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Worksheets

STEP Pre1 1701-1800

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 33mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

1. It's hard for local businesses to [____] the rapid pace of technological advancements.

a)

stick by

b)

hold back

c)

keep up with

d)

move along

2.

2. The new safety regulations will [____] at the start of the next fiscal quarter.

a)

settle down

b)

catch on

c)

come about

d)

kick in

3.

3. The disruptive customer was eventually [____] of the theater by security staff.

a)

checked out

b)

stood up

c)

kicked out

d)

turned over

4.

4. I decided to [____] work early today because I finished all the urgent tasks.

a)

put forth

b)

run into

c)

knock off

d)

deal with

5.

5. Instead of panicking, he tried to [____] the small mistake he made during the speech.

a)

look after

b)

hold onto

c)

make up

d)

laugh off

6.

6. Without hesitation, the CEO decided to [____] a detailed critique of the proposed new policy during the board meeting.

a)

launch into

b)

stand for

c)

carry out

d)

turn down

7.

7. New legislation will [____] stringent standards for waste disposal to protect coastal ecosystems.

a)

hand in

b)

lay down

c)

take on

d)

get over

8.

8. Due to the unexpected slump in sales, the manufacturing plant was forced to [____] nearly a third of its temporary staff.

a)

bring up

b)

make out

c)

call off

d)

lay off

9.

9. Because it was the young offender's first violation, the judge decided to [____] him with just a warning.

a)

let off

b)

see through

c)

put across

d)

do away with

10.

10. Although we waited for hours, the torrential rain simply refused to [____], forcing us to postpone the outdoor concert.

a)

take back

b)

come across

c)

let up

d)

run into

11.

11. After losing his job, he had to [____] unemployment benefits until he found new work.

a)

live off

b)

pay back

c)

come up with

d)

take over

12.

12. The new product was highly advertised, but it failed to [____] the hype surrounding its release.

a)

look into

b)

live up to

c)

break down

d)

call for

13.

13. When hiking in this area, you must [____] poisonous snakes and insects.

a)

look out for

b)

hold off

c)

get along with

d)

take pleasure in

14.

14. In focusing too much on minor details, the committee began to [____] the project's original objectives.

a)

make sense of

b)

give way to

c)

lose sight of

d)

settle down

15.

15. The robbers managed to [____] several priceless paintings from the highly secured museum.

a)

go through with

b)

make away with

c)

put up with

d)

come across

16.

16. Since the cafeteria was closed, we had to [____] the meager provisions we had brought.

a)

make do with

b)

make up

c)

make off

d)

make over

17.

17. Following the significant pay cut, she struggled greatly to [____] every month.

a)

make ends meet

b)

make room

c)

make believe

d)

make sport

18.

18. As soon as the alarm sounded, the students began to [____] the nearest exit in an orderly fashion.

a)

make after

b)

make into

c)

make for

d)

make down

19.

19. We were worried that the shipment would be delayed, but thankfully, they managed to [____] just before the store closed.

a)

make up for

b)

make it

c)

make light of

d)

make off with

20.

20. The handwriting on the old letter was so cramped and faded that I could barely [____] the signature.

a)

make sure

b)

make up to

c)

make out

d)

make good

21.

21. After missing the deadline, she had to work overtime to [____] the lost productivity.

a)

compensate for

b)

put up with

c)

go along with

d)

look down on

22.

22. Before launching the new product, the marketing team decided to [____] a detailed strategy for the next quarter.

a)

set aside

b)

map out

c)

break down

d)

take over

23.

23. Since the demand was low, the retailer had to [____] the excess stock significantly.

a)

call off

b)

mark down

c)

get across

d)

go through

24.

24. Unfortunately, the performance of the new software didn't [____] the high expectations set by the development team.

a)

turn against

b)

hold off

c)

measure up to

d)

run into

25.

25. If you don't submit your application promptly, you might [____] the opportunity to study abroad next year.

a)

come down with

b)

put forward

c)

miss out on

d)

bear with

26.

