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What are the most challenging words at the C1 level visualisation

What are the most challenging words at the C1 level

Comprehensive Guide to C1-Level English Vocabulary: What are the most challenging words at the C1 level
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At the C1 level of English proficiency, learners often encounter words that are more nuanced, abstract, or context-dependent. These words can be challenging because they require a deeper understanding of meaning, usage, and connotation. Below is a list of some of the most challenging C1-level words across different categories:

Adjectives

  1. Affluent - Wealthy or prosperous.
  2. Daunting - Intimidating or discouraging due to difficulty.
  3. Dubious - Hesitating or doubtful.
  4. Excruciating - Intensely painful.
  5. Ingenious - Clever, inventive, or original.
  6. Mind-boggling - Extremely complex or difficult to comprehend.
  7. Unscrupulous - Lacking moral principles; dishonest 1, 2.

Verbs

  1. Abandon - To leave something behind permanently or stop doing something.
  2. Acknowledge - To admit or accept the truth of something.
  3. Accumulate - To gather or collect over time.
  4. Anticipate - To expect or predict something will happen.
  5. Compel - To force someone to do something 2, [13].

Nouns

  1. Acquisition - The act of obtaining or gaining something.
  2. Ambiguity - Uncertainty or inexactness in meaning.
  3. Neglect - Failure to care for something properly.
  4. Setback - A problem that delays progress 3, 8.

Adverbs

  1. Arduously - In a way that requires strenuous effort; laboriously.
  2. Inadvertently - Without intention; accidentally.
  3. Drastically - In a severe and sudden way [12], [13].

Idiomatic Expressions and Phrases

  1. Be under someone’s thumb – To be controlled by someone else.
  2. Turn a blind eye – To ignore something deliberately.
  3. Lose track of time – To forget the time due to being absorbed in an activity 4.

Reasons for Difficulty

  • Abstract Meanings: Words like dubious and ambiguous require understanding subtle differences in meaning and context.
  • Complex Usage: Verbs like acknowledge and anticipate can have multiple meanings depending on the situation (e.g., acknowledging receipt vs acknowledging a fact).
  • Cultural Nuances: Idioms like turn a blind eye may not translate directly into other languages, making them harder to grasp.

Mastering these words involves practice with reading, writing, and speaking in varied contexts, as well as exposure to authentic materials like books, articles, and conversations at an advanced level.

References

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