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PRE-TEST PHRASAL VERB

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1-5.

When I set off for work this morning, my car broke down, so I ended up taking the bus. As soon as I got off, I bumped into an old schoolmate, Mark. While we were talking, he brought up something I had already found out from some mutual friends- that he had come into some money and had set up his own business. He told me that there was a lot to sort out, and offered to take me on, but I turned him down straight away.

When I clocked in, my boss had a go at me, telling me off in front of everyone. When I got over the initial shock, I told her I’d make up for being late, but it turned out that she had blown up over a deal that had fallen through, after a client of mine had pulled out of a contract. She told me that I wouldn’t get away with it, that I’d let everybody down, and just went on and on….

Eventually, I ran out of patience and answered back– I said I was not going to put up with it anymore, and if she wanted to lay me off, she should go ahead. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I stormed out, phoned Mark’s secretary, who put me through to him. I told Mark I’d like to take him up on his offer. So, in the end, everything has worked out perfectly!

1.

What does the phrase "set off" mean in the context of the passage?

a)

start a car engine

b)

leave for work

c)

begin conversation

d)

trigger a series of events

2.

What does the phrase "clocked in" mean in the passage?

a)

checked the time

b)

started working

c)

got scolded

d)

punched a time card

3.

What phrasal verb is used to describe the situation where the car stopped functioning on the way to work?

a)

Break down

b)

Set off

c)

End up

d)

Get off

4.

What does the phrase blown up mean in the context of the passage?

a)

Become angry

b)

Quit a job

c)

Celebrate success

d)

Negotiate a deal

5.

What's the meaning of cut short in the passage?

a)

To end something earlier than expected

b)

To interrupt a conversation

c)

To put an end to something

d)

To interrupt something abruptly

6-10.

What an exhausting trip!

Last year we decided to take 6 weeks off of work so we could travel to Ecuador. After 3 flights we had finally arrived in Ecuador but had to stay in a hotel overnight. In the morning we had to take off from our hotel at 9 AM so that we had enough time to go through security and get our tickets before our plane took off at noon to reach our final destination on the coast.

Once we were in the air, high above the mountains, the plane started to make a strange noise. It sounded like one of the engines was acting up. We were hoping nothing as going to go wrong but I was definitely thinking that the mechanics should track down the source of the noise; because the entire flight I was thinking over all of the horrible things that might happen if there was a problem with the engine of the airplane.

About halfway through the flight, I decided to take off my jacket and use it as a pillow against the side of the airplane because I was feeling run down after so much time traveling. Just as I was about to fall asleep, a little girl started to act up and was crying. Although I’m complaining about the flight and the plane, I’m not trying to run down the airline. The staff were really friendly and after all, we did arrive safely to our destination.

6.

What does take 6 weeks off mean in the context of the passage?

a)

To remove six weeks from a calendar

b)

Take a vacation from work

c)

Take a break from travelling

d)

To take a break every six weeks

7.

In the passage, what does take off refer to?

a)

Remove clothing

b)

Leave a hotel

c)

Depart on a flight

d)

Act mischievously

8.

What does acting up mean in the context of the passage?

a)

Behaving properly

b)

Misbehaving or having technical problems

c)

Taking a break

d)

Performing on stage

9.

How is track down used in the passage?

a)

Follow a flight path

b)

Search for the source of a noise

c)

Keep a record of travel

d)

Follow a schedule

10.

Based on the text, run down means...

a)

to feel tired or lose energy/strength

b)

to criticize someone

c)

to hit or hurt a person/something

d)

to examine something quickly

11.

  1. I'll ______ my father's company one day.

a)

take over

b)

take away

c)

take back

d)

take down

12.

  1. Enough coffee break! I need _____ to work!

a)

get on

b)

get into

c)

get away

d)

get down

13.

She _______ her gloves as she came in.

a)

put on

b)

took off

c)

went out

d)

work out

14.

Mom, the handle _______, I can't open the door!

a)

came along

b)

came up

c)

came off

d)

came out

15.

Which sentence uses the phrasal verb "break down" correctly?

a)

She wanted to break down the old furniture.

b)

The car started to break down on the highway.

c)

I always break down at least twice a week.

16.

They decided to go ahead with their trip despite the bad weather conditions

a)

To move forward physically

b)

To stop or cease an activity

c)

To proceed or continue with a plan

d)

To make an unexpected decision

17.

Arman said that he didn't think hip-hop would ever become popular with older people.

a)

"I don't think hip-hop will ever catch up with older people." said Arman.

b)

"I don't think hip-hop would catch on with older people." said Arman.

c)

"I don't think hip-hop would ever catch up with older people." said Arman.

d)

"I don't think hip-hop would ever catch on with older people." said Arman.

18.

"I think you should perform the scene a few more times before opening night." said the director.

a)

The director said you should act out the scene a few more times before opening night.

b)

The director says you should act out the scene a few more times before opening night.

c)

The director said you need to act out the scene a few more times before opening night.

d)

The director said you should act on the scene a few more times before opening night.

19.

"We have to get the tickets now before they runs out," said Ainna to me.

a)

Ainna said we had to get the tickets before it sold out.

b)

Ainna said we have to get the tickets before they sold out.

c)

Ainna said we had to get the tickets before they sold out.

d)

Ainna said we have to get the tickets before they sold out.

20.

"Pick up" and "lift up" are always interchangeable and can be used in the same context.

a)

True

b)

False

21.

The phrasal verb "look forward to" is used to express anticipation or excitement about something in the future.

a)

True

b)

False

22.
  1. When I read the book I came ______ a word I didn't know. I had to look it up.

a)

across

b)

after

c)

up

d)

out

23.

The thieves ______ and stole all the equipment.

a)

checked out

b)

broke up

c)

checked in

d)

broke in

24.

While cleaning the basement I came across something I thought I had lost years ago.

a)

To present oneself in a confident manner

b)

To accidentally find or discover something unexpectedly

c)

To search thoroughly for something lost

25.

Analyze the sentence: "The manager decided to call off the meeting." What does the phrasal verb "call off" imply in this context?

a)

To initiate a call for a meeting

b)

To conclude the meeting with a call

c)

To cancel or postpone the meeting

26.

Analyze the sentence: "The teacher asked the students to come up with creative ideas for the project." What does the phrasal verb "come up with" imply in this context?

a)

To finish

b)

To arrive suddenly

c)

To stand up

d)

To generate or produce