Intermediate150 min
Cleft sentences
We use cleft sentences to emphasise particular information in a sentence. We use the cleft structure at the beginning of the sentence to emphasise the information that comes after it.
The players slow the game down to waste time. (a 'normal' sentence, with no added emphasis)
What the players do is slow the game down to waste time. (a cleft sentence, which emphasises the information after the cleft structure)
To make a cleft structure, we can use What + subject + verb + be.
They want to win the competition. ➞ What they want is to win the competition.
We enjoy competing against other teams. ➞ What we enjoy is competing against other teams.
We can use a cleft structure to emphasise the object of a verb.
He faked an injury. ➞ What he faked was an injury.
I’ll send you the link for the website. ➞ What I’ll send you is the link for the website.
They changed their kit. ➞ What they changed was their kit.
If we want to emphasise the whole action (verb and object), we can add the correct form of the auxiliary verb do.
He faked an injury. ➞ What he did was fake an injury.
I’ll send you the link for the website. ➞ What I’ll do is send you the link for the website.
They changed their kit. ➞ What they did was change their kit.
Notice that in structures with the auxiliary verb do, the auxiliary verb is in the same tense as the main verb in the normal sentence. The main verb in the cleft sentence is in the infinitive form.
She dived in the penalty area. ➞ What she did was dive in the penalty area.
We’ll watch them carefully to see if they are cheating. ➞ What we’ll do is watch them carefully to see if they are cheating.
When the main verb in the normal sentence is in a continuous form, the form of the auxiliary do and main verb in the cleft sentence become an -ing form.
They are playing for time. ➞ What they are doing is playing for time.
She was pretending to be injured. ➞ What she was doing was pretending to be injured.
We don’t use do with verbs that describe feelings or states.
I love competitive games. ➞ What I love is competitive games. (a feeling) NOT What I do is love competitive games.
She has a lot of talent. ➞ What she has is a lot of talent. (a state) NOT What she does is have a lot of talent.
The players slow the game down to waste time. (a 'normal' sentence, with no added emphasis)
What the players do is slow the game down to waste time. (a cleft sentence, which emphasises the information after the cleft structure)
To make a cleft structure, we can use What + subject + verb + be.
They want to win the competition. ➞ What they want is to win the competition.
We enjoy competing against other teams. ➞ What we enjoy is competing against other teams.
We can use a cleft structure to emphasise the object of a verb.
He faked an injury. ➞ What he faked was an injury.
I’ll send you the link for the website. ➞ What I’ll send you is the link for the website.
They changed their kit. ➞ What they changed was their kit.
If we want to emphasise the whole action (verb and object), we can add the correct form of the auxiliary verb do.
He faked an injury. ➞ What he did was fake an injury.
I’ll send you the link for the website. ➞ What I’ll do is send you the link for the website.
They changed their kit. ➞ What they did was change their kit.
Notice that in structures with the auxiliary verb do, the auxiliary verb is in the same tense as the main verb in the normal sentence. The main verb in the cleft sentence is in the infinitive form.
She dived in the penalty area. ➞ What she did was dive in the penalty area.
We’ll watch them carefully to see if they are cheating. ➞ What we’ll do is watch them carefully to see if they are cheating.
When the main verb in the normal sentence is in a continuous form, the form of the auxiliary do and main verb in the cleft sentence become an -ing form.
They are playing for time. ➞ What they are doing is playing for time.
She was pretending to be injured. ➞ What she was doing was pretending to be injured.
We don’t use do with verbs that describe feelings or states.
I love competitive games. ➞ What I love is competitive games. (a feeling) NOT What I do is love competitive games.
She has a lot of talent. ➞ What she has is a lot of talent. (a state) NOT What she does is have a lot of talent.
Quiz
Question 1 of 10
Change the sentence into a cleft sentence to emphasise the action: "She wrote the report yesterday."
What she did was write the report yesterday.
What she wrote was the report yesterday.
What she do is write the report yesterday.
