TOEIC Grammar Practice Quiz: Business English Skills Test

1. To remain _______ in an increasingly crowded market, the firm must continuously invest in both product innovation and customer experience.

Competitively

Magnificently

Contemporarily

Hesitantly

"Competitively" is the correct adverb because it means in a manner that enables a business to compete effectively against rivals, which is directly relevant to market positioning. "Magnificently" means impressively or grandly, "contemporarily" means in a modern or current manner, and "hesitantly" means with uncertainty or reluctance — none of which describe effective market positioning.

Explanation

"Competitively" is the correct adverb because it means in a manner that enables a business to compete effectively against rivals, which is directly relevant to market positioning. "Magnificently" means impressively or grandly, "contemporarily" means in a modern or current manner, and "hesitantly" means with uncertainty or reluctance — none of which describe effective market positioning.

2. _______ all the shortlisted candidates, Mr. Harrison demonstrated the strongest grasp of the technical requirements.

In

Toward

From

Of

"Of" is the correct preposition here because it indicates membership within a defined group — in this case, the shortlisted candidates. "In" implies being inside something, "toward" indicates direction or attitude, and "from" suggests origin or separation — none of which convey the idea of being singled out from within a specific group.

Explanation

"Of" is the correct preposition here because it indicates membership within a defined group — in this case, the shortlisted candidates. "In" implies being inside something, "toward" indicates direction or attitude, and "from" suggests origin or separation — none of which convey the idea of being singled out from within a specific group.

3. _______ the flight was delayed by several hours, the delegation still arrived in time for the opening session of the summit.

Although

After

During

Because

"Although" correctly introduces a concessive clause, acknowledging the delay while contrasting it with the successful arrival. "After" indicates sequence rather than contrast, "during" is a preposition of time that cannot introduce a clause, and "because" introduces a reason — which would imply the delay caused the timely arrival, reversing the intended meaning.

Explanation

"Although" correctly introduces a concessive clause, acknowledging the delay while contrasting it with the successful arrival. "After" indicates sequence rather than contrast, "during" is a preposition of time that cannot introduce a clause, and "because" introduces a reason — which would imply the delay caused the timely arrival, reversing the intended meaning.

4. Over the past decade, Norfield Consulting has built _______ a strong reputation for delivering results in high-pressure environments.

On

In

Up

From

"Built up" is the correct phrasal verb because it means to develop or establish something gradually over time, which fits the context of building a reputation over a decade. "Built on" means to use something as a foundation, "built in" means to incorporate something as a permanent feature, and "built from" describes the material or origin — none of which convey the gradual development of a reputation.

Explanation

"Built up" is the correct phrasal verb because it means to develop or establish something gradually over time, which fits the context of building a reputation over a decade. "Built on" means to use something as a foundation, "built in" means to incorporate something as a permanent feature, and "built from" describes the material or origin — none of which convey the gradual development of a reputation.

5. The revised contract will be sent to the legal team _______ by end of business today or first thing tomorrow morning.

Neither

Either

On

Both

"Either" sets up the paired conjunction "either...or," presenting two possible timeframes for sending the contract. "Neither" pairs with "nor" and introduces two negative options, "on" is a preposition that does not connect two alternatives, and "both" pairs with "and" to include two things simultaneously — none of which correctly introduce an either/or choice.

Explanation

"Either" sets up the paired conjunction "either...or," presenting two possible timeframes for sending the contract. "Neither" pairs with "nor" and introduces two negative options, "on" is a preposition that does not connect two alternatives, and "both" pairs with "and" to include two things simultaneously — none of which correctly introduce an either/or choice.

6. The quarterly strategy meeting will center on market expansion opportunities _______ than internal process improvements.

Instead

Better

Rather

Except

"Rather" completes the fixed comparative phrase "rather than," which is used to express preference for one thing over another. "Instead" requires "of" to form "instead of" and cannot pair with "than," "better" forms "better than" which makes a quality comparison rather than a preference, and "except" introduces an exclusion — none of which convey the same preference structure as "rather than."

