accept except The verb accept means “to receive.” The verb except means “to exclude.” The preposition except means “excluding.” The club accepted her. He was excepted from gym. They all went except James. affect effect The verb affect means “to influence.” The verb effect “to cause to happen.” The noun effect “result.” The rain affected my plans. They effected many changes. What effect has Sara had? bad badly Bad is an adjective. It can be used after linking verbs like look and feel. Badly is an adverb. This was a bad day. I feel bad. I play badly. less Use or fewest with plural nouns. Use less or least with singular nouns. boys are here today. I have the money. from, off Use from, not off, to mean “out of the possession of.” I got the pen from Jack. good well Good is an adjective. Well is usually an adverb. It is used as an adjective only when it refers to health. The weather good. She swims well. Do you feel well? in into In means “located within.” Into means “movement from the outside to the inside.” Your lunch is in the bag. He jumped into the pool. its it’s Its is a possessive pronoun. It’s is a contraction of it is. The dog wagged its tail. It’s cold today. like Use like as a preposition. I look like Dad. as if as though Use as if and as though as subordinating conjunctions. It as if he has gone. (not like he has gone) of at Avoid using off of. Avoid using at in questions with where. Leaves fell off the tree. (not off of the tree) Where is he? (not where is he at?) practice practise Noun Verb The English Practice Exam She is practising her dancing for the Deb Ball will Shall (instead of will) is used with I and we in formal English. We shall be there today. He will go tomorrow. than then Than is a conjunction used in comparisons. Then is an adverb meaning “at that time,” “soon after,” or “next in time.” She is thinner than Jean. Eat lunch and then leave.
WORDS AND PHRASES THAT SUPPORT FEEDBACK FOCUSED ON ACHIEVEMENT Analytical Articulate Attentive Committed Concerted revision Confident Conscientious Demonstrates Effective Engaged Enthusiastic Established Exceptional Exemplary Extended Fluent Focussed Makes inferences Industrious Insightful Mature approach Masterful Motivated Organised Outstanding Perceptive Positive Prepared Productive Proficient Reflective Self-motivated Sophisticated Growing proficiency in improving Contributes Co-operative can evaluate/make judgments Creative Dedicated Diligent Sound research skills Sound understanding Successfully Succinct Can evaluate materials Can synthesize material Can work in groups Can self- manage Demonstrates higher order thinking in a variety of contexts Expanding on his/her efforts It is pleasing that Grasps subtext Draws conclusions Makes predictions AND PHRASES THAT SUPPORT FEEDBACK FOCUSED ON IMPROVEMENT It is important that the comments/dot points in this section do not just focus on negative aspects of behaviour but provide reasonable advice and strategies for improving student learning in the specific subject area. Focus on planning Refine proofreading skills Work to timelines Seek assistance in regard to key concepts Take time to reflect on major ideas time revising before tests Use graphic organisers to plan written pieces Keep a list of due in your planner a dictionary Break down major ideas into their key components Make a checklist for major assignments that all aspects have been covered Focus on demonstrating appropriate behaviours Form a study group Ensure that you identify downloaded materials Limit time spent on gaming Read texts over the break Email if you are experiencing difficulties with holiday homework Practise writing to time Use time effectively Focus on enhancing listening skills Read my comments carefully Participate in class discussions Talk your work at home Purchase additional resource materials Extend your reading choices Read examples of excellent student work Learn the spelling and meaning of key concepts Organise your study notes Practise oral tasks at home Be confident in your own abilities Always seek assistance if you are not sure Focus on the set tasks Work on developing your problem solving skills Develop a study routine Discuss your ideas with others Expand on your ideas Use for most writing tasks Create your own questions