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← Level C lessonsMOUNT ETNA · LEVEL C · UNIT 18

Ash Plume Reaching 4 km: Reduced Relative Clauses

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Words from the text: reaching, moving south, affected, carrier, sector, itinerary, pose a hazard to, ground transportation, prevailing wind conditions, Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA)

A News reports often shorten a relative clause describing an ongoing or general action. If the full clause has which/that + be + -ing (or a simple active verb), you can drop which/that and be and keep only the -ing form. This reduced form is typical of compact news and operational style, where every word must earn its place.

INGV reported an ash plume reaching approximately 4 kilometres above sea level. (= an ash plume which was reaching 4 km)

The cloud was moving south. → The report described a cloud moving south. (= a cloud which was moving south)

A carrier operating reduced schedules may need extra time to restore normal operations. (= a carrier that is operating reduced schedules)

Причастие на -ing заменяет активное придаточное: which is/was + V-ing.

B If the full relative clause is passive (which + be + past participle), reduce it the same way: drop which/that and be, and keep only the past participle. This is very common for describing flights, passengers, sectors and airports affected by a decision.

Flights diverted away from Catania landed at Palermo, Trapani and Comiso. (= flights which were diverted away from Catania)

Passengers affected by the Brussels Airlines cancellation were not expected back until September 28. (= passengers who were affected)

A red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation issued by INGV warned of the hazard. (= a VONA which was issued)

Причастие на -ed заменяет пассивное придаточное: which was/is + V3.

C Reduction is only possible when the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause (not the object), and the choice of -ing vs -ed depends on voice, not on time: -ing = the noun does the action (active); -ed = the action is done to the noun (passive). Compare the full form from Unit 11 (restrictions, which led to a suspension) with the compact news version.

Full (Unit 11): Sector C1, which was closed as part of the restrictions, remained unavailable. → Reduced: Sector C1, closed as part of the restrictions, remained unavailable.

Full: Airlines that pose a question about prevailing wind conditions contact SAC directly. (object relative — NOT reducible, that cannot be dropped this way)

Reduced clauses can appear mid-sentence, set off by commas, or directly before/after the noun: 'the ash cloud **moving south', 'sector B3, closed** since September 26'.

Сокращение возможно только для подлежащных придаточных; -ing/-ed определяется залогом, а не временем.

Exercises

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18.1 Expand the reduced relative clause into a full clause with which/who + a form of be.

Example: The ash plume reaching 4 kilometres was reported by INGV. → The ash plume which was reaching 4 kilometres was reported by INGV.

  1. Flights diverted to Palermo landed safely despite the disruption.
  2. The cloud moving south was tracked closely by INGV.
  3. Passengers affected by the cancellation received new itineraries.
  4. The airspace sectors closed as part of the restrictions included C1 and B3.
  5. Carriers operating reduced schedules reported delays to departures.
  6. The airline affected by the ash cloud diverted two flights to Comiso.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Flights which were diverted to Palermo landed safely despite the disruption.
  2. The cloud which was moving south was tracked closely by INGV.
  3. Passengers who were affected by the cancellation received new itineraries.
  4. The airspace sectors which were closed as part of the restrictions included C1 and B3.
  5. Carriers which were operating reduced schedules reported delays to departures.
  6. The airline which was affected by the ash cloud diverted two flights to Comiso.

18.2 Rewrite each sentence, reducing the relative clause to a participle clause.

Example: The airport, which was operating with reduced capacity, later suspended all flights. → The airport, operating with reduced capacity, later suspended all flights.

  1. Ten flights, which were diverted away from Catania, landed at other Italian airports.
  2. The ash plume, which was reaching 4 kilometres, posed a hazard to aircraft.
  3. KM Malta Airlines, which was affected by the restrictions, canceled two flights.
  4. The ash cloud, which was moving south, was reported by INGV.
  5. Passengers, who were affected by the cancellations, needed additional ground transportation.
  6. A red VONA, which was issued in response to the eruption, warned carriers of the hazard.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. Ten flights, diverted away from Catania, landed at other Italian airports.
  2. The ash plume, reaching 4 kilometres, posed a hazard to aircraft.
  3. KM Malta Airlines, affected by the restrictions, canceled two flights.
  4. The ash cloud, moving south, was reported by INGV.
  5. Passengers, affected by the cancellations, needed additional ground transportation.
  6. A red VONA, issued in response to the eruption, warned carriers of the hazard.

18.3 Read the short update below. Find all six reduced relative clauses and classify each one as active (-ing) or passive (-ed).

Example: A new ash cloud reaching 5 kilometres above Etna was reported on September 28. → reaching — active

  1. Text: 'A new ash cloud reaching 5 kilometres above Etna was reported on September 28. The cloud, moving east, prompted SAC to close sector B3 again. Flights affected by the closure were diverted to Palermo and Comiso. Passengers delayed by the disruption were offered ground transportation to Catania. Carriers operating reduced schedules expect the restrictions to remain in place until wind conditions change.' List all reduced relative clauses you find, with their classification.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

1) reaching — active; moving — active; affected — passive; diverted — passive; delayed — passive; operating — active

18.4 Complete each sentence with the correct participle form (-ing or -ed) of a verb from the box.

Example: Verbs: reach, divert, affect, move, operate, issue. — Sector C1, ______ (close) since September 26, remains unavailable for departures. → closed

  1. The ash plume (reach) 4 kilometres above sea level forced the closure of two sectors.
  2. Flights (divert) to Comiso allowed Aeroitalia to continue some services.
  3. The VONA (issue) in response to the eruption was classified as red.
  4. Passengers (affect) by the Brussels Airlines cancellation were rebooked for September 28.
  5. The cloud, (move) south, was tracked closely by INGV.
  6. Carriers (operate) with reduced capacity reported delays to their schedules.
Answers

For open questions, these are model answers. Other answers may also be correct.

  1. reaching
  2. diverted
  3. issued
  4. affected
  5. moving
  6. operating