More from the new ET books:
(Subject: Specific Uses of the Passive Voice)
The Soviet Union is an evil empire.
An army marches on its stomach.
The CIA assasinated John F Kennedy.
Nuclear power will bring peace and prosperity to the world.
America is the land of the free.
Aryans are the master race.
They really are from the new ET course book and I suspect that you and I are not the only ones who are asking the same question, what the *beep* do these examples have to do with the passive?
Response:
Mr. Comrade, if you have seen the book with these sentences you should know full well what they have to do with the passive. If you don't, then perhaps you should study up on the topic.
The sentences are used in conjunction with anticipatory it.
It was believed that the Soviet Union was an evil empire......
Tararu
Some characters in the new ET Course Books and some more examples:
(Subject: Gerunds with anticipatory it)
Molly the husband murderer.
It's boring watching her strangle her husbands.
Paulie the shoplifter.
It was a pleasure watching him work.
Arsonist Arnold.
It is a good idea to have water nearby when you are near Arnold.
(Subject: Possessives and gerunds)
My son, the murderer.
I love his killing his wives for the insurance money.
My son, the kidnapper.
I dislike his kidnapping kids.
My son, the swindler.
I hate his stealing from old ladies.
My daughter, the airplane hijacker.
I hate her firing the lawyers I hire for her.
I am loving it!
(comerad in arms)
FROM MOLLY
we are in the process of editing the books and perhaps comrade in arms would like to help, since he is so critical. he is good at taking examples out of context, so he could offer some concrete suggestions instead of taking potshots.
i've been using cutting edge in one of our formerly interlang classes, and i think our books are much better, flaws and all. in our books the grammar is clearly explained and you don't have to look in the back of the book for a minimal explanation. you don't have to guess the grammar. there are lots of examples. the idea is to support inexperienced teachers who often don't know the grammar, especially at the upper levels. the books also include clear teaching of writing and reading skills, as well as strategies for listening, pronunciation, and speaking,most of which are not addressed in most course books.
we have heard the complaints and we have asked for feedback, but, surprise surprise, when we ask teachers to help, they refuse. it is so much easier to complain....
LINK