Cambridge grammar and vocabulary for the TOEIC test

Grammar and
Vocabulary
for
.
®
the TOEIC Test
with answers

Self-study grammar
and vocabulary
reference and practice

JOLENE GEAR and ROBERT GEAR

. . . :·: . . . CAMBRIDGE
::,

UNIVERSITY PRESS


C A MBRIDG E UN IV E RSIT Y PRESS

Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore,
Sao Paulo, Delhi, Dubai, Tokyo, Mexico City
Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521120067
© Cambridge University Press 2010
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,

no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2010
Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-0-521-12006-7 Paperback with answers and audio CD
ISBN 978-0-511-58791-7 Online resources
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or
accuracy of URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in
this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is,
or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Information regarding prices, travel
timetables and other factual information given in this work is correct at
the time of first printing but Cambridge University Press does not guarantee
the accuracy of such information thereafter.


Thanks and acknowledgements
We would like to thank those people who made the publication of Grammar and
Vocabulary for the TOEIC® Test possible. Our appreciation goes to the editorial
team, Nora McDonald and Helen Ambrosio, as well as Sylvia Renaudon, Lynn
Townsend and Tom Allen and the production and marketing teams, particularly
Jeanette Alfoldi and Jane Durkin, for their combined efforts and painstaking care
in helping to bring this book into print. We would also like to thank our colleagues
at the University of Oulu, Finland and Sultan Qaboos University, Oman for their
support in our efforts, with a special thank-you to Katja-Maaria Kilponen and Halle
Marshall Mehtiilii, for their input and feedback.
The author and publishers are grateful for the permissions granted to reproduce
materials in either the original or adapted form. While every effort has been made,
it has not always been possible to identity the sources of all the materials used, or

to trace all copyright holders. If any omissions are brought to our notice, we will
be happy to include the appropriate acknowledgements on reprinting.
p. 21 (tl} ©Phil Degginger/Aiamy; p. 21 (tel) ©D. Hurst/Aiamy; pp. 21 (tcr),
105(bc},140(t), 234(tr) ©Image Source/Aiamy; p. 21(tr) ©Jim West/Aiamy; p.
21 (bl} ©Arcticphoto/Aiamy; p. 21 (be} ©Photogenix/Aiamy; p. 21 (br) ©Alex Segre/
Alamy; p. 48(t ?); p. 48(b) ©Blend lmages/Aiamy; p. 66(1) ©Kevin Britland/Aiamy;
p. 66(r) ©Colin Craig/Aiamy; pp. 91(1), 97(c), 105(tl) ©imagebroker/Aiamy; p. 91(r)
©Whisson/Jordan/Corbis; p. 94(bl} ©Eyecandy lmages/Aiamy; p. 94(t) ©Foto28/
Alamy; p. 94(c) ©Pixland/Photolibrary; p. 94(br) ©LondonPhotos - Homer Sykes/
Alamy; p. 95 ©Greg Balfour Evans!Aiamy; p. 97(t) ©Cephas Picture library/
Alamy; p. 97(b) ©Butch Martin/Aiamy; p. 98 ©Neil Emmerson/Robert Harding
Travei/Photolibrary; p. 105(tc) ©NUAGE/Aiamy; p. 105(tr) ©Andres Rodrigues/
Alamy; p. 105(bl} ©Mira/Aiamy; pp. 105(br), 189(t) ©westend61 GmbH/Aiamy;
p. 113(tl) ©Peter Titmuss/Aiamy; p. 113(tr) ©les polders/Aiamy; p. 113(bl}
©Torbjorn Largerwaii/Aiamy; p113(br) ©Ryan McGinnis/Aiamy; pp. 129(a), (b),
(e) ©Giowimages- artbox/Aiamy; p.129(c) ©Rui Saraiva/Aiamy; pp. 129(d), (f)
©Fancy/Aiamy; pp. 1361, 188 ©Ace stock limited/Aiamy; p. 136(cl) ©Lisa F.
Young/Aiamy; p. 136(cr) ©avatra images/Aiamy; p. 136(r) ©David Young -Wolff/
Alamy; p. 140(b) ©amana images inc./Aiamy; p. 144 ©Design Pies lnc./Aiamy; p.
176tl ©David R Frazier Photolibrary lnc./Aiamy; p. 176(tr} ©Arco Images GmbH/
Alamy; p. 176(cl) ©Lucidio Studio lnc/Aiamy; p. 176(cr) ©ICP/Aiamy; p. 176(b)
©Martin Novak/Shutterstock; p. 184 ©Radius lmages/Aiamy; p. 189(b) ©Ingram
Publishing/Aiamy; p. 243(bl} ©Deco/Aiamy; p. 234(cr) ©Paul Risdale Pictures/
Alamy; p. 234(br) ©Peter Casolino/Aiamy
Key
t, b, I, r = top, bottom, left, right
letters in brackets indicate picture label on page


