Shadowing Practice: 100 Advanced Words (C1&C2) to get your C1 Certificate - Learn English Speaking with Video
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If you're preparing for the C1 advanced exam, you probably feel like you're using the same words again and again.
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And maybe that your range of vocabulary needs a bit of a boost.
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Now, it's true that if you use advanced vocabulary, you will sound more academic.
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But don't forget that using difficult words all the time when speaking and writing will make you sound a little bit unnatural.
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However, if you are taking an advanced exam, you also need to demonstrate that you have a good range of vocabulary.
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You need to show that you can speak and write at a C1 level.
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So today we're going to have a look at 100, maybe a little bit more, everyday words and their C1 slash C2 synonyms.
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Words that will instantly upgrade your writing and speaking without using the same safe words that I know you're always using.
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Let's dive right in.
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If you haven't grabbed a notebook, dreamin'.
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Let's look at the everyday verb accept.
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Instead of saying accept or realize, you could say acknowledge.
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For example, the government failed to acknowledge the long-term effects of pollution on public health.
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Sometimes my girlfriend doesn't acknowledge all of the little things I do every day.
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I don't always acknowledge the little things my girlfriend does for me every day.
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Instead of saying add, you could say incorporate.
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For example, this year I incorporated loads of games into my classes.
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Sounds fancy, right?
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Instead of saying agree, you could say concur.
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For example, many researchers concur that a balanced diet reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
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Instead of allow, why not say permit?
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For example, some companies now permit employees to work remotely three days a week.
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Instead of answer, respond.
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People don't always respond directly to the question in their speaking exam.
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A fancy synonym of ask is inquire.
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For example, every day I receive messages from people inquiring about my English classes.
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A synonym of begin is commence.
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For example, the recording of this YouTube video commenced at quarter past 12.
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Instead of believe, you could say presume.
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For example, one might presume that everybody has access to the internet, but that's far from true in many rural areas.
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If we're talking about body parts, instead of break, you might say fracture.
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For example, he fractured his ankle during a cycling trip around Europe.
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A synonym of bring is deliver.
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So Uber Eats, for example, aims to deliver food within 30 minutes.
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Although that never really happens.
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A synonym of build is to construct.
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For example, last year, the city council approved plans to construct a new eco-friendly housing complex.
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Oh, this is a fun one.
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Instead of buy, you could say purchase.
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For example, now, although I'm trying to cut down, I purchase approximately 12 flat whites during the course of a week.
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Instead of cancel, you could say terminate.
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For example, it's probably time I terminated my Netflix subscription
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because I am sucked in and I'm binge watching more than I'd like to admit.
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Instead of change, you could say modify.
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As a teacher, I often have to modify the lesson plan based on how many students come
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or how they're feeling that day.
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A synonym of choose is select.
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For example, when students sign up to my general English classes, they select the time that best suits them.
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A synonym of come is arrive.
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Again, my students arrive between two minutes early and seven minutes late for our online Zoom classes.
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Instead of complain, you could say protest.
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For example, citizens gathered in the city centre to protest against the government's inaction on climate change.
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A synonym of complete is finalise.
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At the company, the team gathered together to finalise the plan.
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This is a good one, especially for the topic of health or the environment, for example.
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Instead of cut or cut down, you could say reduce.
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In your essay, you might say something like we must reduce plastic usage if we want to protect marine life.
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Instead of the informal phrasal verb deal with, you might say to address or to tackle.
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Let's say you're writing a C1 proposal.
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You might say the proposal outlines steps to tackle, to deal with, to face youth unemployment.
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Instead of decide, you might say determine.
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Let's say you're writing an essay on health or technology.
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You might say further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of screen life on children's health.
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Instead of demand, you might say require.
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On the topic of work, you could say the job requires strong interpersonal and time management skills.
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Oh, this is a violent one.
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Instead of destroy, you could say demolish, especially when it comes to buildings or structures.
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You might say the city decided to demolish the unsafe building and create a public park instead.
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A synonym of do in some context is to execute, especially when it comes to doing a job well.
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So you might say the project was executed perfectly, flawlessly.
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If my students are writing an essay and it's beautiful, I might say you executed this essay wonderfully.
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Instead of to drop or to stop, for example, you could use the verb to abandon, not necessarily in the context of you abandoned your child.
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But let's say you're talking about safety or travel in the speaking exam.
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You might say due to safety concerns, I was forced to abandon the hike, abandon the trail.
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A synonym of eat is to consume.
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For example, people today consume far more processed foods than they did in the past.
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It's only midday and I've consumed three coffees already.
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Instead of end, you could say conclude.
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In a report on the topic of work, you might say the report concludes that remote work has improved employee satisfaction.
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Or in a class, I might say we are going to conclude this topic by doing a...
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I know this is a lot of vocabulary, but stay with me.
