Everyday English Verbs: Housework Collocations

Quiz: Common Collocations for Household Chores

Question 1

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

A
dry
B
sponge
C
wipe
Question 1 Explanation: 
To "wipe" is to pass a sponge or cloth over an area to clean it.
Question 2

I _______ the laundry every Sunday afternoon.

A
make
B
wash
C
do
Question 3

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

A
save
B
put
C
keep
Question 3 Explanation: 
The phrasal verb "put away" means to put an object in its correct place.
Question 4

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

A
mow
B
shorten
C
weed
Question 4 Explanation: 
The verb is "mow" and the machine is called a "lawn mower."
Question 5

I always ________ the table after we finish eating.

A
take
B
clear
C
remove
Question 5 Explanation: 
Removing the dirty dishes from the table after a meal is called "clearing the table."
Question 6

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

A
make
B
set
C
arrange
Question 6 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 7

Please _______ the towels before putting them in the closet.

A
fold
B
make
C
square
Question 7 Explanation: 
You can "fold" towels, clothes, or paper.
Question 8

I spent the afternoon __________ the bushes.

A
trimming
B
shaving
C
cutting
Question 8 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 9

My mother asked me to _________ the floor.

A
brush
B
sweep
C
broom
Question 9 Explanation: 
The verb is "sweep," and the object we use to sweep the floor is called a "broom."
Question 10

It's your turn to _______ the dog.

A
go
B
run
C
walk
Question 11

Could you _______ the table? Dinner is almost ready.

A
set
B
make
C
put
Question 11 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 12

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

A
loading
B
putting
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

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

A
moved
B
took away
C
shoveled
Question 13 Explanation: 
"Shovel" is both the verb and the name of the object we use to do this.
Question 14

Don't forget to _______ out the trash!

A
take
B
carry
C
put
Question 14 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 15

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

A
wet
B
water
C
wash
Question 16

I accidentally broke a plate while __________ the dishes.

A
soaking
B
watering
C
washing
Question 16 Explanation: 
We can say "wash the dishes" or "do the dishes" for this activity.
Question 17

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

A
rinsed
B
mopped
C
watered
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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