AFPSAT Verbal Ability — Phrasal VerbsFlash Cards

What is a phrasal verb and why are they challenging to understand?

A phrasal verb consists of a main verb paired with an adverb, preposition, or both. They are challenging because their meanings are idiomatic or non-literal - you cannot deduce the meaning from the individual words. For example, 'break down' doesn't literally mean to break something downward; it can mean 'to stop functioning' or 'to analyze in detail'.

How do context clues help determine phrasal verb meanings?

Context clues help identify which meaning applies when phrasal verbs have multiple definitions. Example: 'turn around' can mean 'change of fate' ('My luck turned around when I joined CSE review') or 'move in opposite direction' ('He turned around and walked away'). The surrounding words and situation determine the correct meaning.

What are the three different meanings of 'take off'?

1. To leave or depart: 'It is time for me to take off, guys' 2. To remove: 'Take off your shoes, please' 3. To go upward/launch: 'The plane will take off in a few hours'. The context determines which meaning applies.

Distinguish between 'bring up' meaning to introduce an idea vs. to raise children.

Context determines meaning: 'Bring it up at tomorrow's conference' = introduce an idea or suggestion. 'He did well bringing up his children' = raising, caring for, and teaching children with good behavior. Same phrasal verb, completely different meanings based on usage.

What are the three meanings of 'back up'?

1. To support someone: 'My coworkers back me up during meetings' 2. To make a copy: 'Back up your files so you won't lose them' 3. To move backward: 'Back up your car so I can get through'. Context is crucial for correct interpretation.

Choose the correct phrasal verb: 'Your speech does not _____ the current drug war issue.' (bear on/bear up/bear with)

Answer: 'bear on' - meaning 'to relate to' or 'to have relevance to'. The speech doesn't relate to or have relevance to the drug war issue. 'Bear up' means endure, 'bear with' means be patient with.

What does 'bear up' mean and provide an example?

'Bear up' means to endure hardship or cope with difficult situations. Example: 'Filipinos can easily bear up despite adversity' - Filipinos can endure and remain strong even when facing difficult challenges.

Distinguish between 'broke into', 'broke off', and 'broke up'.

'Broke into' = illegally entered (thieves broke into the house). 'Broke off' = separated a piece (broke off bread to share). 'Broke up' = stopped a fight or ended a relationship (police broke up the fight).

What does 'break out' mean in 'Department of Health declared a break out of Dengue'?

'Break out' in this context means 'outbreak' - the sudden occurrence or eruption of something, typically a disease. The Department of Health declared an outbreak of Dengue, meaning cases suddenly increased in certain areas.

Compare 'bring on', 'bring out', and 'bring up' meanings.

'Bring on' = cause to happen (poor hygiene brings on diseases). 'Bring out' = reveal or make evident (practice brings out potential). 'Bring up' = introduce a topic (bring up your suggestion) or raise children.

What does 'call for' mean in 'Heinous crimes call for punishment'?

'Call for' means 'to demand' or 'to require'. Heinous crimes demand or require punishment. It indicates that something is needed or necessary as a response to a situation.

Differentiate between 'call in', 'call off', and 'call out'.

'Call in' = summon for help (call in a doctor). 'Call off' = cancel (called off the meeting). 'Call out' = shout to get attention (call out to students about new policies).

What's the difference between 'carried on', 'carried off', and 'carried out'?

'Carried on' = continued despite obstacles (carried on with tasks despite distractions). 'Carried off' = took away forcefully (luggage was carried off by thieves). 'Carried out' = executed or performed (carry out the laws).

Explain 'come off', 'come out', and 'come up' differences.

'Come off' = detach or remove (paint will not come off when washed). 'Come out' = be revealed or emerge (truth will come out). 'Come up' = occur or happen (CSE examination comes up biannually).

What does 'cope with' mean and why not 'cope up'?

'Cope with' means 'to deal with' or 'handle difficulties'. It's the correct phrasal verb form. 'Cope up' is grammatically incorrect. Example: 'In life, you will experience problems to cope with' - problems to deal with or handle.

Distinguish between 'cut back', 'cut down', 'cut off', 'cut loose', and 'cut in'.

'Cut back' = reduce (cut back energy consumption). 'Cut down' = fell or reduce drastically (cut down trees). 'Cut off' = disconnect. 'Cut loose' = escape (cut loose from police). 'Cut in' = interrupt (cut in during speech).

Compare 'drop by', 'drop in', and 'drop out'.

'Drop by' = visit briefly (drop by our store anytime). 'Drop in' = visit unexpectedly for a short time (drop in for a few minutes). 'Drop out' = quit or leave (don't drop out from algebra class).

What are the meanings of 'give in', 'give out', and 'give up'?

'Give in' = surrender or yield (don't give in to bribery). 'Give out' = distribute (give out pamphlets). 'Give up' = quit or abandon (don't give up in difficulties).

Explain 'hang on', 'hang out', 'hang up', and 'hang together'.

'Hang on' = hold tightly or wait (hang on to the monkey bar). 'Hang out' = spend time socially. 'Hang up' = place on a hook (hang up the dress). 'Hang together' = be coherent or united (story should hang together).

Differentiate between 'hold back', 'hold off', 'hold out', and 'hold forth'.

'Hold back' = restrain (hold back anger). 'Hold off' = postpone or delay (hold off the party). 'Hold out' = last or endure (energy will hold out until winter). 'Hold forth' = speak at length about (holds forth about education's value).

What do 'pull in', 'pull out', 'pull together', and 'pull over' mean?

'Pull in' = attract or earn (pull in 80% sales). 'Pull out' = remove or withdraw (goods were pulled out from store). 'Pull together' = cooperate (team must pull together). 'Pull over' = stop vehicle at roadside (pull over for traffic violation).

Compare 'put down', 'put off', 'put back', and 'put out'.

'Put down' = write down (put down everything in notes). 'Put off' = postpone (examination was put off due to typhoon). 'Put back' = return to original position. 'Put out' = extinguish or publish.

Explain the meanings of 'throw in', 'throw off', 'throw out', and 'throw away'.

'Throw in' = organize or add (throw in a party). 'Throw off' = get rid of (throw off stress). 'Throw out' = eject or discard (threw out the student). 'Throw away' = discard as useless (throw away old stuff).

Why is understanding multiple meanings of phrasal verbs crucial for CSE success?

CSE examinations test contextual understanding of phrasal verbs. The same phrasal verb can have 2-4 different meanings, and choosing the correct one depends entirely on context. Memorizing just one meaning leads to wrong answers. Success requires recognizing context clues and knowing all possible meanings.

What strategy should you use when encountering unfamiliar phrasal verbs in CSE exams?

Use context clues: 1) Read the entire sentence carefully 2) Identify what situation or action is being described 3) Look for surrounding words that hint at meaning 4) Consider what would make logical sense in that context 5) Eliminate obviously wrong choices 6) Choose the meaning that fits the overall message.