Business English Quiz: Fill in the Missing Verb in “_____ Expectations”

Q: What does "exceed expectations" mean?

It means to do more or better than people expected. Example: Her presentation exceeded expectations.

Q: Can I say "achieve expectations"?

We achieve goals or targets, but we exceed expectations. Achieve expectations sounds unnatural.

Q: Can I say "extend expectations"?

No. Extend means to make something last longer or bigger (extend a deadline, extend a warranty). We don’t use it with expectations.

Q: What’s the difference between "exceed" and "excel"?

Exceed compares to a standard or forecast (exceed expectations by 10%). Excel means to be very good at something (She excels at sales).

Q: Export vs. expand — what’s the difference?

Export = send goods to another country. Expand = grow into new markets, products, or teams.

Q: Execute vs. implement — which should I use?

Both are correct, but they’re used a bit differently. Execute means to carry out specific steps or tasks in a plan (The team executed the campaign on schedule). Implement means to put a plan, policy, or system into effect (The company implemented a new HR policy). In short: execute = do the tasks, implement = make the plan or system active.

Q: Exclude vs. exchange — how are they different?

Exclude = leave out or remove something. Exchange = swap or replace one thing with another.

Q: Expire — is it active or passive?

Expire is active. Things expire by themselves: The coupon expires on Sept 30. We don’t normally use be expired. Instead, say The contract has expired (present perfect).

Q: Where can I download the practice PDF?

Right here in the article: Business Verbs Practice 2 (PDF) — free, with an answer key.

Erin West
May 6
3 min read

Updated: Aug 18

Banner image for a Business English Quiz on realbusinessenglish.com showing a professional woman holding a tablet and a fill-in-the-blank question: “Her presentation was impressive and clearly _____ expectations.” Four answer choices are listed: extended; achieved; accepted; exceeded. — Business English Quiz: Fill in the Missing Verb in “_____ Expectations” by REAL Business English

Welcome to the Business English Vocabulary Quiz!

Today’s Focus:

The verb that means to do more than people expected.

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Today’s Challenge:

Imagine a speaker who delivers more than promised. Which verb completes the sentence?

Her presentation was impressive and clearly _____ expectations.

A) extended

B) achieved

C) accepted

D) exceeded

Choose the correct option and listen to the sentence.

Did you get it right?

Let's quickly review all four options.

EXTEND

verb

to make something bigger; to make something last longer

We extended the meeting by 15 minutes.

They extended the deadline to next Friday.

They extended the warranty on the product at no extra cost.

ACHIEVE

verb

to succeed in doing something you planned

She achieved her monthly sales target two days early.

We achieved a 10% increase in customer satisfaction this year.

He achieved all the project milestones on time.

ACCEPT

verb

to agree to receive or do something

He accepted the job offer and will start next Monday.

They accepted our proposal after a brief discussion.

We accepted the new terms and signed the agreement.

Want to sound more natural at work? Check out 6 Phrasal Verbs with "Fall": Business English Vocabulary Quiz.

EXCEED

verb

to be more than what was expected

Her performance exceeded everyone’s expectations.

This quarter’s revenue exceeded our forecast by 15%.

The final report exceeded the client’s requirements.

That's right! The correct answer is D) exceeded.

Business English Quiz: Which “Ex-” Verb Fits Each Sentence?

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Download this free Business Verbs Practice 2 (PDF) below

Download free Business English Quiz PDF: practice common “ex-” verbs (exceed, export, explore, execute, expire) and improve vocabulary for exceeding expectations.

ANSWER KEY: QUIZ

1. Before we start the project, let’s _____ all the options we have.

A) export

B) exceed

C) explore

The correct answer is C) explore.

2. They _____ fresh fruit to nearby countries every month.

A) execute

B) export

C) expire

The correct answer is B) export.

3. Our company will _____ into new markets next quarter to reach more customers.

A) exchange

B) exceed

C) expand

The correct answer is C) expand.

4. The team will _____ the new plan tomorrow morning.

A) execute

B) expire

C) exit

The correct answer is A) execute.

5. Let’s _____ outdated data from the presentation.

A) exclude

B) exchange

C) exceed

The correct answer is A) exclude.

6. The coupon will _____ at the end of this month.

A) explore

B) expire

C) expect

The correct answer is B) expire.

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FAQ: Exceed Expectations & Common “Ex-” Verbs

What does "exceed expectations" mean?

It means to do more or better than people expected.

Example: Her presentation exceeded expectations.

Can I say "achieve expectations"?

We achieve goals/targets, but we exceed expectations. “Achieve expectations” sounds unnatural.

Can I say "extend expectations"?

No. "Extend" means to make something last longer or bigger (extend a deadline, extend a warranty). We don’t use it with "expectations."

What’s the difference between "exceed" and "excel"?

"Exceed" compares to a standard/forecast (exceed expectations by 10%). "Excel" means to be very good at something (She excels at sales).

Export vs. expand — what’s the difference?

Export = send goods to another country. Expand = grow into new markets, products, or teams.

Execute vs. implement — which should I use?

Both are correct, but they’re used a bit differently. "Execute" means to carry out specific steps or tasks in a plan (The team executed the campaign on schedule). "Implement" means to put a plan, policy, or system into effect (The company implemented a new HR policy). In short: execute = do the tasks, implement = make the plan/system active.

Exclude vs. exchange — how are they different?

Exclude = leave out/remove something. Exchange = swap/replace one thing for another.

Expire — is it active or passive?

"Expire" is active. Things expire by themselves: The coupon expires on Sept 30. We don’t normally use “be expired” in standard English. Instead, say The contract has expired (present perfect).

Where can I download the practice PDF?

Right here in the article: Business Verbs Practice 2 (PDF) — free, with an answer key.

This article was brought to you by RealBusinessEnglish.com, where learning Business English is practical, professional, and just the right amount of fun.