PATTERNS

Question 1

I admire his ABILITY __ listen.

Answer 1

ABILITY to do sth

Ex.: I admire his ability to listen.

Question 2

I’ve always wanted to BE ABLE ___ speak Japanese.

I haven’t BEEN ABLE ___ read that report yet.

Answer 2

be ABLE to do sth

a) to have the skill, strength, knowledge etc needed to do something
Ex.: I’ve always wanted to be able to speak Japanese.

b) to be in a situation in which it is possible for you to do something
Ex.: I haven’t been able to read that report yet.

Question 3

She will be in charge __/____ my ABSENCE.

Answer 3

in/during sb’s ABSENCE

Ex.: She will be in charge during my absence (= while I am away).

Question 4

Her work involved repeated ABSENCES ___ home.

Answer 4

ABSENCE from sw/sth

Ex.: Her work involved repeated absences from home.

Question 5

Water and salts are ABSORBED ___ our bloodstream.

We were soon ABSORBED ___ local village life.

Answer 5

ABSORB sth into sth
1) to take in liquid, gas, or another substance from the surface or space around sth
Ex.: Water and salts are absorbed into our bloodstream.

2) to become part of something larger
Ex.: We were soon absorbed into local village life.

Question 6

Judith lay on the sofa, ABSORBED ___ her book.

Answer 6

be ABSORBED in sth
= to interest someone so much that they do not pay attention to other things

Ex.: Judith lay on the sofa, absorbed in her book.

Question 7

He ACCEPTED a glass of water ___ Helen.

Answer 7

ACCEPT sth from sb
= to take sth that sb offers you, or to agree to do sth that sb asks you to do

Ex.: He accepted a glass of water from Helen.

OBS.: In everyday English, when talking about accepting a job, accepting responsibility or blame, or accepting a method of payment, people usually use take:
They offered me the job and I accepted. → They offered me the job and I took it.

Question 8

They have ACCEPTED him __ the representative of the company.

Random House ACCEPTED the book __ publication.

Answer 8

ACCEPT sb/sth as sth
ACCEPT sb FOR sth
= to decide that someone has the necessary skill or intelligence for a particular job, course etc or that a piece of work is good enough

Ex.:
They have accepted him as the representative of the company.
Random House accepted the book for publication.

Question 9

The children gradually began to ACCEPT her ___ one of the family.
It often takes years for immigrants to be ACCEPTED ___ the host community.

Answer 9

ACCEPT sb/sth as sth
ACCEPT sb into sth
= to allow someone to become part of a group, society, or organization, and to treat them in the same way as the other members

Ex.: The children gradually began to accept her as one of the family. It often takes years for immigrants to be accepted into the host community.

Question 10

Let’s vote for sth ACCEPTABLE __ all/both sides.

Answer 10

ACCEPTABLE to sb

Ex.: acceptable to all/both sides

Question 11

ACCESS to the papers is restricted __ senior management.

Cats should always have ACCESS __ fresh, clean water.

Answer 11

ACCESS to sth/sw

Ex.: Access to the papers is restricted to senior management.
Cats should always have access to fresh, clean water.

Question 12

We’re trying to improve ACCESS __ disabled visitors.

The hotel has rooms with ACCESS __ wheelchairs.

Answer 12

ACCESS for sb

Ex.: We’re trying to improve access for disabled visitors. The hotel has rooms with access for wheelchairs.

Question 13

It is seen as an effective means of business communication where relevant staff have ACCESS __ a computer network.

Answer 13

have ACCESS to a car/computer etc
= to have a car, a computer etc that you can use

Ex.: It is seen as an effective means of business communication where relevant staff have access to a computer network.

Question 14

I met her quite __ ACCIDENT.

Answer 14

by ACCIDENT
= It is seen as an effective means of business communication where relevant staff have access to a computer network.

Ex.:
I met her quite by accident (=completely by accident).

Question 15

The pilot, WHETHER BY _____ __ DESIGN, made the plane do a sharp turn.

