Casa ESL · B1 Intermediate · Unit 18 of 20 · Step 2
Interpersonal connections and phrasal verbs
Name
Date
Vocabulary
get on with
phraseTo have a good relationship with someone.
"I get on really well with my neighbours."
look forward to
phraseTo feel excited about something that is going to happen.
"She looks forward to meeting her old friends."
put up with
phraseTo accept or tolerate something unpleasant.
"I can't put up with the noise any longer."
fall out with
phraseTo have an argument and stop being friendly with someone.
"He fell out with his brother over a small disagreement."
make up
phraseTo become friends again after an argument.
"They argued last week, but they've already made up."
bring up
phraseTo mention a topic in conversation.
"She decided to bring up the problem at the meeting."
let down
phraseTo disappoint someone by not doing what you promised.
"He felt let down when his friend cancelled at the last minute."
turn to
phraseTo go to someone for help or support.
"When I have a problem, I always turn to my sister."
Grammar Focus
Phrasal verbs — get on with, look forward to, put up with, and more
Phrasal verbs combine a verb with one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs). Some are inseparable (the object must come after the particle): 'get on with someone', 'look forward to something'. Some are separable (the object can go between or after): 'bring something up' or 'bring up something'. When the object is a pronoun, separable phrasal verbs must be split: 'bring it up' (not 'bring up it').
I get on well with my colleagues. (inseparable)
We are looking forward to the holiday. (inseparable — 'to' is a preposition, followed by noun or -ing)
Can you bring up the topic at the meeting? / Can you bring it up?
I can't put up with this behaviour any longer.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with the correct phrasal verb from the box: get on with, look forward to, put up with, fall out with, make up, bring up, let down, turn to.
1. I always my best friend when I need advice.
2. She doesn't her new flatmate very well.
3. We seeing you at the party next week!
4. He felt when nobody remembered his birthday.
5. They had a big argument but managed to the next day.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1. I can't ___ his constant complaining.
2. She ___ the subject of money during dinner.
3. Are you ___ the concert next week?
4. They ___ each other after a silly misunderstanding.
5. Don't worry — I won't ___ you ___.
Reading
Mending a Friendship
Last year, I fell out with my closest friend, Laura. It started when I brought up something personal at a dinner with other people. Laura felt let down because she had told me in confidence. For weeks, she didn't reply to my messages. I felt terrible because I had always been able to turn to her for advice. Eventually, I decided I couldn't put up with the silence any longer and wrote her a long letter. I explained that I was truly sorry and that I looked forward to rebuilding our friendship. Laura called me the next day. We talked for hours and finally made up. Now I get on with her better than ever. The experience taught me to be more careful with the things people share with me.
1. Why did Laura feel let down?
2. How did the writer and Laura resolve the situation?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 6–8 sentences about an important relationship in your life. Use at least four phrasal verbs from this unit.
Example: My sister and I get on with each other very well. I always turn to her when I have a problem. Last year, we fell out with each other over something silly, but we made up quickly. I look forward to visiting her next month.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. turn to · 2. get on with · 3. look forward to · 4. let down · 5. make up
Exercise 2
1. put up with · 2. brought up · 3. looking forward to · 4. fell out with · 5. let / down
Reading Comprehension
1. Laura felt let down because the writer brought up something personal in front of other people that Laura had told them in confidence. · 2. The writer wrote Laura a long letter to apologise, Laura called the next day, they talked for hours and made up.