From

Intermediate
to Advanced

The Ultimate Guide to

B1 B2 C1
GRAMMAR &
VOCABULARY
YOUR STRAIGHTFORWARD PATH TO ENGLISH FLUENCY
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FROM INTERMEDIATE TO
ADVANCED: THE ULTIMATE
GUIDE TO B1, B2 & C1
GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY
Hello lovely students, and welcome to this ultimate guide that I’ve put
together for you to help you better understand the language you’ll
need to master in order to reach different levels of English proficiency!

In this guide, we’ll focus mainly on grammar and vocabulary.

Contained in this ebook is a full guide to the grammar structures and

vocabulary you'll need to know at the B1, B2 and C1 levels of the CEFR.

At each level, we have a comprehensive checklist, which means you

will be able to use this book to work out your current level, discover
what you need to improve and choose the right course level to suit
your needs!

Whether you're studying for an exam or want to get better at English

for other reasons, this guide will help you on your way to success!

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 Table of Con tents
©

Content Pages
What are the CEFR Levels of English? 6-7
B1 Level: All the Grammar & Vocabulary You
8
Need to Learn!

An Overview of B1 English 9

Grammar - B1 Level 10-14

Present Tenses 10
Past Tenses 10
Future Tenses 11
Modal Verbs 11
Conditionals 12
Phrasal Verbs 12
Order of Adjectives, Comparatives & Superlatives 12
Passive Voice 13
Reported Speech 13
Question Tags & Indirect Questions 13
Verb Patterns 14
Prepositions of Place & Time 14

Vocabulary - B1 Level 15-25

Family & Relationships 16
Personality & Character 17
Travel 18
Likes & Dislikes 19
Health & Fitness 20
Learning & Education 21
Business Roles & Employment 22
Money & Finance 23
The Environment 24
Technology 25

Pronunciation - B1 Level 26-27

B1 Level Checklist 28-31

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Content Pages
Example B1 Study Plan 32-36
B2 Level: All the Grammar & Vocabulary You
37
Need to Learn!

An Overview of B2 English 38

Grammar - B2 Level 39-42

Present Tenses 39
Past Tenses 39
Future Tenses 39
Reported Speech 40
Verb Patterns 40
Modal Verbs 40
Advanced Clauses 40
The Causative 41
Mixed Conditionals 41
Advanced Adjectives 41
Impersonal Passive 42
Cleft Sentences 42
Word Formation/Families 42
Punctuation 42

Vocabulary - B2 Level 43-53

Appearance 44
Childhood & Growing Up 45
Pets & Animals 46
Relationships, Weddings & Marriages 47
British Food 48
Sport 49
The News 50
The Internet 51
Office Jargon 52
Health & The Health System 53

Pronunciation - B1 Level 54

B2 Level Checklist 55-57

Example B2 Study Plan 58-62

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Content Pages
C1 Level: All the Grammar & Vocabulary You
63
Need to Learn!

An Overview of C1 English 64

Grammar - C1 Level 65-69

Present Tenses 65
Past Tenses 65
Future Tenses 65
Modal Verbs, Speculation & Deduction 66
Conditionals 66
The Passive Voice 67
Negative Inversion 67
Hedging & Boosting 67
Phrasal Verbs With Multiple Meanings 68
Advanced Comparatives & Superlatives 68
Word Formation 69
Paraphrasing 69

Vocabulary - C1 Level 70-80

Self-Improvement & Wellness 71
Housing 72
Urban & Rural Life 73
Humour 74
Personalities 75
Tourism 76
Remote Work & Commuting 77
Quitting & Job-Hunting 78
Freelancing 79
Food & Nutrition 80

Pronunciation - C1 Level 81

C1 Level Checklist 82-84

Example C1 Study Plan 85-90

Your English Journey Awaits... 91

Which Course Is Right For You? 92

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WHAT ARE THE CEFR L E V E L L S OF

ENGLISH?

BEGINNER - THE A1 ENGLISH LEVEL

The A1 level of English is the beginner level of language proficiency.
Learners at this level can use simple phrases and expressions to
participate in everyday situations. They can introduce themselves, ask
and answer basic questions and have simple conversations.

PRE-INTERMEDIATE - THE A2 ENGLISH LEVEL

The A2 level of English relates to learners who can handle routine

conversations using basic vocabulary. They understand sentences
about common topics like personal life, shopping and work, and can
discuss their past and immediate needs.

INTERMEDIATE - THE B1 ENGLISH LEVEL

At B1, learners become more independent users of English who can
understand clear texts about familiar topics. Learners at this level can
handle most situations when travelling to areas where English is used.
They can produce simple and coherent texts about topics they know
about or are personally interested in. They can describe experiences,
events, wishes and aspirations, as well as explain plans and briefly
justify opinions. We’ll cover the B1 level in more detail in the next
section of this ebook!

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UPPER-INTERMEDIATE - THE B2 ENGLISH LEVEL

B2 learners can comprehend complex texts on concrete and abstract

topics, including detailed discussions in their area of speciality.
Learners at this level can interact fluently and spontaneously with
proficient speakers without difficulty for either party. They can
produce clear and detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and
express their opinion on various topics, giving reasons and
highlighting advantages and disadvantages.

ADVANCED - THE C1 ENGLISH LEVEL

Learners who have a C1 level of English can comprehend a wide
range of demanding and lengthy texts, including implicit meanings.
Learners at this level can express themselves fluently and
spontaneously with little hesitation. They can utilise the language
with versatility and precision across various social, academic and
professional settings. They can generate coherent, well-organised and
elaborate texts on diverse topics, displaying accurate use of
organisational structures, connectors and other elements to ensure
cohesion.

PROFICIENCY - THE C2 ENGLISH LEVEL

The C2 level of English is the highest level of proficiency recognised by
the CEFR. At this level, learners can effortlessly comprehend almost
anything they read or hear and are capable of summarising
information and arguments from multiple sources, both spoken and
written, and presenting them coherently and precisely. They can
express themselves spontaneously, fluently and precisely, even in
complex situations where finer shades of meaning must be discerned.

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B1 LEVEL
Allll the
grammar &
vocabullary
you need to
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llearn!!

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AN OVERVIEW OF B1 ENGLISH
The B1 level is a significant milestone in your journey towards
mastering the English language. At this level, you've moved beyond
the basics and can manage to hold conversations on familiar topics,
communicate in English without difficulty while travelling and express
your opinions and plans.

In terms of vocabulary, you should continue learning words and

phrases for everyday interactions, building on vocabulary learnt at A2.

For example, at B1 you would be able to say

I am keen on travelling.
rather than
I like travelling.

The emphasis at B1 is on functional language. You'll learn the

necessary language to perform tasks like making reservations, giving
directions or offering advice. Your vocabulary and grammar knowledge
will help you effectively communicate in English conversations.

Understanding idiomatic expressions or subtle jokes may still be

challenging at this stage, but you should be able to grasp the main
points of clear, standard speech or writing.

At B1, you'll gain more confidence in social and educational settings.

This is the stage at which you are building a solid foundation of new
grammatical structures while reinforcing concepts you have already
learnt at A2 level. The focus is on expanding your ability to speak
comfortably in English.

The next section of this e-book will guide you through some of the
essential grammar and vocabulary you need to know to reach the B1
level of English.

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GRAMMAR - B1 LEVEL
1 Present Tenses
For those at B1 level, mastering the present tenses is crucial for
effective communication. The present simple, present continuous,
present perfect simple and present perfect continuous should all be at
your fingertips.

Present Simple
She often plays tennis at the weekends.
Present Continuous
Right now, she's practising her serve at a local tennis club.
Present Perfect Simple
Jasper has written several books on the subject.
Present Perfect Continuous
Dad has been cooking all afternoon.

You should also start incorporating specific adverbs like 'already', ‘yet'
and 'ever' with the present perfect tenses to clarify your sentences.

Examples:
I've already finished the project.
She's never been to the United States.

2 Past Tenses
You will also need to get comfortable with the various past tenses,
including past simple, past continuous, past perfect simple and past
perfect continuous. They allow you to talk about things that happened in
the past with more accuracy and detail.

Past Simple
We visited a museum last week.
Past Continuous
What was Ben doing at lunchtime?
Past Perfect Simple
While we were there, we learnt that the museum had added a new
exhibition.

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Past Perfect Continuous

She was exhausted because she had been gardening all
morning.

As a B1 learner, it's important to be familiar with irregular verbs, which

don't adhere to the standard '-ed' pattern for past forms.

Examples:
We ate dinner in a really fancy restaurant.
I read that book when I was at secondary school.

3 Future Tenses
At the B1 level, it is essential to be able to use different verb forms to
refer to the future to discuss upcoming events, plans, arrangements
and predictions. You should be familiar with using will, to be going to,
present simple and present continuous to talk about the future.

Will
Athena will pick up the kids tonight.
To Be Going To
It’s going to rain this afternoon.
Present Simple
My bus leaves at 8am.
Present Continuous
My brother and his girlfriend are coming to visit on Friday.

4 Modal Verbs
Modal verbs allow you to talk about ability, possibility and obligations,
make suggestions and much more.

Ability
Can everyone swim?
Possibility
I’m not sure where Alex is, but he might be at home.
Obligation
You must wear your seatbelt at all times.
Suggestion

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We should go to the cinema this weekend - we haven’t been for

ages.

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5 Conditionals
As a B1 level student, you'll find that conditionals become essential
tools for discussing everything from general truths using the zero
conditional to hypothetical situations in the present with the second
conditional. You will also be aware of the third conditional.

Zero Conditional
If you touch fire, it burns you.
First Conditional
If it's sunny tomorrow, we'll go for a long walk.
Second Conditional
If I won the lottery, I would go to New Zealand.
Third Conditional
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

6 Phrasal Verbs
You will also need to start understanding common phrasal verbs as
they become increasingly important. These idiomatic expressions are
important for English fluency.

Examples:
She ran into an old friend at the
market. He's trying to cut down on
sugar.

7 Order of Adjectives, Comparatives & Superlatives

At this level, it's important you understand the proper order of adjectives
in order to produce natural descriptions.

Examples:
She has a big, old, wooden desk.
They adopted a small, fluffy, white dog.

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Being able to use comparatives and superlatives is key for drawing

clear and specific comparisons, a commonly required skill in both
conversational and written English.

Examples:
This season of Friends is better than the previous
one. She is the youngest in her family.

8 Passive Voice
At this stage, you should feel comfortable using the passive voice to
focus on the person or thing that receives the action of a sentence
rather than the person or thing that performs the action.

Examples:
My house was built in the 16th century.
I think the wall has been painted the wrong colour.

9 Reported Speech

As a B1 level student, you should be able to use reported speech in

various tenses to recount someone else's words. This is a key
communication skill for storytelling or relaying messages. You should
be able to report statements and questions.

Examples:
He said Tim had moved house the week
before. My grandparents asked me if I
would help them.

1 Question Tags & Indirect Questions

0
Once you're at a B1 level, you should be using question tags to turn
statements into yes/no questions, which help you confirm information.

Examples:
You like coffee, don't you?
She's not coming to your party, is she?

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You will also learn how to use indirect questions using phrases like
‘Could you tell me’ and ‘Do you know’ to make your questions more
polite.

Examples:
Could you tell me how to get to the
pool? Do you know where the post
office is?

11 Verb Patterns
Verb patterns is another important topic at B1. Knowing which verbs
are followed by the gerund or the infinitive enables you to be more
accurate. In some cases, choosing the gerund or infinitive can change
the meaning, so you need to know the difference.

Examples:
She considered taking English
lessons. I promised to call her
when I arrived.

12 Prepositions of Place & Time

You should also have a firm understanding of prepositions of place
and time like 'in', 'at' and 'on'. They help you specify where something
is located, when an event happens, or in which direction something is
moving.

Examples:
He works in London.
We have a meeting at 3pm.

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VOCABULARY - B1 LEVEL
At B1 level, you can understand and use everyday language quite well.
You should know words that help you talk about things like family,
work and hobbies. You'll also start to use more adjectives and adverbs
to make your sentences interesting. Knowing more words helps you
feel more confident when you speak or write in English. It also makes it
easier for you to understand what people are saying or what you're
reading. In this section, we show you some of the common topics you
should be able to speak about freely as a B1 student.

CEFR Vocabulary
Requirements

2750 -
3250
words
*

*Based on Vocabulary size and the common European framework of reference for
languages by James Milton, Thomaï Alexiou, 2009.

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FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Discussing family and relationships is a key element in social interactions.
It helps in forming connections and understanding people's backgrounds.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. relative n /ˈrelətɪv/ - a person connected by blood or marriage
My aunt is a close relative of mine.

2. sibling n /ˈsɪblɪŋ/ - a brother or sister

I have two siblings: one brother and one sister.

3. mother-in-law n /ˈmʌðər ɪn lɔː/ - the mother of your husband or wife

My mother-in-law is an excellent cook.

4. partner n /ˈpɑːtnə/ - a person in a romantic relationship but

not married
We've been partners for five years now.