Answer 15

WHETHER by ACCIDENT or DESIGN
= whether it was planned or not planned

Ex.: The pilot, whether by accident or design, made the plane do a sharp turn.

Question 16

ACCORDING __ the police, his attackers beat him with a blunt instrument.
You will be paid ACCORDING __ the amount of work you do.
The game will be played ACCORDING __ rules laid down for the 1992 Cup.
Everything went ACCORDING __ plan, and we arrived on time.

Answer 16

ACCORDING to sb

1) as shown by sth or stated by sb
Ex.: According to the police, his attackers beat him with a blunt instrument.

2) in a way that depends on differences in situations or amounts
Ex.: You will be paid according to the amount of work you do.

3) in a way that agrees with a system or plan, or obeys a set of rules
Ex.: The game will be played according to rules laid down for the 1992 Cup.
Everything went according to plan, and we arrived on time.

Question 17

He was too shocked to ____ an ACCOUNT __ what had happened.

Answer 17

give/provide/write/read an ACCOUNT of sth
give a good/poor ACCOUNT of sth
= a written or spoken description that says what happens in an event or process

Exs.: He was too shocked to give an account of what had happened.

Question 18

Can you ACCOUNT __ your movements on that night?

Recent pressure at work may ACCOUNT __ his behaviour.

Answer 18

ACCOUNT for sth
= to give a satisfactory explanation of why something has happened or why you did something; to be the reason why sth happens

Ex.: Can you account for your movements on that night?
Recent pressure at work may account for his behaviour.

Question 19

It has, ___ all ACCOUNTS, been a successful marriage.

Answer 19

by/from all ACCOUNTS
= according to what a lot of people say
Ex.: It has, from all accounts, been a successful marriage.

Question 20

Carrie decided to do a little research __ her ___ ACCOUNT.

Please don’t change your plans __ __ ACCOUNT.

Answer 20

on one own ACCOUNT
= according to what you say yourself
Ex.: Carrie decided to do a little research on her own account.

on sb’s ACCOUNT
​= because of what you think somebody wants
Please don’t change your plans on my account.

Question 21

There needn’t be any more worries ___ that ACCOUNT.

Answer 21

on that/this ACCOUNT
= concerning a particular situation
Ex.: There needn’t be any more worries on that account.

Question 22

__ no ACCOUNT must you disturb me.

Answer 22

on no ACCOUNT/not on any ACCOUNT
= used when saying that someone must not, for any reason, do something
Ex.: On no account must you disturb me.

Question 23

As she grew up, her father was of __ ACCOUNT __ her.

Answer 23

of no/little ACCOUNT
= formal: not important

Ex.: As she grew up, her father was of no account to her.

Question 24

The people responsible for the accident have never been _____ to ACCOUNT.

Answer 24

bring/call sb to ACCOUNT
= formal to force someone who is responsible for a mistake or a crime to explain publicly why they did it and punish them for it if necessary

Ex.: The people responsible for the accident have never been brought to account.

Question 25

Perhaps she could put some of her talents __ good ACCOUNT by helping us.

Answer 25

put/turn sth to good ACCOUNT
= formal to use something for a good purpose

Ex.: Perhaps she could put some of her talents to good account by helping us.

Question 26

He was ACCUSED __ murder.

Smith ACCUSED her __ lying.

Answer 26

ACCUSE sb of doing sth

Ex.: He was accused of murder.
Smith accused her of lying.

Question 27

The test measures children’s ACHIEVEMENTS __ reading, spelling, and maths.

Answer 27

sb’s ACHIEVEMENT in (doing) sth

Ex.: The test measures children’s achievements in reading, spelling, and maths.

Question 28

We try to celebrate the ACHIEVEMENTS __ our students.

Answer 28

ACHIEVEMENT of sb

Ex.: We try to celebrate the achievements of our students.

Question 29

The alleys were steep and there were steps at intervals but there was a ____ of ACHIEVEMENT __ reaching the top.
A ____ of ACHIEVEMENT can be a really effective turn-on.

