Master ‘Check out’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding ‘Check out’ and Its Importance in IELTS

The phrasal verb ‘check out’ is a versatile and commonly used expression in English that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Its multi-faceted nature makes it a valuable addition to your vocabulary arsenal, particularly for the Speaking and Writing sections of the test.

Defining and Explaining ‘Check out’

‘Check out’ has several meanings depending on the context:

1. To leave a hotel and pay the bill
2. To investigate or examine something
3. To borrow an item from a library
4. To look at someone or something with interest
5. To lose consciousness (informal)

Synonyms for ‘check out’ include examine, investigate, explore, and leave (in the context of a hotel).

Contextual Usage

Here are some examples of ‘check out’ in different contexts:

1. “We need to check out of the hotel by noon.”
2. “Can you check out that strange noise in the attic?”
3. “I checked out three books from the library yesterday.”
4. “He was checking out the new car models at the dealership.”
5. “After the accident, he checked out for a few minutes.”

Check out phrasal verb usage in various contexts

Grammatical Analysis

‘Check out’ is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that in some cases, you can place the object between ‘check’ and ‘out’:

• “I need to check out this book.” OR “I need to check this book out.”

However, if you’re using a pronoun, it must come between the verb and the particle:

• “I need to check it out.” (NOT “I need to check out it.”)

Applying ‘Check out’ in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking

Using ‘check out’ can demonstrate your command of colloquial English. Here are some examples:

• Question: “Do you enjoy traveling?”
  Answer: “Absolutely! I love checking out new places and experiencing different cultures.”

• Question: “How do you choose a restaurant?”
  Answer: “I usually check out online reviews before deciding where to eat.”

In IELTS Writing

While ‘check out’ is more informal, it can be used effectively in Task 1 or Task 2 responses:

• Task 1 (Graph Description): “Before making a purchase, consumers tend to check out product reviews and compare prices online.”

• Task 2 (Essay): “It is crucial for students to check out various career options before deciding on their university major.”

Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Break out /breɪk aʊt/: To escape or start suddenly
   Example: “A fire broke out in the building.”

2. Burn out /bɜːrn aʊt/: To become exhausted from overwork
   Example: “Many professionals burn out due to excessive stress.”

3. Blurt out /blɜːrt aʊt/: To say something suddenly without thinking
   Example: “He blurted out the secret during the meeting.”

4. Sort out /sɔːrt aʊt/: To resolve a problem or organize something
   Example: “We need to sort out this misunderstanding quickly.”

5. Find out /faɪnd aʊt/: To discover or learn something
   Example: “I’ll find out the train schedule and let you know.”

Infographic of related phrasal verbs

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

1. Before we leave, we need to of the hotel.
2. Can you what time the museum opens?
3. I’m going to that new restaurant this weekend.
4. She several books from the library for her research.
5. The detective decided to the suspect’s alibi.
6. After working non-stop for months, he finally .
7. The student accidentally the answer during the exam.
8. We need to this misunderstanding before it escalates.
9. I’ll the best route to the concert venue.
10. The firefighters quickly the situation before it got worse.

Sentence Rewriting

1. Original: They left the hotel and paid their bill.
   Rewrite: They of the hotel.

2. Original: I want to investigate the cause of the problem.
   Rewrite: I want to the cause of the problem.

3. Original: She borrowed three DVDs from the local library.
   Rewrite: She three DVDs from the local library.

4. Original: He was looking at the new smartphone models with great interest.
   Rewrite: He was the new smartphone models.

5. Original: The athlete became exhausted due to overtraining.
   Rewrite: The athlete due to overtraining.

6. Original: The child suddenly revealed the surprise party plans.
   Rewrite: The child the surprise party plans.

7. Original: We need to resolve this issue before the meeting.
   Rewrite: We need to this issue before the meeting.

8. Original: I will discover the reason for the delay and inform you.
   Rewrite: I will the reason for the delay and inform you.

9. Original: A protest suddenly began in the city center.
   Rewrite: A protest in the city center.

10. Original: The manager is examining the new business proposals.
    Rewrite: The manager is the new business proposals.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

1. check out
2. check out
3. check out
4. checked out
5. check out
6. burned out
7. blurted out
8. sort out
9. check out
10. checked out

Sentence Rewriting:

1. checked out
2. check out
3. checked out
4. checking out
5. burned out
6. blurted out
7. sort out
8. find out
9. broke out
10. checking out

Explanations:

• In sentences 1-5 and 10, ‘check out’ is used in its various meanings (leaving a hotel, investigating, borrowing, examining).
• Sentence 6 uses ‘burn out’ to describe exhaustion.
• Sentence 7 employs ‘blurt out’ for sudden, unintended speech.
• Sentence 8 uses ‘sort out’ to mean resolving an issue.
• Sentence 9 uses ‘find out’ in the context of discovering information.
• In the last rewriting exercise, ‘broke out’ is used to describe a sudden occurrence.

Memory Tips

To remember the various uses of ‘check out’:

1. Hotel Checkout: Imagine a guest at a hotel reception desk with luggage, ready to leave.
2. Investigation: Picture a detective with a magnifying glass, “checking out” clues.
3. Library: Visualize a stack of books with a “checked out” stamp on them.
4. Looking with Interest: Think of someone window shopping, “checking out” items in a store display.
5. Losing Consciousness: Imagine someone fainting or “checking out” of reality momentarily.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using ‘check out’ in formal writing.
   Correction: In academic or formal IELTS Writing tasks, opt for more formal alternatives like ‘examine’, ‘investigate’, or ‘depart from’ (for hotel contexts).

2. Mistake: Incorrect word order with pronouns.
   Correction: Always place pronouns between ‘check’ and ‘out’. For example, “Check it out,” not “Check out it.”

3. Mistake: Overusing ‘check out’ in IELTS Speaking.
   Correction: While it’s good to use phrasal verbs, vary your language. Use synonyms and alternate expressions to showcase your vocabulary range.

4. Mistake: Confusing ‘check out’ with ‘check up on’.
   Correction: ‘Check up on’ means to make sure someone is okay or to monitor their progress, while ‘check out’ typically means to examine or investigate.

Conclusion

Mastering ‘check out’ and its related phrasal verbs can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. By understanding its various meanings and practicing its use in different contexts, you’ll be able to express yourself more naturally and confidently in both the Speaking and Writing sections of the test. Remember to use it appropriately based on the formality of the situation, and don’t forget to explore other phrasal verbs to further enrich your vocabulary. With consistent practice and application, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your desired IELTS score.