This grammar exercise tests your understanding of phrasal verbs using the word cut.
Fill in the blanks.
1. We need to cut ................................ on luxuries.
To cut back on something is to reduce spending on it.
2. You need to cut .............................. on sugar. You are diabetic!
To cut back on something is to reduce its consumption.
3. Environmentalists are against the project because they do not want the government to cut .............................. trees to make room for a theme park.
To cut down trees is to bring them down by cutting them.
4. If you want to lose weight, you should cut ............................ on your calorie intake.
To cut down on something is to reduce the amount of something.
5. If my dad hadn't cut me ..................................., I would never have found a job.
To cut someone off is to stop providing financial support to them.
6. That dunce cut me ................................ as I was about to conclude my presentation.
To cut somebody off is to interrupt them as they speak.
7. Cut ................................ the lamp when you leave the room.
To cut off an electrical device is to turn it off.
8. The health scare compelled him to cut ............................... smoking.
To cut out smoking is to refrain from smoking.
9. The generator suddenly cut .................................. and the house plunged into darkness.
When a device cuts out, it stops working.
10. We cut .................................... the woods and got home in less than an hour.
To cut through something is to take a short cut through it.
11. He was badly cut ..................................... by his attackers.
Cut up can mean wound.
12. Critics cut .................................... the movie mercilessly.
Cut up can mean criticize or censure.
Answers
1. We need to cut back on luxuries.
2. You need to cut back on sugar. You are diabetic!
3. Environmentalists are against the project because they do not want the government to cut down trees to make room for a theme park.
4. If you want to lose weight, you should cut down on your calorie intake.
5. If my dad hadn’t cut me off, I would never have found a job.
6. That dunce cut me off as I was about to conclude my presentation.
7. Cut off the lamp when you leave the room.
8. The health scare compelled him to cut out smoking.
9. The generator suddenly cut out and the house plunged into darkness.
10. We cut through the woods and got home in less than an hour.
11. He was badly cut up by his attackers.
12. Critics cut up the movie mercilessly.
