10.1 Noun Clauses

COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.

1. If a baby listens to classical music, this will help develop his or her brain. 2. Reading to babies helps them become better readers. 3. The first three years of children’s lives affect their learning for the rest their lives.

THINK ABOUT IT Discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.

1. In what other ways can parents help their children’s early development? Give examples. 2. The fact that young children are spending “more time with screens than books” will have an effect on their later development? What effects might this have? Explain.

A noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence. Like all clauses, it has a subject and a verb.

EXAMPLES EXPLANATION

Parents know (that) kids need a lot of attention. Studies show (that) early childhood education is important.

I’m sure (that) children need a lot of attention. Some parents are worried (that) they don’t spend enough time with their kids. A noun clause can follow certain verbs. That introduces a noun clause. That is often omitted, especially in conversation. A noun clause can be the complement of the sentence after certain adjectives.

A: I hope that our children will be successful. B: I hope so, too. A: Do you think that the children are learning in preschool? B: Yes, I think so. I believe that babies’ brains are fascinating and that they can teach us a lot about learning. I agree that the study is important but that care must be given to the babies. Noun clauses can be replaced by so after the verbs think, hope, believe, suppose, expect, and know.

We connect two noun clauses in the same sentence with and that or but that.

Notes: 1. A noun clause often follows one of these verbs: believe find out predict suppose complain forget pretend think decide hope realize understand dream know regret expect learn remember feel* notice show

* Feel followed by a noun clause means “believe” or “think.” I feel that early education is important. 2. A noun clause often follows be + the following adjectives: afraid clear sure amazed disappointed surprised aware glad worried certain happy

1. The man is not convinced that playing music to young children is useful.

2. The two speakers agree that preschool education is important.

3. The woman thinks play is more important than the man does.

EXERCISE 2 Listen again. Fill in the blanks with the words you hear. 10.2

A: Do you know that

1. it’s good to read to children when they’re very young?

B: Yes, I do. But

A:

3. 2. playing music was important, too.

music is beneficial, but I suppose it can’t hurt.

B:

4. it’s good to give kids as much education as possible before they go to school.

A: I’m sure that’s a good idea. But

5. they’re just kids. They need to play, too.

B: Of course they do.

A:

7. 6. my children will be successful one day.

they’ll be very successful and happy.

B:

8.

EXERCISE 3 Respond to each statistic about American families by beginning with I’m surprised that . . . or I’m not surprised that . . . Discuss your reactions with a partner.

1. The number of children in the U.S. is increasing rapidly.

I’m surprised that the number of children in the U.S. is increasing rapidly.

2. About 7 million American children are home alone after school.

3. About 22 percent of American children live in poverty.

4. About 70 percent of married mothers work outside the home.

5. Sixty-nine percent of children live with two parents.

6. Twenty-three percent of American children live with at least one foreign-born parent.

7. Twenty-two percent of children ages 5 to 17 speak a language other than English at home.

8. By 2050, 39 percent of U.S. children are projected to be Hispanic.

ABOUT YOU Fill in the blanks with a noun clause to talk about families or raising children in the U.S. or your country. Discuss your answers with a partner.

1. I’m surprised

2. I think

3. It’s unfortunate

4. I’ve noticed

EXERCISE 4 What’s your opinion? Answer the questions using I think and a noun clause. Discuss your answers with a partner.

1. Should the government help families pay for childcare while the parents work? 2. Can children get the care and attention they need in day care? 3. Should grandparents help more in raising their grandchildren? 4. Should employers give new mothers and fathers maternity leave? For how long? 5. Should parents read books to babies before they learn to talk? 6. Should parents buy a lot of toys for their children?