Advanced collocations (C2) — English exercises with answers

Strong adjective–noun, verb–noun and adverb–adjective collocations

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
After the first poll, the outcome of the election seemed a conclusion.
foregoneforgottenforthcomingforeseen'A foregone conclusion' is a result that is certain before it actually happens.
2
Multiple choice
Many scientists still doubts about the long-term safety of the drug.
harbourshelterhousekeepWe 'harbour' doubts, suspicions or grudges, meaning we keep them in our mind for a long time.
3
Multiple choice
The fans were disappointed by the team's performance in the final.
bitterlyheavilystronglyhighly'Bitterly disappointed' is a fixed collocation meaning extremely disappointed.
4
Multiple choice
Which collocation is NOT natural?
a heavy smokera strong smokerheavy traffica heavy heartWe say 'a heavy smoker', not 'a strong smoker'.
5
Fill the gap
The new evidence serious doubt on the witness's story.
castsgivesputsmakesAlso accepted: throwsWe 'cast doubt on' something when we make people less sure that it is true.
6
Fill the gap
Her explanation was so far-fetched that it belief.
defieddeniedrefusedopposedAlso accepted: beggared, strainedIf something 'defies belief', it is too strange or shocking to be believed.
7
Fill the gap
It's an secret that the two ministers can't stand each other.
Answer: open'An open secret' is something that is supposed to be secret but that everyone knows.
8
Fill the gap
The two candidates are neck and in the latest polls.
Answer: neck'Neck and neck' means level with each other in a race or competition.
9
Fill the gap
Thousands of families in the region still live in poverty.
abjectrigidbaresteepAlso accepted: extreme, dire'Abject poverty' is a strong collocation meaning the worst possible poverty.
10
True / false
This sentence uses natural collocations: 'She made a compliment on her colleague's presentation.'
Answer: FalseWe 'pay' someone a compliment, not 'make' one.
11
Discussion question
Describe a time when you were bitterly disappointed or when a result was a foregone conclusion. Use at least three collocations from this set.
Sample answer: Our school team reached the final, but the result was a foregone conclusion because the other side was much stronger. We were bitterly disappointed, although I had harboured doubts from the start.
12
Discussion question
Do you think learning collocations is more useful than learning single words? Why or why not?
Sample answer: I think collocations are more useful at an advanced level, because knowing a word is not enough: you need to know which words it goes with to sound natural rather than just correct.

Strong adjective–noun, verb–noun and adverb–adjective collocations

Correct answers are marked. Add the set to your exercises to open it in the editor, where you can adjust tasks, play them on screen or add them to a lesson.

1
Multiple choice
After the first poll, the outcome of the election seemed a conclusion.
foregoneforgottenforthcomingforeseen'A foregone conclusion' is a result that is certain before it actually happens.
2
Multiple choice
Many scientists still doubts about the long-term safety of the drug.
harbourshelterhousekeepWe 'harbour' doubts, suspicions or grudges, meaning we keep them in our mind for a long time.
3
Multiple choice
The fans were disappointed by the team's performance in the final.
bitterlyheavilystronglyhighly'Bitterly disappointed' is a fixed collocation meaning extremely disappointed.
4
Multiple choice
Which collocation is NOT natural?
a heavy smokera strong smokerheavy traffica heavy heartWe say 'a heavy smoker', not 'a strong smoker'.
5
Fill the gap
The new evidence serious doubt on the witness's story.
castsgivesputsmakesAlso accepted: throwsWe 'cast doubt on' something when we make people less sure that it is true.
6
Fill the gap
Her explanation was so far-fetched that it belief.
defieddeniedrefusedopposedAlso accepted: beggared, strainedIf something 'defies belief', it is too strange or shocking to be believed.
7
Fill the gap
It's an secret that the two ministers can't stand each other.
Answer: open'An open secret' is something that is supposed to be secret but that everyone knows.
8
Fill the gap
The two candidates are neck and in the latest polls.
Answer: neck'Neck and neck' means level with each other in a race or competition.
9
Fill the gap
Thousands of families in the region still live in poverty.
abjectrigidbaresteepAlso accepted: extreme, dire'Abject poverty' is a strong collocation meaning the worst possible poverty.
10
True / false
This sentence uses natural collocations: 'She made a compliment on her colleague's presentation.'
Answer: FalseWe 'pay' someone a compliment, not 'make' one.
11
Discussion question
Describe a time when you were bitterly disappointed or when a result was a foregone conclusion. Use at least three collocations from this set.
Sample answer: Our school team reached the final, but the result was a foregone conclusion because the other side was much stronger. We were bitterly disappointed, although I had harboured doubts from the start.
12
Discussion question
Do you think learning collocations is more useful than learning single words? Why or why not?
Sample answer: I think collocations are more useful at an advanced level, because knowing a word is not enough: you need to know which words it goes with to sound natural rather than just correct.