Society and Individual: Navigating the Delicate Balance
The relationship between society and the individual has been a bone of contention for philosophers, sociologists, and political thinkers throughout history. At its core lies a fundamental question: where do we draw the line between collective responsibility and personal freedom? This age-old dilemma continues to rear its head in contemporary debates about everything from public health measures to economic policy, forcing us to grapple with competing values and priorities.
On one hand, society serves as the bedrock upon which individual prosperity is built. We don't exist in a vacuum – our achievements, opportunities, and even our identities are shaped by the communities we belong to. The infrastructure we rely on, the education systems that nurture our minds, and the legal frameworks that protect our rights are all products of collective effort. When push comes to shove, most of us recognize that we stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us, building upon generations of shared knowledge and accumulated wisdom.
However, this doesn't mean that individuals should be expected to toe the line without question or sacrifice their authentic selves on the altar of conformity. History is littered with examples of societies that went off the rails precisely because they suppressed individual dissent and creative thinking. When groupthink takes hold and people are afraid to rock the boat, innovation stagnates and progress grinds to a halt. The most vibrant societies are those that strike a balance between social cohesion and individual expression, creating space for mavericks and nonconformists to challenge the status quo.
The tension becomes particularly acute when individual desires run counter to societal expectations. Take the classic case of career choices – while society might cry out for more doctors, engineers, or teachers, individuals may feel called to pursue their passion for art, music, or literature. Should talented people be expected to put their dreams on the back burner for the greater good? Or does society benefit more in the long run when people are free to follow their hearts, even if it means some practical needs go unmet?
Modern technology has added new wrinkles to this ancient debate. Social media platforms have given individuals unprecedented power to make their voices heard and to connect with like-minded people across the globe. Yet this same technology has also made it easier for societies to keep tabs on their citizens, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance. The digital age has made the boundaries between public and private increasingly blurred, forcing us to reconsider fundamental assumptions about individual autonomy and collective oversight.
Economic systems further complicate the picture. Capitalist societies tend to champion individual initiative and entrepreneurship, arguing that when people are free to pursue their self-interest, everyone benefits through the invisible hand of the market. Critics, however, point out that this approach can lead to stark inequalities and social fragmentation, with some individuals falling through the cracks while others accumulate vast wealth and influence. Socialist models, by contrast, emphasize collective ownership and shared responsibility, but often struggle to maintain individual incentives and innovation.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought these tensions into sharp focus, creating a real-time experiment in balancing individual liberty with collective welfare. Mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccination requirements became flashpoints in the ongoing debate about how much individual freedom we're willing to sacrifice for the common good. Those who chafed at restrictions argued that personal choice should take precedence, while public health advocates insisted that individual actions have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the person making the decision.
Education represents another battleground where these competing values clash. Should schools focus primarily on producing well-rounded citizens who understand their civic duties and can contribute meaningfully to society? Or should the emphasis be on nurturing individual talents and helping students discover their unique potential? Progressive educators often advocate for student-centered approaches that celebrate diversity and encourage critical thinking, while traditionalists worry that such methods may leave young people ill-equipped to function effectively in structured environments.
The rise of identity politics has added yet another dimension to these discussions. Movements focused on race, gender, sexuality, and other characteristics have highlighted how societal norms and expectations can marginalize certain groups while privileging others. This has led to calls for greater recognition of individual differences and experiences, but has also sparked backlash from those who worry that excessive focus on group identity may undermine social unity and shared values.
Finding the sweet spot between individual fulfillment and social responsibility requires constant negotiation and compromise. Neither extreme individualism nor complete collectivism offers a sustainable path forward. Instead, healthy societies must cultivate institutions and norms that protect individual rights while also fostering a sense of mutual obligation and shared purpose.
The key lies in recognizing that this is not a zero-sum game where one side must triumph over the other. Rather, individuals and society are locked in a dance of mutual dependence and influence. When this relationship is functioning well, society provides the stable foundation that allows individuals to flourish, while individuals contribute their unique talents and perspectives to enrich the collective whole. The challenge for each generation is to fine-tune this delicate balance for their particular time and circumstances.
