[Vocabulary] Communication

Question 1

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a backhanded compliment wh_ _ th_ _ it.

/ˈbækhændɪd ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

Answer 1

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a backhanded compliment when you think about it.

Question 2

I’m not trying to p_ a f_ with you, son. (= не хочу ругаться с тобой)

Answer 2

I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, son.

Question 3

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence _ _ (you / claim).

Answer 3

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

Question 4

I’m not fishing for compliments so you don’t need to contradict me - I g_ don’t think I’m a very good manager.

Answer 4

I’m not fishing for compliments so you don’t need to contradict me - I genuinely don’t think I’m a very good manager.

/ˈdʒenjuɪnli/

Question 5

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a _ compliment when you think about it. (= сомнительный комплимент, двусмысленный комплимент)

Answer 5

She said the dress made me look slim, which is a backhanded compliment when you think about it.

/ˈbækhændɪd/

Question 6

[pronunciation] stereotype

e.g. ‘He doesn’t conform to the usual stereotype of the businessman with a dark suit and briefcase.’

Answer 6

/ˈsteriətaɪp/

Question 7

He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women — a_ _ u_ stereotypes.

Answer 7

He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women — all the usual stereotypes.

Question 8

When he realised his mistake he _ p_. (стала бурно извиняться - или без конца извинялась)

Answer 8

When he realised his mistake he apologised profusely.

Question 9

I’m not _ for _ (=не напрашиваюсь на комплимент) so you don’t need to contradict me - I genuinely don’t think I’m a very good manager.

Answer 9

I’m not fishing for compliments so you don’t need to contradict me - I genuinely don’t think I’m a very good manager.

BrE /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/
AmE /ˈkɑːmplɪmənt/

Question 10

If I were to _ a guess, I’d say she’s about 40. (рискну предположить)

Answer 10

If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say she’s about 40.

/ˈhæzə(r)d/

Question 11

I had started to regret my r_ promise to cook for everyone. (опрометчивое обещание)

Answer 11

I had started to regret my rash promise to cook for everyone.

/ræʃ/

Question 12

She keeps d_ h_ _ _ (want) a piece of jewellery for her birthday. (= изо всех сил намекает)

Answer 12

She keeps dropping hints about wanting a piece of jewellery for her birthday.

Question 13

You can’t _ m_ a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

Answer 13

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

also: can’t go making promises like that, can’t go making decisions for other people, can’t go making changes without consulting your colleagues, etc

Question 14

If I _ _ hazard a guess, I’_ s_ she’s about 45.

Answer 14

If I were to hazard a guess, I’d say she’s about 45.

Question 15

[pronunciation] When she realised her mistake, she apologised profusely.

Answer 15

STRESS!
/ˈriːəlaɪz/
/əˈpɒlədʒaɪzd/

Question 16

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he clearly thought it was a f_ e_. (= слабое оправдание, жалкая отмазка)

Answer 16

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he clearly thought it was a feeble excuse.

Question 17

Don’t _ _ notice _ him. He was just trying to pick a fight - he loves arguing.

Answer 17

Don’t take any notice of him. He was just trying to pick a fight - he loves arguing.

Question 18

We ex_ p_ but I didn’t get to talk to him properly. (= обменялись любезностями)

Answer 18

We exchanged pleasantries but I didn’t get to talk to him properly.

/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd ˈplezntriz/

Question 19

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he с_ thought it _ a feeble excuse.

Answer 19

I explained that I wouldn’t be coming to the party because I had to pack for my holiday but he clearly thought it was a feeble excuse.

‘thought it was’, not ‘it is’

Question 20

[collocations]
He _ some sweeping generalizations _ men and women, like ‘women are natural caregivers’ — all the usual stereotypes.

Answer 20

[collocations]
He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women, like ‘women are natural caregivers’ — all the usual stereotypes.

Question 21

[pronunciation] He apologised profusely.

Answer 21

/prəˈfjuːsli/

Question 22

[pronunciation] an excuse

Answer 22

/ɪkˈskjuːs/

NB the pronunciation of the verb is different - with a /z/

Question 23

You can’t go making a w_ accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming. (нелепое, дикое обвинение)

Answer 23

You can’t go making a wild accusation like that with no evidence for what you’re claiming.

Question 24

He made some s_ _ about men and women, like ‘women are natural caregivers’ — all the usual stereotypes. [= широкое обобщение]

Answer 24

He made some sweeping generalizations about men and women — all the usual stereotypes.

Question 25

Could I just make a t_ suggestion that we make these meetings a little shorter? (= предварительное предложение / я не настаиваю)

Answer 25

Could I just make a tentative suggestion that we make these meetings a little shorter?