Work and Study Phrasal Verbs in Conversation
About this practice test
Practice B1 English listening through a study-project conversation about completing tasks, catching up, reviewing notes, finding information, and taking on responsibilities with everyday phrasal verbs.
What you’ll practice
Understanding detail
Follow specific information and examples.
Interpreting ideas
Identify main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
10 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Single choice
How to approach this practice
Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.
A study-project planning conversation
Read the transcript
Hi Leo, are you ready to plan our group presentation? Almost. I need to carry out one more interview for the project. Good. Please hand in your interview notes with the rest of the report by Friday. I know. I missed two seminars last week, so I am trying to catch up. That can be hard when you have to keep up with new reading as well. Exactly. I started to fall behind when I was ill, but I am making a plan. Let us go over the outline together before we write the slides. I also need to look up two statistics in the library database. I can set up the shared folder and add the latest notes. Thanks. I am happy to take on the introduction if you handle the conclusion. I am presenting the conclusion, but if the tutor asks for changes while I am away, could you take over the final edits? Sure. We can both check the final version before the presentation. Great. If we finish the draft tonight, we can rehearse tomorrow. Then we should be ready to hand in everything on Friday.
-
Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What task does Leo still need to complete for the project?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A new timetable
- One more interview
- Two more interviews
- The final conclusion
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- One more interview
The conversation gives this detail directly.
I need to carry out one more interview for the project
A new timetable: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
One more interview: Correct.
Two more interviews: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The final conclusion: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
When should Maya receive the interview notes?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Next month
- After the presentation
- By tonight
- By Friday
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- By Friday
The conversation gives this detail directly.
Please hand in your interview notes with the rest of the report by Friday
Next month: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
After the presentation: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
By tonight: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
By Friday: Correct.
-
Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why is Leo trying to catch up?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- He finished early
- He missed two seminars
- He lost his notes
- He changed his course
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- He missed two seminars
The conversation gives this detail directly.
I missed two seminars last week, so I am trying to catch up
He finished early: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
He missed two seminars: Correct.
He lost his notes: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
He changed his course: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What does Maya say Leo needs to keep up with?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- New reading
- The interview plan
- The presentation room
- The shared folder
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- New reading
The conversation gives this detail directly.
you have to keep up with new reading as well
New reading: Correct.
The interview plan: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The presentation room: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The shared folder: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What happened to Leo when he was ill?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- He started to fall behind
- He changed the outline
- He completed the project
- He took on a new job
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- He started to fall behind
The conversation gives this detail directly.
I started to fall behind when I was ill
He started to fall behind: Correct.
He changed the outline: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
He completed the project: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
He took on a new job: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 6 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What will Maya and Leo review together?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- The library map
- The final marks
- The interview questions
- The presentation outline
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The presentation outline
The conversation gives this detail directly.
Let us go over the outline together before we write the slides
The library map: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The final marks: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The interview questions: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The presentation outline: Correct.
-
Question 7 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Where will Leo search for two statistics?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- The student office
- The library database
- The shared folder
- The presentation slides
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The library database
The conversation gives this detail directly.
I also need to look up two statistics in the library database
The student office: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The library database: Correct.
The shared folder: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The presentation slides: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 8 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What will Maya arrange for the project?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A new interview
- A study group
- A shared folder
- The conclusion
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A shared folder
The conversation gives this detail directly.
I can set up the shared folder and add the latest notes
A new interview: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
A study group: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
A shared folder: Correct.
The conclusion: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 9 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which part of the presentation will Leo accept responsibility for?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- The statistics
- The introduction
- The report deadline
- The shared folder
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The introduction
The conversation gives this detail directly.
I am happy to take on the introduction if you handle the conclusion
The statistics: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The introduction: Correct.
The report deadline: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
The shared folder: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
-
Question 10 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What will Leo do if the tutor asks for changes while Maya is away?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Cancel the presentation
- Rewrite the introduction alone
- Take over the final edits
- Ask Maya to present earlier
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Take over the final edits
The conversation gives this detail directly.
if the tutor asks for changes while I am away, could you take over the final edits
Cancel the presentation: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
Rewrite the introduction alone: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
Take over the final edits: Correct.
Ask Maya to present earlier: Listen again for the detail in the conversation.
What to review next
Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.
Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?
The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.