BUSINESS ENGLISH TESTS

1.-Choose the right option. :

1. You can see the……………about the sale in the local paper.
a) announcement b) warning c) notice d) advertisement
2. My clients contact our office via email or phone and then we………… an appointment.
a) make b) take c) give d) do
3. He…………….executive.
a) is b) is an c) is a d) an
4. Please…………….a message on the answering machine.
a) make b) do c) leave d) report
5. I would be very interested in…………for that job.
a) entering b) working c) applying d) writing
6. The finance director is responsible for……………….the accounts for the business.
a) holding b) keeping c) taking d) finding
7. I think it would be a good idea to………………in your letter that you have worked in that
type of business previously.
a) describe b) mention c) show d) demonstrate
8. It is essential before starting a business to work on a plan to…………….problems later on.

a) escape b) endure c) avoid d) enter

9. There are certain weaknesses in your plan that need to be……………..urgently if you are to
be succesed.
a) affixed b) acquired c) addresed d) attended

10. I heard of a new company today with which we should co-operate and……………..business
with.
a) make b) create c) have d) do

11. It´s good that we both have the same way of………………at things.
a) seeing b) peeping c) looking d) viewing

12. When it comes to the vote I´m willing to put my…………..up and support you.
a) head b) chin c) aim d) hand

13. Please…………me for interrupting you, I didn´t realize you were busy with someone else.
a) forget b) forfeit c) forbid d) forgive

1
14. Please send my………………….to the meeting as I shan´t be able to attend.
a) apologies b) apologize c) apologized d) apologizing

15. Can you tell me please how I………….to the cinema from here?
a) come b) get c) take d) fetch

16. I believe I have very good………………………for suing your company for negligence.
a) lands b) terrains c) grounds d) areas

17. I´m afraid to tell you that your standard of work has fallen well below what we think
is……………………. .
a) consideable b) believable c) acceptable d) available

18. If you can´t improve your level of work, I´m afraid you´ll have to look…………..for
another job.
a) anywhere b) elsewhere c) nowhere d) somewhere

19. Nothing in the world will ever make me change my……………….on that subject.
a) thought b) mind c) idea d) heart

20. I must congratulate you on your efforts. ……….it up!

a) Continue b) Take c) Keep d) Hold

21. Never………………up. That´s a good philosophy.

a) give b) do c) take d) try

22. Before you employ new staff, you should carry out a…………………….examination of their
personal qualities and professional experience.
a) careful b) caring c) carefulness d) carefully

23. I have…………….told her not to do that and yet she always does.
a) admittedly b) repeatedly c) wholeheartedly d) frankly

24. It was a very long day but we……………..arrived in time for tea.
a) eventfully b) unusually c) dully d) eventually

25. Consumers are constantly…………………with pleas to buy products that they “can´t live
without”
a) bombed b) bombarded c) bombarding d) bombards

26. We normally serve five hundred………………..every day.

a) customs b) customers c) consumers d) commuters

27. Do you keep your files in your desk………………..?

a) envelope b) drawer c) packet d) leg

28. Did you receive the fax I…………………you this morning?

a) mailed b) sent c) e.mailed d) gave

29. I must object and make it clear that I am totally…………………….any measures that
suggest changes to the original scheme.
a) up b) without c) against d) off

2
30. The meeting unanimously supported the chairman when he suggested that
they……………..the meeting.
a) shut b) finalise c) stop d) close

31. The president stated in the press conference that the…………………situation was very
serious.
a) economical b) economy c) economic d) economist

32. I like horse racing, but I never……………….any money. I think gambling is stupid.
a) bet b) win c) lose d) earn

33. There´s a…………………at the bank if you need some money.

a) credit card b) cheque c) cash machine d) currency

34. At the end of each month, my employer pays my…………….into the bank.
a) savings b) funds c) salary d) finances

35. I´m…………………at the moment. Can you lend me ten pounds until the weekend?
a) bankrupt b) broke c) ruined d) insolvent

36. The stock market has hit new……………………….this year.

a) lows b) bottoms c) depths d) ends

37. A report has just been……………..that gives details of the causes of this trend towards
informality in the business sector.
a) published b) directed c) opened d) held

38. The meeting went on for three hours and as a result there was no time left to discuss all
the topics on the……………… .
a) list b) index c) contents d) agenda

39. The two companies have decided to……………….because they believe that their combined
resources will produce greater profits.
a) merge b) double c) mix d) blend

40. At certain times of the year your shares will………………….a good profit but you must
also be prepared for them to go down in value.
a) yield b) take up c) increase d) throw up

