Question

1. Results from last month _____ all our expectations. a) rivalled b) exceededc) regained d) recovered 2. Sorry, I didn’t quite _____ that. Could you repeat it? a) clarify b) mean c) speak d) catch 3. A ____ group is a good way to find out what customers think about your products. a) promotion b) research c) focus d) questionnaire 4. Talks _____ off today, with both sides still disagreeing. a) cut b) build c) broke d) ran 5. There are a few _____ benefits to my job such as a company car and membership of the local sports centre. a) fringe b) perk c) remuneration d) pay 6. I keep going _____ about this problem, but it’s important. a) out b) up c) in d) on 7. Our website receives about 30,000 _____ per month. a) hits b) surfs c) browses d) clicks 8. If we’d prepared properly, we _____ the deal. a) hadn’t lost b) didn’t lose c) wouldn’t have lost d) wouldn’t lose 9. My boss is totally _____ when it comes to mistakes. a) untolerant b) intolerant c) imtolerant d) mistolerant 10. I hope there’s a good return _____ my investment. a) for b) with c) on d) in 11. Let’s get straight to the _____ and not waste any more time. a) point b) item c) debate d) purpose 12. _____ consumer confidence is down, high street stores still report good profits. a) Moreover b) In spite of c) However d) Although 13. Could you please tell me how many staff _____? a) do you employ b) you employ c) you do employ d) are you employ 14. I thought it was rather _____ of them not to say they weren’t coming. a) inconsideration b) considerate c) inconsiderate d) consideration

Answer 1

1.  b) exceeded
2. d) catch
3. b) research
4. c) broke
5. a) fringe
6. d) on
7. d) clicks
8. c) wouldn’t have lost
9. b) intolerant
10. c) on
11. a) point
12. d) Although
13. b) you employ
14. c) inconsiderate

Answer 2

1. Exceeded - Results from last month exceeded all our expectations. This means that the results were better than what we expected. 2. Catch - Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you repeat it? This means that the person didn't understand what was said and wants it to be repeated. 3. Research - A research group is a good way to find out what customers think about your products. This means that conducting research with a group of people can provide valuable insights into customer opinions. 4. Broke - Talks broke off today, with both sides still disagreeing. This means that the negotiations or discussions came to an end without reaching an agreement. 5. Perk - There are a few perks to my job such as a company car and membership of the local sports centre. This means that there are additional benefits or advantages to the job. 6. On - I keep going on about this problem, but it’s important. This means that the person keeps talking or discussing the problem repeatedly. 7. Hits - Our website receives about 30,000 hits per month. This means that the website is visited or accessed by approximately 30,000 people every month. 8. Wouldn't have lost - If we’d prepared properly, we wouldn’t have lost the deal. This means that proper preparation would have prevented the loss of the deal. 9. Intolerant - My boss is totally intolerant when it comes to mistakes. This means that the boss has zero tolerance for mistakes and does not accept them. 10. On - I hope there’s a good return on my investment. This means that the person hopes to receive a favorable outcome or profit from their investment. 11. Point - Let’s get straight to the point and not waste any more time. This means that the person wants to focus on the main issue or topic without any unnecessary delays or distractions. 12. Although - Although consumer confidence is down, high street stores still report good profits. This means that despite the decrease in consumer confidence, the stores are still making good profits. 13. Do you employ - Could you please tell me how many staff do you employ? This means that the person is asking about the number of employees in the company. 14. Inconsiderate - I thought it was rather inconsiderate of them not to say they weren’t coming. This means that the person felt that it was thoughtless or rude of the others to not inform that they wouldn't be coming.