LanGYM — Relative Clauses (1)

Section 1 — Context Listening

1.1 You are going to hear part of a commentary from an audio-guide in a museum of science and technology. Before you listen, look at these photos. What do you think the commentary is about?

Photos show: a wireless telegraph · a battery · a photograph of Marconi · a transmitter coil

1.2 Listen to the commentary. Number the photos in the order they are mentioned.

🎧 Recording 14

Recording 14 — Transcript

Welcome to the museum of science and technology. This audio-guide will take you through our exhibition on the history of radio. Please switch off your mobile phones.

The story of radio probably begins with the German physicist, Heinrich Hertz, who was the first to produce radio waves in a laboratory. In 1887, he devised an experiment in which a spark jumped across a gap in a metal ring when a sparking coil was held a few metres away. Hertz showed that these 'radio waves' behaved in the same way as light waves. You can see a model of Hertz's experiment in Case 1 ahead of you on the left.

For most people, however, it is the Italian Guglielmo Marconi whose name is mainly associated with the development of radio. In the 1890s Marconi studied with the Italian physicist Augusto Righi, and he became interested in the idea of using radio waves for communication. By the end of 1895, Marconi had succeeded in transmitting messages by radio over a distance of about a mile and a half. By 1900, he had formed the 'Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company', which employed around 50 people. There are just a few of the 'wireless telegraphs' that the factory produced left in the world, an example of which you can see in Case 2.

The old photograph that you can see ahead of you shows Marconi at Signal Hill in Newfoundland, where he received the first transatlantic radio signal. The first public demonstration of the power of radio came in 1901, when Marconi announced that he had received a transmission from across the Atlantic.

These early radio systems could only be used for Morse code. But a method had to be developed whereby the low-frequency waves produced in a microphone could be combined with high-frequency radio waves. This advance made voice communication by radio possible. You can see an early radio receiver in Case 3 on your right. The model in Case 4 shows how this combining process works.

The popularity of radio increased rapidly. In Britain, it increased until 1952, by which time four out of five households owned one. Move now to Room 36, where you can find information on how radio made further progress.

1.3 Listen again and fill in the gaps.

1 He devised an experiment in a spark jumped across a gap in a metal ring when a sparking coil was held a few metres away.

2 For most people, however, it is the Italian Guglielmo Marconi name is mainly associated with the development of radio.whose

3 The first public demonstration of the power of radio came in 1901, Marconi announced that he had received a transmission from across the Atlantic.when

4 There are just a few of the 'wireless telegraphs' that the factory produced left in the world, an example you can see in Case 2.of which

5 A method had to be developed the low-frequency waves produced in a microphone could be combined with high-frequency radio waves.whereby

6 In Britain, the popularity of radio increased until 1952, four out of five households owned one.by which time

1.4 What do the words in the gaps in 1.3 refer to?

1

in which — refers to:

2

whose — refers to: Guglielmo Marconi

3

when — refers to: 1901

4

of which — refers to: wireless telegraphs

5

whereby — refers to: a method

6

by which time — refers to: 1952

Section 2 — Grammar

2.1Defining and non-defining relative clauses

Start Point

The old photograph that you can see ahead of you shows Marconi at Signal Hill. (defining — specifies which photograph)

The story of radio probably begins with Heinrich Hertz, who was the first to produce radio waves. (non-defining — adds extra information)

Defining clauses specify which person or thing. Non-defining clauses add extra information — they are written between commas. Never use that or omit the pronoun in a non-defining clause.

There were many people who doubted that Marconi would ever succeed.

Marconi opened a factory, which employed around 50 people.

Augusto Righi, whom Marconi respected greatly, guided his research.

2.2Relative pronouns: who, whom, which, that, whose

Use who/that for people (subject), whom/who/that for people (object — whom is formal), which/that for things, whose for possession. That and omission of pronoun only possible in defining clauses. Whom is formal/written only.

It is Guglielmo Marconi ___ name is mainly associated with the development of radio.

There were many people ___ doubted that Marconi would ever succeed.

The factory produced wireless telegraphs, ___ became collector's items.

2.3When, where, why, whereby, of which, by which time

Use when after time nouns, where after location nouns, why after reason. More formal alternatives use preposition + which: in which, of which, by which time, whereby (= by means of which).

The first public demonstration came in 1901, ___ Marconi announced the transatlantic signal.

A method had to be developed ___ low-frequency waves could be combined with high-frequency waves.

Move now to Room 36, ___ you can find information on further progress.

Section 3 — Grammar Exercises

3.1 Match the sentence beginnings and endings and join them with one of the words in the box.

Use: when · where · whose · why · which

1

The new factory will be located in an area there are high levels of unemployment. (→ e)

2

The photograph reminded him of the time he used to live in Thailand.when (→ b)

3

Any complaints should be sent to the Broadcasting Regulator, job it is to maintain standards in television programmes.whose (→ a)

4

I couldn't see any reason Irina should be offended by my letter.why (→ d)

5

The university has introduced an initiative in talented students can complete their degree in only two years.which (→ c)

3.2 Underline all the possible relative pronouns that can complete each sentence. ('–' means that the sentence is correct with no relative pronoun.) If there is more than one possible answer, decide which one(s) are less formal.

1

The new drug should be of benefit for anyone who suffers from severe back pain.
A who B – C which D that → A (or D, which is less formal than A)

2

Did the committee took the decision on the new housing estate meet local protestors?
A – B which C who D whomB/C (collective noun: which or who; that also possible)

3

The wallpaper, is available in a number of colours, is based on an eighteenth-century design.
A which B that C – D whoA (non-defining: which only)

4

Howard Stevens was one of the artists Carlson worked with in his youth.
A whom B – C which D whoA (formal) / B / D; B and D are less formal

5

Conservationists have called for a programme to eliminate the rats are killing seabirds on the island.
A that B – C which D whomA/C (more formal)

6

A government spokesperson, did not wish to be named, said that there had been a major disagreement between the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister.
A which B that C who D –C (non-defining: who only)

7

Were the coins he dug up worth a lot of money?
A who B – C that D whichB/C/D (more formal)

8

He was survived by his wife Anastasia, he married in 1936.
A whom B that C – D whoA (formal) / D

3.3 Complete these sentences with an appropriate preposition.

1

There were many excellent matches in the World Cup, the best , in my view, was France against Brazil in the semi-final.

2

There were criticisms of the way the election was conducted.in which

3

We climbed to the top of the mountain, it is possible to see three countries.from where

4

She has recently published a collection of short stories, most first appeared in the London Literary Magazine.of which

5

They showed enormous kindness to me, I will always be grateful.for which

6

The Red Spider has spread rapidly it was spotted in the country in 2005.from when

7

He was married in 1253 to a woman named Purcelle, nothing more is known.of / about whom

8

We're trying to speed up the process decisions are made in the company.by which