# PTE collocation list Collocations from the answers in PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks, with a sentence from a real PTE question. - **associated with** (verb + preposition): linked or connected with something. _A higher potassium intake has also been associated with increased bone density and bone strength._ - **according to** (fixed phrase): as stated or reported by. _That's according to a study in the Journal of Experimental Biology._ - **responsible for** (adjective + preposition): being the cause of something. _Mosquitoes are responsible for half a billion malarial infections and 1m deaths every year._ - **access to** (noun + preposition): the right or chance to use or reach something. _If you are receiving a scholarship, you may lose access to it if you're put on academic probation as a result of plagiarism._ - **rather than** (fixed phrase): instead of; in preference to. _Noise control should be a consideration from the very first planning stage, rather than tacked on as an afterthought._ - **source of** (noun + preposition): where something comes from or is obtained. _They found many of their subjects in life around them rather than in history, which was then the accepted source of subject matter for paintings._ - **regardless of** (fixed phrase): without being affected by; whatever the situation. _Nonprofit institutions exist to benefit a stated mission or purpose, regardless of whether profits are achieved._ - **the advent of** (noun + preposition): the arrival or start of something important. _With the advent of agriculture and homesteading, people began settling down._ - **tend to** (verb + to-infinitive): usually do or be something; be likely to. _Higher education graduates are less likely to be unemployed and tend to have higher incomes than those without such qualifications._ - **differ in** (verb + preposition): be unlike each other in a particular feature. _In the garden context, there is, however, little information as to what extent various types of plants differ in their cooling potential and how certain planting combinations may maximize cooling under a scenario of low rainfall and minimal water inputs._ - **emphasis on** (noun + preposition): special importance or attention given to something. _Strongly influenced by Dada and its emphasis on appropriation and everyday objects, artists increasingly worked with collage, consumer products, and a healthy dose of irony._ - **capable of** (adjective + preposition): having the ability to do something. _This device, capable of handling high voltages and frequencies, was central to the progress of wireless technology._ - **exposed to** (adjective + preposition): placed where something, often harmful, can affect you. _Students who were exposed to the highest level of outdoor noise pollution while at school showed slower improvements in memory and attentiveness._ - **engage in** (verb + preposition): take part in an activity. _Trading, for example, is often accompanied by hard bargaining, in which both sides conceal their full hand and perhaps engage in some bluffing._ - **based on** (verb + preposition): using something as the main reason or starting point. _Many companies and lenders provide disclosures to all customers that decisions based on a person's credit report impact the terms and rates offered._ - **interact with** (verb + preposition): communicate or act together with others. _Can AI systems learn from data and interact with humans in natural ways?_ - **insights into** (noun + preposition): a deep understanding of something. _The discovery of this crater could provide valuable insights into the geology and history of Io, as well as the frequency and size of impactors in the outer solar system._ - **exposure to** (noun + preposition): being in contact with something, often something harmful. _Studies have found that exposure to air pollution is linked to a greater risk of depression and suicide._ - **rooted in** (verb + preposition): having its origin or basis in something. _Anthropologists' early perception of Neanderthals was partly rooted in a racist ideology that one's intelligence or humanity could be assessed from skull shape and that ancestral human species like Neanderthals were necessarily much more "primitive" than humans are today._ - **referred to as** (verb + preposition): called or named. _This transition is referred to as complementary feeding._ - **reason for** (noun + preposition): why something happens or is done. _The most common reason for carrying out a detailed medical examination of a dead person --a post-mortem or autopsy -- is when it is necessary to establish the cause of death._ - **vulnerable to** (adjective + preposition): easily harmed or affected by something. _It is women, more than men, who are disproportionately more vulnerable to the effects of climate change._ - **make up** (phrasal verb): form a particular amount or part of a whole. _In fact, arthropods make up about 84% of all known animal species on Earth._ - **risk of** (noun + preposition): the chance that something bad will happen. _Modern research suggests that green tea can help in reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases._ - **accompanied by** (verb + preposition): going or happening together with something. _Inside the subterranean burial chamber Egypt's archaeology supremo Zahi Hawass, accompanied by four Egyptologists, two restorers and three workmen, were slowly lifting the mummy from the golden sarcophagus where it has been rested -- mostly undisturbed -- for more than 3,000 years._ - **account for** (verb + preposition): form