Plants— Part 1 採点レポート

提案: Be direct and concise. Start with a clear topic sentence, avoid grammatical errors and hesitations, and keep to a maximum of 3–4 short sentences. Use correct vocabulary (e.g., "succulents" not "cocktails") and fix subject-verb agreement. Add one brief reason or example to support your statement using linking words like "because" or "so."

例: Yes, I keep a few plants at home. I mainly grow succulents because they need little water and light. They suit my small apartment, so they are easy to maintain.

提案: Use correct tense and avoid repetition. Begin with a clear topic sentence in the past tense, then give specific details and one brief consequence using linking words like "however" or "because." Correct errors such as "have started" → "started" and "withered" usage. Keep it within 3–4 sentences.

例: When I was younger, I started growing lettuce and chives on my balcony. I was quite successful and harvested several batches. However, sometimes the weather was unfavorable and some crops withered, so I lost a few harvests.

提案: Be precise and correct grammar. Start with a clear topic sentence like "I know some basic plant care." Use correct words ("plant" not "plan") and avoid unclear pronouns. Provide one specific example of basic knowledge and one limitation, linked by words like "but" or "for example."

例: I know some basic plant care, such as watering weekly and ensuring adequate light. For example, I can grow herbs that tolerate intermittent watering, but I struggle with plants that are sensitive to overwatering or too much light.

提案: Answer directly and avoid too many hedges. Begin with a clear opinion, then give a brief supporting detail or example and finish with a short qualifying remark. Reduce hesitations and fix grammar ("I'm actually not really sure" → "I'm not sure").

例: I'm not sure about all Chinese traditions, but younger people sometimes follow European customs and give bouquets as gifts. For instance, some couples exchange flowers on dates, so sending plants or flowers is not unheard of, although traditions vary by region.

× Yes, I do have a few plants at home and they think gardening is a great hobby, but unfortunately I could only manage the uh keep cocktails because anything that requires high level of maintenance does not survive in my apartment.

✓ Yes, I do have a few plants at home and I think gardening is a great hobby, but unfortunately I can only manage the low-maintenance ones because anything that requires a high level of maintenance does not survive in my apartment.

The student used the pronoun 'they' incorrectly to refer to themselves; use 'I' to express personal opinion. 'Could only manage' suggests past inability; use 'can only manage' for present ability. 'Keep cocktails' is incorrect word choice; likely meant 'low-maintenance ones' (plants that are easy to keep). Add article 'a' before 'high level'. Suggestion: replace 'they' with 'I', use present modal 'can', and use correct noun phrase 'low-maintenance ones' and 'a high level of maintenance'.

× When I was younger I have started growing lettuce and chives on my balcony and I was pretty successful and managed to harvest few batches.

✓ When I was younger I started growing lettuce and chives on my balcony and I was pretty successful and managed to harvest a few batches.

The time phrase 'When I was younger' sets past context, so use simple past 'started' rather than present perfect 'have started'. Also add the article 'a' before 'few batches' for grammatical correctness. Suggestion: use simple past for actions completed in the past and include articles where needed.

× But sometimes the weather is just not favorable and plants are wither withered so I've lost a few crops.

✓ But sometimes the weather is just not favorable and the plants wither, so I lost a few crops.

'Wither' is a verb; 'withered' is past participle/adjective but the sentence mixed forms. Use simple present 'wither' for general statements or simple past 'withered' with past context. Here rephrase to 'the plants wither' (general) or 'the plants withered' (past). Also remove redundant 'are' and adjust tense consistency: 'I lost' matches past events. Suggestion: choose consistent tense and avoid redundant auxiliary verbs.

× I do know some basics, so if the plan does not require some extremely specialized care, I probably would manage to grow it.

✓ I do know some basics, so if the plant does not require extremely specialized care, I will probably manage to grow it.

Typo: 'plan' should be 'plant'. Conditional phrasing: use 'will probably' for a real future possibility in the if-clause with present simple. Using 'would' suggests a hypothetical; here 'will' is more appropriate. Also remove unnecessary 'some' before 'extremely'. Suggestion: fix typo and use correct conditional form: present simple in if-clause and 'will' in the main clause for likely outcomes.

× However, some of them are really sensitive to too much light or overwatering and I'm way more difficult to grow.

✓ However, some of them are really sensitive to too much light or overwatering and are much more difficult to grow.

The sentence mistakenly uses 'I'm' (I am) instead of 'are' to refer to plants, creating a pronoun/reference error. Also 'way more difficult' is informal; 'much more difficult' is clearer. Suggestion: ensure subject agreement and refer to plants with a plural verb 'are', and prefer 'much' in formal responses.

× I actually not really sure, but I believe that younger people, especially who are open to some of European traditions, uh, do give bouquets, for example, for their dates.

✓ I'm actually not really sure, but I believe that younger people, especially those who are open to some European traditions, do give bouquets, for example, to their dates.

Missing auxiliary 'am' in 'I'm actually not really sure'. Use 'those' to refer to people, not 'who' directly after 'especially'. 'Some of European traditions' is incorrect; use 'some European traditions'. Use preposition 'to' with 'give bouquets to their dates'. Suggestion: include 'am', use 'those who', correct noun phrase, and use correct preposition.

× So definitely not unheard of, but I'm not sure where tradition stands on this in China.

✓ So it is definitely not unheard of, but I'm not sure where the tradition stands on this in China.

The original sentence lacks a clear subject for 'definitely not unheard of'; add 'it is' for grammatical completeness. Also 'where tradition stands' is improved by 'where the tradition stands' to specify which tradition. Suggestion: include subject 'it is' and the definite article 'the' before 'tradition'.