Here's a set of 100 multiple-choice questions covering collocations and idioms, designed to test vocabulary and understanding.
Trang 1English Vocabulary Exercises:
Collocations and Idioms
Prepared for English Language Students
By Your English Teacher
May 29, 2025
Contents
1.1 Collocations (Questions 1–50) 2 1.2 Idioms (Questions 51–100) 4
2.1 Collocations (Questions 1–50) 9 2.2 Idioms (Questions 51–100) 12
Trang 21 Part 1: Questions
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions
1.1 Collocations (Questions 1–50)
1 Which word collocates with "heavy" to describe rain?:
A shower B drizzle C downpour D mist
2 Which word collocates with "make" to mean a decision?:
A choice B selection C judgment D option
3 Which word collocates with "take" to mean accept responsibility?:
A charge B control C lead D action
4 Which word collocates with "strong" to describe coffee?:
A mild B weak C bitter D light
5 Which word collocates with "pay" to mean give attention?:
A money B attention C respect D care
6 Which word collocates with "deep" to describe sleep?:
A light B shallow C brief D restless
7 Which word collocates with "raise" to mean increase?:
A voice B awareness C funds D questions
8 Which word collocates with "close" to mean shut down?:
A door B book C business D window
9 Which word collocates with "catch" to mean understand?:
A fish B cold C train D drift
10 Which word collocates with "break" to mean stop working?:
A record B news C down D heart
11 Which word collocates with "give" to mean provide help?:
A advice B money C time D support
12 Which word collocates with "high" to describe demand?:
A low B medium C strong D weak
13 Which word collocates with "run" to mean manage?:
A race B business C water D car
14 Which word collocates with "take" to mean require?:
A time B place C turn D role
15 Which word collocates with "make" to mean create?:
A mistake B effort C progress D decision
16 Which word collocates with "keep" to mean maintain?:
A secret B promise C distance D record
Trang 317 Which word collocates with "set" to mean establish?:
A table B goal C fire D alarm
18 Which word collocates with "pay" to mean settle a debt?:
A attention B bill C visit D price
19 Which word collocates with "hold" to mean organize?:
A hand B meeting C breath D door
20 Which word collocates with "take" to mean capture?:
A picture B place C time D turn
21 Which word collocates with "give" to mean offer?:
A speech B money C time D chance
22 Which word collocates with "make" to mean build?:
A effort B progress C house D decision
23 Which word collocates with "run" to mean operate?:
A business B race C water D car
24 Which word collocates with "take" to mean consume?:
A medicine B place C time D role
25 Which word collocates with "give" to mean donate?:
A money B advice C time D support
26 Which word collocates with "keep" to mean store?:
A secret B promise C record D food
27 Which word collocates with "set" to mean adjust?:
A table B goal C clock D fire
28 Which word collocates with "pay" to mean reward?:
A attention B bill C tribute D price
29 Which word collocates with "hold" to mean contain?:
A meeting B breath C water D door
30 Which word collocates with "take" to mean consider?:
A picture B time C account D place
31 Which word collocates with "give" to mean perform?:
A speech B money C time D chance
32 Which word collocates with "make" to mean prepare?:
A effort B progress C dinner D decision
33 Which word collocates with "run" to mean escape?:
A business B race C away D car
34 Which word collocates with "take" to mean travel?:
A medicine B place C trip D role
35 Which word collocates with "give" to mean surrender?:
A money B advice C up D support
Trang 436 Which word collocates with "keep" to mean continue?:
A secret B promise C going D record
37 Which word collocates with "set" to mean start?:
A table B goal C off D fire
38 Which word collocates with "pay" to mean compensate?:
A attention B bill C tribute D salary
39 Which word collocates with "hold" to mean possess?:
A meeting B breath C title D door
40 Which word collocates with "make" to mean achieve?:
A effort B progress C mistake D decision
41 Which word collocates with "take" to mean lead?:
A picture B time C charge D place
42 Which word collocates with "give" to mean express?:
A speech B money C time D opinion
43 Which word collocates with "run" to mean compete?:
A business B race C away D car
44 Which word collocates with "keep" to mean preserve?:
A secret B promise C memory D record
45 Which word collocates with "set" to mean arrange?:
A table B goal C clock D fire
46 Which word collocates with "pay" to mean visit?:
A attention B bill C tribute D visit
47 Which word collocates with "hold" to mean support?:
A meeting B breath C weight D door
48 Which word collocates with "take" to mean accept?:
A picture B time C offer D place
49 Which word collocates with "give" to mean contribute?:
A speech B money C time D effort
50 Which word collocates with "make" to mean cause?:
A effort B progress C trouble D decision
1.2 Idioms (Questions 51–100)
51 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
After working all night, she was _ and couldnt focus
A over the moon B dead tired C on cloud nine D full of beans
52 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ when he heard the surprising news
A jumped out of his skin B hit the jackpot C pulled my leg D broke the ice
Trang 553 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
We need to _ and start planning the project
A get down to business B beat around the bush C spill the beans D hit the nail
on the head
54 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ and told everyone about the secret
A let the cat out of the bag B took the bull by the horns C drew a blank D called
it a day
55 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He was _ after winning the competition
A down in the dumps B over the moon C under the weather D out of the blue
