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Feelings and Mindset Collocations: Expressing Emotions and Confidence: correct answers

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Feelings and Mindset Collocations: Expressing Emotions and Confidence

Do you know why we say "boost confidence" but "build self-esteem"? English uses specific verb-noun partnerships called collocations to express emotions, stress, and mental states — and using the wrong combination sounds unnatural to native speakers.

This challenge covers essential emotional collocations: stress-related expressions like "feel stressed about" and "relieve stress," confidence-building phrases such as "boost confidence" and "maintain a positive attitude," anxiety management terms like "overcome anxiety" and "express frustration," and mood descriptions including "lift spirits" and "handle pressure." You'll encounter real-life scenarios from workplace situations to personal relationships, helping you express emotions naturally in English.

The 24 questions use single-choice, drop-down, drag-and-drop, and multi-choice formats to test your knowledge of these crucial collocations in context.

Try the quiz to check your knowledge!

EasyMediumB1 | IntermediateB1B2 | Upper IntermediateB2AdjectivePhrasal verbPrepositionVerbCollocationsIdiomVocabulary

Correct answers

Question 1

Complete Jake's motivational speech to his team. Select ALL the phrases that correctly express building confidence or positive mindset.
Jake wants to encourage his basketball team before the championship game. Which expressions can he use?

The correct answers are We need to build up our confidence, Stay positive and believe in yourselves!, Keep your spirits up, team!, and Boost your self-esteem and play your best!.

We "build up" or "boost" confidence (not "make it higher"), we "stay positive" (not "grow positive thinking"), and "keep spirits up" is a natural collocation for maintaining morale.

Question 2

Choose the correct collocation to complete the sentence about Sarah's emotions.

Sarah always feels really _____ her upcoming exams, even though she studies hard every day.

The correct answer is stressed about.

We use "stressed about" when talking about worrying over future events or situations. The preposition "about" indicates what is causing the stress.

Question 3

Help complete Jake's motivational speech to his basketball team.
Team, I know we lost the last game, but we can't let that _________________________ our confidence. We need to _________________________ our self-esteem back up before the championship. Remember, confidence doesn't come overnight - you have to _________________________ it through practice and positive thinking. Let's go out there and show them what we're made of!

shake - "Shake someone's confidence" means to make them feel less sure or certain about themselves.

build - "Build confidence/self-esteem" is the standard collocation for gradually developing these positive feelings.

develop - "Develop confidence" emphasizes the gradual process of gaining self-assurance over time.

Question 4

Help Sarah complete her diary entry about building confidence. Choose the correct word for each gap.

Today I decided to build my confidence by speaking up in class. I was nervous at first, but I managed to maintain my composure during the presentation.

Today I decided to build my confidence by speaking up in class.

We "build confidence" like constructing something strong and lasting.

I managed to maintain my composure during the presentation.

We "maintain composure" to stay calm and collected under pressure.

Question 5

Complete Emma's diary entry about her emotional roller coaster week. Select ALL the phrases that correctly express different emotional states.
Emma had a challenging week and wants to write about her feelings. Which expressions fit naturally?

The correct answers are I was in high spirits after getting the promotion, I felt down in the dumps when my friend moved away, My confidence took a hit after that presentation, and I'm on cloud nine about my vacation plans!.

We're "in high spirits" or "in a good mood" (not "making good mood"), we "feel down" or experience emotions (not "do depression"), and confidence "takes a hit" when it's damaged. "On cloud nine" means extremely happy.

Question 6

Complete Tom's conversation with his counselor about his recent mood swings.
"I've been having a really tough time lately. My mood keeps _________________________ from happy to sad for no reason. Sometimes I _________________________ down in the dumps, and other times I'm on top of the world. It's like I'm on an emotional _________________________. Do you think this is normal for someone my age?"

changing - "Mood changing" describes the natural fluctuation between different emotional states.

feel - "Feel down in the dumps" is an idiomatic expression meaning to feel sad or depressed.

roller coaster - "Emotional roller coaster" is a common metaphor for experiencing rapid ups and downs in emotions.

Question 7

Choose the correct word to complete Emma's weekend plan.

"I'm going to the spa this weekend to _____ some stress before the busy work week starts again," Emma told her roommate.

