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Practice Reading: Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks ID: #41189 Department manager
Instructions ›
This email is from a department manager to their team about introducing work-life balance initiatives. Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choices will appear. Select the appropriate choice for each blank.
Dear  Team,      

I'm  pleased  to  announce  that  we  are  rolling  out  new  initiatives  aimed  at  improving  work-life  balance.  Recognising  the  importance  of  mental  health  and  overall  happiness,  we've  decided  to  implement    work  hours  and  the  option  for  remote  workdays.  Our  goal  is  to    the  flexibility  and  autonomy  you  have  over  your  work  schedules,  fostering  a  healthier  work  environment.      

In  addition,  we're  introducing  regular  wellness  workshops  and  activities  designed  to    stress  and  promote  well-being  among  our  team  members.  Participation  in  these  activities  is  voluntary  but  highly  encouraged,  as  they  offer  valuable  tools  for  managing  work  pressures  and  personal  life  challenges.      

Please  feel  free  to    any  suggestions  or  ideas  you  have  for  future  initiatives.  Your  input  is  invaluable  to  us  as  we  strive  to  create  a  supportive  and  productive  workplace.      

Best  regards,  
[Your  Department  Manager]  

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct answer: irregular

Explanation: The term 'irregular' fits grammatically as it describes a type of work hours that are not fixed or standard, aligning with the context of improving work-life balance. It indicates variability in work hours, which is essential for flexibility.

Meaning: Irregular means not fixed or regular, suggesting that work hours can change based on individual needs, promoting a better work-life balance.

Wrong options:

  • fixed: Fixed implies a set schedule that does not change, which contradicts the goal of flexibility in work hours.
  • traditional: Traditional suggests a conventional approach to work hours, which does not align with the initiative to improve work-life balance through variability.
  • flexible: Flexible indicates adaptability but does not convey the idea of non-standard hours as effectively as 'irregular' does.
Correct answer: maximise

Explanation: The word 'maximise' is appropriate here as it conveys the intention to increase the level of flexibility and autonomy in work schedules, which is the goal of the initiatives being introduced.

Meaning: Maximise means to make as large or great as possible, indicating the aim to enhance the flexibility and autonomy employees have over their work.

Wrong options:

  • limit: Limit suggests a reduction or restriction, which is the opposite of what the initiatives aim to achieve regarding flexibility.
  • undermine: Undermine implies weakening or damaging, which contradicts the positive goal of enhancing flexibility and autonomy.
  • overlook: Overlook means to ignore or neglect, which does not fit the context of actively improving work conditions.
Correct answer: alleviate

Explanation: The term 'alleviate' is suitable as it means to make something less severe or serious, which aligns with the goal of reducing stress through wellness workshops and activities.

Meaning: Alleviate means to lessen or relieve, particularly in the context of stress, indicating that the workshops aim to help manage stress levels.

Wrong options:

  • escalate: Escalate means to increase or intensify, which is contrary to the goal of reducing stress.
  • acknowledge: Acknowledge means to recognize or admit, which does not convey the action of reducing stress as effectively as 'alleviate.'
  • ignore: Ignore means to pay no attention to, which is not relevant in the context of actively addressing and reducing stress.
Correct answer: share

Explanation: The word 'share' is appropriate as it invites team members to contribute their suggestions or ideas, fitting well within the context of collaboration and input for future initiatives.

Meaning: Share means to communicate or provide information to others, encouraging team members to express their thoughts and suggestions.

Wrong options:

  • disregard: Disregard means to ignore or pay no attention to, which contradicts the intention of encouraging input from team members.
  • submit: Submit implies a formal process of handing over suggestions, which does not convey the same collaborative spirit as 'share.'
  • retract: Retract means to withdraw or take back, which is not relevant in the context of encouraging contributions.

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