writing reviews and useful phrases for FCE Speaking Part Two
Complete First Unit 8
Take turns asking each other about vocabulary on the same line below with questions and answers like those in the box.
| Useful language for doing the task Useful comparing and contrasting questions What’s the difference between… and…? Is… the same as…? What do… and… have in common? Am I right in thinking that…? Useful phrases for comparing and contrasting Both… and…/ …, and so…/ …, and… as well. They are the (complete) opposite of each other. They are completely different/ almost totally different/ very different/ fairly similar/ very similar/ almost (totally) the same/ totally the same. …, whereas… … In contrast,… Unlike…,…. Like…,…. The (main/ only) difference between them is… The (main/ only) thing that they have in common is… … is (much/ quite a lot/ a little) more… than… … is (far/ substantially/ slightly)… er than… … isn’t (nearly) as… as… |
- ad/ commercial
- alternative music/ indie music/ independent music
- amazing/ brilliant/ terrific/ fantastic/ excellent/ superb/ outstanding
- animation/ anime
- annoying/ irritating
- article/ essay
- attractive/ stunning
- autobiography/ biography
- awful/ dreadful/ terrible
- boring/ dull
- broadsheet/ tabloid
- castle/ palace
- charming/ enchanting
- childish/ juvenile
- chorus/ choir
- classical music/ a classic
- column/ editorial
- comics/ comic strips/ graphic novels
- concert/ gig/ festival
- costume drama/ historical drama
- dance music/ EDM
- disgusting/ revolting
- drama/ soap opera
- dubbing/ subtitles
- exciting/ gripping
- expensive/ overpriced
- famous/ notorious
- faultless/ impeccable/ perfect
- films/ movies
- funny/ hilarious
- gallery/ museum
- hobbies/ interests
- interested in…/ keen on…/ obsessed by…
- intriguing/ fascinating
- local history museum/ natural history museum
- lyrics/ poems
- magazines/ journals
- memorable/ unforgettable
- movie theatre/ cinema
- movie theatre/ theatre
- murder mystery/ whodunit
- least favourite/ most hated
- news/ current affairs
- nice/ delightful
- novels/ novellas/ short stories
- original/ unique
- prequel/ sequel
- rap/ hip hop
- remake/ rerun
- ridiculous/ silly
- rom-com/ romance
- short stories/ shorts
- sit-com/ stand-up/ sketch show
- soft rock/ heavy metal
- surprising/ astonishing
- text/ textbook
- I couldn’t recommend… more./ I don’t recommend… at all.
- I highly recommend…/ I thoroughly recommend…
- You won’t be disappointed if you…/ You won’t regret…
When your teacher stops you, ask about any lines above you aren’t sure about.
Comparing and contrasting language
Without looking above for now, fill the gaps below with possible words. Words which aren’t above are also sometimes possible.
Comparing and contrasting questions
What _____________ the difference between… and…?
Is… _____________ same as…?
What do… and… have _____________________ common?
Am I right __________________ thinking that…?
Useful phrases for comparing and contrasting
Both… and…/ …, and so…/ …, and… ________________ well.
They are the (complete) opposite _____________________ each other.
They are completely different/ _____________ totally different/ very different/ fairly similar/ very similar/ almost (________________) the same/ totally the same.
…, whereas…
… __________ contrast,…
_____like…,….
Like…,….
The (main/ only) difference _________________ them is…
____________ (main/ only) thing that they have in common is…
… is (much/ quite __________ lot/ a little) more… than…
… is (far/ substantially/ ________)… er than…
… isn’t (nearly) ______________… as…
Compare with the phrases on the first page. Other words might be possible in the gaps, so please check with your teacher if you have other ideas.
Label each line above with “S” for “the same meaning” or “D” for “different meanings”.
Check as a class.
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