Grammar Activity

Identify the correct verb in the following sentences.

1. That man or those women (is/are) to be blamed for this crime.
2. The altar boys nor the priest (knows/know) what really happened to Ms.
Smith.
3. Either John or his friends (sees/see) the ghost in the haunted house.
4. Neither the dogs nor cat of our neighbors (was/were) found.
5. Neither the loaves of bread nor the cake (was/were) eaten.
6. Either his conclusion or their analyses (is/are) problematic.
7. Some of the milk or most of the oranges (smells/smell) rotten.
8. Neither Jessie nor Ejay (answers/answer) the question correctly.
9. Either toasted bread or ham and cheese (is/are) what I want for breakfast.
Unit 1. Lesson 8. Reaching the End 1
10. Neither my friends nor my classmates (attends/attend) the event.
UNIT II: WORK LIFE
LESSON 5

Impressing
the Boss
Lesson Outline
1. Reading
2. Vocabulary Focus
3. Easy Challenge
4. Average Challenge
5. Summary

3
 Tell a time that
you felt so happy
because your boss
praised you for a
job well done.

4
Setting
Agatha was celebrating
another victory of her sales
team when she was called
to her office by her boss.
She went inside her office
in happy spirit.
5
Agatha: Good afternoon, Jasmine. You called for me?
Mrs. Smith: I never thought I would ever say this directly to you,
but yes, your work has been truly commendable. Congratulations.,
Brenda!
Agatha : I am flattered, Jasmine. Thank you.
Mrs. Smith: I know this as a dog-eat-dog industry but you learned
the ropes and among all the managers in this company, you stood
out. Indeed, your performance is exemplary and I can only see a
promising future for you.
Agatha I know I would not have reached this far if it weren't for
your help.
Mrs. Smith: Now,I called for you because I want you also to know
that we are expanding to another country. I need a team composed of
6
Agatha : I am a team player and you can always count on me when
it comes to new opportunities that will help me move up the ranks.
Mrs. Smith: Good. I can rely on you, I'm sure, because you are
grounded and forthright. I am sure you gained wisdom for the last
few years you have been here in the headquarters.
Agatha : Thank you for believing in me, Jasmine.
Mrs. Smith: No need to thank me. Just show the same amount of
productivity and accomplish your tasks with flying colors. Your
uniqueness comes with your tact in going against the tide. But I am
not done yet. The thing is, you are going to a new branch as my right
arm. You'll receive an email on the details of your promotion
including your salary increase. I hope this will motivate you even
more. 7
Vocabulary Focus
Let us read the following expressions mostly on positive feedback.

 commendable  team player

 to stand out  to count on
 exemplary  grounded
 promising  forthright
 a cut above the  go against the tide
rest
 to commence
8
Mrs. Smith: I never thought I would ever say this directly to you, but
yes, your work has been truly commendable. Congratulations., Brenda!

commendable
a. deserving attention
MEANING b. deserving praise
c. deserving more time
d. deserving love

I thought I was through with him and just fire him, but lately, his
MORE performance at work has been commendable.
EXAMPLES Despite the frigid weather, the show was pushed through and it
was a commendable performance!

9
 Nobel Prize is an
international award given
to commendable work and
discovery of professionals
from various fields like
literature,
medicine,chemistry, etc.
10
 Because of her commendable paintings, she
became well-known all over the city after her first
exhibit.

Your Sentence
Because of her commendable _____________________,
she __________________. 11
What have you
done recently
that is highly
commendable?

12
Mrs. Smith: I know this as a dog-eat-dog industry but you learned the
ropes and among all the managers in this company, you stood out.

to stand out
a. to be strong enough to remain standing
MEANING b. to be admired for a strange reason
c. to be popular for certain qualities
d. to be very noticeable among many

Indeed, he was scrawny when I saw him for the first time, but he
MORE was charming and stood out among all the men I met there.
EXAMPLES He stood out in the interviews because he came in drunk and
threw up right in front of me. Indeed, it was the worst interview.

13
 If you always smile,
keep steady eye
contact, and dress up
well when you meet
people, you will
definitely stand out.

Your Sentence
If you ___________________, you will definitely stand
out. 14
 How do you
stand out from
everyone else
at work?

15
Mrs. Smith: Indeed, your performance is exemplary and I can only see
a promising
future for you.
exemplary
a. a good example
MEANING b. most memorable
c. the best of its kind
d. popular and respected

Due to the many positive reforms he brought about, Mr. Rodi is an

MORE exemplary leader!
EXAMPLES J.K. Rowling wrote the compelling Harry Potter series; her
exemplary storytelling is admired by many.

