101 Phrasal Verbs de inglés - libro 1
Por Stephen Harrison
~~~
Kindle Edition
Copyright © 2012 Stephen Harrison. All rights reserved.
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vuelve a comprar su propia copia en Amazon.com. Gracias por respetar la obra de este autor.
Índice
Otros títulos
Sobre el autor
Prefacio
Tipos de phrasal verbs
Aa C
DaG
HaP
QaT
Ua Z
Ejercicios
Soluciones
‘A Mission to Kill’
Otros títulos
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Sobre el autor
Después de graduarse con un título de primera clase en Lingüística en 2001, Stephen se trasladó a España,
donde fue profesor de Inglés y aprendió español. Desde entonces ha enseñado los adultos y los niños y en la
actualidad vive en Manchester, en el Reino Unido.
Para obtener más información y para registrar sus datos para recibir noticias y ofertas especiales, vaya a
www.relevantenglish.com o encontrarnos en Facebook – Relevant English.
Prefacio
Los phrasal verbs (verbos compuestos) tienen fama de ser difíciles para los estudiantes de inglés.
Desafortunadamente, son muy comunes, especialmente en el inglés hablado o coloquial. Un phrasal verb es un
verbo combinado con una preposición (o dos preposiciones). La preposición puede añadir significado extra
al verbo, o darle más énfasis al significado.
Muchos phrasal verbs son idiomáticos, lo que implica que su significado es muchas veces completamente
diferente del verbo que usan como base, como por ejemplo en ‘to pass away’ cuyo significado es ‘to die’
(morirse). Por consiguiente, los estudiantes de inglés tienen que aprender los significados de memoria, tal
como lo harían con otros modismos.
Hay diferentes tipos de phrasal verbs, que se comportan de manera distinta cuando el objeto es un sustantivo
o un pronombre. Para utilizar correctamente los verbos compuestos, es necesario conocer el significado y el
tipo.
Este libro le ayudará a hacer ambas cosas.
Cada phrasal verb está traducido al español. También dice cual de los "tipos" es el phrasal verb, para que
usted sepa cómo usarlo correctamente. Debajo, hay ejemplos de los verbos en diálogos para ayudarle a
entenderlos en su contexto.
Al final del libro, hay un cuento corto titulado ‘A Mission to Kill’. Ha sido escrito especialmente para los
estudiantes de inglés y utiliza muchos de los phrasal verbs de este libro.
Types of Phrasal Verb
Hay cuatro tipos de phrasal verbs.
Tipo 1
Estos verbos no requieren un objeto (son ‘intransitivos’).
The car broke down. (el coche se rompió)
The effects wore off. (los efectos se pasaron)
Tipo 2
Estos verbos requieren un objeto (son ‘transitivos’). El objeto puede seguir a la preposición o estar
localizado entre el verbo y la preposición. Sin embargo, cuando el objeto es un pronombre, debe localizarse
entre el verbo y la preposición.
I added the bill up. (calculé la cuenta)
I added up the bill. (la calculé)
I added it up. (la calculé)
Tipo 3
Estos verbos requieren un objeto (son ‘transitivos’), pero el objeto debe localizarse después de la
preposición. Ocurre de la misma forma, si el objeto es un pronombre o un sustantivo. No se puede separar el
verbo y de la preposición.
I will look after the cat. (cuidaré al gato)
I will look after it. (lo cuidaré)
Tipo 4
Este tipo de verbos son básicamente los del mencionado tipo 3, excepto que tienen dos preposiciones, en
lugar de una.
He got away with the crime. (salió impune del delito)
He got away with it. (salió impune)
Nota 1: algunos verbos pueden ser de tipo 1 y de tipo 2 (véase 'add up').
Nota 2: algunos verbos tienen un significado diferente cuando se utilizan como verbos de tipo 1 y tipo 2,
(véase 'blow up'). En este libro, estos verbos aparecen como dos entradas distintas.
Aa C
add up (sumar) tipo 1 & 2
A: What’s 2 + 2?
B: Can’t you add up? That’s easy.
ask someone out (invitar a salir, pedir una cita) tipo 2
A: I’m so excited.
B: Why?
A: John asked me out last night. We’re going on a date next week.
back something up (hacer un respaldo, hacer una copia de respaldo) tipo 2
A: I wrote a book, but my computer crashed.
B: Had you backed it up?
