Names— Part 1 採点レポート

提案: Be more concise and confident; start with a clear topic sentence, then add one specific supporting detail. Avoid filler phrases like "I don't believe" and unnecessary adjectives. Also correct minor grammar (e.g. "pretty ancient" is informal).

例: My name doesn't have a particular meaning, but it comes from Latin and has been used for centuries. For example, several historical figures in Roman history had the same name, which shows its long tradition.

提案: Good structure and clear idea. Improve by tightening language, using linking words, and correcting minor grammar (add articles: "the child's"). Optionally give a brief concrete example of a name or trait to illustrate your decision process.

例: I would make a short list of names I like and then wait until the baby is born to observe the child's temperament for a few weeks. For instance, if the baby is calm and thoughtful, I might choose a classic name like "Eleanor" to match that personality.

提案: Be natural and avoid awkward phrasing. Start with a direct statement, then give one concise specific detail. Correct grammar and collocations (say "makes me a bit proud"). Avoid unnecessary formal phrases like "statistically speaking" unless you give a statistic.

例: No, nobody in my family shares my name. It's quite rare—I've only met one other person with the same name, which makes me a bit proud.

提案: Clarify your point and use simpler, correct structures. Begin with a direct topic sentence, then explain with a clear reason and an example. Fix grammar and vocabulary (e.g. "translate into" → "reflect"; "name their first-born daughters" is unclear).

例: Yes, naming trends have changed. Nowadays some families prefer names that reflect hopes for sons because of traditional preferences; for example, parents might choose strong, masculine-sounding names when they hope for a boy.

提案: Be direct: answer the question about China specifically, then give a brief reason and an example. Avoid vague global statements and awkward phrasing like "I hardly believe" (use "I don't think").

例: Yes, some names are more popular in China, often because they sound good with certain surnames or carry positive meanings. For example, names that include the character "明" (bright) are commonly used because of their positive connotations.

× I would prepare a short list of names I like in advance, then wait until the baby is born and get to know them for a few weeks before deciding on the name.

✓ I would prepare a short list of names I like in advance, then wait until the baby is born and get to know him or her for a few weeks before deciding on the name.

The original uses the plural pronoun 'them' to refer to 'the baby' (singular). This is a pronoun-antecedent agreement issue; the correct singular present participle pronoun forms are 'him' or 'her' for a baby when gender is unknown. Suggestion: use 'him or her' or rephrase to 'the baby for a few weeks' to avoid gender specificity.

× That way I could choose a fitting name considering child's temperament and personality.

✓ That way I could choose a fitting name considering the child's temperament and personality.

The sentence omits the definite article before 'child's'. English requires the definite article 'the' when specifying a particular noun in this context. Suggestion: insert 'the' before 'child's'.

× No one in my family has the same name as me, and I think my name is quite rare.

✓ No one in my family has the same name as I do, and I think my name is quite rare.

While 'the same name as me' is commonly used in informal speech, the more grammatical form is 'the same name as I do' (subjective case) because it implies 'as I do have'. Suggestion: use 'as I do' for formal correctness or keep 'as me' in casual contexts.

× In fact, statistically speaking, only a small percentage of people carry the same name as me, which makes me a bit of proud.

✓ In fact, statistically speaking, only a small percentage of people have the same name as I do, which makes me a bit proud.

Two issues: 'carry the same name' is awkward; 'have the same name' is more natural. Also 'a bit of proud' is incorrect collocation; 'proud' is an adjective and should be used without 'of' in this structure: 'a bit proud'. Finally, 'as me' corrected to 'as I do' for formality. Suggestion: use 'have' instead of 'carry' and 'a bit proud'.

× One tendency I am aware regarding Chinese tradition of name giving is that nowadays less and less people tend to name their first born daughters, something that translate into wish for the next child to be a boy.

✓ One tendency I am aware of regarding the Chinese tradition of name-giving is that nowadays fewer and fewer people name their first-born daughters, something that translates into a wish for the next child to be a boy.

Multiple errors: missing preposition 'of' after 'aware'; 'Chinese' needs 'the' before 'Chinese tradition' and 'name-giving' is hyphenated as a compound noun. Use 'fewer' (for countable plural) instead of 'less'. 'First born' should be hyphenated as 'first-born'. Verb agreement: 'translate' should be 'translates' to agree with singular 'something'. Also add article 'a' before 'wish'. Suggestions: add 'of', use 'the Chinese tradition of name-giving', replace 'less' with 'fewer', and fix verb agreement and articles.

× I believe that in every corner of the world there are more popular names that fit better with most of the surnames of the region, and I hardly believe that China is an exception in this regard.

✓ I believe that in every corner of the world there are certain popular names that fit better with most surnames in the region, and I hardly think that China is an exception in this regard.

'More popular names' is vague; 'certain popular names' is clearer. 'Most of the surnames of the region' is wordy; 'most surnames in the region' is more natural. 'I hardly believe' is awkward here; 'I hardly think' or 'I don't think' are more idiomatic. Suggestion: use concise noun phrases and idiomatic verbs like 'think'.