✅ C2-Level Vocabulary Set (Generic/Non-Medical)

1️⃣ Nuanced
Meaning: showing subtle differences or distinctions.
Example: "Her argument was nuanced, revealing layers of meaning that others missed."

2️⃣ Conundrum
Meaning: a confusing and difficult problem or question.
Example: "We faced an ethical conundrum with no clear solution."

3️⃣ Mitigate
Meaning: to make something less severe, serious, or painful.
Example: "They introduced new policies to mitigate environmental damage."

4️⃣ Inadvertent
Meaning: unintentional; not resulting from deliberate planning.
Example: "It was an inadvertent mistake, not a deliberate act of negligence."

5️⃣ Ubiquitous
Meaning: present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example: "Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society."

6️⃣ Disparity
Meaning: a great difference or inequality.
Example: "There is a stark disparity between urban and rural incomes."

7️⃣ Perceptive
Meaning: having or showing sensitive insight.
Example: "She is a highly perceptive listener who notices what others miss."

8️⃣ Paradigm
Meaning: a typical example or model; a framework of thinking.
Example: "The new discovery shifted the scientific paradigm."

9️⃣ Juxtapose
Meaning: to place side by side for contrast or comparison.
Example: "The film juxtaposes wealth and poverty to highlight inequality."

🔟 Intrinsic
Meaning: belonging naturally; essential.
Example: "Respect is intrinsic to a healthy workplace culture."

1️⃣1️⃣ Ambiguous
Meaning: open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
Example: "His reply was deliberately ambiguous."

1️⃣2️⃣ Facilitate
Meaning: to make an action or process easier.
Example: "The mediator helped facilitate a productive discussion."

Here are 12 C1-level generic vocabulary words that will be useful in any speaking session—academic, professional, or everyday high-level conversation.

Each word is versatile, clear, and adds polish to your expression.

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✅ 1. Assertive
Meaning: confident and direct in claiming one's rights or opinions.
Example: "She was assertive during the meeting without sounding aggressive."

✅ 2. Coherent
Meaning: logical and consistent; clear and easy to understand.
Example: "Your argument was coherent and persuasive."

✅ 3. Facilitate
Meaning: to make an action or process easier.
Example: "The mediator helped facilitate the discussion between both parties.

✅ 4. Viable
Meaning: capable of working successfully; feasible.
Example: "That proposal is not economically viable at the moment.

✅ 5. Ambiguous
Meaning: having more than one possible meaning; unclear.
Example: "His answer was ambiguous and left us confused."

✅ 6. Compelling
Meaning: evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
Example: "She gave a compelling presentation on climate change."

✅ 7. Implement
Meaning: to put into effect; to carry out.
Example: "The company will implement new safety procedures next month."

✅ 8. Integral
Meaning: essential or necessary for completeness.
Example: "Trust is an integral part of any relationship."

✅ 9. Substantial
Meaning: of considerable importance, size, or worth.
Example: "They made a substantial investment in renewable energy."

✅ 10. Explicit
Meaning: stated clearly and in detail.
Example: "He gave explicit instructions on how to complete the task."

✅ 11. Plausible
Meaning: seeming reasonable or probable.
Example: "That explanation sounds plausible, but we need evidence."

✅ 12. Mitigate
Meaning: to make less severe, serious, or painful.
Example: "We took steps to mitigate the risks involved."

Here are 12 B2-level generic English vocabulary words you can use in any speaking session—academic, professional, or everyday conversation.

✅ 1. Consider
Meaning: To think about carefully.
Example: I will consider your suggestion before making a decision.

✅ 2. Require
Meaning: To need something.
Example: This job requires excellent communication skills.

✅ 3. Increase
Meaning: To make or become larger or greater.
Example: They want to increase sales this year.

✅ 4. Suggest
Meaning: To put forward an idea or plan.
Example: I suggest we start the meeting now.

✅ 5. Discuss
Meaning: To talk about something in detail.
Example: Let’s discuss the project after lunch.

✅ 6. Achieve
Meaning: To succeed in reaching a goal.
Example: She worked hard to achieve her dreams.

✅ 7. Available
Meaning: Able to be used or obtained.
Example: The manager is available for a meeting now.

✅ 8. Specific
Meaning: Clearly defined or identified.
Example: Can you give me a specific example?

✅ 9. Concern
Meaning: Something that worries someone.
Example: Environmental issues are a major concern.

✅ 10. Positive
Meaning: Optimistic or confident.
Example: He has a very positive attitude.

✅ 11. Effective
Meaning: Successful in producing the desired result.
Example: This method is very effective.

✅ 12. Opportunity
Meaning: A chance to do something.
Example: This is a great opportunity to learn new skills.

✅ Speaking Introduction



Let’s do a clear, easy-to-use introduction to the OET Speaking Section—perfect for beginners and intermediate learners.


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🌟 OET Speaking Introduction

The OET Speaking test is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in a healthcare setting. It lasts about 20 minutes and is profession-specific (e.g. Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry).

✅ You will do two role-plays with an interlocutor who plays the patient, carer, or relative.


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🔹 Format of the Speaking Test

1️⃣ Warm-up (2–3 minutes)

General questions about your professional background.

Not scored! Just to relax you.

