Reading for Unit 11


1 Complete the sentences with correct forms of the following verbs:

DRAG DOWN, ENTER, ESCALATE, GAUGE, MITIGATE, PROCURE, PURSUE, SHORTEN

1 UNICEF _______________ US$97 million worth of medical supplies in 2005.

2 The jury must take into account any _______________ circumstances presented by the defence, such
as previous good character.

3 Part of the strategy _______________ by the management team is to ensure that the company’s value
is not dependent on a single candidate.

4 The goal of this report is to assist managers in _______________ a company’s financial
performance.



2 Complete each sentence with a word made from the words given in brackets:

1 There will be an extra charge for any _______________ passengers. (ADD)

2 He declined to discuss the _______________ of the case. (SPECIFY)

3 This solution has worsened investment _______________ of the project. (ATTRACT)

4 Their free web seminars are designed to help both _______________ customers as well as existing
customers. (PROSPECT)

5 The contest is designed to help seek out and identify the most _______________ start-ups in the
industry. (PROMISE)

6 All these _______________ can considerably affect the price. (VARY)


3 Complete each sentence with one of expressions highlighted in the text you have read.

1 An angel investor is NOT an investor with golden wings and a halo but rather an individual who
provides _____________ _____________ to a new business and expects a percentage of ownership equity
in return.

2 _____________ _____________ are incurred before a certain activity takes place and cannot be
recovered by the possible sale of the asset they produced.

3 The huge expansion of national debt would lead to a heavy _____________ _____________ on the
future generation.

4 _____________ _____________ is probability of loss resulting from failed or inadequate controls,
processes, or systems, or from human or external events.