B2 Collocations and Phrases

B2

Collocations: GIVE, TAKE, MAKE, GET, DO, HAVE

COLL001

Complete the phrases and collocations with a word from the box. There may be more
than one correct answer.

DO - GET -GIVE – HAVE - KEEP - MAKE - TAKE

1. ________________ calm

24. ________________ divorced

2. ________________ a seat

25. ________________ a decision

3. ________________ a noise

26. ________________ responsibility

4. ________________ harm

27. ________________ sb. a chance

5. ________________ a speech

28. ________________ an exercise

6. ________________ in mind

29. ________________ breakfast

7. ________________ quiet

30. ________________ an exam

8. ________________ the bed

31. ________________ lost

9. ________________ notes

32. ________________ in touch

10. ________________ permission

33. ________________ a mistake

11. ________________ business

34. ________________ a rest

12. ________________ trouble

35. ________________ progress

13. ________________ a lecture

36. ________________ a chance

14. ________________ no doubt

37. ________________ a diary

15. ________________ a degree

38. ________________ sb. a lift

16. ________________ money

39. ________________ a break

17. ________________ sb. a favour

40. ________________ dinner

18. ________________ a promise

41. ________________ a chat with

19. ________________ a shower

42. ________________ sb. place

20. ________________ your time

43. ________________ away from

21. ________________ a job

44. ________________ a picture

22. ________________ homework

45. ________________ rid of

23. ________________ a secret
www.english-practice.at


KEY

1. keep calm

24. get divorced

2. take/have a seat

25. make/take a decision

3. make a noise

26. take/have responsibility

4. do harm

27. give sb. a chance

5. give/make a speech

28. do an exercise

6. keep/have in mind

29. have/make/get breakfast

7. keep quiet

30. take an exam

8. make the bed

31. get lost

9. take notes

32. keep/get in touch

10. get/have/give permission

33. make a mistake

11. do business

34. take a rest

12. make/have trouble

35. make progress

13. give/do a lecture

36. get/have/take a chance

14. have no doubt

37. keep/have a diary

15. get/have a degree

38. give sb. a lift

16. make/have/get/give/take money

39. take/get a break

17. do sb. a favour

40. have/get/make dinner

18. keep/make a promise

41. have a chat with

19. have/take a shower

42. take sb. place

20. take your time

43. keep/get away from

21. do/get/have a job

44. take a picture

22. do/give homework

45. get rid of

23. keep/have a secret

www.english-practice.at


B2

Collocations: BRING, CATCH, DO, DRAW, GET

COLL002

Complete the sentences with the correct form of a verb from the box.

BRING, CATCH, DO, DRAW, GET

1. The negotiator was looking for a way to ___________________ the two sides together.
2. He came into the room quietly so that he wouldn’t ___________________ attention.
3. The politician promised to _______________ change to his community if he was elected.

4. While mum was preparing meals, I helped her and ___________________ the laundry.
5. The actors ___________________ the ideas of the director to life.
6. We have to _________________ some more research before we can publish the results.
7. I’m sorry. I didn’t ___________________ your name. Could you tell me again?
8. The mafia boss had his associates do everything for him, so he didn’t have to
___________________ his hands dirty.
9. I was sitting too close to the fire, so my newspaper ___________________ fire.
10. ___________________ your duty and arrest those two muggers.
11. The journalists revealed some exciting details and ___________________ the crimes of
the company to light.
12. Even though I am an adult I still ___________________ a kick out of putting toys
together.
13. You can’t behave like that. You must ___________________ a line between your private
and professional life.
14. You must wear something warmer or else you’ll ___________________ a cold.
15. The four-leaf clover I got from my girlfriend ___________________ me luck at the test.
16. When the robber tried to escape from the bank the police were already waiting and
___________________ him red-handed.
17. If you don’t start learning more, you’ll ___________________ badly in the test next week.
18. Arguing like this will ___________________ us nowhere. We must start from the
beginning.
www.english-practice.at


KEY

1. The negotiator was looking for a way to bring the two sides together.
2. He came into the room quietly so that he wouldn’t draw attention.
3. The politician promised to bring change to his community if he was elected.
4. While mum was preparing meals, I helped her and did the laundry.

