Exercises in Science
..............Jack Kimball.............

Giving Examples

KEY VOCABULARY

illustration : an explanation or "picture" in words, an example

to cultivate : to help grow

habitat : community, general environment

factors : points, issues, ideas

organisms : forms of life such as plants and animals

micro-organisms : small organisms not visible to the unaided eye

intelligence : capacity to think and to learn

to invent : to create, to make for the first time

PART ONE

In writing about science we often want to make our general statements more detailed and clearer. A useful way to detail and clarify is to illustrate what we mean, that is, to give an example.

Read the following.

(1) In Japan scientists have discovered how to cultivate or "farm" fish. (2 )To illustrate, in Hokkaido young fish are cultivated in freshwater ponds. (3 )The ponds are like farms. (4 )In this case fish such as salmon grow until they become big enough to be transferred to rivers, the fish's natural habitat.

In the above paragraph Sentence 1 is the general statement. Sentences 2-4 illustrate the general idea by giving examples and using words and phrases that indicate examples.

Sentence Patterns and Vocabulary that Specify Examples

For example, / For instance, / To be specific, }salmon are kept in ponds.

In this example / In this case / In this instance}fish are transferred to rivers.

A river is{an example / an instance / an illustration} of a habitat.

Keeping fish in ponds{exemplifies / illustrates} how we farm fish.

Fish{like / such as}salmon are cultivated.

Exercise 1
Read the following paragraphs, A & B. Underline words and phrases that specify examples. Underline the topic sentence.

A.
A healthy heart is influenced by various factors. For instance, when people get angry, the heartbeat increases and the chance of clogging the arteries increases as well. Medical experts such as heart specialists warn against too much drinking of alcohol like beer or whisky. In this instance, however, not all experts agree. To be specific, some doctors say that moderate drinking, such as one or two beers a day, can be a good influence on the heart. Daily exercise like playing tennis exemplifies one influence that most experts agree is positive for maintaining a healthy heart.

B.
Sometimes it is necessary to change our habits. Saving energy is one illustration. If we can save more energy, such as water and electricity, we can help keep the natural environment safe. Saving water, for example, helps preserve our rivers and reservoirs. If we usually take 10-minute showers, in this case we should try to take shorter showers. When we go out, we should remember to shut off electronic like televisions and computers. Turning off the lights is another example of saving electricity. In short, remembering to help the environment, such as by saving energy, is one of our most important responsibilities.

Exercise 2
One sentence in each of the following numbers (1-5) is the broader, less specific and more general statement, and the other is an example. Write a "G" next to the general statement and an "E" next to the example. Then rewrite the sentences into one or two sentences, using vocabulary that indicates examples.

(1) ___ (a) The bone structure of men is larger, on average, than that of women.

___ (b) Men's and women's bodies develop in different ways.

(2) ___ (a) The wood of the acacia tree is so hard it can be used to manufacture products.

___ (b) Acacia wood is used to make furniture.

(3) ___ (a) The effects of heat include body sweat and muscle pain.

___ (b) Hot weather causes a variety of problems.

(4) ___ (a) We cannot see bacteria or viruses without a microscope.

___ (b) Many micro-organisms are invisible to the unaided eye.

(5) ___ (a) Temperature affects water.

___ (b) At 0°C water freezes; at 100°C it vaporizes.

Exercise 3
Write one or more sentences that give examples for the following general statements (1-4).

(1) There are many ways to help prevent heart disease.

(2) There are various problems due to dumping waste in the ocean.

(3) One can study a number of science courses in college.

(4) The sources of noise in the city can be found everywhere.

PART TWO

Writing Exercise

Listed below are two general statements, A and B. Choose either A or B and write two paragraphs that give examples. Follow the suggestions for topic sentences if you wish, or you can write your own topic sentences. Both of your paragraphs should contain sentence patterns and vocabulary that specify examples. And please underline words and phrases that indicate giving examples.

A. GENERAL SUBJECT: The intelligence of humans and computers

SUGGESTION FOR THE TOPIC SENTENCE IN PARAGRAPH 1:

Computers can "think" better than humans in some ways.

SUGGESTION FOR THE TOPIC SENTENCE IN PARAGRAPH 2:

Nevertheless, there are some kinds of thinking that humans do better than computers.

B. GENERAL SUBJECT: Products I like and products I would like someone to invent

SUGGESTION FOR THE TOPIC SENTENCE IN PARAGRAPH 1:

Electronic products and equipment such as __________ and __________ are extremely useful.

SUGGESTION FOR THE TOPIC SENTENCE IN PARAGRAPH 2:

On the other hand, I wish someone would invent a new electronic device.




OTHER EXERCISES