In the news ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 21

In the news

A	Political newspaper headlines 1 officially announces that an election will take place 2 wins a small majority 3 publicly appears to be united 4 (journalistic) made to fall (of regime or government) 5 makes an official announcement of victory 6 (formal, journalistic) makes/gives a speech
B	TV The police have been carrying out a nationwide search for 22-year-old Ryan Tait, who has not been seen since trouble broke out on Saturday night at the hotel where he was working. This evening they announced that they had found some vital clues but there are currently no plans to call off the search1. Following the robbery of over $10m from its main city branch, the bank has offered a substantial reward to anyone providing information leading to the recovery of the money. Management and workers at the troubled Longside car factory have finally agreed to enter into talks and hopes are growing that they may soon reach agreement. The dispute arose some weeks ago when management tried to introduce new working conditions. Workers have held demonstrations in the city in support of Longside staff . Management described the situation as a test of strength and union attempts to negotiate a settlement2 have so far proved unsuccessful. However, an independent arbitrator has acted as a go-between3 and has succeeded in brokering4 an agreement to talk. TV chiefs have bowed to5 public pressure and have entered into an agreement not to show scenes of gun violence on prime-time6 television. They will hold a press conference later today where they will explain their decision to impose this degree of censorship. 1 stop searching 2 have formal discussions in the hope of coming to an agreement 3 delivered messages between people who were reluctant or unable to speak to each other 4 arranging 5 given in to 6 most popular time of day for watching TV

EXERCISES

21.1	The sentences below come from the stories beneath some of the headlines in A. Which headline does each sentence go with? Two of the headlines are not used. 1 A military coup has taken place and the country’s popular monarch now faces exile. 2 In last night’s vote, the government’s new education bill was rejected. 3 Paul Cox, minister in charge of public finance, has decided that he wishes to spend more time with his family. 4 Previous rifts between rival ministers would appear to have been healed. 5 The Conservatives have succeeded in gaining 200 of the 390 seats. 6 The country will now be going to the polls somewhat earlier than anticipated. 7 Widespread and well-orchestrated rebellions have achieved their aim of overthrowing the country’s dictator. 8 The country has voted that it no longer wishes to be ruled by its 19th-century colonisers.
21.2	Complete this news item with collocations from the opposite page. The first letters are given to help you. Last night the Culture Minister (1) d __________________a s__________________ in which she promised to try to (2) b__________________ an a__________________ between the government and the film industry with regard to the decision to (3) i__________________ stricter c__________________ on films. After the speech, which was broadcast (4) on p__________________ t__________________ , the minister (5) h__________________ a press c__________________ . She promised to appoint an independent negotiator to (6) a__________________ as a (7) g__________________ -b__________________ in the hope that the government and the film industry would soon (8) r__________________ a__________________ .
21.3	Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets. 1 The President has finally agreed to the public’s demand to hold a referendum. (BOWED) 2 Early this morning the Eco-democratic Party announced it had won the election. (VICTORY) 3 The police detective discovered the clue which led to the stolen jewels being found. (RECOVERY) 4 The police will not stop searching until the child has been found. (CALL) 5 We were on holiday when the recent political troubles started. (BROKE) 6 The police are searching the whole country for the missing boy. (CARRYING) 7 The two parties will try to come to an agreement today. (SETTLEMENT) 8 Today thousands of students demonstrated against the increase in fees. (HELD)
21.4	Explain the difference between the sentences in each pair. 1 The rally is a test of the army’s strength. The rally is a show of the army’s strength. 2 The police have found vital clues. The police have found significant clues. 3 The woman has offered a small reward for the return of her cat. The woman has offered a substantial reward for the return of her cat. 4 The politician delivered a passionate speech. The politician made a passionate speech. 5 The countries involved in the dispute have agreed to enter into talks. The countries involved in the dispute have entered into an agreement.
	Over to you Use a dictionary to find extra collocations for: to hold a _____________          to broker a_____________ to _____________ (an) agreement                     a _____________majority

ANSWER KEY

21.1 1 I 2 E 3 B 4 F. Note the collocation to heal a rift, meaning that a harmonious relationship has been re-established following a break due to a serious disagreement. 5 C 6 A. Note that the expression to go to the polls is often used, particularly in newspapers, to mean take part in an election. 7 G 8 D 21.2 1 delivered; speech 2 broker; agreement 3 impose; censorship 4 prime-time television 5 held; conference 6 act; go-between 7 reach agreement 21.3 1 The President has finally bowed to public pressure to hold a referendum. 2 Early this morning the Eco-democratic Party proclaimed victory in the election. (announced its victory would also be possible) 3 The police detective discovered the clue which led to the recovery of the stolen jewels. 4 The police will not call off the search until the child has been found. 5 We were on holiday when the recent political troubles broke out. 6 The police are carrying out a nationwide search (or a countrywide search) for the missing boy. 7 The two parties will try to negotiate a settlement today. 8 Today thousands of students held a demonstration / held demonstrations against the increase in fees. 21.4 1 In the first sentence, the outcome of the rally will show whether the army is strong or not. In the second sentence, the rally is proof of the army’s strength. 2 The clues in the first sentence are more important than those in the second. 3 The reward for the cat in the second sentence is large. 4 The verb deliver suggests either a more formal situation for the speech itself or a more formal context for reporting about the speech than is suggested by make. 5 In the first sentence, the countries are going to talk for the first time. In the second sentence they have made an agreement. Follow-up Possible collocations: to hold a meeting / a conversation / an election to broker a deal / a ceasefire to reach / come to (an) agreement a sizeable / narrow / large / vast majority