Introduction
ZqpK}I 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.
V? ) V2>] Common errors
Z)=S>06X Q Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
nnE'zk<" Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
7r)]9_[( Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
8y_(Iu |: Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
ahCwA} Punctuation
G/fBeK$. Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
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0Od z End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
Y"KJ`Rx Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
rUyGTe(@h Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
h"Wpb}FT Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
,)J>8e V This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
:"Tkl$@, http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. AFv v+
ss Subject-Verb Agreement
.V0fbHYTJ 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.
s"w^E\ >6 e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
KHC Fz Sentence Length
y!R9)=/M Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
I!u=.[5zdC Break long sentences into shorter units.
vSoG] :1 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.)
w\N\J^5,Q Cohesion (sentences)
B~qo^ppVU 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.
H]wP \m) Cohesion (paragraphs)
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@t= Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
"zT y_0[; 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.
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$Rf9\ Verb Tenses
;1nXJ{jKw Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
g N [t These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
{r|RH"|?Z( http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense ?@FqlWz , http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm 2|B@s3 a http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html 6w
m-uu Spelling
3b_/QT5! 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.
