KEY
The noun phrases with general nouns which classify are highlighted, and information
they summarize (S) or advertise (A) is underlined. The completed table is shown below
the text.
Bettaworld is a very profitable and competitive company. Its success has led to the
company creating new departments and taking on large numbers of new managers and
office staff. At first, this expansion led to difficulties in communication between the
larger departments and their managers. In order to solve this problem, the company
introduced new ways of working. Departments were reorganized into project-based
teams and communications were improved by supplying staff with individual computers
and telephone lines. The company had to borrow large amounts of capital to finance
this equipment and the staff training needed to make these changes. However, the
investment was well worthwhile because it resulted in significant improvements, both
in customer service and staff satisfaction. This increased the company’s profits to an
even higher level.
General Noun/Noun
Phrase
S or A
Information summarized
or advertised
Writer’s
view
Its success
S
a very profitable and competitive
company
positive
this expansion
S
creating new departments and
taking on large numbers of new
managers and office staff
neutral
this problem
S
difficulties in communication
negative
new ways of working
A
Departments were reorganized
into project-based teams and
communications were improved
neutral
this equipment
S
computers and telephone lines
neutral
these changes
S
Departments were reorganized
into project-based teams and
communications were improved
neutral
the investment
S
borrow large amounts of capital
positive
Significant improvements
A
in customer service and staff
satisfaction
positive


This refers to both the changes and the investment described in the paragraph.
It would be clearer if a noun phrase such as These developments was used
instead.
EAP Essentials
© 2008 Garnet Publishing Ltd.