Matching Natural Phrases in Context

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

Matching

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these plans with natural endings. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • to take the early train.
   • in joining the walking group.
   • to seeing our friends.

   Items

   • We are looking forward
   • We have decided
   • We are interested
   Check answers and explanations

   1. We are looking forward

   to seeing our friends.

   2. We have decided

   to take the early train.

   3. We are interested

   in joining the walking group.

   Look forward to takes an -ing form; decide takes a to-infinitive; interested takes in.

2. Question 2 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these messages about a new job. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • with the other members of my team.
   • for the advertised position.
   • for checking the orders.

   Items

   • I applied
   • I am responsible
   • I get on well
   Check answers and explanations

   1. I applied

   for the advertised position.

   2. I am responsible

   for checking the orders.

   3. I get on well

   with the other members of my team.

   Apply for identifies a job; responsible for takes an -ing form; get on well with describes a good relationship.

3. Question 3 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about getting organised. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • to send the invitation.
   • of everything we need.
   • in touch after the course.

   Items

   • Please remind me
   • I made a list
   • We should keep
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Please remind me

   to send the invitation.

   2. I made a list

   of everything we need.

   3. We should keep

   in touch after the course.

   Remind someone to do something, a list of things and keep in touch are natural patterns.

4. Question 4 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about travel problems. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • of petrol near the village.
   • for arriving late.
   • down on the motorway.

   Items

   • Our car broke
   • We ran out
   • The bus driver apologised
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Our car broke

   down on the motorway.

   2. We ran out

   of petrol near the village.

   3. The bus driver apologised

   for arriving late.

   Break down describes a vehicle failure; run out of means use all a supply; apologise for takes an -ing form.

5. Question 5 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about studying. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • for being so patient.
   • at explaining difficult ideas.
   • with my homework yesterday.

   Items

   • Mina is good
   • She helped me
   • I thanked her
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Mina is good

   at explaining difficult ideas.

   2. She helped me

   with my homework yesterday.

   3. I thanked her

   for being so patient.

   Good at, help with and thank someone for are the required combinations.

6. Question 6 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about a community event. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • part in the clean-up.
   • money for a local charity.
   • an effort to reduce waste.

   Items

   • Many people took
   • The organisers raised
   • Everyone made
   Check answers and explanations

   1. Many people took

   part in the clean-up.

   2. The organisers raised

   money for a local charity.

   3. Everyone made

   an effort to reduce waste.

   Take part in, raise money and make an effort are standard expressions.

7. Question 7 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about a repair. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • of the strange noise.
   • for the replacement part.
   • with the problem quickly.

   Items

   • The mechanic dealt
   • She explained the cause
   • I paid
   Check answers and explanations

   1. The mechanic dealt

   with the problem quickly.

   2. She explained the cause

   of the strange noise.

   3. I paid

   for the replacement part.

   Deal with handles a problem; cause of identifies its source; pay for identifies the purchase.

8. Question 8 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about a visit. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • with a map of the building.
   • at the museum just after ten.
   • for the guide near the entrance.

   Items

   • We arrived
   • We waited
   • The guide provided us
   Check answers and explanations

   1. We arrived

   at the museum just after ten.

   2. We waited

   for the guide near the entrance.

   3. The guide provided us

   with a map of the building.

   Arrive at, wait for and provide someone with are the natural patterns.

9. Question 9 · Matching

   Match each item to the correct choice.

   Complete these sentences about changing plans. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

   Answer choices

   • off the picnic until Sunday.
   • know about the new date.
   • to bring food to share.

   Items

   • We had to put
   • I let everyone
   • They agreed
   Check answers and explanations

   1. We had to put

   off the picnic until Sunday.

   2. I let everyone

   know about the new date.

   3. They agreed

   to bring food to share.

   Put off means postpone; let someone know means inform; agree takes a to-infinitive.

10. Question 10 · Matching

    Match each item to the correct choice.

    Complete these sentences about healthy routines. Match each opening to ONE ending. Use each ending once.

    Answer choices

    • to taking the bus.
    • to getting up earlier.
    • down on sugary drinks.

    Items

    • I am trying to cut
    • I prefer walking
    • I have got used
    Check answers and explanations

    1. I am trying to cut

    down on sugary drinks.

    2. I prefer walking

    to taking the bus.

    3. I have got used

    to getting up earlier.

    Cut down on means reduce; prefer one activity to another compares them; get used to takes an -ing form.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

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.