100 Topic TOEIC TEST
100 Topic TOEIC TEST
100 Topic TOEIC TEST
Q1 Imagine an ....... public figure attacked by press and public, who is facing an inquiry into allegations of having
obtained money by deception.
(a) empowered (b) endangered (c) embattled (d) engrossed
Q2 Any arguments he put up in his defence were regarded as a ....... by people who were determined to see him
convicted.
(a) cloud (b) smokescreen (c) confusion (d) fog
Q3 People tended not to believe a word he said and maintained that his protestations of innocence were wearing
a bit ........
(a) scarce (b) bare (c) scant (d) thin
Q4 There was very strong support for the police who were determined to ....... this kind of crime.
(a) restrain (b) manage (c) curb (d) kill
Q5 The press had been ....... by an unknown source to make as much publicity about him as they could.
(a) prompted (b) picked (c) promoted (d) proposed
Q6 His agent spent a lot of time ....... the press on his background in the hope that they would present a balanced
view.
(a) training (b) briefing (c) showing (d) clearing
Q7 Views as to his guilt or innocence even before the trial started ....... from utter conviction that he was guilty to
wild support for his innocence.
(a) started (b) began (c) ranged (d) swept
Q8 Gradually however as the days went by even his greatest supporters were beginning to ....... him.
(a) destroy (b) desert (c) despair (d) destruct
Q9 Then two days before the trial was due to start, new evidence came to ....... proving he was totally innocent.
(a) light (b) see (c) show (d) indicate
Q10 By then of course it was too late because the damage had already been done to his career, which .......
everything else he did for the rest of his life.
(a) overtook (b) overcame (c) overran (d) overshadowed
Q1 Going on a spending ....... with your credit card and no concern about how you pay back the money you
borrow, is a growing habit these days.
(a) burst (b) spree (c) flight (d) day
Q2 There is a popular demand for the system that allows credit companies to offer unlimited credit to young
people to be ........
(a) overhauled (b) overseen (c) overlooked (d) overtaken
Q3 It has been ....... by a government agency that the percentage of under 25 year olds owing large sums to
companies is on the increase.
(a) distinguished (b) deciphered (c) dissolved (d) disclosed
Q4 One director of a major credit company has already been forced to ....... because of the bad publicity his
company has attracted.
(a) step over (b) step through (c) step down (d) step out
Q5 One solution that has been suggested to control credit is to ....... the regulations to make it more difficult to get
credit in the first place.
(a) step under (b) step up (c) step by (d) step across
Q6 The main problem is that a debt ....... has developed recently believing that it is cool to owe large sums of
money.
(a) cultivation (b) cult (c) cultivate (d) culture
Q7 Recent reports have ....... that being in debt is not now looked upon as a disgrace but rather as an attractive
way of life.
(a) revealed (b) restored (c) replied (d) responded
Q8 In reality it's a very long ....... to get from owing to paying off all your debts.
(a) hail (b) halt (c) haul (d) help
Q9 There are frequently ....... in the family home between parents and children about whether you should enter
into credit agreements.
(a) collisions (b) clashes (c) claims (d) crashes
Q10 What concerns people most are the mounting ....... among governments that it will take at least a generation
for us to be rid of excessive debt.
(a) frights (b) fearful (c) fears (d) afraid
Q1 We often hear that such and such a piece of information cannot be released into the public ....... in the interest
of national security.
(a) dominion (b) domination (c) domain (d) domestic
Q2 Journalists however love to get hold of a story somehow but they run the risk of facing a ....... if they break the
official secrects act.
(a) back whip (b) backlash (c) backstore (d) back strike
Q3 When there is a ....... inquiry taking place, the rush to get more details is intense.
(a) high profile (b) high brow (c) high intensity (d) high drama
Q4 The more the authorities try to conceal what is happening, the more it fuels ....... about what might be
happening.
(a) speculative (b) spectacle (c) speciality (d) speculation
Q5 Sometimes a journalist will get hold of sensitive information knowing that he will get ....... by government
agencies if he dares reveal it.
(a) wild (b) torn (c) savaged (d) ravaged
Q6 The person in charge of the enquiry will occasionally ....... what can be disclosed in newspapers.
(a) signal (b) signify (c) sign (d) seal
Q7 Once this disclosure is ....... it's the job of the journalist to follow it through to a satisfactory conclusion.
(a) heightened (b) highlighted (c) high pitched (d) hightailed
Q8 Mind you it has to be a convincing article because the reading public can soon see through the ....... of a weak
argument.
(a) clarity (b) clearness (c) transparency (d) transparent
Q9 The question must always be in the mind of the writer whether what is being written is likely to ....... a threat to
the safety of the community at large.
(a) place (b) put (c) start (d) pose
Q10 The last possible thing that anyone wants to happen to their country is to turn it into a ....... for troublemakers.
(a) port (b) harbour (c) haven (d) location
Q1 Here is the news read by Alan Townend. Today the Government is ....... plans for a new scheme to help
society.
(a) opening (b) unveiling (c) undoing (d) showing
Q2 The idea behind the scheme is to try and ....... stealing in the country.
(a) curb (b) kill (c) maintain (d) confuse
Q3 The scheme will be ....... into the school curriculum at the beginning of next academic year.
(a) entered (b) presented (c) welcomed (d) introduced
Q5 If child A steals child B's exercise book, child A will have to stand up in front of the school and ....... to being a
thief.
(a) conduce (b) confess (c) conduct (d) conform
Q6 The Government ....... said the Prime Minister was sick and tired of papers disappearing from his office.
