Relative Clauses

This post helps you know when to use commas and when not to use commas with relative clauses.

Relative clauses use words such as which, where, when, or who.

Which = Things, choices, comparisons
Where = places
When = events
Who = people

Which is more powerful then where, when, or who.

If are making a choice or comparison, use which -- even if it is about a place, event, or person.

For example:
The UAE, where Emirati people live, is a great place.
The UAE, which is more populated than Oman, has two world-famous cities.
The day when I get a car will be great.
The day which I like best is Saturday.



There are two types of relative clauses:  Non-defining and defining.

Non-defining relative clauses give extra information about a specific subject. Two commas separate the extra information. The first comma follows the subject. The second comma comes before a verb (usually is, was, are, or were).

                 NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE EXAMPLES:                 

       ATHS RAK lets all students use iPads.
       + extra info = ATHS RAK is the school I attend. 
       ATHS RAK, which is the school I attend,  lets all students use iPads.

a)   Ras al-Kaimah, which is the northernmost Emirate,  is where I live.

b) Zayed, who united the Emirates, was a great sheikh.

c) National Day,  when we honor the forming of the UAE,  is December 2.

d) Kandoras, which are traditional items of clothing, are worn by Emirati men.

Defining relative clauses make a unspecific subject (a thing, person, place, or event) more clear.  Commas are not needed.

                 DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSE EXAMPLES:                    

       The school lets all students use iPads. 
       What school? The subject needs to be more clear.  
       The school which I attend lets all students use iPads.

a) The Emirate where I live is Ras al-Khamaih.

b) The sheikh who united the Emirates was great.

c) The holiday when we honor the forming of the UAE is December 2.

d) An item of clothing which Emirati men wear is the kandora.

TASK: Open up a titanpad with a partner. 

COPY AND PASTE:

Finish the sentences in the following list.

 Each sentence should include the words which, where, when, or who directly following the subject.

Your sentences must begin with the subjects in the list.
The next word in your your sentences will be "which, where, when, or who"
Some sentences will have 2 commas. Some will have zero. 
Look at the examples for help.

1) The video game

2) Ramadan

3) The movie

4) Real Madrid

5) My friend

6) The mall

7) Grand Theft Auto

8) The teacher

9) Mr. Rob

10) VOX Cinema

11) Umm Al-Quwain

12) [Insert Friend’s name]

13) The holiday

14: Write your own sentence with a defining clause)

15: Write your own sentence with a non-defining clause)

UNIT 3 PROJECT PART 2: Time Capsule

You have just been selected to be on the Historical Society Committee. 

This committee is responsible for selecting items to go in to a time capsule or tomb.  This capsule / tomb will be opened in 500 years. 

Things to think about:  what do you want others to know about your society, your government, your daily life.  Remember you will be the link for future generations. You must also give a reason for why you selected the item.



USE PADLET for this TASK: 

Think of 4 or 5 artifacts to be included in the time capsule/tomb.

You should have at least 
one artifact about society,
one artifact about government,
and one artifact about daily life.


On your PADLET:
 
Write sentences in the past-tense describing
how each item was used and
why each item was important enough to be included in the time capsule.

Write a final sentence in which you make a prediction about how the item will change in the future.

Include a picture of the artifact


Grammar checklist:

Write in past-tense.
Use one synonym for each artifact.
Use a non-defining  relative clause giving extra information for each artifact.



Example:

 BOARD MARKERS

Board markers, which were commonly used in school classrooms during the late 20th and early 21rst century,  were pens filled with an easily erasable ink and used to write on special white boards. Although these writing tools came in many colors and were an easy way to share information, they were somewhat boring because it took time to write by hand and even longer to draw pictures. However, board markers were more exciting than the chalk from earlier generations that they replaced. Board markers were put in this capsule because they were very common a aspect of daily life at school during my lifetime.

In the future, you will likely wear special high-tech glasses which show a screen that teachers can write on or show videos by simply talking into a computer.

UNIT 3 PROJECT PART 1: Archeology Dig

Now you are an online archeologist.