Introduction

Overview of the TOEIC

7

Unit

Vocabulary Focus

Grammar Focus

1

Applying for a job

~~fu~

2

Business documents

3

Air travel

4

Shopping

5

Business trips

Practice Test 1

Noun, verb, adjective, and adverb forms
Present tenses
Present simple, present continuous, imperatives, state verbs
Past tenses
Past simple, past continuous, used to and be used to
Present perfect
Present perfect simple and continuous, tor and since
Future
Present continuous; present simple; going to; will

Listening, Reading

6

Customer Service

7

Property

8

Banking

9

Commuting

10

Advertising

' Practice Test 2

4

6

Questions
Question forms; yes I no questions and short answers;
wh- questions; tag questions
Embedded questions
Wh- questions; yes I no questions; questions with an infinitive
Reported Speech
Reporting statements and questions; reporting verbs
Adjectives and Adverbs
Describing things; adding information about manner, place,
time, frequency, and intensity
Comparing
Comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs;
expressions of equality I inequality (as ... as, not as ... as,
etc.); other ways of comparing

Listening, Writing

11

Company structure

12

Employment Contracts

13

Dining out

14

Safety at work

15

Meetings

Modals 1
Ability and possibility
Modals 2

Obligation and necessity; orders and advice
Modals 3
Permission; requests; offers; suggestions
Prepositions 1
Prepositions of time; prepositions of place;
prepositions of movement
Prepositions 2

Verb + preposition; noun + preposition;
adjective + preposition

8
16
24
32
40

48
54

62
69
78

86

94
100
108

116
123

132


Practice Test 3

Listening, Reading, Speaking

I export

16

Import

17

Using the phone

Pronouns
Personal and possessive, reflexives, impersonal pronouns ;

18

Office supplies

19

Presentations

Nouns
Countable and uncountable nouns; articles
Linking words 1
And, but, or; so, such, as, such as; too and enough:

20

Investments

Referring to nouns
Demonstratives; one I ones; some I any; quantifiers;

139
146

each I every; either I neither
154

it I there
162

168

still, yet, already

Practice Test 4

Passives
Passive voice; having something done

Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing

21

Innovations

22

Insurance

23

Trade shows

24

Marketing

25

Employee perks
and benefits

Practice Test 5

Relative clauses
Relative clauses; relative pronouns;
relative pronouns with prepositions
Conditional sentences
Zero, first, and second conditionals
Linking words 2
Giving reasons; gi ving results; making contrasts; adding
information; showing sequences; showing attitude
Verb + verb patterns
Verb+ to infinitive; verb+ -ing; infinitive without to
More verb patterns and phrasal verbs
Adjectives + to infinitive or -ing;

nouns+ preposition and -ing; phrasal verbs

Reading, Writing

176
184
191

199
207

214
222

230

Answer key

236

Recording scripts

256

Appendix 1: Common phrasal verbs

271

Appendix 2: Common irregular verbs

272

5




Who is this book for?
This book is for students preparing for the Test of
English for International CommunicationrM (TOEIC•) and
covers vocabulary and grammar useful for the business
environment. It can be used as part of a TOEIC test
preparation course in the classroom or for extra practice
or review at home. Students who are not preparing for
the TOEIC tests but want to review grammar and extend
their vocabulary will also find this book useful.

