Study · Academic reading skillsLesson 07
Understanding Reference Words
Level B1–B2
Understanding Reference Words
Learning goals
- In this lesson, you will learn to identify what reference words such as it, they, this, that, and which refer to in academic passages. You will use grammar and meaning to link each reference word to the correct idea and check your choice by rereading the sentence.
Step 1 — Read and discover
Read the passage once. Notice reference words and ask what each one points back to.
A Library That Travels
In some rural areas, residents live far from the nearest public library. To reach them, one local service uses a small van. It carries books, magazines, and a limited number of digital devices that people can borrow for a short period.
The service visits each village twice a month. This schedule helps residents plan their visits, although bad weather sometimes changes it. When that happens, staff post an update at the village shop and on the service’s website.
Children often choose storybooks, while older residents ask for newspapers and practical guides. Staff also help visitors use the devices. They explain how to search for information and how to access free online services.
1. In paragraph 1, what does “It” refer to in “It carries books…”?Try again
1. In paragraph 1, what does “It” refer to in “It carries books…”?
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2. In paragraph 2, what does “This schedule” refer to?Try again
2. In paragraph 2, what does “This schedule” refer to?
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3. In “When that happens,” what does “that” refer to?Try again
3. In “When that happens,” what does “that” refer to?
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Step 2 — Reference words
What are reference words?
Reference words point to people, things, ideas, or whole situations already mentioned. Common examples include it, they, this, that, these, those, and which.
A practical strategy
1. Find the reference word in its sentence.
2. Look back at the previous sentence or clause.
3. Check grammar and meaning: singular words usually refer to singular ideas; plural words usually refer to plural ideas.
4. Read the sentence again with the possible referent in place of the reference word.
Strategy guide
Reference words
Link pronouns and other pointers to the correct earlier idea.
- Locate the reference word in its sentence.
- Look back to the previous sentence or clause.
- Check singular/plural agreement and meaning.
- Reread the sentence with the referent substituted.
Example: It carries books → the small van carries books.
Common mistake: Choosing a noun that appears nearby but does not fit grammar or meaning.
This, that, and whole situations
Recognise when a reference word points to a situation, not only a single noun.
- Read the sentence before the reference.
- Ask what event or idea is being summarised.
- Check that the following sentence still makes sense.
Example: When that happens → when bad weather changes the schedule.
Common mistake: Assuming that always refers to the nearest noun regardless of context.
They and it
Match plural and singular reference words correctly.
- Identify whether the referent is one item or more than one.
- Check verb agreement in the same sentence.
- Prefer the most logical antecedent supported by the passage.
Example: They explain… → staff explain…
Common mistake: Treating they as referring to inanimate objects when people are described as acting.
Step 3 — Singular or plural referent?
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. “It” in “It carries books…” most likely refers to:Try again
1. “It” in “It carries books…” most likely refers to:
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2. “They” at the start of a sentence about staff helping visitors most likely refers to:Try again
2. “They” at the start of a sentence about staff helping visitors most likely refers to:
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3. “This schedule” refers back to:Try again
3. “This schedule” refers back to:
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4. “That” in “When that happens” usually points to:Try again
4. “That” in “When that happens” usually points to:
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5. Which step helps most when a reference word is unclear?Try again
5. Which step helps most when a reference word is unclear?
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6. Reference words connect ideas by:Try again
6. Reference words connect ideas by:
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Step 4 — Practise with the library passage
Read the text below and answer the questions.
A Library That Travels
The service visits each village twice a month. This schedule helps residents plan their visits, although bad weather sometimes changes it. When that happens, staff post an update at the village shop and on the service’s website.
Children often choose storybooks, while older residents ask for newspapers and practical guides. Staff also help visitors use the devices. They explain how to search for information and how to access free online services.
1. In the final sentence, who does “They” refer to?Try again
1. In the final sentence, who does “They” refer to?
✓
2. What does “the devices” refer to in paragraph 3?Try again
2. What does “the devices” refer to in paragraph 3?
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3. Why do staff post an update when bad weather changes the schedule?Try again
3. Why do staff post an update when bad weather changes the schedule?
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4. “It” in paragraph 2 (“bad weather sometimes changes it”) refers to:Try again
4. “It” in paragraph 2 (“bad weather sometimes changes it”) refers to:
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5. Which sentence shows reference words working correctly?Try again
5. Which sentence shows reference words working correctly?
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Step 5 — Choose the best summary
Read each paragraph quickly, then choose the best summary.
1. A mobile library service uses a van to reach rural residents who live far from a fixed library. It visits villages on a regular schedule, posts updates when weather disrupts visits, and staff help people borrow and use materials.Try again
1. A mobile library service uses a van to reach rural residents who live far from a fixed library. It visits villages on a regular schedule, posts updates when weather disrupts visits, and staff help people borrow and use materials.
✓
2. When a reference word seems ambiguous, replacing it with a possible referent and rereading the sentence is a useful check because:Try again
2. When a reference word seems ambiguous, replacing it with a possible referent and rereading the sentence is a useful check because:
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3. Strong answers to reference questions:Try again
3. Strong answers to reference questions:
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Step 6 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. A reference word:Try again
1. A reference word:
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2. To find what “this” or “that” refers to, you should:Try again
2. To find what “this” or “that” refers to, you should:
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3. In the library passage, “They explain how to search…” refers to:Try again
3. In the library passage, “They explain how to search…” refers to:
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4. Which mistake is most common with reference questions?Try again
4. Which mistake is most common with reference questions?
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5. If a reference word connects to a whole situation (such as bad weather changing plans), you should:Try again
5. If a reference word connects to a whole situation (such as bad weather changing plans), you should:
✓