Introduction
*Q:EICDE7 It is difficult to identify errors in your own written work, but if you can leave 3 or 4 minutes at the end of the test to perform a careful rereading of each task, you will almost certainly be able to find and correct some.
P1}Fn:Xe%7 Common errors
H2D j`0 Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
Jz' 8|o;^ Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
+]N PxUa Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
K)8N 8Js( Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
eWwI@ASaA Punctuation
4.0JgX Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
H:&|q+K=# End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
7K}Sk Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
LG3:V'| Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
Ah <6m5+ Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
iv]*HE This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
*Mr? }_,X* http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. y:N>t+'5 Subject-Verb Agreement
3-X c3A=w Check every subject and verb to make sure that if you have used a singular subject, you have also used a singular verb. Similarly, a plural subject needs a plural verb. Pay extra care to add an 's' to present simple tense verbs in the 3rd person singular.
nkvkHh e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
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%Z+.O Sentence Length
!O~5<tA[#1 Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
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2\v Break long sentences into shorter units.
_laLTP* If too short, perhaps you could link them using a conjunction or other transitional device, but do not overdo this (e.g. by starting nearly every sentence with a linking word.)
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fYCc Cohesion (sentences)
xX]92Q Ensure that each sentence follows clearly and logically from the one before it. Note that it is not necessary to keep all sentences the same length; sentences of different lengths in each paragraph makes for a more interesting writing style.
C /L+:b&x~ Cohesion (paragraphs)
y $K#M Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
,/ P)c*at5 Paragraphs should be around 4 -5 sentences long. Task one will probably contain 2-3 paragraphs, task two, 4 - 5. Try to use the last sentence to connect in some way with the paragraph after, or the first sentence to link with the paragraph before. Limit paragraph length to a maximum of 100 words.
<M4Qc12jP Verb Tenses
,wvzY7% Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
ve |`I=?2 These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
u LX V, http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense ird
q51{G http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm {} 11U0 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html 0$9I.%4jAJ Spelling
^Q\O8f[u Before the test, when you practise writing tasks, check the spelling of any word you are unsure about. Be especially careful of the "ei" and "ie" words, words which add "-ing" and/or "ed," and words with one or more sets of double letters.
