Gifts— Part 1 採点レポート

提案: Keep answers concise and correct minor grammar; start with a clear topic sentence, avoid redundancy, and limit to 3–4 sentences. Use appropriate tense and remove unnecessary words like "all my effort" and "for a long time ago." Add a linking word to connect the example.

例: I’m not especially good at choosing gifts, but I always try to find something the person will appreciate. For example, I bought my partner her favorite skincare product for her birthday because she had been wanting it for a long time, and she was really pleased.

提案: Good direct answer and specific example. Make it slightly more natural by varying vocabulary and using a linking word to connect the general statement and the example. Keep sentences tight and correct repetition like "for a long time."

例: I usually give gifts on special occasions like birthdays, graduations, or promotions. For example, when my partner was promoted recently, I bought her a leather notebook she had wanted for a long time.

提案: Begin with a clear topic sentence and avoid self-deprecating remarks that repeat earlier ideas. Use linking words and correct grammar (subject-verb agreement, remove repeated words). Be more specific about how you assess likes/needs and give a brief example.

例: I consider the recipient’s tastes and current needs when choosing a gift. For instance, if someone enjoys journaling and mentions needing a new notebook, I’ll choose a high-quality notebook that suits their style.

提案: Strong, natural response with clear opinion and reasons. Slightly improve by tightening language and using a linking word to make it more concise (max 3 sentences).

例: Yes, definitely. Handmade gifts feel more special because they show you considered the recipient’s preferences and put time and effort into creating something unique.

提案: Very good answer with clear opinion, reasoning and a specific example. Minor grammar fixes: use singular/plural agreement ('the thought behind it' or 'them') and tighten sentences to remain within 3–4 sentences.

例: No, I don't think so. What matters more is the thought behind a gift; for example, I once gave my partner some stickers because she loves decorating her journal, and that made her happier than an expensive present would.

× I wouldn't say I'm particularly good at giving gifts, however I make it a point to give it all my effort to get something the other person would like.

✓ I wouldn't say I'm particularly good at giving gifts; however, I make it a point to give it my all to get something the other person would like.

The phrase 'give it all my effort' is unnatural and uses incorrect verb/noun combination; the correct idiom is 'give it my all'. Also punctuation between clauses should be a semicolon or period; add a comma after 'however' when it begins the second clause.

× For instance, I got my partner her favorite skin care product during her birthday and it has made her really happy because she's been looking for this product for a long time ago.

✓ For instance, I got my partner her favorite skin-care product for her birthday, and it made her really happy because she had been looking for this product for a long time.

Mixing 'has made' and 'has been looking...for a long time ago' is incorrect. 'A long time ago' signals simple past; use 'had been looking for a long time' to show the ongoing search before the gift. Also use 'for her birthday' instead of 'during her birthday' and hyphenate 'skin-care' as a compound adjective when needed.

× I usually give gifts during special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, or promotions.

✓ I usually give gifts on special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, or promotions.

The correct preposition with 'occasions' is 'on' (on special occasions), not 'during'. 'During' suggests the event's duration rather than the customary timing of giving gifts.

× For instance, my partner got promoted recently and I got her a leather notebook that she desperately wanted for a long time.

✓ For instance, my partner was promoted recently and I got her a leather notebook that she had wanted for a long time.

Use 'was promoted' or 'got promoted' is okay, but maintain consistency: 'had wanted' (past perfect) indicates she wanted it before the promotion/gift. 'Desperately wanted for a long time' should be 'had wanted for a long time' to show prior desire.

× This is a difficult question because I'm not particularly good at giving gifts, but off the top of my head I would consider what the other person likes and what they need at the moment when choosing a gift for them since this at least show that I pay attention to to whatever they're asking for.

✓ This is a difficult question because I'm not particularly good at giving gifts, but off the top of my head I would consider what the other person likes and what they need at the moment when choosing a gift for them, since this at least shows that I pay attention to whatever they're asking for.

Errors: double 'to to' should be single 'to' and 'show' must be 'shows' to agree with singular subject 'this'. Also add a comma before 'since' for clarity.

× Definitely. I think handmade gifts are more special because this shows how much you've thought about what the other person likes, and it also shows the effort you have poured into making the present special for your loved ones.

✓ Definitely. I think handmade gifts are more special because they show how much you've thought about what the other person likes, and they also show the effort you have poured into making the present special for your loved ones.

Using 'this shows' is incorrect when referring to plural 'handmade gifts'; use plural pronoun 'they' and plural verb 'show' for subject-pronoun agreement.

× I don't think so. I think what matters most is not the amount you've paid to get someone a gift, but the thought behind them.

✓ I don't think so. I think what matters most is not the amount you've paid to get someone a gift, but the thought behind it.

The noun 'amount' and the singular idea 'a gift' require singular pronoun 'it' rather than plural 'them'. Use 'the thought behind it.'

× For instance, I got my partner a few sheets of stickers because I know how much she loves to stick them in her journal and that has made her happy more than any other expensive gift.

✓ For instance, I got my partner a few sheets of stickers because I know how much she loves sticking them in her journal, and that made her happier than any other expensive gift.

Use 'sticking' (gerund) or 'to stick' consistently; here 'loves sticking them' is natural. 'Has made her happy more than' mixes tenses; use past 'made' to match 'I got'. Also comparative should be 'happier than any other expensive gift.'