Intermediate verbs. 45 questions on transitive/intransitive, modal verbs, and phrasal verbs.
What this test covers
- Transitive & Intransitive
- Modal Verbs
- Phrasal Verbs
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1The sun ___ in the east every morning.
Answer: D. rises
The verb 'rise' is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object. We use the present simple 'rises' for a daily fact. The option 'raises' is incorrect because 'raise' is a transitive verb that requires an object (e.g., 'he raises the flag'). 'Rose' is the past tense, which doesn't fit the context of a recurring morning event.
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Q2Please ___ your hand if you have a question.
Answer: D. raise
The verb 'raise' is transitive, meaning it must have a direct object—here, 'your hand'. The verb 'rise' is intransitive and cannot be used with an object. Since this is a request or instruction in the imperative mood, 'raise' is the correct base form. 'Raised' and 'rose' are past tense forms and do not fit the sentence structure.
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Q3I am so tired; I need to ___ down for a while.
Answer: A. lie
We use 'lie' as an intransitive verb meaning to recline or rest in a horizontal position. It does not take an object. In contrast, 'lay' is a transitive verb meaning to put something down (e.g., 'lay the book down'). 'Laid' is the past tense of 'lay', and 'lied' is the past tense of 'lie' meaning to tell a falsehood. Because the speaker is reclining themselves, 'lie' is the correct choice.
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Q4Please ___ the documents on my desk before you leave.
Answer: C. lay
The verb 'lay' is transitive, which means it requires a direct object—in this case, 'the documents'. It means 'to put or place something'. 'Lie' is intransitive and cannot take an object. 'Lain' is the past form of 'lie', and 'lied' relates to telling an untruth. Since you are placing an object on a surface, 'lay' is the correct verb.
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Q5You should ___ in this chair; it is very comfortable.
Answer: A. sit
The verb 'sit' is intransitive, meaning the subject performs the action of being in a seated position without an object. 'Set' is a transitive verb meaning to place an object somewhere (e.g., 'set the vase on the table'). 'Sat' is the past tense of 'sit', but after the modal 'should', we must use the base form 'sit'. 'Seated' is usually used as a past form or in passive structures.
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Q6Please ___ the tray on the table carefully.
Answer: C. set
The verb 'set' is transitive, meaning it requires a direct object—here, 'the tray'. It means to place something somewhere. 'Sit' and 'sat' are forms of an intransitive verb used for the person themselves, not an object they are holding. 'Sitting' is a present -ing form and does not fit the imperative sentence structure.
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Q7The manager ___ the meeting because of the emergency.
Answer: C. cancelled
In this sentence, we need a transitive verb because 'the meeting' functions as a direct object. 'Cancelled' is a transitive verb that makes sense in this context. 'Arrived', 'happened', and 'slept' are intransitive verbs, meaning they cannot take a direct object like 'the meeting'.
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Q8The baby ___ peacefully for three hours.
Answer: A. slept
The verb 'slept' is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object. This fits the sentence structure where 'peacefully for three hours' acts as an adverbial phrase describing how and how long the baby slept. 'Watched', 'bought', and 'made' are transitive verbs that would require an object (e.g., 'watched a movie') to be grammatically complete.
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Q9I ___ speak French quite well when I lived in Paris.
Answer: D. could
The context 'when I lived in Paris' refers to a specific time in the past. 'Could' is the modal verb used to express general ability in the past. 'Can' expresses present ability, 'must' expresses obligation, and 'might' expresses possibility. Therefore, 'could' is the only choice that logically fits the past timeframe.
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Q10She ___ play the piano beautifully; she has been practicing for years.
Answer: B. can
The sentence describes a current ability based on the fact that she 'has been practicing' (present perfect continuous). 'Can' is the modal verb used for general ability in the present. 'Could' would imply past ability, 'should' would suggest advice, and 'might' would suggest a weak possibility.
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Q11___ I leave the classroom early today, teacher?
Answer: A. May
The modal 'May' is the most appropriate and formal choice for requesting permission. While 'Can' is often used in casual speech, 'May' is standard in formal or classroom settings when addressing a teacher. 'Should' asks for advice, 'Will' asks about the future, and 'Must' implies necessity, none of which fit a polite request for permission.
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Q12You ___ go home once you have finished your tasks.
Answer: C. can
The modal 'can' is used here to grant permission. Once the condition ('finished your tasks') is met, the person has permission to leave. 'Might' suggests a weak possibility, 'will' suggests a future fact, and 'did' is a helping word used for past actions or emphasis, making 'can' the only logical choice for giving permission.
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Q13It ___ rain later, so you should take an umbrella.
Answer: C. might
The modal 'might' is used to express a future possibility. The advice to 'take an umbrella' suggests that rain is a possible but not certain event. 'Must' would imply a logical certainty, which is too strong here, while 'would' and 'shall' do not correctly express this type of environmental possibility.
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Q14They ___ be at home; the house is completely dark.
Answer: C. can't
We use 'can't' for negative logical deduction when we are almost certain something is impossible based on evidence. If the 'house is completely dark', it is logical to assume they are not there. 'Must' would mean the opposite (logical certainty that they are there), while 'should' and 'could' express probability or possibility rather than a strong deduction based on evidence.