How are the units organized?
The book consists of 25 units and 5 practice tests.
There is a practice test section after every 5 units.
Each unit presents and practices both the grammar and
vocabulary within the context of a work-related topic.
The units are divided into 4 parts:

A

Context listening
This section introduces the vocabulary and
grammar of each unit in context. It will help you
to understand the gramma r and vocabulary more

easily.

B

Grammar
This section is a review of important grammar
points. Read through this section before you
do the exercises. You can also refer back to this
section when you are doing the exercises.

C

Grammar exercises
This section provides grammar practice. Write
your answers to the exercises and check your
work using the answer key.

D

Vocabulary
This section introduces the vocabulary for the topic
in a 'key vocabulary' paragraph. The paragraph is
followed by exercises for vocabulary practice. You
can check your answers using the answer key.

Test practice sections
At the end of every five units, there is a test practice
section. The tests are in the format used in the TOEIC
6

test. The combined test practice sections make up one
complete TOEIC Listening test, one complete TOEIC
Reading test, two complete TOEIC Speaking tests, and
two complete TOEIC Writing tests.
Each test practice section is accompanied by a grammar
focus task and a vocabulary focus task. These are
designed to raise your awareness of the way grammar
and vocabulary are used in the TOEIC test.
Using the speaking practice test sections
Use the speaking practice test questions to practice the
kinds of questions presented on the TOEIC Speaking
test. The questions give you the opportunity to practice
your oral skills. Focus on speaking clearly and using
vocabulary and grammar accurately. If possible, you
should record your answers so that a friend or teacher
can give you their comments.
Using the writing practice test sections
Use the writing practice test questions to practice the
kinds of questions presented on the TOEIC Writing test.
The questions give you the opportunity to practice your
writing skills. Focus on organizing your ideas and using
vocabulary and grammar accurately. If possible, you
should have a friend or teacher read your work and give
you their comments.

Recording Scripts
The recording scripts for all the context listening
sections and the listening practice tests are included.
Look at the scripts after you answer the questions.
Practice your listening skills by playing the recording

again while you read the script. Practice your speaking
skills by listening to the recording and pausing it to
repeat what you have heard.

ONLINE Practice Tests
In association with Grammar and Vocabulary for the
TOEJC® Test, Cambridge University Press will make
available two complete online practice TOEIC testsThe practice TOEIC Test for Listening and Reading and
the Practice TOEIC Test for Speaking and Writing. These
tests can be found at
www.cambridge.org/elt/toeictest. A guide to the
scoring for the TOEIC Speaking and Writing test is also
included on the website.


The Test of English for International Communication
(TOEIC) test can be used to show your proficiency
in English for the workplace or for entry into a study
p'rogram. Depending on the requirements you need
to meet, you will take either the TOEIC Listening
and Reading test or the TOEIC Speaking and Writing
test. For a complete assessment of all your language
skills, you may be required to take both TOEIC tests.
These tests can be taken at ETS-approved locations
worldwide.

The TOEIC Listening and Reading test
Thi s test is a paper and pencil test using a multiple
choice format. It lasts approximately 2 hours with 45
minutes for Listening and 75 minutes for Reading. You

will need another 30 minutes for completing forms
containing needed biographical information . The format
of t he test is as follows:
Listening Comprehension: 100 items
Pa rt 1: Photographs: 10 items
Pa rt 2: Question-Response: 30 items
Pa rt 3: Conversations: 30 items (10 conversations with
·
3 questions each)
Pa rt 4: Short talks: 30 items (10 talks with 3 questions
each)

The TOEIC Speaking and Writing test
This test is ari internet-based test in which your
responses to the tasks are recorded for scoring. You
have approximately 20 minutes for the Speaking test
and 60 minutes for the Writing test. The format of the
test is as follows:
Speaking Test: 11 items
Questions 1- 2: Read a text aloud
Question 3: Describe a picture
Questions 4- 6: Respond to a question
Questions 7- 9: Respond to questions using
information provided Question 10: Propose a solution
Question 11: Express an opinion
Writing Test: 8 items
Questions 1- 5: Write a sentence based on a picture
Questions 6- 7: Respond to a written request
Question 8: Write an opinion essay

