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	wet
B	water
C	wash

Question 2

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

A	took away
B	shoveled
C	moved

Question 2 Explanation:

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

Question 3

Could you _______ the table? Dinner is almost ready.

A	put
B	set
C	make

Question 3 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 4

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

A	shorten
B	mow
C	weed

Question 4 Explanation:

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

Question 5

Don't forget to _______ out the trash!

A	put
B	take
C	carry

Question 5 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 6

Please _______ the towels before putting them in the closet.

A	make
B	square
C	fold

Question 6 Explanation:

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

Question 7

I accidentally broke a plate while __________ the dishes.

A	watering
B	washing
C	soaking

Question 7 Explanation:

We can say "wash the dishes" or "do the dishes" for this activity.

Question 8

It's your turn to _______ the dog.

A	walk
B	run
C	go

Question 9

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

A	wipe
B	sponge
C	dry

Question 9 Explanation:

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

Question 10

I _______ the laundry every Sunday afternoon.

A	do
B	wash
C	make

Question 11

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

A	rinsed
B	watered
C	mopped

Question 11 Explanation:

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

Question 12

I always ________ the table after we finish eating.

A	remove
B	clear
C	take

Question 12 Explanation:

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

Question 13

I spent the afternoon __________ the bushes.

A	cutting
B	shaving
C	trimming

Question 13 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 14