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Phrasal Verb Cloze

Introduction

In many Cloze Test questions, phrasal verbs are used to express actions, relationships, or transitions more naturally than single verbs. Mastering them helps you choose the option that fits both grammar and context correctly.

Pattern: Phrasal Verb Cloze

Pattern

The key idea is: select the phrasal verb that fits the sentence’s meaning, tone, and grammatical structure.

Step-by-Step Example

Question

During the annual community project, volunteers were encouraged to report challenges early so the organising committee could ___[1]___ issues before they grew serious. The team also planned to ___[2]___ new outreach activities that would attract more youth participation. Some senior members stepped in to ___[3]___ tasks that were falling behind schedule. To make planning smoother, coordinators decided to ___[4]___ last year’s guidelines and update them with clearer instructions. Before concluding the review meeting, the project director reminded everyone to ___[5]___ suggestions received from local groups and respond within three working days.

Choose the correct full array:

OptionArray of Answers (for all 5 blanks)
Alook into; roll out; take over; go through; act on
Blook after; give up; break down; put aside; call off
Crun into; turn away; set aside; carry on; talk out
Dbring in; put up with; back out of; write off; fall behind

Solution

  1. Step 1: Analyse Blank [1]

    The committee needs to examine or investigate issues → the phrasal verb look into matches this meaning.

  2. Step 2: Analyse Blank [2]

    The team plans to introduce or launch new outreach activities → roll out fits perfectly.

  3. Step 3: Analyse Blank [3]

    Senior members stepped in to take control of tasks → take over is the correct phrasal verb.

  4. Step 4: Analyse Blank [4]

    Coordinators want to review last year’s guidelines → go through expresses this action properly.

  5. Step 5: Analyse Blank [5]

    The director wants everyone to respond to suggestions → act on matches the meaning.

  6. Final Answer:

    look into; roll out; take over; go through; act on → Option A

  7. Quick Check:

    Inserting Option A makes every sentence sound natural and correctly structured. ✅

Quick Variations

- Situational phrasal verbs (workplace, travel, social contexts).

- Mix of literal vs. idiomatic phrasal verbs.

- Replaceable with single-word verbs but used for natural English flow.

Trick to Always Use

  • Check whether the phrasal verb expresses action + intent accurately.
  • Look for context clues such as purpose, control, continuation, or completion.

Summary

Summary

  • Phrasal verbs often replace regular verbs for natural expression.
  • Always choose a phrasal verb that matches both meaning and tone.
  • Use context clues to detect purpose, direction, or completion.
  • Check if the phrasal verb fits the sentence structure grammatically.

Example to remember:
“The team will look into the matter and act on the findings.”

Practice

(1/5)
1. Read the passage and answer the question: A community tech hub organised a month-long maker programme to help amateur designers develop functional prototypes. The coordinator asked participants to ___[1]___ any safety concerns at the start of each session so the team could address hazards quickly. Weekly skill clinics were scheduled to ___[2]___ basic fabrication techniques and encourage peer learning. Experienced volunteers would sometimes ___[3]___ to support groups that fell behind, ensuring timelines stayed on track. The hub also planned to ___[4]___ a small showcase event where families could view projects. After the programme, staff committed to ___[5]___ feedback from attendees before planning the next cycle. Q1: Choose the correct option for Blank [1].
easy
A. call off
B. carry on
C. flag up
D. pull out

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the intent

    The coordinator asks participants to notify or raise safety concerns at the start of sessions.

  2. Step 2: Match phrasal verbs

    “Flag up” means to bring something to attention → fits perfectly. “Carry on” (continue), “call off” (cancel), and “pull out” (withdraw) are incorrect.

  3. Final Answer:

    flag up → Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    “ask participants to flag up any safety concerns” reads natural and matches intended action. ✅
Hint: Look for phrasal verbs meaning ‘raise or bring to attention’ (flag up/point out).
Common Mistakes: Choosing phrasal verbs that mean continue or cancel instead of ‘raise’.
2. Read the passage and answer the question: A community tech hub organised a month-long maker programme to help amateur designers develop functional prototypes. The coordinator asked participants to ___[1]___ any safety concerns at the start of each session so the team could address hazards quickly. Weekly skill clinics were scheduled to ___[2]___ basic fabrication techniques and encourage peer learning. Experienced volunteers would sometimes ___[3]___ to support groups that fell behind, ensuring timelines stayed on track. The hub also planned to ___[4]___ a small showcase event where families could view projects. After the programme, staff committed to ___[5]___ feedback from attendees before planning the next cycle. Q2: Choose the correct option for Blank [2].
easy
A. run through
B. set aside
C. break down
D. hold off

Solution

  1. Step 1: Determine purpose

    Weekly clinics are for teaching or demonstrating basic techniques.