(a) speaking person (b) speak person (c) spoken person (d) spokesperson
Q7 Last week the Prime Minister had to give an important address to an international ....... when he found his
speech had disappeared.
(a) assembled (b) assembly (c) assembling (d) assembles
Q8 This was of course very embarrassing for the P.M. and ....... of the speech he told funny stories.
(a) in spite (b) in case (c) instead (d) intend
Q9 The worst part of the incident was that the audience did not see the funny ....... of his stories.
(a) edge (b) side (c) line (d) part
Q10 I regret I cannot continue with the news because someone has ....... the next page.
(a) misappropriated (b) misconstrued (c) mistaken (d) misread
Q1 I do take my hat ....... to the new director for having pulled the company back from bankruptcy.
(a) by (b) on (c) to (d) off
Q2 Whatever you do take no notice of him because he's not thinking straight - he's talking ....... his hat.
(a) up (b) through (c) at (d) under
Q3 It was one of those society weddings you know when the men wear ....... hats and tails.
(a) tall (b) long (c) top (d) full
Q4 I hope you can keep a secret because I'd like you to keep this information ....... your hat.
(a) under (b) in (c) by (d) over
Q5 At last she's made her mind up and decided to throw her hat in the ....... and become a candidate.
(a) circle (b) ring (c) round (d) middle
Q6 I don't think she stands a chance in the election and if she does win, I'll ....... my hat.
(a) bite (b) consume (c) eat (d) chew
Q7 You simply can't trust that politician because he changes his mind every five minutes at the ....... of a hat.
(a) fall (b) tumble (c) jump (d) drop
Q8 If you want to keep up with the latest fashion, you shouldn't wear that - it's ....... hat now.
(a) late (b) old (c) finished (d) gone
Q9 In view of the special efforts our coach driver has made today, I think it would be nice to ....... round the hat for
him.
(a) offer (b) give (c) place (d) hand
Q10 In his present job there are so many different responsibilities involved that he has to ....... several hats.
(a) take (b) put (c) wear (d) dress
Q1 The most difficult part for the salesperson is to ....... potential customers of the usefulness of the product.
(a) consider (b) convince (c) contract (d) confirm
Q2 If you want to get the best out of your sales force, they must believe in the product and be ....... enough to
promote it vigorously.
(a) inspired (b) invested (c) included (d) indebted
Q3 A ....... customer will always return to the same firm and buy again.
(a) interested (b) encouraged (c) satisfactory (d) satisfied
Q4 That style of dress was once considered to be a ....... but now it is coming back into fashion.
(a) fuss (b) fad (c) fidget (d) fun
Q5 One of the first things to do when you want to ....... a new product is to ascertain its potential demand.
(a) maintain (b) master (c) market (d) muster
Q6 The main business interest at the moment is to watch the supermarkets ....... for the same clientele.
(a) contrasting (b) competing (c) concerning (d) confusing
Q7 Our sales meetings were reduced to once a fortnight because the weekly meetings were not considered to be
....... enough.
(a) productive (b) producing (c) produced (d) products
Q8 Her ability to ....... facts and figures quickly was the main reason for her rapid rise in the business.
(a) consumer (b) consumption (c) consume (d) consuming
Q9 The success of our website is due to the fact that customers can ....... different prices for the same article.
(a) continue (b) conclude (c) confer (d) compare
Q10 If you want to keep ....... with the latest developements in your field, you have to read the relevant magazines.
(a) currant (b) current (c) currents (d) currently
Q1 If you go to an unauthorized garage to have your car serviced, the ....... is that your warranty will be invalid.
(a) consequence (b) conduct (c) convenience (d) consideration
Q3 I regret to inform you that as your guarantee ....... last week, we can't help you.
(a) died (b) deceased (c) expired (d) extinguished
Q5 Sometimes people don't bother about guarantees because the ....... of the manufacturer is enough for them.
(a) repute (b) reputed (c) reputedly (d) reputation
Q6 Certain warranties ....... the purchaser to have the item serviced at regular intervals.
(a) remand (b) repeat (c) require (d) retain
Q7 You will find that such warranties are not worth buying because the cover provided is ....... not worth the extra
expense.
(a) famously (b) frequently (c) fervently (d) freely
Q8 You sometimes have to ....... very seriously whether to buy a second hand car which has no guarantee.
(a) consider (b) contend (c) contain (d) convince
Q9 You sometimes have to ....... very seriously whether to buy a second hand car which has no guarantee.
(a) consider (b) contend (c) contain (d) convince
Q10 Sometimes you get a one year warranty, a two year one or even a six month one - they all ........
(a) various (b) variable (c) variety (d) vary
Q1 Mathew Smith was a highly respected member of parliament with no ....... on his character.
(a) sign (b) indication (c) stain (d) point
Q2 At least that's what he thought until the press started trying to ....... up something about his past.
(a) push (b) dig (c) spade (d) fork
Q3 Apparently when he was still at shool, he didn't have a ticket for his train journey one day and he was ........
(a) found (b) founded (c) funded (d) fined
Q4 This piece of information was discovered by one keen local reporter and was ....... up out of all proportion by
the national press.
(a) blown (b) blew (c) blowing (d) blows
Q6 Other papers asked the question: How can we trust our politicians if they ....... on society?
(a) chat (b) chafe (c) cheat (d) chance
Q7 There was even talk that incidents like this one could ....... the Government.
(a) tipple (b) topple (c) tackle (d) tickle
Q8 The Prime Minister called Mathew in to talk to him and said he couldn't tolerate any ....... of scandal in his
Party.
(a) whiff (b) scent (c) smell (d) stink
Q9 At last Mathew decided to speak ....... for himself and tell the truth.