16
 Parents must be exemplary in
raising their children. They
cannot simply grow their child
the way they themselves were
raised now that we have
numerous researches on how
to raise a kid. To beat or not to
beat is one question. 17
 I wanted to be an
exemplary student, so I
always study hard and
get the highest grade in
class all the time.

Your Sentence
I wanted to be an exemplary ______________, so that
________________. 18
 Describe an
exemplary
person who
lives life to the
full. Are you
one?
19
Mrs. Smith: Indeed, your performance is exemplary and I can only see
a promising
future for you.
promising
a. showing signs of future success
MEANING b. having the capacity to make a promise
c. a positive way of seeing things
d. having endless possibilities

He managed to weather many storms during his younger years

MORE and with his experiences, I can only see a promising future.
EXAMPLES Despite how hard she worked, she didn't seem to get the
recognition she deserved, but she remained optimistic and
continued hoping for a promising career.
20
 Everyone keeps saying
that she has a promising
life ahead of her because
her parents are
celebrities.

Your Sentence
Everyone keeps saying that she has a promising
______________, because ________________. 21
 Have you
always
believed that
you will have a
promising life?
How come?
22
Mrs. Smith: I need a team composed of members that are a cut above
the rest to commence our business there.

a cut above the rest

a. meant to succeed
MEANING b. the best of its kind
c. well-done or well-made
d. considered special

Although he used elementary techniques in cooking, his dishes

MORE have always been considered as a cut above the rest.
EXAMPLES Delicate and detailed, his ice statues have always been considered
by critics as a cut above the rest; sadly, they are not long lasting.

23
 After spending hours in
the office to plan, they
finally came up with an
idea for a product that
hopefully could be a cut
above the rest.

Your Sentence
After ____________, they ____________ a cut above the
rest. 24
 What does
your
hometown
have that is a
cut above the
rest?
25
Mrs. Smith: I need a team composed of members that are a cut above
the rest to commence our business there.

to commence
a. to begin
MEANING b. to be officially known
c. to be shown
d. to be remembered

His history of micromanaging commenced when his team

MORE members refused to follow orders and started doing tasks their
EXAMPLES way.
His suspension commenced the day after he committed the
offense.
26
 When a problem
commences, one should
immediately find a way
to solve it.

Your Sentence
When ____________ commences, one should
____________. 27
 Is there
something that
you expect to
commence this
year?

28
Brenda: I am a team player and you can always count on me when it
comes to new opportunities that will help me move up the ranks.

team player
a. a member of a team
MEANING b. a person who works well with a team
c. a person who works alone in a team
d. a great player in a team

Despite her negative experience of working with others, she

MORE realized in hindsight how being a team player is very important.
EXAMPLES As the leader of the team, Jason makes sure that everyone should
have the traits of a team player which make them more
productive.
29
 Despite that some of his
colleagues were
unfriendly, she remained
a team player.

Your Sentence
Despite ___________________ , she remained a team
player. 30
 How do you
deal with
people who are
not team
players?

31
Brenda: I am a team player and you can always count on me when it
comes to new opportunities that will help me move up the ranks.

to count on
a. to be dependent on
MEANING b. to keep a secret
c. to spend time on
d. to rely on

I can always count on Jen to keep my secret because I know she

MORE has never thrown anyone under the bus.
EXAMPLES Whenever we go on an adventure, I can always count on Mike to
watch my back.

32
 The day Ben lent me
money when I needed it
the most was the time I
realized I can really
count on him.

Your Sentence
The day ____________ when ____________ was the time
I realized I can really count on him. 33
 Name someone
you can really
count on in times
of great difficulty
if your parents
are not around.
How come?
34
Mrs. Smith: Good. I can rely on you, I'm sure, because you are
grounded and forthright. . I am sure you gained wisdom for the last few
years ….
grounded
a. not allowed to leave the house as a punishment
MEANING b. based on good reasons
c. sensible, able to make good decisions
d. humble and professional

I was over the moon when I married a very grounded and romantic guy
MORE who can help me with my spending problem.
EXAMPLESI always thought he was a grounded leader until he forced everyone to
walk to the park for a conference even if it was raining cats and dogs.

35
 Jennifer is quite
grounded, unlike her
sister who seems to
make friends with the
wrong people and ends
up in terrible situations.

