a relative clause. Add commas if the relative clause is non-defining..
1. Albert Einstein was a school dropout. The world recognizes him as a genius.
2. As a young boy, Einstein had trouble in elementary and high school. He attended these schools in Germany.
3. He did poorly in subjects. He disliked them.
4. The only subjects were mathematics and physics. He loved them.
5. He developed theories. We use the theories to help us understand the nature of the universe.
6. Einstein is best known for his General Theory of Relativity. He began to develop
this theory while living in Switzerland.]
Practice 11
Complete the sentences with the correct relative pronoun. Sometimes you will have to use prepositions or add some word. Give alternatives if possible.
1. She was probably the hardest working student……… I’ve ever taught.
2. The idea remains that students are empty containers ………… the teacher fills with knowledge and all............... students have to do is listen and write.
3. This approach, ………… is rather formal, does not work in today’s changing world, ……... creative problem-solving is crucial.
4. We encourage competition, …………… brings out the best in people.
5. Many teachers believe that cooperative learning, ………… is the best way to encourage responsibility, tolerance and helpfulness towards others, is the future of education.
6. It seems that cooperative learning turns the classroom from a competitive arena into a place………….. learning facts and life skills is both more fun and more effective for pupils and teachers alike.
7. I might fail the test,… ……… ……… I’d probably re-sit it next year.
8. Professor Johnson, ………….. I have long admired, is to visit the university next week.
9. He is a teacher in London working with children …………. first language is not English.
10. Do you know the date……… we have to submit the first essay?
11. I didn’t get a pay rise, but this wasn’t the reason ……… I left.
12. Is it right that university authorities should make important decisions without consulting the students … ……. they are accountable?
13. Your essay is one of those ……… I’ll go through tomorrow.
14. The school ……… she is head ….. is closing down.
15. She was able to switch between German, Polish and Russian, …. … ……… she spoke fluently.
Practice 12
Make one sentence from the sentences given, using relative clauses.
1. Everyone passed the exam. They studied for it.
2. The professor won a Nobel Prize two years ago. He teaches my biology class.
3. He won the prize for research. This research might lead to a cure for AIDS.
4. Students will be placed on probation. Their grade point averages fall below 2.0.
5. Professor Jones won a Nobel Prize two years ago. He teaches my biology class.
6. He won the prize for his research into the structure of T-cells. This might lead to a cure for AIDS.
7. The professor is chair of the English Department. You should see the professor.
8. Environmental science is one of the most popular courses in the college. Dr. White teaches environmental science.
9. College graduates’ degrees are in computer engineering. Opportunities for college
graduates are on the upswing.
10. The position of office manager had already been filled. He applied for the position of
office manager.
11. The citizens of Puerto Rico are well –educated. 90% of them are literate.
12. Puerto Rico’s economy is growing. The most important sector of the economy is clothing manufacturing.
13. Germany had been divided into two countries since 1945. It was defeated in World War II in 1945.
14. There was rejoining in areas. Germans looked forward to reunification with their fellow citizens in some areas.
15. Apple Computer was started by two men working in a garage. Their Macintosh computer changed computing.
Practice 13
Change the second sentence in each pair to a relative clause, and combine it with the first sentence. Write each new sentence twice: once in the formal pattern and once in an informal pattern. Add commas if necessary.
1. Finding reasonably priced housing in big cities is a problem. Many young people are
concerned about the problem.
Formal pattern:_________________________________________________________
Informal pattern:_________________________________________________________
2. Affordable apartments are scarce. Young people would like to live in them.
Formal pattern:___________________________________________________________
Informal pattern:__________________________________________________________
3. Of course, many young people share apartments, but they have to choose roommates
carefully. They will share living space and expenses with these roommates.
Formal pattern:____________________________________________________________
Informal pattern:__________________________________________________________
4. Living with people can be stressful, but it can also be fun. You are not related to the people.
Formal pattern:___________________________________________________________
Informal pattern:__________________________________________________________
5. In many countries, young people continue to live with their parents in the same house.
They grew up in that house.
Formal pattern:____________________________________________________________
Informal pattern:__________________________________________________________
6. In the US, young people do not want to live with their parents. They typically declare their independence from their parents at age 18.
Formal pattern:____________________________________________________________
Informal pattern:__________________________________________________________
Practice 14