Answer 29

a sense of ACHIEVEMENT

Ex.: The alleys were steep and there were steps at intervals but there was a sense of achievement in reaching the top.
A sense of Achievement can be a really effective turn-on.

Question 30

The Brazilian coach ACKNOWLEDGED the talent of his players.
The film festival is ACKNOWLEDGED ___ an event of international importance.
Many of the poor ACKNOWLEDGED him ___ their spiritual leader.

Answer 30

ACKNOWLEDGE sth
ACKNOWLEDGE sb as sth
be ACKNOWLEDGED as sth

Exs.:
The Brazilian coach acknowledged the talent of his players.
The film festival is acknowledged as an event of international importance.
Many of the poor acknowledged him as their spiritual leader.

Question 31

The ACT __ writing a list can help to calm you down.

Lindsay paused __ the ACT __ putting down the phone.

Answer 31

ACT of sth/doing sth
Exs.: an act of violence
The act of writing a list can help to calm you down.

in the ACT of doing something
= at the moment that you are doing sth
Ex.: Lindsay paused in the act of putting down the phone.

Question 32

Environmental groups want tougher ACTION __ pollution from cars.

Answer 32

ACTION on sth
= the process of doing something, especially in order to achieve a particular thing

Ex.: Environmental groups want tougher action on pollution from cars.

Question 33

The government must ___ ACTION __ control inflation.

Answer 33

take ACTION
= to do sth to deal with a problem

Ex.: The government must take action to control inflation.

Question 34

Voters are dem_______ tougher ACTION __ gun crime.

Voters are _______ for tougher ACTION __ gun crime.

Answer 34

demand/call for ACTION on sth
= ask forcefully

ex.: Voters are demanding tougher action on gun crime.

Question 35

She was looking forward to putting her plans ___ ACTION.

The committee uses the expertise of local organisations to put these ideas ___ ACTION.

Answer 35

put sth into ACTION
= start doing sth you have planned to do

Ex.: She was looking forward to putting her plans into action.
The committee uses the expertise of local organisations to put these ideas into action.

Question 36

The Bureau is ACTIVE __ promoting overseas investment.

Answer 36

be ACTIVE in (doing) something

Ex.: The Bureau is active in promoting overseas investment.

Question 37

Encourage students to ___ an ACTIVE part __ discussions.

She ___ an ACTIVE interest __ local charities.

Answer 37

take/play an ACTIVE part/role in something

Ex.: Encourage students to take an active part in discussions. She took an active interest in local charities.

Question 38

He doesn’t __ a lot of physical ACTIVITY.
The men were involved __ terrorist ACTIVITIES.
The children were encouraged to ___ part __ several different ACTIVITIES.
We should participate __ the opening ACTIVITIES.
Police suspect he may have engaged __ criminal ACTIVITIES.

Answer 38

do an ACTIVITY
He doesn’t do a lot of physical activity.

be involved in an ACTIVITY
The men were involved in terrorist activities.

take part in an ACTIVITY (informal)
The children were encouraged to take part in several different activities.

participate in an ACTIVITY (formal)
We should participate in the opening activities.

engage in an ACTIVITY (formal)
Police suspect he may have engaged in criminal activities.

Question 39

Do you want to ADD your name __ the list?

Answer 39

ADD sth to sth

Ex.: Do you want to add your name to the list?

Question 40

Add 7 __ 5 to ___ 12.

For tax purposes, your pension and earnings are ADDED ____.

Answer 40

ADD something and something (together)

Ex.: Add 7 and 5 to make 12.
For tax purposes, your pension and earnings are added together.

Question 41

Don’t forget to ADD __ the cost of your time.

Answer 41

ADD sth in sth

Ex.: Don’t forget to add in the cost of your time.

Question 42

The private chapel was ADDED __ to the church much later.

They will show us their proposals to ADD a penny __ income tax.

Answer 42

ADD sth on sth

Ex.: The private chapel was added on to the church much later.
They will show us their proposals to add a penny on income tax.