41. The larger company did not really want to join with the smaller one because it was more
interested in a……………………. .
a) turn over b) turn up c) overtaker d) takeover

42. Fifty people were made………………….when the company suffered a severe financial
shock.
a) useless b) unwanted c) unneeded d) redundant

43. …………….are people who put money into a business in the hope of making a profit.
a) Spenders b) Borrowers c) Lenders d) Investors

44. It may seem a long way into the future but in the end you will get some………………
from your investment.
a) produce b) benefit c) products d) Price
3
45. Every office has a certain amount of……………….cash for things like tea, coffee or
stamps.
a) small b) little c) tiny d) petty

46. A good team leader must be able to………………..his colleagues to face the challenge of
a downturn in business.
a) inspiring b) inspiration c) inspires d) inspire

47. I can strongly recommend this………….as the best available on the market today.
a) producer b) product c) production d) produce

48. Are you aware of the latest………………….in children´s clothing?

a) tendency b) trend c) custom d) habit

49. We got there early so that we could get the best…………….in the sale before anyone else.
a) objects b) products c) bargains d) offerings

50. The bank refused to………………the money order because the customer had no proof of
identity.
a) receive b) take c) accept d) enter

51. Under the rules laid down by the bank there is a……………..on the amount of money
you can get out from a cash machine in any one day.
a) limiting b) restriction c) restricting d) limitation

52. Each department within the organisation is given a……………………..within which it has
to remain for the whole year.
a) sum b) money c) dividend d) budget

53. Good……………..procedures are very important if you want to run a business profitably
and successfully.
a) accounted b) accounting c) accounts d) accountants

54. If the department agrees that you have paid too much tax in the year, you will receive
a………………………in due course.
a) return b) reply c) response d) refund

55. The advantages of working for this company is that all employees…………………themselves
a) believe b) think c) perceive d) hold

56. Before the product is put on the market, the company must……………………whether it
complies with safety standards.
a) ask b) calculate c) ascertain d) argue

57. It is absolutely essential to do some thorough…………………before you even think of

putting a new product on the market.
a) revision b) research c) repeat d) return

58. A university education is of course important but it is essential that all employees undergo
a period of intensive………………… .
a) preparation b) concentration c) training d) learning

4
59. I regret to inform you that as your guarantee………………….last week, we can´t help you.
a) died b) deceased c) expired d) extinguished

60. Once again the company has had to make a……………………….in the number of office
staff to try and recoup their losses.
a) reducing b) reduction c) reduce d) reduces

61. Managers prefer to select people who have been……………………to many different types of
office environments.
a) devoted b) exposed c) opened d) experienced

62. You should have read the……………………of payment as soon as you received the invoice
for the goods.
a) reasons b) types c) lists d) terms

63. In view of our previous orders over the last year we were offered a 10% ……………..on
any future dealings.
a) discord b) dispute c) dislike d) discount

64. The figures that have just been published by the company´s accountants will give
management some kind of……………..on how sales are going.
a) prospective b) perception c) perusal d) perspective

65. ………………accounts are accounts for your sources of business-generated income.

a) liability b) revenue c) balance d) drawing

66. A contract is a……………….agreement that is reached between two individuals or parties.

a) bound b) bounded c) binding d) boundary

67. Of all the candidates we interviewed, Ms Chan was the one who really stood on account of
her excellent ………………….. .
a) track record b) pay rise c) well-being d) shortfall

68. We have found that financial motivation works best with staff. That´s why we have
introduced…………………. .
a) retirement b) cost cutting c) financial analysis d) reward schemes

69. Last year was one of the best ever and we……………………..our competitors in terms of
growth in revenue, operating income and market share.
a) outperformed b) overvalued c) overestimated d) underpriced

70. There is no point in investing in a new business venture if you have doubts about
its…………………… .
a) rankings b) feasibility c) price fixing d) cost cutting

71. HR departments are increasingly focusing on the……………………..of their employees to

ensure that they have a healthy work-life balance.
a) good conduct b) power base c) transparency d) well-being

5
72. ………………..is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of advertising as it relies on
people making personal recommendations of products or services by telling other people
about them.
a) Social networking b) Search advertising c) Greenmail d) Word of mouth

73. ……………is used by many organizations as a way to provide support to new employees.
a) Mentoring b) Retirement c) Restructuring d) Hedging

74. You should always…………….. . That way you can do the most important work first.
a) rank b) prioritise c) upgrade d) process

75. We´ll need an additional………………..from the bank to cover our purchases.

a) expense b) account c) loan d) debt

76. We´re having trouble filling the positions because of the………………of skilled workers.
a) surplus b) reduction c) shortage d) wealth

