In this task type, you read a short workplace text, such as an email, a memo or an announcement, with several numbered gaps. For most gaps, you choose a word or phrase. For one gap in each text, you choose a whole sentence. To choose correctly, you often need to understand the text around the gap, not only the sentence with the gap. For example, the right verb tense may depend on a date mentioned earlier in the text.
Text 1: Email about a delayed order
From: Customer Service Team
To: Ms Helena Fischer
Subject: Your order of 3 June
Dear Ms Fischer,
Thank you for your recent order of twenty office chairs. Unfortunately, the chairs you selected are temporarily out of stock, and we are unable to deliver them (1) ___ the date we gave you. Our supplier has told us that a new shipment (2) ___ our warehouse on 18 June.
(3) ___ Alternatively, we can offer you a similar model in grey, which is available now at the same price.
Please let us know which option you prefer by replying to this email. If you choose to wait, we will send you a (4) ___ when your order leaves our warehouse. If you would prefer to cancel, we will give you a full (5) ___ within five working days.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your (6) ___.
Kind regards,
Rafael Costa, Customer Service Team
Text 2: Memo about expense claims
To: All staff
From: Finance Department
Date: 2 September
Subject: New online expense claims
From 1 October, all expense claims (7) ___ through the new online system instead of on paper forms. The new system will make the process faster. (8) ___, most claims will be paid within ten working days, compared with up to a month at present.
To make a claim, log in with your usual staff details, upload a clear photo of each receipt and choose the correct cost category. (9) ___ Claims without a receipt will be returned to you.
Training sessions will be held in the main conference room during the last two weeks of September. Each session lasts about 45 minutes. Please book a place through the staff website, as numbers are (10) ___.
Paper forms will still be accepted for costs that you paid (11) ___ 1 October. (12) ___ you have any questions about the new system, please contact Lina Haddad in the Finance Department.