Curso Gratis OM First Certificate-Preparacion Gratuita del examen FCE First Certificate-Cursos de Ingles Gratis

GRAMMAR

A headline is the heading or caption of a newspaper article.

Newspapers headlines try to catch the reader's eye by using as few words as possible. The language headlines use is, consequently, unusual in a number of ways. Let us see:

►	Grammar words, such as articles or auxiliary verbs, are often left out:
	EARLY CUT FORECAST IN INTEREST RATES
►	A simple form of the verb is used:
	MAYOR OPENS HOSPITAL
►	The infinitive is used to describe something that is going to happen in the future:
	PRESIDENT TO VISIT FLOOD AREA

VOCABULARY

Newspapers headlines use a lot of distinctive vocabulary. They usually prefer words that are shorter and sound more dramatic than ordinary English words.

We suggest that you print out this list for the activities on the next page:

PAPER WORD		MEANING	PAPER WORD		MEANING
aid	►	help	key	►	essential, vital
ax	►	cut, remove	link	►	connection
back	►	support	loom	►	is likely to happen
bar	►	exclude, forbid	move	►	step forward
bid	►	attempt	ordeal	►	painful experience
blast	►	explode, criticize	oust	►	push out
blaze	►	fire	pact	►	agreement
boost	►	incentive, increase	plea	►	request
boss/head	►	manager, director	pledge	►	promise
clash	►	dispute	poll	►	election, survey
combat	►	fight	probe	►	investigation
curb	►	restraint, limit	quit	►	leave, resign
cut	►	reduction	seek	►	look for, pursue
deny	►	contradict	talks	►	discussions
drive	►	campaign, effort	threat	►	danger
go-ahead/nod	►	approval	vow	►	promise
hike	►	increase	wed	►	marry

NOTE: The words in blue can be used either as nouns or verbs.

ABBREVIATIONS

Newspapers headlines often use abbreviations. These examples are commonly used in the media and the press:

GOV'T
House
FDA
CIA
R&D
IRS

► Government
► United States House of Representatives
► Food and Drug Administration
► Central intelligence Agency
► Research and Development
► Internal Revenue Service

HUMOUR

Some newspapers enjoy making jokes in their headlines by playing with words or punning (humorous use of words which sound the same).

For example, look at this headline about a new treatment for colds:

CAN WE STOP SNIFFLES? GET ON YOUR SNEEZE AND SPRAY.

This is a play on the expression "Get on your knees and pray".

In the exercises below you can practise this grammar.

Headline English (I)

ACTIVITY 195: Match the headlines on the left with the appropiate topics on the right choosing the best alternatives from the menus. Then check the answers.

1.	STUDENTS BLAST MOVE TO OUST TEACHER

2.	FAT LINKED TO HEART DISEASE

3.	STAR WEDS SECRETLY

4.	SPACE PROBE FAILS

5.	MIDDAY NAPS GET THE NOD FROM RESEARCHERS

Headline English (II)

ACTIVITY 196: Now, try to explain in your own words what the headlines below mean. Then check each alternative answer.

A.	STORE BLAZE IN CARACAS - 5 DEAD

B.	MOVE TO CREATE MORE JOBS IN PERU

C.	GO-AHEAD FOR WATER CURBS

D.	MAN QUITS AFTER JOB ORDEAL

E.	POLL PROBES SPENDING HABITS

F.	ELECTRIC COMPANY SEEKS RATE HIKE

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