BIU015 - How Much Is Too Much?
How Much Is Too Much? Are You a Workaholic? 🧑🔥
[a] 🌟 Do you ever feel like work is taking over your life? Many people burn the midnight oil to meet deadlines, but when does hard work become harmful? A workaholic is someone who can’t stop working, even when it hurts their health or relationships. While being dedicated is admirable, overworking comes at a cost. For example, Alex, a graphic designer, used to work 14-hour days to finish projects early. His boss praised his productivity, but after six months, Alex started having panic attacks. He realized he’d crossed the fine line between ambition and self-destruction. Stories like his are common in high-pressure industries like tech and finance. Let’s explore how to spot the signs of overwork and find balance.
[b] 💪 Society often celebrates non-stop hustle. Maria, a marketing manager, works 50 hours a week and goes the extra mile to impress her boss. She volunteers for extra projects, skips lunch breaks, and answers emails at midnight. Her dedication earned her two promotions in three years, but her personal life is crumbling. Last month, she missed her sister’s wedding because of a client meeting. Her friends joke that she’s married to her job, but Maria feels trapped. She tells herself, “I’ll rest after this project,” but the work never ends. This cycle is typical for workaholics who justify overworking as temporary.
[c] 🚨 Signs you might be a workaholic:
You can’t switch off—even on vacations, you check work messages.
You feel guilty or anxious when not working.
Your hobbies, like painting or hiking, take a backseat.
You cancel plans with loved ones for “just one more hour” of work.
You lie about how much you work to avoid judgment.
Physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia become normal.
You measure self-worth by career success alone.
- Colleagues call you “irreplaceable,” but you’re exhausted.If these sound familiar, it’s time to reclaim your life.
[d] 🧠 Mental health crumbles under constant pressure. Anxiety and depression are common among workaholics. Tom, a software developer, coded 12 hours daily for months. He stopped exercising, ate junk food, and barely slept. Eventually, he hit a wall: his hands shook during meetings, and he couldn’t focus. His doctor warned him about burnout, a state of emotional and physical chronic fatigue. Burnout isn’t just tiredness—it’s a total loss of motivation. Without rest, even simple tasks feel impossible. Recovery can take months, proving that overworking comes at a cost.
[e] ❤️ Relationships strain when work becomes an obsession. Sarah’s boyfriend complained she was “emotionally absent” after she canceled three dates in a row. She missed his birthday party to finish a report, and he accused her of prioritizing her job over their future. Friendships fade too—when was the last time you called a friend just to chat? Over time, loneliness sets in, but workaholics often ignore it. They convince themselves, “I’ll fix things later,” but later never comes. Repairing trust takes time, and some relationships can’t be saved.
[f] ⚖️ Finding balance starts with boundaries. Try these steps:
Set fixed work hours (e.g., 9 AM–6 PM) and stick to them.
Use a priority list—label tasks as “urgent,” “important,” or “later.”
Delegate tasks instead of micromanaging. Trust your team!
Turn off email notifications after hours.
Schedule “me time” like workouts or reading, and treat it as non-negotiable.
Say “no” politely when overloaded—you’re human, not a machine.
- Track your time for a week to spot unhealthy patterns.Small changes can prevent burnout and improve productivity long-term.
[g] 📱 Technology blurs the lines between work and home. Notifications keep you tethered to your job 24/7. Lisa, a teacher, checks student emails during family dinners, thinking, “It’ll just take a minute.” But those minutes add up, stealing her evenings. To reclaim your time:
Use app blockers to limit social media and email after work.
Charge your phone outside the bedroom to avoid late-night scrolling.
- Tell colleagues, “I’ll reply tomorrow morning” unless it’s an emergency.Remember: Constant availability isn’t dedication—it’s a recipe for resentment.
[h] 🌴 Taking breaks isn’t lazy—it’s essential. Studies show employees who take regular vacations are 30% more creative. Even micro-breaks matter: a 10-minute walk clears your mind and boosts focus. Google’s “20% time” policy lets employees spend one day a week on passion projects, leading to innovations like Gmail. Companies with flexible schedules report lower turnover and higher morale. If your workplace glorifies burnout, advocate for change—or find a healthier environment.
