100 MCQs on Phrasal Verbs for CUET UG English
Phrasal Verbs Commonly Asked in CUET UG English, designed for CUET UG English preparation. It includes a brief theoretical overview followed by 100 MCQs (50 Meaning and Usage Questions + 50 Sentence Completion/Error Identification Questions) with answers and explanations. This can be formatted into a PDF for your study needs.
Phrasal Verbs: Commonly Asked in CUET UG English
Theoretical Overview
What Are Phrasal Verbs?
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that together create a meaning different from the original verb. For example, “look” means to see, but “look after” means to take care of. Phrasal verbs are widely used in English and are a key focus in CUET UG English for testing vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence usage.
Key Features of Phrasal Verbs
- Separable vs. Inseparable: Some phrasal verbs can be separated (e.g., “pick up the book” or “pick the book up”), while others cannot (e.g., “look after” cannot be “look the child after”).
- Literal vs. Idiomatic: Some phrasal verbs have literal meanings (e.g., “sit down”), while others are idiomatic (e.g., “give up” means to quit).
- Transitive vs. Intransitive: Transitive phrasal verbs take an object (e.g., “turn off the light”), while intransitive ones do not (e.g., “show up”).
Why for CUET?
- CUET UG English tests vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability, often including phrasal verbs in reading comprehension, sentence completion, and error spotting.
- Understanding phrasal verbs enhances your ability to interpret nuanced meanings in passages and use them correctly in sentences.
100 MCQs on Phrasal Verbs for CUET UG English
Part 1: Meaning and Usage Questions (1–50)
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning or usage of the phrasal verb.
1–25: Identify the Meaning
- What does “look after” mean?
(A) To search for
(B) To take care of
(C) To admire
(D) To ignore- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Look after” means to take care of someone or something (e.g., She looks after her younger brother).
- What does “give up” mean?
(A) To surrender
(B) To offer
(C) To increase
(D) To continue- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Give up” means to quit or surrender (e.g., He gave up smoking).
- What does “turn off” mean?
(A) To switch on
(B) To switch off
(C) To turn around
(D) To speed up- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Turn off” means to switch off a device (e.g., Turn off the lights).
- What does “pick up” mean in the context of learning?
(A) To lift
(B) To learn informally
(C) To collect
(D) To drop- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Pick up” can mean to learn something casually (e.g., She picked up Spanish while traveling).
- What does “show up” mean?
(A) To display
(B) To arrive
(C) To hide
(D) To leave- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Show up” means to arrive or appear (e.g., He showed up late to the party).
- What does “run out of” mean?
(A) To escape
(B) To use up completely
(C) To run away
(D) To start running- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Run out of” means to use up all of something (e.g., We ran out of milk).
- What does “take off” mean in the context of an airplane?
(A) To land
(B) To leave the ground
(C) To remove
(D) To stop- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Take off” means to leave the ground (e.g., The plane took off on time).
- What does “put off” mean?
(A) To delay
(B) To wear
(C) To encourage
(D) To finish- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put off” means to postpone or delay (e.g., They put off the meeting).
- What does “break down” mean in the context of a machine?
(A) To stop working
(B) To destroy
(C) To repair
(D) To analyze- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Break down” means to stop functioning (e.g., The car broke down on the highway).
- What does “look forward to” mean?
(A) To anticipate with pleasure
(B) To search for
(C) To avoid
(D) To forget- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look forward to” means to eagerly anticipate (e.g., I look forward to the holidays).
- What does “get over” mean in the context of an illness?
(A) To recover from
(B) To catch
(C) To avoid
(D) To worsen- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Get over” means to recover (e.g., She got over the flu quickly).
- What does “call off” mean?
(A) To cancel
(B) To invite
(C) To shout
(D) To continue- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Call off” means to cancel (e.g., They called off the event due to rain).
- What does “bring up” mean in the context of raising a topic?
(A) To mention
(B) To raise a child
(C) To lift
(D) To forget- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Bring up” can mean to mention a topic (e.g., He brought up an interesting idea).