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You can do it.
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Instead of explain, you could say clarify.
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Imagine you don't understand what somebody says.
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You might ask them, could you clarify what you mean by that?
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Could you explain it in more detail or in other words?
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Now, instead of expect, you could say anticipate.
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For example, I'm anticipating a rise in my water bills this year.
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Instead of fail, you could use to fall short, especially when you don't quite have enough of something.
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Let's say you have high expectations of somebody or of somebody's work and they just don't do a really good job.
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They failed to meet your expectations.
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I might say, for example, this essay fell short of my expectations or it fell short of a C1 mark.
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Instead of fall, you could say plummet.
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This is a good extreme adjective.
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This is a really good intense verb.
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For example, house prices plummeted after the economic crisis.
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After I have a big meal, my energy levels plummet.
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They fall drastically.
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A synonym of find is to discover.
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Researchers have discovered a possible cure for the disease.
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Recently, I discovered that if I wake up at 6am, I can accomplish so much more during the day.
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Let's see how long this lasts.
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Instead of fix, you might say to repair or to rectify.
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A couple of months ago, my internet stopped working and I called the technician to rectify the problem.
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A synonym of follow is to adhere to, adhere to.
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All workers, all members of staff must adhere to the new health and safety rules.
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Instead of force, you might say compel, especially when it comes to social issues.
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So you might say the shocking video compelled people to demand change, demand reform.
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Instead of forget, you could say overlook, which also sometimes means like to ignore, to not pay attention to.
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So as somebody who works from home, I shouldn't overlook the impact that this is going to have on my mental health
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or that it is having on my mental health.
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I'm going crazy.
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Instead of get, you might say obtain or acquire.
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For example, he acquired fluency in English after living there for years.
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I managed to acquire fluency in Spanish after living here for seven years.
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A synonym of give is to provide or to grant.
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The charity provides shelter and meals to homeless families.
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I always provide my students with the opportunity to ask any questions they might have about English in our classes.
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Instead of grow, you could say to expand.
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The company plans to expand its services to international markets.
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A synonym of guess is to estimate.
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Experts estimate that global temperatures will rise by 3% in the next 10 years.
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Again, I don't know if that's true, I just made it up.
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A synonym of happen is occur.
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Power cuts frequently occur in rural areas during the winter.
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Something strange occurred in one of my classes last week.
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Instead of harm, you could say damage or undermine.
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Let's say you're writing about media in an article or in a report.
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You might say spreading misinformation can seriously undermine public trust in health institutions.
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A synonym of hate is to despise or detest.
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Some people detest the idea or despise the idea of working from home due to lack of social contact.
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Instead of help, you might say assist.
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Volunteers assist the elderly with their daily tasks.
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Instead of hide, you could say conceal.
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Like when people put makeup on their face, we call that concealer because you're really hiding your natural skin.
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When I used to have really bad social anxiety, I would try to conceal it when I met new people.
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Instead of hold, you You might say retain.
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It's important to retain really good employees so that the company runs effectively.
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This year, I managed to retain most of my students.
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And as a result, we had a really nice community at the end of the year.
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A synonym of hope is aspire.
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Many students aspire to live abroad or to travel abroad to broaden their horizons.
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Instead of hurt, you might say injure.
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Several players were injured during the football match.
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If you need to pause this video and take a break, don't close YouTube, press pause, go and grab a coffee.
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I know coffee is life, at least for me, but your English will thank you if you watch just a little bit further.
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Instead of improve, you might say enhance.
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For example, I introduce games and dynamic activities in class to enhance the student experience.
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A synonym of increase is to boost or amplify.
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So more flexible working conditionals could boost productivity and boost employee happiness in the workplace.
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A synonym of inform is to notify.
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Once my teacher at school in secondary school notified my mother of my inappropriate footwear
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because I wore black converse to school once.
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A synonym of keep is to maintain or preserve.
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We must preserve local traditions but also embrace globalization at the same time.
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A synonym of to know is to comprehend.
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Often at school students struggle to comprehend advanced mathematical equations.
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A synonym of LEAF is to depart.
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The train will depart at 6.30am sharp.
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My girlfriend and I depart for the gym at 7.30am.
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A synonym of LET is to allow or to enable.
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Working from home enables people to have more flexible days.
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A synonym of like is to appreciate or to admire.
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I really admire people's abilities to stay calm under pressure, for example.
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Or I admire my students' motivation in class.
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Now a synonym of to limit is to restrict.
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Let's say you're writing an essay on technology or governments.
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You might say lots of countries restrict access to lots of websites.
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For example, China restricts access to TikTok.
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Actually, I'm not sure if they restrict it or they just banned it completely.
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Instead of live, you might say reside.
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She currently resides in a quiet coastal town.
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Are you writing this down?