26. After graduating from university, she decided to [____] her grandmother to save money.

a)

move in with

b)

go off to

c)

take over from

d)

set up against

27.

27. The investigation team needed to [____] the list of potential candidates for the position quickly.

a)

hold onto

b)

cut back on

c)

narrow down

d)

look into

28.

28. Critics claimed the new policy was [____] a poorly disguised attempt to raise taxes.

a)

in search of

b)

nothing more than

c)

at the risk of

d)

by means of

29.

29. The company announced that dividends would be calculated [____] quarterly basis starting next year.

a)

in view of

b)

on a

c)

for the sake of

d)

by virtue of

30.

30. The CEO could not attend the summit, so the Vice President delivered the presentation [____] the corporation.

a)

out of date

b)

by way of

c)

on behalf of

d)

due to

31.

31. The ancient coffee machine at the office has been [____] all morning, spilling water everywhere.

a)

off the hook

b)

out of bounds

c)

in the balance

d)

on the blink

32.

32. The security guard caught the thief and immediately called the police, requiring him to apologize [____].

a)

in the aftermath

b)

on the spot

c)

at short notice

d)

out of the blue

33.

33. The entire project team was [____] collapse after their lead developer suddenly resigned without notice.

a)

on the verge of

b)

in defense of

c)

in light of

d)

at the expense of

34.

34. Participants who do not wish to have their names published in the journal may [____] the research study.

a)

cope with

b)

make up for

c)

opt out of

d)

call for

35.

35. Given the unpredictable weather forecast, most hikers decided to [____] the safer, shorter trail rather than the challenging mountain path.

a)

prevail upon

b)

opt for

c)

account for

d)

stand for

36.

36. After the party, we spent an hour helping the host [____] all the decorations and extra furniture.

a)

pack away

b)

call off

c)

break up

d)

take back

37.

37. With his sophisticated manners and custom-made suit, the young businessman could easily [____] a seasoned executive.

a)

pass for

b)

drop by

c)

stand up

d)

look over

38.

38. The street vendor attempted to [____] cheap glass jewelry as genuine antique pieces.

a)

pass off

b)

carry out

c)

hold up

d)

make up

39.

39. Please be sure to [____] this important memo to everyone in the department before the end of the day.

a)

pass on

b)

get through

c)

show around

d)

wait for

40.

40. The runner started feeling dizzy and eventually [____] due to dehydration during the marathon.

a)

pass out

b)

turn down

c)

give away

d)

hold back

41.

41. Despite his qualifications, the committee decided to [____] him for the managerial position.

a)

look up

b)

run into

c)

pass over

d)

fill out

42.

42. I can’t believe you decided to [____] the chance to study abroad; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

a)

set aside

b)

take off

c)

get away

d)

pass up

43.

43. After years of hard work, they were finally able to [____] their substantial student loans.

a)

cut back

b)

hold up

c)

put down

d)

pay off

44.

44. The company plans to [____] the outdated software system over the next six months to transition to a new platform.

a)

bring about

b)

call for

c)

phase out

d)

speak up

45.

45. The manager was criticized because he seemed to constantly [____] the new intern for small mistakes.

a)

count on

b)

come across

c)

pick on

d)

look over

46.

46. Could you [____] some milk and bread on your way home from the gym?

a)

pick up

b)

drop off

c)

look into

d)

take over

47.

47. If everyone agrees to [____], we can afford to buy him a really nice retirement gift.

a)

set off

b)

pitch in

c)

turn out

d)

break down

48.

48. We all had to [____] with Sarah's story about seeing a ghost so we wouldn't ruin the surprise party.

a)

get across

b)

come up

c)

play along

d)

live up to

49.

49. The CEO tried to [____] the financial losses, assuring investors that the company would recover quickly.

a)

catch up

b)

put aside

c)

hand out

d)

play down

50.

50. During the presentation, the marketing team decided to [____] the product's environmental friendliness rather than its technical specifications.

a)

play up

b)

shut down

c)

make out

d)

run into

51.

