The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic assesses your English proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. To achieve high scores, you must demonstrate command of academic vocabulary and natural language patterns. Collocations are a very important part of vocabulary. Mastering these collocations, also called commonly paired words, enhances fluency and coherence.
This guide expands on strategies from Comprehensive PTE Vocabulary List: Essential Words, Tips, and Strategies to Boost Your Score, offering insights and practical tips to help you excel in every section of the PTE.
Table of Contents
- Why Collocations Are Critical for PTE Academic Success
- Part 1: Speaking and Writing – Collocations for Strong, Academic Responses
- Part 2: Reading – Collocations for Enhanced Comprehension
- Part 3: Listening – Using Collocations for Effective Summaries and Dictations
- Final Tips for Mastering Collocations
- Conclusion
Why Collocations Are Critical for PTE Academic Success
Collocations are central to scoring well on PTE because they show your ability to use natural, academic English. PTE academic vocabulary lists and Pearson PTE vocabulary lists highlight essential collocations. Here’s why they matter:
- Boost Fluency & Coherence: Responses with correct collocations sound natural and structured.
- Showcase Academic Vocabulary: Demonstrates your proficiency with academic words for PTE.
- Improve Scoring: PTE AI scoring system recognizes and rewards use of collocations.
- Save Time Under Pressure: Knowledge of collocations speeds up responses as colloquial expressions are able to convey meaning in fewer words.
- Aid Comprehension: Helps decode PTE reading vocabulary lists quickly.
Refer to the Comprehensive PTE Vocabulary List for additional academic word pairings tailored for PTE tasks.
Part 1: Speaking and Writing – Collocations for Strong, Academic Responses
Read Aloud (Reading and Speaking)
- What’s Expected: Clear pronunciation with natural phrasing.
- Examples of Collocations: “Analyze trends,” “Illustrate findings,” “Describe outcomes.”
- Pro Tip: Practice using the PTE academic vocabulary list pdf and PTE vocabulary words. Also, ensure you have sufficient practice PTE Read Aloud questions.
Describe Image (Speaking)
- What’s Expected: Structured, descriptive responses covering the main trends and data.
- Examples of Collocations:
- The image illustrates
- A notable feature is
- There is a significant increase
- Depicts a trend
- Shows a pattern
- Displays growth
- Pro Tip: Use the Introduction → Description → Conclusion structure with academic word lists for PTE.
Re-tell Lecture (Listening and Speaking)
- What’s Expected: A concise summary of a lecture with academic language
- Examples of Collocations:
- Presents an argument
- Highlights findings
- Explains a concept
- The speaker discusses
- One key point mentioned is
- In conclusion, the lecture suggests that
- Pro Tip: Build your PTE vocabulary with Pearson PTE vocabulary lists.
Write Essay (Writing)
- What’s Expected: A structured academic essay.
- Examples of Collocations:
- It is widely believed that
- Pose a question
- Provide evidence
- Offer a solution
- Pro Tip: Use resources like PTE academic word list pdf to practice academic phrases.
Summarize Written Text (Reading and Writing)
- What’s Expected: A clear, single-sentence summary.
- Examples of Collocations: “Outlines a theory,” “Summarizes findings,” “Presents a conclusion.”
- Pro Tip: Practice with the PTE vocabulary list 2020 pdf download.
Part 2: Reading – Collocations for Enhanced Comprehension
Re-order Paragraphs (Reading)
- What’s Expected: Organize paragraphs logically.
- Examples of Collocations: “Introduces a topic,” “Connects arguments,” “Concludes with findings.”
- Pro Tip: Use PTE reading vocabulary lists to identify linking phrases.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Reading)
- What’s Expected: Complete sentences using appropriate collocations.
- Examples of Collocations: “Make a decision,” “Reach a consensus,” “Offer assistance.”
- Pro Tip: Study the PTE vocabulary list pdf and PTE vocabulary list 2020 pdf free download.
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks (Reading and Writing)
- What’s Expected: Academic word selection.
- Examples of Collocations: “Conduct an analysis,” “Gain perspective,” “Provide insights.”
- Pro Tip: Use lists from the academic word list PTE and Pearson PTE vocabulary lists.
Part 3: Listening – Using Collocations for Effective Summaries and Dictations
Summarize Spoken Text (Listening and Writing)
- What’s Expected: Summarize key points using academic expressions.
- Examples of Collocations: “Emphasizes importance,” “Provides context,” “Outlines results.”
- Pro Tip: Build listening skills with vocabulary from the PTE academic vocabulary list pdf.
Fill in the Blanks (Listening and Writing)
- What’s Expected: Complete blanks accurately.
- Examples of Collocations: “Follow guidelines,” “Meet deadlines,” “Submit assignments.”
- Pro Tip: Use vocabulary lists such as the PTE vocabulary list 2020 pdf download.
Highlight Correct Summary (Listening and Reading)
- What’s Expected: Select the most accurate summary.
- Examples of Collocations: “Expresses an idea,” “Summarizes content,” “Conveys meaning.”
- Pro Tip: Study with the academic word list for PTE and Pearson PTE vocabulary resources.
Write from Dictation (Listening and Writing)
- What’s Expected: Type the dictated sentence accurately.
- Examples of Collocations: “Report outcomes,” “Express concerns,” “Make recommendations.”
- Pro Tip: Use the PTE academic word list pdf and practice with academic words for PTE.
Final Tips for Mastering Collocations
- Maintain a Vocabulary Journal
Keep a dedicated journal where you record new phrases and their collocations. Include examples from PTE academic vocabulary lists and Pearson PTE vocabulary lists. Use separate sections for each PTE task (e.g., Essay Writing, Describe Image) and review regularly to reinforce retention. - Practice with Real Tasks
Apply collocations directly in PTE mock exams. Focus on tasks like Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Written Text, and Write Essay. Time yourself and analyze your answers to check if you are using academic word lists for PTE effectively. - Consult Collocation Dictionaries
Use resources such as the Oxford Collocations Dictionary or online tools to discover how words naturally pair together. Focus on academic words for PTE and practice incorporating them into your responses. - Record and Review Responses
Record your answers during speaking tasks and listen to them critically. Pay attention to how well you use collocations from PTE vocabulary lists and identify areas for improvement. Compare your usage to sample responses from Pearson PTE practice materials. - Use Vocabulary Lists for Focused Learning
Regularly study from the PTE academic word list pdf, PTE vocabulary list 2020 pdf download, and academic word lists for PTE to familiarize yourself with high-frequency collocations. - Join Study Groups or Forums
Engage with other PTE test takers on platforms like Reddit or PTE-focused Facebook groups. Share and exchange PTE academic vocabulary lists, including the latest PTE vocabulary list 2020 pdf free download, and discuss the best ways to memorize collocations.
Conclusion
Collocations are essential for scoring highly in PTE Academic. Using this guide along with resources like the PTE academic word list pdf, PTE vocabulary list 2025 pdf download , and the Comprehensive PTE Vocabulary List will improve your academic fluency. Practice regularly, apply collocations in every task, and you’ll be prepared to succeed on test day.
