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Collocations – Quiz 1
Collocations Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates students' understanding of collocations in English, including their usage in context and recognition. It covers various topics such as meal sizes, dietary habits, hotel accommodation, and more, testing grammatical correctness and idiomatic expression comprehension.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
With ..... , will be difficult that the oil industry recover from the Covid-19 crisis.
A) Soaring prices.
B) Rising prices.
C) Increasing prices.
D) Rock-bottom prices.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Rock-bottom prices" is the correct collocation in this context because it effectively conveys a situation where prices are extremely low, making recovery difficult for the oil industry during the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 crisis. The phrase "rock-bottom" emphasizes the severity of the price levels.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Soaring prices indicate increasing costs, which would generally be unfavorable but not as relevant to recovery difficulties in this context.
Option B:
Rising prices suggest an increase over time, but it does not convey the same level of severity as "rock-bottom" and is less specific for this scenario.
Option C:
Increasing prices is similar to Option B; it implies a trend but lacks the emphasis on extreme low levels needed here.
Option D:
Rock-bottom prices directly relate to the severity of the economic condition, making recovery particularly challenging for the oil industry during the crisis.
2.
He ..... his mouth when he fell down and now he has a ..... tooth.
A) Hit / chipped.
B) Chipped / hit.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Hit his mouth when he fell down and now he has a chipped tooth." is the correct collocation in this context. "Hit one's mouth" implies an action that could cause injury, while "chipped tooth" describes a common dental consequence of such an incident.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Hit his mouth" and "chipped tooth" are appropriate collocations.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Chipped / hit" does not form a logical sequence of events or proper collocation.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests both actions could be used interchangeably, which is not the case in standard English usage.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
3.
Choose the word that completes this collocation:pack/unpack .....
A) Home.
B) A bag.
C) Plans.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The collocation "pack/unpack a bag" is a common and correct pairing in English, indicating the action of putting items into or removing items from a bag.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Home - This does not form a natural collocation with either 'pack' or 'unpack'.
Option B:
A bag - Correct. "Pack/unpack a bag" is a common and correct collocation in English.
Option C:
Plans - This does not form a natural collocation with either 'pack' or 'unpack'.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect, as "A bag" is the correct answer.
4.
She's ..... a diet
A) In.
B) At.
C) On.
D) For.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) On.
The phrase "on a diet" is a common collocation in English, meaning someone is following a plan to lose weight by eating less or differently. This usage is fixed and cannot be replaced with other prepositions.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
In - Incorrect. "In a diet" does not form a standard collocation.
Option B:
At - Incorrect. "At a diet" is not used in English to describe following a weight loss plan.
Option C:
On - Correct. "On a diet" is the proper collocation for this phrase.
Option D:
For - Incorrect. "For a diet" does not fit the context of someone actively following a weight loss regimen.
5.
If you don't arrive on time to the station, you will .....
A) MISS the train.
B) LOSE the train.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is A) MISS the train. This collocation "miss the train" means to fail to catch a train that one was supposed to board, typically due to being late. The other options are incorrect because "lose the train" does not exist as a common English phrase in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Miss the train" is a standard collocation meaning to fail to catch a train.
Option B:
Incorrect. There is no such collocation as "lose the train."
Option C:
Incorrect. Only option A is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is correct.
6.
L'm so pleased that I succeeded ..... passing my driving test first time!
A) With.
B) In.
C) From.
D) Of.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) In.
The phrase "passing the driving test" requires the preposition "in" to indicate the successful completion of an event or task. Common collocations include "succeed in passing," which means achieving success in a particular endeavor.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"With" is typically used with verbs like "passing" when referring to tools, methods, or assistance (e.g., "passing the test with help"). It does not fit here.
Option B:
"In" correctly collocates with "succeed" and "passing," meaning one has achieved success in passing the driving test on the first attempt.
Option C:
"From" is used to indicate origin or source (e.g., "from a book") but not for this context of achievement.
Option D:
"Of" is often used with nouns and does not fit the verb structure in this sentence.
7.
She had already ..... the job.
A) Get.
B) Gotten.
C) Gets.
D) Gots.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Gotten.
In American English, the past participle of "get" is irregular and is spelled as "gotten." This form is used in perfect tenses such as "have gotten," which fits the context of the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Get" is not correct because it does not match the grammatical structure needed for this sentence.
Option B:
"Gotten" is correct as explained above.
Option C:
"Gets" is incorrect; it's in present tense and doesn't fit the context of a completed action.
Option D:
"Gots" is not a standard English form, making it incorrect.
8.
My parents ..... the movies twice a week.
A) Go to.
B) Meet.
C) Do.
D) Play.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Go to.
