📚 B2 Level · Phrasal Verbs
🔬⚙️ Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
Complete B2 Level Tutorial
Master 14 essential phrasal verbs used in science, technology, research, and innovation — with definitions, grammar notes, examples, and usage tips.
🌐 Introduction: Why Phrasal Verbs Matter in Science & Technology
In today's fast-moving world of science and technology, being able to discuss discoveries, inventions, experiments, and digital tools in English is an essential skill. Whether you are reading a scientific article, watching a documentary about the latest innovations, or simply talking to a colleague about a technical problem, you will frequently encounter phrasal verbs — those powerful two- or three-word combinations that native English speakers use naturally and constantly.
This tutorial focuses on 14 essential phrasal verbs that appear regularly in the context of science and technology. Each one has been carefully explained at B2 level, with clear definitions, grammar notes, contextual examples, and usage tips to help you not only understand these verbs but also use them confidently and accurately in your own speaking and writing.
📘 The 14 Phrasal Verbs: Definitions, Grammar & Context
1
🔧
Break Down
📌 Meaning
🔹 Intransitive — No direct object
To stop working (for a machine, system, or piece of technology).
💬 Examples in Context
- The laboratory's main server broke down during the experiment, causing scientists to lose hours of valuable data.
- Electric vehicles are becoming more reliable, but they can still break down in extreme weather conditions.
- The communication satellite broke down unexpectedly, disrupting internet services across the region.
💡 Usage Tip: "Break down" is also used in chemistry and biology to mean decompose or separate into smaller parts. In the context of machines and technology, it specifically means to stop working.
2
🧪
Carry Out
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To perform, conduct, or complete a task, experiment, or plan.
💬 Examples in Context
- The research team carried out a series of clinical trials to test the effectiveness of the new vaccine.
- Scientists are currently carrying out experiments to understand the long-term effects of microplastics on marine life.
- The engineers carried out a full diagnostic check on the spacecraft before its launch.
💡 Usage Tip: "Carry out" is extremely common in academic and scientific English. It is a more formal alternative to simply saying "do" or "perform", and it is highly recommended for B2+ writing tasks.
3
✅
Come Off
📌 Meaning
🔹 Intransitive — No direct object
To succeed; to achieve the intended result.
💬 Examples in Context
- The team had been working on the fusion energy project for three years, and finally, their experiment came off.
- The engineers weren't sure the repair would work, but it came off perfectly.
- The prototype testing came off better than expected, and the company decided to move forward with production.
💡 Usage Tip: "Come off" is often used to describe the successful outcome of something that was uncertain or risky. It carries a sense of relief or pleasant surprise.
4
📈
Come On
📌 Meaning
🔹 Intransitive — No direct object
To develop or make progress.
💬 Examples in Context
- The development of quantum computing is really coming on — researchers have made remarkable breakthroughs in the past two years.
- How is the new AI software coming on? Is it ready for testing yet?
- Renewable energy technology has been coming on rapidly, with solar panel efficiency reaching record levels.
💡 Usage Tip: This phrasal verb is slightly informal and is often used in spoken English to ask about the progress of something. In written scientific contexts, you might prefer "progressing" or "advancing", but "coming on" is perfectly appropriate in B2 conversations and semi-formal writing.
5
💡
Come Up With
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Inseparable
To think of, invent, or produce an idea, solution, or plan.
💬 Examples in Context
- The engineering team came up with an innovative solution to reduce the carbon emissions of the new engine.
- It was a young researcher who came up with the idea of using nanotechnology to deliver medicine directly to cancer cells.
- After months of testing, the software developers finally came up with a way to fix the critical security vulnerability.
💡 Usage Tip: "Come up with" is one of the most versatile phrasal verbs in English. It is used across all contexts and is an excellent alternative to "invent", "devise", or "think of".
6
✂️
Cut Off
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To stop or interrupt the supply or flow of something such as electricity, internet, or data.
💬 Examples in Context
- The storm cut off the electricity supply to the research station for more than 48 hours.
- A cyberattack cut off access to the hospital's computer systems, forcing staff to use paper records.
- Engineers had to cut off the fuel supply to the rocket engine during the safety test.
💡 Usage Tip: "Cut off" is also used figuratively to mean isolate. In technology contexts, it most commonly refers to interrupting power, internet, or data flow.
7
🔍
Find Out
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To discover or learn information, often through research, investigation, or experimentation.
💬 Examples in Context
- Scientists are working hard to find out why certain bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
- The data analysis helped researchers find out that the new drug was 40% more effective than the existing treatment.
- We need to find out what caused the system failure before we can restart the experiment.
💡 Usage Tip: "Find out" is extremely common in both spoken and written English. It is a natural, versatile alternative to "discover", "determine", or "learn".
8
🌡️
Give Off
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Inseparable
To emit or release a substance, energy, or sensation such as heat, light, gas, radiation, or a smell.
💬 Examples in Context
- Nuclear reactors give off enormous amounts of heat, which is then converted into electrical energy.
- The chemical reaction gave off a toxic gas, forcing the laboratory to be evacuated immediately.
- LED lights are more efficient than traditional bulbs because they give off less heat and use less energy.
💡 Usage Tip: "Give off" is particularly useful in chemistry, physics, and environmental science contexts. It is a natural way to describe emissions, radiation, and other forms of energy or matter release.
9
🎯
Narrow Down
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To reduce a large number of options, possibilities, or results to a smaller, more manageable set.
💬 Examples in Context
- After running hundreds of simulations, the scientists were able to narrow down the possible causes of the system failure to just three.
- The diagnostic software helped engineers narrow down the problem to a faulty circuit in the control panel.
- Researchers are trying to narrow down the list of candidate materials for the next generation of solar panels.
💡 Usage Tip: "Narrow down" is extremely useful in research, data analysis, and problem-solving contexts. It suggests a systematic, logical process of elimination — which is central to scientific thinking.
10
🔌
Plug In
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To connect a device to an electrical power source so that it can function.
💬 Examples in Context
- Before you can run the diagnostic software, make sure the external hard drive is plugged in.
- The technician plugged in the new server and ran a series of tests to ensure it was functioning correctly.
- Electric cars need to be plugged in overnight to ensure they have a full charge for the next day.
💡 Usage Tip: "Plug in" is used both literally (connecting a device to power) and figuratively (connecting to a network or system). It is a very common phrasal verb in everyday technology language.
11
📞
Put Through
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To connect someone to another person or department via a telephone or communication system.
💬 Examples in Context
- The operator put the engineer through to the technical support team after the system crashed.