[i] 🏥 Chronic overwork harms your body. Long hours increase risks of heart disease, obesity, and weakened immunity. Warning signs like constant tiredness or back pain are red flags. James, a lawyer, ignored his migraines for years until he collapsed at work. Doctors ordered him to rest for three months—a wake-up call. Prioritize sleep, nutritious meals, and exercise. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
[j] 💼 Employers play a huge role. Some companies reward hustle culture with pizza parties and “employee of the month” awards. But smart leaders promote work-life balance through:
Mental health days.
Remote work options.
No-email weekends.
- Free counseling services.If your boss expects 24/7 availability, ask yourself: Is this job worth my health? Many are now quitting toxic jobs in the “Great Resignation” to find manageable workloads.
[k] 🌈 Balance looks different for everyone. Freelancers might work 30 hours one week and 50 the next. Parents might need flexible schedules to juggle kids and careers. Pablo, a nurse, works three 12-hour shifts weekly, giving him four days off for family and hobbies. Listen to your body—if you’re irritable or exhausted, adjust your workload. Success isn’t just promotions; it’s happiness, health, and connection.
[l] 🌟 At the end of the day, life is short. Ask yourself: “Will this project matter in five years?” If not, take a step back. Call a friend, watch a sunset, or try a new recipe. Work hard, but don’t let your job define you. As author Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
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Vocabulary List
Workaholic – Someone addicted to working.
Dedicated – Committed to a task.
Productive – Getting meaningful work done.
Fine line – A subtle difference between two things.
Take a backseat – Become less important.
Justify – Give reasons to defend an action.
Obsession – Unhealthy focus on something.
Anxiety – Feeling of worry or fear.
Strain – Pressure that causes stress.
Boundaries – Limits to protect your time/energy.
Priority – Something treated as most important.
Delegate – Assign tasks to others.
Tethered – Tied or connected.
Reclaim – Take back control.
Essential – Absolutely necessary.
Chronic fatigue – Long-term exhaustion.
Warning signs – Signals of danger.
Flexible schedules – Adaptable work hours.
Manageable – Easy to handle.
Define – Describe the nature of something.
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Idioms/Phrasal Expressions
Burn the midnight oil – Work late into the night.
Come at a cost – Have negative consequences.
Go the extra mile – Do more than required.
Can’t switch off – Unable to stop thinking about work.
Hit a wall – Lose energy or motivation suddenly.
Married to the job – Prioritize work over personal life.
Blur the lines – Make distinctions unclear.
Clear your mind – Relax and stop overthinking.
At the end of the day – Ultimately.
Take a step back – Pause to reassess.
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Assessment & Practice Activities
Discussion Questions
What are the key differences between being dedicated and being a workaholic?
How can someone go the extra mile at work without risking burnout?
Why do you think society often rewards overworking?
How can flexible schedules help employees maintain work-life balance?
What warning signs should someone look for to avoid chronic fatigue?
How does technology blur the lines between work and personal life?
Why might workaholics struggle to delegate tasks?
How can employers create a culture that discourages obsession with work?
What steps can someone take to reclaim their personal time?
How do relationships strain when one partner is married to the job?
Why is it important to adjust workloads based on physical and mental health?
How can boundaries improve long-term productivity?
What role do hobbies play in preventing burnout?
How does hitting a wall affect someone’s ability to work effectively?
Why might someone justify overworking even when they know it’s harmful?
How can companies support employees dealing with anxiety caused by work?
What are the risks of ignoring chronic fatigue?
How does the phrase at the end of the day relate to prioritizing happiness?
Why do workaholics often feel guilty when they’re not working?
How can someone take a step back to reassess their work habits?
True/False/Not Given
Maria missed her sister’s wedding because of a client meeting.
Burnout only affects physical health, not mental health.
Tom, the software developer, recovered from burnout in one week.
Sarah’s boyfriend accused her of prioritizing work over their relationship.
Google’s “20% time” policy led to the creation of Gmail.
Chronic overwork increases the risk of heart disease and obesity.
Workaholics never feel guilty about overworking.
The “Great Resignation” refers to employees leaving jobs with manageable workloads.
Pablo, the nurse, works five 8-hour shifts a week.
Annie Dillard said, “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.”
Complete the Blanks
A workaholic is someone who can’t stop working, even when it harms their _______.
