1A Vocabulary and Speaking Idioms related to studying, collocations with attempt

• Vocabulary: idioms (studying), collocations with attempt and effort, verbs + dependent prepositions
• I can use verbs and dependent prepositions, collocations and idioms to talk about studying.

How do three students like to study?

Listen to three students talking about their learning preferences.

1 5.1 Listen to three students talking about their learning preferences. Make notes about what they say and then answer the questions.

1 Where and how does each student prefer to study? Say why.

2 What can stop them from being able to study or perform effectively?

Seven study idioms, in the students' own words

2 5.2 Complete the sentences from the recording with the correct forms of the idioms from the box. Then listen and check.

1 I’m exhausted and really ___ .

2 You might just ___ and be unable to think of anything when you get into the quiet of the exam room.

3 They just _ the information _ us, repeating it again and again.

4 I’ve always ___ exams, really. Never had to make much effort.

5 I realised that I would really need to ___ , concentrate and work harder.

6 We don’t mess about, and we _ each other _ ; staying really focused.

7 I’m really ___ what’s needed for the exam now.

3 Study Watch Out! Then match the collocating adjectives for attempt and effort with their definitions.

1 Very brave

2 With no enthusiasm

3 Achieving nothing

4 Based on wrong information

5 After a series of failures

6 Almost out of control

7 Using a lot of energy

8 Determined and continuing for a long time

Attempt or effort: which adjective goes with which?

• An attempt is when you try to achieve a specific goal, e.g., I made a few half-hearted attempts.
• An effort can replace an attempt in many cases, especially when you are more positive about the outcome, e.g., a determined effort/attempt.
• More negative adjectives are used with attempt, but effort can collocate with both positive and negative adjectives.

4 Read Active Vocabulary. Then complete the discussion forum with the correct prepositions.

in fact it usually backfires ___ you.

Rather than trying to cram too many different tasks _ the same couple of hours, I now apply myself _ one task at a time, and get loads more done.

It may take you an hour to sort the papers _ piles, but you’ll be in a better mental state to start cramming _ your exam.

Your brain associates this place ___ sleep and rest, and you’ll soon find your studying is a lost cause.

They get started and then their focus goes and they spend ages staring blankly ___ the screen.

Turn off all your notifications – they’re designed to distract you ___ what you’re doing.

Do that four times and then take a longer break: go for a walk or snack ___ fruit.

Which small word follows the verb?

• Some verbs pair with different prepositions with a change in meaning:
• cram for: You should start cramming for your exam.
• cram in/into: Trying to cram too many different tasks in/into the same couple of hours is quite challenging.