Page 22 - English Vocabulary In Use upper intermediet and advance

Exercises

If you look up an informal word in a monolingual dictionary, you will often find a neutral
equivalent as part of the definition or explanation. For example, the Collins COBUILD
dictionary entry for kid says: A kid is a child; an informal use.
Use a monolingual dictionary to find neutral or more formal words for these:
1 kip 2 a pal 3 a chap 4 cheerio 5 swot 6 ta! 7 brainy

Make this conversation more informal by changing some of the words. Refer to the left-
hand page if necessary.
~IM: Annie, can you lend me five pounds?
ANNIE: What for?
JIM: Well, I have to go and visit my mother and father, and my bicycle's not working, so 1'11
have to take a taxi.
ANNIE: Can't you telephone them and say you can't come?
JIM: Well, I could, except I want to go because they always have lots of food, and the
refrigerator at our flat is empty, as usual.
ANNIE: Can't you go by Underground?
JIM: Erm.. .
ANNIE: Anyway, the answer's no.

Say whether you feel the following remarkdsentences are okay, too formal or too informal
for each situation described. If the remarklsentence is unsuitable, suggest what the person
might say instead.
1 (Teenage boy to teenage girl at disco): D'you fancy an appointment one night next week?
2 (Parent to another parent at a school parents meeting): How many offspring do you have
at the school?
3 (Dinner-guest to host/hostess): No thanks, I never consume alcoholic beverages when I'm
driving. ,
4 (Student to University Professor): Will there be lab demonstrations next week?
5 (Business letter to a newspaper office): Dear SirIMadam,
I should like to enquire about the current charges for ads in your paper. My company is
considering.. . etc.

Mini-quiz: Find words on the left-hand page for the following.
1 The opposite of stationary.
2 The opposite of to board.
3 a) to be sorry b) to buy c) to speak to
4 Informal versions of Greetings! and Farewell!

Express these notices in neutral or informal language.
1

Children are reque xpenses can only be reimbursed
deposit litter in the play-area upon production of dated receipts

(See also Units 95 and 96 for other informal and formal words and expressions.)

English Vocabulary in Use I5