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CHECK YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR

TOEIC

by

Rawdon Wyatt

A & C Black
London

Introduction

This book has been written for anyone who is planning to take the TOEIC ®, and who wants

to practice and develop their vocabulary. A greater command of vocabulary is one of the key

factors that will help you raise your TOEIC®^ score.

You should not go through the exercises in this book mechanically. It is better to choose

areas that you are unfamiliar with, or areas that are of specific interest or importance to you.

Each exercise is accompanied by a full answer key at the back of the book. This key also

gives you other information about particular vocabulary items (for example, words with

similar meanings, alternative words and expressions, etc.) that are not covered in the

exercises themselves.

When you are doing the tasks in this book, look at the instructions carefully to make sure

you understand what to do, then read through the text / questions first before attempting

the exercises. This is a useful 'skimming' technique that you should also use when you are

doing the TOEIC ®^ itself.

We recommend that you have a good dictionary with you, and refer to it when necessary.

However, always try to do the exercises without a dictionary first, and then use a dictionary

to check anything that you are not sure of.

It is very important to keep a record of new words and expressions that you learn, and

review these on a regular basis so that they become a part of your 'active' vocabulary. Unless

you are taking the TOEIC ®^ Test of Spoken English, the TOEIC ®^ is an exam which tests your

language recognition skills rather than your language production skills. However, if you

familiarize yourself with the vocabulary in the book by reviewing it and then trying to use it

in your written and spoken English on a regular basis, you will be in a better position to

recognize it if and when it comes up in the exam.

No vocabulary book can possibly contain all of the words and expressions that you are likely

to come across in the TOEIC®, so it is important that you acquire new vocabulary from other

sources. Try to read as much as possible from a different variety of authentic reading

materials (books, newspapers, journals, magazines, etc.), and familiarize yourself with

spoken English by listening to English-language radio stations and watching English-

language movies and television programs whenever possible.

Try to get plenty of exam practice before you do the exam itself, so that you become familiar

with the format. There are several books, courses and other publications that will help you.

Barron's How to prepare for the TOEIC ®^ (ISBN 0 7641 7514 9), which contains lots of helpful

advice as well as complete model tests, is particularly useful.

We hope you enjoy doing the exercises in this book and that they help you to practice and

develop the vocabulary that you need. Good luck in the TOEIC®!

Contents

For reference see Dictionary of Law 4th edition (A & C Black 0-7475-6636-4).

1 – 2 Changes 1

3 Changes 2

4 Comparing and contrasting

5 – 6 Computers and information technology

7 Condition and requirement

8 – 9 Confusing words

10 – 11 Continuing, repeating and starting again

12 – 13 Contracts

14 – 15 Different situations

16 – 17 Earnings, rewards and benefits

18 – 19 Entertainment, art, sports and the media

20 Food and eating out

21 – 22 Hotels

23 – 24 Job advertising

25 – 26 Job recruitment

27 Joining ideas together: addition, equation and conclusion

28 – 29 Location and direction

30 Meetings and presentations

31 Money matters 1

32 – 33 Money matters 2

34 Obligation and option

35 Opposites 1: verbs and adjectives

36 Opposites 2: adjective prefixes

37 – 38 Opposites 3: verb prefixes

39 Ownership, giving, lending and borrowing

40 Phrasal verbs 1

41 Phrasal verbs 2

42 Phrasal verbs 3

43 Prepositions 1

44 Prepositions 2

45 – 46 Sales and marketing

47 – 48 Shopping and consumerism

49 – 51 Similar meanings 1: nouns

52 – 53 Similar meanings 2: verbs

54 Similar meanings 3: adjectives

55 – 56 Starting and stopping

57 – 58 Travel 1

59 Travel 2

60 – 61 Word forms 1: nouns from verbs

62 – 63 Word forms 2: nouns from adjectives

64 Word forms 3: adjectives from verbs

65 Workplace problems

66 – 76 Answers

Page: Title:

