Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (6 of 16)

collocation the other key to ielts 7 6 of 16

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (6 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. The government can show pictures of unhealthy organs.
  1. Peer pressure persuades many people to smoke.
  1. The gap between the two countries descends.
  1. For example, the better qualified healthcare services.
  1. Parents want to put the maximum resources on their single child.
  1. The event of bringing back a deadly virus is impossible.
  1. Soldiers have to attend military training.
  1. When a horrible murder happens, the public are drastically alarmed.

Answers to Collocation 5 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

This could create a serious hurt.

This could create a serious injury.

2.

The damage of a nuclear bomb is great.

The destruction of a nuclear bomb is great.

3.

Nuclear eruptions can kill millions.

Nuclear explosions can kill millions.

4.

Army recruits cannot train peacefully.

Army recruits cannot train cohesively.

5.

Students must obey the laws of school.

Students must obey the rules of school.

6.

People need huge courage to fight back against bullies.

People need great courage to fight back against bullies.

7.

This medicine can improve the disease.

This medicine can cure the disease.

8.

Extra taxes will enhance the price.

Extra taxes will increase the price.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .