General Business English Terms And Vocabulary Quiz
Here are some questions designed to help you identify areas you can improve.
Questions 01 - 23: General grammar.
Questions 24 - 32: Common mistakes
Questions 33 - 42: General business vocabulary
Questions 43 - 48: Social English
Questions and Answers
- 1.
I ……. in the production department.
- A.
Normally works
- B.
Am normally working
- C.
Normally work
- D.
Work normally
Correct Answer
C. Normally workExplanation
"normally work" is correct because in this sentence the present simple verb tense needs to be used to talk about something that is generally true. "am normally working" is an example of the present progressive, which is used to talk about something that is happening at the moment. To use it here would be incorrect as it would give the impression that the job is only temporary and this clashes with the idea expressed by "normally" "work normally" is grammatically correct, but the different word order gives "normally" a different meaning, which would sound odd as it means that the person works in a normal way rather than in an abnormal manner.Rate this question:
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- 2.
We ……. a public company in 1985.
- A.
Have got
- B.
Have become
- C.
Became
- D.
Have gotten
Correct Answer
C. BecameExplanation
The time expression "in 1985" sets this action firmly and exclusively in the past so the past simple "became" is the correct choice here. The only other possibility that fits the meaning of the sentence would be "have became", but this is not correct because this tense (present perfect) shouldn't be used to describe actions that take place at a specific moment in the past.Rate this question:
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- 3.
We …….. to the new factory tomorrow. Do you want to come along?
- A.
Go
- B.
Are going
- C.
Goes
- D.
Going
Correct Answer
B. Are goingExplanation
The speaker uses "are going" because she is talking about a planned and arranged appointment. This is an example of the present progressive being used as a future tense to talk about your appointments.Rate this question:
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- 4.
You …….. work on Saturday as the training seminar has been cancelled.
- A.
Shouldn’t
- B.
Don’t have to
- C.
Must not
- D.
Have not to
Correct Answer
B. Don’t have toExplanation
The speaker wants to say that it is not necessary to work on Saturday and this idea is expressed by the phrase "don't have to" and not by "must not" which expresses the idea that something is not allowed.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Can you give me .…….. about your new WXP range of products, please?
- A.
An information
- B.
Any informations
- C.
Some information
- D.
Some informations
Correct Answer
C. Some informationExplanation
The noun "information" is uncountable, so it is not used with the article "an" (which roughly speaking means one). The speaker uses "some" rather than "any" because this is a request and he hopes to get a positive answer. Using "any" here would change the meaning. It would be used, for example, if the speaker is a getting a little angry at having received no information up to now.Rate this question:
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- 6.
These sales results are .…….. last year’s.
- A.
Worser than
- B.
So good like
- C.
So good as
- D.
Not as good as
Correct Answer
D. Not as good asExplanation
In this sentence 'worser than' should be 'worse than', 'so good like' and 'so good as' should be 'as good as'. This means that 'not as good as' is the only correct option.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What kind of work ……….. in your job every day?
- A.
Are you doing
- B.
Do you do
- C.
Do you
- D.
Do you make
Correct Answer
B. Do you doExplanation
First of all, the verb 'make' doesn't fit with 'work'. You 'do' work you don't 'make' work. As in question one, the speaker is something that is generally true and is asking about the person's routine work, so again the present simple verb tense needs to be used as it fits with the idea of 'every day'.Rate this question:
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- 8.
I ……. a letter when the boss arrived.
- A.
Am writing
- B.
Have written
- C.
Was writing
- D.
Have been writing
Correct Answer
C. Was writingExplanation
The speaker wants to describe what was taking place when something happened - in this case, the arrival of the boss. One way of doing this is to use the past progressive (was writing) to give this kind of background information. notice how the main action (the boss arrived) is expressed using the past simple, and this combination of the past simple for the main actions and the past progressive for the background information is quite commonly used when we talk about the past.Rate this question:
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- 9.
We’ll come and see the new production line when we …….. to England again.
- A.
Come
- B.
Will come
- C.
Are coming
- D.
