Phrasal verbs: the media – B2 English Vocabulary Test

1  Put the words in the correct order to make sentences. There is one extra word in each sentence.

1   can I / the children / amused / How / all day / keep / make / ?

      ……How can I keep the children amused all day?……

2   You got in / should / to college / celebrate / so we / achievement / your / ambition

      ……………………………………………………….

3   the news online / up / comment / to / with current affairs / date / I check / to / keep

      ……………………………………………………….

4   they’re too controversial / events / Please don’t / comment / on / tonight / current / at dinner / gossip

      ……………………………………………………….

5   the royal family / headlines / around the world / make / This story about / is going to / fun

      ……………………………………………………….

6   usually / stories / This journalist / very sensitive / covers / reads

      ……………………………………………………….

7   newspapers / do / I don’t like / of / that / fun / people / make

      ……………………………………………………….

8   a night in / gossip / Let’s have / and / people / to watch films / about / over

      ……………………………………………………….

2  Complete the sentences with the phrases in the box.

1   I don’t like to ……gossip……, but the new family at number fifteen is extraordinary.

2   Mary is upset because several people ………………. her new hairstyle.

3   We’re going to ………………. of three students today with special awards.

4   I’m so excited, I’m ………………. right now.

5   The story about the president ………………. around the world last week.

6   While I’m on holiday I’ll check my emails every day to ………………. with things at the office.

7   If you’re going to ………………. people, make sure you get your facts right.

8   Try reading this book, it’s got 800 pages so it should ………………. for a while.

3  Complete the phrasal verbs with a preposition. Then match the meanings to the phrasal verbs.

1   to not include someone or something ……leave out……

2   to give or find an explanation for something ……………….

3   to support or help someone ……………….

4   to examine the facts about a problem or situation ……………….

5   to learn the newest facts about something ……………….

6   to start to talk about a particular subject ……………….

7   to find out more about something ……………….

8   to manage to make someone understand or believe something ……………….

4  Find four mistakes in the sentences and correct them.

Hi Jared,

I’ve only just got back to the office, so I need to ……catch up on…… keep up to date my emails. However, I will get across the problem that you mention and see what has been done to clear up the misunderstanding. I’ll bring up with a meeting to highlight the important points so we can avoid this happening again. In the meantime, while I was away a client brought up the issue of data protection. I assured them no procedures had been caught up or overlooked and I hope you can back me up on this. Could you speak to them and clear up the message that we take this issue very seriously?

Many thanks.
Tom

5  Choose the correct options.

A:   So, what’s been (1) making the headlines / commenting on current events / gossiping about recently?

B:   Nothing much, it’s been so busy we’ve had no time to (2) make fun of / celebrate your achievement / gossip!

A:   Right!

B:   Now, I know you’ve (3) kept amused / up to date / covered the story with your emails so you’re aware there are lots of calls that you need to (4) leave out / follow up / get across. There are also a couple of reports that Fran wants you to (5) bring up / look into / bring up as the figures don’t add up.

A:   OK! Back to work then. Thanks for all your (6) cooperation / collection / criticism while I was away. I’m sorry I had to rush off at the (7) long-distance / last-minute / short-term. It was such a relief to know I had you to (8) clear me up / back me up / leave me out.

B:   No problem.