PHRASAL VERBS & COLLOCATIONS

Erick sometimes ________ his childhood because his life was easier.

• spreads out

• dates back

• looks back at

Answer explanation

The three-part phrasal verb 'look back at' means 'to remember a past event'.

Anna _______ her friend because they both like gossiping about other people.

• talks into

• identifies with

• calls off

Answer explanation

The two-part phrasal verb 'identify with' means 'to feel the same as sb'.

Which of these verbs does not collocate with 'festival'?

• hold

• take place

• happen

Answer explanation

The verb 'happen' cannot be used with 'festival' because it is used to talk about events in the past, not in a nearer future.

Correct the following sentence:

"English ______ an important roles in our lives".

"Because Christian always does homework, he has ______ himself a reputation as a ______.

"Mat hates public speaking class because he's never been fond of ______ speeches".

• delivering

• saying

• giving

• presenting

Answer explanation

The word 'speech' collocates with verbs like: give, deliver, prepare, make, or write.

After a fallout with his friend, Ricardo ______ the party he'd planned for her.

• called off

• went ahead with

• spread out

Answer explanation

The two-part phrasal verb 'call off' means 'to cancel'.

"Brayan was livid when he saw Emma _____ his phone without permission".

"Even though Marilú had questions about the activity, she _____ did the exercise".

• called off

• went ahead with

• talked herself into