycles

bicycling in Amsterdam

as transportation. As a result, their cities have been developed with an extremely large number of bicycle
routes. Some streets are marked as car-free zones, and some traffic lights are timed for bicycles, not cars.
These cities are considerably safer places to ride and have very low numbers of bicycle accidents.
In countries like Canada and the U.S., people have quite a different way of thinking about bicycles.
People usually ride bicycles for exercise or funnot transportation. Cities are not designed to
accommodate17 bicyclists. These cities tend to be more spread out, and the long distances between places
makes riding a bicycle impractical. Other common problems include a relatively small number of bicycle
parking spaces and unfriendly treatment of bicyclists by car drivers.
In some developing countries, there is a completely different type of problem. In India, a bicycle has a
substantially greater cost. In fact, a bicycle costs twice as much in India as in other developing countries like
China and Brazil. This is unfortunate, since research in Uganda, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka shows that bicycle
ownership can lead to a noticeably higher incomeas much as 35 percent.

Think about It How are the strengthening/softening

words you circled above different from those used most
often in conversation?

F Y I
Some adverbs can help writers give their opinion
or make a judgment. Compare:
The street had little traffic.
The street had surprisingly little traffic.
(The writer is surprised by this fact.)

17

accommodate: to provide room for someone or something

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36 | Using Longer Noun Phrases Rewrite the information in these sentences using longer noun phrases.
(There may be more than one way to rewrite the information.)

9.10 b

exercise

1. Physical fitness is the result of exercise,

proper diet, and nutrition. It can
improve mental health and self-esteem18.

Physical fitness, the result of exercise, proper diet, and

nutrition, can improve mental health and self-esteem.

2. Physical exercise can help with weight

loss. It should be frequent and intense.
3. Aerobics is a kind of exercise. It is of
relatively low intensity19. It increases
oxygen available to the body.
4. Bicycling is a kind of low-intensity
exercise. It is a fitness activity for the
whole body. It is also the second most
popular spectator sport in the world.
5. Anaerobic exercise refers to a highintensity activity. It is of short duration,
and it promotes strength and speed.
6. Weight training is popular with
professional athletes. It is a kind of
strength exercise.
7. Exercise releases endorphins.
Endorphins are the bodys natural
feel-good chemicals. They can even
temporarily relieve pain.
8. There is evidence that exercise usually
improves sleep. The evidence is
convincing20sleep improves for most
people.

Think about It What grammar structures did you use in the noun phrases you wrote above?

37 | Language Note: Main Nouns Read the note. Then do Activity 38.
Sometimes it is difficult to find the main noun of a noun phrase, especially when there are many
descriptivewords before or after the noun. Remember, the information that can come before and after a
mainnoun includes:

determiner(s) number adjective

noun main noun appositive

prepositional phrase adjective clause

Today, there are very few students who dont have access to a computer.
Universities in many English-speaking countries offer students the possibility of studying abroad for one
or two semesters.
One common pattern in longer noun phrases is a main noun + prepositional phrase + adjective clause.

a list of expressions that I know

18
19

a question about grammar that she cant answer

self-esteem: a feeling of respect for yourself

intensity: the amount of strength or force something has

20

convincing: causing someone to believe something is true

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38 | Identifying the Main Noun Circle the main noun in each bold noun phrase.

9.10 b

1. After weve finished, well have a few minutes to relax and take that much-needed coffee break.
2. The Thinker, one of the most significant works of art in the world, was created by Auguste Rodin in 1902.
3. The effects of music on the human body include both mental and physical benefits.
4. The speakers will discuss reasons for the dramatic increase in health-care costs.
5. A doctorate is the highest degree that a student can earn.
6. The salaries21 of community college graduates are higher than those of people with just a high school
education.
7. Freshly picked raw green leaves are an excellent source of vitamin C.
8. Traditional African clothing depends on the natural resources of different areas and materials that
people can produce cheaply.
9. After many thousands of years, African people began to make new kinds of clothes that were lighter
and cooler.
10. Indias Internet population was 112 million in 2011, making it the third largest market in the world after
China and the U.S.

Think about It Did you have trouble finding the main noun in any of the noun phrases? If so, why?

39 | Using Noun Phrases to Connect Ideas Use the bold information in the first sentence to complete

the noun phrase in the second sentence. Try to use synonyms or add new information to the noun phrase.
(There are many different ways to complete each sentence.) 9.10 cD

1. There are many possible ways to solve the problems in our schools. One
popular idea among teachers

possible solution OR

is to increase funding for education.

22

2. Some hospitals use music as a pain management technique23 for their older patients. This
helps calm patients and often results in less pain.
3. Enrollment at universities has declined a great deal in the last five years. As a result of this
, tuition has increased.
4. We really need to change parts of our voting system in some major ways. While some of these
might be difficult to carry out, they would increase voter turnout.
5. The government has invested heavily in new energy sources recently. These
have led to several important developments.
6. Many patients think their doctors dont listen carefully to them. This
is more common among elderly patients.
7. Speaking and writing differ significantly in several ways. The most important of these
is that speakers usually know who they are talking to,
but writers do not.
8. Many scientists believe that gases in the air are causing earth temperatures to rise.
is called global warming.
9. Young children begin to learn new words very quickly at about 18 to 24 months of age. Researchers
have called

the vocabulary explosion.

