Phrasal Verbs - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

20 original exam-style questions - 10 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

Download PDFJump to mark scheme (page 11)Read the revision guide
« Previous: Apostrophes for Plural PossessionNext: Subject Verb Agreement »
Revision Library
revisionlibrary.co.uk
KS3 · Grammar

Y8.1 Phrasal Verbs

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.
1
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with one or more particles (a preposition and/or adverb) to create a meaning that is often different from the individual words. Write down the phrasal verb in each sentence below.
(a)Please turn off the lights before you leave the classroom.(1)
(b)The plane took off exactly on time this morning.(1)
(c)She gave up her seat for the elderly passenger.(1)
(d)They looked after the neighbour's cat all weekend.(1)
(e)We ran into an old school friend at the shopping centre.(1)
(f)He carried on walking despite the heavy rain.(1)
2
Which sentence best defines a phrasal verb?
  • A) A verb used with an adverb of time, such as 'always' or 'never'.
  • B) A verb combined with one or more particles (a preposition and/or adverb) to create a meaning that is often different from the individual words.
  • C) Any verb that ends in '-ing'.
  • D) A verb that always needs a direct object.
3
Identify the particle (the small word or words that follow the verb) in each phrasal verb below.
(a)She backed out of the competition at the last minute.(1)
(b)The company took over its biggest rival.(1)
(c)He showed off his new bike to the whole street.(1)
(d)They set off before sunrise to beat the traffic.(1)
(e)The negotiations broke down after just one hour.(1)
4
Match each phrasal verb below to its correct meaning. Use the word bank of meanings and write the correct letter.
LetterMeaning
Ato investigate or research a problem
Bto postpone something to a later time
Cto invent a story or excuse
Dto reduce the volume or amount of something
Eto visit someone casually, without planning ahead
(a)look into(1)
(b)put off(1)
(c)make up(1)
(d)turn down(1)
(e)drop in(1)
5
Complete each sentence with the correct particle from the word bank. Each particle may be used once only; you will not need every word.
| away | back | down | into | up |
(a)Could you turn ___ the music? It is far too loud for the library.(1)
(b)The scientists are looking ___ the causes of the flooding.(1)
(c)He threw ___ his old trainers because they were falling apart.(1)
(d)She promised to pay ___ the money she had borrowed.(1)
(e)Despite the setback, the team refused to give ___.(1)
6
State whether the phrasal verb in each sentence is being used with its literal meaning (the words' ordinary, physical sense) or its idiomatic meaning (a meaning that cannot be worked out from the individual words).
(a)She gave up her umbrella so her friend could stay dry.(1)
  • A) Literal
  • B) Idiomatic
(b)He finally gave up trying to fix the old radio.(1)
  • A) Literal
  • B) Idiomatic
(c)The firefighters broke down the door to reach the trapped family.(1)
  • A) Literal
  • B) Idiomatic
(d)The talks between the two countries broke down after just one meeting.(1)
  • A) Literal
  • B) Idiomatic
7
'The talks between the two countries broke down after just one meeting.' Explain how you can tell that 'broke down' is being used idiomatically here rather than literally.
(2)
8
Some phrasal verbs are separable: when the object is a pronoun (it, him, her, them, and so on), the pronoun MUST go between the verb and the particle. Tick the sentence in each pair that is correctly ordered.
(a)Switch off the lamp.(1)
  • A) Please switch off it before bed.
  • B) Please switch it off before bed.
(b)Pick up the passengers.(1)
  • A) She picked up them from the station.
  • B) She picked them up from the station.
(c)Give back the library book.(1)
  • A) He gave back it to the library.
  • B) He gave it back to the library.
(d)Turn down the offer.(1)
  • A) They turned down it politely.
  • B) They turned it down politely.
9
Using one example from Question 8, explain the rule for where a pronoun object must go with a separable phrasal verb.
(2)
10
Which of these phrasal verbs is inseparable (its object can never be placed between the verb and the particle, even when the object is a pronoun)?
  • A) turn down
  • B) look after
  • C) pick up
  • D) give back
11
Each sentence below wrongly places a pronoun after the particle of a separable phrasal verb. Rewrite each sentence correctly.
(a)Can you pick up it from the shop?(1)
(b)We need to sort out them before the meeting.(1)
(c)Please fill in it and return the form.(1)
12
Some phrasal verbs have three parts: a verb plus two particles. These are sometimes called phrasal-prepositional verbs. Identify the three-word phrasal verb in each sentence.
(a)I am really looking forward to the summer holidays.(1)
(b)She always puts up with her brother's terrible jokes.(1)
(c)He came up with a clever solution to the problem.(1)
(d)The driver somehow got away with speeding through the town.(1)
13
Complete each sentence with the correct three-word phrasal verb from the word bank, changing the verb form if needed. Each phrase is used once only.
| come up with | get away with | look forward to | put up with |
(a)I do not know how you ___ that constant noise from the building site.(1)
(b)The students ___ a brilliant idea for the charity fundraiser.(1)
(c)We are all ___ the school trip next month.(1)
(d)The driver tried to ___ speeding but was caught on camera.(1)
14
Rewrite each informal sentence in more formal Standard English by replacing the phrasal verb with a single-word synonym from the word bank.
| abandon | discover | investigate | postpone | tolerate |
(a)Can you find out what caused the delay?(1)
(b)The council will look into residents' complaints.(1)
(c)The meeting has been put off until next Tuesday.(1)
(d)Some passengers refuse to put up with the delays any longer.(1)
(e)The company decided to give up the project altogether.(1)
15
Explain one reason a writer might choose to replace a phrasal verb with a single-word, more formal synonym (such as 'postpone' instead of 'put off') in a formal letter or report.
(2)
16
Each sentence below uses the wrong particle, which changes or breaks the intended meaning. Identify and correct the error.
(a)She is looking forward for the summer holidays.(1)
(b)The old lorry broke up on the motorway during rush hour.(1)
(c)He turned off the offer of a place at the college immediately.(1)
17
Below is part of an informal email complaining about a faulty kettle. Rewrite it correctly and formally, as it should appear in a letter of complaint to a shop manager, correcting every error you can find.

'i am writing to complain about a faulty kettle that i bought from your shop last month. when i plugged in it for the first time, nothing happened at all. i rang the shop and the assistant just fobbed off me with excuses, saying she would look the problem into. its been three weeks now and i am well fed up about the whole situation.'
(6)
18
Write your own sentence for each phrasal verb below, showing clearly from the context that you understand its meaning.
(a)call off (to cancel)(1)
(b)hand in (to submit)(1)
(c)look up to (to admire)(1)
(d)put up with (to tolerate)(1)
19
Rewrite each sentence, replacing the underlined phrase with a suitable phrasal verb of your own choice. The overall meaning must stay the same.
(a)The match was cancelled because of heavy snow. (replace 'was cancelled')(1)
(b)They decided to investigate the mysterious noise. (replace 'investigate')(1)
(c)She admires her older sister enormously. (replace 'admires')(1)
20
Write an informal text message or email (approximately 60-90 words) to a friend, describing your weekend plans. Your writing must include at least FIVE different phrasal verbs, correctly used and with the correct particle and word order. Underline each phrasal verb you use.
Word bank (you do not have to use these): hang out | catch up | look forward to | get back | put off | drop by | take off | come round | sort out | give up
(10)
Mark scheme · Y8.1 Phrasal Verbs

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19

Question 20