5. engagement n /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ - the period between proposing and

marriage
Their engagement lasted for two years.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to fall out (i) /fɔːl aʊt/ - to have a friend n
disagreement that ends a relationship
friendly adj /ˈfrendli/ - kind and
They fell out over something trivial
and stopped speaking. pleasant
friendship n /ˈfrenʃɪp/ - the state
2. to grow up (i) /ɡrəʊ ʌp/ - to of being friends
become mature or an adult
She grew up in a small village.
to marry v
marriage n /ˈmærɪdʒ/ - the state of
IDIOM
being married
to tie the knot /taɪ ðə nɒt/ - to get
married adj /ˈmærid/ - having a
married
husband or wife
They finally tied the knot last summer.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

In addition to mother-in-law, we also have the word father-in-law, meaning the
father of your husband or wife, and brother and sister-in-law for their sibling.

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PERSONALITY & CHARACTER

Understanding how to describe personalities and character traits helps to
create deeper and more meaningful relationships.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. ambitious adj /æmˈbɪʃəs/ - having a strong desire to succeed or achieve
something
Liam is very ambitious; he aims to be the CEO of the company one day.

2. confident adj /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/ - sure of oneself and one's abilities

Despite the challenges, she remained confident and completed the
project.

3. nervous adj /ˈnɜːvəs/ - feeling anxious or unsure; lacking confidence

He felt nervous before his first public speech, but he did really well.

4. organised adj /ˈɔːɡənaɪzd/ - having one's tasks, items or plans arranged in

a systematic way
She's so organised; her desk is always so neat.

5. outgoing adj /ˌaʊtˈɡəʊɪŋ/ - sociable and eager to meet and talk to others
Mia is the most outgoing person I know; she's always making new
friends.

PHRASAL VERBS
WORD FORMATION
1. to fit in (i) /ˌfɪt ˈɪn/ - to belong or feel
included person n
She didn’t feel like she fit in at personal adj /ˈpɜːrsənəl/ - relating
her new school. to an individual
personality n /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪti/ - the
2. to speak up (i) /ˌspiːk ˈʌp/ - to express character and qualities of an
one’s opinion individual
If you disagree, you should speak up.
to agree v
agreement n /əˈɡriːmənt/ - an
understanding or arrangement
IDIOM between two or more parties
a people person /ə ˈpiːpl ˈpɜːsn/ - disagree v /ˌdɪsəˈɡriː/ - to have a
someone sociable and good with others different opinion or belief from
Sarah is such a people person. someone else

YOU SHOULD KNOW

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Lots of learners confuse the words nervous and annoyed. Nervous means unsure or
afraid, while annoyed means a little angry.

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TRAVEL
Being able to talk about travel is important for social conversations and
making plans. It can also help with future travel plans.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. accommodation n /əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃn/ - a place to stay when away from home
I've booked our accommodation; we'll be staying in a lovely hotel.

2. check-in n /ˈʧek ˌɪn/ - the act of reporting one's arrival at a hotel, airport,
or similar place
Check-in at the airport is usually very quick.

3. currency n /ˈkʌrənsi/ - the money that a country uses

We need to have some local currency at hand when we land in Hungary.

4. reservation n /ˌrezəˈveɪʃn/ - an arrangement to have something (like a seat

or room) kept for your use at a later time
I've made a reservation at the restaurant for 8pm.

5. to sunbathe v /ˈsʌnbeɪð/- to sit or lie in the sun to make your skin darker
She likes to sunbathe on the beach every summer.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to set off (i) /ˌset ˈɒf/ - to start a to travel v
journey traveller n /ˈtrævələ/ - someone
They set off early in the morning. who is travelling
travelled adj /ˈtrævəld/ - having
2. to pick up (t-s) /ˌpɪk ˈʌp/ - to
been to many places
collect someone or something
Can you pick up some cereal
while you’re out? tour n
tourist n /ˈtʊərɪst/ - someone who
IDIOM is visiting a place
tourism n /ˈtʊərɪzəm/ - the
to hit the road /hɪt ðə rəʊd/ - to begin a
journey business of providing services for
It's time to hit the road; it’s a long drive. tourists

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Be careful with the pronunciation of the verb to sunbathe /ˈsʌnbeɪð/! Bathe is
pronounced with an /eɪ/ sound - it is not pronounced the same as bath /bɑːθ/.

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LIKES & DISLIKES

At B1, you should feel comfortable expressing your preferences and
interests as they are important in everyday conversation.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. to appreciate v /əˈpriːʃieɪt/ - to recognise and value the good qualities of
somebody or something
She always takes a moment to appreciate the flowers during her walks.

2. to fancy v /ˈfænsi/ - to find someone or something appealing or attractive

She fancied a change, so she cut her hair short.

3. passion n /ˈpæʃn/ - a very strong feeling or enthusiasm towards

something or about doing something
Ballet is her passion and she spends hours practising.

4. keen adj /kiːn/ - very interested or enthusiastic

She's keen on learning new languages and can already speak four
fluently.

5. hate n /heɪt/ - a strong feeling of dislike towards someone or something

I am full of hate when I see animals locked in cages.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to be into (t) /ˌbiː ˈɪntuː/ - to enjoy to like v
or be interested in likeable adj /ˈlaɪkəbl/ - easy to like
He's really into gardening. and pleasant

2. to look forward to (t) /ˌlʊk ˈfɔːwəd tuː/

to enjoy v
to anticipate with excitement
I'm really looking forward to the enjoyable adj /ɪnˈdʒɔɪəbl/ -
weekend. providing pleasure

IDIOM to prefer v
preference n /ˈprefərəns/ - a
not one’s cup of tea /nɒt wʌnz kʌp əv tiː/
- not something you enjoy greater liking for one option over
Action movies are just not my cup of tea. another

YOU SHOULD KNOW

To look forward to is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing verb).

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We are looking forward to going on holiday next week.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

At B1 level, you should be able to talk about basic exercises and dietary
habits, contributing to conversations about well-being.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. athlete n /ˈæθliːt/ - a person skilled in sports or exercises
Wanda dreams of becoming a top athlete and trains with her coach
every day.

2. fitness n /ˈfɪtnɪs/ - the state of being fit and healthy

My dad’s dedication to fitness is inspiring.

3. health club n /ˈhelθ klʌb/ - a place with equipment for exercise

She joined a health club to start working out.

4. jogger n /ˈdʒɒɡə/ - a person who runs regularly for exercise

Many joggers run in the park early in the morning.

5. strength n /streŋkθ/ - the quality of being strong

He showed his strength by lifting the heavy box.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to warm up (i) /ˌwɔːm ˈʌp/ - to prepare fit adj
the body for exercise fitness n /ˈfɪtnɪs/ - the condition of
I always warm up before a run.
being healthy and strong

2. to cool down (i) /ˌkuːl ˈdaʊn/ - to bring

the body back to a state of rest strong adj
You need to cool down to strength n /streŋkθ/ - the quality
prevent injury. of being physically strong

IDIOM active adj

in shape /ɪn ʃeɪp/ - in good physical activity n /ækˈtɪvɪti/ - the state of
condition doing something
Swimming helped him get in shape.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

The adjective fit in British English slang can mean really good-looking.
Max looked so fit last night!

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LEARNING & EDUCATION

Conversations about learning and education are common in family and
social settings. You should be able to share your learning experiences.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. academic adj /ˌækəˈdemɪk/ - related to education and scholarship
The academic year concludes in June.

2. diploma n /dɪˈpləʊmə/ - a certificate given after completing a course

After two years of hard work, she received her diploma in graphic design.

3. lecturer n /ˈlektʃərə/ - a person who gives lectures at a university

The lecturer explained the topic in a way that everyone could understand.

4. qualification n /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ - a skill or type of experience that you need

for a particular job or activity
Her qualifications made her the perfect candidate for the job.

5. tutor n /ˈtjuːtə/ - a person who gives private lessons, often in academic

subjects
He hired a maths tutor to help him prepare for the final exam.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to catch up (i) /ˌkætʃ ˈʌp/ - to reach to graduate v
the same level as others after falling
graduate n /ˈɡrædʒuət/ - a person
behind
I missed class and need to catch up. who has successfully completed a
course of study
2. to look up (t-s) /ˌlʊk ˈʌp/ - to graduation n /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃn/ - the
search for information
act of completing a course of study
I looked the word up in the dictionary.
and receiving an academic degree
undergraduate n /ˌʌndəˈɡrædʒuət/
IDIOM
- a student in university who has
to hit the books /hɪt ðə bʊks/ - to study
hard not yet earned a first degree
We hit the books before the final exam.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Higher education is usually called university in British English and college in
American English.

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BUSINESS ROLES & EMPLOYMENT

Being able to discuss jobs and roles in a business context is essential for
professional growth and networking at B1 level.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. adviser n /ədˈvaɪzə/ - someone who gives advice, especially in a
professional or official capacity
Martin consulted his financial adviser before making a large investment.

2. employment n /ɪmˈplɔɪmənt/ - the state of having a paid job or the work

that someone does
After graduation, Elena focused on finding employment in her field.

3. profession n /prəˈfeʃn/ - a job requiring advanced education or training

Dr Patel is incredibly dedicated to his profession.

4. to promote v /prəˈməʊt/ - to raise someone to a higher position

After years of hard work, Samuel was promoted to a managerial position.

5. to retire v /rɪˈtaɪə/ - to stop working, often after reaching a certain age

Ms Thompson plans to retire next year and travel to Europe.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to set up (t-s) /ˌset ˈʌp/ - to employ v
to establish or start a business employee n /ɪmˈplɔɪiː/ - a person
Sarah wants to set up her own who works for someone else in
marketing firm. exchange for money
employer n /ɪmˈplɔɪə/ - a person
2. to take on (t-s) /ˌteɪk ˈɒn/
or organisation that hires people
- to employ or hire
They're looking to take on more staff. to manage v
manager n /ˈmænɪdʒə/ - a person
IDIOM who is in charge of something
to call it a day/night /kɔːl ɪt ə deɪ/naɪt/ - management n /ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ -
to conclude work the activity of controlling and
We've finished a lot; let's call it a day. organising work or people

YOU SHOULD KNOW

You can call a person you work with a colleague or a co-worker. These words are
synonyms, though co-worker is a higher-level term!

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MONEY & FINANCE

As an intermediate speaker, you might find yourself in conversations
about money, so you should know some relevant terms.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. balance n /ˈbæləns/ - the difference between credits and debits
Mr Green checked the balance of his savings account.

2. economy n /ɪˈkɒnəmi/ - the system of how money is made and used within
a country or region
The Japanese economy is known for its technological industries.

3. financial adj /fɪˈnænʃl/ - related to money or how money is managed

Sophia attended a financial seminar to learn more about investments.

4. to invest v /ɪnˈvest/ - to put money into something with the expectation of

gaining profit later
Derek decided to invest in a new startup company.

5. profit n /ˈprɒfɪt/ - the money a business gains after subtracting expenses

Baxter Enterprises reported a significant profit last quarter.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to save up (i) /ˌseɪv ˈʌp/ - to earn v
to accumulate money for future use earner n /ˈɜːnə/ - a person who
She is saving up for a new car. earns money
earnings n /ˈɜːnɪŋz/ - money
2. to pay off (t-s) /ˌpeɪ ˈɒf/ - to
obtained in return for labour or
complete payment of a debt
It took years to pay off the services
mortgage on their house.
to spend v
IDIOM spender n /ˈspendə/ - a person
who spends money
to break the bank /breɪk ðə bæŋk/ - to
cost too much spending n /ˈspendɪŋ/ - the action
Buying a new TV won't break the bank. of using money to pay for things

YOU SHOULD KNOW

A machine you can use to get money from your bank account is called a cash
machine in British English and an ATM (/ˌeɪ tiː ˈem/) in American English.

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THE ENVIRONMENT
As a B1 learner, you should be equipped to discuss basic environmental
topics to participate in relevant conversations.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. global warming n /ˌɡləʊbl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/ - the long-term rise in the average
temperature of the Earth's climate
Scientists warn that global warming can lead to severe weather changes.

2. to pollute v /pəˈluːt/ - to make air, water or land dirty and not safe
Factories that don't treat their waste pollute the environment.

3. renewable adj /rɪˈnjuːəbl/ - can be replaced naturally

Solar power is a popular form of renewable energy.

4. resource n /rɪˈsɔːs/ - a supply of something that can be used when needed

Water is a precious resource that needs to be conserved.

5. waste n /weɪst/ - material that is not wanted; the unusable or unwanted

part of something
Mr Kim started a campaign to reduce plastic waste in his community.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to clean up (t-s) /ˌkliːn ˈʌp/ - to to recycle v
remove dirt or pollution recycled adj /ˌriːˈsaɪkld/ -
Volunteers helped clean up the processed to make it suitable for
beach.
reuse
2. to come up with (t) /ˌkʌm ˈʌp wɪð/ - to recyclable adj /ˌriːˈsaɪkləbl/ -
think of an idea or plan capable of being recycled
She came up with a new way to to consume v
recycle plastic.
consumer n /kənˈsjuːmə/ - a
IDIOM person who uses or buys
tip of the iceberg /tɪp əv ðə ˈaɪsbɜːɡ/ - a something
small part of a larger issue consumption n /kənˈsʌmpʃn/ - the
Plastic waste is just the tip of the act of using materials, energy etc.
iceberg.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Natural resources is a common collocation that refers to things like coal, forests and
minerals that exist in a place and can be used by people.

