🇪🇸 Selectividad / EBAUSemana 18 · 20 preguntas

Phrasal Verbs Common

Bundle W18 de Inglés para Grado 11 en España (Curriculo de Ingles): 20 preguntas con explicación pedagógica.

Alineación: Curriculo de Ingles

ES-ING-11-2026-W18-phrasal-verbs-common-001-MASTERY-bundle

Pregunta 1

Bloom: Remember

Marta is talking about her uncle who stopped smoking last year.

Complete the sentence: My uncle finally "gave ___ smoking" after ten years.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: B) gave back

  • A) gave upCorrect! Gave up correctly means stopped a habit, so it perfectly describes quitting smoking after many years of trying.
  • B) gave backThe phrase gave back is wrong for this sentence because gave back means returned an object to someone, which cannot describe stopping the habit of smoking.
  • C) gave awayThe phrase gave away is wrong here because gave away means donated something or revealed a secret, which does not express the idea of quitting smoking.
  • D) gave inThe phrase gave in is wrong here because gave in means surrendered after resisting pressure, which misses the specific meaning of voluntarily stopping a long term habit.

💡 Explicación

The phrasal verb give up means to stop a habit. It is inseparable in this sense, so the object habit comes before no particle split. Memorizing the fixed meaning prevents confusing it with give back or give away.

Pregunta 2

Bloom: Understand

Diego met an old primary school friend at the bus station yesterday.

Which phrasal verb means: to meet someone unexpectedly? "I ___ Pablo at the station."

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Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: D) ran over

  • A) met by chanceThe option met by chance is wrong because although it paraphrases the idea, the question asks for the phrasal verb label and met by chance is not a phrasal verb.
  • B) ran intoCorrect! Ran into correctly expresses an unexpected meeting, so it perfectly captures meeting an old friend suddenly at the bus station.
  • C) ran afterThe option ran after is wrong because ran after means chased someone on foot, which describes pursuit and not a surprising and friendly meeting.
  • D) ran overThe option ran over is wrong because ran over means hit with a vehicle or exceeded time, which has a negative meaning totally unrelated to meeting.

💡 Explicación

Run into means to meet someone unexpectedly. It is intransitive with the person as object of into and cannot take a direct object split. Recognizing chance encounters helps separate it from run after or run over.

Pregunta 3

Bloom: Apply

Carmen stays with her little cousins every Friday evening.

Choose the correct sentence about caring for children.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: A) Carmen looks for her cousins.

  • A) Carmen looks for her cousins.The sentence with look for is wrong because look for means try to find something lost, which does not describe the care Carmen gives.
  • B) Carmen looks up her cousins.The sentence with look up is wrong because look up means search for information in a book or online, which is unrelated to caring for children.
  • C) Carmen looks down her cousins.The sentence with look down is wrong because look down on means consider someone inferior, which is negative and opposite to caring for cousins.
  • D) Carmen looks after her cousins.Correct! Look after correctly means take care of, so the sentence about staying with little cousins every Friday is perfectly accurate.

💡 Explicación

Look after means to take care of someone. The particle after is fixed and the verb needs no extra preposition. Learners should contrast it with look for, which means search, and look up, which means check information.

Pregunta 4

Bloom: Analyze

Pablo received a job offer with a low salary and refused it.

One sentence is correct about refusing the offer. Which one is it?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: C) He turned down the offer.

  • A) He turned up the offer.The sentence He turned up the offer is wrong because turned up means arrived or increased volume, so it cannot describe rejecting a low salary.
  • B) He turned into the offer.The sentence He turned into the offer is wrong because turned into means transformed from one thing to another, which makes no sense with a job offer.
  • C) He turned down the offer.Correct! He turned down the offer correctly uses the phrasal verb for rejecting, so it accurately describes refusing the low salary job.
  • D) He turned on the offer.The sentence He turned on the offer is wrong because turned on means switched on a device or attacked, which has no connection to refusing work.

💡 Explicación

Turn down means to reject an offer. It is separable, so both turned the offer down and turned down the offer are correct. The error in the faulty sentence is the wrong particle that changes rejection into acceptance.

Pregunta 5

Bloom: Apply

Lucia must return her history books to the school library today.

Fill the gap: Lucia has to "___" to the library this afternoon.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: A) give the books back

  • A) give the books backCorrect! Give the books back correctly expresses returning borrowed items to the library, which matches the obligation to restore what was lent.
  • B) give the books awayThe option give the books away is wrong because give away means donate to a new owner, which contradicts returning them to the original library.
  • C) give the books offThe option give the books off is wrong because give off is not used with books and it means emit smell or light, so it is completely unnatural here.
  • D) give the books downThe option give the books down is wrong because give down is not a real phrasal verb for returning, so the sentence would be ungrammatical and meaningless.

