Task 1 比較圖表、Task 2 議題段——談「兩組數據明顯不同」、「男女薪資差距」時，考生反覆寫 difference。學術升級：discrepancy。

字義

Discrepancy (n., countable) — a difference or inconsistency between two or more things that should match or correspond.

關鍵：***discrepancy* 隱含「本應相符卻不符」**——比中性的 difference 多一層「值得注意」的味道。

5 個 Band 7+ 例句

  1. There is a striking discrepancy between government data and independent estimates.
  2. The audit revealed minor discrepancies in the financial records.
  3. A wide discrepancy persists between male and female earnings in many sectors.
  4. Discrepancies in test scores often reflect differences in school resources rather than ability.
  5. Critics pointed to discrepancies between the policy's stated aims and its actual outcomes.

常見錯誤

搭配記住四組：a discrepancy between A and B / a wide discrepancy / a striking discrepancy / minor discrepancies。

意義偏移：Discrepancy 不是任何差異——是本應相符卻不符的差異。兩個朋友不同身高不是 discrepancy（用 difference）；同一份報告兩處數字打架就是 discrepancy。

單複數：可數——a discrepancy（一處）、discrepancies（多處）。別寫 some discrepancy 當不可數用。

Register 偏書面：Speaking 用 discrepancy 略嚴肅；Task 1/2 與 Part 3 才上場。

同等級替換（Band 7+）

  • Disparity — The disparity in incomes between the two regions is stark.（更強調社會性差距）
  • Inconsistency — Inconsistencies in the witness's account undermined her credibility.（強調「前後不一」）

試試看

下次 Task 1 比較兩組數據，把 the difference between A and B 換成 the discrepancy between A and B——一句話 Band 7+。

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