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

The word “expectation” is commonly used in IELTS Writing and Speaking when discussing goals, hopes, or outcomes. Mastering collocations with “expectation” helps you express opinions naturally and show lexical range. Whether you're describing how results compared to predictions or talking about future plans, using the right collocations can make your English sound fluent and precise, both crucial for achieving a Band 7 or above.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to use “expectation” naturally through common expressions, adjectives, prepositions, and examples relevant to IELTS tasks.

1. Common Expressions with ‘Expectation’

These expressions describe whether a situation was better than expected, as expected, or worse than expected. Understanding these categories can help you express comparisons clearly in essays or discussions.

Exercise 1: Categorize the Sentences

A = better than expected
B = as expected
C = worse than expected

1. The concert was fantastic – it lived up to all our expectations.
2. The film has been a surprise success. Box-office receipts have exceeded all expectations.
3. It is a fact that the reality of a holiday often falls short of expectations.
4. The increase in interest rates is broadly in line with expectations.
5. Unfortunately, sales of the new product have failed to meet expectations.
6. The English course fulfilled all our expectations.
7. The restaurant was quiet and relaxing, but the food didn’t come up to our expectations.
8. The book’s success has surpassed everyone’s expectations.
9. The standard of service on the cruise liner was well below expectation.
10. The apartment they were thinking of buying didn’t measure up to their expectations.
11. The campaign has produced results way beyond expectations.
12. Profits are way below expectations.

IELTS Tip: Expressions like “falls short of expectations” or “exceeded expectations” are excellent for IELTS Writing Task 2 when evaluating the success of policies or projects.

2. Collocation Practice: Sentence Completion

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Use the correct phrases from the previous section:

1. The firework display was far better than we had expected. It really exceeded all our expectations.
2. When Rod told us he had booked a table at the Manor Restaurant, we were so excited, but it really didn’t live up to our expectations.
3. My parents’ world cruise was meant to be the trip of a lifetime, but it fell far short of their expectations. Nearly everyone got food poisoning at some point!
4. All the indications so far are that this year’s figures are going to be a huge improvement and in line with the finance director’s expectations.

IELTS Use:

• Writing Task 1 (Academic): “The company’s profit margin exceeded expectations, rising by 20% in 2024.”
• Writing Task 2 (Opinion Essay): “Although the government’s new law was expected to reduce pollution, it fell short of public expectations.”

3. Common Adjective + Expectation Collocations

These adjectives help describe the intensity or type of expectation. Using them appropriately can make your speech and essays more descriptive and precise.

Exercise 3: Complete the Sentences

Use: dear, different, general, high, unrealistic, wildest

1. Our daughter passed all her exams with flying colours, so we have high expectations for her future.
2. The amazing success of our team this year has exceeded our wildest expectations.
3. Although society is changing, there is still a general expectation that couples will have children soon after they marry.
4. The article was obviously written before the election results, in the clear expectation of a Nixon victory.
5. Some parents have unrealistic expectations of their children and put too much pressure on them.
6. Sue and Steve went into marriage with very different expectations, so their divorce comes as no surprise.

IELTS Examples:

• Writing Task 2: “Many parents have unrealistic expectations of their children’s academic performance.”
• Speaking Part 3: “My teachers had high expectations of me, which motivated me to study harder.”

4. Prepositional Expressions with ‘Expectation’

Using the correct prepositions is key to forming natural English sentences. These combinations are commonly tested in IELTS and can boost your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.

Exercise 4: Complete Each Expression

Use the correct preposition:

1. She went in the expectation of meeting him.
2. Contrary to expectation, they got on well.
3. It didn’t live up to our expectations.
4. It fell well below our expectations.
5. It was in line with our expectations.
6. It fell short of our expectations.

Common Prepositional Patterns

• in line with expectations → matches what was predicted.
• contrary to expectations → opposite of what was expected.
• live up to expectations → meet or match expectations.
• fall short of expectations → fail to reach expectations.

IELTS Example: "Contrary to expectations, the new public transport system did not reduce traffic congestion.”

Answer Key

Ex 1:
A = 2, 8, 11
B = 1, 4, 6
C = 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

Ex 2:

1. exceeded / surpassed
2. up to
3. fell
4. in line

Ex 3:

1. high
2. wildest
3. general
4. clear
5. unrealistic
6. different

Ex 4:

1. in
2. to
3. up
4. below
5. with
6. of

Why Learning “Expectation” Collocations is Important for IELTS

Mastering collocations with “expectation” allows you to:

• Describe results, predictions, and comparisons naturally in IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2.
• Express opinions and evaluations in Speaking Part 3.
• Use advanced and idiomatic vocabulary that contributes to higher Lexical Resource scores.

For instance, instead of saying “The results were good,” you can say “The results exceeded expectations,” which sounds far more academic and natural.

Using “expectation” collocations correctly can make your IELTS answers sound sophisticated and precise. These expressions help you convey comparisons, results, and emotions effectively, key areas tested in both Writing and Speaking. Keep practicing these combinations in context to make your language more natural and boost your overall IELTS band score.

Also Check:  

• Improve Your Vocabulary for IELTS – Key Word: Space
• Improve Your Vocabulary for IELTS – Key Word: Size
• Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score - Key Word: decision 
• Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score - Key Word: a series of
• Grammar For IELTS : The Common Grammars And Sentence Structures In English (Part 1
• Grammar For IELTS : The Common Grammars And Sentence Structures In English (Part 2)
• Using Contrast in IELTS Speaking & Writing: Advanced Grammar in IELTS