📝 Daily Short Practice
🎯 Vocabulary Goal
Learn common phrasal verbs for organising, beginning, and finishing actions or processes.
📚 Words & Phrases
| Word or phrase | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
set up |
to organise or prepare something | They set up the meeting room before the interview. |
|
start up |
to begin working or operating | We start up the computer every morning at 8 o’clock. |
|
shut down |
to stop operating or close | Remember to shut down your laptop after finishing work. |
🔍 See It in Context
Preparing and Closing a Small Office
Every morning, Sarah sets up her office before work. She starts up her computer and checks her emails. After a busy day, she shuts down all the devices carefully. Her coworker helps set up the presentation room for meetings. At the end of the day, they both shut down the lights and lock the door. This routine makes their workday smooth and organised.
💡 Notice the Pattern
Using 'set up' vs 'start up' vs 'shut down'
Use 'set up' when you organise or prepare something before use. Use 'start up' when something begins operating. Use 'shut down' when something stops or closes.
- I set up the projector before the class started.
- The machine starts up quickly every morning.
💬 Useful Examples
- He set up the new software on his computer last week.
- They start up the factory early to finish production on time.
- Please shut down the printer if you are not using it.
- We set up a schedule to manage our daily tasks better.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1.
She ____ the devices carefully before leaving the office (shut down / start up / set up).
2.
We need to ____ the new software before the meeting begins (start up / set up / shut down).
3.
The team will ____ the machines at 7 a.m. every day (set up / shut down / start up).
4.
Please ____ the computer after you finish your work today (shut down / start up / set up).
5.
They helped us ____ a new system for managing orders (start up / set up / shut down).
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1.
set up
2.
start up
3.
shut down
4.
We start up the computer every morning.
5.
She shut down her phone before the meeting.
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1.
Which phrasal verb means to organise or prepare something?
2.
What should you do when you finish using a machine or computer?
3.
Which phrase means to begin operating?
4.
They ____ the meeting room with chairs and equipment before guests arrive.
5.
If your computer is off, you need to ____ to use it.
📝 Use It Yourself
Write 2–3 sentences about how you set up a computer or workspace before you start work.
Example:
I set up my desk every morning before starting work. I start up my computer and open all the programs I need. At the end of the day, I shut down my computer and clean up the desk.
🎙️ Speaking Practice
Practice these sentences aloud.
Say:
I always set up my workspace before beginning a project.
Say:
Please start up the machine after you check everything.
Say:
Remember to shut down your computer before leaving the office.
Ask:
Can you tell me how to set up a new printer?
🔎 Answer Key
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1. shut down
2. set up
3. start up
4. shut down
5. set up
Exercise 2 – Matching
1. d – to organise or prepare something
2. e – to begin working or operating
3. a – to stop operating or close
4. b – We turn the computer on each morning.
5. c – She turned off her phone before the meeting.
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1. set up
2. shut down
3. start up
4. set up
5. start up