Correct my text please?
With a haughty smile and a cocky tone, she boasted about acing her math exam. Whether it had been achieved through honest means, we will never know. Even the teacher had her doubts, Laura didn't really have a knack for anything that had to do with numbers.
Perhaps all that money her parents had invested in getting her a private tutor had been worth it. Mark had had to prepare her for the exam as though she was being introduced to maths for the very first time, she never really payed any attention to her classes in school and thus knew absolutely nothing.
Although rumours were being gossiped around the school about her cheating, it was like water off a duck's back for her.
My biggest doubts are:
1) Whether "like water off a duck's back" is actually a common thing to say or if it sounds too weird?
2) I have a doubt regarding word order when it comes to adverbs. For instance in the following sentence, I am not sure where probably has to be. Both sentences sound correct to me.
If it hadn't been for Mark, she would probably have failed.
If it hadn't been for Mark, she probably would have failed.
Thank you!!
3 Answers
It looks pretty good Clevine. Here are a few options, but they are mostly stylistic rather than necessary.
With a haughty smile and a (this "a" is optional) cocky tone, she boasted about acing her math exam. Whether (normally requires an "or" so I'd suggest "If" instead, or an "or not" after "means") it had been achieved through honest means, we will never know. Even the teacher had her doubts, (I'd put a full-stop / period instead of a comma or a linking word such as "because") Laura didn't really have a knack for anything that had to do with numbers.
Perhaps all that money her parents had invested in getting her a private tutor had been worth it. Mark had had (I'm not a fan of "had had." Other options for the second "had" could be "needed" or "been forced") to prepare her for the exam as though she was being introduced to maths for the very first time, (again, full-stop or joining word) she never really paid any attention to her classes in school and thus (a little archaic / formal. "So" may be better) knew absolutely nothing.
Although rumours were being gossiped (probably "gossiped about" would be better, or just "passed / spread") around the school about her cheating, it was like water off a duck's back for (probably "to" is better than "for" but the saying itself is fine) her.
And "If it hadn't been for Mark, she probably would have failed" may technically be better, but really either order is fine.
Nicely done. I agree with Jellonz suggestions, but add some more.
- You have written rumour British spelling so in first line it should be maths. Maths is regularly used .
- To me 'although rumours were flying or being spread around the school or 'although her cheating was the subject of gossip around..'. To me you do not need rumour and gossip.
Good luck.
Very nice, Clevine 
Why don't you post the title of your text in the title of the post...for further searches that would be very helpful