Going to come
Correct Answer
A. ComeExplanation
The speaker is talking about a future visit to see the 'new production line,' but uses the present simple (come) to do this. Why? The answer is that after the word 'when' we use the present simple and not a future tense. Clearly, this only applies when the word 'when' refers to the future and not the past. If you are familiar with English conditional sentences, then you'll notice that this sentence is structured in a similar way except that instead of 'if' the speaker is using 'when' to give the idea that the visit will definitely take place.Rate this question:
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- 10.
I was very surprised that JLK Engineering hadn’t paid our invoice yet. They ……… so late.
- A.
Are never paying
- B.
Are sometimes paying
- C.
Aren't usually paying
- D.
Don't usually pay
Correct Answer
D. Don't usually payExplanation
As with questions one and seven, the speaker is talking about something that is generally true, so 'don't usually pay' (present simple) is the correct choice here rather than 'aren't usually paying' (present progressive).Rate this question:
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- 11.
We could expand much more rapidly if we ……… the finances.
- A.
Had
- B.
Would have
- C.
Will have
- D.
Have
Correct Answer
A. HadExplanation
The speaker is talking about a situation that is unreal or hypothetical. The reality is the company doesn't have enough capital to expand. To talk about these unreal situations we use conditional sentences. Notice how even though she is speaking about the company's present situation, the speaker uses the past tense (if we had the finances) to signal that this is not the real situation, but rather an imagined situation.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Barry likes to do his annual accounts all ……… .
- A.
By his own
- B.
On his own
- C.
On himself
- D.
With himself
Correct Answer
B. On his ownExplanation
The expressions are either 'on your own' or 'by yourself'. Sometimes these are mixed up!Rate this question:
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- 13.
They ……… touch the machines.
- A.
Said we don’t must
- B.
Told us we have not to
- C.
Suggested us not to
- D.
Recommended we don't
Correct Answer
D. Recommended we don'tExplanation
Here 'said we don’t must' should be 'said we mustn't'; 'told us we have not to' should be 'told us we mustn't' and 'suggested us not to' should be 'suggested we don't'. This means that 'recommended we don't' is the only correct option. Notice how we make sentences with 'suggest' and 'recommend'.Rate this question:
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- 14.
If we ……. the right figures, we would have avoided a costly error.
- A.
Didn’t have
- B.
Would have had
- C.
Had had
- D.
Would have
Correct Answer
C. Had hadExplanation
This is a like question 11, except that here the speaker is talking about the past rather than the present. The speaker is talking about a situation that is hypothetical. The reality is the company didn't have the figures and so the mistake was made. To talk about these unreal situations we use conditional sentences. Notice how to signal that this is not the real situation, the speaker uses the past perfect tense (if we had had the right figures) and not the past tense (if we had the right figures). Notice too how the word 'would' is not used with 'if' in the condition part of the sentence.Rate this question:
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- 15.
I look forward ……. from you soon.
- A.
Hearing
- B.
To hear
- C.
Hear
- D.
To hearing
Correct Answer
D. To hearingExplanation
In this sentence, there are two verbs. Can you recognize them? Well, the first verb is 'to look forward to' and the second verb is of course 'to hear'. One problem here is to recognize that the preposition 'to' belongs to the first verb and is not part of the second verb. Once you've done that, deciding what form the second verb should take becomes easier because verbs that follow prepositions need to be in the -ing form. So, for example, in the sentence 'We decided on going to France for our holiday because we all speak French.' 'to go' follows 'on' so it takes the form 'going'.Rate this question:
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- 16.
If I …… you, I …… apply for the job advertised in the paper.
- A.
Am / 'll
- B.
Were / 'd
- C.
'd be / 'd
- D.
Were / 'll
Correct Answer
B. Were / 'dExplanation
As with questions 11 and 14, The speaker is talking about a situation that is hypothetical, but in this case, it is also impossible! As we've seen already, to talk about unreal situations we use conditional sentences. In this case, the speaker has to use the past tense (if I were you) because the situation is not only hypothetical it's impossible! Notice too how the word 'would' is not used with 'if' in the condition part of the sentence. Note that 'If I was you' is also used sometimes in cases like this, but when the expression is used to give advice, as in this sentence, it's very common to use 'were' rather than 'was'.Rate this question:
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- 17.
By the time the company is profitable again, we ……. in business five years.
- A.
’ll have been
- B.
‘ll have being
- C.
’ll be being
- D.
