The commonest way a strong candidate loses marks: reaching for a bigger word than the sentence can carry.
How this drill works, and why it is built this way›
Most students are taught to replace simple words with impressive ones. That advice is what holds them at band 6.
Band 8 still allows “occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation”. Band 7 asks for “flexibility and precision”. Precision, not size.
A word can be wrong in four ways: wrong meaning, wrong partner word, wrong strength, or wrong attitude. The last two are what this drill trains.
The test to apply: can I explain why this word and not the simpler one? If not, use the simpler one. An examiner can always tell.
A simple word used exactly scores higher than a rare word used loosely. Every time.
Worked example
After six quarters of falling sales, the company withdrew the product. The launch is now seen as a ______ .
A misjudgement · B catastrophe · C setback · D disappointment
Answer: A misjudgement
Setback and disappointment are too weak for a product taken off sale. Catastrophe is far too strong for one product. Misjudgement is the right size, and it also points at a decision badly made. The point: match the size of the word to the size of the event.
Moderate · CEFR B1around band 5 – 5.5change level:
The drill moves you up or down on its own. Two good sets and it gets harder; two hard ones and it steps back.
The band range is what this level practises for — it is a guide, not a score. Only your first answer to each item counts towards the level decision.
Your answers and explanations open after the set is complete, the attempt is saved and your email is verified.