77. ……………….your staff means allowing them to make their own decisions.
a) Appraising b) Screening c) Enforcing d) Empowering

78. The supply………………brings together manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

a) link b) chain c) channel d) line

79. Detailed………………….of the accounts has revealed several suspicious transactions.

a) analysis b) data c) facts d) figures

80. If we used low-paid overseas workers we´d cut our…………………….dramatically.

a) profits b) costs c) margins d) income

81. Most member states of the EU have adopted the Euro as the single………………. .
a) currency b) money c) cash d) exchange

82. Paul always takes initiative and doesn´t need to be told what to do. He prevents future
problems by dealing with issues now. Paul is…………………….. .
a) intense b) practical c) aggressive d) proactive

83. Miranda always points out other people´s faults. She judges everyone very harshly. She
is…………………… .
a) overcritical b) overpicky c) overproud d) overdiscerning

84. Bob has many talents and has done well in various roles. He is…………………. .
a) variable b) mobile c) versatile d) varying

85. Lucy has a relaxed attitude. She doesn´t get stressed easily and isn´t particularly demanding
or strict with her employees. She is…………………. .
a) naive b) superficial c) confident d) easygoing

86. Susan always finds clever ways to solve problems and meet challenges. She is…………… .
a) productive b) resouceful c) active d) able

87. Nancy doesn´t give up if she isn´t successful at first. She keeps trying in spite of obstacles
setbacks, and difficulties. She is………………………. .
a) pushy b) persistent c) firm d) consistent

6
88. Steve thinks he´s more important than he really is. He is insulting to other people and feels
he is better than his peers. He is……………….. .
a) bragging b) bossy c) arrogant d) superior

89. Each person will receive a……………………….according to their sales performance.

a) turnover b) bonus c) discount d) commission

90. I´m afraid I won´t be able to…………………………..the next meeting.

a) attend b) propose c) second d) go

91. You should comply with all…………………to enable the delivery to go smoothly.
a) regulations b) surveys c) customs d) tariffs

92. My boss would never accept a………………….. .

a) bribe b) corruption c) compensation d) fraud

93, All the staff were asked to………………………to Spain.

a) outsource b) invest c) relocate d) reorganize

94. It´s important that we get a……………….for our product soon so that no one can copy
our ideas.
a) breakthrough b) discovery c) brainware d) patent

95. I´m 63 now, so I´ve only got two years to go until I reach………………….age.
a) redundancy b) appointment c) retirement d) promotion

96. Could you type up the……………………..after the meeting?

a) agenda b) minutes c) AOB d) ítems

97. Please could you submit the…………………………form by 22 August?

a) offer b) application c) covering d) probationary

98. There are over a hundred references to…………………….. ,

a) shortlist b) enable c) make d) check

7
2.- Choose the right option :

1. Have you seen last month´s sales………………….?

a) figures b) figurines c) figs

2. Sales are…………………by 50% compared to this time last year.

a) up b) higher c) high

3. We´ll be looking to hire a sales……………………….soon.

a) rap b) rope c) rep

4. To write up a contract = To………………………a contract.

a) drought b) draw c) draft

5. The amount on the……………………..(= an official bill) is higher than what we agreed on.
a) invoice b) draft c) paper

6. We plan to launch a new sales……………………….to attract new customers.

a) company b) campaign c) comment

7. Our customer………………………is made up of mostly middle-aged white men.

a) basis b) base c) collection

8. The percentage of sales the company has left over as profit after paying all expenses is
called a profit………………… .
a) merger b) margin c) level

9. Tom did so well last year, he was…………………………to mnagement.

a) demoted b) promoted c) put

10. There are several reasons for this…………………. . ( = inability to understand one another /
come to an agreement)
a) disconnect b) discomfort c) display

11. These………………….programs are designed to improve sales performance.

a) training b) train c) trained

12. Sales managers are paid to………………..results.

a) produce b) make c) do

13. Many sales managers use…………………………software to improve sales performance.

a) plan b) foreast c) forecasting

14. They have many……………………..trained salespeople.

a) high b) top c) highly

15. We have to…………………..our development efforts on providing our salespople with road
maps to success.
a) make b) focus c) fabricate

16. Jim wasn´t able to…………………….( = finalize) the deal.

a) produce b) close c) grasp
8
17. I always speak the truth when talking to customers. I never make any………………
promises.
a) false b) faulty c) uncommon

