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School and Learning Collocations: Study Habits, Exams, and Academic Skills: correct answers

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School and Learning Collocations: Study Habits, Exams, and Academic Skills

Do you know whether students take notes or make notes? Can you pass an exam and sit an exam — or do these mean different things? Academic collocations are fixed word partnerships that native speakers use naturally, but they often don't follow logical patterns that learners might expect.

This challenge covers essential academic collocations across key school contexts: study habits (take notes, do homework, pay attention), exam preparation and results (sit/take/pass/fail exams, meet deadlines), skill development (develop skills, acquire knowledge, gain experience), and classroom activities (attend lectures, submit assignments). You'll encounter real student scenarios from Sarah's study plans to Tom's exam preparation strategies.

With 22 questions in single-choice, drop-down, drag-and-drop, and multi-choice formats, you'll practice choosing the correct verb partners and identifying common academic phrases that will make your English sound more natural and fluent.

Try the quiz to check your knowledge!

EasyMediumA1 | Elementary | BeginnersA1A2 | Elementary | Pre-intermediateA2B1 | IntermediateB1B2 | Upper IntermediateB2Auxiliary verbInfinitiveNounPast tensePhrasal verbPhrasePrepositionVerbCollocationsVocabulary

Correct answers

Question 1

Help complete this teacher's feedback by selecting the correct word for each gap.
"Maria has shown great improvement this term. She consistently _________________________ assignments on time and has learned to _________________________ thoughtful questions in class. I'm confident she will _________________________ her academic potential next year."

The correct answers are submits assignments, pose thoughtful questions, and achieve her academic potential.

We "submit" formal work like assignments, "pose" questions in academic discussions, and "achieve" potential when we reach our capabilities.

Question 2

Choose the correct phrase to complete the teacher's advice.

"To succeed in university, you need to ___ good study habits early in your academic career."

The correct answer is develop.

We "develop habits" over time. This collocation emphasizes the gradual process of forming consistent study routines.

Question 3

Fill in the blanks to complete this student's reflection on her learning journey.
"This semester I've learned to _________________________ attention during lectures instead of daydreaming. I also _________________________ valuable experience working on group projects. Now I feel ready to _________________________ more challenging assignments next term."

The correct answers are pay attention, gained valuable experience, and tackle challenging assignments.

We "pay attention" to focus, "gain experience" through practice, and "tackle" difficult tasks or challenges.

Question 4

Complete Sam's study tips blog post! Choose ALL the correct study method collocations.

The correct answers are attend lectures, submit assignments, and meet deadlines.

We "attend" lectures (not "visit"), "submit" assignments (not "give"), and "meet" deadlines (not "catch"). These are fixed academic collocations.

Question 5

Choose the correct words to complete the sentences about developing academic skills.

Sarah wants to improve her writing skills before starting university. She has decided to enroll in a summer academic writing course to prepare herself.

Sarah wants to improve her writing skills before starting university.

"Improve skills" is a fundamental academic collocation meaning to make your abilities better.

She has decided to enroll in a summer academic writing course to prepare herself.

"Enroll in a course" means to register and join a class or educational program.

Question 6

Choose the correct word to complete the professor's explanation about effective learning.

"Students who actively participate in discussions tend to ___ knowledge more effectively than those who just listen passively."

The correct answer is acquire.

We "acquire knowledge" through learning and experience. This formal collocation is commonly used in academic contexts to describe the process of gaining knowledge or skills.

Question 7

Complete the study counselor's advice by selecting the appropriate word for each gap.
"To succeed in your exams, you should _________________________ a study schedule and stick to it. Don't forget to _________________________ practice tests regularly. Most importantly, try to _________________________ confidence by reviewing your progress each week."

The correct answers are draw up a study schedule, do practice tests, and build confidence.

We "draw up" plans or schedules, "do" tests or exercises, and "build" confidence or skills gradually.

Question 8

Choose the correct word to complete what Mom asks her son every day after school.

"Have you ___ your homework yet, or do you need help with it?"

The correct answer is done.

We "do homework" as a standard collocation. "Made," "started," and "taken" do not form natural collocations with "homework." The expression "do homework" is the most common and natural way to express this activity.

Question 9

Complete Sarah's study diary entry by selecting the best word for each gap.
"Today I decided to _________________________ some research for my history project. I spent three hours in the library and managed to _________________________ really good notes. Tomorrow I need to _________________________ my math exam, so I should probably _________________________ some revision tonight!"

The correct answers are do some research, take really good notes, sit my math exam, and do some revision.

We use specific verbs with study-related nouns: "do research/revision," "take notes," and "sit an exam."

Question 10

Choose the correct phrase to complete the student's complaint about the noisy classroom.

