Unlike the eyes, which can be
covered by the eyelids against strong light, the ear has no lid, and is,
therefore, always open and vulnerable; noise penetrates without protection.
Noise causes effects that the hearer
cannot control and to which the body never becomes accustomed. Loud noises instinctively signal
danger to any organism with a hearing mechanism, including human beings. In
response, heartbeat and respiration accelerate, blood vessels constrict, the
skin pales, and muscles tense. In fact, there is a general increase in
functioning brought about by the flow of adrenaline released in response to
fear, and some of these responses persist even longer than the noise,
occasionally as long as thirty minutes after the sound has ceased.
Because noise is unavoidable
in a complex, industrial society, we are constantly responding in the same ways
that we would respond to danger. Recently, researchers have concluded that
noise and our response may be much more than an annoyance. It may be a serious
threat to physical and psychological health and well-being, causing damage not
only to the ear and brain but also to the heart and stomach. We have long known
that hearing loss is America’s number one nonfatal health problem, but now we
are learning that some of us with heart disease and ulcers may be victims of
noise as well. Fetuses exposed to noise tend to be overactive,
they cry easily, and they are more sensitive to gastrointestinal problems after
birth. In addition, the psychological effect of noise is very important.
Nervousness, irritability, tension and anxiety increase, affecting the quality
of rest during sleep, and the efficiency of activities during waking hours, as well
as the way that we
interact with one another.
1. Which of
the following is the author’s main point?
A. Noise may pose
a serious threat to our physical
and psychological health
B. Loud noises signal
danger
C. Hearing
loss is America’s number one nonfatal
health problem
D.The
ear is not like the eye
2. According
to the passage, what is noise?
A. Unwanted sound
B. A byproduct of
technology
C. Physical and psychological harm
D. Congestion
3. Why is
noise difficult to measure?
A. It
causes hearing loss
B. All people do not respond to it in the same way
C.It is unwanted
D.People
become accustomed to it
4. The word
congested in paragraph 1 could best be replaced by
A. hazardous C. crowded
B. polluted
D. rushed
5. According to the passage, people respond to loud noise in the same
way that they respond to
A. annoyance C.
damage
B. danger D. disease
6. The
phrase as well in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to which of the following?
A. after all C. instead
B. also D. regardless
7. It can be
inferred from this passage that the eye
A. responds to fear
B. enjoys greater
protection than the ear
C. increases functions
D. is damaged by noise
8. With
which of the following statements would the author most probably agree?
A. Noise is not a serious problem today
B. Noise is America’s number one problem
C. Noise is an
unavoidable problem in an
industrial society
D. Noise is a complex problem
PROBLEMS
WITH INTRODUCTORY VERBAL MODIFIERS
Introductory verbal modifier introduce and modify the subject
and verb in the main clause of the sentence. They can be –ing forms, –ed
forms, or infinitives. They are
usually separated from the main clause by a comma.
Problem
15 Verbal Modifier – -ing and -ed Form
–ing forms and –ed forms may be used as verbals. Verbals function
as modifiers.
An introductory
verbal modifier with –ing or –ed should immediately precede the noun it
modifies. Otherwise, the relationship between the noun and the modifier is
unclear, and the sentence is illogical.
Avoid
using a noun immediately after an introductory verbal phrase which may not be
logically modified by the phrase.
Examples :
Incorrect : After graduating from City College, Professor
Baker’s studies were continued at State University, where he received his
Ph.D. in English.
Correct
: After graduating from City College, Professor
Baker continued his studies at State University, where he received his
Ph.D. in English.
Incorrect : Returning to her room, several pieces of
jewelry were missing.
Correct
: Returning to her room, she
found that several pieces of jewelry were missing.
Incorrect : Having been delayed by heavy traffic, it was
not possible for her to arrive on time.
Correct
: Having been delayed by heavy traffic, she
arrived on time.
Incorrect : Accustomed to getting up early, the new
schedule was not difficult for him to adjust to.
Correct
: Accustomed to getting up early, he
had no difficulty adjusting to the new schedule.
Incorrect : After finishing his speech, the audience was
invited to ask questions.
Correct
: After finishing his speech, he invited
the audience to ask questions.
Problem
16 Verbal Modifier – Infinitives
of Purpose to Introduce Instructions
An infinitive that expresses
purpose may be used as an introductory verbal modifier. Remember that a verb
word follows the infinitive. The verb word expresses a manner to accomplish the
purpose.
Avoid using a noun or to with
an -ing form instead of the infinitive of purpose. Avoid using an -ing
form or a passive construction after an introductory verbal modifier.
Examples:
Incorrect: To protect yourself from dangerous exposure
to the sun’s rays, using a sun screen.
Correct : To
protect yourself from dangerous exposure to the sun’s rays, use a
sun screen.
Incorrect: Prepare for the TOEFL, study thirty minutes
everyday for several months.
Correct : To
prepare for the TOEFL, study thirty minutes everyday for several
months.
Incorrect: In order to take advantage of low air fares,
to buy your tickets well in advance.
Correct : In
order to take advantage of low air fares, buy your tickets well
in advance.
Incorrect: To taking action pictures, always use a high-speed
film.
Correct : To
take action pictures, always use a high-speed film.
Incorrect: The send letters and packages from the United
States overseas, use Global Mail or DHL Delivery.
Correct : To
send letters and packages from the United States overseas, use
Global Mail or DHL Delivery
PROBLEMS
WITH PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Parallel structure means
expressing ideas of equal importance with the same grammatical
structures.
Problem
17 Parallel
Structure – In a Series
In all patterns, ideas of equal
importance should be expressed by the same grammatical structure. Avoid
expressing ideas in a series with different structures.
Problem
18 Parallel Structure – After Correlative
Conjunctions
Remember that ideas of equal
importance are introduced by correlative conjunctions: both … and
not only … but also
Avoid
expressing ideas after correlative conjunctions with different structures.
Examples
:
Incorrect: She is not only famous in the United States
but also abroad.
Correct : She
is famous not only in the United States but also abroad.
Incorrect: The exam tested both listening and to read.
Correct : The
exam tested both listening and reading.
Incorrect: He is not only intelligent but also he is
creative.
Correct : He
is not only intelligent but also creative.
Incorrect: Flying is not only faster but also it is
safer than traveling by car.
Correct :
Flying is not only faster but also safer than traveling by car.
Incorrect: John registered for both Electrical
Engineering 500 and to study Mathematics 390.
Correct : John
registered for both Electrical Engineering 500 and Mathematics
390.
