Mastering “Hand out” for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the Phrasal Verb “Hand out”

The phrasal verb “hand out” is a crucial component of the English language, particularly valuable for IELTS candidates aiming to enhance their vocabulary and achieve higher scores. This versatile expression can significantly improve your performance in both the speaking and writing sections of the IELTS exam.

Definition and Explanation

“Hand out” primarily means to distribute or give something to each person in a group. It’s often used in contexts where items, information, or materials are being shared among multiple recipients.

Synonyms:

• Distribute
• Give out
• Pass out
• Dispense

Usage in Context

“Hand out” is commonly used in various situations, from formal to informal settings:

1. Formal: “The teacher will hand out the exam papers at 9 AM sharp.”
2. Informal: “Can you hand out these flyers to passersby?”
3. Written: “The company decided to hand out bonuses to all employees.”
4. Spoken: “I’ll hand out the meeting agenda as soon as everyone arrives.”

Usage of "hand out" in different contexts

Grammatical Analysis

“Hand out” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can be placed between “hand” and “out” or after “out.”

Correct usage:

• “Please hand out these brochures.” (Object after the phrasal verb)
• “Please hand these brochures out.” (Object between the verb and particle)

Note: When using pronouns, they must be placed between “hand” and “out.”
Example: “Please hand them out,” not “Please hand out them.”

Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking test, using “hand out” can demonstrate your command of phrasal verbs, potentially boosting your vocabulary score. Here are some example responses:

Question: “Describe a time when you received something for free.”
Sample Answer: “Last month, I attended a career fair where various companies were handing out informational brochures about job opportunities. One particular tech firm caught my attention as they handed out not just leaflets, but also small gadgets to attract potential applicants. It was quite impressive how they used these handouts to make a lasting impression.”

Writing Section

Incorporating “hand out” in your IELTS Writing tasks can add sophistication to your language use. However, be mindful of the formality level required.

Example for Task 2 essay:
“In many educational institutions, teachers hand out course materials at the beginning of each semester. This practice ensures that all students have equal access to essential resources, regardless of their economic background.”

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Give away /ɡɪv əˈweɪ/: To distribute something for free
   Example: “The bakery gives away unsold bread to the homeless at the end of each day.”

2. Pass around /pæs əˈraʊnd/: To distribute something within a group
   Example: “During the meeting, we passed around a sign-up sheet for the upcoming event.”

3. Dish out /dɪʃ aʊt/: To distribute or give out, often in large quantities
   Example: “The soup kitchen dishes out hundreds of meals every day to those in need.”

4. Dole out /doʊl aʊt/: To distribute something, especially money or food, in small amounts
   Example: “The government doled out emergency funds to families affected by the natural disaster.”

5. Share out /ʃeər aʊt/: To divide and distribute equally among a group
   Example: “After the project was completed, the team shared out the bonus among all members.”

Related phrasal verbs to "hand out"

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. The teacher will __ the test papers at the start of the exam.
2. Volunteers __ food and blankets to the flood victims.
3. Can you please __ these flyers to people entering the store?
4. The company plans to __ bonuses to all employees this year.
5. At the conference, speakers often __ business cards after their presentations.
6. The charity organization __ warm meals to the homeless every evening.
7. Before the meeting begins, I’ll __ the agenda to all participants.
8. During the festival, local businesses __ free samples to attract customers.
9. The flight attendants __ immigration forms before landing.
10. At the end of the semester, professors __ course evaluation surveys to students.

Sentence Rewriting

1. The librarian distributed new library cards to all students.
   Rewrite: The librarian __ new library cards to all students.

2. The coach gave each player a copy of the new game strategy.
   Rewrite: The coach __ copies of the new game strategy to each player.

3. The wedding planner distributed the seating arrangements to the guests.
   Rewrite: The wedding planner __ the seating arrangements to the guests.

4. The organizers gave free t-shirts to all participants in the marathon.
   Rewrite: The organizers __ free t-shirts to all participants in the marathon.

5. The HR department distributed employee handbooks during the orientation.
   Rewrite: The HR department __ employee handbooks during the orientation.

6. The waiter gave menus to each customer as they were seated.
   Rewrite: The waiter __ menus to each customer as they were seated.

7. The politician’s team distributed campaign leaflets in the neighborhood.
   Rewrite: The politician’s team __ campaign leaflets in the neighborhood.

8. The charity organization gave food packages to families in need.
   Rewrite: The charity organization __ food packages to families in need.

9. The tour guide provided maps to everyone in the group.
   Rewrite: The tour guide __ maps to everyone in the group.

10. The company distributed annual reports to all shareholders.
    Rewrite: The company __ annual reports to all shareholders.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. hand out
2. handed out
3. hand out
4. hand out
5. hand out
6. hands out
7. hand out
8. handed out
9. hand out
10. hand out

Sentence Rewriting:

1. The librarian handed out new library cards to all students.
2. The coach handed out copies of the new game strategy to each player.
3. The wedding planner handed out the seating arrangements to the guests.
4. The organizers handed out free t-shirts to all participants in the marathon.
5. The HR department handed out employee handbooks during the orientation.
6. The waiter handed out menus to each customer as they were seated.
7. The politician’s team handed out campaign leaflets in the neighborhood.
8. The charity organization handed out food packages to families in need.
9. The tour guide handed out maps to everyone in the group.
10. The company handed out annual reports to all shareholders.

Explanation: In each case, “hand out” is used to replace verbs like “distribute,” “give,” or “provide” when referring to the act of giving items to multiple people in a group. The phrasal verb maintains the same meaning as the original sentences while demonstrating a more varied vocabulary.

Memorization Tips

To effectively remember and use “hand out” in your IELTS exam, consider the following tips:

1. Visual Association: Imagine a hand literally stretching out to give something. This mental image can help reinforce the meaning of distribution.

2. Contextual Learning: Create a list of common situations where “hand out” is frequently used, such as classrooms, events, or meetings. Associating the phrasal verb with these contexts can aid recall.

3. Practice in Daily Life: Make a conscious effort to use “hand out” in your everyday conversations. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.

4. Synonym Substitution: When you encounter words like “distribute” or “give out” in your reading or listening practice, mentally substitute them with “hand out” to reinforce the connection.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect Object Placement: Remember that “hand out” is separable, but pronouns must go between “hand” and “out.”
   Incorrect: “Hand out them to the class.”
   Correct: “Hand them out to the class.”

2. Confusion with “Hand in”: Don’t confuse “hand out” (to distribute) with “hand in” (to submit).
   Incorrect: “Please hand out your assignments by Friday.”
   Correct: “Please hand in your assignments by Friday.”

3. Overuse in Formal Writing: While “hand out” is acceptable in many contexts, be cautious about overusing it in very formal academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives in these situations.

4. Incorrect Tense Formation: Remember to add -ed to “hand” for past tense, not to “out.”
   Incorrect: “The teacher hand outed the papers.”
   Correct: “The teacher handed out the papers.”

Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “hand out” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its versatility allows for use in various contexts, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary arsenal. Remember to practice using it in different tenses and structures, and be mindful of its appropriate usage in formal and informal settings. By incorporating “hand out” and other phrasal verbs effectively, you’ll demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, potentially boosting your IELTS scores in both speaking and writing sections.

For more tips on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guide on how to handle difficult customers, which can be particularly useful for the speaking section. Additionally, to further expand your phrasal verb knowledge, explore our article on the versatile phrase “get out of hand”, which can add depth to your language use in various IELTS tasks.