(a) on (b) to (c) up (d) off
Q10 The reporter had got it ....... wrong because he found his ticket and he wasn't 'fined', he was simply 'fine'.
(a) fully (b) fairly (c) complete (d) completely
Q1 Concerned was expressed by the office manager that the company would buy an ....... financial package.
(a) agreeable (b) affordable (c) absolute (d) actual
Q2 The main ....... of stationery for the office suddenly announced there would be an overall increase in their
prices.
(a) provision (b) producer (c) provisional (d) provider
Q3 The chief administrative officer disliked lack of attention to detail and insisted that such mistakes should never
........
(a) recur (b) repeat (c) retake (d) refer
Q4 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
Q6 If the managers want to stay employed, they will have to learn how to stay on ....... of their jobs.
(a) summit (b) top (c) head (d) line
Q7 It's not worth paying for an annual service when you can simply call the supplier on an as-....... basis.
(a) needed (b) noted (c) called (d) told
Q8 The new office manager will be in ....... of all the IT requirements that the company uses.
(a) use (b) mind (c) case (d) charge
Q9 Currently there is a shortage of clerical staff but it is hoped that by the end of the year they will be up to full
........
(a) capability (b) capacity (c) control (d) capable
Q10 Staff are always encouraged to work by themselves and whenever they meet a problem, they should use their
own ........
(a) initiative (b) interest (c) involvement (d) initial
Q1 On her retirement she was given a substantial cheque in ....... of all the work she had done over the last 20
years.
(a) respect (b) thought (c) appreciation (d) belief
Q2 Having attended the office procedures course all employees were expected to ....... what they had learned and
introduce it into their daily routine.
(a) reinforce (b) respond (c) react (d) resource
Q3 Visiting clients had commented on the casual dress ....... of most of the clerical staff.
(a) manner (b) method (c) feature (d) code
Q4 The ....... of staff doing physical exercises before the start of the day is well established in Japanese
companies.
(a) practical (b) practicality (c) practice (d) practically
Q5 There is a lengthy procedure used in this office for staff who have produced shoddy work and it begins with a
....... warning.
(a) wordy (b) verbal (c) worded (d) verbose
Q6 There was no fixed agenda for that particular day as it was to be regarded simply as a ....... meeting.
(a) possible (b) probable (c) unplanned (d) casual
Q7 At the interview all the candidates were shown round the building but could only really catch a ....... of the sort
of work being carried out.
(a) look (b) view (c) glimpse (d) picture
Q8 They really need to keep a check on the stationery supplies as they've run ....... A4 paper once again.
(a) in to (b) up for (c) out of (d) up to
Q9 Managers prefer to select people who have been ....... to many different types of office environments.
(a) devoted (b) exposed (c) opened (d) experienced
Q10 A troubleshooter was brought into the office from another firm to get rid of some very ....... procedures.
(a) outdated (b) completed (c) finished (d) ended
Q2 I shan't be working tomorrow because I've just been given the ........
(a) bag (b) case (c) container (d) sack
Q3 I was ....... this morning and had to empty my desk this afternoon.
(a) departed (b) deterred (c) dismissed (d) disliked
Q4 I was handed my ....... yesterday and so today I'm looking for a new job.
(a) tickets (b) cards (c) books (d) papers
Q5 The company decided to get ....... of me last week and so I had to leave.
(a) rid (b) rod (c) red (d) ride
Q7 The firm has decided to ....... which means they don't want me.
(a) resize (b) upsize (c) in size (d) downsize
Q9 It was quite clear they didn't want me because I was told not to ....... to come back to work tomorrow.
(a) care (b) concern (c) bother (d) worry
Q10 No, I didn't ask the boss for more money today because he gave me one month's ........
(a) information (b) news (c) facts (d) notice
Q1 There was absolutely no hesitation on her part and quick as a ....... she paid the bill.
(a) spark (b) light (c) flash (d) switch
Q2 As a child he had no problems learning foreign languages mainly because he was very quick on the ........
(a) downturn (b) upstart (c) downfall (d) uptake
Q3 He just couldn't play fast and ....... with his employees any longer simply because they never knew where he
was.
(a) slow (b) loose (c) weak (d) tight
Q4 He ....... a fast one at the entrance because he handed over 4 tickets although there were 5 of them entering
the exhibition.
(a) pulled (b) pushed (c) took (d) gave
Q5 Since he left the army, he misses the excitement and danger and still wants to live life in the fast ........
(a) track (b) path (c) street (d) lane
Q6 You'll have to be quick off the ....... if you want to buy one of those houses because they're selling very fast.
(a) point (b) stage (c) mark (d) spot
Q7 He's one of the ....... rich quick fraternity who believe in making money as quickly as possible.
(a) get (b) take (c) put (d) pull
Q8 He sees financial gain everywhere and never misses an opportunity to make a fast ........
(a) pound (b) buck (c) pence (d) shilling
Q9 Now that the company has made its first million, there's no stopping it and it's full ....... ahead.
(a) power (b) vapour (c) strength (d) steam
Q10 I appreciate your hard work but sometimes you're so fast that you miss the details and I think it's a case of
more ....... less speed.
(a) hurry (b) hasty (c) haste (d) hurried
Q1 Teaching someone to drive is one of the ........ experiences you can have.
(a) cruellest (b) heaviest (c) scariest (d) latest
Q2 You sit in the passenger seat and ........ your learner to do what you would normally do.
(a) learn (b) perform (c) compose (d) instruct
Q3 The problem is that if your learner doesn't understand, you can both end up in the ........
(a) side (b) ditch (c) drain (d) floor
Q5 If this relative is also your wife, then things become even more disastrous because it could end in ........
