Advantages, disadvantages and trade-offs – C1 English Vocabulary

In this Advanced Vocabulary lesson, you will learn advanced words and expressions used to discuss advantages, disadvantages, compromises, and trade-offs. Check the explanation to familiarise yourself with the expressions before doing the exercises.

Advantages, disadvantages and trade-offs

Exercise 1

Choose the correct expression to complete each sentence.

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1 Without a dependable source of drinking water, the proposed settlement would be unable to function safely and is therefore not _____.

A. worthwhile

B. counterproductive

C. viable

D. cost-effective

2 Even critics acknowledge one important _____ of the revised policy: it gives tenants a direct role in decisions about their building.

A. trade-off

B. drawback

C. compromise

D. merit

3 The hotel was noisy, badly maintained and far from the conference venue; its only _____ was the outstanding restaurant.

A. trade-off

B. redeeming feature

C. compromise

D. shortcoming

4 Increasing the penalties for minor reporting errors may be _____, as employees could become less willing to report mistakes at all.

A. counterproductive

B. viable

C. worthwhile

D. cost-effective

5 The main _____ of allowing employees to work remotely is that the company can recruit from a much wider geographical area.

A. drawback

B. compromise

C. upside

D. shortcoming

6 Although relocating the laboratory would be disruptive, the safety improvements should _____ the arguments against the move.

A. offset

B. outweigh

C. compensate for

D. come at a cost

7 Management increased the number of daily appointments _____ the time available for each patient.

A. on balance

B. at the expense of

C. come at a cost

D. strike a balance

8 The relocation would be expensive and initially disruptive, but it would provide considerably better facilities. _____, the board decided that the move was justified.

A. At the expense of

B. A trade-off

C. A compromise

D. On balance

9 The tracking software is highly accurate, but its inability to work without an internet connection is a serious _____.

A. drawback

B. merit

C. upside

D. redeeming feature

10 The new insulation makes the building more energy-efficient but reduces the amount of natural light. That is an unavoidable _____ of the design.

A. merit

B. redeeming feature

C. trade-off

D. upside

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Advantages, disadvantages and trade-offs – C1 English Vocabulary

In this Advanced Vocabulary lesson, you will learn advanced words and expressions used to discuss advantages, disadvantages, compromises, and the factors involved in making decisions. Read the definitions and example sentences to understand the differences between the terms and learn how to use them naturally in formal, academic, and everyday contexts.

Positive and negative aspects

1 The upside of something is its positive aspect or advantage, especially when it is contrasted with a disadvantage.

• The main upside of the four-day week is that staff have more time to recover.

2 The downside of something is its negative aspect or disadvantage.

• The downside of remote recruitment is that candidates may find it harder to assess workplace culture.

3 A drawback is a disadvantage that makes something less useful, effective, or attractive.

• A major drawback of the proposal is its reliance on short-term funding.

4 A shortcoming is a fault or weakness in a person, system, plan, or product. The plural form is particularly common.

• The review identified several shortcomings in the way complaints were handled.

5 A merit is a good quality or feature that makes an idea, proposal, or course of action worthy of consideration.

• The idea has considerable merit, although its implementation would be expensive.

6 A redeeming feature is a positive quality that partly compensates for the faults of something that is otherwise disappointing.

• The hotel’s only redeeming feature was its convenient location.

Costs, compromises and competing priorities

7 A trade-off is a situation in which gaining one benefit requires accepting a disadvantage or giving up another benefit.

• The cheaper model costs less, but the trade-off is that its battery life is considerably shorter.
• There is an unavoidable trade-off between stronger data protection and ease of access.

8 A compromise is an agreement or solution in which different sides accept less than they originally wanted, or in which competing qualities are balanced.

• The final design represents a compromise between durability and weight.

9 If one consideration outweighs another, it is more important or has a greater effect.

• For most residents, the long-term benefits outweigh the temporary disruption.

10 To offset a cost, disadvantage, or negative effect means to reduce or balance it with something positive.

• Lower maintenance costs should offset the higher initial price.

11 To compensate for a disadvantage, weakness, or loss means to provide something positive that makes it less serious or noticeable.

• The generous annual leave partly compensates for the relatively modest salary.

12 If something comes at a cost, it produces a benefit but also causes a disadvantage, loss, or difficulty.

• Greater accuracy often comes at the cost of speed.

13 If something is achieved at the expense of something else, it is achieved by reducing, harming, or sacrificing that other thing.

• The company increased output at the expense of product quality.

14 To strike a balance between two competing considerations means to find a satisfactory middle position that takes both into account.

• The regulations attempt to strike a balance between public safety and individual freedom.

Assessing options and making decisions

15 To weigh something against something means to compare two competing factors carefully before reaching a decision.

• The council must weigh the economic benefits against the environmental risks.

16 On balance is used to introduce an overall judgement reached after considering all the relevant advantages and disadvantages.

• On balance, extending the trial is preferable to abandoning it.

17 Something is cost-effective if it produces a good result without costing more than is reasonable or necessary.

• Replacing every device would not be cost-effective, given how few are faulty.

18 An idea, plan, or business is viable if it is capable of working successfully in practice.

• Without additional investment, the service is unlikely to remain financially viable.

19 Something is worthwhile if its benefits justify the time, money, or effort required.

• The upgrade is costly, but the improvement in reliability makes it worthwhile.

20 Something is counterproductive if it has the opposite effect to the one intended.

• Publishing incomplete figures could be counterproductive and further weaken public trust.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Advantages, Disadvantages and Trade-offs, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flashcards to revise and help you memorize the terms.