Spotting the rhemes to support the main idea

Note. Rhemes are phrases or some short statements from the text that support and develop the main idea.

Exercises

Set 1.

Read the articles.

1. State their topic and main idea.

2. Write out the underlined phrases and make sentences with them so as to support the main idea.

Britten’s adopted home honours him at last

By Nigel Reynolds, Arts correspondent

"The Daily Telegraph", July 25, 2003

A TOWN that once insulted its most famous adopted son is finally to give him a fitting memorial.

Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk coast, has agreed to erect a sculpture to the composer Benjamin Britten, who lived there for 30 years.

Britten put the former fishing village – now a wealthy hot spot nicknamed Kensington-on-Sea – on the map with its musical festival at the nearby Snape Maltings.

But when a life-size statue of the composer, who died in 1976 and is buried in the churchyard, was proposed seven years ago, counsellors said they would rather the money was spent on a bird-bath or a tree.

They compromised on a bench – an inappropriate tribute, some thought, to one of the 20th century's finest composers, much of whose music was inspired by the local marshes and inlets.

Now Suffolk Coastal council has given permission for a pair of 12ft tall scallop-shaped metal shells designed by Maggi Hambling to be erected on the beach.

After some people objected to a plan to put the £70,000 sculpture on the main beach, it is to be placed near a row of fishing huts.

Miss Hambling, who lives locally said: "I am thrilled at the outcome. Sculpture is always controversial."

Now shoppers can watch the news

By Sally Poor

"The Daily Telegraph", July 28, 2003

SHOPPING could soon become a little less onerous as stores introduce plasma screens telling customers the latest news, sport and weather details.

Sainsbury's is launching the postcard-size screens in four stores and will introduce them nationally if they are successful. The idea came, after customer research revealed that most men tend to drive their wives or girlfriends to the supermarket then stay in the car listening to the radio during major sports events. The screens will be placed at eye level on the edge of shelves and will also give information about products, carry promotions and play music. "Customers have been telling us they want more information as they shop," said a spokesman for Sainsbury's.

"We trialled television screens above the shopping aisles, but they didn't prove popular because they weren't in customers' line of sight."

The screens will replace the traditional printed labels on shelves and will give much more information about products.

Lorna Connelly, project leader for Sainsbury's, said: "Customers always indicate in feedback that they want to be enthused and inspired while they shop. This gives them lots of information in a really fun format."

Set 2.

Read the articles.

1. State their topic and main idea.

2. Spot the rhemes to support the main idea. Exchange your opinion with your group- mates.