2.7. Discussing quality issues

 

Listening Exercise b on page 19

Exercise c on page 19

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/111585923

Vocabulary Presentation

https://lasallecancun-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/dc0519_lasallecancun_edu_mx/IQD9YzwShUqWTZaurYNv6DdpAaT70oaNI96WillQw3QsweE?e=ioCNT9

Exercise 13a on page 20

Adverbs of Degree in Civil Engineering

Adverbs of degree are widely used in civil engineering communication to describe how much, how strong, or to what extent something occurs—especially when interpreting results, discussing performance, or summarizing observations.

In civil engineering writing, adverbs of degree can be arranged on a spectrum—from strong intensifiers (amplifying magnitude) to softeners (reducing or hedging the statement). This helps you control how forceful or cautious your technical language sounds.

🔥 → 🌱 Spectrum: Intensifiers to Softeners

🔴 Strong Intensifiers (maximum emphasis)

These express very high degree or severity.

• extremely
• highly
• severely
• critically
• completely
• totally

Examples:

• The structure is severely damaged.
• The slope is extremely unstable.

👉 Use carefully—these sound strong and sometimes alarming.

🟠 Moderate Intensifiers (clear but controlled)

These indicate noticeable but not extreme change.

• significantly
• considerably
• substantially
• markedly

Examples:

• Stress increased significantly near the joint.
• Load capacity is considerably reduced.

👉 Common in reports and analysis discussions.

🟡 Neutral / Mid-Level Degree

These express balanced or average extent.

• moderately
• fairly
• reasonably
• relatively

Examples:

• The soil is moderately compressible.
• The design is relatively efficient.

👉 Useful when comparing conditions.

🟢 Weak Softeners (low degree)

These reduce intensity and indicate minor effects.

• slightly
• marginally
• barely
• somewhat

Examples:

• The beam is slightly deflected.
• Strength is marginally reduced.🔵 Strong Softeners / Hedging (very cautious language)

These are used when uncertainty or approximation is involved.

• almost
• nearly
• approximately
• practically

Examples:

• The project is nearly complete.
• The value is approximately 50 kN.

👉 Common in early-stage analysis or reporting.

⚖️ Key takeaway

• Intensifiers → emphasize risk, severity, or performance
• Softeners → reduce certainty or indicate small effects

👉 In civil engineering, always balance them with quantitative data:

• ❌ The stress is very high
• ✅ The stress is 250 MPa (exceeding allowable limit)

Exercise b on page 21

Exercise d on page 21