a particular part or amount of a total. _Another driver is the expansion of agriculture and tree planting, especially in China and India, which account for one-third of all greening._ - **equivalent to** (adjective + preposition): equal in value, amount or meaning. _At present, more than 200 kinds of mineral resources have been discovered in the world, mainly in Russia, China and other countries, among which coal, oil and natural gas are equivalent to 120 trillion tons of standard coal._ - **driving force behind** (fixed phrase): the main cause or influence making something happen. _Scientific curiosity is a driving force behind breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and understanding of our universe._ - **subject to** (adjective + preposition): depending on, or limited by, something. _The second is that there is usually no clear body of laws or set of rules that must apply; the arbitrator is free, subject to any prior agreement with the conflicting parties, to decide on whatever basis of justice is deemed suitable._ - **in terms of** (fixed phrase): when considering a particular aspect. _A drought in terms of meteorology takes into account deficiencies in measured precipitation._ - **adapt to** (verb + preposition): change to suit new conditions. _This will allow JUPITER to adapt to different scientific and industrial applications, such as climate modeling, materials science, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence._ - **the majority of** (fixed phrase): most of; more than half of. _Forests cover 31 percent of the world's land surface, and are home to the majority of the world's terrestrial biodiversity._ - **potential to** (noun + to-infinitive): the possibility of developing or doing something in future. _Earth-like planets have the potential to form around many--and perhaps most--of the nearest stars that are like our sun._ - **sense of** (noun + preposition): a feeling or awareness of something. _Unearthing fossils like Tyrannosaurus rex bones sparks a sense of wonder about the planet's deep history._ - **adapted to** (verb + preposition): changed or suited to fit particular conditions. _Light has allowed humans, whose eyes are adapted to daylight, to colonize the night by getting rid of darkness._ - **home to** (fixed phrase): the place where particular people, animals or things live. _Forests are also home to more than three-quarters of the world's life on land._ - **progress in** (noun + preposition): improvement or forward movement in an area. _Over the past several decades, we have seen dramatic progress in improving the health of young children and reducing their mortality rate._ - **social structure** (adjective + noun): how a society is organised into groups and relationships. _Before European settlement in the late 18th century, Aboriginal Australians lived as hunter-gatherers with a complex social structure and spiritual beliefs deeply connected to the land, which they consider sacred._ - **quality of life** (fixed phrase): how good and comfortable a person's life is. _If not sustainably managed, cities struggle with pollution, waste disposal, public health issues, high costs of living and traffic congestion that diminish residents' quality of life._ - **approach to** (noun + preposition): a way of dealing with or thinking about something. _The art of bonsai is steeped in the principles of balance, simplicity, and harmony, reflecting the artist's dedication and contemplative approach to life._ - **a fraction of** (fixed phrase): a small part or amount of something. _The mission, which cost only $75m, showed the world that India is a major player in space exploration and that a moon lander can be constructed at a fraction of the cost of other countries._ - **set the stage for** (verb + noun): create the conditions for something to happen. _The Roman Republic era, a crucible of political thought and military strategy, set the stage for the later transformation into the Roman Empire._ - **wave of** (noun + preposition): a sudden arrival or increase of many people or things. _The historical roots of this diversity trace back to ancient migrations and invasions, with each wave of newcomers leaving a linguistic imprint._ - **historic feat** (adjective + noun): a remarkable achievement remembered as important. _More than 50 years after the last human landing on the moon, a new robotic explorer is on its way to attempt a historic feat: touching down near the lunar South Pole._ - **available to** (adjective + to-infinitive): free or ready to be used or obtained. _With the increase in women's participation in the labor force, many mothers have less time available to undertake domestic activities._ - **communicate with** (verb + preposition): share information or ideas with someone. _They are well-known as intelligent creatures and seem to communicate with one another in sophisticated ways._ - **contribute to** (verb + preposition): help to cause or bring about something. _Multiple factors can contribute to different mental health conditions, but in the largest study of its kind, researchers suggest limited light exposure during the day or high levels of exposure at night may be involved._ - **result of** (noun + preposition): something caused by something else. _The finding runs counter to the idea that Amazonian diversity is the result of evolution only within the tropical forest itself._ - **presence of** (noun + preposition): the fact of something existing or being in a place. _"From those observations of dust, we infer the presence of colliding larger rocky bodies, not unlike asteroids and