Phrasal Verbs for FCE: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, especially for exams like the First Certificate in English (FCE). They consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), and their meanings are often idiomatic. Mastering phrasal verbs can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension. Below is a detailed list of common phrasal verbs tested in the FCE, along with their meanings, examples, and exercises.
1. Break Down
Meaning: To stop working (for machines) or to lose control of emotions (for people).
- The car broke down on the highway.
- She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news.
- The negotiations broke down because neither side would compromise.
2. Call Off
Meaning: To cancel something.
- They had to call off the match due to heavy rain.
- The meeting was called off at the last minute.
- He called off the engagement after realizing they weren’t compatible.
3. Carry On
Meaning: To continue doing something.
- Despite the noise, she carried on with her studies.
- We’ll carry on the discussion tomorrow.
- He carried on talking as if nothing had happened.
4. Find Out
Meaning: To discover information.
- I need to find out when the train leaves.
- She was shocked when she found out the truth.
- How did you find out about the party?
5. Give Up
Meaning: To stop doing something or to surrender.
- He decided to give up smoking for his health.
- Don’t give up on your dreams!
- The suspect gave up after a long chase.
6. Look After
Meaning: To take care of someone or something.
- Can you look after my dog while I’m away?
- She looks after her younger brother every afternoon.
- He’s been looking after the garden since his retirement.
7. Put Off
Meaning: To postpone or delay something.
- They put off the meeting until next week.
- Don’t put off your homework until the last minute.
- The bad weather put us off going to the beach.
8. Take Off
Meaning: To remove clothing or to leave the ground (for airplanes).
- He took off his jacket as soon as he entered the house.
- The plane took off on time despite the fog.
- She took off her shoes and relaxed on the sofa.
9. Turn Up
Meaning: To arrive or to increase volume.
- He finally turned up an hour late.
- Can you turn up the radio? I can’t hear it.
- She didn’t turn up for the appointment.
10. Work Out
Meaning: To exercise or to solve a problem.
- She works out at the gym three times a week.
- We need to work out a solution to this issue.
- Did you work out the math problem?
Exercises
Test your understanding of these phrasal verbs with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- She had to __________ the wedding because of illness.
- My car __________ in the middle of nowhere last night.
- Can you __________ my plants while I’m on vacation?
- He __________ his hat when he entered the restaurant.
- We need to __________ how much the trip will cost.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb to Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break down | a) To cancel |
| Call off | b) To take care of |
| Look after | c) To stop working |
| Turn up | d) To arrive |
| Work out | e) To solve |
Answer Key
Exercise 1:
- call off
- broke down
- look after
- took off
- work out
Exercise 2:
- Break down – c) To stop working
- Call off – a) To cancel
- Look after – b) To take care of
- Turn up – d) To arrive
- Work out – e) To solve