Exaggeration!
People often exaggerate by using extreme or intensifying adjectives when they want their speech to be strong and energetic. Listen to these people talking. Repeat what they say.
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Notice that here we have weak adjectives and strong adjectives.
| weak adjectives | strong adjectives |
|
fine good |
fabulous |
The word fabulous means "very good." Can you think of any other strong adjectives that mean "very good"?
How do you know?
Q: How do you know which adjectives are strong?
Which are strong adjectives?
Look at these adjectives. Do you know what they mean? Are they strong adjectives or weak adjectives? Check (?) the one(s) that are strong adjectives. (If you're not sure, look at the dictionary entries below.)
gorgeous
disgusting
messy
awful
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 |
 |
 |
Which is not strong?
Match these weak adjectives with the strong adjective that has a similar but stronger meaning.
Talk about it
Can you remember the strong adjectives for good that you learned about in the last lesson? Try to name all of them.
Strong adjectives for good:
Which of the strong adjectives for good do you think is the most common?
Can you remember the strong adjectives for bad that you learned about in the last lesson? Try to name all of them.
Strong adjectives for bad:
Which of the strong adjectives for bad do you think is the most common?
English challenge: Listen to how Americans exaggerate in everyday speech this week. Write down exaggerations that you hear. Talk about them in the next class.