Reading Comprehension: 100 items
Pa rt 5: Incomplete Sentences: 40 items
Pa rt 6: Text Completion: 12 items (4 texts with 3 items
each)
Pa rt 7: Simple Passages: 28 items (7-10 texts with 2-5
questions each)
Double Passages: 20 items (4 pairs of texts with 5
questions per pair)

7


Word forms
_ _ ___;;,_._"'v_.._._,,

A
1

verb, adjective, and ad"\/erb forms

Context listening
A temporary position is open at MacNulty's Chocolate Factory. You are going to hear two
people at an interview. Before you listen, look at the picture and answer these questions.
1

Which person in the picture is the interviewer?-----------

2

Which person in the picture is the c a n d i d a t e ? - - - - - - - - - - -

3 What job is the candidate applying for? - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2

listen and check if you were right.

3

listen again and fill in the blanks.

AAPli.cru1t

1

You're the

2

Your resume certainly is - - - - - - Your last employer was very _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with you.

3

for the secretarial job, right?

He says you are--- - - - - · hard working, and efficient.
s I'm a little surprised you haven't _ _ _ _ _ _ _ for a
permanent job.
4

8

6

You see, my background and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ are in theater.

7

It was called "The Over·

8

You played the part of the secretary with such _ _ _ _ _ __

Graduate."

TOEIC® TIP
listen carefully to talks
and conversations. Practice
identifying who is speaking,
where the conversation or
talk is taking place, and what
is being discussed.


Applying for a job

4

1

Compare the following pairs of answers from Exercise 3.

a

look at answers 1 and 5, 2 and 3, 4 and 8, and 6 and 7. What is similar about
each pair? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

b In each pair, what parts of speech are the two words?
1

5

noun

5

2

3

·4

8

6

7

Vet"b

Match the two parts of the common phrases you heard in the conversation.
listen again if you need to.
1

permanent ~ a qualified

2

employment

3 cover
4

over

b

letter

c job
d

agency

9


1 Applying for a job

B
1

Grammar
Word forms
A word may have more than one form depending on what part of speech it is. Look at
the different forms of the word compete.
We compete with several companies. (verb)
Our competition in this field is growing. (noun)
We are in a competitive market. (adjective)
We must think competitively. (adverb)

2

Noun forms
Nouns are words that refer to things, people, places, etc. We use them in sentences as
subjects or as objects.
My qualifications are in theater. (qualifications= subject)
Secretaries can make a good salary nowadays. (salary= object)
We can often recognize nouns through their suffixes (the part at the end of the word).
Some noun suffixes indicate a person. The most common suffix for a person is -er I -or.
Other suffixes for people include -ess, -ic, -ist, and -ian. The suffix -ess indicates that
the person is female.
manager, senator, princess, critic, pianist, politician
We use the suffixes -ion I -ation and -ment to make verbs into nouns.
promote I promotion, apply I application, govern I government
We use the suffixes -ness and -ity to make adjectives into nouns.
happy I happiness, tidy I tidiness, stupid I stupidity
Other noun suffixes include ·acy, -age, -once, -ant, -dam, -hood, -an, -ism, -ary, -ship.
Accuracy is important in accounting.

The package arrived damaged.

3

Verb forms
Verbs are words that show states or actions. In English, we always use a subject with a verb.
Our boss is always happy.
He manages the department very effectively.
I enjoy working as a secretary.
The verb form changes to agree with the subject (/, he, she, etc.) and to agree with the tense
(present, past simple, etc.).
(See verbs, Units 2, 3, 4, and 5.)
He prepares a weekly report. They prepare a weekly report.
I begin a new job today. I began a new job yesterday. I've recently begun a new job.
We can recognize verbs through their suffixes. The most common verb suffix is -ize, which
we can use to make adjectives and nouns into verbs.
The government is planning to modernize the transport system.
I didn't recognize you.
Other verb suffixes include -ate, -en, and -ify.
We won't duplicate the process next year.
We want to widen participation in our training program.
Will we have to justify our decision to the board?

