Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1In the staff memo, HR wrote that the regional manager ............... as part of a restructuring programme.
Wrong!
"is being let go" is the appropriate euphemism in a formal HR announcement where tact is required.
2The prosecutor did not soften the accusation: she told the jury that the witness's claim was ...............
Wrong!
"a lie" is correct because the prosecutor needs a direct accusation of intentional deception, not a softened criticism.
3In the condolence card, Marta wrote that she was sorry to hear that Liam's father had ...............
Wrong!
"passed away" is the conventional euphemism in a condolence message to a bereaved colleague.
4For the court transcript, the clerk recorded that the defendant ............... pending sentencing.
Wrong!
"is in prison" is correct because a court transcript requires a precise, direct factual statement.
5The doctor noted that the patient was ............... and recommended a gradual exercise plan.
Wrong!
"overweight" is the clinically appropriate and tactful adjective in a medical note.
6In the annual review, the supervisor wrote that the analyst was ............... in two key areas.
Wrong!
"not meeting expectations" is correct because a performance review normally uses professional, tactful wording rather than a personal label.
7Because the report avoids euphemism, it says the company is ............... to protect its margins.
Wrong!
"raising prices" is correct because the sentence says the report avoids euphemism and states the action plainly.
8At the embassy reception, the guest quietly asked where ............... was.
Wrong!
"the restroom" is the more polite term in a formal reception setting.
9The disciplinary warning stated that falsifying the invoices amounted to ...............
Wrong!
"lying" is correct because a disciplinary warning must state the misconduct directly and unambiguously.
10The social worker described the client as an ............... woman living alone.
Wrong!
"elderly" is the more respectful, tactful adjective for introducing a vulnerable client in a professional report.
11In the minister's announcement, the reduction in departmental budgets was presented as ...............
Wrong!
"efficiency savings" is correct because a ministerial announcement often uses euphemistic language to present reductions positively.
12Rejecting military euphemism, the investigation referred to the bombing's consequences as ...............
Wrong!
"civilian deaths" is correct because the investigation is described as rejecting military euphemism and naming the harm directly.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- In the staff memo, HR wrote that the regional manager is being let go as part of a restructuring programme.
- The prosecutor did not soften the accusation: she told the jury that the witness’s claim was a lie.
- In the condolence card, Marta wrote that she was sorry to hear that Liam’s father had passed away.
- For the court transcript, the clerk recorded that the defendant is in prison pending sentencing.
- The doctor noted that the patient was overweight and recommended a gradual exercise plan.
- In the annual review, the supervisor wrote that the analyst was not meeting expectations in two key areas.
- Because the report avoids euphemism, it says the company is raising prices to protect its margins.
- At the embassy reception, the guest quietly asked where the restroom was.
- The disciplinary warning stated that falsifying the invoices amounted to lying.
- The social worker described the client as an elderly woman living alone.
- In the minister’s announcement, the reduction in departmental budgets was presented as efficiency savings.
- Rejecting military euphemism, the investigation referred to the bombing’s consequences as civilian deaths.