The sentences below contain some common mistakes. Try to correct them.
- The number of holidays abroad was dramatically increased in 2005.
- The figure was raised again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
- In 2008, the number of foreign holidays was reduced to its lowest point.
What grammar point can we learn by correcting these 3 sentences?
1. The number of holidays abroad INCREASED DRAMATICALLY in 2005.
2. The figure RAISED again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
3. In 2008, the number of foreign holidays REDUCED to its lowest point.
Posted by: Arman | July 10, 2011 at 09:09
Hi Simon
I capitalize words that should be corrected:
1. The number of holidays abroad INCREASED DRAMATICALLY in 2005.
2. The figure ROSE again in 2006, but it FELL in 2007.
3. In 2008, the number of foreign holidays FELL to its lowest point.
Posted by: Reband | July 10, 2011 at 09:39
The number of holidays abroad increased dramatically in 2005.
The figure raised again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
In 2008, the number of foreign holidays reduced to its lowest point.
Posted by: Kasia | July 10, 2011 at 10:26
The number of holidays abroad increased dramatically in 2005.
The figure rose again in 2006, but it fell in 2007.
In 2008, the number of foreign holidays decreased to its lowest point.
Posted by: Mister Wandering | July 10, 2011 at 12:23
Hello Simon,
The common mistake in all sentences is the use of Passive Voice instead of Active Voice.
I would write them down as follows:
1.The number of holidays abroad increased dramatically in 2005.
2.The figure rose again in 2006, it was followed by a fall (in numbers of holidays)in 2007.
3.In 2008 the number of foreign holidays fell/plummeted to its lowest ever.
By the way, I want to say that your site is exceptionally helpful.I am going to sit my exam on the 16th, next Saturday.My biggest concern is my writting.
I rush things up and as a result I have to re-write some sentences couple of times.Do You think I should try to write a quick draft first? Will I be marked down for not being neat writer? Thank You.
Posted by: Elena | July 10, 2011 at 12:48
1. The number of holidays abroad INCREASED DRAMATICALLY in 2005.
2. The figure ROSE again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
3. In 2008, the number of foreign holidays REDUCED to its lowest point.
Posted by: Jake | July 10, 2011 at 13:57
1.Increased dramatically no need to use passive
2.the figure rose,
3. number of holidays reduced
Posted by: sanam | July 10, 2011 at 14:23
Hi Simon,
1.The number of Holidays abroad increased dramatically in 2005.
2.The figure raised again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
3.In 2008 the number of foreign holidays reduced to its lower point.
Posted by: Mitko | July 10, 2011 at 16:03
1. The number of holidays abroad increased dramatically in 2005.
2. The figure raised again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
3. In 2008, the number of foreign holidays reduced to its lowest point.
Posted by: lin | July 10, 2011 at 16:06
1-The number of holidays spent abroad were dramatically increased in 2005
2-The figure for foreign holidays raised again in 2006,but it reduced in 2007.
3-In 2008 the number of foreign holidays fell to its lowest point.
Posted by: deepika | July 10, 2011 at 16:15
2-The figure for foreign holidays rose again in 2006 ,but it reduced in 2007
this is a recorrection of sentence 2
Posted by: deepika | July 10, 2011 at 16:22
Rise - to move upwards, to become higher, stronger or to increase.
Raise - to increase the level of sth or to make sth better or stronger (past simple - raised)
As we see, both meanings are exactly the same, so, in my opinion, there is no such a need to change verbs. It is only my point of view.
Posted by: Arman | July 10, 2011 at 17:14
I gave my exam yesterday.Before entering in exam hall my passport was exchanged accidentally with another candidate(we were totally unaware about it) our exam started and my listening was superb. I was in my reading module and i had 25 minutes left to finish my 3rd passage.Suddenly the invigilator came and asked me "is it your passport?" Then she showed my real passport which was exchanged with another candidate.I was so petrified (i thought that they were going to expel me,but fortunately they understood that we didn't do it intentionally ) But by this time i totally lost my concentration in reading and i left 10 blank answers in my reading answer sheet.
It seems that i have to give IELTS again.
I am so frustrated. So please everyone be careful about your passport and other belongings.Don't be stupid like me.
I have already shared my questions in recent exam question.
Don't panic cause i think the mock tests i gave before exam was harder than the real test.Real test is little bit easy i think.
Posted by: sania | July 10, 2011 at 18:26
I think that the mistakes are related to misunderstanding between auxiliary verbs and past verbs.
