Advanced English Collocations in Use | Unit 1

Felicity O'Dell, Michael McCarthy. Self-study and classroom use

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

stay true to your values, beliefs, or standards, especially when it’s difficult or inconvenient

adhere to your principles

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

make someone feel curious or eager to know more about something

arouse someone's interest

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

hair that is light‑coloured, usually yellowish or pale

blond hair

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

think of and propose an idea or recommendation

come up with a suggestion

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

deny something in a direct, firm, and absolute way, leaving no room for doubt

flatly contradict

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

completely different at the most basic level; not just a small or surface difference

fundamentally different

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

start reducing spending and being more careful with money

go on an economy drive

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

rain that is intense

heavy rain

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

host, run, or facilitate an online seminar, guiding participants through the session

lead a webinar

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

a small amount of fresh paint used to make something look cleaner, newer, or more attractive, often implying that only a light refresh is needed

a lick of paint

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

buy and sell shares in the hope of making a profit

play the stock market

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

advice or comments that are insightful, thoughtful, or helpful, often coming from experience

words of wisdom

Correct the error.

Exam candidates often make faults in their use of verbs like do, make, go and get.

mistakes

Correct the error.

Try to use a longer range of language when you write.

wider

Correct the error.

Exam candidates who use collocations well gather better marks.

gain

Correct the error.

You have to know what normal collocation patterns are before you can lose them.

depart from

Correct the error.

The writer used colloquial language to form an effect.

create

Improve the stile by replacing “nice”.

Our new family hotel is set in a nice location and all the rooms have nice furnishings and nice views over the surrounding countryside. (stylish / secluded / breathtaking)

secluded/breathtaking location, stylish furnishings, breathtaking views

Breathtaking could also go with location but secluded (quiet, private, and not near people, roads, or buildings) could not go with views.

Improve the stile by replacing “good”.

Visitors will enjoy the good atmosphere in either of our good dining rooms, both serving good food to both residents and non-residents. (delicious / relaxing / spacious)

relaxing atmosphere, spacious/relaxing dining rooms, delicious food

Relaxing could also perhaps go with dining rooms but spacious could not go with atmosphere.

Improve the stile by replacing “beautiful”.

We organise tours to beautiful surrounding villages where you'll have the opportunity to take some beautiful photographs and sample the beautiful local cuisine. (mouth-watering / picturesque / stunning)

picturesque/stunning surrounding villages, stunning photographs, mouth-watering cuisine

Stunning could go with villages but picturesque could not go with photographs.

What’s the formal alternative?

Passengers must not get off the bus while it is moving.

Passengers must not alight from the bus while it is in motion.

What’s the informal alternative?

Let's have something to eat before we start work.

Let's grab a bite before we get down to work.

What’s the formal alternative?

SFTS has the right to bring the agreement to an end with three months' notice.

SFTS reserves the right to terminate the agreement with three months' notice.

What’s the informal alternative?

She thinks her boyfriend is planning to ask her to marry him tonight.

She thinks her boyfriend is planning to pop the question tonight.

Correct the four collocation errors in this paragraph.

The yellow-haired boy said he had joined the English class to get some new friends. He also said that he wanted to learn about collocations because it would be of big importance in helping him to do fewer mistakes when writing in English.

The blond-haired boy said he had joined the English class to make some new friends. He also said that he wanted to learn about collocations because it would be of great importance in helping him to make fewer mistakes when writing in English.

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.
to make the price or value of the bill increase

run up the bill
She stayed two weeks at the hotel and ran up a bill that she couldn't pay.