Stopping and starting ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

 

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 52

Stopping and starting

A	Stopping example comment The accident brought traffic to a halt for several hours. often used about transport (trains, etc.) The union called a halt to the strike after 21 days. = prevent something from continuing (e.g. military action, protests, etc.) The chair brought the meeting to a close at 5 pm. often used about discussions The new teacher soon put a stop to bad behaviour in the class. used about unpopular activities or habits (e.g. crime, antisocial activities) They terminated his contract since he failed to meet his sales targets. formal; also terminate a pregnancy The government may abandon their policy on ID cards. also abandon an attempt to do something Police called off the search as darkness fell. = cancelled; also call off a match or other sports event The council have closed off the street while repairs are being carried out there. = block the entrance of a street to stop people and vehicles entering it Wait until there is a lull in the conversation, then we can leave. = a pause; also lull in the fighting (in a military conflict)
B	Starting As dawn broke we set off up the mountain. [as the sun first appeared] Jasmine suddenly broke into song. [started singing] William broke into a run when he saw the bus leaving. [started running] The rain set in for the day. [it started and seemed likely to continue] The smoke set off the fire alarm. Customs have instigated measures to deal with illegal immigration. [formal: introduced] The chairperson made some opening remarks, then others entered into the discussion.
C	News headlines

EXERCISES

52.1	Look at A. Which word fits in both sentences in each pair? 1 The minister may be forced to ____________ her policy on constitutional reform. The climbers had to ____________ their attempt to reach the summit because of bad weather. 2 During a ____________ in the fighting, aid workers were able to get food to people in need. Have something ready to say in case there is a ____________ in the conversation. 3 I think we should ____________ the meeting to a close now. Did the demonstration ____________ the traffic to a halt? 4 It’s time the union ____________ a halt to the industrial action. The college ____________ off the match because of the bad weather.
52.2	Match the beginning of each sentence (1–8) with its ending (a–h). 1 I’m afraid it was me burning the toast that set 2 As soon as she saw her mother the little girl broke 3 Because of the President’s visit, they’ve closed 4 I didn’t manage to fall asleep until dawn 5 I hope they won’t decide to terminate 6 The missing child was found, so the police called 7 The school is planning to instigate some 8 We were halfway up the mountain when the rain a the contract. b off the smoke alarm. c anti-bullying measures. d off the area. e set in. f into a run. g off their search. h was breaking.
52.3	Match each topic of a newspaper article to the most likely headline in C. 1 There was a disagreement about what a particular song was about. 2 A problem between two neighbouring countries is solved by military means. 3 A country recalls its ambassador from another country. 4 Two countries at war fail to reach agreement. 5 People are beginning to worry that there will be more disturbances. 6 A celebrity denies that her marriage is over. 7 Some sports facilities will soon be ready for use. 8 The government promises that rumours are untrue.
52.4	Choose the correct collocation. 1 First I’d like to make a few beginning / opening / starting remarks. 2 I’m not going to enter / bring / come into any further discussion of the issue. 3 I hope I can manage to collapse / staunch / allay your fears. 4 I wish we could put a close / stop / halt to the redevelopment plans. 5 I love it when she sparks / clears / breaks into song as she prepares our meal. 6 We must do something to close off / dispel / break off the rumours about us. 7 The guards soon managed to quell / collapse / allay the unrest at the prison. 8 At long last the building is nearing finish / termination / completion.

ANSWER KEY

52.1 1 abandon       2 lull            3 bring           4 called   52.2 1 b       2 f              3 d       4 h       5 a        6 g       7 c            8 e   52.3 1 SINGER CLEARS UP CONFUSION ABOUT LYRICS 2 ARMY QUELLS UNREST ON BORDER 3 NEW REPUBLIC BREAKS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS 4 PEACE PROCESS TALKS COLLAPSE 5 VIOLENCE SPARKS FEARS OF FURTHER UNREST 6 STAR DISPELS RUMOURS OF DIVORCE 7 STADIUM FINALLY NEARS COMPLETION 8 MINISTER ALLAYS FEARS OF TAX INCREASE   52.4 1 opening 2 enter 3 allay 4 stop 5 breaks 6 dispel 7 quell 8 completion