other things in our solar system that we know bang together and generate dust._ - **primary sources** (adjective + noun): the main origins that information or knowledge comes from. _The Enlightenment, spanning the 17th and 18th centuries, was an intellectual movement in Europe that sought to challenge traditional doctrines and elevate reason and the scientific method as the primary sources of knowledge._ - **environmental degradation** (adjective + noun): damage to the natural environment. _According to Ehrhardt and Frommer, the three major challenges facing humanity in our time are food, energy, and environmental degradation._ - **a slave to** (noun + preposition): completely controlled or dominated by something. _Now that doesn't mean that plainness is the only good style, or that you should become a slave to spare, unadorned writing._ - **in competent hands** (fixed phrase): when handled by someone skilled. _Formality and ornateness have their place, and in competent hands complexity can carry us on a dizzying, breathtaking journey._ - **focused on** (verb + preposition): giving most attention to one particular thing. _Mike's research is focused on bacteria that inhabit extreme environments, and for the past 12 years he has studied the microbiology of permanently ice-covered lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica._ - **followed by** (verb + preposition): coming next after something in order or time. _Based on the Cephalization index, the brightest animals on the planet are humans, followed by great apes, porpoises and elephants._ - **divided into** (verb + preposition): split or separated into parts. _McLuhan's preeminent theory was his idea that human history could be divided into four eras: the acoustic age, the literary age, the print age and the electronic age._ - **greenhouse gas emissions** (fixed phrase): gases released that trap heat and warm the planet. _Using less energy saves money and lowers greenhouse gas emissions._ - **determined by** (verb + preposition): decided or controlled by something. _Ultimately, the final price is determined by what the market is willing to exchange for the product._ - **concentration of** (noun + preposition): a large amount gathered together in one place. _This system aimed to prevent the concentration of power in a single individual, a lesson learned from the downfall of the monarchy._ - **connected to** (adjective + preposition): linked to or involved with something. _Managers and team members can share ideas, solve problems faster, and feel more connected to their work._ - **time to spare** (fixed phrase): more minutes or hours than you need; some left over. _Leave space at the end of your answer and come back to it if you have time to spare later._ - **valuable time** (adjective + noun): time that is important and should not be wasted. _Don't write about something else if you don't know the correct answer -- this is just a waste of your valuable time (and the examiner's)._ - **susceptible to** (adjective + preposition): easily affected or harmed by something. _It's a country very susceptible to the impacts of the climate crisis._ - **take action** (verb + noun): do something to deal with a problem. _Kaizen can be applied to any aspect of life, from personal habits to professional skills, by following a simple process: identify a problem, set a specific and measurable goal, take action, monitor progress, and adjust as needed._ - **valued at** (verb + preposition): judged to be worth a particular amount of money. _While the economic benefits are clear - with the industry valued at billions - the environmental costs are staggering._ - **concerned with** (adjective + preposition): dealing with or about a particular subject. _Dentistry is a profession concerned with the prevention and treatment of oral disease._ - **equitable distribution** (adjective + noun): sharing things out fairly among people. _To qualify as a conservancy, a committee must define the conservancy's boundary, elect a representative conservancy committee, negotiate a legal constitution, prove the committee's ability to manage funds, and produce an acceptable plan for equitable distribution of wildlife-related benefits._ - **portion of** (noun + preposition): a part or share of something larger. _A substantial portion of these images focuses on appearance, surpassing other categories in frequency._ - **tied to** (adjective + preposition): closely connected with or dependent on something. _This has resulted in a country where language is deeply tied to regional identity, and the idea of a single unifying language remains elusive._ - **a matter of** (fixed phrase): something that depends on or involves a particular quality. _Moreover, for Professor David Phoenix, the dean of the faculty of science and technology, the return of single-honors chemistry is a matter of credibility and pride._ - **array of** (noun + preposition): a large, varied group or range of things. _They are inundated with music emitting from a wide array of electronic devices, toys, and computers offering a limitless number of musical selections._ - **composed of** (verb + preposition): made up of particular parts. _Your tone of voice in communication is composed of four elements: pitch, pace, volume and modulation._ - **opportunities for** (noun + preposition): chances to do something. _There are also opportunities for online discussion and collaborative projects with tutors and other students._ - **a series of** (fixed phrase): several similar things happening one after another. _She wrote detailed notes explaining how the machine could