(a) divorce (b) division (c) distance (d) diversion
Q6 The secret of being a good driving teacher is never on any occasion to lose your temper or your ........
(a) brain (b) thought (c) idea (d) head
Q7 If you do lose one of them or both, your learner will lose confidence and also lose ........ of the car.
(a) control (b) check (c) break (d) stop
Q8 In my ........ none of this happened - all I did was shout and scream, which made me feel better.
(a) example (b) case (c) instance (d) incident
Q9 I am proud to say that I taught my wife and my two sons and they all ........ first time.
(a) past (b) passing (c) passed (d) pass
Q10 The only ........ to me is as they were successful on the first attempt, how come some years before it had taken
me four tries!
(a) confusion (b) mystery (c) intrigue (d) unknown
Q1 You can hear everything that's going on next door because the walls are paper ........
(a) long (b) wide (c) thin (d) tall
Q2 We're going to the college tonight to hear Professor Kent ....... a paper on language learning on the net.
(a) speak (b) deliver (c) raise (d) talk
Q3 I can't see the point of trying to settle the dispute between those two institutions because you'll just be
papering over the ........
(a) fissures (b) splits (c) divisions (d) cracks
Q4 After the first revolution the dictator no longer had much control and became just a paper ........
(a) lion (b) tiger (c) elephant (d) cat
Q5 The cross country run where the runners follow a track of pieces of paper is called a paper ........
(a) chase (b) race (c) relay (d) sport
Q6 Some countries have some very interesting designs on their paper ........
(a) cash (b) coinage (c) money (d) pay
Q7 Not that it has happened yet but the age of the computer was meant to introduce the idea of the paper .......
office.
(a) minus (b) few (c) least (d) less
Q8 The main work has just been completed and all we have to do now is finish the paper ........
(a) task (b) job (c) work (d) function
Q9 She was given a very decorative paper ....... to stop all her papers blowing away once the window was
opened.
(a) weight (b) heavy (c) block (d) stone
Q10 Her first novel was a huge success and it was only a few weeks after publication that the paper ....... came out.
(a) side (b) edition (c) back (d) book
Q1 If you drive faster than the stated speed limit, you are simply ....... the law.
(a) turning (b) snapping (c) holding (d) breaking
Q2 However angry you may get at what someone has done to you, the police always advise you not to take the
law into your own ........
(a) fingers (b) hands (c) mind (d) control
Q4 Even if you think you may have got away with a crime, in most cases the long ....... of the law will catch you.
(a) arm (b) feel (c) stretch (d) reach
Q5 In that particular industry everyone has to look after themselves because the law of the ....... rules.
(a) animals (b) zoo (c) jungle (d) forest
Q6 They have no respect for modern conventions and do exactly what they want - they are a law .......
themselves.
(a) unto (b) into (c) outside (d) across
Q7 Her parents are very strict and frequently ....... down the law about the way she behaves.
(a) lie (b) lies (c) lay (d) lays
Q8 Although technically his judgement was not according to the ....... of the law, most people thought the judge
was right to let the man go free.
(a) print (b) number (c) point (d) letter
Q9 I get the impression sometimes that she thinks she can never do anything wrong almost as if she is ....... the
law.
(a) above (b) over (c) superior (d) higher
Q10 All governments want people to live in peace and comfort and so they try to promote a sense of law and
........
(a) ease (b) order (c) correct (d) structure
Q1 I hung the washing out only two hours ago but it is already bone ....... thanks to the hot sunshine.
(a) parched (b) dry (c) clear (d) dried
Q2 They came straight out with their complaint ....... no bones about it whatsoever.
(a) saying (b) trying (c) doing (d) making
Q3 It was a micacle that he was still alive as he hadn't eaten for weeks and when they found him he was just .......
and bone.
(a) skin (b) flesh (c) meat (d) cover
Q4 It was quite simple really - he never did any work at all and was sacked for being bone ........
(a) lazy (b) useless (c) idle (d) inactive
Q5 It's impossible to say exactly why I think that's the case. All I can say is that I ....... it in my bones.
(a) understand (b) feel (c) see (d) follow
Q6 We're expecting a visit from a French couple soon so I'll have to bone ....... on my French.
(a) in (b) to (c) with (d) up
Q7 Ah, yes I've got a bone to ....... with you. You told me you would pay me back last week and I still haven't got
the money yet.
(a) pick (b) chew (c) taste (d) eat
Q8 Although the TV programme was funny, my aunt was a bit shocked because some of the jokes were a bit .......
the bones.
(a) next (b) close (c) near (d) by
Q9 I won't go into the full details of the proposition, I'll just give you the ....... bones.
(a) naked (b) bare (c) simple (d) stripped
Q10 Her children were very ungrateful for all she'd done for them as she had really worked her ....... to the bone for
them.
(a) elbows (b) arms (c) legs (d) fingers
Q1 There is an additional ....... added to the price of the product if you want to have it delivered to your house.
(a) figure (b) charge (c) number (d) charging
Q2 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
Q3 In order to cut down the expenses of compiling and sending out the invoices, you need to employ an .......
administrator.
(a) officious (b) effecting (c) efficient (d) affected
Q4 It's always a good idea to get an ....... of what the cost of the work will be before the invoice lands on your
doormat.
(a) interest (b) estimate (c) esteem (d) actual
Q5 I do like to get a ....... reply to my letters especially when they are referring to the amount of money I'm
supposed to be paying.
(a) prompt (b) private (c) promoted (d) prominent
Q6 Just as we were about to leave the restaurant, the waiter came running up to apologize there had been a .......
in the bill.