A: Yes, luckily I had saved all my work.
back up (retorceder) tipo 1 and tipo 2
A: I backed up and then I got out of the car.
A: I was backing up the car when I hit the fence!
B: Oh no! Bad luck!
back someone up (respaldar) tipo 2
A: I’m so angry with you!
B: Why?
A: You didn’t back me up when John criticised me.
blow up (detonar, explotar) tipo 1 & 2
The terrorists blew up the airport.
The airport blew up.
blow something up (inflar) tipo 2
A: Have you seen the pump?
B: No, why?
A: I need it to blow up the tyre on my bike.
break down (averiarse, romperse) tipo 1
A: Oh no! Not again!
B: What?
A: The coffee machine has broken down.
break down (venirse abajo, llorar) tipo 1
A: When his mother heard the sad news, she broke down.
break into (forzar la entrada) tipo 3
A: Peter has been arrested.
B: What did he do?
A: He broke into a house and stole a TV.
bring someone up (criar, educar a) tipo 2
She’s a polite girl because her parents brought her up well.
bring something up (sacar un tema) tipo 2
A: I want to talk about what happened.
B: Oh not now, why do you always have to bring it up?
call someone back (devolver una llamada) tipo 1 & 2
A: Peter hasn’t called back.
B: Maybe he’s busy.
A: Hi, this is Kevin. I can’t come to the phone right now but if you leave a message, I’ll call you back. Bye!
call something off (cancelar) tipo 2
A: I’m sorry.
B: Why?
A: I want to call off the wedding. I don’t love you anymore.
call someone up (llamar por teléfono, telefonear) tipo 1 and 2
A: I called up yesterday.
A: Here’s my card.
B: Thanks.
A: Call me up anytime.
catch up with someone (alcanzar a alguien) tipo 4
A: Oh look! He’s catching up with Jack. He might win the race!
catch up with someone (ponerse al día con alguien) tipo 4
A: I haven’t seen David in ages but I caught up with him yesterday.
check in (registrarse, facturar) tipo 1
A: Hello sir.
B: Hi. I have a reservation and I’d like to check in.
check out (dejar libre la habitación) tipo 1
A: Good morning madam.
B: Good morning, I’d like to check out. How much is my bill?
check out (investigar) tipo 2
A: The police are going to check out his story. He might be guilty.
check out someone/something – informal (mirar a alguien, mirar algo) tipo 2
A: Hey man!
B: Hey!
A: Check out my new car! Isn’t it awesome?
chip in (poner dinero) tipo 1
A: We need to buy James a present.
B: OK, let’s all chip in.
clean up (limpiar, ordenar) tipo 1 and 2
A: I was cleaning up, when the phone rang.
A: You are not leaving this house until you clean up your room!
B: Ok mum.
come across (encontrarse con alguien) tipo 3
A: Guess who I met today?
B: Who?
A: My old boss, I came across him in the park. .
come down with something (caer infermo de) tipo 4
A: I feel awful.
B: You might be coming down with something.
come from somewhere (ser de) tipo 3
A: She lives in LA but she comes from New York.
count on someone/something (contar con) tipo 3
A: You can always count on Mary.
B: Yes, she’s very reliable.
cut back on something (reducir) tipo 4
A: I lost my job.
B: Oh dear.
A: We need to cut back on luxuries and save some money.
DaG
dress up (vestirse bien) tipo 1
A: I have a date tonight.
B: Oh lovely, are you going to dress up?
A: Of course.
drop out of school/college (abandoner los estudios) tipo 4
A: I dropped out of college because I found it boring.
eat out (cenar fuera) tipo 1
A: I love to eat out.
B: Yeah me too, it’s nice not to have to cook.
end up (acabar, terminar) tipo 3
A: She ate so much she ended up as fat as a hippo.
B: Oh dear, she needs to go on a diet.
fall for someone (enamorarse de) tipo 3
A: I have fallen for you, please be my wife!
fall for a trick (tragarse - por ejemplo: una mentira, una trampa) tipo 3
A: I told Sam that spaghetti grows on trees and he believed me.
B: He always falls for tricks, he’s very gullible.
fall down (caerse) tipo 1 or 2
A: The floor was wet and she fell down.
B: Is she OK?
A: I fell down the stairs.
fall out with someone (enemistarse, pelearse) tipo 4
A: I fell out with my best friend.
B: Have you made up?
A: Yes, we talked and it’s fine now.
find out (descubrir) tipo 1
A: Is there life on Mars?