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Q15He ___ be at home; his car is in the driveway.
Answer: B. must
The modal 'must' is used for positive logical deduction when we are quite sure something is true based on evidence (the car in the driveway). 'Will' expresses future or habit, 'would' expresses a conditional result, and 'did' is not a modal verb used for deduction in this way.
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Q16She ___ be exhausted after working a double shift.
Answer: A. must
We use 'must' for logical deduction based on strong evidence. Working a double shift leads to the logical conclusion that she is tired. 'Was' would require 'exhausted' without 'be' (e.g., 'She was exhausted'). 'Shall' and 'did' do not fit the grammar of a present deduction.
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Q17You ___ wear a hard hat at all times on the construction site.
Answer: C. must
The modal 'must' expresses a strong obligation or a mandatory rule. On a construction site, wearing safety gear is an official requirement. 'Could', 'can', and 'might' suggest that the action is optional or a matter of ability, which does not fit the context of safety regulations.
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Q18We ___ submit our reports by Friday afternoon.
Answer: A. have to
The phrase 'have to' expresses an external obligation or requirement, such as a deadline set by a boss or teacher. 'Can', 'might', and 'could' suggest possibility or ability rather than the necessity required by a deadline like 'by Friday afternoon'.
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Q19You ___ see a doctor if that cough persists.
Answer: C. should
The modal 'should' is used to give advice or a recommendation. If a cough persists, seeing a doctor is the recommended course of action. 'Would' is used for conditional situations, while 'did' and 'were' are past tense verbs that do not function as modals for giving advice.
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Q20I ___ finish the report yesterday, so I stayed late.
Answer: C. had to
The word 'yesterday' indicates that the obligation occurred in the past. 'Had to' is the past tense of 'must' and 'have to'. We cannot use 'must' for past obligation; we must use 'had to'. 'Should' would mean it was a good idea but might not have happened, whereas the result ('so I stayed late') confirms the obligation was met.
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Q21___ you help me carry these heavy boxes?
Answer: B. Could
'Could' is used here to make a polite request for help. While 'Can' is also possible, 'Could' is more formal and polite. 'Must' is a command and would be rude, 'Might' is usually for possibility, and 'Shall' is used for suggestions or future actions, not for asking for physical assistance.
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Q22___ you like another cup of coffee?
Answer: A. Would
The phrase 'Would you like...?' is a fixed idiomatic expression used to make polite offers. 'Could you like' is grammatically incorrect in this context, 'Should' is for advice, and 'Must' is for obligation. Whenever you are offering something to someone, 'Would' is the standard polite modal.
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Q23The organizers had to ___ the concert due to the storm.
Answer: D. call off
The phrasal verb 'call off' means to cancel an event. 'Turn off' is used for lights or electronics; 'take off' is used for planes or removing clothes; and 'get off' is used for exiting a bus or train. Given that a storm prevented the concert, 'call off' (cancel) is the only logical choice.
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Q24He decided to ___ smoking for the sake of his health.
Answer: B. give up
The phrasal verb 'give up' means to quit or stop doing a habit or activity. 'Look up' means to search for information; 'set up' means to arrange or establish something; and 'turn up' means to arrive or increase volume. To stop smoking, one must 'give up' the habit.
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Q25Who is going to ___ your dog while you are on vacation?
Answer: A. look after
The phrasal verb 'look after' means to take care of or supervise someone or something. 'Look for' means to search for something lost; 'look up' means to find information in a reference book; and 'look into' means to investigate. When someone is away, they need someone to 'look after' (take care of) their pet.
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Q26The plane will ___ in approximately ten minutes.
Answer: A. take off
The phrasal verb 'take off' specifically refers to an aircraft leaving the ground and starting flight. 'Break off' means to snap or end a relationship; 'put off' means to postpone; and 'get off' means to exit a vehicle. For a plane, 'take off' is the standard term.
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Q27Don't ___ doing your laundry until the weekend.
Answer: B. put off
The phrasal verb 'put off' means to delay or postpone an action. The sentence advises not to delay the chore of laundry. 'Turn off' refers to power; 'get off' refers to exiting a vehicle; and 'take off' refers to planes or clothes. 'Put off' is the only one meaning to delay a task.
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Q28Do you ___ well with your new colleagues?
Answer: A. get along
The phrasal verb 'get along' (or 'get on') means to have a friendly relationship with someone. 'Get up' means to wake or stand; 'get over' means to recover from an illness or problem; and 'get off' means to exit transport. In the context of work relationships, 'get along' is the correct expression.
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Q29He had to ___ the job offer because the salary was too low.
Answer: A. turn down
The phrasal verb 'turn down' means to reject or refuse an offer or invitation. 'Turn off' is for power; 'turn out' can mean to end up or result in; and 'turn up' means to arrive. Because the salary was low, he 'turned down' (rejected) the job.
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Q30We have ___ of milk; I need to go to the store.
