Is grammar not
your forte? Worried that it will keep you from getting a high score in the
CELPIP writing exam? Don’t be. This article can help you out.
Below are some
of the grade-reducing grammar mistakes that CELPIP takers frequently commit.
Consider them during your training period. Make sure all your written responses
and practice essays are free of these mistakes to enhance your test
performance!
1.
Confusing “a” and “the”
Contrary
to what some people believe, the articles “a” and “the” are not interchangeable.
Here’s what you need to know about their application.
·
Use
“a” when discussing something general, common, or undetermined.
·
Use
“the:”
o
when
discussing something particular or defined;
o
when
talking about something that was previously discussed;
o
with
ordinal numbers (e.g., She lives on the
second floor.); and
o
with
superlatives (e.g., He was the
brightest student of his class.).
Keep
these guidelines in mind during your CELPIP training
course.
2.
Switching between American and British English spellings
Just
because you can use either American or British English in the CELPIP exam,
doesn’t mean that you can switch your English spellings between the two. Choose
one and stick to it. Take note of your spellings when you proofread your
practice works. Determine which English spelling you favor. Then, confine your
word choice to that specific vocabulary. It’ll help you maintain the
consistency of your writing as you prepare with your CELPIP packages.
3.
Using indefinite pronoun references
Pronouns
are used to replace nouns to avoid excessive repetitions. Make sure all the
pronouns you use clearly refer to their respective nouns to avoid confusing
your readers. Avoid using vague references such as “which,” “that,” and “this.”
4.
Misusing contractions
If
you’re preparing with review CELPIP packages,
this is one of the first mistakes that your instructors will warn you against
doing. Here’s a list of the most commonly misused contractions.
·
you’re (“you are”) and your
(possessive)
·
they’re (“they are”) and their (possessive)
·
it’s (“it is”) and its
(possessive)
·
who’s (“who is”) and whose
(possessive)
A
misplaced apostrophe can either change a statement completely or render it
grammatically incorrect. Both will set back your writing score. So, make sure
you get these contractions right.
Keep in mind that these
are only some of the grammar mistakes that can bring down your writing score.
If you want to learn more, enroll in a CELPIP training course.
Searching for a review
program that can equip you with all the skills and knowledge necessary to ace
the exam? We have you covered. Click here to find out more about our CELPIP training programs.
References:
“15 Common
Grammar Mistakes That Kill Your Writing Credibility.” Authority. Accessed
October 16, 2018. https://authority.pub/common-grammar-mistakes/
“Common CELPIP
Errors.” Paragotest WordPress. Accessed October 16, 2018. https://paragotest.wordpress.com/studymaterials/common-celpip-errors/
Hightestscore.
“CELPIP Writing: Tips and Guidelines.” High Test Score. November 13, 2017.
Accessed October 16, 2018. https://www.hightestscore.com/celpip/celpip-writing-tips-guidelines/
“Writing and
Speaking Tips.” Paragotest WordPress. Accessed October 16, 2018. https://paragotest.wordpress.com/study-tips-and-sample-questions/celpip-writing-and-speaking-tips/
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