B: Scientists are trying to find out.
get along/on with somebody (llevarse bien) tipo 4
A: I get along with my boss very well.
B: Oh I don’t, we fall out every day.
A: I get on with my boss very well.
B: Oh I don’t, we fall out every day.
get back at someone (vengarse de) tipo 4
A: She crashed her boyfriend’s car on purpose.
B: Why?
A: He had an affair so she wanted to get back at him.
get over something (superarlo) tipo 3
A: I just can’t get over the death of my pet dog. He was like a baby to me.
get up (levantarse) tipo 1
A: It’s 8am, time to get up!
B: Oh, just five more minutes, please!
A: Why are you on the floor? Get up!
give something up (dejar de) tipo 2
A: If you give up cigarettes, you will save £140 a month!
give in (ceder) tipo 1
A: My wife wants us to have another baby.
B: Do you?
A: No, she keeps trying to convince me, but I won’t give in.
go ahead (empezar) tipo 1
A: She’s running late and says we should go ahead and order.
B: OK, let’s order some wine first.
HaP
hang up (colgar) tipo 1
A: It’s me! Please don’t hang up!
B: I don’t want to talk to you.
A: I know, I just wanted to say I’m sorry.
hang up on someone (colgar) tipo 4
A: It’s me! Please don’t hang up on me!
B: I don’t want to talk to you.
A: I know. I just wanted to say I’m sorry.
hold on (esperar) tipo 1
A: I can hold on until 6pm but then I need to go.
keep something up (continuar) tipo 2
A: Well done David, the report is excellent.
B: Thanks.
A: Keep up the good work!
keep out of something (no entrar en los asuntos de otros) tipo 4
A: They were arguing again last night.
B: What happened?
A: I don’t know. I kept out of it.
let someone down (decepcionar) tipo 2
A: You really let me down. Your behaviour was terrible.
B: I’m so sorry!
look for something (buscar) tipo 3
A: I spent all night looking for my purse and it was in my bag all the time.
look forward to something (tener ganas de) tipo 4
A: I’m really looking forward to visiting my mum, I haven’t seen her in ages.
look round/around (ver, mirar) tipo 1 & 3
A: Hi! Are you selling this house?
B: Yes, would you like to look around it?
look something up (buscar en el diccionario) tipo 2
A: Whenever I see a word I don’t understand. I look it up in the dictionary.
B: Me too, it’s the only way to increase your vocabulary.
look out (¡ojo!, ¡ten cuidado!, ¡atención!) tipo 1
A: Look out! There’s a car coming!
B: Oh thanks, you saved my life.
look after someone (cuidar) tipo 3
A: It was my first day at a new job today.
B: How was it?
A: It was great, they really looked after me.
look into (investigar) tipo 3
A: The police are looking into a crime after a dead body was found.
look up to someone (admirar) tipo 4
A: Who do you look up to?
B: Nelson Mandela, he’s my all-time hero.
make up (hacer las paces) tipo 1
A: I had an argument with my girlfriend last night.
B: Oh yeah, what happened?
A: Oh nothing serious, we made up after an hour.
make up with someone (hacer las paces) tipo 4
A: I had an argument with my girlfriend last night.
B: Oh yeah, what happened?
A: Oh nothing serious, I made up with her after an hour.
make something up (inventor una historia) tipo 2
A: A woman said she saw a lion in Hyde Park, London.
B: No way!
A: Yeah, but she admitted that she made it up.
B: What a liar!
pass away (morirse) tipo 1
A: Sadly, the lady passed away three days after her husband.
pass out (desmayarse) tipo 1
A: It’s so hot in here!
B: I know, I think I might pass out.
pick something out (elejir) tipo 2
A: Oh I hate shopping for clothes.
B: I love it.
A: Well come with me and help me pick out a new dress.
pull yourself together (recobrar la compostura) tipo 1 – reflexive.
A: I’m so sad at the moment.
B: Listen, you need to pull yourself together, you have two children to look after.
pull out of something (retirarse de) tipo 4
A: She was going to sing at the concert?
B: What happened?
A: She pulled out of it at the last minute.
put up with something/someone (tolerar, aguantar, soportar) tipo 4
A: Oh, I’m so tired. My neighbour was partying all night.
B: I don’t know how you put up with him. You should complain.
put aside (ahorrar) tipo 2
A: My mother put aside £10 every month for two years. In the end she had £240.
put an animal down (sacrificar) tipo 2
A: My dog was very old and he was blind.
