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Work & Productivity Collocations: Tasks, Meetings, Deadlines & Performance: correct answers

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Work & Productivity Collocations: Tasks, Meetings, Deadlines & Performance

Do you know whether to "meet a deadline" or "reach a deadline"? Professional English relies on precise collocations — word partnerships that native speakers use instinctively in workplace contexts.

This challenge covers essential workplace collocations across four key areas: scheduling and chairing meetings, managing and prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines and handling time pressure, and evaluating and exceeding performance expectations. You'll encounter realistic office scenarios where choosing the wrong collocation can sound unprofessional, from writing performance reviews to delegating assignments and requesting deadline extensions.

Work through 18 questions in single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats to master the collocations that will make your professional communication sound natural and confident.

Try the quiz to check your knowledge!

EasyMediumB1 | IntermediateB1B2 | Upper IntermediateB2AdjectivePhrasal verbPhrasePresent tenseVerbCollocationsVocabulary

Correct answers

Question 1

Help Sarah complete her work report by choosing the correct words to form the most natural collocations in professional English.

Yesterday I managed to finish the task on time and meet the deadline. My supervisor was pleased that I could tackle such a challenging project successfully.

Yesterday I managed to finish the task on time.

In professional contexts, "finish a task" is the most natural collocation for completing work assignments.

I managed to finish the task on time and meet the deadline.

"Meet a deadline" is the standard business collocation. "Reach" and "achieve" are not used with deadlines.

My supervisor was pleased that I could tackle such a challenging project.

"Tackle a challenging project" is the strongest collocation for dealing with difficult work that requires effort and skill.

Question 2

Choose the correct word to complete the meeting preparation.

Before the board meeting, Lisa needs to _____ an agenda and then have it reviewed by her manager before distributing it to attendees.

The correct answer is draft.

We "draft an agenda" when we create the initial version that will be reviewed and revised before the final version is distributed. This is the standard workplace collocation for creating preliminary documents that require approval or review before finalization.

Question 3

You're a project manager writing performance reviews. Select ALL the standard collocations that specifically express successful completion of work assignments in professional contexts.

The correct answers are complete a task, finish a task, and accomplish a task.

These three collocations specifically indicate successful completion of work assignments in professional settings. "Attempt a task" means to try doing something but doesn't indicate completion, while "abandon a task" means to stop working on something without finishing it. The standard expressions for successful task completion are "complete," "finish," and "accomplish."

Question 4

Fill in Lisa's project management notes with the appropriate task-related collocations.

Today's priorities: Delegate tasks to team members, establish clear priorities for the week, and monitor progress on the current project milestones.

Delegate tasks to team members.

"Delegate tasks" means to assign tasks to others while maintaining overall responsibility.

Establish clear priorities for the week.

"Establish priorities" means to set and clearly define what is most important to focus on.

Monitor progress on the current project milestones.

"Monitor progress" means to regularly check and track how work is advancing toward goals.

Question 5

Choose the correct word to complete the project update.

Due to unexpected complications, the team had to _____ for a deadline extension from the client.

The correct answer is request.

We "request a deadline extension" when we politely ask for more time. This is more professional than "demand" and more appropriate than "require."

Question 6

You're preparing for an important business meeting. Choose ALL the phrases that are standard professional collocations for describing active meeting participation.

The correct answers are contribute to the discussion, share insights, and provide input.

These are established professional collocations commonly used in business contexts. "Donate opinions" is incorrect because "donate" is used for charitable giving, not sharing ideas. "Give donations" is completely unrelated to meeting participation and refers to charitable contributions.

Question 7

Choose the correct word to complete the workplace scenario.

Sarah needs to _____ a meeting with the marketing team to discuss the new campaign launch.

The correct answer is schedule.

We "schedule a meeting" when we arrange or plan it for a specific time. This is the standard workplace collocation.

Question 8

Choose ALL the phrases that correctly describe working under time pressure.

