Adult ESL/ELL Beginner Quiz: Reporting Work Problems
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Reporting Work ProblemsQuestion 1 of 10

James works at a factory. He reads this note from his supervisor: "If you have a problem at work, report it right away. Tell me what the problem is, where it is, and what help you need."

James finds that the sink in the men's restroom is broken and water is leaking. Which message follows the supervisor's instructions MOST completely?

There is a problem in the restroom. Please send someone to help as soon as you can today.
The sink in the men's restroom is broken and water is leaking. Can someone come fix it right away?
I found a broken sink. This is a big problem and it needs to be fixed before the end of the day.
Water is leaking somewhere in the building. I am not sure exactly where, but it needs attention soon.
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Adult ESL/ELL Beginner Quiz

Adult ESL/ELL Beginner Quiz: Reporting Work Problems

Practice Reporting Work Problems in Adult ESL/ELL Beginner with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Reporting Work Problems, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult ESL/ELL Beginner.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

James works at a factory. He reads this note from his supervisor: "If you have a problem at work, report it right away. Tell me what the problem is, where it is, and what help you need."

James finds that the sink in the men's restroom is broken and water is leaking. Which message follows the supervisor's instructions MOST completely?

  1. There is a problem in the restroom. Please send someone to help as soon as you can today.
  2. The sink in the men's restroom is broken and water is leaking. Can someone come fix it right away? (correct answer)
  3. I found a broken sink. This is a big problem and it needs to be fixed before the end of the day.
  4. Water is leaking somewhere in the building. I am not sure exactly where, but it needs attention soon.
Explanation: When you see a question like this, ask yourself: what exactly did the instructions require? The supervisor gave James three specific tasks — explain what the problem is, say where it is, and ask for what help is needed. Your job is to find the answer that checks all three boxes. Answer B does exactly that. It names the problem clearly ("the sink in the men's restroom is broken and water is leaking"), identifies the precise location ("men's restroom"), and requests specific help ("can someone come fix it right away?"). Every requirement from the supervisor's note is satisfied — making B the most complete response. The other choices each leave something out. Answer A says "there is a problem in the restroom" but never describes what the problem is, so the supervisor doesn't know whether it's a broken sink, a clogged toilet, or something else. Answer C identifies the broken sink but fails to mention where it is — a large factory could have many restrooms, and "I found a broken sink" gives no useful location. Answer D mentions water leaking but admits "I am not sure exactly where," which directly violates the instruction to say where the problem is. All three wrong answers are incomplete in different ways. A good strategy here is to treat the instructions like a checklist. Before choosing your answer, write down what the passage is asking for (what, where, what help), then check each answer choice against that list. The choice that satisfies every item on the checklist — not just some — is always the strongest option.

Question 2

Maria works in a restaurant kitchen. She needs more paper towels to clean the counters, but there are none left. Her supervisor is nearby.

Maria wants to tell her supervisor about the problem. Which sentence best reports the problem at work?

  1. We don't have any paper towels. Can you help me get more, please? (correct answer)
  2. I want paper towels because I like to clean the kitchen every day at work.
  3. Paper towels are very useful and important for all restaurants to have nearby.
  4. Someone took the paper towels, and that is not a good thing for anyone here.
Explanation: When you need to report a problem at work, your goal is to be clear, direct, and polite. A good problem report tells your supervisor exactly what is wrong and asks for help — nothing more, nothing less. Think of it like a simple formula: state the problem + request help politely. Answer A does exactly this. "We don't have any paper towels" names the specific problem clearly, and "Can you help me get more, please?" makes a respectful, direct request. This is the kind of professional communication a supervisor needs to take action quickly. The other choices each fail in a different way. Answer B mentions paper towels and cleaning, but it focuses on what Maria wants and likes — it sounds like a personal preference, not a workplace problem. A supervisor hearing this wouldn't know supplies are missing. Answer C is a general statement about why paper towels are useful in restaurants. While it may be true, it never mentions that there are none left — it reports nothing and requests nothing. Answer D implies that someone took the paper towels on purpose, which sounds like an accusation. This could create conflict and doesn't help solve the problem efficiently. A useful tip to remember: on workplace communication questions, always ask yourself — Does this sentence say what the problem is AND what help is needed? If a sentence only does one of those things (or neither), it's probably not the best answer. The clearest, most polite, and most actionable option is almost always correct.

Question 3

A worker wants to report a problem to her supervisor. She says: "Excuse me. The coffee machine in the break room  . Can someone come and look at it?" Which word or phrase correctly completes her sentence to report the problem?

