Directions: Each of the following items features one part of a sentence, followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternative and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. Late at night, our car
Understanding Sentence Completion with Phrasal Verbs
The question asks us to complete the sentence "Late at night, our car..." by choosing the most appropriate phrasal verb from the given options. This type of question tests our understanding of how phrasal verbs are used in context.
Let's look at the options provided:
- broke down on the highway.
- broke up on the highway.
- broke into the highway.
- broke out on the highway.
Analyzing the Phrasal Verb Options
We need to consider the meaning of each phrasal verb in relation to a car on a highway:
- Broke down: This phrasal verb commonly means to stop functioning because of a mechanical problem. This meaning fits perfectly with a car experiencing trouble and stopping on a highway.
- Broke up: This phrasal verb usually means to end a relationship, to separate into pieces, or to laugh uncontrollably. None of these meanings make sense in the context of a car on a highway.
- Broke into: This phrasal verb means to enter a building or place illegally by force, or to start doing something suddenly (like singing). It is not used to describe a car stopping on a highway.
- Broke out: This phrasal verb can mean to start suddenly (like a fire, war, or disease), or to escape from a place. It is not used to describe a car stopping due to mechanical failure.
Selecting the Correct Phrasal Verb for Car Trouble
Based on the analysis of the phrasal verbs, "broke down" is the standard and correct idiom used to describe a vehicle that has stopped working due to a mechanical fault. When a car "breaks down," it means it has malfunctioned and cannot be driven.
Therefore, the complete sentence using the correct phrasal verb is:
Late at night, our car broke down on the highway.
Revision Table: Common Phrasal Verbs with 'Break'
| Phrasal Verb | Common Meaning(s) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| break down | Stop working (machine/vehicle); lose control of feelings | The old washing machine broke down. She broke down and cried. |
| break up | End a relationship; separate into pieces; finish for holidays (school) | They decided to break up. The plate broke up into pieces. School breaks up next week. |
| break into | Enter illegally by force; suddenly begin doing something | Thieves broke into the house. He broke into song. |
| break out | Start suddenly (fire, war, disease); escape from a place | A fire broke out in the building. War broke out. They broke out of prison. |
| break off | End a relationship/agreement; break a piece from something | They broke off their engagement. He broke off a piece of chocolate. |
Additional Information: Phrasal Verbs in English
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb (or both). They often have a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. They are very common in spoken and written English and are important for achieving fluency.
Understanding the context is crucial when dealing with phrasal verbs, as the same phrasal verb can sometimes have multiple meanings. Learning common phrasal verbs and practicing their usage helps improve comprehension and expression in English.
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