The correct answers are meet a tight deadline, work against the clock, and race against time.

These are common expressions for time pressure at work. We "meet" deadlines (not "catch" or "hold" them), and both "work against the clock" and "race against time" are idiomatic expressions meaning to work quickly under time pressure.

Question 9

Choose the correct word to complete the manager's instruction.

The new intern needs to learn how to _____ tasks efficiently to be successful in this role.

The correct answer is prioritize.

We "prioritize tasks" when we arrange them in order of importance or urgency. This is essential workplace vocabulary for managing workload effectively.

Question 10

Complete this stressed worker's email with the correct expressions.
I'm really struggling to _________________________ my workload this week. The deadline is _________________________ fast, and I'm worried I won't finish everything on time.

manage my workload

"Manage workload" is the standard business collocation. While "handle" works, "manage" is more professional and commonly used.

approaching fast

Deadlines "approach" - this creates a sense of time moving toward us. "Coming" is too casual, and "arriving" isn't used with deadlines.

Question 11

You're writing a business report about workplace improvements. Select ALL the phrases that sound natural and professional when describing enhanced work output.

The correct answers are boost productivity, increase efficiency, and enhance performance.

These are established collocations in business English. "Escalate" typically pairs with problems or conflicts, while "amplify" is more commonly used with sounds, signals, or effects rather than workplace metrics.

Question 12

Select the appropriate words for this performance evaluation.
This employee consistently _________________________ expectations and always _________________________ high-quality work. Her productivity has improved significantly this quarter.

exceeds expectations

"Exceed expectations" is the standard HR collocation meaning to perform better than required.

delivers high-quality work

In business contexts, we "deliver work" or "deliver results." This collocation emphasizes successful completion and handover.

Question 13

Choose the correct word to complete the HR discussion.

During the annual review, managers need to _____ employee performance fairly and objectively.

The correct answer is evaluate.

We "evaluate performance" in professional contexts when we assess how well someone is doing their job. This is more formal than "judge" or "measure."

Question 14

Choose the correct words to complete the office conversation.
"Can we _________________________ a meeting for next Tuesday? I need to _________________________ the budget discussion since I'm the team leader."

schedule a meeting

"Schedule a meeting" is the standard business collocation for setting up formal meetings with specific times.

chair the budget discussion

"Chair a meeting/discussion" means to lead or run it as the person in charge. "Facilitate" means to help others participate but doesn't indicate leadership authority.

Question 15

Choose ALL the phrases that correctly describe workplace performance evaluation.

The correct answers are exceed expectations, meet targets, and achieve objectives.

In performance contexts, we "exceed expectations," "meet targets," and "achieve objectives." We don't "overcome goals" or "defeat standards" - these suggest conflict rather than accomplishment.

Question 16

Complete Jake's calendar notes by selecting the appropriate words for these work collocations.

Monday: Join the morning meeting at 9 AM Tuesday: Arrange a meeting with the marketing team
Wednesday: Chair the weekly progress meeting

Monday: Join the morning meeting at 9 AM.

"Join a meeting" is the most natural collocation for participating in a meeting.

Tuesday: Arrange a meeting with the marketing team.

"Arrange a meeting" means to organize and set up a meeting with others.

Wednesday: Chair the weekly progress meeting.

"Chair a meeting" means to lead or preside over a meeting as the person in charge.

Question 17

Help the manager complete his delegation instructions.
I need to _________________________ this urgent task to someone reliable. Could you _________________________ the client presentation while I focus on the budget analysis?

assign this urgent task

"Assign tasks" is the correct management collocation. Managers assign work to their team members.

handle the client presentation

"Handle" suggests managing all aspects of something important. It's more professional than "do" and more comprehensive than "take."

Question 18

Choose the correct word to complete the office conversation.

"I'm worried we won't be able to _____ the deadline for the quarterly report," Tom said nervously.

The correct answer is meet.

We "meet a deadline" when we complete work by the required time. This is a key business collocation.

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