💡 Explicación

Give back means to return something to its owner. It is separable, so give the books back is natural. It contrasts with give up, which means quit, and give out, which means distribute or stop working.

Pregunta 6

Bloom: Remember

Andres delayed his dentist appointment because of football training.

Choose the phrasal verb for postponing: Andres "___" his appointment until next week.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: C) put off

  • A) put onThe option put on is wrong because put on means wear clothes or gain weight, which cannot describe moving an appointment to another day.
  • B) put outThe option put out is wrong because put out means extinguish a fire or annoy someone, which has no relation to delaying a dentist visit.
  • C) put offCorrect! Put off correctly means postponed to a later date, which exactly explains moving the dentist appointment because of football training.
  • D) put overThe option put over is wrong because put over is not used for postponing appointments and it suggests communicating an idea, so it fails here.

💡 Explicación

Put off means to postpone to a later time. It is separable, so put the appointment off works too. Do not confuse it with put on, which means wear, or put out, which means extinguish.

Pregunta 7

Bloom: Understand

Sofia started playing the guitar again after a long break.

Sofia "took ___ the guitar" in January. What does the sentence mean?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: D) took over

  • A) took afterThe option took after is wrong because took after means resembled a family member in looks or character, which cannot describe starting guitar lessons.
  • B) took upCorrect! Took up correctly means started as a new hobby, so it perfectly describes Sofia beginning guitar again after a long pause.
  • C) took offThe option took off is wrong because took off means removed clothing or left the ground, which does not express beginning a musical hobby.
  • D) took overThe option took over is wrong because took over means gained control of a company or place, which is unrelated to starting to play guitar.

💡 Explicación

Take up means to start a hobby or activity. It is separable with objects like guitar or painting. Contrast it with take after, which means resemble a relative, and take off, which means remove or depart.

Pregunta 8

Bloom: Apply

Jorge mentioned a sensitive topic during dinner and everyone went quiet.

Fill the gap: Jorge "brought ___" politics and the mood changed.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: B) brought back

  • A) brought upCorrect! Brought up correctly means introduced into conversation, which explains why mentioning a sensitive topic suddenly silenced the whole dinner table.
  • B) brought backThe option brought back is wrong because brought back means returned something or reminded of the past, which does not describe introducing a new topic.
  • C) brought downThe option brought down is wrong because brought down means lowered a price or made sad, which fails to capture the act of mentioning a subject.
  • D) brought aboutThe option brought about is wrong because brought about means caused something to happen, which focuses on results rather than simply mentioning a topic.

💡 Explicación

Bring up means to introduce a topic into conversation. It is separable, so bring it up is common with pronouns. It differs from bring back, which means return, and bring down, which means lower or sadden.

Pregunta 9

Bloom: Analyze

Elena is excited about her school trip to London next month.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence about the London trip.

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Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: C) look forward to gone

  • A) look forward to goThe option look forward to go is wrong because after to in this fixed phrase a gerund is required, so the base verb go breaks the grammar rule.
  • B) looking forward to goingCorrect! Looking forward to going correctly uses the gerund after to, which is the mandatory pattern for expressing excited anticipation about London.
  • C) look forward to goneThe option look forward to gone is wrong because gone is a past participle that cannot follow the preposition to, so the structure becomes completely ungrammatical.
  • D) look forward to be goingThe option look forward to be going is wrong in this context because the extra be makes the phrase wordy and unnatural, though the core error is the missing gerund form.

💡 Explicación

Look forward to uses the gerund, not the infinitive, because to is a preposition here. The full pattern is look forward to doing something. This fixed prepositional use surprises learners who expect to plus base verb.

Pregunta 10

Bloom: Understand

Two classmates share a flat and never argue about cleaning.

They really "get ___" well. Which particle completes the idea of a good relationship?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: A) get over

  • A) get overThe option get over is wrong because get over means recover from illness or shock, which does not describe a peaceful and friendly flat sharing relationship.
  • B) get throughThe option get through is wrong because get through means finish a task or contact by phone, which misses the idea of friendly coexistence.
  • C) get alongCorrect! Get along correctly means have a good relationship, so it perfectly explains why the flatmates never argue about cleaning duties.
  • D) get acrossThe option get across is wrong because get across means communicate an idea clearly, which describes explanation rather than friendly personal relations.

