Current affairs ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 22

Current affairs

A	Current affairs in the press Golfer Rick Tate has issued an abject1 apology for his disorderly conduct at the weekend. However, he refused point-blank2 to provide an explanation for his behaviour and today further damaging disclosures3 about his private life have been published in The Daily Planet. The leader of the opposition has accused the Prime Minister of misleading the electorate in his public pronouncements on security. He has demanded that the PM clarify his position without delay. The PM’s off ice has declined to comment. The head of the National Union of Students (NUS) has re-opened the debate on tuition fees as evidence emerges of government plans to raise them still further. The NUS is committed to taking a firm stance4 against tuition fees and has flatly rejected5 claims that it may be about to change its position. The President has issued a statement relating to the health of her husband, who is critically ill in a private hospital following a massive heart attack. Regular updates on his condition will be provided. Migrant workers seeking permission6 to stay in this country may have to submit a detailed account of their work and personal lives to the visa authorities before they are given leave7 to stay. 1 (formal) humble 2 completely refused 3 sensitive, private information which has been revealed 4 (formal) position 5 (formal) completely denied 6 (formal) asking permission 7 (formal) permission
B	Feelings and reactions in connection with current affairs verb + noun example meaning take issue with I take issue with some of the points made in the speech. (formal) disagree with gauge reaction The government leaked the story to the press in order to gauge public reaction. test the response excite speculation The incident has excited speculation that the couple may be about to divorce. (formal) caused rumours to circulate air a grievance Workers have aired their grievances to reporters about the new pay structure. (formal) complained adjective + noun example meaning a dissenting voice When it came to the vote, there was only one dissenting voice. (formal) person who disagreed a vociferous opponent Our local MP is a vociferous opponent of having a casino in our city. someone who opposes something loudly and publicly passionate entreaty Plans to extend the airport went ahead, despite passionate entreaties from local residents. requests made because of strong beliefs a throwaway comment I don’t think the politician really meant to say she was leaving the party – it was just a throwaway comment. an unintentional remark which should not be taken seriously

EXERCISES

22.1	Correct the two collocation errors in each sentence. 1 The committee, with one disagreeing voice, voted to take a firm post on the issue. 2 It was only a throwoff comment but it has thrilled a lot of speculation. 3 As new evidence submerges of government involvement in the scandal, people are beginning to question the Prime Minister’s public pronunciations on the affair. 4 The prince refused blink-point to provide a detailing account of his actions that night. 5 The minister was accused of mislaying the electorate when he said that very few migrant workers had been handed leave to stay in the country.
22.2	Look at A. Complete each sentence using the word in brackets in the appropriate form. 1 The film star’s son was arrested for _______________ behaviour. (ORDER) 2 The reporter asked the minister to _______________ the government’s position on health service reform. (CLEAR) 3 The jury felt that the accused had been unable to provide a satisfactory _______________ as to why he had gone to the house. (EXPLAIN) 4 The council will issue a _______________ at the close of their meeting today. (STATE) 5 She _______________ rejected the allegation that she had a financial motive. (FLAT) 6 Anyone seeking _______________ for permanent residence here is subject to a set of standard checks. (PERMIT) 7 There have recently been a number of damaging _______________ in the press about the politician’s personal financial affairs. (DISCLOSE) 8 After years of silence on the issue in the press, teachers are now hopeful that the debate on school discipline will be _______________. (OPEN)
22.3	Complete each second sentence using a collocation from the opposite page. Both sentences should have the same meaning. 1 The singer has strongly and publicly opposed the war. The singer has been a ______________ of the war. 2 We carried out market research to see whether the public would like our new car. We carried out market research to ______________ to our new car. 3 The rock star made an emotional request for the earthquake victims, which produced a huge response. The rock star’s ______________ for help for the earthquake victims produced a huge response. 4 The team will post accounts of their progress on their website every few days. The team will post ______________ on their progress on their website. 5 The newsletter allows staff to complain openly about conditions. The newsletter gives staff the chance to ______________ publicly. 6 I opposed the committee’s stance on this matter. I ______________ with the committee’s stance on this matter. 7 The actor would not say anything about the accusations that had been made. The actor ______________ on the accusations that had been made. 8 The doctors announced that the film star was very ill indeed. The doctors announced that the film star was ______________. 9 The politician made a public statement humbly regretting his derogatory comments about the town. The politician issued an ______________ for his derogatory comments about the town.

ANSWER KEY

22.1 1 The committee, with one dissenting voice, voted to take a firm stance on the issue. 2 It was only a throwaway comment but it has excited a lot of speculation. 3 As new evidence emerges of government involvement in the scandal, people are beginning to question the Prime Minister’s public pronouncements on the affair. 4 The prince refused point-blank to provide a detailed account of his actions that night. 5 The minister was accused of misleading the electorate when he said that very few migrant workers had been given leave to stay in the country. 22.2 1 disorderly 2 clarify 3 explanation 4 statement 5 flatly 6 permission 7 disclosures 8 re-opened 22.3 1 vociferous opponent 2 gauge (public/people’s) reaction 3 passionate entreaty 4 regular updates 5 air their grievances 6 took issue 7 declined to comment 8 critically ill 9 abject apology