(a) error (b) trip (c) mistake (d) damage
Q7 The company were very quick to point out it was their fault we had been sent the wrong invoice and they .......
it immediately.
(a) correct (b) rectified (c) stamped (d) righted
Q8 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
Q9 He appreciated the additional welcome and help he received from the department store staff as he had after
all been a longstanding ........
(a) customer (b) courier (c) courtier (d) custom
Q10 She got quite angry about the size of the invoice until it was pointed out that it was the government who .......
the value added tax.
(a) insisted (b) imposed (c) inserted (d) indented
Q1 If you are self-employed, it is your responsibility to ....... how much tax you should legally pay.
(a) consider (b) complete (c) correct (d) calculate
Q2 I had a letter from the office of the Collector of Taxes telling me that I had to pay back all the money I .......
over the last 3 years.
(a) due (b) indebted (c) owed (d) owned
Q3 The arrangement they have is that all the money that has to be paid in tax out of their earnings comes from
their ....... account.
(a) joined (b) conjoined (c) joined up (d) joint
Q4 Under the current legislation if you are late in paying your taxes, then you have to face a financial ........
(a) penalty (b) punishment (c) pain (d) penalize
Q5 He is in a terrible rush to complete his tax returns by Tuesday otherwise he won't be able to reach the ........
(a) dead end (b) deadline (c) dead date (d) dead stop
Q6 It doesn't happen very often but I actually got some money from the tax office and with the ....... I'm going to
treat myself.
(a) remake (b) repeat (c) refund (d) respite
Q7 Before you can claim any money back on overpayment of tax, you have to ....... an application form.
(a) fill for (b) fill out (c) fill through (d) fill with
Q8 You can elect, if you want, to transfer your tax free allowance to your ........
(a) spouse (b) sponsor (c) spook (d) spokesperson
Q9 Until it's clearly established which tax group you are in, your employer will be asked to ....... a certain amount
of your pay.
(a) withstand (b) without (c) withhold (d) withal
Q10 There have been so many queries about his tax situation that there is now a huge ....... containing the details
in the office.
(a) full (b) filled (c) filling (d) file
Date: 2004/01/29
Total number of tests: 18
ANSWERS
A1 Imagine an embattled public figure attacked by press and public, who is facing an inquiry into allegations of
having obtained money by deception.
Correct answer: (c) embattled
A2 Any arguments he put up in his defence were regarded as a smokescreen by people who were determined to
see him convicted.
Correct answer: (b) smokescreen
A3 People tended not to believe a word he said and maintained that his protestations of innocence were wearing
a bit thin.
Correct answer: (d) thin
A4 There was very strong support for the police who were determined to curb this kind of crime.
Correct answer: (c) curb
A5 The press had been prompted by an unknown source to make as much publicity about him as they could.
Correct answer: (a) prompted
A6 His agent spent a lot of time briefing the press on his background in the hope that they would present a
balanced view.
Correct answer: (b) briefing
A7 Views as to his guilt or innocence even before the trial started ranged from utter conviction that he was guilty
to wild support for his innocence.
Correct answer: (c) ranged
A8 Gradually however as the days went by even his greatest supporters were beginning to desert him.
Correct answer: (b) desert
A9 Then two days before the trial was due to start, new evidence came to light proving he was totally innocent.
Correct answer: (a) light
A10 By then of course it was too late because the damage had already been done to his career, which
overshadowed everything else he did for the rest of his life.
Correct answer: (d) overshadowed
A1 Going on a spending spree with your credit card and no concern about how you pay back the money you
borrow, is a growing habit these days.
Correct answer: (b) spree
A2 There is a popular demand for the system that allows credit companies to offer unlimited credit to young
people to be overhauled.
Correct answer: (a) overhauled
A3 It has been disclosed by a government agency that the percentage of under 25 year olds owing large sums to
companies is on the increase.
Correct answer: (d) disclosed
A4 One director of a major credit company has already been forced to step down because of the bad publicity his
company has attracted.
Correct answer: (c) step down
A5 One solution that has been suggested to control credit is to step up the regulations to make it more difficult to
get credit in the first place.
Correct answer: (b) step up
A6 The main problem is that a debt culture has developed recently believing that it is cool to owe large sums of
money.
Correct answer: (d) culture
A7 Recent reports have revealed that being in debt is not now looked upon as a disgrace but rather as an
attractive way of life.
Correct answer: (a) revealed
A8 In reality it's a very long haul to get from owing to paying off all your debts.
Correct answer: (c) haul
A9 There are frequently clashes in the family home between parents and children about whether you should enter
into credit agreements.
Correct answer: (b) clashes
A10 What concerns people most are the mounting fears among governments that it will take at least a generation
for us to be rid of excessive debt.
Correct answer: (c) fears
A1 We often hear that such and such a piece of information cannot be released into the public domain in the
interest of national security.
Correct answer: (c) domain
A2 Journalists however love to get hold of a story somehow but they run the risk of facing a backlash if they break
the official secrects act.
Correct answer: (b) backlash
A3 When there is a high profile inquiry taking place, the rush to get more details is intense.
Correct answer: (a) high profile
A4 The more the authorities try to conceal what is happening, the more it fuels speculation about what might be
happening.
Correct answer: (d) speculation
A5 Sometimes a journalist will get hold of sensitive information knowing that he will get savaged by government
agencies if he dares reveal it.
Correct answer: (c) savaged
A6 The person in charge of the enquiry will occasionally signal what can be disclosed in newspapers.
Correct answer: (a) signal
A7 Once this disclosure is highlighted it's the job of the journalist to follow it through to a satisfactory conclusion.
