Practice 4-1 Revise the following paragraph. Change the word “nice” into some more interesting words. I had a very nice childhood. I went to a very nice school in Scotland where the teachers were all nice to the children and the lessons were always nice. It was in a very nice part of the country and it seems to me now that the weather was always nice. I thought it was especially nice in winter when it was nice to play in the snow. Our school uniform was very nice and school dinners were always nice. I wonder if it was really as nice as I think now or if I am just becoming old? (O'Dell, 1986, p. 53) Practice 4-2 The following paragraph is clearly and smoothly organized with parallel structures. Please read the paragraph carefully, and then try to identify the items parallel in structure. You will see that as you write more and more, your confidence will increase. In fact, students have been surprised to find that in this course, they felt they were developing greater self-confidence, and confidence not only in their English skills, but in expressing their opinions. We do not expect perfection as you begin, but in writing and rewriting you will be moving ahead on several fronts: You will develop your reasoning and organizational skills, you will increase your ability and willingness to express yourself, and you will make those revisions and corrections, rewrite those awkward, unclear sections, and consequently improve your mechanics and structure as well. (Oster, 1984,p.XV)