’ll been
Correct Answer
A. ’ll have beenExplanation
The speaker here is using the phrase 'By the time' to project forward into the future and is talking about something that will be complete by a point in the future (here the moment the company reaches profitability). To do this she is using ''ll have been in business five years' which is an example of a verb tense known as the future perfect. This combination of 'by the time' and the future perfect is quite commonly used.Rate this question:
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- 18.
It’s time they ………. promotion, in my view.
- A.
Get
- B.
Got
- C.
Will get
- D.
Have got
Correct Answer
B. GotExplanation
Expressions such as 'it's time' 'it's about time' and 'it's high time' are used to give the idea that something is overdue, that is, that something should already have happened. The following phrase is always in the past tense: 'It’s time they got a promotion, in my view.'Rate this question:
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- 19.
I’m afraid I can’t meet you for lunch on the 30th as I ……….. Mr. Karlssen in Oslo on that day.
- A.
Will see
- B.
Am seeing
- C.
See
- D.
Go see
Correct Answer
B. Am seeingExplanation
As with question three, the speaker uses the present progressive (am seeing) as a future tense to talk about his appointment.Rate this question:
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- 20.
I’m sorry to give you bad news, but we regret ………. you that you have exceeded your overdraft facility.
- A.
To inform
- B.
Informing
- C.
Saying to
- D.
Telling
Correct Answer
A. To informExplanation
As was the case in question 15, there are two verbs in this sentence: 'to regret' and 'to inform'. As we saw in question 15, the problem is deciding on the correct form to use for the second verb. Here the speaker is using the verb 'to regret' to give the person some bad or negative news and when used in this way, the verb 'regret' is followed by the full infinitive of the second verb (to inform). Example: I regret to say that we no longer need your services.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Only by spending more money on advertising ………. sales significantly.
- A.
We shall increase
- B.
Will we increase
- C.
We are going to increase
- D.
We will increase
Correct Answer
B. Will we increaseExplanation
Beginning sentences with strong (never) or limiting (only) adverbs changes the normal word order in the main clause, so that instead of 'we will increase' we say 'will we increase'.Rate this question:
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- 22.
If the level of VAT is ……….. this year, small businesses will be affected.
- A.
Raised
- B.
Risen
- C.
Arising
- D.
Raising
Correct Answer
A. RaisedExplanation
The verb 'to raise' rather than 'to rise' is needed here to produce the sentence because somebody (the government) is performing the action of increasing VAT (value-added tax). The sentence has been constructed using the passive voice and so 'is raised' is the correct option.Rate this question:
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- 23.
If only I ………. my temper during the meeting, things ………. fine now!
- A.
Wouldn’t have lost / are
- B.
Didn’t lose / will be
- C.
Didn’t lose / would be
- D.
Hadn’t lost / would be
Correct Answer
D. Hadn’t lost / would beExplanation
The speaker is expressing regret about something he did in the past. He wishes it had not happened. It is quite common to use the phrase 'if only' to express this idea and because the past cannot be changed the idea is hypothetical and so (as with questions 11, 14 & 16) this expressed using a conditional sentence.Rate this question:
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- 24.
One word in the sentence is incorrect. Add one correct word in the space below to replace it. Take care to use the correct grammatical form. Example: Such big was the rise in prices that sales plummeted overnight. Answer: So The word 'Such' is incorrect and needs to be replaced with 'So' Question: Shall we see if everyone agrees now? All those in favour please rise your hands.
Correct Answer
raiseExplanation
The verb 'to rise' is intransitive, which means it is not followed by an object, in this case, 'your hands'.Rate this question:
- 25.
An expression in the sentence is incorrect. Add one correct word in the space below to replace it. Although the headquarters are in Tokyo, most of the daughter companies are in Europe.
Correct Answer
subsidiaries
holdingsExplanation
'daughter companies' is not a commonly used English expression.Rate this question:
- 26.
One word needs to be removed from the sentence to make it correct. What is it? Add the incorrect word in the space below. Go and see a lawyer and get advice about what to do next.
Correct Answer
anExplanation
The noun 'advice' is uncountable.Rate this question:
- 27.
One word needs to be removed from the sentence to make it correct. What is it? Add the incorrect word in the space below. Today, I would like to discuss with you about the company’s employment policy.
