Vocabulary 😎
Complete the sentence with two missing words to complete collocations:
👉 reward e... with a reference full of praise and r... of achievement.
🔑 Answer:
reward enthusiasm with a reference full of praise and recognition of achievement.
Open the brackets using the right tense:
[...]
- What about Bob? Will he join us?
- That's fine. (1) I (speak) to him a couple of days ago, and the 19th is fine for him too.
- (2) (you / arrange) the visit to the warehouse yet?
- Yes, (3) I (just / organise) that - for the afternoon.
🔑 Answer:
- What about Bob? Will he join us?
- That's fine. (1) I spoke to him a couple of days ago, and the 19th is fine for him too.
- (2) Have you arranged the visit to the warehouse yet?
- Yes, (3) I've just organised that - for the afternoon.
🗣 Say the following phrases out loud (sounds, stress, intonation):
Recognising and acknowledging achievements can boost staff morale.
🔑 Answer:
ˈrɛkəɡnaɪzɪŋ ənd əkˈnɒlɪdʒɪŋ əˈtʃiːvmənts kən buːst stɑːf məˈræl
❓Make a question according to the task. Think of at least two questions:
Suggest meeting with your colleague on January, 20th to give each other an update on details.
🔑 Answer:
Why don't we meet / How about meeting / I suggest we meet on the twentieth of January to discuss things further!
Give at least two synonymous phrases for:
👉What do you mean exactly?
🔑 Answer:
So what you're getting at is ... / So what you're saying is ... / So what you're driving at is ...
Could you elaborate on ... ?
Complete the conversation with the adverbs that best fit the context:
- The presentation is in 2 minutes and I still haven't seen Caroline (1) ... .
- Actually, (2) she's ... arrived - I saw her car arrive a few minutes ago.
- Great. And (3) our speaker has ... set up in the conference room, so I think we're ready to start once Caroline comes up ...
🔑 Answer:
- The presentation is in 2 minutes and I still haven't seen Caroline (1) YET .
- Actually, (2) she's JUST arrived - I saw her car arrive a few minutes ago.
- Great. And (3) our speaker has ALREADY set up in the conference room, so I think we're ready to start once Caroline comes up ...
🗣 Say the following phrase out loud (sounds, stress, intonation): Looking at your colleague in an elevator:
1️⃣ Lovely day today, isn't it? (sure)
2️⃣ You're from the Warsaw office, aren't you? (sure)
🔑 Answer:
1️⃣ Lovely day today, ↘️ isn it? (sure)
2️⃣ You're from the Warsaw office, ↘️ aren'tʃ you? (sure)
Ask your colleague for an update on the following thing. Use at least two phrases:
👉 Finalise the financial report.
🔑 Answer:
How are things with the report? / How's the report coming along? / Have you finished the report yet?
Answer the question:
👉 What motivation system does AsstrA have? How does the company recognise achievements of its employees?
🔑 Answer:
Material benefits: bonus system, medical insurance, financial reward for new ideas, a company car, a corporate laptop / phone.
Non-material benefits: acknowledgement nd recognition of achievements: AsstrA ViVa / Swiss holidays, a sense of achievement, feel valued, autonomy.
🔎 Correct two mistakes:
1️⃣ I'm not sure if the weather is fine tomorrow.
2️⃣ We can meet when I'll get back.
🔑 Answer:
1️⃣ I'm not sure if the weather will be fine tomorrow.
2️⃣ We can meet when I get back.
🗣 Say the following phrase out loud (sounds, stress, intonation): Looking at your colleague in an elevator:
1️⃣ A: Dave works in Accounting, doesn't he? (not sure) B: No, he works in Controlling.
2️⃣ A: Let's kick off the meeting, shall we? (suggestion)
🔑 Answer:
1️⃣ A: Dave works in Accounting, doesn't he? (not sure) ↗️
2️⃣ A: Let's kick off the meeting, shall we? ↗️
Give an update on finalising the financial report. The thing is that you've experienced some problems and didn't finish it but hope to do it in the future. Use at least two expressions.
🔑 Answer:
I ran into a problem / I've hit a problem / Things aren't running as smoothly as I hoped / I haven't finished the report yet.
You're about to plan a new project / task. What are the problems teams might run into? What should be done to prevent them? Give at least 5 collocations.
👉 E.g.: not stay the course.
🔑 Answer:
Might (1) miss the deadline / (2) fall behind schedule and (3) not stay on track, which might lead to (4) rescheduling the launch date and (5) jeopardising their reputation. They might (6) go over budget if they don't have (7) accurate forecast. To make sure things will run smoothly, there must be some (8) upfront planning done to avoid any hiccups.
Correct one mistake in the following passage. Give at least two versions:
👉 Great. I suggest to meet to discuss things further. I have to be honest, though. You aren't the only designer we're talking to.
🔑 Answer:
Great. I suggest (that) we meet to discuss things further. / I suggest that we should meet / I suggest meeting
🗣 Say the following phrases out loud (sounds, stress, intonation):
With the upfront planning and accurate forecast we managed to meet our deadline without rescheduling the launch date.
🔑 Answer key:
wɪð ðə ˈʌpfrʌnt ˈplænɪŋ ənd ˈækjʊrət ˈfɔːkɑːst wiː
ˈmænɪdʒd tə miːt aʊər ˈdɛdlaɪn wɪˈðaʊt riːˈʃedjuːlɪŋ ðə lɔːnʧ deɪt
As an active listener, how would you respond to the following phrase said by a colleague you know. Explain your choice:
"I've just finished a big project!"
🔑 Answer:
Echoing: Finished a big project? Wow! Congrats!
Paraphrasing: You must be feeling relieved that you wrapped it up.
Reinforcing, developing: "That’s amazing! Completing a big project is such a significant accomplishment. You must feel great about it!"
Open-ended questions: How did it go? / What kind of project was it?
Complete the phrases on feedback. Identify what strategy the phrase belongs to (defending, accepting, clarifying):
🔑 Answer:
🔎 Clarify the information using:
Tag: She's here, isn't she?
🔑 Answer:
🗣🔥 Say the tongue-twister as fast as you can saying all the sounds correctly:
The thoughtful team’s project to launch a technologically advanced device might jeopardise their research if they don’t think things through!
ðə θoughtful team’s project tə lOnch ə teKnologically advanced device might jeopardise ðeir research if ðey don’t θɪŋk θɪŋz θrough!
Respond to the following feedback by choosing the right strategy (defending your position, clarifying the feedback, accepting criticism, acknowledging mistakes):
1. Colleague: The revenue plunged 20%. This is unacceptable!
2. Manager: I've read your report, and thank you for submitting it on time. Given our upcoming deadline next week, it's crucial we stay on track. However, I noticed that the data analysis section lacks sufficient detail to fully support your recommendations.
1. I can see why you're so upset but I'm afraid you're not seeing the big picture here, let me explain the reason behind this. (defending) I take on board what you're saying and will work on that. (accepting).
2. I appreciate your feedback. There's always room for improvement, I agree. Could you elaborate on what details you expect to see in the report?
(accepting / clarifying)