10


Applying for a job

4

1

Adjective forms
Adjectives are words that describe people and things.
we use them, see Unit 9.

For more information on how

We can often recognize adjectives through their suffixes. Some common adjective
suffixes are -able, -ful, -ish, -ive, -less, -ous, and -y.

The training session was valuable and I was very grateful tor the chance to attend.
I appreciated his generous gesture.

Our manager is worthy of her position.
We use some verbs that express feelings to make adjectives. These adjectives use an -ed
ending to describe the feelings. They use the -ing ending to describe the person I thing
that causes the feelings. Verbs that we often use to make these adjectives are:

amaze, annoy, astonish, bore, contuse, embarrass, excite, fascinate, frighten, interest, satisfy, worry
I watched a very interesting presentation about quality control yesterday. But I don't think

Mike was interested since he kept looking at his watch.

5

Adverb forms
Adverbs are words that describe actions.~ For more information on how we use them,
see Unit 9.
We can often recognize adverbs through their suffixes. The most common adverb suffix is

-ly.

The ad campaign was run effectively.
Your resume certainly is impressive.
-ward and -wise.
He wants to keep moving upward on the corporate ladder.
Turn this knob clockwise.

Other adverb suffixes include

11


1 Applying for a job

C
1

Grammar exercises
Label the words in the box V (verb), N (noun), Adj (adjective) or Adv (adverb).
Some of these words can have the same form but be different parts of speech.
application .1L beneficial_ employment_ enthusiastically_
experienced_ impressively.
interview_ . manageable_
qualify_ require_ successful_ suitably_

2

Use the words in the box in 1 to complete the columns below. Not all words have all word

forms and some words have more than one form.
noun
o.ppu.w.ti.on

3

verb
apply

adjective

Underline the adjective or adverb that completes the sentences.
1

The decision was enthusiastic I enthusiastically welcomed by the development team .

2

Hiring more people is economic I economically impossible at this time.

3

Have you found a suitable I suitably candidate for the assistant manager job?

4

The person chosen for the position has not been official I officially informed yet.

s The second interviewee was extremely polite I politely.
6

12

adverb

o.ppl.Ld

Our project has been completed successful I successfully.


Applying for a job

4

Fill in the blank with the correct adjective form of the given verb.
1

The book gave a

2

If you are

3
4

You will find working at Blink's a
(challenge) experience.
The rise in sales is an ________ (encourage) development.

5

I was

fo.sW1rA.tir\9

(fascinate)

(excite)

(amaze)

account of how to succeed in business.

about the job, you should apply.

that our shopping cart was so successful.

6 The documentary program about business takeovers was very
1

5

I will be very

(annoy)

(interesting).

if Henri arrives late for another meeting.

Look at the following interview questions. Make a new question using the underlined word or
phrase to form the verb.
1

6

1

When have you found a solution to a difficult problem?
When ho..ve ~ou soLved- o.. d..if.Fi,wLc problem

?

2

What was your motivation to apply for this position?
What _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _________?

3

When did you get your qualifications to become an accountant?
When _______ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _____ ?

4

What do you consider a challenge?
What _ _ __ _ __ _____ _ __ __ _ _ __ _______________ ?

5

What have some of your accomplishments been in your career so far?
What _____________________________________ ?

How would you reply to these interview questions? Write responses, including another form
of the word in italics.
1

Why did you decide to apply for this job?
AcW.oJLy, it wo.s o.. vertj eM!j cleciswn for me. Thi..s i..s . jusc th e sore of job

wo.s Looking for, so I ho..Gl

to
2

Give some examples of your success when working in a team.

3

What are your short·term and long·term plans?

4

Why should we employ you?

5

What motivates you in a job?

