Starting and stopping

aspect 37 terms 24 questions TOEIC Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

Business English has a dozen ways to say start and stop, and they are not interchangeable: a company is set up, a factory is shut down, a contract is terminated, an order is cancelled, an investor pulls out, a disease is eradicated. Choosing the wrong one is the classic Part 5 error for candidates whose vocabulary is broad but imprecise.

Your task

Complete each sentence with a verb or phrasal verb from the list, about starting or stopping something. Change the form where the sentence requires it.

Target vocabulary

terminated canceled deleted backed out pulled out outbreak set up established shut down embarking setting off suppress quash eradicated deter dissuade initiated launched take off suspended took up phased in phased out inception closure ceased retiring quit resign fired dismissed turn…down freeze discontinued abolished kick off arisen

Practice

Word bank

1 We _______________ the contract with our suppliers when they repeatedly failed to deliver on time.

2 I can't find the document anywhere on my computer. I must have accidentally _______________ it.

3 We had to cancel the project when the bank _______________ and refused to lend us any more money.

4 Because of an _______________ of food poisoning recently, the staff cafeteria will be closed until further notice.

5 The company was _______________ in 2002, but had to _______________ less than a year later.

6 Before _______________ on a long journey, it is very important to make sure you have everything you need.

7 Several of the airline's crews told the press that they were concerned about the safety of its aircraft, but the airline's owner managed to _______________ the story before it went public.

8 As a result of increased security and a bigger police presence, crime has been almost completely _______________.

9 The store installed security cameras to _______________ shoplifters, but without much success.

10 We tried to _______________ the manager from making changes to the company structure, but he said he had already _______________ the first stage of the plan.

11 Our latest mobile phone will be _______________ onto the market next month, and we are confident that sales will rapidly _______________.

12 Following a series of minor workshop accidents, production was temporarily _______________ while the machinery was checked for faults.

13 I _______________ photography as a hobby when I was 13, but by the time I was 15, I had already decided to make it my career.

14 The new regulations will not all begin at once: they will be gradually _______________ over the next two years. Meanwhile, the old overtime system will be gradually _______________.

15 Between its _______________ in 1925 and its eventual _______________ in 2002, World Film Studios made over 300 movies.

16 The company _______________ trading in 2004 because of poor sales and consequent financial troubles.

17 Mr. Vettriano is 64, so I guess he'll be _______________ soon. I think he'll miss working here, though.

18 Secretary: "That's it! I've had enough of this place. I _______________!" Manager: "Oh really? Well, I'm not going to give you the chance. You're _______________ !"

19 They made an excellent offer, but we were obliged to ________ it ________ because we were working on too many other projects.

20 Prices have risen rapidly over the last year, but last week the company announced a price _______________; they have promised no more increases until April next year.

21 Banana Computers no longer make the Banana 127V printer: it's been _______________.

22 When Congress _______________ the old tax laws, smaller companies suddenly found themselves much better off.

23 We have a lot of things to discuss at this meeting, so I suggest we _______________ immediately with a report on last year's sales.

24 Several problems have _______________ recently as a result of moving our distribution warehouse: one of these is the slow despatch time for overseas orders.