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TECHNOLOGY
We are constantly surrounded by technology, and as a B1 student, you
should be able to participate in conversations on this topic.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. computing n /kəmˈpjuːtɪŋ/ - the use or study of computers
Dr Allen teaches computing at the local university.

2. IT (Information Technology) n /ˌaɪ ˈtiː/ - the use and study of systems

for storing, retrieving and sending information
Rebecca got a job in IT after completing her degree.

3. to program v /ˈprəʊɡræm/ - to write instructions for a computer

to perform a task
Leo learnt how to program when he was only 12.

4. software n /ˈsɒftweə/- the programs used by a computer

We have all of the video editing software you will need.

5. username n /ˈjuːzəneɪm/ - a name used on a computer or online

Alex chose a unique username to ensure his privacy.

PHRASAL VERBS WORD FORMATION

1. to log in (i) /ˌlɒɡ ˈɪn/ - to enter to connect v
a secure computer system connection n /kəˈnekʃn/ - a link or
Don't forget to log in to your email relationship between things or
account. people
connectivity n /kəˌnekˈtɪvɪti/ - the
2. to back up (t-s) /ˌbæk ˈʌp/ - to make a
ability to connect to other devices
copy of data
You should back up your files often.
to access v
accessible adj /əkˈsesɪbl/ - able to
IDIOM be reached or entered easily
to surf the web /sɜːf ðə web/ - to look accessibility n /əkˌsesɪˈbɪlɪti/ - the
through different websites quality of being easily reached or
She likes to surf the web in her free used
time.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Verbing (creating verbs from nouns) is common in this vocabulary area. Some
examples are Google becoming to google and text (message) becoming to text.

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PRONUNCIATION - B1 LEVEL
At this level, it is expected that you will have good control of most of
the individual sounds on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
Chart for English. It is natural that some of these sounds will be
influenced by the other languages you speak, so they might not always
be articulated perfectly. This does not matter, as long as the listener
can understand most of the words or phrases you are trying to say.

It is possible that you will mispronounce words that are not very
familiar to you. As a result, the people listening to you may have to
listen carefully at times and sometimes ask for repetition.

You will speak quite slowly with some hesitation as you search for a
word or a phrase.

You will have some understanding of word stress. This means that you
will generally know where to place the main stress in common words
such as:
accommodation /əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃn/
photographer /fəˈtɒɡrəfə/
ingredient /ɪnˈɡriːdiənt/

You will also be aware of sentence stress, generally correctly placing

stress on the key content words in a phrase or sentence, for example:
What do you want to buy? I want to buy a new phone.
Did you enjoy the chocolates? We loved them.

Again, at B1 level, it is likely that both word and sentence stress will be
influenced by your native language(s) so your pronunciation will not
always match a native or proficient speaker. The most important thing
is that you can convey most of your message to the listener(s).

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At this level, it is also important to have a general understanding of

basic intonation patterns, for example:
Falling intonation for general statements e.g. I don’t fancy pizza for
dinner.↘
Rising intonation for yes/no questions e.g. Are you coming to the
wedding? ↗

IPA PHONEMIC
CHART

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Some students will have speech impediments which could
prevent the accurate articulation of certain sounds. Please do not
worry if this is true for you. If you decide to take an official
examination, you can choose to make this known before you take
the speaking exam. Speaking examiners will then take this
information into consideration when assessing your performance
and it will not negatively affect your grade. This applies to all
levels of English.

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B1 LEVEL CHECKLIST
Below is a checklist of all the key grammar structures and
vocabulary sections that are required at the B1 level. Please look
through the list and put a tick or mark in the box that best describes
your ability.

= It is easy for me.

= I have some difficulty with this.
= It is difficult for me.

B1 Checklist - Grammar Structures

‘I can use...’
1. Present Simple
She often plays tennis at the weekends.

2. Present Continuous
I am not eating dinner.

3. Present Perfect Simple

He has seen this movie before.

4. Present Perfect Continuous

Dad has been cooking all afternoon.

5. Past Simple
We visited a museum last week.

6. Past Continuous
What was Ben doing at lunchtime?
7. Past Perfect Simple
We heard that they had added a new exhibition.

8. Past Perfect Continuous

We had been waiting for three hours by that time.
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B1 LEVEL CHECKLIST
B1 Checklist - Grammar Cont.

‘I can use...’
9. Future Simple (will)
Athena will pick up the kids tonight.

10. To be going to
It’s going to rain this afternoon.

11.Present Simple (for future)

My bus leaves at 8pm.

12.Present Continuous (for future)

My brother is coming to visit on Friday.

13.Future Continuous
I will be giving a speech this time tomorrow.

14. Modal Verbs

You must wear your seatbelt at all times.
15.Zero Conditional
If you touch fire, it burns you.

16. First Conditional

If it's sunny tomorrow, we'll go for a long walk.

17.Second Conditional
If I won the lottery, I would go to New Zealand.

18. Third Conditional

If I had studied harder, I would have passed.

19. Phrasal Verbs

He's trying to cut down on sugar.

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B1 LEVEL CHECKLIST

B1 Checklist - Grammar Cont.

‘I can use...’
20. Order of Adjectives
She has a big, old, wooden desk.

21.Comparative Sentences
This season is better than the previous one.

22. Superlative Sentences

She is the youngest in her family.

23. Passive Voice

The wall has been painted the wrong colour.

23. Reported Speech

My grandparents asked me if I would help them.

24. Question Tags

She's not coming to your party, is she?
25. Indirect Questions
Could you tell me how to get to the pool?
26. Infinitives
I promised to call her when I arrived.

27.Gerunds
She considered taking English lessons.

28. Prepositions of Place

He works in London.

29. Prepositions of Time

We have a meeting at 3pm.

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B1 LEVEL CHECKLIST
B1 Checklist - Vocabulary

‘I am able to describe...’
1. Family & relationships
Using words like ‘sibling’ or ‘spouse’.

2. Personality & Character

Using words like ‘ambitious’ or ‘fit in’.

3. Travel
Using words like ‘currency’ or ‘reservation’.

4. Likes & Dislikes

Using words like ‘appreciate’ or ‘be keen on’.

5. Health & Fitness

Using words like ‘athlete’ or ‘strength’.

6. Learning & Education

Using words like ‘academic’ or ‘undergraduate’.
7. Business roles & Employment
Using words like ‘profession’ or ‘employee’.

8. Money & Finance

Using words like ‘economy’ or ‘profit’.

9. The Environment
Using words like ‘global warming’ or ‘resource’.

10. Technology
Using words like ‘software’ or ‘back up’.

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EXAMPLE B1 STUDY PLAN

So, how can you learn all of that information in a methodical way?
Well, the best way is to break it all down into a structured study plan,
where you cover a practical amount of grammar and vocabulary each
week. This is something that we’ve put a lot of thought and work into
over the past 2 years at English with Lucy. We eventually hired a
dedicated curriculum designer who worked personally with me, Lucy,
to develop what I consider to be the ideal level course curriculum for
learners of English.
Let me show you how we carefully constructed our Beautiful British
English B1 Programme Curriculum to ensure that you hit all the
necessary grammar and vocabulary points over the course of 3
months. You also get weekly reading, listening and pronunciation
lessons! Each week is divided into Part A and Part B. You can use this
as inspiration for your own study plan.

The Beautiful British English

B1 Programme
B1 Week #1 - Work &
Life
Vocabulary Professions & University Degrees

Reading 'Looking for a job’

Listening ‘Self-introduction’

1. Present Tenses (Present Simple,

Grammar Present Continuous, Present Perfect)
2. Present Perfect Adverbs

Pronunciation Vowel Sounds

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B1 Week #2 - Family &

Relationships
Vocabulary Family & Relationships

Reading ‘Trouble at the

Listening Joneses’ ‘Two Peas

in a Pod’
Grammar
1. Past Tenses (Past Simple & Past
Pronunciation Perfect)
2. Irregular Verbs
B1 Week #3 - People & Characters

Vocabulary Similes

Reading 'Stereotypes’

Listening ‘Richard and his

sisters’

Grammar 1. Adverbs of Frequency

2. Comparatives
3. Same, similar, identical
B1 Week #4 -
Travel
Reading 'Popular British Holidays &

Listening Traditions’ ‘Magda’s visit to the

UK’
Grammar
1. Order of Adjectives
2. There is/There are
Pronunciation 3. Modal Verbs

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B1 Week #5 - Travel Part

2
Vocabulary Public Transport & Phrasal Verbs for Travel

Reading ‘London Travel Tips’

Listening ‘Gap Year’

1. Past Continuous
Grammar 2. Past Perfect Continuous
3. Phrasal Verbs

B1 Week #6 - Hobbies & interests

Vocabulary Likes & Dislikes, Cooking

Reading 'Amara’s

Listening Hobbies’ ‘A

Delicious Recipe’
Grammar
1. Gerunds & Infinitives
2. Prepositions of Place
Pronunciation 3. Conjunctions

B1 Week #7 -
Media
Reading 'History of the BBC’

Listening ‘The Dangers of Social

Media’

Grammar 1. Prepositions of Time

2. Passive Voice
3. Reflexive Pronouns
Pronunciation
Consonant Sounds #2

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B1 Week #8 - Health &

Illness
Vocabulary Fitness & Health, Illness, Environment

Reading ‘Fitness Plan’

Listening ‘Tamara & the Heater’

1. Future Tenses
Grammar
2. Pronouns

B1 Week #9 -
Work
Vocabulary Business Roles & Employment, Profit & Loss

Reading 'Email from a Horrible Boss’

Listening ‘Business Regrets’

1. Zero, First & Second Conditional

Grammar
2. Third Conditional

Pronunciation Connected Speech

B1 Week #10 - Learning &

Education
Vocabulary Learning & Education, Schools

Reading 'A British Student Studying

Listening Abroad’ ‘Private vs Public

Schools in the UK’

Grammar
1. Reported Speech #1

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B1 Week #11 -
Money
Vocabulary Money & Finance, Technology

Reading ‘Money Problems’

Listening ‘Customer Service

Voicemail’
Pronunciation
Word Stress
B1 Week #12 -
Review
Vocabulary Recap of Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

Reading 'Career Journey’

Listening ‘Oscar’s Story’

1. Common Mistakes with Present & Past

Tenses
Grammar 2. Common Mistakes with Modal Verbs
3. Common Mistakes with Future Tenses &
Conditionals
4. Common Mistakes with Prepositions

SUMMARY
31 Grammar Lessons
12 Reading Lessons
19 Vocabulary Lessons
12 Listening Lessons
7 Pronunciation Lessons

✅ Downloadable Lesson PDFs and Mind Maps

 16-week access to Private Course Community
♾ Lifetime access to course content

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B2 LEVEL
Allll the
grammar &
vocabullary
you need to
ENGLISH WITH LUCY
llearn!!

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AN OVERVIEW OF B2 ENGLISH
B2 level marks an important point in your journey of learning the
English language. Having mastered the foundational skills acquired at
B1 level, you are now well-equipped to engage in more complex and
nuanced conversations, discuss abstract ideas and offer well-
reasoned arguments.

You should aim to know enough vocabulary to allow you to

articulate your thoughts with greater precision and variety. This will
enable you to converse effectively not just in everyday scenarios but
also in certain academic and professional contexts.

For example, you could say

It is considered to be quite significant.

I think it's important. rather than

At B2 level, you're moving past building foundations. You are now

at the point where you will start to feel comfortable speaking fluent
English in different situations. You'll find it easier to understand films,
shows and news programmes in English. You'll also feel more
comfortable talking to people, whether it's friends, teachers or
colleagues.

The next part of this ebook will teach you the essential grammar and
vocabulary you need in order to conquer the B2 level.

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GRAMMAR - B2 LEVEL
1 Present Tenses
At this level, you should be confident switching between the present
tenses. You should also be aware of some more advanced uses of
present tenses, such as how to use the present continuous to express
annoyance at someone’s behaviour or the present perfect simple or
continuous to switch the focus of a sentence from the outcome to the
action.

Examples:
Why are you always talking when I’m explaining something?
I’ve negotiated a pay rise. vs I’ve been negotiating for a pay
rise all morning.

2 Past Tenses
You should be able to talk confidently about past actions and states
using the four past tenses that you know from B1. You will be able to
use the past continuous to narrate background events in a story and
the past perfect with various adverbs.

Examples:
While I was strolling along, I came across a tiny
kitten. I had never tried Indonesian food before I
went to Java.

3 Future Tenses
In addition to a good grasp of the basic future tense structures like
‘will’ and ‘to be going to’, you should also be familiar with more
complex expressions of future actions using future perfect simple and
continuous and be able to talk about the future in the past.

Examples:
Sarah will have been working at the company for a decade
by the end of the summer.
Eva was going to announce her discovery, but her boss got
there first.

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4 Reported Speech
By now, you should be comfortable turning direct quotes into reported
speech. At B2, you’ll be able to use different verbs with the correct
verb patterns to report what was said.

Examples:
She admitted to breaking the window.
She refused to tell me what had happened.

