Plants— Part 1 Report

Suggestion: Answer directly and avoid unnatural expressions such as “some greeneries” and “at my home.” Use “some greenery” or name specific plants, and say “on my balcony.” The phrase “breathe fresh air with the plants” is slightly awkward; explain that the plants make your balcony feel fresher and more pleasant. You could also add one specific detail about caring for them.

Example: Yes, I keep a few plants on my balcony, mainly some herbs and small flowers. I enjoy taking care of them because they make the space look more attractive and relaxing. I usually water them in the morning before I go to work.

Suggestion: Give a clear answer instead of asking the examiner for the word. The plant you are describing is probably a mulberry tree, whose leaves are eaten by silkworms. Use the past tense consistently, for example, “I grew” or “I planted,” and avoid repeated fillers such as “you know.” Add a brief detail about where you grew it or why you remember it.

Example: When I was young, I grew a mulberry tree in my grandparents’ garden. Its leaves were used to feed silkworms, which produce silk. I remember being fascinated by the silkworms, so I often helped my grandparents collect the leaves.

Suggestion: Organize the answer with a clear opening and linking words. Correct “I know some of it” to “I know a little about it,” “a bot botanist” to “a botanist,” and “you need to good soil” to “you need good soil.” Avoid the confusing sequence “a pot to and sunshine”; instead, list the requirements smoothly. Mention that different plants may need different amounts of sunlight or water.

Example: I know a little about growing plants, although I’m not an expert. First, you need good-quality soil and a suitable pot with drainage holes. In addition, the plant needs regular watering and enough sunlight, although the exact amount depends on the type of plant.

Suggestion: Answer more naturally by saying “Chinese people sometimes give plants or flowers as gifts,” rather than focusing on “female” friends. Clarify the cultural meaning: flowers or plants may be given for birthdays, housewarmings, business openings, or achievements. Correct “wish they are rich and happy” to “wish them happiness and prosperity,” and avoid repeated fillers.

Example: Yes, Chinese people sometimes give plants or flowers as gifts, especially for housewarmings, birthdays, or business openings. For example, a lucky bamboo plant can symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Flowers are also commonly given to congratulate someone on an achievement or to wish them happiness.

× Yes, I keep some plants at my home because I like to have some greeneries in my, uh, balcony so that I can breathe fresh air in the morning with the plants.

✓ Yes, I keep some plants at home because I like to have some greenery on my balcony so that I can breathe fresh air in the morning.

Greenery is an uncountable noun, so it is not normally used in the plural form greeneries. Use greenery when referring to plants collectively. Also, the natural preposition with balcony is on, not in.

× Yes, I keep some plants at my home because I like to have some greeneries in my, uh, balcony so that I can breathe fresh air in the morning with the plants.

✓ Yes, I keep some plants at home because I like to have some greenery on my balcony so that I can breathe fresh air in the morning.

The phrase at home is the standard expression when referring generally to one's residence. Use on a balcony because a balcony is a platform or outdoor area.

× I planted in, I don't know how it's called.

✓ I planted one when I was young, but I don't know what it is called.

The original sentence is incomplete because planted needs a direct object. Use one to refer to the plant. The expression what it is called is also the correct structure for asking or stating the name of something.

× It's a type of tree that produce, you know, leaves for the for the warm bark to eat to produce silk.

✓ It's a type of tree that produces leaves for silkworms to eat and use to produce silk.

The relative pronoun that refers to the singular noun tree, so the verb must be produces, not produce. The sentence also needs a clear structure: silkworms eat the leaves and use them to produce silk.

× I know some of it frankly speaking because I'm not a bot botanist or a gardener in any way so but I know you need to good soil and regular watering and a pot to and sunshine to grow a plant.

✓ Frankly speaking, I know some things about it. I'm not a botanist or a gardener, but I know that you need good soil, regular watering, a pot, and sunshine to grow a plant.

So and but should not be used together in this sentence because they express different relationships. Use but to introduce the contrast between not being a botanist and still having some knowledge. The list should be joined with and only before the final item.

× I know some of it frankly speaking because I'm not a bot botanist or a gardener in any way so but I know you need to good soil and regular watering and a pot to and sunshine to grow a plant.

✓ Frankly speaking, I know some things about it. I'm not a botanist or a gardener, but I know that you need good soil, regular watering, a pot, and sunshine to grow a plant.

The original sentence contains several disconnected clauses and unnecessary words, such as to before good soil and to before and sunshine. Divide the ideas into two sentences and use a clear that-clause after I know.

× Yes, yes, uh, especially for uh, female, uh, we would, we sometimes send, you know, trees and flowers for the female friend to wish they are rich and happy for their achievement.

✓ Yes, especially for female friends, we sometimes send trees and flowers to wish them wealth and happiness for their achievements.

Female is an adjective and should modify a noun, so use female friends rather than female by itself. After wish, use the object pronoun them to refer to the friends. Wealth and happiness are more natural noun forms after wish them.

× Yes, yes, uh, especially for uh, female, uh, we would, we sometimes send, you know, trees and flowers for the female friend to wish they are rich and happy for their achievement.

✓ Yes, especially for female friends, we sometimes send trees and flowers to wish them wealth and happiness for their achievements.

The pronoun they does not fit the structure after wish because the people receiving the wishes are the object. Use them after wish. The phrase wish them wealth and happiness is the appropriate grammatical pattern.

× Yes, yes, uh, especially for uh, female, uh, we would, we sometimes send, you know, trees and flowers for the female friend to wish they are rich and happy for their achievement.

✓ Yes, especially for female friends, we sometimes send trees and flowers to wish them wealth and happiness for their achievements.

Because the sentence refers generally to more than one female friend, use the plural form friends. Achievements should also be plural when referring to several accomplishments or to the achievements of multiple people.