Question 43

These figures don’t ADD __.

He was troubled by a feeling that things just didn’t ADD __.

Answer 43

do(es) not ADD (sth) up
(PhaVe)
= if sums, numbers etc do not add up, there is a mistake in them
= if a set of facts does not add up, it does not provide a reasonable explanation for a situation

Ex.: These figures don’t add up.
He was troubled by a feeling that things just didn’t add up.

Question 44

Without her earnings, and with the ADDITION __ Charlotte, money seemed to have dwindled to nothing.
Despite the ADDITION __ fertilizer, flowers are still unable to grow in the soil.

Answer 44

with/despite the ADDITION of sth

Ex.: Without her earnings, and with the addition of Charlotte, money seemed to have dwindled to nothing.
Despite the addition of fertilizer, flowers are still unable to grow in the soil.

Question 45

The company provides cheap Internet access. __ ADDITION, it makes shareware freely available.

Answer 45

in ADDITION
= used to add another piece of information to what you have just said

Ex.: The company provides cheap Internet access. In addition, it makes shareware freely available.

Question 46

__ ADDITION __ his movie work, Redford is known as a champion of environmental causes.

Answer 46

in ADDITION to sth

Ex.: In addition to his movie work, Redford is known as a champion of environmental causes.

Question 47

That letter was ADDRESSED __ me.

Answer 47

ADDRESS sth to sb

Ex.: That letter was addressed to me.

Question 48

Our products ADDRESS the n_ _ _ s of real users.

Answer 48

ADDRESS the/a(n)/some problem/question/issue/needs, etc.
= if you address a problem, you start trying to solve it

Ex.: Our products address the needs of real users.

Question 49

He ADDRESSED an a_ _ _ _ _ _e of 10,000 supporters.

Answer 49

ADDRESS sb
= to speak to someone directly

Ex.: She turned to address the man on her left.

ADDRESS a(n) meeting/conference/audience, etc.
= to make a formal speech to a large group of people

Ex.: He addressed an audience of 10,000 supporters.

Question 50

The president should be ADDRESSED __ ‘Mr. President’.

Answer 50

ADDRESS sb as sth
= to use a particular title or name when speaking or writing to someone

Ex.: The president should be addressed as ‘Mr. President’.

Question 51

I ADMIRE him __ his courage.

Lewis was much ADMIRED __ his work on medieval literature.

Answer 51

ADMIRE sb for (doing) sth

Ex.: I admire him for his courage.
Lewis was much admired for his work on medieval literature.

NOTE:
You say:
I admire him for his courage (=I respect and like him).
✗Don’t say: I am admiring him.

You say:
He was admiring himself in the mirror (=he was looking at himself).
You can also say:
He admired himself in the mirror.

Question 52

Many girls fell in love with him but could only ADMIRE him from __.
The long grass was so wet that I decided to ADMIRE the castle __ afar.

Answer 52

ADMIRE sb from afar
= to be attracted to someone, without letting them know

Ex.: Many girls fell in love with him but could only admire him from afar.
The long grass was so wet that I decided to admire the castle from afar.

Question 53

ADMIRE
= LOOK ___ ___ sb
= THINK _____ ___ sb

Answer 53

look up to sb
= to admire sb who is older or who has more experience than you
Ex.: All the young comedians look up to him.

think highly of sb
= to think that sb is good at what they do
Ex.: His teachers seem to think very highly of him.

Question 54

You may not like her, but you have to ADMIT ___ she’s good at her job.

Answer 54

have to/must ADMIT that

Ex.: You may not like her, but you have to admit that she’s good at her job.

Question 55

Paul ADMITTED __ me ___ he sometimes feels jealous of my friendship with Stanley.

Answer 55

ADMIT to sb (that)

Ex.: Paul admitted to me that he sometimes feels jealous of my friendship with Stanley.

