This section gives some idiomatic vocabulary in English, as a blog, or list to which I regularly add. This vocabulary is also given (in more detail) in the page ‘Idiomatic Vocabulary’ (under the ‘Vocabulary’ Section). So, you have the same input twice, since both forms can be convenient.
However, if you are accessing the information here, it is very important that you go to the ‘Idiomatic Vocabulary’ Section to read the introduction – as there are rules and issues about idiomatic vocabulary which you should know.
In the ‘IELTS Vocabulary’ section, I mentioned seven rules to learning vocabulary. Rule 7 is by reading. And here is some light, easy, and interesting reading pieces – all about … the country shown below.
Yes, Australia. My country is huge, diverse, and has a fascinating history, which all means there are many insights I can give.
So, relax, and scan through these factual, sometimes reflective, sometimes thought-provoking, but always interesting insights into my amazing country.
Let’s learn some English by looking at some current events – that is, events happening in the world right now.
Okay, look out the video above, which concerns the most important event happening right now. It’s a little hard to watch the beginning, when the police officer keeps holding down the man’s neck with his knee. My thoughts? The same as everyone else watching this. Why? Why? Why?
Why hold him down? [He wasn’t being violent.]
Why do it for so long? [The man was no threat to anyone.]
Why put the knee to his neck? [The man was already handcuffed.]
Why just keep doing this? [There were three other officers to help.]
What were the police officers waiting for?
Why do this when you know you are being filmed?
Why do this when the bystanders themselves are warning the police officer that he is doing a dangerous thing, and that the man’s life was in danger?
Why? Why? Why?
Well, the video shows the results: nationwide riots across America. And arson and looting. And scenes of anarchy, all of which help no one. They probably hurt the poor and disadvantaged people the most. And the looters may simply be opportunistic types who have no real concern about what happened.
Yes, those ‘why’ questions may explain the violence, but the violence doesn’t help. These people are burning their own communities, looting the shops that serve them, and taking out their anger on ALL police officers. I’m sure almost all police officers would be equally appalled at what happened, and that many of them became police officers in order to help their communities. Now they are ALL blamed.
The police officers involved in this incident will obviously be charged, and almost certainly convicted, so we are left with that same ‘why’ question: why go violent?.
How about a peaceful march, at night, with candles, and a call for dialogue between police and the public? This world and this society we live in is certainly complicated.
Here is a list of the difficult words in this post and in the video.
The first question you may want to ask is … why is there a picture of a cat above?
Well, I like cats, okay? Also, that picture represents (to me at least) the focus,attention,and dedication which you need in order to get a high IELTS mark. Focus! Attention! Dedication! And get better!
And on that subject, can I remind everyone that …. [and I’ll put it in Chinese to make it clearer] ….
思考看看自己有沒有意願參加接下來將於[Term 5] 6 月展開的一系列課程。快點加入吧!
下一期課程有週間班
IELTS Writing & Listening Course [MWF](週一三五: 晚上7–10:15 pm)[開課 June 1st– July 3rd].
IELTS Reading & Speaking Course [MWF](週二四: 晚上7–10:15 pm)[開課 June 2nd– July 2nd].
Saturday IELTS Skills Course(Sat: 晚上9.30 am –5:15 pm)[開課 June 6th– August 22nd].
So, that’s it. Oh, there’s one more thing.
天天提供免費試聽!
Yes, you can book to observe a class any time [and this is FREE]. This includes the first class of all the above courses. So, why don’t you come along just to watch the first class, then you can make the decision to join later, right. Remember, as we say in English, seeing is believing.
By the way:
we have very small classes,
we have a big room,
I disinfect the table tops every day,
I take everyone’s temperature before class,
Everyone must wash their hands before class.
… so don’t worry about Covid 19.
So, see you in my class this coming Monday – your first step to IELTS success, but you have to be like the cat in the picture at the top, okay?
I haven’t written a pixnet post for some months now. After years of regularly putting Grammar, Vocabulary, Collocation, and Logic posts, I decided there is more than enough practice material for any serious student of IELTS. You could practice forever with all the material there, and it all fits together smoothly (like the above picture, right?).
So why am I giving a post now?
The answer: to announce a new Grammar & VocabularyCourse.
I use brown colour to show this new course (which again, links to the lovely brown colour in the above picture).
You can do this G&V course …
before
after
during
… a main IELTS course, and here’s the deal ….