- What does “set up” mean?
(A) To destroy
(B) To establish
(C) To delay
(D) To finish- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Set up” means to establish or arrange (e.g., They set up a new business).
- What does “go on” mean in the context of continuing?
(A) To stop
(B) To continue
(C) To leave
(D) To return- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Go on” means to continue (e.g., Please go on with your story).
- What does “find out” mean?
(A) To discover
(B) To lose
(C) To hide
(D) To forget- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Find out” means to discover information (e.g., I found out the truth).
- What does “take up” mean in the context of a hobby?
(A) To lift
(B) To start doing
(C) To stop
(D) To borrow- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Take up” means to start a new activity (e.g., She took up painting).
- What does “give in” mean?
(A) To surrender
(B) To offer
(C) To reject
(D) To continue- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Give in” means to yield or surrender (e.g., He gave in to the pressure).
- What does “turn up” mean in the context of arriving?
(A) To leave
(B) To arrive unexpectedly
(C) To increase
(D) To decrease- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Turn up” can mean to arrive unexpectedly (e.g., She turned up at the party).
- What does “put up with” mean?
(A) To tolerate
(B) To build
(C) To display
(D) To remove- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put up with” means to tolerate (e.g., I can’t put up with the noise).
- What does “back out” mean?
(A) To support
(B) To withdraw
(C) To return
(D) To advance- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Back out” means to withdraw from a commitment (e.g., He backed out of the deal).
- What does “look into” mean?
(A) To ignore
(B) To investigate
(C) To admire
(D) To avoid- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Look into” means to investigate (e.g., They’ll look into the issue).
- What does “get along” mean?
(A) To fight
(B) To have a good relationship
(C) To leave
(D) To arrive- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Get along” means to have a good relationship (e.g., They get along well).
- What does “run into” mean in the context of meeting someone?
(A) To escape
(B) To meet unexpectedly
(C) To avoid
(D) To chase- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Run into” means to meet someone unexpectedly (e.g., I ran into an old friend).
- What does “carry on” mean?
(A) To stop
(B) To continue
(C) To lift
(D) To leave- Answer: (B)
- Explanation: “Carry on” means to continue (e.g., Let’s carry on with the work).
26–50: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb
- She decided to ___ smoking after years of trying.
(A) Give up
(B) Give in
(C) Give out
(D) Give off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Give up” means to quit (smoking). “Give in” (surrender), “give out” (distribute), and “give off” (emit) don’t fit.
- Please ___ the lights before leaving the room.
(A) Turn off
(B) Turn up
(C) Turn out
(D) Turn in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Turn off” means to switch off (lights). “Turn up” (increase/arrive), “turn out” (result), and “turn in” (submit/go to bed) don’t fit.
- He ___ a new hobby last month.
(A) Took up
(B) Took off
(C) Took over
(D) Took in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Took up” means to start (a hobby). “Took off” (leave/remove), “took over” (assume control), and “took in” (understand) don’t fit.
- We ___ of sugar, so I’ll go buy some.
(A) Ran out
(B) Ran into
(C) Ran over
(D) Ran up- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Ran out” means to use up (sugar). “Ran into” (meet), “ran over” (hit), and “ran up” (accumulate) don’t fit.
- The meeting was ___ due to the storm.
(A) Called off
(B) Called out
(C) Called up
(D) Called in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Called off” means to cancel (meeting). “Called out” (challenge), “called up” (phone), and “called in” (summon) don’t fit.
- I ___ my grandparents every weekend.
(A) Look after
(B) Look up
(C) Look out
(D) Look into- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look after” means to take care of (grandparents). “Look up” (search), “look out” (be careful), and “look into” (investigate) don’t fit.
- She ___ the problem and found a solution.
(A) Looked into
(B) Looked after
(C) Looked up
(D) Looked out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Looked into” means to investigate (problem). Others don’t fit the context.
- He ___ at the last minute for the event.
(A) Showed up
(B) Showed off
(C) Showed out
(D) Showed in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Showed up” means to arrive (event). “Showed off” (display proudly) and others don’t fit.
