Vocabulary for the TOEIC Test

14. Safety at work

In order to prevent injuries and fatalities at work, employers are required by law
to provide a safe work environment. Government agencies set guidelines that
regulate the number of fire extinguishers, fire doors, fire escapes, and
emergency exits that must be available in a workplace. Workplaces should also
comply with rules about the number of first aid kits, the use of hard hats, safety
goggles, ear plugs, and other safety equipment and the quality of the ventilation
system. If there are flammable or hazardous materials in the building, they
should be in suitable containers. Management should inform their employees
about the safety risks of slippery floors or dangerous gases.

()

()

(, )
; (

15

hazardous (adj.)

16

material (n.)

injury (n.)

)
2

fatality (n.)

()

guideline (n.)

17

safety risk (n.)

fire extinguisher
(n.)

18

slippery floor (n.)

fire door (n.)

19

dangerous gas (n.)

fire escape (n.)

emergency exit (n.)

comply with (phr.)

first aid kits (n.)

10

hard hat (n.)

11

safety goggles (n.)

12

ear plugs (n.)

13

ventilation system
(n.)

14

flammable (adj.)

15. Meetings
Formal meetings are scheduled for a particular time and place. Members receive
an agenda and a list of items for discussion before the meeting. The chair
(person) starts the meeting by asking for approval of the minutes and for
matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting. As members discuss
the agenda items, they may brainstorm ideas and can propose solutions or raise
issues. They may need to vote on a motion either by a show of hands or by a
(secret) ballot. If all members agree, then the result is unanimous. The motion is
passed if the vote is unanimous or has the majority of the votes. The final agenda
point is any other business or AOB. When the members have discussed the
agenda items, the meeting is over. If they havent covered the items, the
chairperson adjourns the meeting until a later date.
()

()

schedule (v.)

16

show of hands (n.)

agenda (n.)

17

(secret) ballot (v.)

()

items (n.)

18

unanimous(adj.)

chair (person) (n.)

()

19

AOB (any other

business)

the minutes (n.)

20

adjourn (v.)

approval (n.)

matter (n.)

; ;

arise (v.)

brainstorm (v.)

10

propose (v.)

11

solution (n.)

()

12

raise (v.)

13

issue (n.)

14

vote (v.)

15

motion (n.)

()

16. Import/export
Nowadays an increasing amount of cargo is being brought from overseas
(imported) or sent abroad (exported) as countries exchange commodities, in
other words, become involved in trade. This freight is packed into large
containers and then hauled by road, air, or ship to its destination. If the cargo is
fragile, then it must be handled with care and cushioned in reinforced
packaging to protect it from damage. Often, cargo that is going to be
transported is stored temporarily in a warehouse before being loaded onto a
vehicle. If the shipment is being exported, then each commodity and its quantity
or weight must be declared to the customs officials of the receiving country.

()

cargo (n.)

( 16
)

imported (adj.)

exported (adj.)

()

transport (v.)

17

warehouse (n.)

18

shipment (n.)

exchange (v.)

19

weight (n.)

commodity (n.)

20

declared (v.)

trade (n.)

freight (n.)

(, ,
)

container (n.)

haul (v.)

10

fragile (adj.)

11

be handled with
care (v.)

12

cushioned (v.)

...

13

reinforced (adj.)

14

packaging (n.)

15

protect (v.)

17. Using the phone

In most offices everyone has a landline phone and people often have their own
extension (number) so that you can call them directly. Otherwise, you may have
to talk to an operator who will transfer your call to the person you want or put
you on hold if that persons line is busy. To answer a call, you pick up the
receiver or press the answer key if youre using a wireless phone or cell phone.
You can find the number of most businesses in the yellow pages, which is
available online as well as in a book. To make a call on a landline phone, you
listen for the dial tone and then dial the number. The phone at the other end
either rings or you get a busy signal. You may have to leave a voice message
after the tone. Occasionally, you may get disconnected and have to make the call
again. A cell phone can perform many useful functions not available with a
landline phone, such as allowing users to send and receive text (or SMS)
messages.

()

()

landline phone (n.)

14

busy signal (n.)

extension (number) (n.)

()

15

leave (v.) a voice

message

operator (n.)

16

tone (n.)

transfer (v.) your call

17

get disconnected
(v.)

put sb. on hold (phr.)

18

text (or SMS)

messages (n.)

line (n.)

pick up (phr.)

receiver (n.)

cell phone (n.)

