Keep Up With, Catch Up With
Explore study messages and learn the difference between staying at the same pace and reaching others after falling behind.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Escolha a resposta correta.
What does “keep up with” mean here?
Our group studies one lesson each day. I can keep up with them because that pace works for me.
- Study at the same pace as the group.
- Return to the group's level after missing lessons.
- Study faster than everyone in the group.
The speaker is not falling behind.
Show solution
- Study at the same pace as the group.
“Keep up with” means maintaining the same pace, not moving ahead.
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2. Escolha a resposta correta.
What is Ben's goal?
I missed two lessons. I'll study this weekend to catch up with the class.
- Start the whole course again.
- Reach the class's current level.
- Get ahead of the class.
Ben has some missed work to complete.
Show solution
- Reach the class's current level.
“Catch up with” describes closing a gap after falling behind.
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3. Preencha a lacuna.
It's easier to keep up ___ the class when I read a little every day.
- to
- at
- with
The class is the group whose pace you follow.
Show solution
It's easier to keep up with the class when I read a little every day.
Use “with” to connect “keep up” to the person or group you are following.
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4. Preencha a lacuna.
Lena usually ___ up with our study group. She finishes each assignment on time.
- keeps
- keep
- keeping
Lena is one person, and this is her usual habit.
Show solution
Lena usually keeps up with our study group. She finishes each assignment on time.
With “she,” the simple present form is “keeps.” The words “up with” stay unchanged.
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5. Preencha a lacuna.
Last week, the lessons moved quickly, but I ___ up with the class.
- keep
- kept
- keeped
The message describes a finished week.
Show solution
Last week, the lessons moved quickly, but I kept up with the class.
“Keep” has the irregular past form “kept,” not “keeped.”
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6. Preencha a lacuna.
After missing three lessons, I need to ___ up with the class.
- caught
- catching
- catch
Look at the words “need to.”
Show solution
After missing three lessons, I need to catch up with the class.
“Need to” is followed by the base form: “need to catch up.”
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7. Preencha a lacuna.
Our tutor explains things very quickly. I'm having trouble ___ up with her.
- keeping
- keep
- kept
After “have trouble,” the next verb ends in “-ing.”
Show solution
Our tutor explains things very quickly. I'm having trouble keeping up with her.
“Have trouble keeping up” is a natural way to describe difficulty following someone's pace.
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8. Preencha a lacuna.
After several extra study sessions, Maya has finally ___ up with the rest of the class.
- catch
- catched
- caught
“Catch” is an irregular verb.
Show solution
After several extra study sessions, Maya has finally caught up with the rest of the class.
Use “caught” after “has”: “has caught up.” “Catched” is not a standard form.
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9. Escolha a resposta correta.
What difficulty does the student describe?
I couldn't keep up with the reading, even though I studied every evening.
- The student regularly chose not to study.
- There was more reading than the student could manage.
- The student finished the reading ahead of schedule.
The student made an effort, but it was not enough.
Show solution
- There was more reading than the student could manage.
You can “keep up with” a workload, not just a person. Here, the amount of reading was too much.
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10. Escolha a resposta correta.
What does Nina's reply tell us?
Leo: Are you ready for today's discussion?
Nina: Not yet. I'm still catching up with the class after being sick.- She is still working to reach the class's level.
- She has already reached the class's level.
- She has moved beyond the class's level.
Notice “not yet” and “still.”
Show solution
- She is still working to reach the class's level.
“Still catching up” describes work in progress. It does not mean the gap has already closed.
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11. Escolha a resposta correta.
Why does this message work without “with the class”?
I'm behind in our science course, but I'll catch up this weekend.
- “Catch up” cannot be followed by “with.”
- “Catch up” only describes work that is already finished.
- The course context makes the target clear.
The reader already knows what the speaker is behind in.
Show solution
- The course context makes the target clear.
You can use “catch up” alone when the context shows whose level or what progress you mean.
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12. Escolha a resposta correta.
What does “keep up with” refer to in this message?
I check our study chat each evening to keep up with changes to the homework.
- Finish the homework before everyone else.
- Stay informed about homework changes.
- Recover homework that was deleted.
The student is checking for new information.
Show solution
- Stay informed about homework changes.
“Keep up with” can also mean staying informed as information changes.
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13. Escolha a resposta correta.
What is the tutor allowing?
This is an independent study course. You don't have to keep up with the other students; you can take your time.
- Students may work at their own pace.
- Students must reach everyone else's level immediately.
- Students must always work faster than the group.
“Don't have to” removes a requirement.
Show solution
- Students may work at their own pace.
“Don't have to keep up” means matching the group's pace is optional, not impossible.
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14. Escolha a resposta correta.
Why hasn't the student caught up?
I'm behind on the assignments. Now I finish each new assignment on time, just like everyone else, but I haven't done the work I missed.
- Finishing new assignments on time creates more missed work.
- Matching the current pace automatically completes old assignments.
- The student is keeping pace now, but the old gap remains.
Think about the difference between new work and missed work.
Show solution
- The student is keeping pace now, but the old gap remains.
Keeping pace stops you from falling further behind. Catching up also requires dealing with the existing gap.
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15. Escolha a resposta correta.
Which message matches this situation?
You were behind your study partner. You completed the missed lessons and are now at the same point. You plan to study regularly so you won't fall behind again.
- I've kept up with you all along. Now I need to catch up with you.
- I've caught up with you. Now I'll try to keep up with you.
- I'm still catching up with you. I haven't reached your lesson yet.
First the old gap closed. Next, you want to prevent a new gap.
Show solution
- I've caught up with you. Now I'll try to keep up with you.
Catching up brings you back to the same level; keeping up helps you stay there.