  1. is very expensive
  2. was a good machine
  3. will maybe break
  4. is broken (correct answer)
Explanation: When someone reports a workplace problem, they need to describe the current state of something — what condition it is in right now. This question is testing whether you can choose the right verb phrase to describe a present situation. Think about what the worker is doing: she's telling her supervisor that something is wrong with the coffee machine at this moment, and she's asking for help. The sentence needs a phrase that explains the problem clearly and in the present tense. Choice D, "is broken," is correct. "Is broken" uses the present tense of "to be" plus the adjective "broken" to describe the machine's current condition. It answers the question "What is wrong with it right now?" perfectly. The request "Can someone come and look at it?" confirms she is describing a current problem that needs immediate attention. Choice A, "is very expensive," describes the cost of the machine, not a problem with it. Cost is not a reason to call a supervisor for repairs. Choice B, "was a good machine," uses the past tense ("was"), which suggests the machine is no longer around — but the worker is clearly still referring to it and asking someone to check it. Past tense does not fit this situation. Choice C, "will maybe break," is future tense and means the machine might have a problem someday — but the worker needs help now, not in the future. A helpful tip: when describing a problem that exists right now, look for present-tense phrases like "is broken," "is not working," or "is damaged." These are common in everyday workplace English and appear frequently on ESL exams.

Question 4

Ana works at a clothing store. Her coworker was supposed to arrive at 9:00 a.m. to open the store, but it is now 9:30 a.m. and he has not come in yet. Ana calls her supervisor.

Ana needs to report that her coworker is late. Which message best reports this work problem?

  1. Hi, this is Ana. My coworker is not here yet, and he was supposed to start at 9:00. Can you help? (correct answer)
  2. Hi, this is Ana. My coworker does not like to come to work. He is always having problems at home.
  3. Hi, this is Ana. I am at the store alone and I want you to know I am doing a very good job today.
  4. Hi, this is Ana. I am not sure if my coworker is coming today. Maybe he forgot about his shift.
Explanation: When you need to report a work problem, your message should focus on the specific facts that your supervisor needs to solve the issue — who is affected, what is wrong, and what help you need. Think of it like a quick, professional summary: stick to the problem at hand. Answer A does exactly this. Ana identifies herself, states the clear facts (her coworker has not arrived and was scheduled at 9:00), and asks for help. This gives the supervisor all the information needed to take action right away. It is direct, professional, and focused on the real problem. Answer B is off-topic. Saying a coworker "does not like to come to work" or has "problems at home" is personal opinion, not a work report. A supervisor needs facts, not assumptions about someone's attitude or private life. Answer C completely ignores the problem. Ana is not reporting anything wrong — she is talking about herself and her own performance. A work report should focus on the issue, not on giving yourself a compliment. Answer D sounds like it could work, but it is too uncertain and does not request help. Phrases like "I am not sure" and "maybe he forgot" do not clearly explain the situation. A good report states what you know as a fact: it is 9:30, and the coworker has not arrived. A helpful tip: when writing or choosing a workplace message, ask yourself — Does this message explain the problem clearly and ask for what is needed? If yes, it is likely the best choice. Stick to facts, be brief, and always ask for help when you need it.

Question 5

Fatima works at a hotel. She is cleaning Room 5 and finds that the vacuum cleaner she needs is missing from the supply closet. She needs to ask her supervisor for help.

Fatima calls her supervisor on the phone. Which response best shows Fatima reporting the missing item and asking for help?

  1. Hi, I need to tell you that the supply closet has many things missing and nobody is organizing it well.
  2. Hi, I am in Room 5 right now. This room is very dirty and it is going to take me a long time to clean it.
  3. Hi, I think another worker took the vacuum cleaner. You should talk to them about taking our supplies.
  4. Hi, I cannot find the vacuum cleaner in the closet. I need one to clean Room 5. Can you help me find it? (correct answer)
Explanation: When you need to report a problem at work and ask for help, your message should do two things clearly: describe the specific problem and make a direct request. This is especially important in workplace communication, where being clear and focused helps your supervisor understand exactly what you need. Answer D does both of these things well. Fatima tells her supervisor the specific item that is missing ("I cannot find the vacuum cleaner"), explains why she needs it ("to clean Room 5"), and asks directly for help ("Can you help me find it?"). It is polite, specific, and focused on solving the problem. The other choices each have a problem. Answer A complains about the supply closet in general and criticizes other workers' organization — but Fatima's job right now is to report one missing item, not make a broad complaint. Answer B describes the condition of the room she is cleaning, but it never mentions the missing vacuum cleaner at all, so the supervisor would not know what help is needed. Answer C blames another worker for taking the vacuum cleaner — but Fatima does not know this for certain, and accusing a coworker is not the same as asking for help finding the tool she needs. A useful tip to remember: when reporting a workplace problem, focus on the facts you know (what is missing, where, when you need it) and make one clear request. Avoid guessing, complaining broadly, or talking about things that are not part of the immediate problem. This keeps your communication professional and easy to understand.

