FCE reviews open cloze and brainstorming

Also good for Use of English Part Two open cloze 

Put ONE WORD into each of the gaps below.

1. It’s ______________________________ action-packed murder mystery/ whodunit.
2. If I were you, I’d rush out ____________________ buy a ticket now while you still can!
3. I had been to the same restaurant three years _____________________________, when the waiting staff were much more professional, efficient and polite.
4. The décor isn’t very attractive, _______________ the appearance is generally okay.
5. _____________________________ not miss this exciting, dramatic and fun film!
6. ________________________________ to its sophisticated script and unforgettable performances, this series is far better than the usual Brazilian soap opera.
7. I couldn’t get ______________________________ of the impeccably tasty and thoroughly satisfying starters.
8. I highly/ thoroughly recommend this play _________________________ people who enjoy historical dramas/ costume dramas.
9. It’s excellent value ______________________________________________ money.
10. This clichéd and predictable film is only suitable ____________ hardcore sci-fi fans.
11. Its gripping and haunting score really makes it stand out ___ the crowd of cop movies.
12. _______ you like rom coms, you’ll love the new one from the director of The Hangover.
13. I’m not sure _____________ I’d describe it as unique, but it is certainly quite original.
14. As a comedy actress, I really believe Julia Roberts is one ______________ a million.
15. I liked the French original, but I couldn’t really get __________ this Hollywood remake.
16. It’s said to be a classic comedy, but I didn’t find ______________________ very funny.
17. _____________________ main criticism of this film is how over the top the acting is.
18. A strong point __________________________ this kind of evening entertainment is…
19. I loved the original, but I wasn’t too keen _________________________ this sequel.
20. It’s ______________ of the most distinctive books that I’ve read in the last few years.
21. You ___________________ not miss Cirque du Soleil while it is playing here in Tokyo.
22. It’s ___________________________ most addictive programme I’ve ever watched.
23. This award-winning film is ______________________ latest work from Woody Allen.
24. I’d be in no hurry _______________________ eat this overpriced and dull food again.
25. _____________________________________________________ you really like cheesy American sitcoms, don’t bother turning on this notoriously irritating comedy.
26. It ______________________________ directed by the famous director Ridley Scott.
27. ___________________________________________ the heroine was helping the children escape, the bad guy set up a bomb at the top of the Empire State Building.
28. The lead actor, ________________________________________________ also starred in last year’s “The Lovely Bones”, gives a realistic and uplifting performance.
29. I’m not sure _________________________________________________________ idea the delightful use of bird cages was, but I was enchanted by them.
30. You _______________________________________________________ not regret paying ten pounds to see this intriguing, memorable and moving dance performance.
31. Don’t bother _____________________________ the bland and forgettable cocktails.
32. It was ____________________ a doubt one of the most fantastic dishes I’ve ever had.
33. I ______ recommend it for someone who likes a cosmopolitan menu and atmosphere.
34. I haven’t been able to forget the depressing and monotonous soundtrack __________.

————————————————

Suggested answers

1. It’s __an___ action-packed murder mystery/ whodunit.
2. If I were you, I’d rush out ______and/ to_______ buy a ticket now while you still can!
3. I had been to the same restaurant three years _________before/ earlier__________, when the waiting staff were much more professional, efficient and polite.
4. The décor isn’t very attractive, ______but_______ the appearance is generally okay.
5. ___________ Do_______________ not miss this exciting, dramatic and fun film!
6. ______________Due/ Owing___________ to its sophisticated script and unforgettable performances, this series is far better than the usual Brazilian soap opera.
7. I couldn’t get __enough____ of the impeccably tasty and thoroughly satisfying starters.
8. I highly/ thoroughly recommend this play ____________for__________ people who enjoy historical dramas/ costume dramas.
9. It’s excellent value __for____ money.
10. This clichéd and predictable film is only suitable ____for_______ hardcore sci-fi fans
11. Its gripping and haunting score really makes it stand out _from_ the crowd of cop movies.
12. _If____ you like rom coms, you’ll love the new one from the director of The Hangover.
13. I’m not sure _if/ whether___ I’d describe it as unique, but it is certainly quite original.
14. As a comedy actress, I really believe Julia Roberts is one ______in______ a million.
15. I liked the French original, but I couldn’t really get ___into____ this Hollywood remake.
16. It’s said to be a classic comedy, but I didn’t find _______it_______ very funny.
17. _____________My_____ main criticism of this film is how over the top the acting is.
18. A strong point _______of_______ this kind of evening entertainment is…
19. I loved the original, but I wasn’t too keen ______on_______ this sequel.
20. It’s _____one_____ of the most distinctive books that I’ve read in the last few years.
21. You _should/ must_______ not miss Cirque du Soleil while it is playing here in Tokyo.
22. It’s ____the____ most addictive programme I’ve ever watched.
23. This award-winning film is _________the_________ latest work from Woody Allen.
24. 24.  I’d be in no hurry ______to______________ eat this overpriced and dull food again.
25. ______Unless_____________ you really like cheesy American sitcoms, don’t bother turning on this notoriously irritating comedy.
26. It __was__ directed by the famous director Ridley Scott.
27. ______________While_________ the heroine was helping the children escape, the bad guy set up a bomb at the top of the Empire State Building.
28. The lead actor, _____________who__________ also starred in last year’s “The Lovely Bones”, gives a realistic and uplifting performance.
29. I’m not sure ____________whose___________ idea the delightful use of bird cages was, but I was enchanted by them.
30. You ____________will__________ not regret paying ten pounds to see this intriguing, memorable and moving dance performance.
31. Don’t bother _________with_____________ the bland and forgettable cocktails.
32. It was ________without______ a doubt one of the most fantastic dishes I’ve ever had.
33. I _would_ recommend it for someone who likes a cosmopolitan menu and atmosphere.
34. I haven’t been able to forget the depressing and monotonous soundtrack ___yet____.