Correction based on my view:
1- The number of holidays abroad increased dramatically in 2005.
2.The figure raised again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
3.In 2008, the number of foreign holidays reduced to its lowest point.
Posted by: ahmed S | July 10, 2011 at 21:55
1. The number of holidays abroad was increased dramatically in 2005.
2. The figure rose again in 2006 but reduced in 2007.
3. In 2008, the number of foreign holidays declined to its lowest point. Note: Regarding[3]: Can we say ; In 2008, the number of foreign holidays declined to THE lowest point. WE PUT [THE] INSTEAD OF[ ITS].WHY? WHY NOT?
Posted by: SULAIMAn | July 11, 2011 at 10:56
Dear Sania,
This unpleasant incident annoyed me because I came about a similar situation in one of the centres in the UK but the invigilator was very sensible, level-headed and very careful . Every thing was sorted out after I had finished my whole test.
I forgot to bring the passport because when I left home because I took the other jacket , not the jacket with the passport.
However, I still had to bring it to the centre in the same day of the test . if I did not bring it back , my performance in the test would not be authorised and processed.
Posted by: SULAIMAn | July 11, 2011 at 11:39
The number of holidays abroad INCREASED dramatically in 2005.
The figure ROSE again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
In 2008, the number of foreign holidays REDUCED to its lowest point.
Thanks for sharing, Simon.
Posted by: Pete | July 11, 2011 at 13:41
CORRECT ANSWERS FROM SIMON:
1. The number of holidays abroad INCREASED DRAMATICALLY in 2005.
2. The figure ROSE again in 2006, but it FELL in 2007.
3. In 2008, the number of foreign holidays FELL to its lowest point.
NOTES:
The main problem is the use of the passive (was increased) when the verbs should be active (increased).
Also, you need to use 'rise' (rose) instead of 'raise' (raised). The meaning of these 2 verbs is the same, but we use them differently:
"Taxes ROSE last year"
"The government RAISED taxes last year"
For the same reason, you can't use 'reduced':
"Taxes fell..."
"The government reduced taxes"
...
Hi Elena,
I think the solution is to spend more time planning or drafting - maybe 10 minutes. Don't worry about neat writing - if the examiner can read it, it's fine.
...
Hi Sania,
Thanks for sharing your advice. I'm sorry to hear about what happened - it's a good warning for other students!
Posted by: Simon | July 11, 2011 at 23:06
Hi Sulaiman,
You can put 'to the lowest point', but 'to it's lowest point' seems to make a stronger connection with the 'number of foreign holidays'.
Posted by: Simon | July 11, 2011 at 23:25
Dear, Simon.
your answer for the first question says "increased dramatically". Then, is the answer, "dramatically increased", the same as the phrase above?
Posted by: Rebecca | July 17, 2011 at 10:19
Hi Rebecca,
Yes, you can use both ways.
Posted by: Simon | July 18, 2011 at 11:53
Thank you Simon.
I have another question=)
On your IELTS e-book it says "the export of arms, or weapons, is an extremely controversial issue". I wonder why you used the commas before and after 'or weapons'. Does it make any difference to use without it?
Posted by: Rebecca | July 18, 2011 at 14:23
Hi Rebecca,
The commas give the idea that it's extra information which could be missed - like using brackets: (or weapons). In this case, it gives the idea that weapons means the same thing as arms.
It's fine to write it without commas, but you lose the idea that arms and weapons mean the same thing.
Posted by: Simon | July 18, 2011 at 14:46
OMG, thanks SImon!! that really helped me to understand more about using commas in a sentence~ AWESOME!!
Posted by: Rebecca | July 19, 2011 at 11:59
No problem Rebecca!
Posted by: Simon | July 19, 2011 at 15:30
'THANKS' REALLY 'THANK YOU SO MUCH'
Posted by: leila | January 26, 2012 at 13:27
hey where can i practice mock exams?
Posted by: madiha | October 04, 2016 at 01:08
The number of abroad holidays dramatically increased in 2005.
The figure rose again in 2006, but it was reduced in 2007.
In 2008, the number of foreign holidays rose its lowest point.
Posted by: NIKI | May 19, 2017 at 00:23
The number of abroad holidays dramatically increased in 2005.
The figure rose again in 2006, but it fell in 2007.
In 2008, the number of foreign holidays fell to its lowest point.
Posted by: NIKI | May 19, 2017 at 00:24