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

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “pass out” is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, making it an essential addition to your IELTS vocabulary. Let’s explore its various definitions:

1. To faint or lose consciousness
2. To distribute items to a group of people
3. To graduate from a course or training program

Understanding these different contexts is crucial for using “pass out” effectively in your IELTS exam.

Synonyms and Equivalent Expressions

• For meaning 1: faint, black out, lose consciousness
• For meaning 2: hand out, give out, distribute
• For meaning 3: graduate, complete, finish

2. Contextual Usage

To help you grasp the various applications of “pass out,” let’s examine some example sentences:

1. “The heat was so intense that several spectators passed out during the outdoor concert.”
2. “The teacher passed out the exam papers to the nervous students.”
3. “After three years of rigorous training, Sarah finally passed out of the police academy.”

Various uses of 'pass out' in context

3. Grammar Analysis

“Pass out” is a separable phrasal verb, which means that in some cases, you can place the object between “pass” and “out.” However, this separation is only possible when using a noun object, not a pronoun.

Examples:

• “The teacher passed the exam papers out.” (Separated)
• “The teacher passed out the exam papers.” (Not separated)
• “The teacher passed them out.” (Pronoun – cannot be separated)

4. Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking test, using “pass out” can demonstrate your vocabulary range and ability to use idiomatic expressions. Here are some examples of how you might incorporate it:

Question: “Describe a time when you felt extremely hot.”
Sample answer: “I remember attending an outdoor music festival last summer. It was incredibly hot, and many people in the crowd were struggling with the heat. At one point, I saw someone pass out right in front of me due to heat exhaustion. It was quite alarming, but fortunately, the medical staff quickly came to help.”

Question: “Can you tell me about a memorable experience from your school days?”
Sample answer: “One of my most vivid memories is from my final day of high school. After the graduation ceremony, where we all passed out of school officially, our teachers passed out small gifts to each student as a parting memento. It was a bittersweet moment, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.”

Writing Section

In IELTS Writing, “pass out” can be used to enrich your essays, particularly in Task 2 where you’re required to present a more formal argument. However, be cautious about using it in very formal contexts, as some meanings (like fainting) might be considered too casual.

Example for Writing Task 2:
Topic: Some people believe that universities should focus more on practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

“While theoretical knowledge forms the foundation of higher education, there is a growing concern that students are passing out of universities without the practical skills needed in today’s job market. A balanced approach, combining both theory and hands-on experience, would better prepare graduates for the challenges they will face in their careers.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Black out /blæk aʊt/ – To lose consciousness
   Example: “He blacked out from dehydration during the marathon.”

2. Hand out /hænd aʊt/ – To distribute
   Example: “The volunteers handed out blankets to the homeless.”

3. Give away /gɪv əˈweɪ/ – To distribute for free
   Example: “The company gave away free samples at the trade show.”

4. Drop off /drɒp ɒf/ – To fall asleep suddenly
   Example: “After the long drive, I dropped off as soon as I sat on the couch.”

5. Come round /kʌm raʊnd/ – To regain consciousness
   Example: “She came round a few minutes after fainting.”

6. Dish out /dɪʃ aʊt/ – To distribute or serve, often used informally
   Example: “The cafeteria staff dished out generous portions of food.”

7. Dole out /dəʊl aʊt/ – To distribute sparingly or reluctantly
   Example: “The government doled out emergency funds to the affected areas.”

8. Conk out /kɒŋk aʊt/ – To fall asleep suddenly or lose consciousness (informal)
   Example: “After the long hike, I conked out as soon as I got home.”

Related phrasal verbs to 'pass out'

6. Practice Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks

1. The heat was so intense that several spectators __ __ during the outdoor concert.
2. After the lecture, the professor __ __ handouts summarizing the key points.
3. She felt dizzy and nearly __ __ due to low blood sugar.
4. The charity volunteers __ __ food and blankets to the homeless.
5. After three years of training, the cadets finally __ __ of the military academy.
6. The magician __ __ playing cards to the audience for his next trick.
7. When he heard the shocking news, he almost __ __.
8. The teacher __ __ the exam papers and told us to begin.
9. Several students __ __ during the grueling 24-hour dance marathon.
10. Before the game, the coach __ __ new jerseys to all the players.