- Could you put me through to the IT department? I'm having trouble accessing the research database.
- The automated system put the call through to the wrong department, causing a significant delay in the emergency response.
💡 Usage Tip: While "put through" is traditionally associated with telephone communication, it is also used in modern contexts involving digital communication systems, helpdesks, and customer support services.
12
🔄
Turn Into
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Inseparable
To transform or change into a different form, state, or thing.
💬 Examples in Context
- When water is heated to 100°C, it turns into steam — a process known as vaporisation.
- The research project eventually turned into one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the decade.
- With advances in artificial intelligence, simple chatbots have turned into sophisticated virtual assistants capable of complex reasoning.
💡 Usage Tip: "Turn into" is used to describe both physical transformations (common in chemistry and physics) and metaphorical changes (common in technology and innovation contexts). It is a highly flexible phrasal verb.
13
⛔
Turn Off
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To stop a machine or device from operating by switching it off or disconnecting its power.
💬 Examples in Context
- Always turn off laboratory equipment when it is not in use to prevent overheating and save energy.
- The safety system automatically turned off the reactor when it detected an unusual rise in temperature.
- Researchers were asked to turn off all wireless devices before entering the electromagnetic testing facility.
💡 Usage Tip: "Turn off" is the opposite of "turn on" and is one of the most basic and frequently used phrasal verbs in technology contexts. It is used for all types of machines, devices, and systems.
14
🧩
Work Out
📌 Meaning
🔹 Transitive · Separable
To find the solution to a problem through thought, calculation, or effort.
💬 Examples in Context
- The team of mathematicians finally worked out the algorithm needed to improve the accuracy of the AI model.
- It took the engineers several weeks to work out why the satellite was losing power so rapidly.
- By analysing the experimental data carefully, the researchers were able to work out the optimal temperature for the chemical reaction.
💡 Usage Tip: "Work out" is also used to mean exercise or to result in a particular way. In scientific and technical contexts, however, it specifically means to find a solution or calculate a result.
📝 Quick Reference Summary Table
| # | Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Grammar Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Break down | Stop working (machine) | Intransitive |
| 2 | Carry out | Perform an experiment/task | Transitive · Separable |
| 3 | Come off | Succeed | Intransitive |
| 4 | Come on | Develop / make progress | Intransitive |
| 5 | Come up with | Think of an idea/plan | Transitive · Inseparable |
| 6 | Cut off | Stop the supply of sth | Transitive · Separable |
| 7 | Find out | Discover information | Transitive · Separable |
| 8 | Give off | Produce heat/smell/gas | Transitive · Inseparable |
| 9 | Narrow down | Reduce possibilities | Transitive · Separable |
| 10 | Plug in | Connect to electricity | Transitive · Separable |
| 11 | Put through | Connect by phone | Transitive · Separable |
| 12 | Turn into | Change into sth different | Transitive · Inseparable |
| 13 | Turn off | Stop a machine working | Transitive · Separable |
| 14 | Work out | Find the solution | Transitive · Separable |
🎓 Keep Learning with LingExam.com
Mastering phrasal verbs in the context of science and technology gives you a significant advantage in academic English, professional communication, and everyday conversations about the modern world. These 14 phrasal verbs are not just vocabulary items — they are tools that allow you to express complex scientific ideas clearly and naturally. Visit LingExam.com for more comprehensive, in-depth English learning content!
1
Exercise 1: Match the Phrasal Verb to Its Definition
Accuracy Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Match each phrasal verb (1–10) with its correct definition (A–J) from the list below. Click "Show Answer" after each question to check your response.
🔤 Phrasal Verbs
1. carry out
2. give off
3. narrow down
4. plug in
5. come up with
6. turn into
7. find out
8. work out
9. cut off
10. put through
📖 Definitions (A–J)
- A. to connect to the electricity supply
- B. to reduce the number of possibilities
- C. to discover information
- D. to stop the supply of something
- E. to think of an idea or plan
- F. to find the solution to a problem
- G. to connect someone by phone
- H. to perform an experiment or task
- I. to produce something such as heat or a smell
- J. to change into something different
📝 Example (Question 0):
0. break down → which definition matches?
👉 Click "Show Answer" to see: Answer: H — to stop working, for a machine
0. break down → which definition matches?
👉 Click "Show Answer" to see: Answer: H — to stop working, for a machine
1
carry out → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
H — to perform an experiment or task
"Carry out" means to conduct or complete a task, plan, or experiment. It is very common in scientific and academic English.
2
give off → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
I — to produce something such as heat or a smell
"Give off" means to emit or release a substance or energy. It is frequently used in chemistry and physics contexts.
3
narrow down → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
B — to reduce the number of possibilities
"Narrow down" means to eliminate options and focus on a smaller, more specific set of results or causes.
4
plug in → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
A — to connect to the electricity supply
"Plug in" means to connect a device to a power source so that it can operate. It is one of the most common technology phrasal verbs.
5
come up with → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
E — to think of an idea or plan
"Come up with" means to invent, devise, or produce an idea or solution. It is inseparable — the object always follows "with".
6
turn into → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
J — to change into something different
"Turn into" describes a transformation — either physical (e.g., water turning into steam) or metaphorical (e.g., a startup turning into a tech giant).
7
find out → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
C — to discover information
"Find out" means to learn or discover something through research, investigation, or experimentation. It is a very versatile phrasal verb used in both formal and informal contexts.
8
work out → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
F — to find the solution to a problem
"Work out" in a science/technology context means to calculate or find the solution to a problem. It is separable: "work out the problem" or "work the problem out".
9
cut off → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
D — to stop the supply of something
"Cut off" means to interrupt or stop the flow or supply of something — such as electricity, internet, or data. It is separable: "cut off the power" or "cut the power off".
10
put through → Which definition (A–J) matches this phrasal verb?
✅ Correct Answer
G — to connect someone by phone
"Put through" means to connect a caller to another person or department via a phone or communication system. It is separable: "put someone through" or "put through the call".
2
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb
Multiple Choice Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Choose the correct phrasal verb (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence. Click "Show Answer" after each question to check your response.
📝 Example (Question 0):
The scientist _______ a new method for detecting viruses in water.
Answer: B — "came up with" = thought of a new idea/method.
The scientist _______ a new method for detecting viruses in water.
Answer: B — "came up with" = thought of a new idea/method.
1
The laboratory equipment _______ during the most critical phase of the experiment.
✅ Correct Answer
A — broke down
"Broke down" is the correct choice because it describes a machine or system that stopped working unexpectedly. "Turned off" implies a deliberate action, and "cut off" refers to stopping a supply.
