1 | Progress test

Working with words

Business communication skills

Complete these sentences with words from the list.

There is one incorrect word in each phrase.

Underline it and write the correct word at the end.
See the example.
My names Peter Dill and I work to BNI.
for

innovation rapport tradition

professionalism extravagance

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

principles

reputation

Our famous _____________ with customers is

built on good quality and a fair price.
I dont think he has any _______. As long as it
makes money, hell sell it.
Ongoing staff training is crucial in order to
maintain a high level of _________________.
Buying this brand new car was an
_________________ but its good to spoil
yourself sometimes.
The company needs some fresh ideas and real
_________________ to bring it into the 21st
century.
Im sad hes going. We had a good
________________ and relationship, so I
liked doing business with him.
If we stretch the brand to appeal to a younger
market, we might lose the customers who
like _________________ and have always
chosen our products.

Replace the words in bold with words from the list.

expensive complex positive
over confident wary

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9
10
11
12
13
14

suspicious

practical

Why are you cautious ________ about

employing her?
I like the functional ________ design. Theres
nothing too showy about it.
The second candidate seemed a little too
arrogant ________ for working in a team.
Feedback on our latest line has been
favourable ________ from nearly all our
markets.
Im a little mistrustful ________ of this
applicant. Hes only 20 but says hes been a
CEO!
Buying that subsidiary could turn out to be
rather a costly ________ mistake.
That was a rather complicated ________
explanation. Can you say it in simple English?

15
16
17
18
19

I have given your name by a colleague of

mine.
Hello, I call about the email I sent you.
I wanted to see if you are still interested of my
proposal.
I suggest we meeting to discuss things further.
Can you tell me how I go to your office?

Complete this conversation with phrases a-e. Write

the letters in the spaces.
a
b
c
d
e

Whatevers best for you.

Ill email you a map with directions.
Lets say, provisionally,
See you next week.
Is it best by taxi or public transport?

A
B
A
B

When would you like to meet?

20
___ Wednesday at 2.00.
Fine. 21___
Can you tell me how I get to your office?
22
___
Public transport. There are trams to the centre
every five minutes. 23___
Great, thanks. 24___

A
B

Language at work
Complete these sentences with the present simple or
present continuous form of the verbs in brackets.
25
26
27
28
29
30

We ________________ (currently / update)

our website.
The bus ________________ (leave) every half
hour.
Online ordering ________________ (become)
more and more popular with many of our
clients.
Lets talk again when I ______________ (get)
back.
The department _____________ (work) harder
than normal because two people are off this
week.
Yes, I _________________ (remember) you
told me.
Result ________ / 30 marks

Business Result Upper-intermediate Progress Test 1

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Speaking test
Role cards
Copy this page and cut out the role cards for the students. Students should do both role-plays. Then use the
Speaking test results forms to evaluate each students performance. You can then cut out the results and give
them to the students.
Student A
Student B
1

You work for a company which translates

documents.
Make a follow-up call to your partner, who
you met at a conference.
Explain that you are visiting his / her city next
week.
Arrange to meet.

Ask about directions to his / her office.

End the call appropriately.

You work for a company which needs its

website redesigning.
Answer a call from someone who designs
websites.
Arrange to meet.
Give advice on the best way to travel to your
office.

Business Result Upper-intermediate Progress Test 1

You work for a company which is interested in

finding a translation service.
Answer a call from someone you met at a
conference.
Arrange to meet.
Promise to email directions.
You work for a company which designs
websites. A colleague gave you your partners
details.
Make a follow-up call about designing his /
her companys website.
Explain that you are visiting his / her city next
month.
Arrange to meet.
Ask what the easiest way is to the office. (taxi?
Public transport?)
End the call appropriately.

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Speaking test results

Use these forms to evaluate the students.
Student A
Can the student

Student B
Didnt do this Yes, but with
(0 points)
some mistakes
(1 point)

Yes, did this

very well (2
points)

Can the student

introduce himself /
herself and start the
call?

introduce himself /
herself and start the
call?

give reason for calling?

give reason for calling?

arrange to meet?

arrange to meet?

discuss travel
arrangements /
directions?

discuss travel
arrangements /
directions?

end the call

appropriately?

end the call

appropriately?

Result ________ / 10 marks

Didnt do this Yes, but with

(0 points)
some mistakes
(1 point)

Yes, did this

very well
(2 points)

Result ________ / 10 marks