ESOL Sc/L2.4f Describe and compare

Sc/L2.4: express clearly statements of fact, explanations, instructions, accounts, descriptions using appropriate structure, style and vocabulary
Sc/L2.4f: describe and compare

• Know a range of adjectives and intensifiers, and select them as appropriate for formal and informal descriptions (including idiomatic use) Example: Describe a person: He's an extremely nice man. He looks just like his brother, and he reminds me of my cousin, who also... What does she look like? Well, you know the woman who lives upstairs - she looks a bit like her.
• Recognise the connotation attached to certain lexical items in certain contexts, and make use of connotation when describing Example: I loved it when I bought it - but most of my friends see it as a bit of a gas-guzzler now, I think…
• Be aware of the tendency to use simile, exaggeration and understatement, and use this on occasions, if appropriate Example: He's just a little bit on the plump side. I've been to see their new flat - the living room is absolutely enormous - the whole place is like a palace.
• Use extensive pre- and post-modification of the noun phrase, and subordinate clauses (e.g. relative clauses) Example: Describe things: I've lost my thermos - it's a black, metal one with a green plastic cup and detachable base. It has a label with my name attached to it.
• Give general descriptions (e.g. with zero article) as well as more specific descriptions. Example: Describe and compare places: Shopping centres in this country can get very crowded and hectic, whereas where I come from...
• Structure a longer description, e.g. by going from the general to the particular, and then on to a comparison with something else Example: The economy in Britain and in my country have several things in common. They both have large ports...