Everyday English Placement Test 5/5

Explanation
The phrase "but I think the situation is just getting worse" suggests that the speaker disagrees with the government's claims of improvement and believes that the situation is actually deteriorating. The word "worse" is used to describe the direction in which the situation is heading, indicating that the speaker perceives a decline or negative change.

Explanation
The phrase "don't beat about the bush" is an idiomatic expression that means to get to the point or speak directly without wasting time. In this context, "bush" refers to beating around the bush, which is a metaphorical way of saying to avoid addressing the main topic or issue. Therefore, the correct answer is "bush."

Explanation
The given correct answer is "getting". The sentence suggests that some of the systems in the company may be unfamiliar or difficult to adjust to initially. Therefore, it is important for the person on their first day to ask questions and seek clarification if there is anything they do not understand.

Explanation
Giving aid to developing countries can easily fall into the wrong hands, meaning that the assistance may not reach the intended recipients or be used for its intended purpose. This could happen due to corruption, mismanagement, or lack of accountability. When aid falls into the wrong hands, it can perpetuate dependency and hinder the development of the country, rather than promoting sustainable growth and empowerment. Therefore, ensuring that aid reaches the right hands is crucial for its effectiveness and positive impact.

Explanation
The given sentence states that there are still fewer women than men in top positions at the boardroom level. This suggests that there is a gender imbalance in the workplace, indicating that progress towards gender equality still needs to be made.

Explanation
After a long and lengthy negotiation process, the management team made an announcement that the airline had successfully come to an agreement with the union. The word "reached" implies that both parties involved have reached a mutual understanding and have agreed upon the terms of the agreement.

Explanation
A "carrot and stick" approach refers to a motivational tactic that combines rewards (carrot) and punishments (stick) to encourage desired behavior. In the context of teaching, this means that some teachers believe that using both positive reinforcement (carrot) and consequences (stick) can be highly effective in managing student behavior and encouraging active participation in the classroom. By offering rewards for good behavior and applying consequences for misbehavior, teachers can create a balanced and structured learning environment that promotes discipline and engagement among students.

Explanation
The phrase "management material" is commonly used to describe someone who has the qualities and skills necessary to be successful in a managerial role. In this context, the speaker acknowledges the person's talent and potential but expresses doubt about their suitability for a management position. They are not convinced that the person possesses the necessary qualities or skills to excel in a managerial role.

Explanation
The phrase "he didn't have the faintest idea what I meant" suggests that the person being referred to has no understanding or comprehension of the speaker's intended meaning. This is indicated by the phrase "didn't have the faintest," which implies a complete lack of knowledge or understanding.

Explanation
The word "ought" is used to express a moral obligation or duty. In this context, the sentence suggests that because he left at midday, it is expected or morally right for him to be here soon. The word "ought" implies that there is an expectation or anticipation for his arrival based on the fact that he left at midday.

Explanation
The phrase "fighting a losing battle" is a commonly used expression that means to struggle or work hard towards a goal or objective that is unlikely to be achieved or successful. In the given sentence, the speaker is expressing their belief that despite their efforts to keep the business going, they feel that they are not making progress and are likely to fail in the current economic climate.

Explanation
The speaker is telling the listener that they have the choice to attend the meal or not. They do not want the listener to feel obligated or forced to come, hence the phrase "holding a gun to your head." This is a metaphorical expression indicating that the speaker does not want the listener to feel pressured or coerced into doing something they do not want to do.

Explanation
The phrase "put me off" means to discourage or lose interest in something. In this context, the speaker was initially excited about watching the film, but after hearing what was just revealed, they no longer have any interest in seeing it. The information they received has caused them to lose their enthusiasm or desire to watch the film.

Explanation
The correct answer is "mess". This word is used to describe a disorganized or untidy state. In the given sentence, it suggests that the daughter creates a chaotic and untidy environment in the kitchen with dirty dishes scattered all around.

Explanation
The word "other" is the correct answer because it is used to indicate that everything is going fine except for the few delays in getting the website up and running. It suggests that there may be some additional issues or factors causing delays, but overall, there are no major problems or concerns.

Explanation
The word "hardly" is used to indicate that something happens rarely or almost never. In this context, the phrase "it hardly ever rains in the summer" suggests that rainfall during the summer season in Cyprus is very uncommon or infrequent.

Explanation
The word "up" in this context means to stop or end something. In this sentence, it suggests that the police arrived and quickly stopped or ended the fight that was happening in the street.

Explanation
The word "turned" fits in the blank because it implies the action of thoroughly searching or looking through the house in a detailed manner. Despite searching the house upside-down, the speaker was unable to locate their bracelet.

Explanation
In this sentence, the word "otherwise" indicates that not paying careful attention to the health and safety of employees will result in a consequence. The word "risk" fits perfectly in this context as it means to expose oneself to danger or harm. Therefore, if companies do not prioritize the health and safety of their employees, they are putting themselves in danger of being sued.

Explanation
Being made redundant turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the person is now earning twice as much as they did at their old job and also doing less travelling. This means that they have found a better job opportunity that not only pays them more but also provides them with a better work-life balance. Initially, being made redundant may have seemed like a negative event, but it ultimately led to positive outcomes for the person.