Correct answer: (b) highlighted
A8 Mind you it has to be a convincing article because the reading public can soon see through the transparency
of a weak argument.
Correct answer: (c) transparency
A9 The question must always be in the mind of the writer whether what is being written is likely to pose a threat to
the safety of the community at large.
Correct answer: (d) pose
A10 The last possible thing that anyone wants to happen to their country is to turn it into a haven for
troublemakers.
Correct answer: (c) haven
A1 Here is the news read by Alan Townend. Today the Government is unveiling plans for a new scheme to help
society.
Correct answer: (b) unveiling
A2 The idea behind the scheme is to try and curb stealing in the country.
Correct answer: (a) curb
A3 The scheme will be introduced into the school curriculum at the beginning of next academic year.
Correct answer: (d) introduced
A5 If child A steals child B's exercise book, child A will have to stand up in front of the school and confess to
being a thief.
Correct answer: (b) confess
A6 The Government spokesperson said the Prime Minister was sick and tired of papers disappearing from his
office.
Correct answer: (d) spokesperson
A7 Last week the Prime Minister had to give an important address to an international assembly when he found his
speech had disappeared.
Correct answer: (b) assembly
A8 This was of course very embarrassing for the P.M. and instead of the speech he told funny stories.
Correct answer: (c) instead
A9 The worst part of the incident was that the audience did not see the funny side of his stories.
Correct answer: (b) side
A10 I regret I cannot continue with the news because someone has misappropriated the next page.
Correct answer: (a) misappropriated
A1 I do take my hat off to the new director for having pulled the company back from bankruptcy.
Correct answer: (d) off
A2 Whatever you do take no notice of him because he's not thinking straight - he's talking through his hat.
Correct answer: (b) through
A3 It was one of those society weddings you know when the men wear top hats and tails.
Correct answer: (c) top
A4 I hope you can keep a secret because I'd like you to keep this information under your hat.
Correct answer: (a) under
A5 At last she's made her mind up and decided to throw her hat in the ring and become a candidate.
Correct answer: (b) ring
A6 I don't think she stands a chance in the election and if she does win, I'll eat my hat.
Correct answer: (c) eat
A7 You simply can't trust that politician because he changes his mind every five minutes at the drop of a hat.
Correct answer: (d) drop
A8 If you want to keep up with the latest fashion, you shouldn't wear that - it's old hat now.
Correct answer: (b) old
A9 In view of the special efforts our coach driver has made today, I think it would be nice to hand round the hat for
him.
Correct answer: (d) hand
A10 In his present job there are so many different responsibilities involved that he has to wear several hats.
Correct answer: (c) wear
A1 The most difficult part for the salesperson is to convince potential customers of the usefulness of the product.
Correct answer: (b) convince
A2 If you want to get the best out of your sales force, they must believe in the product and be inspired enough to
promote it vigorously.
Correct answer: (a) inspired
A3 A satisfied customer will always return to the same firm and buy again.
Correct answer: (d) satisfied
A4 That style of dress was once considered to be a fad but now it is coming back into fashion.
Correct answer: (b) fad
A5 One of the first things to do when you want to market a new product is to ascertain its potential demand.
Correct answer: (c) market
A6 The main business interest at the moment is to watch the supermarkets competing for the same clientele.
Correct answer: (b) competing
A7 Our sales meetings were reduced to once a fortnight because the weekly meetings were not considered to be
productive enough.
Correct answer: (a) productive
A8 Her ability to consume facts and figures quickly was the main reason for her rapid rise in the business.
Correct answer: (c) consume
A9 The success of our website is due to the fact that customers can compare different prices for the same article.
Correct answer: (d) compare
A10 If you want to keep current with the latest developements in your field, you have to read the relevant
magazines.
Correct answer: (b) current
A1 If you go to an unauthorized garage to have your car serviced, the consequence is that your warranty will be
invalid.
Correct answer: (a) consequence
A3 I regret to inform you that as your guarantee expired last week, we can't help you.
Correct answer: (c) expired
A5 Sometimes people don't bother about guarantees because the reputation of the manufacturer is enough for
them.
Correct answer: (d) reputation
A6 Certain warranties require the purchaser to have the item serviced at regular intervals.
Correct answer: (c) require
A7 You will find that such warranties are not worth buying because the cover provided is frequently not worth the
extra expense.
Correct answer: (b) frequently
A8 You sometimes have to consider very seriously whether to buy a second hand car which has no guarantee.
Correct answer: (a) consider
A9 You sometimes have to consider very seriously whether to buy a second hand car which has no guarantee.
Correct answer: (a) consider
A10 Sometimes you get a one year warranty, a two year one or even a six month one - they all vary.
Correct answer: (d) vary
A1 Mathew Smith was a highly respected member of parliament with no stain on his character.
Correct answer: (c) stain
A2 At least that's what he thought until the press started trying to dig up something about his past.
Correct answer: (b) dig
A3 Apparently when he was still at shool, he didn't have a ticket for his train journey one day and he was fined.
Correct answer: (d) fined
A4 This piece of information was discovered by one keen local reporter and was blown up out of all proportion by
the national press.
Correct answer: (a) blown
A6 Other papers asked the question: How can we trust our politicians if they cheat on society?
Correct answer: (c) cheat
A7 There was even talk that incidents like this one could topple the Government.
Correct answer: (b) topple
A8 The Prime Minister called Mathew in to talk to him and said he couldn't tolerate any whiff of scandal in his
Party.
Correct answer: (a) whiff
A9 At last Mathew decided to speak up for himself and tell the truth.
