Phrasal verbs: the media

This ESL worksheet is dedicated to phrasal verbs related to the media. Students will learn 12 phrasal verbs and discuss topics like fake news and media sensationalism.

The first 7 phrasal verbs (e.g. stir up, bring up, fall for) are introduced through a short dialogue. Students read it and work out the meanings of the phrasal verbs. Then they complete 3 statements with the correct phrasal verb and discuss the statements in pairs or small groups. Then students look at 5 sentences and learn the rest of the phrasal verbs (leak out, come out, cover up). After matching the phrasal verbs to their definitions, students are given a few questions, which they use to start a conversation with a partner.

For further practice, students are asked to rephrase 4 sentences given, using the correct phrasal verb.

The last 2 activities are focused on speaking. First, students answer a couple of questions and then they do a role-play. The conversation cards provide further speaking opportunities.