11. Because of forecasts for high demand in the future, we need to increase our stocks. We need to __________ our stocks to cope with future demand.
12. The government will spend less on the welfare system next year. There are going to be __________ in welfare spending next year.
13. Public services are less reliable now than they were five years ago. There has been a __________ in public services reliability over the last five years.
14. Nowadays, more and more people are traveling abroad for business and pleasure. There has been __________ in the overseas travel market.
15. Compared with five years ago, more people are shopping in out-of-town malls than in local stores. There has been an __________ in the number of people shopping in out-of-town malls.
16. Unless your work visibly improves, we will have to recommend a transfer to another department. We need to see some __________ in your work, or we will recommend a departmental transfer.
17. Young Americans want to travel, meet new people and see more of the world than their parents and grandparents did. Young Americans want to __________ their horizons.
18. Over the next two months, we plan to make our office computers faster and more efficient. Over the next two months, we plan to __________ our office computers.
19. We are trying to make the accounting system simpler and more efficient. We are trying to __________ the accounting system.
20. Making the company smaller by making a lot of staff members redundant has made it much more profitable than it was before. ___________ the company has made it much more profitable than it was before._
21. Standards of service have gone down recently, and as a result we have lost a lot of customers. Standards of service have __________ recently, and as a result we have lost a lot of customers.
22. Property prices have gone up, then gone down, then gone up again this year. Property prices have __________ this year.
23. We have made small changes to the rules for applying for instant credit. We have __________ the rules for applying for instant credit.
24. The company is planning to change its marketing division to make it more effective. The company is planning to __________ its marketing division.

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Also see Changes 2 on page 3.

The box below contains 27 words used to describe change in different situations. These are

all verbs, and they can be found by reading from left to right and from right to left, starting

in the top-left corner and following the direction of the arrows. Separate these words, then

use some of them to complete sentences 1 – 10 below. In some cases you will need to

change the form of the verb (for example, by putting it into its past simple or past participle

form).

Changes 2

3

Ö a d a p t r e p l a c e e x p a n d i n °

¯ t e c u d e r e t o m o r p e s a e r c ©

ª r a n s f o r m s w i t c h r e n o v a °

¯ e t l a e t o m e d e g n a h c x e e t ©

ª r d i s a p p e a r v a r y r a i s e l °

¯ i e h e g r a l n e d n e t x e r e w o ©

ª g h t e n l e n g t h e n w i d e n d e °

¯ e r h c t e r t s n e t r o h s n e p e ©

ª v i s e f a l l o u t s o u r c e

1. The company cannot refund customers' money, and goods can only be __________ on production of a receipt or other proof of purchase.
2. We have made radical changes to the working regulations, and employees are expected to __________ to these over the next few weeks.
3. Our customer call center used to be in Wichita, but last year we __________ it to India, where costs are much lower.
4. The new director has completely __________ the company, from a small local enterprise to a major international concern.
5. The hotel is currently being __________, but will remain open while building work is carried out.
6. Production has been _________ from our Boston site to a new industrial center outside of Portland.
7. Our new memory cards __________ in price, from $35 for a 64Mb card up to $125 for a 2Gb card.
8. The Internet clothing company Pants-2-U.com has __________ its range to include jewelry and watches.
9. After the sales manager lost the company almost $20,000 in a bad deal, the director had no choice but to ________ him to sales assistant.
10. Air fares will be __________ on July 21: domestic flights will go down by 10%, but international flights will go up by 22%.

Also see Changes 1 on pages 1 and 2.

Exercise 1:

Read the text below, in which someone is talking about their computer. Unfortunately, they

have used rather 'un-technical' language. Replace the words and expressions in bold with

something more appropriate from the box.

Exercise 2:

Instructions as above

Computers and information technology

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CD drive components CPU (Central Processing Unit) desktop DTP (desktop publishing) flash-drive hard disk hard drive keyboard laptop load memory monitor mouse printer scanner software spreadsheet USB port word processing

This is my new (1) computer that sits on top of a table or desk (I've also got a (2) small computer which can be carried or placed on your knees ). As you can see, there are six main (3) parts to it. The first is the (4) part of the computer that runs it and controls what it does , and this is the most important bit. It carries the (5) part that stores and controls the flow of information , including the (6) round thing that is used for storing information. Mine has a particularly high (7) capacity for storing information , which means that it's much faster than most. It came with its own (8) computer programs package (including (9) writing, checking and changing texts , (10) calculating in columns of figures , and (11) producing texts and pictures for magazines packages). You can also (12) put in other programs using the (13) sliding tray for carrying round, plastic, information-holding things , or the (14) hole for connecting computer parts to one another (into which you can put a (15) small plastic and metal stick which can hold a lot of information ). The other five parts of the computer are the (16) screen that lets you see what your computer is doing , the (17) flat thing with the letters and numbers on it that let you control the computer , the (18) machine that lets you make copies of the documents that you create on your computer , the (19) device for making color copies of photographs and other documents which you can put onto your computer , and last but not least, the (20) device that you hold in your hand and move across your desk to control the cursor.

access attachment bookmark browser chatrooms crashing delete download email homepage Internet keywords links log on log out online pop-up provider search engine spam upgrade virus website

Now, in my opinion, the best thing about modern information technology is the (1) network that links millions of computers from around the world. Once you've got yourself a / an (2) company that allows you (3) entry , and a (4) program that finds information you can start using this. It's especially useful if you want to get information about something, go shopping or (5) transfer information, games, music, etc., onto your own computer. You can even 'talk' to other computer users in (6) special places where you can leave messages and get instant replies. Most companies have their own (7) special computer pages

which you can look at. Let me (8) turn the computer on, enter my code and access the computer system , and I'll show you ours. OK, here we go. Oh no, another (9) advertisement that suddenly appears on the computer screen. How annoying. Let me just remove it. That's better.

