Exercise 1

Which of the following expressions best describes Icarus's statement that he has "balanced the books"?

He has weighed the paperwork.

To "weigh the paperwork" does not express the same meaning as to "balance the books". Icarus's statement should not be interpreted literally.

He has counted the funds in the treasury.

Although "counting funds" may be a part of the process of "balancing the books", the two expressions are not exclusively synonymous.

He has thrown all the literature away.

The "books" referred to in this expression do not refer to "literature". To "balance" does not mean "to throw".

He has settled the accounts.

This is the best choice. To "balance the books" is an expression which means to "settle all the accounts". The "books" refer to the accounting records of a company.

Exercise 2

Susie says that she has an "independent budget".

This means that:

She does not require approval for her expenses.

She works on commission, and doesn't earn a fixed salary.

She balances the books for herself.

She doesn't have many large expenses.

I don't know

Susie says that she has an "independent budget".

This means that:

She does not require approval for her expenses.

An "independent budget" refers to the ability to pay for business expenses without asking for permission or justification in advance. This type of budget is generally reserved for high-level executives. An "independent budget" does not include the typical restrictions of an expense account.

She works on commission, and doesn't earn a fixed salary.

Having an independent budget is unrelated to working on commission, which means that one earns their money or a portion of their money, based on their performance, the company's performance or other such variables.

She balances the books for herself.

To "balance the books" is an expression which refers to the organization and record-keeping associated with the expenses and income of an individual or group. The task is generally done by an accountant, and involves maintaining records of the earnings and expenses of the company. Having an independent budget is unrelated to the act of balancing the books.

She doesn't have many large expenses.

Susie's expression that she has an independent budget doesn't indicate that she doesn't have many large expenses, but rather that she has the freedom to spend money without approval in advance.

Balance the books meaning in English

Definition

Examples

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