"I can't concentrate on my essay when everyone is talking. I really need to ___ attention to my writing."

The correct answer is pay.

We "pay attention" to something when we focus on it carefully. This is a fixed collocation meaning to concentrate or focus.

Question 11

Choose the correct words to complete the sentences about different study methods.

When preparing for her history exam, Lisa decided to make flashcards for all the important dates. She also likes to take detailed notes during every lecture.

When preparing for her history exam, Lisa decided to make flashcards for all the important dates.

"Make flashcards" is a common study collocation referring to creating cards with information for memorization.

She also likes to take detailed notes during every lecture.

"Take notes" is an essential academic collocation meaning to write down important information during class.

Question 12

Complete the study tips blog post by choosing the best word for each blank.
"Effective students know how to _________________________ priorities when planning their workload. They _________________________ focus during study sessions and always _________________________ their learning goals through consistent effort."

The correct answers are set priorities, maintain focus, and achieve their learning goals.

We "set" priorities to organize importance, "maintain" focus to keep concentration, and "achieve" goals when we reach them successfully.

Question 13

Complete Jake's exam preparation checklist! Choose ALL the phrases that are commonly used when talking about taking exams (NOT creating them).

The correct answers are sit an exam, pass an exam, fail an exam, take an exam, and resit an exam.

When students talk about exams, they commonly "sit", "take", or "resit" exams, and they "pass" or "fail" them. While "make an exam" is grammatically correct, it means to create or write an exam (what teachers do), not to take one as a student.

Question 14

Help Tom complete his conversation with his study buddy by choosing the correct word for each blank.
"I really need to _________________________ my writing skills before the final essay. Should we _________________________ a study group to practice together? We could _________________________ regular meetings every Tuesday evening."

The correct answers are develop my writing skills, set up a study group, and have regular meetings.

We "develop" skills over time, "set up" groups or systems, and "have" meetings or sessions.

Question 15

Choose the correct word to complete Sarah's study plan.

Sarah wants to improve her grades, so she decided to ___ notes more carefully during lectures.

The correct answer is take.

We "take notes" during lectures or while studying. This is a fixed collocation in English.

Question 16

Choose the correct words to complete the sentences about academic performance.

After receiving her test results, Jenny was thrilled to discover she had passed her chemistry exam with flying colors. Now she's determined to maintain her high grades throughout the rest of the year.

After receiving her test results, Jenny was thrilled to discover she had passed her chemistry exam with flying colors.

"Pass an exam" is a fundamental academic collocation meaning to achieve a successful result on a test.

Now she's determined to maintain her high grades throughout the rest of the year.

"Maintain grades" means to keep your academic performance at the same good level consistently.

Question 17

Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete Sarah's conversation with her study partner.

"This math problem is so difficult! I think I'm going to ___ and try a different one."

The correct answer is give up.

To "give up" means to stop trying or quit doing something because it's too difficult. "Give in" means to surrender to pressure, "give out" means to distribute or stop working, and "give away" means to give something for free.

Question 18

Help the teacher describe different learning skills! Select ALL the correct academic collocations.

The correct answers are develop skills, acquire knowledge, and gain experience.

We "develop" skills (not "grow"), "acquire" knowledge (not "collect"), and "gain" experience (not "win"). These are standard academic collocations.

Question 19

Choose the correct word to complete Emma's excited message to her parents.

"Great news! I ___ my driving test on the first try!"

The correct answer is passed.

We "pass" tests and exams when we achieve a successful result. This is the standard collocation for exam success.

Question 20

Choose the correct words to complete the sentences about Maria's study routine.

Every morning, Maria likes to go over her notes from the previous day's lectures. She finds this helps her retain the information better before her next class.

Every morning, Maria likes to go over her notes from the previous day's lectures.

The collocation "go over" means to review or examine something carefully, especially notes or materials.

She finds this helps her retain the information better before her next class.

"Retain information" is a common academic collocation meaning to remember and keep knowledge in your memory.

Question 21

Complete Sarah's description of her English class activities! Choose the THREE collocations that are grammatically correct and commonly used.

The correct answers are take notes, do homework, and attend a lecture.

In English, we say "take notes" (record information), "do homework" (complete assignments), and "attend a lecture" (be present at). We don't say "make homework," "assist a lecture," or "make an assignment" in these contexts.

Question 22

Choose the correct words to complete the sentences about exam preparation.

Before his final exams, Tom always crams for hours the night before. However, his study group prefers to spread their revision over several weeks to avoid stress.

Before his final exams, Tom always crams for hours the night before.

"Cram" means to study intensively in a short period, usually just before an exam.

However, his study group prefers to spread their revision over several weeks to avoid stress.

"Spread out" study sessions means to distribute learning over a longer period rather than doing it all at once.

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