This is a handout for CAE exam students. It contains a selection of the collocations, expressions, phrasal verbs and grammatical structures that can come up in the exam.
Download the hand out here:
CAE expressions collocations etc
Phrasal Verbs
| Carry out (do/perform) tests/experiments/studies/orders.
End up – We ended up sleeping in a doorway. Run out (none left) – We’ve run out of milk. Run short/low on (not have much left) – we’re running short on milk. Lead to (cause) – The accident led to huge traffic jams on the main road. Meet up with (people) – We always meet up at the same café on Sunday afternoon. Take up space/time – We threw our old sofa out because it took up too much space. I can’t do yoga anymore; it takes up too much of my time. Stand out (be obviously different) – Alan is 185cm at 14 so he really stands out in his class. |
Take after (a parent) (inherit their traits/characteristics) – Neil really takes after his Dad, their mannerisms are exactly the same.
Call for (require) – This job calls for a good head for numbers. Meet with (encounter) problems/reactions – Joe’s plans for the company met with angry reactions from the employees. To wear out (to be damaged with use/tired) – The two kids wear me out so much at the weekend. My tires are completely worn out; I need to buy new ones. Put in (effort/time) – I put a lot of time and effort into the project. Cut down on (consume less) – I’m going to cut down on cigarettes. |
Collocations
| A head for figures/numbers (talent)
On an annual/daily basis (every year/day) An error of judgement Loose clothes, a loose tooth, the animals got loose (escaped) Run a business (manage) A spot of rain, a spot for a picnic, To spot something (see) Put something to use Make use of something Have a vast impact on st A fall/drop/rise in the number of… River bank Sea shore Clearly distinguishable Come to light Animal behaviour Herds of dinosaurs/cows Operate machinery Operate on a person |
Raw materials
Disposal of waste/waste disposal The state of the environment A pressing problem Confront/face a problem/be confronted/faced with a problem Life support systems Set fire to st A risk of fire It soon became clear Keep an area clear Short space of time parking space release a film/CD/album Release fumes into the atmosphere A great deal of + uncountable noun (a lot of) Snow-capped mountains A point of interest Pursue a hobby/leisure activity A small/large sum of money |
Expressions
| A metre/day/etc. or so (approx.)
I think of him as a father figure As much (noun) as possible Upside-down Back-to-front Inside-out Run into trouble (encounter problems) Take somebody on a tour … will be followed by… It follows that (therefore/so) Even the (superlative) bravest person would be scared. Contrary to popular belief… Behind/ahead of schedule What do you make of this? (think about) |
To make (quite) a name for oneself
I’d be grateful if you could… This belongs to me … is nowhere near… … isn’t anywhere near… … proved to be… (turned out) Well over + number (there were well over 100 people at the event) …is/are considered to be … would make an excellent/terrible… (doctor/parent etc.) It’s hard to believe that… Prevent something from happening At the height of his fame/success In (his/its etc.) heyday At its height (the height of its success/fame) |
Common Key Word Transformation Expressions and Grammar
| Would rather (not) do something (no to)
Would prefer (not) to do something Deny + gerund – She denied having stolen/stealing the money Accuse sb of + gerund Spend time doing st It took me (10 mins) to do …. In spite of/Despite never having done st…. In spite of/Despite + noun Get something done – I need to get my passport renewed Were to + inf in conditionals. If I were to win the lottery, I would… In the process of doing st – the house is in the process of being rebuilt We wasted little time (in) starting the game. |
There wasn’t a single… left.
Have great difficulty (in) doing st – he had great difficulty opening the box. I can’t make it (come) to the meeting. On no account/under no circumstances + should/must/to be – On no account should this door be opened. Under no circumstances am I to be disturbed. As far as… Is concerned… is… – As far as computers are concerned, John is a real expert. It was only when …. That …. – It was only when I arrived home that I realised I had been robbed. Just about to do st To be on the point of doing st – I was just about to open the door when the phone rang. The lack/absence of … caused… |