51. After a long day of hiking, the hungry campers managed to [____] the entire pot of stew in minutes.

a)

cut up

b)

move out

c)

polish off

d)

settle down

52.

52. We had to cancel the outdoor concert because the rain started to [____] relentlessly just before the gates opened.

a)

look up

b)

pour down

c)

blow over

d)

dry out

53.

53. Employees decided to [____] a significant raise in salary, citing the company's record profits this quarter.

a)

hold back

b)

press for

c)

put off

d)

stand by

54.

54. The police officer signaled for the driver to [____] immediately after observing the car speeding excessively.

a)

break in

b)

turn around

c)

drive off

d)

pull over

55.

55. Despite the severity of the operation, doctors are confident that the patient will [____] and make a full recovery.

a)

look after

b)

give up

c)

pull through

d)

throw out

56.

56. The taxi driver had to suddenly [____] at the intersection to avoid hitting a stray dog.

a)

pull up

b)

take off

c)

shut down

d)

break out

57.

57. Despite the increasing fatigue and the harsh blizzard, the hikers decided to [____] to reach the summit before nightfall.

a)

turn down

b)

push on

c)

look over

d)

come across

58.

58. I called the customer service line and asked the operator to [____] the technical department.

a)

take care of

b)

put me through to

c)

call off

d)

hand in

59.

59. We decided to [____] a significant deposit on the house immediately so that no one else could buy it.

a)

look after

b)

put down

c)

run into

d)

take up

60.

60. The committee is meeting next week to discuss the new budget proposal that the finance director will [____].

a)

turn out

b)

put forward

c)

make up

d)

get along

61.

61. I can no longer [____] the constant noise from the construction site next door.

a)

put up with

b)

look forward to

c)

get along with

d)

turn down

62.

62. The company managed to [____] impressive profits in the fourth quarter due to strong holiday sales.

a)

fall short of

b)

rack up

c)

make light of

d)

break even

63.

63. The startup began to [____] millions of dollars after its product went viral on social media.

a)

hand over

b)

pull off

c)

rake in

d)

give way to

64.

64. After the natural disaster, many volunteers decided to [____] the affected communities with food and shelter.

a)

reach out to

b)

settle down

c)

call off

d)

look down on

65.

65. Admission to the prestigious university is determined solely by merit, [____] the applicant's background.

a)

in charge of

b)

regardless of

c)

owing to

d)

in pursuit of

66.

66. After a period of calm, the political discussion [____] the usual bitter arguments.

a)

revert to

b)

put down

c)

call for

d)

take in

67.

67. Tourists must be careful not to get [____] by street vendors charging ridiculously high prices.

a)

turn out

b)

rip off

c)

set about

d)

look up

68.

68. Despite facing significant poverty, she managed to [____] her circumstances and achieve academic success.

a)

run into

b)

break into

c)

rise above

d)

come across

69.

69. The successful presentation was followed by a celebratory dinner to [____] the week-long conference.

a)

pull through

b)

look out

c)

round off

d)

keep up with

70.

70. The police were conducting a major operation to [____] the remaining members of the criminal organization.

a)

hand down

b)

round up

c)

make up for

d)

come up with

71.

71. The final session of the conference, focusing on future research trends, will [____] the three-day event.

a)

take over

b)

get through

c)

look up

d)

round out

72.

72. After I missed the penalty kick, my teammate kept trying to [____] how badly I played, making me feel even worse.

a)

pass off

b)

rub in

c)

fill out

d)

bring up

73.

73. Investigators were able to [____] the possibility of arson after examining the structural damage caused by the fire.

a)

rule out

b)

call off

c)

come across

d)

set forth

74.

74. Critics often [____] the novel for its predictable plot and poorly developed characters, though many readers enjoy it.

a)

hand out

b)

break into

c)

run down

d)

make up

75.

75. Before the meeting started, the assistant quickly had to [____] 50 copies of the agenda for all the attendees.

a)

run off

b)

do without

c)

keep off

d)

put across

76.

