While CELBANPrep is an exam preparation course and not an English course, we do focus on grammar during the 8 lessons delivered over 8 weeks for CELBANPrep Writing. One weakness of many IENs is articles. Articles are those tiny words like: a, an, the.
Are articles important?
Consider these two sentences:
- I also have an opportunity to loan ….
- I also have an opportunity to a loan …
The only difference is an “a”. What is the difference in meaning?
This sentence came from an assignment that an IEN wrote for Lesson 4 in CELBANPrep Writing. Did the author mean what was written? What do these sentences mean?
- I also have an opportunity to loan….
Meaning I have an opportunity to loan money to other people.
- I also have an opportunity to a loan.
Meaning I have an opportunity to take out a loan and borrow money from a bank or another person.
Understanding the use of articles is vital. If there is one thing you can do while preparing for the CELBAN it is to focus on your grammar. Focusing on your grammar will increase your score in writing, speaking and reading. (Make sure you read out load to yourself to train your ear for correct punctuation and grammar.)
Also check out these Advance Grammar Resources. Or go to these websites:
Dear Kim 