Maria’s friends joke that she’s _______ to her job.
Tom _______ a wall after months of overworking.
Setting clear _______ helps protect your personal time.
Chronic overwork can lead to heart disease, obesity, and _______.
Employers should offer _______ like mental health days to support staff.
Google’s “20% time” policy allows employees to work on _______.
Workaholics often measure their self-worth by _______ alone.
To _______ your mind, take short breaks like a 10-minute walk.
At the end of the day, life is about more than _______.
Grammar & Language Practice
Subject-Verb Agreement
Constant stress (lead/leads) to anxiety and insomnia.
Maria’s dedication (earn/earns) her promotions.
Technology (blur/blurs) the lines between work and home.
The risk of heart disease (increase/increases) with overwork.
Hobbies and friendships (take/takes) a backseat for workaholics.
Conditional Questions
If you ______ ( ) the warning signs, you might develop chronic fatigue.
a) ignore | b) will ignore | c) ignored
What ______ ( ) if Maria continues working 50-hour weeks?
a) happen | b) happens | c) will happen
If employers ______ ( ) flexible schedules, employees would feel less stressed.
a) offer | b) offered | c) offers
If Tom ______ ( ) regular breaks, he might avoid burnout.
a) takes | b) took | c) take
______ ( ) your job if it caused severe anxiety?
a) Will you quit | b) Would you quit | c) Do you quit
If Sarah ______ (set) boundaries, her relationships might improve.
a) sets | b) set | c) will set
What ______ ( /do) if you hit a wall from overworking?
a) will you do | b) would you do | c) do you do
If Pablo ______ ( ) shorter shifts, he’d have more family time.
a) works | b) work | c) worked
______ ( ) their policies if employees demand balance?
a) Will companies change | b) Do companies change | c) Would companies change
If technology ______ ( ) the lines, work-life balance would be easier.
a) doesn’t blur | b) didn’t blur | c) won’t blur
If you ______ ( ) the warning signs, you might develop chronic fatigue.
a) ignore | b) will ignore | c) ignored
What ______ ( ) if Maria continues working 50-hour weeks?
a) happen | b) happens | c) will happen
If employers ______ ( ) flexible schedules, employees would feel less stressed.
a) offer | b) offered | c) offers
If Tom ______ ( ) regular breaks, he might avoid burnout.
a) takes | b) took | c) take
______ ( ) your job if it caused severe anxiety?
a) Will you quit | b) Would you quit | c) Do you quit
If Sarah ______ (set) boundaries, her relationships might improve.
a) sets | b) set | c) will set
What ______ ( /do) if you hit a wall from overworking?
a) will you do | b) would you do | c) do you do
If Pablo ______ ( ) shorter shifts, he’d have more family time.
a) works | b) work | c) worked
______ ( ) their policies if employees demand balance?
a) Will companies change | b) Do companies change | c) Would companies change
If technology ______ ( ) the lines, work-life balance would be easier.
a) doesn’t blur | b) didn’t blur | c) won’t blur
Passive Voice
Emails ______ ( ) constantly by workaholics.
a) are checked | b) check | c) is checked
Burnout ______ ( ) by chronic stress and exhaustion.
a) is caused | b) causes | c) caused
Gmail ______ ( ) through Google’s “20% time” policy.
a) created | b) was created | c) creates
Mental health days ______ ( ) by progressive companies.
a) are offered | b) offers | c) offer
The report ______ ( ) by Sarah last night.
a) was finished | b) finished | c) is finished
Workaholics ______ ( ) “irreplaceable” by their teams.
a) are called | b) call | c) called
Migraines ______ ( ) by James for years.
a) were ignored | b) ignored | c) are ignored
Flexible schedules ______ ( ) by many companies recently.
a) have been adopted | b) adopted | c) are adopting
The “Great Resignation” ______ ( ) by toxic work cultures.
a) is driven | b) drove | c) was driven
Hobbies ______ ( ) by work for many overachievers.
a) are replaced | b) replaced | c) replace
Emails ______ ( ) constantly by workaholics.
a) are checked | b) check | c) is checked
Burnout ______ ( ) by chronic stress and exhaustion.
a) is caused | b) causes | c) caused
Gmail ______ ( ) through Google’s “20% time” policy.
