BT | 19th Aug, 2023

Unit 1: Vocabulary Enhancement

Word collocations:

Collocation: Two or more words that go together. (Literally- the act of placing things side by
side)

When you start to use word collocations, your language becomes more natural.

Example: I strongly agree with this point.

Burst into tears (not blow up with tears)

Round of applause (not square of applause)

- A word or phrase often used with another word or phrase in a way that sounds
natural to Native English speakers or to people who have spoken the language all
their lives.

- A habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with another word with a frequency

greater than chance.

Collocations with get:

Get a tan

Get a job

Get upset

Get struck

Get into trouble

Collocations with cast:

Cast a vote

Cast a spell

Collocations with catch:

Catch a cold

Catch a glimpse

Collocations with keep:

Keep a promise

Keep a secret
Collocations with do/have/make:

1. I hope to _have______ my own business one day. (do/have/make)

2. I don’t _have____ many hobbies. (do/have/make)

3. My sibling usually __makes____ the bed rather than me. (does/has/makes)

4. I _made____ a mistake with my IELTS reading the last time I took a test. (did/had/made)

5. I’m planning to __have______ a holiday in June or July. (do/make/have)

6. I _have___ my break at work at 3:15. (do/have/make)

7. Reading a lot _make____ a real difference to your IELTS score. (does/has/makes)

8. I don’t always _have____ time to study. (have/do)

9. __Having____ a rest now and again is important if you’re studying hard.

(doing/having/making)

10. Giving money to charity __makes______ a real difference to my life. (does/has/makes)

Fill in the blanks with the right word collocations:

1. The meeting between the delegates took ___place___ last Friday.

2. He takes __care___ of his grandmother as she is not well.

3. I can’t go to the conference anymore. Do you want to take my _place______? (Go instead
of me)

4. I was up very late last night. I need to take _rest_____.

5. You are breaking the _law____ if you drive over speed limit.

6. BBC World was the first news channel to break __the news_______ that Princess Diana
had died.

7. You should never break the _rules_____ in a school as there are consequences.

8. We might miss the plane- we’d better get __going______.

9. I need to get a _job____ so I can pay my rent.

10. This year’s inflation has broken all previous __records_______.

Types of Collocations:

1. adverb + adjective- completely satisfied (not downright satisfied)

• Invading that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.

• We entered a richly decorated room.

• Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?

2. adjective + noun- excruciating pain, bright idea, bright future

• The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.

• The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. (maiden is both a noun and an adjective- two
knights fought over the fair maiden (noun), Her maiden aunt (maiden used as an
adjective).

3. noun + noun- a round of applause.

• The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am.

• I'd like to buy two bars of soap please.

4. noun + verb- lions roar (not lions shout)

• Snow was falling as our plane took off.

• The bomb went off when he started the car engine. (Went off is a phrasal verb)

5. verb + noun- commit suicide (not undertake suicide)

• The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.

• I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed.

• He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.

6. verb + preposition- depend on (not depend off)

• We had to return home because we had run out of money.

7. verb + adverb- wave frantically (not wave feverishly)

• Mary whispered softly in John's ear.

• I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.

8. adjective + preposition- afraid of (not afraid at)

Fill in the blanks with the right word collocations:

1. I was __bitterly______ disappointed when I failed. (bitter/sour)

2. I had to _undergo______ surgery for my broken limb. (perform/act/undergo)

3. After doing a deal with their boss, the workers _ended_____ their strike.
(finished/completed/ended)

4. A company __makes_____ a good profit if its income is much more than its expenditure.
(does/has/makes)

5. If you can’t __satisfy/fulfil/meet______ demand for your product, you should increase
the production.

PYQ:

1. Although I was _slightly_______ annoyed by his attitude, I said nothing.

(slightly/moderately/lightly)

2. it is a golden __opportunity______. If you miss it, you will regret it.

(chance/opportunity/offer).

3. The company has experienced significant growth in the past _financial_______ year.
(financial/official/personal)

4. Unfortunately, he had _few_ friends. (a few/ few/ the few) (Refer to the example given
below for a detailed explanation)
(He has a few friends- he has some friends. But since the sentence says that it is
unfortunate- it is implying a negative sentiment or meaning so use few). Refer to the
explanation given below.