CPE Review
Register: Informal/neutral
Use: all your colourful
vocabulary:
Phrasal verbs/idioms/impressive collocations.
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Forms and conventions:
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Planning, 6 step system:
1.
Read
task, underline content points.
2.
Divide
content points into paragraphs: Intro, décor, ambiance, service, food, recommendation.
3.
WHAT
do you want to say? Add your notes to each paragraph in simple form.
4.
HOW
are you going to say that? Brainstorm advanced grammar and vocabulary for
each note.
5.
Forms
and conventions: Title paragraph titles, fixed introduction.
6.
Write!
Remember word limit is: 280-320
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Introduction:
Personal anecdote to grab
attention. Introduce name of book/film, restaurant + location, course, TV
show etc.
Seldom do I find the time to…, however when I do take time out
of my hectic schedule, I like nothing more than…
Being a bit of a film buff/book
worm/foody, the news that … had opened a new restaurant/released a new
film/book had me itching to
try/see/read it. So last week I popped
down with a friend to check it
out.
Having never seen/read/tried… before I approached … with a sense of
trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Soon however, all my fears were
allayed.
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Book reviews:
Vocab to describe the book in general:
a page-turner / a
white-knuckle ride / a tearjerker / a laugh a minute / I couldn't put it
down.
Vocab to describe specific parts:
a slow start / a gentle
introduction /gripping climax / nail-biting conclusion / cliff-hanger ending/
a shocking twist in the tail
Setting:
The book is set in
_______(place/time)
The action takes place in
______ (place/time)
the present day (now)
an alternate reality where
vampires / wizards walk the earth
a sleepy village in the USA
the bustling city of New
York
Plot:
The plot centres around /
focuses on (the adventures / lives of _________)
The plot follows the adventures
of _________(character name)
Characters:
Villain / hero / heroine /
anti-hero / main character / protagonist
The characters are
believable / well-crafted / a bit 2 dimensional.
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Film/TV reviews:
General:
An all-star cast
heavily influenced by the
films of..
glowing reviews
startling originality
suspense builds up
a polished performance
a bold experiment
an accomplished actor
an unmitigated disaster (bad
film)
a dazzling display of
his/her talents
made a lasting impression on
me.
Brought a tear to my eye
Like watching paint dry
(boring)
I was on the edge of my seat
(exciting)
A blockbuster (big
commercial film eg Superman)
… sets off an amazing chain
of events
Gripping film (exciting)
The director/author evoked a
magical atmosphere
… awakened my interest in…
Hold my attention
Capture the audience’s
imagination.
Spectacular set-pieces (main
action scenes)
… is cast in the role of…
… is miscast in the role of…
…gives a(n) (un)convincing
performance as…
The film is let down by a
clichéd script.
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Restaurant review:
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Restaurants cont.
Make a pig of one’s self
To feast/gorge on (eat a lot
of)
To eat/drink to your heart’s
content
Devour/gobble up
Savour
Nibble
Bite
Lick
Aromas wafting from the
kitchen
Cheap –
economical/reasonably-priced
Expensive – pricey/costs an
arm and a leg
€20 a head (per person)
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Killer Lines:
Were I to sum up … in one
word, it would be…
… left a lot to be desired
(wasn’t good enough)
…more than lives up to the
hype (is as good as everyone says it is)
… is by far and away the
best … you’re likely to … this year
… really raises the bar
(sets a higher standard)
… sets the benchmark for other
(others will be judges against how good it is)
… ticks all the right boxes
… holds up well in
comparison with …
…comes off badly in
comparison with …
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Grammar check list
Have you included?
·
An
inversion (not only/no sooner/seldom)
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An
inverted conditional (Were we to…)
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A
participle clause (Being…/Having gone…)
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A
double comparative (The more we… the more)
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A
cleft sentence (What is most crucial is…)
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Idioms
·
Phrasal
verbs
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Winter Book Lists
feel-good books
https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/seven-deadly-words-of-book-reviewing/
http://olmo.pntic.mec.es/sgoa0001/book%20review%20language.pdf
https://www.cristinacabal.com/advanced/bookreview.pdf
https://www.words-to-use.com/words/books/
