Gifts— Part 1 採点レポート

提案: Be careful with verb tense, article use and small phrasing errors. Make the answer slightly more concise and natural: start with a clear topic sentence, then give one specific supporting detail using a linking word. Avoid unnecessary repetition (e.g., "I think" and "I am pretty good" together).

例: Yes, I’m quite good at choosing gifts because I pay attention to people’s interests and plan ahead. For example, last birthday I bought my daughter a cookbook she’d been wanting, and she was really happy, which showed me my choice was right.

提案: Clarify vocabulary and avoid odd or incorrect word choices (e.g., "pupil," "eye care," "auspicious" may be inappropriate). Remove filler words and keep sentences natural. Use a clear topic sentence and one or two specific examples linked properly.

例: I usually give gifts on special occasions such as birthdays and festivals because these days are meaningful. For example, I give my parents a small present on their birthdays and some sweets to friends at New Year.

提案: Good content and structure; improve fluency and wording to sound more natural. Remove redundant phrases and tighten linking words. Use one clear topic sentence followed by specific reasons connected with linking phrases like "for example" or "also."

例: I mainly consider the recipient’s interests and my budget when choosing a gift. For example, if a friend enjoys cooking I’ll buy a cookbook or a useful kitchen gadget, and I always check my budget so I don’t overspend.

提案: Very good answer: clear, specific and natural. Minor improvement: remove filler "Well," and combine sentences a little for smoother flow. Keep to a maximum of four sentences and include one linking phrase.

例: Yes, I have. Last winter I knitted a scarf for a friend who likes warm clothes because a handmade gift felt more personal; I spent a few evenings making it and she wore it every day.

提案: Good balanced opinion with reasons and examples; polish phrasing and avoid saying similar ideas twice. Use linking words (e.g., "however," "therefore") to improve coherence and keep answer within four sentences.

例: I think expensive gifts can sometimes show effort, however price isn’t everything; a handmade present or a thoughtful card can be more meaningful. Therefore, I believe both the thought behind a gift and its cost matter depending on the situation.

× For instance last birthday I give my daughter a cookbook she wanted and she was really happy so that made me feel I choose well.

✓ For instance, last birthday I gave my daughter a cookbook she wanted, and she was really happy, so that made me feel I had chosen well.

The sentence describes a completed past event, so the verb 'give' must be in the simple past 'gave' (past tense) and the action of selecting occurred before the feeling, so the past perfect 'had chosen' is appropriate to show the sequence. Also add commas for clarity and natural sentence flow.

× Well, I usually, uh, give gifts on special occasions like birthdays and any festivals because, uh, those days are important and auspicious to that particular pupil and it shows eye care.

✓ Well, I usually give gifts on special occasions like birthdays and festivals because those days are important to that person and it shows you care.

The original uses 'that particular pupil' incorrectly—'pupil' means student and is contextually wrong; use 'that person' or 'the person'. 'It shows eye care' is incorrect phrase; the intended meaning is 'it shows you care'. Also remove filler 'uh' and extra commas for natural speech.

× Well, I usually think first about the person's interest, about a gift that matches what they like more personal.

✓ Well, I usually first think about the person's interests and choose a gift that matches their tastes and feels more personal.

The original has awkward structure and agreement: 'person's interest' (singular) is better as 'interests' or 'tastes' and 'what they like more personal' is ungrammatical. Rephrase to 'choose a gift that matches their tastes and feels more personal' to correct structure and maintain meaning.

× And I also check my budget so I don't spend too much on that particular thing.

✓ And I also check my budget so I don't spend too much on that particular item.

'Thing' is informal and awkward here; 'item' fits better. Grammatically the sentence is acceptable but 'thing' can be improved for clarity and register. No tense change needed.

× For instance, I spent a few evenings last winter knitting it and she used it every day and she loved it.

✓ For instance, I spent a few evenings last winter knitting it; she used it every day and loved it.

The verbs are past tense and correct, but the sentence is long and repetitive with 'she'. Combining clauses and removing the second 'she' improves flow. No tense correction required, only stylistic improvement.

× Well, I think expensive gifts sometimes express feelings better because they can show that someone put a lot of effort in that gift.

✓ Well, I think expensive gifts sometimes express feelings better because they can show that someone put a lot of effort into that gift.

The phrase 'put a lot of effort in that gift' should use the preposition 'into' rather than 'in'. This is a preposition usage issue (11) but also affects verb phrase; corrected to 'into' for idiomatic English.

× So I believe both the thought behind the gift and the price matters.

✓ So I believe both the thought behind the gift and the price matter.

When 'both' connects two subjects ('the thought' and 'the price'), the verb should be plural 'matter' rather than 'matters' to agree with the compound subject (subject-verb agreement). This fixes number agreement.