10

yellow pages (n.)

11

dial tone (n.)

()

12

dial (v.) the number.

13

ring (v.)

18. Office supplies

Well-equipped offices need a wide variety of equipment and stationery. Every
office needs stationery supplies such as pens, labels, paper clips, stapler and
staples, tape, and scissors. Many businesses have a large supply room that
contains shelves full of office supplies. Most offices have a filing cabinet for
important documents and some offices even have a safe where they keep money
or valuable papers. But thats not enough for the modern office. Each office
worker also needs a PC or laptop on their desk. They also need access to a
printer, a scanner, a fax machine, and a copy machine.

()

()

equipment (n.)

16

scanner (n.)

stationery (n.)

17

fax machine (n.)

supply (n.)

18

copy machine (n.)

label (n.)

paper clip (n.)

stapler (n.)

staple (n.)

tape (n.)

scissors (n.)

10

supply room (n.)

11

shelves (n.)

()

12

filing cabinet (n.)

13

safe (n.)

14

PC (n.)
laptop (n.)

15

printer (n.)

19. Presentations
Giving a successful presentation takes practice and preparation. You must decide
what kind of visual aids will effectively support your topic. These could be
simple materials such as a flip chart or a whiteboard with a marker. But
nowadays many presenters use a laptop and projector to show PowerPoint slides
on a screen. In addition, a stick or laser pointer is useful for indication a
particular area of the screen. It is important to know your audience and their
expectations.
You should also prepare a clear outline with key points that will enable you to
speak confidently. You can clarify information in the form of diagrams, such as
charts and graphs. It is also a good idea to finish the presentation with a
summary of the main ideas. A presenter may also prepare handouts of the key
points, although some people give them out after the presentation so that they do
not create a distraction.
()

()

visual aids (n.)

16

summary (n.)

topic (n.)

17

handout (n.)

flip chart (n.)

whiteboard (n.)

marker (n.)

projector (n.)

slides (n.)

laser pointer (n.)

screen (n.)

10

audience (n.)

11

outline (n.)

12

key point (n.)

13

diagram (n.)

14

chart (n.)

15

graph (n.)

20. Investments
Saving and investing your money in a profitable way takes both skill and luck.
You should keep some money liquid, which means that you can access it
immediately. This money should be used to pay regular expenses and debts. The
capital that is left could be invested in a long-term deposit or a bond, where you
will get a better interest rate. The next level of investing is either to purchase
stocks in companies or to buy property. Both investment strategies carry risks,
so it is important to diversify your investments. This means that your money
should not be put in just one company or just one kind of company. If you cant
study the stock market regularly, you can go to a financial advisor for help. These
experts will design a portfolio that fits your specific needs depending on your
total assets, and they will make the financial transactions for you. For this
service, they take a commission.

()

()

liquid (adj.)

16

financial transactions
(n.)

access (v.)

17

commission (n.)

expenses (n.)

debts (n.)

capital (n.)

deposit (n.)

bond (n.)

interest rate (n.)

stocks (n.)

10

investment
strategies (n.)

11

risks (n.)

12

diversify (v.)

13

financial advisor
(n.)
7

14

portfolio (n.)

()

15

assets (n.)

21. Innovations
Many companies have a department called the Research and Development
department, or R & D for short. The people in this department are creative
thinkers who look for ways to improve existing products or come up with
innovative ideas that may lead to a totally new invention. The creative process to
develop one may take months or even years. During this trial and error period,
the researchers may make important breakthroughs while experimenting with
materials and designs. Their discoveries can lead to revolutionary new products.
The company has to get a patent that gives it exclusive rights to manufacture
the product. Alternatively, it may grant a license that allows another company the
right to produce the product. Frequently, there are important spin-offs, or
unexpected products in an unrelated area, that make good profits for the company
and are valuable for the end user.
()

()

Research and
Development;
department (n.)

12

revolutionary (adj.)

creative (adj.)

13

patent (n.)

14

exclusive rights (n.)

(
)
3

innovative (adj.)

invention (n.)

15

manufacture (v.)

()

process (n.)

16

license (n.)

trial and error (n.)

17

spin-off (n.)

breakthrough (n.)

experiment (v.)

material (n.)

10

design (n.)

11

discovery (n.)

