1. Match the sentence beginnings and endings, There are three extra endings.

1. My new manager is very approachable …G…
2. Stop being so secretive
3. I know he’s a bit eccentric, but don’t laugh
4. She’s incredibly passionate
5. If you want to be a leader, you need to be more assertive
6. You shouldn’t be so critical
7. I’m quite envious
8. Mark is incredibly talented

A at his strange fashion sense; he’s actually a genius.
B of the way he speaks to his elders; it’s very rude.
C about where you went last night. We’re just worried!
D with his work, but he is also very modest about it.
E about human rights and spends all her weekends volunteering.
F of her ability to stay calm under pressure.
G and always listens to our suggestions with a smile.
H in meetings if you want your ideas to be heard.
I at painting, though he never shows his work to anyone.
J on his colleagues because he wants to get a promotion.
K about other people’s mistakes; nobody is perfect.

ANSWERS

1G 2C 3A 4E 5H 6K 7F 8D

2. Complete the sentences with the words in the box

approachable | assertive | cautious | impulsive | insensitive | reliable

1. If you want people to trust you with a project, you need to be more ……reliable…… and meet your deadlines.
2. It was a bit ………………… of you to talk about the party in front of Sarah, knowing she wasn’t invited.
3. He is quite ………………… about making big life changes; he needs to weigh all the pros and cons first.
4. Being ………………… means standing up for your rights without being aggressive toward others.
5. Don’t be so …………………! You can’t just quit your job on a whim without having a backup plan.
6. The CEO is surprisingly …………………; you can literally walk into her office and chat whenever you like.

ANSWERS

1. reliable
2. insensitive
3. cautious
4. assertive
5. impulsive
6. approachable.

5. Choose the correct options.

A: Have you met the new supervisor? She seems very (1) laid-back / tense / two-faced. She’s always smiling and calm.

B: I’m not sure. Some people say she’s (2) considerate / supportive / two-faced. She’s nice to your face, but (3) critical of / enthusiastic about / patient with you behind your back.

A: Really? I thought she was quite (4) approachable / unapproachable / secretive. I asked her for help and she was very (5) mean / kind / immature.

B: Well, maybe I’m just being (6) optimistic / cautious / brave. I find it hard to (7) rely on / boast about / laugh at people I don’t know well.

A: True. But you shouldn’t be so (8) mature / self-confident / judgmental. Give her a chance to prove she’s a (9) reliable / unreliable / silly colleague.

ANSWERS

1. laid-back
2. two-faced
3. critical of
4. approachable
5. kind
6. cautious
7. rely on
8. judgmental
9. reliable