Correct Answer
aboutExplanation
The verb 'discuss' is not followed by the preposition 'about'. So we discuss something not about something.Rate this question:
- 28.
Two words in the first part of this sentence are incorrect. Which ones are they? Add one correct word in the space below to replace them. If I would have had the chance to study another foreign language, I would have learned Russian.
Correct Answer
hadExplanation
'would have' should be replaced by 'had' so that the sentence reads as follows: 'If I had had the chance to study another foreign language, I would have learned Russian.' See question 14 for an explanation of how to use conditional sentences to talk about an imagined (unreal) past.Rate this question:
- 29.
One word in the sentence is incorrect. Add one correct word in the space below to replace it. If you look at the back page, you can see the actual price list, which has just been up-dated.
Correct Answer
latest
currentExplanation
'actual' doesn't mean current.Rate this question:
- 30.
One word in the sentence is incorrect. Add one correct word in the space below to replace it. We are doing a mistake by assuming that our products would sell well abroad.
Correct Answer
makingExplanation
The correct collocation with the noun 'mistake' is the verb 'to make'. So, for example, 'He makes many mistakes because he doesn't think before he speaks.'Rate this question:
- 31.
One word in the sentence is incorrect. What is it? Add one correct word in the space below. He told that our results were not good enough.
Correct Answer
us
them
me
him
herExplanation
You tell sombody something.Rate this question:
- 32.
One word in the sentence is incorrect. Add one correct word in the space below to replace it. As can be seen from the chart, trade grew from a little less than $5bn in 1990 until nearly $16bn in 1995.
Correct Answer
toExplanation
The preposition 'until' is usually used in relation to time and not quantity.Rate this question:
- 33.
I took out a ……………………. to expand the business.
- A.
Credit
- B.
Debt
- C.
Loan
Correct Answer
C. LoanExplanation
The expression is 'to take out a loan'Rate this question:
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- 34.
She offered her home as ……………………. when she borrowed from the bank.
- A.
Security
- B.
Deposit
- C.
Guarantee
Correct Answer
A. SecurityExplanation
The correct answer is "security." In this context, offering her home as security means that she used her home as collateral or guarantee for the loan she borrowed from the bank. This means that if she fails to repay the loan, the bank has the right to seize her home to recover the borrowed amount.Rate this question:
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- 35.
The ……………………. rate on the loan was 13.5%.
- A.
Charge
- B.
Fee
- C.
Interest
Correct Answer
C. InterestExplanation
The correct answer is "interest" because the sentence mentions a loan rate of 13.5%. This indicates that the borrower is being charged a percentage of the loan amount as interest for borrowing the money. Charges and fees are typically fixed amounts or one-time payments, whereas interest is a recurring cost based on a percentage of the loan balance.Rate this question:
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- 36.
We have a(n) ……………………. of $1.2 million to finance the building of our new plant.
- A.
Budget
- B.
Cost
- C.
Expense
Correct Answer
A. BudgetExplanation
The correct answer is "budget". In this context, a budget refers to the planned allocation of funds for a specific purpose, in this case, financing the building of a new plant. It represents the estimated amount of money needed for the project and helps in managing and controlling expenses. The terms "cost" and "expense" generally refer to the actual amount spent on something, rather than the planned amount.Rate this question:
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- 37.
They have to pay the loan back over five years. The first ……………………. is due in September.
- A.
Amount
- B.
Rate
- C.
Instalment
Correct Answer
C. InstalmentExplanation
The correct answer is "instalment". In the given context, the sentence states that they have to pay the loan back over five years, and the first _______ is due in September. The word that fits logically in this sentence is "instalment", as it refers to a regular payment made towards a debt or loan.Rate this question:
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- 38.
Our state-of-the-art printing machine is our major ……………………. .
- A.
Asset
- B.
Possession
- C.
Property
Correct Answer
A. AssetExplanation
The correct answer is "asset". An asset refers to something of value that is owned or controlled by a person or organization. In this context, the state-of-the-art printing machine is considered a major asset because it is likely to contribute to the success and profitability of the business. It is a valuable resource that can generate income and provide a competitive advantage.Rate this question:
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- 39.
We need a partner who will take a 25% ……………………. in our business.
- A.
Risk
- B.
Stake
- C.