- I ___ to seeing you at the party.
(A) Look forward
(B) Look after
(C) Look into
(D) Look out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look forward to” means to anticipate with pleasure (seeing you). Others don’t fit.
- She ___ the flu after a few days.
(A) Got over
(B) Got up
(C) Got in
(D) Got out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Got over” means to recover (flu). “Got up” (rise), “got in” (enter), and “got out” (leave) don’t fit.
- They ___ a new company last year.
(A) Set up
(B) Set off
(C) Set out
(D) Set in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Set up” means to establish (company). “Set off” (start a journey), “set out” (begin), and “set in” (begin to happen) don’t fit.
- He ___ an old friend at the mall.
(A) Ran into
(B) Ran out
(C) Ran over
(D) Ran up- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Ran into” means to meet unexpectedly (friend). Others don’t fit.
- Let’s ___ with the plan despite the challenges.
(A) Carry on
(B) Carry out
(C) Carry over
(D) Carry in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Carry on” means to continue (plan). “Carry out” (execute), “carry over” (postpone), and “carry in” don’t fit.
- I ___ the truth about the incident yesterday.
(A) Found out
(B) Found up
(C) Found in
(D) Found off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Found out” means to discover (truth). Others are incorrect.
- She ___ to peer pressure and joined the group.
(A) Gave in
(B) Gave up
(C) Gave out
(D) Gave off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Gave in” means to surrender (to pressure). “Gave up” (quit) and others don’t fit.
- The plane ___ late due to bad weather.
(A) Took off
(B) Took up
(C) Took over
(D) Took in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Took off” means to leave the ground (plane). Others don’t fit.
- He ___ the meeting until next week.
(A) Put off
(B) Put up
(C) Put out
(D) Put in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put off” means to delay (meeting). “Put up” (tolerate/display), “put out” (extinguish), and “put in” (insert) don’t fit.
- The car ___ on the way to the airport.
(A) Broke down
(B) Broke up
(C) Broke out
(D) Broke in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Broke down” means to stop working (car). “Broke up” (end relationship), “broke out” (escape), and “broke in” (enter forcibly) don’t fit.
- I can’t ___ his rude behavior anymore.
(A) Put up with
(B) Put off
(C) Put out
(D) Put in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put up with” means to tolerate (behavior). Others don’t fit.
- He ___ of the agreement at the last moment.
(A) Backed out
(B) Backed up
(C) Backed off
(D) Backed in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Backed out” means to withdraw (agreement). “Backed up” (support), “backed off” (retreat), and “backed in” don’t fit.
- We ___ well with our new neighbors.
(A) Get along
(B) Get over
(C) Get in
(D) Get out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Get along” means to have a good relationship (neighbors). Others don’t fit.
- She ___ unexpectedly at the meeting.
(A) Turned up
(B) Turned off
(C) Turned out
(D) Turned in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Turned up” means to arrive unexpectedly (meeting). Others don’t fit.
- He ___ a new skill while working abroad.
(A) Picked up
(B) Picked out
(C) Picked off
(D) Picked in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Picked up” means to learn informally (skill). “Picked out” (select) and others don’t fit.
- Let’s ___ with the discussion after the break.
(A) Go on
(B) Go out
(C) Go over
(D) Go in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Go on” means to continue (discussion). “Go out” (leave), “go over” (review), and “go in” don’t fit.
- She ___ the topic of climate change during the debate.
(A) Brought up
(B) Brought out
(C) Brought in
(D) Brought over- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Brought up” means to mention (topic). “Brought out” (reveal), “brought in” (introduce), and “brought over” don’t fit.
Part 2: Sentence Completion/Error Identification Questions (51–100)
Instructions: Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb or identify the error in usage.
51–75: Sentence Completion
- She ___ her younger sister while her parents were away.
(A) Looked after
(B) Looked up
(C) Looked out
(D) Looked into- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Looked after” means to take care of (sister). Others don’t fit the context.