76. Before the meeting, the manager quickly decided to [____] the financial report to grasp the main points.

a)

look down

b)

run through

c)

dwell upon

d)

fall back

77.

77. Despite the complexity of the final project, she managed to [____] it with minimal stress and an excellent grade.

a)

come down

b)

settle for

c)

back out

d)

sail through

78.

78. He made a mistake while writing the check, so he had to [____] the incorrect amount and rewrite it.

a)

scratch out

b)

stand by

c)

pull off

d)

break into

79.

79. When the manager mentioned an opening in the overseas branch, the ambitious employee was quick to [____] the opportunity.

a)

stand up

b)

call off

c)

seize on

d)

give in

80.

80. Many voters felt that the politician had [____] their trust by reversing his stance on key environmental issues after being elected.

a)

look up

b)

sell out

c)

hold down

d)

phase in

81.

81. We need to leave early tomorrow morning, so let's plan to [____] around 6 a.m.

a)

call for

b)

pick up

c)

set off

d)

carry out

82.

82. After moving to a new city, it took him several months to finally [____] and find a routine.

a)

settle down

b)

stand out

c)

hold off

d)

turn in

83.

83. Although she really wanted the promotion, she had to [____] a small raise instead.

a)

look into

b)

put away

c)

get over

d)

settle for

84.

84. He struggled for months to [____] the severe cold he caught during the winter holidays.

a)

take up

b)

shake off

c)

move on

d)

break into

85.

85. The new CEO announced plans to drastically [____] the entire corporate structure to improve efficiency.

a)

bring about

b)

deal with

c)

shake up

d)

fall behind

86.

86. The committee decided to [____] the controversial budget proposal due to overwhelming public opposition.

a)

look into

b)

shoot down

c)

put off

d)

take over

87.

87. Tired of the constant nagging, the annoyed teenager told the persistent salesman to [____].

a)

check out

b)

break in

c)

call for

d)

shove off

88.

88. He always tries to [____] his athletic abilities whenever there are new people around.

a)

run across

b)

come through

c)

show off

d)

back out

89.

89. We waited for an hour, but the main speaker failed to [____] for the critical conference.

a)

show up

b)

give up

c)

hold down

d)

make up

90.

90. Because of the severe blizzard, we were [____] our house for three days without power.

a)

settle down

b)

pass out

c)

shut in

d)

hand over

91.

91. If you want to take the advanced workshop, you need to [____] it by the end of the month.

a)

sign up for

b)

sit back on

c)

make off with

d)

take up with

92.

92. The manager decided to [____] Sarah for a special award because of her exceptional performance this quarter.

a)

sit in on

b)

single out

c)

set off for

d)

break down into

93.

93. We can't afford to just [____] while the crisis deepens; we must take immediate action.

a)

look over

b)

pull through

c)

sit back

d)

make up for

94.

94. Although he wasn't officially registered for the course, the professor allowed him to [____] on the weekly lectures.

a)

size up

b)

size up to

c)

stand by for

d)

sit in on

95.

95. Before agreeing to the negotiation terms, the CEO took a moment to [____] the competitor's representative.

a)

size up

b)

sign over to

c)

call off

d)

break into

96.

96. The politician kept trying to [____] the tough questions about the budget deficit.

a)

skirt around

b)

run over

c)

look into

d)

stand up for

97.

97. Finding the party too loud, she decided to [____] without saying goodbye to the host.

a)

show off

b)

turn out

c)

slip away

d)

talk back

98.

98. The date of the merger was supposed to be confidential, but it accidentally [____] during the press conference.

a)

stand for

b)

slip out

c)

fall through

d)

make up

99.

99. Before launching the new product, the team needs to [____] any potential technical difficulties.

a)

hold off

b)

come down with

c)

smooth out

d)

take in

100.

100. Since the instructions were vague, the manager had to [____] exactly what needed to be done for the presentation.

a)

put down

b)

spell out

c)

crack down

d)

call off