22. Insurance
People and companies buy insurance policies in case there is an accident or
damage to their property. If something happens, they will receive compensation
from the insurance company. This means that they are protected against risks to
their health, home, car, or even financial loss. With most kinds of insurance, the
insured party pays the insurance company annual or monthly premiums to pay
for the coverage. When loss or damage occurs, the policy holder files a claim to
the insurance company. The insurance company will assess the amount of loss or
damage to the policy holder and then will either approve or deny compensation.
If they approve the claim, they pay out to the claimant, although there is often a
deductible that the policy holder must pay. These days, many property owners
and businesses carry liability insurance that covers them against claims that they
were negligent.
()

()

insurance policy
(n.)

16

pay out (phr.)

accident (n.)

17

claimant (n.)

damage (n.)

18

deductible (n.)
()

receive (v.)

19

liability insurance (n.)

compensation (n.)

20

coveragainst (phr.)

risk (n.)

21

negligent (adj.)

insured party (n.)

premium (n.)

coverage (n.)

10

policy holder (n.)

11

files (v.)
(
9

)
12

claim (n.)

(
)

13

assess (v.)
(

14

approve (v.)

15

deny (v.)

23. Trade shows

A trade show is an event often takes place once a year and gives companies from a
particular industry the opportunity to showcase their products. Access to the
venue can be restricted to only those companies involved in that particular trade
or can be open to the public. Participants use this opportunity to demonstrate and
sometimes launch their products, find out what their competitors are doing, and
observe new trends. They can also network during the fair and this is useful for
meeting new contacts. Before attending a trade show, companies should liaise
with the trade show organizers to organize the stand where they will exhibit their
products. Some companies sponsor events for extra publicity. They may also
decide to print leaflets to promote their brand as well as produce items with their
logo to distribute to fair participants.
()
1

showcase (v.)

venue (n.)

demonstrate (v.)

()

launch (v.)
()

competitor (n.)

trend (n.)

network (v.)

(
)
10

()

16

fair (n.)

contact (n.)

liaise (v.)

10

stand (n.)

11

exhibit (v.)

12

sponsor (v.)

13

leaflets (n.)

14

logo (n.)

15

distribute (v.)

24. Marketing
Many businesses face tough competition, so if a company wants to become the
market leader, it needs to analyze consumption habits by doing some effective
market research. Some companies do their research in-house while others pay an
agency to do it. Their findings help companies choose the best way to promote
their product range to potential customers and can also help identify a target
market for new products. Promotion is usually done through an advertising
campaign, and companies might decide to make special offers, give out free
samples, and even hold competitions. The company may also produce an online
or paper catalog with details of its products. Through marketing, a company
builds customer loyalty within their market segment and creates an image that
helps the consumer to distinguish its trademark from those of competitors.

()

()

tough (adj.)

16

catalog (n.)

competition (n.)

17

marketing (n.)

market leader (n.)

18

builds (v.) customer

loyalty (n.)

11

analyze (v.)

19

market segment (n.)

consumption
habits (n.)

20

image (n.)

market research
(n.)

21

trademark (n.)

in-house (adv.)

agency (n.)

promote (v.)

10

product range (n.)

11

potential
customers (n.)

12

target market (n.)

13

special offer (n.)

14

free sample (n.)

15

competition (n.)

25. Employee perks and benefits

When recruiting, most companies offer prospective employees a package of
benefits that may include paid vacations, retirement plans, bonuses, leaves of
absence, and regular promotions as well as a basic salary and health insurance.
In order to attract, retain, and motivate good workers, many companies also
offer a variety of extra benefits, known as perks. Common examples include
discount prices for certain products, a company car, or an expense account for
business trips. In addition to these benefits, companies may offer the employees
the opportunity to take advantage of flexible working hours, subsidized gym
facilities, telecommuting, and training programs. An increasingly popular way
some companies motivate their employees is with incentive rewards for
creativity or good performance. These are earned for ideas that help lead to the
companys success.
()
1

recruit (v.)

()

14

company car (n.)

15

expense account (n.)

()

()
2

paid vacations (n.)

12

retirement plans
(n.)

16

flexible working
hours (n.)

bonuses (n.)

17

subsidize (v.)

leaves of absence
(n.)

18

gym facilities (n.)

promotions (n.)

19

telecommuting (n.)

(
)
()

health insurance
(n.)

20

training program (n.)

attract (v.)

21

incentive (adj.)

retain (v.)

22

rewards (n.)

10

motivate (v.)

11

benefits (n.)

12

perks (n.)

13

discount prices (n.)

13