Working words

This exercise lets you review some of the more common uses of ‘grammar’-type words (prepositions,
Conjunctions, pronouns, prepositions, etc) in context. Use one word to complete each gap
in the sentences. In some cases, more than one answer may be possible. There is an
example at the beginning.

1. I enjoy working with people who come ________ a wide range of backgrounds. ________ is the
Reason why I'm so keen ________ working in Human Resources.
2. ‘Hands On’, ________ is in the city centre, is ________ of the biggest employment agencies in
________ country.
3. A few years ________, people ________ to have the same career for life. ________ days, they can
reasonably expect ________ change careers two ________ three times.

4. In spite ________ being rather lazy, he always ________ to get good results.

5. He spent ________ second year of his contract working in the Melbourne office, ________ he
helped to double the sales figures.
6. ________ 2001 and 2005, the accession rate in this company increased ________ about 20%
each year.
7. One ________ two of our employees commute from London, but ________ of them live ________
the office.

8. I'm afraid ________ say he has absolutely ________ chance ________ getting the job.

9. Staff are ________ allowed to leave early, ________ if they promise to work overtime ________ the
Weekend.

10. Please come ________ time to the meeting, and ________ prepared to stay late.

11. ________ you do really well in your attainment test, you ________ be asked to attend ________
retraining course.
12. We discussed holding the interviews ________ our Bristol branch, but ________ how many people
________ apply for the position, we decided to use our bigger offices ________ Birmingham.
13. In most respects he was a typical employee, but ________ made him different ________ everybody
else in the company ________ his enthusiasm for working at weekends.
14. ________ least 60 people turned up for the presentation, which was far ________ than the
Organisers expected, and ________ there were only 20 chairs, most of us ________ to stand.

15. Managers are ________ capable of making mistakes as ________ else.

16. Pauline Halmsworth, a production manager ________ works in our Chicago department, has
_______ received an ‘Employee of the Year’ award.
17. He approached the training course ________ enthusiasm, and ________ excellent progress as a
result.
18. She worked for the company ________ the age of 26 ________ she retired, and during ________
time she only took one or two days ________ sick.
19. Her sudden change of heart took everyone ________ surprise, since previously she ________ been
very interested in the project.
20. Reduction ________ demand has led ________ the cancellation ________ several new projects
________ we had hoped to implement.