Question 56

Dana ADMITTED (\_\_) feeling hurt by what I had said. 
A quarter of all workers ADMIT \_\_ taking time off when they are not ill.

Answer 56

ADMIT (to) doing sth

Ex.: Dana admitted (to) feeling hurt by what I had said. A quarter of all workers admit to taking time off when they are not ill.

Question 57

Only ticket-holders will be ADMITTED ___ the stadium. Drake was ADMITTED ___ the club in 1997.

Answer 57

ADMIT sb (in)to sth
= to allow someone to enter a public place or to join 

Ex.: Only ticket-holders will be admitted into the stadium. Drake was admitted into the club in 1997.

NOTE:
In everyday English, people usually say let sb in rather than admit someone:
They won’t let you in without a ticket.

Question 58

be ADMITTED __ hospital (BrE)

be ADMITTED __ __ hospital (AmE)

Answer 58

be admitted to hospital (British English)

be admitted to the hospital (American English)

Question 59

> You admit that you did something:
He admitted that he had made a mistake.

> You admit to someone that you did something:
He admitted to me that he had made a mistake.

> You admit (to) doing something:
He admitted making a mistake.

Answer 59

> You admit that you did something:
He admitted that he had made a mistake.

> You admit to someone that you did something:
He admitted to me that he had made a mistake.

> You admit doing something:
He admitted making a mistake.

Question 60

synonyms for/of "advanced"
> sop\_\_\_\_\_\_\_d
> high-\_\_\_\_h
> state-of-\_\_e -\_\_t
> cutting-\_\_\_e

Answer 60

advanced
sophisticated
high-tech
state-of-the-art
cutting-edge

advanced
= using very modern technology and ideas
technologically advanced nations
Their equipment isn’t as advanced as ours.

sophisticated
= very advanced, and working in a better but often more complicated way than other things
highly sophisticated weapons
As machines become more sophisticated, they become more likely to break down.

high-tech
= using very advanced technology, especially electronic equipment and computers
high-tech industries in Silicon Valley
High-tech listening equipment was used to find survivors in the rubble.

state-of-the-art
= using the newest and most advanced features, ideas, and materials that are available
The football club has invested £40 million in state-of-the-art training facilities.
The sound system is state-of-the-art.

cutting-edge
= cutting-edge technology or research is the most advanced that there is at this time
The system uses cutting-edge technology to identify and eliminate viruses.
cutting-edge medical research

Question 61

Recent ADVANCES __ genetics have raised moral questions.

Answer 61

ADVANCE in sth

Ex.: Recent advances in genetics have raised moral questions.

> technological advance
scientific advance
medical advance

Question 62

There is an ADVANCE __ the existing techniques…

The enemy’s ADVANCE __ St. Petersburg wreaked havoc.

Answer 62

ADVANCE on sth

Ex.: an advance on the existing techniques;
the enemy’s advance on St. Petersburg

Question 63

Will they ADVANCE you some money until you get your first paycheck?

I ADVANCED $1,500 __ Kramer last Thursday.

Krebs decided to ask for an ADVANCE __ his salary.

Answer 63

= to give someone money before they have earned it

ADVANCE sb sth
Ex.: Will they advance you some money until you get your first paycheck?

ADVANCE sth to sb
Ex.: I advanced $1,500 to Kramer last Thursday.

an ADVANCE on sb’s salary
Ex.: Krebs decided to ask for an advance on his salary.

Question 64

Her experience meant that she __ a big ADVANTAGE ___ her opponent.

Answer 64

ADVANTAGE over sth/sb

Ex.: Her experience meant that she had a big advantage over her opponent.

Question 65

One of the many ADVANTAGES __ living in New York is that you can eat out at almost any time of day.

Answer 65

ADVANTAGE of sth

Ex.: One of the many advantages of living in New York is that you can eat out at almost any time of day.

Question 66

These terms will be ADVANTAGEOUS only __ foreign companies.

Immigrants presumably want to migrate because it is ADVANTAGEOUS __ them __ do so.