Now, I can never remember the exact address of our company, so first of all I'll type it into the (10) program that helps you find the information you want. OK, A & C Black Publishing. The computer identifies the (11) most important or main words and then gives me (12) connections to a list of possible sites. This one looks right: www.acblack.com. I'll click on that. Bingo! Here's our (13) front page. You can use this to find the different books that we publish, and if you want you can even buy them (14) through the computer. Hmm, this book looks good: Check Your English Vocabulary for TOEIC®. Now, before I (15) exit this site , I'll just (16) add it to my list of favorites so that I can find it more quickly next time.

Perhaps the most important thing, however, is (17) a special electronic letter-sending facility , which allows you to communicate with people around the world in an instant. Let me quickly check mine. Oh dear, nothing very interesting. Mainly a load of (18) unwanted advertising. I'll just (19) remove it: I don't particularly want to rent a vacation home in Mexico, have my future read by one of America's top astrologers or buy a phone that lets you smell the person you're talking to. There's something here from my sister with a / an (20) document or file that has been sent with it. You have to be careful with these: sometimes they contain a (21) hidden routine placed in the program that destroys or corrupts files. If you open it, it can do all sorts of horrible things to your computer. I had one last week that kept (22) shutting down my computer. I do have a protection package, but it's a bit out of date: I really ought to (23) bring it up to date.

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The exercises above contain just a few of the words and expressions related to computers

and IT. Many more enter our vocabulary each year. How many others do you know?

The sentences below are all missing one word. Four possible answers follow each sentence.

Choose the best answer in each case. Note that each set of answers includes some words

that are often confused with one another, either because: (a) they are related to the same

topic, but have a different meaning; (b) they look similar but have a different meaning; (c)

they are English words which have a similar-looking word in another language but which

have a different meaning (we call these words false friends ).

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Confusing words

1. Try to make your report as __________ as possible: only give us the facts, and not your opinions. (a) subjective (b) objectionable (c) subjected (d) objective
2. Environmental inspectors regularly __________ our kitchens and other food preparation areas to make sure they conform to regulations. (a) inspect (b) control (c) study (d) analyze
3. __________ workers are often rewarded with higher salaries and other benefits. (a) conscious (b) conscientious (c) conscience (d) consciousness
4. Airlines are already increasing their prices on the __________ that fuel prices are going to rise. (a) consumption (b) destruction (c) assumption (d) presumption
5. The fire caused a lot of __________ to the building and factory machinery. (a) damage (b) harm (c) injury (d) wound
6. Government subsidies helped to __________ many companies being forced to close down. (a) prevent (b) preventive (c) avoidance (d) avoid
7. The manager made it clear that he intended to __________ down some new rules to enforce workplace discipline. (a) lying (b) lie (c) laying (d) lay
8. Cuts in advertising will have a serious __________ on sales. (a) effective (b) effect (c) affect (d) affection
9. If you want to take photographs, you will need to apply for a __________. (a) permit (b) permission (c) permissible (d) permitting
10. At the meeting, the manager talked __________ about the need for better attendance and punctuality. (a) briefly (b) briefing (c) shortly (d) shorts
11. The office will be closed __________ it is being decorated. (a) during (b) while (c) for (d) throughout
12. Can you __________ me on the best course of action to take? (a) advisory (b) advisable (c) advice (d) advise
13. Economic __________ slowly stagnated as the recession became worse. (a) active (b) action (c) activity (d) activist
14. __________ their regular daytime job, many people do extra work in the evening. (a) by (b) beside (c) between (d) besides
15. The computer system crashed on Monday, then again on Wednesday and finally today. These

________ breakdowns are wasting us time and costing us a lot of money. (a) continuing (b) continuous (c) continuation (d) continual

