Fairly, Rather and Pretty

by Vocafy Terverifikasi

Inggris (AS) B2 12 pertanyaan Words & expressions

Explore how fairly, rather, and pretty change the strength and tone of short reviews.

1. 1. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   How positive is this restaurant review?

   The food was fairly good, but I wouldn't make a special trip back.

   • Excellent and worth traveling for
   • Acceptable, but not outstanding
   • Poor and not worth eating

   Notice how the second part limits the praise.

   Show solution

   • Acceptable, but not outstanding

   'Fairly good' gives moderate praise. In a review, it can suggest that something meets expectations without being especially impressive.

2. 2. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   How does 'pretty good' sound in this message to a friend?

   The acting was pretty good. I'd watch the movie again.

   • Conversational and positive
   • Formal and technical
   • Conversational and negative

   Think about the language people use in everyday recommendations.

   Show solution

   • Conversational and positive

   'Pretty' is a common informal degree word in American English. 'Pretty good' fits naturally in a friendly recommendation.

3. 3. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   What does this reviewer communicate?

   I expected another dull sequel, but this one was rather enjoyable.

   • The sequel was exactly as dull as expected.
   • The sequel was less enjoyable than expected.
   • The sequel was more enjoyable than expected.

   Compare the expectation with the experience after 'but'.

   Show solution

   • The sequel was more enjoyable than expected.

   'Rather' can suggest surprise, including pleasant surprise. It is not limited to negative descriptions.

4. 4. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   How do the two uses of 'pretty' differ?

   The lobby is pretty, but the rooms are pretty noisy.

   • Both describe an attractive appearance.
   • The first describes appearance; the second expresses degree.
   • The first expresses degree; the second describes appearance.

   Look at whether 'pretty' stands alone or comes before another describing word.

   Show solution

   • The first describes appearance; the second expresses degree.

   'Pretty' is an adjective meaning attractive in the first clause. Before 'noisy', it is an adverb that strengthens the description.

5. 5. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   What does the final 'fairly' mean?

   The hotel is fairly small, but every guest is treated fairly.

   • To a moderate degree
   • In a surprisingly strong way
   • In a just and reasonable way

   The final word describes how people are treated, not the hotel's size.

   Show solution

   • In a just and reasonable way

   'Fairly' can express degree, as in 'fairly small', or fairness, as in 'treated fairly'. Its meaning depends on what it describes.

6. 6. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   What does 'rather' help the reviewer do here?

   The screen is rather dim, so I struggled to read it outdoors.

   • Soften a criticism without removing it
   • Suggest that the dim screen is a benefit
   • Take back the criticism completely

   The wording is restrained, but the practical problem remains.

   Show solution

   • Soften a criticism without removing it

   'Rather' can make a complaint sound less direct. The following clause still makes it clear that the screen caused a problem.

7. 7. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

   How much of what the reviewer wanted to know did the documentary cover?

   The documentary told me pretty much everything I wanted to know.

   • Only the most basic information
   • Almost everything, allowing for small gaps
   • Everything, with no exceptions at all

   Treat 'pretty much' as a complete expression.

   Show solution

   • Almost everything, allowing for small gaps

   'Pretty much' means almost or nearly. It leaves room for small exceptions rather than making an absolute claim.

8. 8. Isi bagian yang kosong.

   Choose the word that gives moderate, neutral praise in a written review:

   The setup instructions are ___ clear, though a few steps could be explained better.

   • fairly
   • pretty
   • rather

   Think about which word means 'to a moderate degree' without sounding informal or surprised.

   Show solution

   The setup instructions are fairly clear, though a few steps could be explained better.

   'Fairly' expresses a moderate degree in a neutral tone, working well when something is adequate but not exceptional.

9. 9. Isi bagian yang kosong.

   Choose the most natural, conversational word for a text message to a friend:

   You should try the new taco place—the food is ___ good, and the prices are great!

   • rather
   • fairly
   • pretty

   Look for the informal degree word used in friendly everyday recommendations.

   Show solution

   You should try the new taco place—the food is pretty good, and the prices are great!

   'Pretty good' is the natural informal choice in American English for a warm recommendation to a friend. 'Fairly good' would sound lukewarm, and 'rather good' would sound too formal.

10. 10. Isi bagian yang kosong.

    Choose the word that gives this criticism a more formal, restrained tone:

    While the acting is strong, the three-hour runtime makes the final act feel ___ slow.

    • pretty
    • rather
    • fairly

    Which word sounds the most formal and understated when pointing out a flaw?

    Show solution

    While the acting is strong, the three-hour runtime makes the final act feel rather slow.

    'Rather' fits formal written reviews when a writer wants to state a criticism in a restrained, understated way. 'Pretty' is more casual, and 'fairly' is more neutral.

11. 11. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

    How can both descriptions of the laptop be true?

    This laptop is pretty light for a gaming model, though it's too heavy for my daily commute.

    • The reviewer changes their mind and decides it is light enough.
    • It must be lighter than every laptop designed for travel.
    • It is light within its category but still too heavy for the reviewer's needs.

    Notice the comparison introduced by 'for a gaming model'.

    Show solution

    • It is light within its category but still too heavy for the reviewer's needs.

    'For a gaming model' sets the comparison group. Being relatively light does not guarantee that a laptop suits every purpose.

12. 12. Pilih jawaban yang benar.

    What can we conclude about the ticket prices from these phrases alone?

    One reviewer writes, 'The tickets were rather expensive.' Another writes, 'The tickets were pretty expensive.'

    • Both found the tickets costly, but we cannot tell which price was higher.
    • The first reviewer must have paid more.
    • The second reviewer must have paid more.

    Do these degree words represent fixed price levels?

    Show solution

    • Both found the tickets costly, but we cannot tell which price was higher.

    These words express judgments, not exact measurements. Context matters more than a rigid ranking of 'rather' and 'pretty'.