💡 Explicación

Get along means to have a friendly relationship. With is often added before the other person, as in get along with. Do not mix it with get over, which means recover, or get through, which means finish or contact.

Pregunta 11

Bloom: Evaluate

The old bus stopped in the middle of the road this morning.

The bus "broke ___" on the highway. What happened to the bus? It stopped working.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: D) broke out

  • A) broke downCorrect! Broke down correctly means the engine stopped working suddenly, which precisely explains why the old bus halted in the middle of the road.
  • B) broke upThe option broke up is wrong because broke up means ended a romantic relationship or dispersed, which cannot describe a mechanical failure of a bus.
  • C) broke inThe option broke in is wrong because broke in means entered illegally or softened new shoes, which is absurd when applied to an engine failure.
  • D) broke outThe option broke out is wrong because broke out means escaped or started suddenly like a fire, which does not convey a vehicle malfunction.

💡 Explicación

Break down means a machine stops working. It is intransitive and needs no object. Compare it with break up, which ends a relationship, and break in, which means enter by force or wear new shoes.

Pregunta 12

Bloom: Apply

Raul created a small online shop to sell handmade bracelets.

Raul "set ___" an online shop last spring. Choose the right particle.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: B) set up

  • A) set offThe option set off is wrong because set off means started a journey or triggered an alarm, which does not describe creating a new online shop.
  • B) set upCorrect! Set up correctly means established a new business, so it exactly describes Raul creating his online shop for handmade bracelets.
  • C) set asideThe option set aside is wrong because set aside means saved money or time for later, which misses the idea of founding and organizing a shop.
  • D) set backThe option set back is wrong because set back means delayed progress or cost money, which is negative and opposite to launching a business.

💡 Explicación

Set up means to start or arrange something like a business. It is separable, so set it up is frequent. Contrast it with set off, which means begin a journey, and set out, which means start with a goal.

Pregunta 13

Bloom: Analyze

The teacher asked the class to do a survey about recycling habits.

We must "carry ___" the survey before Friday. Which version is correct and formal?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: D) carry off

  • A) carry onThe option carry on is wrong because carry on means continue doing something, which fails to express the idea of performing and completing the assigned survey.
  • B) carry awayThe option carry away is wrong because carry away means become overexcited and lose control, which is emotional and unrelated to executing a school task.
  • C) carry outCorrect! Carry out correctly means perform and complete the survey task, which matches the formal instruction to execute the recycling research properly.
  • D) carry offThe option carry off is wrong because carry off means succeed in a difficult situation or win, which does not mean to systematically perform a survey.

💡 Explicación

Carry out means to perform or complete a task like a survey. It is formal and separable, so carry it out is standard. It contrasts with carry on, which means continue, and carry away, which means overexcite.

Pregunta 14

Bloom: Understand

During the debate, Ana highlighted an important mistake in the data.

Ana "pointed ___" an error in the graph. Choose the verb that means highlighted.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: C) pointed to

  • A) pointed outCorrect! Pointed out correctly means drew attention to the mistake, so it exactly describes Ana highlighting the important error in the data.
  • B) pointed atThe option pointed at is wrong because pointed at describes a physical finger gesture toward something, not the verbal act of highlighting an idea.
  • C) pointed toThe option pointed to is wrong in this context because pointed to suggests indicating direction or evidence vaguely, not explicitly calling attention to an error.
  • D) pointed overThe option pointed over is wrong because pointed over is not a standard phrasal verb for highlighting, so the sentence becomes unnatural and incorrect.

💡 Explicación

Point out means to draw attention to a fact or error. It is separable, so pointed it out is typical. Learners confuse it with point at, which is physical gesture, rather than verbal highlighting.

Pregunta 15

Bloom: Apply

Carlos finally learned the truth about the surprise party.

Carlos "found ___" about the party yesterday. Which particle means discovered?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: B) found out

  • A) found inThe option found in is wrong because found in is not a phrasal verb of discovery and it merely locates something inside a place, not learning news.
  • B) found outCorrect! Found out correctly means discovered the hidden information, which perfectly explains how Carlos learned the truth about the surprise party.
  • C) found overThe option found over is wrong because found over is not an accepted discovery phrasal verb, so it makes the sentence ungrammatical and meaningless.
  • D) found acrossThe option found across is wrong because the correct form with across is came across, while found across mixes two different verbs and sounds unnatural.

💡 Explicación

Find out means to discover information after searching. It takes a clause with what or that and is intransitive in particle use. Contrast it with find for or invent, which do not encode discovery.

Pregunta 16

Bloom: Analyze

Sara runs every morning but struggles to stay at the same speed as her brother.

