Everyday English Verbs: Housework Collocations

Quiz: Common Collocations for Household Chores

Question 1

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

A
wash
B
wet
C
water
Question 2

Could you _______ the table? Dinner is almost ready.

A
put
B
set
C
make
Question 2 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 3

I accidentally broke a plate while __________ the dishes.

A
watering
B
soaking
C
washing
Question 3 Explanation: 
We can say "wash the dishes" or "do the dishes" for this activity.
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

Please _______ the towels before putting them in the closet.

A
square
B
fold
C
make
Question 5 Explanation: 
You can "fold" towels, clothes, or paper.
Question 6

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

A
moved
B
shoveled
C
took away
Question 6 Explanation: 
"Shovel" is both the verb and the name of the object we use to do this.
Question 7

My mother asked me to _________ the floor.

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

I _______ the laundry every Sunday afternoon.

A
do
B
wash
C
make
Question 9

Don't forget to _______ out the trash!

A
take
B
put
C
carry
Question 9 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 10

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

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

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

A
save
B
put
C
keep
Question 11 Explanation: 
The phrasal verb "put away" means to put an object in its correct place.
Question 12

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

A
putting
B
loading
C
filling
Question 12 Explanation: 
"Loading the dishwasher" is putting dirty dishes into the machine. "Unloading the dishwasher" is taking clean dishes out of the machine.
Question 13

I spent the afternoon __________ the bushes.

A
cutting
B
trimming
C
shaving
Question 13 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 14

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

A
weed
B
shorten
C
mow
Question 14 Explanation: 
The verb is "mow" and the machine is called a "lawn mower."
Question 15

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

A
wipe
B
dry
C
sponge
Question 15 Explanation: 
To "wipe" is to pass a sponge or cloth over an area to clean it.
Question 16

It's your turn to _______ the dog.

A
run
B
go
C
walk
Question 17

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

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

Learn the common combinations of words used by native English speakers!
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