- He decided to ___ his dream of becoming a doctor.
(A) Give up
(B) Give in
(C) Give out
(D) Give off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Give up” means to quit (dream). Others don’t fit.
- Please ___ the TV; it’s too loud.
(A) Turn off
(B) Turn up
(C) Turn out
(D) Turn in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Turn off” means to switch off (TV). “Turn up” (increase) and others don’t fit.
- She ___ French while living in Paris.
(A) Picked up
(B) Picked out
(C) Picked off
(D) Picked in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Picked up” means to learn informally (French). Others don’t fit.
- He didn’t ___ for the meeting on time.
(A) Show up
(B) Show off
(C) Show out
(D) Show in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Show up” means to arrive (meeting). Others don’t fit.
- We ___ of gas on the way to the city.
(A) Ran out
(B) Ran into
(C) Ran over
(D) Ran up- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Ran out” means to use up (gas). Others don’t fit.
- The flight ___ an hour late due to fog.
(A) Took off
(B) Took up
(C) Took over
(D) Took in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Took off” means to leave the ground (flight). Others don’t fit.
- They decided to ___ the exam until next month.
(A) Put off
(B) Put up
(C) Put out
(D) Put in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put off” means to delay (exam). Others don’t fit.
- The machine ___ during the presentation.
(A) Broke down
(B) Broke up
(C) Broke out
(D) Broke in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Broke down” means to stop working (machine). Others don’t fit.
- I ___ to the concert this weekend.
(A) Look forward
(B) Look after
(C) Look into
(D) Look out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look forward to” means to anticipate with pleasure (concert). Others don’t fit.
- She ___ her cold after a week of rest.
(A) Got over
(B) Got up
(C) Got in
(D) Got out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Got over” means to recover (cold). Others don’t fit.
- The match was ___ due to heavy rain.
(A) Called off
(B) Called out
(C) Called up
(D) Called in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Called off” means to cancel (match). Others don’t fit.
- He ___ the issue of funding during the meeting.
(A) Brought up
(B) Brought out
(C) Brought in
(D) Brought over- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Brought up” means to mention (issue). Others don’t fit.
- They ___ a new club for students.
(A) Set up
(B) Set off
(C) Set out
(D) Set in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Set up” means to establish (club). Others don’t fit.
- Please ___ with your work while I’m gone.
(A) Go on
(B) Go out
(C) Go over
(D) Go in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Go on” means to continue (work). Others don’t fit.
- I ___ the news about the event last night.
(A) Found out
(B) Found up
(C) Found in
(D) Found off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Found out” means to discover (news). Others are incorrect.
- He ___ photography as a new hobby.
(A) Took up
(B) Took off
(C) Took over
(D) Took in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Took up” means to start (hobby). Others don’t fit.
- She ___ to the demands after a long debate.
(A) Gave in
(B) Gave up
(C) Gave out
(D) Gave off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Gave in” means to surrender (demands). Others don’t fit.
- He ___ at the ceremony without an invitation.
(A) Turned up
(B) Turned off
(C) Turned out
(D) Turned in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Turned up” means to arrive unexpectedly (ceremony). Others don’t fit.
- I can’t ___ her constant complaints anymore.
(A) Put up with
(B) Put off
(C) Put out
(D) Put in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put up with” means to tolerate (complaints). Others don’t fit.
- He ___ of the race due to an injury.
(A) Backed out
(B) Backed up
(C) Backed off
(D) Backed in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Backed out” means to withdraw (race). Others don’t fit.
- They’ll ___ the matter and get back to us.
(A) Look into
(B) Look after
(C) Look up
(D) Look out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look into” means to investigate (matter). Others don’t fit.
- We ___ well with our classmates.
(A) Get along
(B) Get over
(C) Get in
(D) Get out- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Get along” means to have a good relationship (classmates). Others don’t fit.
- I ___ my teacher at the store yesterday.
(A) Ran into
(B) Ran out
(C) Ran over
(D) Ran up- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Ran into” means to meet unexpectedly (teacher). Others don’t fit.
