PHRASAL VERBS WITH BREAK — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Advanced (C1/C2)
The verb break combines with a surprisingly wide range of particles, producing meanings that range from the fairly literal (break into a place) to the highly figurative (break down emotionally, break out of a routine). This exercise covers the most useful combinations in context.
1.P1: Are you still going out with Mary? P2: No, we broke ________ last week.
Correct answer: up — break up = end a romantic relationship.
2.The thieves broke ________ the bank and stole $1,000,000.
Correct answer: into — break into = enter a place by force.
3.An epidemic of Ebola broke ________ in West Africa last year.
Correct answer: out — break out = begin suddenly (used for epidemics, fires, conflicts).
4.He broke ________ the engagement after he realized that his fiancee didn't love him.
Correct answer: off — break off = terminate or end something (an engagement, a deal).
5.The police officer grabbed him, but the thief broke ________ and escaped.
Correct answer: away — break away = escape from someone who is restraining you.
6.My brother broke ________ a piece of chocolate and gave it to me.
Correct answer: off — break off = separate a piece from something larger.
7.The sun broke ________ the clouds after the storm.
Correct answer: through — break through = force a way through a barrier.
8.The thieves broke ________ the safe and stole all the money.
Correct answer: open — break open = force something to open.
9.My car broke ________ ( = stopped functioning) two months after I bought it.
Correct answer: down — break down = stop functioning (machine, vehicle).
10.He broke ________ ( = stopped) the fight.
Correct answer: up — break up = stop or put an end to a fight.
TRY ALL OF OUR PHRASAL VERB EXERCISES:
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 1 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (mixed) 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs (to break +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to call +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to come +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to go +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to make +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to pull +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to put +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to run +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to stand +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to take +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to turn +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs (to get +) 2 (C1/C2)
Transitive/intransitive phrasal verbs 1 (I)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 1 (I/A)
Separable/inseparable phrasal verbs 2 (I/A)
Phrasal verbs list — the most common phrasal verbs in everyday English
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