On one hand, society serves as the bedrock upon which individual prosperity is built. We don't exist in a vacuum – our achievements, opportunities, and even our identities are shaped by the communities we belong to. The infrastructure we rely on, the education systems that nurture our minds, and the legal frameworks that protect our rights are all products of collective effort. When push comes to shove, most of us recognize that we stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us, building upon generations of shared knowledge and accumulated wisdom.
However, this doesn't mean that individuals should be expected to toe the line without question or sacrifice their authentic selves on the altar of conformity. History is littered with examples of societies that went off the rails precisely because they suppressed individual dissent and creative thinking. When groupthink takes hold and people are afraid to rock the boat, innovation stagnates and progress grinds to a halt. The most vibrant societies are those that strike a balance between social cohesion and individual expression, creating space for mavericks and nonconformists to challenge the status quo.
The tension becomes particularly acute when individual desires run counter to societal expectations. Take the classic case of career choices – while society might cry out for more doctors, engineers, or teachers, individuals may feel called to pursue their passion for art, music, or literature. Should talented people be expected to put their dreams on the back burner for the greater good? Or does society benefit more in the long run when people are free to follow their hearts, even if it means some practical needs go unmet?
Modern technology has added new wrinkles to this ancient debate. Social media platforms have given individuals unprecedented power to make their voices heard and to connect with like-minded people across the globe. Yet this same technology has also made it easier for societies to keep tabs on their citizens, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance. The digital age has made the boundaries between public and private increasingly blurred, forcing us to reconsider fundamental assumptions about individual autonomy and collective oversight.
Economic systems further complicate the picture. Capitalist societies tend to champion individual initiative and entrepreneurship, arguing that when people are free to pursue their self-interest, everyone benefits through the invisible hand of the market. Critics, however, point out that this approach can lead to stark inequalities and social fragmentation, with some individuals falling through the cracks while others accumulate vast wealth and influence. Socialist models, by contrast, emphasize collective ownership and shared responsibility, but often struggle to maintain individual incentives and innovation.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought these tensions into sharp focus, creating a real-time experiment in balancing individual liberty with collective welfare. Mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccination requirements became flashpoints in the ongoing debate about how much individual freedom we're willing to sacrifice for the common good. Those who chafed at restrictions argued that personal choice should take precedence, while public health advocates insisted that individual actions have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the person making the decision.
Education represents another battleground where these competing values clash. Should schools focus primarily on producing well-rounded citizens who understand their civic duties and can contribute meaningfully to society? Or should the emphasis be on nurturing individual talents and helping students discover their unique potential? Progressive educators often advocate for student-centered approaches that celebrate diversity and encourage critical thinking, while traditionalists worry that such methods may leave young people ill-equipped to function effectively in structured environments.
The rise of identity politics has added yet another dimension to these discussions. Movements focused on race, gender, sexuality, and other characteristics have highlighted how societal norms and expectations can marginalize certain groups while privileging others. This has led to calls for greater recognition of individual differences and experiences, but has also sparked backlash from those who worry that excessive focus on group identity may undermine social unity and shared values.
Finding the sweet spot between individual fulfillment and social responsibility requires constant negotiation and compromise. Neither extreme individualism nor complete collectivism offers a sustainable path forward. Instead, healthy societies must cultivate institutions and norms that protect individual rights while also fostering a sense of mutual obligation and shared purpose.
The key lies in recognizing that this is not a zero-sum game where one side must triumph over the other. Rather, individuals and society are locked in a dance of mutual dependence and influence. When this relationship is functioning well, society provides the stable foundation that allows individuals to flourish, while individuals contribute their unique talents and perspectives to enrich the collective whole. The challenge for each generation is to fine-tune this delicate balance for their particular time and circumstances.
