Q&A - PSLE English

[The Alternative Story]

[quote]Hi TAS,

I need your advice on S & T:

My mum wanted to know my mischievous brother's whereabouts.
... where...
My ans: My mum wanted to know where my mischievous brother was.
Model ans: My mum wanted to know where my mischievous brother had gone to.[/quote]Hi starlight,

The model answer is correct. There are 2 actions that are happening
in the past here - 'wanted' and 'was-linked to brother's wherabouts'
When there are 2 actions happening in the past, the one that
happens first is in the past perfect tense and the
second action that happens is in the past tense. This shows you the sequence of the actions.

Hence the answer is 'My mum wanted (second action)to know
where my mischievous had gone to' (first action)
[quote]It is best for you to seek Uncle Mark's advice. You can learn about how he fixed the machine.
... how...
My ans: It is best for you to seek Uncle Mark's advice on how he fixed the machine.
Model ans: It is best for you to seek Uncle Mark's advice to learn about how he fixed the machine.[/quote]The model answer is correct because when you say you want to
'seek Uncle Mark's advice to learn..', the emphasis is on
you wanting to learn from him (same emphasis as it
is in the question).
However, if you say 'seek Uncle Mark's advice on how he fixed..',
then the emphasis on 'learning' is not as clearly shown.

[quote]I did not elucidate the matter to them clearly. I did not know the way.
... how....
My ans: I did not know the way of how to elucidate the matter to them clearly.
Model ans: I did not know how to elucidate the matter to them clearly.

May I ask if my ans are correct?

Many thanks.[/quote]The model answer is correct. The word 'how' is another way of saying
'the way'.

Eg:
- I do not know the way to the market
- I do not know how to go to the market.

Hence, there is no need to use 'the way' in the answer as you already
have the word 'how'.


No problem! Glad to be of help.

TAS

[starlight1968sg]

Hi TAS,

Once again, thanks so much for spending your precious time to share your tips.

[The Alternative Story]

Hi starlight,


Glad to be of help :lol:

TAS

[starlight1968sg]

Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as…
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?

2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
… as long as…
What is the ans?

Many thanks again.

[Muffins]

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?

2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
.... as long as...
What is the ans?

Many thanks again.

Though am not TAS, I will attempt to ans your questions, if that is ok with you....

For Q1, I am more inclined to write the first one, as the question specifically talks about the nest being disturbed, and to be on the safe side, that would be the better bet.

For Q2, the answer is:

I have known that weird man for as long as he has stayed in that dilapidated house

OR

That weird man has lived in that dilapidated house for as long as I have known him

A longer explanation may be provided by someone else. I'm just giving the gist of the thing...

Hope this helped!

[Tang]

Muffins:

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?

2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
.... as long as...
What is the ans?

Many thanks again.

Though am not TAS, I will attempt to ans your questions, if that is ok with you....

For Q1, I am more inclined to write the first one, as the question specifically talks about the nest being disturbed, and to be on the safe side, that would be the better bet.

For Q2, the answer is:

I have known that weird man for as long as he has stayed in that dilapidated house

OR

That weird man has lived in that dilapidated house for as long as I have known him

A longer explanation may be provided by someone else. I'm just giving the gist of the thing...

Hope this helped!

Hi,

For the first question, I will go for (b).

For the second question, I will go for the second proposed answer.

[Muffins]

jia you tang! only one more post to being a blue belt!

[The Alternative Story]

[quote]Hi TAS,

1) Supposing that the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
As long as....
Ans (a): As long as the nest is disturbed, the bird will leave her chicks to die.
Ans (b): As long as the nest is undisturbed, the bird will not leave her chicks to die.

Which is the correct ans?[/quote]Hi Starlight,

The answer is the first one as the second one is complicated and hard
to understand. Usually when 2 negatives ('undisturbed' and 'will not leave') are used in a sentence, it makes the sentence difficult to understand,
hence it is not advisable to do so.
[quote]2) I have known that weird man. He has lived in this dilapidated house.
.... as long as...
What is the ans?[/quote]The answer should be just as what Muffin said:

That weird man has lived in this dilapidated house for
as long as I have known him.

OR

I have know that weird man for as long as he has lived in this
dilapidated house.

The 'as long as' usually means 'provided that/providing'.

Eg:

I will listen to him as long as he does not shout (condition).

However in the example that you gave, there is no condition.
Hence 'as long as' is used more to mean for 'as long a time'.
[quote]Many thanks again[/quote].

No problem!

TAS

[starlight1968sg]

Hi TAS,

Thanks again for replying.
I agree on the part that 2 negatives in a sentence is not encouraged. But I was surprised as this was the model ans but my dd wrote the other one. Thus I need to seek your advice.

English is such a \"beautiful\" language.

[The Alternative Story]

starlight1968sg:

Hi TAS,

Thanks again for replying.
I agree on the part that 2 negatives in a sentence is not encouraged. But I was surprised as this was the model ans but my dd wrote the other one. Thus I need to seek your advice.

English is such a \"beautiful\" language.

Hi Starlight,

You are welcome Yes the rules of English grammar are not clear
cut at times.

TAS