For your first question, I would have written it like so: On an episode of The Middle, a woman is standing on a kitchen cabinet and dusting the top of it, and she says to a person standing on the floor ("Down on the floor below her" implies that the person is a reasonable distance below her, or that she is much higher above them, and you would use "standing" otherwise it could be mistaken that the person is sitting or lying on the floor) : "I just flung a fly-covered sponge OVER, and I think it landed on Brick's sandwich. Can you get that for me?"... Why "over"? Why not just "flung a sponge"? The reason "over" is used is because of the way the sentence is written. If the second clause "and I think it landed on Brick's sandwich" wasn't used, you would say "I just flung a fly-covered sponge OVER onto Brick's sandwich". Since The extra information is explained in the second part of the sentence, it makes sense to cut it at "over". Also, the use of "over" implies the the sponge flew over something, e.g. a table or a bench, or that the sponge flew a considerate distance before landing. For your second question, it is a bit odd to say "It keeps sitting over in the corner." This is for two reasons. "It keeps sitting" would mean that the lamp is repeatedly performing the action of sitting, which obviously doesn't make sense. "Over in the corner" is slightly awkward, it would be better to say "over THERE in the corner", or just remove the "over" entirely. These things considered, the best way to write the sentence would be: 1. It just sits over there in there corner. 2.It just sits in the corner. 3. It just sits there. (In the corner is already implied, so we use "there" instead, the listener knows the location already. Saying "in the corner" just stresses how useless it is.) Personally, I wouldn't use 1. However, it does make sense. This may be personal preference, or because I'm Australian, and we are really lazy and don't use words we don't have to LOL

IELTS: Writing Paper Part 2. Task Type: Letter to an Editor

Since I'm studying on my own, if possible, can anyone correct/explain mistakes or suggest more valid alternatives? Thank you in advance!

Question
You are reading your favourite newspaper and you come across a letter which attacks the education system in your country (or a country that you know well).
...What a pity our school system is so out-of- date. I would suggest that some major educational reforms are needed!

Yours sincerely
Prof Collins
To give YOUR view contact the editor by writing to XXXXX
Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper giving your response to Prof. Collins' letter (Between 220-260 words).

To whom it may concern,
I am an avid reader of this newspaper and after coming across Professor Collins' letter I immediately started to jot down a reply.

The lack of fully-equipped laboratories in most Italian schools is sadly a reality, and I do agree we should change. Increasing funds for computers and other equipment that would let students learn faster and more efficiently is a foward-looking measure to invest in our country's future source of income.

I am also aware of how averagely poor the English knowledge of our young men and women is. I would never put stock in a country that is incapable of managing international meetings, lest being ridiculed worldwide for the message it conveys. The problem is partly related to the fact that, in public schools, we seldom hire native English speaking teachers. Instead, we prefer Italian natives who, at best, have studied languages and spent some time abroad. Having two or three native English lecturers per school would definitely improve the situation.

Lastly, I would like to point out that we will never be free of our “out-of date system” if it is primary composed of “out-of-date mentors”. Since the retirement age has been increased and stable positions narrowed to a handful, younger teachers work in precarious positions for most of their careers.
Although experience is an essential aspect of being a teacher, I think young minds and ideas are the key to freshen up and give balance to an education system that aspires for both quality and innovation.

I hope my letter will give readers stimulus for reflection and the courage to offer their own ideas.
Yours sincerely
Milena S.

In these two contexts, "rounding out" would mean to finish or complete something. In the first example, it basically says "Andy Samberg (finishing) another night of firsts hosting the show for the first time." This is saying that he finishes another night in which he does something for the first time. Although it is worded quite awkwardly, with the seconded first not really being needed. I would say "Andy Samberg rounding out another night of firsts, hosting the show." Although the original might sound better in context. The second example is saying, "To (complete) the quartet, Nelson Lee also plays the violin."

These two phrases are normally used in between statements that contradict, or when the second statement doesn't agree with the first. Eg. Roses are usually red. That [being] said, they are also… Or I like turtles. Having said that, I will now proceed to show… It is akin to saying "however" or "but".