Construction shift
HELLO, STUDENTS! In this week’s lesson, we will be looking at a topic that is now being assessed once again on the multiple-choice paper. The topic is construction shift.
CONSTRUCTION SHIFT
In construction shift, you reconstruct a sentence or shift tenses or parts of speech in the sentence based on the instructions given by the question. However, you should not change the overall meaning of the sentence. Construction shift is a useful activity because it helps you to improve your use of English and paraphrasing skills. Your ability to complete construction shift items is tested in the multiple choice. Note the structures below and how they should be used in sentences. No sooner … than, Hardly … when
If the second event occurs immediately after the first, we can express that idea using the structure ‘no sooner … than’. Note that in this structure, ‘no sooner’ introduces the event that occurred first.
No sooner had I arrived at school than the bell rang.
No sooner had we heard the screams than we rushed to the room.
No sooner had she completed her homework than she went to bed.
No sooner had I closed my eyes than I fell asleep.
It is wrong to say: No sooner I arrived at school than the bell rang. The auxiliary verb ‘had’ must be placed before the subject.
HARDLY AND SCARCELY
It is possible to express the same idea using hardly/scarcely ... when.
Hardly had I arrived at school when the bell rang.
Scarcely had I arrived at school when the bell rang. As soon as
This structure is also used with the same meaning.
As soon as I arrived at school, the bell rang.
As soon as she finished her homework, she went to bed.
Instruction: Rewrite the following sentences using the instructions given. Please ensure you revise how these structures must be written before you attempt to reconstruct the sentences.
1. As soon as they heard the news, they called their mother.
No sooner ….
2. The moment he walked on the stage, the audience started to cheer.
Hardly ….
3. As soon as I opened the door, the dog ran outside.
Scarcely ….
4. After my father gave me money, I hurried to meet my friends at the mall.
No sooner ….
5. The moment the lawyer started to ask questions, the witness started stuttering.
Hardly ….
6. Upon hearing the news of the journalist’s death, everybody felt deep sadness.
As soon as ….
7. As soon as my mother finished cooking, she called us to the dining table.
No sooner ….
8. The moment the dog heard his master’s voice, he wagged his tail happily.
Scarcely … Share the sentences you have constructed with your peers or your teacher.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Below is a multiple-choice activity, based on construction shift, for you to complete. The answers will be given to you next week.
9. Benjamin handed in his assignment too quickly, so he excluded important information.
Begin the sentence with: If Benjamin had not… a. He would not have excluded. b. He should not have excluded. c. He did not exclude. d. He could not exclude.
10. The moment the teacher announced the scores of the competition, the students celebrated. Substitute ‘The moment’ with ‘No sooner’. a. Their teacher announced. b. Had their teacher announced. c. Than their teacher was announcing. d. Was their teacher announcing.
11. If you provide us with the facts, we will come to a conclusion.
Begin the sentence with: In order to….. a. You can provide. b. You may provide. c. You must provide. d. Can you provide.
12. A doctor cannot perform his duties successfully without first getting experience.
Change ‘without’ to ‘unless’. a. He first gains. b. He will have first gained. c. Having first gained. d. First gaining.
VOCABULARY TOP-UP
Accumulation: growth, building, increase. Alarming: disturbing, frightening. Alternative: option, substitute. Culprit: wrongdoer, criminal. Decrying: criticising. Depletion: lessening, reducing. Ubiquitous: universal, widespread. Unabated: persistent, relentless.