Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

Question 1

According to the Band Descriptors, to achieve band 7 or higher, you must:

Answer 1

1. Use a wide range of vocabulary (i.e. synonyms and paraphrasing) to convey precise meaning
2. Use less common vocabulary and phrases (including collocations)
3. Show that you know how to correctly fit words and phrases together
4. Make very few mistakes with spelling or word formation

Question 2

Useful Phrases
Personal Opinion

Answer 2

In my opinion/view/experience,
My opinion is that…
I am of the opinion that…
Personally speaking,
From my point of view,
As far as I am concerned,
From my perspective,
It seems to me that…
My own view on the matter is…
I feel/think/believe that…
I tend to believe that…
My personal view is that…
It seems to me that…
I would argue that…

Question 3

Useful Phrases
Strong Opinion

Answer 3

I wholeheartedly believe…
I am strongly for/against…
Under no circumstances should…
On no account should…
I am a vehement/ardent/staunch
supporter of…
It can hardly be denied that…
I strongly opine that…
I strongly agree/disagree with
the idea that…

Question 4

Useful Phrases
Expressing Time

Answer 4

Then/Now
At the moment
At present
Right now
These days
Nowadays
In the past/future
At that time
Years ago
Before/After
About a year ago
Back in 2016

Question 5

Useful Phrases
Expressing Time

Answer 5

Then/Now
At the moment
At present
Right now
These days
Nowadays
In the past/future
At that time
Years ago
Before/After
About a year ago
Back in 2016

Question 6

Useful Phrases
Agreement

Answer 6

I quite agree that…
I strongly agree…
I totally/completely agree with
the given idea that…..
I agree with the opinion that…
I am quite inclined to the opinion
that…
I could not agree more…
I concur with the view that…
I approve the idea…..
I am in agreement…..
I consent that…..

Question 7

Useful Phrases
Disagreement

Answer 7

I disagree with the opinion that…
I strongly disagree…
I totally/completely disagree with the given idea that…
I disagree with the statement…
I quite oppose the opinion that…
I disapprove that…
My own opinion contradicts…
However, my opinion is different…
My opinion differs in that…

Question 8

Impersonal Argument

Answer 8

There are those who say that…
It is often said that…
Many commentators are of the
view that…
A common opinion is that…
A popular belief is that…
It is often said that…
One argument put forward is that…
It can be argued that…
It is generally accepted that…
Some people argue that…