  2. Step 2: Select phrasal verb

    “Run through” means to explain or quickly demonstrate steps → fits perfectly. “Set aside” (reserve), “break down” (separate into parts-could be close but less direct here), “hold off” (delay) do not match as well.

  3. Final Answer:

    run through → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    “scheduled to run through basic fabrication techniques” is natural and instructional. ✅
Hint: For teaching or demonstrating, prefer ‘run through’ or ‘go over’.
Common Mistakes: Confusing ‘break down’ (analyse) with ‘run through’ (demonstrate).
3. Read the passage and answer the question: A community tech hub organised a month-long maker programme to help amateur designers develop functional prototypes. The coordinator asked participants to ___[1]___ any safety concerns at the start of each session so the team could address hazards quickly. Weekly skill clinics were scheduled to ___[2]___ basic fabrication techniques and encourage peer learning. Experienced volunteers would sometimes ___[3]___ to support groups that fell behind, ensuring timelines stayed on track. The hub also planned to ___[4]___ a small showcase event where families could view projects. After the programme, staff committed to ___[5]___ feedback from attendees before planning the next cycle. Q3: Choose the correct option for Blank [3].
easy
A. step back
B. chip in
C. fall through
D. hand out

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify context

    Experienced volunteers support groups that fell behind → they assist or contribute help.

  2. Step 2: Choose phrasal verb

    “Chip in” means to contribute help or effort → correct. “Step back” (withdraw), “fall through” (fail), “hand out” (distribute) are unsuitable.

  3. Final Answer:

    chip in → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    “volunteers would sometimes chip in to support groups” reads natural and matches teamwork. ✅
Hint: ‘Chip in’ = offer help; look for teamwork cues.
Common Mistakes: Choosing verbs that imply withdrawal or failure instead of assistance.
4. Read the passage and answer the question: A community tech hub organised a month-long maker programme to help amateur designers develop functional prototypes. The coordinator asked participants to ___[1]___ any safety concerns at the start of each session so the team could address hazards quickly. Weekly skill clinics were scheduled to ___[2]___ basic fabrication techniques and encourage peer learning. Experienced volunteers would sometimes ___[3]___ to support groups that fell behind, ensuring timelines stayed on track. The hub also planned to ___[4]___ a small showcase event where families could view projects. After the programme, staff committed to ___[5]___ feedback from attendees before planning the next cycle. Q4: Choose the correct option for Blank [4].
medium
A. call off
B. wind down
C. take up
D. put on

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand intent

    The hub plans an event where families view projects → they will organise or stage it.

  2. Step 2: Match phrasal verbs

    “Put on” means to stage or present an event → correct. “Call off” (cancel), “take up” (start), “wind down” (close) do not fit.

  3. Final Answer:

    put on → Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    “planned to put on a small showcase event” is natural and idiomatic. ✅
Hint: For organising events, ‘put on’ or ‘stage’ are common choices.
Common Mistakes: Mistaking ‘call off’ (cancel) for organising actions.
5. Read the passage and answer the question: A community tech hub organised a month-long maker programme to help amateur designers develop functional prototypes. The coordinator asked participants to ___[1]___ any safety concerns at the start of each session so the team could address hazards quickly. Weekly skill clinics were scheduled to ___[2]___ basic fabrication techniques and encourage peer learning. Experienced volunteers would sometimes ___[3]___ to support groups that fell behind, ensuring timelines stayed on track. The hub also planned to ___[4]___ a small showcase event where families could view projects. After the programme, staff committed to ___[5]___ feedback from attendees before planning the next cycle. Q5: Choose the correct option for Blank [5].
medium
A. take on
B. follow up on
C. put up with
D. run out of

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify meaning

    Staff committed to act on or pursue feedback from attendees before planning → they will review and respond.

  2. Step 2: Choose phrasal verb

    “Follow up on” means to pursue or act on feedback → fits precisely. “Take on” (accept responsibility), “put up with” (tolerate), “run out of” (exhaust supply) are incorrect.

  3. Final Answer:

    follow up on → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    “committed to follow up on feedback” clearly expresses intended follow-through. ✅
Hint: ‘Follow up on’ signals pursuing or responding to information.
Common Mistakes: Confusing ‘take on’ (accept) with ‘follow up on’ (pursue).

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