B: What happened?
A: We took him to the vets and they put him down.
put someone down (hacer de menos, rebajar) tipo 2
A: I am so angry at Patrick.
B: Why?
A: He is always putting me down. I’ve had enough!
put something away (ordenar) tipo 2
A: Jack!
B: Yes mum?
A: Put away your toys, this place is a mess.
QaT
quieten down (sosegarse, calmarse) tipo 1
A: You’re making too much noise!
B: Sorry dad.
A: It’s ok, you need to quieten down.
run into (encontrar casualmente) tipo 3
A: I was walking down the street and I ran into my old teacher. It was a lovely surprise.
run out of something (quedarse sin) tipo 4
A: I’m going to the shop.
B: Oh, get me some milk, we’ve run out of it.
send something back (devolver algo) tipo 2
A: I ordered a t-shirt on the internet.
B: Was it any good?
A: No, it was too big. I’m going to send it back.
set someone up (tender una trampa) tipo 2
A: The police found 200kg of cocaine in his car. However, he says they set him up and that he is innocent.
shop around (comparar precios) tipo 1
A: I always shop around before buying a new item. I looked at four different computers before buying this one.
show off (jactarse, presumir) tipo 1
A: Mum look at me! I can ride a bike.
B: Good but you shouldn’t show off.
sort something out (resolver un problema) tipo 2
A: I don’t know what to do with this letter. It’s from an angry customer.
B: Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out.
stick to something (perseverar) tipo 3
A: If you want to succeed, you must stick to something.
stand in for someone (reemplazar, sustituir) tipo 4
A: I went to see my favourite actor at the theatre last night.
B: Was he good?
A: He was ill and another actor had to stand in.
stand up to someone (enfrentar, confrontar) tipo 4
A: I’m sick of Alan, he’s always shouting at me.
B: You need to stand up to him. He will continue until you do.
stand someone up (dejar plantado) tipo 2
A: I’m so angry.
B: Why?
A: I had a date with Peter but he stood me up. He didn’t call and I was waiting at the restaurant for half an
hour.
stand for (representar) tipo 3
A: The UN stands for ‘The United Nations’.
take after someone (asemejarse a, parecerse a) tipo 3
A: I got 100% in a Maths test today.
B: Well you must take after your dad, I’m no good at Maths.
take something out on somebody (desquitarse con, agarrarla contra alguien) tipo 4
A: Shut up! You are annoying me.
B: Listen, just because you had a bad day, doesn’t mean you can take it out on me.
talk someone into something (convencer) tipo 3
A: Please come tonight.
B: No, I don’t want to and you can’t talk me into it.
tear something up (romper en mil pedazos) tipo 2
A: I found a photo of my ex-husband today.
B: What did you do with it?
A: I tore it up.
think something over (relfexionar, considerar) tipo 2
A: He asked me if I wanted to go to Paris with him.
B: What did you say?
A: I said I would think it over, and let him know tomorrow.
think back (hacer memoria, recordar) tipo 1
A: When I think back, I am so embarrassed. I used to get drunk and act like a fool.
think up (ocurrírsele algo a alguien, idear) tipo 2
A: What is the name of your new book?
B: I don’t know yet but I’ll think something up.
throw up (vomitar) tipo 1
A: The cat threw up on my new carpet!
throw something away (tirar) tipo 2
A: Where is my white t-shirt?
B: Oh that old thing, I threw it away.
A: You did WHAT?
throw someone out (expulsar de, echar de) tipo 2
A: Sir, you need to leave now. You are drunk.
B: No I am not!
A: Sir, go now or I will throw you out.
turn something down (decliner, refusar) tipo 2
A: I was offered a job but I turned it down.
B: Why?
A: It was in London and it’s too far to travel every day.
turn up (presentarse inesperadamente) tipo 1
A: She’s so rude.
B: Why?
A: She just turns up without asking.
turn to somebody (acudir a, recurrir a) tipo 3
A: Whenever I’m sad, I turn to my best friend.
B: Me too, I can always count on her in bad times.
try something on (probarse) tipo 2
A: Excuse me, I’d like to try these jeans on.
UaZ
use something up (usar todo) tipo 2
A: I’m sorry.
B: Why?
A: I used up the last of the milk.
wake up (despertarse) tipo 1
A: What time do you wake up?
