ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY FOR THE TOEIC TEST

Office lifeA file/folder A software program/applicationTo make a copy A whiteboard/a marker/a highlighterA stapler/a staple Word processingTo enter/key in data Data entryA clerk/an employee An employerFiling To install a databaseA filing cabinet To file reportsTo do/carry out a survey To send out surveys/brochures to prospective

clients (customers)To fill out/in a form To do extensive market researchPaperwork/red tape A mobile/cellphoneTo do some typing To type a letterA typist To receive a questionnaireA briefcase A laptop desktop/notebook computerTo make a schedule/n appointment sellotapeTo take notes/messages To return messagesA PA To look up (in a dictionary)To fill in for sb A replacement (sb who stands in for sb)A memo(randum) A summaryA representative To draw up a listA department head A supervisorTo renew a contract A counterA committee Shelf (shelves)To come on duty The shift (of..)To put in/work 35 hours a week A stampTo be overworked To cancel a stampFurniture rental A diaryA keyboard A mouse matTo check one’s emails A civil servantTo perform duties To clear one’s desk A job title A (ballpoint)pen/pencilA notice The storeroomThe photocopier The fax machineA drawer A key (to)To lock/bolt Computer users/passwordsTo install software programs To open attachmentsA sender/receiver To enter information on the spreadsheet (Excel)To click on a cell To select a cellA calculator Office stationeryTo sort out the mail Correction fluidThe mail room A rulerTo mail up documents A chart/graph/tableA toner cartridge An ink-jet/a laser printerTo break down To be out of orderTo log on (to the Internet)/off To log inpassword A rubber/an eraser/to eraseThe printer’s out of ink Office suppliesI’ll call the technician about fixing this machine To slip an envelope into the mail slot

Petty cash

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TelephoningTo call a number/sb A telephone directory/bookTo hang up To get back to sb on sthTo put through to sb/get sb A callerTo reach sb/a department An answering machine/answerphoneTo be cut off To leave a messageTo press 9 to save a message Speak after the tone/beepTo be put on hold Please hold/hold the lineTo replace the receiver A recordingTo dial a number The number is engaged/busy An extension The switchboard operator/receptionistTo dial the wrong number A touch-tone phoneTo call back To disconnect a lineTo leave a message A telephone box/boothTo call enquiries An emergency number/a hot lineTo place an outside call A toll-free numberTo screen phone calls The dialing toneThe country/area code

Meetings/EventsTo reserve a conference room To serve refreshmentsTo hold a meeting/seminar A golf tournamentTo finalize plans for (a workshop) A volunteerTo attend a meeting To hand in a prizeTo take part/participate in … To help outTo post the minutes from each meeting in the staff room

To be on hand (to …)

To register for (a conference) To raise money for charityRegistration fee(s) A charityTo join a seminar To donate itemsA keynote speaker To watch a slide presentationproceedings To give a presentationTo fill out a card To wear name tagsTo adjourn/cancel/reschedule a meeting To postpone/put off a meetingA topic A moderatorA roundtable To call/hold/set up a meetingTo distribute the agenda beforehand To run a meetingTo display A trade show/fair/an exhibitionOn display To support an associationThe meeting was held/took place in Lille The (huge) turnoutA venue To attend a functionfeedback A lecture (hall)To chair/preside over a meeting (on) the premisesVisual aids An upcoming performanceA banquet An auditorium

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CompaniesA company/firm/business/corporation A manufacturing unit/plant(R&D) facilities A factoryTo manufacture/make To show round the factoryA department To revise safety proceduresHead office (headquarters) A subsidiaryTo be based/located in The parent companyTo open a branch To show round the factoryTo order sth from a supplier/a company To be overstaffed/understaffedTo move into new offices Restructuring/to revampShareholders/stockholders To issue/hold sharesAn annual general meeting (AGM) A focus groupTo set up/establish/found a company A start-upA state-owned company Privately-heldA public limited company (PLC) A private limited company (Ltd)A partnership A sole traderA partner A society = an associationTo go bankrupt/out of business/to the wall To be on the brink/verge of bankruptcyTo be successful/to succeed in +ing/success To fail/failureTurnover Sales figuresEarnings = revenues Losses/to make a lossProfits/to make a profit A takeover/to take a company over A merger/to merge A utilityThe CEO (Chief Executive Officer) The MD (Managing Director)Operating expenses A processLabor costs To revise (the) estimatesTo prepare the budget Balance sheet(Certified) accountant The Accounts DepartmentAccounting procedures/firm Information TechnologyPurchasing An executive/a senior executiveassets To audit the accounts/auditingTo attract investors To improve a company’s credit ratingThe stock market/exchange To steal dataTo submit a request for change The annual report comes out in ...To meet: expectations/needs/requirements/deadlines/delivery dates/forecasts