2
The research team _______ a series of tests on the new solar panel material.
✅ Correct Answer
C — carried out
"Carried out" means to perform or conduct a series of tests or experiments. It is the standard phrasal verb used in scientific and academic English for this purpose.
3
When heated, the liquid _______ a colourless gas that was later identified as hydrogen.
✅ Correct Answer
B — gave off
"Gave off" is correct because it means to emit or release a substance such as a gas. "Turned into" would mean the liquid itself became a gas, which changes the meaning of the sentence.
4
The engineers managed to _______ the cause of the malfunction to a single faulty component.
✅ Correct Answer
B — narrow down
"Narrow down" means to reduce a large number of possibilities to a smaller, more specific set. It perfectly describes the process of identifying a single cause from many possibilities.
5
The technician _______ the external hard drive before running the data recovery software.
✅ Correct Answer
A — plugged in
"Plugged in" means to connect a device to the electricity supply. Before running software on an external device, it must first be connected to power or to the computer.
6
After years of research, scientists finally _______ how the virus mutates so rapidly.
✅ Correct Answer
B — worked out
"Worked out" means to find the solution to a problem or understand something through careful analysis. In this context, scientists found the answer to how the virus mutates after years of research.
7
The operator _______ the caller _______ to the technical support department immediately.
✅ Correct Answer
A — put / through
"Put through" means to connect someone by phone or communication system. When separated, the object goes between "put" and "through": "put the caller through". This is a separable phrasal verb.
8
The cyberattack _______ access to the hospital's entire digital system for six hours.
✅ Correct Answer
B — cut off
"Cut off" means to stop or interrupt the supply or access to something. A cyberattack interrupting access to a digital system is a classic technology context for this phrasal verb.
9
The AI project is really _______ — the team has made incredible progress this month.
✅ Correct Answer
A — coming on
"Coming on" means to develop or make progress. It is used here to describe the AI project advancing well. The context clue "incredible progress this month" confirms this meaning.
10
The experiment _______ perfectly, confirming the scientists' original hypothesis.
✅ Correct Answer
B — came off
"Came off" means to succeed or achieve the intended result. The adverb "perfectly" and the confirmation of the hypothesis both indicate a successful outcome, which is exactly what "come off" expresses.
3
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blank
Word Bank Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Use the correct phrasal verb from the word bank below to complete each sentence. Use each verb once only. You may need to change the form of the verb. Click "Show Answer" after each question to check your response.
📦 Word Bank
⚠️ Use each phrasal verb once only. You may need to change the verb form.
break down
carry out
come off
come on
come up with
cut off
find out
give off
narrow down
plug in
put through
turn into
turn off
work out
📝 Example (Question 0):
The scientist _______ the experiment successfully despite the limited resources.
Answer: carried out — "carry out" means to perform or conduct a task or experiment.
The scientist _______ the experiment successfully despite the limited resources.
Answer: carried out — "carry out" means to perform or conduct a task or experiment.
1
The power station _______ enormous amounts of heat as a by-product of generating electricity.
✅ Correct Answer
gives off
"Give off" means to emit or release a substance or form of energy. Here it is used in the present simple because it describes a regular, ongoing process.
✏️ Full sentence: The power station gives off enormous amounts of heat as a by-product of generating electricity.
2
Scientists are trying to _______ why certain materials conduct electricity more efficiently at low temperatures.
✅ Correct Answer
find out
"Find out" means to discover or learn information through research or investigation. It follows "trying to", so the base form of the verb is used.
✏️ Full sentence: Scientists are trying to find out why certain materials conduct electricity more efficiently at low temperatures.
3
The old server _______ just as the team was about to upload the final research data.
✅ Correct Answer
broke down
"Break down" means to stop working. The past simple "broke down" is used here because the action happened at a specific moment in the past, interrupted by another past action.
✏️ Full sentence: The old server broke down just as the team was about to upload the final research data.
4
Please _______ all mobile devices before entering the MRI scanning room.
✅ Correct Answer
turn off
"Turn off" means to stop a device from operating. The imperative form is used here as it is a direct instruction or safety rule. MRI machines are sensitive to electromagnetic signals from mobile devices.
✏️ Full sentence: Please turn off all mobile devices before entering the MRI scanning room.
5
The receptionist _______ the engineer _______ to the software development team.
✅ Correct Answer
put / through
"Put through" means to connect someone by phone or communication system. When separated, the object is placed between "put" and "through". The past simple is used here as the action is completed.
✏️ Full sentence: The receptionist put the engineer through to the software development team.
6
After running multiple simulations, the team managed to _______ the possible solutions to just two.
✅ Correct Answer
narrow down
"Narrow down" means to reduce a large number of options to a smaller, more specific set. It follows "managed to", so the base form is used. Running simulations is a typical method of narrowing down possibilities in science.
✏️ Full sentence: After running multiple simulations, the team managed to narrow down the possible solutions to just two.
7
The young inventor _______ a revolutionary idea for storing solar energy in flexible batteries.
✅ Correct Answer
came up with
"Come up with" means to think of or invent an idea or plan. The past simple "came up with" is used here. Note that this is an inseparable phrasal verb — the object always follows "with".
✏️ Full sentence: The young inventor came up with a revolutionary idea for storing solar energy in flexible batteries.
8
The water _______ steam as soon as it reached boiling point inside the pressurised chamber.
✅ Correct Answer
turned into
"Turn into" means to transform or change into a different form. This is a classic science context — water physically transforming into steam (vaporisation) when it reaches 100°C. The past simple is used here.
✏️ Full sentence: The water turned into steam as soon as it reached boiling point inside the pressurised chamber.
9
The new AI assistant is really _______ — it can now hold complex conversations in twelve languages.
✅ Correct Answer
coming on
"Come on" means to develop or make progress. The present continuous "coming on" is used here because it describes an ongoing process of improvement. The adverb "really" intensifies the sense of progress.
✏️ Full sentence: The new AI assistant is really coming on — it can now hold complex conversations in twelve languages.
10
The bold experiment _______ brilliantly, and the results were published in a leading science journal.
✅ Correct Answer
came off
"Come off" means to succeed or achieve the intended result. The adverb "brilliantly" and the publication of results in a leading journal both confirm a highly successful outcome. The past simple is used here.
✏️ Full sentence: The bold experiment came off brilliantly, and the results were published in a leading science journal.
4
Exercise 4: True or False
True / False Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Read each statement about the meaning or use of a phrasal verb. Decide whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE. Click "Show Answer" after each question to check your response and read the full explanation.
📝 Example (Question 0):
"The phrasal verb 'carry out' means to cancel a scientific experiment."
