Introduction
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K}!@ 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.
Wx-vWWx*Q Common errors
p7kH"j{xD Here are some common errors found in Hong Kong university students' written work. Watch out for them when you are proof reading.
hCKx%&[^7 Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments
1xE*quhrh Check each sentence to make sure it has a subject and a verb and that it expresses a complete concept.
a#G]5T Z Do not run two sentences together incorrectly. Use punctuation (full stops, colons or semicolons) or linking words to separate them or clarify meaning.
Z-B b,8 Punctuation
~^R?H S Use capital letters at the start of sentences and for names of persons, cities, countries, languages, streets, and titles.
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0 End every sentence with a full stop or question mark.
c/\$AJV.H Use punctuation (commas, colons, semi-colons) within individual sentences to separate phrases and for easier understanding.
cXo^.u Place exact quotes in quotation marks. Full stops and commas go inside the quotation marks.
}./_fFN@ Use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession.
r(::3TF%#q This website gives more information on the general use of punctuation.
5};$>47m http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/index.html#Punctuation. 2>bV+[@B Subject-Verb Agreement
qTl/bFD 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.
';hTGLq\X e.g. The IELTS exam tests our level of English.
`bF ] O" Sentence Length
mC}!;`$8p Keep sentences reasonably short. General guidelines for academic writing recommend a maximum of 25 words per sentence.
r!7e:p JLO Break long sentences into shorter units.
^3:DeZf!u If too short, perhaps you could link them using a conjunction or other transitional device, but do not overdo this (e.g. by starting nearly every sentence with a linking word.)
'F [ C 4 Cohesion (sentences)
ef;Ta|# Ensure that each sentence follows clearly and logically from the one before it. Note that it is not necessary to keep all sentences the same length; sentences of different lengths in each paragraph makes for a more interesting writing style.
> \KVg(?D Cohesion (paragraphs)
,LHQ@/}A C Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence which states the main idea, fact or opinion.
Gqr Oj++> Paragraphs should be around 4 -5 sentences long. Task one will probably contain 2-3 paragraphs, task two, 4 - 5. Try to use the last sentence to connect in some way with the paragraph after, or the first sentence to link with the paragraph before. Limit paragraph length to a maximum of 100 words.
AIXvS*Y , Verb Tenses
OLdD3OI Use the correct tense to express what you want to say and try to keep tenses consistent.
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B These websites give more information on verb tense usage.
QF fK EMN http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#tense Ph&fOj=pFb http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/exercises/choosing-verbs.htm iWN-X
( http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esltensverb.html K~# wvUb Spelling
OZ$"P<X_" 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.