The phrase "go to the movies" is a common collocation in English, meaning to watch films at a cinema. Options B (Meet), C (Do), and D (Play) do not form natural or commonly used phrases with "the movies."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Go to the movies" is a standard collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Meet the movies" does not make sense in English.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Do the movies" is not a natural phrase.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Play the movies" is not used to describe watching films at a cinema.
9.
..... to bed early.
A) Watch.
B) Play.
C) Go.
D) See.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) Go.
The phrase "go to bed early" is a common collocation in English, meaning to retire for the night at an appropriate time. This option fits naturally with the given context and maintains proper grammatical structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Watch does not form a natural collocation with "to bed early."
Option B:
Play is also not a suitable collocation for "to bed early," as it refers to an activity that typically occurs during the day.
Option C:
Go forms a correct and natural collocation with "to bed early."
Option D:
See does not fit well in this context, as it is generally used for visual perception or meetings rather than bedtime routines.
10.
She didn't come to work today because she was feeling a bit .....
A) Affected by the weather.
B) Under the weather.
C) Banana.
D) In the weather.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B, "Under the weather," is a correct collocation that means feeling unwell or ill. This phrase fits naturally in the context of someone not coming to work due to feeling unwell.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Affected by the weather" suggests being influenced by external conditions, which does not fit the context of feeling unwell.
Option B:
"Under the weather" is a correct collocation meaning feeling ill or unwell, fitting the context perfectly.
Option C:
"Banana" is unrelated to the context and does not form a meaningful phrase with "was feeling a bit."
Option D:
"In the weather" is grammatically incorrect and does not form a meaningful collocation in this context.
11.
I came home ..... bus because it was raining.
A) On.
B) At.
C) By.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) By.
The phrase "by bus" is a common collocation in English, meaning the person used a bus as their means of transportation. Other options like "on" or "at" do not form natural collocations with "bus" in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
On bus is incorrect because "on" typically indicates being on top of something, such as a bus stop or the roof of a vehicle.
Option B:
At bus does not form a natural collocation and would imply an incorrect preposition usage.
Option C:
By bus is correct because "by" with "bus" is a common collocation meaning transportation by bus.
Option D:
None of the above is unnecessary since option C is correct.
12.
In my cellphone I can ..... to talk with my mom
A) Play clash royale.
B) Make phone calls.
C) Watch videos.
D) Take selfies.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct collocation is "make phone calls." In English, the verb "can" is often used with "make phone calls" to indicate the ability to communicate via telephone. The other options do not form a natural or common collocation with "can."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Play clash royale" - This does not fit naturally with "can." Clash Royale is a game, and while one can play games on their phone, it's not the most direct way to communicate with someone.
Option B:
"Make phone calls" - This forms a natural collocation with "can," indicating the ability to use the phone for communication.
Option C:
"Watch videos" - While one can watch videos on their phone, it's not typically how one would communicate with someone like their mom.
Option D:
"Take selfies" - Taking pictures or selfies is a common activity but does not involve direct communication with someone via the phone.
13.
The game itself was excellent, but it was sadly spoiled by ..... trouble.
A) Supporter.
B) Fan.
C) Crowd.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "spoiled by" suggests that the trouble mentioned is something negative that detracted from the overall positive experience of the game itself. The word "crowd" implies a large group of people, which can often lead to issues such as noise, behavior problems, or logistical challenges during an event. This makes sense in the context where the game was excellent but was negatively impacted by external factors.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Supporter - Not typically associated with causing trouble that spoils a positive experience.
Option B:
Fan - While fans can sometimes cause issues, "fan" is less likely to imply the kind of widespread or uncontrollable trouble that would spoil an event significantly.
Option C:
Crowd - Fits well as it suggests a large group causing problems that detract from the positive experience of the game itself.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect given "crowd" fits the context perfectly.
14.
It can take a long time to fully ..... a complicated ..... before putting it into practice.
A) Test-theory.
B) Test-a solution.
C) Test-a problem.
D) Test-model.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct collocation is "test-theory." In English, it's common to use the verb "take" with "time" followed by a noun phrase that describes what needs to be done before something can be put into practice. Here, testing a theory fits naturally and logically.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Take time to test-theory" is a common collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Test-a solution" doesn't fit the context well.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Test-a problem" also doesn't fit naturally in this sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Test-model" is not a common collocation with "take time."
15.
Substantial meal is a meal which is .....
A) Large portion.
B) Decent.
C) High-quality.
D) Unusually large and good.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Substantial meal refers to a meal that is large in quantity, providing significant nourishment and satisfying hunger thoroughly. This aligns with Option A: Large portion.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Substantial meal implies a large amount of food consumed at one sitting.
