22. Decide whether the following compound nouns are countable or uncountable.
letterbox pen friend
washing powder personal computer
parking meter soda water
remote control news bulletin
show business package holiday
toilet paper washing-up liquid
police station water skiing
post office passer-by
sleeping bag human nature
social work washing machine
23. Complete the sentences below with one of the following compound nouns.
print-out setback hold-up getaway check-outs break-out break-in break-up takeover takeaway take-off check-in
1 Since the.........................we've had all our locks changed.
2 The recent crime figures are a major......................... for law and order.
3 There was a......................... on the motorway this morning.
4 The thieves made their......................... through a downstairs window.
5 Why can't they have more......................... open so customers don't have to wait?
6 There was a mass.........................last night from Winston prison.
7 The.........................will have serious consequence for the children.
8 Iraq's attempted......................... of Kuwait led to American intervention.
9 Let's have a......................... tonight - I can't be bothered to cook.
10 What time's.........................? It says 19.10 on the ticket. I don't want to miss my flight.
11 I'd give you a......................... of John's e-mail message, but my printer's out of order.
12 Let's take these suitcases to the......................... and then we can go through passport control.
24. Right or wrong? Find correct sentences; rewrite incorrect ones.
1 Is this the boss's pen?
2 Are you the Jenifer's son?
3 Do you know McFerson's first name?
4 Here's the Barry's address.
5 Here's my parents' phone number.
6 It was the team's responsibility.
7 What's the Blacks' number?
8 That's an old habit of Sally's.
9 It's a crazy idea of Brad.
10 Where is that brother of Meredith?
Communication
Practice
1. You are going on a hiking holiday tour for 2 weeks and you pack a suitcase with a number of things. Discuss in small groups what you should take with you and make a list of what you would pack (when your list is done consider how many of the items on it are uncountable nouns).
2. Another area that has a number of uncountable words is personal qualities and skills. For example, we might say that a secretary should have intelligence, reliability, charm and enthusiasm. These are all uncountable nouns. Choose from the list and say what qualities these people should have. Say whether they need some, a lot or a bit of the quality.
Jobs: businessman, nurse, teacher, explorer, actor, athlete, policeman, receptionist
Qualities: patience, determination, goodwill, charm, stamina, reliability, loyalty, energy, experience, commitment, talent, creativity, intelligence, training, vocation
3. Practise asking for these everyday items Could I have...? (decide whether you must say a or some): vinegar duster needle thread cellotape tea-bag polish
Writing
Practice
You work for CityPoint and you have to arrange insurance for the factory. Complete the letter requesting a visit and a quote for insurance filling in the gaps with appropriate nouns:
administration park despatch loading production storage
CityPoint Ltd
Woolwahempton Lane, Bradford, CR6 5TT
Golden Sun Insurance Company
220-221 Park Avenue
Bristol B01 442BU
Ref: KLM/SS
24th April 20..
Dear Sir or Madame
Re: Insurance quotation
We are in the process of reviewing our insurance cover and would be interested in receiving a quotation from you. Please contact us in order to arrange a visit to our factory.
The factory consists of a car __________, the __________ facilities, a __________ bay and a __________ area. There is also a __________ depot, an __________ block and a canteen.
The total area covered is 1405 sq.m.
I look forward to hearing from you so we can arrange a visit.
Yours faithfully
Edit the following extract from a newspaper report.
The Board’s decision to raise the dividend was against the advice of the auditor. Now the companies’ shares have been suspended and its AGM has been put off. The director’s passports have been confiscated by the juridical authorities. A spokesman for Mr Arthur Wright, the Managing Director, said Mr Wright had no comment to make. Mr Wright’s wife, also a Board’s member, said the investigation was “a disgrace”.
Meanwhile, the employees of the company reported for work as usual. A worker’s representative stated her colleagues were worried about their jobs.
Write about the experiences of your tour in a form of a personal letter or a couple of diary entries.