The Review

Reference

Common mistakes

1. Retelling the whole plot → Describe briefly, then evaluate
   a review gives opinions, not a summary
2. It was good. It was nice. → It was gripping from start to finish.
   use precise, vivid adjectives
3. No recommendation → I would highly recommend it to…
   always give a verdict
4. Only positive points → On the downside, …
   balance makes you believable

The Review — Exercises

What makes a good review?

Circle the correct answer.

1. "The chocolate cake was utterly amazing." Which part of a review is this? (main body / introduction / recommendation)
2. "I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves cake." This is the… (recommendation / introduction / title)
3. Which tone suits a review on a website? (engaging and personal / formal and academic / like a shopping list)
4. Which sentence is the most vivid? (The film was gripping from start to finish. / The film was good. / The film was a film.)
5. Which phrase introduces a weaker point? (On the downside, / In addition, / For instance,)
6. What should every review end with? (a clear recommendation / a question about the weather / a list of prices)

Complete the review phrases

Write the missing word or words.

1. Having heard so   about it, I finally went.
2. What really   out is the friendly staff.
3. On the  , it gets very crowded.
4. On  , the positives outweigh the negatives.
5. I would highly   it to anyone who loves music.
6. It's well   a visit.

Write a review

Write a review of a café, film, game or app for an English-language website. Describe it, give good and weaker points, and say who you would recommend it to. Write 140–190 words.

The Review — Answer Key

What makes a good review?

1. main body — Details and opinions about the place → main body.
2. recommendation — Who should go → recommendation.
3. engaging and personal — Reviews are engaging and personal.
4. The film was gripping from start to finish. — Precise adjectives — gripping — make a review interesting.
5. On the downside, — On the downside — a negative point.
6. a clear recommendation — Always give a verdict.

Complete the review phrases

1. much
2. stands
3. downside
4. balance
5. recommend
6. worth

Write a review

1. Model answer: A Hidden Gem in the Old Town Having read so many good reviews online, I finally visited Café Luna with my friends last Saturday — and I was not disappointed. The café is small but cosy, with colourful paintings on the walls and relaxing music in the background. The menu offers a broad range of sandwiches, salads and homemade cakes, and everything we ordered tasted fresh and delicious. The chocolate cake, in particular, was utterly amazing. The staff were friendly and attentive without being pushy. On the downside, the café gets very crowded at weekends, so we had to wait twenty minutes for a table. The prices are also slightly higher than in other cafés nearby, which may put off some students. On balance, however, the positives far outweigh the negatives. I would highly recommend Café Luna to anyone looking for a relaxed place to meet friends. Just make sure you arrive early!