13


1 Applying for a job

D

Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Read this paragraph about applying for jobs and check your understanding of the meaning of the
words in bold.
When employers want to fill a permanent or short-term I temporary vacancy, they usually
advertise the position in a newspaper or on the Internet. If you want to apply for the job, you
should send a well-written cover letter and r6sume to the company or recruitment agency. You
should give details of y~>Ur qualifications ard references. If they think you might be the right
candidate for the job, t~ey will call you in for an interview. As well as the right qualifications
and relevant work experience, they might look for other qualities, including people skillS,
communication skfils, and the ability to work well as a team member. After the interview the
company will decide whether to reject or hire you .
•

·~·

,.,, ••• 1

11(~

\

,,,

Career is a countable-noun. We use it to talk about a job regarded as a~ long-term
activity or professional occupation.
job is a countable noun. We use it to talk about a specific task or the regular work
a person does to earn money.
Work is an uncountable noun or a verb. We use it to talk about an activity a person
does, usually for money.
I have a job as a delivery man tor a pizza place. My work consists of taking pizzas to
our customers. In the future, I would like a career in restaurant management.
1

Replace the underlined word or phrase in each of the following sentences with a word from
the box that has the same or a similar meaning.
vacancies

candidates

employment

hire

impressed

reject

temporary

3

Peter certainly made a positive impression on the audience with his lecture. _,i.m"'"p"'-r""'es""'s'""vl=----We plan to employ three new people in the components department. _ _ _ _ _ _ __

How many applicants are we seeing this morning? _ _ _ _ _ __

4

Bentley's is advertising several openings for a sales representative. _ _ _ _ _ _ __

1
2

s I've been contacted by the recruitment agency about your vacancy. _ _ _ _ _ _ __
6 He did several short-term jobs in different companies. _ _ _ _ _ _ __
7

14

We don't accept candidates who don't speak a foreign language. _ _ _ _ _ _ __


Applying for a job

2

1

Read this extract from an email and underline the correct word.

Delete

Reply Reply All

Forw~rd

Print

Hi Faryal,
I have some great news! Do you remember helping me
look for a job? Well, last month, I 1 applied 1 impressed
for a job at a large marketing company. I wasn't sure if I
had all the right 2 requirements I qualifications, but I've
taken a marketing course, so I wrote to the company. I
included the 3 recruitment I resume you helped me write
and some 4 references I employer letters from my last two
bosses. Someone from the company phoned me last week
and asked me to come for an 5 interview I application -the
next day. I was a bit nervous, but I knew that I really had
to 6 position I impress the interviewers. So before I went
I practiced answering the interview questions that you
emailed me. The interview was quite long but it seemed to
go quite well. And I've just heard that they are 7 offering I
opening me the job. I am the successful 8 hire I candidate!
So I just wanted to thank you for the help you gave me ...

3

Match the sentences in column A with those in column B.
Column A
1 I don't feel too disappointed.

Column B
a

I am looking for a temporary job.

I need to earn some money this summer.

b

I would like a better position here.

3 I have been with this company a long time.

c

There are more vacancies than applicants.

I want to keep the same job until I retire.

d

Lots of people were rejected for the job.

2

4

s I'm sure I'll get the job.

e I want a permanent job.

15

A
1

Context listening
You are going to hear Emma talking to her boss, John Fleming. Before you listen, look at the
pictures and answer these questions.
1 Where isEmma? _______________________________________________________
Where is John?--------------------------------------------------3 Why do you think John is calling Emma? ------------------------------------2

16


Business documents

3

Look at the words from the conversation and put them in the correct category.
attachment

4

5

2

file

fftei'Ro&

fax

report

folder

1

types of documents: -"m"-"em=o_ _ __ ____ __ _ _ __

2

ways to send a document: _____________ _ _ _

3

used to organize documents: _ __ _ _ __ ____ _ _ _ __

Write complete answers to these questions about the conversation.
v. st.vill~

nu coffee.
1

When does Emma usually have her coffee break? £mmo..

