1. Setting: "The match/game I'd like to talk about is _____."
2. Correlative: "The [comparative], the [comparative] _____."
3. Intensified superlative: "It was by far the most _____ I'd ever _____."
4. Negative comparison: "It was nowhere near as _____ as _____."
FOR: Increasingly commercialized — half-time shows, sponsorships, media spectacle.
AGAINST: The more money pours in, the more competitive play tends to become.
Balance: "Modern sport is by far more commercial than before, but that doesn't make it any less competitive."
"The [comparative], the [comparative] [result]."
"The bigger the stadium, the more intense the atmosphere tends to be."
Try it: Swap: the closer the score / the louder the fans / the more skilled the players.
"[Subject] is by far the [superlative] [noun] [subject has experienced]."
"That free kick was by far the most spectacular goal I've ever seen scored."
"[Subject] is nowhere near as [adjective] as [comparison], even though [concession]."
"Watching on TV is nowhere near as thrilling as being in the stadium, even though the replays are more detailed."
"[Subject] has become increasingly [adjective], as [reason]."
"Stadium design has become increasingly focused on fan comfort, as clubs compete for ticket revenue."
⭐ Band 7.5+ stretch: "The more lucrative broadcasting deals become, the more the gap widens between elite clubs and the rest of the league — a trend that shows little sign of reversing."
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| venue | the place where a sporting event is held | "The stadium has been chosen as the venue for the final." |
| capacity crowd | an audience that completely fills the seating | "It was a capacity crowd, with not a single empty seat." |
| home advantage | the benefit a team has playing in its own stadium | "Home advantage is by far more significant in soccer." |
| underdog | a competitor expected to lose | "The underdog team played increasingly confidently as the match went on." |
| rivalry | intense, long-standing competition between teams | "The rivalry grows fiercer the more often they meet." |
| clutch | performing well under pressure, late in a close game | "She is by far the most clutch player on the team." |
| momentum | increasing progress or success during a game | "The more shots they scored, the more momentum they gained." |
| substitute | a player who replaces another during a match | "The substitute was nowhere near as effective as the starter." |
| league table ⭐ | a ranked list showing team standings | "The closer the season gets, the tighter the league table becomes." |
| overtime / extra time ⭐ | additional playing time added when tied | "The match went to overtime, and the tension only increased." |
| spectator ⭐⭐ | a person who watches without participating | "Spectator numbers have grown increasingly large." |
⭐ = Band 7.5 ⭐⭐ = Band 8.0
| Structure | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The + comparative, the + comparative | two things changing together | "The bigger the crowd, the louder the noise." |
| by far + the + superlative | strong emphasis on a superlative | "That was by far the best match of the season." |
| nowhere near as + adj + as | strong negative comparison | "It's nowhere near as exciting watching alone." |
| increasingly + adj | ongoing change over time | "Stadiums have become increasingly modern." |
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a game of two halves | a situation that can change completely; unpredictable | "Football really is a game of two halves." |
| the home crowd | supporters of the team playing at home | "The home crowd can make a real difference." |
| down to the wire | uncertain until the very last moment | "The title race went down to the wire this season." |
1. "bigger... louder"
2. "closer... more tense"
3. "more skilled... higher"
Use: Describes two things that change together.
Form: The + comparative + clause, the + comparative + clause
"The bigger the match, the more nervous the players tend to look beforehand."
"The longer the rivalry continues, the fiercer it tends to become."
1. By far + the + superlative — strong emphasis
"That was by far the most dramatic match I've ever watched."
2. Nowhere near as + adjective + as — strong negative comparison
"Watching from home is nowhere near as thrilling as being in the stadium."
Use: Describes gradual change happening over time.
"Stadium design has become increasingly focused on fan comfort."
"Ticket prices have grown increasingly expensive over the past decade."
⭐ Combining Structures
"The more lucrative broadcasting deals become, the wider the gap grows between elite clubs and the rest of the league — a trend that has become increasingly difficult to reverse."
Describe a sports match or event you watched that you found particularly exciting.
You should say: what the event was | who was playing | what made it exciting | and how the atmosphere compared to other matches
Opening: "The match/event I'd like to talk about is _____."
Correlative: "The [comparative], the [comparative] _____."
Intensified superlative: "It was by far the most _____ I'd ever _____."
⭐ Comparison: "It was nowhere near as _____ as _____, mainly because _____."
Essay Prompt: "Professional sport has become a major global industry, with huge stadiums, lucrative broadcasting deals, and highly paid athletes. Some people believe this commercialization has improved sport, while others believe it has damaged its true spirit. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the question. Acknowledge sport is now a major commercial industry. |
| Body 1 — Benefits | Better facilities, higher pay, bigger audiences. Use correlative: "The more revenue clubs generate, the better the facilities." |
| Body 2 — Drawbacks | Rising prices, shift to spectacle, growing gap. Use "increasingly": "Smaller clubs have become increasingly unable to compete." |
| Conclusion | Argue commercialization brings real benefits but needs balance. |
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