IDIOMS
Bone of contention
Meaning: A subject that causes disagreement or argument
Draw the line
Meaning: To set a limit or boundary; to decide what is acceptable
Age-old dilemma
Meaning: A problem that has existed for a very long time
Rear its head
Meaning: To appear or become noticeable, especially something unpleasant
Grapple with
Meaning: To struggle with or try to solve a difficult problem
Don't exist in a vacuum
Meaning: To be influenced by the surrounding environment or circumstances
When push comes to shove
Meaning: When a situation becomes critical and action must be taken
Stand on the shoulders of giants
Meaning: To build upon the work and achievements of previous generations
Toe the line
Meaning: To conform to rules or standards; to behave as expected
Sacrifice on the altar of
Meaning: To give up something valuable for the sake of something else
Go off the rails
Meaning: To go completely wrong or out of control
Rock the boat
Meaning: To disturb a stable situation by causing problems
Grind to a halt
Meaning: To stop completely or very slowly
Strike a balance
Meaning: To find a compromise between two opposing things
Challenge the status quo
Meaning: To question or oppose the existing state of affairs
Run counter to
Meaning: To go against or oppose something
Cry out for
Meaning: To urgently need or demand something
Put dreams on the back burner
Meaning: To postpone or delay pursuing something important
Follow their hearts
Meaning: To do what feels right emotionally rather than what seems practical
Add new wrinkles
Meaning: To introduce additional complications or problems
Make their voices heard
Meaning: To express opinions publicly and get attention
Keep tabs on
Meaning: To monitor or watch someone/something closely
Fall through the cracks
Meaning: To be overlooked or ignored by a system
Invisible hand
Meaning: The unseen force that guides free market economics
Bring into sharp focus
Meaning: To make something very clear or obvious
Chafe at
Meaning: To feel annoyed or restricted by something
Take precedence
Meaning: To be more important than something else
Far-reaching consequences
Meaning: Effects that extend widely and have significant impact
Find the sweet spot
Meaning: To find the perfect balance or optimal point
Zero-sum game
Meaning: A situation where one person's gain equals another's loss
Locked in a dance
Meaning: Involved in a complex, ongoing relationship
Fine-tune
Meaning: To make small adjustments to improve something
PHRASAL VERBS
Build upon
Meaning: To use something as a foundation for further development
Stand on
Meaning: To be based or founded on something
Put on
Meaning: To place something in a particular position or situation
Go off
Meaning: To deviate from the correct path or expected course
Take hold
Meaning: To become established or begin to have an effect
Run counter
Meaning: To go in the opposite direction or oppose
Keep tabs
Meaning: To monitor or maintain awareness of something
Fall through
Meaning: To fail to be caught or supported by a system
Bring into
Meaning: To cause something to enter a particular state
Fine-tune
Meaning: To make precise adjustments to something
ADVANCED EXPRESSIONS
Bedrock of society
Meaning: The fundamental foundation or basis of society
Collective responsibility
Meaning: Shared obligation or duty among group members
Contemporary debates
Meaning: Current discussions or arguments about important issues
Competing values
Meaning: Different principles or beliefs that conflict with each other
Accumulated wisdom
Meaning: Knowledge and understanding built up over time
Authentic selves
Meaning: One's true, genuine identity or personality
Suppressed dissent
Meaning: Prevented or restrained disagreement or opposition
Social cohesion
Meaning: The bonds that hold society together
Individual expression
Meaning: The way people show their unique personality or ideas
Societal expectations
Meaning: What society expects or demands from its members
Unprecedented power
Meaning: Greater authority or influence than ever before
Individual autonomy
Meaning: Personal freedom and self-determination
Collective oversight
Meaning: Group supervision or monitoring
Stark inequalities
Meaning: Extreme differences in wealth, status, or opportunity
Social fragmentation
Meaning: The breaking apart of social unity or cohesion
Shared responsibility
Meaning: Duties or obligations that belong to everyone
Individual incentives
Meaning: Personal motivations or rewards for action
