Lesson 40: Unit 181 - Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses
Learn the difference between defining and non-defining relative clauses with the help of an authentic text about Cara Dunne-Yates – the blind ski champion and Olympic medallist.
About this lesson
In this lesson you will immerse yourself in an inspiring text about Cara Dunne-Yates – the blind ski champion and cyclist, winner of Olympic medals. Through it you will understand the difference between Defining Relative Clauses, without which the sentence is incomplete, and Non-defining Relative Clauses, which add extra information. You will learn when commas are used and when they are not, and why this is so important for the exact meaning. With practical exercises you will transform simple sentences into complex ones, using who, which, that and whose correctly.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Distinguish between Defining and Non-defining relative clauses
- Use the relative pronouns who, which, that and whose correctly
- Place commas only where they are needed (with Non-defining clauses)
- Transform two simple sentences into one complex sentence with a relative clause
- Understand how relative clauses change or add to the meaning of the main clause
Lesson vocabulary
- defining relative clause A skier who can't see needs a guide.
- non-defining relative clause Cara was the first blind skier to ski behind the guide, who calls instructions from the front.
- guide In the past, the guide used to ski close behind the blind skier.
- champion Cara Dunne-Yates is a skiing champion and skiing instructor.
- fluently She speaks both Spanish and Japanese fluently.
- tandem bike She rides on the back seat of a tandem bike – a bicycle made for two people.
- Paralympics She won a silver and a bronze medal in the 1996 Paralympics.
- disability The Paralympics are the Olympics for people with disabilities, like Cara.
- natural talent Cara loved skiing, and she showed a natural talent for it.
- recover While she was recovering in hospital, she heard about a bicycle racing training programme.
- Spirit of Survivorship award In 2001, she was given a 'Spirit of Survivorship' award.
- stepfather Cara's stepfather, who really loves skiing, thought Cara would love it, too.
- inspire Despite being very ill, Cara has inspired other people to live a full life.
- instruction The guide used to call out instructions: 'Turn right!' 'Turn left!' 'Slow down!'
- attitude The award is given to cancer patients who have a positive attitude.
In other languages: Български