British 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
| British English | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a must-see | something you really should see | It's a must-see. |
| well worth | definitely worth | It's well worth a watch. |
| it's let down by | it's spoiled by | It's let down by a weak ending. |
| for all its flaws | despite its faults | For all its flaws, I loved it. |
| falls short of | is not as good as (what was expected) | It falls short of her earlier work. |
| a mixed bag | some good parts, some bad | The new series is a bit of a mixed bag. |
| hit and miss | sometimes good, sometimes bad | The jokes are hit and miss. |
| doesn't quite work | almost succeeds, but not fully | The twist doesn't quite work. |
| four stars out of five | a rating (very good) | I'd give it four stars out of five. |
| a tour de force | an impressive achievement | Her performance is a tour de force. |
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.