Collective welfare
Meaning: The well-being of society as a whole
Civic duties
Meaning: Responsibilities of citizens to their community
Student-centered approaches
Meaning: Educational methods that focus on individual student needs
Identity politics
Meaning: Political activity based on shared characteristics of groups
Mutual obligation
Meaning: Responsibilities that people have toward each other
Shared purpose
Meaning: Common goals or objectives that unite people
Mutual dependence
Meaning: A relationship where parties rely on each other
ADVANCED VOCABULARY
Dilemma
Meaning: A difficult choice between two or more alternatives
Pronunciation: /dɪˈlemə/ (US & UK)
Contemporary
Meaning: Belonging to the present time; modern
Pronunciation: /kənˈtempəˌreri/ (US), /kənˈtempərəri/ (UK)
Infrastructure
Meaning: Basic physical and organizational structures needed for society
Pronunciation: /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/ (US & UK)
Conformity
Meaning: Behavior that follows accepted standards or rules
Pronunciation: /kənˈfɔrməti/ (US), /kənˈfɔːməti/ (UK)
Dissent
Meaning: Disagreement with official or popular opinion
Pronunciation: /dɪˈsent/ (US & UK)
Stagnates
Meaning: Stops developing or progressing
Pronunciation: /ˈstæɡneɪts/ (US & UK)
Cohesion
Meaning: Unity and togetherness within a group
Pronunciation: /koʊˈhiʒən/ (US), /kəʊˈhiːʒən/ (UK)
Mavericks
Meaning: Independent-minded people who don't conform
Pronunciation: /ˈmævərɪks/ (US & UK)
Nonconformists
Meaning: People who don't follow conventional behavior
Pronunciation: /ˌnɑnkənˈfɔrməsts/ (US), /ˌnɒnkənˈfɔːməsts/ (UK)
Unprecedented
Meaning: Never done or experienced before
Pronunciation: /ʌnˈpresəˌdentəd/ (US & UK)
Surveillance
Meaning: Close observation or monitoring of people
Pronunciation: /sərˈveɪləns/ (US & UK)
Autonomy
Meaning: The right or condition of self-government
Pronunciation: /ɔˈtɑnəmi/ (US), /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ (UK)
Entrepreneurship
Meaning: The activity of starting and running businesses
Pronunciation: /ˌɑntrəprəˈnɜrʃɪp/ (US), /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ (UK)
Inequalities
Meaning: Differences in wealth, status, or opportunity
Pronunciation: /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑləti/ (US), /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ (UK)
Fragmentation
Meaning: The process of breaking into separate parts
Pronunciation: /ˌfræɡmənˈteɪʃən/ (US & UK)
Incentives
Meaning: Things that motivate or encourage action
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsentɪvz/ (US & UK)
Marginalize
Meaning: To treat someone as unimportant or powerless
Pronunciation: /ˈmɑrdʒənəˌlaɪz/ (US), /ˈmɑːdʒənəˌlaɪz/ (UK)
Backlash
Meaning: Strong negative reaction to something
Pronunciation: /ˈbækˌlæʃ/ (US & UK)
Individualism
Meaning: The belief in individual rights and independence
Pronunciation: /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒuəˌlɪzəm/ (US & UK)
Collectivism
Meaning: The practice of giving priority to group over individual
Pronunciation: /kəˈlektəˌvɪzəm/ (US & UK)
Bone of contention
Meaning: A subject that causes disagreement or argument
Draw the line
Meaning: To set a limit or boundary; to decide what is acceptable
Age-old dilemma
Meaning: A problem that has existed for a very long time
Rear its head
Meaning: To appear or become noticeable, especially something unpleasant
Grapple with
Meaning: To struggle with or try to solve a difficult problem
Don't exist in a vacuum
Meaning: To be influenced by the surrounding environment or circumstances
When push comes to shove
Meaning: When a situation becomes critical and action must be taken
Stand on the shoulders of giants
Meaning: To build upon the work and achievements of previous generations
Toe the line
Meaning: To conform to rules or standards; to behave as expected
Sacrifice on the altar of
Meaning: To give up something valuable for the sake of something else
Go off the rails
Meaning: To go completely wrong or out of control
Rock the boat
Meaning: To disturb a stable situation by causing problems
Grind to a halt
Meaning: To stop completely or very slowly
Strike a balance
Meaning: To find a compromise between two opposing things
Challenge the status quo
Meaning: To question or oppose the existing state of affairs
Run counter to
Meaning: To go against or oppose something
Cry out for
Meaning: To urgently need or demand something
Put dreams on the back burner