follow a series of steps to solve problems, which is the basis of computer programming._ - **in part** (fixed phrase): partly; to some extent. _Thanks in part to the rise of über-languages, most importantly English, the remaining languages are now dying at the rate of about one a fortnight._ - **rate of** (noun + preposition): how fast or how often something happens. _Thanks in part to the rise of über-languages, most importantly English, the remaining languages are now dying at the rate of about one a fortnight._ - **effects of** (noun + preposition): the results or changes caused by something. _People are naturally concerned about the polluting effects of energy sources such as oil or coal._ - **notable for** (adjective + preposition): well known or worth noticing because of something. _Long before they were discovered by Europeans, a Polynesian race of warriors, the Maoris, had sailed across the Pacific from the northeast and established a civilization notable for the brilliance of its art and the strength of its military system._ - **stretch of** (noun + preposition): a continuous length or area of something. _The Bering Land Bridge, a stretch of land that once connected Asia with North America, came into existence much later than experts previously thought, but humans likely crossed not long after it formed, according to a new study._ - **applied to** (verb + preposition): used in a particular situation or area. _There are a range of influential approaches to the subject, which are applied to such areas as child development, health, education and sports._ - **in addition to** (fixed phrase): as well as; besides. _In addition to erosion, soil quality is affected by other aspects of agriculture._ - **tribute to** (noun + preposition): something said or done to show respect or admiration. _In tribute to this important American, electric lights in the United States were dimmed for one minute on October 21, 1931, a few days after his death._ - **when it comes to** (fixed phrase): when talking about or dealing with a particular subject. _When it comes to the magical world of language learning in toddlers, you'd be surprised at the tricks up their tiny sleeves._ - **the latter** (fixed phrase): the second of two things just mentioned. _The former involves communicating a clear vision and persuading subordinates to follow it, while the latter involves seeking input and feedback from subordinates to create a shared goal._ - **ways in which** (fixed phrase): the methods or manner of how something happens. _This article will examine the ways in which this has happened at different periods of time and in many widely differing societies._ - **comparable to** (adjective + preposition): similar enough to something to be compared with it. _The amount of water was comparable to that found on the lunar surface by the same telescope in 2020._ - **akin to** (adjective + preposition): similar to; of the same kind as. _Defining sovereignty in the digital era presents a complex challenge, akin to the difficulty of defining a country._ - **correlated with** (verb + preposition): connected so that one changes along with the other. _In their paper in BioScience, the two researchers showed that reintroducing the wolves was correlated with increased growth of willow and cottonwood in the park._ - **distinguished by** (verb + preposition): made different or recognisable by a particular feature. _Scientists have discovered 118 chemical elements, distinguished by the number of protons in their nuclei._ - **influenced by** (verb + preposition): affected or shaped by something. _Though a word of caution should be added to remind us that behavior is influenced by many factors and that every situation is unique, personality and values still remain helpful predictors._ - **uneven distribution** (adjective + noun): spread unequally, with some getting more than others. _This uneven distribution of air quality improvements can be attributed to various factors, including proximity to industrial areas, traffic density, and limited resources for environmental safeguards in these communities._ - **engaged with** (adjective + preposition): actively involved with and paying attention to something. _Curiosity can enhance your well-being and happiness, as it stimulates your brain and makes you more engaged with your surroundings._ - **key to** (noun + preposition): the most important thing for achieving something. _Her success stories have garnered a devoted following, solidifying the notion that understanding, not force, is the key to unlocking a dog's true potential, fostering harmonious relationships between humans and their canine companions._ - **a combination of** (fixed phrase): a mixture of different things together. _Often, a narrative is most successful with a combination of flat and rounded characters._ - **scared of** (adjective + preposition): afraid of something. _Most of us are scared of open conflict and avoid it if we can._ - **pioneering work** (adjective + noun): new, original work that leads the way for others. _Today, we remember Franklin for her critical role in discovering the DNA structure and her pioneering work in science._ - **desire for** (noun + preposition): a strong wish to have or do something. _This resurgence is fueled by growing environmental concerns and a desire for healthier lifestyles._ - **vary widely** (verb + adverb): be very different from one case to another. _It explores the rituals of eating together, which reinforce social bonds and cultural norms, and how these practices vary widely across different cultures._ - **candidates