reference with synonyms

The use of synonyms to link sentences also improves the quality and texture of a passage. When you are writing, synonyms help you summarise part of the previous text, and, thus, link sentences together. Futhermore, they help you to aviod repetition and stop you from relying over much on adverbs and conjunctions to make connections.

Below is a list of such words that are ofthen used to help link sentencs. Put the words into the appropriate spaces below. Note that in some cases it is possible to use moren than one word. You may also be able to think of other words from outside the list.

solution/entertainment/problem/proposal/policy/group/violence/measure/move/idea
/situation/poly/amenties/recommendation/fact/suggestion/crime/damage

1.Old people should be given a higher pension during winter months. This seems to be the best possible (a)solution to the problem.
Note: solution; The phrase to the problem limits your choice of words here.

2.Millions of people are dying each year because of a lack of basic medicine; a (a)damage that surely cannot be ignored.
Note: situation/fact/problem; If you want to make a strong statement about the situation, you could use crime here.

3.Many inner cities have been disfigured by insensitive office developments, but the (a)situation, I feel, is not irreparable.
Note: damage; The word situation is also pehaps possible here.

4.Safety belts should be made compulsory on all coaches. If this (a)suggestion/proposal/recommendation were adopted, it would certainly help reduce injuries in road accidents.
Note: measure/proposal/recommendation/suggestion/idea; The word should shows that the writer is making a suggestion/proposal/recommendation in the first sentence. The sentence also contains a measure that should be made compulsory by legislation.
The word idea is suitable here as a reference word, but it is less specific than the word suggestion, etc., in that it does not carry the opinion contained in the word should. Note also that it does not carry the idea of action which is intended to achieve an effect, as in the word measure. It is, therefoe, a more general synonym.

5.More swimming pools, leisure centers and sports clubs are being built all over the country. Even so, there are still not enough (a)amenities like this to saisfy demand.
Note: amenities; you normally find facilities in amenities.

6. Scenes of murder and physical assault are now commonplace on TV. Such (a)violence, unfortunately, has a negative effect on the minds of young people.
Note: violence/entertainment; It is interesting that the word which first comes to mind here, for some people, is entertainment.

7.The Department of Transport has decided to introduce a green tax on fuel. There are, of course, many people who would object to the introduction of this (a)recommendation.
Note: measure/idea; It is clear that the first sentence contains a measure, which is to be introduced. Notice that you cannot use suggestion/recommondation/proposal here, as nothing is being proposed. The measure has already been decided upon. Compare this sentence with number 4 above.

8.Making petty criminals wear electronic tags has been a failure in the United States. Surprisingly, the (a)proposal is being considered by the Home Office in the UK.
Note: idea/measure; Note that suggestion/recommendation/proposal do not fit here. See 4 and 7 above.

9.Young people nowadays have many forms of technology to amuse them. Teachers often disapprove of such (a)entertainment, as it tends to make students lazy and unable to think for themselves.
Note: entertainment

10.Society often fails to meet the needs of physically handicapped people. Yet they are a (a)fact that obviously deserves more help.
Note: group

11.The government introduced the new rule while everyone's attention was engaged elsewhere. It was quite a clever (a)policy.
Note: idea/move/poly/solution; Any word you could use here, which is not in the list, is manoeuvre