If you pay at the same time for this G&V course and another one (e.g. G&V and IELTS R&S), you get $500 discount of both courses.
This G&Vcourse gives a solid foundation which fits in nicely with the main courses – and G&V is often a weakness among candidates/students. That’s the key to getting that high IELTS mark, right?
And on that subject, can I remind everyone that …. [and I’ll put it in Chinese to make it clearer] ….
思考看看自己有沒有意願參加接下來將於[Term 4] 4 月展開的一系列課程。快點加入吧!
下一期課程有週間班
IELTS Writing & Listening Course(週一三五: 7–10:15 pm)[April 27th– May 29th night time]
IELTS Reading & Speaking Course (週二四: 7–10:15 pm)[April 28th– May 28th night time].
Grammar & VocabularyCourse(週二四: 2–5:15 pm)[April 28th– May 28th afternoon].
So, that’s it. Oh, there’s one more thing.
天天提供免費試聽!
Yes, you can book to observe a class any time [and this is FREE]. This includes the first class of all the above courses. So, why don’t you come along just to watch the first class, then you can make the decision to join later, right. Remember, as we say in English, seeing is believing.
So, see you in my class this coming Monday – your first step to IELTS success. Click on www.aisielts.com for more details, or go to theContactspage.
Andrew補習心得總結： 我覺得老師的教學理念裡面，最讓我感動的是每次發還作文批改的時候，老師都會放的Unc le BEN說的三句話: “Tell me, and I forget.” “Teach me, and I may remember.’’ “Involve me, and I learn.” 所以可以感覺得到，在老師的教學系統裡面，老師不會要我們硬背什麼，也不會用傳統死板 的教學，主要都是在involve us，不管是課程的設計或是作文的批改方式，都是希望學生可 以融入、可以發展出自己的能力，並從中真正的成長。 最近我的課程結束了，其實班上的學生本來就不多(教學品質很好!)，聽到老師說，可能最 近的疫情關係，報名的人數更少了，想到老師這麼認真教學，居然沒有什麼人知道，真的很 可惜！！！ 如果你也是希望可以真正地培養自己的能力，我覺得可以來試試老師的課程！（有的時候會 看到有來聽試聽的同學，我覺得試聽也是很棒的方式，像我雖然當初沒有試聽，但也是因為 有買老師的書先自習，才知道這個教學style適合我，才會來補習的） 聽師母說團報有打折，有興趣的人也可以團報有優惠！ —
o you know that the girl standing next to me, on the right of the picture (although she looks a bit like a boy, doesn’t she?) got…
IELTS 8 for Speaking,
IELTS 9 for Reading,
IELTS 8.5 for Listening?
Okay, her IELTS Writingscore was not so high, ‘just’ 6.5, but she told me later she hadn’t written fast enough, so I could understand why that score was lower. Underlength writing is scored down. What was surprising was her speaking score, because she was a quiet and softly-spoken girl. But maybe I should not be surprised, because she studied very hard, carefully going over every single word in my IELTS books, translating them when necessary. I noticed this in class – every page of the books covered in notes. What can we conclude? Two things.
Try to be like her.
Join my IELTS courses.
Yep, that’s the key to getting that high IELTS mark. And on that subject, can I remind everyone about my next …
IELTS Weekend/Saturday Course
which starts THIS COMING SATURDAY!!!!(9:30am–5:15pm, with a lunch break)
[March 7th– May 23rd].
Hey, maybe I’ll remind you about the Weekday Courses, but they don’t start for another three weeks.
思考看看自己有沒有意願參加接下來將於[Term 3] 3 月展開的一系列課程。快點加入吧!
下一期平日班課程
IELTS Writing & Listening Course(週一三五: 晚上7–10:15 pm)[March 23rd– April 24th]
IELTS Reading & Speaking Course(週二四: 晚上7–10:15 pm)[March 24th– April 23rd].
So, that’s it. Oh, there’s one more thing.
天天提供免費試聽!
Yes, you can book to observe a class any time [and this is FREE]. This includes the first class of all the above courses. So, why don’t you come along just to watch the first class, then you can make the decision to join later, right. Remember, as we say in English, seeing is believing.
So, see you in my class this coming Monday – your first step to IELTS success, and you too can be like that girl next to me in the picture at the top.
