Reading: Vocabulary in Context (Nuance & Range): B2 Lesson 3: Recognizing Collocations and Fixed Expressions

Reading: Vocabulary in Context (B2)

Recognizing Collocations and Fixed Expressions

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify common collocations and fixed expressions in a text and understand how they create a more natural, fluent meaning.

Why Does This Matter? 🤔

Reading word-by-word is slow and confusing. At a B2 level, you must learn to read in "chunks." Collocations are words that form natural partnerships. Recognizing these chunks instantly makes your reading faster and more fluent.

BORING / UNNATURAL A2 Level

"I did a mistake. I will try hard to fix it. I am very interested in this."

NATURAL / FLUENT B2 Level

"I made a mistake. I'll do my best to fix it. I'm keenly interested in this."

Two Types of "Word Chunks"

Collocations | ការផ្សំពាក្យ

Natural Word Partners

These are words that just "sound right" together. You don't do a mistake, you make a mistake. It isn't strong rain, it's heavy rain.

Examples: to make a decision, heavy traffic, fully aware

Fixed Expressions | ឃ្លាថេរ

Phrases with a Fixed Meaning

These are groups of words where the meaning is fixed and often non-literal (idiomatic).

Examples: on the same page (= in agreement), at the end of the day (= ultimately), by and large (= mostly).

Reading Practice Text

Read the following text. Pay attention to the bold phrases. These are collocations and fixed expressions. Click 🔊 to hear the text.

Our team meeting was productive. By and large, everyone is on the same page regarding the new project. Sreypov is keenly interested in leading the design, but she said we must take into account the holiday schedule. We decided against a big dinner and opted for a quick meal instead. At the end of the day, the budget is the most important factor.

Check Your Understanding 🎯

Based on the reading and your knowledge, choose the best answer. Click "Check Answers" when you're done.

1. In the text, what does "on the same page" mean?

• A) In agreement.
• B) Reading the same document.
• C) At the same location.

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2. What does "take into account" mean?

• A) Ignore.
• B) Consider or think about.
• C) Write a report.

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3. Which collocation is correct?

• A) I need to do a decision quickly.
• B) I need to make a decision quickly.

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4. Which collocation is correct?

• A) The traffic was very heavy this morning.
• B) The traffic was very strong this morning.

Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)

• Collocation | ការផ្សំពាក្យ
  Words that frequently appear together (e.g., heavy rain, make a mistake).
• Fixed Expression | ឃ្លាថេរ
  A phrase where the meaning is fixed and often idiomatic (e.g., on the same page).
• By and large | ភាគច្រើន, ជាទូទៅ
  Mostly; in general. (Fixed Expression)
• Keenly interested | ចាប់អារម្មណ៍យ៉ាងខ្លាំង
  Very interested; strongly interested. (Collocation: Adverb + Adjective)
• Take into account | យកមកពិចារណា
  To consider or remember something when making a decision. (Fixed Expression)
• At the end of the day | ទីបំផុត, សរុបមក
  Ultimately; when all is considered. (Fixed Expression)

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Become a Collocation Collector!

1. This week, find an English news article or blog post.
2. Read one paragraph and try to find three collocations or fixed expressions.
3. Write them down in your notebook. If you aren't sure, try searching for the phrase in quotes (e.g., "by and large") to see if it's used often.

Example: If you read "The company decided to cut its losses," you found a great fixed expression!