Proofreading

Read the following paragraphs, answer the following questions by correcting the mistakes in two steps: (1)
name the “Type of Mistake,” and (2) provide the “Correction” by rewriting the whole sentence.

Hong Kong’s Octopus Card

1
In 1997, the year Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty, Octopus gave the city a cutting-
edge payment technology. 2People could pay for train rides with a wave of their plastic colourful
small Octopus cards. 3It introduced an extensible pole with a plastic hand in December 2017. 4To
help drivers pay at toll booths. 5Critics made fun of Octopus’ low-tech approach. 6A government
official was quoted as saying that Octopus was hindering the city’s shift to a cashless society.
7
Local critics in Hong Kong complain that the city lags behind mainland China, where even beggars
accepts e-donations. 8China’s love of apps means that travellers to mainland are finding it harder
to get by without Alipay or WeChat Pay. 9Similarly, the 46 million mainland tourists who visit
Hong Kong every year are demanding means to spend their e-cash. 10Francis Fong, an IT expert,
believes that Hong Kong merchants will have to strongly give customers other new forms of e-
payment.
11
In China, mobile apps compete almost exclusively with cash, however, in Hong Kong, consumers
have many choices. 12Up to this year, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has licensed
16 stored-value facilities which consumers can use to make e-payment instead of using cash.
13
Many of these facilities take the form of cards, including Octopus and other prepaid cards issued
by banks other options over epayment include Alipay, PayPal and WeChat Pay.
14
Different consumers enjoy using different epayment methods because each has its pros and cons.
15
Octopus is fast, cost-effective, and it pays reliably. 16However, it can be annoyed when it comes
to moving money. 17Credit cards are supposed to be secure, but their processing fees are high.
18
Mobile apps are easy for merchants to install, but they are unsafe.
Question 7

Example:
Sentence number: 2
Type of Mistake: Order of adjectives
Correction (Answer in a People could pay for train rides with a wave of their small colourful plastic
complete sentence): Octopus cards.

Sentence number:
Type of Mistake:
Correction (Answer in a
complete sentence):

Sentence number:
Type of Mistake:
Correction (Answer in a
complete sentence):

Sentence number:
Type of Mistake:
Correction (Answer in a
complete sentence):

Sentence number:
Type of Mistake:
Correction (Answer in a
complete sentence):

Sentence number:
Type of Mistake:
Correction (Answer in a
complete sentence):

Sentence number:
Type of Mistake:
Correction (Answer in a
complete sentence):
 The error list below is for your reference.

1
Technology has changed the Sentence number: 1
way people communicate, it is Type of mistake: Comma splice
now much easier to stay in Correction: Technology has changed the way people communicate. It
touch. is now much easier to stay in touch.

2
A hole more wide than the Sentence number: 2
island of Manhattan is eating Type of mistake: Comparative form
away at one of Antarctica’s Correction: A hole wider than the island of Manhattan is eating away
fastest melting glaciers. at one of Antarctica’s fastest melting glaciers.

3
The government has Sentence number: 4
introduced many measures. Type of mistake: Fragment
4
Solving the waste disposal Correction: These measures aim at solving the waste disposal problem.
problem.

5
Most students enjoy to read Sentence number: 5
science fiction. Type of mistake: Gerund and infinitive
Correction: Most students enjoy reading science fiction.

6
Students of physics need to Sentence number: 6
solve mathematical difficult Type of mistake: Order of adjectives
problems. Correction: Students of physics need to solve difficult mathematical
problems.

7
Nuclear energy is virtually Sentence number: 7
emission-free, relatively cheap Type of mistake: Parallel structure
but dangerous to a high extent. Correction: Nuclear energy is virtually emission-free, relatively cheap
but highly dangerous.

8
Eating bananas is a quick Sentence number: 8
source of energy for marathon Type of mistake: Participial adjective
runners who feel exhausting. Correction: Eating bananas is a quick source of energy for marathon
runners who feel exhausted.

9
Building in 1881, the Sentence number: 9
monument honoured the Type of mistake: Participial phrase
soldiers. Correction: Built in 1881, the monument honoured the soldiers.

10
The results of the study were Sentence number: 10
inconclusive more research Type of mistake: Run-on sentence
needs to be done on the topic. Correction: The results of the study were inconclusive. More research
needs to be done on the topic.

11
Knowing a lot of English words Sentence number: 11
are an advantage for a student. Type of mistake: Subject-verb agreement
Correction: Knowing a lot of English words is an advantage for a
student.
When Tom went out, it has
12
Sentence number: 12
been raining. Type of mistake: Tense
Correction: When Tom went out, it was raining.