Need the rule behind this exercise? Read Motion verbs. For the bigger picture, explore Russian grammar.
Motion Verbs: Figurative Routes and Register
Practice figurative motion meanings, source and route constructions, prefixes, and stylistic nuance.
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Browse Motion Verbs practiceQuestion 1
Время быстро ___, и мы не заметили, как наступил вечер.
English context
Choose the idiomatic motion verb meaning that time passes.
Options
- идёт
- ходит
- едет
- приходит
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- идёт
Correct feedback
Correct! Идёт is the conventional verb for time passing.
Grammar rule
Идти has a figurative use with время: время идёт, meaning that time passes.
Question 2
Переговоры наконец ___ в нужном направлении.
English context
Choose the figurative motion verb for progress.
Options
- движутся
- прыгают
- летят
- сидят
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- движутся
Correct feedback
Good! Движутся naturally describes negotiations progressing.
Grammar rule
Двигаться can describe abstract processes or plans progressing in a direction.
Question 3
Она приехала ___ Санкт-Петербурга на конференцию.
English context
Choose the correct preposition for the city as a source.
Options
- из
- с
- от
- к
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- из
Correct feedback
Exactly! Из Санкт-Петербурга identifies the city of departure.
Grammar rule
Из + genitive marks movement from inside or away from a city, country, or bounded place.
Question 4
Мы возвращались ___ конференции поздно вечером.
English context
Choose the preposition for returning from an event.
Options
- с
- из
- от
- к
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- с
Correct feedback
Correct! С конференции means returning from an event or activity.
Grammar rule
С + genitive commonly marks movement from an event, activity, workplace, or surface; из is typical for enclosed places and cities.
Question 5
Докладчик ___ к главному выводу постепенно.
English context
Choose the figurative verb for approaching a conclusion.
Options
- подходит
- приходит
- отходит
- переходит
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- подходит
Correct feedback
Well done! Подходит к выводу means approaches or comes close to a conclusion.
Grammar rule
Подходить к can mean to approach an abstract goal, issue, or conclusion, not only a physical object.
Question 6
После обсуждения мы ___ к единому мнению.
English context
Choose the perfective figurative verb for reaching an agreement.
Options
- пришли
- подошли
- ушли
- перешли
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- пришли
Correct feedback
Exactly! Пришли к мнению is the idiom for reaching an opinion or agreement.
Grammar rule
Прийти к + dative has a figurative meaning ‘reach, arrive at’ a conclusion, decision, or agreement.
Question 7
Эта тема ___ через весь роман как лейтмотив.
English context
Choose the figurative route verb for a theme recurring throughout a work.
Options
- проходит
- приходит
- уходит
- подходит
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- проходит
Correct feedback
Correct! Проходит через весь роман means runs throughout the novel.
Grammar rule
Проходить через can describe a theme, idea, or motif running through an abstract or written work.
Question 8
Нам пришлось ___ через несколько бюрократических процедур.
English context
Choose the verb for going through a difficult process.
Options
- пройти
- перейти
- войти
- отойти
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- пройти
Correct feedback
Good! Пройти через процедуры means undergo or get through them.
Grammar rule
Пройти через + accusative can mean undergo, endure, or get through an experience or process.
Question 9
В официальном отчёте лучше написать: «проект ___ проверку».
English context
Choose the neutral formal verb for a project successfully completing a review.
Options
- прошёл
- пробежал
- приехал
- подошёл
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- прошёл
Correct feedback
Correct! Проект прошёл проверку is standard formal wording.
Grammar rule
Пройти проверку, отбор, or испытание is a conventional formal collocation meaning pass or successfully undergo.
Question 10
В разговорной речи он сказал, что «___ все инстанции».
English context
Choose the colloquial verb meaning he visited many offices or authorities.
Options
- обошёл
- вошёл
- подошёл
- перешёл
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- обошёл
Correct feedback
Exactly! Обойти все инстанции means go around to all the relevant authorities.
Grammar rule
Обойти can have a figurative distributive meaning: visit or deal with a series of people, offices, or authorities.