Do you know that the girl standing next to me, on the right of the picture (although she looks a bit like a boy, doesn’t she?) got…
IELTS 8 for Speaking,
IELTS 9 for Reading,
IELTS 8.5 for Listening?
Okay, her IELTS Writingscore was ‘only’ 6.5, but she told me afterward that she didn’t finish either writing task on time. Yes, slow writers will always struggle to get high scores, because underlength writing is immediately penalised. But what’s wrong with 6.5, right? And think about the score she would have got if she had written faster. Wow! Her writing was underlength, and she STILL got 6.5. This means that her writing was definitely good!
What really surprised me about her was the high IELTS speaking score, since she was a quiet and softly-spoken girl in class. But she did something few of my students do: studied very hard. She carefully went over every single word in my IELTS books, translating them when necessary. I noticed this in class – every page of the books covered in notes. In short, this student was diligent, committed, did all the homework, and attended every class, and followed my system. Obviously that REALLY helps.
So, there are two points to learn.
Try to be like her.
Join my IELTS courses.
That’s the key to getting that high IELTS mark. And on that subject, can I remind everyone that …. [and I’ll put it in Chinese to make it clearer] ….
思考看看自己有沒有意願參加接下來將於[Term 1] 1 月展開的一系列課程。快點加入吧!
下一期課程有週間班
IELTS Writing & Listening Course(週一三五: 晚上7–10:15 pm)[開課 January 6th– February 14th]
IELTS Reading & Speaking Course(週二四: 晚上7–10:15 pm)[開課 January 7th– February 13th].
So, that’s it. Oh, there’s one more thing.
天天提供免費試聽!
Yes, you can book to observe a class any time [and this is FREE]. This includes the first class of all the above courses. So, why don’t you come along just to watch the first class, then you can make the decision to join later, right. Remember, as we say in English, seeing is believing.
So, see you in my class this coming Monday – your first step to IELTS success, and you too can be like that girl next to me in the picture at the top.
Well, we come to the end of another series of ‘collocation’ posts. All I have to do is give the answers to 12 of 12, and it’s done.
Well, here are those answers, and remember, you can learn more about me atwww.aisielts.com. If you click here, then go to Courses, then go to …Timetable for the Term 1 & 2 IELTS Courses, you will see that everything will start again this coming January, with the new IELTS courses beginning on Monday 6th. See you there.
Anyhow, here are those answers.
Answers to Collocation 12 of 12
1.
This makes a big impact on students lives.
This has a big impact on students’ lives.
2.
The power of guns is vital.
The power of guns is enormous.
3.
People want to escape the patterns of everyday life
People want to escape the routines of everyday life.
A good phrasing here is ‘escape the monotony of life’.
4.
The fare is considerably expensive.
The fare is quite expensive.
‘Considerably’ is used more when comparing.
The temperature is considerably colder at night (than in the day).
Travelling is considerably more expensive on public holidays.
5.
People can now easily transport to other countries.
People can now easily travel to other countries.
We could use ‘transport’ in the passive: ‘easily be transported to’ but this is rather unnatural phrasing when talking about people. It is usually for goods and products.
6.
Foreign tourism creates jobs for native people.
Foreign tourism creates jobs for local people.
‘Native’ means ‘indigenous’ or ‘aboriginal’.
7.
Travelling in one’s own countries means one sees all the same things and buildings.
Travelling domestically only offers the same culture and architecture.
There was really nothing wrong with the first sentence, but the phrasing is inexact, wordy, and awkward.
8.
Due to the prosperity of the tourism, more jobs are created.
With the growth of tourism, more jobs are created.
With the prosperity of the region, more jobs are created.
‘Prosperity/prosperous’ is for areas, regions, people, and businesses.
So, what will the next series of posts be about? Hmmmmm. I’m still thinking about it. Today, I’ll flying off to Okinawa for a quick holiday, but I’ll be back in 10 days.
Remember, the new IELTS Course start in early January. See you there.
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 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? By the way, you can learn more about me atwww.aisielts.com.
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 this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.
1.
This makes a big impact on students lives.
2.
The power of guns is vital.
3.
People want to escape the patterns of everyday life
4.
The fare is considerably expensive.
5.
People can now easily transport to other countries.
6.
Foreign tourism creates jobs for native people.
7.
Travelling in one’s own countries means one sees all the same things and buildings.
8.
Due to the prosperity of the tourism, more jobs are created.
