C2 - Lesson 7 - Being Vague

Question 1

To state that someone has made something wrong or illegal without giving proof.

Ex:
* She ** that another girl had put the lipstick in her handbag.

Answer 1

allege

Ex:
* The two men allege (that) the police forced them to make false confessions.

• It is alleged that the purpose of change is to help the environment, but that is only half the story

Question 2

1) to pretend to be or to do something, especially in a way that is not easy to believe.

Ex:
* They ** to represent the wishes of the majority of the parents at the school.

2) appearing or stated to be true, though not necessarily so, alleged.
* The artefact is ** to be over 250 years old

3) the general meaning of someone’s words or actions
* Ex: I didn’t read it all but I think the **of the letter was that he will not be returning for at least a year.
* Ex: The **of the studies were that volunteers that came and went to the orphanages were harming the orphans rather than helping them.

4) To claim that something is true, but without proof.
Ex: The story ** to explain the origin of the game of chess.

Answer 2

purport

Ex:

1) They purport to represent the wishes of the majority of the parents at the school.
2) The artefact is purported to be over 250 years old
3) I didn’t read it all but I think the purport of the letter was that he will not be returning for at least a year.
3) The purport of the studies were that volunteers that came and went to the orphanages were harming the orphans rather than helping them
4) The story purports to explain the origin of the game of chess

Question 3

When you want to be more vague and don’t want to take responsibility for an opinion, you can use ** verbs.

Answer 3

reporting verbs

Question 4

Use passive for the sentences:

1. I made a mistake
2. I can’t do anything about the situation.

Answer 4

1. A mistake was made. / Mistakes were made.

2. Nothing can be done about the situation.

Question 5

a bad, good etc. reputation

Ex: a place of ill **.
Ex2: The company had a bad ** because they did animal testing.

Answer 5

repute

Ex: a place of ill repute.

Question 6

to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document.

Ex: In light of recent domestic disputes that have led to several women’s deaths in Sweden, laws have been urged to be ** in favour of the victims protection rather than the perpetrators.

Answer 6

amended

Ex:
* In light of recent domestic disputes that have led to several women’s deaths in Sweden, laws have been urged to be amended in favour of the victims protection rather than the perpetrators.

• I hope this can be amended in future editions.
• Finally, in 1936 he amended the constitution and extended his ‘presidency’ to 1949

Question 7

• Attracting public approval and praise.

Ex: Vincent Van Gogh has been very much ** after his death.

Answer 7

acclaimed

Ex:
* Vincent Van Gogh has been very much acclaimed after his death.
*