Collocations for B2 First Writing and Speaking

Collocations for B2 First Writing and Speaking

Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. One of the secrets to sounding more fluent and natural in English — especially at the B2 First level — is using collocations correctly. A collocation is a pair or group of words that naturally go together, like “make a decision” or “take a risk”. Mastering collocations helps learners avoid awkward phrasing and boosts their score in both the Writing and Speaking sections of the Cambridge B2 First exam. Below are useful collocations, grouped by theme, that students should know and use with confidence.

Thinking & Decision-Making

Work & Study

Communication & Expression

Travel & Adventure

Emotions & Feelings

Everyday Activities

Writing & Exams

Collocations for B2 First Writing and Speaking

Opinions & Beliefs

Collocations for B2 First Writing and Speaking

Effort & Achievement

Daily Life & Home

Business & Money

Holidays & Events

Innovation & Technology

Learning & Development

Bonus: Formal Collocations for Writing

Tips for B2 First Success: Mastering Collocations Like a Pro

If you’re aiming for a high score in the Cambridge B2 First exam, mastering collocations can really boost your fluency and confidence, especially in the Writing and Speaking papers. But it’s not just about learning long lists by heart. It’s about knowing how and when to use them. Here are some golden tips to help you get the most out of your collocation knowledge:

Don’t overuse phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are a favourite feature of informal English — and they certainly have their place in the B2 First exam, especially in informal letters, articles, and speaking. But be careful not to overdo it. If every other sentence is filled with expressions like “take off,” “get on with,” or “come up with,” your English might sound too casual or repetitive.

Tip: Mix it up! Use phrasal verbs and strong collocations like “make a decision,” “express an opinion,” or “gain experience”. This balance gives your speech and writing a polished, natural feel — the kind Cambridge examiners love.

Use Collocations in Your Writing Plan

When you plan a Writing task — whether it’s an essay, a formal letter, a report, or an article — build in 3–5 strong collocations that fit the topic. This helps you sound fluent and avoids awkward phrasing like “do a mistake” instead of “make a mistake”.

Example for an essay about social media:

• express an opinion
• raise an issue
• spend time online
• play a vital role
• provide insight

Tip: Keep a mini “collocation bank” for each writing text type. It will save you time in the exam and help you stay accurate and varied in your language.

Practice Aloud — Let Collocations Roll Off Your Tongue

To speak confidently, you need to say collocations aloud — not just read them. Practice using them in short speaking tasks or mock exam questions. For example, try answering questions like:

“What’s one decision you’ve had to make recently?” → I had to make a decision about…

“How do you usually prepare for exams?” → I always try to check my work carefully and take notes…

Tip: Record yourself using collocations and listen to the recording. You’ll become more aware of how fluent and natural you sound — and where you can improve.

Learn in Themes

Rather than memorising a random list, group your collocations by theme: education, travel, work, feelings, technology… This mirrors the structure of B2 First topics, making them easier to recall during the test.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!