CCF20110401003

Gradable and ungradable adjectives

1 a Complete the table below with pairs of adjectives from the list which are related in meaning. amazed angry bad delighted disastrous fascinating huge hungry identical interesting irate large minutę pleased priceless rare rarenous similar smali surpr-ised unique valaable

	Gradable H- very)	Ungradable (+ absolutely)
0	SurpriS&d	arnaŁ&d
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

b Complete these sentences with an appropriate adverb from the list. Th en write^!+’ if it makes the adjective stronger, and if it makes it weaker. Use each word once only. In some sentences, morę than one adverb is possibłe. slightly ąiiite fairly utterly completely absolutely a bit rather

2    Use the following adverbs to change the register of the sentences below as indicated in brackets.

a bit dead somewhat incredibly rather most

1    The article on climate change was very......................

informative. (formal)

2    I thought the lecture on greenhouse gases would be

very-......................boring, but it turned out to be ąuite

interesting. (informal)

3    The results of the initial tests were slightly......................

surprising. (formal)

4    Tm slightly......................worried about whats in this

food. (informal)

5    I found the first exam very......................difficult.

(informal)

6    You look sligfttiv......................confused. Can I help

you? (polite)

3    a One of the adjectives on the right does not

collocate with the adverb on the left. Cross it out.

1    bitterly cold / disappointed-/ opposed / sensitive

2    deeply ashamed / critical / hurt (emotionaliy) /

mocing

3    heavily dependent / armed / criticised / usele s

4    highly controversial / respected / unacceprabłe-/

valued

5    painfulły slow/ awarc useiess / shy

6    perfectly educatedl/satisfactory / genuine /

undfirstamiabie

7    totally disturbed / harmiess / inccmpetent /

aacceptable

8    utterly alone / appailed / healthy / miserabie

5    The two pictures are......................identical.

6    She looked puzzled and ....................angry.

1    I was......................surprised to see my name on the

shortlist of candidates.

2    A......................large crowd had turned out to

weicome the team home.

3    The wildlife of this region is......................uniąue —

these creatures are found nowhere eise.

4    If the project lost its funding now, it would be ......................disastrous for ail the peopie involved.

7    I was......................amazed to discover that he had

served in the army.

8    Shall we have some lunch? Tm starting to feel ......................hungry.

b Write down which of the aćrerbs in Exercise 3a could be used with the words you crossed out.

1    . tdshh. jidupiiiY?...................

2    ................................ -

3    .....................................................

4    ................................... 6 8

c Complete the sentences with an appropriate

adverb/'adjective collocation from Exercise 3a or b.

Use each collocation once only.

1    The convoy was attacked by a smali group of ............................soldi-Łri

2    Your concerns are.............................. y-rerer, tner

is little that the company can do.

3    The independent report was...... ....................^u’‘

government s policy towards road ouilding.

4    Ali Western economies are..............................on on.

5    I should take a warm coat with you as theres a ..............................wind biowing today.

6    The deliberate połluting of the sea is

..............................and ship owners will be prosecuted

in all cases.-

7    The government is..............................of the need to

change policies, but is concerned about the cost.

8    It is a beautifui and..............................film.

9    The author of the report is a..............................

university lecturer and leader in his field.

10 Peopie were confident that the minister would make great changes. but he turned out to be