Text Organization
AdvancedSpot the structure words.
- Four common structures: chronological, cause-effect, comparison-contrast, problem-solution.
- Connectives are signposts: First/Then (time), because/so (cause), However (turn), Therefore (result).
- The first sentence of a paragraph usually states its function.
文體小知識：How text is built.
§Text Passage
1Global warming is one of the most serious problems facing our planet today. As temperatures rise, sea levels increase, and this causes coastal cities to flood. Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh could lose huge areas of land. In Hong Kong, summers are getting hotter, and super typhoons are becoming more frequent. Cities like Shanghai and Bangkok have already experienced dangerous flooding in recent years. Scientists warn that the situation will get worse if nothing is done.
2Scientists explain the process clearly: burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. This gas traps heat in the atmosphere, which makes the whole planet warmer. As a result, glaciers melt and weather patterns change. Farmers struggle to grow crops, and some communities are forced to move. Planting trees can help, because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air. However, planting alone is not enough — we must attack the root of the problem.
3Therefore, governments must reduce carbon emissions by switching to clean energy. They should invest in solar and wind power, and build better public transport. Governments can also tax companies that produce too much pollution. Individuals also have a part to play: saving electricity, recycling and using fewer plastic products. If we act now, we can slow down the process and protect our future.
4Otherwise, future generations will suffer from the choices we make today. It is our duty to act, not only for ourselves but for the whole world. Small changes, made by millions of people, become powerful changes. The Earth does not belong to us; we are borrowing it from our children.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Global warming is one of the most serious problems facing our planet today.
全球暖化是今日我們的星球所面對的最嚴重問題之一。
As temperatures rise, sea levels increase, and this causes coastal cities to flood.
氣溫上升令海平面上升，導致沿海城市水浸。
Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh could lose huge areas of land.
孟加拉等低窪國家可能失去大片土地。
In Hong Kong, summers are getting hotter, and super typhoons are becoming more frequent.
在香港，夏天愈來愈熱，超強颱風亦愈來愈頻密。
Cities like Shanghai and Bangkok have already experienced dangerous flooding in recent years.
上海、曼谷等城市近年已經歷過危險的水浸。
Scientists warn that the situation will get worse if nothing is done.
科學家警告，如果什麼都不做，情況只會更差。
Scientists explain the process clearly: burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide.
科學家清楚解釋了這個過程：燃燒化石燃料會釋放二氧化碳。
This gas traps heat in the atmosphere, which makes the whole planet warmer.
這種氣體將熱困在大氣層，令整個星球變暖。
As a result, glaciers melt and weather patterns change.
結果，冰川融化，天氣模式改變。
Farmers struggle to grow crops, and some communities are forced to move.
農民難以種出農作物，有些社區被迫搬遷。
Planting trees can help, because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
植樹有幫助，因為樹木會吸收空氣中的二氧化碳。
However, planting alone is not enough — we must attack the root of the problem.
不過單靠植樹不夠——我們要解決問題的根源。
Therefore, governments must reduce carbon emissions by switching to clean energy.
所以，政府必須轉用清潔能源來減低碳排放。
They should invest in solar and wind power, and build better public transport.
他們應該投資太陽能與風力發電，建設更好的公共交通。
Governments can also tax companies that produce too much pollution.
政府亦可以向污染嚴重的公司徵稅。
Individuals also have a part to play: saving electricity, recycling and using fewer plastic products.
個人也有角色：省電、回收並少用塑膠產品。
If we act now, we can slow down the process and protect our future.
如果現在行動，我們可以減慢這個過程，保護我們的未來。
Otherwise, future generations will suffer from the choices we make today.
否則，後代就要承受我們今日的選擇。
It is our duty to act, not only for ourselves but for the whole world.
行動是我們的責任，不僅為自己，也為全世界。
Small changes, made by millions of people, become powerful changes.
幾百萬人一起做的小改變，就會變成強大的改變。
The Earth does not belong to us; we are borrowing it from our children.
地球不屬於我們；我們只是向子孫借來用。
1Summary 重點摘要
Spot the structure words.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Structure.
Time order.
Why and result.
Similar/different.
Problem and answer.
Start.
Middle.
End.
3Step by step Steps
- ChronologicalChronological texts order events in time; the signposts are first, then, next, finally. Example: a narrative about one day — First I woke up... then I had breakfast... finally I went to bed; follow the order and you never get lost.
- Cause-effectCause-effect structure explains why: because, so, therefore, as a result. The first two paragraphs of this global-warming passage form one cause-effect chain: “As temperatures rise... this causes coastal cities to flood”, “burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide” — one cause, one effect.
- CompareCompare-contrast puts two things side by side: however, similarly, unlike, in contrast. Use it to see which side the writer favours — whatever follows However is the side the writer wants to stress.
- Problem-solutionProblem-solution is the most common DSE structure: problem → cause → solution → call to action. Here: paragraph one the problem (rising seas, fiercer typhoons), two the cause (CO2 traps heat), three Therefore turns to solutions (clean energy, personal action).
- Topic sentenceThe first sentence of each paragraph is usually the topic sentence, announcing its job. Example: paragraph three, “Therefore, governments must reduce carbon emissions” — you already know the paragraph gives solutions.
- Read the signsStructure words are road signs: First / Then (time), because / so (cause), However (contrast), Therefore (conclusion). Seeing However warns you the meaning is about to turn.
- Exam useOnce you see the structure, you can predict the next paragraph before reading it: a problem paragraph is followed by causes, causes by solutions — structure-matching questions become much faster.
5Worked example Example
What structure does this global warming passage use? Analyse each paragraph's function and the linking words that signal them.
- Step 1: Paragraph one states the problem: rising seas, flooding in Bangladesh, Shanghai and Bangkok, hotter Hong Kong summers.
- Step 2: Paragraph two explains the cause as a chain: burning fossil fuels → carbon dioxide → trapped heat → melting glaciers, signalled by 'As a result'.
- Step 3: Watch the connectives: 'As temperatures rise... this causes...' builds cause-effect; 'However, planting alone is not enough' marks a turn.
- Step 4: Paragraph three opens with 'Therefore' and moves to solutions: clean energy, taxes, public transport, personal habits.
- Step 5: The pattern is problem → cause → solution → appeal, a classic problem-solution text.
- Answer: The passage follows the classic problem-solution structure. Paragraph one presents the problem with examples — flooding in Bangladesh, Shanghai and Bangkok, and hotter, stormier summers in Hong Kong. Paragraph two explains the mechanism as a cause-effect chain: burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, the gas traps heat, and as a result glaciers melt and weather changes. The connectives do the scaffolding: 'this causes' links effects, 'As a result' builds the chain, and 'However, planting alone is not enough' turns the argument towards deeper fixes. Paragraph three begins with 'Therefore' and lists solutions for governments and individuals. The final paragraph appeals to duty, closing with the image of borrowing the Earth from our children.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Types?
Q2Time words?
Q3Cause-effect words?
Q4Compare words?
Q5Problem-solution?
Q6Find intro?
Q7What is the cause?
Q8What is the result?
Q9What must governments do?
8Recap Recap
- Four common structures: chronological, cause-effect, comparison-contrast, problem-solution.
- Connectives are signposts: First/Then (time), because/so (cause), However (turn), Therefore (result).
- The first sentence of a paragraph usually states its function.
- Problem-solution texts run: problem → cause → solution → appeal.
- Recognising the structure lets you predict the next paragraph before you read it.