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Error Correction
Imagine the Scenario
100
Use the perfective infinitive to explain a past wish regarding the way you have spent your time in Philadelphia.
EXAMPLE: I would like to have gone to a First Friday event in Old City, when all of the independent art galleries have open houses and serve free wine and cheese to visitors. I have heard that Philly has a great art scene, and I am sorry not to have experienced it more fully.
100
Use the word "outrageous" or "unbelievable" in an adjective complement to discuss a piece of news you read or heard recently.
EXAMPLES: That Americans scoot over up to ten miles per year on average is unbelievable. That some people live in Pennsylvania is outrageous.
100
Use the gerund or infinitive to explain what your preferred housing situation (alone or with roommates? on or off campus?) will be if/when you begin a degree program.
EXAMPLE: I would prefer to live with roommates because I enjoy being around other people, sharing meals, and getting to know others well. To live on campus would be ideal because it would be so convenient.
100
Correct the error: Hoping to avoid potential problems, we advised the group not traveling at night.
Correct the error: Hoping to avoid potential problems, we advised the group not TO TRAVEL at night.
100
You just called your mom to return a call you missed from her a couple days ago. When you told her why you were calling, she said, "Oh! You called me back yesterday! Are you getting enough sleep?!" Use forget + gerund/infinitive to explain what happened.
I forgot calling my mom.
200
Complete the sentence with the perfective infinitive: As a child, I was fortunate _____________________________________________.
EXAMPLE: As I child, I was fortunate to have lived in a log cabin in the woods. There was so much fun stuff for me and my brothers to do outside!
200
Use the perfective infinitive to describe a goal that you wanted to achieve by now but haven't.
EXAMPLE: I was supposed to have gotten all of my holiday shopping finished by now, but I've been too busy studying grammar!
200
Use the perfective infinitive to describe one of your goals for 2014.
EXAMPLE: There are many things that I would like to have achieved by the end of the coming year, but I think most of all, I would like to have sewn my first quilt.
200
Correct the error: That the movie was enough interesting to keep me awake came as a real surprise.
That the movie was INTERESTING ENOUGH to keep me awake came as a real surprise.
200
You recently discovered on ancestry.com that you have a distant cousin living in a small town outside of Philadelphia. You are about to go back home to your country, but you have the chance to meet her at a coffee shop before you go. She says, "I am so glad we had this chance to meet, but think of all of the things we could have done together if we'd known about each other sooner." Reply with a perfective infinitive to express a wish about how you could have spent your time together.
EXAMPLE: It would have been wonderful to have gotten to know your hometown and the things you like to do here. OR I would love to have gotten to know the rest of your family. OR To have looked through family albums with you would have been a real joy. We'll have to do that when you visit me in my country!
300
Use a that clause with a subjunctive verb to describe some bad advice that you were given in the past.
EXAMPLE: My friend's advice that I give my boyfriend the silent treatment after he stood me up on Valentine's Day was not helpful in the least! I should have just dumped him!
300
Use a that clause noun complement to describe a fact about life in Philadelphia that you have become accustomed to.
EXAMPLE: I have become accustomed to the fact that if I eat dinner out, the serving is always big enough to feed a small village.
300
Use a that clause with a subjunctive verb to give advice to someone who plans to start studying at the ELP next session.
EXAMPLE: I recommend that you be dedicated to speaking only English on campus. Not only is it advisable that you get as much practice as possible, but many students prefer that everyone be respectful and speak English only in the Student Center.
300
Correct the error: This should serve as a reminder for everyone needs to be more careful about saving water.
This should serve as a reminder THAT everyone needs to be more careful about saving water. OR This should serve as a reminder for EVERYONE TO BE more careful about saving water.
300
You are meeting with an admissions counselor from Penn/MIT/school of your choice. She says, "Why do you want to attend Penn/MIT/school of your choice?" Use adjective and/or noun complements to explain several factors that attracted you to the program you are applying to.
Example: The fact that MIT's student body is full of high achievers was a huge motivator in my decision to apply. OR That the Wharton School consistently ranks as the top business school in the country was obviously a huge draw for me.
400
Complete ONE of the following sentences using the perfective infinitive: Last weekend it was snowy enough.... Last weekend it was too snowy...
EXAMPLES: Last weekend it was snowy enough for us to have built an igloo in the driveway. OR Last weekend it was too snowy for me to have ridden my bike home from my friend's house.
400
Use a that clause with a subjunctive to explain an ELP or course requirement.
EXAMPLE: It is required that students not miss more than four elective class meetings. OR It is required that students be prompt when submitting assignments.
400
Use an adjective complement to describe something you would be surprised to see a politician/a teacher/your partner/your sibling do.
EXAMPLES: For a politician to be completely honest would be astonishing. For my boyfriend to wear a tie to work would be out of the question. For my little brother to call me would come as a complete surprise.
400
Claire claims never to take a single driving lesson before she took her test.
Claire claims never to HAVE TAKEN a single driving lesson before she took her test.
500
Use a that clause noun complement to describe a fact that made it easy or difficult for you to succeed in reaching one of your past goals.
EXAMPLE: The fact that I love spicy food made it really enjoyable for me to live in Thailand for a year. OR The fact that I can't stand heat and humidity made it super difficult for me to live in Thailand for a year.
500
Use the word regret followed by an infinitive.
EXAMPLE: I regret to inform you that you will get coal in your stocking this year. -- With love from Santa
500
Use a noun clause complement to discuss a possibility that worries you when it comes to the future of today's youth.
I am worried by the possibility that today's youth will spend so much time on social networks that they will lose the ability to interact face to face. OR The possibility that today's youth will suffer more severe consequences of global warming is worrisome to me.
500
Correct the error:It was the travel agent who planned our trip who recommended that we took an early flight.
It was the travel agent who planned our trip who recommended that we TAKE an early flight.
500
You see a friend from one of your classes at the End of Session party. S/he says, "How was your session?" Respond with: 1) a perfective infinitive 2) an adjective complement 3) a noun complement, AND 4) a that clause with the subjunctive
EXAMPLE: My session was really wonderful. To have gotten to know people from all over the world in my classes was really cool. It was super useful for me to take a grammar class, too. The fact that so much of what we studied can be applied every day made the class really worthwhile. I recommend that you take a grammar class next session if you have the chance.