16. She was very __________ of our efforts to help. (a) appreciable (b) appreciative (c) appreciating (d) appreciate
17. The manager said he believed we would win the contract, but I knew that we didn't really stand a / an __________. (a) possibility (b) probability (c) chance (d) opportunity
18. The proposals he put forward were excellent. __________, it quickly became apparent that they would work when put into practice. (a) Moreover (b) However (c) Nevertheless (d) Although
19. We need to remain __________ to the needs of our customers, and react accordingly. (a) sensible (b) sensitive (c) sensitivity (d) sensibility
20. A __________ amount of working hours are lost every year because of illness and absenteeism. (a) considerate (b) considerable (c) consistent (d) convenient
21. The new salesman refused to wear a tie on __________. (a) principle (b) principality (c) principal (d) principally
22. Nobody raised any __________ when we insisted on opening an hour earlier. (a) criticism (b) complaints (c) protests (d) objections
23. The museum contains several __________ works of Renaissance art, including two paintings by Raphael, one by Dürer, one by Titian, and an early sketch by Tintoretto. (a) worthless (b) valueless (c) priceless (d) useless
24. Despite the recent economic recovery, many people are still looking for __________. (a) work (b) job (c) profession (d) career
25. The Avicenna Partnership is a __________ company with a long and successful sales history. (a) respectable (b) respectful (c) respecting (d) respective
26. Because of increased operating costs, we have been forced to __________ our prices. (a) rise (b) raze (c) raise (d) arise
27. The bank has said it will be happy to __________ us the money provided we have suitable collateral. (a) lend (b) borrow (c) lease (d) rent
28. When we leave the office tonight, __________ me to turn everything off and lock up properly. (a) remembrance (b) reminisce (c) remember (d) remind
29. Because of the current __________ situation, we have been forced to close down several of our city center outlets. (a) economical (b) economic (c) economize (d) economics
30. Shortly before you hold a meeting, it is a good idea to send everyone in the office a __________ outlining the main points to be discussed. (a) notify (b) notice (c) note (d) notification

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Exercise 2: Complete these sentences using the most appropriate word or expression from

Exercise 1. In some cases you will need to change the form of the word (for example, from

an adjective to an adverb), and in some cases more than one option is possible.

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16. Staff absenteeism is a / an keep up problem which we need to resolve as soon as possible.
17. The constant noise from the highway outside the office makes it very difficult to concentrate.
18. As long as the negotiations continue to proceed well, we hope to sign the contract by the end of the month.
19. Unemployment figures have fallen by about 2% every year for the last ten years. It is hoped that this resume decrease will continue.
20. If the government agrees to pursue its current policy of reducing taxation, we can afford to invest more in developing our technology.
21. We have asked them __________ to send us the invoice, but they have ignored us every time.
22. The air conditioning is __________ breaking down, usually when it's really hot.
23. Sales figures have been dropping by about 3% a month. If this problem __________, we will have to start making staff cutbacks.
24. Rail services between Albion Creek and Elgin City have been suspended while the track is repaired, but will __________ early next week.
25. Learning a language isn't easy. You need to __________ if you want to make any real progress.
26. One of the most important things you should do in this line of work is __________ a sense of humor, especially when things go wrong.
27. The work on the new airport isn't __________ fast enough, and won't be ready in time for the beginning of the tourist season.
28. The presentation ended early because of __________ interruptions from the audience.
29. Staff development workshops help our team to develop new and more effective ways of working, but eventually many of them __________ to their old ways.
30. Everyone is delighted with the quality of service you provide. _____ it _____!

Look at paragraphs 1 – 6 in the boxes, and answer the questions that follow them.

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Contracts

This contract is binding, and we expect all the parts involved (both clients and suppliers) to abide by the terms and conditions stated in sections 3a – 37g on pages 1 – 17.

1. One of the underlined words / expressions in the above sentence is wrong. Identify and correct it.
2. True or false: A contract which is binding is flexible and can be changed at any time.
3. Which of these words / expressions could replace abide by ?: (A) choose (B) agree with (C) obey (D) change

On terminator of this contract, the company will be obliged to return any unused materials to the supplier within 28 days, unless provision has been made for a temporary extension. If any of the rules of the contract are broken, all materials must be returned immediately.

1. One of the underlined words / expressions in the above sentence is wrong. Identify and correct it.
2. True or false: Provision has a similar meaning to arrangement.
3. Rearrange these letters to make two words which have a similar meaning to obliged : degabtlio edequrir

The contract was originally verbal, but we've finally managed to get the company to give us something on paper. They say that this contract is un-negotiable, but maybe we can persuade them to amend some of the details before we sign on the dotted line.

1. One of the underlined words / expressions in the above paragraph is wrong. Identify and correct it.
2. True or false: The speaker thinks that it might be possible for small changes to be made to the contract before she signs it.
3. Rearrange the letters in bold to make four words which have the same meaning as verbal in this situation rola kosnep plidemi etodnurdso

Look at paragraphs 1 – 10, and answer the question that follows each one.

