Meaning: "practices" means usual ways of doing business.

Wrong options:

• practises: It has "s" where the word has "c". Check the letters: "practices". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
• practice: "practice" has no "s" at the end. The speaker says "practices", so write the "s".

Correct answer: innovation

Explanation: You hear "efficiency and innovation." You need a word for new ideas or change.

Meaning: "innovation" means new ideas or methods.

Wrong options:

• inovation: It leaves out the "n". Check the letters: "innovation". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
• innovations: "innovations" has an extra "s" at the end. The speaker says "innovation", with no "s".

Correct answer: tasks

Explanation: Listen for "automate routine tasks". It follows "routine", so you need a word for jobs, more than one.

Meaning: "tasks" means regular jobs or duties.

Wrong options:

• taks: It leaves out the "s". Write "tasks". Only the exact spelling gets the mark.
• task: "task" has no "s" at the end. The speaker says "tasks", so write the "s".

Correct answer: streamline

Explanation: On the recording you hear "to streamline operations, reduce". It comes before "operations", so you need an action word.

Meaning: "streamline" means make processes simpler and faster.

Wrong options:

• streanline: It has "n" where the word has "m". Write "streamline". Only the exact spelling gets the mark.
• streamlines: "streamlines" has an extra "s" at the end. The speaker says "streamline", with no "s".

Correct answer: forecasts

Explanation: Listen again to "insights and forecasts." You need a word for predictions, more than one.

Meaning: "forecasts" means predictions about future events or numbers.

Wrong options:

• forcasts: It leaves out the "e". Check the letters: "forecasts". A small spelling mistake loses the mark.
• forecast: "forecast" has no "s" at the end. The speaker says "forecasts", so write the "s".

Correct answer: competitive

Explanation: Here you hear "staying competitive in today's fast-paced". You need a describing word meaning able to compete.

Meaning: "competitive" means able to keep up with others in the market.

Wrong options:

• competetive: It has "e" where the word has "i". The right spelling is "competitive". Every letter must be correct to get the mark.
• competition: "competition" is a close word, but it ends in "on". The speaker says "competitive", which ends in "ve".