Ejercicio 1

Fiona says "it eases the tension of my first visit when I drop in beforehand". What does she mean by this?

Fiona says that it when she comes to the office .

Fiona says "it eases the tension of my first visit when I drop in beforehand". What does she mean by this?

Fiona says that it relaxes the atmosphere 1 when she comes to the office before she is actually scheduled to arrive. 2.

1 relaxes the atmosphere: This is correct. Fiona says that an unexpected visit "eases the tension". This idiom means to relieve or relax a tense or stressful environment.

1 is more convenient for everyone: The expression to "ease the tension" has nothing to do with convenience.

1 takes less time: The expression to "ease the tension" has nothing to do with the duration of a visit.

1 is healthier: The expression to "ease the tension" has nothing to do with "health", or physical well-being.

2 before she is actually scheduled to arrive.: This is the best choice here. Fiona says: "I find it eases the tension of my first visit when I drop in beforehand". This means that it is less stressful for the employees when she comes to the office unofficially, before the actual review begins. "Drop in" is an idiomatic way of saying "come by". "Beforehand" is simply another way of saying "before".

2 just to say hello and goodbye.: At one point, Fiona does say she would like to come by just to say hello, but this is at a different point in the dialogue, and not when she talks about "easing the tension" of her first visit.

2 to shake hands with the employees.: Fiona never mentions "shaking hands" with the employees. And "beforehand" should not be confused with the "hands" at the end of our arms.

2 before the morning traffic.: Fiona says that her unscheduled visit is simply a way of meeting the staff before her review begins, and is not affected by the traffic patterns of workday commuters.

Ejercicio 2

Help to rewrite the following sentences by replacing the word first with another word, without changing the meaning of the sentence. Each option is used only once.

Now, children, I know you want to start eating, but we must say grace first ➝
Now, children, I know you want to start eating, but we must say grace .

It was the first time that Susie and Bruno saw each other ➝
It was the occasion on which Susie and Bruno saw each other.

That’s not bad for your first try! ➝
That’s not bad for your attempt!

Help to rewrite the following sentences by replacing the word first with another word, without changing the meaning of the sentence. Each option is used only once.

Now, children, I know you want to start eating, but we must say grace first ➝
Now, children, I know you want to start eating, but we must say grace beforehand 1.

It was the first time that Susie and Bruno saw each other ➝
It was the earliest 2 occasion on which Susie and Bruno saw each other.

That’s not bad for your first try! ➝
That’s not bad for your initial 3 attempt!

1 beforehand: In this context, "first" means the same thing as "beforehand": the speaker is saying that they must say grace before or prior to eating. ("To say grace" is to say a prayer of thanks before a meal.) Another example: "Please don't leave yet! Give me a hug first!".

1 earliest: "Earliest" is grammatically incorrect in this sentence. "Earliest" is an adjective, and we need to use an adverb here because we are describing a verb ("to say grace") and the way it must be done. "Earliest" means "furthest back in time", for example: "What's the earliest time that you can meet me?" (What's the first point in the day at which you can meet me?).

1 initial: "Initial" is grammatically incorrect in this sentence. "Initial" is an adjective, and we need to use an adverb here because we are describing a verb ("to say grace") and the way it must be done. "Initial" means "first in a series or progression", for example: "This is just an initial outline of our plans: we will create a more detailed description later".

2 earliest: In this context, "first" means "earliest": this occasion was the furthest back in time of all the occasions on which Susie and Bruno saw each other. Another example: "What was your first job?" (Which of your jobs did you have at the earliest point in your life?).

2 beforehand: "Beforehand" is an adverb, and cannot be used to describe a noun like "occasion". "Beforehand" means "before another action" or "prior to that". For example: "Whenever Susie goes for a run, she always drinks a glass of water first/beforehand" (both terms have the same meaning here).

2 initial: Although "initial" is not grammatically wrong here, it isn't the most natural choice. We are unlikely to use the term "initial" to describe time-words such as "time" or "occasion". "Initial" focuses on something being the first in a series, and often implies a progression or change, for example: "This is the initial version of Grieg's composition; later drafts show extensive rewriting".

3 initial: In this context, "first" means "initial": the speaker is implying that the other person will try again in future and hopefully improve, so this is the first or initial attempt in a series or progression. Another example: "Don't pay too much attention to the details: this is just a first (initial) draft of the message".

3 earliest: Although "earliest" is not grammatically wrong here, it isn't the most natural choice. We are unlikely to use the term "earliest" to refer to something which is happening now, in the present, because "earliest" refers to the thing which is furthest in the past or which comes first in a defined period of time. For example: "What is your earliest memory?" (Which of your memories is furthest in the past?), "What is the earliest time you can meet me tomorrow?" (within the defined period "tomorrow").

3 beforehand: "Beforehand" is an adverb, and cannot be used to describe a noun like "attempt". "Beforehand" means "before another action" or "prior to that". For example: "Whenever Susie goes for a run, she always drinks a glass of water first/beforehand" (both terms have the same meaning here).

Ejercicio 3