Casa · B2 Upper Intermediate · Lesson 18 of 20 · Step 2

Gender & Equality

Social justice and fronting for emphasis

Use fronting structures to emphasise key information
Produce sentences with fronted adjective phrases and prepositional phrases
Discuss gender equality, representation, and social change

Words · tap a card to see it used

Grammar

Fronting for emphasis

Fronting moves an element to the beginning of a sentence for emphasis or focus. Common patterns: fronted adjective phrases ('Particularly important is the role of education'), fronted prepositional phrases ('Of special concern is the pay gap'), fronted complements ('Equally significant are the cultural barriers'). This structure is common in formal, academic, and journalistic writing. Note the subject-verb inversion.

Particularly important is the need for equal representation in government.

Of special concern is the widening gap between policy and practice.

Equally significant are the barriers that prevent women from entering STEM fields.

Most striking is the disproportion between qualifications and opportunities.

Exercises · type, then check

1. Rewrite each sentence using fronting for emphasis. Write only the fronted version.

1.The lack of female representation in boardrooms is particularly worrying. → Particularly worrying the lack of female representation in boardrooms.

2.The economic impact of gender inequality is of great significance. → Of great significance the economic impact of gender inequality.

3.The progress made in education access is equally remarkable. → Equally remarkable the progress made in education access.

4.The legal barriers to equality are of primary concern. → Of primary concern the legal barriers to equality.

5.The voices of grassroots organisations are most compelling. → Most compelling the voices of grassroots organisations.

2. Choose the correctly fronted sentence.

1. Which sentence uses fronting correctly?

2. Choose the correct fronted sentence.

3. Which is correctly fronted?

4. Choose the correct version.

5. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

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Reading

Closing the Gap

Over the past century, significant progress has been made toward gender equality in many parts of the world. Particularly notable is the increase in women's access to higher education — in several countries, women now outnumber men at university level. Of equal importance is the growing representation of women in political leadership, with more female heads of state than at any point in history. However, most striking is how much work remains to be done. Of special concern is the persistent gender pay gap, which in many industries has barely narrowed in decades. Equally troubling are the rates of gender-based violence, which remain alarmingly high even in countries with strong legal protections. Advocates argue that systemic change requires more than legislation alone. Particularly important is the transformation of cultural attitudes, which often lag behind legal reforms. Of great significance is the role of education — not merely in providing qualifications, but in challenging stereotypes from an early age. Most compelling are the stories of individuals who have fought for change in their communities, proving that progress, while slow, is possible.

1. According to the passage, what areas have seen significant progress in gender equality?

2. What does the passage identify as areas of continuing concern?

Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone

1Debate: 'Gender quotas in politics and business are necessary to achieve true equality.' Argue for or against. Use fronting structures to emphasise your key points.

2Discuss: What do you think is the most important change needed to achieve greater gender equality in your country? Use fronting to highlight your main argument.

Writing

Write a short opinion essay (8–10 sentences) about one aspect of gender equality that concerns you. Use at least three fronting structures to emphasise your key points.

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Finished?

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