Research a famous ruins site and answer the eight (8) questions below.

These two websites list many famous ancient ruins:

Fodor.com’s Ruins of Greatest Civilizations

Weather.com’s Spectacular Ruins from Around the World

Open up a titanpad. Work with a partner, copy and paste the following questions to describe the archeological site. You will have to google for the answers.

PART A:

You must answer in complete sentences. In your answers, use at least four of these vocabulary words.

Ancient	Archeology	Discover	Document
Excavation	Exhibit	Fossil	Hieroglyphics
Period	Research	Tombs	Treasures

1) What is it?
2) What was the traditional purpose of the site (what was it used for in the old days)?
3) When was it built?
4) Where in the world is it?

5) Describe the location (colors, shapes, size, landscape, etc)?

6) What artifacts have been found there?

7) What do you think is the most interesting thing about the site? Why?

8) Do you want to go to this site? Why or why not?

PART B:

 After questioning the questions, Make a padlet to present you’re the most interesting information. You do not have to include all of the answers.

Your padlet should have at least four (4) slides with the four most interesting or important pieces of information. 

Email your teacher the titanpad link and the padlet link.

Unit 3 Homework: Write two For and Against Essays

Today you will write two essays in class. Work with a partner in TitanPad so that you can edit each other’s work.

You will email you teacher two titan pad links.

Each link should include the outline and the essay.

Essay 1:
Essay 2:
Partner's name:

Essay 1: Should Museums be free or should visitors pay for admission? Discuss.

Essay 2: Choose from the following six topics:

1) Should students be given freedom to decide what they study in school or should it be decided for them? Discuss.

2) Should the school day be longer or shorter? Discuss.

3) Should all students have personal computers in the classroom? Discuss.

4) Should 16-year-olds be legally allowed to drive? Discuss.

5) Should violent video games be banned? Discuss.

6) Should schools have dress codes or should students be allowed to wear whatever they want? Discuss.

For help with Essay 1, you can use page 109 in the Reading and Writing book to write the introduction and pages 103 to write your body paragraphs. You can also use the example essay about teaching history on page 95 for help.

Another Example For and Against Essay can be found here.

Copy & paste the following into Titan Pad:

ESSAY OUTLINE

Paragraph 1

Background:   a)

                        b)

Structure:

Thesis:

Paragraph 2

Opinion:

Reason:

Example:

Opinion:

Reason:

Example:

Paragraph 3

Opinion:

Reason:

Example:

Opinion:

Reason:

Example:

Paragraph 4

Conclusion:

Opinion: (connected to thesis):

Main reason:

After completing your outline, turn your outline into an essay by adding essay grammar vocabulary.
 

 Each paragraph must include these vocabulary words or phrases:

Paragraph 1:

Many people, However, other people, In this essay will discuss, for, against, I will conclude that

Paragraph 2:

First of all, many people think that, because, although, also,

Paragraph 3:

On the other hand, other people argue that, although, another reason why

Paragraph 4:

In conclusion, although there are arguments on both sides, It is my opinion that, because

Example “For and Against” Essay

Mr Rob’s Example “For and Against” Essay

Robots vs. Humans

Some people think that humans deserve to live because we naturally exist on earth and are self-aware. However, other people claim that having only robots on earth would mean a better future for the planet. This essay will discuss arguments in favor and against replacing humans with robots. I will conclude that the period of humans should end because we are more trouble than we are worth.

First of all, it can be argued that robots are better than humans because they are more efficient and less wasteful. Robots do not need to eat food or go the bathroom. They can be designed to use clean energy. Also, robots do not need much space to live so there can be more room for nature. Additionally, robots have advanced computer brains so they can self-update. Although humans created robots, we are no longer needed to maintain them. Whereas humans have slow biological bodies and brains that are easy to break, robots are made to be durable and fast. They are now superior to humans.

