Gradation

This soup is quite hot, I can’t eat it.

This soup is absolutely boiling, I can’t eat it.

It was rather cold at the beach, so we came home.

It was absolutely freezing at the beach, so we came home.

The room they gave us was fairly small and rather noisy.

The room they gave us was absolutely tinny and rather noisy.

I was a bit frightened when he started driving at 100 mph.

I was completely terrified when he started driving at 100 mph.

Have you seen Kate’s new boyfriend? He’s quite good-looking.

Have you seen Kate’s new boyfriend? He’s absolutely gorgeous.

I was quite surprised to hear they’re getting married.

I was absolutely amazed to hear they’re getting married.