56 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to finish the task before the deadline
A burned the midnight oil B hit the books C kicked the bucket D broke a leg
57 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ and started the meeting with a joke
A broke the ice B pulled someones leg C hit the ground running D took it easy
58 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ when he realized he forgot the presentation
A drew a blank B spilled the beans C took the plunge D made a mountain out
of a molehill
59 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
After the argument, they decided to _ and move on
A bury the hatchet B kick the bucket C hit the nail on the head D beat around the bush
60 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ about her new job opportunity
A on edge B over the top C in hot water D under pressure
61 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and finished the race despite the injury
A took the bull by the horns B ran out of steam C hit the jackpot D broke a leg
62 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to avoid talking about the problem
A beat around the bush B get down to business C spill the beans D take it easy
63 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ when she heard the good news
A over the moon B down in the dumps C out of the loop D under the weather
64 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and apologized for his mistake
A ate humble pie B hit the books C kicked the bucket D pulled my leg
65 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to solve the problem together
Trang 6A put their heads together B beat around the bush C break the ice D call it a day
66 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He was _ after working long hours
A dead on his feet B on cloud nine C in the pink D full of pep
67 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ and started her own company
A took the plunge B drew a blank C spilled the beans D hit the roof
68 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ when he saw the damage to his car
A hit the roof B broke a leg C took it easy D pulled my leg
69 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to finish the project on time
A burned the midnight oil B kicked the bucket C hit the jackpot D took the bull
by the horns
70 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ about the upcoming exam
A on tenterhooks B over the moon C in good spirits D out of the blue
71 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and shared the secret with everyone
A let the cat out of the bag B hit the books C took it easy D broke the ice
72 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ after a long day of work
A called it a day B hit the ground running C spilled the beans D took the plunge
73 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ when she got the promotion
A on cloud nine B under the weather C out of the loop D in hot water
74 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and started the conversation
A broke the ice B hit the roof C drew a blank D took it easy
75 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to avoid the difficult topic
A beat around the bush B get down to business C take the bull by the horns D hit the nail on the head
76 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ after the long journey
A worn out B on edge C in the pink D full of beans
77 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and finished the task quickly
A hit the ground running B kicked the bucket C pulled my leg D took the plunge
Trang 778 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ when she heard the bad news
A broke down B hit the jackpot C took it easy D got cold feet
79 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to overcome the obstacle
A pulled through B beat around the bush C spilled the beans D took the bull by the horns
80 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and admitted his mistake
A ate humble pie B hit the books C kicked the bucket D pulled my leg
81 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ when she got the scholarship
A over the moon B down in the dumps C out of the loop D under the weather
82 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and started the presentation
A broke the ice B hit the roof C drew a blank D took it easy
83 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to avoid discussing the issue
A beat around the bush B get down to business C take the bull by the horns D hit the nail on the head
84 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ after the exhausting trip
A worn out B on edge C in the pink D full of beans
85 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and completed the project efficiently
A hit the ground running B kicked the bucket C pulled my leg D took the plunge
86 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ when she heard the shocking news
A jumped out of her skin B hit the jackpot C took it easy D got cold feet
87 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to finish the task successfully
A pulled through B beat around the bush C spilled the beans D took the bull by the horns
88 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and apologized sincerely
A ate humble pie B hit the books C kicked the bucket D pulled my leg
89 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ when she passed the exam
A on cloud nine B under the weather C out of the loop D in hot water
90 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and started the meeting with a smile
Trang 8A broke the ice B hit the roof C drew a blank D took it easy
91 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to avoid the sensitive topic
A beat around the bush B get down to business C take the bull by the horns D hit the nail on the head
92 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ after the long flight