B: When my alarm goes off.
A: I don’t use an alarm, I just wake up when the light comes through my bedroom window.
warm up (calendar, hacer ejercicios de calentamiento) tipo 1
A: It’s essential to warm up before exercise.
wear off (pasar: los efectos de drogas etc.) tipo 1
A: You must not take these sleeping pills before driving. They will make you sleepy and the effects take five
hours to wear off.
work out (hacer ejercicio) tipo 1
A: You have a great body.
B: Thanks, I work our regularly.
work something out (cuadrar, calcular) tipo 2
A: I don’t understand this calculation.
B: Let me help you.
A: It’s OK, I’ve worked it out.
work on something (trabajar sobre/en/con) tipo 3
A: I’m so tired.
B: Why?
A: I was up until midnight, working on my new novel.
zoom in on something (fotografía: acercarse) tipo 4
A: I will use my camera to zoom in on the flower.
B: That will make a great photo.
zone out (no concentrarse) tipo 1
A: After a hard day at work, I like to sit on the sofa and zone out.
zero in on (dirigir la atención hacia) tipo 4
A: The police have zeroed in on gun crime in Manchester, England. There have been five shootings in a
month.
Ejercicios
1. Peter is sad because his grandmother _____.
hung up ...... passed away ...... worked out
2. Don’t go to that restaurant! I ate there and spent all night _____.
adding up ...... zoning out ...... throwing up
3. My sister _____ my dad. He has blue eyes and so does she.
looks after ...... takes after ...... runs after
4. I had another fight with my boyfriend but we _____ this morning.
stood up ...... stood in ...... made up
5. I’m sorry I’m late. The car _____ again.
broke up ...... broke in ...... broke down
6. I can’t work tonight, I’ve hurt my foot. I hope Paul can _____ me.
stand up to ...... zone in on ...... stand in for
7. I’m sorry but you can’t _____ without an appointment. Come back tomorrow.
pull out ...... turn up ...... pass up
8. I am really _____ my holiday next month.
looking for ...... looking at ...... looking forward to
9. I’m sorry, I would offer you some coffee but we have _____ it.
run into ...... run out of ...... run over
10. Your boss is horrible. How do you _____ him?
stand for ...... put up with ...... get up
11. ‘TV’ _____ ‘television’.
shows off ...... sticks to ...... stands for
12. My little brother _____ a story about dragons and fairies.
made out ...... made into ...... made up
13. I have always _____ my dad. He’s my hero.
looked up to ...... warmed up ...... turned down
14. Smoking is really bad for you, you should _____ it _____.
put in ...... give up ...... give down
15. I was very upset when I heard the sad news. I _____.
broke up ...... broke down ...... broke into
16. They say he is lying and they are going to _____ his story.
check in ...... check under ...... check out
17. I was adding _____ the bill and it came to £50.
up ...... in ...... out ......
