Introduction: The Glue of English Sentences
Have you ever read a paragraph where the writer keeps repeating the same name over and over again? It feels very "robotic" and hard to read! In the HKDSE Paper 1 Reading section, you will often find questions asking you what words like "it", "they", or "this" refer to. These are reference words.
Think of reference words as "pointing fingers" that point back to something already mentioned. Cohesive devices, on the other hand, are the "glue" or "bridges" that connect different ideas together so the text makes sense. Mastering these two skills will help you navigate complex Part A texts much faster!
Note: For more on how these links help you understand the whole text, see the chapter on "Main ideas, topic sentences and text organisation".
1. Reference Words: The "Pointing Fingers"
Reference words are used to avoid repetition. In the exam, a common question is: "In line 15, the word 'them' refers to..."
Common Types of Reference Words
1. Personal Pronouns: he, she, it, they, him, her, them
Example: "The volunteers arrived early. They were very excited."
\( \text{They} \rightarrow \text{volunteers} \)
2. Demonstrative Pronouns: this, that, these, those
Example: "The company decided to cut salaries. This led to a massive strike."
\( \text{This} \rightarrow \text{the decision to cut salaries} \) (Note: "This" often refers to a whole action or idea, not just one word!)
3. Relative Pronouns: who, which, whose, that, where
Example: "I visited the cafe where we first met."
\( \text{where} \rightarrow \text{the cafe} \)
4. Possessive Adjectives: his, her, its, their
Example: "The cat licked its paws."
\( \text{its} \rightarrow \text{the cat's} \)
Quick Strategy: How to find the Referent
1. Look Backwards: 90% of the time, the answer is in the sentence immediately before the reference word.
2. Check for Number: If the reference word is plural (e.g., them), the answer must be plural (e.g., students). If it is singular (e.g., it), the answer must be singular (e.g., the plan).
3. Substitution Test: Replace the reference word with your chosen answer. Does the sentence still make sense? If yes, you've found it!
Key Takeaway: Always look for the closest logical noun or idea that matches the "number" (singular or plural) of the reference word.
2. Cohesive Devices: The Logical "Glue"
Cohesive devices (also called connectives or conjunctions) tell you the relationship between two sentences. They are like traffic signs telling you which way the "logic" is turning.
Category 1: Addition (Going in the same direction)
These words add more information.
Examples: and, also, furthermore, in addition, moreover, besides.
Logic: \( \text{Idea A} + \text{Idea B} \)
Category 2: Contrast (Changing direction)
These words show that the next idea is different or surprising.
Examples: but, however, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, despite, although.
Logic: \( \text{Idea A} \neq \text{Idea B} \)
Category 3: Cause and Effect (Explaining why)
These words show that one thing led to another.
Examples: because, since, as, therefore, consequently, as a result, thus.
Logic: \( \text{Cause} \rightarrow \text{Effect} \)
Category 4: Sequencing (Ordering ideas)
These words help you follow a process or a timeline.
Examples: firstly, secondly, then, after that, finally, meanwhile.
Did you know? Understanding these "logic signs" is the secret to scoring high in Summary Cloze and True/False/Not Given questions. If you see "However" in the text but the question uses "In addition," the meaning has changed!
3. Step-by-Step Guide for Reference Questions
Don't worry if the text looks long and scary. Just follow these steps when you see a reference word question:
Step 1: Locate the word in the text. Usually, the line number is provided. Read the whole sentence containing the word.
Step 2: Read the 1-2 sentences before it. Reference words are used to avoid repeating things that were just mentioned.
Step 3: Identify the "Referent Candidate". Is it a person? A group? An abstract idea? A place?
Example: "The government launched a new campaign last week. It aims to reduce plastic waste."
Candidate: campaign (singular, matches "It").
Step 4: Check for "The Trap". Sometimes there are two nouns.
Example: "The teacher gave the student a book because he was kind."
Who is "he"? Logic tells us the teacher is usually the one being kind by giving, or the student is being rewarded. You must read the context carefully!
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Choosing the wrong "number": Don't pick a singular noun for a plural pronoun like "they".
2. Picking the subject of the same sentence: Usually, a reference word refers to something in a previous sentence, not the same one (unless it's a relative pronoun like "which").
3. Overlooking "Abstract" references: Words like "this" or "that" often refer to a whole situation or a verb phrase, not just a single noun.
Example: "He decided to quit his job. That was a mistake."
"That" refers to "deciding to quit his job", not just "his job".
Quick Review Box:
- Reference words: Replace nouns to stop repetition (it, they, this).
- Cohesive devices: Connect ideas logically (however, therefore).
- The Goal: To track how ideas flow from one sentence to the next.
Key Takeaway: Treat the reading text like a puzzle. Reference words and cohesive devices are the tabs and slots that show you exactly how the pieces fit together!