Production is behind schedule

To work on the assembly line To file a request for suppliesTo perform duties A job titleA subscription to a newspaper To put in bids for (a contract)Ongoing projects To address brochuresTo review/draw up a list To perform/carry out a taskTo submit/hand in a (quarterly) report To attend a functionTo bring sth up to date To update a brochureTo point out problems To identify the company’s main weaknessesAn assignment To perform a dutyTo supervise a project To criticize the CEO’s actionsTo take steps/action A trade/labor unionA shop steward To be unionizedTo own a company The ownerTo make donations An influential personTo show proper identification To give an outline of (sth)Telecommuting/teleworking/working from home A teleworker/home worker/telecommuter

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Spare parts The foremanTo sub-contract/a sub-contractor To farm out (to)Board members The general ledger

A fire drill To meet specifications

Human ResourcesLabor force/workforce/manpower Vacations/to be on vacation/holidayTo hire/take on (new staff)/hiring To create a heavy workloadTo lay off/layoff To lay off without notice(staff) redundancies To advertise for (new staff)To make sb redundant A job ad/job opportunitiesTo fire/dismiss/sack A job offerTo succeed sb To recruit/recruitment/a recruitTo be responsible for/in charge of (+ing) To apply for a jobTo be unemployed/out of work/out of a job/jobless/on the dole

A job applicationTo go over the applications

The unemployment rate A CV/resumeTo earn/make a living A cover letterSalary/wages An applicantPay slip/paycheck To call/reject candidatesWage packet To check employees’ references/filesJob losses A background checkDownsizing (to downsize) A call centerTo outsource jobs (outsourcing) To be on sick leaveTo give notice/to resign/quit To tender one’s resignationTo review evaluations To grant a leave of absenceTraining/to train (for a program)/a trainee To take a day offA work placement FeesA training period To adopt a flexible work scheduleTo do/carry out an internship/an intern Flexitime/flexible working hoursTo work full time/part time A full-timer/a part-timerWorkload/backlog (of work) Meal vouchersA temp(orary worker) Temping/to tempTo relocate employees to … relocationTo receive a bonus Hourly rate(social) benefits Perks (perquisites)Maternity/sabbatical/parental leave To have busy work schedulesTo be promoted/to get promoted networkingTo get ahead (in a company) The glass ceilingTo climb/move up the social ladder (people) skillsA degree qualificationsTo deny a request A reliable workerA benefit pension plan To receive pension fundsTo retire To take early retirementA retiree/pensioner To update trainingHealth care coverage To provide health benefit plansEmployees working abroad are eligible for an additional housing allowance

To offer sb a severance package/severance pay

To change jobs/careers To earn a (good/decent) salaryA junior/senior executive To improve the work-life balanceTo hire a consultant To look for/seek a job (job-seekers)

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Her employment was terminated To extend a contractTo be invited for an interview To be transferred to the east coastTo go on strike To demonstrate (for/against)To get back to work/to resume work To work in shiftsTo draw a pension To be eligible for/qualify for unemployment

benefitsTo close down/shut down A challenging jobTo have some time off To have relevant work experienceA contract proposal To update someone on (research)To get together with= to meet

RetailingTo carry (an article) InventoryTo purchase/buy … from … Stock-takingTo refund (money)/to have a refund An auction/to auction (off)/an auctioneereTo have the book in stock A billTo be out of stock of … A voucherTo run out of stock A gift certificateShopping mall To pay cash/in cashTo be brought in for repairs/to fix/repair To charge (buy on credit)To process a rebate To pay by credit cash/checkA rebate card/form a down paymenta rebate offer To spend money on sthTo have complaints from … By word of mouthTo handle a complaint To place an order for sth with sb/to order/take an

orderA coupon An itemGoods/merchandise A supplier/retailerWholesale trade To exchange/trade sth for sthTo bargain/a bargain/bargain-basement prices barterTo pay for sth To giftwrap/unwrap an objectTo buy sth on sale To be non-refundableA vending machine A shop assistantTo hold a stand/a stall A street vendorTo stock up on … A warehouseTo store goods A department store/a chain storeA store/an outlet/a shop A newsagentA butcher A bakerA confectioner A hardware storeA DIY store To stand in line/queue upTo be out shopping To go window-shopping A shop window A glass cabinetCrowded/empty The check-out/cash deskTo run on batteries The cashierA label A price tagA receipt A shoe salesmanTo return an item A shopping cartTo insert a coin (into the slot) To slash pricesHousehold/domestic appliances A machine/machineryTo process an invoice To license/licensingspecifications To be up to sampleTo match To suit sb/to be suitable/convenientLuxury goods A discount store

