Puzzles— Part 1 Report

Suggestion: Be more concise and correct minor grammar mistakes. Start with a clear topic sentence, then add one or two specific supporting details. Avoid filler phrases like “to be completely honest” and tags like “right?”; instead use past-tense consistency and correct countable noun forms.

Example: Yes, I did. I loved doing jigsaw puzzles with my grandfather because it was a fun way to spend afternoons together. Those sessions improved my patience and left me with many happy memories.

Suggestion: Remove hesitations and make sentences more direct. Use clear time phrases and a simple linking word to connect ideas. Keep it within 3–4 sentences and avoid repeating the same idea.

Example: I don’t do puzzles as often as I did as a child, but I sometimes solve them while commuting to university. I also do puzzles when I’m bored because they help me relax and distract me from stress.

Suggestion: Correct grammar and use precise vocabulary. State your preference clearly, give one specific reason, and use a linking phrase to contrast the other type. Avoid filler sounds and finish sentences fully.

Example: I prefer word puzzles because they help me learn new vocabulary and improve my language skills. On the other hand, I rarely do number puzzles because I’m not very confident with mathematics.

Suggestion: Be confident and answer directly. Use correct phrases (e.g., “people of all ages”) and provide one or two clear benefits with a linking word. Avoid saying you don’t know; instead give a short opinion and a reason.

Example: Yes, I think puzzles are beneficial for people of all ages, especially older adults, because they help maintain concentration and stimulate the brain. For example, regular puzzle practice can improve memory and delay cognitive decline.

× To be completely honest, yes, I did puzzles in my childhood.

✓ To be completely honest, yes, I did puzzles when I was a child.

Use of 'in my childhood' is awkward in English; 'when I was a child' or 'in my childhood' can be used but 'in my childhood' is less natural here. Changing to 'when I was a child' fits conversational past-tense context.

× I really enjoyed solving them because it helped me to be involved in some activity and it also was very funny as I was doing it with my grandpa.

✓ I really enjoyed solving them because they helped me get involved in activities, and it was also very fun doing them with my grandpa.

Problems: article and pronoun use and phrasing. 'It helped me to be involved in some activity' is awkward; use plural 'activities' or 'an activity' and remove unnecessary 'to'. 'It also was very funny' should be 'it was also very fun' or 'very enjoyable'. Also simplify 'as I was doing it' to 'doing them' to match plural 'puzzles'.

× So we spent a lot of time together and I have a good memories, right?

✓ So we spent a lot of time together, and I have good memories, right?

'A good memories' mixes singular article 'a' with plural 'memories'. Remove 'a' to match plural noun: 'good memories'.

× Umm, to tell the truth, I do not do umm puzzles right now as much as I used to in my childhood, but from time to time I solve them during uh, commuting to the university.

✓ Umm, to tell the truth, I don't do puzzles as much now as I used to when I was a child, but from time to time I solve them while commuting to the university.

Use natural present tense contrast: 'as much now as I used to' rather than 'right now as much as I used to in my childhood'. Also 'during commuting' is incorrect; use 'while commuting' or 'during my commute'.

× And sometimes when I feel bored I also can turn to them because it's a good way to umm, feel less stressed about life.

✓ And sometimes when I feel bored I can also turn to them because they're a good way to feel less stressed about life.

Modal placement: 'can also' and 'also can' are both possible but 'can also' is more natural. Change 'it's a good way' to 'they're a good way' to agree with plural 'puzzles'.

× Umm, As for me, I prefer doing, uh, word puzzles because they help me to, uh, get acquainted with some new words that I might, uh, not know.

✓ Umm, as for me, I prefer doing word puzzles because they help me get acquainted with new words that I might not know.

Remove unnecessary comma after 'doing' and extra 'to' after 'help me'. Use 'new words' without 'some' for natural phrasing. Lowercase 'As'.

× And it is very useful, I suppose.

✓ And they are very useful, I suppose.

Pronoun must agree with plural 'word puzzles' and 'they are' fits. 'It is' incorrectly refers to plural.

× Umm, as far as the number of puzzles, I also do them, but, uh, on a rare basis as I'm not a good mathematic and I have.

✓ Umm, as for number puzzles, I do them rarely because I'm not good at math.

Sentence had several problems: 'as far as the number of puzzles' is awkward—use 'as for number puzzles'. 'On a rare basis' is wordy; 'rarely' is natural. 'I'm not a good mathematic and I have.' is ungrammatical; correct to 'I'm not good at math.'

× In my opinion, solving puzzles is good for people on UH for all age because it helps to stay concentrated for a longer period of time and it also, umm, involves some brain activity.

✓ In my opinion, solving puzzles is good for people of all ages because it helps them stay concentrated for longer periods and it also involves brain activity.

Errors: 'on UH' appears to be filler/typo and removed. Use 'people of all ages' not 'for all age'. 'helps to stay concentrated' needs a subject: 'helps them stay concentrated'. 'for a longer period of time' -> 'for longer periods' is more concise. Remove 'some' before 'brain activity'.

× I don't know how to answer this question.

✓ I don't know how to answer that question.

In context, 'that question' is more natural than 'this question' when responding to the examiner's previous question. This is a minor pragmatic improvement rather than a strict grammatical error.