🚧 Workplace Problems – Spot the Right Word
In each of the following paragraphs, one word in every bold pair is incorrect. Identify the correct one based on context. Remember: the incorrect words may exist in English but do not fit the sentence’s meaning.
Paragraph A
If there is a despite / dispute between the management and the union in a company which cannot be restored / resolved, and as a result a strike / stroke looks likely, a third party might be called in to abdicate / arbitrate.
Paragraph B
Poor timekeeping / timeserving, persistent abstentions / absenteeism and general misconception / misconduct at work have lost us over $200,000 this year.
Paragraph C
Three managers have been accused of fraught / fraud, dissemination / discrimination, bullying / bumbling, racy / racial obtuse / abuse and sectional / sexual harassment / arrestment. As a result two of them have been fried / fired and one has been suspected / suspended without pay. The first two are claiming unfair / unfaithful dismissive / dismissal and plan to appeal / appall. The third has applied for a job with the government.
Paragraph D
We would like to point out that there have been several breaches / beaches of the company’s ‘No smoking’ policy. We also have proof that several factory floor workers have been neglecting / negotiating their duties, and there have also been several incidences of insurrection / insubordination towards senior managers and intentional damning / damage of company property. If this happens again, those responsible will be taken before a disconcerting / disciplinary broad / board and could face instant / instance dismal / dismissal.
Paragraph E
The management are fully aware that because of staff shortness / shortages we are all overstretched / oversubscribed at the moment, Mr. Harrington, but we suggest that if you have a grievance / grievous, you put it to us in writing rather than encourage your colleagues to hold a sudden walkout / walkabout. We’d like you to treat this as a verbal / verdant warming / warning: the next time it happens, we will be obliged to ask for your notice / note.
Paragraph F
What a terrible month! Sales have droned / dropped by 40%, six employees have been made recumbent / redundant, two senior managers have resigned / resided, our main supplier has gone bankrolled / bankrupt, someone has haggled / hacked into the company website and given us a virus / viscous (with the result that the entire computer system has crashed / cracked), and the donut machine is still out of odor / order.
