After teaching business English for many years to students from many varied professions and industries, I feel uniquely placed to understand the challenges that business-people face. For example, a German CEO of an online gambling company has improved her English to the point where she speaks English fluently and with confidence. Similarly, a Chinese manufacturer I work with who is selling to America and Europe wants to improve his negotiation skills and better understand Western business practices. Now, he is more confident in his day-to-day interactions with foreigners.
1. At the start of the meeting everybody was very quiet and reserved, but he told a few jokes to….
a. across the board b. break the ice c. broke the news d. take on board
2. He’s not very quick on the uptake. It takes him quite a while to… new ideas.
a. on to a good idea b. take on board c. bullish d. breathing down
3. We’re going to have to reduce budgets in every single department. There will be cuts….
a. back to the drawing board b. brief c. across the board d. brainstorm
4. My boss never gives me any freedom. She’s always …. my neck.
a. broke the news b. brief c. breathing down d. back to the drawing board
5. We need a name for our new brand. The best thing is to get a few people together and try to ….a name.
a. on to a good thing b. broke the news c. bullish d. brainstorm
6. I’m very happy with our sales prospects for the next year. I’m feeling really….
a. bullish b. back to the drawing board c. broke the news d. on to a good thing
7. I’ve heard all about it. Sally…. to me.
a. Brainstorm b. on to a good thing c. breathing down d. broke the news
8. I know that this is a very good product. We are …. with it.
a. on to a good thing b. across the board c. breathing down. d. brainstorm
9. I guess that this market study shows that nobody wants to buy our product. It’s .…for us.
a. back to the drawing board b. brainstorm c. breathing down d. take on board
10. We did not look at that because it was not part of the …. you set us.
a. brief b. on to a good thing c. broke the news d. breathing down
Answers
1. At the start of the meeting everybody was very quiet and reserved, but he told a few jokes to BREAK THE ICE
2. He’s not very quick on the uptake. It takes him quite a while to TAKE ON BOARD new ideas.
3. We’re going to have to reduce budgets in every single department. There will be cuts ACROSS THE BOARD
4. My boss never gives me any freedom. She’s always BREATHING DOWN my neck.
5. We need a name for our new brand. The best thing is to get a few people together and try to BRAINSTORM a name.
6. I’m very happy with our sales prospects for the next year. I’m feeling really BULLISH
7. I’ve heard all about it. Sally BROKE THE NEWS to me.
8. I know that this is a very good product. We O N TO A GOOD THING with it.
9. I guess that this market study shows that nobody wants to buy our product. It’s BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD for us.
10. We did not look at that because it was not part of the BRIEF you set us.