Everyday English (Vocabulary Building)

Topic: Extreme Adjectives

Lesson Notes September 2, 2025 (Vocabulary Building)

Words & Phrases

• In English, when talking about hair appointments, we often say going for a haircut or going for a colour instead of going to the hair salon. (Going for focuses on the purpose of the visit, not the place.)

• I went for a haircut two weeks ago. I also got a perm.

• I’ll go for my next haircut in two weeks.

• I’m going for a massage this afternoon.

• She’s going for a dental check-up tomorrow.

Appropriate Language

In Canada, we talk about school years like this:

• Elementary school: Grades 1 to 6 (sometimes up to 8)

• Junior high / middle school: Grades 7 to 9

• High school: Grades 9 to 12

• University / college: Years 1 to 4 (sometimes more); usually said as “First year, Second year etc

• NOTE: Sometimes people use freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, especially in a US-influenced context, but in Canada it’s less common than just saying the grade.

Extreme Adjectives

Creative thinking & writing

• Polytheistic (adjective) ˌpɒl.iˈθiː.ɪ.stɪk / poly-THÉ-is-tic = relating to or believing in more than one god

• Monotheistic (adjective) mɒn.əˈθiː.ɪ.stɪk / = relating to or believing in only one god

• When we read the names of kings, queens, emperors, or popes with numbers, we say “the + number”.

• I would like to see Louis XIV.

• Henry VIII → Henry the Eighth

• Pope John Paul II → John Paul the Second