Meaning: To postpone or delay pursuing something important
Follow their hearts
Meaning: To do what feels right emotionally rather than what seems practical
Add new wrinkles
Meaning: To introduce additional complications or problems
Make their voices heard
Meaning: To express opinions publicly and get attention
Keep tabs on
Meaning: To monitor or watch someone/something closely
Fall through the cracks
Meaning: To be overlooked or ignored by a system
Invisible hand
Meaning: The unseen force that guides free market economics
Bring into sharp focus
Meaning: To make something very clear or obvious
Chafe at
Meaning: To feel annoyed or restricted by something
Take precedence
Meaning: To be more important than something else
Far-reaching consequences
Meaning: Effects that extend widely and have significant impact
Find the sweet spot
Meaning: To find the perfect balance or optimal point
Zero-sum game
Meaning: A situation where one person's gain equals another's loss
Locked in a dance
Meaning: Involved in a complex, ongoing relationship
Fine-tune
Meaning: To make small adjustments to improve something
PHRASAL VERBS
Build upon
Meaning: To use something as a foundation for further development
Stand on
Meaning: To be based or founded on something
Put on
Meaning: To place something in a particular position or situation
Go off
Meaning: To deviate from the correct path or expected course
Take hold
Meaning: To become established or begin to have an effect
Run counter
Meaning: To go in the opposite direction or oppose
Keep tabs
Meaning: To monitor or maintain awareness of something
Fall through
Meaning: To fail to be caught or supported by a system
Bring into
Meaning: To cause something to enter a particular state
Fine-tune
Meaning: To make precise adjustments to something
ADVANCED EXPRESSIONS
Bedrock of society
Meaning: The fundamental foundation or basis of society
Collective responsibility
Meaning: Shared obligation or duty among group members
Contemporary debates
Meaning: Current discussions or arguments about important issues
Competing values
Meaning: Different principles or beliefs that conflict with each other
Accumulated wisdom
Meaning: Knowledge and understanding built up over time
Authentic selves
Meaning: One's true, genuine identity or personality
Suppressed dissent
Meaning: Prevented or restrained disagreement or opposition
Social cohesion
Meaning: The bonds that hold society together
Individual expression
Meaning: The way people show their unique personality or ideas
Societal expectations
Meaning: What society expects or demands from its members
Unprecedented power
Meaning: Greater authority or influence than ever before
Individual autonomy
Meaning: Personal freedom and self-determination
Collective oversight
Meaning: Group supervision or monitoring
Stark inequalities
Meaning: Extreme differences in wealth, status, or opportunity
Social fragmentation
Meaning: The breaking apart of social unity or cohesion
Shared responsibility
Meaning: Duties or obligations that belong to everyone
Individual incentives
Meaning: Personal motivations or rewards for action
Collective welfare
Meaning: The well-being of society as a whole
Civic duties
Meaning: Responsibilities of citizens to their community
Student-centered approaches
Meaning: Educational methods that focus on individual student needs
Identity politics
Meaning: Political activity based on shared characteristics of groups
Mutual obligation
Meaning: Responsibilities that people have toward each other
Shared purpose
Meaning: Common goals or objectives that unite people
Mutual dependence
Meaning: A relationship where parties rely on each other
ADVANCED VOCABULARY
Dilemma
Meaning: A difficult choice between two or more alternatives
Pronunciation: /dɪˈlemə/ (US & UK)
Contemporary
Meaning: Belonging to the present time; modern
Pronunciation: /kənˈtempəˌreri/ (US), /kənˈtempərəri/ (UK)
Infrastructure
Meaning: Basic physical and organizational structures needed for society
Pronunciation: /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/ (US & UK)
Conformity
Meaning: Behavior that follows accepted standards or rules
Pronunciation: /kənˈfɔrməti/ (US), /kənˈfɔːməti/ (UK)
Dissent
Meaning: Disagreement with official or popular opinion
Pronunciation: /dɪˈsent/ (US & UK)
Stagnates
Meaning: Stops developing or progressing
Pronunciation: /ˈstæɡneɪts/ (US & UK)
Cohesion
Meaning: Unity and togetherness within a group
Pronunciation: /koʊˈhiʒən/ (US), /kəʊˈhiːʒən/ (UK)
