Casa ESL · C1 Advanced · Unit 16 of 20 · Step 2
Advanced Concession (Much as, Granting that, For all that, Albeit)
Name
Date
Vocabulary
inalienable
adjectiveUnable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor.
"The Universal Declaration asserts that human rights are inalienable."
persecution
nounHostility and ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.
"The persecution of minority groups is a violation of fundamental rights."
asylum
nounThe protection granted by a state to someone who has left their home country as a political refugee.
"The number of people seeking asylum has reached unprecedented levels."
tribunal
nounA body established to settle disputes, especially one outside the ordinary courts.
"The international tribunal was convened to investigate allegations of war crimes."
impunity
nounExemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
"The regime committed atrocities with apparent impunity."
enshrined
adjectivePreserved or protected in a form that ensures it will be respected.
"The right to a fair trial is enshrined in international law."
disenfranchise
verbTo deprive someone of the right to vote or of a power or privilege.
"Voter ID laws risk disenfranchising marginalised communities."
complicity
nounThe state of being involved with others in an illegal or morally wrong activity.
"Corporate complicity in human rights abuses has drawn increasing scrutiny."
Grammar Focus
Advanced concession: much as, granting that, for all that, albeit
Advanced concessive structures acknowledge a counter-argument while maintaining the writer's main position. 'Much as' (+ clause): 'Much as I sympathise with their position, the evidence does not support it.' 'Granting that' (+ clause): 'Granting that economic pressures are real, they do not justify violations of basic rights.' 'For all that' (= despite everything): 'The system has its critics. For all that, it remains the most effective mechanism available.' 'Albeit' (+ adjective/adverb/phrase, more formal): 'Progress has been made, albeit slowly.' These create balanced, sophisticated arguments.
Much as one might wish to resolve the conflict diplomatically, the evidence suggests that sanctions may be necessary.
Granting that national sovereignty is important, it cannot be invoked to justify the persecution of civilians.
The tribunal has its limitations. For all that, it represents a significant advance in international justice.
The reforms have produced results, albeit modest ones.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with the appropriate concessive expression: much as / granting that / for all that / albeit.
1. the law was well-intentioned, its implementation has been deeply flawed.
2. Progress has been achieved, at a painfully slow pace.
3. I respect the court's authority, I must express reservations about this ruling.
4. The system has been criticised from all sides. , no viable alternative has been proposed.
5. cultural relativism raises valid questions, it cannot justify the denial of fundamental rights.
Exercise 2
Choose the sentence that uses the concessive expression correctly.
1. Which uses 'albeit' correctly?
2. Which uses 'much as' correctly?
3. Which uses 'for all that' correctly?
Reading
The Unfinished Project of Human Rights
Much as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented a historic achievement, its promise remains unevenly fulfilled more than seven decades later. Granting that the post-war international order created institutions and norms that had not previously existed, the enforcement of human rights continues to be undermined by political interests and power imbalances. The International Criminal Court, established with great optimism, has been criticised for focusing disproportionately on cases from the Global South, albeit with some justification given the severity of the atrocities investigated. For all that, the court represents an important step towards ending impunity for the most serious crimes. Much as governments invoke sovereignty to resist external scrutiny, the principle that certain rights are inalienable and universal has gained ground. Granting that cultural differences must be respected, the persecution of individuals on the basis of their identity or beliefs cannot be justified on cultural grounds. Progress has been made — albeit unevenly — in areas such as the abolition of the death penalty, the protection of refugees, and the recognition of LGBTQ+ rights. For all that remains to be done, the framework of international human rights law provides an indispensable foundation upon which further advances can be built.
1. What criticism of the International Criminal Court does the passage mention?
2. How does the passage balance the arguments of cultural relativism and universal rights?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write a formal paragraph (6–8 sentences) discussing a human rights dilemma. Use all four concessive structures (much as, granting that, for all that, albeit) at least once.
Example: Much as the right to privacy is fundamental, it must be balanced against legitimate security concerns. Granting that governments need surveillance capabilities to combat terrorism, the scope of these programmes has in many cases exceeded what is proportionate. Progress towards greater transparency has been made, albeit slowly. For all that, the legal frameworks governing surveillance remain inadequate in many democracies.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. Granting that · 2. albeit · 3. Much as · 4. For all that · 5. Granting that
Exercise 2
1. The reform passed, albeit with significant opposition. · 2. Much as I admire her courage, I question her strategy. · 3. He is a flawed leader. For all that, he commands loyalty.
Reading Comprehension
1. The ICC has been criticised for focusing disproportionately on cases from the Global South, though the passage notes there is some justification given the severity of the atrocities investigated. · 2. It grants that cultural differences must be respected, but argues that persecution of individuals on the basis of identity or beliefs cannot be justified on cultural grounds.