Grade 2, English Olympiad (CBSE) - Collocations 

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Grade 2  |   English  |   Collocations, Collocations, Olympiad, CBSE, ICSE, Maths Olympiad, Science Olympiad, English Olympiad

English - Collocations (Grade 2)

A collocation is a pair or group of words that sound natural together. We say do homework, not make homework. Learning common pairs helps children speak and write like native users of English.

What are collocations

Think of collocations as words that are good friends. They like to stand together. When we use the right partner, the sentence sounds natural.

do homework, make the bed heavy rain, strong tea go to school, come back home

Useful Verb + Noun Collocations

Home & school

  • do homework
  • make the bed
  • have breakfast / lunch / dinner
  • pack a bag
  • catch the bus

Play & chores

  • take a bath
  • brush teeth
  • wash hands
  • set the table
  • ride a bicycle

Talk & think

  • ask a question
  • tell a story
  • make a mistake
  • pay attention
  • take a turn

Adjective + Noun Collocations

Natural pairExample sentence
heavy rainThere was heavy rain at night.
strong teaGrandpa likes strong tea.
fast trainWe took a fast train to the city.
soft voiceThe teacher spoke in a soft voice.
cold windA cold wind blew in winter.

Verb + Preposition Collocations

  • go to school
  • come from class
  • look at the board
  • listen to music
  • wait for the bell

Tip: These partners rarely change. We say listen to, not listen at; wait for, not wait to something.

Everyday sets to practice

Use these mini frames to speak naturally:

  • I have breakfast and catch the bus.
  • In class I pay attention and ask a question.
  • At home I make the bed and do homework.
  • Before sleep I brush teeth and set the alarm.

How to learn collocations

  1. Learn the pair, not the single word. Write it as a chunk: pay attention.
  2. Read aloud short lines using the pair: "Please pay attention."
  3. Sort them by topic: school, home, weather, play.
  4. Notice wrong pairs and fix them using the list below.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying make homework. Correct: do homework.
  • Saying do a photo. Correct: take a photo.
  • Saying strong rain. Correct: heavy rain.
  • Saying open the light. Natural: turn on the light.
  • Saying listen music. Correct: listen to music.
Remember: Collocations are learned by use. Keep a small notebook of your favorite pairs.

MCQ Achievers (5 harder items)

  1. Rita will _____ a bath after football.
    • A. do
    • B. take
    • C. make
    • D. give
  2. We must _____ attention when the teacher explains.
    • A. give
    • B. take
    • C. pay
    • D. make
  3. Choose the most natural pair. We will _____ the table before dinner.
    • A. make
    • B. set
    • C. build
    • D. do
  4. Pick the best match. Arun _____ a picture and Maya _____ a photo.
    • A. took, drew
    • B. draw, take
    • C. drew, took
    • D. made, took
  5. Choose the correct collocation. The news warns of _____ rain.
    • A. strong
    • B. heavy
    • C. big
    • D. loud
Show Answers

1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-C, 5-B

Practice saying each pair aloud. Collocations are word partners.


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