Grammar
I was anticipating __________. So you can imagine my relief when I was given a promotion instead. (sack)
being/getting sacked
This may mean taking on too much – in which case you will quickly find yourself snowed in / under / out with work.
under
On ___________about Gerald’s resignation I immediately applied for his job. (learn)
+ explain the meaning of the gerund usage
On learning
(on + gerund = as soon as)
It can be hard at first to stand 1) up / down / out for yourself when you’re the newest member of staff – and if you are fresh 2) through / out of / in to university with no experience, it can be even harder to assert yourself.
1) up
2) out of
Complete each set of three sentences with the same
word in each gap:
a I’m completely at a _____ to explain how it
happened. I’ve no idea at all.
b After the _______of his father, he became head of
the company.
c Many new ventures make a ________ in the first year.
loss
Make sentences using the prompts + any necessary words:
1) I / clear / remember / him / mention / salary increase.
2) the author / article / about / interns / object / their / not be / pay.
3) at first, / my parents / not approve / my / choose /
journalism / as a career.
1) I clearly remember him mentioning a salary increase.
2) The author of the article about interns objects/
objected to their not being paid.
3) At first, my parents did not approve of
my choosing journalism as a career.
1) I know she’s right ____ some extent but I still think
her decision to sack him was harsh.
2) Just ask if you need any help. I’m completely
_____ your disposal.
3) Older workers are, _____ virtue of their life situation, considerably more reliable.
1) to
2) at
3) by
Complete each set of three sentences with the same
word in each gap:
a Water levels were rising and beginning to ______
the fields.
b I was really surprised by parts of the exam. I’m sure we didn’t ______ some of the topics.
c I’m being sent to Prague for the week and the
company is going to _______ all my expenses.
cover
1) ________ me the bad results of the interview
nearly broke my heart. (he, tell)
2) ______ , James finally moved to the country. (retire)
1) him/his telling
2) having retired
1) The government are tackling _______by offering
retraining to thousands of jobless people. EMPLOY
2) The company has been losing money for years. You can only put it down to ________. MANAGE
1) unemployment
2) mismanagement
Complete each set of three sentences with the same
word in each gap:
a Most new businesses don’t see a decent ______
for a couple of years.
b I can’t wait for Matthew’s _______. I haven’t seen
him since 2007.
c Train travel is much cheaper if you buy a day ______.
return
Complete the sentences using the appropriate form:
1) _____ on the training course is great news!
Lucky them! (they, accept)
2) Janet was angry about ______ work another
evening shift last night. (have to)
3) Eventually I got through to find out I wasn’t the first ______ as there’d been an issue with the company’s banking services. All the missing money, they promised, was ______ within the hour. (complain, refund)
2) having/having had to
3) to complain + to be refunded
1) I’m _____ a l_____ to explain where the money is.
2) Barbara’s been trying to contact him all day – and
absolutely ____ n___ a____.
3) Personally, I’d say she’s one of the best managers we’ve had here ____ d___.
4) ____ a___ m____, take the rest of the day off.
5) He’s a good worker but ____ t__ e____ of the day
it has to be last in, first out.
1) at a loss
2) to no avail
3) to date
4) by all means
5) at the end
Complete each set of three sentences with the same
word in each gap:
a I know it might rain but let’s take a ______ on it. It’s
been ages since we’ve had a picnic.
b You stand little _______ of gaining employment
with no experience.
c I met her completely by _______. I never even
knew she was back in the country.
chance