5 Verb Patterns
Like at B1, understanding verb patterns at B2 level is crucial for
constructing accurate sentences. At B2, you will build on your
knowledge from B1 to know a much wider variety of verb patterns.

Examples:
My parents used to make me finish my homework before I
went out. Tessa insists on making her own jam from locally
sourced fruit.

You’ll also be able to recognise the difference between using a base

verb or a gerund with sensory verbs like ‘watch’ and ‘hear’.
I watched them play in the park. vs I watched them playing in
the park.

6 Modal Verbs
You should feel comfortable using modal verbs at the B2 level and be
familiar with more advanced uses, such as making deductions in the
past and expressing expectations.

Examples:
Angela couldn’t have known about the discount in the other
shop. He oughtn’t be hungry for hours.

7 Advanced Clauses
At B2 level, you will start to experiment with advanced clauses. These
clauses help you express more complex ideas in just one sentence.

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When you use them well, you can make your speaking and writing
much more precise and interesting.

Examples:
The cathedral, which took nearly three centuries to complete, is
a marvel of Gothic architecture.
John, realising he had forgotten his umbrella, sprinted back
home.

8 The Causative
Understanding the causative allows you to express actions done by
others, making your conversations and writing more versatile.

Examples:
I had my car repaired because it was making a strange noise.
She got her assistant to schedule all the meetings for the
upcoming conference.

9 Mixed Conditionals
You are also expected to be able to use mixed conditionals in order
to discuss hypothetical situations and express feelings such as guilt
and regret.

Examples:
If he knew how to swim, he would have joined us.
If she were more careful, she wouldn't have misplaced her
passport.

10 Advanced Adjectives
At B2 level, you are expected to be able to use a wide range of adverb
+ adjective and adjective + noun collocations, including the use of
intensifiers in order to communicate your ideas more precisely.

Examples:
You must find it absolutely impossible to ignore such glaring
mistakes.
The view of the city was absolutely breathtaking.
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11 Impersonal Passive
Another important structure you should be familiar with is the
impersonal passive. These expressions make your statements less
direct, often making them more polite or formal.

Examples:
It is believed that the manuscript dates back to the 16th
century. It has been decided that the wedding will take
place in June.

12 Cleft Sentences
At B2, you should learn about cleft sentences, which can help you
emphasise what you consider the most important part of the sentence.

Examples:
What I liked about the book was its attention to detail.
It was his relentless ambition that propelled him to success.

13 Word Formation/Families
At B2 level, it is expected that you have an understanding of different
parts of speech. You should be able to recognise and accurately form
adjectives, adverbs and nouns using the correct prefixes and suffixes.

Examples:
I had hoped our dog would be obedient, but she’s turned out to
be quite disobedient!
Sue had never been able to differentiate between Coca-
Cola and the supermarket’s own-brand version.

14 Punctuation
At B2, you should know how and when to use punctuation marks, such
as commas and apostrophes, to clarify your writing, making it easier
for others to understand your points.

Examples:
Before visiting, check whether it's "King's Cross" or "Kings

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Cross”. Sometimes, at the weekend, we eat pizza, chips

and ice cream!

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VOCABULARY - B2 LEVEL
At B2 level, you are expected to be able to participate in conversations on
both familiar and less familiar topics so it's really important that you have
a wide range of topic-specific vocabulary at your disposal. You will also be
expected to have an extensive knowledge of phrasal verbs as well as
some idiomatic expressions.

In this next section, you’ll see some of the topics you are expected to be
able to speak about at the B2 level.

CEFR Vocabulary Requirements

3250
+words
*

*No accurate data to confirm an exact number of words required for this CEFR
level. Estimates range from 3000 to over 5000.

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APPEARANCE
As a B2 learner, knowledge about terms related to appearance is
important, as this topic often comes up in social situations.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. bald adj /bɔːld/ - lacking hair on the head
He started going bald in his late twenties.

2. barber n /ˈbɑːbə/ - a person who cuts men's hair and facial hair
Max visits the barber every month to keep his hair well-groomed.

3. makeover n /ˈmeɪkəʊvə/ - a set of changes to improve the appearance,

often involving cosmetics or new clothes
She got a complete makeover for her graduation ceremony.

4. stunning adj /ˈstʌnɪŋ/ - extremely attractive or beautiful

Martha looked stunning in her evening gown.

5. underweight adj /ˌʌndəˈweɪt/ - weighing less than what is considered

healthy or normal
She was advised to gain some weight as she was extremely underweight.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to dress up (i) /ˌdres ˈʌp/ - to put on 1. out of style /aʊt əv staɪl/ - no
formal clothes for a special occasion longer fashionable
She decided to dress up for the Baggy jeans are now considered
dinner with her bosses. to be out of style.

2. to show off (t-s) /ˌʃəʊ ˈɒf/ - to 2. in fashion /ɪn ˈfæʃn/ - currently

display something you're proud of popular in style
He likes to show off his new tattoos. Fuzzy hats are currently in fashion.

IDIOM COLLOCATION
dress to impress /dres tə ɪmˈpres/ - to smartly dressed /ˈsmɑːtli drest/ -
wear clothes to make a good impression wearing neat, formal or stylish clothing
Always dress to impress in a job He was smartly dressed at the
interview! meeting.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Fancy dress is a compound noun in English that means clothes you wear to appear
as a different character, e.g. at Halloween.

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CHILDHOOD & GROWING UP

At the upper-intermediate level, discussing one's childhood or upbringing
can provide valuable context in conversations and deepen relationships.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. adolescent n /ˌædəˈlesnt/ - a young person who is between childhood and
adulthood
The film explores the challenges faced by adolescents in large cities.

2. adulthood n /ˈædʌlthʊd/ - the stage of life when a person is fully grown

and takes on adult responsibilities
Adulthood comes with its own set of challenges, such as career and
family.

3. elderly adj /ˈeldəli/ - relating to people who are old

Lala spends her weekends volunteering at a home for elderly people.

4. immature adj /ˌɪməˈtjʊə/ - not fully developed in either body or mind

His immature behaviour made it difficult to take him seriously.

5. upbringing n /ˈʌpˌbrɪŋɪŋ/ - the way a child is raised or educated

Her strict upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of discipline.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to bring up (t) /ˌbrɪŋ ˈʌp/ - to raise or 1. in one's youth /ɪn wʌnz juːθ/ - during
educate a child the period when one was young
She brought up her children to be In her youth, she loved gymnastics.
kind and respectful.
2. at the age of /æt ðə eɪdʒ əv/ -
2. to look up to (t) /ˌlʊk ˈʌp tu/ - to when one is a certain age
admire or respect someone She learnt to play the piano at the
He looks up to his elder sister. age of six.

IDIOM COLLOCATION
child's play /tʃaɪldz pleɪ/ - something sibling rivalry /ˈsɪblɪŋ ˈraɪvəlri/ -
very easy or simple competition between siblings
Learning to play the guitar was Their sibling rivalry is obvious on
child's play for her. game night.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

The prefix step added to nouns like father, mother and sister (e.g. stepsister)

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describes a person who is related to you because your parent married again.

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PETS & ANIMALS

For B2 learners, knowing terms related to pets and animals enhances the
ability to interact in casual settings and share personal stories.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. extinct adj /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/- no longer exists
The dodo bird is an extinct species of flightless bird.

2. species n /ˈspiːʃiːz/ - a group of animals or plants that are similar and can
produce offspring
The African elephant and the Asian elephant are two different species.

3. mammal n /ˈmæml/- a type of animal that feeds milk to its young

and usually has fur or hair
Humans, dogs and whales are all mammals.

4. pack n /pæk/ - a group of animals of the same species that live together
A pack of wolves was seen near the forest edge.

5. habitat n /ˈhæbɪtæt/ - the natural environment where an animal lives

The rainforest is the habitat of many exotic animals.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to take care of (t) - /ˌteɪk ˈkeə əv/ - 1. in the wild /ɪn ðə waɪld/ - in a
to look after or provide for the needs natural environment
of Can you take care of my pet fish Tigers are increasingly rare to see
while I'm away? in the wild.

2. to run away (i) - /ˌrʌn əˈweɪ/ - to 2. by nature /baɪ ˈneɪtʃə/ - as a

escape or suddenly leave a place natural characteristic
My cat ran away last night! Cats are curious by nature.

IDIOM COLLOCATION
let the cat out of the bag /let ðə kæt aʊt animal welfare /ˌænɪml ˈwelfeə/ - the
əv ðə bæɡ/ - to accidentally reveal a well-being of animals
secret Animal welfare organisations work
Well, shoot! She let the cat out of the to protect animals from abuse.
bag!
YOU SHOULD KNOW
We have lots of collective nouns like pack of wolves to describe groups of animals that
live together: a mob of kangaroos, an army of ants, a memory of elephants, etc.

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RELATIONSHIPS, WEDDINGS & MARRIAGES

Understanding vocabulary associated with marriage and weddings is key
at this level because these are social events you are likely to encounter.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. to propose v /prəˈpəʊz/ - to ask someone to marry you
John proposed to Sarah on Christmas Eve.

2. fiancé n /fiˈɒnseɪ/ - the person you are engaged to be married to

Sarah showed off her shiny engagement ring and introduced John as
her fiancé.

3. ceremony n /ˈserəməni/ - a formal event, such as a wedding

The ceremony was simple but very elegant.

4. vow n /vaʊ/ - a serious promise often made during a wedding

They exchanged their vows in front of their families and friends.

5. reception n /rɪˈsepʃn/ - a formal party after an event like a wedding

The reception after the wedding was lovely with wonderful food,
music and dancing.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to call off (t-s) /ˌkɔːl ˈɒf/ - to 1. on the rocks /ɒn ðə rɒks/ - describing
cancel something like an event a relationship that is in trouble
They had to call off the wedding Their marriage is on the rocks; they're
due to unforeseen circumstances. considering separation.

2. to settle down v /ˌsetl ˈdaʊn/ - 2. behind closed doors /bɪˈhaɪnd kləʊzd

to become stable in one's life dɔːz/ - in private
I think Jim is finally settling down. How are things behind closed doors?

IDIOM COLLOCATION
to pop the question /pɒp ðə ˈkwesʃən/ - bridal shower /ˈbraɪdl ˈʃaʊə/ - a party for
to ask someone to marry you the bride-to-be before her wedding
He decided to pop the question Her friends organised a surprise
during their holiday in Paris. bridal shower for her.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Fiancé is a man someone is engaged to. Fiancée is a woman someone is engaged
to. They are pronounced the same.

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FOOD
As a B2 learner, understanding food terminology is especially useful when
living in or visiting an English-speaking country, and it is a delightful topic.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. afternoon tea n /ˌɑːftənuːn ˈtiː/ - a British meal served in the afternoon
Afternoon tea at the hotel was quite luxurious.

2. balanced adj /ˈbælənst/ - containing different elements in appropriate

proportions, often referred to in the context of a diet
A balanced meal includes proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables.

3. dietary adj /ˈdaɪətəri/ - related to the food that one eats, often
concerning its nutritional value or restrictions
The restaurant offers dietary options for vegetarians and vegans.

4. nutritious adj /njuˈtrɪʃəs/ - containing substances that are good for health
While delicious, traditional British food isn't always the most nutritious.

5. roast n /rəʊst/ - meat cooked in an oven, often served with vegetables

Sunday roast is a time-honoured British tradition.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to eat out (i) /ˌiːt ˈaʊt/ - to have a meal 1. on the menu /ɒn ðə ˈmenjuː/ - being
in a restaurant rather than at home offered as a choice in a restaurant
They decided to eat out at a local What is the best dish on the
pub this evening. menu?

2. to tuck in (i) /ˌtʌk ˈɪn/ - to begin 2. in season /ɪn ˈsiːzn/ - being harvested
eating enthusiastically and available fresh
Don't wait for me; tuck in! Strawberries are in season, perfect
for a British summer dessert.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
full of beans /fʊl əv biːnz/ - very hearty breakfast /ˈhɑːti ˈbrekfəst/ - a
energetic or lively large and satisfying morning meal
After his morning coffee, he is always A hearty breakfast sets you up for a
full of beans. good day.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Still or sparkling? This is a question you will be asked if you order water to drink in a
restaurant or bar in the UK. Still is without gas, and sparkling is with gas.

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SPORT
Sport-related vocabulary is essential at this level because sports are a
popular topic in many conversations.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. goalpost n /ˈɡəʊlpəʊst/ - the vertical posts between which players try to get
the ball in games like football and rugby
The goalkeeper made an amazing save, deflecting the ball off the
goalpost.

2. league n /liːɡ/ - a group of sports teams that play against each other
The team was promoted to the Premier League after an excellent season.

3. referee n /ˌrefəˈriː/ - a person who makes sure that players obey the rules
during a sports match
The referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the match.

4. tournament n /ˈtʊənəmənt/ - a competition for teams or players in which a

series of games are played
Wimbledon is a prestigious tennis tournament.

5. venue n /ˈvenjuː/ - the place where an event or meeting happens

The stadium is an ideal venue for the championship game.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to go out (i) /ˌɡəʊ ˈaʊt/ - to be 1. off the field /ɒf ðə fiːld/ - not taking
eliminated from a competition place on the field during the game
The team went out after one John’s charitable activities off the
game. field are heartwarming.