2

3

What does John want?-- - -- - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - What does the fax machine guarantee cover? - -- - -- -- - - -- -- - - - - - - - -

4

How is Emma sending her copy of the report to John? - -- - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - -

5

What equipment does John need?----- -- - -- - - - - -- -- -- -- - -- -

6

Where is Emma looking for the file?---- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - -

no,.s

Look at your answers to Exercise 4 and answer these questions.
1

Which sentence is about a regular action?--- - - -- -- -- -- - - -- - - - -- -

2

3

Which sentence is about a general truth? - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - - - Which sentences are about actions at or around the time of speaking? - - - -- - - - - - -- -

4

Look at answers 1 and 3. What tense are they? - - - - -- - - -- - - - - - -- - - - -

5

Look at answers 4 and 6. What tense are they? - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - -

6

Look at answers 2 and 5. Do they fit the patte rn in questions 1-5? - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

17


2 Business documents

B
1

Grammar
Present simple
!live in New York City.
Emma works with John.
We don't need any more files.
He doesn't share an office.
What do you think about the contract?
Does John have a printer?
We use the present simple when we talk about:
• things that happen regularly

Emma has her coffee break at 10 A.M.
Does Christina often work overtime?
• a permanent situation
The hotel doesn't have a printer.
!live within walking distance of the office .
• a general truth
Customers expect friendly service.
Some businesses don't keep accurate records of their transactions.
We use some words with the present simple to show how often the action happens.
always

usually

frequently

often

sometimes

seldom

rarely

never

don't always read the morning newspapers.
She often brings her lunch to work.

I

2

Imperatives
When we give an order or tell someone to do something, we use the infinitive without to and no
subject.
Call me back with the figures .
Put these papers into the folder, please.
To make a negative imperative, we use do not I don't and the infinitive without to.
Don't use the [ax·machine. It's broken.

3

Present continuous
Emma is taking a coffee break.
They aren't talking on the phone.
Is John waiting for the email?
We use the present continuous when we talk about:
• actions that are happening at the time of speaking
I'm sending you an electronic copy as an email attachment now.
jenny isn't using the fax machine at the moment.

18


Business documents

2

• actions that are temporary
This week we are offering a special discount on swimsuits.

Are you advertising a position tor an accountant?
• changing situations or trends
Are share prices rising?
The average workplace is becoming safer.
We often use these words with the present continuous to show when the action is taking place.
now

at this moment

currently

today

this week

this month

this year

Margot isn't working on the inventory report today.

4

State verbs
We often use some verbs in the present simple because their meaning indicates a general truth
rather than something temporary. State verbs describe:
• senses: hear, see, smell, taste
The hotel buffet smells wonderful.
Do you hear that noise?
• feelings: enjoy, {eel, like, mind, need, want, prefer

What do you want me to do with it when I find it?
I don't like the new advertising campaign .
• thoughts: agree/disagree, believe, know, mean, realize, recognize, think, understand
I know the original copy of those papers is in the office.
They don't recognize the market potential .
• possession: have, own, belong
Do you have a copy of the Newhaven report?
Mr. Franck owns a chain of restaurants .
• description: appear, contain, look, seem, sound
janet's suggestion sounds very interesting.
This advertisement doesn't look very attractive, in my opinion.
Some state verbs can be used in the continuous form when the meaning is temporary. Look at
the examples in the table. The meaning of the sentences in each column is different.

Temporary

State

What are you thinking about now?
(=considering)

I think it's a good plan . (= in my opinion)

I'm having problems with this program.
Can you help me?(= experiencing)

We have a photocopier in our office.
(=possession)

I'm seeing Fran Harkins this afternoon.

(=meeting)

I see that the office renovation has started.
(= notice)

We're feeling pressure from the competi·
tion. (=experiencing)

I feel we made the right decision. ( = believe)

19


2 Business documents

C
1

Grammar exercises
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in parentheses.
1
2

(collect) shipments from the airport on Mondays.
You're too late. Your plane _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (take offl right now.

Sally

coll.eds

3 Today Amy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(you finish) work at 5 P.M .?

4

(currently take) inventory of the storeroom.

5 They

2

(not work) late because she's finished the report.

Choose the best ending to complete the sentences.
1

Mr. Williams uses a company car

a when he travels to conferences . .I
b because the bus drivers are on strike.

