WORK VOCABULARY - EXERCISES
I. Fill in the gaps in the text below with the following words:
fee
commission
salary
wage
income
A person’s 1) ....................... depends on the type of work she/he does. A factory worker, for example, usually
earns a weekly 2) ........................, whereas the manager is paid a fixed 3) ......................... every month. A
salesperson working for the same company is paid a 4) ................................. for every sale made in addition to
her/his regular income. A person who works independently for different companies, charging a(n) 5) ................
for each piece of work produced, is called a freelancer.
II. Choose the word from the list to complete the following sentences.
flexible / fixed hours
skilled / unskilled
promotion prospects / dead end
steady / insecure
stress free / stressful
varied / repetitive
1. It takes years of training to become a carpenter. It’s a very ........................................... job.
2. A journalist gests to travel around and meets lots of people. His job is very ............................................
3. Joe is a freelance writer. He decides when to work and when to rest. His hours are ......................................
4. A job with the government is a job for life. It is very ................................................
5. Many driving instructors suffer from anxiety. It is a very ............................................ job.
6. As a street cleaner, you have little chance of being promoted to a higher position. It’s a(n) ...................... job.
7. Working in a bank has good ................................................. because you can get promoted very quickly.
8. It doesn’t take long to learn how to wash dishes because it’s a(n) .................................. job.
9. An actor may have long periods with no work. It is a very ....................................... profession.
10. Working in a factory often involves doing the same thing again and again. It can be very ...........................
III. Match the words with the explanations.
1) flexi-time ........
2) shift work ........
3) piece rate ........
4) bonus ........
5) perk ........
6) share options ........
7) overtime ........
a) money paid for each item made or produced
b) extra pay for more work
c) an extra, eg. company car, received in addition to salary
d) a system where employees vary the time they start and finish work
e) company shares given to executives as a bonus
f) extra payment for good work
g) a system of working a changing pattern of hours including unsociable hours
IV. Use the expressions below to complete the sentences.
a workaholic
made redundant
flexitime
on maternity leave
dismissed
shiftwork
to take on
on strike
fired
on sick leave
been promoted
1. After working for the company for five years, John has ....................................... to a management position.
2. Her husband is ................................................... He works both in the office and at home.
3. I haven’t been able to work for two months since I had my operation. I am ............................................
4. She isn’t working at the moment but she plans to return when the baby’s born. She’s ..................................
5. Ten people in the accounts department were ............................................... as they were not longer needed.
6. After being found guilty of stealing Anna was .............................................
7. Sam, clear your desk and leave the office immediately! You are .............................................!
8. No rubbish has been collected for two weeks because the dustmen are .......................................... They are
asking for better conditions.
9. It’s great to be on .................................................... as I can choose whether to work mornings to evenings.
10. He works days or nights. He does .........................................................
11. You are expected ............................................ more responsibilities the longer you stay in a job.
V. Below is a list of personal qualities considered necessary for certain occupations. Complete the
table by filling in the appropriate form of the word.
NOUN_________________ADJECTIVE
NOUN________________ADJECTIVE
.......................
fit
...........................
assertive
.......................
honest
accuracy
.............................
.......................
reliable
dedication
.............................
.......................
polite
approach
.............................
education
...............................
...........................
competitive
courage
...............................
...........................
creative
ambition
................................
...........................
persuasive
.......................
curious
imagination
.................................
.......................
beautiful
..........................
flexible
AND HERE ARE ADDITIONAL WORDS THAT YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL ...
to live on the breadline
to be between jobs
rewards are great
to make ends meet
to do one’s duty
years of (extreme) poverty
entrepreneur
to employ
to have a nose for business
well off
to give sb the sack
money rolls in
to work a nine-to-five day
to leave on business
to build up knowledge
to work day and night
to neglect one’s duties
thirst for knowledge
work on weekends
pay rise
to interact with people
I can afford it on the money I earn
to retrain (as)
to do research
to take responsibility for sth
to supplement one’s education
to be ‘on call’
the job requires ...
to take a few days off
to work under pressure
trainee
business tycoon
to work unsociable hours
unemployment benefit
to close a business deal