Phrasal Verbs and Their Contexts
About this practice test
Practise B2 Use of English through phrase and meaning matching. Build accuracy with phrasal verb meanings and professional context.
What you’ll practice
Grammar and vocabulary
Choose forms and words that work together.
Meaning in context
Follow meaning across sentences and texts.
Accurate expression
Use natural phrases and sentence patterns.
What to expect:
8 tasks worth 24 marks. Each cloze gap and matching pair earns one mark. Correct parts still earn marks when another part is wrong. Review your answers and explanations 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
- B2. 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.
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Question 1 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Preparing for negotiations.
Answer choices
- abandon a position in an argument
- prepare a written agreement
- perform the agreed inspection
Items
- draw up
- back down
- carry out
Check answers and explanations
- 1. draw up
- prepare a written agreement
- 2. back down
- abandon a position in an argument
- 3. carry out
- perform the agreed inspection
The definitions distinguish preparation, concession and execution.
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Question 2 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Handling a difficult proposal.
Answer choices
- present an idea for consideration
- reject an offer
- take further action on an earlier enquiry
Items
- put forward
- turn down
- follow up
Check answers and explanations
- 1. put forward
- present an idea for consideration
- 2. turn down
- reject an offer
- 3. follow up
- take further action on an earlier enquiry
Each phrasal verb describes a different stage or response.
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Question 3 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Explaining unexpected findings.
Answer choices
- exclude a possible explanation
- provide an explanation of a result
- find something by chance
Items
- come across
- rule out
- account for
Check answers and explanations
- 1. come across
- find something by chance
- 2. rule out
- exclude a possible explanation
- 3. account for
- provide an explanation of a result
Chance discovery, exclusion and explanation have distinct meanings.
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Question 4 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Keeping a project moving.
Answer choices
- cause a delay
- reach the expected level after falling behind
- continue despite difficulties
Items
- hold up
- catch up
- press on
Check answers and explanations
- 1. hold up
- cause a delay
- 2. catch up
- reach the expected level after falling behind
- 3. press on
- continue despite difficulties
Delay, recovery and persistence are different actions.
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Question 5 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Changing a service.
Answer choices
- discontinue something gradually
- introduce a new rule or system
- increase the size of an operation
Items
- phase out
- bring in
- scale up
Check answers and explanations
- 1. phase out
- discontinue something gradually
- 2. bring in
- introduce a new rule or system
- 3. scale up
- increase the size of an operation
The directions of change distinguish removal, introduction and growth.
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Question 6 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Communicating decisions.
Answer choices
- communicate received information to another person
- explain details clearly in writing
- state the main points briefly
Items
- set out
- sum up
- pass on
Check answers and explanations
- 1. set out
- explain details clearly in writing
- 2. sum up
- state the main points briefly
- 3. pass on
- communicate received information to another person
The cues distinguish detailed written presentation, brevity and explicitness.
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Question 7 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Working with information.
Answer choices
- investigate a problem
- examine a document briefly
- think about a past experience
Items
- look into
- look over
- look back on
Check answers and explanations
- 1. look into
- investigate a problem
- 2. look over
- examine a document briefly
- 3. look back on
- think about a past experience
Investigation, a quick document check and reflection have different objects and purposes.
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Question 8 · Matching
Match each item to the correct choice.
Match each beginning to its only suitable ending. Managing commitments.
Answer choices
- transfer responsibility to another person
- withdraw from an agreement
- accept responsibility for a task
Items
- take on
- hand over
- pull out of
Check answers and explanations
- 1. take on
- accept responsibility for a task
- 2. hand over
- transfer responsibility to another person
- 3. pull out of
- withdraw from an agreement
The meanings differ between accepting, transferring and withdrawing.
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.