- Let’s ___ with the project despite the delay.
(A) Carry on
(B) Carry out
(C) Carry over
(D) Carry in- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Carry on” means to continue (project). Others don’t fit.
76–100: Error Identification
- She looked up her younger brother while her parents were away.
(A) Looked up → Looked after
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Looked up” (searched) is incorrect; “looked after” (took care of) fits (brother).
- He gave in his dream of becoming a pilot.
(A) Gave in → Gave up
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Gave in” (surrendered) is incorrect; “gave up” (quit) fits (dream).
- Please turn up the lights; it’s too dark.
(A) Turn up → Turn on
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Turn up” (increase) can work but is less common; “turn on” (switch on) is more precise for lights.
- She picked out French while living in France.
(A) Picked out → Picked up
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Picked out” (selected) is incorrect; “picked up” (learned informally) fits (French).
- He showed up for the meeting on time.
(A) No error
(B) Showed up → Showed off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Showed up” (arrived) is correct; no error.
- We ran into of time during the exam.
(A) Ran into → Ran out
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Ran into” (met) is incorrect; “ran out” (used up) fits (ran out of time).
- The plane took up an hour late.
(A) Took up → Took off
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Took up” (started) is incorrect; “took off” (left the ground) fits (plane).
- They put up the event until next week.
(A) Put up → Put off
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put up” (tolerated/displayed) is incorrect; “put off” (delayed) fits (event).
- The car broke up on the way to the station.
(A) Broke up → Broke down
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Broke up” (ended relationship) is incorrect; “broke down” (stopped working) fits (car).
- I look forward to meeting you soon.
(A) No error
(B) Look forward → Look after- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look forward to” (anticipate) is correct; no error.
- She got in her illness after a few days.
(A) Got in → Got over
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Got in” (entered) is incorrect; “got over” (recovered) fits (illness).
- The match was called out due to bad weather.
(A) Called out → Called off
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Called out” (challenged) is incorrect; “called off” (canceled) fits (match).
- He brought out the topic of education in the meeting.
(A) Brought out → Brought up
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Brought out” (revealed) is incorrect; “brought up” (mentioned) fits (topic).
- They set up a new school in the village.
(A) No error
(B) Set up → Set off- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Set up” (established) is correct; no error.
- Please go out with your work after the break.
(A) Go out → Go on
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Go out” (leave) is incorrect; “go on” (continue) fits (work).
- I found up the truth about the incident.
(A) Found up → Found out
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Found up” is incorrect; “found out” (discovered) fits (truth).
- She took over painting as a hobby.
(A) Took over → Took up
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Took over” (assumed control) is incorrect; “took up” (started) fits (hobby).
- He gave up to the demands after a long argument.
(A) Gave up → Gave in
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Gave up” (quit) is incorrect; “gave in” (surrendered) fits (demands).
- She turned off at the party unexpectedly.
(A) Turned off → Turned up
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Turned off” (switched off) is incorrect; “turned up” (arrived) fits (party).
- I can’t put off with his behavior anymore.
(A) Put off → Put up
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Put off” (delayed) is incorrect; “put up with” (tolerated) fits (behavior).
- He backed up of the plan at the last minute.
(A) Backed up → Backed out
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Backed up” (supported) is incorrect; “backed out” (withdrew) fits (plan).
- They’ll look after the issue tomorrow.
(A) Look after → Look into
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Look after” (take care of) is incorrect; “look into” (investigate) fits (issue).
- We get over well with our cousins.
(A) Get over → Get along
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Get over” (recover) is incorrect; “get along” (have a good relationship) fits (cousins).
- I ran out my friend at the market.
(A) Ran out → Ran into
(B) No error- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Ran out” (used up) is incorrect; “ran into” (met unexpectedly) fits (friend).
- Let’s carry out with the project tomorrow.
(A) Carry out → Carry on
(B) No error
- Answer: (A)
- Explanation: “Carry out” (execute) is incorrect here; “carry on” (continue) fits (project).