a) created | b) was created | c) creates
Mental health days ______ ( ) by progressive companies.
a) are offered | b) offers | c) offer
The report ______ ( ) by Sarah last night.
a) was finished | b) finished | c) is finished
Workaholics ______ ( ) “irreplaceable” by their teams.
a) are called | b) call | c) called
Migraines ______ ( ) by James for years.
a) were ignored | b) ignored | c) are ignored
Flexible schedules ______ ( ) by many companies recently.
a) have been adopted | b) adopted | c) are adopting
The “Great Resignation” ______ ( ) by toxic work cultures.
a) is driven | b) drove | c) was driven
Hobbies ______ ( ) by work for many overachievers.
a) are replaced | b) replaced | c) replace
Prepositions
Sarah’s boyfriend accused her ______ (of/for/with) prioritizing work.
a) of | b) for | c) with
Chronic fatigue results ______ (from/to/at) long-term exhaustion.
a) from | b) to | c) at
Employees are encouraged to take breaks ______ (for/during/at) the day.
a) during | b) for | c) at
Maria works ______ (for/since/at) 50 hours a week.
a) for | b) since | c) at
Tom struggled ______ (with/to/for) focusing after burnout.
a) with | b) to | c) for
Pablo’s job allows him to balance work ______ (and/with/for) family.
a) with | b) and | c) for
The risks ______ (of/for/to) heart disease increase with overwork.
a) of | b) for | c) to
Many people measure success ______ (by/with/for) career achievements.
a) by | b) with | c) for
Workaholics often lie ______ (to/about/for) their workload.
a) about | b) to | c) for
Maria’s promotion came ______ (at/after/for) months of overworking.
a) after | b) at | c) for
Sarah’s boyfriend accused her ______ (of/for/with) prioritizing work.
a) of | b) for | c) with
Chronic fatigue results ______ (from/to/at) long-term exhaustion.
a) from | b) to | c) at
Employees are encouraged to take breaks ______ (for/during/at) the day.
a) during | b) for | c) at
Maria works ______ (for/since/at) 50 hours a week.
a) for | b) since | c) at
Tom struggled ______ (with/to/for) focusing after burnout.
a) with | b) to | c) for
Pablo’s job allows him to balance work ______ (and/with/for) family.
a) with | b) and | c) for
The risks ______ (of/for/to) heart disease increase with overwork.
a) of | b) for | c) to
Many people measure success ______ (by/with/for) career achievements.
a) by | b) with | c) for
Workaholics often lie ______ (to/about/for) their workload.
a) about | b) to | c) for
Maria’s promotion came ______ (at/after/for) months of overworking.
a) after | b) at | c) for
Phrasal Verbs
Maria always ______ (goes through/goes over/goes the extra mile) at work.
a) goes through | b) goes over | c) goes the extra mile
Workaholics struggle to ______ (switch off/switch on/switch up) after hours.
a) switch off | b) switch on | c) switch up
Tom ______ (hit up/hit a wall/hit back) after months of overworking.
a) hit up | b) hit a wall | c) hit back
Sarah needs to ______ (take up/take on/take a step back) to reassess her life.
a) take up | b) take on | c) take a step back
Employers should ______ (carry out/carry on/carry forward) policies that support balance.
a) carry out | b) carry on | c) carry forward
Overworking can ______ (lead to/lead out/lead off) serious health issues.
a) lead to | b) lead out | c) lead off
Maria ______ (puts up with/puts off/puts away) her hobbies for work.
a) puts up with | b) puts off | c) puts away
James ______ (burned out/burned down/burned up) after ignoring his migraines.
a) burned out | b) burned down | c) burned up
Companies must ______ (look into/look after/look over) employees’ mental health.
a) look into | b) look after | c) look over
Pablo ______ (keeps up with/keeps away/keeps on) his shifts despite exhaustion.
a) keeps up with | b) keeps away | c) keeps on
Maria always ______ (goes through/goes over/goes the extra mile) at work.
a) goes through | b) goes over | c) goes the extra mile
Workaholics struggle to ______ (switch off/switch on/switch up) after hours.
a) switch off | b) switch on | c) switch up
Tom ______ (hit up/hit a wall/hit back) after months of overworking.