The correct answer is relieve.

"Relieve stress" is the most natural collocation for reducing tension or pressure. Think of it like relieving pain – you're providing comfort and reducing discomfort.

Question 8

Complete this wellness blog post about managing anxiety. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

Learning to overcome anxiety takes practice and patience. Many people find it helpful to share their feelings with trusted friends or family members.

Learning to overcome anxiety takes practice and patience.

We "overcome anxiety" by conquering it, like climbing over a mountain obstacle.

Many people find it helpful to share their feelings with trusted friends.

We "share feelings" by opening up and communicating our emotions with others.

Question 9

Choose the correct word to complete the advice about personal growth.

"You can't _____ your self-esteem overnight – it takes time and practice," the life coach reminded her client.

The correct answer is build.

"Build self-esteem" is a common collocation that suggests gradually developing confidence over time, like constructing something piece by piece.

Question 10

Complete Jake's advice about handling workplace pressure. Choose the correct word for each gap.

When deadlines approach, try not to experience stress unnecessarily. Instead, learn to cope with pressure by breaking tasks into smaller steps.

Try not to experience stress unnecessarily.

We "experience stress" as something that happens to us, like experiencing weather.

Learn to cope with pressure by breaking tasks into smaller steps.

We "cope with pressure" by managing and handling it successfully.

Question 11

Choose the correct word to complete the therapist's advice.

"The first step to _____ your anxiety is to understand what triggers it," the counselor explained to her patient.

The correct answer is overcome.

"Overcome anxiety" is the standard collocation for successfully dealing with anxious feelings. While "beat" is sometimes used informally, "overcome" is more appropriate in formal or therapeutic contexts.

Question 12

Complete this student's reflection on building emotional strength. Choose the correct word for each gap.

University life taught me how to handle my emotions during stressful exam periods. I've learned that it's important to stay positive even when things get challenging.

University life taught me how to handle my emotions during stressful exam periods.

"Handle emotions" is the standard collocation for managing feelings skillfully and appropriately. We don't "tackle" or "face" emotions in this context.

I've learned that it's important to stay positive even when things get challenging.

"Stay positive" means to maintain a positive attitude over time. "Become positive" suggests a change of state, while "turn positive" is not used with attitudes.

Question 13

Complete Lisa's explanation of her mood swings to her therapist. Select ALL the phrases that correctly describe changing emotions and moods.
Lisa is discussing her emotional patterns during therapy. Which expressions accurately describe mood changes?

The correct answers are My mood swings from happy to sad without warning, I go through phases of feeling really optimistic, Sometimes I'm in a funk for days, and My spirits lift when I spend time in nature.

Moods "swing" between states, we "go through phases" of different feelings, being "in a funk" means feeling depressed, and spirits "lift" when we feel better. We don't "make changes" with emotions or "do mood shifts" - emotions "change" or we "experience mood shifts."

Question 14

Complete Lisa's blog post about maintaining a positive mindset during difficult times by choosing the most natural collocations.
Life has thrown me some curveballs recently, but I'm determined to _________________________ a positive attitude. When negative thoughts creep in, I try to _________________________ my focus to things I'm grateful for. It's not always easy to _________________________ optimistic, especially when everything seems to go wrong, but I've learned that our mindset really does shape our reality. Small daily practices can make a huge difference!

maintain - "Maintain a positive attitude" is the most natural collocation for consistently keeping an optimistic outlook.

shift - "Shift focus" is the standard collocation for deliberately redirecting your attention.

stay - "Stay optimistic" is the most common way to express continuing to be hopeful despite difficulties.

Question 15

Help Tom finish his text message about improving his mood. Choose the correct word for each gap.

This weekend really helped me brighten my mood after a tough week. I feel like I can finally regain my confidence for the upcoming job interview.

This weekend really helped me brighten my mood after a tough week.

We "brighten our mood" like making a dark room lighter and more cheerful.

I feel like I can finally regain my confidence for the upcoming job interview.

We "regain confidence" by getting back something we had lost, like finding a misplaced item.

Question 16

Choose the most formal and professional word to complete the business consultant's presentation.

"In corporate leadership, executives must _____ a positive attitude during challenging periods to inspire their teams and drive organizational success," the consultant explained to the board of directors.