Mavericks
Meaning: Independent-minded people who don't conform
Pronunciation: /ˈmævərɪks/ (US & UK)
Nonconformists
Meaning: People who don't follow conventional behavior
Pronunciation: /ˌnɑnkənˈfɔrməsts/ (US), /ˌnɒnkənˈfɔːməsts/ (UK)
Unprecedented
Meaning: Never done or experienced before
Pronunciation: /ʌnˈpresəˌdentəd/ (US & UK)
Surveillance
Meaning: Close observation or monitoring of people
Pronunciation: /sərˈveɪləns/ (US & UK)
Autonomy
Meaning: The right or condition of self-government
Pronunciation: /ɔˈtɑnəmi/ (US), /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ (UK)
Entrepreneurship
Meaning: The activity of starting and running businesses
Pronunciation: /ˌɑntrəprəˈnɜrʃɪp/ (US), /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːʃɪp/ (UK)
Inequalities
Meaning: Differences in wealth, status, or opportunity
Pronunciation: /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑləti/ (US), /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ (UK)
Fragmentation
Meaning: The process of breaking into separate parts
Pronunciation: /ˌfræɡmənˈteɪʃən/ (US & UK)
Incentives
Meaning: Things that motivate or encourage action
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsentɪvz/ (US & UK)
Marginalize
Meaning: To treat someone as unimportant or powerless
Pronunciation: /ˈmɑrdʒənəˌlaɪz/ (US), /ˈmɑːdʒənəˌlaɪz/ (UK)
Backlash
Meaning: Strong negative reaction to something
Pronunciation: /ˈbækˌlæʃ/ (US & UK)
Individualism
Meaning: The belief in individual rights and independence
Pronunciation: /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒuəˌlɪzəm/ (US & UK)
Collectivism
Meaning: The practice of giving priority to group over individual
Pronunciation: /kəˈlektəˌvɪzəm/ (US & UK)
Emphasis in cleft sentences
1. Emphasizing the Subject or Agent: Here, the focus is on who performed the action.
Example: "It was John who completed the project." This stresses that John, rather than someone else, is the person responsible.
2. Emphasizing the Action or Verb: This highlights what action was performed.
Example: "What they did was solve the problem." The emphasis is on "solve the problem."
3. Emphasizing the Object or Complement: This draws attention to what the action affected.
Example: "What she needs is support." Focus is on "support."
4. Emphasizing Time, Place, or Other Elements: Sometimes, cleft sentences emphasize when or where something happened.
Example: "It was yesterday that we met." This highlights "yesterday."
Additionally, cleft sentences often use the auxiliary verb "do" to stress the action when emphasizing the whole event or activity, as in "What he did was (infinitive verb)." This is particularly useful to convey the exactness or importance of the action without adding extra words.
It is also important to note that when the main verb in the original sentence is in the continuous tense, the cleft sentence maintains this in its emphasized part, e.g., "What they are doing is preparing for the exam."
Example: "It was John who completed the project." This stresses that John, rather than someone else, is the person responsible.
2. Emphasizing the Action or Verb: This highlights what action was performed.
Example: "What they did was solve the problem." The emphasis is on "solve the problem."
3. Emphasizing the Object or Complement: This draws attention to what the action affected.
Example: "What she needs is support." Focus is on "support."
4. Emphasizing Time, Place, or Other Elements: Sometimes, cleft sentences emphasize when or where something happened.
Example: "It was yesterday that we met." This highlights "yesterday."
Additionally, cleft sentences often use the auxiliary verb "do" to stress the action when emphasizing the whole event or activity, as in "What he did was (infinitive verb)." This is particularly useful to convey the exactness or importance of the action without adding extra words.
It is also important to note that when the main verb in the original sentence is in the continuous tense, the cleft sentence maintains this in its emphasized part, e.g., "What they are doing is preparing for the exam."
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- How societal norms influence personal identity and vice versa
- The impact of technology on the relationship between society and the individual
- Challenges of balancing conformity and individuality in workplace environments
- The effects of cultural diversity on social cohesion and individual expression