A worn out B on edge C in the pink D full of beans
93 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and finished the assignment quickly
A hit the ground running B kicked the bucket C pulled my leg D took the plunge
94 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ when she heard the unexpected news
A jumped out of her skin B hit the jackpot C took it easy D got cold feet
95 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to overcome the challenge
A pulled through B beat around the bush C spilled the beans D took the bull by the horns
96 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and admitted his fault
A ate humble pie B hit the books C kicked the bucket D pulled my leg
97 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ when she got the job offer
A over the moon B down in the dumps C out of the loop D under the weather
98 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and started the discussion with a question
A broke the ice B hit the roof C drew a blank D took it easy
99 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to avoid the main issue
A beat around the bush B get down to business C take the bull by the horns D hit the nail on the head
100 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She was _ after the long day
A worn out B on edge C in the pink D full of beans
101 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
He _ and completed the task efficiently
A hit the ground running B kicked the bucket C pulled my leg D took the plunge
102 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
She _ when she heard the surprising announcement
A jumped out of her skin B hit the jackpot C took it easy D got cold feet
Trang 9103 Complete the sentence with the correct idiom:
They _ to finish the project successfully
A pulled through B beat around the bush C spilled the beans D took the bull by the horns
2 Part 2: Answers and Explanations
2.1 Collocations (Questions 1–50)
1 Answer: C downpour
Explanation:"Heavy" often pairs with "downpour" to describe intense, heavy rain Op-tions like "shower" (light rain), "drizzle" (very light rain), and "mist" (fog-like) do not convey the intensity implied by "heavy"
2 Answer: A choice
Explanation:"Make a choice" is a common collocation meaning to decide "Selection",
"judgment", and "option" are less natural with "make" in this context
3 Answer: A charge
Explanation:"Take charge" means to accept responsibility, a standard collocation "Con-trol", "lead", and "action" do not fit as naturally with "take" here
4 Answer: C bitter
Explanation: "Strong coffee" is often described as "bitter" due to its intense flavor
"Mild", "weak", and "light" contrast with "strong"
5 Answer: B attention
Explanation: "Pay attention" is a common collocation meaning to focus "Money",
"respect", and "care" do not fit this meaning with "pay"
6 Answer: A light
Explanation: "Deep sleep" is often contrasted with "light sleep" to describe the depth
of rest "Shallow", "brief", and "restless" are not typically paired with "deep" in this context
7 Answer: C funds
Explanation: "Raise funds" is a standard collocation for increasing money for a cause
"Voice", "awareness", and "questions" are less common with "raise" in this sense
8 Answer: C business
Explanation: "Close business" means to shut down a company, a common collocation
"Door", "book", and "window" do not fit this meaning
9 Answer: D drift
Explanation: "Catch the drift" means to understand the general idea, a frequent collo-cation "Fish", "cold", and "train" do not convey understanding with "catch"
10 Answer: C down
Explanation:"Break down" means to stop working, often used for machines or systems
"Record", "news", and "heart" do not fit this context
11 Answer: A advice
Trang 10Explanation: "Give advice" is a common collocation for providing help through sug-gestions "Money", "time", and "support" are less specific in this context
12 Answer: C strong
Explanation: "High demand" is often described as "strong" to emphasize its intensity
"Low", "medium", and "weak" do not align with "high"
13 Answer: B business
Explanation: "Run a business" means to manage a company, a standard collocation
"Race", "water", and "car" do not fit this meaning
14 Answer: A time
Explanation:"Take time" means to require time, a common collocation "Place", "turn", and "role" are less natural with "take" in this context
15 Answer: C house
Explanation:"Make a house" refers to creating or building a home "Mistake", "effort", and "decision" do not fit the meaning of "create"
16 Answer: B promise
Explanation: "Keep a promise" means to maintain a commitment, a common colloca-tion "Secret", "distance", and "record" are less fitting here
17 Answer: B goal
Explanation: "Set a goal" means to establish an objective, a standard collocation "Ta-ble", "fire", and "alarm" do not fit this context
18 Answer: B bill
Explanation: "Pay a bill" means to settle a debt, a common collocation "Attention",
"visit", and "price" do not align with this meaning
19 Answer: B meeting
Explanation: "Hold a meeting" means to organize a gathering, a standard collocation
"Hand", "breath", and "door" do not fit this context
20 Answer: A picture
Explanation:"Take a picture" means to capture a photo, a common collocation "Place",
"time", and "turn" do not fit this meaning
21 Answer: A speech
Explanation: "Give a speech" means to offer a talk, a standard collocation "Money",
"time", and "chance" do not align with this meaning
22 Answer: C house
Explanation: "Make a house" refers to building a home "Effort", "progress", and "de-cision" do not fit the meaning of "build"
23 Answer: A business
Explanation: "Run a business" means to operate a company, a common collocation
"Race", "water", and "car" do not fit this context
24 Answer: A medicine
Explanation:"Take medicine" means to consume a drug, a standard collocation "Place",
"time", and "role" do not fit this meaning