Pathways to Academic English Practice

Directions:
Change the voice of the bolded words. Change the part of speech of the underlined words.

Change the voice means for example, to change a sentence from active (SVO) to passive (OVS) or vice versa.

Change the part of speech means to add or subtract suffixes to, for example, change word from a noun to an adjective.

---

1. Many scholars have claimed that starting the school day later in the morning will increase students' ability to pay attention.

Many scholars have claimed that students' ability to pay attention will be increased by starting the school day later in the morning.

2. Raising taxes, cutting spending, and relying more on volunteers improve social structures.

Social structures are improved by raising taxes, cutting spending, and relying more on volunteers.

3. English is either an officially used language or one of several languages used in almost 60 countries, and is learned in an extensive amount as a second language.

English is either an official language or one of several languages used in almost 60 countries, and is learned extensively as a second language.

4. Self-concept, a collection of beliefs about oneself, is different from self-awareness, which refers to how consistent knowledge of the real world is to one's attitudes and dispositions.

Self-concept, a collective belief about oneself, differs from self-awareness, which refers to consistency between knowledge of the real world and one's attitudes and dispositions.

5. Acer leipoense, a species of Maple tree that grows in the southwest part of China, is often sought by people who live locally in Sichuan.

Local people (or locals) living in Sichuan often seek Acer leipoense, a species of Maple tree that grows in southwestern China.

6. The red-billed streamertail, a member of the hummingbird family, generally feeds on the nectar from flowers indigenous to Jamaica.

In general, the nectar from flowers indigenous to Jamaica are fed on by the red-billed steamertail, a member of the hummingbird family.

7. The Kidston Dam provided water for the Kidston Gold Mine, which closed in 2001.

Water for the Kidston Gold Mine, which closed in 2001, was provided by the Kidston Dam.

8. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia made a retreat from the city of Gettysburg because it was defeated by the Union Army, and now the event is remembered by us as The Retreat from Gettysburg.

The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia retreated from the city of Gettysburg because the Union Army defeated it, and now we remember the event as The Retreat from Gettysburg.

Directions:
Exchange the bolded words with a synonym. Reduce the underlined clauses.

An appropriate synonym can be found in your "Pathways to Academic English, 3rd Edition" textbook on pages 12-14, or on various thesauruses. May special attention that the synonym you choose is of the same part of speech (noun, adjective, etc.) and of a similar connotation.

Clauses can be reduced by first finding and removing the relative pronoun (who, what, that, where, etc.), removing unnecessary verbs, and moving words or utilizing commas.

---

1. The SS Bury was a passenger vessel that was built to help with Britain's Great Central Railway in 1911.

The SS Bury was a passenger ship built to assist with Britain's Great Central Railway in 1911.

2. George Perrottet, who was a botanist from Switzerland, took special interest in plants of economic importance and researching how to improve them.

George Perrottet, a botanist from Switzerland, took particular interest in plants of monetary significance and researching their improvement.

3. Maurice Stacey was a British chemist who worked alongside Norman Haworth and they artificially synthesized Vitamin C.

Maurice Stacey was a British chemist who worked with Norman Haworth to artificially create Vitamin C.

4. Buffalo Bill was the name that was given to a famous American soldier and showman who was active from 1860 to 1917.

Buffalo Bill was the name given to a renowned American soldier and performer active from 1860 to 1917.

5. Literary Review is a British magazine that was founded in 1979 by Anne Smith and that publishes people’s opinions on a number of books from many different genres.

Literary Review is a British magazine established in 1979 by Anne Smith that publishes people’s opinions on numerous books from many varying genres.

6. The Great Sandy Strait, which can be found in the Australian state of Queensland, is popular as a place for tourists to go to, where people can enjoy many leisure activities.

The Great Sandy Strait, in the Australian state of Queensland, is a well-liked place for tourists to go, where people can participate in various leisure activities.

7. A magneto-optical drive is a kind of computer device that can write and rewrite data upon a special disc.

A magneto-optical drive is a type of computer device capable of writing and rewriting data on a special disc.

8. Date Masamune, who was the monarch of his area in Japan’s Azuchi-Mmoyama period, is often credited with increasing the population and recognition of the city of Sendai.

Date Masamune, the ruler of his prefecture in Japan’s Azuchi-Mmoyama period, is often said to have increased the population and fame of Sendai city.