18. Can you help me sort _____ this problem?
up ...... out ...... under
19. Just hold _____ a moment, I’m coming.
in ...... over ...... on
20. If you keep eating so much chocolate, you’ll end _____ fat.
out ...... up ...... at
21. Stop! Did you back _____ the computer before turning it off?
out ...... up ...... in
22. I have run _____ of cheese, please go to the shop and get some.
in ...... up ...... out
23. The effects of alcohol take several hours to wear _____.
up ...... off ...... out
24. Whenever John has a problem, he turns _____ me.
to ...... for ...... at
25. I just found _____ that my friend is getting married.
up ...... out ...... at
26. Don’t put in so much sugar, you’ll use it _____.
out ...... in ...... up
27. My friend is ill so he’s called _____ the party.
off ...... over ...... up
28. My coat is very old. I’m going to throw it _____.
off ...... away ...... in
29. Stop making so much noise! You need to quieten _____.
in ...... down ...... up
30. I’m going out, please look _____ your sister.
over ...... into ...... after
31. Think _____, can you remember when you were a child?
in ...... on ...... back
32. Last night my date stood me _____.
up ...... out ...... in
33. There was a gas leak at the factory and it blew _____.
in ...... up ...... out
34. I shopped _____ and I found the best price.
over ...... down ...... around
35. I didn’t enjoy learning the piano but I stuck _____ it.
up ...... to ...... over
36. Excellent work Amy, keep it _____.
out ...... on ...... up
37. They were arguing again, but I kept _____ of it.
in ...... out ...... over
38. Your teacher said you were naughty today. You have really let me _____.
up ...... down ...... in
39. If I was offered that job, I wouldn’t turn it _____.
on ...... down ...... out
40. I love trying to work Sudoku puzzles _____.
out ...... over ...... up
41. I was walking down the road when I _____ across John. I haven’t see him for ages.
pulled ...... came ...... jumped
42. No! You can’t _____ me into it.
say ...... talk ...... run
43. I _____ out a lovely dress yesterday.
looked ...... picked ...... touched
44. I just can’t _____ myself together, every day I start crying.
pull ...... bring ...... make
45. Can you _____ up the car? It’s blocking the garden.
back ...... set ...... look
46. Have you seen my keys? I’ve been _____ for them all morning?
getting ...... looking ...... shopping
47. Oh no, my favourite singer has _____ out of the charity concert.
come ...... pulled ...... set
48. My soup is cold, I’m going to _____ it back.
go ...... get ...... send
49. This camera is amazing. It can zoom in _____ the smallest things.
on ...... at ...... to
50. Look! They are _____ that man out of the restaurant.
making ...... throwing ...... shopping
51. To vomit
throw out ...... throw up ...... throw over
52. To calculate a total
add in ...... add under ...... add up
53. To faint
pass away ...... pass out ...... pass up
54. To put the phone down.
hang on ...... hang out ...... hang up
55. To discover.
find out ...... find up ...... find in
56. To choose
pick up ...... pick out ...... pick over
57. To admire someone
look up to ...... look after ...... look into
58. To represent
stand for ...... stand in ...... stand up
59. To decline
turn down ...... turn up ...... turn out
60. To get out of bed
get in ...... get up ...... get into
Soluciones
1. Peter is sad because his grandmother passed away.
2. Don’t go to that restaurant! I ate there and spent all night throwing up.
3. My sister takes after my dad. He has blue eyes and so does she.
4. I had another fight with my boyfriend but we made up this morning.
5. I’m sorry I’m late. The car broke down again.
6. I can’t work tonight, I’ve hurt my foot. I hope Paul can stand in for me.
7. I’m sorry but you can’t turn up without an appointment. Come back tomorrow.
8. I am really looking forward to my holiday next month.
9. I’m sorry, I would offer you some coffee but we have run out of it.
10. Your boss is horrible. How do you put up with him?
11. TV stands for television.
12. My little brother made up a story about dragons and fairies.
13. I have always looked up to my dad. He’s my hero.
14. Smoking is really bad for you, you should give it up.
15. I was very upset when I heard the sad news. I broke down.
16. They say he is lying and they are going to check out his story.
17. I was adding up the bill and it came to £50.
18. Can you help me sort out this problem?
19. Just hold on a moment, I’m coming.
20. If you keep eating so much chocolate, you’ll end up fat.
21. Stop! Did you back up the computer before turning it off?
22. I have run out of cheese, please go to the shop and get some.
23. The effects of alcohol take several hours to wear off.
24. Whenever John has a problem, he turns to me.
25. I just found out that my friend is getting married.
26. Don’t put in so much sugar, you’ll use it up.
27. My friend is ill so he’s called off the party.
28. My coat is very old. I’m going to throw it away.
29. Stop making so much noise! You need to quieten down.
30. I’m going out, please look after your sister.
31. Think back, can you remember when you were a child?
32. Last night my date stood me up.
33. There was a gas leak at the factory and it blew up.
34. I shopped around and I found the best price.
35. I didn’t enjoy learning the piano but I stuck to it.
36. Excellent work Amy, keep it up.
37. They were arguing again, but I kept out of it.
38. Your teacher said you were naughty today. You have really let me down.
39. If I was offered that job, I wouldn’t turn it down.
40. I love trying to work Sudoku puzzles out .
41. I was walking down the road when I came across John. I haven’t seen him for ages.
42. No! You can’t talk me into it.
44. I just can’t pull myself together, every day I start crying.
45. Can you back up the car? It’s facing the wrong way.
46. Have you seen my keys? I’ve been looking for them all morning?
47. Oh no, my favourite singer has pulled out of the charity concert.
48. My soup is cold. I’m going to send it back.
49. This camera is amazing. It can zoom in on the smallest things.
50. Look! They are throwing that man out of the restaurant.
51. To vomit - throw up
52. To calculate a total - add up
53. To faint - pass out
54. To put the phone down - hang up
55. To discover - find out
56. To choose - pick out
57. To admire someone - look up to
58. To represent - stand for
59. To decline - turn down
60. To get out of bed - get up
‘A Mission to Kill’
Although she looked harmless, Erica Sanders was a trained assassin. She was twenty-five, blonde and pretty.
