Shcho23 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
What does each "it" refer to?
Sorry for the lengthy quote...
My question relates to what each of the following three "it"s is referring to.
Quote:
You might think that most people know why it's cold in the winter and warm in the summer, but you'd be surprised. In 1987, filmmakers interviewed a group of twenty-three graduating Harvard seniors and professors. Twenty-one of the twenty-three gave the wrong answer. Most offered up the explanation that the Earth is closer to the Sun in the summer (it is a little closer in January). The producers of the film suggested that these misconceptions point to significant flaws in the way science is taught. The problem is perhaps not only a problem in our educational system, but (a)it may also be that because people are oblivious to the Sun's position and path in the sky, (b)it has ceased to have meaning in their lives. If (c)it is presented as a separate fact, there is no reason to link the passage of the Sun to the seasons.
If you could pinpoint the referents from the text, it would be even better.
Thank you so much..
My question relates to what each of the following three "it"s is referring to.
Quote:
You might think that most people know why it's cold in the winter and warm in the summer, but you'd be surprised. In 1987, filmmakers interviewed a group of twenty-three graduating Harvard seniors and professors. Twenty-one of the twenty-three gave the wrong answer. Most offered up the explanation that the Earth is closer to the Sun in the summer (it is a little closer in January). The producers of the film suggested that these misconceptions point to significant flaws in the way science is taught. The problem is perhaps not only a problem in our educational system, but (a)it may also be that because people are oblivious to the Sun's position and path in the sky, (b)it has ceased to have meaning in their lives. If (c)it is presented as a separate fact, there is no reason to link the passage of the Sun to the seasons.
If you could pinpoint the referents from the text, it would be even better.
Thank you so much..
Top answer
a The problem b position and path c the passage of the Sun It's not a well-written text, in my opinion.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
0
a The problem
b position and path
c the passage of the Sun
It's not a well-written text, in my opinion.
b position and path
c the passage of the Sun
It's not a well-written text, in my opinion.
00
Cliveb position and pathThank you so much for your kind answer, Clive.
Can I see "(b) it" as "the Sun's position and path", not just "position and path?"
And, could you kindly explain why the text was not well-written?
(Because, while reading the text, I myself was thinking this was awkward, but coudn't exactly figure out why.)
00
Can I see "(b) it" as "the Sun's position and path", not just "position and path?" Yes, if you want to.
You might think that most people know why it's cold in the winter and warm in the summer, but you'd be surprised. In 1987, filmmakers interviewed a group of twenty-three graduating Harvard seniors and professors.Were the professors graduating? Were they at Har
You might think that most people know why it's cold in the winter and warm in the summer, but you'd be surprised. In 1987, filmmakers interviewed a group of twenty-three graduating Harvard seniors and professors.Were the professors graduating? Were they at Har
00
Thank you again, Clive. I really appreciate it.
It does help me understand why the text was not very well-written.
But, let me concentrate on the whole point of the text.
The writer conclusively states that to most people the Sun's path and the seasons are two separate things.
But the research subjects did associate the seasons with the closeness of the E
It does help me understand why the text was not very well-written.
But, let me concentrate on the whole point of the text.
The writer conclusively states that to most people the Sun's path and the seasons are two separate things.
But the research subjects did associate the seasons with the closeness of the E
00
I looked more at the writing than at the meaning, but I don't disagree with your assessment..
I'd say
eg . . . filmmakers interviewed a group of twenty-three Harvard professors and graduating seniors.
I'd say
eg . . . filmmakers interviewed a group of twenty-three Harvard professors and graduating seniors.
0