❌ FALSE
Explanation: "Carry out" means to perform or conduct an experiment or task — not to cancel it. The opposite meaning would be expressed by phrasal verbs such as "call off" or "cancel".
"The phrasal verb 'carry out' means to cancel a scientific experiment."
❌ FALSE
Explanation: "Carry out" means to perform or conduct an experiment or task — not to cancel it. The opposite meaning would be expressed by phrasal verbs such as "call off" or "cancel".
1
"Break down" can be used to describe a machine or piece of technology that has stopped working unexpectedly.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✔ TRUE
This statement is TRUE. "Break down" is used to describe a machine, system, or piece of technology that has stopped functioning. For example: "The laboratory scanner broke down during the experiment." It is an intransitive phrasal verb and does not take a direct object.
2
"Give off" is a separable phrasal verb, so you can say both "give off heat" and "give heat off".
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✘ FALSE
This statement is FALSE. "Give off" is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means the object must always come after the full phrasal verb. You can say "give off heat" but you cannot say "give heat off".
✏️ Correction: "Give off" is inseparable — the object must always follow "off". ✅ "The reaction gave off a toxic gas." ❌ "The reaction gave a toxic gas off."
3
"Come up with" means to think of or invent a new idea, plan, or solution.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✔ TRUE
This statement is TRUE. "Come up with" means to produce, devise, or invent an idea, plan, or solution — often creatively or after careful thought. For example: "The research team came up with a groundbreaking method for detecting cancer cells." It is an inseparable phrasal verb.
4
"Narrow down" means to increase the number of possible options or results in a scientific investigation.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✘ FALSE
This statement is FALSE. "Narrow down" means the opposite — to reduce or limit the number of possibilities, not to increase them. It describes the process of eliminating options to focus on a smaller, more specific set.
✏️ Correction: "Narrow down" means to reduce the number of possibilities. ✅ "The scientists narrowed down the causes to just three."
5
You can use "turn into" to describe both a physical transformation (e.g., water becoming steam) and a metaphorical change (e.g., a small startup becoming a global technology company).
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✔ TRUE
This statement is TRUE. "Turn into" is a highly flexible phrasal verb used for both physical transformations — such as water turning into steam — and metaphorical changes — such as a small startup turning into a global tech giant. Both uses are natural and correct in English.
6
"Cut off" is only used in technology contexts to describe disconnecting a phone call, and cannot be used to describe interrupting the supply of electricity or data.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✘ FALSE
This statement is FALSE. "Cut off" has a much broader range of uses. It can describe interrupting or stopping the supply of electricity, internet, data, fuel, water, or any other resource — not just phone calls. It is widely used in science and technology contexts.
✏️ Correction: "Cut off" can describe stopping the supply of electricity, data, internet, fuel, and more. ✅ "The storm cut off the power supply to the research station."
7
"Come on" can be used to describe a technology project or scientific development that is making good progress.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✔ TRUE
This statement is TRUE. "Come on" means to develop or make progress, and it is perfectly natural to use it when describing a project, experiment, or technology that is advancing well. For example: "The quantum computing research is really coming on — the team has made remarkable progress this year."
8
"Work out" always means to do physical exercise, and it cannot be used in a scientific or mathematical context.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✘ FALSE
This statement is FALSE. "Work out" has multiple meanings in English. While it can mean to do physical exercise, it also means to find the solution to a problem or to calculate a result — which are both common uses in scientific and mathematical contexts.
✏️ Correction: In science and maths, "work out" means to find a solution or calculate a result. ✅ "The physicist worked out the exact speed of the particle using the new formula."
9
"Come off" means to fail or not achieve the intended result in a scientific experiment.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✘ FALSE
This statement is FALSE. "Come off" means to succeed or achieve the intended result — the exact opposite of what the statement claims. It is often used when something that was uncertain or risky turns out to be successful.
✏️ Correction: "Come off" means to succeed. ✅ "The risky experiment came off perfectly, confirming the team's hypothesis."
10
"Plug in" and "find out" are both separable phrasal verbs, meaning the object can be placed either after the full phrasal verb or between the verb and its particle.
✔ True
✘ False
✅ Correct Answer
✔ TRUE
This statement is TRUE. Both "plug in" and "find out" are separable transitive phrasal verbs. This means the object can appear either after the full phrasal verb or between the verb and its particle. However, when the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, them, him), it must go between the verb and the particle.
✏️ Examples:
✅ "Plug in the device." / ✅ "Plug the device in." / ✅ "Plug it in." ❌ "Plug in it."
✅ "Find out the answer." / ✅ "Find the answer out." / ✅ "Find it out." ❌ "Find out it."
✅ "Plug in the device." / ✅ "Plug the device in." / ✅ "Plug it in." ❌ "Plug in it."
✅ "Find out the answer." / ✅ "Find the answer out." / ✅ "Find it out." ❌ "Find out it."
5
Exercise 5: Error Correction
Error Correction Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Each sentence below contains one error related to the use of a science and technology phrasal verb. The error may involve the wrong phrasal verb, an incorrect verb form, a wrong particle, or a word order mistake. Find the error and correct it. Click "Show Answer" to check your response.
📝 Example (Question 0):
The engineers carried off a full diagnostic test on the new satellite before launch.
The engineers carried off a full diagnostic test on the new satellite before launch.
❌ carried off
✅ carried out — "carry out" means to perform a task or test. "Carry off" means to win a prize or manage something difficult — a completely different meaning.
1
⚠ One Error
The chemical reaction gave off in a large amount of carbon dioxide, which was collected and measured.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
gave off in
✅ Right
gave off
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The chemical reaction gave off a large amount of carbon dioxide, which was collected and measured.
"Give off" does not require any additional preposition after it. Adding "in" creates an incorrect and unnatural construction. The object follows directly after "off": "gave off a large amount of carbon dioxide".
2
⚠ One Error
The IT team put the engineer through to the wrong department, causing a two-hour delay in resolving the system failure.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
✅ Correct
put the engineer through to — NO ERROR
✏️ Sentence Status
The IT team put the engineer through to the wrong department, causing a two-hour delay in resolving the system failure.
This sentence is actually correct. "Put someone through to" is the standard form of this phrasal verb when connecting someone to a specific department or person. The object "the engineer" is correctly placed between "put" and "through", and "to" correctly introduces the destination.
3
⚠ One Error
The researchers came up a brilliant solution to the problem of battery degradation in electric vehicles.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
came up
✅ Right
came up with
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The researchers came up with a brilliant solution to the problem of battery degradation in electric vehicles.
