VOCABULARY: Extreme Adjectives (B1)

"Extreme adjectives" are adjectives which imply that their meaning is "extremely something". For example "freezing" means extremely cold.

Normal adjectives are "gradable", this means we can say: a little cold, very cold, extremely cold... On the contrary, extreme adjectives are not gradable because the word "freezing" already means "extremely cold". However they can be used with words such as absolutely, completely, utterly.
Extreme adjectives don't have a comparative nor superlative form.

Now match the adjectives with their extreme adjectives.

tired                        starving
small                       fantastic  
angry                      freezing
good                       astounding
surprising               exhausted
hot                          furious
dirty                        ancient
clean                      huge 
cold                        hilarious
pretty                      tiny
ugly                        gorgeous
funny                      boiling
old                          filthy
big                          hideous
hungry                   spotless


ANSWER KEY
tired   exhausted
small  tiny
angry  furious
good   fantastic
surprising   astounding
hot   boiling
dirty   filthy
clean   spotless
cold   freezing
pretty   gorgeous
ugly   hideous
funny   hilarious
old   ancient
big   huge
hungry   starving

VOCABULARY: Emphatic Expressions (C1 / C2)

The are many ways to show emphasis in English and one of them is to use an intensifier followed by a verb (INTENSIFIER + VERB).

1.     Choose the correct verb to complete the collocations.

recognize                   encourage                         deny                                  endorse(x2)                    reject                          hope                      appreciate                  regret                       believe                              recommend                refuse

1.     Categorically __________. In no way did I do something.

2.     Deeply __________. I am strongly sorry for my actions.

3.     Enthusiastically __________. I happily, and with all my heart believe in something.

4.     Freely __________. I certainly understand something.

5.     Fully __________. I am aware of some situation.

6.     Honestly __________. I think something is true without any doubt.

7.     Positively __________. I hope that you do something very strongly.

8.     Readily __________. I believe in something someone else does without hesitation.

9.     Sincerely __________. I honestly want something for someone else.

10.  Strongly __________. I really think you should do something.

11.  Totally __________. I refuse to believe or do in any case.

12.  Utterly __________. I completely do not want to do or believe.

2.     Fill in the blanks with the correct expression.

A.    We ________________ any involvement in the scandal.

B.    They ________________ any compromise in these negotiations.

C.    I ________________ the local cancer society.

D.    We ________________ the current difficulties in this market.

E.     Our company ________________ his run for the office.

F.     I’m afraid I ________________ to believe anything he says.

G.    I ________________ he is telling the truth.

H.    I ________________ you are able to find employment soon.

I.       I’d like to ________________ you visit an employment specialist.

J.     I ________________ your need to improve your career.

K.    We’d like to ________________ you to buy this stock.

L.     I ________________ the loss of your loved one.

ANSWER KEY: 

1)

1.deny 2.regret 3.endorse 4.appreciate 5.recognise 6.believe 7.encourage 8.endorse 9.hope 10.recommend 11.reject 12. Refuse. 

2)

A.categorically deny B.totally reject C.enthusiastically reject D.freely appreciate E.readily endorses F.utterly refuse G.honestly believe H.sincerely hope I.strongly recommend J.fully recognise K. positively encourage L.deeply regret

VOCABULARY: Actually (C1 / C2)

Actually is a very common word in English. Actually is what we know as a false friend because it does NOT mean at the present time. To mean at the present time we can use the word currently or the phrase at the moment.

We say:
I am currently working part-time OR I am working part-time at the moment.

Actually has several different uses and functions.

SOME USES OF ACTUALLY ARE:

1. to correct information or expectations
2. to confirm information or expectations
3. to clarify/give extra information
4. as a softener, before bad news
5. for emphasis, to introduce surprising information
6. to mean "in fact"

Now match the uses of actually with the sentences below.

A. The British actually like their pleasures small.
B. There is a big difference between the official way of doing things and the way things are actually done.
C. A: Has Fred sold his car yet? Yes he has, actually.
D. I'm in a hurry so I won't stop. Actually, I'm meeting Richard.
E. A: Are you still on for Friday. B: Well, actually, we're not going to be able to make it, I'm afraid.
F. A: When are you off on holiday? B: Well, actually, we're not going now.


ANSWER KEY:
A.6
B.5
C.2
D.3
E.4
F.1


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VOCABULARY: expressions related with health (B2)

I've been feeling a bit off colour lately, actually, I think I'm coming up with something and this is why I thought it would be useful to write a post on expressions and idioms related to health.





Read the following expressions and try to match them with their meaning.

1. to feel blue

2. to be on the road to recovery

3. to black out

4. to be as fit as a fiddle

5. to have a cast iron stomach

6. to be full of beans

7. to look the picture of health

8. to be under the weather


A. to be able to eat and drink no matter what without any stomach problems

B. to lose conciousness

C. to start feeling better

D. to be in good health

E. to feel sad or depressed

F. to be healthy and active

G. to feel bad

H. to look very healthy




ANSWER KEY:
1.E
2.C
3.B
4.D
5.A
6.F
7.H
8.G


What about YOU? Are you as fit as a fiddle? Are you full of beans?
Or on the contrary you've been feeling blue? Have you been under the weather lately?

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VOCABULARY: Make and do (B1)

Make and Do by LauGalindo