Answers to Collocation 11 of 12
1.
When a criminal is executed, it creates a vivid image.
When a criminal is executed, it creates a tragic/terrible/shocking image.
2.
The police need to research the crime more.
The police need to investigate the crime more.
3.
The police can cheat about what actually happened.
The police can lie about what actually happened.
4.
It experienced a period of downturn.
It experienced a period of decline.
5.
The park had large grass.
The park had tall grass.
6.
Single-sex schooling promotes poor social development.
Single-sex schooling does not help in the development of social skills.
Single-sex schooling hinders natural social development.
Single-sex schooling retards natural social development.
Single-sex schooling negatively affects social development.
‘Promote’ is a positive verb, used for positive aspects. We promote development, learning, a new company, product, or idea. ‘Poor social skills’ is negative, so we need to change ‘promote’ to neutral or negative phrasing, which could require more than one word.
7.
Single-sex schools provide a chance to sexually confuse students.
The environment of single-sex schools can sexually confuse students.
This is the same problem as 6. ‘Provide a chance’ is for positive things. My teaching provides a chance for you to learn.
8.
Guns should be banned, since they are possibly deadly tools.
Guns should be banned, since they are potentially deadly tools.
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 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? Remember, you can learn more about me atwww.aisielts.com.
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 this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.
1.
When a criminal is executed, it creates a vivid image.
2.
The police need to research the crime more.
3.
The police can cheat about what actually happened.
4.
It experienced a period of downturn.
5.
The park had large grass.
6.
Single-sex schooling promotes poor social development.
7.
Single-sex schools provide a chance to sexually confuse students.
8.
Guns should be banned, since they are possibly deadly tools.
Answers to Collocation 10 of 12
1.
People still smoke, despite the formidable risks.
People still smoke, despite the serious risks.
Formidable = impressive in size, power, or skill, and therefore deserving respect or being very difficult to deal with.
Meeting the energy demands of a large city is a formidable task. An opponent, a reputation, or a challenge can be formidable.
A ‘risk’ can be ‘formidable’, but it would have to be a risk which is specific and defined. For example, the formidable risks of climbing Mount Everest.
Smoking presents very long-term, non-specific [what type of cancer will you get?] risks.
2.
The greatest reason people smoke is for relief.
The strongest/biggest/main reason people smoke is for relief.
3.
Increasing the cigarette tax can fix the situation.
Increasing the cigarette tax can improve the situation.
We fix a problem, a broken car, and a leaking roof.
4.
The radiation may leakout.
The radiation may escape.
A liquid ‘leaks out’.
5.
It is not a wise option of energy.
It is not a wise choice of energy.
You can use ‘option’ by itself. ‘It is not a wise option.’
6.
The energy is ample for both household and factory needs.
The energy can meet both domestic and industrial needs.
There was nothing wrong with the first sentence, but obviously the second has more precision and better collocation.
7.
The energy can support the public’s demand.
The energy can satisfy/meet the public’s demand.
8.
Nuclear energy has a great cost on the environment.
Nuclear energy has a great toll/impact on the environment.
聽：考完覺得跟真題播放速度差不多？ 但是每個section能先閱讀的時間不同，要注意 趁這時間圈關鍵字（需要多少單字？重點？） 記住：看題目就好沒時間看答案選項！！ Andrew有教我們遇到fill in the gap的題目時 可以先預測答案，並且寫下是動/名/形容詞 例如：staying in a _____ 則是寫下一個小n。
因為方向感不好，每一次看到地圖題都很崩潰 下面有幾個他教的tip我覺得很有用，想分享 1.找到起始處（通常是entrance） 2.確定地圖上有的字（一定會提到） 3.開始用筆trace 相關的單字要清楚，像是opposite, on the corner等等
雖然之前就有用discourse markers， 但是經過解釋老師解釋每一個的定義， 才了解該如何正確使用。 這點真的非常重要！為了避免repetition， 需要有更多的變化。 像是如果要回答absolutely，我下一次會改成definitely、certainly、there’s no doubt in my mind 等等。 盡量少用and，因為真的太基本了！
還有有時候會很擔心part 3講不出來， 老師有教我們幾招，能稍微拖延時間， 像是well, that’s a challenging question、 I think it oversimplifies ⋯等等。
有時候答案可能是你不確定或不知道的，當然可以很誠實的回答，但是一定要給原因，並且試著用其他方式說！ 像是之前被問到會不會修東西，我跟考官說我完全不會，甚至被稱為the female version of wrecking ralph（無敵破壞王），但是有朋友非常熱衷這種方面，還會特地去研究等等⋯
idioms 如果想要口說7分的話必備！ 建議每個part都用一個，雖然真的非常多， 但是找幾個比較簡單的就行了！ 但是一定要知道該怎麼正確使用、定義為何。 例如： a piece of cake 輕而易舉 I have a soft spot for 很喜歡某東西 to cut a long story short/ to cut to the chase/ in a nutshell 簡短來說 practice makes perfect 熟能生巧 這些都能被用在蠻多地方的。
突然忘記某東西的名稱，我會試著解釋，讓考官能大概猜出我在說什麼。 像是之前提到健身房，我突然忘記treadmill 所以就回答：well it’s something that’s very common, presumably all gyms own that sporting equipment. Basically, the device is used for walking or running, though I prefer the latter one. Apart from the moving belt and handrails, there are settings which speed is adjustable based on your level of fitness and needs, for instance burning extra calories or improving the cardiovascular system.