for** (noun + preposition): people or things suitable or likely for something. _Meyer says that between 20 and 60 percent of the stars are candidates for the development of rocky planets._ - **in common** (fixed phrase): shared by two or more people or things. _While these types of buildings may look very different from each other, they all have one thing in common._ - **pick up** (phrasal verb): learn something informally, without formal study. _Researchers have been peering into the minds of these linguistic geniuses and found that names with repeated syllables, like "choo-choo" or "ma-ma," are easier for these pint-sized scholars to pick up._ - **fertile land** (adjective + noun): land where plants and crops grow well. _The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land._ - **at the forefront of** (fixed phrase): in the leading or most important position in an area. _Traditionally plagued by issues of stability and environmental sensitivity, perovskite materials are now at the forefront of solar energy research due to significant improvements in their design and composition._ - **all sorts of** (fixed phrase): many different kinds of. _Now, they're like community centers where you can access all sorts of digital resources._ - **association between** (noun + preposition): a link or connection between two things. _Just last month, a large study of French adults claimed to have found an association between consuming sweeteners and an increased risk of heart disease._ - **coupled with** (verb + preposition): combined with; together with. _This expansion, coupled with the Republic's innovative legal and political systems, laid the groundwork for what would become one of the largest empires in history._ - **connection with** (noun + preposition): a link or relationship with someone or something. _The American executive, unlike the British, has no connection with the legislature, and this lack of coordination between executive and legislature is one of the distinctive features of American federal government._ - **reminder of** (noun + preposition): something that makes you remember or think about something. _The stark decline served as a grim reminder of the fragile interdependence between human activities and natural ecosystems._ - **chronic disease** (adjective + noun): an illness that lasts a long time. _If you have a chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or back or joint pain, exercise can have important health benefits._ - **life expectancy** (fixed phrase): the average number of years a person is expected to live. _These changes in living arrangements and family characteristics are the outcome of various demographic and social trends, such as declining fertility, increased rates of divorce and longer life expectancy._ - **published in** (verb + preposition): printed or released in a book, journal or website. _This is the conclusion of research published in the journal Public Library of Science ONE._ - **diagnosed with** (verb + preposition): officially found by a doctor to have an illness. _Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each child diagnosed with an autistic disorder differs from every other in the suite of symptoms they display and the characteristics and intensity of those symptoms; thus, general descriptions of autistic behavior and characteristics do not apply equally to every child._ - **resistant to** (adjective + preposition): not harmed or affected by something. _In addition, changes made to the construction codes in Los Angeles during the last 20 years have strengthened the city's buildings and highways, making them more resistant to quakes._ - **flow of** (noun + preposition): a steady, continuous movement of something. _The pace of life seems to have accelerated, with the expectation of instant communication and the constant flow of information shaping a new cultural norm of immediacy._ - **end up** (phrasal verb): finally be in a situation, often unplanned. _However, many of these resolutions are too vague, unrealistic, or overwhelming, and end up being abandoned within weeks or months._ - **a number of** (fixed phrase): several; some. _As a result, the field of preventative health care has yielded a number of key investment opportunities._ - **versed in** (adjective + preposition): having a lot of knowledge or skill in something. _And a skilled salesperson is well-versed in the art of arousing a customer's attention (sometimes by a bit of puffery) to clinch the sale._ - **clinch the sale** (verb + noun): finally succeed in completing a sale. _And a skilled salesperson is well-versed in the art of arousing a customer's attention (sometimes by a bit of puffery) to clinch the sale._ - **physically demanding** (adverb + adjective): needing a lot of physical effort or strength. _All of the advances of modern technology -- from electric can openers to power steering have made life easier, more comfortable and much less physically demanding._ - **at its core** (fixed phrase): in its most basic or essential nature. _The technology, at its core, manipulates our sensory perception, creating a convincing illusion of reality._ - **in power** (fixed phrase): having control of a country, organisation or government. _Journalism serves as a pillar of democracy, tasked with the critical role of informing the public and holding those in power accountable._ - **over time** (fixed phrase): gradually, as time passes. _More continents collided with this early Gondwana over time to form Pangaea, the "whole Earth."