The correct answer is maintain.

In formal business contexts, "maintain a positive attitude" is the preferred professional collocation. While "keep" is common in casual speech, "maintain" conveys the sustained, deliberate effort expected in executive leadership roles.

Question 17

Help Dr. Martinez give advice about managing workplace stress. Select ALL the phrases that correctly describe stress and its effects.
Dr. Martinez is counseling employees about work-life balance. Which expressions can she use?

The correct answers are You're under a lot of pressure lately, This job is really getting to you, You seem overwhelmed by your responsibilities, and You're burning out from working too hard.

We are "under pressure" (not "inside stress"), something "gets to" us when it affects us emotionally, we're "overwhelmed by" situations, and we "burn out" from overwork. We don't "have stress in" something - we're "stressed about" it instead.

Question 18

Complete Sarah's diary entry about her hectic week at university.
This week has been absolutely crazy! I'm under so much _________________________ because of my final exams. Yesterday I was feeling quite _________________________ by all the assignments I need to finish. My roommate told me I need to _________________________ my stress better, so I'm going to try some meditation tonight.

stress - We say "under stress" as a common collocation meaning experiencing pressure or strain.

overwhelmed - "Feeling overwhelmed" means feeling like you have too much to handle or cope with.

manage - "Manage stress" is the standard collocation for dealing with or controlling stress effectively.

Question 19

Help Tom express his concerns about his teenage daughter. Select ALL the phrases that correctly show worry or concern.
Tom is talking to his wife about their 16-year-old daughter's behavior. Which expressions can he use?

The correct answers are I'm worried sick about her staying out so late, She's constantly on my mind these days, I'm concerned about her grades slipping, and I can't help but worry about her safety.

We're "worried sick" (extremely worried), someone is "on our mind" when we think about them often, we're "concerned about" issues, and we "can't help but worry." We don't "make worry" or "do anxiety" - we "feel worried" or "experience anxiety."

Question 20

Complete Dr. Wilson's advice column response about managing workplace anxiety.
Dear Worried Worker, it's completely normal to feel _________________________ about starting a new job. Many people _________________________ anxiety when facing unfamiliar situations. The key is not to let these feelings _________________________ you. Try to focus on the positive aspects of this opportunity and remember that everyone feels uncertain sometimes. With time, your confidence will grow naturally.

anxious - "Feel anxious" is the standard collocation for experiencing worry or unease about something.

experience - "Experience anxiety" is a formal and precise way to describe having anxious feelings.

consume - "Let feelings consume you" means to allow emotions to completely overwhelm and control you.

Question 21

Choose the correct word to complete what Jake said to his friend.

"I need to _____ my frustration somehow, or I'm going to explode!" Jake said after his third job rejection this week.

The correct answer is express.

"Express frustration" is the natural collocation for communicating feelings of annoyance or disappointment. "Express" is specifically used with emotions and feelings.

Question 22

Help Maria describe how her friend supported her during difficult times. Choose the correct word for each gap.

When I was feeling down, my best friend helped me lift my spirits. She always knows how to restore my confidence in myself.

My best friend helped me lift my spirits.

We "lift spirits" like raising something that has fallen down, making someone feel happier.

She always knows how to restore my confidence in myself.

We "restore confidence" by bringing back trust in oneself that was lost, like restoring something to its original state.

Question 23

Complete Maria's text message to her best friend about her job interview.
Hey! Just finished my job interview. I was so nervous beforehand - I could feel my heart _________________________ like crazy! But once I started talking, I began to feel more _________________________. The interviewer was really nice and helped me _________________________ my composure. Fingers crossed I get the job! 🤞

racing - "Heart racing" is the common way to describe a rapidly beating heart due to nervousness or excitement.

at ease - "Feel at ease" means to feel comfortable and relaxed, not anxious or worried.

regain - "Regain composure" means to become calm and controlled again after being upset or nervous.

Question 24

Choose the correct word to complete the manager's advice.

"To succeed in this job, you need to _____ your confidence and speak up during meetings," the manager told the new employee.

The correct answer is boost.

"Boost confidence" is a strong collocation meaning to increase or strengthen someone's self-assurance. While "raise" might seem logical, "boost" is the preferred verb in this context.

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