Revision
1. Write in the missing preposition.
1 There’s been a delay ______ the delivery of the components.
2 The shortage ______ staff at work is really causing pressure.
3 Our new just-______-time production has made things quicker.
4 We must finish this meeting ______ eleven at the latest.
5 Sorry, but we’re running ______ of time.
6 We look forward _____ hearing from you.
7 Our department has just taken _____ 30 new staff.
2. Read the extract from a report on improving a business. Change the form of the word in
brackets to complete it.
We would like to propose a number of (8)________________ (recommend) to improve the
(9)________________ (efficient) of your company. With regard to office space, you could reduce
the space needed for your (10)_________________ (administrate) staff with a system of open
plan offices. This would then provide space for your sales staff. In the factory,
(11)______________ (product) could be increased through a better system of supply and storage.
The (12)______________ (deliver) company should bring components to the factory several
times a day and these can be taken to the (13)_______________ (assemble)-line at the moment
they are needed. Supplies should be ordered (14)________________ (electronic) by computer
rather than having an (15)_______________ (employ) enter an order manually.
3. Underline the correct verb in italics.
16 When you set / pay the price, it’s important to have a strategy.
17 A lower price may increase sales but it will also reduce / slow the profit margin
18 The company may have to cut / borrow its costs to survive this recession.
19 When people tell / stretch the truth they may commit insurance fraud.
20 The government’s policy has pushed up / risen the cost of living.
21 We’ve decided to go up / put up our prices.
22 I’d like to make / say a complaint about one of your staff.
23 Sorry, but can you handle / deal with this claim?
24 Let’s offer / pay back them a refund.
25 Your insurance policy only covers / receives you for theft.
26 British companies don’t spend / pay much on service.
27 They set (out / down / up) a new division to deal with overseas trade.
28 I went to the shop but it’s sold (off / out / in) of coffee.
29 Your children are really growing (out / off / up), aren’t they?
30 I’m sorry but the water has run (out / off / along) in this machine.
31 His father built (on / over / up) the company from nothing.
32 Human Resources say we need to take (on / off / up) ten new staff.
33 She’s looking (up / for / out) a new position.
34 It could take five years to pay (into / off / by) this personal loan.
4. Choose the correct word from a, b or c.
35 Our main problem is low ______________.
a) taxation b) unemployment c) wages
36 My son is on a work ________________ in the USA for three weeks.
a) placement b) apprenticeship c) scheme
37 We could ____________ the job ad on the Internet.
a) search b) post c) supply
38 The new strategy is to ______________ consumers over sixty.
a) worth b) target c) aim
39 High-______________ executives might be interested in this type of luxury product.
a) consuming b) outgoing c) earning
40 We need to ____________ initiative and good ideas.
a) reward b) pay c) retire
41 He’s ready for greater ______________.
a) reports b) recruitment c) responsibility
42 ____________ managers don’t think the younger managers have any talent.
a) Subordinate b) Senior c) Superior
43 I like young employees who show plenty of _____________.
a) enthusiasm b) achievement c) earnings
44 Her _________________ is to work in the film industry.
a) initiative b) career c) ambition
45 Regular customers who show ______________ are very important.
a) seniority b) loyalty c) level
5. Complete the sentences with these words.
demand / forecast / delay / model / range / stock / switch / update / order
46 I’m sorry but there’s a ______________ with your order. It’ll arrive tomorrow not today.
47 Hello. I’d like to place an _____________ for three hundred pens.
48 Customer ____________ is very high for ice creams because the summer is so hot.
49 The current ____________ for next year says turnover will remain steady.
50 I’m afraid we don’t have any in ___________ at the moment.
51 This model looks old now. We need to _____________ it to make it more modern.
52 The Ford XR6 is our latest ____________.
53 We’ve decided to ______________ from the old system to this new procedure.
54 Let me show you our full ___________ of cars from this family model to our sports and luxury cars.
6. Underline the correct word in brackets.
19 They are taking (on / over) their smaller competitor. It will make them the only company in this
sector.
55 We’re taking (on / off) 300 new staff.
56 She takes (up / on) her new job next week.
57 They took (on / part) in a trade fair.
58 The conference takes (place / part) between February 2-5.
59 The new promotion has really taken (off / over) with the public.
