Words such as “unchanged” and “worsened” compare two points. If earlier information is unavailable, those words may claim more than the notes establish.
The first case in OET Writing Practice for Radiography Candidates states that previous imaging is unavailable for comparison. This guide develops a language-accuracy check using non-clinical examples.
Ask “compared with what?”
Identify the earlier observation and the current observation. If the source provides only the current one, describe it directly rather than inventing a trend.
Original technical example
Notes: Current file contains three formatting errors; earlier file unavailable.
Accurate: “The current file contains three formatting errors.”
Unsupported: “The formatting has improved since the previous version.”
Keep different kinds of evidence separate
A person's report of change and a direct comparison of records are not identical. Attribute a reported change rather than presenting it as a verified comparison.
Repair the comparison
Given: Learner reports fewer connection problems; no earlier technical log available.
Revision: “The learner reports fewer connection problems.”
Do not add that the logs confirm an improvement.
Check the opening and conclusion
Unsupported trends often appear in summary sentences even when the detailed paragraph is accurate. Review both for comparative adjectives and verbs.
For practice, underline every claim of change in a short draft. Next to each, identify the evidence for both points of comparison. Revise any claim whose baseline is missing or whose source is unclear.
Explore OET Writing for Radiographers — Course 2 to see the course outline, current availability and enrolment options. Use the worked exercise above to identify a skill you would like to practise next.
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OET Writing for Radiographers — Course 2
Explore the complete course outline and related practice topics.
Source: OET RAD WR 002.epub, Jobins Training. Examples labelled original or illustrative were written for this article. Independent exam preparation; no affiliation with or endorsement by the examining body. Practice does not predict an official score.