With her sapphire* blue eyes and fair skin, she took after her mother. Her love of danger came from her father.
She seemed a gentle and weak girl… but she was a trained and deadly killer.
Erica was in Istanbul on a mission to kill. A terrorist had stolen a computer file, which contained a list of fifty
MI5 agents in the Middle East. The terrorist had pretended to work at MI5 headquarters* in London. He had
pretended to back up the computer but really he had stolen the file.
The terrorists had already used the information to blow up a car in Cairo. Now, MI5 had information that the
terrorist was in Istanbul. However they hadn’t been able to zoom in on his exact location. The head of MI5
was desperate and he had turned to Erica. Now she was there to sort out the problem…permanently.
As Erica travelled from the airport to her hotel, she thought back to when she had joined MI5. She had
attended Oxford University. In her second year, she had joined the shooting club. Erica found out that she was
a natural* with a gun. Erica had been taking part* in a shooting competition. She was showing off and winning
every prize. At the end, a man had made her an offer that she couldn’t turn down… to serve her queen and
country by working for MI5.
Suddenly, Erica realised she had arrived at her hotel. She checked in and then went to the gym. She warmed
up and then worked out for an hour. It was important that she was fit. Her orders were to go to a party at the
British embassy. MI5 had heard a rumour that the terrorists were going to try something tonight. They needed
their best agent there just in case.
Erica dressed up. She chose an emerald* green Dior gown and shoes by Chanel. One thing she loved about
being a secret agent was the clothes… oh and killing bad guys too.
Erica took out a beautiful, golden bracelet her boss had given her. At first she had thought it was a present, but
he told her it was not an ordinary bracelet and that it might be useful in an emergency. She left the hotel and
travelled to the embassy.
Erica had been at Oxford with one of the junior diplomats, Perry Winchester. He was there tonight and she
would have a chance to catch up with him. He didn’t know she was an agent, he thought she worked for the
education department. It would be nice to chat about normal things, even though she would be lying to him
most of the time.
The embassy was an incredible building and the red carpet was out tonight. The entertainment hall was filled
with diplomats and important Turkish businesspeople. Erica was drinking champagne when she heard a
familiar* voice.
“Erica is that you? I cannot believe it. Fancy running into you here,” said an excited man’s voice.
Erica turned around and saw Perry Winchester. He hadn’t changed. He was about average height, wore
glasses and was normal looking. Erica knew he had been attracted to her at Oxford but she hadn’t felt the
same. He had asked her out but she had declined. However, they had still been friends.
“Perry, how wonderful to see you,” said Erica.
“I didn’t know you’d be here tonight. What brings you to Istanbul?” he asked her.
“The education department is looking to make links with Turkish schools, so they sent me,” she lied.
“Let me show you the embassy,” said Perry.
Erica took his arm and was pleased he was here. This was her opportunity to look around without suspicion*.
Although nobody at MI5 knew what the terrorist looked like, they knew it was a man. MI5 had nicknamed him
‘Smoke’ as he seemed to be able to go in and out of anywhere without problems. Erica looked at the men in
the room and tried to pick one out. She was sure he was here tonight and she was going to look for him.
“So tell me about the education department’s plans in Turkey,” said Perry, “will you be here long?”
“That all depends,” replied Erica, “we have a problem that we need to look into. Somebody needed to sort it
out and I let them talk me into it,” she said, telling part of the truth.
Erica hated to lie to Perry, he was such a harmless and ordinary guy, but she had to keep her job a secret. Even
to someone nice and ordinary like Perry.
“This is the surveillance room,” said Perry, “as you can see our guests are having a good time.”
The wall was covered with screens and Erica could see the guests in the main hall. Suddenly, she saw a
commotion* in the main hall. The security guards were running around looking for someone.
“What’s going on?” asked Erica, “it seems like they’re looking for someone.”
“Oh they are Erica,” said Perry from behind her, “they are looking for me but I can always get away. I’m like
smoke. Isn’t that what your friends call me?”