Option B:
Incorrect. Decent does not necessarily imply the quantity or quality of food is significant enough to satisfy hunger fully.
Option C:
Incorrect. High-quality refers more to the ingredients and preparation rather than the amount of food served.
Option D:
Incorrect. Unusually large and good suggests both size and quality, but substantial primarily focuses on quantity.
16.
My mother goes for a walk in a ..... park near my house.
A) Wild life.
B) Theme.
C) Public.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) Public.
The phrase "public park" is a common collocation in English, meaning an open space owned by the public and available for recreation. This collocation is frequently used and understood to describe parks where people can freely walk or engage in other leisure activities.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Wild life" refers to animals in their natural habitat, not a type of park.
Option B:
"Theme" is related to specific types of parks with particular themes or attractions, but it's less common than "public park."
Option C:
"Public" correctly forms the collocation "public park," which fits the context.
Option D:
"None of the above" is incorrect since "public park" is a valid option.
17.
Joey is scared ..... spiders.
A) At.
B) In.
C) Of.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) Of.
In English, the phrase "scared of" is a common collocation used to express fear or anxiety towards something. For example, one might say "Joey is scared of spiders."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
At - This preposition does not form a standard collocation with the word "scared."
Option B:
In - While "in" can be used in some contexts, it is not typically paired with "scared" to express fear of something.
Option C:
Of - This forms a correct collocation: "scared of."
Option D:
None of the above - Not applicable since option C is correct.
18.
Give me a straight
A) Answer.
B) Reply.
C) Response.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "Give me a straight" is an idiomatic expression that means to provide a direct and honest answer without any additional information or complications. This aligns with the definition of an "Answer," which is a direct response to a question, making Option A correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. An Answer directly responds to a question.
Option B:
Incorrect. Reply can be too broad and may not always imply directness or honesty.
Option C:
Incorrect. Response is similar to reply and does not necessarily convey the sense of directness implied by "Give me a straight."
Option D:
Incorrect. None of the above would be used if one of the options fits the context.
19.
Which is the correct collocation:heavy rain / strong rain
A) Heavy rain.
B) Powerful rain.
C) Big rain.
D) Intense rain.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Heavy rain" is the correct collocation in English, as it is commonly used to describe a significant amount of rainfall over a period of time. This phrase is widely accepted and understood by native speakers.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Heavy rain" is the standard collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Powerful rain" is not a common or correct collocation in English.
Option C:
Incorrect. While "big rain" might be used informally, it is less precise and formal than "heavy rain."
Option D:
Correct but less commonly used than "heavy rain." "Intense rain" can also describe a significant amount of rainfall.
20.
Mia always gets ..... when she loses a game.
A) Bored.
B) Angry.
C) Interesting.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Mia always gets
angry
when she loses a game. This collocation is common and indicates that losing a game often provokes anger in Mia, making "angry" the most appropriate choice.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Bored - Losing a game does not typically cause boredom.
Option B:
Angry - This is the correct collocation as losing often makes people angry.
Option C:
Interesting - This emotion or state does not logically follow from losing a game.
Option D:
None of the above - Since "angry" fits well, this option is incorrect.
21.
You forgot to pay ..... the tickets.
A) Off.
B) Through.
C) .
D) For.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
D) For.
The phrase "for the tickets" is a common collocation in English, meaning you forgot to pay for the tickets. Other options do not form natural or commonly used phrases with "forgot to pay".
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Off - Does not form a natural collocation with "forgot to pay".
Option B:
Through - Does not form a natural collocation with "forgot to pay".
Option C:
. - This is a punctuation mark and does not make sense in the context of the sentence.
Option D:
For - Forms the correct collocation "forgot to pay for", meaning you neglected to make the payment for the tickets.
22.
The flat consists ..... a kitchen, a large living room and three bedrooms.
A) Of.
B) In.
C) From.
D) At.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Of.
In English, the preposition "of" is commonly used to indicate what a flat consists of. For example, "The flat consists of a kitchen, a large living room and three bedrooms." This usage is a standard collocation in English.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The phrase "consists of" is a common collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "In" does not fit the context here.
Option C:
Incorrect. "From" would imply origin or source, which is not appropriate in this sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. "At" is not used to describe what a flat consists of.
23.
I thin Adrian and I should .....
A) Get ill.
B) Get a place.
C) Get engaged.
D) Get paid.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "I thin Adrian and I should" suggests a future action that is positive and significant for the relationship between the two individuals. Among the given options, getting engaged (Option C) fits this context best as it represents a serious commitment in a romantic relationship.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Get ill" does not fit the context of a positive future action for a relationship.
Option B:
"Get a place" is vague and does not imply a significant commitment in a romantic context.
