PRACTICE PEOPLE AT THE WORKPLACE

CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER TO COMPLETE EACH SENTENCE

Question 21
Steve thinks he’s more important than he really is. He is insulting to other people and feels he is better than his
peers. He is ________.
A. bragging B. bossy C. arrogant D.superior

Question 22
Miranda always points out other people’s faults. She judges everyone very harshly. She is _________.
A. overcritical B. overpicky C. overproud D.overdiscerning

Question 23
Fernando can be persuaded to believe anything. He’s extremely trusting and easy to exploit. He is _________.
A. silly B.believable C.overconfident D.gullible

Question 24
Nate has unpredictable changes in his emotions. Sometimes he’s pleasant and fun to be around, and other times
he’s absolutely miserable. He is ________.
A.moody B.agitated C.excitable D.changeable

Question 25
Margaret will do absolutely anything to get ahead. She has no compassion for others. She is ________.
A. greedy B.ambitious C.hard D.ruthless

Question 26
Bart never changes his mind. Once he makes a decision, he refuses to change his position even when there is
good reason to do so. He is __________.
A. stubborn B.treacherous C.fixed D.strict

Question 27
Kate loves to give orders and tell people what to do. She’s _________.
A.commanding B.bossy C.demanding D.picky

Question 28
Kurt is very hard to please. Nothing is ever good enough for him. He’s ________.
A.picky B.careful C.dainty D.disgusted

Question 29
Troy refuses to spend money on anything and doesn’t share his wealth with other people. He is ________.
A. thrifty B.frugal C.spendthrift D.stingy

Question 30
Jim is never happy. He always talks about how bad things are. He’s a __________ person.
A.deprived B.mean C. miserable D.hopeless

Question 31
Jaime does things in a deceptive and dishonest way. He’s very ________.
A. secretive B.sneaky C.reserved D. misleading

Question 32
Valeria isn’t open to other people’s ideas, opinions, and beliefs. She is _________.
A. stubborn B.opinionated C.narrow-minded D.fanatical

Question 33
William talks to people with a superior tone of voice. He is ________.
A. mean-spirited B.condescending C.overcritical D.picky

Question 34
Cheryl only cares about acquiring possessions and money. She is _________.
A. inconsiderate B.materialistic C.superficial D.wasteful

Question 35
Stan has no interest in his work. He shows no enthusiasm and doesn’t care if he does a good job. He is _________.
A.apathetic B.unfeeling C.numb D.pathetic

Question 36
Tony lacks confidence. He is hesitant due to his fear of failure. He is ________.
A. gentle B.shy C.timid D.modest

Question 37
Margaret is innocent and doesn’t understand how the world really works. She is ________.
A. naive B.simple C.childish D.fresh

Question 38
Daniel distrusts everyone. He never believes anyone’s intentions are pure. He is _________.
A. ruthless B.arrogant C.unbelieving D.cynical

Question 39
Elisa focuses on one thing and doesn’t have any interest in anything else. She is ___________.
A. enthused B. obsessive C. singular D. passionate

