IELTS Practice (Grammar & Vocabulary) — All Questions

The government intends to ___ strict measures to reduce air pollution. Which verb collocates best?

• a.make
• b.impose✓
• c.do
• d.put

The natural collocation is 'impose measures'. 'Make measures' and 'do measures' are not standard English combinations.

Tourism plays a vital ___ in the country's economy. Which word completes the collocation?

• a.act
• b.place
• c.role✓
• d.position

The fixed collocation is 'play a role'. Something that 'plays a vital role' is very important; 'play a place' or 'play a position' are not idiomatic here.

Scientists have made a major ___ in cancer research this decade. Which word best fits?

• a.breakdown
• b.breakout
• c.breakup
• d.breakthrough✓

A 'breakthrough' is an important discovery or advance, which fits research progress. A 'breakdown' is a failure or collapse, and 'breakup' refers to ending a relationship.

The new findings ___ doubt on the original theory. Which verb completes the collocation?

• a.cast✓
• b.put
• c.give
• d.set

The established collocation is 'cast doubt on'. English speakers say new evidence 'casts doubt on' an idea, not 'puts' or 'gives' doubt on it.

Traffic congestion is a ___ problem in most large cities. Which word best fits?

• a.wide
• b.common✓
• c.tall
• d.deep

'A common problem' means one that occurs frequently and widely, which fits city traffic. 'Wide', 'tall', and 'deep' do not naturally describe a problem in this sense.