Pariksha SaathiPhrasal Verbs Questions with Solutions
A phrasal verb’s meaning is rarely the sum of its parts — "give up" has nothing to do with giving or being up — so this topic is learned the same way as idioms, one combination at a time. Here’s the approach, four fully worked examples using some of the most common phrasal verbs tested, and a few to try yourself.
The approach, quickly
- A phrasal verb combines a verb with one or more particles (a preposition or adverb), and the combined meaning is often unrelated to the individual words — "give up" means to quit or surrender, not literally "give" something "up".
- Some phrasal verbs are transitive (take a direct object: "call off the meeting") and some are intransitive (no object: "the plane took off"). If the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle — "call it off," never "call off it".
- Context picks the right meaning when a phrasal verb has more than one sense — "look up" can mean "search for information" (look up a word) or "improve" (business is looking up).
- These are best learned through repeated exposure to the specific combinations, the same way idioms and vocabulary are learned, rather than reasoned out from the individual words.
Worked examples
1. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "The meeting was called off due to heavy rain." (A) Postponed to a later time (B) Cancelled (C) Moved to a different location (D) Extended
Solution
- "Called off" means cancelled.
Answer: (B) Cancelled
2. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "She had to give up smoking for her health." (A) To start (B) To quit or stop (C) To reduce (D) To delay
Solution
- "Give up" means to quit or stop doing something.
Answer: (B) To quit or stop
3. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "Please look after my plants while I am away." (A) To take care of (B) To search for (C) To ignore (D) To observe from a distance
Solution
- "Look after" means to take care of.
Answer: (A) To take care of
4. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "The new policy came into effect on 1st January." (A) Was cancelled (B) Became operative (C) Was discussed (D) Was postponed
Solution
- "Came into effect" means became operative — started being applied.
Answer: (B) Became operative
Try these yourself
Work through these the same way, then check against the answer.
1. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "He had to put off the trip because of the weather." (A) To cancel permanently (B) To postpone (C) To enjoy (D) To begin
Answer: (B) To postpone
2. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "She ran into her old friend at the market." (A) To avoid someone (B) To meet someone unexpectedly (C) To chase someone (D) To call someone
Answer: (B) To meet someone unexpectedly
3. Choose the meaning of the phrasal verb in: "The company is looking into the complaint seriously." (A) To ignore (B) To investigate (C) To publish (D) To approve
Answer: (B) To investigate
Where this comes up
Phrasal Verbs is a regular topic in the English Language section of every exam Pariksha Saathi covers — SSC CGL, SSC MTS, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI PO and SBI Clerk.
Practice more Phrasal Verbs questions
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