Vocabulary Upgrade
Collocations
C1 structures
Precision and register
C1 or B2?
100

Give one C1 alternative for important.
 

→ crucial / significant / fundamental / essential

100

Upgrade a lot of people.

→ a large number of people / numerous people

100

Transform:


“I think this is a serious problem.”

ARGUE

→ I would argue that this is a serious problem.

100

Replace nowadays in an academic essay.

→ In contemporary society / In recent decades

100

“We need to make progress.”

KEEP IT!
It's already a natural, strong collocation.

200

Give two alternatives for problem.

→ issue / obstacle / challenge / concern

200

Upgrade do something about the problem.

→ take action / take measures

200

Transform:


“People say that the company is struggling.”

SAID

→ The company is said to be struggling.

200

Replace:


“This is very important.”



→ This is of considerable significance / This is crucial.

200

“We need to get more information.”

→ obtain / acquire depending on context

300

Replace thing with a more precise word:“There are many things that influence our decisions.”

→ factors / aspects

300

Upgrade made a big difference.

→ had a significant impact

300

Rewrite using a participle clause:


“Because he didn't know the answer, he remained silent.”

KNOWING

→ Not knowing the answer, he remained silent.

300

Replace:


“I don't agree with this argument.”


→ I disagree with this argument / I object to this argument.

300

“Technology can help students learn.”

→ facilitate / enable / support depending on meaning

400

Replace think with a more sophisticated verb:


“I think governments should act.”

→ I believe / I would argue / I maintain

400

Upgrade find a solution.

→ devise / develop a solution

400

Rewrite using inversion:


“If I had known about the problem, I would have acted.”

HAD

→ Had I known about the problem, I would have acted.

400

Upgrade:


“The situation is getting worse.”


→ The situation is becoming increasingly serious.

400

“The government should do something about this.”

→ take action / take measures

500

Replace say with a more precise reporting verb:


“Experts say that social media can be harmful.”

→ claim / argue / state / point out / suggest

500

Upgrade make a decision.

→ reach / come to a decision

500

Rewrite using inversion:


“If I were you, I would reconsider.”


→ Were I you, I would reconsider.

500

Upgrade:


“This is a good way to solve the problem.”


→ This is an effective means of addressing the problem.

500

“In conclusion, there are several possible solutions.”

Overall / All things considered / Taking everything into account

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