Equivalent sentences
WELCOME TO another lesson, students. This week, we will be looking at equivalent sentences. This is another topic that usually appears on Paper 01 of the English A exam. Let us explore this topic!
THE EQUIVALENT SENTENCE
Definition: An equivalent sentence is similar in meaning to the original, even though the structure and words are different. Engaging in identifying equivalent sentences is an important activity that can be used to improve your paraphrasing skills and, by extension, summary writing.
In this section of the multiple-choice paper, each original sentence is followed by four sentences. You are expected to choose the sentence (the equivalent) that is nearest in meaning to the original. Read the options very carefully before making your selection.
Reminder: The essence of identifying an equivalent sentence is to choose the sentence that expresses the same meaning as the original sentence. The only difference is that the words are expressed/structured in a different way.
EXAMPLE # 1
You can please yourself by following whichever method you like. (Original)
a. If you follow a method you will be pleased. b. If you please, follow one method. c. Be pleased that you can follow a method.
d. You are free to follow any method you prefer. (Equivalent)
Do you recognise why option d is the equivalent sentence? It is expressing the point that the person can choose to follow the method he fancies. Option a is merely saying that if the person follows a method, he or she will be satisfied. Here is another example: If you travel to other parts of the world, show respect for the cultures you encounter. (Original)
a. Travellers should be respectful when they go to other parts of the world.
b. Be respectful of other cultures when you travel to different parts of the world. (Equivalent)
c. Travelling to different parts of the world teaches one to appreciate other cultures.
d. Some travellers show disrespect for the cultures they encounter around the world.
You will note that option c does not encourage one to be respectful of other cultures but, instead, tells us that when a person travels, he learns to appreciate other cultures. Option b is correct because, like the original, it urges one to be respectful of other cultures when one travels. Instruction: Complete the equivalent sentence activity below.
1. James has to give up his pet turtle if he wants to keep fish.
a. If James does not want his pet turtle, he can keep fish.
b. James has to keep fish if he does not want his pet turtle.
c. James will be able to keep fish only if he does not have his pet turtle.
d. James keeps fish so that he can give up his pet turtle. 2. I do not wish to imply that one painting is necessarily better than the other.
a. I am trying to give the impression that one painting is not as good as the other.
b. I do not think you understand what I have been saying about these paintings.
c. I am not suggesting that one painting is any better than the other.
d. It is not necessary for me to tell you which is the better painting.
3. I cannot understand why you have done this, since you tell me that Mark means a lot to you.
a. If you care about Mark, as you say, the reason for your action is puzzling to me.
b. Mark cannot mean a lot to you or else I know you would not have done this.
c. You tell me that Mark means a lot to you although you did this.
d. Mark means a lot to you, but I cannot understand why.
4. Because of torrential rains, the sports meeting had to be postponed.
a. The postponement of the Sports Meeting was unavoidable, due to overcast conditions.
b. The sports meeting had to be cancelled because of heavy rainfall.
c. The sports meeting was a failure because of incessant rainfall.
d. The sports meeting had to be put off because it rained incessantly. 5. Adults laugh less than children, probably because they play less.
a. Unlike adults, children laugh more while playing games.
b. Since adults have less time playing games, they don’t laugh as much as children.
c. No matter how much adults play, they can’t laugh more than children.
d. The reason why adults laugh less than children might be because they play less.
6. We must remember what happened in the past so that it will never happen again.
a. Since we all tend to forget what happened in the past, we do the same mistakes again.
b. We couldn’t remember what happened in the past, so we did it again.
c. In order not to repeat the past, we should certainly not forget what happened then.
d. Those who couldn’t remember what happened in the past were more likely to repeat it.
7. French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents.
a. French and English are the only languages that are spoken on five continents.
b. Unlike French, English is spoken on five continents.
c. French and English are spoken widely in official and commercial circles.
d. Before English, French was the only language spoken on five continents.
8. I am afraid your views on the subject are in conflict with mine.
a. Our ideas about the problem are so different that I am scared.
b. It is frightening that your thoughts on the issue are so contrary to mine.
c. Unfortunately, I agree with very few of your opinions on the matter.
d. It seems that we will never agree on most aspects of the conflict. In next week’s lesson, I will provide the answers.
Answers to last week’s error recognition activity: 1. A 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. B 6. D 7. C 8. A 9. C 10. B 11. D 12. B 13. C 14. C 15. C Melissa McKenzie teaches at Old Harbour High School. Send comments to kerry-ann.hepburnm@gleanerjm.com.