Explore Movie Vocabulary
Learn English with movies. Discover how much of a movie’s vocabulary you already know and review unfamiliar words before watching.
Notes on a Scandal
Unique vocabulary and phrases by level
How difficult is Notes on a Scandal in English?
Notes on a Scandal: 55.8% A1–A2 vocabulary; 21.4% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary. Vocabulary size: 1,382.
Unique vocabulary
- For A2 learners: 34.0% of unique vocabulary is above A2 or marked rare. Expect substantial preparation; start with short scenes and English subtitles.
- For B1 learners: 21.4% of unique vocabulary is above B1 or marked rare. Expect substantial preparation; start with short scenes and English subtitles.
- For B2 learners: 16.1% of unique vocabulary is above B2 or marked rare. Preview recurring words and use English subtitles.
10.2% Unclassified. Unclassified vocabulary has no reliable level assignment.
Vocabulary weighted by word occurrences
89.0% A1–A2 vocabulary; 5.0% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary; 2.7% Unclassified.
This counts repeated eligible words. Phrases are excluded from this calculation to avoid counting their component words twice.
Recurring words and phrases to preview
- ben (B1): 9 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
It's just that I've spent the last ten years looking after Ben
- glory (C1): 7 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
It's a sham fuelled only by the memory of former glories.
- friendship (B1): 6 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
That I am loyal in my friendships?
- term (B2): 6 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
negotiating the terms of a life lived together.
- cope (B1): 4 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
How do you cope? - I'm just a battle-axe.
Compare with titles in similar genres
- Lolita: 19.5% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (2.0 percentage points less than Notes on a Scandal).
- Hackers: 17.9% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (3.6 percentage points less than Notes on a Scandal).
- Summer of Sam: 17.9% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (3.6 percentage points less than Notes on a Scandal).
These percentages describe vocabulary, not the proportion of dialogue you will understand. CEFR labels are estimates, not official film ratings. Accent, speed, songs, context, and your own vocabulary also affect comprehension. Repeated occurrences may include repeated dialogue or lyrics.
How we estimate vocabulary difficulty · Evidence generated: