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Phrasal Verbs Quiz | Can You Get The Best Score?

This phrasal verbs 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. I thought you said you were going to cut __________ your smoking.

up with
down on
on with

2. I'm really looking __________ to our vacation this summer.

after
in
forward

3. Do you think my son __________ after me?

stands
gets
takes

4. John really has to face __________ the reality of the situation.

up to
up with
on with

5. Do you think I can join __________ your game?

with
in
at

6. She just can't seem to break __________ her old habits.

up
away from
down on

7. You need to be careful not to give __________ too much information in the interview.

away
up
in

8. The referee called the match __________ after the pitch inspection.

over
out
off

9. Don't worry! John said he would __________ for the night.

put up me
put up
put me up

10. The estate agent showed us __________ the house.

around
in
over

11. I can't hear it. Could you turn it __________ please.

in
over
up

12. Early this morning two robbers __________ the bank at gunpoint.

gave up
held up
made up

13. After the long journey, he __________ on the couch exhausted.

sat up
sat down
sat in

14. The manager had to __________ the new policy to the team.

roll out
roll up
roll in

15. She likes to __________ in the library to focus on her studies.

hang out
hang up
hang in


16. Look, the sun's coming out. I think it's __________ .

clearing off
clearing up
clearing out

17. So, who do you think they're going to __________ of the team for the baseball game?

look out
try out
leave out

18. Each month Sandra puts $100 __________ for university.

in
aside
up

19. There's so much paperwork to __________ . It's going to take hours!

fill in
put aside
leave out

20. Don't worry! James and Lydia are constantly __________ out.

falling
getting
leaving

21. The car broke ________ on the way to the conference.

in
down
up

22. The teacher asked the students to turn their papers ________ at the end.

in
on
over

23. My friend always comes ________ with great ideas for the project.

up
down
over



Score =

Correct answers:



What 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.

Phrasal Verbs - Meanings

  • Clear off: Typically used to mean 'going away'.

  • Clearing up: Often used in the context of weather, indicating the process of weather conditions improving and becoming brighter or clearer.

  • Clearing out: Commonly used in reference to cleaning or tidying, signifying the act of removing unwanted items or rubbish from a particular place.

  • Look out: A way of telling someone to be careful or aware of something that might be hazardous or dangerous.

  • Try out: To test or to experiment with something or someone to determine their effectiveness or suitability.

  • Leave out: To exclude someone or something, or to not include them.

  • Put aside: The act of saving money for a specific purpose in the future.

  • Fill in: To complete a form or document by writing in the necessary information.

  • Falling out: Often used to describe a situation where there is a disagreement or quarrel between two people which results in them no longer being friendly or on speaking terms.

  • Break down: The act of a machine or vehicle stopping working due to a mechanical problem.

  • Turn in: The act of handing in or submitting something like a piece of work or an assignment.

  • Come up: Generally means to arise or occur unexpectedly. It can also mean to approach or move towards. Or it can be used to refer to an idea or solution being suggested.

    • Phrasal verbs are one of the key foundations to mastering the English language, as they allow us to express ourselves in a much more concise and accurate manner.



    Good luck!


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