Fixed Adjective Expressions Exercises
B1 Level
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Many fixed adjective expressions use intensifiers that only work with specific adjectives: "pitch black" (extremely dark), "ice cold" (extremely cold), "boiling hot" (extremely hot), and "brand new" (completely new). These pairs cannot be reversed or separated — you cannot say "black pitch" or "new brand." Other fixed expressions come from everyday phrases: "broad daylight" (not "daylight broad"), "bare minimum" (not "minimum bare"). Learning these as complete phrases rather than applying OSASCOMP is the most effective approach. Fixed expressions appear in Cambridge B1 and B2 vocabulary sections and are worth memorising as whole units.
Quick Rule
fixed intensifier + adjective (pitch black / ice cold / brand new) | fixed story or cultural phrase (big bad / good old)
- 1.The coffee was ice cold by the time she remembered it. (fixed intensifier — cannot reverse)
- 2.He doesn't believe in the good old days — he prefers modern life. (fixed cultural phrase — negative)
- 3.We need a brand new computer because this one keeps crashing. (fixed intensifier — completely new)
- 4.The robbery happened in broad daylight on a busy street. (fixed phrase — cannot reverse)
- 5.That horror film was pitch black for most of the opening scene. (fixed intensifier — extremely dark)
All 20 questions
Complete each sentence with the correct fixed adjective expression. The words to use are given in brackets. These are common English phrases that always come in the same order. Complete with the correct adjective expression.
The _____ wolf blew down the house in the story. (bad / big)
My grandfather always talks about the _____ days when he was young. (good / old)
Look at that _____ dog! It's huge! (great / big)
Come inside. It's _____ warm by the fire. (nice / and)
The city is full of _____ professionals starting their careers. (bright / young)
The cave was _____ dark. I couldn't see anything! (black / pitch)
I just bought a _____ phone. It's never been used before! (brand / new)
Don't touch the pan! It's _____ hot from the oven. (red / hot)
Would you like some _____ water from the fridge? (cold / ice)
Please leave the window _____ so fresh air can come in. (open / wide)
She loves swimming in the _____ sea. (deep / blue)
The _____ lady smiled at me when I held the door for her. (old / little)
Oh, you _____ thing! Did you hurt yourself? (poor / little)
It's the _____ story - he's late again! (old / same)
I don't need anything special, just a _____ cup of coffee. (plain / old)
They opened a _____ restaurant in my neighbourhood. (little / nice)
She painted her bedroom walls a _____ shade. (purple / light)
After working all night, I was _____ tired this morning. (dead / tired)
The children were _____ quiet while the teacher was speaking. (quiet / dead)
The answer was _____ obvious, but nobody said anything. (obvious / dead)
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