Phrasal verbs exercise

Complete the following sentences using appropriate phrasal verbs.

1. The passengers were relieved when the bomb threat ……………………. to be a hoax.

a) turned on

b) turned out

c) turned up

d) turned into

e) turned off

2. He is quite good at ……………………. famous film stars.

a) taking off

b) taking after

c) taking on

d) taking to

3. The constable ……………………… the thief but couldn’t catch him.

a) made after

b) made away

c) made off

d) made for

e) made out

Answers

1. turned out

To turn something on is to switch it on. When something turns out a particular way, it happens that way. To turn up is to arrive. When something turns into something else, it changes into that. To turn something off is to switch it off.

2. taking off

To take off somebody is to copy their way of talking or their behavior. When you take after somebody you resemble them. To take on people is to recruit them. To take to somebody is to like them.

3. made after

To make after somebody is to chase them. When you make away, you escape. To make off is to escape. When you make for a place, you move towards it in a hurry. When you make out something, you pretend that it is true.