More interesting vocabulary
There is a tendency, particularly in the Task Two, for candidates to overuse the words 'good' and 'bad' when there is much better and more precise vocabulary.
Below is a list of words which you can use in many essays - it is also likely that you will use them in the third part of the Speaking Test. There is a worksheet here for better vocabulary for the Speaking Test.
To describe quality
GOOD: excellent, superior, first-rate
BAD: second-rate, low-grade, inferior
Example: "Hand-made products tend to be superior to mass-produced ones.
To describe ability
GOOD: skilled, competent, professional, proficient
BAD: incompetent, inefficient, ineffective
Example: "The first step to having an excellent education system is to have competent teachers.
To describe actions
GOOD: praiseworthy, admirable, commendable
BAD: shocking, disgraceful, shameful
Example: "The lack of investment made by the government in public transport is disgraceful.
To describe consequences
GOOD: positive, valuable, beneficial, helpful
BAD: damaging, negative, detrimental
Example: "Allowing children to watch too much TV is damaging as they do not learn to use their own imagination.
TASK
You can use this as a speaking or writing exercise. Talk about or write a paragraph on the following:
*I have used 'good' and 'bad' in the questions so that you can replace them with the better vocabulary!
- Two things that your council/government has done recently which had bad consequences.
- Two things that your council/government has done recently which had good consequences.
- Two stories that you have read recently where a person's actions were bad.
- Two stories that you have read recently where a person's actions were good.
- The products/services of your state/country which are good quality.
- The products/services of your state/country which are bad quality.
- The systems/processes/staff at your company that work well.
- The systems/processes/staff at your company that work badly.