Reading Skill Builder 3: Text Reference & Pronoun Cohesion
Goal: Identify what reference
words and pronouns (it, they, these, this) refer to across
multi-sentence paragraphs.
Read the sentences from the reading text. What
does the bold word refer to? Circle the correct answer.
- "Flossing removes trapped food particles
and plaque that your toothbrush cannot reach, which prevents gum
disease."
What causes gum
disease?
A) Using a soft toothbrush
B) Trapped food and plaque
C) Brushing twice a day
2. "You should
limit sweet snacks like chocolate, candy, and carbonated soda... Sugar feeds harmful
bacteria in your mouth and causes cavities."
What causes
cavities?
A) Bacteria fed by sugar
B) Chocolate with milk
C) Drinking water between meals
3."Furthermore, do not use your teeth as tools to open plastic bags or bite hard objects like ice. This can crack your teeth."
What does "This" refer to?
A) Visiting the clinic
B) Using teeth as tools or biting ice
C) Brushing before bed
Skill Builder 4 Reading Text: Understanding Cohesion & Reference – Going to the Dentist
Directions: Read the text below about dental
clinic visits. Pay attention to how sentences connect to each other.
Paragraph 1
Visiting
a dental hygienist regularly is essential for keeping your mouth healthy. This healthcare professional
uses specialized tools to remove hard tartar and plaque from your teeth. During
a cleaning, she will also
check your gums for signs of infection or swelling. If the hygienist finds any deep
cavities, she will inform
the dentist immediately. These
routine check-ups prevent small dental problems from turning into severe
pain.
Paragraph 2
Many
patients feel nervous before a clinic appointment, but they should know that modern
dental care is usually painless. Hygienists often offer fluoride treatments to
strengthen weak tooth enamel. This procedure only takes a few minutes and protects
your teeth against decay.
If you experience anxiety about dental visits, discuss it with the clinic staff. They can take extra steps to
make sure you are comfortable.
Learner
Task Sheet: Tracking Cohesive Devices & Substitution
When we write, we do not repeat the
same noun over and over. We use pronouns (like she, they, it) or other noun phrases (like this procedure, these check-ups)
to refer back to ideas mentioned earlier.
Section
A: Pronoun Reference (What do these words mean?)
1.
In
Paragraph 1, line 2, who does the pronoun "she" refer to?
o Answer:
______________________________________________________________
2.
In
Paragraph 2, line 1, who does the pronoun "they" refer to?
o A) Dental hygienists
o B) Many patients
o C) Specialized tools
3.
In
Paragraph 2, line 4, what does the pronoun "it" refer to in the phrase "discuss it with the clinic
staff"?
o A) Fluoride treatment
o B) Tooth enamel
o C) Anxiety about dental visits
4.
In
Paragraph 2, line 4, who does the pronoun "They" refer to in the last sentence ("They can take extra
steps...")?
o Answer:
_______________________________________________________________
Section
B: Noun Phrase Substitution & Synonyms (Replacing Nouns)
5.
In
Paragraph 1, line 1, the writer introduces "Visiting a dental hygienist regularly." In
line 2, what 3-word phrase
does the writer use to describe the hygienist so they don't repeat her title?
o Answer: This __________________
__________________
6.
In
Paragraph 1, lines 4–5, the writer mentions cleanings and check-ups. What 3-word phrase is used at
the end of Paragraph 1 to summarize these visits?
o Answer: These
__________________ __________________
7.
In
Paragraph 2, line 2, the text mentions "fluoride treatments." In the next
sentence, what 2-word
phrase replaces "fluoride treatments"?
o Answer: This __________________
8.
In
Paragraph 2, line 3, the writer uses the phrase "protects your teeth against decay." Which word
earlier in Paragraph 1 means the same thing as "decay"?
o A) Plaque
o B) Cavities
o C) Swelling
Section
C: Sentence-Level Cohesion Practice
Connect the two sentences by replacing
the underlined noun with a correct pronoun (he, she, it, they, these).
9.
The dentist
examined my broken tooth. The
dentist said I need a filling.
The dentist
examined my broken tooth. ________ said I need a filling.
10. You
should brush and floss every day. Brushing and flossing will prevent gum disease.
You should
brush and floss every day. ________ habits will prevent gum disease.
GRAMMAR REVIEW: COHESIVE DEVICES - PRONOUNS
