Real English words that no one really knows. Best for advanced learners.
You need at least 3 players. 6 is ideal, 10 is probably too many.
Each person needs some paper (everyone should have identical paper) and a pencil.
In each round, there is one person (the "Reader") who picks the obscure word, reads it aloud to the other players and writes the true definition on his/her piece of paper. The other players (the "Writers") invent their own definition of the word and write their invented definitions on their pieces of paper.
When everyone is done, the Reader gathers the papers and shuffles them, and reads them all aloud.
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ESL Balderdash: Advanced Learners
Moderators: Dimitris, maneki neko2, Lorikeet, Enrico Palazzo, superpeach, cecil2, Mr. Kalgukshi2
Great game! I always find it so hard to supplement the higher levels classes.
I don't think I'll use the word list though, almost all of my higher levels are exam classes and I'd prefer to use words they might actually be able to use or even see in a test.
For FCE:
superfluous – adj.
unnecessary / excessive / more than what is needed / too much. E.g. In trying to make his essay longer he included many superfluous words.
Ordeal – n.
A difficult or unpleasant experience. E.g. The exam was quite an ordeal, but he passed it in the end.
Efficient - n.
Performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort. E.g. It is important that our secretary is reliable and efficient .
to laud – v.
To praise.
spectacle –n
Anything presented to the sight or view, esp. something of a striking or impressive kind: The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
domesticated – adj.
Converted or adapted to domestic (home) use; "domestic animals"; "domesticated plants like maize"
vivacious – adj.
Lively, energetic. E.g. She was an enthusiastic, vivacious young girl and these characteristics above all others impressed the people at the the job interview. She has worked for the travel agency for 3 years now.
nuance – n.
a subtle difference in meaning, colour etc.
E.g. The nuances of a language and various possible meanings of each word take years to master.
abundance – n.
An extremely plentiful or quantity or supply. E.g. There was an abundance of beautiful girls at the party.
CAE:
Dubious – adj.
1. doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt: a dubious reply.
2. of doubtful quality or propriety; questionable: a dubious compliment; a dubious transaction.
3. of uncertain outcome: in dubious battle.
4. wavering or hesitating in opinion; inclined to doubt.
Reactionary – n
Characterized by reaction, especially opposition to progress or liberalism; extremely conservative.
taciturn – adj.
1. inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.
2. dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner.
impetuous –adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.
2. having great impetus; moving with great force; violent: the impetuous winds.
abhorrence – n.
1. a feeling of extreme repugnance or aversion; utter loathing; abomination; hate.
2. something or someone extremely repugnant or loathsome.
trite – adj
1. lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale: the trite phrases in his letter.
2. characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.: The commencement address was trite and endlessly long.
vivacious – adj.
lively; animated; gay: a vivacious folk dance.
doddle – n.
an easy task
to bulge
1. a rounded projection, bend, or protruding part; protuberance; hump: a bulge in a wall.
2. any sudden increase, as of numbers, sales, or prices: the bulge in profits.
3. a rising in small waves on the surface of a body of water, caused by the action of a fish or fishes in pursuit of food underwater.
–verb (used without object)
4. to swell or bend outward; be protuberant.
5. to be filled to capacity: The box bulged with cookies.
–verb (used with object)
6. to make protuberant; cause to swell.
verbose – adj.
characterized by the use of many or too many words; wordy: a verbose report.
Proficiency
Ostentatious. adj.
1. characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.
2. (of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice: Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.
effusive – adj.
1. unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve: effusive greetings; an effusive person.
2. pouring out; overflowing.
give and take
1. the practice of dealing by compromise or mutual concession; cooperation.
2. good-natured exchange of talk, ideas, etc.
touch and go
a precarious or delicate state of affairs: It was touch and go there for a while during the operation.
sixes and sevens
state of confusion or disarray. E.g. She’s always at sixes and sevens before Christmas.
maelstrom – n.
1. a large, powerful, or violent whirlpool.
2. a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs: the maelstrom of early morning traffic.
3. (initial capital letter ) a famous hazardous whirlpool off the NW coast of Norway.
arcane – adj.
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
so each level gets all the words above but none of the ones below.