口試當天預計是倒數第二個考， 但是我提早半小時到，所以順利先進去考試。 緊張就多做幾次深呼吸，進去時面對微笑，把考官當作平常聊天的對象 part 1 我覺得蠻順利就結束，但是part 2前面講太久然後還剩一大半沒說完時間就到了⋯ 後來part 3 問到motivation和工作，在回答完某一題後考官笑著跟我說很像我前面提到的學姊（part 2題目是describe a person who encouraged and helped you achieve a goal ） 我覺得整體感覺是蠻輕鬆的，離開的時候也跟考官揮手說have a nice day 因為覺得自己能說得更好沒有預期到有7，反正考試真的平常心就好，可以多使用肢體語言
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 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? By the way, you can learn more about me atwww.aisielts.com.
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 this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.
1.
People still smoke, despite the formidable risks.
2.
The greatest reason people smoke is for relief.
3.
Increasing the cigarette tax can fix the situation.
4.
The radiation may leakout.
5.
It is not a wise option of energy.
6.
The energy is ample for both household and factory needs.
7.
The energy can support the public’s demand.
8.
Nuclear energy has a great cost on the environment.
Answers to Collocation 9 of 12
1.
We must take attention on people’s mental health.
We must pay attention to people’s mental health.
This is really just a grammar, ‘wrong word’ issue, rather than bad collocation.
2.
This prevents people from making crime.
This prevents people from committing crime.
3.
Deaths reduce when gun control measures are conducted.
Deaths reduce when gun control measures are implemented/instituted/undertaken.
We conduct studies, orchestras, business, surveys, interviews, and experiments.
4.
Guns can kill widely.
Guns can kill indiscriminately.
This is a difficult adverb, right, but it is the best fit here. Indiscriminately’ means everyone around the place, and not just some of them. For example, sarin nerve gas is an indiscriminate killers. Everyone who breathes it in will become paralysed.
5.
The earth is under the risk of being hit by comets.
The earth faces the risk of being hit by comets.
6.
The movie won a great reputation.
The movie gained/developed/established a great reputation.
7.
Goverments spend too much on discovering space.
Goverments spend too much on exploring space.
8.
Abandoned satellites would flow in space.
Abandoned satellites would float/drift/orbit in space.
It’s been quite a while since my last post, actually. I have been busy lately, preparing and doing a seminar at the IDP Education Exhibition (last Sunday), and I’ve had a few health issues [bad back]. Again, here’s the next post of the current ‘collocation’ series.
Remember, 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 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 this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.
1.
We must take attention on people’s mental health.
2.
This prevents people from making crime.
3.
Deaths reduce when gun control measures are conducted.
4.
Guns can kill widely.
5.
The earth is under the risk of being hit by comets.
6.
The movie won a great reputation.
7.
Goverments spend too much on discovering space.
8.
Abandoned satellites would flow in space.
Answers to Collocation 8 of 12
1.
Planet Earth encounters many problems.
Planet Earth is facing many problems.
‘Encounter’ is more for sudden things. You encounter a friend on the street, and (quickly forming) problems in life. Earth’s problems have been developing for a long time.
2.
When the nuclear waste can is broken, radiation will escape.
When the nuclear waste container is broken, radiation will escape.
3.