10. Home prices have been increasing rapidly in some parts of the country.
have made it more difficult to get a loan.
21
22

salaries: money that employees are paid each year

funding: the money provided for something

23

technique: a way of doing something by using special skill

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Think about It Compare ideas with your classmates. How many different ways did you think of to
connect the ideas in the sentences in Activity 39? Can you think of any other ways?

40 | Connecting Sentences Write a new sentence to add new information about the previous sentence.
Use a noun phrase to help connect the ideas. (There are many possible sentences.)

9.10 cD

advantages and disadvantages of cell phones

1. There are many advantages to having a cell phone. One of the most
important benefits is that you can call for help in an emergency.
2. If young children are permitted to use cell phones, they need to have
some rules.


3. Unfortunately, scientists have also found a number of problems with
using cell phones for long periods of time.

F Y I
When we use a noun phrase
to refer back to an idea, we
can use the noun phrase to
add new ideas or opinions.

There are thousands of versions

of Cinderella. One of the most
interesting adaptations of this
well-known story was written by
Mary Stewart.

home schooling vs. public schooling

4. Recently, more people have begun to educate their children at home. Home schooling can have both
good and bad effects on a child.

5. Attending public schools can provide students with some advantages.

6. However, not all public schools provide good learning environments.

benefits and difficulties of living in a foreign country

7. There are many benefits to experiencing life in a foreign country when youre young.

8. In their early years, children are influenced by many aspects of the culture around them.

9. At the same time, moving to a new country as a child can also be difficult.

Think about It For each item above, underline the idea introduced in the first sentence. Then circle the
noun phrase in the second sentence that helps connect the ideas.
There are many advantages to having a cell phone.
One of the most important benefits is that you can call for help in an emergency.

Think about It In addition to connecting ideas, why do writers repeat information from one sentence to
the next?

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Wrap-Up Demonstrate Your Knowledge

A | Review Choose a restaurant or coffee shop in your area and make a list of noun phrases that describe it.
Then experiment with different ways to use the phrases in a short restaurant review. For example:

Peaches Grill

a sandwich shop
tasty food and low prices
a medium-sized place
delicious chicken salad sandwich
homemade vegetable soup
friendly atmosphere
high-quality service

Peaches Grill is a medium-sized sandwich shop near my

apartment. For very little money, you can get a delicious
chicken salad sandwich on homemade bread or a large bowl
of homemade vegetable soup. The friendly atmosphere at
Peaches Grill, the tasty food, the high-quality service, and
the low prices will make you want to return many times.

B | Vocabulary Notebook Look in an English textbook for examples of noun + noun combinations

(compound nouns). Write a list of these in a vocabulary notebook. Write a sentence with each combination.
business trip

During a recent business trip, my plane was delayed.

C | Presentation Choose an interesting photograph of people doing a hobby or playing a game or sport.
Prepare a description of the people and/or the activity. Then present it to the class. For example:
This is a photograph of some of my friends. When I took this photo, they were
playing an Italian game called bocce. In this game, one person throws a small ball
toward the end of the playing area. The same person then throws a larger ball
toward the small ball. The goal of the game is to get close to the small ball without
touching it. The other players then try to throw balls even closer to the small ball.
In this photograph, my friend Steven is about to take his turn. None of us could
play very well, but we still had fun.

D | Web Search Do an online search for World Heritage List, a list of places the U.N. has chosen for special
importance. Print a brief description of a place and underline the noun phrases. For example:

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty
on the northeast coast of Australia. It contains the worlds largest
collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species
of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusk. It also holds great scientific
interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (sea cow)
and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

Write some of the sentences from the description on the board. Ask your classmates to identify the
nounphrases.
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9.11 Summary of Noun Phrases

Main Noun

Information before a Main Noun

Information after a Main Noun

deterMiNers

APPositives

Proverbs, short popular sayings,

Articles
(a, an, the,
some, )

Honesty is the best policy.

Possessives
(my, your,
her,etc.)

You cant have your cake and eat it.

usually state general and practical truths.

A house is not a home.

PrePositioNAl PhrAses

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

The best things in life are free.

Quantifiers
(several,
a few, many,
etc.)

Many hands make light work.

every picture

Adjective clAuses

tells a story.

Dont bite the hand that feeds you.

A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.

NuMbers

People who live in glass houses

Dont put all your eggs in one basket.

shouldnt throw stones.

Every stick has two ends.

Adjectives

Honesty is the best policy.

bad news travels fast.
NouNs

Dont look a gift horse in the mouth.

Dont throw the baby out with the bath water.

WE combinE information bEforE and aftEr a main noun in many Ways.

Pictures

tell stories.

picture

tells a story.

My

picture

tells a story.

every

picture

in the world

My family pictures
every motion

picture

My favorite family pictures

tells a story.
tell wonderful stories.

that i have ever seen

tells a different story.

tell wonderful stories.

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