Reference words: Reading skill

Reference words: Reading skill

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Reference words

 (words that refer back to a previous word or phrase but without repeating it) are very common many reading texts and can often cause some confusion. An important part of understanding a text is being able to identify the reference words and their relationship to other words, phrases or sentences.

Multiple Choice

New Zealand is becoming an increasingly popular destination for overseas visitors. It attracts tourists and people on business, but the vast majority come as students. Mostly from Asian countries, they stay for anything from a few weeks to a few years or more, studying at language schools, colleges and universities. New Zealand can offer good homestay accommodation, a clean and beautiful environment and a reasonable cost of tuition. These factors attract an ever-increasing number of overseas students, accounting for millions of dollars in revenue for New Zealand. Question: It refers to

• overseas

• New Zealand

• a popular destination

Multiple Choice

New Zealand is becoming an increasingly popular destination for overseas visitors. It attracts tourists and people on business, but the vast majority come as students. Mostly from Asian countries, they stay for anything from a few weeks to a few years or more, studying at language schools, colleges and universities. New Zealand can offer good homestay accommodation, a clean and beautiful environment and a reasonable cost of tuition. These factors attract an ever-increasing number of overseas students, accounting for millions of dollars in revenue for New Zealand. Question: They refers to

• Asian countries

• tourists and business people

• students

Multiple Choice

New Zealand is becoming an increasingly popular destination for overseas visitors. It attracts tourists and people on business, but the vast majority come as students. Mostly from Asian countries, they stay for anything from a few weeks to a few years or more, studying at language schools, colleges and universities. New Zealand can offer good homestay accommodation, a clean and beautiful environment and a reasonable cost of tuition. These factors attract an ever-increasing number of overseas students, accounting for millions of dollars in revenue for New Zealand. Question: These factors refers to

• accommodation, environment and reasonable tuition costs

• schools, colleges, universities

• increasing overseas students

Now try using reference words the other way round.

What reference word could replace the underlined words?

Understanding reference words – 3 important tips

Tip 1: Subject or object reference words

Be careful – reference words can change depending on whether they are the subject or the object of the sentence.

Overseas students often find university courses difficult.

• They often find university courses difficult.

• Overseas students often find them difficult.

Mr Smith works with Mr Jones every day.

• He works with Mr Jones every day.

• Mr Smith works with him every day.

Tip 2: Singular and plural

When talking generally, you may find that some singular nouns take a plural reference word. 

A teacher (singular) should always be prepared. They (plural) should also be punctual. 

Tip 3: The dummy subject

Sometimes ‘it’ can appear in a sentence but it is not a true reference word – it doesn’t refer back to anything specific. This is called the dummy subject.

It is commonly accepted that people with a higher education generally work in higher paid jobs.

In the sentence above, ‘it’ does not refer to anything specific, just the general situation.

Practice by reading the sentences below and deciding whether ‘it’ is used as a reference word or a dummy subject.

Multiple Choice

Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.

• This is a dummy subject

• This is a reference word

Multiple Choice

Homework is essential. It allows students to review work they have studied in class.

• This is a dummy subject

• This is a reference word

Multiple Choice

Admittedly, student depression is hard to investigate as few people are willing to talk openly about it.

• This is a dummy subject

• This is a reference word

Multiple Choice

It can take up to four years to complete a degree.

• This is a dummy subject

• This is a reference word

Multiple Choice

Otago is a very popular university. It was the first university in New Zealand.

• This is a dummy subject

• This is a reference word