Obligation and option

obligation 17 terms 17 questions TOEIC Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

Notices and policies are graded by how binding they are, and the TOEIC tests that grading directly. Mandatory and compulsory leave no choice; liable to and obliged to are conditional; exempt from and optional remove the duty altogether. A Part 7 question about who has to do what is nearly always decided by one of these words.

Your task

Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the list. More than one answer is possible in some cases.

Target vocabulary

alternative compelled compulsory entail essential exempt forced have liable mandatory must need obligation obliged optional required voluntary

Practice

Word bank

alternative compelled compulsory entail essential exempt forced have liable mandatory must need obligation obliged optional required voluntary

1 A valid passport and visa are ________ by all visitors to the country. Unless you have these, you will not be allowed in.

2 The wearing of helmets and safety clothing on site is ________. You may not enter the site without these.

3 Note to hire car drivers: all passengers ________ wear seatbelts. This includes rear-seat passengers. Your insurance will be invalid if you fail to comply.

4 There are no direct flights between London and New Orleans. Passengers flying between these cities ________ to change in New York or Washington.

5 All companies are ________ for the health and safety of their employees while on company premises, and can face heavy financial penalties if they fail to comply.

6 Because of the recession, several companies in the area have been ________ to close.

7 Books, clothes and food are currently ________ from government tax, as they are considered necessities rather than luxuries.

8 ________ safety inspections are carried out twice a year. Companies should allow government safety inspectors complete access to all areas.

9 Entrance to the museum is free, but visitors are asked to make a ________ donation of $5.

10 There is no service charge in this restaurant, but we do ask that groups of 8 or more pay an ________ 10% extra.

11 Unless you make prompt repayments, we will have no ________ but to reclaim the property from you.

12 Manufacturers of packaged foods are ________ to list all the ingredients clearly on the box or package. This should include any artificial colorings and additives

13 You are under no ________ to work overtime, but we hope that you would be prepared to work late at least once a week.

14 When Mr. Smith made a mistake that cost his company over $100,000, he felt ________ to leave and look for work elsewhere.

15 The project is very exciting, but everyone realizes that it will ________ a lot of work.

16 You can order our latest software programs by phone or online. And the great thing is, there's no ________ to pay until you've received your purchases.

17 It is absolutely ________ that deliveries are made on time, otherwise we will start to lose customers.