2. to send off (t) /ˌsend ˈɒf/ - to remove 2. under pressure /ˈʌndə ˈpreʃə/ -
a player because of a rule violation experiencing stress or anxiety
The referee had no choice but to She performed well under pressure.
send off the player for his poor
IDIOM COLLOCATION
away from home /əˈweɪ frəm həʊm/ - team spirit /tiːm ˈspɪrɪt/ - the feelings of
often used to describe sports teams enthusiasm, loyalty and a sense of
playing on opponents' grounds belonging among the members of a team
They struggled to score away from Team spirit is crucial for winning
home. games.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Football is often shortened to footie /ˈfʊti/ in British English. And if you’re talking to

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an American, you should call it soccer.

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THE NEWS
Grasping news terminology is essential for B2 learners to understand
current events and participate in discussions about them.

THEME VOCABULARY

1. to oust v /aʊst/ - to force somebody out of a job or position of power

The mayor was ousted from her position after the public protests.

2. panel /ˈpænl/ - a group of experts sharing their thoughts for entertainment

Our panel includes reality star Nick Waite and newsreader Maria Jarvis.

3. cuts n /kʌts/ - when the cost of something is decreased to save money

Staff are refusing to work because of the cuts to their salaries.

4. tabloid n /ˈtæblɔɪd/ - a newspaper that is small in size and is known for

writing stories that are over the top
Tabloids are the most popular newspaper type in the UK.

5. sensationalist adj /senˈseɪʃənəlɪst/ - getting people’s interest by presenting

information in a way more shocking than it actually is
I don’t like sensationalist papers.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to keep up with (t) /ˌkiːp ˈʌp wɪð/- to 1. on the front page /ɒn ðə frʌnt peɪʤ/ -
stay informed about sth. changing featured on the first page of a paper
I use an app to keep up with the or the main page of a news website
news.
Dad’s article is on the front page!

2.to call for (t) /ˌkɔːl ˈfɔː/ - to demand 2. in the news /ɪn ðə njuːz/ -
an action in response to a specific
currently being discussed by the
circumstance
media
He called for the official to step
The scandal has been in the news.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
hot off the press /hɒt ɒf ðə pres/ - refers breaking news /ˈbreɪkɪŋ njuːz/ - urgent
to news that has just been printed and news given to the public as soon as it
contains the most recent information becomes available
Here is the article, hot off the press! The election results are breaking news.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

75% of British people get their news from the BBC. It’s affectionately known as
the Beeb /ðə ˈbiːb/.

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THE INTERNET
In this digital age, understanding internet vocabulary is crucial for anyone
at the upper-intermediate level to navigate online spaces effectively.

THEME VOCABULARY

1. clickbait n /ˈklɪkbeɪt/ - misleading content designed to attract clicks

I thought it was a video about a really huge scandal, but it was just
clickbait.

2. to doomscroll v /duːmskrəʊl/ - to obsessively check the internet for bad

news stories and to keep scrolling to read more and more
I spent half of the morning doomscrolling.

3. sponcon n /ˈspɒnkɒn/ - (sponsored content) posts on social media that

look like regular content, but the influencer has been paid to post it
He posted some sponcon for a brand of protein powder.

4. overlay n /ˈəʊvəleɪ/ - something that is put on top of something else

We can add an overlay to this image showing some of the houses.

5.accessible adj /əkˈsesəbl/ - easy for people to get and use

This game is so expensive that it’s not accessible to everyone.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to rely on (t) /rɪˌlaɪ ˈɒn/ - to need 1. in the cloud /ɪn ðə klaʊd/- refers
or depend on to work properly to data stored on remote servers
This program relies on users All our company files are stored in the
already having other software. cloud.

2. to opt out (i) /ˌɒpt ˈaʊt/- to choose not 2. on the internet /ɒn ðə ˈɪntənet/- an
to participate in online activities activity or search is taking place online
I opted out of receiving promo emails. I found this recipe on the internet.

IDIOM COLLOCATION
to troll someone /trəʊl ˈsʌmwʌn/ - to digital footprint /ˌdɪdʒɪtl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ - the
intentionally post messages online that data left behind when using the internet
get strong emotional responses Your digital footprint helps
Don’t reply; he’s just trolling you. companies target advertisements
towards you.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Abbreviations and acronyms are very common on the internet, including TBH (to be

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honest), LMK (let me know) and TBT (throwback Thursday).

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OFFICE JARGON
At B2 level, familiarity with office jargon can significantly help you in a
professional environment and in understanding workplace dynamics.

THEME VOCABULARY

1. to action v /ˈækʃn/ - to do something to deal with a task or problem

I’m going to action some of these recommendations immediately.

2. SWAT team n /ˈswɒt tiːm/ - a team of highly specialised people who will put
a plan into action at work
Let’s get a SWAT team together and start making progress.

3. leverage n /ˈliːvərɪdʒ/ - the ability to influence what people do to get

the results you want
We need to find some leverage and use it to close the deal.

4. deep dive n /ˌdiːp ˈdaɪv/ - a detailed analysis or examination of a subject

The boss has asked for a deep dive report on the project's progress.

5.core competency n /kɔː ˈkɒmpɪtənsɪ/ - a specific skill or area of expertise

One of this company’s core competencies is its attention to detail.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to check up on (t) - /ˌtʃek ˈʌp ɒn/ - to 1. at the office - /æt ðə ˈɒfɪs/ - in
monitor one’s progress or well-being the workplace
We’ll check up on your project I left my laptop at the office.
later.
2. by the book - /baɪ ðə bʊk/-
2. to scale back (i, t) /ˌskeɪl ˈbæk/ - to following rules or procedures exactly
reduce in size or number Make sure to do everything by the
We decided to scale back our product book; we can't afford any
development team. mistakes.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
open door /ˌəʊpən ˈdɔː/- a policy where office politics /ˌɒfɪs ˈpɒlɪtɪks/ - the use of
employees are encouraged to power or influence for personal gain at
communicate with managers freely work
Come chat with me; I’ve got an open Don’t waste your time with office politics.
door!
YOU SHOULD KNOW
A lot of people don’t like office jargon. So even though you need to be able to
understand it, it’s often better to use simpler, more “normal” language.

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HEALTH & THE HEALTH SYSTEM

For upper-intermediate learners, knowledge about the health system is
invaluable, especially when navigating medical situations.

THEME VOCABULARY

1. kidney n /ˈkɪdni/ - one of two organs that filters waste out of your blood
Jenny had a kidney infection, but she’s feeling much better now.

2. transplant n /ˈtrænsplɑːnt/ - a medical operation during which a new organ

is put into someone’s body
My dad had a liver transplant.

3. ward n /wɔːd/ - a large room in a hospital with beds for patients to stay in
Katherine works on the maternity ward.

4. surgery n /ˈsɜːdʒəri/ - (BrE) a general doctor’s office in the community

I’m going to the surgery later to figure out why I’ve been so tired.

5.infectious adj /ɪnˈfekʃəs/ - able to be passed from one person or animal to

another (of a disease)
Flu is very infectious in summer.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to come down with (sth.) (t) /ˌkʌm 1. at risk /æt rɪsk/- in a situation where
ˈdaʊn wɪð/ - to start to feel ill something harmful could happen
I think I’m coming down with a cold. Smokers are at risk of many
health problems.
2. to get over (t) / ˌɡet ˈəʊvə/ - to recover
from an illness 2. on medication - /ɒn ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃən/
It took me a while to get over that - taking drugs to treat a condition
cold, but I’m better now. He's on blood pressure
medication.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
to be back on one’s feet /biː bæk ɒn wʌnz to lose one’s appetite /luːz wʌnz
fiːt/ - to return to a normal or healthy ˈæpɪtaɪt/ - to not feel hungry and to not
state after an illness or a troubled time feel like eating food
Kai was ill, but he’s back on his feet Helen has completely lost her appetite.
now.
trained in general medicine
YOU SHOULD
OTC /ˌəʊ tiː ˈsiː/ - over the KNOW
counter; medicine you can get GP /ˌdʒiː ˈpiː/ - General
without a written doctor’s note Practitioner; a doctor who is

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A&E /ˌeɪ ənd ˈiː/ - Accident

& Emergency; the part of
the hospital for
immediate help

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PRONUNCIATION - B2 LEVEL
At B2 level it is expected that you can generally articulate all
individual sounds clearly. Although there may still be some influence
from other languages you speak, any differences should not usually
prevent listeners from understanding what you are trying to say. There
may still be some words which you frequently mispronounce. This is
called a ‘fossilised’ error. The people listening to you should not need
to ask for repetition very often or have to listen to you carefully in
order to understand what you are saying.

You will generally speak fluently, with little hesitation.

At B2 level, you begin to recognise words when they are pronounced in

a different regional accent from the one you are generally accustomed
to. You will have a very good understanding of word stress and should
be able to predict with some accuracy the placement of word stress in
unfamiliar words.

You are able to use sentence stress and intonation accurately in order
to help convey meaning, e.g.
You need thirty chairs for the party, right? No, I said thirteen, not
thirty.
It wasn’t me who made the mistake. It was you.

Intonation
You can swim, can't you? ↗ rising intonation = genuine question
You can swim, can't you? ↘ falling intonation = seeking
confirmation

There will still be some influence from your native language(s) on

these features, but it will be less noticeable than at B1 level.

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B2 LEVEL CHECKLIST
Below is a checklist of all the key grammar structures and vocabulary
sections that are required at the B2 level. Please look through the list
and put a tick or mark in the box that best describes your ability.

= It is easy for me.

= I have some difficulty with this.
= It is difficult for me.

B2 Checklist - Grammar Structures

‘I can use...’
1. Present Continuous (annoying actions)
Why are you always talking?

2. Present Perfect Simple/Continuous

I’ve been negotiating for a pay rise.

3. Past Continuous (narrate background events)

While I was walking, I came across a tiny kitten.

4. Past Perfect with Adverbs

I had never tried Indonesian food before.

5. Future Perfect Simple/Continuous

I’ll have been working here for a decade soon.

6. Future in the Past

When I saw him, he said he was going to the gym.
7. Reported speech (direct quotes)
She admitted to breaking the window.

8. Advanced Verb Patterns

Tessa insists on making her own jam.

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B2 LEVEL CHECKLIST
B2 Checklist - Grammar Cont.

‘I can use...’
9. Infinitive vs Gerund
I watched them play/playing in the park.

10. Modal Verbs (making deductions)

Angela couldn’t have known about the party.

11.Modal Verbs (expressing expectations)

He oughtn’t be hungry for hours.

12.Advanced Clauses
Kia, realising she was lost, called for help.

13.The Causative
I had my car repaired because it broke down.

14. Mixed Conditionals

If he knew how to swim, he would have come.
15.Advanced Adjectives
The views were absolutely breathtaking.

16. Impersonal Passive

It is believed that it is hundreds of years old.

17.Cleft Sentences
What I liked about the book was the ending.

18. Word Formation/Families

Our ‘obedient’ dog is actually disobedient.

19. Punctuation
Sometimes, at the weekend, we eat pizza!

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B2 LEVEL CHECKLIST
B2 Checklist - Vocabulary

‘I am able to describe...’
1. Appearance
Using words like ‘bald’ or ‘dress to impress’.

2. Childhood & Growing Up

Using words like ‘adolescent’ or ‘immature’.

3. Pets & Animals

Using words like ‘species’ or ‘habitat’.

4. Relationships & Marriage

Using words like ‘fiancé’ or ‘pop the question’.

5. Food & Eating Habits

Using words like ‘nutritious’ or ‘tuck in’.

6. Sport & Exercise

Using words like ‘tournament’ or ‘team spirit’.
7. News & Media
Using words like ‘tabloid’ or ‘breaking news’.

8. The Internet & Social Media

Using words like ‘doomscroll’ or ‘clickbait’.

9. Office Jargon
Using words like ‘leverage’ or ‘touch base’.

10. Health
Using words like ‘transplant’ or ‘medication’.

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EXAMPLE B2 STUDY PLAN

Now you know the grammar and vocabulary you need to reach a B2
level in English, how can you get there? The most effective approach is
to follow a comprehensive, well-structured curriculum that will guide
you through the grammar and vocabulary in a manageable way. After
the success of my B1 Programme, I, Lucy, went back to our incredible
curriculum designer and created a B2 Programme.

I want to show you the curriculum that we made together now. In the
12-week programme, we wove together the grammar and vocabulary
topics you need to learn alongside weekly reading and listening
lessons. We also have weekly pronunciation and conversation lessons.
The conversation lessons are a fantastic addition to the programme as
they allow you to follow natural conversations between native English
speakers with lots of vocabulary popping up on the screen, a full
transcript and pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar focuses.

The Beautiful British English

B2 Programme
B2 Week #1 - University & Social
Life
Vocabulary Idioms

Listening ‘Socialisation & Friendship’

1. Phrasal Verbs
Grammar
2. Common Mistakes with Present Tenses

Pronunciation IPA Chart

Conversation ‘Social Life & Hobbies’ with George (my

brother!)