2

Chloe is preparing her presentation so

a she closes her door.
b she wants some privacy.

3

Does Mary input Jim's data

a

because he is too busy?

b because he has a meeting later?
4 I am locking my desk drawer

a when I put anything valuable in it.
b because I have some money there.

5 Jacob clears the papers from his desk

a before he goes home.
b because he is on holiday next week.

3

Underline the correct form of the verb.
1

A: June looks/is looking for some new office furniture.
B: I don't know why. Her furniture looks I is looking new to me.

2

A: I don't have I'm not having any success in getting this printer to work.
B: Oh, that printer doesn't work when the paper supply is low. We have I are

having some in the supply room.

enjoys I is enjoying trade fairs.
B: Well, he really enjoys/is enjoying this year's fair.

3 A: Jim always

4 A: I

think I am thinking about quitting my job.

B: Really? I don't think I'm not thinking that is a good idea.
5 A: I

see I am seeing that we need to reserve a place in the exhibition hall.

B: Yes, we do. I see I am seeing one of the trade fair organizers about a place today.

TOEJC® TIP
In listening Part 2, choices that include the same words and same
tense as those in the question are frequently not the correct choices.
Example: Is Mr. Timms thinking about replacing our equipment?
Correct Answer: Yes, he found agood deal.
Incorrect Answer: No, he is just thinking about repladng it.
Incorrect Answer: Yes, he is replacing the equipment.

20


Business documents

4

2

Use the instructions to write a command.

1

Ca rs may be comi ng.
You should look both
ways at a stop sign.
Look botl1 w~s for

2 The company does not 3

want you to smoke in
this area.

The bike route is safer 4 You should not trespass
to ride on than the
because of the wild
highway.
animals.

tra.ffic,.

5 It i s i mportant to wa t ch for

an i mals crossi ng the road.

5

6 The stairs are slippery. You

1 You shouldn't go the wrong way

should be careful.

down this street.

Write six true sentences about yourself. Use the words in box A and a verb from box B or your own verb.

A
at this moment
every morning

always
before bedtime
currently
most holidays
this week
every now and then

drive
think

have
work

B

1

£ver!:l

enjoy
travel
1'10W

meet
visit

see

shop

sleep

o.ncl tl1e.rt I to.ke- tl1 e- btAs to tl1e- c.i.t!4 o.ncl

take

v~sit

t11e- No.furo..L

H~stor!:l

M!Aswm .

2

3
4

5
6

7

21


2

Business documents

D

Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary

Read this paragraph about documents that we use in business and check your. understanding
of the words in bold .
There are many different types of business documents and these days they can be
either in paper or eledronfc form. If you work in business, you are likely to see a lot
of correspondence in your in-boxes, including letters, emails, and faxes, as well as
internal documents such as memos, reports, spreadsheets, and Inventories. You can
keep;paper documents or hard copies of electronic·docu:ments in.files or folders at your

desk. However, i! they are confidential, you might want to put them somewhere more
secure. If you want extra copies, you can photocopy the original. On·a computer, you
can organize your documents, or files, into folders to make them easier to find. Then, if
you want to send them to someone, you can email them as an a~chment.

When you are preparing for the listening section, look out for words
that have the same or similar pronunciation. These words can cause
confusion in the exam.

I sent you a fax so that you would have it immediately.
I included all the facts and figures in the report:
While you are studying, make a list ·of words that sound the same but
have different meani_ngs. Use the context to 'know which word is
being used.
Jli.
·
1

Choose the best definitions for the words in the box.
attachment correspondence
memo' photocopy report

fax

file

folder

1

a message that is sent over the Internet _)2!em.!!!rut.~·"'---------------------

2

a machine-made copy of a document - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - information that you store on a computer as one unit - - - - -- - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - -

3
4
5
6
7

8
9

22

e-ma+l:

a document with deta ils of an event or situation - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - a place on a computer where you can store files or programs - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - a short message sent to the staff of a company - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - a computer file that is sent with an email message - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - letters written from one person to another - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - a document sent by electronic image through a telephone line - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -