Travel Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb made up of a verb plus one or more particles (e.g. of, in, up) that modify or change its meaning. For example, the phrasal verb “give up” means “stop doing”, which is different from the meaning of the verb “give” when it stands alone. Phrasal verbs are some of the most common verbs used in everyday English. Here is an exercise using phrasal verbs for travel situations.

First match these phrasal verbs to their meanings:

Speed up Increase speed
Take off When the aircraft leaves the ground
Get in The time a train, bus or plane arrives
Turn back Return to where you came from
Look around To explore
Slow down Reduce speed
Pick up To stop for something and take it to your destination
Set off To start on a journey
Get away To go on holiday especially because you need a rest
Get off To leave a bus or a train#

Lesson by Nasreen, teacher at EC Cape Town English school

Now choose the correct phrasal verbs to complete the sentences:

• 1. When I travel by plane, I always feel nervous before it ___.
  
  takes off
  get offs
  look arounds
  
  
• 2. On our way to the station, Susan realised she had forgotten her purse, so we had to ___.
  
  pick up
  set off
  turn back
  
  
• 3. We realised that we desperately needed to ___ because we had been working for three months non-stop.
  
  get away
  gets in
  speed up
  
  
• 4. Do you know at which bus stop we need to ___?
  
  set off
  take off
  get off
  
  
• 5. We decided to ___ on our adventure trip as early as possible.
  
  pick up
  set off
  slow down
  
  
• 6. Would you please ___? We're going to be late!
  
  speed up
  take off
  get away
  
  
• 7. Could you tell me what time the train ___?
  
  slows down
  looks around
  gets in
  
  
• 8. I would like to ___ the old city tomorrow morning.
  
  look around
  speed up
  take off
  
  
• 9. Could you please ___ my bags on your way home?
  
  turn back
  pick up
  get away
  
  
• 10. We asked the taxi driver to ___. He was driving so fast!
  
  speed up
  take off
  slow down