Advanced English Collocations in Use | Unit 3

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

an illness moves from person to person or place to place

disease spreads

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

available information indicates that something is likely

evidence suggests

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

a chance or favourable situation appears unexpectedly

opportunity arises

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

the visible vapor/gas moves upward into the air

smoke rises

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

the quality of something becomes worse over time

standards slip

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

teeth knock together repeatedly, usually because of cold or fear

teeth chatter

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

the wind makes a loud, long, wailing sound

wind howls

(noun + verb)

Which collocation matches the description? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to.

remain strong and not be damaged or affected by stress or force

withstand pressure

(verb + noun)

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

The scientific ___ human beings first emerged in Africa.

evidence suggests

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

The ___ all night and it was raining, so I couldn’t sleep.

wind howled

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

The machine has to be made of materials that can ___ a lot of ___.

withstand (a lot of) pressure

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

Oh, no! There’s a fire. Look at the ___ from those buildings.

smoke rising

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

It was so cold I couldn’t stop my ___.

teeth chattering

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

Our survey shows that parents believe ___ at the school.

standards have slipped

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

You must accompany Bob on one of his business trips to Asia, if the ___ ever ___.

opportunity (ever) arises

Complete the sentences using a collocation in the appropriate form.

An alarming new ___ among cattle in the south of the country

disease is spreading

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

I don't want to say no to the chance of meeting such a famous person.

pass up the chance

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

We’ll have to write a contract before you start work, as it’s a new position.

draw up a contract

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

You’re working too hard. You should try to relax for a short period of time.

take it easy for a while

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

This new bullet-proof car can take the impact of a rocket-propelled grenade.

withstand the impact

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

Do you have any interesting little bits of information about our new boss to tell us?

snippets of information

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

The Minister faced a large number of questions from reporters.

a barrage of questions

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

I had some luck last week. The police found my stolen wallet and nothing was missing.

a stroke of luck

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

There’s been a number of violent attacks in the area recently.

a spate of attacks

Replace the bold part of each sentence using a collocation.

After her divorce Mandy was determined to forget the past and build a new life.

put the past behind her

What’s the meaning of the collocation in bold? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to. Then answer the question.

Who do you think is the most stunningly attractive person you have ever seen?

stunningly attractive - extremely beautiful or striking in appearance

(adverb + adjective)

What’s the meaning of the collocation in bold? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to. Then answer the question.

What should you do if you are in a car with someone who is driving recklessly?

drive recklessly - operate a vehicle in a dangerous or careless way

(verb + adverb)

What’s the meaning of the collocation in bold? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to. Then answer the question.

Do you prefer walking in the country if there is a gentle breeze or a strong wind?

a gentle breeze - a soft, light wind (adjective + noun)

a strong wind - a powerful, forceful wind (adjective + noun)

What’s the meaning of the collocation in bold? Identify which grammatical category this collocation belongs to. Then answer the question.

Would you write your intensely personal thoughts and feelings in your diary?

intensely personal - deeply private or strongly connected to someone’s inner feelings

(adverb + adjective)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

He said he would throw us out, but it was just a(n) vain / idle / lazy threat.

an idle threat (simply a threat)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

They rushed the victim to hospital, in the idle / simple / vain hope of saving her life.

in the vain hope (unlikely to be fulfilled hope)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

The government is encountering mounting / climbing / rising criticism of its policies.

mounting criticism (disapproval increasing in intensity)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

There is raising / mounting / vain concern across the world about climate change.

mountain concern (growing worry)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

The horse was fuming / foaming / fainting at the mouth, so we called the vet.

(The horse was) foaming at the mouth

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

Suddenly, without warning, Marjorie busted / bustled / burst into song.

burst into song (suddenly and spontaneously start singing)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

The right / straight / plain truth is that I hate my job.

plain truth (fact that is obvious and undeniable)

Select the most appropriate word in italics to complete the collocation.

I tried to persuade her but I'm afraid I failed desperately / miserably / wholeheartedly.

failed miserably (failed completely in a way that causes significant disappointment)