Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The proposal is ............... workable, although the figures are incomplete.
Wrong!
"Probably" hedges the opinion, while the sentence admits the figures are incomplete.
2............... the evidence points to a short-term fall in demand.
Wrong!
"It seems to me that" presents the view as a personal, cautious interpretation, not a fact.
3If the pilot scheme succeeds, it ............... reduce waiting times in several departments.
Wrong!
"May" is correct because it hedges a possible result rather than making a firm prediction.
4The early data ............... suggest that the new timetable is reducing delays.
Wrong!
"Appear to" hedges the conclusion because it is based on early data.
5The design is elegant, but ..............., it needs clearer instructions for first-time users.
Wrong!
"In my view" hedges the statement by marking it as an opinion.
6His conclusion is ............... unconvincing because it overlooks two recent studies.
Wrong!
"Rather" softens the criticism and fits a hedged opinion.
7............... the policy is fairer than its critics suggest.
Wrong!
"I would argue that" is a cautious way to present a position in an academic discussion.
8The extra training ............... improve customer satisfaction, but the effect may take months to appear.
Wrong!
"Is likely to" expresses probability without claiming certainty.
9The manager was right, ..............., to delay the launch until the safety checks were finished.
Wrong!
"To some extent" limits the strength of the agreement, which is a common hedging strategy.
10............... the delay was caused by a shortage of skilled technicians.
Wrong!
"There is a possibility that" hedges the claim by presenting it as only possible.
11The revised report is ............... more balanced than the first draft.
Wrong!
"Slightly" hedges the comparison by making the judgement modest and limited.
12This is ............... the most practical solution, though some costs still need to be checked.
Wrong!
"Arguably" shows that the opinion can be debated rather than treated as obvious fact.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The proposal is probably workable, although the figures are incomplete.
- It seems to me that the evidence points to a short-term fall in demand.
- If the pilot scheme succeeds, it may reduce waiting times in several departments.
- The early data appear to suggest that the new timetable is reducing delays.
- The design is elegant, but in my view, it needs clearer instructions for first-time users.
- His conclusion is rather unconvincing because it overlooks two recent studies.
- I would argue that the policy is fairer than its critics suggest.
- The extra training is likely to improve customer satisfaction, but the effect may take months to appear.
- The manager was right, to some extent, to delay the launch until the safety checks were finished.
- There is a possibility that the delay was caused by a shortage of skilled technicians.
- The revised report is slightly more balanced than the first draft.
- This is arguably the most practical solution, though some costs still need to be checked.