_ - **takes a toll on** (fixed phrase): gradually causes harm or damage. _Stress, a constant companion in our fast-paced world, takes a toll on our well-being._ - **involved in** (adjective + preposition): taking part in or connected with an activity or process. _And the researchers note that the Penicillium microbes that turn coconut oil rancid are also involved in the production of blue cheese._ - **do experiments** (verb + noun): carry out scientific tests to find something out. _Scientists make observations, have assumptions and do experiments._ - **curious about** (adjective + preposition): wanting to know or learn about something. _Paradoxically, we can be curious about word origins and the stories behind the structure we find in our language, but we experience a queasy distaste for any change that might be happening right under our noses._ - **convinced that** (adjective + that-clause): completely sure that something is true. _There are even language critics who are convinced that English is dying, or if not dying at least being progressively crippled through long years of mistreatment._ - **official acceptance** (adjective + noun): formal approval by an authority. _Very few reforms, such as the rather different decimal French Republican and Soviet calendars, had gained official acceptance, but each was put out of use shortly after its introduction._ - **comprehensive definition** (adjective + noun): a definition that covers every case or detail. _If you consider all the different machines people call robots, you can see that it's nearly impossible to come up with a comprehensive definition._ - **consequences of** (noun + preposition): the results or effects of an action. _But today, I more clearly understand the consequences of leaving my original profession._ - **raise awareness** (verb + noun): help people know more about an issue. _The authors hope that their findings will raise awareness of the potential health risks of nanoplastic pollution, which is a growing environmental concern._ - **adverse effects** (adjective + noun): harmful or negative effects. _Coastal pollution refers to the introduction of substances or any form of energy in the coastal environment, which results or is likely to result in adverse effects in the ecosystem due to changes in its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics._ - **suspended in** (verb + preposition): hanging or floating in air or liquid. _The droplets that become too heavy to be suspended in the air precipitate as rain._ - **qualified for** (adjective + preposition): meeting the conditions needed for something. _Serving on a jury is normally compulsory for individuals who are qualified for jury service._ - **intended to** (verb + to-infinitive): planned or designed for a particular purpose. _A jury is intended to be an impartial panel capable of reaching a verdict._ - **in this regard** (fixed phrase): about this particular point or matter. _In this regard, events like the annual World Water Week in Stockholm come to the forefront of the public mind when talking about championing water issues._ - **attuned to** (adjective + preposition): aware of and able to respond to something. _They are also attuned to the emotions and behaviors of significant adults in their lives, so the death of a loved one may cause a young child to become anxious and irritable, cry, or change their sleeping and eating habits._ - **identical twins** (adjective + noun): twins from one egg who look exactly alike. _No two siblings are the same, not even identical twins._ - **predictor of** (noun + preposition): something that shows what is likely to happen. _When the team looked at health insurance claims in the US, they found that the strongest predictor of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder - after ethnicity - was air quality._ - **mode of** (noun + preposition): a particular way or method of doing something. _When cryptocurrencies become mainstream as a mode of transaction, they might evolve into a new form of digital asset._ - **emerge as** (verb + preposition): become known or recognised as something. _When using the encephalization quotient, humans emerge as the most intellectually advanced, followed closely by other primates, cetaceans like dolphins and whales, and certain bird species like crows and parrots._ - **recommendations for** (noun + preposition): advice about what should be done. _Since nutrition scientists are constantly making new discoveries, we need to revise our recommendations for healthy eating from time to time._ - **suitable for** (adjective + preposition): right or appropriate for a person or purpose. _As we discover more about how our genes and our environment interact, it's becoming increasingly difficult to provide a single set of dietary recommendations that will be suitable for everyone._ - **acts on** (verb + preposition): has a direct effect on something. _Whether it's in your morning espresso or an energy drink at the gym, caffeine might be such an integral part of your routine that you don't stop to think that it's actually a psychostimulant - a drug that acts on the brain._ - **benefit from** (verb + preposition): be helped by something; gain an advantage through it. _Men who want to reduce their risk of prostate cancer may benefit from doing more aerobic exercise, according to a new study._ - **wide range of** (fixed phrase): many different kinds of something. _Snaps, crackles, pops and other unwanted sounds can be a bane to media producers but a boon for clever designers who create a wide range of quiet props for use in films and TV shows._ - **relevant to** (adjective + preposition): connected with and important to the subject. _And what could be less relevant to the workings in Washington or your state capital than college football?