CPE Keyword Transformations | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

The CEO thinks he is a good negotiator, but he isn't. HALF The CEO is not _____ he thinks he is.

half as good | a negotiator as

Trump or Obama? I don't like either politician, but Trump is not quite as bad. LESSER Trump or Obama? I don't like either politician, but Trump is _____ .

the lesser | of two evils.

If Jack had let me use his car, I would have been able to go to the party. USE I would have been able to go to the party if Jack _____ of his car.

had offered me | the use of

Although people thought they were superior to their rivals, they failed to turn their superiority into goals. EDGE They were _____ their rivals but failed to turn their superiority into goals.

thought to have | the edge over

Because he was not able to work as fast as the rest of the class, Patrick failed the test. PACE Patrick's failure to pass the test was due to his inability _____ the rest of the class.

to keep | pace with

They accused him of deceiving people into giving him their money. DECEPTION He was accused of _____ .

obtaining / getting / taking / stealing money from people | by deception

I didn't know that you were ill, otherwise I would have substituted for you. HAD I would have filled _____ , _____ that you were ill.

in for you, | had I known / if I had known

"I was in the middle of washing my hair when you called me," she said. PROCESS She said _____ washing her hair when I called her.

(that) she had been | in the process of

In all probability, the merger between Peugeot PSA and Fiat Chrysler will lead to job losses. LIKELIHOOD There _____ the merger between Peugeot PSA and Fiat Chrysler will lead to job losses.

is a strong / a high / every | likelihood that

Surprisingly, Susan was not offended at all when Sarah insulted her. ENOUGH Oddly _____ , _____ Sarah's insults.

enough, Susan | was not offended by / took no offence at / did not take any offence at

At first glance, his suggestion for improving our service seems to make sense. On _____ , _____ improvements in our service makes sense.

the face of it, | his suggestion for making

Checking parts for defects and writing reports comes with the job of working in quality control. PARCEL Checking parts for defects and writing reports _____ working in quality control.

are part and parcel | of

I signed up for English lessons, but I soon realized the advanced class was too much for me. DEPTH Soon after signing up for English lessons, I realized _____ in the advanced class.

(that) I was | out of my depth

Most shops bring prices down before Christmas in an attempt to boost sales. BID _____ sales, most shops cut prices before Christmas.

In a bid | to boost/increase

There have been rumours of a takeover of a small company in the London area. TALK There _____ over a small company in the London area.

has been talk | of taking over

Many years of high stress at work resulted in his health deteriorating. TOLL Many years of high stress at work _____ health.

took a | toll on his

It is difficult to find a cheap and reliable second-hand car these days. BY A cheap and reliable second-hand car _____ these days.

is difficult/hard | to come by

It is rare for a 15-year-old to be self-disciplined. ATTRIBUTE Self-discipline _____ in a 15-year-old.

is a rare | attribute

The government underestimates how much the problem of staff shortages affect the UK's healthcare system. EXTENT The government underestimates _____ problem of staff shortages in the UK's healthcare system.

the extent | of the

They made a mistake, but we should take into account their lack of experience and not judge them too severely. They made a mistake, but we should _____ their lack of experience.

make | allowances for

In Japan, slurping loudly while eating your noodles is not considered impolite, but rather a sign of appreciation. DEEMED In Japan, _____ manners to slurp loudly while eating your noodles, but rather as a sign of appreciation.

it is not | deemed impolite/bad

This is not a very popular restaurant, so there are rarely long queues. OCCURENCE This restaurant is not very popular so long queues _____.

are a | rare occurrence.

Unlike his brother, he is certainly very intelligent. SO He is very intelligent. Certainly, _____ his brother.

more so | than

You have to arrive early at the airport, otherwise you may miss your flight. RESULT You have to arrive early at the airport. Failure _____ in you missing your flight.

to do so | may result

John had no previous experience, so nobody thought that he could win the singing competition, but he did. ODDS Against _____, _____ first place in the singing competition.

all (the) odds, | John took/won