Using Collocations for Natural English - Elizabeth Walter, Kate Woodford 2010
Review Units 21-24
These exercises use collocations from units 21-24, and will help you see how many you have remembered. After each exercise, add up your score to see how well you have done.
1 Complete the sentences.
1 I treated him fairly badly and it's been ... on my conscience these past few months.
2 She's ... several accusations against her former boss.
3 I have a sneaking ... that she's going to resign.
4 Prices for the same product ... widely from shop to shop.
5 He was cycling down the hill at ... speed.
6 If the hotel is full we can always make alternative ... .
7 My ... leaped when I saw him -I was so excited.
8 It was with a heavy ... that I told him he had to leave.
9 It came as a real ... to see her looking so ill and thin.
10 Tempers started to ... towards the end of the meeting as everyone started to get tired.
2 Underline the correct word to complete the collocations.
1 She was seriously/violently/highly critical of the report.
2 I'm highly/seriously/violently sceptical about the science behind these claims.
3 I firmly/strongly/heavily suspect that he won't offer us the work.
4 He was seriously/tremendously/hugely injured in the crash.
5 She was hotly/bitterly/nastily disappointed to be out of the competition.
6 I need some ideas for my essay - can I tap/pick/touch your brains?
7 These ideas are gradually gaining/holding/taking acceptance.
8 The golfer has decisively/precisely/categorically denied the accusations.
9 I was powerfully/forcefully/violently sick after eating in that restaurant.
10 Her mother is seriously/badly/harmfully ill in hospital.
3 Match the collocations 1-10 with the definitions a-j.
1 take issue with a achieving a very good result
someone b to get enjoyment
2 derive pleasure c a very strong feeling of not liking something
3 matter of opinion d to suddenly have a thought about how to do something
4 difference of opinion e something that people have different opinions about
5 intense dislike f to disagree with someone
6 hugely successful g to give someone help and advice
7 thoroughly enjoy h a disagreement
8 spring to mind i to come suddenly into your thoughts
9 offer guidance j to get a lot of pleasure from something
10 hit upon an idea
4 Match the two halves of the sentences.
1 There's been a sharp increase
2 It didn't cross my mind
3 There's an acute shortage
4 This school term has seen
5 The film wasn't the
6 Let me know when you've
7 If you have a legal problem
8 I was thrilled to bits
9 The article gives lots of helpful hints
10 Lying on the beach next to Sam
a a dramatic improvement in his work.
b to be invited.
c I was blissfully happy.
d in the number of burglaries in the area.
e that he might not want to come.
f on how to reduce your fat intake.
g it's best to get professional advice.
h reached a decision.
i of trained nurses.
j roaring success they were hoping for.
5 Correct the word in italics to make a collocation with the word in bold in each sentence.
1 To be ideally honest, I preferred you in the grey dress.
2 David was very much in favour of the proposal, but I stay sceptical.
3 I think it's strongly unlikely that they'll be ready by the end of the month.
4 Anyone could see that she's unhappy at work - it's violently obvious.
5 I angrily resent having to pay extra for the service.
6 He has failed unhappily to follow the most basic instructions.
7 If I were to risk a guess I'd say she's about fifty.
8 The hard reality of war is movingly expressed in his paintings.
9 If you invite more people, keep in mind you'll have to provide more food.
10 At this time of year it is burningly cold.
6 Complete the sentences with a collocation from the box. Make sure you use the correct form of the verbs.
rack your brains • make recommendations • courage fails someone • scared stiff • toy with an idea • high regard • contain your anger • hurl abuse • dash someone's hopes • throw a tantrum
1 I've been ... trying to think what to get him for a present - it's so difficult.
2 My two-year-old ... in the middle of the shop because I wouldn't buy him any sweets.
3 I was furious and I just couldn't ... any longer.
4 The crowd were ... at the referee.
5 The committee is due to ... about improving health and safety.
6 I have a very ... for the teachers in this school - I think they do a marvellous job.
7 I wanted to tell him how I really felt but at the last minute my ... .
8 I think you're very brave -I'd be ... to get on a horse that size!
9 Last week's defeat ... United's ... of winning the competition.
10 I've been ... of moving to a new city.