VOCABULARYC1CollocationsFixed Phrases Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

C1 Collocations & Fixed PhrasesC1 Collocations & Fixed Phrases

Learn the word partnerships that make advanced English sound precise, natural and exam-ready: make a compelling argument, pose a threat, raise awareness, play a crucial role and more.Impara le combinazioni di parole che fanno suonare l’inglese avanzato più preciso, naturale e adatto all’esame: make a compelling argument, pose a threat, raise awareness, play a crucial role e altro.

make a compelling argumentpose a serious threatraise awarenessplay a crucial roledraw a conclusiontake measures

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1. See it in context1. Guarda il lessico nel contesto

“The report makes a compelling argument that online learning can play a crucial role in widening access to education. However, it also raises serious concerns about inequality and suggests that governments should take decisive measures to support vulnerable learners.” “The report makes a compelling argument that online learning can play a crucial role in widening access to education. However, it also raises serious concerns about inequality and suggests that governments should take decisive measures to support vulnerable learners.”
Meaning in simple ItalianSignificato in italiano semplice

make a compelling argument = presentare un’argomentazione convincente.

play a crucial role = avere un ruolo fondamentale.

raise serious concerns = sollevare serie preoccupazioni.

take decisive measures = prendere misure decise.

2. The C1 collocation map2. La mappa delle collocations C1

Core idea:Idea centrale:

At C1, vocabulary is not just about difficult words. It is about choosing words that naturally belong together.Al livello C1, il vocabolario non riguarda solo parole difficili. Riguarda soprattutto scegliere parole che stanno naturalmente insieme.

Argument & opinionArgomentazione e opinione

make / put forward / challenge + argument

make a compelling argument

put forward a proposal

challenge an assumption

Italian trap: Non dire do an argument. In inglese si dice make an argument o put forward an argument.

Problems & risksProblemi e rischi

pose / raise / address + issue

pose a serious threat

raise concerns

address a pressing issue

Italian trap: Evita create a danger quando vuoi dire qualcosa di più C1: usa pose a threat.

Change & impactCambiamento e impatto

have / exert / make + impact

have a significant impact on

bring about change

contribute to improvement

Italian trap: Non dire sempre make a big effect. Meglio: have a significant impact.

Research & conclusionsRicerca e conclusioni

gain / provide / draw + noun

gain insight into

provide evidence for

draw a conclusion

Italian trap: Non tradurre “fare una conclusione” con make a conclusion. Usa draw/reach a conclusion.
C1 formula to remember:Formula C1 da ricordare:
  • verb + noun: make a case, pose a threat, take measures.
  • adjective + noun: compelling argument, pressing issue, significant impact.
  • fixed phrase: to a large extent, in the long term, at first glance.

3. Italian brain vs English brain3. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

Italian students often choose words that are grammatically possible but not natural. These versions are more C1-level.Gli studenti italiani spesso scelgono parole grammaticalmente possibili, ma poco naturali. Queste versioni sono più da livello C1.

ItalianoLiteral / weak EnglishNatural C1 English
Fare un’argomentazione convincentedo a convincing argumentmake a compelling argument
Creare un pericolo seriocreate a serious dangerpose a serious threat
Fare coscienza su un temamake awareness about an issueraise awareness of an issue
Prendere provvedimentitake provisionstake measures / take action
Avere un ruolo importantehave an important roleplay a crucial role
Arrivare a una conclusionearrive to a conclusionreach/draw a conclusion

4. How to use collocations in real C1 contexts4. Come usare le collocations in contesti C1 reali

These phrases are useful for C1 Advanced writing, IELTS essays, presentations, reports and formal speaking.Queste frasi sono utili per writing C1 Advanced, essay IELTS, presentazioni, report e speaking formale.

Essays & reports
make a compelling argument, provide evidence, reach a conclusion
Social issues
raise awareness, address inequality, pose a threat, take measures
Professional English
put forward a proposal, play a key role, remain a priority
Natural C1 mini-paragraph:
The data provides strong evidence that early intervention can have a significant impact on long-term outcomes. Nevertheless, funding remains a pressing issue.

5. Common mistakes5. Errori comuni

❌ This makes a big damage to society.

Damage is usually uncountable; use cause serious damage or have a negative impact.Damage è di solito non numerabile; usa cause serious damage oppure have a negative impact.

✅ This causes serious damage to society. / This has a negative impact on society.
❌ The government must take decisions quickly.

This is possible in some contexts, but make decisions is more standard; take measures is different.È possibile in alcuni contesti, ma make decisions è più standard; take measures significa prendere provvedimenti.

✅ The government must make decisions quickly. / The government must take urgent measures.
❌ This problem has a big relevance.

