Business English Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on business meetings, emails, finance, negotiations and workplace idioms. B2 level. Perfect for professional English learners.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Business English is actually used in context at B2 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as A list of items to be discussed at a meeting, Return on Investment, Get the ball rolling, Business to Business and Key Performance Indicator, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
Business English — FAQ
What are the most important business English words to know?
Core business vocabulary: stakeholder (anyone with an interest in a company), agenda (list of items to discuss in a meeting), deadline (due date), quarterly (every three months), revenue (income from sales), profit margin (percentage of revenue kept as profit), benchmark (a standard for comparison), KPI (Key Performance Indicator), ROI (Return on Investment), and pitch (a sales or project presentation).
What vocabulary is used in business meetings?
Meeting vocabulary: agenda, minutes (written record), chair/chairperson, AOB (Any Other Business), quorum (minimum number needed), motion (formal proposal), adjourn (end the meeting), action points, and brainstorming. Phrases: 'Shall we move on to the next item?', 'Could I just clarify...?', 'To summarise...'
What are common business email phrases in English?
Email openings: 'I am writing with regard to...', 'Further to our conversation...', 'I hope this email finds you well.' Closings: 'Please do not hesitate to contact me.', 'I look forward to hearing from you.', 'Kind regards / Best regards.' For attachments: 'Please find attached...' Requests: 'Could you please...', 'I would be grateful if...'
What is the difference between 'turnover' and 'profit'?
Turnover (revenue/sales) is the total income from selling goods or services. Profit is what remains after all costs and expenses are deducted from turnover. Gross profit is turnover minus cost of goods sold. Net profit is the final profit after all expenses, taxes and interest. A business can have high turnover but low or even negative profit.
What vocabulary is used in job interviews?
Interview vocabulary: CV/resume, cover letter, reference, strengths/weaknesses, competency, probationary period, salary expectations, notice period. Common questions: 'Tell me about yourself.', 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?', 'Where do you see yourself in five years?', 'Give an example of a time you...'
What are common business idioms in English?
Business idioms: 'think outside the box' (think creatively), 'touch base' (make brief contact), 'low-hanging fruit' (easy wins), 'ballpark figure' (approximate number), 'bottom line' (final profit or most important point), 'get the ball rolling' (start something), 'a win-win situation' (mutually beneficial), and 'on the same page' (in agreement).
What does B2B and B2C mean?
B2B = Business-to-Business: companies that sell to other businesses (e.g., a software company selling to corporations). B2C = Business-to-Consumer: companies that sell directly to individual customers (e.g., a retail shop or online store). These models affect marketing, pricing and sales strategies differently.
What are key financial terms in business English?
Essential financial terms: assets (what a company owns), liabilities (what it owes), cash flow, invoice (bill for goods/services), budget, forecast, equity (ownership value), shareholders, dividend (payment from profits), fiscal year, overheads (fixed costs), and break-even point (where income equals expenses).
What is the difference between 'negotiate' and 'bargain'?
'Negotiate' is the formal business term for discussing and reaching an agreement (negotiate a contract, negotiate terms). 'Bargain' means negotiating price informally or finding a good deal. In business English, 'negotiate' is almost always preferred in formal written and spoken communication.
What vocabulary describes company structure?
Company structure vocabulary: CEO, CFO, COO, board of directors, shareholder, subsidiary (owned by a parent company), conglomerate, startup, SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise), sole trader, partnership, limited company (Ltd), and public limited company (PLC — listed on the stock exchange).