_ - **accessible to** (adjective + preposition): easy to reach, use or obtain. _This enabled university to remain accessible to students by delaying their payments until they could afford to pay off their loans._ - **consisting of** (verb + preposition): made up of particular parts or things. _International students in accounting and information technology take part in a year-long program consisting of classroom work and practical experience, which provides them with valuable skills, industry contacts and a working knowledge of Australian workplace._ - **introduced to** (verb + preposition): brought to a place or person for the first time. _Salt fish was first introduced to the Caribbean in the 16th century._ - **rich in** (adjective + preposition): containing a large amount of something. _A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is crucial in mitigating the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers._ - **benefits of** (noun + preposition): the advantages or good effects of something. _While many mothers-to-be are advised about the benefits of breastfeeding, what they may not be told is that the effects go well beyond physical health._ - **expected to** (verb + to-infinitive): thought likely to happen or do something. _As climate change contributes to an increase in average temperatures and unusually hot days, Americans are expected to use more energy - mostly electricity for air conditioning._ - **lead to** (verb + preposition): cause something to happen as a result. _For an introvert, lots of energetic social time can lead to sensory overload._ - **likely to** (adjective + to-infinitive): probably going to happen or be true. _When the subjects had time to engage their higher-level functions instead of relying on their intuitive responses, they were more likely to be wrong._ - **shift away from** (noun + preposition): a change from one way of doing things. _But now, with many UK residents unwilling or unable to afford the fees and a cultural shift away from boarding, many schools are looking abroad to survive._ - **staple of** (noun + preposition): a main, basic part of something, especially a diet. _Rather, it's meant to acknowledge their abiding dependence on this miraculous grass, the staple of their diet for almost 9,000 years._ - **manifestation of** (noun + preposition): a visible sign or form of something. _So when a Mexican says I am maize or corn walking, it is simply a statement of fact: The very substance of the Mexicans body is to a considerable extent a manifestation of this plant._ - **at the expense of** (fixed phrase): causing loss or harm to something else. _The investment in this city will be at the expense of other cities._ - **existence of** (noun + preposition): the fact that something is real or present. _Scientists have predicted the existence of about 8,000 isotopes of known elements, but only about 3,300 have made an appearance in detectors._ - **damage to** (noun + preposition): physical harm caused to something. _Elevated sea-surface temperatures are causing long-term damage to coral reefs: corals are dying._ - **practice of** (noun + preposition): the regular doing of something; a custom or habit. _Illegal discrimination is the practice of making employment decisions such as hiring, compensation, scheduling, performance evaluation, promotion, and firing based on factors unrelated to performance._ - **attributed to** (verb + preposition): said to be caused by something. _The decline has been attributed to inconsistent product quality and poor customer service._ - **decline in** (noun + preposition): a fall in amount or quality. _This decline in sleep quality and quantity for adults persists until the child is about six years old._ - **take advantage of** (fixed phrase): use a situation or thing to benefit yourself. _Any photosynthetic life would be adapted to take advantage of the available light waves._ - **wide variety of** (fixed phrase): many different types of something. _When they are near each other, they use verbal and visual signals to express a wide variety of emotions._ - **incidence of** (noun + preposition): how often something, usually bad, happens. _In Brazil and Hungary, for example,per capita income levels are quite comparable, but the incidence of poverty in Brazil is much higher._ - **a means of** (fixed phrase): a way or method of doing something. _If trade was to continue growing at this rate, some commodity other than gold also had to be used as a means of exchange._ - **commitment to** (noun + preposition): strong dedication or loyalty to something. _The field demands a commitment to truth and ethics, with journalists acting as watchdogs for society._ - **defined as** (verb + preposition): stated precisely to mean or be something. _It can be defined as the scientific study of how humans function on a biological, social and mental level._ - **characterized by** (verb + preposition): having something as a typical or main feature. _The political landscape of ancient Egypt, characterized by the central role of the Pharaoh, was a unique combination of theocratic and bureaucratic elements._ - **cause of** (noun + preposition): something that makes something else happen. _Falls are the leading cause of injury and death for those 65 and older, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention._ - **take center stage** (fixed phrase): become the main focus of attention. _Ideas as well as people can take center stage at the right time and the right place._