It takes thousands of years for the radiation to disappear.
It takes thousands of years for the radiation to dissipate.
4.
This can slow down the speed of climate change.
This can mitigate climate change.
There was nothing wrong with the first sentence, but ‘mitigate’ is more concise, less used, and more accurate, so it improves your IELTS vocabulary score.
5.
Taiwan shut down the electricity for a time due to not having enough power.
Taiwan had black-outs due to power shortages.
Again, the first sentence gives the meaning clearly enough, but the second is more concise and accurate, with better word-use, which obviously improves your IELTS vocabulary score.
6.
Fukushima had the most famous nuclear accident.
Fukushima had the most infamous/notorious nuclear accident.
This has happened before. ‘Famous’ is for positive things; ‘infamous/notorious’ is being famous for negative things. Michael Jackson is famous; Jack the Ripper is infamous/notorious.
7.
The Japanese fear re-opening their nuclear power plants.
The Japanese are reluctant to re-commission/re-start their nuclear power plants.
Once again, the first sentence gives the meaning clearly enough, but the second better for the same reasons as Sentences 5 and 6.
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 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 this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.
1.
Planet Earth encounters many problems.
2.
When the nuclear waste can is broken, radiation will escape.
3.
It takes thousands of years for the radiation to disappear.
4.
This can slow down the speed of climate change.
5.
Taiwan shut down the electricity for a time due to not having enough power.
6.
Fukushima had the most famous nuclear accident.
7.
The Japanese fear re-opening their nuclear power plants.
8.
Nuclear energy avoids air pollution damage.
Answers to Collocation 7 of 12
1.
All the factors have to be solved.
All the factors have to be addressed.
2.
We need to prevent the environment from potential danger.
We need to protect the environment from potential danger.
3.
The speed of climate decline is increasing.
The speed of climate change is increasing.
4.
The forest in the Amazon needs immediate remedial work.
The forest in the Amazons needs immediate remedial action.
But changing the structure of the sentence would be better. For example …
Immediate remedial actions needs to be done in response to this deforestation.
5.
Space missions are vastly important.
Space missions are extremely important.
‘Vastly’ relates to size or quantity. Countries can have vastly different cultures. The hotel can be vastly improved. We can see the vast expanses of the African plains, above which there is a vast number of stars.
6.
An asteroid strike put dinosaurs to extinction.
An asteroid strike rendered the dinosaurs extinct.
An asteroid strike resultedintheextinction of the dinosaurs.
7.
If an asteroid is going to hit the earth, the other problems become useless.
If an asteroid is going to hit the earth, the other problems become irrelevant.
8.
Space is a mysterious area.
Space is a mysterious environment.
‘Area’ is for smaller and more defined things – the area in front of my apartment, or next to that chair, for example.
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 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 this. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.
All the factors have to be solved.
We need to prevent the environment from potential danger.
The speed of climate decline is increasing.
The forest in the Amazon needs immediate remedial work.
Space missions are vastly important.
An asteroid strike put dinosaurs to extinction.
If an asteroid is going to hit the earth, the other problems become useless.
Space is a mysterious area.
Answers to Collocation 6 of 12
Nuclear power stations are taken care of.
Nuclear power stations are well maintained.
We take care of children, or the mobile phone which someone lends to you. Also, as p.33 of my Writing Task Two book says, try to avoid multiple-word verbs. They can often be replaced by a more formal and concise single-word verb. For example, …
Avoid…and try for …
Get rid of = eliminate
Find out = determine
Go up and down = fluctuate
Come up with = suggest
Hang out with = associate with
In an emergency condition, guns are needed
In an emergency situation, guns are needed.
Smokers should be banned from public spaces.
Smokers should be banned from public areas.
With online shopping, people have to expose personal information.
With online shopping, people have to reveal personal information.
Smoking is harmful behaviour.
Smoking is a harmful habit.
The government needs to set landmarks as free places to visit.
The government needs to establish/designate landmarks as free places to visit..
Students need to learn about the disadvantagesto smoking.
Students need to learn about the dangers of smoking.
For teenagers, opinion from their peers is important.
For teenagers, approval from their peers is important.
The nicotine activates receptors to release dopamine.
The nicotine stimulates receptors to release dopamine.
The prisoner was sentenced to the death penalty.
The prisoner was given the death penalty.
You could also write, ‘The prisoner was sentenced to death’.