Sara cannot "keep ___" her brother. Complete the comparison correctly.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: A) keep up with

  • A) keep up withCorrect! Keep up with correctly expresses staying at the same speed, so it perfectly captures Sara struggling to match her faster brother.
  • B) keep onThe option keep on is wrong because keep on means continue doing something without stopping, which lacks the comparative idea of matching another person.
  • C) keep offThe option keep off is wrong because keep off means avoid stepping on something or stay away, which is about avoidance rather than matching pace.
  • D) keep outThe option keep out is wrong because keep out means prevent entry or stay outside, which has nothing to do with running at equal speed.

💡 Explicación

Keep up with means to stay at the same level or speed. With is obligatory before the person or standard. Without with the meaning shifts toward continuing generally, losing the comparison sense tested here.

Pregunta 17

Bloom: Remember

The teacher asked the students to submit their essays before Friday.

Choose the sentence that correctly asks students to submit work.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: C) hand back

  • A) hand outThe option hand out is wrong because hand out means distribute copies to many people, which is opposite to submitting work to the teacher.
  • B) hand overThe option hand over is wrong because hand over means surrender control or give to authority under pressure, which is too forceful for submitting essays.
  • C) hand backThe option hand back is wrong in this context because hand back means return to the previous holder, which describes the teacher returning work, not students submitting.
  • D) hand inCorrect! Hand in correctly means submit work formally, so it exactly matches the instruction to deliver essays to the teacher before Friday.

💡 Explicación

Hand in means to submit work to an authority. It is separable, so hand it in is required with pronouns. Do not confuse it with hand out, which means distribute, or hand over, which means surrender.

Pregunta 18

Bloom: Evaluate

Nora collected her friend from the airport after a long flight.

Nora "picked ___" her friend at arrivals. Which particle means collected by car?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: D) picked over

  • A) picked upCorrect! Picked up correctly means collected by car from a place, which perfectly fits Nora meeting her friend at the airport after the flight.
  • B) picked onThe option picked on is wrong because picked on means teased or treated unfairly over time, which is cruel and unrelated to airport collection.
  • C) picked atThe option picked at is wrong because picked at means ate only small amounts of food, which cannot describe collecting a traveller from arrivals.
  • D) picked overThe option picked over is wrong because picked over means searched through items for the best ones, which applies to goods rather than collecting a person.

💡 Explicación

Pick up has many senses, including collect someone by car. Context decides between lift, learn, or collect. Here the airport setting signals collect, unlike pick on, which means tease unfairly.

Pregunta 19

Bloom: Apply

The kiosk cannot print tickets because it has no paper left.

The kiosk has "run ___ paper". Choose the form that means it has none left.

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: A) ran into

  • A) ran intoThe option ran into is wrong because ran into means met unexpectedly, which cannot explain why a kiosk without paper fails to print tickets.
  • B) ran overThe option ran over is wrong because ran over means hit or exceeded limits, which has no logical link to an empty paper supply.
  • C) ran acrossThe option ran across is wrong because ran across means found by chance while searching, which describes discovery rather than total depletion of stock.
  • D) ran out ofCorrect! Ran out of correctly means exhausted its supply, so it precisely explains why the kiosk cannot print tickets without any paper.

💡 Explicación

Run out of means to have none left of a supply. The structure needs of before the noun, unlike run into or run over. Noticing the empty supply context helps select the depletion sense quickly.

Pregunta 20

Bloom: Evaluate

Two friends argue about separable verbs and pronoun placement in class.

Which sentence shows correct pronoun placement with a separable phrasal verb?

Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta correcta: B) She picked it up yesterday.

  • A) She picked up it yesterday.The option She picked up it yesterday is wrong because the pronoun it cannot follow the particle, so She picked up it violates the mandatory middle placement rule.
  • B) She picked it up yesterday.Correct! She picked it up yesterday correctly places the pronoun it between verb and particle, which obeys the strict separable phrasal verb word order.
  • C) She picked up yesterday it.The option She picked up yesterday it is wrong because it separates the time adverb awkwardly and still leaves the pronoun after the particle, breaking natural syntax.
  • D) She picked yesterday up it.The option She picked yesterday up it is wrong because it splits the adverb inside the verb phrase and misplaces both yesterday and it, creating completely scrambled word order.

💡 Explicación

Separable phrasal verbs force the pronoun between verb and particle, so pick it up is mandatory and pick up it is wrong. This syntactic rule overrides meaning and is a classic B2 error with it and them. Mastering placement guarantees natural word order.

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