Lesson 1: Travel Phrasal Verbs (B1–B2): 15 Keys + Interactive Exercises

1) Cloze with form constraints

Complete each sentence with the correct phrasal verb and the required form. Respect tense/aspect/voice and pronoun placement.

1. By the time we reached the pass, the slower hikers had already ________ us. (they reached our level earlier; past perfect)
2. Security asked that passengers ________ online before they ________ at the desk. (same phrasal verb twice in natural collocation)
3. The pilot warned that fog might delay ________, so we should expect a later arrival.
4. Could you ________ her at the museum and ________ her near the river later? (two separable verbs; pronoun position required)
5. After the announcement, the driver ________ at the lay-by and everyone waited quietly. (vehicle action)
6. We’ll ________ dawn tomorrow, and if the weather holds, we’ll ________ the ridge by noon. (start a journey; head toward)
7. It took a week to ________ the backlog of emails; now I’m trying to ________ the daily messages. (close a gap vs maintain level)
8. Hotel policy says guests must ________ ________ 11 a.m., or they’ll be charged another night. (hotel verb with time)
9. Let’s ________ the checklist once more before we leave. (review quickly)
10. Because of the roadblock, we had to ________ and find another route.
11. I can’t talk right now, but I’ll ________ you this afternoon. (reply later)
12. When the noise didn’t ________, the teacher closed the windows. (disappear)

2) Transformation (tight constraints)

Rewrite each sentence using the cue so that the meaning stays the same. Follow the bracketed requirement.

1. “We’ll begin our hike at six.” (use set off; keep time at the end)
2. “The taxi driver stopped at the bay to let us out.” (use pull in and drop; pronoun us between verb and particle)
3. “I eventually reached the others on the trail.” (use past perfect of catch up with)
4. “Could you collect my suit from the dry cleaner’s?” (use pick up; object pronoun placement)
5. “We left the hotel at noon after paying.” (use check out of)
6. “Please register at the desk as soon as you arrive.” (use check in)
7. “I can’t match their speed on the last climb.” (use keep up with)
8. “The rain made us go towards the nearest café.” (use make for)

3) Error hunt (typical traps)

Each sentence has one error related to choice, particle, or separability. Correct it and justify briefly.

1. We set off the trip at dawn to avoid the heat.
2. Could you pick up me outside Gate B?
3. I checked out from the hotel and took a taxi.
4. Let’s run over to the plan once more before we start.
5. The bus pulled over into the service station for coffee.
6. After a month away, I finally caught up to my emails.
7. Our train pulled up Platform 4 five minutes late.
8. Thanks for seeing off me this morning.
9. Because of the storm the plane left late; it turned round from the runway.
10. We’re going for away this weekend if we can find a pet-sitter.
11. Please check in the room number at reception.
12. They made to the exit quickly when the alarm sounded.

4) Precision choice (one fits best)

Choose the one phrasal verb that fits most naturally and write it in the correct form.

1. We’ll ________ at six so we can avoid the school run. (start a journey)
2. The rescue team ________ the cave entrance as the water rose. (move toward)
3. The manager asked to ________ the figures before the presentation. (review quickly)
4. It took me three days to ________ the reading list after being ill. (close the progress gap)
5. Our train ________ at King’s Cross exactly on time. (arrive at a platform)
6. Could you ________ the kids at school and ________ them at Grandma’s later? (two separable verbs; pronoun placement)
7. We must ________ by 11 or we’ll be charged. (hotel sense)
8. I’ll ________ you once I’ve finalised the numbers. (reply later)
9. The plane couldn’t ________ because of debris on the runway. (depart)
10. When the traffic was at a standstill, we ________ and went back home. (reverse direction)

5) Narrative gap-fill (mixed tenses)

Complete the diary with suitable phrasal verbs. Do not repeat a verb.

We decided to before sunrise. The forecast threatened fog, which might delay , so we left early and the motorway services for coffee. Before noon we Jack outside the museum and later him near the river. At the gallery, we quickly the plan and then the old quarter. By 6 p.m. the noise wouldn’t , so we returned to the hotel and at the desk. The next morning we the hostel by 10 and took the train, which at our station exactly on time. After two weeks away, we finally home and I spent a day trying to my emails so that, next week, I can the daily messages.

6) Sequencing logic (build the storyline)

Arrange A–H into a logical travel sequence by numbering them 1–8.

• A. The flight finally took off.
• B. We checked in and left our bags.
• C. The taxi pulled in at the departures bay.
• D. We set off from home at 4 a.m.
• E. Our friends came to see us off.
• F. After landing, we got back to the city by train.
• G. At the hotel we checked out by noon.
• H. On the way to the airport we picked up Anna.

7) Preposition precision

Insert the correct preposition or particle.

1. We set off ___ dawn and reached the ridge by ten.
2. They checked ___ ___ the hotel and went for a walk.
3. The train pulled ___ Platform 2 as the rain started.
4. We made ___ the nearest exit when the alarm sounded.
5. Could you drop me ___ at the corner?
6. I’ll get back ___ you before lunch.
7. It took him months to catch up ___ the backlog.
8. She can’t keep up ___ the pace on steep sections.
9. Please pick ___ the parcel and bring it to the meeting.
10. They turned ___ when the road was flooded.

8) Dual-meaning diagnostics

For each, state whether the meaning is (A) travel/literal or (B) figurative/extended, then paraphrase.

1. The meeting ran over by twenty minutes.
2. Let’s run over your slides before you present.
3. Her start-up really took off after that article.
4. The bus pulled in as we reached the platform.
5. It took months to catch up with the changes in the law.
6. We checked out the venue last week.
7. The consequences finally caught up with him.
8. Shall we make for the shade?

9) Dialogue completion (spoken register)

Complete with one or two phrasal verbs. Use correct pronoun placement.

1. A: Can you give me a lift at six? B: Sure, I’ll ________ you outside Gate 3.
2. A: The noise won’t stop. B: Close the door; it should ________ after the band leaves.
3. A: We’re late. B: Then let’s ________ now and talk on the way.
4. A: Did you register yet? B: Not yet—going to ________ now.
5. A: I’ve missed three seminars. B: You’ll need to ________ the readings and then ________ the weekly tasks.
6. A: Where shall we meet Ella? B: We’ll ________ her at the café and ________ her near the station later.
7. A: The bus bay is full. B: The driver can ________ at the lay-by.
8. A: I can’t hear you. B: I’ll ________ you after the call.
9. A: We went the wrong way. B: Then ________ and follow the river.
10. A: Did you pay? B: Yes, we ________ at 11 and walked to the station, which ________ right on time.

10) Formal → natural paraphrase

Rewrite each sentence using at least one target phrasal verb to sound natural and spoken.

1. We commenced our journey at sunrise.
2. Kindly register at the desk upon arrival.
3. We proceeded toward the exit as the alarm sounded.
4. The driver stopped the vehicle at the designated bay.
5. I will respond to you after the briefing.
6. Please remove your jacket at security.
7. We left the accommodation at noon.
8. Despite delays, the aircraft departed safely.