Improve Your Vocabulary for IELTS: Collocations of Look

Learning how to use collocations with “look” can significantly improve your IELTS Speaking and Writing scores. The word “look” appears frequently in both formal and informal contexts, from describing appearance to expressing curiosity or evaluation. This guide will help you use it naturally and effectively.

Verb + Look (Appearance)

Use the correct form of these verbs: give – have – like – see – spoil – tell

1. You should have _________ the look on her face when I told her I was leaving – it was priceless!
2. Did you see the frosty look old Mr Donaldson _________ me? He’s obviously angry with me for some reason.
3. We could _________ by the look on her face that something terrible had happened.
4. If you ask me, the pink doors _________ the look of the house. They look ridiculous.
5. We shouldn’t judge people by their appearance, but I don’t _________ the look of that guy one bit.
6. I don’t know what Jim does, but he _________ the look of an accountant or bank manager.

Answer Key:

1. seen 2. gave 3. tell 4. spoil 5. like 6. has

IELTS Tip: In IELTS Speaking Part 2, you can use phrases like “He gave me a strange look” or “She has the look of a confident person” to sound descriptive and natural.

Adjective + Look (Act of Looking)

Match the two halves of these sentences:

1. Take a close look at this picture
2. I wonder if I could have a quick look at
3. I think we need to take a completely fresh look at the problem.
4. This morning’s programme takes a light-hearted look at the world of acting.
5. He took a long, lingering look at his old home
6. The book takes a critical look at
7. I’ve only had the chance to have a cursory look over the papers,
8. I think you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.

Options:
a. modern politics in South Africa.
b. and see if you recognise anyone.
c. so I can’t say I fully understand the problem.
d. your newspaper, please?
e. This discussion is getting us nowhere.
f. It promises to be very amusing.
g. before setting off for the airport and a new life in New Zealand.
h. You’re becoming selfish and self-centred.

Answer Key:
1-b 2-d 3-e 4-f 5-g 6-a 7-c 8-h

Useful IELTS Expressions:

• “Let’s take a fresh look at the issue of global warming.”
• “The article takes a critical look at urban development.”

Verb + Look

Use the correct form of these verbs: get – have – sneak – take

1. I’ve _________ another look for my watch, but I still can’t find it anywhere!
2. Our daughter _________ one look at the doctor’s needle and fainted there and then!
3. We were standing at the back, so we pushed our way to the front of the crowd to _________ a better look at the carnival as it passed.
4. I have to confess that I _________ a look at her private diary when she was out of the room. I couldn’t believe what I read.

Answer Key:

1. had 2. took 3. get 4. sneaked

IELTS Writing Tip: When describing graphs in IELTS Writing Task 1, phrases like “take a closer look at the data” make your description more sophisticated.

Adjective + Look (Appearance)

Use these adjectives in the sentences:
curious – distant – filthy – vacant – hurt – wild

1. There was a _________ look in her eyes – her mind was obviously on something else.
2. Do you remember a boy in our class at primary school? He wasn’t very bright and always had a _________ look in his eyes as if nobody was there!
3. The stranger had a _________ look in her eyes. It was hard to tell if she was frightened or simply crazy.
4. Why did you give me such a _________ look during the meeting? It wasn’t you I was criticising!
5. We just couldn’t stop laughing. That’s why we were getting such _________ looks from passers-by!
6. Why have you got such a _________ look on your face? You look as though someone has just criticised you.

Answer Key:

1. distant 2. vacant 3. wild 4. filthy 5. curious 6. hurt

Common IELTS Usage:

• “She gave me a distant look” (used to show detachment).
• “He had a wild look in his eyes” (good for storytelling in IELTS Speaking Part 2).

Mastering collocations with “look” helps you describe people, actions, and feelings more precisely in IELTS Speaking and Writing. Whether you’re discussing someone’s appearance, taking a fresh look at an idea, or expressing disapproval with a filthy look, these expressions enhance your fluency and coherence. Practicing them in context will make your language sound natural and confident, improving your overall IELTS score.

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