Everyday English Verbs: Housework Collocations

Quiz: Common Collocations for Household Chores

Question 1

Could you _______ the table? Dinner is almost ready.

A
make
B
put
C
set
Question 1 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 2

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

A
set
B
make
C
arrange
Question 2 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 3

I spent the afternoon __________ the bushes.

A
shaving
B
cutting
C
trimming
Question 3 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 4

I always ________ the table after we finish eating.

A
take
B
clear
C
remove
Question 4 Explanation: 
Removing the dirty dishes from the table after a meal is called "clearing the table."
Question 5

It's your turn to _______ the dog.

A
go
B
run
C
walk
Question 6

Please _______ the towels before putting them in the closet.

A
square
B
make
C
fold
Question 6 Explanation: 
You can "fold" towels, clothes, or paper.
Question 7

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

A
shoveled
B
moved
C
took away
Question 7 Explanation: 
"Shovel" is both the verb and the name of the object we use to do this.
Question 8

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

A
water
B
wash
C
wet
Question 9

I _______ the laundry every Sunday afternoon.

A
wash
B
do
C
make
Question 10

Don't forget to _______ out the trash!

A
put
B
take
C
carry
Question 10 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 11

I accidentally broke a plate while __________ the dishes.

A
watering
B
washing
C
soaking
Question 11 Explanation: 
We can say "wash the dishes" or "do the dishes" for this activity.
Question 12

My mother asked me to _________ the floor.

A
sweep
B
broom
C
brush
Question 12 Explanation: 
The verb is "sweep," and the object we use to sweep the floor is called a "broom."
Question 13

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

A
weed
B
shorten
C
mow
Question 13 Explanation: 
The verb is "mow" and the machine is called a "lawn mower."
Question 14

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

A
filling
B
loading
C
putting
Question 14 Explanation: 
"Loading the dishwasher" is putting dirty dishes into the machine. "Unloading the dishwasher" is taking clean dishes out of the machine.
Question 15

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

A
keep
B
put
C
save
Question 15 Explanation: 
The phrasal verb "put away" means to put an object in its correct place.
Question 16

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

A
wipe
B
sponge
C
dry
Question 16 Explanation: 
To "wipe" is to pass a sponge or cloth over an area to clean it.
Question 17

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

A
rinsed
B
watered
C
mopped
Question 17 Explanation: 
The verb is "mop" and the object we use to do this is also called a "mop."
There are 17 questions to complete.

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