Example: “Can you tell me about your work experience?”


2️⃣ Role-plays (2 × 5 minutes)

Each role-play is based on a real healthcare scenario.

You have 3 minutes to read and prepare each card before speaking.

You can ask questions during preparation.



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🔹 What Happens in a Role-play?

✅ You will be given a role-play card describing your professional task.
✅ The interlocutor will act as a patient, relative, or carer.
✅ Your job is to:

Gather information

Explain clearly

Show empathy and reassurance

Suggest solutions or next steps



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🔹 What Are Examiners Looking For?

Your speaking is scored in two broad areas:

✅ Linguistic Criteria

Intelligibility (pronunciation, clarity)

Fluency

Appropriateness of language

Grammar and vocabulary


✅ Clinical Communication Criteria

Relationship-building (empathy, respect)

Understanding and incorporating patient perspective

Structure and organisation

Providing information clearly

Using appropriate tone



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🔹 Example Warm-up Questions

✅ What is your role?
✅ How long have you been working in this field?
✅ What kinds of patients do you usually see?


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🔹 Example Role-play Tasks

✅ Explain how to manage pain at home.
✅ Reassure a worried relative about a procedure.
✅ Give discharge advice to a patient.


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✅ Key Tip:

> “Think like a real healthcare professional. Don’t just read lines—have a natural, caring conversation.”

Section Overview
The OET Speaking Test is a face-to-face examination, between an interlocutor and you. Your Speaking Test will be specific to your healthcare profession; in this book, we will cover medical and nursing topics. In the Speaking Test, you will complete two role-plays, where you take the role of the healthcare professional, and the interlocutor takes the role of the patient, the carer or family member of the patient.




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✅ Simple Explanation (Section Overview in Easy Words)

Here’s an easy, clear summary you can use to study or teach:

🌟 What is the OET Speaking Test?

✅ It’s a face-to-face conversation between you and the examiner (called the interlocutor).
✅ It’s profession-specific—your role-plays match your healthcare job (nurse, doctor, dentist, etc.).


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🌟 What Happens in the Test?

✅ You do two role-plays.
✅ In each role-play:

You act as the healthcare professional.

The interlocutor acts as the patient, their family member, or their carer.


✅ You talk about real medical situations—like explaining a treatment, giving advice, or reassuring a worried relative.


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🌟 Key Points to Remember

⭐ The test is realistic, like your real work.
⭐ You show you can:
✅ Communicate clearly
✅ Build trust
✅ Explain in simple words
✅ Show empathy and understanding

SPEAKING STRATEGIES

Treat the role-play as if you were with a real patient. Allow time to establish a relationship with the patient and ask for relevant information.

Remember that the assessor is testing your ability to communicate effectively with patients in English; they are not testing your medical knowledge.

Pay attention to the type of information you need to communicate to the patient, and adjust the way you communicate this information for different situations. If the patient is being given bad news, for example, you should show empathy and kindness.

Don’t memorise long answers. Anything the assessor thinks has been memorised will not be assessed.

Use varied vocabulary which matches the needs of the patient and the context of the role-play. You need to show you can communicate with the patient in a variety of ways.

Speak loudly, clearly and confidently so the interlocutor can hear you.

Pronounce words as clearly and correctly as possible.

Vary your intonation - your voice should rise and fall as a native speaker’s would.

Read the role-play card carefully, so you do not misunderstand or miss out on any of the topic or bullet points.

Make brief notes for each point on the card. Include ideas and examples, but not full sentences.

Try not to be nervous. Take a deep breath, smile and make eye contact as you begin your speaking task. While eye contact is not assessed, it can help you to feel more confident.

Underline key words and phrases on the card, to assist you with the role-play.

Don’t be afraid to ask the interlocutor to clarify anything on the role-play card which is unclear. This can include the meaning or pronunciation of vocabulary and the context of the role-play. Ensure that any questions are asked before the role-play begins.





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✅ 2️⃣ Simplified, Practical Study Version

Here’s a clean, easy-to-use summary for practice and teaching:


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🌟 Top OET Speaking Strategies

✅ 1. Treat it like real life.
Act as if you’re with a real patient. Build trust. Ask questions.

✅ 2. Show your communication skills—not your medical knowledge.
Use simple, clear English that the patient understands.

✅ 3. Adjust your style.
Bad news = show empathy. Instructions = be clear and organised.

✅ 4. Don’t memorise answers.
Speak naturally. The assessor wants real communication.

✅ 5. Use varied vocabulary.
Explain ideas in more than one way if needed.

✅ 6. Be loud and clear.
Make sure you can be heard easily.

✅ 7. Pronounce carefully.
Sound clear and accurate.

✅ 8. Use natural intonation.
Don’t speak in a flat or robotic way.

✅ 9. Read the role-play card carefully.
Don’t miss any bullet point or topic.

✅ 10. Make short notes.
Ideas and keywords only—no full sentences.

✅ 11. Control nerves.
Deep breath. Smile. Eye contact (optional, but helps).

✅ 12. Underline keywords.
Focus on what’s important on the card.

✅ 13. Ask questions if needed.
Clarify meaning or pronunciation before you start the role-play.


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💡 Pro Tip:

Speak like a caring professional—not a student memorising lines.