Master Phrasal Verbs and Idioms: 15 Board Exam Practice MCQs (English Grammar: Phrasal Verbs Question Bank with Explained Answers)

Master the concept of Phrasal Verbs and Idioms with this comprehensive study guide. Designed for Board Exam preparation, this resource covers essential rules, clear definitions, and a series of 15 important practice exercises from previous question papers to help you score full marks in your English Grammar section.

Q.10. Phrasal Verbs (Idiomatic Phrases) / Idioms

What is a Phrasal Verb?

Look at the following sentences:

• 1. I exercise every day.
• 2. I work out every day.

In the first sentence, the verb is a single word. In the second sentence, the verb is a phrase consisting of two words.

Definition: A phrasal verb is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition, an adverb, or both. The overall meaning of a phrasal verb often differs completely from the literal combined meaning of its individual words.

Exam Tip: When choosing the correct phrasal verb in board exams, read the entire sentence to understand the context (e.g., time, motion, exhaustion). Substitute the given options mentally to see which one logically and grammatically completes the action!

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Practice Exercises (Board Questions)

Test your knowledge with these 15 high-frequency questions. (Scroll to the bottom for the answer key and explanations!)

1. The crew ___________ of water and food before they could complete their expedition. (MDL-19)

   1. ran on
   2. ran about
   3. ran in
   4. ran out

2. There will be a ___________ in the office next week. (PTA-1)

   1. warm up
   2. run out
   3. shut down
   4. take off

3. It helps to ___________ the calories. (PTA-2)

   1. warm up
   2. stretch out
   3. put on
   4. burn off

4. The airhostess instructed the passengers to wear the seat belts during the ___________. (PTA-3)

   1. warm up
   2. stretch out
   3. put on
   4. take off

5. Doing ___________ every day in the morning keeps one healthy. (PTA-5)

   1. warm in
   2. warm up
   3. warm out
   4. warm into

6. The principal decided to ___________ the sports meet due to heavy rain.

   1. call on
   2. call off
   3. call in
   4. call out

7. If you want to pass the exam, you must ___________ your habit of procrastinating.

   1. give up
   2. give in
   3. give away
   4. give out

8. The thieves managed to ___________ the bank in the middle of the night.

   1. break down
   2. break out
   3. break into
   4. break up

9. Please ___________ your shoes before entering the laboratory.

   1. take over
   2. take off
   3. take after
   4. take up

10. I am ___________ meeting my old school friends this weekend.

    1. looking up to
    2. looking down on
    3. looking forward to
    4. looking after

11. The brave firefighters worked for three hours to ___________ the massive fire.

    1. put on
    2. put off
    3. put away
    4. put out

12. The teacher asked the students to ___________ the important dates in their notebooks.

    1. take down
    2. take over
    3. take off
    4. take in

13. She ___________ her grandmother; they both share the exact same smile and artistic talent.

    1. takes off
    2. takes over
    3. takes after
    4. takes down

14. I cannot ___________ his rude behavior anymore.

    1. put up with
    2. put out
    3. put on
    4. put off

15. Make sure you ___________ the lights before you leave the classroom.

    1. turn into
    2. turn off
    3. turn up
    4. turn out

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Answer Key & Explanations

Reviewing why an answer is correct is the best way to master English grammar. Use this table to check your scores and learn the exact meanings of these idiomatic phrases!

Q.No.	Correct Answer	Meaning / Explanation
1	d) ran out	To exhaust the supply of something completely.
2	c) shut down	To stop operations or close a business/office.
3	d) burn off	To eliminate energy or calories through physical exercise.
4	d) take off	The moment an aircraft leaves the ground and begins to fly.
5	b) warm up	To prepare for physical exertion by doing light exercises.
6	b) call off	To cancel an event or an agreement.
7	a) give up	To stop doing or having a particular habit.
8	c) break into	To enter a building or place illegally using force.
9	b) take off	To remove something (like clothing or shoes) from one's body.
10	c) looking forward to	To anticipate something with pleasure and excitement.
11	d) put out	To extinguish something that is burning (like a fire).
12	a) take down	To write something down on a piece of paper.
13	c) takes after	To resemble an older family member in appearance or character.
14	a) put up with	To tolerate or endure something unpleasant.
15	b) turn off	To stop the operation or flow of something (like lights or a machine).