Unit 7
Student's book, page 53 exercises 4and 5
Grammar: The impersonal passive
4 Read the two sentences in bold in the essay on page 52. Rewrite them using an active form. Which option is more formal?
Speaking a foreign language, it is claimed, improves the functionality of your brain in several different ways.
1 People claim that speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain in several different ways.
It is believed that language learning can also improve your decision-making skills
2 They believe that language learning can also improve your decision-making skills.
(The passive form is more formal.)
5 Use the impersonal passive to report these sentences. Check your answers in the text.
1 People think that learning a new language also presents the brain with unique challenges.
It is thought that learning a new language also presents the brain with unique challenges.
2 They say that students who study foreign languages do better, on the whole, in general tests.
It is said that students who study foreign languages do better, on the whole, in general tests.
Activity book, page 36, exercise 7
7 Rewrite the sentences. Use the impersonal passive in two different ways. The first one is done for you.
1 They say that fish is good for the brain.
It is said that fish is good for the brain.
Fish is said to be good for the brain.
2 People think that we only use a small percentage of our brain power.
It is thought that we only use a small percentage of our brain power.
We are thought to only use a small percentage of our brain power.
3 They claim that we remember things we hear in our sleep.
It is claimed that we remember things we hear in our sleep.
We are claimed to remember things we hear in our sleep.
4 People believe that solving puzzles keeps the brain active.
It is believed that solving puzzles keeps the brain active.
Solving puzzles is believed to keep the brain active.
5 Experts have proved that exercise is good for concentration.
It has been proved that exercise is good for concentration.
Exercise has been proved to be good for concentration.