1.
Identify the transitive phrasal verb in this sentence: "She looked up the definition."
Correct Answer
B. Looked up
Explanation
Looked up" is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object ("the definition") to complete its meaning. A transitive phrasal verb consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb that together function as a single unit. Without the object, "looked up" would be incomplete. For example, "She looked up the definition" is correct, but "She looked up" alone lacks clarity and sounds unfinished.
2.
Which of these sentences contains a transitive verb?
Correct Answer
B. He gave me a book.
Explanation
"Gave" is a transitive verb because it takes the direct object "a book" to complete its meaning. Transitive verbs always require an object to receive the action. In contrast, intransitive verbs like "sleeps" and "cries" do not need an object to make sense. For instance, "He gave a book to his friend" correctly includes a direct object, whereas "He gave" alone is incomplete and would require further clarification.
3.
Identify the direct object in the sentence: "They built a magnificent house."
Correct Answer
C. A magnificent house
Explanation
The direct object answers the question "What?" after the transitive verb, making "a magnificent house" the full direct object of "built." In the sentence "They built a magnificent house," the verb "built" requires an object to indicate what was constructed. The phrase "a magnificent house" serves this purpose by providing specific information about the object of the action. Without the direct object, the sentence would feel incomplete or ambiguous.
4.
Choose the sentence that does not contain a transitive verb.
Correct Answer
C. They arrived early.
Explanation
"Arrived" is an intransitive verb because it does not require a direct object to complete its meaning. Unlike transitive verbs, which need an object, intransitive verbs stand alone. For example, "She arrived early" is a complete sentence with no direct object. In contrast, "She arrived the package" would be incorrect because "arrived" does not take an object. Other verbs in the sentence set are transitive and followed by direct objects.
5.
Which sentence incorrectly uses a transitive verb?
Correct Answer
C. They arrived late.
Explanation
"Arrived" is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require a direct object to make sense. In sentences like "They arrived at the station," "arrived" is followed by a prepositional phrase, not a direct object. A transitive verb, in contrast, needs an object, such as "She bought a ticket." The other sentences provided correctly use transitive verbs with objects, while "arrived" stands alone as an intransitive verb.
6.
Identify the transitive verb in the sentence: "The chef cooked a gourmet meal."
Correct Answer
B. Cooked
Explanation
"Cooked" is a transitive verb because it requires a direct object ("a gourmet meal") to complete its meaning. In the sentence "She cooked a gourmet meal," the verb "cooked" describes an action performed on the object "a gourmet meal." Without an object, "She cooked" would feel incomplete or prompt a question like "Cooked what?" This is a defining feature of transitive verbs—they need an object to clarify their meaning.
7.
Which of the following verbs is always transitive?
Correct Answer
C. Teach
Explanation
"Teach" is always a transitive verb because it requires a direct object, such as in "She teaches math." In this sentence, "math" is the direct object receiving the action of the verb "teaches." Unlike other verbs that can function as both transitive and intransitive (e.g., "run" or "sing"), "teach" always requires something to be taught. Saying "She teaches" without an object would sound incomplete or prompt further clarification.
8.
Choose the correct sentence with a transitive verb and its object.
Correct Answer
A. The manager explained the process.
Explanation
"Explained" is a transitive verb because it takes the direct object "the process," making the sentence complete. In "He explained the process," the verb "explained" requires an object to indicate what was clarified. Without an object, "He explained" would leave the reader wondering, "Explained what?" This is the key difference between transitive and intransitive verbs—the latter do not require an object to convey a complete thought.
9.
Which of these sentences contains a transitive verb with an implied object?
Correct Answer
C. We met yesterday.
Explanation
"Met" is a transitive verb because it requires a direct object, even if it is sometimes implied. In sentences like "We met our friends," the object "our friends" is explicitly stated. However, even in "We met," the implied object could be "each other." In contrast, intransitive verbs like "arrive" or "sleep" do not take direct objects and can stand alone without needing additional clarification.
10.
Identify the sentence where the direct object is a pronoun.
Correct Answer
A. I helped him.
Explanation
"Him" is a direct object pronoun that receives the action of the transitive verb "helped." In the sentence "She helped him," "helped" is a transitive verb requiring an object, which in this case is the pronoun "him." The object pronoun replaces a noun (e.g., "She helped John"). Other sentences in the set do not contain a direct object pronoun, making this sentence a clear example of transitive verb usage.