Erica froze*. What was Perry saying? Was he Smoke? This was crazy. Quickly, she turned around and tried to
take out her gun. However, she was too late. Perry was facing her with a stun gun*. He fired and a bolt of
electricity hit her. Erica passed out.
Erica woke up with a headache. She tried to move her hands but Perry, or should that be Smoke, had tried her
to a chair.
“So I suppose you’re wondering* how this is possible?” said Perry.
“What’s possible? Oh you mean that you’re a murdering traitor who betrayed his own country,” said Erica
nastily.
“You always stood up to people Erica, even back at Oxford,” said Perry, “that’s one of the things I liked about
you. However, you didn’t like me, did you?”
“Oh so that’s why you shot me with a stun gun, to get back at me because I said ‘no’ when you asked me out,”
asked Erica sarcastically*.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he replied, “although that was annoying. But no, this is part of something bigger. I stole
that list in London and it had your name on it. I knew you were lying to me tonight. You thought you were so
clever. But who’s laughing now? I intend to blow up this embassy tonight.”
Erica thought he was crazy, but she knew he was serious.
“Why Perry? What did these people do to hurt you?” she asked.
“Nothing, of course. I work for a wealthy* individual who wants to create instability in Turkey. If there is a
serious terrorist attack, foreign investment in Turkey will fall,” Perry said.
“What so you’re doing this for money? Killing for money? That’s pathetic,” said Erica angrily.
“How dare you criticize me!” shouted Perry, “MI5 has killed thousands of people for ‘queen and country’.
You make me want to throw up. If I added up all the people you have killed Erica, I’m sure your total is higher
than mine. You’re worse than me.”
“No Perry, I only kill if I have to and always to protect the innocent,” said Erica.
“Don’t make me laugh! You’re the pathetic one!” screamed Perry.
Erica was glad Perry was becoming angry. It was part of her plan. Perry was intelligent but so was she and
what’s more, she was a trained MI5 agent! They didn’t let anyone join, you had to be special. As Perry
became distracted, Erica was using a special laser in her golden bracelet to burn the ropes that held her.
“Anyway Erica, I was going to try and talk you into joining me. Together we could have made a lot of money
but I can see it’s useless. You can die here with the rest of these idiots. This whole place will explode in ten
minutes. I will be gone by then,” he said, laughing.
Erica felt the rope on her wrist break. She was free but Perry still had the stun gun in his hand. He was
standing three metres away. She needed him to come closer.
“What was that Perry? I zoned out. You really haven’t changed since Oxford. You’re just the same boring
Perry. I only put up with you because I pitied* you. When you asked me out, I laughed so much. I mean, as if I
would date someone like you! Have you looked in a mirror?” said Erica as nastily as possible.
“Why you stupid…!” screamed Perry.
He came towards Erica with his gun held high. He was going to hit her in the face with it. Perry was standing
over her and about to hit her, when Erica kicked him hard between the legs. He screamed out in pain. As he
fell down, she raised her elbow and broke his nose. Quickly, Erica was standing over Perry and she tied his
hands together, using the same rope that had been on her wrists.
“You see Perry,” said Erica, “I knew I could count on you to get angry and lose control. You’re too arrogant*
and impulsive*, just like you were at Oxford. That’s why I didn’t accept your date.”
With that, Erica called her boss in London.
“Sir, you can call off the search for ‘Smoke’. I have him here in Istanbul. No sir, he’s alive. That means we
can put him in prison and throw away the key.”
Erica looked at the man on the floor and realised she needed to think some things over. She had been tricked*
and almost been killed. Her mission to kill had almost killed her, she wasn’t about to let it happen again…
Glossary
sapphire – a precious stone, like a blue diamond.
headquarters – the main office of an organisation.
to be a natural with/at something – to find it easy from the start.
to take part in something – to do an activity.
emerald – a precious stone, like a green diamond
familiar – something known from the past.
ordinary – normal.
suspicion – the act of suspecting something, especially something wrong.
commotion – an agitated disturbance, noise and fuss.
freeze – in this context ‘to stop moving’.
a stun gun – a gun which fires electricity, not bullets. It ‘stuns’ people.
to wonder – to ask yourself a question (not related to ‘wonderful’, which means ‘incredible’).
sarcastically – to say something in a mocking way, which can hurt someone.
wealthy – rich
to pity – to feel sympathy for someone who is less fortunate than you.
arrogant – believing you are superior.
impulsive – acting on impulse, without thinking.
to trick – to deceive, to mislead, to fool.