Answer 66

ADVANTAGEOUS to sb
ADVANTAGEOUS for sb to do sth

Exs.:
These terms will be advantageous only to foreign companies.
Immigrants presumably want to migrate because it is advantageous for them to do so.

Question 67

The DISADVANTAGE __ the material is that it fades in strong sunlight.

Answer 67

DISADVANTAGE of sth

Ex.: The disadvantage of the material is that it fades in strong sunlight.

Question 68

There are some big DISADVANTAGES __ marriage – you do lose a lot of your freedom.

Answer 68

DISADVANTAGE to sth

Ex.: There are some big disadvantages to marriage – you do lose a lot of your freedom.

Question 69

synonyms for/of “DISADVANTAGE”
> draw____
> bad ____
> down____

Answer 69

DISADVANTAGE
= a bad feature that sth has, which makes it less good or less useful than other things
Ex.: What do you think are the disadvantages of nuclear energy?
This car uses a lot of fuel, which is a major disadvantage.

DRAWBACK
= a bad feature that sth has, although it has advantages that are usually more important
Ex.: One of the main drawbacks is the price.

BAD POINT (especially spoken) 
= a bad feature that sth has
Ex.: All of these designs have both their good points and bad points.

THE DOWNSIDE
= the disadvantage of a situation that in most other ways seems good or enjoyable
Ex.: It’s a great job. The only downside is that I don’t get much free time.

Question 70

h___ an ADVENTURE
go ___ an ADVENTURE
e____ on an ADVENTURE
be looking ___ ADVENTURE

Answer 70

have an ADVENTURE
Ex.: He’ll certainly have great adventures in New Zealand.

go on an ADVENTURE
Ex.: They fly around in their rocket ship and go on exciting adventures.

embark on an ADVENTURE
Ex.: Four members of our staff have embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.

be looking for an ADVENTURE
Ex.: I set out across the country looking for adventure.

Question 71

ADVERTISE sth __ TV / __ a newspaper / __ a website

Answer 71

ADVERTISE sth on TV/in a newspaper/on a website

Ex.: Many companies will only advertise in the Sunday paper.

Question 72

I see they’re ADVERTISING __ a new Sales Director.

Answer 72

ADVERTISE for sth

Ex.: I see they’re advertising for a new Sales Director.

Question 73

The inn is ADVERTISED __ being from the early 16th century.

Answer 73

be ADVERTISED as sth

Ex.: The inn is advertised as being from the early 16th century.

Question 74

Colleges and universities have found that it p__ to ADVERTISE.

Answer 74

IT P___ TO ADVERTISE

Ex.: Colleges and universities have found that it pays to advertise.

Question 75

ADVERTISING (n.) x ADVERTISEMENT (n.) x PUBLICITY (n.)

Answer 75

ADVERTISING (publicidade = atividade publicitária)
Ex.: Our advertising campaign has helped to increase our sales. Cigarette advertising is banned in this country.

ADVERTISEMENT (anúncio publicitário)
Ex.: Our local newspapers are full of advertisements for second-hand cars. Why don’t you put an advertisement in the newspapers to sell your car.

PUBLICITY (publicidade = atenção dada a algo ou alguém nos jornais, TV, rádio, etc.)
Ex.: There has been a lot of publicity surrounding the scandal. His behaviour during the election campaign attracted a lot of publicity.

Question 76

You should have followed my ADVICE __/___ her.

Answer 76

ADVICE on/about sth

Ex.: You should have followed my advice on/about her.

Question 77

My father ___ me some good ADVICE.

My father gave me a ___ of good ADVICE.

Answer 77

give sb some/a piece of ADVICE
» ADVICE is an UNcountable noun

Ex.:
My father gave me some good advice.
My father gave me a piece of good advice.
NOT: My father gave me a piece an advice.

Question 78

__ her doctor’s ADVICE, Smith decided to take early retirement.

Answer 78

on sb’s ADVICE

Ex.: On her doctor’s advice (= because her doctor advised her) Smith decided to take early retirement.