a) hit up | b) hit a wall | c) hit back
Sarah needs to ______ (take up/take on/take a step back) to reassess her life.
a) take up | b) take on | c) take a step back
Employers should ______ (carry out/carry on/carry forward) policies that support balance.
a) carry out | b) carry on | c) carry forward
Overworking can ______ (lead to/lead out/lead off) serious health issues.
a) lead to | b) lead out | c) lead off
Maria ______ (puts up with/puts off/puts away) her hobbies for work.
a) puts up with | b) puts off | c) puts away
James ______ (burned out/burned down/burned up) after ignoring his migraines.
a) burned out | b) burned down | c) burned up
Companies must ______ (look into/look after/look over) employees’ mental health.
a) look into | b) look after | c) look over
Pablo ______ (keeps up with/keeps away/keeps on) his shifts despite exhaustion.
a) keeps up with | b) keeps away | c) keeps on
Modal Verbs
You ______ (should/must/can) set boundaries to avoid burnout.
a) should | b) must | c) can
Employers ______ (might/could/would) offer counseling to support staff.
a) could | b) might | c) would
Workaholics ______ (mustn’t/don’t have to/needn’t) ignore their health.
a) mustn’t | b) don’t have to | c) needn’t
Maria ______ (shouldn’t/mustn’t/can’t) work late every night.
a) shouldn’t | b) mustn’t | c) can’t
Employees ______ (may/might/would) request mental health days.
a) may | b) might | c) would
Tom ______ (could/had to/must) rest for three months after collapsing.
a) had to | b) could | c) must
You ______ (might/can/would) delegate tasks to reduce your workload.
a) can | b) might | c) would
Companies ______ (should/must/would) promote work-life balance.
a) should | b) must | c) would
Sarah ______ (can’t/mustn’t/won’t) attend the meeting due to burnout.
a) can’t | b) mustn’t | c) won’t
Workaholics ______ (may/might/should) feel guilty when not working.
a) may | b) might | c) should
You ______ (should/must/can) set boundaries to avoid burnout.
a) should | b) must | c) can
Employers ______ (might/could/would) offer counseling to support staff.
a) could | b) might | c) would
Workaholics ______ (mustn’t/don’t have to/needn’t) ignore their health.
a) mustn’t | b) don’t have to | c) needn’t
Maria ______ (shouldn’t/mustn’t/can’t) work late every night.
a) shouldn’t | b) mustn’t | c) can’t
Employees ______ (may/might/would) request mental health days.
a) may | b) might | c) would
Tom ______ (could/had to/must) rest for three months after collapsing.
a) had to | b) could | c) must
You ______ (might/can/would) delegate tasks to reduce your workload.
a) can | b) might | c) would
Companies ______ (should/must/would) promote work-life balance.
a) should | b) must | c) would
Sarah ______ (can’t/mustn’t/won’t) attend the meeting due to burnout.
a) can’t | b) mustn’t | c) won’t
Workaholics ______ (may/might/should) feel guilty when not working.
a) may | b) might | c) should
Relative Clauses
Someone ______ (who/which/where) can’t stop working is a workaholic.
a) who | b) which | c) where
The policy ______ (that/whose/when) led to Gmail is called “20% time.”
a) that | b) whose | c) when
Migraines, ______ (which/whom/where) James ignored, are a warning sign.
a) which | b) whom | c) where
Maria, ______ (who/which/whose) boyfriend complained, canceled three dates.
a) whose | b) who | c) which
Companies ______ (that/where/who) promote balance have happier employees.
a) that | b) where | c) who
The “Great Resignation,” ______ (which/who/where) began in 2021, involved toxic jobs.
a) which | b) who | c) where
Employees ______ (who/which/whom) take breaks are more productive.
a) who | b) which | c) whom
The book ______ (that/who/where) Annie Dillard wrote discusses life balance.
a) that | b) who | c) where
Burnout, ______ (which/who/whom) affects millions, is a global issue.
a) which | b) who | c) whom
Pablo, ______ (who/which/whose) works 12-hour shifts, values family time.
a) who | b) which | c) whose
Someone ______ (who/which/where) can’t stop working is a workaholic.
a) who | b) which | c) where
The policy ______ (that/whose/when) led to Gmail is called “20% time.”
