27. Similar meanings 1: Nouns CHECK YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION

CHECK YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION

27. Similar meanings 1: Nouns

Exercise 1: Look at sentences 1 – 22. These can either be completed with a word from box A or a word with a similar meaning from box B. Identify both the words that could be used. In some cases, you will need to add an -s to one or both of the words when you put them into the sentence. 1 We have a very busy __________ / __________ today, so I suggest we start as soon as possible. 2 After two financially disastrous years, the company went into __________ / __________ . 3 We need to maintain __________ / __________ on the factory floor at all times, otherwise there are increased risks of an accident occurring. 4 Several employees were made redundant following EZPrint's __________ / __________ of Colourcom. 5 There has been a sharp __________ / __________ in the number of people attending the staff development sessions. 6 The latest computer program has several __________ / __________ which need to be sorted out before it can be put onto the market. 7 There has been a lot of __________ / __________ to the new compulsory overtime plan. 8 Despite government reassurances, there is no __________ / __________ that standards of living have improved. 9 Repeated orders are eligible for a 10% __________ / __________ on wholesale prices. 10 The hotel is popular with business people because of its __________ / __________ to the central business district. 11 I can't see you this afternoon because I have a / an __________ / __________ with the Board of Directors. 12 A lot of our regular __________ / __________ say that they are unhappy with the speed of our service. 13 When the company begins operations, it hopes to provide __________ / __________ for 300 people. 14 There are several __________ / __________ to working from home: you save on travel costs, for one thing. 15 If you want the job, a working knowledge of German is one of the main __________ / __________. 16 Our latest range of language-learning products has received widespread __________ / __________ in the press, and is expected to help us become a market leader. 17 The company __________ / __________ state(s) that no employee can leave his or her work station without asking for permission. 18 The management accepts no __________ / __________ for any damage to vehicles in the car park. 19 There are two __________ / __________ available to us: close the company or move to another locality. 20 All __________ / __________ are requested to attend tomorrow's meeting, which will begin at 2pm. 21 Thanks to our __________ / __________ with several affiliated companies, we have increased our turnover by 37%. 22 We believe that the new manager's lack of __________ / __________ will have a negative effect on sales. Exercise 2: Instructions as above. 1 Our latest range of products has received several favourable __________ / __________ in the press, and should be a firm favourite with the 18 – 24 age group. 2 Our latest model is excellent, but without adequate __________ / __________, we won't make enough to cover production costs. 3 __________ / __________ are requested not to smoke in the restaurant. 4 The hotel has several room __________ / __________, including five family rooms and two honeymoon suites. 5 Poor long-term sales figures resulted in the __________ / __________ of the contract and the closure of two offices. 6 If you leave the company, you will lose your __________ / __________ to a share of the profits. 7 We would very much appreciate having somebody of your __________ / __________ working for us: you would be of great benefit to the company. 8 We called in a health and safety __________ / __________ to examine the building for any potential problems. 9 He was given the __________ / __________ of dealing with the press and keeping the public informed about new developments. 10 The new manager has a strange __________ / __________ that all employees are potentially dishonest. 11 She hasn't reached the required level of __________ / __________ in typing, and will have to repeat that section of the training course. 12 His promotion to director was a remarkable __________ / __________ for someone so young. 13 The bank gave us a / an __________ / __________: pay back the money or face immediate closure. 14 Despite several changes to the pay structure, there is still a __________ / __________ in pay between graduate trainees and non-graduates. 15 All __________ / __________ from the sale of the building will be re-invested in the company. 16 We advise you to read the __________ / __________ of the contract carefully, and contact us if you disagree with any of the points covered. 17 If you have any __________ / __________, please ask a member of staff. 18 Selfwood's operates several __________ / __________ where you can buy a selection of our own goods along with a large range of branded varieties. 19 We had hoped that everything would run smoothly, but unfortunately there have been several __________ / __________. 20 Our __________ / __________ is to wait for prices to fall before putting the product onto the market. 21 Advertising is currently our main concern, and it should take __________ / __________ over everything else. 22 Is it necessary to make any __________ / __________ to the plan, or should we keep it as it is?

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