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B2 Week #2 -
Appearance
Vocabulary Appearance

Reading 'The Growing Popularity of Male

Salons’

Grammar
1. Causatives
2. Advanced Adjective Use
Pronunciation
-ed Adjective Endings
Conversation
‘Social Events’ with Kim (my mum!)
B2 Week #3 - Relationships & Wedding Traditions

Vocabulary Marriage & Weddings

Listening ‘British Wedding Traditions’

1. Mixed Conditionals
Grammar
2. Inversion with Negative Adverbials

Pronunciation Advanced Contractions

Conversation ‘Dating’ with Will

B2 Week #4 - Growing Up &

Childhood
Vocabulary Growing Up & Childhood

Reading ‘Speech Verbs’

1. Reported Speech in Narration

Grammar
2. Word Formation

Pronunciation Unstressed Syllables

Conversation ‘Upbringing’ with Richard (my

dad!)
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B2 Week #5 - Pets &

Animals
Vocabulary Pets & Animals

Listening ‘Animals R Us’

1. Modal Verbs - Obligation & Necessity

Grammar
2. Modal Verbs - Permission, Requests, Offers
etc.
Pronunciation
Rhythm, Stress & Intonation
Conversation
‘Pets’ with Kelsie (vet)
B2 Week #6 - British
Food
Vocabulary British Food

Reading ‘Curry’

1. Verb Patterns
Grammar
2. Reflexive Pronouns

Pronunciation Commonly Mispronounced Food

Conversation ‘Cooking & Eating Habits’ with

Kim
B2 Week #7 - Sports & the
Olympics
Vocabulary Sport Idioms

Listening ‘Team Performance in the Olympics’

1. Modal Verbs - Speculation and Deduction

Grammar
2. Modal Verbs - Expectation

Pronunciation Elision

Conversation ‘Sport’ with Will

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B2 Week #8 - British News &

Media
Vocabulary News Terminology

Reading ‘British News and Media’

1. Question Tags
Grammar
2. Prepositions

Pronunciation Connected Speech

Conversation ‘The Media’ with Lia

Hatzakis
B2 Week #9 - The Internet & Social
Media
Vocabulary Internet Vocabulary

Listening ‘The Metaverse’

1. Future Tenses
Grammar
2. Complex Future Tenses

Pronunciation Informal Contractions

Conversation ‘Social Media’ with Ollie

Richards
B2 Week #10 -
Money
Vocabulary Money Culture

Reading ‘British Attitudes Towards

Money’

Grammar 1. Punctuation
2. Relative & Participle Clauses
Pronunciation
Tone of Voice
Conversation
‘Money’ with Jo Franco

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B2 Week #11 - Office Culture &

Jargon
Vocabulary Office Jargon

Listening ‘Office Culture’

1. Impersonal Passive Construction

Grammar
2. Passive Voice & Modal Verbs

Pronunciation Review Different UK Accents

Conversation ‘The Job Market’ with John

B2 Week #12 - The Healthcare

System
Vocabulary Health

Reading ‘The Health System’

1. Exam Preparation #1
Grammar
2. Exam Preparation

Pronunciation #2 The Glottal Stop

Conversation ‘The NHS’ with Will

SUMMARY
24 Grammar Lessons
12 Conversation Lessons
12 Vocabulary Lessons
12 Reading Lessons
15 Pronunciation Lessons
12 Listening Lessons

✅ Downloadable Lesson PDFs and Mind Maps

 16-week access to Private Course Community
♾ Lifetime access to course content

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C1 LEVEL
Allll the grammar
& vocabullary
you need to
llearn!!
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 ©

AN OVERVIEW OF C1 ENGLISH
At C1 level, you are expected to be able to express yourself clearly and
confidently on a wide range of topics. Any hesitation when speaking
should be due to the fact that you are choosing the most accurate word
from the broad range of vocabulary at your disposal.

You will be able to say things like

I can‘t wait to put my own stamp on this place.

I can’t wait to redecorate. rather than

C1 also demands a massively increased vocabulary, and you should be

able to express yourself spontaneously relatively easily. You should also
be able to understand subtle jokes in English at C1 level.

C1 is a wonderful level of English to reach. At this level, you will feel

confident communicating in almost every situation and you should really
enjoy speaking the language. These are two things that many of my
students strive for. C1 is not really about learning entirely new
grammatical structures as you should already have learnt most of them
at B2 and below; rather, it is about learning grammatical nuances, adding
to your repertoire of phrases and building your instincts for English
grammar.

The next portion of this ebook will walk you through some of the
grammar and vocabulary you need to know to achieve the C1 level.

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GRAMMAR - C1 LEVEL
1 Present Tenses
If you feel ready to study at C1 level in English, you should already
have a strong foundation in the present tenses. A C1 course will
provide you with a revision of these tenses, with a focus on using them
accurately in different situations.

Examples:
I am trying a new diet plan for a month to see how I feel.
They’ve been keeping a family calendar and are now better
organised.

2 Past Tenses
At C1 level, you should already be comfortable with using the past
tenses. A C1 course will provide revision of these tenses to help
learners use them correctly in a range of situations.

Examples:
Were you looking for a two or three-bedroom place?
We had been travelling around Denmark for a while before
deciding to settle down there.

3 Future Tenses
If you are studying at C1, you should have a firm grasp of the basic
future tenses. A C1 course will focus on their advanced uses, such as
using the future perfect to make assumptions about the present.

Example:
I’m sure my husband will have noticed that I used all the milk
this morning.

On a C1 course, you will also learn how to talk about the future using
advanced structures, like ‘to be set to’ and ‘to be on the verge of’.

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Examples:
They are set to become one of the world’s greatest pop acts.
Our village is on the verge of being deluged by hordes of
additional tourists.

4 Modal Verbs, Speculation & Deduction

At the C1 level, you’ll be able to use advanced modal verb structures
and know which adverbs collocate with them.

Example:
They may well have driven all that way in one night, but it’s
highly unlikely.

You’ll also know how to use structures such as ‘the odds are’ and ‘I
dare say’ to make deductions.

Example:
I dare say I’ll have to brush up on my grammar before I do a
new course.

5 Conditionals
At C1 level, you should already be familiar with basic and mixed
conditionals, but you will continue to expand on these structures.
You will also learn a range of words and phrases that can be used as
alternatives to ‘if’ to take your conditionals to the next level!

Examples:
But for a wonderful trip to Spain when I was younger, I
would never have decided to learn the language.
Given that I’d like to achieve C1 level in English, I’m going to
have to study harder.

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6 The Passive Voice

Again, if you’ve reached C1, you should already be well-versed in how
to use the passive voice. At C1, there’ll be a focus on using the
passive infinitive and passive ‘-ing’ forms.

Example:
Lucy recalled having been taught about the passive voice at
some point in the past.

And you’ll need to learn about the subtle differences between

phrases like:

There’s nothing to do.

There’s nothing to be done.

7 Negative Inversion
You also need to have an understanding of how to use negative
inversions to add emphasis and variety to your writing and speaking.

Inversion is widely used in literary contexts, so understanding this

structure can help you understand and analyse a wide range of texts
more effectively, particularly those with complex or literary styles.

Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset.

Such was the commotion that I could barely hear myself think.

8 Hedging & Boosting

Those at a C1 level should be familiar with hedging and boosting
when writing and speaking. Hedging is a linguistic strategy that allows
speakers to soften or downplay the force of their statements, often by
using hedging verbs like ‘to seem’, and adverbs like ‘presumably’.

Example:
It seems like this might be a good solution.

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Boosting, on the other hand, involves using language to increase

the force or impact of a statement, often by using adverbs like
‘undeniably’ and strong verbs like ‘to prove’.

Example:
This has been proven to be the best solution to our problem.

9 Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings

Another important aspect of achieving a C1 level of English is
understanding the various meanings of a number of phrasal verbs.
Depending on the context, phrasal verbs can take on different
meanings. To effectively communicate and understand advanced
conversations, you will need know these multiple meanings. Here’s a
quick example using the phrasal verb ‘set up’:

set up (a time for a meeting):

Let's set up a meeting for next week.

set up (people on a date):

My friend set me up with her cousin.

set up (the living room for a play date):

I need to set up the living room for the kids.

10 Advanced Comparatives & Superlatives

Some of the most important grammatical tools C1 level students need
to master are the use of advanced comparative and superlative
structures. Advanced comparative structures can help students
express similarities and differences between people and things in
nuanced ways. Here are some examples of the structures students
should know at C1:

Finding a house in Cornwall is no more difficult than in

London. The house is more dilapidated than charming.
The house isn’t so much dirty as filthy.

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At C1 level, students should also be aware of how to postmodify

superlative adjectives, like

The house was designed in the most efficient way

possible. I want to pay the lowest possible price for
this house.

11 Word Formation
Just as at B2 level, understanding word families is an important skill
at C1. It helps expand your vocabulary through roots, prefixes and
suffixes, which will help you deduce the meaning of unfamiliar
words.

Example:
decide (verb)
decision (noun) - indecision (negative noun)
decisive (adjective) - indecisive (negative adjective)

12 Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is another important skill to develop in order to achieve

a C1 level of English because it allows you to express ideas in your
own words while maintaining the meaning and intent of the original
text.

This skill is particularly valuable in academic and professional

contexts, where accurately conveying information and avoiding
plagiarism is essential.

Example:
The company is experiencing financial
difficulties. The company is struggling
financially.

There are many more structures, words and phrases you should know at

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C1 level, like how to use non-finite clauses, compound

adjectives, advanced discourse markers and fixed
expressions that you can use in writing and speech.

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VOCABULARY - C1 LEVEL
When it comes to vocabulary, you should be able to express yourself
fluently and spontaneously on a wide range of concrete and abstract
topics and understand complex written and spoken texts.

You’ll need to know a wide range of vocabulary on the topics of

lifestyle and well-being, nutrition and how it affects you, housing and
urban versus rural life, and how people’s different personalities mean
you gel with some people and not others. You’ll also have to be
comfortable with language connected to work and business, including
the hot-button topics of remote working, burnout and resignation,
freelancing and changing careers. On the next page you’ll see some
recommended topics.

CEFR Vocabulary Requirements

many,
many
words
*

*Obviously a joke, but there is no official amount of words you should know at C1.

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SELF-IMPROVEMENT & WELLNESS

For C1 learners, an enriched vocabulary on the topic of self-improvement
and wellness is important in social and professional situations.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. mindset n /ˈmaɪndset/ - the set of attitudes, beliefs and values that shape a
person's thoughts and behaviours
I think my positive mindset allows me to overcome tough challenges.

2. detrimental adj /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ - harmful or damaging

A lack of sleep can have a detrimental effect on your cognitive functions.

3. self-reflection n /ˌself rɪˈflekʃn/ - serious thought about your feelings and

behaviour and the reasons behind them
I engage in regular self-reflection to understand myself better.

4. to neglect v /nɪˈɡlekt/ - to fail to take care of someone or something

I have been neglecting myself recently between full-time work and
studying.

5. hustle culture n /ˈhʌsl ˈkʌlʧə/ - the idea that you have to work extremely
hard, all day, every day, in order to succeed
Hustle culture can be detrimental to health and well-being in the long run.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to lay off (t) /ˌleɪ ˈɒf/ - to stop 1. beyond doubt /bɪˈjɒnd daʊt/ - in a
using something way that shows something is certain
I decided to lay off social media for Her talent was beyond doubt.
a while to focus on my mental
health. 2. in response to /ɪn rɪˈspɒns tuː/ - as a
result of or in reaction to
2. to ease up on (t) /ˌiːz ˈʌp ɒn/ - to do, In response to the health crisis, the
eat or drink less of something government issued safety guidelines.
We are easing up on beer this month.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
a breath of fresh air /ə breθ əv freʃ eə/ - mental health /ˈmentl helθ/ - one's
something new and refreshing that brings emotional and psychological well-being
new energy and enthusiasm Prioritising mental health is as
My trip was a breath of fresh air. important as maintaining physical
health.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The word well-being means ‘general health and happiness’. It has a hyphen in the

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Oxford Dictionary but is slowly losing its hyphen to become wellbeing.

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HOUSING
At C1 level, understanding the intricacies of housing will help you have
meaningful discussions and make informed decisions in your life.

THEME VOCABULARY

1. squatter n /ˈskwɒtə/ - a person who lives in a building without permission

and without paying rent
I think there were some squatters living here while the house was vacant.

2. rickety adj /ˈrɪkəti/ - in bad condition and not strong, likely to break
We got into the rickety old house but immediately wanted to renovate it.

3. shabby chic adj /ˌʃæbɪ ˈʃiːk/ - a style of decorating that uses old-fashioned
and worn furniture deliberately to create a cottage-style home
I was going for shabby chic with this decor, but I think it just looks old.

4. vacant adj /ˈveɪkənt/ - not occupied or in use

The house has been vacant since the owner passed away.

5.airy adj /ˈeəri/ - with lots of fresh air, light and space
We have a lovely, airy kitchen with lots of natural light.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to tear down (t-s) /ˌteə ˈdaʊn/ - to 1. on the market /ɒn ðə ˈmɑːkɪt/ -
knock or pull a building or wall down a house that is currently for sale
We’re going to tear down that wall We’re putting our house on the
and make a huge dining kitchen. market.