a) that | b) whose | c) when
Migraines, ______ (which/whom/where) James ignored, are a warning sign.
a) which | b) whom | c) where
Maria, ______ (who/which/whose) boyfriend complained, canceled three dates.
a) whose | b) who | c) which
Companies ______ (that/where/who) promote balance have happier employees.
a) that | b) where | c) who
The “Great Resignation,” ______ (which/who/where) began in 2021, involved toxic jobs.
a) which | b) who | c) where
Employees ______ (who/which/whom) take breaks are more productive.
a) who | b) which | c) whom
The book ______ (that/who/where) Annie Dillard wrote discusses life balance.
a) that | b) who | c) where
Burnout, ______ (which/who/whom) affects millions, is a global issue.
a) which | b) who | c) whom
Pablo, ______ (who/which/whose) works 12-hour shifts, values family time.
a) who | b) which | c) whose
Paragraph Ending
“Without rest, even simple tasks feel impossible. ______”
a) Recovery can take months.
b) Work is always fun.
c) Employers love burnout.
“Repairing trust takes time, and ______”
a) some relationships can’t be saved.
b) everyone forgives easily.
c) work is more important.
“Chronic overwork harms your body. ______”
a) Your boss will give you a raise.
b) Long hours increase health risks.
c) Sleep is optional.
“Technology blurs the lines between work and home. ______”
a) Notifications keep you tethered 24/7.
b) Everyone should work longer hours.
c) Family time is unnecessary.
“Balance looks different for everyone. ______”
a) Freelancers might work 30 hours one week.
b) All jobs require 50-hour weeks.
c) No one needs flexibility.
“If your boss expects 24/7 availability, ______”
a) you should quit immediately.
b) it might be time to rethink your job.
c) work harder to impress them.
“At the end of the day, life is short. ______”
a) Work should define your entire identity.
b) Success is only about promotions.
c) Ask yourself if your work matters in five years.
“Taking breaks isn’t lazy—it’s essential. ______”
a) Employees who rest are less creative.
b) Studies show vacations boost creativity.
c) Never stop working.
“Workaholics often lie about their workload. ______”
a) Honesty is always their priority.
b) This helps them avoid judgment.
c) Employers never notice.
“Flexible schedules reduce turnover. ______”
a) Companies lose employees faster.
b) Employees feel trapped and stressed.
c) Workers stay loyal to supportive employers.
“Without rest, even simple tasks feel impossible. ______”
a) Recovery can take months.
b) Work is always fun.
c) Employers love burnout.
“Repairing trust takes time, and ______”
a) some relationships can’t be saved.
b) everyone forgives easily.
c) work is more important.
“Chronic overwork harms your body. ______”
a) Your boss will give you a raise.
b) Long hours increase health risks.
c) Sleep is optional.
“Technology blurs the lines between work and home. ______”
a) Notifications keep you tethered 24/7.
b) Everyone should work longer hours.
c) Family time is unnecessary.
“Balance looks different for everyone. ______”
a) Freelancers might work 30 hours one week.
b) All jobs require 50-hour weeks.
c) No one needs flexibility.
“If your boss expects 24/7 availability, ______”
a) you should quit immediately.
b) it might be time to rethink your job.
c) work harder to impress them.
“At the end of the day, life is short. ______”
a) Work should define your entire identity.
b) Success is only about promotions.
c) Ask yourself if your work matters in five years.
“Taking breaks isn’t lazy—it’s essential. ______”
a) Employees who rest are less creative.
b) Studies show vacations boost creativity.
c) Never stop working.
“Workaholics often lie about their workload. ______”
a) Honesty is always their priority.
b) This helps them avoid judgment.
c) Employers never notice.
“Flexible schedules reduce turnover. ______”
a) Companies lose employees faster.
b) Employees feel trapped and stressed.
c) Workers stay loyal to supportive employers.
