Collocations

Question 1

1.When it comes to persuasive communication, it is very important to listen actively.

crucial

Active – a mores persuasive communicator

Answer 1

listening is crucial to being/becoming

Question 2

The player’s three-game suspension was caused by an incident in yesterday’s game

led

An incident in yesterday’s game – three games.

Answer 2

led to the player being suspended for

Question 3

They lost the last game of the season partly because losing the ball in dangerous positions.

contributed

Losing the ball in dangerous positions – the last game of the season.

Answer 3

contributed to their/them being defeated in

Question 4

Michael has experienced a lot of problems lately.

patch

Michael has – late.

Answer 4

gone through a bad/difficult/rough/sticky patch of

Question 5

As far as running is concerned, Susan is the most resilient of all.

comes

When – than anybody else.

Answer 5

it comes to running, Susan is more resilient

Question 6

You should really take control of your emotions, Mike.

pulled

It’s about – , Mike.

Answer 6

time you pulled yourself together

Question 7

Every suggestion he made was considered impractical.

dismissed

All – practical

Answer 7

(of) his suggestions were dismissed as not (being)

Question 8

When Tyler first started blogging, he found it difficult to think of new ideas.

difficulty

Tyler – with new ideas when he started blogging.

Answer 8

had difficulty (in) coming up

Question 9

The new management team said they were extremely confident they could turn the company around in under a year.

every

The new management team said that they – to turn the company around in under a year.

Answer 9

had every confidence (that) they were able

Question 10

Alieen became a volunteer only because she loved gardening.

love

But for her – a volunteer

Answer 10

love of gardening, Aileen would never have become

Question 11

In Japan, slurping loudly while eating your noodles is not considered impolite, but rather a sign of appreciation.

deemed

In Japan, – manners to slurp loudly while eating your noodles, but rather a sign of appreciation.

Answer 11

It is not deemed bad

Question 12

Many years of high stress at work resulted in his health deteriorating

toll

Many years of high stress at work – health.

Answer 12

took a toll on his

Question 13

At first glance, his suggestion for improving our service seems to make sense.

face

On – improvements in our service, makes sense.

Answer 13

the face of it, his suggestion for making

Question 14

It was never explained why our proposal was rejected

rejection

No – our proposa

Answer 14

explanation was ever given for the rejection of

Question 15

The new Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in the UK, but it remains to be seen whether the public will be willing to take.

time

The new Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in the UK, but – the public will be to get vaccinated.

Answer 15

only time will tell how willing

Question 16

We have taken to going to the cinema on Saturdays.

habit

We - going to the cinema on Saturdays.

Answer 16

have got into the habit of

Question 17

The theft of the painting was not noticed until the cleaning staff arrived at the museum in the morning.

light

The theft of the painting - the cleaning staff arrived at the museum in the morning .

Answer 17

only came to light when

Question 18

It is the responsibility of the government to make Brexit work for Britain.

onus

The - to make Brexit work for Britain.

Answer 18

onus is on the government

Question 19

If I were offered a job abroad, I wouldn’t think twice about taking it.

jump

Were - at the chance.

Answer 19

I offered a job abroad, I would jump

Question 20

Michael plays tennis much better than Sam.

match

When it comes - for Michael

Answer 20

to playing tennis, Sam is no match

Question 21

He spends all day complaining about everything and everyone.

without

Hardly - about everything and everyone.

Answer 21

a day goes by/passes without him complaining

Question 22

A serious leg injury brought the kickboxer’s career to an abrupt end.

short

The - a serious leg injury.

Answer 22

kickboxer’s career was cut short by

Question 23

Ethan reluctantly agreed to help me move to my new house.

with

It was - to relocate

Answer 23

with reluctance that Ethan agreed to help me

Question 24

When I think of Paris, the first thing that comes into my head is the Eiffel Tower.

springs

The first thing - when I think of Paris is the Eiffel Tower.

Answer 24

that springs to mind

Question 25

They did nothing but talk about the ceremony all day.

rabbit

All - about the ceremony all day.

Answer 25

they did was rabbit (on)

Question 26

You couldn’t tell by looking at his face what he was thinking.

indication

His face - what he was thinking.

Answer 26

gave no indication of

Question 27

Jack and I obviously think very differently from another.

wavelength

Jack and I are -, as you can see.

Answer 27

not on the same wavelength

Question 28

Messi is a much better footballer than the others.

streets

As a footballer,- the others.

Answer 28

Messi is streets ahead of

Question 29

I can’t tell the difference between the twins; they’re identical.

apart

I - the same to me.

Answer 29

can’t tell the twins apart; they look

Question 30

If you practice constantly, you’ll be a much better grappler than the others.

shoulders

With constant practice, - other grapplers.

Answer 30

you’ll be head and shoulders above

Question 31

The fire alarm went off and the teacher instructed students to
move out of the school premises.

way

Students - out of the school premises
because a fire alarm had gone off.

Answer 31

were instructed to make their way

Question 32

A sharp rise in online shopping is threatening the survival of small businesses.

under

Small businesses’ - a sharp rise in online shopping.

Answer 32

survival is under threat due to/because of/owing to

Question 33

I regret now spending so much money on that car.

splashed

I wish now - so much money on that car.

Answer 33

I hadn’t splashed out

Question 34

Thieves broke into the house thinking they’d find jewellery, but there was none.

belief

Thieves broke into the house - was jewellery inside.

Answer 34

in the mistake belief (that) there

Question 35

In the end he realised he was being unreasonable and admitted his mistake.

senses

He eventually - made a mistake.

Answer 35

came to his senses and admitted he had

Question 36

Since he became a father, Victor seems to have change his behaviour for the better.

leaf

Victor seems to - since he became a father.

Answer 36

have turned over a new leaf

Question 37

It seems that there was a delay in the departure of their flight due to thick fog.

appear

It - delayed due to thick fog.

Answer 37

would appear (that) their flight was