CAE Preparation Exercises

Formal and Informal Communication

A.  PHRASAL VERBS

Choose the correct option from the drop-down box for each sentence using the phasal verbs listed below:

TO MAKE UP FOR (SOMETHING)

TO PUT UP WITH (SOMETHING)

TO GET (SOMEONE) BACK

TO LET (SOMEONE) DOWN

1. "I'm sorry I let you hurtleaveupdown - I promise I'll make you upup toup fordown at it"
2. "You know, you don't have to put downput upput out  with your boss talking to you like that"
3. "We have to havetakeget him againbackin the neckbad for that halloween trick he played on us"
4. "I can't hittakeputlift up with that noise any more!  I'm going to complain"
5. "Jen letgotmadehit me updownoutback yesterday for that birthday prank last year"

         Use the following phrasal verbs correctly

TO MESS UP (SOMETHING)

TO TIDY UP (SOMETHING)

TO BEAT UP (SOMETHING/SOMEONE)

TO GIVE UP

TO CREEP UP ON (SOMEONE)

 

6.    The thugs pounced on the old lady as she came out of the bank and, after taking her money, messedbeatcreptbeated her up and left her lying in the street.

7.    "Don't creep upgive upbeat upmess up on him!  He's a really nice guy and I'm sure you could be good together"

8.    "You know, it's rude to creepgivecreptbeat up on people.  You gave me a fright!"

9.    The policeman beatcreptgavemessed up on the mugger from behind and dealt him a strong blow to the head.

10.  "If you beat upmess upcreep up ongive up mum's kitchen you'd better givetidybeatmess it up again!"

B.  More Phrasal Verbs

Select the correct possible formal alternative for the following phrasal verbs:

1. give up                         elevatesurrenderassistpropose
2. let down                       assistcreatepermitdisappoint
3. get off                           alightjumpelevateobtain
4. get on                           liftboardagreecollaborate
5. bring up                        raisecreateelevatecarry
6. pump up                       widenpushinflaterequire
7. cut down                       slicereduceinduceaccentuate
8. set off                            arrangeorganisedepartelope

C.  Select the correct formal option which could be used to substitute the following:

1. ask for                     enquirerequestsubmitobtain
2. send                        obtainreceivedispatcharrive
3. need                        requireassistenquireobtain
4. I'm sorry but            I apologiseI am sorryI am afraidI hate to say this but
5. help                         assistforceproposearrest
6. fix                            finishcorrectinitialisecommence
7. okay/ok                  unacceptableall rightsatisfactorycontent
8. To begin with        FirstlyFor one thingFor startersFirst
9. Second                  For another thingSecondlyAlso
10. left                           repositioneddepartedconcludeddisagreed
11. start                        beginkick offcommenceget moving