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Premium prices = very high prices Rock-bottom prices = very low pricesGroceries A corner shopDry-cleaning services A launderette/the laundryTo give (small) change A bill/banknote/coinsBranded goods Own-label goodsA retailer/wholesaler Retail/wholesale tradeBulk buying/to buy in bulk A dealer/a dealershipA sample A guarantee/warrantyThe device’s not working To release a new model I’ll drop off the appliance later this afternoon

AdvertisingAdvertising package To advertise a productAn ad/advert/advertisement A commercialTo insert/place an ad in the paper A brochure/folder/leaflet/flyerA feasibility study To run an advertising campaignA target audience To targetTo market To give awayThe ad contained errors

Hotel Accommodation To book a (single/double/twin-bedded) room A busy restaurantIt is available from … to A caterer/to cater toA stay The catering industryTo request a room To pour a drinkTo hold a reservation To drink from a cup/out of a glassTo cancel a reservation May I have the bill/check, please?To make/have a reservation Starters/main dishesTo reserve a table To order a mealThe head waiter/to wait upon sb To check in/outTo cook food/a cook To serve foodThe waiters are filling the plates The diners are being seatedTo have lunch/dinner/breakfast We’re fully booked for this eveningAir conditioning An AC adapterA tasty meal To have a/no vacancyA towel soapTap water/sparkling water An appetizerSilverware A napkin/tablecloth

Housing and Property To pay a rent A tenantA landlord/landlady/a property owner To let (rent out) a flat to …A property/real estate agent/agency/a realtor A ladderAn oven/a cooker A plug/socketAn armchair/a stool Tidy/to tidy upA shelf (shelves) To switch on/off A bulb To plug in(to a socket)The yard To hang a pictureA closet/wardrobe/chest of drawers a lampshadeA bookcase Power = electricityProperty/real estate To take out a mortgageThe doorknob lumber

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A tape measure A hard-hat equipment A building siteMaintenance To repair/fix

A carpenter A plumber/plumbingWall-to-wall carpeting A rug/carpetConcrete: béton To undergo a renovationTo hang up notices A leaseTo entice (attract) buyers A housing estateThe occupancy rate To evacuate the building complexOffice space Design plansA rental agent Zoning regulationsFirst-time homebuyers Special featuresA burglar To break in/burgleTo evict (eviction) Home ownersThe council tax Open houseThe housekeeping staff A cleanerHeaters A locationA neighbor/the neighborhood To let/for saleSome furniture is being moved A leak

TravellingThe flight to Seoul has been delayed/cancelledTo announce a flight delay

Bus/taxi fares

An airline Subway lineTo board a plane/to get on the plane The rush/peak hour(s)To miss one’s plane/bus The slack/off-peak hour(s)A connecting flight The transportation systemA flight attendant To take a vacationA row number To offer holiday packagesAn aisle/a window seat To stop/ask for directionsTo eliminate a route To fill the gas tankA short-haul market To take the lift/elevator Scheduled arrival To get a group rateDeparture/arrival X will run through March 30The crew Tickets run (range) from $30 to$100 To take an evening flight A showTravel arrangements To perform/a performanceTo get off the train An all-inclusive resortSnorkeling/scuba diving/sailing AmenitiesA travel agent To land/take off /depart (plane) – landing/takeoffAn aircraft To book clients on green tours (eco-tours)To book/take a trip (to) Lodging/accommodation To do some sightseeing A coachTo be available for free Priority seatingFree shuttle Bus schedulesCarry-on bags To check bags/luggageTo travel light To take/book a tourA service provider A commuter/to commuteA cruise A voyageTo pay for a trip A highwayAn overpass A guardrailThe cars are moving in one lane A backpack

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hikers To go hiking/trekkingTo be wearing hiking boots A map of the cityA guide/a guide-book The bus stopThe train station directionsTo receive a parking ticket To pay a fineTo rent a car/a car rental agency A train conductorIt’s a no parking zone A car park/parking lotTicket holders To serve complementary beveragesA ticket counter To travel abroad/overseasA tropical getaway Secluded beachesThe purser A non-stop flight = a through/direct flight to RioThe gate agent/the departure gate To be a few minutes behind scheduleTo stop over (at CdG airport) To fuel the plane/jet fuelA passenger ship To board a plane/boarding timeTo serve dinner/lunch/breakfast on the flight/on board

