Communication and Ideas Phrasal Verbs

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

Use the surrounding sentence to identify the meaning and word form needed. Check which words naturally go together.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   During lunch, Nadia started talking about the travel plans. Which phrasal verb means ‘start talking about a subject’?

   1. bring up
   2. point out
   3. find out
   4. fill in
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   bring up

   Bring up means to start talking about a subject.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   The guide drew our attention to a quiet path beside the river. Which phrasal verb describes this?

   1. find out
   2. bring up
   3. point out
   4. leave out
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   point out

   Point out means to draw attention to something.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   I want to ___ when the library opens.

   1. work out
   2. fill in
   3. find out
   4. speak up
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   find out

   Find out means to discover information.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   We compared the clues and eventually ___ the answer together. Which phrasal verb means ‘solve or understand something’?

   1. talk over
   2. point out
   3. work out
   4. leave out
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   work out

   Work out means to solve or understand something, such as an answer.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Leo did not know how to fix the printer, but he eventually ___ a solution. Which phrasal verb means ‘find an answer or solution’?

   1. fill in
   2. figure out
   3. bring up
   4. speak up
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   figure out

   Figure out means to find an answer or solution.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Let us ___ the options carefully before we decide.

   1. bring up
   2. talk over
   3. speak up
   4. fill in
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   talk over

   Talk over means to discuss something carefully.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Please ___ because the room is noisy.

   1. write down
   2. leave out
   3. point out
   4. speak up
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   speak up

   Speak up means to speak more loudly or express an opinion.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Please ___ the address before you leave.

   1. write down
   2. fill in
   3. find out
   4. bring up
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   write down

   Write down means to record something in writing.

9. Question 9 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Please ___ your email address on the form.

   1. write down
   2. leave out
   3. fill in
   4. point out
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   fill in

   Fill in means to add information to complete something, such as a form.

10. Question 10 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Do not ___ the final step in the instructions.

    1. bring up
    2. speak up
    3. figure out
    4. leave out
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    leave out

    Leave out means not to include something.

What to review next

Keep a short list of unfamiliar words with their meanings and example sentences. Practise recalling them later, then use them in a sentence of your own.

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

Read the whole sentence before choosing a word. Check both its meaning and the words it naturally combines with.

Please make an appointment before visiting the clinic.

Make an appointment is a natural word combination. Knowing a dictionary meaning alone may not tell you which verb fits.

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.