B. Sentence Transformation

1. Original: The heat caused him to lose consciousness.
   Rewrite: The heat caused him to __ __.

2. Original: The teacher distributed the worksheets to the class.
   Rewrite: The teacher __ __ the worksheets to the class.

3. Original: After years of study, Sarah finally graduated from medical school.
   Rewrite: After years of study, Sarah finally __ __ of medical school.

4. Original: John suddenly fainted during the marathon.
   Rewrite: John suddenly __ __ during the marathon.

5. Original: The volunteers gave free meals to the homeless.
   Rewrite: The volunteers __ __ free meals to the homeless.

6. Original: She lost consciousness for a few minutes after hitting her head.
   Rewrite: She __ __ for a few minutes after hitting her head.

7. Original: The company distributed promotional items at the trade show.
   Rewrite: The company __ __ promotional items at the trade show.

8. Original: Tom completed his training at the police academy last month.
   Rewrite: Tom __ __ of the police academy last month.

9. Original: The intense heat caused several spectators to faint.
   Rewrite: The intense heat caused several spectators to __ __.

10. Original: The librarian handed out bookmarks to all the children.
    Rewrite: The librarian __ __ bookmarks to all the children.

Answers and Explanations

A. Fill in the blanks

1. passed out
2. passed out
3. passed out
4. passed out
5. passed out
6. passed out
7. passed out
8. passed out
9. passed out
10. passed out

B. Sentence Transformation

1. pass out
2. passed out
3. passed out
4. passed out
5. passed out
6. passed out
7. passed out
8. passed out
9. pass out
10. passed out

Explanation: In all these exercises, “pass out” is used in its various meanings – losing consciousness, distributing items, or graduating from a course. The phrasal verb remains the same in different tenses, changing only the form of “pass” (pass, passed) according to the tense required.

7. Memorization Tips

To effectively remember the multiple meanings of “pass out,” try these memory techniques:

1. Visualize the scenarios: Picture someone fainting, a teacher handing out papers, and a graduate receiving a diploma. This visual association can help cement the different meanings in your mind.

2. Create a mnemonic: “POG” – Pass Out Meanings: People fainting, Objects distributed, Graduates celebrating. This acronym can help you quickly recall the three main uses.

3. Use in context: Practice using “pass out” in your daily conversations or writing. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.

4. Word association: Link “pass out” with related words or concepts:

   • Faint → Pass out (loss of consciousness)
   • Distribute → Pass out (giving items)
   • Graduate → Pass out (completing a course)

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Confusion with “pass away”: Don’t confuse “pass out” (lose consciousness) with “pass away” (die). They have very different meanings and are not interchangeable.

2. Incorrect object placement: Remember, when using a pronoun, you cannot separate the phrasal verb.
   Incorrect: “He passed them out.”
   Correct: “He passed out the papers.” or “He passed the papers out.”

3. Overuse in formal writing: While “pass out” is acceptable in the IELTS Speaking test, be cautious about using it too frequently in formal writing tasks. In very formal contexts, consider using more academic synonyms.

4. Misusing tenses: Ensure you use the correct tense of “pass” depending on the time context.
   Present: I pass out
   Past: I passed out
   Present perfect: I have passed out

5. Forgetting the particle: Always include “out” with “pass” when using this phrasal verb. “Pass” alone has different meanings.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “pass out” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. Its versatility allows you to express various concepts concisely, demonstrating a strong command of English idioms. Remember to practice using it in different contexts, be aware of its multiple meanings, and pay attention to the grammar rules associated with separable phrasal verbs.

By incorporating “pass out” and other phrasal verbs into your language repertoire, you’ll not only improve your IELTS score but also enhance your overall English fluency. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to use these expressions in your everyday English conversations. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll become, helping you to describe a person who is passionate about social issues or describe a person who is passionate about helping others with greater ease and accuracy in your IELTS Speaking test.