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I hope you're writing this down.
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Instead of look at, you might say to observe or to examine.
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Scientists observed unusual weather conditions in the area.
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This is a good one, especially for those of you who can never find their keys.
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Instead of saying lose, you might say to misplace.
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For example, my girlfriend misplaces her car keys every other day.
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A synonym of make in some contexts is to create or to generate.
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Some people watch YouTube videos to help generate their interest in English.
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A synonym of the verb to mean is to signify or to indicate.
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A red light usually signifies or usually indicates a problem or a warning.
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Instead of saying move, you might say to relocate.
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The company has plans to relocate its headquarters to a larger city.
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Instead of saying need, you might say to require or to be in need of.
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The hospital is in need or is in urgent need of medical supplies.
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The hospital urgently requires medical supplies.
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Instead of saying notice, you might say to detect or to perceive.
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Doctors can now detect early signs of heart conditions using AI.
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Instead of saying pay, you might say to remunerate.
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Freelancers, for example, are usually remunerated based on the number of hours they work.
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A synonym of plan is to strategize or to devise.
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Every month I devise a YouTube video plan.
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Instead of to play or to participate, you might say to engage in.
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Children should engage in play or they should engage in physical activity every day.
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It's actually more of a synonym of to participate than to play.
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A synonym of postpone is to delay or to defer.
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The event was deferred due to poor weather conditions.
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Instead of saying put, you might say to place or to position.
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I positioned the webcam at eye level today.
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I place my bottle of water at the end of my desk.
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Instead of to reach, you might say to attain.
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She attained fluency.
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I feel like I said this one already today.
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She attained fluency in French after two years of learning the language.
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She attained fluency in French after two years of studying for five hours every day.
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Now a really good synonym of to reduce is to minimize or to lessen.
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For example, taking regular breaks can minimize tiredness or can minimize screen fatigues.
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Instead of refuse, you might say to decline or to reject.
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I have declined multiple collaborations because companies want me to promote their products without paying me anything.
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I've declined, I've rejected them.
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Instead of saying remember, you could say recall.
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For example, I don't recall seeing your email in my inbox.
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I don't recall having that conversation with you.
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I'm losing my mind.
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Guys, we're nearly at the end, I promise.
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Instead of reply, you might say respond.
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He responded confidently during the interview.
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A synonym of run is to operate.
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This machine is designed to operate at low temperatures.
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My car operates on petrol.
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A synonym of to say is to state or to declare.
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So especially if we're talking about politics, for example, or society, you might say the government declared a national day of mourning.
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A synonym of to see is to witness or to observe.
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After the pandemic, we witness a dramatic change in people's working styles.
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A synonym of to seem is to appear.
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He appeared confident, he seemed confident, although he was nervous inside.
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Instead of sell, especially when talking about business or technology, you might say to distribute or to market.
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Apple distributes, they market a new iPhone every year.
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Instead of send, you might say to dispatch or to forward.
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The documents will be dispatched to your email within the next 24 hours.
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The new blender I ordered on Amazon was dispatched two days after I bought it, but still hasn't arrived.
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A synonym of to show is to demonstrate.
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This graph demonstrates a significant rise in greenhouse gases.
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My Excel sheet demonstrates that English with Izzy has grown in the last few years.
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Instead of sit, you might use the passive voice to be seated.
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Please be seated before the performance begins.
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Please be seated before the class begins.
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Instead of solve, you might say to resolve.
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Not resolve, but resolve.
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The psychologists help the couple resolve their problems.
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A synonym of to speak is to communicate or to converse.
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Converse.
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Not converse like the shoes, but to converse.
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It's important to communicate clearly or to converse with your classmates.
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Instead of start, you might say to initiate or to launch.
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The university plans to launch a new course.
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The university plans to launch a new English course on Saturdays.
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A synonym of to stop is to seize or to halt.
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The construction was halted or it was seized due to environmental concerns.
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Instead of saying suggest, you might say I propose or I recommend.
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Doctors recommend regular exercise to prevent chronic diseases.
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Instead of take, you might say to acquire or to grasp.
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Children generally grasp languages or they grasp concepts really quickly.
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They understand them well.
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Instead of to talk about, you might say to discuss or to address.
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I don't know.
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Let's say you're writing a report, for example.
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You might say, this report addresses, you can copy that phrase, this report addresses the causes of income inequality.
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A synonym of to tell is to inform or to notify.
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I notify all my students of any updates or any changes in our telegram group.
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Instead of think, you might say to consider or to reflect on.
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As a language student, you should reflect on your weaknesses or consider your weaknesses, especially when you're deciding what you should be learning at home.
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Oh, a synonym of try is to attempt or to endeavor.
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I have a B2 student who's endeavoring to pass a C2 exam within two years.
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She's attempting to do it.
