Exact Collocations in Abstract Discussion

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (text)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The result does not bear ___ the stronger claim. Complete the phrasal verb meaning substantiate.

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   out

   Bear out means support or confirm.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The distinction is not merely a matter ___ terminology.

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   Blank 1

   of

   A matter of identifies what the issue concerns.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The inference is at ___ with the evidence.

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   Blank 1

   variance / odds

   At variance with means in disagreement with.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The claim does not stand ___ to close examination. Complete the idiom meaning withstand scrutiny.

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   up

   Stand up to examination means remain defensible.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The caveat is central, not incidental ___ the argument.

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   to

   Incidental to means secondary in relation to something.

6. Question 6 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The explanation is open ___ the objection that it predicts too much.

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   to

   Open to an objection means vulnerable to it.

7. Question 7 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The assumption cannot be taken as ___ without further support.

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   given

   Take as given means accept without questioning.

8. Question 8 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: The anomaly is not readily amenable ___ a simple explanation.

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   to

   Amenable to means susceptible to or suitable for.

9. Question 9 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Form a noun from CONSEQUENT: The distinction is of little ___ to the case at hand.

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   consequence

   Of little consequence means of little importance.

10. Question 10 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The reasoning is vitiated ___ a false premise. Use the agent/cause preposition.

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    by

    Vitiated by identifies what undermines the reasoning.

11. Question 11 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The account is internally coherent, but that is beside the ___. Complete the idiom meaning irrelevant to the issue.

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    point

    Beside the point means not relevant to the question at issue.

12. Question 12 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The evidence gives the ___ to the claim that no one objected.

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    lie

    Give the lie to means show a claim to be false.

13. Question 13 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use the plural noun formed from IMPLY: The result is not without ___ for future work.

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    implications

    The noun formed from imply is implication; its plural is implications. Not without implications means the result has relevant consequences.

14. Question 14 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: The objection goes to the ___ of the argument.

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    Blank 1

    heart / core / centre / center

    Go to the heart of means concern the central issue.

15. Question 15 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Form a noun from CONJECTURAL: The hypothesis remains a matter of ___, not an established fact.

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    conjecture

    Conjecture names an unproven explanation or guess.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.