Grammar Identification is a subcategory of Identification and Analysis that requires of the respondent little more than the name indicates. This type of activity is distinctive in that respondents are not required to go beyond the task of identification (i.e. they are not asked to provide an explanation, use the given feature, or manipulate the text in any way). Students are presented with text and are asked to demonstrate their ability to recognize a particular grammatical feature or features.
ACTIVITIES:
1. Identify the meaning of the italicized nouns in the following sentences: indefinite or definite or generic.
definite 1. I saw the dean in the administration building yesterday.
_______2. Students take many tests during their years at school.
_______3. A counselor called you yesterday.
_______4. I made a serious mistake on my last history exam. It lowered my grade to a "B."
_______5. I want to give my roommate a book for her birthday.
_______6. I saw a book on the Middle East in the bookstore. It cost $35.
_______7. The book for my world history course is out of date.
_______8. I usually eat in the cafeteria.
_______9. When I study, I listen to music.
_______10. I wrote an essay last night.
_______11. Essays are common in English classes.
Byrd, P. and Benson, B. (1992). Applied English Grammar.
2. Working with another student, decide on the meaning of will in each of these sentences. Does it mean "future time"? Does it mean "general truth"? Write either future or general in the space provided after each sentence.
1. The moon will rise tomorrow night at 8:31 p.m.
2. Prices will increase whenever demand is high and supply is low.
3. Prices will increase next Monday.
4. Combustion will cease without oxygen.
5. Greed will often overcome honesty.
6. The library will be closed on Tuesday because of the holiday.
7. Librarians will offer help to any student with a research question.
8. The library will move to a new building next year.
9. The library will not be open on Sunday mornings.
10. Water will freeze at 32 degrees F.
Byrd, P. and Benson, B. (1992). Applied English Grammar.
3. Write numbers to show which action happened first.
EXAMPLES: When she got home, she took an aspirin.
When she got home, she had already taken an aspirin.
1. When they came into the room, their son left.
2. When they came into the room, their son had just left.
3. When I got home from school, I did my homework.
4. When I got home from school, I had already done my homework.
5. When she got to my house, she had eaten dinner.
6. When she got to my house, she ate dinner.
7. The teacher gave a test when Linda arrived.
8. The teacher had already given a test when Linda arrived.
Elbaum, S. (1996). Grammar in Context, Book 3, 2nd ed.
4. For each of these sentences, identify the agent and the recipient. Tell what the grammatical function (subject, object) is.
EXAMPLE: John misses Mary a great deal.
agent: John, recipient: Mary, subject: John, object: Mary
1. This painting was done by my grandfather over 60 years ago.
2. Romans constructed an elaborate system of aqueducts to bring water to the city.
3. We were told by our teacher that we are not having a test next Monday after all.
4. Don't all students love grammar?
5. French is spoken by many government officials throughout West Africa.
6. Denise can't stand Peter's easygoing attitude about work.
Thewlis, S. (1993). Grammar Dimensions, Book Three.
5. Decide whether the highlighted structures are compound nouns or modified nouns.
1. Mary likes to put cold cream on her face before going to bed.
2. I think that green house on the corner might be for sale.
3. Blanche is going to start taking singing lessons next week.
4. They took the injured child to the emergency room.
5. His office is on the top floor of that building.
6. He left his calling card on the table in the hall.
7. Please call me at home only if there is an emergency situation that you can't deal with.
8. These strawberries will taste better with cold cream on them.
9. They call Jerry the singing firefighter of Miami Beach.
10. These tomatoes were raised in a greenhouse. How nice to have fresh vegetables in the middle of winter!
Thewlis, S. (1993). Grammar Dimensions, Book Three.
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