"Come up with" is a three-word inseparable phrasal verb. The particle "with" is an essential part of the verb and cannot be omitted. Without "with", the sentence is incomplete and grammatically incorrect. "Come up" alone has a different meaning — it means to arise or be mentioned.
4
⚠ One Error
Scientists have been trying to find it out for decades, but the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease remains unknown.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
find it out
✅ Right
find out
✏️ Corrected Sentence
Scientists have been trying to find out for decades, but the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease remains unknown.
In this sentence, "find out" is used intransitively — there is no direct object in this clause. The pronoun "it" is unnecessary and incorrect here because the object of the discovery (the cause of Alzheimer's) is mentioned in the second clause. Using "find it out" would require a clear, specific object immediately following.
5
⚠ One Error
The storm cut off down the electricity supply to the entire research facility for three days.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
cut off down
✅ Right
cut off
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The storm cut off the electricity supply to the entire research facility for three days.
"Cut off" is a two-word phrasal verb meaning to stop or interrupt a supply. Adding "down" creates a non-existent three-word combination. "Cut down" is a different phrasal verb meaning to reduce something or chop something down — it does not mean to interrupt a supply.
6
⚠ One Error
The new quantum processor is really coming off — the development team has made extraordinary progress over the past six months.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
coming off
✅ Right
coming on
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The new quantum processor is really coming on — the development team has made extraordinary progress over the past six months.
"Come on" means to develop or make progress — which fits the context of a technology project advancing well. "Come off" means to succeed or achieve a result at a specific point in time, and is not used to describe ongoing development. The context clue "made extraordinary progress over the past six months" confirms that "coming on" is the correct choice.
7
⚠ One Error
The technician plugged in it and ran a full system diagnostic to identify the source of the error.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
plugged in it
✅ Right
plugged it in
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The technician plugged it in and ran a full system diagnostic to identify the source of the error.
"Plug in" is a separable phrasal verb. When the object is a pronoun (such as "it", "them", "him", "her"), it must be placed between the verb and the particle — never after the particle. So "plugged it in" is correct, but "plugged in it" is grammatically incorrect.
8
⚠ One Error
After months of analysis, the data scientists finally worked out the optimal algorithm for predicting equipment failure in real time.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
✅ Correct
worked out — NO ERROR
✏️ Sentence Status
After months of analysis, the data scientists finally worked out the optimal algorithm for predicting equipment failure in real time.
This sentence is correct. "Worked out" here means to find the solution to a problem or determine the best approach — a perfectly appropriate use in a data science and technology context. The phrasal verb is correctly formed and the word order is accurate.
9
⚠ One Error
The ice turned off water as the temperature in the laboratory rose above freezing point.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
turned off
✅ Right
turned into
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The ice turned into water as the temperature in the laboratory rose above freezing point.
"Turn into" means to transform or change from one state to another — which is exactly what happens when ice melts into water (a physical change of state). "Turn off" means to stop a device or machine from operating, which makes no sense in this physical science context.
10
⚠ One Error
The team had narrowed down to three possible explanations for the unexpected results before presenting their findings.
🔍 Find the error and write the correct version.
✅ Correction
❌ Wrong
narrowed down to
✅ Right
narrowed down the possibilities to / narrowed their findings down to
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The team had narrowed down the possibilities to three possible explanations for the unexpected results before presenting their findings.
"Narrow down" is a transitive phrasal verb — it requires a direct object. You cannot say "narrowed down to three" without specifying what was narrowed down. The object (e.g., "the possibilities", "the causes", "the options") must appear between "narrowed" and "down", or after "down" before "to".
6
Exercise 6: Sentence Transformation
Sentence Transformation Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using the phrasal verb given in CAPITALS as the keyword. Do not change the meaning of the original sentence. You may need to:
- Change the form of the phrasal verb to match the tense of the original sentence.
- Restructure the sentence while keeping the same meaning.
- Add or remove words as necessary — but do not change the keyword itself.
📝 Example (Question 0):
The scientists performed three separate tests on the new compound.
CARRY OUT
✅ The scientists carried out three separate tests on the new compound.
1
Original Sentence
The burning fuel released a thick black smoke that rose high into the atmosphere.
🔑 Keyword:
GIVE OFF
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using GIVE OFF without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The burning fuel released a thick black smoke that rose high into the atmosphere.
Rewritten
The burning fuel gave off a thick black smoke that rose high into the atmosphere.
✏️ Full Answer
The burning fuel gave off a thick black smoke that rose high into the atmosphere.
"Give off" directly replaces "released" here — both mean to emit or produce a substance. The rest of the sentence remains unchanged. Note that "give off" is inseparable, so the object always follows "off".
Grammar note: "Give off" is inseparable. ✅ "gave off a thick black smoke" ❌ "gave a thick black smoke off"
2
Original Sentence
The server stopped functioning at the worst possible moment during the data migration process.
🔑 Keyword:
BREAK DOWN
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using BREAK DOWN without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The server stopped functioning at the worst possible moment during the data migration process.
Rewritten
The server broke down at the worst possible moment during the data migration process.
✏️ Full Answer
The server broke down at the worst possible moment during the data migration process.
"Break down" replaces "stopped functioning" — both describe a machine or system that has ceased to work. The past simple "broke down" matches the tense of the original. "Break down" is intransitive in this context, so no object is needed.
Grammar note: "Break down" is intransitive when used to describe a machine stopping. It does not take a direct object in this meaning.
3
Original Sentence
The young engineer thought of an innovative way to reduce energy consumption in data centres.
🔑 Keyword:
COME UP WITH
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using COME UP WITH without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The young engineer thought of an innovative way to reduce energy consumption in data centres.
Rewritten
The young engineer came up with an innovative way to reduce energy consumption in data centres.
✏️ Full Answer
The young engineer came up with an innovative way to reduce energy consumption in data centres.
"Come up with" replaces "thought of" — both mean to produce or devise an idea or solution. The past simple "came up with" matches the tense of the original. The object "an innovative way" follows directly after "with".
Grammar note: "Come up with" is a three-word inseparable phrasal verb. The object must always follow "with". ✅ "came up with an idea" ❌ "came up an idea with"
4
Original Sentence
The flood stopped the electricity supply to the entire coastal research station.
🔑 Keyword:
CUT OFF
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using CUT OFF without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The flood stopped the electricity supply to the entire coastal research station.
Rewritten
The flood cut off the electricity supply to the entire coastal research station.
✏️ Full Answer
The flood cut off the electricity supply to the entire coastal research station.
