Flashcard - Unit 4

Unit 4: I can use phrasal nouns and adjectives

Phrasal nouns are often formed from phrasal verbs. They may be hyphenated (cover-up, take-off, passer-by) or written as one word (breakout, getaway, backup). They behave as nouns and can be subjects, objects, or complements. Adjectives formed from phrasal verbs describe people, objects, events, or situations: throwaway, breakaway, knockout, off-putting, ongoing, outspoken, watered-down, worn-out, leftover.

Advanced note: Some phrasal nouns change stress patterns compared with the verb. Many become fixed lexical items and develop meanings that are not completely predictable from the original verb.

IMAGE BOX: Courtroom scene showing a judge’s summing-up and public intake of breath.

Key Vocabulary

onlooker, passer-by, breakout, getaway, climbdown, cover-up, intake, summing-up, outbreak, backup, throwaway, breakaway, knockout, off-putting, ongoing, outspoken, watered-down, worn-out, leftover.

Exercise 1 – Verb to Noun

  1. cover up → _____
  2. break out → _____
  3. get away → _____
  4. climb down → _____
  5. sum up → _____
  6. back up → _____
  7. take off → _____
  8. look on → _____

Exercise 2 – Fill the gaps

  1. The government announced a _____.
  2. Police requested _____.
  3. The flu _____ worried doctors.
  4. There was a prison _____.
  5. The thief made a quick _____.
  6. The lawyer’s _____ lasted ten minutes.
  7. An _____ watched silently.
  8. A _____ called emergency services.
IMAGE BOX: Prison breakout with onlookers at a safe distance.

Exercise 3 – Match

  1. throwaway
  2. breakaway
  3. knockout
  4. off-putting
  5. ongoing
  6. outspoken
  7. watered-down
  8. worn-out

a separated b continuing c very tired d direct in opinions e weaker f unpleasant g disposable h elimination-style

Exercise 4 – Correct the form

  1. cover up → noun
  2. look on → noun
  3. take off → noun
  4. speak out → adjective
  5. wear out → adjective
  6. water down → adjective
  7. go on → adjective
  8. leave over → adjective

Exercise 5 – Sentence rewriting

  1. The team backed us up.
  2. The judge summed up.
  3. Someone passed by.
  4. They covered up the facts.
  5. The disease broke out.
  6. The politician climbed down.
  7. The plane took off.
  8. People looked on.

Exercise 6 – Categorize

Place each item under Noun or Adjective: breakout, ongoing, getaway, outspoken, backup, throwaway, intake, leftover.

Unit 4 Practice Page

Use phrasal nouns and adjectives accurately in context. Pay attention to spelling, hyphenation, and meaning.

IMAGE BOX: Newspaper headlines using phrasal adjectives.

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

  1. Disposable goods are (throwaway/ongoing).
  2. A separated faction is (breakaway/leftover).
  3. A tired parent is (worn-out/knockout).
  4. A weaker proposal is (watered-down/off-putting).
  5. A continuing project is (ongoing/breakaway).
  6. A direct critic is (outspoken/leftover).
  7. An elimination contest is (knockout/ongoing).
  8. An unpleasant attitude is (off-putting/throwaway).

Exercise 2 – Complete the sentences

  1. The minister’s _____ surprised reporters.
  2. Several _____ saw the accident.
  3. The police investigated the alleged _____.
  4. There was a sharp _____ of breath.
  5. The company kept some _____ staff funds.
  6. We need _____ if the plan fails.
  7. The bank feared an _____ of fraud.
  8. The criminal’s _____ was unsuccessful.

Exercise 3 – Odd One Out

  1. breakout, getaway, ongoing
  2. backup, intake, outspoken
  3. throwaway, worn-out, outbreak
  4. climbdown, cover-up, leftover
  5. onlooker, passer-by, watered-down
  6. ongoing, breakout, knockout
  7. outspoken, off-putting, backup
  8. take-off, getaway, breakaway
IMAGE BOX: Community debate featuring an outspoken critic.

Exercise 4 – Transformations

  1. People looked on → noun
  2. The talks go on → adjective
  3. She spoke out → adjective
  4. They watered down the proposal → adjective
  5. The group broke away → adjective
  6. He wore out his shoes → adjective
  7. Food was left over → adjective
  8. They knocked the team out → adjective

Exercise 5 – Error Correction

  1. ongoing talks are finished
  2. leftover food cannot be eaten
  3. worn-out means brand new
  4. backup means opposition
  5. onlooker takes part actively
  6. cover-up means public disclosure
  7. throwaway means durable luxury
  8. climbdown means stubborn refusal

Exercise 6 – Short Writing Prompts

  1. Use breakout.
  2. Use getaway.
  3. Use backup.
  4. Use off-putting.
  5. Use ongoing.
  6. Use outspoken.
  7. Use watered-down.
  8. Use leftover.

Unit 4 Further Practice

Consolidate your understanding by using both phrasal nouns and phrasal adjectives in realistic contexts.

IMAGE BOX: Emergency response scene showing backup arriving during an outbreak.

Exercise 1 – Definitions

  1. escape from prison
  2. quick escape from crime scene
  3. admission of being wrong
  4. attempt to hide wrongdoing
  5. extra support
  6. person watching an event
  7. person passing accidentally
  8. sudden start of disease

Exercise 2 – Gap Fill with Adjectives

  1. The report was _____.
  2. The negotiations are _____.
  3. The reviewer was _____.
  4. The volunteers felt _____.
  5. The country became _____.
  6. The packaging is _____.
  7. The smell was _____.
  8. The tournament is _____.
IMAGE BOX: Recycling centre illustrating a throwaway society.

Exercise 3 – Synonym Hunt

  1. observer
  2. support
  3. escape
  4. continuing
  5. direct
  6. remaining
  7. tired
  8. weakened

Exercise 4 – Sentence Building

  1. onlooker
  2. cover-up
  3. backup
  4. outbreak
  5. throwaway
  6. off-putting
  7. breakaway
  8. knockout

Exercise 5 – True or False

  1. A passer-by may witness an accident.
  2. A cover-up reveals everything.
  3. Ongoing means completed.
  4. Leftover food remains after a meal.
  5. A knockout contest eliminates competitors.
  6. Backup provides help.
  7. A climbdown means admitting error.
  8. An outspoken person hides opinions.

Exercise 6 – Mixed Review

  1. Write the noun from break out.
  2. Write the adjective from speak out.
  3. Write the noun from back up.
  4. Write the adjective from wear out.
  5. Write the noun from cover up.
  6. Write the adjective from go on.
  7. Write the noun from get away.
  8. Write the adjective from water down.
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