Question 29

The use of relative clauses is most evidently still in development.

The students' interlanguage demonstrates that the use of relative clauses is an area needing further development, as the context focuses on summarizing learned material where such structures are typically utilized.

A) Use of causatives

While the use of causatives may be an aspect of language development, it is not highlighted in the context provided. The emphasis on summarizing learned material suggests that relative clauses are more relevant to expressing complex ideas and relationships between concepts.

B) Use of contractions

Contractions are generally a basic aspect of language acquisition and are not the primary focus in the context of summarizing academic content. Thus, while they may still be developing, they do not play a significant role in the students’ ability to articulate their understanding of water pollution.

C) Use of verb tenses

Although verb tenses are crucial for conveying time-related information, the extract indicates that the students are engaged in summarizing content, which often requires the use of relative clauses to connect ideas rather than a complex use of tenses.

D) Use of relative clauses

The context of summarizing information from podcasts about water pollution suggests that relative clauses are essential for creating complex sentences that convey deeper relationships between concepts. This indicates that the students are still developing this aspect of their interlanguage.

Conclusion

The focus on summarizing learned material through podcasts highlights the importance of relative clauses for expressing ideas clearly and cohesively. The other options, while potentially relevant to language development, do not specifically align with the skills necessary for effective summarization in the context provided. Therefore, the use of relative clauses is the most evidently still in development among the students.