In December, every workplace feels the pressure of year-end reporting. On the TOEIC exam, this kind of language appears constantly: deadlines, status updates, final numbers, and follow-ups. Understanding these expressions is essential not only for the test but also for everyday professional communication. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use high-value workplace phrases like “final numbers,” “on track,” and “by Friday”—all of which show up frequently in TOEIC Listening and Reading.
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💬 Dialogue Section
Scenario:
A staff member in the finance department is checking progress with a colleague as year-end reporting approaches.
English Dialogue
Sophie: Hey Mark, quick question—are the Q4 expense reports on track?
Mark: Almost. Two teams still haven’t submitted their final numbers.
Sophie: Understood. We need the final numbers by Friday so we can finish the year-end summary.
Mark: Operations told me this morning they’re still reviewing several invoices.
Sophie: That figures. The recent currency fluctuations slowed everyone down.
Mark: True. Want me to follow up again this afternoon?
Sophie: Yes, please. Even a preliminary version today would help.
Mark: Sure thing. How about HR’s data?
Sophie: Already received. They’re always the most organized.
Mark: Great. Once we have everything, I’ll combine the files and send you a draft.
Sophie: Perfect. Let’s aim to wrap up the summary before the weekend.
📚 Vocabulary Boost — Key TOEIC Words
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | TOEIC-Style Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| on track | adj. phrase | progressing as planned | The report is still on track for Friday completion. |
| final numbers | noun | completed figures | We can’t submit the summary until the final numbers are confirmed. |
| preliminary | adj. | early / initial | Please send a preliminary version by the end of the day. |
| fluctuations | noun | variations, changes | Currency fluctuations affected this quarter’s expenses. |
| follow up | verb | check again | I’ll follow up with the vendor this afternoon. |
| submit | verb | hand in / turn in | All teams must submit their reports by Thursday. |
| summary | noun | overview, final report | Here’s the monthly summary for review. |
| invoice | noun | billing document | The team is still reviewing several invoices. |
| combine | verb | merge together | Please combine all files into a single document. |
| year-end | adj. | related to the end of the year | We’re preparing the year-end financial package. |
🔍 Grammar Points — TOEIC-Relevant
| Structure / Pattern | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| be on track | progress is going as planned | The expense report is on track for Friday. |
| need + object + by + time | expresses a deadline | We need the final numbers by Friday. |
| be still + V-ing | an action still in progress | They are still reviewing the invoices. |
| once + clause | something happens after a condition is met | Once we receive the data, we’ll prepare the summary. |
| it would help if… | polite request | It would help if we could get a draft today. |
📖 Transcript
A: Welcome to Win in 5 Minutes English.
B: We’re here to help you get fluent in that high-stakes language of the workplace, you know, without all the textbook fluff.
A: And today, we’re jumping right into a really common scenario: year-end reporting.
B: Oh yeah, that crucial, sometimes stressful time of year.
A: But the language here is golden, not just for work, but for anyone studying for the TOEIC exam.
B: Exactly. So we’re going to listen in on two colleagues, Sophie and Mark. They’re in the finance department trying to nail down the Q4 reports.
A: Okay, let’s hear how they handle it.
Scenario: A staff member in the finance department is checking progress with a colleague as year-end reporting approaches.
Scenario:
A staff member in the finance department is checking progress with a colleague as year-end reporting approaches.
English Dialogue
Sophie: Hey Mark, quick question—are the Q4 expense reports on track?
Mark: Almost. Two teams still haven’t submitted their final numbers.
Sophie: Understood. We need the final numbers by Friday so we can finish the year-end summary.
Mark: Operations told me this morning they’re still reviewing several invoices.
Sophie: That figures. The recent currency fluctuations slowed everyone down.
Mark: True. Want me to follow up again this afternoon?
Sophie: Yes, please. Even a preliminary version today would help.
Mark: Sure thing. How about HR’s data?
Sophie: Already received. They’re always the most organized.
Mark: Great. Once we have everything, I’ll combine the files and send you a draft.
Sophie: Perfect. Let’s aim to wrap up the summary before the weekend.
A: Okay, so that was a short conversation, but it is just packed with really useful professional phrases.
B: It really is. And we’re not just going to define them, we want to talk about how to use them strategically.
A: So let’s start with that first one. “On track.”
B: Right. “On track.” It sounds so simple, just meaning progressing as planned.
A: It does, but it does so much more. When you tell your manager a project is on track, you’re signaling confidence. You’re basically saying, “I’ve got this.”
B: Yeah, and kind of stops them from needing to micromanage you, right?
A: Exactly. It’s efficient.
B: And notice the contrast with what they still need.
A: The “final numbers.”
B: Ah, yes, the final numbers.
A: So not just any numbers, but the completed, checked figures. You can’t really move forward without them.
B: Right. But you can still do some work, which is why Sophie asks for a “preliminary version.” I love that word, “preliminary.”
A: It’s perfect for managing expectations. It tells everyone that this is just the first draft, and it’s probably going to change. It’s so useful.
B: And to get those numbers, Mark offers to “follow up.” Now, this is a key verb in any workplace.
A: It’s more than just “ask again,” isn’t it?
B: Much more. To follow up implies you’re taking accountability to make sure a task actually moves forward. It’s proactive.
A: Okay, what was the hold up? They were reviewing invoices.
B: Right, the billing documents. And the reason for the delay was “currency fluctuations.”
A: That sounds like a very high-level professional excuse.
B: It is. “Fluctuations” just means variations or changes. Using a word like that shows you understand the bigger external factors that affect business. It’s a smart way to explain a delay.
A: So we’ve got the vocabulary. But the grammar, the sentence structure, is just as important for sounding clear and professional.
B: Totally. And this dialogue gives us three fantastic patterns. First, for deadlines.
A: “We need the final numbers by Friday.” That’s the need plus object plus by plus time structure. It’s so direct. There’s like zero room for misunderstanding.
B: None at all. It’s the language of project management. Then we have the structure for status updates, which connects back to our first vocabulary word.
A: “Be on track.”
B: Yes. When you say, “The report is on track for Friday,” you’re using that verb “to be” to make a very clear, definitive statement about progress.
A: Okay. And what’s the last one? Mark used it near the end.
B: The structure for showing sequence. “Once we have everything.” Using “once” plus a clause is how you signal dependency.
A: So you’re saying this thing can’t happen until that other thing happens.
B: Precisely. “Once we get the data, we’ll prepare the summary.” It makes the workflow crystal clear for everyone on the team. You know exactly who is waiting for what.
A: That’s it for today’s Win in 5 Minutes English. Remember, five minutes a day is all you need to win at work, win the TOEIC, and win over your colleagues. If you found this useful, don’t forget to follow and share it with your friends. See you next time.
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