Explanation

"Rather" completes the fixed comparative phrase "rather than," which is used to express preference for one thing over another. "Instead" requires "of" to form "instead of" and cannot pair with "than," "better" forms "better than" which makes a quality comparison rather than a preference, and "except" introduces an exclusion — none of which convey the same preference structure as "rather than."

7. During the earnings call, the CFO _______ that rising material costs would likely have an impact on profit margins in the next quarter.

Calculated

Admitted

Required

Alluded

"Admitted" is the correct verb because it means to acknowledge something openly, often something that is unfavorable — in this case, the impact of rising costs on margins. "Calculated" means to compute or estimate mathematically, "required" means to need or demand something, and "alluded" means to refer to something indirectly — which contradicts the direct acknowledgment implied in the sentence.

Explanation

"Admitted" is the correct verb because it means to acknowledge something openly, often something that is unfavorable — in this case, the impact of rising costs on margins. "Calculated" means to compute or estimate mathematically, "required" means to need or demand something, and "alluded" means to refer to something indirectly — which contradicts the direct acknowledgment implied in the sentence.

8. All department heads _______ of the policy changes before the official announcement was made to the wider organization.

Were told

Known

Have known

Were informed

"Were informed" is the correct passive past tense form, indicating that the department heads received official communication about the policy changes prior to the public announcement. "Were told" is grammatically acceptable but less formal and precise in a professional context. "Known" is a past participle that requires an auxiliary verb, and "have known" is present perfect which does not align with a completed past event.

Explanation

"Were informed" is the correct passive past tense form, indicating that the department heads received official communication about the policy changes prior to the public announcement. "Were told" is grammatically acceptable but less formal and precise in a professional context. "Known" is a past participle that requires an auxiliary verb, and "have known" is present perfect which does not align with a completed past event.

9. This is the fourth time this month that the server _______ crashed during peak business hours.

Are

Have

Has

Were

"Has" is the correct auxiliary verb for the present perfect tense with a singular subject — "the server." The present perfect is used here because the sentence describes a repeated action with relevance to the present. "Have" is used with plural subjects, "are" and "were" are forms of "to be" which do not form the present perfect with a past participle.

Explanation

"Has" is the correct auxiliary verb for the present perfect tense with a singular subject — "the server." The present perfect is used here because the sentence describes a repeated action with relevance to the present. "Have" is used with plural subjects, "are" and "were" are forms of "to be" which do not form the present perfect with a past participle.

10. Staff members are strictly prohibited from sharing client data with third parties _______ they have received explicit written consent from the client.

For

Without

When

Unless

"Unless" is the correct conjunction because it introduces a condition under which the prohibition is lifted — explicit written consent. "For" indicates reason, "without" is a preposition that must be followed by a noun or gerund rather than a full clause, and "when" introduces a time clause — none of which establish the conditional exception intended here.

Explanation

"Unless" is the correct conjunction because it introduces a condition under which the prohibition is lifted — explicit written consent. "For" indicates reason, "without" is a preposition that must be followed by a noun or gerund rather than a full clause, and "when" introduces a time clause — none of which establish the conditional exception intended here.

TOEIC Grammar Practice Quiz: Business English Skills Test

1. To remain _______ in an increasingly crowded market, the firm must continuously invest in both product innovation and customer experience.

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. _______ all the shortlisted candidates, Mr. Harrison demonstrated the strongest grasp of the technical requirements.

3. _______ the flight was delayed by several hours, the delegation still arrived in time for the opening session of the summit.

4. Over the past decade, Norfield Consulting has built _______ a strong reputation for delivering results in high-pressure environments.

5. The revised contract will be sent to the legal team _______ by end of business today or first thing tomorrow morning.

6. The quarterly strategy meeting will center on market expansion opportunities _______ than internal process improvements.

7. During the earnings call, the CFO _______ that rising material costs would likely have an impact on profit margins in the next quarter.

8. All department heads _______ of the policy changes before the official announcement was made to the wider organization.

9. This is the fourth time this month that the server _______ crashed during peak business hours.

10. Staff members are strictly prohibited from sharing client data with third parties _______ they have received explicit written consent from the client.