The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002
17.2. Organising information - Given and new information
Unit seventeen. Focusing
Sections 402-407
Given information is something which the speaker assumes the hearer knows already
New information is something which the speaker does not assume the speaker knows about already.
Sometimes given information is not spoken but is suggested by the situation.
For the main information, we use a falling tone for emphasis.
For subsidiary or less important information, we use a rising tone.
In writing, the most important new information is saved until the end of the sentence.
Task one **
Indicate where the nuclear stresses should be in the following items.
1. “Did they enjoy Singapore?” “No, it was raining all the time.”
2. “That’s a lovely vase Anne gave you.” “Joan gave it to me, not Anne.”
3. The driver wasn’t going very fast when he crashed through the barrier.
4. I know you find the noise from the trains disturbing, but here the planes are worse.
5. I took my holiday in Hungary.
6. There’s someone at the door.
7. Can I speak to Alison, please?
8. Tell her it’s Mike.
9. I went to Berlin in February because the U-Bahn was a hundred years old.
10. It’s true. He won the lottery.
Task two **
(In 2001, Foot and Mouth Disease was widespread throughout Britain. Other countries in Europe were concerned about the disease spreading to their animals. Below is part of a document issued to travellers between Finland and Great Britain.)
Reorganise the sentences in the paragraphs in the following text where necessary to give proper emphasis to the main information in each case.
How to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease to Finland
1. on 20 February
in England
the outbreak of foot and mouth disease was detected
2. since then
in an explosive manner
it has spread in the UK
3. the disease was found in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland by 2 March
4. the virus causes foot and mouth disease only in hoofed animals
in horses and people
but may cause a transient infection
5. hoofed animal species include
cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, reindeer and elks
6. no risk for humans
the disease causes
7. you may use diluted citric acid available from pharmacies as a disinfectant
8. as pets may transport the virus
wash them thoroughly with shampoo after arrival
if you bring animals to Finland from the risk areas
9. it is the duty of travellers to be cautious as the situation in the UK is critical
10. for at least 48 hours
where animals are kept
do not visit premises