Casa ESL · A2 Elementary · Unit 11 of 20 · Step 1
The Office & Workplace
Name
Date
Vocabulary
colleague
nounA person you work with.
"My colleague helped me finish the report on time."
deadline
nounThe latest time by which something must be done.
"We have a tight deadline for this project."
meeting
nounA planned gathering of people to discuss something.
"We have a team meeting every Monday morning."
client
nounA person or company that receives a service.
"She often calls clients to give updates."
promote
verbTo give someone a higher position at work.
"He was promoted to senior manager last year."
shift
nounA period of time when you are scheduled to work.
"Her shift starts at six in the morning."
remote
adjectiveWorking from a place other than the main office.
"She usually works remotely on Fridays."
overtime
nounExtra time worked beyond the normal schedule.
"He rarely does overtime unless it is urgent."
Grammar Focus
Adverbs of frequency
Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens: always (100%), usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never (0%). Place them before the main verb but after the verb 'to be'. In questions: How often do you...?
I usually check my emails as soon as I arrive at the office.
She is always on time for meetings.
We rarely work on Saturdays unless there is an emergency.
How often do you travel for work?
Exercises
Exercise 1
Rewrite each sentence by placing the adverb of frequency in the correct position.
1. I am tired on Monday mornings. (always)
2. She checks her messages before bed. (usually)
3. They are late for team meetings. (never)
4. He travels to the head office. (sometimes)
5. We work overtime during the busy season. (often)
Exercise 2
Match each adverb to the correct percentage of frequency.
Reading
Working From Home
Since last year, my company has allowed us to work from home three days a week. I usually start work at eight thirty and always make coffee before I open my laptop. I often have a video call with my team in the morning. I sometimes find it harder to concentrate at home than in the office. I rarely miss deadlines and I always try to finish early on Fridays. My manager sometimes checks in to see how projects are going. Overall, I think remote work usually suits people who are organised and disciplined.
1. When does the writer usually start work?
2. What does the writer find sometimes harder at home?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 4–6 sentences about your work or study habits. Use adverbs of frequency and work vocabulary.
Example: I usually arrive at college about ten minutes early. I always sit in the same seat because I find it easier to focus. I sometimes stay late in the library when I have an important deadline. I rarely miss classes but I occasionally skip if I am ill. I often revise my notes in the evening.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. I am always tired on Monday mornings. · 2. She usually checks her messages before bed. · 3. They are never late for team meetings. · 4. He sometimes travels to the head office. · 5. We often work overtime during the busy season.
Exercise 2
1. always → 100% of the time · 2. usually → about 80% of the time · 3. sometimes → about 50% of the time · 4. rarely → about 10% of the time · 5. never → 0% of the time
Reading Comprehension
1. The writer usually starts work at eight thirty. · 2. The writer sometimes finds it harder to concentrate at home.