18. One of the tricks in sales is to be persuasive without being……………………… .

a) pushy b) pushed c) pushing

19. An accounting period is a perod of time over which……………………are calculated.

a) prophets b) profits c) profiteering

20. To accrue means to accumulate or……………………… .

a) decrease b) regret c) increase

21. My house has………………….. ( = increased in value) by 10% in the past 9 months.

a) appreciated b) depreciated c) approximated

22. Another word for accounting is…………………… .

a) Finance b) bookkeeping c) money counting

23. A good accountant will help you keep………………………of your business´ s finances.
a) track b) trace c) score

24. An expenditure is basically a…………………. .

a) payment b) bill c) tax form

25. What´s the opposite of an asset?

a) cash b) a liability c) a liaison

26. Thanks to your hard work, we´ve seen some positive changes in sales…………………. .
( = we have started selling more)
a) level b) approach c) volume

27. A statement of……………………..helps you keep track of your business´s finances.

a) cash flow b) cash flowing c) money flow

28. Customers usually come here looking for ……………………advice.

a) financial b) finances c) finance

29. This plan is not really…………………… . ( = executable)

a) fast b) worthy c) feasible

30. There are two types of profit : gross profit and………………………. .

a) net profit b) non-gross profit c) netto profit

31. The partners of the accounting firm gathered in Tampa for their……………….
meeting.
a) annual b) annul c) annually

32. His last company owes millions in………………………..taxes.

a) unpaid b) paid c) not paid

9
33. My accountant advised me that this approach would be much more……………… .
( = profitable)
a) rich b) lucid c) lucrative

34. CFO stands for for “chief………………………officr”.

a) financially b) financed c) financial

35. I´m not questioning your tax……………………. . I just think that this approach would
not work for our ompany.
a) strategic b) strategy c) layout

36. I left my last job because I felt that they didn´t recognize my……………………… .
a) accomplishments b) accommodations c) acclimation

37. I´ve always been a team……………………… . ( =I´ve always worked well with other
people)
a) play b) worker c) player

38. I believe I´m a good………………….for this position.

a) fitness b) fit c) man

39. Many companies want to hire someone who can…………………………well.

a) take presure / stress b) handle pressure /stress c) get pressure / stress

40. An interviewer might ask you what your “salary………………….. are. This is the
formal way of asking how muh money you require.
a) needs b) requirements c) desires

41. I was……………………..for developing the company´s intranet.

a) reponsible b) made c) responsive

42. An interviewer will ask you about your strengths, but he / she might also ask about
your………………………. .
a) challenges b) week c) weaknesss

43. Some of my……………………..included helping customers, filing omplaints, and dealing

with emergency situations.
a) jobs b) dutes / responsibilities c) activities

10
44. The interviewer asked me if I´m good at meetng…………………… ( = getting things
done at the required time)
a) borders b) new people c) deadlines

45. Do you prefer working alone or…………………………..?

a) in team b) with a team c) in a team

46. I´m sorry but you´re just not………………………enough for this position.
a) qualified b) qualification c) quality

47. “I…………………… ( =love) challenges”.

a) make up b) thrive on c) shut down

48. After finishing my last job, I took some…………………( = I took a break) to examine
my career goals”.
a) repose b) months c) time off

49. “I´ve always done my best to show that I appreciate the……………………….and

achievements of every member of my team”.
a) efforts b) trials c) attempts

50. “I´m very good at……………………….” . ( = working on several things at once)

a) delegating work b) networking c) multi-tasking

51. “In my last two positions I have proven myself to be………………………..at resolving
any problems that customers might have”
a) outlandish b) efficient c) resilient
52. A document which shows all your withdrawals and deposits (usually for one month) is
called a “bank………………………. “
a) stapler b) statement c) bill
53. What´s another way to say “to withdraw”?
a) to make out b) to stake out c) to take out

