Section 1 — Context Listening
Lake Taal — a radio news report
You are going to listen to a radio news report. Look at the photos. What do you think the report is about?
🎧 Listen:
1.1 Listen and check whether you were right. As you listen, number these events in the order the reporter mentions them.
- Two power stations were built close to Lake Taal.
- People were evacuated from around Lake Taal.
- The Taal volcano erupted and around a hundred people were killed.
- Scientists found that the temperature of Lake Taal was increasing.
- The Taal Emergency Strategy was introduced.
- A state of high alert was declared.
- The Taal volcano erupted and over a thousand people were killed.
1.2 Listen again. Complete each extract from the news report with a noun in the first space and a preposition in the second.
Recording 28 — Transcript
Reporter: The Taal volcano, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, has had a long and violent history. It first erupted centuries ago and over a thousand people were killed. Then, in 1911, it erupted again and, on that occasion, around a hundred people lost their lives. But while the death toll was mercifully low, the breakdown in communication cost at least a hundred lives.
Since then, the area around Lake Taal has been extensively developed. There has been an increase in the number of people living close to the lake as the population has grown. Two power stations were built just a few kilometres from the shore. The closure of the power stations would leave thousands of homes and businesses without electricity.
In the 1990s, scientists began monitoring the lake more closely. There was also a dramatic rise in the level of radon gas in the soil. Their concerns increased with the discovery of thousands of dead fish in the lake. Two days ago the evacuation of around 30,000 people began, following a state of high alert being declared, as the Taal Emergency Strategy was put into effect.
The situation remains tense. Volcanologists are watching the volcano around the clock, and further developments are expected in the coming hours.
1 The in communication cost at least a hundred lives.
2 There has been an the number of people living close to the lake.increase / in
3 The the power stations would leave thousands of homes and businesses without electricity.closure / of
4 There was also a dramatic the level of radon gas in the soil.rise / in
5 Their concerns increased with the thousands of dead fish.discovery / of
6 Two days ago the around 30,000 people began.evacuation / of
1.3 Rewrite the sentences using a verb related to the noun in the first space.
Example: The breakdown in communication cost at least a hundred lives. → Communication broke down and this cost at least a hundred lives.
2
There has been an increase in the number of people living close to the lake.The number of people living close to the lake has increased.
3
The closure of the power stations would leave thousands of homes and businesses without electricity.Thousands of homes and businesses would be left without electricity if the power stations closed.
4
There was also a dramatic rise in the level of radon gas in the soil.The level of radon gas in the soil rose dramatically.
5
Their concerns increased with the discovery of thousands of dead fish.Scientists discovered thousands of dead fish which increased their concerns.
6
Two days ago the evacuation of around 30,000 people began.30,000 people began to be evacuated two days ago. / The army began to evacuate 30,000 people two days ago.
Section 2 — Grammar
How nominalisation works
2.1What is nominalisation?
Start Point
There has been an increase in the number of people living close to the lake.
The number of people living close to the lake has increased.
Both sentences mean the same — the noun form (increase) is especially common in formal writing.
We can sometimes use a noun or noun phrase for an idea usually expressed by a verb or adjective. This is called nominalisation. An adverb modifying a verb changes to an adjective in the nominalised form: rose suddenly → a sudden rise.
Two days ago the evacuation of around 30,000 people began. (vs. Two days ago the authorities began to evacuate 30,000 people.)
The building of two power stations just a few kilometres away was strongly criticised by environmentalists.
The provision of temporary shelter in a safe location for those displaced is the army's top priority. (focus = what the army's top priority is)
2.2Do / give / have / make / take + noun
Start Point
The authorities took immediate action. = The authorities acted immediately.
The decision was made to evacuate the area. = It was decided to evacuate the area.
These patterns are often less formal than using a single verb. For example: I had to do all the cooking (less formal) vs. I had to cook (more formal).
They decided to postpone the race at the last moment. → The decision to postpone ...
The authorities acted immediately. → The authorities took immediate action.
I had to cook for the family. (more formal) → I had to ___ all the cooking. (less formal)
Section 3 — Grammar Exercises
Practice
3.1 Rewrite the sentences to remove the agent. Use a nominalised form of the underlined verb and make any other changes needed.