Edit: I tried it! It worked really well, the classes didn't get too creative, mostly said it was the opposite of what it was or just told the truth, and the lists could have done with being a little shorter. As it stopped being fun towards the end..
I used the entire word list for all levels, and was surprised to find that the CAE weren't sure of most of the "FCE" vocab... I wrote up each word as it came up on the board and in the end I marked what the more important and useful vocabulary was for each level so they could take it down and learn it if they wanted.
I don't think I'll use the word list though, almost all of my higher levels are exam classes and I'd prefer to use words they might actually be able to use or even see in a test.
For FCE:
superfluous – adj.
unnecessary / excessive / more than what is needed / too much. E.g. In trying to make his essay longer he included many superfluous words.
Ordeal – n.
A difficult or unpleasant experience. E.g. The exam was quite an ordeal, but he passed it in the end.
Efficient - n.
Performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort. E.g. It is important that our secretary is reliable and efficient .
to laud – v.
To praise.
spectacle –n
Anything presented to the sight or view, esp. something of a striking or impressive kind: The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
domesticated – adj.
Converted or adapted to domestic (home) use; "domestic animals"; "domesticated plants like maize"
vivacious – adj.
Lively, energetic. E.g. She was an enthusiastic, vivacious young girl and these characteristics above all others impressed the people at the the job interview. She has worked for the travel agency for 3 years now.
nuance – n.
a subtle difference in meaning, colour etc.
E.g. The nuances of a language and various possible meanings of each word take years to master.
abundance – n.
An extremely plentiful or quantity or supply. E.g. There was an abundance of beautiful girls at the party.
CAE:
Dubious – adj.
1. doubtful; marked by or occasioning doubt: a dubious reply.
2. of doubtful quality or propriety; questionable: a dubious compliment; a dubious transaction.
3. of uncertain outcome: in dubious battle.
4. wavering or hesitating in opinion; inclined to doubt.
Reactionary – n
Characterized by reaction, especially opposition to progress or liberalism; extremely conservative.
taciturn – adj.
1. inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.
2. dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner.
impetuous –adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision; an impetuous person.
2. having great impetus; moving with great force; violent: the impetuous winds.
abhorrence – n.
1. a feeling of extreme repugnance or aversion; utter loathing; abomination; hate.
2. something or someone extremely repugnant or loathsome.
trite – adj
1. lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale: the trite phrases in his letter.
2. characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.: The commencement address was trite and endlessly long.
vivacious – adj.
lively; animated; gay: a vivacious folk dance.
doddle – n.
an easy task
to bulge
1. a rounded projection, bend, or protruding part; protuberance; hump: a bulge in a wall.
2. any sudden increase, as of numbers, sales, or prices: the bulge in profits.
3. a rising in small waves on the surface of a body of water, caused by the action of a fish or fishes in pursuit of food underwater.
–verb (used without object)
4. to swell or bend outward; be protuberant.
5. to be filled to capacity: The box bulged with cookies.
–verb (used with object)
6. to make protuberant; cause to swell.
verbose – adj.
characterized by the use of many or too many words; wordy: a verbose report.
Proficiency
Ostentatious. adj.
1. characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.
2. (of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice: Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.
effusive – adj.
1. unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve: effusive greetings; an effusive person.
2. pouring out; overflowing.
give and take
1. the practice of dealing by compromise or mutual concession; cooperation.
2. good-natured exchange of talk, ideas, etc.
touch and go
a precarious or delicate state of affairs: It was touch and go there for a while during the operation.
sixes and sevens
state of confusion or disarray. E.g. She’s always at sixes and sevens before Christmas.
maelstrom – n.
1. a large, powerful, or violent whirlpool.
2. a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs: the maelstrom of early morning traffic.
3. (initial capital letter ) a famous hazardous whirlpool off the NW coast of Norway.
arcane – adj.
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
so each level gets all the words above but none of the ones below.
Edit: I tried it! It worked really well, the classes didn't get too creative, mostly said it was the opposite of what it was or just told the truth, and the lists could have done with being a little shorter. As it stopped being fun towards the end..
I used the entire word list for all levels, and was surprised to find that the CAE weren't sure of most of the "FCE" vocab... I wrote up each word as it came up on the board and in the end I marked what the more important and useful vocabulary was for each level so they could take it down and learn it if they wanted.