Answer: D. run out
The phrasal verb 'run out of' means to use up the entire supply of something so that none is left. 'Run into' means to meet someone by chance; 'run away' means to escape; and 'run over' means to hit with a vehicle. Since a trip to the store is needed, it means they have 'run out' of milk.
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Q31Please ___ with your work while I am away.
Answer: B. carry on
The phrasal verb 'carry on' means to continue doing something. 'Carry out' means to perform a task or instruction; 'carry away' is usually used in the passive 'get carried away' (to lose control); and 'carry off' means to succeed in something difficult. 'Carry on' is the standard way to tell someone to keep working.
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Q32I need to ___ what time the train arrives.
Answer: D. find out
The phrasal verb 'find out' means to discover or obtain information. 'Find off', 'find up', and 'find in' are not standard phrasal verbs in English. When you need to learn a specific fact, like a train time, you 'find it out'.
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Q33She didn't want to ___ the subject of politics at dinner.
Answer: D. bring up
The phrasal verb 'bring up' means to introduce a topic into a conversation. 'Bring away' is not a common idiom; 'bring in' often refers to earning money or introducing a law; and 'bring off' means to achieve something difficult. 'Bring up a subject' is the correct idiomatic use here.
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Q34My car ___ on the way to work this morning.
Answer: D. broke down
The phrasal verb 'break down' means that a machine or vehicle has stopped functioning. 'Broke up' refers to ending a relationship; 'broke in' refers to entering a building illegally; and 'broke off' means to snap a piece off. For mechanical failure, 'broke down' is the correct term.
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Q35I am really ___ seeing you at the party.
Answer: C. looking forward to
The phrasal verb 'looking forward to' means to anticipate a future event with pleasure. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (an -ing verb). 'Looking after' means caring for; 'looking for' means searching; and 'looking up' means searching for information. The sense of excitement for the party requires 'looking forward to'.
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Q36We ___ go to the beach if the weather stays nice.
Answer: B. may
The modal 'may' expresses a possibility that depends on a condition ('if the weather stays nice'). 'Must' would imply an obligation or a strong certainty, which is too strong for a casual beach trip. 'Mustn't' is for prohibition, and 'did' is a helping word for past actions, not future possibilities.
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Q37The company ___ its prices significantly last month.
Answer: B. raised
The verb 'raise' is transitive and requires an object, which in this case is 'its prices'. Its past tense is 'raised'. 'Rose' is the past tense of the intransitive verb 'rise' (which cannot have an object). Since the company performed the action on the prices, we must use the transitive form 'raised'. 'Rised' is not a word in English.
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Q38You ___ not enter this room without permission.
Answer: C. must
The modal 'must not' ('must') is used to express a strong prohibition or a strict rule. 'Need not' means you are not required to do something — the opposite of a prohibition. 'Could' and 'might' express ability or possibility and do not convey a formal prohibition.
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Q39My alarm clock didn't ___ this morning, so I was late.
Answer: B. go off
The phrasal verb 'go off' is used specifically to mean that an alarm or an explosive device has triggered or sounded. 'Turn off' means to deactivate something manually; 'get off' means to exit a vehicle; and 'take off' means to depart. When an alarm rings, we say it 'goes off'.
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Q40She ___ on the sofa all afternoon reading her book.
Answer: B. lay
This is a tricky past tense. The verb is 'lie' (intransitive, meaning to recline). The past tense of 'lie' is 'lay'. 'Laid' is the past tense of 'lay' (transitive, meaning to put an object down). 'Lain' is the past form of 'lie', and 'lied' means told a lie. Because the subject reclined themselves in the past, 'lay' is the correct form.
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Q41___ I borrow your pen for a moment?
Answer: B. Could
'Could' is a common modal verb used to ask for permission politely. 'Should' is used for advice, 'Will' asks about a future intention, and 'Must' is for necessity. For a polite request to borrow something, 'Could' or 'Can' are the standard choices.
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Q42We need to ___ a solution to this difficult problem.
Answer: D. come up with
The phrasal verb 'come up with' means to think of, produce, or invent an idea or solution. 'Break down' means to fail or analyze; 'turn down' means to reject; and 'get along' means to have a good relationship. For solving problems, 'come up with' is the most appropriate idiom.
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Q43The plants ___ because they did not get enough water.
Answer: A. withered
The verb 'wither' is intransitive and means to dry up and die. The sentence requires the past simple tense to match the second clause ('did not get'). 'Withered' is the correct past tense form. 'Withering' is the present -ing form, and 'withered off' is not a standard phrasal verb for plants.
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Q44He ___ have forgotten about the meeting; he looks completely surprised.
Answer: D. must
The phrase 'must have + past form' is used to make a strong logical deduction about a past event based on current evidence. His surprise is evidence that he forgot. 'Should have' would mean he had an obligation to forget (which makes no sense), and 'can' is not used with 'have' for past deduction in this way.
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Q45Please ___ the lights before you leave the office.
Answer: C. turn off
The phrasal verb 'turn off' means to stop the flow of electricity to a device, like a light. 'Turn up' means to increase volume or arrive; 'turn away' means to refuse entry; and 'turn down' means to reject or decrease volume. When leaving a room, you 'turn off' the lights.
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