Phrasal verbs: solving problems

With this worksheet, students will learn and practise 12 phrasal verbs related to solving problems. It is great for business English students as well as general English students.

The first activity is a short text which introduces 6 phrasal verbs (e.g. run into, wrestle with, deal with). Students work out the meaning of the phrasal verbs from context and then match them to their definitions. The next activity provides speaking practice: students are asked to choose the correct phrasal verb to complete a few questions and then they discuss the questions given.

Next, students are given a multiple-choice task: they look at 6 sentences, each including a different phrasal verb (e.g. sit it out, run up against, talk it over) and choose the correct meaning. To practise, students are given a few sentences which they need to complete with their personal experiences or opinions. For additional practice, students are asked to rewrite 4 sentences using a phrasal verb from the lesson.

The worksheet concludes with 2 speaking activities: the first one gives students 3 situations and asks them to brainstorm potential problems and solutions. Lastly, a few conversation questions are given for a free speaking practice.

The separate set of printable conversation cards could be used for additional speaking practice, to replace the last activity in the worksheet, to revise the vocabulary in another lesson or to have a conversation class.

This worksheet combines well with lessons related to problem-solving, challenges, entrepreneurship, success and failure.