Strategy 4, Restructuring Grammar & Vocabulary, Short Answer Exercise
Read the examples below on the left, then look at the given sentence or phrase and paraphrase it following the hint that is given in parentheses.
STRATEGY 4: EXPRESS KEY IDEAS IN A DIFFERENT WAY
Expressing key ideas in different ways is an important skill in academic writing. Study the following ways to differently express the same ideas:
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS NECESSITY/REQUIREMENT
Students must/have to/need to do their homework. It is compulsory/necessary/mandatory for students to do their homework. It is compulsory/necessary/mandatory that students (should) do their homework. Doing homework is a student necessity/requirement. Students are required to do their homework.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS CAUSE
I took my umbrella, for/because it was raining.
I took my umbrella because of/due to/owing to the rain. Because/As/Since it was raining, I took my umbrella. The rain caused/forced/lead me to take my umbrella.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS EFFECT/RESULT
It was raining, so I took my umbrella. It was raining; as a result/consequently/therefore/thus, I took my umbrella. I took my umbrella as a result/consequence of the rain. My decision to take an umbrella was a result/consequence of the rain.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS LACK
spaghetti that has no flavor spaghetti that does not have any flavor spaghetti with no flavor spaghetti without flavor spaghetti lacking flavor spaghetti that lacks flavor flavorless spaghetti
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS ADVISIBILITY/RECOMMENDATION
The tourist authority says that visitors should/ought to/had better take precautions against theft. The tourist authority recommends that tourists (should) take precautions against theft. The recommendation of the tourist authority is that visitors take precautions against theft. Visitors are advised by the tourist authority to take precautions against theft. According to the tourist authority, it is a good idea for visitors to take precautions against theft. According to the tourist authority, it is advisable for visitors to take precautions against theft. The tourist authority advises visitors to take precautions against theft. The tourist authority’s advice to tourists is to take precautions against theft.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS POSSIBILITY
The Olympic Games could/may/might someday be held in Johannesburg. Johannesburg is a possible host of the Olympic Games. It is possible that the Olympic Games will someday be held in Johannesburg. There is a possibility that the Olympic Games will be held in Johannesburg.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPRESS SIMILARITY:
Both China and Japan are located in Asia. China and Japan are alike in that they are (both) located in Asia. China is similar to Japan in that they are (both) located in Asia. China, like Japan, is located in Asia. Just as Japan is located in Asia, so is China. Japan is located in Asia; likewise/similarly, China is an Asian country. One similarity between China and Japan is that they are (both) Asian countries. One feature that China and Japan share/have in common is that they are (both) Asian countries.
Students NEED TO take an exam at the end of the course. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express NECESSITY / REQUIREMENT)
Many students failed the EAP research paper BECAUSE of poor source integration. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express CAUSE)
The deadline for the lab report was soon approaching SO the researchers worked hard. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express EFFECT/RESULT)
The workers had NO enthusiasm. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express LACK)
The HK Observatory SAYS that people should stay indoors during typhoons. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express ADVISIBILITY / RECOMMENDATION)
It is POSSIBLE to fail the EAP course. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express POSSIBILITY)
BOTH the USA AND Britain have innovative, hardworking people. (Hint: Paraphrase using a different way to express SIMILARITY)