【明報專訊】MoMo is applying for student hostel for her stay in her summer study tour. She needs help with the application form.

MoMo: Excuse me, I would like to stay in this hostel for visitors in July. When should I submit the application?

Pat: Thanks for your interest. (1) You should hand in the application form by the end of April.

MoMo: Good, do I have to hand in the supporting documents as well?

Pat: Yes, (2) but you can do so by 14 May. We accept fax or mail.

MoMo: Thanks. I would also like to know how long I can stay in the hostel.

Pat: You can stay for a month. For instance, if you check in on 1 July, (3) you may stay until 31 July.

◆by

If something happens by a time, it happens at or before that time. It is used to talk about deadlines.

e.g. The products will be ready for sale by next Monday. The products will be ready for sale on or before Monday.

◆until

It is used to talk about a situation that continues up to a certain point of time. The event stops after that time.

e.g. I will be in France until September.

→ I am now in France and I am staying there. I will leave the country in September.

◆Now you try

Fill in the blanks with "by" or "until".

1. They lived in Mong Kok __________ 2015.

2. Tammy is on her way now. She should be here __________ 6pm.

3. Sam has to go home __________ 10pm.

4. Don't touch anything ___________ Mom's home.

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

hostel (n) 宿舍

submit (v) 提交

document (n) 文件

deadline (n) 截止日期

[Smarties' Power English 第215期]