54. I´d like to…………………some money to my other account.

a) transfer b) change c) switch

11
55. I´d like to…………………an account.
a) open b) start c) ommence

56. Another way to say “debit card” is…………………. .

a) credit card b) plastic card c) bank card

57. Is there…………………around here somewhere? ( = a cash machine)

a) an electronic machine b) an ATM c) a money machine
58. The money you borrow from a bank is called a………………………… .
a) loaner b) loan c) lone
59. If you´d like to buy a house, you will probably have to take out a……………… .
a) statement b) mortgage c) marriage
60. The amount of work that you have to do is called your…………………… .
a) workload b) job-load c) work-heap
61. I´m sorry, he just……………………. ( = left the office). He´ll be back in half an
hour.
a) stormed out b) walked c) stepped out
62. Good time management skills are…………………………… ( = very important) to
maintaining a smooth workflow.
a) critique b) criticized c) critical
63. These issues could………………………. ( = endanger) the completion of this project.
a) jeopardy b) jeopardize c) danger
64. I can´t…………………..to my computer.
a) log in b) log out c) log
65. Do you have a dress……………………..at your company?
a) requirement b) code c) law
66. Your report is a little short. I think you have to…………………….. a little more.
a) learn the topic b) research the substance c) research the topic
67. He………………..his time very well.
a) counts b) takes c) manages
68. My……………………..is $50,000 per year.
a) salary b) sale c) celery
69. 25% of my……………………….goes to taxes.
a) cash b) incoming cash c) income

12
70. We have to…………………. ( = discuss / review) this report.
a) go b) get over c) go over
71. I´m doing an………………….of consumer trends in celular markets such as Japan.
a) analysis b) analyze c) analytics
72. We plan to………………………..this product in the Spring of 2009.
a) lunch b) launch c) lynch
73. The process of gathering, recording and analyzing of data about customers, competitors
and the market is called market……………… .
a) review b) replay c) research
74. The…………………… ( = statistics / figures) in this report cover three year trends in
the manufacturing sector.
a) matrix b) metrics c) mathematics
75. There has been a drop in sales. = Sales have……………………. .
a) decreased b) downed c) increased
76. We shouldn´t use the same old strategies. = We should…………………using the
same old strategies.
a) avoid b) averse c) avert
77. Thanks to smart planning, we have…………………..another crisis. = Thanks to
smart planning, we have thwarted another crisis.
a) put forth b) unveiled c) averted
78. We shouldn´t rule that out as an option. = We should still…………………that an
option.
a) reject b) consider c) contain
79. Our company has seen 10 years of uninterrupted growth. = Our company has seen
10 years of………………….growth.
a) sporadic b) steady c) stagnant
80. Letterheads, envelopes, flimsy and so on are all part of the……………………used in
an office.
a) stationary b) stationery c) post

81. The Production Department must hurry with this order or we shan´t be able to meet
the…………………….. .
a) charges b) deadline c) sale

82. She is a very………………..person. She always keeps her attention fixed on what she
wants to achieve,
a) sensitive b) focused c) fluent

83. To do business with someone, first you should try to………………………..a rapport.
a) improve b) establish c) promote

84. The………………………is for televisions to become bigger and bigger.

a) trend b) change c) increase

13
 85. Look at the pie……………………. . You can see where we spent the money.
a) diagram b) graph c) chart

86. He made a…………………………at the best hotel in town.

a) book b) reserve c) booking

87. We have had……………………..sales this month.

a) current b) record c) least

88. He´s thinking of taking a career……………………some time next year.

a) gap b) break c) year

89. Franz Zieder is in……………………of Production.

a) head b) charge c) responsable

90. The Marketing Department……………………..the products and services.

a) makes b) promotes c) buys

91. Are you………………………..the conference next month?

a) participating b) landing c) attending

92. What is Janice´s management……………………….?

a) style b) way c) type

93. I think there was………………….in our last invoice.

a) an error b) a defect c) a sign

94. I´m…………………. . I don´t understand what I should do next.

a) satisfied b) confused c) surprised

95. How much will it cost to……………………….this package to China?

a) wrap b) ship c) call

96. We can send you a………………………with all our products.

a) label b) catalogue c) request

97. All our products are made in our…………………………in Bradford.

a) hotel b) factory c) warehouse

98. We´d like to give you a…………………..on your next order.

a) discount b) invoice c) subtotal

99. Mr Michaels had to………………………..John as he was always late for work.

a) reinvent b) overcome c) fire

100. Pete is feeling very…………………………about the deadline.

a) stressed b) strenous c) reactive

101. After five years, our business is now…………………….. .

a) negotiating b) profitable c) encrypted

102. Can you…………………………with the CEO for next Tuesday?

a) type letters b) deliver c) schedule a meeting

14
103. I´ve heard our company is going to………………….with PTL Limited.
a) merge b) acquire c) expand

104. The business has twelve retail…………………in London.

a) subsidiaries b) outlets c) warehouses

105. In order to get a new job, I need to…………………. .

a) retrain b) retail c) relaunch

106. Finance have asked me to remind you that you mustn´t go…………………
budget on this promotion.
a) beyond b) over c) up

107. You should……………….each package before you send it.

a) underline b) handle c) inspect

108. Mrs Wilson is…………………at the moment. Can I help you?

a) urgent b) impatient c) unavailable

15