Precision and nuance

Say exactly what you mean: choose precise words for degree and frequency, show where your information comes from, and qualify claims so they are accurate rather than vague.

Level C1 25 min5 exercisesLesson 8 of 12 in Speaking C1

Trains: IELTS Speaking Part 3, TOEFL iBT Speaking – Take an Interview

What you'll learn

Replace vague words (very, a lot, sometimes) with precise expressions of degree and frequency (largely, barely, virtually; seldom, more often than not)
Show where a claim comes from with apparently, supposedly and presumably
Qualify a statement precisely: not so much X as Y, in the sense that…, at least as far as… is concerned
Use understatement (not entirely convinced, not unheard of) to sound measured while keeping your view clear

Lesson content

10 steps · 5 exercises · 25 min total

1. Warm-up2 questions
2. LearnThe skill and the strategy
3. ModelSee how it's done
4. Practice 1Make it precise
5. Practice 2What does each qualifier do?
6. Practice 3IELTS Part 3: say exactly how often and how much
7. Practice 4TOEFL Take an Interview: precise in 45 seconds
8. Exam tips2 tips
9. Key vocabulary12 words
10. SummaryReview and finish

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