The world of work; Word pairs – B2 English Vocabulary Test

1  Match the sentence halves. There are three extra endings.

1   This job is fun, but it’s badly …H…

2   Do you think you can take

3   Dan works long

4   The deadline for this assignment

5   Is it easy to make a

6   Do you work the day or

7   Doctors, dentists, vets and bankers are well

8   I think it’s more important to have a rewarding

A   time off, so we can go to Cancun next month?

B   is a week on Monday.

C   paid in this country so you will be able to live comfortably.

D   paid but the job is repetitive.

E    night shift at the moment?

F    job than one that is well paid.

G   living unless you make more than the minimum wage.

H   paid, so I have a second job at the weekends.

I     hours, so he won’t be home until 8.

J    living on your current salary?

K   time off if I ask three months in advance.

2  Complete the email with the phrases in the box.

Hi Martin,

Great to hear you’re coming to visit. I don’t know if I can 1……take time off…… though. I’m currently 2…………………… as a waiter here in Glasgow. It’s not a 3…………………… job and I have 4……………………, but at least I’m with my girlfriend. I usually work the day 5…………………… from 8am to 4pm. Then I have time to study in the evenings. I actually have a project with a tight 6…………………… at the moment, but should be free when you get here. I also work in a call centre on Saturdays. That is 7…………………… and isn’t very 8……………………, as people never want to speak to us but it’s a good way for me to practise my English!

Looking forward to seeing you.

Greg

3  Complete the second sentence using the word given so it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Do not change the word given. Use between 4 and 6 words including the word given.

1   I walked one way and then the other way along the street but I couldn’t find the office. UP

      I walked ……up and down the street…… but I couldn’t find the office.

2   My parents have told me so many times how important good exam results are. OVER

      My parents have told me ……………………………… how important good exam results are.

3   He’s only 17, but eventually he has to decide what he wants to do. LATER

      He’s only 17, but ……………………………… has to decide what he wants to do.

4   As time passes I feel it’s unlikely that I’ll become a famous fashion model. MORE

      I feel ……………………………… I’ll become a famous fashion model.

5   We’ve moved in a circle with this argument and we can’t decide. ROUND

      We’ve gone ……………………………… this argument and we can’t decide.

6   A few of my friends know their plans after high school. ONE

      ……………………………… know their plans after high school.

7   Sometimes I think I want to study medicine but then I change my mind. THEN

      ……………………………… I want to study medicine but then I change my mind.

8   We’ve almost 100% decided that we’re going to Vietnam this summer. LESS

      We’ve ……………………………… that we’re going to Vietnam this summer.

4  Choose the correct options.

A:   So, have you decided where you’re going to study yet?

B:   (1) Sooner or later / More or less / Now and then. I really want to go to Canada. There’s a course in Toronto that I want to do.

A:   But that’s so far away!

B:   I know. I’ll only be able to come back (2) round and round / now and then / up and down as the plane tickets are expensive. But, I know (3) one or two / up and down / over and over again people there who say it’s great fun. They also say I can easily find a (4) well paid / badly paid / take time off job there when I finish. With this career I should be able to (5) work long hours / make a living / well paid and I think it’ll be (6) rewarding / shift / deadline, too.

A:   Another engineer in the family. You obviously (7) look down on / take after / stick together your father! I guess he’s (8) in favour / in progress / in advance of this decision.

B:   Absolutely!