Page:Adapting and Writing Language Lessons.pdf/333

CHAPTER 6

The sentences are of suitable length. The subject matter is appropriate for most groups, and the sentences are all idiomatic. As shown in the summary, can be filled in various ways so as to make several different conversations.

Example 1 however departs from the format of a classical Cummings device in three ways: (1) It is actually a composite of three such devices, whose basic utterances are respectively (a), (b) s?, and (c). (2) All of the rejoinders to ? are practically synonymous with one another, (3) There is only one rejoinder to the last basic utterance. Meaningful choice, and hence communication, are thus impossible in two-thirds of this particular device.

Example 2 (English)