Your Sentence
She is quite grounded unlike ___________ who
____________ . 36
 Was there a
time in your
life when you
were not
grounded?
What
happened?
37
Mrs. Smith: Good. I can rely on you, I'm sure, because you are
grounded and forthright. . I am sure you gained wisdom for the last few
years ….
forthright
a. notably simple in style and quality
MEANING b. honest and going straight to the point
c. proceeding straight on
d. speaking without hesitation

John was never easily submissive to anyone’s ideas as he was always

MORE forthright in speaking his mind.
EXAMPLESShe was forthright about how her wrong decisions are eating away at
her conscience especially since her family suffered from them.

38
 She was not often
forthright with her boss
about what she truly
thinks, and as a result,
her boss rarely asks her
opinion.

Your Sentence
She was not often forthright with ________
about__________ and as a result, ______________. 39
Are you always
forthright?
Why or why
not?

40
Mrs. Smith: … Just show the same amount of productivity and
accomplish your tasks with flying colors. Your uniqueness comes with
your tact in going against the tide
to go against the tide
a. friendly and loving towards others
MEANING b. acting in a manner contrary to what’s popular
c. acting in a manner befitting an educated person
d. having a warm personality

In her confession, she wanted to go against the tide, but she

MORE realized that it was not really worth it.
EXAMPLES Jenn always agrees with everyone, and she will only go against
the tide when pigs fly.

41
 Kevin has always been
confident in going
against the tide because
powerful people were
always ready to back
him up.

Your Sentence
She has always been _________ in going against the tide
because _____________. 42
When was the
last time you
went against
the tide? What
happened?

43
Setting
Agatha was celebrating
another victory of her sales
team when she was called
to her office by her boss.
She went inside her office
in happy spirit.
44
Agatha: Good afternoon, Jasmine. You called for me?
Mrs. Smith: I never thought I would ever say this directly to you,
but yes, your work has been truly commendable. Congratulations.,
Brenda!
Agatha : I am flattered, Jasmine. Thank you.
Mrs. Smith: I know this as a dog-eat-dog industry but you learned
the ropes and among all the managers in this company, you stood
out. Indeed, your performance is exemplary and I can only see a
promising future for you.
Agatha I know I would not have reached this far if it weren't for
your help.
Mrs. Smith: Now,I called for you because I want you also to know
that we are expanding to another country. I need a team composed of
45
Agatha : I am a team player and you can always count on me when
it comes to new opportunities that will help me move up the ranks.
Mrs. Smith: Good. I can rely on you, I'm sure, because you are
grounded and forthright. I am sure you gained wisdom for the last
few years you have been here in the headquarters.
Agatha : Thank you for believing in me, Jasmine.
Mrs. Smith: No need to thank me. Just show the same amount of
productivity and accomplish your tasks with flying colors. Your
uniqueness comes with your tact in going against the tide. But I am
not done yet. The thing is, you are going to a new branch as my right
arm. You'll receive an email on the details of your promotion
including your salary increase. I hope this will motivate you even
more. 46
EASY CHALLENGE:
Use all the expressions enclosed in braces in answering the questions.

1.Why did Mrs. Smith call for Brenda in her office? {commence, stand
out, a cut above the rest}
2.How is Brenda doing according to Mrs. Smith? {exemplary, promising,
commendable}
3. Why is Brenda a good choice for an upcoming business venture?
{grounded, forthright, team player}
4. What does Mrs. Smith require Brenda to do? {to go against the tide}

47
AVERAGE CHALLENGE:
Fill in the blanks with the right idiom that has been discussed in this lesson.

1. I can ________ my neighbor to look after my house when I’m away.

2. If you go to Beijing University, definitely you will have a ________
career.
3. You can always be ________ with your friends who will always accept
you for what you say as long as it is true.
4. You have to be ready for an argument if you choose to ________.
5. The Peking duck in Beijing is indeed ________ and you should try it
when you’re there.
6. The meeting has already ________ but only a few people were in
attendance.
7. You need to have an excellent resume, above par communication skills,
and confidence if you want to ________ in a job interview. 48
Wrap-Up
Do you have any questions?

49
About the
Author BRYAN PAUL L. ESPINOSA, M.Ed (ESL)
He finished three degrees in three prominent
universities—St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary for his AB
Philosophy; Central Philippine University for his
Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English
(magna cum laude); and University of the Philippines
for his Master of Education major in English as a
second language.

He taught English in Iloilo English Academy, Alphacrest

Academy and St. Paul University Iloilo.

During his free time, he writes short stories, travels,

and reads. He respects adults who are humble enough
to choose to learn.

50
Sources

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