Collocations Quiz: Grammar Trivia Test!

1. A weekend of bad weather brought ______ rain, some strong winds and, in some cases, tornadoes as well.

Strong

Weighty

Heavy

Serious

Ghastly

Snappy

The correct answer is "heavy" because it is the most appropriate adjective to describe the amount of rain that was brought by the bad weather. "Heavy" suggests a significant or substantial amount of rain, which aligns with the context of the sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "heavy" because it is the most appropriate adjective to describe the amount of rain that was brought by the bad weather. "Heavy" suggests a significant or substantial amount of rain, which aligns with the context of the sentence.

2.

Someone on the far side of the cloisters made a joke in Dutch and another gaggle of European youths ______ into laughter. Source: Lesley Grant-Adamson, Wild Justice

Snorted

Flared

Plunged

Sprang

Burst

Got

The correct answer is "burst." The word "burst" suggests a sudden and intense release of laughter, which fits the context of the sentence. The phrase "another gaggle of European youths burst into laughter" implies that the joke was so funny that it caused an immediate and uncontrollable reaction from the group of youths.

Explanation

The correct answer is "burst." The word "burst" suggests a sudden and intense release of laughter, which fits the context of the sentence. The phrase "another gaggle of European youths burst into laughter" implies that the joke was so funny that it caused an immediate and uncontrollable reaction from the group of youths.

3.

She's excited, she ______ pregnant fast.

Went

Came

Turned

Burst

Grew

Got

The correct answer is "got". This is because "got" is commonly used to indicate the acquisition or attainment of something, in this case, getting pregnant. The word "got" implies that the person became pregnant quickly or unexpectedly, leading to their excitement.

Explanation

The correct answer is "got". This is because "got" is commonly used to indicate the acquisition or attainment of something, in this case, getting pregnant. The word "got" implies that the person became pregnant quickly or unexpectedly, leading to their excitement.

4. Perhaps she ought to go away, and ______ a new start somewhere else.

Make

Originate

Do

Begin

Commence

Invent

The word "make" is the correct answer because it fits grammatically and semantically in the given sentence. The phrase "make a new start" is a common idiom meaning to start over or begin again. The other options do not fit as well in the context of the sentence. "Originate," "do," "begin," "commence," and "invent" do not convey the same meaning as "make a new start."

Explanation

The word "make" is the correct answer because it fits grammatically and semantically in the given sentence. The phrase "make a new start" is a common idiom meaning to start over or begin again. The other options do not fit as well in the context of the sentence. "Originate," "do," "begin," "commence," and "invent" do not convey the same meaning as "make a new start."

5.

I saw a dozen tigers advancing on me, and ______ regretted the impulse that had induced me to place myself at the man-eater's mercy. [Jim Corbett, "The Champawat Maneater"]

Sourly

Piercingly

Acridly

Bitingly

Pungently

Bitterly

The word "bitterly" is the most appropriate choice to fill in the blank because it conveys a strong feeling of regret or resentment. The narrator is expressing deep remorse for the decision to put themselves in a dangerous situation with man-eating tigers. The word "bitterly" captures the intensity of this regret and emphasizes the negative emotions associated with the decision.

Explanation

The word "bitterly" is the most appropriate choice to fill in the blank because it conveys a strong feeling of regret or resentment. The narrator is expressing deep remorse for the decision to put themselves in a dangerous situation with man-eating tigers. The word "bitterly" captures the intensity of this regret and emphasizes the negative emotions associated with the decision.

6. It was as if he was proposing a bargain to God: I'll come to church if You'll ______ a blind eye later.

Make

Act

Do

Turn

Give

Enact

The phrase "turn a blind eye" means to ignore or pretend not to notice something. In this context, the person is proposing a bargain with God, suggesting that if they go to church now, God should ignore or overlook something later on. Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "turn," as it accurately conveys the meaning of the phrase.

Explanation

The phrase "turn a blind eye" means to ignore or pretend not to notice something. In this context, the person is proposing a bargain with God, suggesting that if they go to church now, God should ignore or overlook something later on. Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill in the blank is "turn," as it accurately conveys the meaning of the phrase.

7. Her hair was ______ mess.

An interwoven

An entwined

A rumpled

A tangled

A webbed

An entangled

The correct answer is "a tangled". This phrase suggests that her hair is in a state of disarray or disorder, with strands twisted or knotted together. It implies that her hair is messy and unkempt.

Explanation

The correct answer is "a tangled". This phrase suggests that her hair is in a state of disarray or disorder, with strands twisted or knotted together. It implies that her hair is messy and unkempt.

8.

_{Image from https://home.arcor.de/accra/bilder/19.gif} England's external wars were fought principally in France, so most Englishmen had little direct experience of warfare, apart from those in the north, where relations with Scotland were always likely to break out into ______ hostility. Source: John A. F. Thompson, The transformation of medieval England.

Patent

Open

Candid

Earnest

Unequivocal

Unhidden

The correct answer is "open". The sentence states that relations with Scotland were always likely to break out into hostility, indicating that the hostility was not hidden or concealed.

Explanation

The correct answer is "open". The sentence states that relations with Scotland were always likely to break out into hostility, indicating that the hostility was not hidden or concealed.

9. Always read the ______ print before signing.

Minute

"little", or "tiny"

"microscopic"

"fine", or "small"

"minuscole"

"fine" is mainly American English, "small" British English

Explanation

"fine" is mainly American English, "small" British English

10.

Image from https://www.coloring-pictures.net/drawings/Egypt/Egyptian-pyramids.gif Indeed, the well-preserved mummies of animals, pharaohs and queens on display in many museums ______ witness to the skills of the ancient Egyptian embalmers and to the remarkable preservative powers of plant essences.

Carry

Provide

Bear

Yield

Produce

Prove

The word "bear" in this context means to serve as evidence or to show. The sentence is saying that the well-preserved mummies of animals, pharaohs, and queens on display in many museums show or provide evidence of the skills of the ancient Egyptian embalmers and the preservative powers of plant essences.

Explanation

The word "bear" in this context means to serve as evidence or to show. The sentence is saying that the well-preserved mummies of animals, pharaohs, and queens on display in many museums show or provide evidence of the skills of the ancient Egyptian embalmers and the preservative powers of plant essences.

11. Leith fought a dreadful battle with her conscience when her friendship with Rosemary vied with the necessity of telling her mother ______ lie.

An unreserved

A frank

An unhidden

An outspoken

An unrestrained

An outright

Leith struggled internally between her loyalty to her friend Rosemary and the obligation to be honest with her mother. The phrase "an outright lie" suggests that Leith had to choose between telling a complete and direct lie or being truthful with her mother. This implies that Leith was facing a difficult decision where she had to decide whether to deceive her mother or maintain her integrity.

Explanation

Leith struggled internally between her loyalty to her friend Rosemary and the obligation to be honest with her mother. The phrase "an outright lie" suggests that Leith had to choose between telling a complete and direct lie or being truthful with her mother. This implies that Leith was facing a difficult decision where she had to decide whether to deceive her mother or maintain her integrity.