Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge English: Preliminary

Vocabulary practice for the Cambridge PET exam

Collocations in Part 5 of the PET Reading Paper

The multiple choice cloze exercise in Part 5 of the PET Reading test will often test you on how well you can identify collocations. Collocations are words that go together such as 'play golf' (not x 'make golf' x) or a 'sore throat' (not x 'painful throat' x). These quizzes will give you practice in verb + noun collocations.

Find the Collocations

Find the collocations in each sentence and type them in the box.

For example: We run a business from home. (RUN A BUSINESS)

A) Not making mistakes in your writing is very difficult.
B) How can I get my children to do homework every evening?
C) You should take a break if you are driving for a long time.
D) I was watching the news when Jane arrived.

Well done!The correct answers are: A) making mistakes B) do homework C) take a break D) watching the news Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

Practise Collocations

1) Complete each of the following sentences using the correct collocation.

A) My son's teacher says he doesn't attention in his lessons.
B) I'm afraid John's not here. Can I a message?
C) I a bad cold and had to stay in bed.
D) How much time do you doing revision?
E) Could you me a favour and open the window a little?
F) Can you the difference between these two pictures?

Well done.The correct answers are A) pay attention, B) take a message, C) caught a cold, D) spend time, E) do someone a favour, F) tell the difference.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

2) Read the letter below and choose the correct word for each gap.

I'm sorry for (A) such a long time to write back. I've been so busy at work lately. I've also not been studying very hard and my French exam is next month! To (B) you the truth, I'm getting a bit nervous and will have to (C) some revision! The good news is I'm going on holiday with my parents before the exam, so if I (D) the chance I'm going to try to (E) an effort and work on my French. Anyway, the reason I'm writing is to ask you if you would like to come to the UK. I know you haven't been here before and we could (F) sightseeing. Let me know what you think.

Well done.The correct answers are: A: take time, B: tell the truth, C: do revision, D: get the chance, E: make an effort, F: go sightseeingYour answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

 

 

 

Study Tip

There are lots and lots of collocations in English. In fact there are so many of these 'chunks' of vocabulary that you should try to make a note of them as you find new ones. Try keeping a record of them organised around key words such as the main verb or the noun. For example:

Verb
take the time, take a chance, take care

Noun
run out of time, be on time, spend time