Do you know the difference between 'assess' and 'access'? Assess (v) - to gauge or evaluate When you assess a person or situation, you make a judgment about that person or situation after careful thought. Access (n) - permission or ability to enter, get or obtain If you gain access to a building, you can enter it. Access (v) - to gain, get or use If you access information from a computer, you may get all the facts you're looking for. The Shanghai Morning Post reports that under the system, health authorities will review each hospital's transplant capacity before issuing a permit. Inspections will assess staff, equipment, the hospital's transplant experience and the standard of operations. Hospitals will have to be able to give patients an 85 per cent chance of survival for a kidney operation and a 75 per cent chance of success for a liver transplant within one year. More than 6,000 transplants were performed across the nation last year. Choi Kwok-kwong, vice-chairman of concern group Education Convergence, said the rise in pass rates might not reflect an increase in English standards because of the changes in syllabus choice. 'An in-depth analysis is needed to assess the actual language standards of students,' Mr Choi said. Examination Authority deputy secretary-general Francis Cheung Wing-ming agreed the exam results might not reflect an improvement in language abilities. But he said the switch of syllabus would enhance effectiveness in language learning. Using computer simulation software, the seven teams were asked to manage a company that makes and markets a portable music device. The challenge was to return the highest profit. The finalists had to assess the impact of including a battery in the packaging of the music device, which would boost sales but at a higher cost. 'The mainland will make judgment according to its law. If he has violated the law, of course he needs to accept punishment. If he didn't violate the law and is innocent, then of course he would be released.' Mr Li did not say whether Ching could have access to his family or legal representation, as he did not work in the judicial department. Web media company Yahoo! has launched a free web audio search service that helps users find, hear and buy everything from music downloads and podcasts to interviews and newscasts. Yahoo! Audio Search is still in testing and gives users access to more than 50 million audio files as Yahoo! beefs up its entertainment offerings. We are lucky to live in Hong Kong. We have access to most things we want, but we ignore our responsibilities, such as attending to our studies. Students in Hong Kong always complain about their homework and tests. They say they have too much to do. But do they really? Task: Fill in the blanks with the correct word: assess or access. 1. The public library's database can be _____________ via your PC at home. 2. Many people in poor countries have no ___________ to telecommunication. 3. If you are under pressure at school, the best solution is to __________ which tasks should be completed first. 4. China's central bank would need a few months to __________ the impact of the yuan appreciation. 5. You should have the ability to __________ the risks when you take part in a sport activity. Answer: 1. accessed 2. access 3. assess 4. assess 5. assess