5. The actors brought / will bring / have brought the ideas of the director to life.
6. We have to do some more research before we can publish the results.
7. I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name. Could you tell me again?
8. The mafia boss had his associates do everything for him, so he didn’t have to get his
hands dirty.
9. I was sitting too close to the fire, so my newspaper caught fire.
10. Do your duty and arrest those two muggers.
11. The journalists revealed some exciting details and brought the crimes of the
company to light.
12. Even though I am an adult I still get a kick out of putting toys together.
13. You can’t behave like that. You must draw a line between your private and
professional life.
14. You must wear something warmer or else you’ll catch a cold.
15. The four-leaf clover I got from my girlfriend brought me luck at the test.
16. When the robber tried to escape from the bank the police were already waiting and
caught him red-handed.
17. If you don’t start learning more, you’ll do badly in the test next week.
18. Arguing like this will get us nowhere. We must start from the beginning.

www.english-practice.at


B2

Prepositional Phrases

COLL003

Complete the sentences with a prepositional phrase from the box.
AT THE AGE OF - AT THE LATEST – AT SHORT NOTICE - AT TIMES – BY CHANCE – BY

FAR – BY NATURE – BY SURPRISE - IN A GOOD MOOD – IN CONCLUSION - IN DETAIL IN FASHION – IN NO TIME – IN PUBLIC – IN VAIN – ON FIRE – ON LEAVE - OUT OF
STOCK – UNDER REPAIR - UNDER STRESS

1. He started composing his own symphonies _________________________ 9.
2. I'm not _________________________ today, so please leave me alone.
3. Has anyone _________________________ found my red fountain pen? I lost it yesterday.
4. Shorter skirts were _________________________ a few years ago but they're not anymore
today.
5. Mom told me I had to be home by midnight, _________________________ .
6. He was questioned _________________________ so don't believe everything he says.
7. By the time someone got to the scene of the accident, the car was _____________________ .
8. I tried to convince her to take part in the course, but all my efforts were _______________ .
9. _________________________ , I don't think we should hire too many new workers.
10. The headmaster cancelled the meeting _________________________ because he had to be
somewhere else.
11. Mission Impossible is _________________________ the best thriller I have ever seen.
12. I'm sorry but this item is _________________________ . We'll try to get it by next month.
13. He is _________________________ until the end of the year, so I'm afraid we won't be here
for the planning stages.
14. The main bridge of the city is still _________________________ , so you'll have to find
another route across the river.
15. The question took him __________________ , so he was struggling to find the right answer.
16. Politicians sometimes make statements _________________________ that they regret later.
17. If you study really hard, your English will improve _________________________ .
18. The new girl is shy _________________________ , so you'll have to give her some time to
loosen up.
19. I wrote out the instructions ____________________ so she would know exactly what to do.
20. _________________________ , I feel like leaving this country and moving somewhere else.
www.english-practice.at

KEY

1. He started composing his own symphonies at the age of 9.
2. I'm not in a good mood today, so please leave me alone.
3. Has anyone by chance found my red fountain pen? I lost it yesterday.
4. Shorter skirts were in fashion a few years ago but they're not anymore today.
5. Mom told me I had to be home by midnight, at the latest.
6. He was questioned under stress so don't believe everything he says.
7. By the time someone got to the scene of the accident, the car was on fire.
8. I tried to convince her to take part in the course, but all my efforts were in vain.
9. In conclusion, I don't think we should hire too many new workers.
10. The headmaster cancelled the meeting at short notice because he had to be
somewhere else.
11. Mission Impossible is by far the best thriller I have ever seen.
12. I'm sorry but this item is out of stock. We'll try to get it by next month.
13. He is on leave until the end of the year, so I'm afraid we won't be here for the planning
stages.
14. The main bridge of the city is still under repair, so you'll have to find another route
across the river.
15. The question took him by surprise, so he was struggling to find the right answer.
16. Politicians sometimes make statements in public that they regret later.
17. If you study really hard, your English will improve in no time.
18. The new girl is shy by nature, so you'll have to give her some time to loosen up.
19. I wrote out the instructions in detail so she would know exactly what to do.
20. At times, I feel like leaving this country and moving somewhere else.

www.english-practice.at

B2

Verb – Noun Collocations

COLL004

Complete the sentences with the correct form of a verb from the left box and a
corresponding noun from the right box.