"Cut off" replaces "stopped" in the specific context of interrupting a supply. The past simple "cut off" matches the original tense. "Cut off" is separable, but since the object here is a noun phrase (not a pronoun), it can follow directly after "off".
Grammar note: "Cut off" is separable. ✅ "cut off the supply" or ✅ "cut the supply off". With a pronoun: ✅ "cut it off" ❌ "cut off it"
5
Original Sentence
The laboratory assistant connected the spectrometer to the power supply before beginning the analysis.
🔑 Keyword:
PLUG IN
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using PLUG IN without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The laboratory assistant connected the spectrometer to the power supply before beginning the analysis.
Rewritten
The laboratory assistant plugged in the spectrometer before beginning the analysis.
✏️ Full Answer
The laboratory assistant plugged in the spectrometer before beginning the analysis.
"Plug in" replaces "connected to the power supply" — the phrase "to the power supply" is already implied by the phrasal verb itself and does not need to be repeated. The past simple "plugged in" matches the original tense.
Grammar note: "Plug in" is separable. ✅ "plugged in the spectrometer" or ✅ "plugged the spectrometer in". With a pronoun: ✅ "plugged it in" ❌ "plugged in it"
6
Original Sentence
The team reduced their list of suspects to just two possible causes of the system failure.
🔑 Keyword:
NARROW DOWN
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using NARROW DOWN without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The team reduced their list of suspects to just two possible causes of the system failure.
Rewritten
The team narrowed down the possible causes of the system failure to just two.
✏️ Full Answer
The team narrowed down the possible causes of the system failure to just two.
"Narrow down" replaces "reduced their list of suspects" — both express the idea of reducing a set of possibilities to a smaller number. Minor restructuring of the sentence is acceptable as long as the core meaning is preserved.
Grammar note: "Narrow down" is separable. ✅ "narrowed down the causes" or ✅ "narrowed the causes down". A direct object is always required with this verb.
7
Original Sentence
The operator connected the caller to the network security department immediately.
🔑 Keyword:
PUT THROUGH
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using PUT THROUGH without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The operator connected the caller to the network security department immediately.
Rewritten
The operator put the caller through to the network security department immediately.
✏️ Full Answer
The operator put the caller through to the network security department immediately.
"Put through to" replaces "connected to" in the context of phone or communication systems. When separated, the object "the caller" is placed between "put" and "through". The preposition "to" is retained to introduce the destination department.
Grammar note: "Put through" is separable. The object must go between "put" and "through" when separated. ✅ "put the caller through to" ❌ "put through the caller to"
8
Original Sentence
The prototype drone project is developing well — the aeronautical engineers are ahead of schedule.
🔑 Keyword:
COME ON
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using COME ON without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The prototype drone project is developing well — the aeronautical engineers are ahead of schedule.
Rewritten
The prototype drone project is coming on well — the aeronautical engineers are ahead of schedule.
✏️ Full Answer
The prototype drone project is coming on well — the aeronautical engineers are ahead of schedule.
"Come on" replaces "developing" — both describe a project or process that is making good progress. The adverb "well" is retained after the phrasal verb to preserve the original meaning. The present continuous "coming on" matches the tense of the original.
Grammar note: "Come on" is intransitive — it does not take a direct object. It is most commonly used in the present continuous: "is coming on", "has been coming on".
9
Original Sentence
The geologist discovered that the rock samples contained traces of an unknown mineral compound.
🔑 Keyword:
FIND OUT
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using FIND OUT without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
The geologist discovered that the rock samples contained traces of an unknown mineral compound.
Rewritten
The geologist found out that the rock samples contained traces of an unknown mineral compound.
✏️ Full Answer
The geologist found out that the rock samples contained traces of an unknown mineral compound.
"Find out" replaces "discovered" — both mean to learn or become aware of new information. The past simple "found out" matches the tense of the original. The "that" clause following the verb is retained unchanged.
Grammar note: "Find out" can be followed by a that-clause, a wh-clause, or a noun object. ✅ "found out that..." ✅ "found out what..." ✅ "found out the answer"
10
Original Sentence
Under extreme pressure and heat, the carbon transformed into a diamond-like crystalline structure.
🔑 Keyword:
TURN INTO
✏️ Rewrite the sentence using TURN INTO without changing the meaning.
✅ Model Answer
Original
Under extreme pressure and heat, the carbon transformed into a diamond-like crystalline structure.
Rewritten
Under extreme pressure and heat, the carbon turned into a diamond-like crystalline structure.
✏️ Full Answer
Under extreme pressure and heat, the carbon turned into a diamond-like crystalline structure.
"Turn into" directly replaces "transformed into" — both describe a physical or chemical change from one state or substance to another. The past simple "turned into" matches the tense of the original. The opening adverbial phrase is retained unchanged.
Grammar note: "Turn into" is inseparable. The object always follows "into". ✅ "turned into a crystalline structure" ❌ "turned a crystalline structure into" (this changes the meaning entirely).
7
Exercise 7: Open Writing Practice
Productive Writing Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Write your own original sentence for each phrasal verb below. Use the context provided as a guide. Your sentence must:
- Use the phrasal verb correctly in a science or technology context.
- Show a clear understanding of the meaning of the phrasal verb.
- Use the correct verb form (tense, separability, object placement).
- Be a complete sentence of at least eight words.
💡 Writing Tips
- Think about whether the phrasal verb is separable or inseparable before you write.
- If the verb is separable and your object is a pronoun, place it between the verb and the particle.
- Use a variety of tenses — past simple, present simple, present continuous, and present perfect are all acceptable.
- Try to include a subject, verb, object, and at least one extra detail (time, place, manner) in your sentence.
- Use the context clue provided to inspire your sentence — but write something original.
📝 Example (Question 0):
carry out | Context: a laboratory experiment
carry out | Context: a laboratory experiment
✅ Model answer: The research team carried out a series of controlled experiments to test the new vaccine under laboratory conditions.
1
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
give off
📍 Context
A chemical reaction in a science laboratory produces a visible gas or smell.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using give off in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
When the sodium was dropped into water, the reaction gave off a sharp, pungent smell that filled the entire laboratory.
Model Answer 2
The combustion of fossil fuels gives off large quantities of carbon dioxide, which contributes significantly to global warming.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "give off" to describe something emitting or releasing a substance?
- ✅ Is the object placed after "off" (inseparable)?
- ✅ Is your sentence set in a science or technology context?
Grammar note: "Give off" is inseparable. ✅ "gave off a gas" ❌ "gave a gas off"
2
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
break down
📍 Context
A piece of technology or scientific equipment stops working at a critical moment.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using break down in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
The electron microscope broke down unexpectedly during the final stage of the analysis, forcing the team to postpone their results.
