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Mastering ‘Drop out’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

Drop out usage in educational, social, and sports contexts

Drop out usage in educational, social, and sports contexts

Understanding ‘Drop out’: Definition and Usage

The phrasal verb ‘drop out’ is a crucial component of English vocabulary, especially for IELTS candidates aiming to enhance their language proficiency. It primarily means to leave a school, college, or university before completing a course of study. However, its usage extends beyond educational contexts.

Multiple Meanings of ‘Drop out’

  1. To quit a course, school, or competition (Primary meaning)
  2. To withdraw from conventional society
  3. To fall asleep suddenly
  4. To stop participating in an activity or situation

Synonyms for ‘drop out’ include: quit, withdraw, leave, abandon, or discontinue.

Contextual Usage of ‘Drop out’

In Educational Settings

“After struggling with his grades for months, Tom decided to drop out of university.”

In Social Contexts

“Many young people in the 1960s chose to drop out of mainstream society and embrace alternative lifestyles.”

In Sports

“Due to a knee injury, the top-seeded player had to drop out of the tournament.”

Drop out usage in educational, social, and sports contexts

Grammar Analysis

‘Drop out’ is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that in some cases, the object can come between ‘drop’ and ‘out’.

When using pronouns, separation is mandatory:

Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking test, using ‘drop out’ can demonstrate your vocabulary range and ability to discuss educational or social issues.

Sample answer for “Describe a challenge you faced in your education”:

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was in my first year of university. The workload was intense, and I felt overwhelmed. At times, I considered dropping out, but with support from my family and tutors, I persevered and completed my degree.”

Writing Section

In IELTS Writing, ‘drop out’ can be effectively used in Task 2 essays, particularly when discussing education or social issues.

Example:
“The high dropout rate in secondary education is a growing concern in many countries. Students who drop out often face limited career prospects and may struggle to reintegrate into the education system later in life.”

IELTS Speaking and Writing: Effective use of 'drop out'

Related Phrasal Verbs

  1. Give up /gɪv ʌp/ – to stop trying or abandon hope
    Example: “Don’t give up on your dreams, even when things get tough.”

  2. Opt out /ɒpt aʊt/ – to choose not to participate in something
    Example: “Many students opted out of the optional field trip.”

  3. Pull out /pʊl aʊt/ – to withdraw from an activity or agreement
    Example: “The company pulled out of the merger at the last minute.”

  4. Back out /bæk aʊt/ – to withdraw from an agreement or commitment
    Example: “He backed out of the deal when he realized it wasn’t profitable.”

  5. Bow out /baʊ aʊt/ – to retire or withdraw gracefully
    Example: “After 30 years in politics, she decided to bow out and enjoy retirement.”

  6. Check out /tʃek aʊt/ – to leave a hotel after paying
    Example: “We need to check out of the hotel by noon tomorrow.”

  7. Flunk out /flʌŋk aʊt/ – to be dismissed from school for academic failure
    Example: “He flunked out of college after failing all his exams.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

  1. After struggling with the pressure, the singer decided to __ __ of the competition.
  2. Many students __ __ of high school due to financial difficulties.
  3. He __ __ of society and lived in isolation for years.
  4. The athlete had to __ __ of the race due to an injury.
  5. She considered ___ __ of the course but decided to persevere.
  6. Several investors __ __ of the project when the risks became apparent.
  7. Don’t __ __ now; you’re so close to achieving your goal.
  8. The company __ __ of the merger negotiations at the last minute.
  9. He __ __ of the conversation when it turned political.
  10. Many participants __ __ of the study before it was completed.

Sentence Rewriting

  1. Original: Tom left university before completing his degree.
    Rewrite: Tom __ __ of university before completing his degree.

  2. Original: She decided not to participate in the volunteer program.
    Rewrite: She decided to __ __ of the volunteer program.

  3. Original: The team withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.
    Rewrite: The team __ __ of the tournament due to injuries.

  4. Original: Many students fail to complete their online courses.
    Rewrite: Many students __ __ of their online courses.

  5. Original: He stopped attending the meetings without explanation.
    Rewrite: He __ __ of the meetings without explanation.

  6. Original: Sarah left high school in her senior year.
    Rewrite: Sarah __ __ of high school in her senior year.

  7. Original: The company decided not to continue with the project.
    Rewrite: The company decided to __ __ of the project.

  8. Original: John stopped participating in social activities after his divorce.
    Rewrite: John __ __ of social activities after his divorce.

  9. Original: Many people leave social media due to privacy concerns.
    Rewrite: Many people __ __ of social media due to privacy concerns.

  10. Original: The politician withdrew from the race a week before the election.
    Rewrite: The politician __ __ of the race a week before the election.

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

  1. drop out
  2. drop out
  3. dropped out
  4. drop out
  5. dropping out
  6. dropped out
  7. drop out
  8. pulled out
  9. dropped out
  10. dropped out

Sentence Rewriting:

  1. dropped out
  2. opt out
  3. dropped out
  4. drop out
  5. dropped out
  6. dropped out
  7. drop out
  8. dropped out
  9. drop out
  10. dropped out

Explanations:

Memory Tips

To remember the meaning and usage of ‘drop out’:

  1. Visualize a student literally “dropping” out of a school building.
  2. Create a mnemonic: “Don’t Run Out; Plan – Dropout Often Undermines Tomorrow”
  3. Associate it with the image of water droplets falling out of a container, representing leaving a situation.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  1. Mistake: Using ‘drop off’ instead of ‘drop out’
    Correct: “He dropped out of college.” (Not “He dropped off college.”)

  2. Mistake: Incorrect preposition
    Correct: “She dropped out of the course.” (Not “She dropped out from the course.”)

  3. Mistake: Using it as a noun incorrectly
    Correct: “He’s a college dropout.” (Not “He’s a college drop out.”)

  4. Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
    Tip: In academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like “withdraw” or “discontinue studies.”

  5. Mistake: Misunderstanding the tone
    Tip: Be aware that ‘drop out’ can sometimes carry a negative connotation, especially in educational contexts.

Conclusion

Mastering phrasal verbs like ‘drop out’ is crucial for success in the IELTS exam and for overall English proficiency. This versatile phrasal verb can be applied in various contexts, from education to social situations. By understanding its multiple meanings, correct usage, and practicing with the exercises provided, you can confidently incorporate ‘drop out’ into your English vocabulary. Remember to use it appropriately in both speaking and writing tasks, and be mindful of its connotations in different contexts. Keep practicing and expanding your phrasal verb repertoire to enhance your language skills and achieve your desired IELTS score.

For more insights on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guides on student retention strategies and how to effectively knock out challenging exam questions. Additionally, learn how to use other useful phrasal verbs like drop by and hang out to enrich your conversational English.

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