Speaking: Vocabulary for Speaking C1
Using Low-Frequency Vocabulary Appropriately
Listen to the examples in this lesson.
Precision, Not Pretense
At the C1 level, the goal of using advanced vocabulary is not to "sound smart"—it's to be precise. A low-frequency word can replace an entire phrase, making your speech more efficient and impactful. Compare these two examples:
GOOD (B2 Level)
"The new policy was very bad for the economy. It just made all the existing problems even worse."
PRECISE (C1 Level)
"The new policy was detrimental to the economy. It simply exacerbated all the pre-existing problems."
The C1 example uses detrimental (harmful) and exacerbated (made worse) to convey the same meaning with more precision and power.
Your C1 Toolkit: Upgrading Common Words 🛠️ (Click 🔊)
Here are some common low-frequency words, grouped by the simple idea they replace.
To add intensity without using "very".
- profoundly (e.g., profoundly moving)
- exceptionally (e.g., exceptionally talented)
- inherently (e.g., inherently risky)
To be more specific about the quality.
- exemplary (good example)
- beneficial (good for something)
- detrimental (bad for something)
To describe common concepts precisely.
- ubiquitous (everywhere)
- ephemeral (lasting a short time)
- clandestine (secret)
The 3 Rules of Appropriateness
Using a "big word" at the wrong time sounds unnatural or pretentious. Follow these three rules.
Rule 1: Know Your Audience (Register)
Register is the formality of your speech. Don't use a highly formal word in a very informal situation.
❌ Bad (Pretentious): "My goodness, this street food is exemplary!"
✅ Good (Natural): "Wow, this street food is incredible!"
Save words like exemplary or detrimental for a business meeting, a presentation, or an academic discussion.
Rule 2: Know Your "Word Friends" (Collocation)
Collocation refers to words that naturally go together. You can't just swap "very good" for "profoundly."
❌ Wrong Collocation: "He runs profoundly fast."
✅ Correct Collocation: "He runs exceptionally fast." OR "That book was profoundly moving."
When you learn a new C1 word, always learn its "word friends" (the verbs, nouns, or adverbs that go with it).
Rule 3: Use Sparingly (Like Salt)
Using one or two well-placed C1 words makes you sound precise. Using ten in one sentence makes you sound like a textbook.
❌ Bad (Too much): "It is indisputable that the ubiquitous nature of social media has pernicious effects on the ephemeral attention spans of today's youth."
✅ Good (Balanced): "It's clear that the ubiquitous nature of social media can be detrimental to attention spans."
Practice Your Precision 🎯
Practice Quiz: Choose the Most Appropriate Word
Read the situation, then choose the *best* and *most natural* word for the blank. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. His angry comments only _________ the argument; they didn't help solve it.
2. (In a casual chat with a friend)
Friend: "Do you want a coffee?"
You: "No thanks, ________."
3. Her performance in the final exam was _________; she got the highest score in the class.
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
- Low-Frequency Vocabulary Words that are not common in everyday speech (e.g., "exacerbate").
- Appropriate Suitable or proper for the situation.
- Precise Exact, accurate, and careful about details.
- Pretentious Trying to seem more important or intelligent than you are.
- Collocation Words that are often used together (e.g., "fast food," not "quick food").
- Register The level of formality in language (e.g., formal vs. informal).
- Nuance A very small difference in meaning, feeling, or sound.
Your Mission: The Word Analyst Challenge ⭐
Your mission is to find low-frequency words used *well* in the real world.
- Find an article, podcast, or video (e.g., a TED Talk) on a topic you enjoy.
- Listen or read until you find one or two "big" words that you think are used effectively.
- Prepare a 1-minute speech to answer these questions:
- What was the word?
- What was the context? (What was the speaker talking about?)
- Why was this word more effective than a simpler word? (How did it add precision or impact?)
Example: "I was listening to a podcast on climate change, and the speaker said the current policies are 'inadequate'. This was better than saying they are 'not good' because 'inadequate' precisely means 'not enough to meet the specific need,' which was his exact point."