Use highly relevant, of great importance, or this issue is particularly significant.Usa highly relevant, of great importance oppure this issue is particularly significant.

✅ This issue is of great importance. / This issue is particularly significant.
❌ In my opinion, this is a very actual problem.

Actual does not mean attuale. Use current or pressing.Actual non significa attuale. Usa current oppure pressing.

✅ This is a current problem. / This is a pressing issue.

6. Concept Check Questions6. Domande di controllo del concetto

These questions check meaning and natural word combinations before controlled practice.Queste domande controllano significato e combinazioni naturali prima della pratica guidata.

1. Which collocation is natural?Quale collocation è naturale?
2. “Climate change poses a serious threat.” What does it mean?“Climate change poses a serious threat.” Cosa significa?
3. Which phrase means “make people more conscious of a problem”?Quale frase significa “rendere le persone più consapevoli di un problema”?
4. Which phrase is natural?Quale frase è naturale?

7. Quick Check — choose the correct collocation7. Quick Check — scegli la collocation corretta

1. Technology can _____ education.
2. The authorities need to _____ to reduce pollution.
3. Education can _____ in reducing inequality.
4. Housing has become a _____ in many cities.
5. The results _____ for the effectiveness of the programme.

8. Challenge Check — meaning and naturalness8. Challenge Check — significato e naturalezza

1. Choose the most natural C1 sentence.Scegli la frase C1 più naturale.
2. Which phrase means “largely / in great measure”?Quale frase significa “in larga misura”?
3. Which sentence sounds most formal and natural?Quale frase suona più formale e naturale?
4. After the scandal, the company _____.Dopo lo scandalo, l’azienda _____.
5. The interviews helped researchers _____ students’ needs.Le interviste hanno aiutato i ricercatori a _____ i bisogni degli studenti.

9. Write it in English9. Scrivi in inglese

Translate the Italian sentence into natural C1 English. Use the target collocation.Traduci la frase in inglese C1 naturale. Usa la collocation target.

1. Questo solleva serie preoccupazioni.
2. L’istruzione ha un ruolo fondamentale.
3. Il governo deve prendere misure urgenti.
4. La tecnologia può avere un impatto significativo.
5. Possiamo trarre una conclusione chiara.

10. Cambridge-style transformations and correction10. Trasformazioni stile Cambridge e correzione

Rewrite the sentence using a more natural C1 collocation.Riscrivi la frase usando una collocation C1 più naturale.

1. Improve the sentence:

The article does a convincing argument for reform.

2. Improve the sentence:

The new policy creates a serious danger to privacy.

3. Improve the sentence:

The campaign wants to make awareness about mental health.

4. Improve the sentence:

Researchers arrived to an important conclusion.

5. Improve the sentence:

This is a very actual problem in modern society.

11. Mini dialogue practice11. Mini dialogo pratico

Choose the most natural C1 reply.Scegli la risposta C1 più naturale.

A: “Do you think social media affects young people?”

12. Guided writing task12. Writing guidato

Write a short formal paragraph about education, technology, climate change or social media. Include at least six C1 collocations/fixed phrases.Scrivi un breve paragrafo formale su istruzione, tecnologia, cambiamento climatico o social media. Includi almeno sei collocations/fixed phrases C1.

argument collocation
risk/concern collocation
impact/role collocation
measures/problem collocation
fixed phrase
research/conclusion collocation
Capital letters + punctuation + 55+ words
Model answer:

Social media can have a significant impact on young people. To a large extent, it plays a crucial role in communication and allows users to gain insight into different perspectives. However, it also raises serious concerns about mental health and misinformation. In the long term, schools and governments should take effective measures to address this pressing issue and raise awareness of responsible online behaviour.

13. How to use this vocabulary in real life13. Come usare questo lessico nella vita reale

Collocations and fixed phrases help students sound less translated and more fluent, especially in formal and exam contexts.Collocations e fixed phrases aiutano gli studenti a sembrare meno tradotti e più fluenti, soprattutto in contesti formali ed esami.

Use them in speakingUsale nello speaking

Use collocations to make opinions sound more precise and mature.Usa le collocations per rendere le opinioni più precise e mature.

Example:
Climate change poses a serious threat, but education can play a crucial role in raising awareness.

Use them in writingUsale nel writing

Use fixed phrases to organise ideas and collocations to make your argument more academic.Usa fixed phrases per organizzare le idee e collocations per rendere l’argomentazione più accademica.

Example:
To a large extent, the evidence supports the view that early intervention has a significant impact.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation with us and we will help you understand the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio con noi: ti aiuteremo a capire il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

14. Final score and report14. Punteggio finale e report

Check the score, identify weak areas and download or save the result.Controlla il punteggio, identifica le aree deboli e scarica o salva il risultato.

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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