American English · C1 · Unit 18
The critic
The critic
By the end you can
- Review a book, a film or an exhibition
- Give a balanced opinion with nuance
- Understand detailed criticism
Words and phrases
| American English | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| on the whole | overall | On the whole, it's a strong debut. |
| it's not without its flaws | it has some faults | It's not without its flaws, but it's worth seeing. |
| falls flat | fails to have the effect it wants | The humor falls flat. |
| what lets it down | its weak point | What lets it down is the script. |
| a must-see | something you really should see | It's a must-see for any fan of the genre. |
| I'd give it | my rating is | I'd give it three and a half stars. |
| a slow burn | a story that builds tension slowly | It's a slow burn, but the ending is worth the wait. |
| delivers | gives what it promised | The final act really delivers. |
| uneven | good in some parts and weak in others | The second season is uneven. |
| ultimately | in the end, all things considered | Ultimately, it's a film about family. |
Then talk it through
Recording a podcast episode that reviews a new film. In the app you have this conversation out loud or typed, with the unit's goals to tick off and corrections at the end.