On the other hand, many people feel that humans are a worthy feature on planet earth because we have souls, a long cultural history, and are creative. Humans can feel love and enjoy beauty. Unlike soulless robots, we have guilt for our actions and can try to right wrongs. Also, humans have made our mark on earth by building cities, factories, and modes and transportation. However, these actions have put the environment and much wildlife in danger. Although humans have knowledge that they must help the planet to save themselves, many would rather use all of their mental energy playing computer games. It would be better for the earth to let the computers play games against each other without the unnecessary human.

In conclusion, although there are arguments on both sides, it seems to me that humans should become extinct and be replaced by robots because robots are stronger, simpler, and better for the earth. It is my opinion that because robots are always improving they deserve to rule earth in future. Humans displaced and killed many species when we were the strongest things on earth. We had our chance. Now robots are the strongest so it is our turn to be displaced and die.

Entertain Inform Persuade

ENTERTAIN

INFORM

PERSUADE

Look at these ten items and decide if the main purpose is to entertain, persuade, or inform?


1) Bananas have many vitamins and doctors say they make a good breakfast.

2) We have so many quizzes in other classes so I do not think you should give us any homework.

3)

4) Sweets can taste good but having a diet high in sugar can lead to a person becoming sick with diabetes or heart disease. 
 
5) How do you know the chef at McDonald’s is a clown? Because the food tastes funny.
 
6) The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 can go over 400 kph. It would be a good car to buy if you want to look very cool.

7)

8) The “brown note” is term for the audio frequency between five and nine Hertz (below the 20 Hz frequency detectable to the human ear). There is a theory that when the brown note is played loudly enough, the vibrations felt in the human body will cause a person to feel like they need to poo.

9)

10) Ferrari World may be a long drive away but is a great place to take the family. Not only does it have the fastest roller coaster in the world but it is has many activities for young children. Even though it can be expensive, a trip to Ferrari World will be an unforgettable experience. 


11) A neutron walks into a Starbucks and asks "how much for a coffee?" The barista says, "for you? no charge."

12)


  13) 



14) To be successful on the iELTS exam students must be able to write a "For and Against" essay so students should learn how to see from more than one perspective.

15) Your mother wants to be proud of you.

Unit 3 Vocabulary

Look at the following Vocabulary words.

Work with a partner using TitanPad. Write a sentence for each vocabulary word, using the word correctly.

Each group writes 19 sentences:

Good Example:

1) The pyramids of Egypt are thousands of years old so they are ancient.

Bad example:

2) Archeology is a science.

The pictures can help with your sentences but read the definition to write the sentence. You can make your own examples but make sure the sentence shows the meaning of the word.

UNIT 3 Reading/ Writing Vocabulary	(1) Ancient – (adjective) - very old : having lived or existed for a very long time
(2) Archeology – (noun) – a science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc., of ancient people	(3) Artifact – (n) –  a simple object (such as a tool or weapon) that was made by people in the past
(4)   Compulsory – (adj) – required by a law or rule	(5)   Display – (verb) – to put (something) where people can see it
(6) Document – (noun) –  an official paper that gives information about something or that is used as proof of something	(7) Economic – (adj) – relating to the system of buying, selling, or producing goods and services.
(8) Excavate – (v) – to uncover (something) by digging away and removing the earth that covers it	(9) Exhibit – (n) – an object or a collection of objects that have been put out in a public space for people to look at
(10) Field – (n) – an area of work, study, etc.	(11) Financial – (adj) – relating to or having to do with money
(12)  Fossil – (n) – something (such as a leaf, skeleton, or footprint) that is from a plant or animal which lived in ancient times and that you can see in some rocks	(13)  Hieroglyphics – (n) – a system of writing (such as the one used in ancient Egypt) that uses characters that look like pictures
(14) Knight – (n) – a soldier in the past who had a high social rank and who fought while riding a horse and usually wearing armor	(15) Natural history – (n) –  the study of plants, animals, and sometimes ancient human civilizations
(16) Period – (n) – a length of time during which a series of events or an action takes place or is completed	(17)  Research – (n) – careful study that is done to find and report new knowledge about something
(18)  Sword – (n) – a weapon with a long metal blade that has a sharp point and edge	(19) Tuition – (n) – money that is paid to a school for the right to study there