Review Units 21-24

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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