BREAK - BURST – CATCH - GET –
GIVE - KEEP - LOSE – MAKE - MEET
– RAISE – RUN - TAKE

BREAK - DIVORCE – EFFORT EXPECTATIONS – GLIMPSE - LIFT PROMISE – RECORD - RISK TAXES – TEARS - TEMPER

1. When our daughter found out that our cat was missing, she ______________ into
______________ and couldn't be stopped.
2. Our boss is often angry and ______________ his ______________ when things go wrong.
3. If she never posts anything on her personal website, she ______________ the ______________
of alienating her fans.
4. Not everything happens on its own. Sometimes you have to ______________ an
______________ to get things done.
5. Why don't you ______________ a ______________? You've been working so hard recently.
6. He has been preparing for the race for months. He wants to ______________ his own
______________ and be the best in the world.
7. His car broke down, so I ______________ him a ______________ to the nearest garage.
8. Politicians often think we should ______________ ______________ in order to get more
money to spend.
9. The new teacher didn't ______________ the headmaster's ______________ and was fired after
only two months on the job.

10. The couple ______________ a ______________ only a few months after their wedding.
11. Dad ______________ his ______________ and took me to Disneyland in the summer holidays.
12. We ______________ a ______________ of the famous football player as we came down the
stairs.

www.english-practice.at


KEY

1. When our daughter found out that our cat was missing, she burst into tears and
couldn't be stopped.
2. Our boss is often angry and loses his temper when things go wrong.
3. If she never posts anything on her personal website, she runs the risk of alienating her
fans.
4. Not everything happens on its own. Sometimes you have to make an effort to get
things done.
5. Why don't you take a break? You've been working so hard recently.
6. He has been preparing for the race for months. He wants to break his own record and
be the best in the world.
7. His car broke down, so I gave him a lift to the nearest garage.
8. Politicians often think we should raise taxes in order to get more money to spend.
9. The new teacher didn't meet the headmaster's expectations and was fired after only
two months on the job.
10. The couple got a divorce only a few months after their wedding.
11. Dad kept his promise and took me to Disneyland in the summer holidays.
12. We caught a glimpse of the famous football player as we came down the stairs.

www.english-practice.at

B2

Prepositional Phrases

COLL005

Complete the sentences with a prepositional phrase from the box.
AT RISK – BEHIND SCHEDULE – BETWEEN THE LINES – IN ADVANCE - IN DEMAND – IN
THEORY – IN THE LONG RUN - ON ALERT - ON AND OFF – ON DISPLAY – ON SECOND
THOUGHTS – OUT OF BREATH – OUT OF SHAPE – UNDER ARREST – UNDER FIRE –
WITH THE NAKED EYE

1. Because of the stormy weather many trains in the region are running ___________________.
2. We were told by the travel agent to book ___________________because the hotel is very
popular among tourists.
3. I wanted to go to Spain over the extended weekend, but ________________________, I think
I'll stay at home.
4. The young woman was ___________________for possessing a substantial amount of drugs.
5. They used to have ___________________relationship, but at the moment they're seeing
each other quite often.
6. You can only see a few planets ________________________. To see the others, you need a
telescope.
7. His plan seemed very good ___________________, but it didn't work out the way we wanted
it to.
8. The President put troops and military advisors in the region ___________________, as a
conflict seemed to be imminent.
9. Many tropical plants and animals are ___________________of becoming extinct over the
next few decades.
10. If you read __________________________you will clearly see what he means.