Synonyms
Dedicated:
a) lazy | b) committed | c) careless
Essential:
a) optional | b) necessary | c) rare
Productive:
a) efficient | b) slow | c) disorganized
Strain:
a) pressure | b) relaxation | c) joy
Tethered:
a) free | b) connected | c) detached
Chronic:
a) temporary | b) long-term | c) mild
Reclaim:
a) lose | b) recover | c) abandon
Justify:
a) criticize | b) defend | c) ignore
Volatility:
a) stability | b) unpredictability | c) calmness
Credibility:
a) distrust | b) trustworthiness | c) dishonesty
Dedicated:
a) lazy | b) committed | c) careless
Essential:
a) optional | b) necessary | c) rare
Productive:
a) efficient | b) slow | c) disorganized
Strain:
a) pressure | b) relaxation | c) joy
Tethered:
a) free | b) connected | c) detached
Chronic:
a) temporary | b) long-term | c) mild
Reclaim:
a) lose | b) recover | c) abandon
Justify:
a) criticize | b) defend | c) ignore
Volatility:
a) stability | b) unpredictability | c) calmness
Credibility:
a) distrust | b) trustworthiness | c) dishonesty
Antonyms
Manageable:
a) overwhelming | b) easy | c) simple
Transparency:
a) secrecy | b) honesty | c) openness
Priority:
a) irrelevance | b) importance | c) focus
Flexible:
a) rigid | b) adaptable | c) bendable
Anxiety:
a) calmness | b) worry | c) fear
Define:
a) confuse | b) clarify | c) describe
Admire:
a) criticize | b) praise | c) respect
Urgent:
a) unimportant | b) critical | c) pressing
Harmful:
a) safe | b) dangerous | c) risky
Exhausted:
a) energetic | b) tired | c) drained
Manageable:
a) overwhelming | b) easy | c) simple
Transparency:
a) secrecy | b) honesty | c) openness
Priority:
a) irrelevance | b) importance | c) focus
Flexible:
a) rigid | b) adaptable | c) bendable
Anxiety:
a) calmness | b) worry | c) fear
Define:
a) confuse | b) clarify | c) describe
Admire:
a) criticize | b) praise | c) respect
Urgent:
a) unimportant | b) critical | c) pressing
Harmful:
a) safe | b) dangerous | c) risky
Exhausted:
a) energetic | b) tired | c) drained
🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥🏥
ANSWER KEY
Corrections for False Statements
2. False → Burnout affects both physical and mental health.
7. False → Workaholics often feel guilty when not working.
8. False → The “Great Resignation” involves employees leaving toxic jobs.
True/False/Not Given
True / 2. False / 3. Not Given / 4. True / 5. True / 6. True / 7. False / 8. False / 9. False / 10. True
Complete the Blanks
Health / 2. Married / 3. Hit / 4. Boundaries / 5. Chronic fatigue / 6. Flexible schedules / 7. Passion projects / 8. Career success / 9. Clear / 10. Work
Conditional Questions
a) ignore
c) will happen
b) offered
b) took
b) Would you quit
b) set
b) would you do
c) worked
a) Will companies change
b) didn’t blur
Passive Voice
a) are checked
a) is caused
b) was created
a) are offered
a) was finished
a) are called
a) were ignored
a) have been adopted
c) was driven
a) are replaced
Prepositions
a) of
a) from
a) during
a) for
a) with
a) with
a) of
a) by
a) about
a) after
Phrasal Verbs
c) goes the extra mile
a) switch off
b) hit a wall
c) take a step back
a) carry out
a) lead to
b) puts off
a) burned out
b) look after
c) keeps on
Modal Verbs
a) should
a) could
a) mustn’t
a) shouldn’t
a) may
a) had to
a) can
a) should
a) can’t
a) may
Relative Clauses
a) who
a) that
a) which
a) whose
a) that
a) which
a) who
a) that
a) which
a) who
Paragraph Ending
a) Recovery can take months.
a) some relationships can’t be saved.
b) Long hours increase health risks.
a) Notifications keep you tethered 24/7.
a) Freelancers might work 30 hours one week.
b) it might be time to rethink your job.
c) Ask yourself if your work matters in five years.
b) Studies show vacations boost creativity.
b) This helps them avoid judgment.
c) Workers stay loyal to supportive employers.
Synonyms
b) committed
b) necessary
a) efficient
a) pressure
b) connected
b) long-term
b) recover
b) defend
b) unpredictability
b) trustworthiness
Antonyms
a) overwhelming
a) secrecy
a) irrelevance
a) rigid
a) calmness
a) confuse
a) criticize
a) unimportant
a) safe
a) energetic
