Everyday English Verbs: Housework Collocations

Quiz: Common Collocations for Household Chores

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Question 1

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

A	water
B	wet
C	wash

Question 2

My mother asked me to _________ the floor.

A	broom
B	brush
C	sweep

Question 2 Explanation:

The verb is "sweep," and the object we use to sweep the floor is called a "broom."

Question 3

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

A	rinsed
B	mopped
C	watered

Question 3 Explanation:

The verb is "mop" and the object we use to do this is also called a "mop."

Question 4

Could you _______ the table? Dinner is almost ready.

A	put
B	make
C	set

Question 4 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 5

I always ________ the table after we finish eating.

A	clear
B	remove
C	take

Question 5 Explanation:

Removing the dirty dishes from the table after a meal is called "clearing the table."

Question 6

Don't forget to _______ out the trash!

A	carry
B	put
C	take

Question 6 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 7

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

A	put
B	keep
C	save

Question 7 Explanation:

The phrasal verb "put away" means to put an object in its correct place.

Question 8

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

A	make
B	set
C	arrange

Question 8 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 9

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

A	mow
B	shorten
C	weed

Question 9 Explanation:

The verb is "mow" and the machine is called a "lawn mower."

Question 10

I spent the afternoon __________ the bushes.

A	cutting
B	shaving
C	trimming

Question 10 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 11

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

A	moved
B	shoveled
C	took away

Question 11 Explanation:

"Shovel" is both the verb and the name of the object we use to do this.

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

A	loading
B	filling
C	putting

Question 13 Explanation:

"Loading the dishwasher" is putting dirty dishes into the machine. "Unloading the dishwasher" is taking clean dishes out of the machine.

Question 14

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

A	sponge
B	dry
C	wipe

Question 14 Explanation:

To "wipe" is to pass a sponge or cloth over an area to clean it.

Question 15

I _______ the laundry every Sunday afternoon.

A	do
B	wash
C	make

Question 16

Please _______ the towels before putting them in the closet.

A	square
B	fold
C	make

Question 16 Explanation:

You can "fold" towels, clothes, or paper.

Question 17

It's your turn to _______ the dog.

A	walk
B	go
C	run

There are 17 questions to complete.

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