What is the recommended approach to expand lexical range in responses?

• A. Repeat the same basic verbs.
• B. Use descriptive adjectives, synonyms, collocations, and topic-specific terms; avoid repeating simple words.
• C. Rely on a fixed set of adjectives.
• D. Use only nouns.

Answer: (B)

Expanding lexical range means expressing ideas with a variety of words to convey more precise meanings and a natural rhythm. Using descriptive adjectives adds detail and nuance, helping your listener picture or feel what you’re describing. Synonyms let you choose a word that fits the tone, level of formality, or shade of meaning you need. Collocations—common word pairings like “make a decision,” “strong argument,” or “conduct research”—sound fluent and natural to ears trained on the language. Topic-specific terms bring accuracy within a field, showing you know the vocabulary that professionals use.

This approach avoids repeating simple words, which can make responses feel flat and mechanical. Instead of sticking to a basic verb or adjective, you can tailor word choice to the context, audience, and purpose, which makes your language more engaging and precise. The other options fall short because they rely on the same few words (limiting expressiveness), fixate on a narrow set of adjectives (inflexible and context-dependent), or use only nouns (losing action and descriptive quality).