Introduction
Pa .D+ 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.
ZSKSMI%D Common errors
#S57SD Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
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Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
6!|-,t>< Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
c~B[ <.Qj Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
-lKk.Y.}r Punctuation
(x{6N^J.t Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
ggr\n Y End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
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! Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
wf4?{H Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
CNCWxu Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
,&Iw5E[ This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
xef@-%mcoy http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. O1+ 2Z\F Subject-Verb Agreement
>[]@Df,p 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.
VCzmTnD e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
0ZY.~b'eu Sentence Length
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Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
={[ s)G Break long sentences into shorter units.
6Z:<?_p%7g 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.)
_~?N3G Cohesion (sentences)
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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.
x>5" 7MR` Cohesion (paragraphs)
;A ~efC^< Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
ai7*</l s 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.
K:PPZ| Verb Tenses
1]wx Ru Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
p IKQx5; These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
M_ -LI4> http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense ^oNk}:> http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm xz1jR I$ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html yi7m!+
D3 Spelling
7,.Hj&' B 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.
