The term ‘collocations’ refers to words (often two or three) that are commonly placed together. Long-term usage is what makes them sound correct, and not grammatical reasons. It is one of the most important fundamentals that you must understand and practise while learning the English language. An example of a IELTS collocation is described below:
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While going shopping, the phrase ‘use money’ is not used, even though it sounds logically correct. The phrase ‘spend money’ is used instead. Likewise, while describing an arrogant person, the phrase ‘big mouth’ is used and not ‘large mouth’.
One of the marking criteria in IELTS is Lexical Resource (vocabulary). You will be judged and marked on your usage of collocations in the writing section and IELTS speaking. Public Band Descriptors describe Writing Task 2 Band 7 in the following way:
Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision
Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation.
May produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation.
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Therefore, in order to secure a band 7 in this criteria, it is imperative that you have a firm grasp on collocations and the way they are used in sentences. You need to demonstrate how you can use less common words in combination with other words. Aside from using them in the writing test, collocations are important for the speaking test as well so that you can render your speech a smooth natural flow.
Learning collocations is not a difficult task. While learning new words, try exploring matching/surrounding words that help it collocate. The best way to learn collocations is through reading, learning and making your own sentences.
Collocations for IELTS- Attitude
Meaning: frame of mind, uncooperative behaviour
Sentence: Her attitude towards others talks a lot about her.
Collocations are divided into the following categories:
Adverb + adjective
Adjective + noun
Noun + noun
Verb + noun
Verb + adverb
Verb + prepositional phrase
Let us study the collocations for the word ‘attitude’ below in detail.
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Adjective + attitude
Meaning: Positive, negative, bad
Sentence: The child’s negative attitude towards his exams worried his parents and teachers
Meaning: Poor, friendly, relaxed, pleasant, annoying
Sentence: Everybody appreciated the new teacher’s friendly attitude towards her students.
Meaning: Prevailing, general, obvious
Sentence: The prevailing attitude of the mayor towards crime incidents in the town is likely to cause displeasure to its residents.
Also Check:
Verb + attitude
Meaning: improve, change, work on, sort out, check
Sentence: You must improve your attitude in class otherwise you won’t get good grades.
Meaning: Adopt, correct
Sentence: It is imperative that you adopt a realistic attitude before starting any new venture.
Meaning: have, show, take, display
Sentence: The passers-by displayed an indifferent attitude towards victims of the road accident.
Meaning: Cultivate, encourage, promote
Sentence: It is necessary for parents to cultivate a healthy attitude in their children towards studies.
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Attitude + preposition
Preposition: towards, to
Sentence: Everybody at the office criticised Tim’s attitude towards his superiors.
Preposition: of
Sentence: The attitude of the daughter towards her sick father pleased everyone in the family.
Preposition: on
Sentence: The hostile attitude on the part of the teacher towards her pupils was met with much criticism.
Preposition: for
Sentence: The mayor’s attitude for the town meetings was considered inappropriate by many.
Preposition: at, during, throughout
Sentence: Emily’s attitude at the parent teacher meetings displeased the teachers.
Preposition: before, after
Sentence: Sarah’s attitude after her father’s death had drastically changed
Preposition: among, between
Sentence: The pessimistic attitude among the students worried the teachers.
Preposition: around
Sentence: The teacher sensed a change in attitude around the classroom as soon as she entered it.
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