2. in close proximity /ɪn kləʊs prɒk

2.to spruce up (t-s) /ˌspruːs ˈʌp/ - to
make a house or room more attractive ˈsɪmɪtɪ/ - near
A little paint spruced this place There’s a decent school in close
up! proximity to this property.

IDIOM COLLOCATION
make a house a home /meɪk ə haʊs ə affordable housing /əˈfɔːdəbl ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ -
həʊm/ - turn a residence into a reasonably priced housing, especially for
comfortable, safe space people with low to moderate incomes
Decorating can make a house a home. What happened to affordable
housing?
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The most desired architectural style for a house in the UK is Georgian. These houses
date from the 18th century and have a very symmetrical appearance.

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URBAN & RURAL LIFE

As an advanced speaker, you should be able to speak about urban and
rural life and offer your insights into various societal structures.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. land mass n /ˈlænd mæs/ - a large area of land that is in one piece
In Cornwall, just 3.5% of the landmass is considered urban.

2. affluent adj /ˈæfluənt/ - wealthy, can refer either to a place or a person

This has become a very affluent neighbourhood in recent years.

3. gentrification n /ˌdʒentrɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ - the process of improving an area of a city

so that it goes from being a poor area to a richer one
Gentrification often results in the displacement of low-income residents.

4. congestion n /kənˈdʒestʃən/ - the state of being full of traffic

One of the reasons that I want to leave the city is the atrocious congestion.

5. rural flight n /ˈrʊərəl flaɪt/ - the movement of people from rural areas
to urban areas, typically in search of better economic opportunities
Rural flight is a major concern due to the decline in job prospects.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to knock down (t-s) /ˌnɒk ˈdaʊn/ - to 1. away from it all /əˈweɪ frɒm ɪt ɔːl/ - in
demolish a building or structure a remote and peaceful rural area
The old factory was knocked Their cabin in the mountains is the
down to make room for luxury perfect place to get away from it
apartments. all.

2. to liven up (i, t-s) /ˌlaɪvn ˈʌp/- to become 2. in the heart of /ɪn ðə hɑːt əv/ - in
or make sth. become more exciting the middle of something, like a city
The new pub livened up the village. We bought a flat in the heart of Leeds.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
on the brink /ɒn ðə brɪŋk/ - almost in a urban sprawl /ˈɜːbən ˈsprɔːl/ - the spread
new, exciting or dangerous situation of an urban area into neighbouring areas
Many Italian villages are on the brink Urban sprawl is becoming a
of being abandoned due to rural significant issue for city planners.
flight.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
We also talk about urban flight, which has become more of a phenomenon in recent
years.

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HUMOUR
For C1 students, understanding the subtleties of humour offers valuable
insights into culture, social norms and language use.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. sarcasm n /ˈsɑːkæzəm/ - the use of irony to mock or show contempt
His sarcasm was quite biting, leaving everyone in the room
uncomfortable.

2. parody n /ˈpærədi/ - a humorous imitation of a person, writing or situation

The parody of the popular song quickly went viral on social media.

3. satire n /ˈsætaɪə/ - a way of criticising people or ideas in a humorous way,

especially to make a political point
The novel was a brilliant satire on the state of modern politics.

4. wit n /wɪt/ - the ability to think quickly and make clever remarks
Tim’s wit made him popular at social gatherings.

5. irony n /ˈaɪrəni/ - expressing something but meaning the opposite, often

to create a humorous effect
The irony of the situation was that the fire station burned down.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to put down (t-s) /ˌpʊt ˈdaʊn/ - 1. in jest /ɪn ʤest/ - said or done for the
to insult someone sarcastically purpose of making a joke
She put him down with a clever I made that comment in jest, sorry!
remark, and he had no
comeback. 2. at the expense of /æt ðə ɪksˈpens əv/ -
by making fun of something else
2. to crack up (i, t-s) /ˌkræk ˈʌp/ - to make He made a joke at the expense of
someone laugh a lot making himself look foolish.
His story cracked us up!
IDIOM COLLOCATION
to tickle someone's funny bone /tɪkl dry humour /draɪ ˈhjuːmə/ - a subtle and
ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈfʌni bəʊn/ - to make someone clever type of ironic humour
laugh or find something humorous Ron’s dry humour doesn't appeal to
That joke really tickled my funny bone. everyone.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

You can also say that something tickles you, meaning it makes you laugh.

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It always tickles me when my dog chases its tail.

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PERSONALITIES
Advanced vocabulary knowledge on personalities enhances your ability to
describe human behaviour, helping you have deeper conversations.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. aloof adj /əˈluːf/ - not friendly or willing to take part in things
She’s very hard to warm to because of her aloof demeanour.

2. jovial adj /ˈʤəʊviəl/ - very cheerful and friendly

Craig has such a jovial disposition that I’m sure he’ll make a great host.

3. sulky adj /ˈsʌlki/ - in a bad mood or not speaking as a result of being angry
Juan was a sulky teenager who barely uttered a word around adults.

4. attentive adj /əˈtentɪv/ - helpful and making sure people’s needs are met
The staff were very attentive and made our stay really enjoyable.

5. relatable adj /rɪˈleɪtəbl/ (of a person) making you feel that you can
understand and have sympathy with them
A lot of social media personalities start off relatable, but as their
fame grows, they become less and less so.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to fit in (i) /ˌfɪt ˈɪn/ - to belong to a 1. out of place /aʊt əv pleɪs/ - not fitting
group because of similar interests or seeming right in a specific setting
When I first moved to the We felt out of place in the fancy
village, I didn’t fit in. bar.

2.to open up (i) /ˌəʊpən ˈʌp/ - to talk 2. at odds with /æt ɒdz wɪð/ -
to someone about your feelings in disagreement or conflict
I never feel comfortable opening up. with
Her cheerful demeanour was often
IDIOM COLLOCATION
stick out like a sore thumb /stɪk aʊt laɪk a frosty reception /ə ˈfrɒstɪ rɪˈsepʃən/ - a
ə sɔː θʌm/ - to be very noticeable cold response or reaction to something
because it is different My idea got a very frosty reception
She sticks out like a sore thumb here. when I floated it in the meeting.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

To warm to is a phrasal verb that you saw in the first example sentence. It means to
begin to like someone.

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TOURISM
Gaining a thorough understanding of tourism-related vocabulary at the C1
level can elevate your travel experiences and discussions.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. agritourism n /ˈæɡrɪˌtʊərɪzm/ - tourism focused on rural life and activities
Lucy loved her agritourism experience, especially the fresh air.

2. tourist trap n /ˈtʊərɪst træp/ - a place that draws tourists with overpriced or
inauthentic attractions
The city centre has its fair share of tourist traps selling souvenirs.

3. staycation n /steɪˈkeɪʃən/ - a holiday spent in your local area or at home

We're having a staycation and exploring our local hidden gems.

4. overtourism n /ˌəʊvəˈtʊərɪzəm/ - when a place gets too many tourists,

causing problems for locals and the environment
During peak season, the locals started protesting against overtourism.

5. itinerary n /aɪˈtɪnərəri/- a planned list or schedule of places to visit

Emma sent me her itinerary so I knew where she’d be on her trip.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to branch out (t) /ˌbrɑːntʃ ˈaʊt/ - to 1. within walking distance /wɪðˈɪn ˈwɔːkɪŋ
expand one's interests or activities ˈdɪstəns/ - close to reach by walking
The travel agency branched out The museum is within walking
into ecotourism due to its distance of our hotel.
popularity.
2. at the foot of /æt ðə fʊt əv/ - located
2. to sign up for (t) /ˌsaɪn ˈʌp fɔː/ - to at the bottom or base of something
register or enrol for something The town is at the foot of a
Many tourists sign up for guided mountain.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
off the beaten track /ɒf ðə ˈbiːtən træk/ - the trip of a lifetime /ðə trɪp əv ə
a location that is not popular or known ˈlaɪftaɪm/ - a unique travel experience
For a more authentic experience, look that is only experienced once
for places that are off the beaten Our Italy tour was the trip of a lifetime.
track.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Voluntourism is a type of tourism where travellers work as volunteers in the
country they are visiting.

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REMOTE WORK & COMMUTING

Exploring vocabulary on remote work and commuting at C1 level equips
you to discuss contemporary employment trends more effectively.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. hot-desking n /ˈhɒtˌdeskɪŋ/ - sharing desks among workers to save space
The company's new policy encourages hot-desking to promote flexibility.

2. telecommuting n /ˌtelɪˈkəʊmjuːtɪŋ/ - working remotely via the internet

More companies consider telecommuting a viable option.

3. digital nomad n /ˌdɪdʒɪtl ˈnəʊmæd/ - someone who works online and travels
As a digital nomad, Lana has worked in cafes all around the world.

4. to decentralise v /diːˈsentrəlaɪz/ - distributing tasks or authority away from

a central location
The company aims to decentralise its operations to increase flexibility.

5. coworking n /ˌkəʊˈwɜːkɪŋ/ - sharing a workspace for independent work

The city has seen a rise in coworking spaces due to the increase in
remote workers and freelancers.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to run by (t) /ˌrʌn ˈbaɪ/ - to show or 1. out of office /aʊt əv ˈɒfɪs/ - not
tell sb. sth. to see their reaction to it currently present at one's workplace
Even though I work remotely, I call She is out of office for the next
my boss every day to run my week.
ideas by her.
2. in the loop /ɪn ðə luːp/ - being
2. to dial in (i) /ˌdaɪəl ˈɪn/ - to join a informed or updated about something
telephone meeting or conference call Keep me in the loop regarding
I’ll dial in for the team meeting any major decisions.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
burn the midnight oil /bɜːn ðə ˈmɪdnaɪt remote access /rɪˌməʊt ˈækses/ -
ɔɪl/ - to work late into the night connected to a computer or network from
John's been burning the midnight oil to afar
finish his report before the deadline. With remote access, he can work at
home.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Hybrid work is a blend of remote and in-office work, which is becoming
increasingly popular.

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QUITTING & JOB-HUNTING

C1-level learners should have adequate language skills to talk about
quitting and job-hunting and discuss career transitions effectively.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. resignation n /ˌrezɪɡˈneɪʃn/ - the act of officially telling your employer that
you are leaving your job
After much consideration, she handed in her resignation last week.

2. headhunter n /ˈhedˌhʌntə/ - a person or company that finds potential

candidates for senior job positions
The firm hired a headhunter to find their next Chief Financial Officer.

3. onboarding n /ˈɒnbɔːdɪŋ/ - integrating a new employee into a company

The HR team has an extensive onboarding process for new hires.

4. severance n /ˈsevərəns/ - the termination of one’s employment contract

Each employee was given notice of severance three weeks in advance.

5. wage slave n /ˈweɪdʒ sleɪv/ - a person who is wholly dependent on income

Many people feel trapped as wage slaves in jobs they don’t enjoy.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to hand in (t-s) /ˌhænd ˈɪn/ - to give 1. under consideration /ˈʌndə kənˌsɪdə
something to a person in authority ˈreɪʃn/ - being thought about and
He handed in his notice after 15 evaluated
years. My application is under consideration.

2. to follow up (i, t-s) /ˌfɒləʊ ˈʌp/ - to 2. in response to /ɪn rɪˈspɒns tuː/ - as a

continue, add to or take further action reaction or answer to
on a previous matter I sent my CV in response to your advert.
Follow up your interview with an
IDIOM COLLOCATION
throw in the towel /θrəʊ ɪn ðə ˈtaʊəl/ - to job prospects /dʒɒb ˈprɒspekts/ -
admit defeat or stop trying potential job opportunities
After months of job hunting without The degree she pursued has
success, Jamie threw in the towel. broadened her job prospects
immensely.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Great Resignation was a term coined to describe the high number of people
who quit their jobs in the early 2020s.

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FREELANCING
Understanding the vocabulary of freelancing broadens your career
prospects and deepens your insight into flexible employment.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. zero hours n /ˈzɪərəʊ aʊəz/ - a contract without guaranteed work hours
It's difficult for me to plan ahead financially with a zero-hours contract.

2. fluctuation n /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃən/ - variation or changes

Freelancers face income fluctuation due to job unpredictability.

3. gig economy n /ˈɡɪɡ ɪkɒnəmi/ - a labour market of short-term jobs

Many young professionals are diving into the gig economy for its
flexibility.

4. feast or famine n /fiːst ɔː ˈfæmɪn/ - a situation in which the amount of

work varies greatly, being sometimes too much and sometimes too little
Working as a freelancer can be a cycle of feast or famine.

5. client retention n /ˈklaɪənt rɪˈtenʃən/ - keeping clients over a period of time

Good communication skills play a vital role in successful client
retention for freelancers.

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to wind down (i) /ˌwaɪnd ˈdaʊn/ - to 1. in demand /ɪn dɪˈmænd/ - being
relax after finishing work wanted or sought after by many
After a long day of work, she likes Talented graphic designers are
to wind down with a good book. always in demand in the
freelancing world.
2. to draw up (t-s) /ˌdrɔː ˈʌp/ - to prepare
a document, usually in a formal way 2. under contract /ˈʌndə ˈkɒntrækt/ -
Make sure to draw up a clear currently hired or bound by a contract
contract. She's under contract with an
IDIOM COLLOCATION
to wear many hats /weə ˈmeni hæts/ - to project deadline /ˈprɒdʒekt ˈdedlaɪn/ -
have many roles or responsibilities the time a project must be finished
As a freelancer, she has to wear Meeting the project deadline is crucial
many hats: writer, marketer and to maintain a good reputation.
accountant.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
A verb that can have a similar meaning as to wear many hats is to juggle.

