2016/2017 / MA in European and International Studies (MEIS) / Kate Riley

TASK 2

Corpora Worksheet

Below are some phrases and sentences taken from your motivation letters and Task 1 emails. Look at the underlined word/words or phrase and find a more suitable alternative. Make a note of whether you:

a)knew the correct form without having to look it up anywhere;

b)used a monolingual dictionary (online or hard copy)

c)used an online collocation dictionary

d)did a dirty search on Google

e)used one of the online corpora

f)couldn’t correct/improve the phrase

Some of the phrases contain other mistakes, not underlined, if you can, correct these too.

If you can’t manage to correct the phrase, don’t worry, we will look at the troublesome ones in class on Tuesday 25th October. Please bring this worksheet with you to the lesson.

Exercise 1 - Collocation

  1. I am determined […] to strengthen and enrich DEVELOP/HONE/IMPROVE the skills I acquired throughout my academic career./ I intend to enlarge DEVELOP/IMPROVE my current competences
  2. My academic performance took a boost IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY in the year following the placement.
  3. I attendedSAT/TOOK English and French exams
  4. It [the MEIS] represents an opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the topics I faced SUBJECTS I STUDIED/ TOPICS I COVERED during my previous academic career.
  5. A BA that let me focus on my wide but strictly CLOSELY linked interest in Economics.
  6. I am legitimately PROFOUNDLY/DEEPLY/KEENLY interested in what happens in the continent where I am living
  7. … how the concept of power was born and grew up to be what we live EXPERIENCE/PERCEIVE today.
  8. This interest has been enhanced by my attending a variety of relevant IMPORTANT events, including Festival dell’Internazionale and Festival dell’Economia.
  9. In particular, I take care ofCARE ABOUT gender equality, a themeTOPIC I always cared of. CARED ABOUT
  10. History help us to avoid the mistakes we didMADE in the past
  11. This is the case of courses like European Integration and Economic Crisis which treat DEAL WITH current subjectS and consequently you are able to understand these happenings in a better way.
  12. I learnt what means feeling (IT MEANS TO FEEL) more European than Italian, what means knowing(WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW) people from all around the world, even from extra-NON-European countries, what means DEALING WITH/FACINGfacing daily with other cultures and habits.
  13. After accomplishing COMPLETING my studies
  14. Taking into consideration the possibility to make HAVE an experienceFROMamong Erasmus (I already took part to TOOK PART IN an erasmus plus project) […], double degree and bilateral agreement / I have the chance to make HAVEinternational experiences
  15. That’s why I firmly believe that MEIS offers the most complete and accurate WELL-DESIGNED/WELL-THOUGHT OUT/CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED program
  16. I’ve only 37 university mates CLASSMATES/FELLOW STUDENTS
  17. There’re two negative aspects, but they aren’t so relevant SERIOUS / SIGNIFICANT: first the little time to do HAVE lunch
  18. A strong hug A BIG HUG
  19. Students are highly GREATLY encouraged to take a proactive role

Exercise 2 – Colligation

  1. Last year I had the opportunity to participate to IN the Model United Nations/participate at IN many conferences/people that will try to participate to IN international mobility
  2. I think it is necessary being TO BE more fluent than I am right now
  3. Thanks to AIESEC, an association made by UP OF young people who strives to encourage leadership into IN young people
  4. An education focused on international issues and institutions can be the key to masterKEY TO MASTERING the analysis of the present world
  5. I searched FORa master degree that focused on these two aspects
  6. What I love the most of ABOUT living in Trento / What I really appreciate of ABOUTthis course / what I like of ABOUT this course
  7. My incapability to understand new technologies prevents me to find FROM FINDING the information I need
  8. In fact for any doubt, I can ask to them and it’s really useful because it’s like not be BEING here alone.
  9. I wanted to explain you
  10. Most of them ask me FOR tips and infos about Trento
  11. Mr B suggest to me to apply to Trento / As you suggested me, MR B SUGGESTED I APPLY TO TRENTO / AS YOU SUGGESTED,
  12. So far I am really satisfied of WITHmy decision
  13. I’m not used to do DOING presentations
  14. To become and expert ofIN this matter
  15. I will wait to […] discuss about the issue.
  16. It seems really liveable, albeit quite lacking of IN social life
  17. Sorry for being late in answering to your last email SORRY I AM LATE ANSWERING YOUR LAST EMAIL
  18. I have enrolled at ON (IN) the MEIS course
  19. There is no need of FOR public transportations
  20. Some of the lessons remind me OF lessons I took during my Erasmus period.
  21. Elevates our University to the same standards of AS the most prestigious universities of Europe

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