Vocabulary: Academic Word List and Collocations Flashcards

Choose the best AWL word to complete: 'The study ______ a strong correlation between sleep duration and academic performance in adolescents.'

Answer: revealed

'Revealed' is an AWL reporting verb indicating research findings; 'told', 'said', and 'spoke' are not used with 'study' as subject in academic prose.

Which sentence uses the word 'fundamental' correctly?

Answer: Access to clean water is a fundamental human right.

'Fundamental' is an adjective meaning basic/essential; it modifies nouns ('a fundamental right'), not verbs, and cannot be used as a noun or verb.

The word 'nevertheless' is used to express:

Answer: contrast or concession despite previous information

'Nevertheless' is a concessive linking adverb meaning 'in spite of that' — it introduces a contrasting statement following information that might suggest otherwise.

Which is the correct collocation? 'The committee will ______ a thorough investigation into the financial irregularities.'

Answer: conduct

'Conduct an investigation' is the standard formal collocation; 'do an investigation' is informal; 'make' and 'run' do not collocate with 'investigation' in academic/formal English.

The adjective form of the AWL noun 'hypothesis' is:

Answer: hypothetical

'Hypothetical' is the adjective form (e.g., 'a hypothetical scenario'); 'hypothesised' is past participle; 'hypothetically' is the adverb; 'hypothesising' is present participle.

Which word best fills the gap? 'The article ______ a number of important factors that previous researchers had overlooked.'

Answer: highlights

'Highlights' is the standard AWL verb meaning to draw attention to something important; the other options either do not exist as academic collocations or are factually incorrect.

The phrase 'in lieu of' means:

Answer: instead of

'In lieu of' is a formal phrase meaning 'instead of' or 'in place of,' commonly used in academic and legal writing.