VOCABULARY EXERCISE.

Replace the words on the left column with the academic one.

Personality tests facilitate / assist psychologists in diagnosing mental health problems.

The research displayed a trend toward increased male participation in housework.

The new computer system has eliminated the company's inventory problems.

Modern technology has improved / increased our standard of living.

Differences in the chemical consistency of the specimens were located / uncovered by the
new machine.

Encouraging results were obtained.

Replacing Informal Words with Academic Vocabulary: Short Answer Exercise
(Nowadays) = In recent years; In recent times; Recently; Currently; Today
(Besides) = Additionally; What's more; Furthermore; It is also true that,
(As we all know) = It is well known that; It is generally agreed that; It is widely accepted
/ understood / believed that / It is generally believed that
(hot topic) = a controversial issue; a contentious problem
(get) = attain; receive; earn; make;
(getting) = becoming; growing
(got) = acquired; attained; received
(big) = major; large; important; significant
(more and more) = an increasing number / a growing / rising number (for countable
nouns) / an increasing amount; a growing amount (for uncountable nouns); increasingly
(just) = as few as (countable); as little as (uncountable)
(good) = preferable; beneficial; effective; advantageous
(bad) = undesireable; not preferable; poor; ineffective
(a lot of) = many; a considerable number of (for countable nouns); a great deal / amount
of / a considerable amount of (for uncountable nouns)
(a lot) = considerably; significantly
(really) = highly; notably; greatly; abundantly

Replace the informal words in parentheses ( ) with more academic words having the
same meaning.
1. (As we all know,) pollution in Hong Kong is a serious problem that needs immediate
attention.

2. It is difficult to (get) a high score on the public examinations in Hong Kong.

3. Mainland mothers coming to Hong Kong to give birth has been (a hot topic) in recent
years.

4. Finance consultants (get) a good salary and large yearly bonuses.

5. The problem of racism is (getting) worse.

6. The researcher (got) a great deal of data through surveys, interviews and focus groups.

7. Shopping and eating are two (big) reasons people from around the world flock to
Hong Kong.

8. (A lot of) people in China are poor and have never had the opportunity to travel in or
outside of their country.

9. (A lot of) food is wasted in Hong Kong every day.

10. Recent research reveals that (more and more) Hong Kongers are moving back to
Hong Kong from Canada.

11. (More and more) contaminated food has been found in the city.

12. A recent study revealed that (just) 10 percent of employed people are happy in their
work.

13. (Nowadays,) as unemployment worsens, competition in the job market is becoming

increasingly fierce.

14. (Besides,) finding work in a depressed economy is time-consuming, challenging and

often frustrating.

15. Recent research suggests that many people believe that the ban on smoking in
restaurants and other public places in Hong Kong is not (good).

16. Research also suggests a majority believe that too many educational reforms in Hong
Kong are (bad).

17. It can be (really) damaging when a Signal 9 or Signal 10 typhoon hits Hong Kong.