Do you want to know if you can understand native speakers in an office environment? One of the best ways to improve your English fluency is to read stories that use phrasal verbs in context. Instead of just memorizing a list, you can see how these words describe a real situation.
This story follows John during a very stressful day at his job. After you read the story, you can take the comprehension quiz to see how much you understood. This is a proven learning strategy to help you think in English without translating every word in your head.
The Story: A Busy Day at Work
Yesterday, John had a very hectic day at the office. He woke up late because his alarm clock went off at the wrong time. He quickly got dressed and headed out to catch the bus. On his way, he ran into an old friend from college. He wanted to talk, but he could not stop to chat because he was already late for his first meeting.
When John finally arrived at work, his boss called him in for an urgent discussion. She told him to put together a difficult report by noon. John was worried that he could not pull it off in such a short time. However, he got down to work right away and managed to finish the task just in time.
After submitting the report, John had to deal with a problem that came up unexpectedly. A client backed out of an important deal. John had to figure out how to sort it out before the end of the day. He called the client to try to smooth things over and talk them into reconsidering. Fortunately, after a long conversation, the client came around and decided to continue with the deal.
At the end of the day, John was exhausted but felt very accomplished. He wrapped up his work and headed home for some much needed rest.
Comprehension Quiz: Test Your Understanding
Read each question carefully and choose the correct answer. This quiz will help you master phrasal verbs used in the workplace.
1. What does “went off” mean in the sentence, “his alarm clock went off at the wrong time”?
- A. The alarm clock broke.
- B. The alarm clock made a noise to wake him up.
- C. The alarm clock stopped working.
2. What does “ran into” mean in the sentence, “he ran into an old friend”?
- A. He met an old friend unexpectedly.
- B. He accidentally pushed an old friend.
- C. He drove a car into his friend.
3. What does “pull it off” mean in the sentence, “John was worried that he could not pull it off”?
- A. To cancel a project.
- B. To successfully accomplish something difficult.
- C. To remove something physically.
4. What does “deal with” mean in the sentence, “John had to deal with a problem”?
- A. To manage or handle a difficult situation.
- B. To ignore a problem and hope it goes away.
- C. To give up on a task.
5. What does “backed out” mean in the sentence, “A client backed out of a deal”?
- A. To ask for a refund.
- B. To drive a car in reverse.
- C. To withdraw from or cancel an agreement.
6. What does “talk them into” mean in the sentence, “John tried to talk them into reconsidering”?
- A. To forcefully shout at someone.
- B. To persuade someone to change their mind.
- C. To speak to someone angrily.
7. What does “wrap up” mean in the sentence, “John wrapped up his work”?
- A. To summarize a story.
- B. To cover an object with paper.
- C. To finish or complete a task.
Answer Key:
- B | 2. A | 3. B | 4. A | 5. C | 6. B | 7. C
How to Keep Learning
If you enjoyed this story, you might want to explore our guide to common idioms to learn even more natural expressions. If you found the quiz difficult, try to grow your vocabulary through reading more short stories every day. This habit is the fastest way to express your emotions and ideas like a native speaker.
You can also use our Phrasal Verbs Flashcards or explore extra resources on Business Phasal Verbs to help you improve your fluency before your next work meeting!