Model Answer 2
If the cooling system breaks down during the nuclear reactor's operation, the safety protocols will activate automatically within seconds.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "break down" to describe a machine or system that stopped working?
- ✅ Is there no direct object after "break down" (intransitive use)?
- ✅ Is the context clearly scientific or technological?
Grammar note: "Break down" is intransitive in this meaning — it does not take a direct object.
3
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
come up with
📍 Context
A scientist or engineer invents a new solution to a technical problem.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using come up with in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
After months of testing, the engineering team finally came up with a lightweight alloy that could withstand extreme temperatures in space.
Model Answer 2
The AI research group has come up with a novel algorithm that can detect early signs of cancer with over 97% accuracy.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "come up with" to describe inventing or devising an idea or solution?
- ✅ Is the object placed after "with" (inseparable three-word verb)?
- ✅ Does the sentence clearly show a creative or intellectual achievement?
Grammar note: "Come up with" is a three-word inseparable phrasal verb. The object always follows "with". ✅ "came up with a solution" ❌ "came up a solution with"
4
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
narrow down
📍 Context
A research team eliminates several possible explanations for an unexpected scientific result.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using narrow down in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
After running a series of diagnostic tests, the engineers narrowed down the possible causes of the malfunction to a single faulty microchip.
Model Answer 2
The research team has successfully narrowed down the list of candidate materials for the new solar cell to just three promising compounds.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "narrow down" to describe reducing a number of possibilities?
- ✅ Is there a clear direct object after the phrasal verb?
- ✅ Did you include what the possibilities were narrowed down to?
Grammar note: "Narrow down" is separable and requires a direct object. ✅ "narrowed down the causes" or ✅ "narrowed the causes down"
5
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
plug in
📍 Context
A technician connects a piece of laboratory or computing equipment to a power source.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using plug in in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
The technician plugged in the high-resolution imaging device and waited for the system to complete its initialisation sequence.
Model Answer 2
Before running the simulation, the engineer plugged the external graphics processing unit in and updated the driver software.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "plug in" to describe connecting a device to a power source?
- ✅ If you used a pronoun as the object, did you place it between "plug" and "in"?
- ✅ Is the device or equipment clearly identifiable in your sentence?
Grammar note: "Plug in" is separable. With a pronoun: ✅ "plugged it in" ❌ "plugged in it"
6
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
cut off
📍 Context
A natural disaster or cyberattack interrupts the power or internet supply to a scientific facility.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using cut off in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
The severe earthquake cut off the power supply to the entire space observation centre for nearly forty-eight hours.
Model Answer 2
The ransomware attack cut off access to the hospital's patient monitoring systems, putting hundreds of patients at serious risk.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "cut off" to describe stopping or interrupting a supply or access?
- ✅ Is it clear what was cut off (power, internet, data, access)?
- ✅ Is the cause of the interruption mentioned or implied?
Grammar note: "Cut off" is separable. ✅ "cut off the power" or ✅ "cut the power off". With a pronoun: ✅ "cut it off" ❌ "cut off it"
7
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
find out
📍 Context
A scientist discovers new information through research, observation, or experimentation.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using find out in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
The marine biologists found out that certain deep-sea organisms can survive at temperatures close to boiling point near hydrothermal vents.
Model Answer 2
Using satellite imaging technology, astronomers have found out that the distant exoplanet has an atmosphere containing water vapour.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "find out" to describe discovering or learning new information?
- ✅ Is the information discovered clearly stated (using "that", "what", "why", or a noun)?
- ✅ Is the context clearly scientific or technological?
Grammar note: "Find out" can be followed by a that-clause, a wh-clause, or a noun object. It is separable but most naturally used unseparated with clause objects.
8
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
turn into
📍 Context
A substance undergoes a physical or chemical change of state during a scientific process.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using turn into in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
When heated to 1,538 degrees Celsius, solid iron turns into a molten liquid that can be poured into moulds to create complex components.
Model Answer 2
Through a process of nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms turn into helium, releasing an enormous amount of energy in the form of light and heat.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "turn into" to describe a transformation from one state or substance to another?
- ✅ Is the starting substance and the resulting substance both clearly stated?
- ✅ Is the process or cause of the transformation mentioned?
Grammar note: "Turn into" is inseparable. The object always follows "into". ✅ "turned into steam" ❌ "turned steam into" (this changes the meaning entirely).
9
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
work out
📍 Context
A scientist or mathematician solves a complex problem or calculates a result.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using work out in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
Using the new quantum computing model, the physicist was able to work out the trajectory of the asteroid with unprecedented precision.
Model Answer 2
The software engineer worked out an efficient algorithm that reduced the processing time of the simulation from six hours to just forty minutes.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "work out" to mean finding a solution or calculating a result?
- ✅ Is the problem or calculation being solved clearly identified?
- ✅ Did you avoid using "work out" to mean physical exercise in this context?
Grammar note: "Work out" is separable. ✅ "worked out the answer" or ✅ "worked the answer out". With a pronoun: ✅ "worked it out" ❌ "worked out it"
10
✍️ Phrasal Verb:
come on
📍 Context
A technology project or scientific research programme is making impressive progress.
✏️ Write one complete sentence using come on in a science or technology context.
✅ Model Answers
Model Answer 1
The fusion energy project is really coming on — the team has achieved a sustained plasma reaction for the first time in the history of the programme.
Model Answer 2
The development of the next-generation space telescope has come on remarkably well since the additional government funding was approved last year.
🔍 Check Your Sentence
- ✅ Did you use "come on" to describe a project or development making progress?
- ✅ Did you include an adverb (e.g., "well", "really", "remarkably") to show the degree of progress?
- ✅ Is the subject a project, programme, technology, or research initiative?
Grammar note: "Come on" is intransitive — it does not take a direct object. It is most naturally used in the present continuous or present perfect continuous: "is coming on", "has been coming on".
8
Exercise 8: Contextual Reading Comprehension
Reading & Comprehension Exercise · 10 Questions · Science & Technology Phrasal Verbs
📋 Instructions: Read the passage below carefully. Then answer the ten questions that follow. Each question focuses on a phrasal verb used in the passage. You may need to:
- Identify the meaning of a phrasal verb as used in context.
- Explain what the phrasal verb refers to in the passage.
- Choose the correct paraphrase of a sentence containing a phrasal verb.
- Identify the grammatical feature (separability, form) of a phrasal verb.
