3 Practice B
Complete the following sentences with likely effects.
(a) An increase in the tax on tobacco _____.
(b) Rising demand for MBA courses _____.
(c) Lower fuel prices _____.
(d) Bad weather in the Brazilian coffee-growing region __.
Complete these sentences with possible causes.
(e) The company’s bankruptcy _____.
(f) The drop in share prices _____.
(g) Hiring extra staff _____.
(h) A significant rise in profits _____.
4 Practice C
Use conjunctions or verbs to complete the following paragraph.
98 Part 2: Elements of Writing
Unhappy workers
In recent years there appears to have been a growth in employee dissatisfaction
with work. At its most extreme this is shown by high rates of suicide in some
companies, apparently (a) _______________ the stress (b) _______________
re-structuring programmes. Surveys of both European and American employees
have found that more than 50% were unhappy, often (c) _______________ a feeling
of stagnation. Various theories have attempted to explain this situation. Employees
in certain industries such as car production may feel stressed (d) _______________
industry-wide overcapacity, creating a sense of insecurity. More generally,
recession can (e) _______________ fear of unemployment or short-time working.
In addition, the constant drive to cut costs and increase productivity
(f) _______________ a concern with meeting targets which takes its toll on the
workforce. Furthermore, many younger employees are now hired on short-term
contracts, which (g) _______________ an awareness that they could lose their jobs
with little warning.