APIEGrammar: Saying where information comes from
The Silk Road and old trade routes
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Saying where information comes from
Learn how to clearly state the source of your information using exact B1 English patterns while exploring historic journeys along the Silk Road.
How to use this lesson
👨🏫 For the Teacher
Allow 12 minutes for this lesson. Have students read the four rule rows first, then guide them to complete the 12 practice items and check answers together by section.
🎓 For the Learner
Read the rule table carefully and notice how each Silk Road example is built. Then move on to the practice items, starting with choosing the correct sentences and ending with fixing errors.
📖 Grammar Rules Table
4 Core StructuresWhen you share information from a book, person, or document, start with according to and the name of that source. For example: "According to the guide, the market opens at dawn" or According to the notice, the shop opens at nine. Never add the word that or another action word right after the source name.
Use says that or said that when a person or group speaks. For example, in "My neighbour says that the bridge is very old," we use says for today and said for the past. Always follow this phrase with a whole sentence.
Use found that when talking about results from studies, reports, tests, or surveys. For example, in "A survey found that most students walk to school," the phrase shows what the discovery was. Always attach this phrase to research words and follow it with a full sentence.
Never use according to when you share your own personal view. Use In my opinion or I think instead, as in "I think that the station is too small." When you begin a sentence with according to and its source, always put a comma right after the source.
✅ Correct Usage (DO)
- • According to the report, the road was ancient.
- • Experts say that merchants traded pearls.
- • In my opinion, this bazaar is fascinating.
⚠️ Common Mistakes (AVOID)
- • According to the report says that the road was ancient.
- • According to that experts say merchants traded pearls.
- • According to me, this bazaar is fascinating.
Practice Exercises
Complete 12 items across 4 core task types.
Part 1: Choose the correct sentence
Which sentence correctly gives the source?
Which sentence correctly gives the source?
Which sentence correctly gives your personal view?
Part 2: Rewrite the sentence
Original sentence: "The bazaar opened early every morning, says the source."
Rewrite the sentence starting with According to:
____ (Type your rewritten sentence here...)Original sentence: "The ancient empire was peaceful." (Source: a report)
Rewrite the sentence starting with A report found that:
____ (Type your rewritten sentence here...)Original sentence: "Traders carried heavy goods on camels." (Source: historians)
Rewrite the sentence starting with Historians say that:
____ (Type your rewritten sentence here...)Part 3: Fill in the gaps
[______] the old notice, silk production was a secret.
A recent [______] found that gold coins were used along the route.
The Chinese emperor [______] trade brought great wealth.
Part 4: Correct the error in a message
Choose the corrected message:
Choose the corrected message:
Choose the corrected message:
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