Correct answer: (c) up
A10 The reporter had got it completely wrong because he found his ticket and he wasn't 'fined', he was simply
'fine'.
Correct answer: (d) completely
A1 Concerned was expressed by the office manager that the company would buy an affordable financial
package.
Correct answer: (b) affordable
A2 The main provider of stationery for the office suddenly announced there would be an overall increase in their
prices.
Correct answer: (d) provider
A3 The chief administrative officer disliked lack of attention to detail and insisted that such mistakes should never
recur.
Correct answer: (a) recur
A4 Once again the company has had to make a reduction in the number of office staff to try and recoup their
losses.
Correct answer: (b) reduction
A6 If the managers want to stay employed, they will have to learn how to stay on top of their jobs.
Correct answer: (b) top
A7 It's not worth paying for an annual service when you can simply call the supplier on an as-needed basis.
Correct answer: (a) needed
A8 The new office manager will be in charge of all the IT requirements that the company uses.
Correct answer: (d) charge
A9 Currently there is a shortage of clerical staff but it is hoped that by the end of the year they will be up to full
capacity.
Correct answer: (b) capacity
A10 Staff are always encouraged to work by themselves and whenever they meet a problem, they should use their
own initiative.
Correct answer: (a) initiative
A1 On her retirement she was given a substantial cheque in appreciation of all the work she had done over the
last 20 years.
Correct answer: (c) appreciation
A2 Having attended the office procedures course all employees were expected to reinforce what they had learned
and introduce it into their daily routine.
Correct answer: (a) reinforce
A3 Visiting clients had commented on the casual dress code of most of the clerical staff.
Correct answer: (d) code
A4 The practice of staff doing physical exercises before the start of the day is well established in Japanese
companies.
Correct answer: (c) practice
A5 There is a lengthy procedure used in this office for staff who have produced shoddy work and it begins with a
verbal warning.
Correct answer: (b) verbal
A6 There was no fixed agenda for that particular day as it was to be regarded simply as a casual meeting.
Correct answer: (d) casual
A7 At the interview all the candidates were shown round the building but could only really catch a glimpse of the
sort of work being carried out.
Correct answer: (c) glimpse
A8 They really need to keep a check on the stationery supplies as they've run out of A4 paper once again.
Correct answer: (c) out of
A9 Managers prefer to select people who have been exposed to many different types of office environments.
Correct answer: (b) exposed
A10 A troubleshooter was brought into the office from another firm to get rid of some very outdated procedures.
Correct answer: (a) outdated
A2 I shan't be working tomorrow because I've just been given the sack.
Correct answer: (d) sack
A3 I was dismissed this morning and had to empty my desk this afternoon.
Correct answer: (c) dismissed
A4 I was handed my cards yesterday and so today I'm looking for a new job.
Correct answer: (b) cards
A5 The company decided to get rid of me last week and so I had to leave.
Correct answer: (a) rid
A7 The firm has decided to downsize which means they don't want me.
Correct answer: (d) downsize
A9 It was quite clear they didn't want me because I was told not to worry to come back to work tomorrow.
Correct answer: (d) worry
A10 No, I didn't ask the boss for more money today because he gave me one month's notice.
Correct answer: (d) notice
A1 There was absolutely no hesitation on her part and quick as a flash she paid the bill.
Correct answer: (c) flash
A2 As a child he had no problems learning foreign languages mainly because he was very quick on the
uptake.
Correct answer: (d) uptake
A3 He just couldn't play fast and loose with his employees any longer simply because they never knew where he
was.
Correct answer: (b) loose
A4 He pulled a fast one at the entrance because he handed over 4 tickets although there were 5 of them entering
the exhibition.
Correct answer: (a) pulled
A5 Since he left the army, he misses the excitement and danger and still wants to live life in the fast lane.
Correct answer: (d) lane
A6 You'll have to be quick off the mark if you want to buy one of those houses because they're selling very fast.
Correct answer: (c) mark
A7 He's one of the get rich quick fraternity who believe in making money as quickly as possible.
Correct answer: (a) get
A8 He sees financial gain everywhere and never misses an opportunity to make a fast buck.
Correct answer: (b) buck
A9 Now that the company has made its first million, there's no stopping it and it's full steam ahead.
Correct answer: (d) steam
A10 I appreciate your hard work but sometimes you're so fast that you miss the details and I think it's a case of
more haste less speed.
Correct answer: (c) haste
A1 Teaching someone to drive is one of the scariest experiences you can have.
Correct answer: (c) scariest
A2 You sit in the passenger seat and instruct your learner to do what you would normally do.
Correct answer: (d) instruct
A3 The problem is that if your learner doesn't understand, you can both end up in the ditch.
Correct answer: (b) ditch
A5 If this relative is also your wife, then things become even more disastrous because it could end in divorce.
Correct answer: (a) divorce
A6 The secret of being a good driving teacher is never on any occasion to lose your temper or your head.
Correct answer: (d) head
A7 If you do lose one of them or both, your learner will lose confidence and also lose control of the car.
Correct answer: (a) control
A8 In my case none of this happened - all I did was shout and scream, which made me feel better.
Correct answer: (b) case
A9 I am proud to say that I taught my wife and my two sons and they all passed first time.
Correct answer: (c) passed
A10 The only mystery to me is as they were successful on the first attempt, how come some years before it had
taken me four tries!
Correct answer: (b) mystery
A1 You can hear everything that's going on next door because the walls are paper thin.
Correct answer: (c) thin
A2 We're going to the college tonight to hear Professor Kent deliver a paper on language learning on the net.
Correct answer: (b) deliver
A3 I can't see the point of trying to settle the dispute between those two institutions because you'll just be
papering over the cracks.
