Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1After that brief detour about the venue, ............... the budget, we still need to approve the revised travel allowance.
Wrong!
"to return to" signals that the speaker is going back to the budget after a brief digression.
2The quarterly report is almost ready; ..............., the server contract expires on Friday, so procurement needs your signature today.
Wrong!
"incidentally" introduces a side point that is relevant but not the main line of discussion.
3Most departments can absorb the delay; ............... the interns, however, we should give them a separate briefing before Monday.
Wrong!
"as for" shifts attention to a specific subtopic, here the interns, within a broader discussion.
4The investors reacted calmly to the forecast; ............... investors, has anyone confirmed the date of the shareholder call?
Wrong!
"speaking of" uses the previous mention of investors to introduce a related new question about the shareholder call.
5The safety inspection is now complete; ..............., the invitations for the opening ceremony need to be sent this afternoon.
Wrong!
"on another note" marks a move from the current topic to a different topic, here from the inspection to invitations.
6............... the confidentiality clause, our lawyers think the current wording is too broad for freelance contributors.
Wrong!
"regarding" formally introduces the subject that the following comment is about.
7The archive tells a fascinating story about the brand, but it will not help us choose a supplier; ..............., we need quotations by noon.
Wrong!
"anyway" dismisses the digression and brings the discussion back to the main practical point.
8I have confirmed the agenda with the chair; ..............., do we still need a projector for the guest speaker?
Wrong!
"by the way" introduces an additional, incidental question not central to the previous topic.
9The merger raises several operational questions; ............... staff training, no changes will be announced until the new platform is tested.
Wrong!
"as regards" formally shifts the focus to one specific area, staff training, from among several possible concerns.
10Before we discuss office parking, ............... the audit, the missing invoices are still the most urgent issue.
Wrong!
"getting back to" shows that the speaker is returning to the audit after being interrupted or digressing.
11I know the complaint has not been resolved, but ..............., could you send me the recruitment figures before the board meeting?
Wrong!
"changing the subject" explicitly announces a move away from the current issue to a different one.
12............... the revised timetable, the client has accepted the later delivery date but wants weekly progress updates.
Wrong!
"concerning" introduces the matter that the following statement is about.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- After that brief detour about the venue, to return to the budget, we still need to approve the revised travel allowance.
- The quarterly report is almost ready; incidentally, the server contract expires on Friday, so procurement needs your signature today.
- Most departments can absorb the delay; as for the interns, however, we should give them a separate briefing before Monday.
- The investors reacted calmly to the forecast; speaking of investors, has anyone confirmed the date of the shareholder call?
- The safety inspection is now complete; on another note, the invitations for the opening ceremony need to be sent this afternoon.
- regarding the confidentiality clause, our lawyers think the current wording is too broad for freelance contributors.
- The archive tells a fascinating story about the brand, but it will not help us choose a supplier; anyway, we need quotations by noon.
- I have confirmed the agenda with the chair; by the way, do we still need a projector for the guest speaker?
- The merger raises several operational questions; as regards staff training, no changes will be announced until the new platform is tested.
- Before we discuss office parking, getting back to the audit, the missing invoices are still the most urgent issue.
- I know the complaint has not been resolved, but changing the subject, could you send me the recruitment figures before the board meeting?
- concerning the revised timetable, the client has accepted the later delivery date but wants weekly progress updates.