1
The government released the prisoners unexpectedly.2
They organised the conference very professionally.The organisation of the conference was very professional.
3
Spectators turned out in huge numbers for the match.The turnout for the match was huge. / There was a huge turnout for the match.
4
The army withdrew the troops immediately.The withdrawal of the troops was immediate. / There was an immediate withdrawal of troops.
5
We need to shake up top management for the company to be successful again.A shake-up in/of top management is needed for the company to be successful again.
6
The banks increased interest rates for the third time in two months.The increase in interest rates was the third in two months. / There was an increase in interest rates for the third time in two months.
7
They agreed on extra funding for the project.An agreement was reached on extra funding for the project.
8
They decided to postpone the race at the last moment.The decision to postpone the race was taken/made/reached at the last moment.
3.2 Rewrite each sentence using a nominalised form at the beginning. Leave out the agent.
1
After scientists identified the HIV virus in the mid-1980s, there were enormous efforts to produce a vaccine.2
Johan is obsessed with cars, and this started when he was quite young.Johan's obsession with cars started when he was quite young.
3
The government has expanded the nuclear power programme, but this has been criticised by opposition politicians.The expansion of the nuclear power programme has been criticised by opposition politicians.
4
The petrol companies have reduced the price of petrol, which is good news for drivers.The reduction in the price of petrol is good news for drivers.
5
The council abolished parking charges in the city centre, and as a result shops have reported increased business.The abolition of parking charges in the city centre has led to / has resulted in increased business for shops.
6
Parent organisations are demanding healthier food in schools, and this results from growing concerns about childhood obesity.The demand for healthier food in school is the result of / is due to growing concerns about childhood obesity.
7
The train will depart half an hour late because of engine problems.The departure of the train will be delayed for half an hour because of engine problems.
8
A new college principal has been appointed, and staff may leave as a consequence.The appointment of a new college principal may lead to / result in staff leaving.
3.3 Complete the extracts from newspaper articles using the information in the box. Use a nominalised form.
valuable books have disappeared · people have responded to its recruitment drive · the spelling system is complex · people are strongly resisting increased taxation · the damage to property is extensive · the situation threatens animal and plant species
1
Detectives were last night questioning a man about the from the National Library over recent months.
2
‘The teaching method we have developed acknowledges and guides children towards a better understanding in carefully controlled stages.’the complexity of the English spelling system
3
The Health Service is hoping to appoint 480 new nurses. Last night the Health Minister said was ‘excellent’ with 7,000 applications in two days.the response to its recruitment drive
4
Chinese remedies are rooted in 4,000 years of tradition, but growing Western interest in alternative medicines has increased . Products confiscated by environmental officers included some using the seedpods of a rare orchid.the threat to animal and plant species
5
The extra public spending will need to be paid for and, with borrowing ruled out, that can only mean putting up taxes. Given , this could undermine the government’s chances of being re-elected.the strong resistance to increased taxation / the strength of the resistance to increased taxation
6
Residents of the south coast are beginning to return to their homes after the recent severe flooding. However, means that some will be living in temporary accommodation for many months.the extent of the damage to property
3.4 Make these conversations more informal where possible, replacing the underlined parts with appropriate do/give/have/make/take + noun forms.
Use the model answer reveal for this production exercise.
Conversation 1
A: Have you (1) washed up yet?B: I’ve (2) started on it. But there’s such a lot to do, and you know how much I hate it.
A: Well, I’m going outside to (3) work in the garden.
B: (4) Shout if you need any help.
A: No, thanks. You just concentrate on the washing-up!
💡 Model answers: (1) done the washing-up · (2) made a start on it · (3) do some/the gardening · (4) Give me a shout
Conversation 2
A: Well, I’ve (5) decided. I’m going to apply for a job at Raggs.B: Good for you. I (6) feel you’d really get on there.
A: I’ve (7) arranged to see their head of personnel next Friday.
B: And how will you tell Terry you’re thinking of leaving the company?
A: Well, it won’t be easy, but I suppose I’ll just have to (8) breathe deeply and (9) explain to him why I want to go.
💡 Model answers: (5) made a/my decision · (6) have a feeling · (7) made an arrangement · (8) take a deep breath · (9) give him an explanation of