CELPIP Listening Part 5 vocabulary

The words and phrases

weigh the pros and cons

To think about the good and bad points of something.
Example: Before we pick a venue, let's weigh the pros and cons of each one.

take the lead on

To be the main person responsible for something.
Example: Priya, could you take the lead on contacting the caterers?

on board

Agreeing with and supporting a plan.
Example: If everyone's on board, I'll book the hall for the fourteenth.

go with

To choose an option.
Example: I think we should go with the cheaper printer; we don't need colour.

in charge of

Responsible for a task or group.
Example: Who's in charge of ordering supplies for the volunteer day?

split up the tasks

To divide the work among people.
Example: There's a lot to do, so let's split up the tasks between the three of us.

a tight budget

Very little money available to spend.
Example: We're on a tight budget this year, so the banquet needs to stay simple.

that's a fair point

I agree your comment is reasonable.
Example: That's a fair point, Ken; parking downtown would be hard for seniors.

play devil's advocate

To argue the other side just to test an idea.
Example: Just to play devil's advocate, what if nobody registers online?

I see where you're coming from

I understand your reasons, even if I disagree.
Example: I see where you're coming from, but a Saturday meeting won't work for parents.

circle back

To return to a topic later.
Example: Let's circle back to the logo once we've settled the date.

run it by

To describe a plan to someone to get their opinion or approval.
Example: I'll run it by the board before we sign anything.

the bottom line

The most important fact, often about money.
Example: The bottom line is that we can't afford both a DJ and a photographer.

a compromise

An agreement where each side accepts less than it wanted.
Example: Maybe a compromise would be a shorter event with a cheaper menu.

come up with

To think of an idea or plan.
Example: We need to come up with a theme for the fundraiser by Friday.

volunteer to

To offer, by your own choice, to do a task.
Example: Marcus volunteered to set up the chairs before the meeting.

take on

To accept a job or responsibility.
Example: I can't take on anything else this month; I'm already organizing the bake sale.

narrow it down

To reduce the number of choices.
Example: We've got six quotes; let's narrow it down to two.

set a deadline

To decide the latest date by which a task must be done.
Example: Let's set a deadline of March tenth for all the posters.

fall behind

To fail to keep up with planned work.
Example: If the website falls behind, we'll have to delay registration.

keep someone in the loop

To keep a person informed about what is happening.
Example: Please keep me in the loop about the venue booking.

put it to a vote

To let the group decide by voting.
Example: We can't agree on the colour, so let's put it to a vote.

lean towards

To slightly prefer one option.
Example: I'd lean towards the community hall; it's closer to the bus routes.

follow through

To complete what you promised or started.
Example: Last year nobody followed through on the sponsorship calls.

touch on

To mention a topic briefly.
Example: Before we finish, I want to touch on the volunteer schedule.

go over

To review something carefully.
Example: Can we go over the budget line by line before the meeting ends?

the main sticking point

The issue that is preventing agreement.
Example: The main sticking point is whether to charge for admission.

Put them to work on Part 5

Practise Part 5 on the test screen, or see how Part 5 works.