2 Adjectives II Note: * = used before a noun, before or after a noun Adjectives in collocations avid: * very enthusiastic (for people) ‘an avid readeritootball fanistamp collector blatant: * very obvious, done without ‘shame or embarrassment (used to describe bad things) a blatant lieffout breathtaking: *** very beautitul, surprising or impressive breathtaking view/scenery Forachild ofhis age, his knowledge Of the subject was breathtaking. sripping: *3* very exciting; for films 1d books ff was a gripping tale of murder ‘and intrigue. harrowing: *** shocking, making you feel very upset (not used to describe people) a harrowing tiimitale Jax: *** not strict or not careful enough (for safety measures, security, morals, discipline, laws, etc) lenient: *** not strict; used to} describe people in a position to punish (parents, teachers, etc) The judge was Jenient and let him off with a fine. meteorle: *** very sudden and very | quick (generally used with the | noun rise) He was unprepared for his meteoric rise to fame. misleading: *** giving the wong idea or impression misleading information! j advertisements/comments, etc plerelng: * loud and high-pitched (tor | noises) She let out a piercing scream of terror. prolific: *** producing a large number of works (for artists, composers and writers) 1 ‘sporadic: *** happening at iegular | intervals sporadic. tighting/shots/violencef outbreaks I { i ‘stauneh: * very loyal staunch supporteritriendfally/ Democrat, etc | fousy: * = used * (i) te I and marta nol val (6 sttements and generalisations) (ji) large and affecting everyone (lar changes | and reforms) ‘Women are bad drivers’ is a sweeping generalisation that is all 100 common these days. He proposed sweeping changes 10 the country’s electoral system. watertight: Impossible to prove ‘wrong or argue against watertight arguments/court case/alio * Adjectives with similar ‘meanings dreary: *** boring and depressing a dreary dayiieltown Her apartment was dreary and ‘depressing. dull: *** boring, without ite, excitement or colour dull atternoon/peopie/colour! weather mundane: *** ordinary, boring, giving little satisfaction; often used to describe jobs He had a mundane job in a local bank. tedlous: *** boring, and often frustratn tedious joumey/task/job * extremely bad atrocio atrocious filmimess/game, etc dreadful: *** very bad Greadtul weatherimistekesiacting (informal) very bad lousy dayihotellteacherisinger * lawless: *** perfect, with no faults flawless complexionipertormance impeccable: *** perfect, faultless impeccable appearance/reputation! | taste in clothes unblemished: * sth thathas not been / ‘spoilt or harmed unblemished record/reputation! | character * rduous: *** ting and involving a lot of effort ‘noun, generally with the verb to arduous journeyitask ‘grualling: *** tiring and lasting a tong 1 time grueling schedule/daylrace aon * needing a lot of physical ‘strenuous activityitripjeffort/ objection i | i i * : *** untidy, dity and wet {lor people) The two bedraggled children trudged into the house, dlshevelled: *** untidy dishevelled clothes/hair| ‘appearance/man | ‘senuffy: *** untidy (for people/places) ‘ld and wom out (for clothes) scruffy pair of jeansitiatooy * astute: *** clever at understanding people and situations astute poltician/decision crafty: *** clever and good at using ‘deception to achieve success crafty man/plan{look | shrewd: ** clever and showing good | judgement of other people and | situations ‘shrewd businessmantinvestment! eyes wily: * clever, experienced at deceiving people and not easily deceived (for people/behaviour) wily businessman/manoeuvring * conventional: *** ordinary, normal | Conventional peoplelopinions/ ideas mainstream: *** ordinary, conventional, neither strange nor extreme mainstream belietslideas | organisations/politics | middle-of-the-road: *** ordinary, not | extreme | middle of the road ideas/beliels/ | music, ete | run-of-the-mill: * ordinary, nothing | i i I special tun-ot-the-mill computer] ‘supermarketu CG ~ | 3. Read the following review and replace the adjectives in ractice old with more sopbisticated ones from exercise 2. 1 a breathtaking a view 2 abla boing SPELLOINDING HARRY 3 aprolific ¢ documentarieson | For anentertaining of keys at Hogwart's 4 agripping animal experiments | evening, I highly School for magicians, So 5 misleading i ‘hidge, recommend the film begins Harry's education we . version of the first JK. at the school and the 6 apiercing e lie Rowling book, "Harry 3) difficult task of both 7 sporadic 1 novelist | J Power and the learning magic and 8 asweeping g reader |] Philosopher's Stone”. It fighting evil, Under ® astaunch h security Ef isthe story of an the tutelage g the 10. watertight f Renubacen | J otherwise 1) ordinary kindly but 4) clever 11 heroving | maton | ibarin nomen rofne : magical powers. Dumbledore and / 12 alenient k generalisation Orphaned as a ‘with the help 13. a meteoric I tise baby when of his two 14 anavid m alibi his parents faithful 15 lax a film were killed by an evil friends, Ron and = el wizard, Harry is brought Hermione, Harry up by his 2) bad and achieves his goal. Daniel, unpleasant relatives,the Radcliffe (as Harry) and Dursteys. Everything his co-stars give 2 Group the adjectives in tbe box into categories by | | Dursley. Evening Bs cot Be mances putting them next to the appropriate heading. an untidy stranger turns in this refreshing new i up onhis doorstep. His film in which theres. name is Hagrid and he never a 6) boring happens to be the keeper moment. ‘flawless - arduous - dreadful - dreary ~ impeccable — disbevelled - middleofsheroad - dull - tedious ~ strenuous ~ Astute ~ mainstream ~ gruelling - mundane ~ shrewd ~ wily - run-oftbesmill- lousy ~ atrocious - unblemished ~ crahy ~ serufy ~ bedraggled ~ conventional 4. Decide whether the following adjective-noun combinations are possible or not. Ifyou think that the combination is possible, tick the box that follows it. If ‘not, correct it replacing the noun with an appropriate ‘one, Then use the correct combinations in sentences. a gruelling shirt oO ‘a staunch enemy Qa a flawless performance C] a scruffy pair of jeans a crafty plan a shrewd businessman ‘strenuous exercise a tedious room an atrocious driver anastute look an arduous journey impeccable taste mainstream politics ‘a mundane job a dreary journey oo0000000000