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As a freelancer, she has to juggle many roles: writer, marketer and accountant.

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FOOD & NUTRITION

At C1, a comprehensive knowledge of vocabulary about food and nutrition
allows you to engage in deep talks about health and food ethics.

THEME VOCABULARY
1. deficiency n /dɪˈfɪʃnsi/ - a lack of something your body needs
Vegan diets often require B12 supplements to avoid deficiencies.

2. fad diet n /fæd ˈdaɪət/ - a temporarily popular eating plan that often
promises quick health benefits but is not supported by scientific evidence
You can easily spot a fad diet as they tend to make fantastical
claims.

3. junk science n /ˌdʒʌŋk ˈsaɪəns/ - unscientific or unreliable information,

often used to support false claims
A lot of people who have large platforms pedal junk science nowadays.

4. to nourish v /ˈnʌrɪʃ/ - to provide what's needed for growth or well-being

I take vitamins and eat lots of vegetables to nourish my body.

5. calorific adj /ˌkæləˈrɪfɪk/ - the amount of energy contained in food

Do you know what the calorific value of a pomegranate is?

PHRASAL VERBS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1. to peck at (t) /ˌpek ˈæt/ - to eat a small 1. in moderation /ɪn ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃən/ - in
amount because of not being hungry reasonable amounts
He pecked at his breakfast, too It's best to enjoy sweets in
nervous to eat before his exam. moderation.

2. to live on (t) /ˌlɪv ˈɒn/ - to eat lots 2. on the side /ɒn ðə saɪd/ - served
of one particular food separately from the main dish
When I was at uni, I lived on pasta. I’d like a roast beef sandwich with
some chips on the side, please.
IDIOM COLLOCATION
a bitter pill to swallow/ə ˈbɪtə pɪl tə empty calories /ˈemptɪ ˈkælərɪz/ -
ˈswɒləʊ/ - an unplesant fact or situation calories from foods or drinks that
that must be accepted provide little to no nutritional value
The demotion was a bitter pill to Fizzy drinks are full of empty
swallow. calories.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Calorific can also be used to describe something that is very high in calories.

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The Monster Burger at Smash is so calorific but so, so good!

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PRONUNCIATION - C1 LEVEL
You are now able to articulate the full range of individual sounds with
good enough control that you are almost always completely intelligible to
your listeners. Although listeners may still be able to notice some
influence from other languages you speak, this will not have a negative
impact on understanding.

If you accidentally mispronounce a word, it is expected that you will be

able to self-correct the individual sound that is noticeably incorrect.

Your spoken expression will be fluent with very little hesitation. If you do
pause occasionally, it is expected that this is because you are searching
for the words or phrases with the most precise meaning, rather than trying
to remember a word or phrase.

You may still make very occasional errors in word and sentence stress and
intonation, but they will be barely noticeable and will not have a negative
impact on communication.

At C1 level you will be able to vary sentence stress and intonation in order
to convey your message with a high level of precision. For example, you
would be able to express the phrase ‘It’s raining’ with a variety of different
meanings such as:
I’m surprised.
I’m delighted.
I’m bored.
I’m uncertain.

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

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C1 LEVEL CHECKLIST
Below is a checklist of all the key grammar structures and vocabulary
sections that are required at the C1 level. Please look through the list
and put a tick or mark in the box that best describes your ability.

= It is easy for me.

= I have some difficulty with this.
= It is difficult for me.

C1 Checklist - Grammar Structures

‘I can use...’
1. Present Tenses (all)
I’ve been keeping to a strict diet for a while now.

2. Past Tenses (all)

Were you looking for a three-bedroom place?

3. Future Tenses (all)

I’m sure he will have noticed that it is gone.

4. Modal Verbs (all)

They may well have driven all the way.

5. Speculation & Deduction

I dare say I’ll have to brush up on my grammar.

6. Advanced Conditionals
Given that I’d like to pass, I need to study harder.
7. Passive Voice
Lucy recalled having been taught arithmetic.

8. Negative Inversion
Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset.

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

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C1 LEVEL CHECKLIST
C1 Checklist - Grammar Cont.

‘I can use...’
9. Hedging
It seems like this might be a good solution.

10. Boosting
This has been proven to be the solution.

11.Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings

My friend set me up with her cousin.

12.Advanced Comparatives
The house isn’t so much dirty as filthy.

13.Advanced Superlatives
I want to pay the lowest possible price.

14. Word Formation

decide – decision - decisive

15.Paraphrasing
They are experiencing difficulties/struggling.
16. Non-finite Clauses
Moving to the city is not an easy choice.

17.Compound Adjectives
He loves working in a fast-paced environment.

18. Advanced Discourse Markers

For one thing, adults are picky.

19. Fixed Expressions

We’re on the verge of completing the deal.

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

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C1 LEVEL CHECKLIST
C1 Checklist - Vocabulary

‘I am able to describe...’
1. Self-improvement & Wellness
Using words like ‘detrimental’ or ‘hustle culture’.

2. Housing
Using words like ‘squatter’ or ‘spruce up’.

3. Urban & Rural Life

Using words like ‘affluent’ or ‘urban sprawl’.

4. Humour
Using words like ‘sarcasm’ or ‘irony’.

5. Personalities
Using words like ‘jovial’ or ‘frosty reception’.

6. Tourism
Using words like ‘staycation’ or ‘itinerary’.
7. Remote work & Commuting
Using words like ‘digital nomad’ or ‘in the loop’.

8. Quitting & Job-hunting

Using words like ‘severance’ or ‘wage slave’.

9. Freelancing
Using words like ‘fluctuation’ or ‘gig economy’.

10. Food & Nutrition

Using words like ‘nourish’ or ‘deficiency’.

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

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EXAMPLE C1 STUDY PLAN

The grammar and vocabulary you need to reach a C1 level in English
can seem overwhelming. That's why it's a great idea to follow a
curriculum that will guide you through the grammar and vocabulary
points you need to learn in a methodical way. We worked with our
curriculum designer to create a programme that will help you on your
journey to becoming a proficient user of English.

Each week of the 12-week programme is split into two parts. In part A,
you have dedicated grammar and vocabulary lessons as well as
reading and listening texts. In part B, there are pronunciation and
conversation lessons. The conversation lessons are between me and
another native English speaker and they help you learn tons of
vocabulary, nuances of grammatical structures and different facets of
pronunciation in context. And there’s one big thing that sets the C1
Programme apart: you follow a story all the way through the course in
the reading and listening lessons.

The Beautiful British English

C1 Programme
C1 Week #1 - Moving to
Cornwall
Vocabulary Lifestyle

Reading 'The Dark Side of Self-

employment’
Listening
‘A Big Decision’
Grammar
1. Paraphrasing
2. Compound Adjectives
Pronunciation
Vowel & Consonant Sounds
Conversation
‘Life Improvement’ with Will

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C1 Week #2 - House
Hunting
Vocabulary House & Renting Idioms

Reading ‘We’re Going on a House

Listening Hunt’ ‘House of Horrors’

1. Superlative Adjectives & Complex Comparatives

Grammar
2. Passive Forms

1. Elision & Assimilation

Pronunciation
2. Connected Speech & Contractions

Conversation ‘Property’ with Guy

Writing Confident Emailing

C1 Week #3 - City vs Country

Vocabulary Rural and City Living

Reading ‘Rural Flight or Fight?’

Listening ‘All it’s Cracked Up to Be?’

1. Negative Inversions
Grammar
2. Non-finite Clauses

Pronunciation Homographs

Conversation ‘Rural vs City Living’ with

Ollie
C1 Week #4 - Healthy
Living
Vocabulary Nutrition

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Reading ‘Wellness

Listening Schmellness’ ‘Junk

Science’
Grammar
1. Cleft Sentences
Pronunciation 2. Hedging & Boosting

Conversation Homophones

Writing ‘Nutrition’ with Ollie

C1 Week #5 - British Sense of

Humour
Vocabulary Comedy

Reading ‘A Grand Misunderstanding’

Listening ‘Live from Port Marie’

1. Play on Words, Double Entendre, Innuendos

Grammar
2. Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings

Pronunciation Sarcasm/Deadpan

Conversation ‘Comedy’ with Lia Hatzakis

C1 Week #6 - Friends & Fitting

In
Vocabulary Personalities & Fitting In

Reading ‘Why Can’t we be

Listening Friends?’ ‘A Motley

Crew’
Grammar

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Pronunciation 4 & 5 Syllable Words & Word Stress

Conversation ‘Personalities & Fitting In’ with Joe

Writing Franco

C1 Week #7 - Public Speaking &

Conflict
Vocabulary Presenting Arguments, Debating & Compromising

Reading ‘New

Listening Developments’ ‘A

Spirited Debate’
Grammar
1. Subjunctive
Pronunciation 2. Future Tenses

Conversation Triphthongs & Consonant Clusters

C1 Week #8 -
Ecotourism
Vocabulary Ecotourism

Reading ‘French Escape’

Listening ‘Getting the Go-

ahead’
Grammar
1. Inclusive Language
Pronunciation 2. Noun Patterns & Collocations

Conversation UK Accents

Writing ‘Experience in Eco-tourism’ with

Tom

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

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C1 Week #9 - Remote
Work
Vocabulary Remote Work & Commuting

Reading ‘A Stern

Listening Warning’

Pronunciation ‘Modern Work’

Conversation Pronunciation Tips for Presentations

C1 Week #10 - Changing Careers

Vocabulary Careers

Reading ‘It’s Over’

Listening ‘Are you Anti-work?’

1. Polite Language & Softening

Grammar
2. Word Families

Pronunciation International English Accents

Conversation ‘Interview Techniques’ with Alex

Lockey
Writing
Letters of Resignation
C1 Week #11 - Job Hunting

Vocabulary Looking for Jobs

Reading ‘Scouting for

Listening Jobs’ ‘Getting

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1. Common Mistakes that Native Speakers

Grammar Make
2. Nominalisation
Pronunciation
Sentence Stress
Conversation
‘Office Culture & Remote Working’ with John
C1 Week #12 - Freelancing
Vocabulary Freelancing & Working for Yourself

Reading ‘The Next Chapter’

Listening ‘Being your Own Boss’

1. Phrases with ‘it’

Grammar
2. Conjunctions

Pronunciation IPA Review & Connected Speech

Conversation ‘Setting up as a Freelancer’ with

Writing Joey Creative Writing

SUMMARY
24 Grammar Lessons
6 Writing Lessons
12 Vocabulary Lessons
12 Reading Lessons
12 Pronunciation Lessons
12 Listening Lessons
12 Conversation Lessons

✅ Downloadable Lesson PDFs and Mind Maps

 16-week access to Private Course Community
♾ Lifetime access to course content

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

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YOUR ENGLISH JOURNEY

AWAITS...
Thank you so much for sticking with me to the end of this ebook - I
know it was a lot of information, but I truly hope you found it useful.
I am sure you are now extremely eager to start improving your
English skills as you work toward your next level of fluency.

The next step is simple!

Before you downloaded this ebook, you chose your estimated level of
English. Over the next few days, I'll be sending you valuable
information tailored to your specific level, whether it's B1, B2 or C1.
This will include guidance and support to help you reach your English
goals and speak with confidence.

The emails you receive will provide insights and strategies to help you
make the most of your learning experience and guide you towards
making the right investment in your language skills.

As a thank you for your dedication, I will be offering you an

exclusive opportunity to enrol in your selected programme at a
special rate.

In the meantime, feel free to review the information in this ebook to

reinforce your understanding of your current English level and the
areas you need to focus on.

As always, if you have any questions, my team and I are always

standing by to help!

Just email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to

answer them.

We look forward to helping you reach your English language goals!

ENGLISH WITH LUCY

 ©

WHICH COURSE IS RIGHT FOR

YOU?
12 Lesson Modules
31 Grammar Lessons
19 Vocabulary Lessons
7 Pronunciation Lessons
12 Reading Lessons
12 Listening Lessons
Downloadable Lesson
PDFs and Mind Maps
16-week access to Private
Course Community
Lifetime Access to Course
Content
The Beautiful British
EnglishB1 Programme

12 Lesson Modules
24 Grammar Lessons
12 Vocabulary Lessons
15 Pronunciation Lessons
12 Conversation Lessons
6 Reading Lessons
6 Listening Lessons
Downloadable Lesson
PDFs and Mind Maps
16-week access to Private
Course Community
Lifetime Access to Course The Beautiful British
Content
English
B2 Programme
12 Lesson Modules
24 Grammar Lessons
12 Vocabulary Lessons
12 Pronunciation Lessons
12 Conversation Lessons
6 Writing Lessons
12 Reading Lessons
12 Listening Lessons
Downloadable Lesson
PDFs and Mind Maps
16-week access to Private
Course Community
The Beautiful British Lifetime Access to Course
Content
English
C1 Programme
ENGLISH WITH LUCY