Academic Writing

Part 2:
Elements of Writing

---

Note the alternate forms:

The
deserts of Australia are expanding.
Australia’s deserts are expanding.
3 Practice A
Students often have problems deciding if a noun phrase is specific or not. Compare:
Climate change
is a serious threat for many people. (not specific)
The Russian climate is characterised by long cold winters. (specific)
䊏
In the following sentences, decide if the words and phrases in bold are specific or not,
and whether ‘the’ should be added.
Example:
_____ inflation was a serious problem for _____ Brazilian government.
Inflation was a serious problem for the Brazilian government.
(a) _____ engineering is the main industry in _____ northern region.
(b) _____ insurance firms have made record profits in _____ last decade.
(c) _____ global warming is partly caused by _____ fossil fuels.
(d) _____ mayor has been arrested on suspicion of _____ corruption.
(e) _____ moons of Jupiter were discovered in _____ eighteenth century.
(f) _____ tourism is _____ world’s biggest industry.
(g) _____ forests of Scandinavia produce most of _____ Britain’s paper.
(h) _____ Thai currency is _____ baht.
(i)
_____ computer crime has grown by 200 per cent in _____ last five years.
(j)
_____ main causes of _____ Industrial Revolution are still debated.
(k) Already, 3 per cent of _____ working population are employed in _____ call
centres.
(l)
_____ latest forecast predicts _____ warmer winters in _____ next two years.
(m) Research on _____ energy saving is being conducted in _____ Physics