11. I can't compete with you at the moment because I'm completely ___________________ and
need a few practice sessions.
12. Rembrandt's paintings were ___________________ at the national museum.
13. Electric bikes are currently ___________________ and manufacturers cannot keep up their
production.
14. She ran so quickly she was completely _______________________when she arrived.
15. The lieutenant's soldiers were _________________, so he had to withdraw from the front
lines.
16. It will take some time but, _______________________, all schools will be equipped with
modern technology.
www.english-practice.at


KEY

1. Because of the stormy weather many trains in the region are running behind schedule.
2. We were told by the travel agent to book in advance because the hotel is very popular
among tourists.
3. I wanted to go to Spain over the extended weekend, but on second thoughts, I think I'll
stay at home.
4. The young woman was under arrest for possessing a substantial amount of drugs.
5. They used to have on and off relationship, but at the moment they're seeing each other
quite often.
6. You can only see a few planets with the naked eye. To see the others, you need a
telescope.
7. His plan seemed very good in theory, but it didn't work out the way we wanted it to.
8. The President put troops and military advisors in the region on alert, as a conflict
seemed to be imminent.
9. Many tropical plants and animals are at risk of becoming extinct over the next few
decades.

10. If you read between the lines you will clearly see what he means.
11. I can't compete with you at the moment because I'm completely out of shape and need
a few practice sessions.
12. Rembrandt's paintings were on display at the national museum.
13. Electric bikes are currently in demand and manufacturers cannot keep up their
production.
14. She ran so quickly she was completely out of breath when she arrived.
15. The lieutenant's soldiers were under fire, so he had to withdraw from the front lines.
16. It will take some time but, in the long run, all schools will be equipped with modern
technology.

www.english-practice.at


B2

Prepositional Phrases with IN

COLL006

Complete the sentences with a prepositional phrase from the box.
IN ADDITION TO – IN ADVANCE – IN BRIEF - IN CHARGE OF – IN COMMON – IN THE
COURSE OF – IN DANGER – IN DEBT – IN DEMAND – IN DEPTH – IN EFFECT – IN FAVOR
OF – IN FLAMES – IN THE LONG RUN – IN ORDER OF – IN NO TIME

1. We can't go into a lot of detail now, but the issue will be covered _____________________
during the next term.
2. __________________________ the 1950s and 60s industrial output in Europe rose
significantly.
3. Curfews have been _____________________ around the country for over two weeks.

4. My sister was deeply _____________________ and couldn't finance her monthly
payments.
5. The policemen were ________________________ securing the crime scene and not letting
anyone through.
6. In times of crises gold is _____________________ as a form of personal savings.
7. The old building across the street went up _____________________ after the bomb had
exploded.
8. Tickets for the performance must all be booked _____________________.
9. The car is expensive to buy but ________________________ you will save a lot of money
through better mileage.
10. The children are lined up _________________________ height.
11. _________________________ tests, the government will also provide all elderly citizens
with the appropriate medicine.
12. The real estate agent promised us that our house would be sold _____________________
at all.
13. The two sides are not negotiating any more, so the peace talks are ___________________
of collapsing.
14. A recent survey shows that most citizens are _______________________ building a sports
centre near the motorway.
15. The two teams have a lot _____________________. For example, they are both extremely
well organized.
16. As we do not have time for a full report, here are the results _____________________.

www.english-practice.at


KEY

1. We can't go into a lot of detail now, but the issue will be covered in depth during the
next term.

2. In the course of the 1950s and 60s industrial output in Europe rose significantly.
3. Curfews have been in effect around the country for over two weeks.
4. My sister was deeply in debt and couldn't finance her monthly payments.
5. The policemen were in charge of securing the crime scene and not letting anyone
through.
6. In times of crises gold is in demand as a form of personal savings.
7. The old building across the street went up in flames after the bomb had exploded
8. Tickets for the performance must all be booked in advance.
9. The car is expensive to buy but in the long run you will save a lot of money through
better mileage.
10. The children are lined up in order of height.
11. In addition to tests, the government will also provide all elderly citizens with the
appropriate medicine.
12. The real estate agent promised us that our house would be sold in no time at all.
13. The two sides are not negotiating any more, so the peace talks are in danger of
collapsing.
14. A recent survey shows that most citizens are in favour of building a sports centre
near the motorway.
15. The two teams have a lot in common. For example, they are both extremely well
organized.
16. As we do not have time for a full report, here are the results in brief.

www.english-practice.at