New Year Resolutions

A New Year's resolution is a commitment that we make in reforming a habit, often a lifestyle change that is for one's benefit. See the examples.

1. Lose Weight
2. Get out of Debt
3. Save Money
4. Get a Better Mark on the Report Card (such as 90% up)
5. Get a Better Job
6. Get Fit
7. Eat Right
8. Get a Better Education
9. Reduce Stress
10. Take a Trip
11. Volunteer to Help Others
12. Be Less Grumpy
13. Be more independent
14. Watch less TV
15. Learn something new

Proofreading Task 4 for HKCEE Students

1. My advice would be it is better for you ( spend, spending) more time at home than going out in the evenings.
   
2. I suggest that you can talk to your parents and tell them where (do, X) you go.
3. My advice would be to (make, request) your parents (to, X) believe (in, for) you.
4. They will (give, let) you go out and have fun with your friends.
5. My advice would be to (learn, know) what your parents worry about.
   
6. If you want to spend more time with your friends after 10 o'clock, you should (call, tell) your parents with your mobile phone.
7. You can go out for fun (before evenings, during the day).
8. I am sure that your parents (can, will) allow you to go out in the evening in (X, a) foreseeable future.
9. You can make an agreement (with, to ) your parents when you will be back home.
10. My advice would be to ( inform, report) your parents where you go and who you are with.

Proofreading Task 3 for HKCEE Students

1. Don't worry about ( that, it)
2. He will talk with you when you feel (boring, bored).
3. You (don't , shouldn't ) worry about it.
4. My advice would be to express your ( worry, concern ) to your parents.
5. Your parents will understand your ( feeling, concern) and they will show you more of their love.
6. They will not (neglect, avoid ) you.
7. Your parents' spending more time (looking, look) after the baby doesn't mean their love to you becoming less.
8. You parents are still (in, X) love (with, X) you.
   

Proofreading Task 2 for HKCEE Students

To proofread the sentence, choose a suitable word from the bracket.

1. My advice would be to tell your brother ( should, to ) be tough and to report this event.
2. Let him ( knows, know) that your opinions are helpful.
3. My advice would be to ( notice, inform) your parent.
   
4. Let you parents know what has happened (to, within) your brother.
5. You should tell his teacher about your ( position, concern) regarding my involvement.
6. They will ( no longer, forever) dare to bully other students and your brother.
7. My advice would be to ( talk, tell) your brother's problem (with, to ) his teacher.
8. My advice would be to (inform, report) the blullying to the social works (in, of) his school.
9. They will (realise, deal with) the (situation, condition)
10. My advice would be to find a right time and (talking, talk) with him.
11. My advice would be to (request, convince ) your brother to talk to his class teacher.
    

Answer for Proofreading Task

Identify one grammatical mistake in each sentence. Read the tip in the brackets)

1. Beauty is more important than cleverness. (incorrect part of speech)
2. You will be surprised at my opinion. (incorrect preposition)
3. She spent much time dressing up herself. (countable/uncountable)
4. Amy accepted his invitation. (inappropriate word selection)
5. It will affect your study if you play computer game for a long time. (missing article)
6. They do not pay attention on/to their learning. ( incorrect preposition)
7. Doing more sports can help you become stronger. (incorrect word form)
8. Students who just stay at home playing computer games cannot make new friends easily. (incorrect clause structure)

Proofreading Task for HKCEE Students

Identify one grammatical mistake in each sentence. Read the tip in the brackets)

1. Beauty is more important than clever. (incorrect part of speech)
2. You will be surprised of my opinion. (incorrect preposition)
3. She spent many time dressing up herself. (countable/uncountable)
4. Amy promised his invitation. (inappropriate word selection)
5. It will affect your study if you play computer game for long time. (missing article)
6. They do not pay attention for their learning. ( incorrect preposition)
7. Do more sports can help you become stronger. (incorrect word form)
8. Students just stay at home playing computer games cannot make new friends easily. (incorrect clause structure)

(Answers will be post on the blog tomorrow.)

Answers for Set 2 - Practice Task 3

1. Is there any limitation to the booking of sports facilities? What’s the limitation? Yes, there is. A quota of four hours per hirer is imposed for booking of peak-hour slots on the Booking Opening Day for that activity. The peak hours are from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on weekdays and 7:00am to 10:00pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. This quota does not apply to booking of non-peak-hour slots and for activities that have already been open for bookings.
2. I have made a booking over the telephone and would like to confirm this booking. Can I make the payment via the Internet? How can I make the payment? Yes, you can make your payment for telephone bookings via the Internet, using your SSC CashCard.
3. Can I cancel or change my booking after I have made the payment? Why? No you can’t. You are not allowed to cancel or change your booking once you have completed your transaction.
4. My company would like to use your sports facilities for our Annual Sports Day. Are we allowed to book your facilities in advance? How can we do this? Yes, you are allowed to book your facilities in advance. Application can be made either by mail to our Booking Office, by fax at 2834 3223 or email to ssc_bookings@ssc.com.hk.
5. Besides booking via the Internet, are there any other ways of booking a sport facility? How about the payment method? Yes, besides booking via the Internet, you can either visit or ring up at any of our SSC Booking Offices from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Payment must be made for bookings made at the booking office. For telephone bookings, payment must be made at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the court time otherwise the slots will automatically be cancelled.
6. I am interested to book a soccer pitch and I understand that the pitches are subject to ballot. Can I submit my ballot request via the Internet? Yes, you can submit your ballot request via the Internet.
7. We have booked to use the facility for 2 hours, but the weather suddenly turns bad and we are requested to leave 45 mins before the end or our booking. Will any replacement be allowed because of this? Why? No. no replacement’ll be allowed if more than half of the time-slot has been utilized.

Job Application Letter

Study the job advertisement below and write an application letter to apply for the job.


Flat A, 2/Fl, ABC Court,
25, Chathan Road,
Tai Po, N.T.
Hong Kong

6th January, 2009

Miss Winnie Lai,
Personnel Officer,
Holy Supplies Co Ltd,
123 Nathan Road, Mongkok,
Kowloon

Dear Miss Lai

Application for the post of Clerk

I would like to apply for the post of Clerk advertised in the SCMP on 5 January 2009.

I am a Year 1 student studying Foundation Diploma Programme at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. Previous to this, I attended All Angels’ Secondary School from F.1 – F.5.

I worked as a trainee clerk in MacDonald in the summer of 2007 and 2008. My PC knowledge is very good. I can type both English and Chinese very fast. I can also speak English and Putongtua. I am able to work independently as well as in a team.

My résumé is enclosed. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

Yours sincerely

Ho Hiu Tak

Ho Hiu Tak