The Netherlands

GAP 1 (ALTHOUGH) ... 264 km east to west - although the land area increases slightly ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _↑
INCREASES is a verb
ALTHOUGH => (CONJUNCTION) expresses the idea of contrast.
ALTHOUGH + SUBJECT + VERB
Common Errors:
Although the rain, we had the picnic. X ALTHOUGH cannot be followed by a noun!
Although it was raining, we had the picnic. V ALTHOUGH must be followed by a subject and a verb!
GAP 2 (RESULT) ... slightly each year as a result of continuous land reclamation and drainage... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _↑
AS A RESULT OF => DUE TO, BECAUSE OF
AS A RESULT OF => anything that is due to something already done.
AS A RESULT OF + NOUN
Common Errors:
As a result of he was disobedient, his boss fired him. X AS A RESULT OF cannot be followed by a verb!
As a result of his disobedience, his boss fired him. V AS A RESULT OF must be followed by a noun!
GAP 3 (COMMONLY) ... much to offer, 'Holland,' as it is commonly known to most of us ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _↑
COMMONLY + KNOWN => COLLOCATION
COMMONLY KNOWN => widely known usually or by most people.
Other Collocations:
COMMONLY ABUSED, COMMONLY AFFECTED, COMMONLY INJURED,
COMMONLY MISSED, COMMONLY SEEN, COMMONLY PRESCRIBED.
GAP 4 (FROM) ... to most of us abroad - a name stemming from its once most prominent provinces ... ↑_ _ _ _
_↑
STEM + FROM => VERB + PREPOSITION
STEM FROM => to be caused by, to come from (something or someone).
Common Errors:
Her fear of spiders stems of an incident in her childhood. X
Her fear of spiders stems from an incident in her childhood. V
GAP 5 (HISTORIC) ... You'll be impressed by its historic cities and charmed by its countryside and villages, ...
↑_ _ _ _↑
HISTORIC + CITY => a historic city is very old.
HISTORIC => something important or influential in history. (HISTORIC
BUILDING/EVENT/MOMENT/PLACE/SPOT).
HSTORICAL => refers to anything from the past, important or not. (HISTORICAL
NOVEL/EVIDENCE/SOCIETY/CONTEXT).
Common Errors:
David writes historic novels. X
David writes historical novels.V
GAP 6 (ON) ... From the exciting variety on offer, you could choose a romantic canal boat tour ... ↑_ _↑
ON + OFFER => FIXED PHRASE
ON OFFER => for sale, often cheaply.
Common Errors:
That shop has carpets at offer at £50 each. X
That shop has carpets on offer at £50 each.V
GAP 7 (MAKE) ... which is on hand to give you information and make reservations. You'll have ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _↑

MAKE + A RESERVATION => COLLOCATION

MAKE A RESERVATION => when you arrange to have something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a
restaurant kept for you.
Common Errors:
I'd like to do a room reservation for three people. X
I'd like to make a room reservation for three people.V
GAP 8 (FEW) ... and make reservations. You'll have few language problems here, as the Dutch are true
linguists ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
FEW => DETERMINER
FEW => not many | A FEW => some | used with countable nouns
LITTLE => not much | A LITTLE => some | used with uncountable nouns
Common Errors:
She's got a lot of money but a few friends. X A FEW doesn't make sense in this sentence!
She's got a lot of money but few friends.V

The Story of Gold

GAP 1 (SHAPES) ... metal that can be moulded into many shapes. It has been used for money, jewellery, and ...
↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
MOULD something into a SHAPE => COLLOCATION
SHAPE => (NOUN) the form of the outer edges or surfaces of something.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
OUT OF SHAPE => in a bad state of health or physical fitness.
IN SHAPE => in a good state of health or physical fitness.
TAKE SHAPE => to develop and become more complete or organized.
GAP 2 (AS) ... jewellery, and to decorate special buildings such as palaces and places of worship... ↑_ _↑
SUCH AS => FIXED PHRASE
SUCH AS => FOR EXAMPLE, used when giving an example of something.
Common Errors:
She can play many musical instruments like as the guitar, the piano, and the violin. X
She can play many musical instruments such as the guitar, the piano, and the violin. V
GAP 3 (WHEREVER) ... places of worship. Wherever the precious metal was discovered, prospectors rushed
to ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
WHEREVER => CONJUNCTION
WHEREVER => in any place, no matter where.
WHEREVER + VERB
Common Errors:
Where ever she is, she will be thinking of you. X
Wherever she is, she will be thinking of you. V WHEREVER is written as one word!
GAP 4 (IN) ... helped shape the world we live in today. Gold is one of many elements, or substances that
cannot ... ↑__↑
LIVE + IN => VERB + PREPOSITION
LIVE IN => if you live in a place, you have your home there.
Common Errors:
This is the world we live on. X
This is the world we live in. V
GAP 5 (BECAUSE) ... a warm, sunny colour and because it does not react with air, water, and most ... ↑_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _↑
BECAUSE => CONJUNCTION
BECAUSE => (CONJUNCTION), used when you are giving the reason for something.
BECAUSE + SUBJECT + VERB
Common Errors:
She couldn't go because her illness. X
She couldn't go because she was ill.V
GAP 6 (WITH) ... sunny colour and because it does not react with air, water, and most chemicals, its shine never
fades ... ↑_ _ _↑
REACT + WITH => VERB + PREPOSITION
REACT WITH => If a chemical substance reacts, it changes when it is mixed with another chemical substance.
Common Errors:
Hydrogen reacts on oxygen to form water. X
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to form water.V
GAP 7 (STATE) ... chemicals, its shine never fades. In its natural state , gold is soft and easily shaped. When
heated ... ↑_ _ _↑
NATURAL + STATE => COLLOCATION
NATURAL STATE => a wild primitive state untouched by civilization.
Other Collocations:
NATURAL DEATH, NATURAL DISASTER, NATURAL RESOURCES.
NATURAL HABITAT, NATURAL COLOUR, THE NATURAL WORLD.
GAP 8 (MADE) ... other objects. Stories have been told, movies made and legends born about the ... ↑_ _ _↑
MAKE + MOVIE => COLLOCATION
MAKE A MOVIE => produce a film.
Common Errors:
They don't do movies like that any more. X
They don't make movies like that any more.V

