Collocations
My grandfather has quite a _____________ temper.
Quick or fast?
My grandfather has quite a quick temper.
Look out for the Picasso paintings when you ____ round the exhibitions.
Look out for the Picasso paintings when you go round the exhibitions.
The printer is such a p______ i___ the n______! It never works.
The printer is such a pain in the neck! It never works.
Give me a synonym of benefit.
perk
The Chinese economy is growing and ____ a result, the standard of living is rising.
The Chinese economy is growing and as a result, the standard of living is rising.
I spent a ____________ of hours yesterday looking through old photos.
Pair or couple?
I spent a couple of hours yesterday looking through old photos.
We should ____ off the meeting until next week.
We should put off the meeting until next week.
I told a w_____ l_____ because I didn't want to upset him.
I told a white lie because I didn't want to upset him.
Give me a synonym of quit.
resign
Which is more formal? Quit or resign?
We were very late _________ of an accident on the motorway.
We were very late because of an accident on the motorway.
To our _________ amazement, our daughter passed all of her exams.
Complete or full?
To our complete amazement, our daughter passed all of her exams.
She was really ill, and it took her a long time to ____ over it.
She was really ill, and it took her a long time to get over it.
I woke up suddenly in the d______ of n______. I heard something downstairs.
I woke up suddenly in the dead of night. I heard something downstairs.
Give me a synonym of brothers and sisters.
siblings
When I was young, my family ________ spend every summer holiday at the seaside.
When I was young, my family would/used to spend every summer holiday at the seaside.
I haven't really planned my trip yet, but I have a pretty ____________ itinerary.
I haven't really planned my trip yet, but I have a pretty rough itinerary.
A thousand factory workers were ______ off when the factory closed.
A thousand factory workers were laid off when the factory closed.
Let's not focus on the details. We need to see the b____ p__________.
Let's not focus on the details. We need to see the big picture.
Give me a synonym of ill-fated.
unfortunate; unlucky
Which is more formal?
If we lived closer to _____ another, we'd probably spend more time together.
If we lived closer to one another, we'd probably spend more time together.
We are ______ly opposed to the government's new policy.
We are strongly opposed to the government's new policy.
Don't stop! _______ on with what you're doing.
*starts with a c
Don't stop! Carry on with what you're doing.
I've got a g____ f______ that this feeling is going to go badly.
Hint: related to your stomach
I've got a gut feeling that this feeling is going to go badly.
Give me a more formal synonym of against.
opposed to
contrary to
This street looks different from when I was a child. Didn't _____ use to be a sweet shop on the corner?
This street looks different from when I was a child. Didn't there use to be a sweet shop on the corner?