Reading Passage: The Future of Clean Energy
Approx. 320 words · Academic English
A For decades, scientists and engineers have been working to develop clean, sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. One of the most promising areas of research involves nuclear fusion — the process by which hydrogen atoms turn into helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process. Unlike traditional nuclear fission, fusion produces no long-lived radioactive waste and gives off only small amounts of harmless by-products. However, achieving a stable and sustained fusion reaction has proved extraordinarily difficult, and many early projects broke down before producing any usable energy.
B In recent years, however, the field has been coming on at a remarkable pace. Several international research teams have come up with innovative new designs for fusion reactors that address the key engineering challenges of the past. One team in particular has managed to narrow down the list of viable reactor configurations to just two highly promising models, both of which are currently undergoing rigorous testing.
C The practical challenges, however, remain significant. During one recent trial, a power surge cut off the electricity supply to the entire testing facility, forcing the team to restart the experiment from scratch. On another occasion, a technician accidentally turned off the cooling system instead of the data logging equipment, causing a temporary but alarming rise in reactor temperature. Despite these setbacks, the lead researcher remained optimistic, telling journalists: "We are gradually working out every problem that comes our way."
D Last month, the project came off brilliantly when the team achieved a sustained fusion reaction lasting a record-breaking seventeen seconds. Scientists were able to find out that the reaction produced three times more energy than was put in — a landmark result that was immediately plugged in to existing energy grid models to assess its real-world potential. The lead scientist called the result "a turning point for clean energy", and the international scientific community agreed that the future of fusion power had never looked brighter.
📝 Comprehension Questions
1
In paragraph A, the phrasal verb "turn into" is used to describe a scientific process. What does it mean in this context? Para A
✅ Correct Answer
B — to transform from one substance into another
In paragraph A, "turn into" describes the nuclear fusion process in which hydrogen atoms physically transform into helium atoms. This is a classic use of "turn into" to describe a change of state or substance — in this case, a nuclear transformation.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"...the process by which hydrogen atoms turn into helium, releasing vast amounts of energy in the process."
2
In paragraph A, the writer says that many early projects "broke down". What does this tell us about those projects? Para A
✅ Correct Answer
B — They failed to function and did not produce usable energy.
"Broke down" here is used in its extended sense — not just a machine stopping, but entire projects ceasing to function or progress. The context makes clear that these early projects failed before achieving their goal of producing usable energy.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"...many early projects broke down before producing any usable energy."
3
In paragraph B, the writer says the field has been "coming on" at a remarkable pace. Which of the following is the closest paraphrase of this sentence? Para B
✅ Correct Answer
B — The field has been making impressive progress very rapidly.
"Coming on" means to develop or make progress. The phrase "at a remarkable pace" reinforces the idea that this progress is happening quickly and impressively. The present perfect continuous "has been coming on" emphasises that this progress is ongoing.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"In recent years, however, the field has been coming on at a remarkable pace."
4
In paragraph B, research teams have "come up with" innovative new designs. What does this phrasal verb tell us about how the designs were produced? Para B
✅ Correct Answer
C — The designs were invented or devised through creative thinking.
"Come up with" means to think of, invent, or devise something — typically through creative or intellectual effort. The word "innovative" in the same sentence reinforces this meaning, confirming that the designs are new and original creations.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"Several international research teams have come up with innovative new designs for fusion reactors..."
5
In paragraph B, one team has managed to "narrow down" the list of viable reactor configurations to just two models. What does "narrow down" mean here, and what is the result of this process? Para B
✅ Correct Answer
B — They reduced a larger set of options to a smaller, more focused selection.
"Narrow down" means to reduce a number of possibilities to a smaller, more specific set. The result of this process is that only two highly promising reactor configurations remain from what was presumably a much larger list. The phrase "to just two" confirms the reduction.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"One team in particular has managed to narrow down the list of viable reactor configurations to just two highly promising models..."
6
In paragraph C, a power surge "cut off" the electricity supply. Which of the following best describes what happened as a result? Para C
✅ Correct Answer
B — The electricity supply was interrupted, forcing the team to restart the experiment.
"Cut off" means to stop or interrupt the supply of something. The passage makes clear that the consequence of this interruption was that the team had to restart the experiment from scratch, confirming that the supply was stopped rather than permanently removed or redirected.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"...a power surge cut off the electricity supply to the entire testing facility, forcing the team to restart the experiment from scratch."
7
In paragraph C, the lead researcher says: "We are gradually working out every problem that comes our way." What does this reveal about the researcher's attitude? Para C
✅ Correct Answer
B — The researcher is confident that problems are being solved one by one.
"Working out" here means finding solutions to problems. The adverb "gradually" suggests a steady, methodical approach, and the phrase "every problem that comes our way" implies resilience and determination. The passage also describes the researcher as "optimistic", directly confirming this attitude.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"Despite these setbacks, the lead researcher remained optimistic, telling journalists: 'We are gradually working out every problem that comes our way.'"
8
In paragraph D, the project "came off" brilliantly. What does this tell us about the outcome of the experiment? Para D
✅ Correct Answer
C — The project succeeded and achieved its intended result.
"Come off" means to succeed or achieve the intended result. The adverb "brilliantly" intensifies this success. The passage goes on to describe the specific achievement — a sustained fusion reaction lasting seventeen seconds — which confirms the outstanding success of the experiment.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"Last month, the project came off brilliantly when the team achieved a sustained fusion reaction lasting a record-breaking seventeen seconds."
9
In paragraph D, scientists were able to "find out" that the reaction produced three times more energy than was put in. Which of the following is the most accurate paraphrase of this clause? Para D
✅ Correct Answer
B — Scientists discovered through measurement that the energy output was three times the input.
"Find out" means to discover or learn information — in this case, through scientific measurement and analysis. The "that"-clause following "find out" specifies exactly what was discovered: the energy output ratio. This is a landmark result in fusion research, as producing more energy than is consumed (known as "ignition") is the primary goal of fusion power.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"Scientists were able to find out that the reaction produced three times more energy than was put in..."
10
In paragraph D, the result was "plugged in" to existing energy grid models. Considering the context, what does "plugged in" most likely mean here? Para D
✅ Correct Answer
B — The result was inserted into or incorporated into existing models for analysis.
In this context, "plugged in" is used metaphorically — the scientific data (the result) was fed into or incorporated into existing energy grid models in order to assess its real-world potential. This is an extended, figurative use of "plug in", moving beyond its literal meaning of connecting to electricity to mean inserting data or information into a system or model.
📍 Evidence from the passage
"...a landmark result that was immediately plugged in to existing energy grid models to assess its real-world potential."