Correct answer: (d) cracks
A4 After the first revolution the dictator no longer had much control and became just a paper tiger.
Correct answer: (b) tiger
A5 The cross country run where the runners follow a track of pieces of paper is called a paper chase.
Correct answer: (a) chase
A6 Some countries have some very interesting designs on their paper money.
Correct answer: (c) money
A7 Not that it has happened yet but the age of the computer was meant to introduce the idea of the paper less
office.
Correct answer: (d) less
A8 The main work has just been completed and all we have to do now is finish the paper work.
Correct answer: (c) work
A9 She was given a very decorative paper weight to stop all her papers blowing away once the window was
opened.
Correct answer: (a) weight
A10 Her first novel was a huge success and it was only a few weeks after publication that the paper back came
out.
Correct answer: (c) back
A1 If you drive faster than the stated speed limit, you are simply breaking the law.
Correct answer: (d) breaking
A2 However angry you may get at what someone has done to you, the police always advise you not to take the
law into your own hands.
Correct answer: (b) hands
A4 Even if you think you may have got away with a crime, in most cases the long arm of the law will catch you.
Correct answer: (a) arm
A5 In that particular industry everyone has to look after themselves because the law of the jungle rules.
Correct answer: (c) jungle
A6 They have no respect for modern conventions and do exactly what they want - they are a law unto
themselves.
Correct answer: (a) unto
A7 Her parents are very strict and frequently lay down the law about the way she behaves.
Correct answer: (c) lay
A8 Although technically his judgement was not according to the letter of the law, most people thought the judge
was right to let the man go free.
Correct answer: (d) letter
A9 I get the impression sometimes that she thinks she can never do anything wrong almost as if she is above the
law.
Correct answer: (a) above
A10 All governments want people to live in peace and comfort and so they try to promote a sense of law and
order.
Correct answer: (b) order
A1 I hung the washing out only two hours ago but it is already bone dry thanks to the hot sunshine.
Correct answer: (b) dry
A2 They came straight out with their complaint making no bones about it whatsoever.
Correct answer: (d) making
A3 It was a micacle that he was still alive as he hadn't eaten for weeks and when they found him he was just skin
and bone.
Correct answer: (a) skin
A4 It was quite simple really - he never did any work at all and was sacked for being bone idle.
Correct answer: (c) idle
A5 It's impossible to say exactly why I think that's the case. All I can say is that I feel it in my bones.
Correct answer: (b) feel
A6 We're expecting a visit from a French couple soon so I'll have to bone up on my French.
Correct answer: (d) up
A7 Ah, yes I've got a bone to pick with you. You told me you would pay me back last week and I still haven't got
the money yet.
Correct answer: (a) pick
A8 Although the TV programme was funny, my aunt was a bit shocked because some of the jokes were a bit near
the bones.
Correct answer: (c) near
A9 I won't go into the full details of the proposition, I'll just give you the bare bones.
Correct answer: (b) bare
A10 Her children were very ungrateful for all she'd done for them as she had really worked her fingers to the bone
for them.
Correct answer: (d) fingers
A1 There is an additional charge added to the price of the product if you want to have it delivered to your house.
Correct answer: (b) charge
A2 You should have read the terms of payment as soon as you received the invoice for the goods.
Correct answer: (d) terms
A3 In order to cut down the expenses of compiling and sending out the invoices, you need to employ an efficient
administrator.
Correct answer: (c) efficient
A4 It's always a good idea to get an estimate of what the cost of the work will be before the invoice lands on your
doormat.
Correct answer: (b) estimate
A5 I do like to get a prompt reply to my letters especially when they are referring to the amount of money I'm
supposed to be paying.
Correct answer: (a) prompt
A6 Just as we were about to leave the restaurant, the waiter came running up to apologize there had been a
mistake in the bill.
Correct answer: (c) mistake
A7 The company were very quick to point out it was their fault we had been sent the wrong invoice and they
rectified it immediately.
Correct answer: (b) rectified
A8 In view of our previous orders over the last year we were offered a 10% discount on any future dealings.
Correct answer: (d) discount
A9 He appreciated the additional welcome and help he received from the department store staff as he had after
all been a longstanding customer.
Correct answer: (a) customer
A10 She got quite angry about the size of the invoice until it was pointed out that it was the government who
imposed the value added tax.
Correct answer: (b) imposed
A1 If you are self-employed, it is your responsibility to calculate how much tax you should legally pay.
Correct answer: (d) calculate
A2 I had a letter from the office of the Collector of Taxes telling me that I had to pay back all the money I owed
over the last 3 years.
Correct answer: (c) owed
A3 The arrangement they have is that all the money that has to be paid in tax out of their earnings comes from
their joint account.
Correct answer: (d) joint
A4 Under the current legislation if you are late in paying your taxes, then you have to face a financial penalty.
Correct answer: (a) penalty
A5 He is in a terrible rush to complete his tax returns by Tuesday otherwise he won't be able to reach the
deadline.
Correct answer: (b) deadline
A6 It doesn't happen very often but I actually got some money from the tax office and with the refund I'm going to
treat myself.
Correct answer: (c) refund
A7 Before you can claim any money back on overpayment of tax, you have to fill out an application form.
Correct answer: (b) fill out
A8 You can elect, if you want, to transfer your tax free allowance to your spouse.
Correct answer: (a) spouse
A9 Until it's clearly established which tax group you are in, your employer will be asked to withhold a certain
amount of your pay.
Correct answer: (c) withhold
A10 There have been so many queries about his tax situation that there is now a huge file containing the details in
the office.
Correct answer: (d) file