1. adjectives as nouns Here are some categories of adjectives that can be use with ‘the’ social or economic position: the disadvantaged, the homeless, the hungry, the poor, the privileged, the rich, the starving, the strong, the underprivileged, the unemployed, the weak

2. adjectives as nouns Here are some categories of adjectives that can be use with ‘the’ physical condition or health: the blind, the deaf, the dead, the disabled, the handicapped, the living, the sick age the elderly, the middle-aged, the old, the oversixties, the underfives, the young

3. ‘the young’ or ‘the young people’ ‘The young’ means ‘young people in general’. The young have their lives in front of them. When we mean a specific person or a specific group of people, the we use man, woman, people… I know the young woman in reception. She lives in our street. None of the young people in the village can find jobs there. N.B. Often the word ‘youth’ is used instead of ‘young’. Today’s youth fear an uncertain future.

4. Complete the sentences with the adjective in brackets. Rich nations can afford to feed ___. (hungry) ___(homeless) whose story appeared in yesterday’s paper have now found a place to live. ___(sick) need to be looked after, so more money must be spent on healthcare. Some of ___(young) at the club are running in a marathon.

5. Complete the sentences with the adjective in brackets. Rich nations can afford to feed the hungry. (hungry) The homeless people (homeless) whose story appeared in yesterday’s paper have now found a place to live. The sick (sick) need to be looked after, so more money must be spent on healthcare. Some of the young people (young) at the club are running in a marathon.

6. Complete the sentences with the adjective in brackets. Life must be hard for ___(unemployed). What is the government going to do to help ___(poor)? There was a fire at the nursing home, but none of ___(old) there were hurt.

7. Complete the sentences with the adjective in brackets. Life must be hard for the unemployed (unemployed). What is the government going to do to help the poor (poor)? There was a fire at the nursing home, but none of the old people (old) there were hurt.