Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score

Key word: Chance

1 Verb + chance (opportunity)

Use the correct form of these verbs:

give have improve take

miss jump at need wait for

I can do much better. Please __________ me one more chance and I’ll show you what I can really do.
I can’t believe how rude Pete was. He snatched the newspaper out of my hand before I __________ a chance to read it.
Don’t __________ this chance to buy three of your favourite videos for the price of one.
You should __________ the chance to travel abroad while you’re still young.
I had no hesitation in accepting the job in the New York office. It was the chance I had been __________
I feel that learning English will __________ my chances of working abroad.
It’s an important matter so I __________ a chance to think it over before I make a decision.
Do you think I should take the job in Milan? => Well, if it was me, I’d__________ the chance!

2 Common adjective collocations

Complete the sentences with these adjectives:

better equal last second rare

If you don’t finish this task within the time limit, you will be eliminated from the contest. Nobody gets a __________ chance.
Many parents today make sacrifices to send their children to good schools and to university. They want their children to have a __________ chance in life than they had themselves.
This weekend, visitors will get a__________ chance to see inside the rooms of the Royal Palace. This is only the second time the King has allowed the public into his private apartments.
Handicaps in sports such as golf give people with different abilities an __________ chance of winning competitions.
This is my __________ chance to pass the entrance examination. It’s my third attempt and I won’t be allowed another chance.

3 Verb + chance (possibility)

Use the correct form of these verbs:

fancy increase rate ruin stand

Smoking when you are pregnant may __________ the chances of damage to your baby.
One careless mistake at work__________ my chances of promotion.
At this rate we don’t __________ a chance of getting to the airport on time.
I don’t __________ our chances of beating them. They are a very strong team. They haven’t lost a home game for two years!
How do you __________ your chances of getting the job?

4 Common adjective collocations

Write the expressions from the sentence with the following meanings:

a no chance at all __________

b no chance, but maybe! __________

c a very very small chance __________

d a good chance __________

e a very good chance __________

We only have an outside chance of making the airport on time. The plane leaves in twenty minutes!
Nowadays we have the expertise to ensure that premature babies have an excellent chance of survival.
It’s only a thunderstorm! The chances of being struck by lightning are a million to one.
Fat chance of him coming to give us a hand. He won’t lift a hand to help anybody but himself.
The team has a fair chance of success this year.


Notes 1. Note the following: Is there any chance of a lift to the airport? Is there any chance of borrowing the car, Dad? 2. Chance can also mean ‘risk’: If I were you, I’d take a chance and ring her. It can also mean ‘luck’: It was pure chance we were on the same plane.