IGCSE ESL Natural Collocations & Examiner Traps
المتلازمات اللفظية الطبيعية وفخاخ المصحح في IGCSE ESL
Curated by Mr. Khaled Hassan, M.Ed. · بإعداد أ. خالد حسن، ماجستير في التربية
Cambridge 0510/0511/0991/0993 · Pearson Edexcel 4ES1 · Oxford AQA 9280
1The Realityالحقيقة
- Mark schemes reward vocabulary that is accurate and appropriate — not rare.
- Cambridge writing criteria assess language range AND accuracy; misused words lower the language mark.
- Examiner reports repeatedly note “memorised” phrases forced in where they don't fit.
- Rule: a simple, precise word beats an impressive, wrong one.
2Verb + Noun Collocationsفعل + اسم
- make a decision / a mistake / progress / an effort
- do homework / research / damage / your best
- take a risk / responsibility / part in / action
- raise awareness / money / a concern
- pay attention / a visit / a compliment
3Adjective + Nounصفة + اسم
- heavy traffic / rain (not strong traffic)
- strong coffee / opinion / argument
- high price / standard / level (not expensive price)
- serious problem / injury; major impact
- wide range; growing concern; valuable experience
4Topic Bank: Environment & Techالبيئة والتكنولوجيا
- reduce pollution · protect wildlife · renewable energy
- carbon footprint · climate change · raise awareness
- screen time · online safety · access information
- social media platform · digital skills
5Topic Bank: School & Communityالمدرسة والمجتمع
- extracurricular activities · school facilities
- volunteer at · fundraising event · local community
- sit / pass / fail an exam (not ‘make an exam’)
- attend a lesson · meet a deadline
6Arabic-Speaker Trapsأخطاء شائعة للعرب
- ✗ open the light → ✓ turn on the light
- ✗ discuss about → ✓ discuss (no ‘about’)
- ✗ make a crime → ✓ commit a crime
- ✗ win money in a job → ✓ earn money
- ✗ I am agree → ✓ I agree
- ✗ say him → ✓ tell him / say to him
7Forced-Phrase Red Flagsعبارات محفوظة تخسر الدرجات
- “In a nutshell” / “Last but not least” in a formal report.
- “It is raining cats and dogs” in a summary.
- Idioms in formal letters — keep them for informal emails only.
- Check every new word: meaning · collocation · register.