E) Put a tick if the sentence is possible. Put a cross if it is not. The answers depend on whether the verb is transitive, intransitive or both.
We cut costs by 5%. □
We fell costs by 5%. □
Profits cut by 5%. □
Profits fell by 5%. □
We raised prices by 2%.
We rose prices by 2%.
Inflation raised by 2%. □
Inflation rose by 2%.
We increased sales by 4%.
Sales increased by 4%. □
We went up market share by 3%.
12 Market share went up by 3%.
F) The -ing form of many verbs can be used as an adjective, eg an increasing demand for oil. Make adjectives from the verbs in the box using theinformation in brackets.
expand grow rise shrink soar
A…………………………..budget (decreasing in size)
An ………………………… business (increasing in size)
A ………………………….. problem (increasing over a long period)
…………………………… inflation (increasing)
5 …………………………….. costs (reaching a very high level)
G) Fill in the missing letters in these adverbs using the information in brackets. Sales increased ...
r…………………….. (quickly)