English Verbs: Are These Phrasal Verbs New to You?

This ESL lesson focuses on four english verbs. By listening to this story, you can master four phrasal verbs. These verbs always seem difficult for learners of English. Imagine how confident you will feel using these verbs easliy and correctly.

Using your imagination is a great way to learn, but seeing things is even better! For this story, set up a group of objects to represent the things in the story. 

For instance, use chess pieces to represent the characters.  Then, as you listen to the story, move the pieces around on the table to show the story. 

You may find that this will deepen your understanding of the story and help you to remember the story itself.  Later, try to say the story yourself, using the chess pieces.  When you say the story, focus on using the english verbs. That is the main point. 

Come back on a different day and listen again. Listen on ten different days. You will be amazed!

Mothambo Milk Program

Verb List

1. Keep up: maintain present level of something: to maintain something at its present level

2. Drop out: to abandon a project or activity without finishing it

3. Drop in: to visit somebody casually or without having agreed on a time

4. Cheer up: to become, or make somebody feel, less sad

The boys in Mothambo elementary school have to keep up with more than their studies. They also have to keep up with each other in working on the farm. Four years ago their school was very poor and they could not eat healthy lunches. Soon boys began to drop out. One day a friendly man from the village dropped in to cheer them up. He suggested they try to raise money by keeping cows. Now they work hard to raise the cows and they also get fresh milk to drink from the cows. The only problem is some of the boys like to ride the cows, and sometimes they fall off!

1. What do the boys in Mothambo elementary school have to do?

2. What was the school like four years ago?

3. What did a friendly man do?

4. Now what are the boys doing?

5. What is the only problem?

You can get your own copy of this recording in mp3 format here - (at no charge).

Just right click here.