What categories of words are most common in the gaps?

Ask about any reviews language above which you aren’t sure about.

———————————

Without looking above, try to remember or think of as much high-level language as you can in each of the categories below.  

Vocabulary connected to movies, TV and theatre

Vocabulary connected to food and restaurants

Positive adjectives

Other positive expressions

Negative adjectives

Other negative expressions

 

 

 

 

Check with the previous worksheet, then brainstorm more useful language for the same categories.

————————

Suggested answers

Many more answers are possible, so please check any extra words you wrote with your partner.

Vocabulary connected to movies, TV and theatre

(big budget) blockbuster

(comedy) actress

(Hollywood) remake

(happy/ surprise) ending

(twist in the) plot

a work

animation/ cartoon

antihero

bad guy

camerawork/ cinematography

character

cop movie

costume drama/ historical drama

directed by

director

domestic drama

fantasy

heroin/ heroine/ good guy

hit movie

lead actor

murder mystery/ whodunit

performance

play

program/ programme

prequel

rom com

scene

scenery

sci-fi

score

script

sequel

setting

sitcom

soap opera

soundtrack

special effects

starring…

superhero movie

Vocabulary connected to food and restaurants

atmosphere

bill/ check

chef

crockery

cutlery

décor

dessert

dish

drinks menu

main course

reservation

service

starter

waiting staff

 

Positive adjectives

(multi) award-winning

(far) better

action-packed

addictive

amazing

attractive

captivating

classic

cosmopolitan

delicious/ tasty

delightful

distinctive

dramatic

efficient

enchanting

excellent

exceptional

exciting

fantastic

fun

funny

gripping

haunting

impeccable

impressive

intriguing

memorable

moving

original

outstanding

polite

professional

realistic

satisfying

sophisticated

stunning

subtle

superb

tasteful

thrilling

unforgettable

unique

uplifting

value for money

Other positive expressions

A strong point of… is…

adore/ love

Don’t miss…

I can’t recommend… enough.

I couldn’t get enough of…

I highly/ thoroughly recommend…

I’d recommend it for…

I’d rush out and…

If you like…, you’ll love…

(really) keen on

one in a million

stands out from the crowd

You mustn’t miss…

You shouldn’t miss…

You won’t regret…

Negative adjectives

bland

cheesy

clichéd

depressing

disappointing

disgusting

dull

forgettable

irritating

melodramatic

monotonous

notorious

over the top

overpriced

predictable

repetitive

revolting

tasteless

unoriginal

 

Other negative expressions

(You should) avoid…

Don’t bother with…

I am/ I’d be in no hurry to…

I couldn’t (really) get into

I didn’t find it very…

I wasn’t too keen on…

I wouldn’t (really) recommend…

I wouldn’t bother with…

My main criticism of… is…

don’t bother…

only suitable for

… didn’t meet my expectations.

…. wasn’t (at all) what I expected.

 

Describe one of the things below until your partner guesses what it is. Do they agree with your description?

–       A restaurant or chain of restaurants that you probably both know (including cafés and fast food restaurants)

–       A film which you probably both know

–       A TV programme which you probably both know

–       A play which you probably both know (maybe from a movie adaptation of it)

–       A book which you probably both know

You can include other descriptions if you partner can’t guess from the expressions above.

Choose one of the words above which you didn’t know before today’s class and say things which you would describe that way until they guess what it is.

Choose one thing which you could review and try to agree on a description of it, including as many of the expressions above as you can.

Choose one of the expressions above which you haven’t used yet and didn’t know before today’s class and try to agree on something that it describes.

—————————————

PDF version for easy saving and printing: FCE Writing Part Two reviews phrases open cloze and brainstorming