Focus on Language

1. Read the sentences below and study the models in the box. Translate them into your native language.

• About one-third of the first year is based on course work.

• A number of our graduates have taken up PhD studies.

Subject and verb agreement

1. Singular expression (a lot of)+plural noun/pronoun+ plural verb

2. + plural noun + singular verb

3. Some of + singular noun+ singular verb

4. Some of + plural noun+ plural verb

5. Plural expressions: + singular verb

6) a number of + plural noun + plural verb

7) the number of + plural noun + singular verb

2. Choose the correct verb in brackets.

1. Surveys show that the majority of school-leavers (consider/considers) a

university degree a good starting point for their future career.

2. Each of the students (has/have) a notebook.

3. Of our recent graduates about half (is/are) continuing their studies for a higher degree.

4. Why (was/were) some of the students absent from classes?

5. My teenage brother thinks there (is/are) a number of good reasons for staying up late and having a good time.

6. More than one computer in this lab (has/have) broken down.

7. Statistics (is/are) a branch of mathematics.

Speaking

Work in groups. Use the scheme of the degree course in Combined Science offered in Lancaster University as a model. Discuss it and design a modular degree course that suits your particular needs and interests.

Get Real

Visit a website of any European or American university to learn more about modular courses in your subject area. How would you structure a degree course in Combined Science? Prepare a short talk.

Study help Preparing and giving a short talk

• Find some information on the topic you are going to talk about

• Check that the information is all correct

• Make notes on the subject of your talk and organize the information

• Have a strong opening and close

• Make it interesting

• Keep your sentences short and simple

• Make sure you pause in the right places

• Speak for your audience, not for yourself

• Do not read! It’s really boring.

• Point to the relevant parts of the visual as you speak

• Say Thank you and welcome questions from your audience

• Handle questions positively

Writing

1. Write two or three paragraphs of about 150 words to describe a Modular Course in Combined Science you would like to take. Use the guidelines to organize your ideas.

• describe the course you would like to take

• give reasons for your choice

• specify the advantages of the course for your future career

2. In pairs exchange and check the paragraphs you have written. Which science is most popular with your academic group?

In the Realm of Science

1. Read the expressions for fractions, decimals and percentages.

one half, a half