Reading: Vocabulary in Context: B1 Lesson 2: Understanding Common Phrasal Verbs in Context

Reading: Vocabulary in Context

B1 Lesson 2: Understanding Common Phrasal Verbs

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use context clues to understand the meaning of common phrasal verbs.

Before You Read 🧠

Key Vocabulary

Understanding these ideas is key to learning phrasal verbs.

Phrasal Verb

A verb + a small word (particle) that creates a new meaning.

Particle

The small word like `up`, `on`, `after` in a phrasal verb.

Idiomatic

When the meaning is different from the individual words.

Common Phrasal Verbs in Context

Let's use the context of the sentence to guess the meaning of these common phrasal verbs.

1. get up

"I have to be at school at 7:30 AM, so I usually get up at 6:00 AM."

Context Clues:

The sentence mentions a time in the morning and preparing for school.

Meaning:

To rise from bed after sleeping.

2. look after

"When my parents work in the rice fields, I have to look after my little brother at home."

Context Clues:

The situation involves parents being away and a "little brother" who needs care.

Meaning:

To take care of someone or something.

3. put on

"It was cold this morning, so I decided to put on a jacket before I left the house."

Context Clues:

The situation is cold weather and the object is an item of clothing (a jacket).

Meaning:

To place clothing on your body.

4. find out

"I want to go to Phnom Penh this weekend. I need to find out what time the bus leaves."

Context Clues:

The person needs information (the bus time) and is actively trying to get it.

Meaning:

To discover or get information.

5. give up

"Learning to play guitar is difficult. Many people play for a few weeks and then give up."

Context Clues:

The sentence describes a "difficult" activity and suggests people stop doing it.

Meaning:

To quit; to stop trying.

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb

Use the context of the sentence to choose the best answer.

1. My plants are dying because I always forget to _______ them.

• A. get up
• B. look after
• C. give up

→ Answer: B. look after. Plants, like a little brother, need someone to take care of them.

2. I don't know the answer, but I can use Google to _______ it.

• A. find out
• B. put on
• C. get up

→ Answer: A. find out. You use Google to discover information.

Key Vocabulary Reference

• Phrasal Verb (Noun) | កិរិយាស័ព្ទកន្សោម
  A verb combined with a particle (like `up, on, after`) to create a new, often idiomatic, meaning.
• get up
  To rise from bed.
• look after
  To take care of.
• put on
  To place clothing on your body.
• find out
  To discover information.
• give up
  To quit or stop trying.

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Use the Phrasal Verbs!

Write three original sentences using three different phrasal verbs from today's lesson.

1. Write one sentence using get up.
2. Write one sentence using put on.
3. Write one sentence using give up.

Be ready to share your sentences in your next class.