This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Economy & Trade. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
introduce a levy
The government plans to introduce a levy on single-use packaging.
black economy
Unreported cash payments are part of the black economy.
underestimate the value of
Critics argue that ministers underestimate the value of the trade policy for small exporters.
raise interest rates
The central bank may raise interest rates to slow inflation.
market segmentation
The retailer used market segmentation to tailor its advertising to different age groups.
five times as great as
Exports were €50 million and imports €10 million, so exports were five times as great as imports.
increase significantly
If fuel prices continue rising, transport costs could increase significantly.
extend opportunity
The reform was designed to extend opportunity to workers outside major cities.
uninterrupted economic growth
The region enjoyed uninterrupted economic growth for almost a decade.
maintain fiscal discipline
To reassure lenders, the finance minister promised to maintain fiscal discipline.
modest gain
The retailer reported a modest gain in market share after the campaign.
levy a tax
The city voted to levy a tax on vacant commercial property.
curb inflation
The government introduced measures to curb inflation.
modest recovery
After two weak quarters, the economy showed signs of a modest recovery.
play the stock market
Some people play the stock market without understanding the risks.
of paramount importance
Protecting the environment is of paramount importance to the council.
target market
The campaign was designed for a target market of first-time home buyers.
slight increase
The latest figures show a slight increase in household savings.
assess the trade policy’s value
Economists will assess the trade policy’s value before recommending changes.
rampant inflation
Families struggled to plan their budgets during a period of rampant inflation.
decline in demand
A decline in demand forced the manufacturer to reduce its weekly output.
face a balance-of-payments deficit
The country may face a balance-of-payments deficit if imports keep rising.
subtle distinction
The report draws a subtle distinction between growth in output and growth in wages.
valuable source
The ferry terminal is a valuable source of employment for the island.
go on an economy drive
During the downturn, the firm had to go on an economy drive and postpone non-essential spending.
allocate resources
The ministry will allocate resources to training staff for the new customs system.
substantial increase
The export sector recorded a substantial increase in orders from Asia.
satisfy a demand
Local producers cannot satisfy a demand for fruit that exceeds the harvest.
safeguard the investor's interests
The new rules are designed to safeguard the investor's interests in the event of a merger.
undeclared earnings
The audit uncovered undeclared earnings from several freelance contracts.