This phrasal verb quiz is suitable for English learners preparing for Cambridge FCE and more advanced exams, IELTS, TOEFL and PTE exams.
Test your phrasal verb knowledge by selecting the correct phrasal verb option to complete each sentence. When you have finished you can check your score and see the correct phrasal verb for each sentence.
English Phrasal Verbs Quiz 1
What exactly are phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and a preposition, an adverb, or both.
Examples
- break up
- look forward to
- take off
But these expressions can be deceivingly tricky as their meaning can often differ from the original verb used in the phrase.
Example
"take off" might not refer to a plane taking off but rather has the informal sense of "leave quickly".
- "When he saw his ex-girlfriend at the party, he decided to take off".
The phrase "take off" does not mean something is physically taking off into the sky. Instead, it is being used to indicate that the person chose to leave the party quickly.
Example
In the context of the phrase:
- "The latest trend to take off on TikTok"
the term "take off" is used to denote the rapid increase in popularity or success of a particular trend on the TikTok platform.
Three types of phrasal verbs
- Intransitive (which do not require an object) Example: "He woke up."
- Transitive separable (where you can place the object in the middle of the phrasal verb or at the end) Example: "Turn off the light" or "Turn the light off"
- Transitive inseparable (where the object must come after the phrasal verb) Example: "I'm looking after my sister"
Dealing with phrasal verbs can be initially challenging because of their unique nature but fear not!
The key is context and practice. Try to learn them in their natural habitat - sentences and conversations, rather than isolated words.
Build your comprehension gradually and keep practicing and you will soon get the hang of phrasal verbs.
Don't forget to test your knowledge with quizzes like the one above to see how much progress you've made!