Option C:
"Get engaged" is a strong, positive step that signifies a serious commitment between two people.
Option D:
"Get paid" relates to financial matters and is unrelated to the relationship context implied by the phrase.
24.
Choose the word that completes this collocation:book/stay in .....
A) A hotel.
B) A bag.
C) A holiday.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The collocation "stay in a hotel" is a common and correct phrase in English, meaning to lodge at a hotel for one or more nights.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Stay in a hotel" is a valid collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Stay in a bag" does not form a common English phrase.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Stay in a holiday" is not a standard collocation; holidays are typically experienced, not stayed in.
Option D:
Not applicable as Option A is correct.
25.
..... basketball
A) Play.
B) Listen.
C) See.
D) Go.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The collocation "play basketball" is a common and correct phrase in English, indicating the action of participating in the sport. This makes option A) Play the correct answer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Play basketball" is a standard collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Listen basketball" does not form a valid collocation in English.
Option C:
Incorrect. "See basketball" also does not form a valid collocation in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Go basketball" is not a proper collocation for the action of playing the sport.
26.
I'm ..... in history.
A) Good.
B) Scared.
C) Interested.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "I'm interested in history" is a common and natural way to express one's enthusiasm for the subject of history. Therefore, option C) Interested is correct as it accurately reflects an individual's positive attitude towards learning or studying about historical events, figures, and periods.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Good - This implies a general state rather than a specific interest in a subject.
Option B:
Scared - This indicates fear or anxiety, which is not relevant to the context of expressing an interest in history.
Option C:
Interested - Correct. It directly expresses enthusiasm for learning about history.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect as option C) is valid and correct.
27.
Which of the following is the correct collocation with "skiing" ?
A) Do skiing.
B) Play skiing.
C) -.
D) Go skiing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct collocation with "skiing" is
go skiing.
This phrase indicates the action of engaging in the sport of skiing, which is a common and grammatically correct way to express this activity.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Do skiing" is not a standard collocation. While "do" can be used with some activities, it does not fit well with "skiing."
Option B:
"Play skiing" is also incorrect. "Play" typically refers to games or sports in a casual sense and does not naturally pair with "skiing."
Option C:
This option is left blank, indicating no correct answer was provided among the choices.
Option D:
"Go skiing" is the correct collocation, as it properly conveys the action of participating in skiing.
28.
Identify the correct preposition in the sentence:'They are looking forward ..... the concert next week.'
A) To.
B) On.
C) For.
D) At.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct preposition to use in the sentence "They are looking forward
To
the concert next week" is "to." This is because "look forward to" is a common collocation meaning anticipation or expectation of something. The other options do not fit grammatically or semantically.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Look forward to" is the appropriate collocation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "On" does not form a standard collocation with "look forward."
Option C:
Incorrect. "For" can be used in some contexts but not with this specific phrase.
Option D:
Incorrect. "At" is not typically used with "look forward."
29.
"POPS" is famous ..... its ice cream.
A) For.
B) Of.
C) About.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"POPS is famous for its ice cream." This sentence uses the correct collocation "be famous for," which means to be well-known because of a particular quality, characteristic, or achievement.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "For" is used correctly with "famous" in this context.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Of" does not fit the collocation "be famous for."
Option C:
Incorrect. "About" does not fit the collocation "be famous for."
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is correct, so this option is not applicable.
30.
Take an exam means to
A) Pass in an exam.
B) Do an exam.
C) Fail in an exam.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Take an exam means to do an exam." This is correct because "take" in this context is a verb that indicates the action of performing or participating in an examination.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Pass in an exam. Incorrect, as "take" does not imply passing.
Option B:
Do an exam. Correct, as it accurately describes the meaning of "take an exam."
Option C:
Fail in an exam. Incorrect, as "take" does not imply failing.
Option D:
None of the above. Incorrect, since Option B is correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are collocations?
Collocations refer to words that frequently occur together in a language. They help convey specific meanings and can improve fluency and naturalness in writing and speaking.
How do collocations differ from other word combinations?
Collocations are more than just random pairings of words; they have a strong semantic relationship and are often used together in specific contexts, making them integral to natural language use.
Why is it important to learn collocations?
Learning collocations enhances your ability to express yourself more naturally and accurately, as they reflect common usage patterns in English. This can improve both comprehension and production skills.
Can you give an example of a collocation?
Certainly! "Take a risk" is a common collocation where the verb "take" is often used with "risk." This phrase has a specific meaning and usage that goes beyond just combining these words.
How can I practice recognizing and using collocations?
You can practice by reading extensively, paying attention to word pairs in context, and using resources like corpora or language learning apps that focus on collocations. Additionally, creating your own sentences with these word combinations can help reinforce their usage.