Intake triage: what examiners notice fast

• Articles correct and consistent
• Subject verb agreement in complex subjects
• Clause links clean: no comma splices, no vague this
• Formal tone with compact sentences and clear logic

Room A. Articles made simple

A1. Core rules

• a or an for first mention of a singular countable thing: a policy, an increase
• the for specific or second mention: the policy introduced in 2020
• zero article for general ideas and plural or uncountable nouns: education, pollution, smartphones

A2. Quick tests

• Can I count it? If not, use zero article: research, information
• Talking about all of something or one known example?
  • All of something: The internet has changed access when you mean the global network
  • One known example: the library at this school

A3. Band safe pairs

• the number of students is rising
• a number of students are applying
• access to education, not the access unless specific
• evidence shows, not an evidence

A4. Article repairs

• Wrong: People rely on the social media for news.
• Fix: People rely on social media for news.
• Wrong: A poverty is a global issue.
• Fix: Poverty is a global issue.

Frames

• The main reason is that…
• A key advantage is…
• The rise in costs leads to…

Room B. SVA accuracy (Subject Verb Agreement)

B1. Golden patterns

• Each, every, either, neither → singular verb
  • Each of the options is costly.
• A number of + plural noun → plural verb
  • A number of schools offer evening classes.
• The number of + plural noun → singular verb
  • The number of applicants has grown.

B2. Distance traps

Ignore nouns inside prepositional phrases.

• The level of emissions has fallen.
• The effects of social networks are mixed.

B3. Percent and fraction logic

• With plural count nouns: Forty percent of students are part time.
• With singular or mass nouns: Forty percent of the population is urban.

B4. Either or, neither nor

• Agreement follows the nearer subject.
  • Either the universities or the government is paying.
  • Either the government or the universities are paying.

B5. Collective nouns

• Use singular for one unit, plural for members acting separately.
  • The committee has issued a statement.
  • The committee have disagreed on timing.

B6. Reliable choices

• Data show is safe in academic tone.
• The media are plural in formal use.

Mini test
Choose the verb: One in three households owns a car.
Answer: owns.

Room C. Clauses that carry your argument

C1. Relative clauses

• Defining: no commas, essential info
  • Policies that reduce fees can widen access.
• Non defining: commas, extra info
  • Online learning, which supports remote students, is expanding.

Who vs which vs that

• People: who
• Things: which or that
• Omit the pronoun when it is the object if clarity stays high
  • The steps (that) governments take should be targeted.

C2. Adverbial clauses

• Cause: because, since
• Contrast: although, while
• Condition: if, unless
• Result: so that

Frames

• Although costs are high, subsidies can protect low income learners.
• If schools train staff, platforms work better.

C3. Noun clauses

• Subject or object with that
  • That fees are rising is clear.
  • Studies suggest that blended models improve retention.
• After reporting verbs: claim, argue, show, indicate, propose

C4. Compacting with non finite clauses

• To show result: To reduce queues, cities extend service hours.
• -ing reason or time: Having introduced fines, the city saw fewer violations.
• -ed passive: Built in 2019, the plant now supplies three towns.

Do not stack too many; one compact clause per sentence is enough.

Room D. Before and after repairs

D1. Articles

• Before: Government should increase the funding for a education.
• After: Government should increase funding for education.

D2. SVA

• Before: A number of citizen supports the plan.
• After: A number of citizens support the plan.

D3. Clauses and commas

• Before: Cities improved buses, they reduced traffic.
• After: Because cities improved buses, they reduced traffic.
• After: Cities improved buses, which reduced traffic.

D4. Relative precision

• Before: The people that lives in rural areas lacks options.
• After: The people who live in rural areas lack options.

D5. Clause economy

• Before: The policy is effective. It saves money. It saves time.
• After: The policy saves money and time, which makes it effective.

Discharge prescriptions: sentence frames

Argument openers

• It is reasonable to argue that…
• There is clear evidence that…

Reason and mechanism

• This is because…
• This leads to…
• As a result, …

Balanced moves

• While this approach has costs, it often produces larger gains.
• Although critics raise privacy concerns, safeguards can limit the risk.

Conclusion lines

• On balance, the policy should be prioritised where budgets allow.
• Therefore, a staged rollout is the most practical path.

10 minute clinic drills

1. Article sweep
   Underline all nouns in one paragraph. Mark A for a or an, T for the, Z for zero. Fix two errors.
2. SVA spotlight
   Circle your subjects. Cross out prepositional phrases. Check the verb against the true subject.
3. Clause repair
   Find one comma splice and fix it with because, although, or which.
4. Relative tune up
   Turn one adjective phrase into a relative clause, then compress it back.
5. Compaction
   Merge two short sentences with a to clause or an -ing clause.

Fast reference wall

• a or an first mention of singular countable
• the specific or unique reference
• zero for general uncountable or plurals
• the number of X is…
• a number of X are…
• each, every → singular verb
• percent of + plural count → plural verb
• avoid comma splices
• use clear relative, adverbial, and noun clauses

Final audit in two minutes

Articles consistent and necessary
Verbs match the real subject
One clear clause link per sentence
No run ons or vague this
Balanced tone with simple formal words
Sentences compact but not compressed to confusion

Use this clinic during planning and end checks. Keep articles lean, match subjects and verbs, and choose the right clause shape. Your Task 2 writing will read precise, controlled, and exam ready.