Reference Words

Guided Practice

In the paragraphs below, certain single words and groups of words are underlined. Read through the paragraphs and click on words that you think are actual "reference words." You will receive feedback at the bottom of the page. If your choice agrees with the author's, the appropriate antecedent will be provided. Do not be dismayed if your answers disagree with the ones given, for there is some flexibility depending on individual points of view.

  1. Paragraph 1

    Because of the untenable situation in their country, East Germans became increasingly frustrated. Suddenly in 1989, East Germans who took vacations in Hungary and Czechoslovakia discovered that these countries would allow them to go into West Germany. But then, the East German government tried to prevent people from going into those countries. East Germans became even more frustrated and angry. People in many East German cities began to mount massive demonstrations. They insisted on an end to their communist government. Most of all they demanded freedom to travel. The demonstrations became intense.

    CORRECT! untenable situation refers to 'the low living standard, inferior factory goods, and widespread pollution' mentioned in a previous paragraph.

    CORRECT! their refers to 'East Germans.'

    CORRECT! country refers to 'East Germany.'

    CORRECT! who refers to 'East Germans' immediately preceding it.

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! these countries refers to 'Hungary and Czechoslovakia.'

    CORRECT! them refers to 'East Germans.'

    CORRECT! people refers to 'East German people.'

    CORRECT! those countries refers to 'Hungary and Czechoslovakia.'

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! They refers to 'people in many East German cities.'

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! their refers to 'East Germans.'

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! they refers to 'people in East German cities.'

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! The demonstrations refers to the previous appearance of the word demonstrations, meaning the demonstrations in East German cities. Here the definite article the has the function of indicating that the word demonstrations has been mentioned previously in the text.

  2. Paragraph 2

    Before long, both the East German Government and the Soviet Union realized that they could no longer contain a whole country full of angry, frustrated people. And on 9 November 1989, the borders in the city of Berlin were opened. Hundreds of thousands of excited East Germans poured through checkpoints causing massive traffic jams. West Germans rushed into the streets to welcome them with hugs and champagne. Television cameras rushed to the scene to broadcast their joy to the world. Soon, every checkpoint in East Germany was opened, and people flooded into West Germany. The East German people were finally free. One year later, on 3 October 1990, the German Democratic Republic ceased to exist, and it was officially reunited with the Federal Republic of Germany into a single country called Germany.

    CORRECT! they refers to the East German Government and the Soviet Union.

    CORRECT! a whole country refers to East Germany.

    CORRECT! angry, frustrated people refers to East Germans.

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! them refers to East Germans.

    NCORRECT. Try again.

    INCORRECT. Try again.

    CORRECT! the scene refers to the areas near the checkpoints.

    CORRECT! their refers to East Germans and West Germans.

    CORRECT! people refers to East German people.

    CORRECT! it refers to the German Democratic Republic/East Germany.

    CORRECT! a single country refers to Germany.

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