1. I don't know that phrase "on tick" 2. yes - very common phrase 3. yes

I feel like a bit of a hike. (or variations: I feel like a walk. Want to join?)

1. Despite trying his best to persuade people to give up smoking, he could not succeed. (verb 'to be' not required- also changed end of sentence to succeed (a verb which means to gain success ) 2. His suggestions were ___________ nobody took any cognizance of them. "So" or "very" can work here, however change "cognizance" with "notice". Either a or b are now correct: a. so trivial that b. very trivial hence ( "so" or "therefore" instead of hence - hence is rather formal for speaking )

Off cuts, scrap wood (or just scrap) - can't say there is an official term but that is what I'd call them (btw my dad is a carpenter)

Have a look at this illustration 

http://www.onelittleminuteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/knit-fabric-overview-one-little-minute-blog-knits-vs-wovens.jpg

1. Why does the writer use " --" in front of and? Is it necessary? This is being used for emphasis - to stress the change that occurred. I'm not sure this would be considered grammatically correct 2. Why can the two verbs(knew became) be used together in a sentence? Knew is referring back the man/ subject of the sentence. Simplified the second part of sentence reads: The man she knew changed Hope this helps a bit!

To me the most natural would be "do you have an opinion?"

You could also say "Keep going" or " See it through" (variation: "see it through the end") "Don't give up" as suggested above is also very good