LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
meticulous
[ muh-'tik-yuh-luhs ]
adjective
He's always meticulous in keeping the records up to date.
impeccable
[ im-'pek-uh-buhl ]
adjective
The furnishings and paintings had been chosen with impeccable taste.
aesthetics
[ es-'thet-iks ]
noun
Qiu Zihua is the pathbreaker of oriental aesthetics.
to counterpart
[ 'koun-ter-pahrt ]
noun
The sales directress phoned her counterpart in the other firm.
hustle and bustle
phrase
We escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for the weekend.
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
Direction: Read and understand the different idiomatic expressions below.
A. compare favorably with
- if something compares favorably with something else, it is better than it
Dialogue
Cindy
Sally
Really? That’s quite impressive! In what ways do you think it stood out?
Cindy
The curation was meticulous, and the variety of artworks showcased a rich diversity of styles and perspectives, making it a delightful experience.
B. bear comparison with
- to be as good as
Dialogue
Sally
Cindy
Really? That’s disappointing. La Trattoria does set the bar high with their authentic dishes and warm hospitality.
Sally
Absolutely, their exceptional service and exquisite flavors are hard to match.
C. draw a comparison between
- used to compare two or more different things for the purpose of highlighting similarities and/or differences
Dialogue
Sally
I recently read two novels by different authors, and I couldn't help but draw a comparison between their storytelling styles.
Cindy
Oh, interesting. Which authors are you referring to?
Sally
Murakami and García Márquez. Both have this surreal touch, but they approach magical realism so differently.
D. strike the balance between
- to accept parts of both things in order to satisfy some of the demands of both sides in an argument, rather than all the demands of just one side
Dialogue
Anna
I find it really challenging to strike the balance between work and personal life. How do you manage it?
Melly
It’s definitely tough. I try to set boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and allocating specific times for work and family.
Anna
That sounds like a sensible approach. I’ll try to implement those strategies to create a better balance.
E. in marked contrast to
- very different from
Dialogue
Sally
The new policy adopted by the company is in marked contrast to the previous one. It seems more employee-friendly and flexible.
Cindy
Yes, I noticed that too. It focuses more on work-life balance and mental health, which is a significant improvement.
Sally
Absolutely, it’s a positive change that signifies the company’s adaptability and concern for its employees.
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Choose the appropriate expressions to complete each of the sentences.
bear comparison with | compare favorably with |
strike the balance between | draw a comparison between |
in marked contrast to |
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His new artwork is vibrant and colorful, his previous monochromatic pieces.
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The hotel we stayed at luxury resorts, offering impeccable service and amenities. (better)
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The authenticity and flavor of this local sushi restaurant can eateries in Japan. (as good as)
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It’s interesting to traditional marketing and digital marketing strategies.
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Successful companies manage to innovation and maintaining proven strategies.
Part II
Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.
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Part III
Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.
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In graphic design, artists must strike the balance between aesthetics and functionality to create effective and attractive visuals.
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The performance of our team this season compares favorably with that of the last season, showing significant improvement.
I visited the new art exhibit downtown, and I must say, it compares favorably with international exhibits I’ve seen.