Activity: linking words
Instructions
In the following article on Nuclear Hazards the linking words are replaced by 'choose word a, b or c'. You must choose the most appropriate words from a selection of three possibilities. The sentences are presented first, followed by the three options. Immediately afterwards we give you the correct answer, followed by an explanation.
Question one
There are three separate sources of hazard related to the use of nuclear reactors to supply us with energy. (Choose a, b, or c) the radioactive material must travel from its place of manufacture to the power station.
Which of these words fits best? (a) So (b) Firstly or (c) Rather
'Firstly' is the right answer because the very first sentence indicates that three points will follow; and this sentence contains the first of those three points.
Question two
(Choose a, b, or c) the power stations themselves are solidly built the containers used for the transport of the material are not.
Which of these words fits best? (a) Secondly (b) But (c) Although
'Although' is the right answer. The ‘although’ indicates another pertinent, but contrasting, piece of information will come later in the sentence. This sentence compares the transportation of waste (a hazardous endeavour) to the relatively safer situation of keeping it at a power station.
Question three
Unfortunately, there are normally only two methods of transport available, (Choose a, b, or c) road or rail,
Which of these words fits best? (a) For example (b) Such as (c) Namely
‘Namely’ is the right answer. The word introduces by name (obviously!) the ‘two methods’ mentioned in the first part of the sentence. A simple ‘; these are…’ would also have done the job.
Question four
and both of these involve close contact with the general public, (Choose a, b, or c) the routes are bound to pass near, or even through, heavily populated areas.
Which of these words fits best? (a) Because of (b) Although (c) Since
‘Since’ is the right answer. The word heralds an explanation of why road and rail transport involve close contact with the public.
Question five
(Choose a, b, or c) the, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce wastes, which in most cases will remain radioactive for thousands of years.
Which of these words fits best? (a) Secondly (b) Thirdly (c) In that case
'Secondly' is the right word. This linking word reminds readers that they are in the middle of a list of three points (started by the previous paragraph). This kind of ‘signposting’ helps readers keep track of where the argument is taking them.
Question six
It is impossible to de-activate these wastes, (Choose a, b, or c) they must be stored in one of the ingenious but cumbersome ways that scientists have invented.
Which of these words fits best? (a) in addition (b) and so (c) but
'And so' is the right answer. The phrase ‘and so’ is a simple indication that a new point is being introduced.
Question seven
(Choose a, b, or c), they may be buried under the ground, dropped into disused mineshafts, or sunk in the sea.
Which of these words fits best? (a) Besides (b) For example (c) However
'For example' is the right answer. An easy-to-remember but essential linking phrase.
Question eight
(Choose a, b, or c) these methods do not solve the problem; they merely store it, (Choose a, b, or c) an earthquake could crack open the containers like nuts.
Which of these words fits best at the beginning of the sentence? (a) By the way (b) Lastly (c) However
Which of these words fits best in the middle of the sentence? (a) Though (b) Since (c) After
‘However’ is the right answer for the beginning of the sentence. However is another very useful linking word that indicates a conflict or contrast is going to appear. Here, although a solution (burial) has been achieved, it doesn’t actually solve a problem. Compare this with ‘although’ at the beginning of the first paragraph.
‘Since’ is the right answer for the middle of the sentence. It leads us on to the conclusion of the previous statement (that the containers merely store the problem rather than solving it).
Question nine
(Choose a, b, or c) there is the problem of accidental exposure due to a leak or an explosion at the power station.
Which of these words fits best? (a) Thirdly (b) Also (c) For instance
‘Thirdly’ is the right answer. It reminds us that we are at the end of a list of three points. This becomes more and more important the further away from the initial statement we are. We can very quickly start to forget that there are three (or five or nine) points that will be made.
Question ten
As with the other two hazards, this is extremely unlikely and (Choose a, b, or c) does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear programme, (Choose a, b, or c) it can happen, as the inhabitants of Harrisburg will tell you.
Which of these words fits best in the first part of the sentence? (a) So (b) Instead (c) Even
Which of these words fits best in the second part of the sentence? (a) Although (b) Nevertheless (c) But
'So' is the right answer for the first part of the sentence. We could have used ‘therefore’ instead of ‘so’; it has the same meaning. It links the fact that a leak or explosion doesn’t provide us with a serious objection because it is ‘extremely unlikely’
‘Nevertheless’ is the right word for the second part of the sentence. 'Nevertheless' is a very useful linking word. It indicates a conflict between the fact that explosions and leaks are unlikely and the fact that sometimes they do occur.‘However’ is another word that would not be out of place here but, as you can see, ‘however’ appears a couple of sentences later.
Question eleven
Separately, and during short periods, these three types of risk are no great cause for concern. (Choose a, b, or c), taken together, and especially over much longer periods, the probability of a disaster is extremely high.
Which of these words fits best? (a) However (b) And (c) Also
'However' is the right word. The combination of ‘nevertheless’ and ‘however’ in this way is good way of coping with an argument that shifts back and forth between two positions.
Our version
Here is the full version of the text with all of the correct linking words.
There are three separate sources of hazard related to the use of nuclear reactors to supply us with energy. Firstly, the radioactive material must travel from its place of manufacture to the power station. Although the power stations themselves are solidly built the containers used for the transport of the material are not. Unfortunately, there are normally only two methods of transport available, namely road or rail, and both of these involve close contact with the general public, since the routes are bound to pass near, or even through, heavily populated areas.
Secondly, the, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce wastes, which in most cases will remain radioactive for thousands of years. It is impossible to de-activate these wastes, and so they must be stored in one of the ingenious but cumbersome ways that scientists have invented. For example, they may be buried under the ground, dropped into disused mineshafts, or sunk in the sea. However, these methods do not solve the problem; they merely store it, since an earthquake could crack open the containers like nuts.
Thirdly, there is the problem of accidental exposure due to a leak or an explosion at the power station. As with the other two hazards, this is extremely unlikely and so does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear programme, nevertheless, it can happen, as the inhabitants of Harrisburg will tell you. Separately, and during short periods, these three types of risk are no great cause for concern. However, taken together, and especially over much longer periods, the probability of a disaster is extremely high.