27. IELTS Task 1 : "Using countable and uncountable nouns"

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Countable and uncountable nouns is a subject that many learners, even very advanced learners, have a lot of trouble with. In this podcast, we will look at quantity expressions that we can use with these types of nouns. I think everyone listening to this podcast probably already knows the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, so lets jump right in and look at the quantity expressions.

1. Some and any

Some is generally used in:

positive statements = There are some shelves above the desk.

polite requests = Would you like some biscuits?

to mean ‘an unspecified large amount’ = It would be great to get some money for the rent.

Any is generally used in:

negatives and questions = My desk hasn’t got any drawers. Have you got any chocolate?

positive statements to mean ‘it doesn’t matter which/who/where/when = Call me any time

2. Quantities

We can use the following words to talk about quantities.

everything = all of for countable and uncountable nouns

large quantities = lots of, plenty of, a lot of, many of, most of to talk about countable nouns and uncountable nouns

medium quantities = some (of), a certain number of for countable nouns / some (of), a certain amount of for uncountable nouns

small quantities = a few of, a small/limited/tiny number of for countable nouns / a little of, a small, limited, tiny amount of for uncountable nouns

nothing = no, not any, none of for countable nouns and uncountable nouns

One special point we need to be aware of is the difference between ‘a few’ and ‘a little’ and ‘few’ and ‘little’. Compare:

1. Few rooms have such good natural light. (= not many so you are lucky)

We have a few rooms available with a sea view. (= a small number)

2. Little research has been done in this area. (= not enough)

A little research has been done in this area. (= a small amount)

Now let’s look at an IELTS task 1 style essay that uses a lot of these kinds of words. Two options are available each time. You can pause the recording and think by yourself before I say the answer if you like.

The (1) amount/number of sleep each person needs depends on (2) numbers of/a number of factors, including age. Infants generally require about 16 hours a day. For most adults, seven to eight hours a night appears to be the ideal (3) number / amount of sleep, although a (4) little / few people may need as (5) few /little as five hours’ sleep or as (6) much / many as ten hours’ sleep each day. Getting too (7) few / little sleep creates a sleep debt, and eventually, your body will demand that the debt be repaid.

A large (8) quantity of / number of people over 65 have frequent sleeping problems, such as insomnia, and deep-sleep stages in (9) a considerable amount of / a considerable number of elderly people often become very short or stop completely. Microsleeps, or very brief episodes of sleep in an otherwise awake person, are another mark of sleep deprivation. In a (10) small number of / small amount of cases, people are not aware that they are experiencing microsleeps. The widespread practice of burning the candle at both ends in western industrialised society has created so (11) many / much sleep deprivation that what is really abnormal sleepiness is now almost the norm.