RELATIVE

CLAUSES
XPLORE 11
Unit 1.4. Super Human

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 • Scientists who carry out genetic research can
find the cure to serious diseases.

• Citizens that don’t know much about genetic

research often have preconceived ideas about
it.

• I’ve just posted a comment that shares some

information on the impact of genetic research.

• Some medical treatments, which weren’t

very effective, were replaced by gene therapy.
Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa
 • Clarissa, whose school paper was on
genetically-modified food, was surprised by
the amount of GMOs that already exist in our
food.

• Andrew Garfield, who plays Spider-Man, was

amazed at the implications of genetics in
today’s world.

• One of the actors who played a minor part in

Spider-Man has been diagnosed with a genetic
disorder.
Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa
 Person Thing
Subject WHO THAT WHICH THAT
Object
WHO(M) THAT WHICH THAT
Possessive
WHOSE WHOSE

Relative Pronouns are used to link

sentences and refer to the words that
precede them.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 Relative Clause

Andrew Garfield , who plays Spider-Man,

was amazed at the implications of genetics
in today’s world.

Relative Clause

One of the actors who played a minor part

in Spider-Man
has been diagnosed with a
genetic disorder.
Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa
 A RELATIVE CLAUSE gives information
about the word(s) it refers to.

ESSENTIAL EXTRA
Information Information
DEFINING RELATIVE

RELATIVE CLAUSE
NON-DEFINING
No Between
CLAUSE

comma commas

Cannot be Can be
omitted omitted

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 Now Practise!

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 Decide if the relative clauses are defining or
non-defining. Put in commas where needed.

1. The scientist who was arrested yesterday was

conducting illegal genetic experiments.

2. Some films which show genetically modified

creatures are quite scary.

3. Orphan Black , which is a Canadian TV show ,

tells the story of a woman with multiple clones.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 4. What is the name of the scientist who first
completed the map of the human genome?

5. Scientists who wish to conduct genetic tests

on humans must be extra careful not to break
any laws.

6. That pharmaceutical company which is a

leader in gene research is in danger of going
bankrupt.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 Complete with the correct relative pronoun.

(WHO) I met yesterday is a

1. The man _________
scientist.

2. John, ________
WHOSE wife works in genetic research,
couldn’t participate in the forum.

(WHICH) I
3. That is the scientific journal __________
always read.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 WHICH was blocked,
4. My email account, _________
is working now.

5. Scientists __________
WHOSE projects on gene
manipulation offer more practical applications
will get funding.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 Join these sentences using a suitable
relative pronoun.
1. I’ve just watched a new episode of Amazing Genetics
Genetics
on the Discovery
which deals
Channel.
with genetically
It deals withmodified
genetically
seeds
and
modified
cropsseeds
on theand
Discovery
crops. Channel.

2. Genetic research
research,has
which must
great be usedItethically
potential. must beand
used
for the benefit
ethically and forofthe
mankind,
benefithas great potential.
of mankind.

Umbria,are
3. People from Toscana and Umbria whogenetically
have an
EtruscanThey
special. genetic
haveheritage, are genetically
an Etruscan special.
genetic heritage.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 viruses.
4. Eight percent of our DNA is derived from viruses
These invaded our ancestors’ genomes and never left.
which

5. The human genome contains somewhere around

20,000 genes,
genes. which
This is is
amazing.
amazing.

6. Jumping genes,
genes make
whichithave
possible
beentofound
repairthroughout
DNA
many
sequences.
genomes,
Theymake
have it
been
possible
foundtothroughout
repair DNAmany
sequences.
genomes.

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa

 Further Practice!

Relative Clauses Quiz 1

Relative Clauses Quiz 2

Teresa Pinto de Almeida ▪ Paula M. Araújo ▪ Telma Coelho de Sousa