Module 09 —Phrasal Verbs in Stories
Writing Part 2 (story) recycle · narrative phrasal verbs · building to a climax
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Third Writing 2 story, with richer vocabulary.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Complete this sentence in your own words: 'The phone suddenly rang, and everything changed...'
Think of a film you love. What is the most exciting or tense moment — the climax — of the story?
What do you think 'ran off', 'turned up' and 'broke down' mean? Guess before we check.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minBuilding a story to a climax
Structure: opening line → build-up → climax (most exciting/tense moment) → resolution.
A strong PET story doesn't just list events in order — it builds tension so the reader wants to know what happens next. Start with an engaging opening line that uses the given prompt sentence. Then add a build-up of two or three linked events, using time linkers like 'suddenly', 'after that', 'just then' and 'without warning' to keep the pace moving. The climax is the most exciting, surprising or tense moment in the story — this is where the biggest phrasal verb or the strongest adjective often appears. Finally, add a short resolution that shows how the character feels or what changes. Stories that rush straight to the ending, with no build-up, rarely score well because there is no tension for the reader to enjoy.
→ Build-up: 'As she walked home, she noticed a strange car following her.' Climax: 'Suddenly, the car sped up and pulled over right in front of her!'
→ 'Just then, the lights went out, and everyone froze.' (a climax moment using a time linker)
→ Resolution: 'In the end, she realised it was only her neighbour, and they both laughed about it.'
Question 1.Which part of a story is the most exciting or tense moment?
Question 2.Which linker signals a sudden change?
Question 3.A good PET story usually ends with…
Question 4.Why is a build-up important?
Question 5.'Just then, the lights went out' is an example of…
Quick check 1.What order should a PET story follow?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
to arrive, often unexpectedly
Write a sentence where a surprising character turns up.
(machine/vehicle) stop working; or to become very upset
Use 'break down' in a sentence about a car in a story.
to burst into (tears/laughter)
to suddenly start crying or laughing
Write a climax sentence using 'burst into tears'.
to check your surroundings, often nervously
Write a sentence where a character looks around nervously.
to reach someone who is ahead of you
Use 'catch up with' in a chase scene sentence.
to find a solution or understand something
Use 'work out' in a sentence about solving a mystery.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use each phrasal verb in a story-style sentence — imagine you're building a narrative, not just defining words.
Ask your partner
- Who might run off in a story, and why?
- Write a sentence about a character who turns up unexpectedly.
- Describe a chase scene using 'catch up with'.
"Halfway through the journey, the car…"break down
In your favourite story, does the main character ever nearly give up before working out the solution? Describe it.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 40 words describing a story climax using at least two of these phrasal verbs.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minStress in phrasal verbs
In statements, the particle is often stressed: turn UP, break DOWN, give UP.
- • The car suddenly broke DOWN.
- • A stranger turned UP at the door.
- • She almost gave UP.
- • In the end, he worked it OUT.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — a story that builds to a climax
It was the last day of the school trip, and Leo had promised himself nothing would go wrong. He'd packed his bag the night before, checked the bus times twice, and even set two alarms. As the group walked towards the old castle, he felt confident and relaxed for the first time all week.
Halfway through the guided tour, however, he noticed his phone was missing. He looked around frantically, checking every pocket, but it was nowhere to be found. Just then, the guide announced that the group had to move on to the next room immediately, or they would lose their place in the queue. Leo's heart began to race — his phone had photos of the whole trip on it, and he couldn't imagine going home without them.
Without thinking, he ran back the way they had come, ignoring his teacher's confused shout behind him. He burst into the previous room just as a cleaner was about to put a lost phone into a box behind the front desk. 'Is this yours?' she asked, holding it up. Leo could have burst into tears with relief. He caught up with the group two minutes later, out of breath but grinning from ear to ear, already imagining how he would tell this story back at school.
Question 1.How did Leo feel at the start of the trip's last day?
Question 2.What was the problem Leo discovered during the tour?
Question 3.Why did Leo's heart begin to race?
Question 4.What is the climax of the story?
Question 5.How did the story end?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening recycle — telling a story about a mix-up
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Ana:You'll never believe what happened to me on Saturday!
Tom:Go on, tell me everything.
Ana:So I was meeting my cousin at the station, but I turned up at the wrong entrance completely.
Tom:Oh no. What did you do?
Ana:I looked around for ages, and I couldn't see her anywhere. I nearly gave up and went home.
Tom:So what happened next?
Ana:Just then, my phone rang — it was her, saying she was waiting on the other side of the building!
Tom:That's such a relief. Did you catch up with her quickly?
Ana:Yes, I ran round to the other entrance and found her within a minute. We both burst out laughing about it.
Tom:That's a great story — you should tell it at dinner tonight.
Question 1.What mistake did Ana make?
Question 2.What did Ana nearly do?
Question 3.How did Ana find her cousin in the end?
Question 4.How quickly did Ana catch up with her cousin after the call?
Question 5.How did Ana and her cousin react once they met?
Question 6.What does Tom suggest Ana do with the story?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minWriting Part 2 — the story task
Opening → build-up → climax → resolution.
Task
Write a story (about 100 words) that begins with a given sentence and includes all the required content, building naturally to a clear climax.
Example
Opening (given): 'It was the best day of Maria's life.' Build-up: 'She had trained for months for the race...' Climax: 'Just as she crossed the line, she burst into tears of joy.' Resolution: 'She'd never forget that moment.'
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Give one phrasal verb meaning 'to arrive, often unexpectedly'.
Q2.Give one phrasal verb meaning 'to stop working (for a machine)'.
Write a story (about 100 words) that begins with the sentence: 'Jamie couldn't believe what was happening.' Use at least three narrative phrasal verbs and build clearly to a climax.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Jamie couldn't believe what was happening. The lights had gone out just as the school play was starting, and the whole audience began to whisper nervously. Suddenly, a torch turned up from backstage — it was the caretaker, grinning as he handed it to the director. Just then, the main actor burst onto the stage anyway, deciding to perform in the darkness using only the torchlight. The audience burst into laughter and applause. In the end, everyone agreed it was the most memorable performance the school had ever seen.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
In pairs, tell each other a short real or invented story about a mix-up or a surprise, using at least two narrative phrasal verbs.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Extra practice for classes that need more narrative structure and phrasal verb work. ~20 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Plan and write a full 100-word story using the given opening line and at least three narrative phrasal verbs from the lesson.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Opening line
Checklist
Complete the phrasal verb gaps, then write one full story-style sentence for each.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Gaps
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening recycle: read the Ana and Tom script aloud twice, then answer the questions from memory.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Script
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- A strong PET story follows: opening → build-up → climax → resolution.
- Time linkers like 'suddenly', 'just then' and 'without warning' keep a story's pace moving.
- Narrative phrasal verbs (turn up, break down, burst into, catch up with, give up, work out) make stories more vivid and natural.
- The climax should be the most exciting or tense moment — this is often where the strongest vocabulary appears.
- A short resolution at the end shows how the character feels or what has changed.