Everyday English Verbs: Housework Collocations

Quiz: Common Collocations for Household Chores

Question 1

I spent the afternoon __________ the bushes.

A
shaving
B
cutting
C
trimming
Question 1 Explanation: 
The verb "trim" means to cut something only a little bit, so that it is the correct size or length. We also talk about "getting a trim" meaning a very small haircut.
Question 2

I always ________ the table after we finish eating.

A
remove
B
take
C
clear
Question 2 Explanation: 
Removing the dirty dishes from the table after a meal is called "clearing the table."
Question 3

Please _______ the towels before putting them in the closet.

A
fold
B
make
C
square
Question 3 Explanation: 
You can "fold" towels, clothes, or paper.
Question 4

Please remember to _________ the plants every day while I'm gone.

A
water
B
wash
C
wet
Question 5

We pay our neighbor's son $25 to ______ our lawn.

A
mow
B
shorten
C
weed
Question 5 Explanation: 
The verb is "mow" and the machine is called a "lawn mower."
Question 6

It's your turn to _______ the dog.

A
walk
B
run
C
go
Question 7

My mother asked me to _________ the floor.

A
brush
B
broom
C
sweep
Question 7 Explanation: 
The verb is "sweep," and the object we use to sweep the floor is called a "broom."
Question 8

Make sure you ________ down the counter - you spilled some ketchup near the sink.

A
dry
B
wipe
C
sponge
Question 8 Explanation: 
To "wipe" is to pass a sponge or cloth over an area to clean it.
Question 9

Could you _______ the table? Dinner is almost ready.

A
put
B
set
C
make
Question 9 Explanation: 
To "set the table" is to put all the plates, cups, forks, spoons, and knives in the correct places on the table before eating.
Question 10

Don't come into the kitchen - I've just ________ the floor and it's still wet.

A
mopped
B
watered
C
rinsed
Question 10 Explanation: 
The verb is "mop" and the object we use to do this is also called a "mop."
Question 11

Don't forget to _______ out the trash!

A
take
B
put
C
carry
Question 11 Explanation: 
We can say "take out the trash" or "take out the garbage" to describe the action of putting the garbage outside the house.
Question 12

I accidentally broke a plate while __________ the dishes.

A
soaking
B
watering
C
washing
Question 12 Explanation: 
We can say "wash the dishes" or "do the dishes" for this activity.
Question 13

I _______ the laundry every Sunday afternoon.

A
wash
B
do
C
make
Question 14

I'm teaching my son to _______ away his toys after he's finished playing with them.

A
put
B
keep
C
save
Question 14 Explanation: 
The phrasal verb "put away" means to put an object in its correct place.
Question 15

My shoulders are sore because I _________ snow for two hours yesterday.

A
shoveled
B
took away
C
moved
Question 15 Explanation: 
"Shovel" is both the verb and the name of the object we use to do this.
Question 16

I didn't have enough time to ________ the bed this morning.

A
set
B
make
C
arrange
Question 16 Explanation: 
"Making the bed" is organizing the sheets, blankets, and pillows so that everything is in the correct place and looks nice and organized.
Question 17

I'll help you with your homework after I finish _______ the dishwasher.

A
putting
B
loading
C
filling
Question 17 Explanation: 
"Loading the dishwasher" is putting dirty dishes into the machine. "Unloading the dishwasher" is taking clean dishes out of the machine.
There are 17 questions to complete.

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