Workplace problems In the following sentences and paragraphs, one of the words in each of the word pairs in bold is wrong and one is right. Identify the most appropriate word in each case. You will find this easier to do if you read each paragraph through first so that you have a better idea of what it is about. (Note that the wrong words are real English words, but do not fit into the context of the sentence / paragraph.) Paragraph (A) If there is a (1) despite / dispute between the management and the union in a company which cannot be (2) restored / resolved , and as a result a (3) strike / stroke looks likely, a third party might be called in to (4) abdicate / arbitrate . Paragraph (B) Poor (1) timekeeping / timeserving , persistent (2) abstentions / absenteeism and general (3) misconception / misconduct at work have lost us over $200,000 this year. Paragraph (C) Three managers have been accused of (1) fraught / fraud , (2) dissemination / discrimination , (3) bullying / bumbling , (4) racy / racial (5) obtuse / abuse and (6) sectional / sexual (7) harassment / arrestment . As a result two of them have been (8) fried / fired and one has been (9) suspected / suspended without pay. The first two are claiming (10) unfair / unfaithful (11) dismissive / dismissal and plan to (12) appeal / appall . The third has applied for a job with the government. Paragraph (D) We would like to point out that there have been several (1) breaches / beaches of the company's 'No smoking' policy. We also have proof that several factory floor workers have been (2) neglecting / negotiating their duties, and there have also been several incidences of (3) insurrection / insubordination towards senior managers and intentional (4) damning / damage of company property. If this happens again, those responsible will be taken before a (5) disconcerting / disciplinary (6) broad / board and could face (7) instant / instance (8) dismal / dismissal . Paragraph (E) The management are fully aware that because of staff (1) shortness / shortages we are all (2) overstretched / oversubscribed at the moment, Mr. Harrington, but we suggest that if you have a (3) grievance / grievous , you put it to us in writing rather than encourage your colleagues to hold a sudden (4) walkout / walkabout . We'd like you to treat this as a (5) verbal / verdant (6) warming / warning : the next time it happens, we will be obliged to ask for your (7) notice / note . Paragraph (F) What a terrible month! Sales have (1) droned / dropped by 40%, six employees have been made (2) recumbent / redundant , two senior managers have (3) resigned / resided , our main supplier has gone (4) bankrolled / bankrupt , someone has (5) haggled / hacked into the company website and given us a (6) virus / viscous (with the result that the entire computer system has (7) crashed / cracked ), and the donut machine is still out of (8) odor / order . |
