Collocations and Nuance (C2) – Worksheet 1

Complete each sentence with a verb from the box. Use each verb once. There are two extra verbs.

Example: The new policy is likely to ___ controversy. → spark

Word box harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster

1. Many residents still Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster serious doubts about the new flood defences.

2. The minister tried to Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster fears that the factory would close.

3. It is difficult to Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster a balance between privacy and security.

4. The storm continued to Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster havoc along the coast for two days.

5. Low-income families tend to Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster the brunt of rising energy prices.

6. Critics argue that the company does little more than Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster lip service to sustainability.

7. We need to Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster a clear distinction between criticism and abuse.

8. His unconventional methods are bound to Choose… harbourallaystrikewreakbearpaydrawraisecommitfoster a few eyebrows among senior staff.

Match each expression in bold context with its meaning from the box. There is one extra meaning.

Word box to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

9. Let's not split hairs over the exact wording of the contract.

   Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

10. With such a strong team, victory was a foregone conclusion.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

11. The two neighbours have been at loggerheads for years.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

12. The detective soon realised the missing key was a red herring.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

13. Junior staff are expected to toe the line and not question decisions.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

14. I was about to announce the news, but my brother stole my thunder.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

15. The capital city receives the lion's share of the funding.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

16. The builders cut corners, and the roof started leaking within a year.

    Choose… to argue about very small, unimportant differencesa result that is certain before it happensin strong disagreementsomething that distracts attention from the real issueto follow the rules or official policyto take attention or praise away from someonethe largest part of somethingto do something cheaply or carelessly to save time or moneyto make a situation calmer after an argument

Each sentence has exactly one mistake. Write the corrected sentence.

Example: She takes great pride for her work. → She takes great pride in her work.

17. The new evidence casts doubt in the reliability of the witness.

18. The committee reached to a consensus after hours of debate.

19. She has a deep-rooted aversion for public speaking.

20. The scandal did irreparable harm on his reputation.

21. The company is on the brink to collapse.

22. Few people are aware about the long-term implications of the policy.

23. Her speech struck a chord to many young voters.

24. He was bitterly disappointing when the project was cancelled.

Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits the gap.

Example: His explanation was completely ___. (CONVINCE) → unconvincing

25. The two accounts of the event are ; they cannot both be true. (RECONCILE)

26. His to compromise eventually cost him the leadership. (WILLING)

27. The decision was taken with haste, before all the facts were known. (DUE)

28. The museum's collection is of value to historians. (ESTIMATE)

29. The government has been accused of in its handling of the crisis. (COMPLACENT)

30. She spoke with remarkable about her own failures. (CANDID)

31. The claims in the article are entirely ; there is no evidence to support them. (FOUND)

32. Neither side believed a word the other said, so the negotiations took place in an atmosphere of mutual . (TRUST)

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using the word in capitals. Write the full sentence.

Example: She was the first to tell everyone the news, so I had nothing left to announce. (THUNDER) → She stole ___. → She stole my thunder.

33. Everyone knew in advance how the vote would end. (FOREGONE) → The outcome of the vote was ___.

34. The two departments strongly disagree about the budget. (LOGGERHEADS) → The two departments are ___ the budget.

35. The poorest regions suffered most from the cuts. (BRUNT) → The poorest regions bore ___.

36. The manager tried to reduce the staff's fears. (ALLAY) → The manager tried ___.

37. His remarks surprised many of the delegates. (EYEBROWS) → His remarks ___ among many of the delegates.

38. The company claims to care about environmental issues, but it does nothing. (LIP) → The company only pays ___ environmental issues.

39. The author did the research quickly and carelessly to save time. (CORNERS) → The author ___ in the research.