It is said that China will win in the World Cup.

It seems strange that he should have said that.

It's clear that we should do something to stop it.

2. We can use whether to introduce a subject clause or predicative clause when the clause is a yes/ no question. If not used at the beginning, we can also use if to introduce the subject clause. We use whether or not, but not if or not; we use both whether... or not and if...or not.

eg. Whether it is going to clear up keeps me wondering.

Whether the meeting will be put off has not been decided.

The question is whether they have so much money.

It's unknown whether /if he's finished his new novel.

It's under discussion whether / if we will go backpacking or not.

3. that and what

that doesn't work as an element in the subject or predictive clause, but usually not omitted. what must be an element of the clause.

1) That he said so much was very encouraging.

2) What we can't get seems better than what we have.

3) What you described is quite different from what we see now.

4) What troubles me is that I can't learn all these English idioms by heart.

5) The problem is that we don't have enough money.

6) Energy is what makes things work.

7) I mean what I say.

8) Do what you want to do and say what you have to say.

Step 2: Exercises for consolidation

1. Multiple choices

1._____ she will be given the job is still under discussion.

A. Although B. Whether C. If D. What

2. ____ is still unknown when the president is going to make a public speech.

A. Which B. That C. It D. What

3. ____ books you borrow from the library should be returned in two weeks' time.

A. Which B. Whatever C. No matter D. What

4. It is suggested that _____ a while before we make a decision.

A. she waited B. she wait C. she waits D. she will wait

5. It is pretty well understood ___ controls the flow of carbon dioxide in and out of the atmosphere today. (2003 上海)

A. that B. when C. what D. how

6._____ she couldn't understand was ____ fewer and fewer students showed interest in her lessons. (2000上海).

A. What, why B. That, what C. What, because D. Why, that

7. First of all, ____we should prevent him from doing it is the most important.

A. that B. what C. / D. which

8. It moved me a bit ___ he had spent so much time in helping me with my lessons.

A. if B. that C. while D. because

9. The reason why he didn't pass the final examination is _____ he wasn't interested