Grammar revision Ex.1. Functions of Transitional Words & Phrases

(A) Can you think of the words and phrases that have the similar functions?

(B) Can you think of any other functions that have not been included in the list given in the Reference Grammar ADDENDUM?

Ex.2. Transitional Words & Phrases Reading: Mexican Immigration to the us

Finally, it is likely that overall migration and migration from Mexico in particular will continue at roughly current levels. Thus, the United States can anticipate the entry of another 14 million immigrants between 2000 and 2010 with net migration of at least 400,000 Mexicans per year. Consequently, the foreign-born population would increase from 31 million in 2000 to about 40 million in 2010, to represent 13 percent of the total population. The Mexican-born population would grow from about nine million in 2000 to almost 13 million in 2010; at that point, more than 10 percent of the Mexican-born population would be in the United States with less than 90 percent in Mexico.

Adapted from Passel, J. Mexican Immigration to the US: The Latest Estimates

Identify any transitional words and phrases, comment on their a function and find an equivalent for them.

Transitional words and phrases	Function	Equivalent
Finally	Summarising / Concluding	In conclusion

Ex.3. Reading: Immigration & Poverty

Looking at rates of poverty is very important it provides a good deal of insight into Mexican immigration's impact on the United States. Poverty rates have wide-ranging implications for the immigrants themselves for society in general. Mexican immigrants are finding it difficult to obtain a middle-class income, it implies that a significant proportion of immigrants are unable to succeed in the modern American economy, it implies significant fiscal costs to the country. Persons who live in or near poverty are, by design, eligible for a wide range of means-tested programs.

The progressive nature of payroll and other taxes, those with low incomes pay relatively little in taxes. By consuming scarce public resources, an increase in the size of the low-income population immigration may hinder the ability of the nation to help those with low incomes already here.

Adapted from Camarota, S.A. Immigration From Mexico: Assessing the Impact on the United States

Ex.4.Put the following transitional words and phrases back into the text: moreover, and not only…but , finally, because; working on the article

Internet Piracy Bill in Trouble

(from:www.freeeslmaterials.com)

Several prominent websites like Wikipedia and Reddit went 'dark' on Wednesday to protest against the proposed anti-piracy legislation called SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act). Many other sites oppose SOPA but did not “go dark” in Wednesday’s 24-hour protest. These include Mozilla (owner of the Firefox web browser), Facebook, eBay and Google. A similar bill in the US Senate, the Protection of Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) would allow U.S. copyright holders to get court orders against foreign websites that steal from them. Sites that abuse copyright would not be able to use many online advertising networks or credit card services. It is now doubtful the bill will get the support of the sixty senators it needs in a crucial vote on Tuesday, January 24th.

The entertainment, pharmaceutical and fashion industries strongly support the bills. They lose billions of dollars every year to copyright violators. Internet companies oppose the bills, saying they will lead to censorship that would damage the Internet by discouraging new online start-ups. A letter to Congress signed by 130 technology entrepreneurs and executives expressed their concerns. It said SOPA and PIPA would "hurt economic growth and chill innovation in legitimate services that help people create, communicate, and make money online". Wikipedia has said it would continue the fight. It declares on its front page: "We're not done yet." It also said: “More than 162 million people saw our message asking if you could imagine a world without free knowledge.”