Using Softening and Emphasizing Techniques in Describing People
Introduction:
In the IELTS Speaking Module, students may be asked to describe people, and it's important to use appropriate adjectives with the right level of emphasis. Negative adjectives can be softened by adding "a bit", while positive adjectives can be emphasized by adding "very". Here are some exercises to help students prepare for this type of question.
Possible exercises:
- Describe a member of your family:
- My aunt is a bit stubborn at times, but she's also very caring and always makes sure everyone is taken care of.
- Describe a neighbour:
- Our next-door neighbour can be a bit noisy sometimes, but they're very friendly and always say hello when we see them.
- Describe a friend:
- My best friend is a bit disorganized, but they're also very creative and always come up with fun ideas for things to do.
- Describe a celebrity you don't like:
- I find that celebrity to be a bit arrogant and self-centered, but I do have to admit that they're very talented in their field.