A dining car

To fasten one’s seatbelt A frequent flyerA package tour The maintenance crewTo give a safety demonstration A low-cost flightA no-frills flight To disembark from the plane to a waiting busThe itinerary To offer amenities (a personal video)Locate the exit nearest you Disabled passengers/passengers in wheelchairsA landing card To reconfirm one’s flightA one-way/single ticket A round-trip/return ticketBus timetables Rail passesTo take a boat ride

Transport and ShippingCustom(s) clearance To notify sb of …To ship The shipment is delayed A shipping company Customs regulationsA shipper/receiver To streamline proceduresTo send by courrier To fix a car To send by overnight delivery To be damaged in transitTo deliver (the package by hand) to mail/to send off/to dispatch/to forwardSome food was delivered late To circulateFree delivery service To meet/miss deadlinespacking A delivery manTo guarantee delivery within 20 days from the order/date

A removal van

To be stuck in traffic/in a traffic jam To be held up in trafficTo pick sb up/give sb a lift A lorry/truck (driver)A parcel/packet/package To pack/unpackTo apologize for packagingA messenger service To load/unload a cargo

BankingCurrency To cancel an accountA branch The amount dueTo borrow (money) … from Outstanding payment/balanceTo lend (money) to To give/grant a discountA borrower/a lender To be in arrears

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Lending policy Prompt paymentA bank transfer/to request a transfer of funds A check bookBank charges A stub(low/high) interest rates To grant/offer a loanTo apply for a loan To secure a loanTo take out a mortgage To require a loanTo refinance a mortgage To qualify for a (large) loanTo pay the entire balance To have a good credit recordTo be in debt To carry two debtsTo have $1,000 in debt To save money onUnpaid prior balance Total dueTo write out a cheque A cash dispenser/an ATMA teller To withdraw money from … (a withdrawal)To pay money into … A current/savings accountTo save money (on)/to spend money (on) A walletTax bracket To launder money (money launderer) A monthly statement of account To buy shares/gold/bondsA credit card Investment tips

EconomicsTo predict a trend/prediction To averageTo forecast to matchInvestment profitableA tax haven To be under investigation for tax evasion/fraudThe tax authorities To have dependentsTax relief Sales have improvedA threat/to threaten To increase/raise profitsTo compete with/a competitor/competitive Profits have increased/risen/gone upTo collapse/plummet To soar/skyrocket/shoot upTo level off To cut back on the sales staffBright/gloomy/bleak prospects/outlook A successful stepTo be successful To enhanceTo boost sales/exports To target = aim atA downturn/downswing An upturnThe economic crisis The bubble has burstThe fall/drop/slide in prices The rise/increase in oil prices To release a financial statement A shortage/to be short ofA surplus Purchasing powerThe cost of living Living standardsTo lower/bring down costs To cut back on = reduceIndustry (secteur) Funding = financing

Weather forecast HealthTo be/get cloudy To be healthy/sickRainy/foggy To be on sick leaveTo last (rain) A cold (to catch a cold) Seasons : winter/spring/summer/fall - autumn To cure/to healA snow fall/drift To take a medicineTo rain/drizzle A doctor/physician/GPIt’s pouring (with rain) To do regular exercisePoor weather conditions A good dietTo take shelter from the rain To be exhausted = very tired

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The weather report To be down with the flu’The snow plough To fit sb in for an appointmentTo clear snow Her (The doctor’s) first opening is Monday

morningLab resultsThe after-hours receptionist

The environmentHazardous to human health Litter/do not litter(poor) air quality Environmental protectionTo be unsafe A conservationist/an ecologistFumes The Green PartyA flood Environmentally conscious/friendlyA relief center Organic productsThe area is flooded A gas leakA shelter wasteTo donate food Discarded itemsA rescue team (to rescue sb) A power plantTo reduce energy costs

General vocabularyTo wake up/to go to sleep The sun rises/setsAdvice/to advise sb Elderly peopleGoal Like/unlikepurpose Seldom = rarelyTo be likely to To be bound toAdditional/further information A diary (agenda/journal intime)There are tools in the workshop To clean vegetablesto gaze out the window To ride a horse/a bicycleTo hold a book A fire truck/fire fighterTo collect cups A pair of slacks/trousersTo sleep outdoors Boots/shoes/pumpsA watch/a strap Paper/cardboardA suit/an outfit/a dress/a skirt/a shirt/a blouse To sweep the streetsWood/steel/iron Sneakers/trainersTo get dressed To avoid Jewels/jewelry/a bracelet/a necklace/an earring/a bangle/a ring/a pendant

To like/dislike

A library Illiteracy/literacyTo strengthen/widen/enlarge/shorten To deserveGarden tools To be credited for A sink A sweaterA fabric To water (the) plantsWe’re not related To drop one’s car off for repairs

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