Speaking English Like a Native Let's get together and bat _________ some ideas. a) around
b) about
c) off
8) You didn't reply to my urgent e-mail because your computer wasn't working? Spare me the_______ story! a) tragic
b) sad
c) sob
9) According to the rumour ______, Wayne has been having an affair with his administrative assistant for the past twenty years. a) mill
b) bin
c) machine
10) Zachary showed up late for work again and then claimed he had a dentist appointment. He's up to his _____ tricks. a) new
b) old
c) favourite
11) I know you're not enjoying your international assignment, but you'll be leaving in a few months. For now, you'll just have to _____ and bear it. a) grin
b) smile
c) laugh
12) Roy is in charge of sales at our company, and our sales are down by 75 percent versus last year. His days are _________. a) limited
b) lettered
c) numbered
13) If you want to get _________ at this company, you're going to have to kiss up to your boss and put in long hours like everybody else. a) up
b) forward
c) ahead
14) You can try to talk me into going to the conference until you're ______ in the face. I've already decided I'm not going. a) green
Polar English
b) blue
c) red
Speaking Business
137
English Like a Native