Collocations
Words that naturally go together, like make a decision or heavy rain.
A collocation is a pair of words that English speakers always use together. We make a mistake but do our homework; we talk about heavy rain, not strong rain. There's often no logical reason – you just have to learn the pairs. In Part 1, the four options often mean almost the same thing, and only one of them goes with the word next to the gap.
Verbs + nouns
These verbs are small, but each one goes with its own group of nouns.
Adjectives + nouns
Some adjectives are the "right" ones for certain nouns.
How it comes up in Part 1
In Part 1 you choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best fits each gap. The four options often have similar meanings, so knowing which words go together is what gets you the mark.
A makes B does C takes D has
We always make a mistake. "Do a mistake" is a very common error.
A strong B heavy C hard D thick
We say strong wind but heavy rain.
A take B make C do D give
Take a break means to stop for a short rest.
Common mistakes
- ✗ I did a mistake in the test.✓ I made a mistake in the test.Mistake goes with make.
- ✗ I have to make my homework.✓ I have to do my homework.Homework, research and exercise go with do.
- ✗ There was strong rain all night.✓ There was heavy rain all night.Rain and traffic are heavy; wind and coffee are strong.
- ✗ He said a lie to his parents.✓ He told a lie to his parents.We tell a lie, the truth, a story or a joke.
Always read the words after the gap. In Part 1, the answer is very often decided by the noun that follows. When you learn a new noun, learn the verb and adjective that go with it: not just 'decision', but make a decision.
Quick check
Choose the word that best fits each gap.
🇪🇸 Guía en español: Los 40 phrasal verbs más útiles para el B2 First →