What does consolidation mean?
Word: Consolidation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Consolidation means the process of making something more solid and secure so that it lasts. It can also mean bringing several smaller things together into one.
How do you spell consolidation?
Syllables: con - sol - i - da - tion
Tricky part: The vowel after the l is said very weakly, so many pupils put an o or an e there. It is an i.
Watch out for: consolodation, consoledation
Memory tip: Spot the word solid in the middle: a wall that gets consolidation becomes more solid, and solid keeps the i straight after the l.
Consolidation in a sentence
Example 1: Engineers spent the summer on the consolidation of the old sea wall before the winter waves arrived.
Example 2: The final chapter of Priya's maths book is for consolidation, with mixed questions on the whole year.
Example 3: Planting grass on the new slope helped the consolidation of the loose soil.
Fun Fact
Geologists use consolidation for the way loose sand or mud slowly turns firm over a very long time, one step on the way to rocks such as sandstone.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
consolidation
a) hesitation
b) weakening
c) celebration
d) strengthening
Show answer
d) strengthening. Consolidation makes a thing firmer and more secure, which is what strengthening does; weakening is the opposite.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
c_nsolidat_on
a) o, e
b) o, i
c) u, i
d) a, i
Show answer
b) o, i. The word opens with con, as in confident, and closes with the usual tion of station.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) pronounciation
b) consolidation
c) explanation
d) accommodation
Show answer
a) pronounciation. Pronounce keeps its ou, but pronunciation drops the o, matching the way its middle is said.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A coach says the last week before the final is for consolidation. What will the team most likely do?
a) take the full week off training
b) swap players with another team
c) learn a whole new set of moves
d) practise the moves they already know
Show answer
d) practise the moves they already know
2. The consolidation of two neighbouring schools is planned for next year. What will most likely happen?
a) they will choose new colours for their uniforms
b) they will swap their sports days for a year
c) they will each open a second building nearby
d) they will share one building and one head teacher
Show answer
d) they will share one building and one head teacher
