TOEIC Part 5: Adjective-Noun Collocations Rule, Examples, and 20 Practice Questions
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Understanding Adjective-Noun Collocations
Adjective-noun collocations are fixed phrases where specific adjectives pair with particular nouns. In TOEIC Part 5, you'll encounter these combinations in grammar and vocabulary questions. Key patterns include:
- Adjective + noun (e.g., 'rapid progress', 'economic growth')
- Adjective + noun + preposition (e.g., 'capable of', 'interested in')
- Adjective + noun + verb (e.g., 'prone to')
Model Answers
Score Level 6 (Intermediate)
Prompt: Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The company made ------- progress after implementing the new strategy.
Answer: rapid
Explanation: 'Rapid progress' is a common collocation meaning 'quick or fast progress.' Other options like 'big' or 'large' don't fit as well.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Grammar (6.0): Correct grammar but limited range.
- Vocabulary (6.0): Uses basic collocations correctly.
- Topic Development (6.0): Simple but clear explanation.
- Coherence & Cohesion (6.0): Easy-to-follow structure.
Score Level 7 (Upper-Intermediate)
Prompt: Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The new software is ------- of handling large amounts of data.
Answer: capable
Explanation: 'Capable of' is the correct collocation, meaning 'able to do something.' Alternatives like 'able' or 'skilled' don't fit the structure.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Grammar (7.0): Accurate grammar with some range.
- Vocabulary (7.0): Uses appropriate collocations.
- Topic Development (7.0): Clear and logical explanation.
- Coherence & Cohesion (7.0): Well-organized and easy to follow.
Score Level 8 (Advanced)
Prompt: Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The employees were ------- in the new training program.
Answer: interested
Explanation: 'Interested in' is the correct collocation, meaning 'showing curiosity or concern.' Other options like 'excited' or 'enthusiastic' don't fit the structure.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Grammar (8.0): Accurate grammar with a wide range.
- Vocabulary (8.0): Uses varied and appropriate collocations.
- Topic Development (8.0): Detailed and insightful explanation.
- Coherence & Cohesion (8.0): Logical and fluent structure.
Score Level 9 (Expert)
Prompt: Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The machine is ------- to breaking down during peak hours.
Answer: prone
Explanation: 'Prone to' is the correct collocation, meaning 'likely to suffer from or do something.' Alternatives like 'susceptible' or 'liable' don't fit the structure.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Grammar (9.0): Accurate grammar with a wide range and flexibility.
- Vocabulary (9.0): Uses sophisticated and precise collocations.
- Topic Development (9.0): Detailed, insightful, and nuanced explanation.
- Coherence & Cohesion (9.0): Logical, fluent, and natural structure.
20 Practice Questions
- The company made ------- progress after implementing the new strategy.
- A. rapid
- B. big
- C. large
- D. quick
- The new software is ------- of handling large amounts of data.
- A. capable
- B. able
- C. skilled
- D. expert
- The employees were ------- in the new training program.
- A. interested
- B. excited
- C. enthusiastic
- D. keen
- The machine is ------- to breaking down during peak hours.
- A. prone
- B. susceptible
- C. liable
- D. inclined
- The project faced ------- challenges due to the tight deadline.
- A. significant
- B. major
- C. considerable
- D. important
- The team showed ------- performance under pressure.
- A. remarkable
- B. notable
- C. impressive
- D. outstanding
- The company achieved ------- growth in the last quarter.
- A. rapid
- B. significant
- C. considerable
- D. substantial
- The new policy had a ------- impact on employee morale.
- A. positive
- B. beneficial
- C. favorable
- D. good
- The manager gave a ------- presentation at the conference.
- A. compelling
- B. persuasive
- C. convincing
- D. effective
- The company faced ------- competition in the market.
- A. fierce
- B. strong
- C. intense
- D. tough
- The new product received ------- reviews from customers.
- A. positive
- B. favorable
- C. good
- D. beneficial
- The team demonstrated ------- teamwork during the project.
- A. excellent
- B. good
- C. effective
- D. remarkable
- The company showed ------- commitment to sustainability.
- A. strong
- B. firm
- C. solid
- D. robust
- The new strategy had a ------- effect on sales.
- A. positive
- B. beneficial
- C. favorable
- D. good
- The manager displayed ------- leadership qualities.
- A. strong
- B. firm
- C. solid
- D. robust
- The company achieved ------- results in the last quarter.
- A. remarkable
- B. notable
- C. impressive
- D. outstanding
- The new policy had a ------- impact on employee productivity.
- A. positive
- B. beneficial
- C. favorable
- D. good
- The manager gave a ------- speech at the meeting.
- A. compelling
- B. persuasive
- C. convincing
- D. effective
- The company faced ------- challenges in the market.
- A. significant
- B. major
- C. considerable
- D. important
- The team showed ------- performance under tight deadlines.
- A. remarkable
- B. notable
- C. impressive
- D. outstanding
Vocabulary Highlights
- Rapid progress: Quick or fast progress (e.g., 'The company made rapid progress.')
- Capable of: Able to do something (e.g., 'The software is capable of handling data.')
- Interested in: Showing curiosity or concern (e.g., 'The employees were interested in the program.')
- Prone to: Likely to suffer from or do something (e.g., 'The machine is prone to breaking down.')
- Significant challenges: Important or notable difficulties (e.g., 'The project faced significant challenges.')
- Remarkable performance: Notable or impressive achievement (e.g., 'The team showed remarkable performance.')
- Substantial growth: Significant or considerable increase (e.g., 'The company achieved substantial growth.')
- Favorable impact: Positive effect (e.g., 'The policy had a favorable impact.')
- Compelling presentation: Persuasive or convincing talk (e.g., 'The manager gave a compelling presentation.')
- Fierce competition: Intense or strong rivalry (e.g., 'The company faced fierce competition.')
- Positive reviews: Favorable opinions (e.g., 'The product received positive reviews.')
- Excellent teamwork: Effective collaboration (e.g., 'The team demonstrated excellent teamwork.')
- Strong commitment: Firm dedication (e.g., 'The company showed strong commitment.')
- Beneficial effect: Helpful or advantageous result (e.g., 'The strategy had a beneficial effect.')
- Strong leadership: Effective or influential guidance (e.g., 'The manager displayed strong leadership.')
- Notable results: Impressive or remarkable outcomes (e.g., 'The company achieved notable results.')
- Positive impact: Beneficial or favorable effect (e.g., 'The policy had a positive impact.')
- Persuasive speech: Convincing or influential talk (e.g., 'The manager gave a persuasive speech.')
- Major challenges: Significant or important difficulties (e.g., 'The company faced major challenges.')
- Impressive performance: Notable or remarkable achievement (e.g., 'The team showed impressive performance.')
Common Mistakes
- Ignoring Context: Choosing an adjective based solely on its meaning without considering the noun it pairs with.
- Overcomplicating: Selecting complex adjectives when simpler ones fit better.
- Misusing Prepositions: Incorrectly adding or omitting prepositions in collocations.
- Relying on Translation: Assuming adjective-noun pairs translate directly from your native language.
- Neglecting Practice: Failing to practice common collocations leading to lower accuracy.
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