Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score-Key Word:Cost

Key Word:Cost

Verb+Cost

1. Use the correct form of these verbs:

1. When we had the idea of making a video, we thought we would make a lot of money, but, in the end, we didn’t even______our costs.
2. Cheap labour from abroad is being used to keep costs down. A number of factories have also been closed in an attempt to______costs.
3. The cost of repairing the damage caused by the storms has been______at over £20 million.
4. Whether or not we go on holiday to New Zealand will______the cost of the flights.
5. I paid for my hotel with my own credit card, but I’m able to______the cost of it______on expenses.
6. Why not pay monthly and______the cost of your house insurance over the year?

Common Adjective Collocations

2. Complete the sentences with these expressions:

1. When you buy a new computer, you usually get a bundle of software included______.
2. The final cost of the new opera house is likely to be in the region of £50 million. This means that the______has more than doubled!
3. Higher tax on fuel means______for the ordinary motorist.
4. The main drawback of the flat in the town centre is its______. We simply can’t afford it.
5. I’m afraid that the owners of the flats will have to bear the______of the roof repairs. No subsidies or grants are available.
6. I think our next car ’ll be a diesel. The______are far lower than a petrol car.
7. The______of a new house in the UK last year was £80,000.
8. Don’t worry about ringing abroad at this time of the evening. It really isn’t very much.______.

Noun+of+Cost

3. Complete the sentences with these nouns:

1. Can you give me an______of the cost of the repairs?
2. The bill will be £400. Here’s a detailed______of the costs.
3. The plan to build a new national stadium had to be abandoned on______of cost.
4. The government has cleverly avoided disclosing any______of the financial cost of the war.

Expressions with Cost+of

4. Complete the sentences below with the following:

1. It will be £30.45 if you add in the cost of______and packaging.
2. The government has reduced the cost of______in an attempt to get the economy moving again.
3. The high cost of______in New York means I’m going to have to come back to the UK.
4. I believe that everyone should pay something towards the cost of their own______.
5. People are still clearing away the debris in the streets and trying to assess the cost of the______caused by the tornado.

Go back and underline the expressions with Cost+of.

Answer Key

Verb+Cost

Ex 1:

1. cover
2. cut
3. calculated
4. depend on
5. claim ….back
6. spread

Common Adjective Collocations

Ex 2:

1. at no extra cost
2. estimated cost
3. increased costs
4. high cost
5.  full cost
6. running costs
7. average cost
8. The cost is negligible

Noun+of+Cost

Ex 3:

1. idea
2. breakdown
3. grounds
4. details

Expressions with Cost+of

Ex 4:

1. postage
2. borrowing
3. living
4. health care
5.  damage

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