Question 40
Oscar is easily annoyed. He often gets angry at little things. He is ________.
A.irritable B. annoyed C. impatient D. irate
FILL IN THE BLANKS TO FORM AN IDIOM FOR DESCRIBING PEOPLE.
1. I don’t think he’s ready to be the CFO. He’s only 36 years old and still _____ behind the ears.
2. He asked for a raise but I wouldn’t give it to him. We can easily find someone else to do the job. Guys like him
are a _____ a dozen.
3. Despite all of her success, she remained a humble, _____ -to-earth person.
4. I grew up on the wrong side of the _____. Nothing was given to me and I had to work extremely hard for
everything I have.
5. Kurt worked in sales for several years but he decided he wasn’t cut _____ for it. He went back to school and
became a nurse.
6. I didn’t get John’s offer in writing, but he is a man of his _____ and I know I can trust him.
7. He’s a young, up-and- ______ member of the Democratic Party.
8. I’m not much of a morning person. I’m more of a night _____.
9. No way would I pay $10,000 for this car. You can’t take advantage of me like that. I wasn’t born ______.
10. Tom is a bit of a hot-_____. He loses his temper easily and jumps down people’s throats.
11. Saying Luke likes soccer is an understatement. He eats, sleeps, and ______ it.
12. I hears she’s tough as _____ during negotiations. She always gets her way.
13. Martin’s brothers and sisters are doctors and lawyers. I guess you could say he’s the black ______ of the
family. He’s a drummer in a rock band.
14. He comes from a _____ collar, working-class background.
15. Jake’s grandfather was a millionaire. Jake was born with a _____ spoon in his mouth.
16. There’s a rumor that layoffs are coming. Management wants to get rid of all the dead _____.
17. Stan isn’t very social. He tends to _____ to himself instead of talking to other people.
18. Being a _____ -shot Hollywood producer has really changed him. He’s become a bit full of himself.
19. I was such a happy-go- _____ kid. There was nothing to worry about.
20. It’s tough to find someone more kind and generous than Christine. She’d give you the shirt off her_____.
21. Mark doesn’t have a lot of experience, but we see the potential in him. He’s a diamond in the _____.
22. Don’t trust anyone in this business. Most of these people are two- _____ liars.
23. Five years ago he was a great soccer player. Now he’s past his _____.
24. Carter acts tough, but on the inside he has a heart of _____.
25. Mike’s a first- _____ architect who has won the respect and admiration of his peers.
26. Elizabeth is applying to law schools right now. Her father was a famous defense attorney. It seems like she
wants to follow in his _____.
27. I tried to convince him to use social media, but he’s set in his _____ and doesn’t want to consider it.
28. When she made the investment some people thought she was _____ of her mind, but she turned out to be
right.
29. You’ll really like the new manager. He’s a real class _____.
30. Bart is a chip off the old _____. He has his father’s winning smile and calm voice.
31. Dan’s starting to be successful as a writer. He’s really _____ places.
32. He got to the top by being a yes _____. He just echoes what upper management says.
33. Kate’s the spitting _____ of her mother. They almost look like twins.
34. There are three candidates running for office. It looks like a close race between two of them. The third
candidate is a dark _____. If he wins, everyone will be shocked.
35. Mr. Young isn’t a Johnny-come- ______ to the industry. He’s been in the field for three decades.
36. It’s hard to put my finger on what I didn’t like about him, but something about him _____ me the wrong way.
37. Some people think it’s unfair that people who commit white- _____ crime tend to serve lighter sentences than
other criminals.
38. Andrew is exceptionally ambitious. He’s not content with being second in command. He wants to
be top _____.
39. The scandal made him the laughing _____ of the whole nation. The story was on the news for weeks.
40. I know that top movie critics loved the film, but what does the average _____ think of the movie?
 KEY ANSWER CHOOSE QUESTION
21.C 22.A 23.D 24.A 25.D 26.A 27.B 28.A 29.D 30.D
31.B 32.C 33.B 34.B 35.A 36.C 37.A 38.D 39.D 40.A
KEY ANSWER IDIOMS
-Wet behind the ears = young and inexperience
-Dime a dozen = common and almost worthless = several
-Down to earth = humble and not pretentious
-The wrong side of the tracks = bad part
-Not cut out for sth = not the right for a certain (jobs, tasks, activities)
-Man of his word = always keep promises
-Up-and-coming = steadily becoming more successful
-Night owl = likes stay up late
-Wasn’t/weren’t born yesterday = not naïve and not easily tricked
-Hot-head = get angry easily
-Eats, sleeps and breathe sth = obsessed with that thing
-Tough as nails (hard as nails) = strong and determined
-Black sheep = doesn’t fit in with the rest of the family or group
-Blue-collar = do manual labor or work with hands
-Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth = was born rich with privileges other people don’t have
-Dead wood = no longer useful to an organization
-Keep to oneself = quiet and not interact much with other people
-Big shot = very important
-Happy-go-lucky = carefree and without worry
-Would give you the shirt off one’s back = extremely generous
-Diamond in the rough = have potential but lacking refinement
-Two-faced = deceitful and likely to betray people
-Past one’s prime = not as good as before due to advanced age
-Heart of gold = very kind
-First-rate = excellent ≠ second-rate, third-rate = inferior quality
-Follow in someone’s footsteps = follow someone’s example or path in life
-Set in one’s ways = not easily persuaded to change or consider other ideas
-Out of one’s mind = crazy
-Class act = outstanding and admirable
-Chip off the old block = closely resembles a parent
-Going places = on the way to becoming successful
-Yes man = always agree with superiors
-Spitting image = look like a close family member
-Dark horse = unlikely to win an election or contest
-Jonny-come-lately = newcomer
-Rub someone the wrong way = bother or offend someone accidentally
-White-collar = work in an office, describe: person, jobs, positions…
-Top dog = occupying the top position or highest authority
-Laughing stock = many people make fun of (of a place, an organization, a community…)
-Average Joe = common man, common people