Used to introduce a detail that becomes noticeable only after looking more carefully.
“Upon closer inspection, I can see that the man is actually reading a map, not a phone.”
“Upon closer inspection, there seem to be price tags on the items at the stall.”
Pair this phrase with 'at first glance' in Task 3 to show a natural progression from a general impression to a specific detail — this contrast demonstrates strong organizational skills, which examiners specifically look for in this task.
Synonyms: looking more carefully, on closer look, when you look more closely