Tourism

GAP 1 (COME TO) ... About 25 million overseas visitors come to Britain each year. Tourism is one of the biggest
employment ... ↑_ _↑
COME + TO => PHRASAL VERB
COME TO to reach (a place) while traveling.
Common Errors:
They have just come at the meeting. X
They have just come to the meeting. V
GAP 2 (SECTORS) ... Tourism is one of the biggest employment sectors in the UK, too – it employs over 1.7
million ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
EMPLOYMENT + SECTORS => COLLOCATION
EMPLOYMENT SECTORS => the industries and services in a country that are responsible for employment.
Other Collocations:
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE, FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, REGULAR EMPLOYMENT.
GAP 3 (JOBS) ... service industries. Around 20% of all new jobs are in this industry. These figures are very ... ↑_
_ _ _↑
A JOB => A COUNTABLE NOUN
A JOB => The regular paid work that you do for an employer.
Common Errors:
IT firm is to create 65 new works in Dublin and Galway. X
IT firm is to create 65 new jobs in Dublin and Galway. V
GAP 4 (INTO) ... impressive, but how do they translate into job possibilities for you? There is room in this
industry ... ↑_ _ _↑
TRANSLATE + INTO => VERB + PREPOSITION
TRANSLATE INTO => to change something, or to be changed, into a different form.
Common Errors:
The book has been translated to Dutch and German. X
The book has been translated into Dutch and German. V
GAP 5 (BACKGROUNDS) ... of people, with different educational backgrounds, personal attributes, interests
and career aims ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
EDUCATIONAL + BACKGROUNDS => COLLOCATION
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND => The details of a person's education, experience, etc.
Other Collocations:
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, EDUCATIONAL TOYS, EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE.
GAP 6 (MAKES) ... really a traveller – someone who makes a journey, usually for recreation, usually for
recreation, ... ↑_ _ _ _↑
MAKE + A JOURNEY => COLLOCATION
MAKE A JOURNEY => to travel from one place to another, especially over a long distance.
Common Errors:
Young explorers do a journey through the wild landscape. X
Young explorers make a journey through the wild landscape. V
GAP 7 (LIKE) ... a journey, usually for recreation, like a holiday or sightseeing. Therefore, tourism ... ↑_ _ _ _ _
LIKE + SERIES OF EXAMPLES
LIKE => SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE
Common Errors:
Outdoor sports as running and climbing are very popular in the US. X
Outdoor sports like running and climbing are very popular in the US. V
GAP 8 (THEREFORE) ... a holiday or sightseeing. Therefore, tourism at its very simplest refers to the industry
that ... ↑_ _ _ _ _
THEREFORE => ADVERB (+ comma)
THEREFORE => (FORMAL) used to introduce the logical result of something that has just been mentioned.
Common Errors:
I loved her. Therefore I married her. X
I loved her. Therefore, I married her. V COMMA required after THEREFORE!