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A synonym of use is to utilize.
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Students, I encourage my students to utilize all of the resources they can get their hands on.
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Instead of understand, you might say comprehend or grasp.
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Sometimes it takes my students a little bit of time to really comprehend or really grasp those advanced grammar structures,
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but once they do, they use them like a pro.
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Now, instead of saying to wait or to stay around a little bit longer, you might use the verb to linger.
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For example, I've washed my gym clothes three or four times as well, but there's a lingering smell.
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The smell lingers.
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Lots of guests will linger after a concert to see if they can take a photo with the singer.
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A synonym of to walk is to stroll or to wander, especially when you're just casually walking.
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For example, I stroll through the village every day after lunch.
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I love to wander to wander around without much of a plan when I go on holiday.
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Guys, there are just four more left.
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Four.
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A synonym of want is to desire or to long for.
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Because I don't live in England anymore, Sometimes I just long for a Sunday roast.
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Yesterday I longed for, I desired apple crumble with custard.
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I was too lazy to make it.
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Instead of saying win, you might say to triumph or to succeed.
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After years of training, she triumphed in her exam.
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Or after four months of practicing, she triumphed in the marathon.
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A synonym of to work is to function or operate.
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For example, For example, I bought a camera about four years ago and it stopped functioning completely.
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And last but not least, a synonym of to write is to compose.
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Maybe even to draft.
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Last week, my students composed the most beautiful essays.
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Now guys, don't forget, your goal isn't to sound fancy, it's to communicate naturally and effectively, especially at a high level.
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Now, I do encourage you to use these words where they fit
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but don't just throw them in randomly and hope
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that the level of your writing is going to magically increase
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because it actually does the opposite in the end we made it to the end guys
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if this video helps you please hit that subscribe button
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and i'd love to know what your favorite new word was from the video today
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so i challenge you to write a comment below practicing at least one new word
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and if you guys i know we did a lot of words today
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so i'm going to link the pdf down below
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so you can download it pop it on your fridge
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so every time you pick a grape from the bunch of
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grapes you can revise those new words anyway guys don't forget to subscribe for more tips every week
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and remember you've got this
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This C2 speaking lesson is built on the video “100 Advanced Words (C1&C2) to get your C1 Certificate”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: instead, synonym, example, student. This video has 307 sentences and 3473 words to shadow. The speech runs for 22:27. The speaker talks at a natural 155 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. Only 79% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| synonym noun | /ˈsɪn.əˌnɪm/ | A term (word or phrase) which is synonymous with others. |
| converse verb | /kənˈvɝs/ | To talk; to engage in conversation. |
| verb noun | /vɝb/ | A word that indicates an action, event, or state of being. |
| fluency noun | /ˈfluːənsi/ | The quality of smoothness of flow. |
| grasp verb | /ɡɹæsp/ | To grip; to take hold, particularly with the hand. |
| comprehend verb | /ˌkɑmpɹɪˈhɛnd/ | To understand or grasp fully and thoroughly; to plumb. |
| vocabulary noun | /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/ | A usually alphabetized and explained collection of words e.g. of a particular field, or prepared for a specific purpose, often for learning. |
| abandon verb | /əˈbæn.dən/ | To give up or relinquish control of, to surrender or to give oneself over, or to yield to one's emotions. |
| adhere verb | /ædˈhɪə/ | To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united. |
| attain verb | /əˈteɪn/ | To come to or reach (a place) by motion or progression. |
| wander verb | /ˈwɑndɚ/ | To move without purpose or specified destination; often in search of livelihood. |
| depart verb | /dɪˈpɑɹt/ | To leave. |
| notify verb | /ˈnoʊtɪfaɪ/ | To give (someone) notice (of some event). |
| restrict verb | /ɹɪˈstɹɪkt/ | To restrain within boundaries; to limit; to confine |
| minimize verb | /ˈmɪn.ɪˌmaɪz/ | To make (something) smaller or as small as possible; shrink; reduce. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| cut down verb | To cut downward. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- If you haven't grabbed a notebook, dreamin'.
- Let's look at the everyday verb accept.
- It's only midday and I've consumed three coffees already.
- Imagine you don't understand what somebody says.
- Are you writing this down?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is needed · was executed · was forced |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | haven't grabbed · I've consumed · has improved |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 52 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, you're, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: expectation /ˌɛk.spɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/, demolish /dɪˈmɒl.ɪʃ/, accomplish /əˈkɑm.plɪʃ/, subscription /səbˈskɹɪpʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: vocabulary /vəˈkæb.jə.lə.ɹi/, expectation /ˌɛk.spɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/, incorporate /ɪŋˈkɔɹ.pɚ.eɪt/, mathematical /ˌmæθ(.ə)ˈmæt.ɪ.kəl/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like synonym, converse, verb.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.