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Different situations

If it is formal, it should begin with a polite salutation. If you don't know the recipient's name, call them Sir or Madam , but if you know their name, always use it (beginning with Mr. for men and Ms. for women). It should be brief, clear and to the point. End with Yours sincerely if you know the recipient's name, or Yours faithfully if you don't. Some people end theirs with Yours truly. Only use Best wishes at the end if it is informal.

(^) What is the speaker talking about?

Mr. Jenkins : What's the schedule for today? Ms. Ranscombe : Well, after everyone has arrived and registered, there will be coffee in the reception area. This will give everyone a chance to meet their fellow delegates and do some networking. This will be followed by a plenary session in the main hall: I believe the speaker will be giving a presentation on new marketing trends. After a break at 11 o'clock there will be different seminars for areas of special interest. The afternoon will consist of a series of workshops, and then there will be an evening reception and dinner for all the participants.

(^) Where are Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Ranscombe?

Ms. Akkabar : Hello, Mr. Andrews. What can I do for you today? Mr. Andrews : I originally just wanted a checkup, but two days ago I lost a filling, and I think one of my crowns is coming loose. I guess that will be expensive to fix. Ms. Akkabar : Well, it might be, but we have various payment options that might spread the cost. Take a seat and I'll have a look. Hmm. Your gums look a bit sore. How often do you brush and floss? Mr. Andrews : About five times a day!

(^) What is Ms. Akkabar's job?

Our company is committed to helping employees learn more about their jobs and develop their skills, so we run regular sessions to facilitate this. These are usually in the form of seminars and workshops, and cover a wide range of subjects, including leadership skills, problem solving, decision-making, negotiation skills and interpersonal development. Our employees can then revise and practice these skills through our online program which is run on the company intranet.

(^) True or false: The speaker thinks that his employees don't work hard enough.

Is that Amanda Mellors? Oh, well, could you put me through then? You can't get through? Oh, her line is engaged. I see. No, I can't hang on, I'm afraid. Could you give me her extension? It's confidential, is it? Well, could you ask her to get back to me later? Hello? HELLO? I don't believe it, I've been cut off.

(^) What is the speaker doing?

Each employee has at least one of these a year. Each session lasts about 45 minutes, and we ask them various questions. For example, we ask them if they think the work they are doing meets the correct standards and whether or not they have met the objectives we have set for them. We also like to know if they are happy with the way their career is progressing, if they would like to do something more challenging, and also if they receive sufficient encouragement, praise and motivation from their managers.

(^) Rearrange the letters in bold to make words: The speaker is talking about his company's fatfs spapialar program.

My boss is abrasive, bigoted, conceited, confrontational, critical, insensitive, intolerant and obstinate.

(^) Does the speaker have a good boss or a bad one?

Ms. Collins : You will be expected to oversee the work of the production department, agree product specifications with sales departments and time schedules with the stock control department, ensure the product is manufactured according to agreed specifications, inspect the quality of the finished product, produce sales reports for the head office, visit and negotiate with suppliers on base material prices and deal with everyday problems as they arise. Mr. Sheppard : Anything else? Ms. Collins : Yes. Make my coffee. Two sugars and plenty of cream, please.

(^) What is Ms. Collins explaining to Mr. Sheppard?

Ms. Colley : What's your diagnosis? Is it serious? Mr. Sagala : Oh no. You have a throat infection, but it's fairly minor and nothing to worry about. Ms. Colley : Can you treat it? Mr. Sagala : Oh yes, I'll give you a prescription for antibiotics. They should cure it. But make an appointment to come back and see me in a week. It's contagious, so I suggest you take a few days off work. I'll write you a sick note.

(^) How does Mr. Sagala make his living?

Mr. Samson : This says we owe them $180, but the order was only for $131. Ms. Grant : Yes, but that price was exclusive of tax. Mr. Samson : I know, but even with tax it should only come to $165. Ms. Grant : That's true. Oh, hang on, look what it says at the bottom. Package and delivery: $15. Mr. Samson : Oh, right. Well, I guess we had better pay them. Who do we make the remittance payable to? Ms. Grant : Oh, we don't need to send them anything. The payment will be automatically deducted from our account at the end of the month. Unfortunately, what this doesn't show us is the import duty we will have to pay. I guess we can expect to get a bill from Customs soon.

(^) What are Mr. Samson and Ms. Grant looking at?

Look at the situations again, and highlight the key words and expressions that helped you to identify what each one is about.

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