BBC Learning English
How to &
Make positive and
negative comments - Quiz
1: I really like the design & it s what we are looking for.
a: but actually I m sure
b: but actually I m not sure
c: but on the other hand
2: The design is a little confusing. & , you are featuring a lot of information there.
a: Then again
b: Now again
c: Again
3: It s lovely, & it is expensive.
a: but on the one hand
b: but on the other hand
b: but on another hand
4: The colours are very& , but the overall layout is perhaps & .
a: strong / a weak point
b: weak / a little strong
c: strong / quite strong
5: On the & side, this is a little confusing.
a: positive
b: rubbish
c: negative
6: & a first project, it s very impressive!
a: In spite of
b: Despite
c: For
How to & © BBC Learning English 2008
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ANSWERS
1: I really like the design & it s what we are looking for.
a: but actually I m sure
Wrong  Since the beginning and end of the sentence are both complimentary,  but actually
is confusing.
b: but actually I m not sure
Correct  this negative thought balances the initial compliment.
c: but on the other hand
Wrong  Since the beginning and end of the sentence are both complimentary,  on the other
hand is confusing.
2: The design is a little confusing. & , you are featuring a lot of information there.
a: Then again
Correct   Then again signals a shift from negative to positive.
b: Now again
Wrong  We do not say  now again in this context.
c: Again
Wrong  You can say  Again if you wish to repeat a point, but not to signal a shift from
positive to negative.
3: It s lovely, & it is expensive.
a: but on the one hand
Wrong  you can say this at the start of the sentence ( On the one hand it is lovely& ) but not
here.
b: but on the other hand
Correct  this is a common way of evaluating something.
b: but on another hand
Wrong  this isn t a phrase in English.
4: The colours are very& , but the overall layout is perhaps & .
a: strong / a weak point
Correct  the criticism is made politely, using  perhaps .
b: weak / a little strong
Wrong  the criticism would normally be made more cautiously than the compliment  and
we would say  quite strong not  a little strong .
c: strong / quite strong
Wrong   but indicates that the speaker is balancing a positive and negative comment here.
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5: On the & side, this is a little confusing.
a: positive
Wrong  being confusing can t be a positive characteristic!
b: rubbish
Wrong  The word  rubbish is far too rude.
c: negative
Correct  this is a polite way to express a criticism.
6: & a first project, it s very impressive!
a: In spite of
Wrong  You need a gerund after this, e.g.:  In spite of (it) being&  .
b: Despite
Wrong  You need a gerund after this, e.g.:  Despite (it) being&  .
c: For
Correct  this is a standard way to put praise in context.
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