Workplace Word Families, Set 4 — HR (B1)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

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Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

The HR system sent an automatic to all employees to complete their annual self-assessment. (REMIND)

Correct answer: reminder

Add -er to "remind" to form "reminder" — the noun for a message that prompts someone to do something; "remind" is a verb and cannot follow "an automatic" in a noun slot; "remembrance" means a memory of someone deceased — a different word entirely.

Each submitted proposal is assessed by an independent before being put to the committee. (REVIEW)

Correct answer: reviewer

Add -er to "review" to form "reviewer" — the agent noun for a person who evaluates something; "review" alone is a noun (the assessment) or verb; "the independent ___" pointing to a person requires the agent noun "reviewer."

Please the contract carefully before sending it to the client for signature. (PROOFREAD)

Correct answer: proofread

"Proofread" is the compound verb meaning to check written material for errors; it is both the base form and past tense (irregular: proofread → proofread); after "Please," the base imperative form is required; "proofreading" is the gerund.

The company decided to ten additional staff before the peak season started in December. (HIRE)

Correct answer: hire

"Hire" functions here as a verb meaning to employ someone; after "decided to," an infinitive verb is required; "hiring" (gerund) cannot follow "to" in this infinitive slot; "hired" is past tense, also incorrect here.

The arrived fifteen minutes early and made an excellent first impression on the panel. (INTERVIEW)

Correct answer: interviewee

Add -ee to "interview" to form "interviewee" — the person being interviewed; contrast with "interviewer" (the person asking questions); learners often confuse these two — the -ee suffix marks the recipient of an action.

The shortlisted was asked to complete a written test before progressing to the final interview. (CANDIDATE)

Correct answer: candidate

"Candidate" is the noun for a person applying for a job or being considered for a position; it derives from Latin "candidatus" (wearing white) and has no common English derivational verb; it is a fixed TOEIC HR term.

All applicants must submit a current and a covering letter by the closing date. (RESUME)

Correct answer: resume

"Resume" (American English) and "CV" (British English) are both nouns for a document summarising a person's qualifications and work history; either is acceptable; "résumé" (with accent marks) is also correct — TOEIC uses "resume" in American contexts.

The project required a highly team with experience in both finance and data analysis. (SKILL)

Correct answer: skilled

Add -ed to "skill" to form "skilled" — the adjective meaning having expertise or ability; "skill" alone is a noun; "skillful" is a less common variant; "skillfully" is an adverb — "a highly ___ team" requires an adjective modifier.

Each is assigned a mentor for the first six months and receives weekly one-to-one feedback sessions. (TRAIN)

Correct answer: trainee

Add -ee to "train" to form "trainee" — the person receiving training; contrast with "trainer" (the person delivering training); the -ee suffix marks the recipient; "training" is the process noun, not the person.

The company's programme introduces new hires to systems, culture, and their team over four weeks. (ONBOARD)

Correct answer: onboarding

"Onboard" + -ing → "onboarding" — the noun for the process of integrating new employees into a company; "onboard" alone is an adjective or verb; "onboarding programme" is a fixed HR compound noun in modern business English.

Over 200 workers were when the factory moved production to a cheaper overseas location. (LAYOFF)

Correct answer: laid off

"Layoff" (noun) → "laid off" (phrasal verb, passive past); the passive "were ___" requires the past participle "laid off" (two words); "layoff" is the noun for the act of dismissal, while "lay off" is the verb — the two-word form is used as a verb or participle.

The HR department advertised the on three job boards and received over 150 applications. (VACANT)

Correct answer: vacancy

"Vacant" (adjective) → "vacancy" (noun, replace "-ant" with "-ancy") — the noun for an available job position; "vacant position" and "vacancy" are synonymous in HR English; learners sometimes write "vacantness" (non-standard) — only "vacancy" is correct.

The minimum for workers over 23 was increased by the government at the start of the year. (WAGE)

Correct answer: wage

"Wage" is the noun for payment received for work, typically calculated per hour or day; contrast with "salary" (fixed annual amount paid monthly) — TOEIC uses "minimum wage" as a fixed expression for the legally required minimum pay rate.

Staff who exceeded their annual targets received a performance paid in December. (BONUS)

Correct answer: bonus

"Bonus" is the noun for an extra payment given as a reward for good performance; it derives from Latin "bonus" (good) and is used as a standalone noun with no common English derivational forms; "bonuses" is the plural form.

She requested two weeks of unpaid to attend a family event overseas. (LEAVE)

Correct answer: leave

"Leave" functions here as an uncountable noun meaning authorised absence from work; since "leave" is also a verb, learners must identify the noun position after "two weeks of unpaid ___"; "leaving" (gerund) would change the meaning to the act of departing.

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