Keeping Kitten Healthy

GAP 1 (OWNER) ... A healthy kitten doesn't just happen. As the owner you need to be proactive, because your
kitty can't ... ↑_ _ _ _ _
OWNER => NOUN
OWNER => a person who owns something.
Other Collocation:
SHOP OWNER, HOMEOWNER, CAR OWNER, STORE OWNER.
GAP 2 (TELL) ... proactive, because your kitty can't tell you when she feels sick. You should ... ↑_ _↑
TELL + YOU => VERB + PERSONAL OBJECT
TELL => Can you tell me how to get to the station? (without 'TO')
SAY => As John entered the room, he said 'Hello' to me.
TALK => Could I talk to the boss, please?
SPEAK => He spoke to the employees at the meeting.
GAP 3 (SOON) ... feels sick. You should start as soon as you bring her home - may be even before. ... ↑_ _ _ _ _↑
AS SOON AS => FIXED PHRASE
AS SOON AS => Immediately after something happens, without delay.
Common Errors:
I'll let you know as soon as I'll arrive. X
I'll let you know as soon as I arrive. V
GAP 4 (OUT) ... Take the kitten to get checked out within the first week at home; or before you ... ↑_ _ _ _↑
CHECK + OUT => PHRASAL VERB
CHECK OUT => to look at or examine a person or thing that seems interesting or attractive.
Other Phrasal Verbs:
CHECK IN => to report to someone when you arrive at a place (such as an airport or convention) to let them
know you are there.
CHECK ON => to make sure that someone or something is safe, is in a satisfactory state.
GAP 5 (AT) ... within the first week at home; or before you bring her home if you have other cats ... ↑_ _ _↑
AT + HOME => PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
AT HOME => in a person's own house, flat/apartment, etc.
Common Errors:
Don't call me tomorrow because I'm not going to be in home. X
Don't call me tomorrow because I'm not going to be at home. V
GAP 6 (DURING) ... feel for lumps and bumps during her monthly exam, and watch for ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
DURING => must be followed by a NOUN
DURING => (PREPOSITION), is used to represent the length of time of an action that is while the action is
happening.
DURING + NOUN
Common Errors:
I met her during I was staying in Ireland. X
I met her during my stay in Ireland. V
GAP 7 (WEATHER) ... and watch for signs she's just under the weather. Take her to the vet ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _↑
UNDER THE WEATHER => IDIOM
UNDER THE WEATHER => You are under the weather when you are not as healthy or well as you usually
are.
Other Idioms:
IN ALL WEATHERS => in all types of weather, even when it is very hot or cold.
MAKE HEAVY WEATHER OF => to treat sth in a way that makes it seem more important or difficult than it
really is.
GAP 8 (MAKE) ... most important decisions you can make about your kitten's future is whether to ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _↑
MAKE + DECISION => COLLOCATION
MAKE A DECISION => to consider something carefully and officially state what should be done about it.
Common Errors:
Steve will soon have to do a decision whether or not to leave his job. X
Steve will soon have to make a decision whether or not to leave his job. V

The Giant Panda

GAP 1 (AS) ... beloved animal in China. It is regarded as a national treasure. It is found ... ↑_ _ _↑
REAGARD + AS => VERB + PREPOSITION
REGARD AS If you regard someone or something in a particular way, you think of them in that way, or have that
opinion of them.
Common Errors:
I regard him like a fool. X
I regard him as a fool. V
GAP 2 (TREASURE) ... It is regarded as a national treasure. It is found mostly in southwestern ... ↑_ _ _ _↑
NATIONAL + TREASURE => COLLOCATION
NATIONAL TREASURE => an artefact, institution, or public figure regarded as being emblematic of a nation's
cultural heritage or identity.
Other Collocations:
TREASURE HUNT, BURIED TREASURE, REAL TREASURE.
GAP 3 (UP) ... (1.5 meters) long and weigh up to 330 pounds (150 kilograms). The giant panda is part of the bear
... ↑_ _↑
UP TO => AS MANY AS
UP TO => to particular level, as many as.
Common Errors:
I was up my knees in water. X
I was up to my knees in water. V
GAP 4 (SOLITARY) ... The giant panda leads a solitary life, except during the mating season. ... ↑_ _ _↑
SOLITARY + LIFE => COLLOCATION
SOLITARY LIFE => being, living, or going alone or without companions.
Other Collocations:
SOLITARY CHILDHOOD, SOLITARY FIGURE, SOLITARY CREATURE.
GAP 5 (IN) ... It lives in bamboo forests in the mountains. It can climb trees but lives ... ↑_ _ _ _ _ _↑
IN + THE MOUNTAINS => PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
IN THE MOUNTAINS => an area of land that rises very high above the land around it and that is higher than a
hill.
Common Errors:
If you're going to run on the mountains, you really ought to know how to use this stuff. X
If you're going to run in the mountains, you really ought to know how to use this stuff. V
GAP 6 (UNLIKE) ... trees but lives mainly on the ground. Unlike most bears, the giant panda does ... ↑_ _ _ _ _
_↑
UNLIKE => PREPOSITION
UNLIKE => used to indicate how someone or something is different from other people or things.
UNLIKE + (PRONOUN) + NOUN
Common Errors:
Unlikely most people in the office, I don't come to work by car. X
Unlike most people in the office, I don't come to work by car. V
GAP 7 (OF) ... to low-lying areas during the winter in search of warmer temperatures. The giant panda has a
mainly ... ↑_ _ _ _ _↑
IN SEARCH OF => FIXED PHRASE
IN SEARCH OF => looking for something.
Common Errors:
Steve went in search for water. X
Steve went in search of water. V
GAP 8 (VEGETERIAN) ... The giant panda has a mainly vegetarian diet, eating mostly bamboo shoots and
leave ... ↑_ _ _ _ _↑
VEGETARIAN + DIET => COLLOCATION
VEGETARIAN DIET => consisting only of vegetables, fruits, etc.
Other Collocations:
DIET BOOK, HIGH-FIBER DIET, BALANCED DIET, DIET PILLS.