Share
Correct Answer
B. StakeExplanation
The word "stake" is the correct answer because it implies ownership or investment in the business. By taking a stake in the business, the partner will have a financial interest and responsibility in its success or failure. This suggests that the partner will contribute resources and share in the risks and rewards of the business.Rate this question:
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- 40.
Thanks to a local government ……………………. the company was able to relocate to Northern France.
- A.
Support
- B.
Subvention
- C.
Subsidy
Correct Answer
C. SubsidyExplanation
The word "subsidy" refers to financial assistance or support given by the government or an organization to help a business or industry. In this context, the company was able to relocate to Northern France thanks to the financial aid provided by the local government. This subsidy likely helped cover the costs associated with the relocation and made it possible for the company to make the move.Rate this question:
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- 41.
The money we owe our suppliers forms part of our ……………………. .
- A.
Profits
- B.
Losses
- C.
Liabilities
Correct Answer
C. LiabilitiesExplanation
The money we owe our suppliers is considered a liability because it represents an obligation or debt that we owe to them. Liabilities are typically recorded on a company's balance sheet and represent the amount of money that the company owes to external parties. In this case, the money owed to suppliers is a liability because it is a debt that needs to be paid back in the future.Rate this question:
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- 42.
The bank granted our business a(n) ……………………. facility, so our current account can now go into the red.
- A.
Overdraft
- B.
Overhead
- C.
Disposition
Correct Answer
A. OverdraftExplanation
The bank granted our business an overdraft facility, which means that we are allowed to withdraw more money from our current account than we actually have. This allows our current account to have a negative balance, or "go into the red". An overdraft is a common form of short-term borrowing for businesses, providing flexibility and helping to manage cash flow.Rate this question:
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- 43.
A: Hello. How are you? B: …………………….
- A.
I'm very fine, thank you.
- B.
How do you do?
- C.
Fine thanks, and you?
Correct Answer
C. Fine thanks, and you?Explanation
'I'm very fine' is not correct.Rate this question:
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- 44.
A: Do you want to buy some? B: …………………….
- A.
Well, I'm interesting.
- B.
Well, I'm interested.
- C.
Well, yes, I want.
Correct Answer
B. Well, I'm interested.Explanation
The correct answer is "Well, I'm interested." This is the most appropriate response to the question "Do you want to buy some?" as it indicates a positive inclination towards making a purchase. The other options ("Well, I'm interesting" and "Well, yes, I want") do not convey the same meaning and may lead to confusion or misunderstandings.Rate this question:
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- 45.
A: Would you prefer tea or coffee? B: …………………….
- A.
I prefer tea.
- B.
I don't care.
- C.
I don't mind.
Correct Answer
C. I don't mind.Explanation
'I prefer tea.' answers the question 'What do you prefer, tea or coffee? Whereas the question here is 'Would you prefer ... ?' which is an offer. 'I don't care' could indicate that you are not interested and could sound quite impolite.Rate this question:
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- 46.
A: Does Friday suit you? B: …………………….
- A.
What means suit?
- B.
What does suit mean?
- C.
Could you explain me suit?
Correct Answer
B. What does suit mean?Explanation
The person is asking for the meaning of the word "suit" because they are not familiar with it. They want a clarification or explanation of the word's definition.Rate this question:
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- 47.
A: I'm so sorry about that! B: …………………….
- A.
Don't worry about it.
- B.
Don't say anything.
- C.
It makes nothing.
Correct Answer
A. Don't worry about it.Explanation
The correct answer is "Don't worry about it." This response is appropriate because person A is apologizing for something, and person B is reassuring them that there is no need to be concerned or upset about it. Saying "Don't say anything" or "It makes nothing" would not be appropriate responses in this context.Rate this question:
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- 48.
A: Thank you so much. B: …………………….
- A.
It doesn't matter.
- B.
Welcome!
- C.
Don't mention it.
Correct Answer
C. Don't mention it.Explanation
The correct answer is "Don't mention it." This phrase is commonly used as a response to someone thanking you for something. It implies that the action you took was not a big deal or inconvenience for you, and that there is no need for the person to feel indebted or express gratitude. It is a polite way of acknowledging the thanks and dismissing any sense of obligation or indebtedness.Rate this question:
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Feb 15, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Aug 03, 2011Quiz Created by
Carl.dowse
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