Speaking: Vocabulary for Speaking C2
Mastery of Specialized & Low-Frequency Vocabulary
Listen to the dialogue example here.
Scenario: The Expert Opinion 💬
At C2, you don't just share ideas; you articulate them with precision, often borrowing "jargon" from specific fields to make your point perfectly clear. Listen to this conversation between two professionals.
The Two Types of C2 Vocabulary
Mastery isn't about using big words; it's about using the *right* word at the right time.
1. Specialized (Domain-Specific) Vocabulary
This is the precise "jargon" of a specific field (business, tech, art, science). Using it correctly shows you are an expert, or at least highly knowledgeable, in that topic.
- Monetization
- Value Proposition
- Socio-economic
- Scalability
- User Acquisition
- Latency
- Aesthetic
- Juxtaposition
- Hegemony
2. Low-Frequency (Erudite) Vocabulary
These are "educated" words that are not tied to one subject. They add color, precision, and intellectual flair. Use them sparingly, like a spice.
B2 (Good)
"The good feelings from the concert were short-lived. It had a bad effect on my sleep."
C2 (Precise)
"The euphoria from the concert was ephemeral. It had a pernicious effect on my sleep schedule."
Pronunciation Tip
🗣️ Stressing Multi-Syllable Words
The biggest challenge with advanced vocabulary is correct syllable stress. Wrong stress can make the word unrecognizable. Listen carefully to the rhythm.
ephemeral→ e-PHEM-er-alpernicious→ per-NI-ciousquixotic→ quix-O-ticsocio-economic→ so-ci-o-e-co-NO-mic
Practice Your Precision 🎯
Practice Quiz: Choose the Most Precise Word
Read the sentence, then choose the *best* C2-level word to fill the blank. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. The politician's solutions were noble but completely unrealistic and impractical. His plans were _________.
2. The viral fame of the social media post was _________; a week later, everyone had forgotten about it.
3. The spread of misinformation is having a _________, destructive effect on public trust.
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
- Low-Frequency Words that are rare in common conversation; erudite or scholarly.
- Specialized Relating to a particular subject or area of work; jargon.
- Quixotic Extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical (from Don Quixote).
- Ephemeral Lasting for a very short time; fleeting or short-lived.
- Pernicious Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
- Monetization (Business) The process of earning revenue from an asset or business.
- Socio-economic (Social Science) Relating to the interaction of social and economic factors.
- Juxtaposition (Arts) Placing two contrasting things close together for effect.
Your Mission: The Expert's Take ⭐
Your mission is to analyze a topic like an expert. Choose one of the complex topics below and prepare a 2-minute spoken argument or analysis.
Topics:
1. The future of Artificial Intelligence in education.
2. The impact of tourism on local culture in Cambodia.
3. The challenge of sustainable development in a growing economy.
Your goal is to use:
- At least two specialized terms (e.g.,
socio-economic,scalability,aesthetic). - At least two low-frequency words from this lesson (e.g.,
pernicious,ephemeral,quixotic). - Correct pronunciation and stress on all specialized words.
Example start: "From my perspective, while the ephemeral benefits of tourism are obvious, the pernicious long-term effects on cultural hegemony are... "