Collocation In Use 6

Question 1

Highly

Answer 1

(Un)likely, unusual, successful, competitive, profitable, effective, controversial, recommended, educated

Question 2

Highly is used

Answer 2

With some probability words (likely, unusual). With exception of highly controversial, it usually combines with very positive words extremely can also be used with all the opposite adjectives except recommended.

Question 3

Absolutely, utterly

Answer 3

ridiculous, stupid, impossible, wrong, alone, appalled, convinced, devastated, miserable, absurd

Question 4

Absolutely and (slightly more formal) utterly …

Answer 4

combine with adjective with very extreme meanings where we can’t use very. For example, we say absolutely/utterly exhausted, not very exhausted, whereas we say very tired, but not absolutely or utterly tired. Often, but not always, these words have negative connotations.

Question 5

Bitterly

Answer 5

Disappointing/ disappointing, resent, criticize, regret, complain, cry, weep

Question 6

Bitterly

Answer 6

Carries a feeling of deep sadness; used a slightly more in writing, than in conversation.

Question 7

Deeply

Answer 7

Ashamed, concerned, shocked, committed, moved, affected, hurt (of feelings), regret, care, religious, unhappy

Question 8

Deeply

Answer 8

Collocates mainly with words associated with feelings; used slightly more in writing than in conversation.

Question 9

Ridiculously

Answer 9

cheap, expensive, easy, low, high, long, short, small, large, early

Question 10

Ridiculously

Answer 10

Suggests something extreme, which seems unbelievable or unreasonable

Question 11

strongly

Answer 11

Oppose, influence, believe, deny, recommend, support, condemn, suggest, feel, argue, object

Question 12

Strongly

Answer 12

Collocates with verbs, particularly verbs that relate to having an opinion.

Question 13

Controversial

Answer 13

causing disagreement or discussion:
a controversial issue/decision/speech/figure
The book was very controversial.

Question 14

Appalled

Answer 14

having strong feelings of shock or disapproval:
an appalled silence/fascination
I am absolutely appalled by/at the state of our cities.

Question 15

Devastated

Answer 15

completely destroyed:
Thousands of people have left their devastated villages and fled to the mountains.

Question 16

Resent

Answer 16

to feel angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like:
She bitterly resented her father’s new wife.
[ + -ing verb ] He resents having to explain his work to other people.

Question 17

Weep

Answer 17

to cry tears:
People in the street wept with joy when peace was announced.
He wept tears of rage/joy when he heard the news.
UK She wept buckets (= cried a lot) when Paul left.

Question 18

Condemn

Answer 18

to criticize something or someone strongly, usually for moral reasons:
The terrorist action has been condemned as an act of barbarism and cowardice.
The film was condemned for its sexism.

Question 19

Absurd

Answer 19

stupid and unreasonable, or silly in a humorous way:
What an absurd thing to say!
Don’t be so absurd! Of course I want you to come.
It’s an absurd situation - neither of them will talk to the other.
Do I look absurd in this hat?