Question 6

David works at a grocery store. He is supposed to receive a delivery of bread at 8:00 a.m., but it is 9:15 a.m. and the delivery has not arrived. His manager walks by.

David stops his manager to report the problem. Which statement best reports the situation AND asks for help appropriately?

  1. We are going to run out of bread soon. I think customers are going to be very unhappy about this today.
  2. The bread delivery is always late. I do not think the delivery company is a very good company for us.
  3. The bread delivery was supposed to be here at 8:00, but it is 9:15 and it still has not come. What should I do? (correct answer)
  4. I have been waiting since 8:00 for the delivery. I could be doing other things with my time right now.
Explanation: When reporting a problem at work, the most effective message does two things: it gives clear, specific facts about the situation, and it asks for guidance in a respectful, professional way. Questions like this test whether you can recognize workplace communication that is both informative and appropriate. Answer C does both things well. It states exactly what happened — the delivery was scheduled for 8:00, it is now 9:15, and it still has not arrived — and then asks the manager directly, "What should I do?" This gives the manager all the information needed to help, without blaming anyone or complaining. That is why C is the best answer. Now look at why the others fall short. Answer A focuses on predicting future problems (customers being unhappy) rather than reporting the current, factual situation. It also does not ask for help at all. Answer B criticizes the delivery company, which sounds like a complaint or opinion rather than a professional report. This could make the manager uncomfortable and does not actually ask for help solving the problem. Answer D makes the situation about the speaker's frustration ("I could be doing other things"), which sounds like complaining rather than reporting. Like A, it also fails to ask for help. A useful tip to remember: in workplace communication questions, look for the answer that is specific, neutral in tone, and solution-focused. If an answer sounds like venting or blaming, it is probably a distractor — even if the frustration seems understandable.

Question 7

Two workers are talking. Rosa says to her coworker Ben: "I need to tell the supervisor that the mop is broken. How do I say it?" Ben gives Rosa four choices.

Which sentence should Rosa use to correctly report the broken mop to her supervisor?

  1. I was using the mop and something happened. I am not sure what to do now.
  2. The mop looks a little old, and maybe it could break at some point soon.
  3. The mop is broken and I cannot use it. Can we please get a new one? (correct answer)
  4. This mop has been broken for a long time. Why did nobody fix it before today?
Explanation: When you need to report a problem at work, the best message does three things: states the problem clearly, explains the impact, and asks for a solution. Keep this in mind as you look at each choice. Option C does all three perfectly. It tells the supervisor exactly what is wrong ("the mop is broken"), explains why it matters ("I cannot use it"), and makes a polite, specific request ("Can we please get a new one?"). This is professional, direct, and actionable — everything a supervisor needs to solve the problem quickly. Option A fails because it is vague. Saying "something happened" and "I am not sure what to do" does not actually tell the supervisor what the problem is. A good work report must name the problem clearly, not hint at it. Option B fails because it describes a possible future problem, not a current one. Words like "looks a little old" and "could break at some point" suggest the mop might break someday — but Rosa's situation is that it is already broken. This message would likely cause the supervisor to wait rather than act. Option D fails because it sounds like a complaint or accusation. Asking "Why did nobody fix it before today?" puts blame on others and creates a negative tone. At work, your goal is to solve problems, not assign fault. A good tip to remember: when reporting a workplace problem, use clear, present-tense language and stay solution-focused. Avoid vague words, future guesses, and blaming language — supervisors respond best to simple facts and polite requests.

Question 8

Carlos is a warehouse worker. He notices that a forklift has a broken light. He needs to tell his manager before someone gets hurt.

Carlos goes to his manager. What should Carlos say to correctly report this work problem?

  1. I think the forklift is very old and we should buy a new one soon for safety.
  2. The light on the forklift is broken. Can someone fix it before we use it today? (correct answer)
  3. Be careful when you drive the forklift because it is a very dangerous machine always.
  4. I was near the forklift and I noticed something, but I am not sure what it was exactly.
Explanation: When you report a problem at work, your message needs to be clear, specific, and actionable — meaning it tells exactly what is wrong and asks for a solution. This is especially important for safety issues, where vague or off-topic messages can lead to accidents. Choice B does all three things well: "The light on the forklift is broken. Can someone fix it before we use it today?" It names the exact problem (the broken light), identifies the equipment (the forklift), and makes a specific request (fix it before use). A manager hearing this knows immediately what to do. This is why B is the correct answer. Choice A goes in a different direction — instead of reporting the actual broken light, it suggests buying a new forklift entirely. This is off-topic and doesn't address the immediate safety problem. Managers need to hear the real issue, not opinions about replacing equipment. Choice C warns about general danger ("it is a very dangerous machine always"), but doesn't mention the broken light at all. It sounds more like a personal opinion than a work report, and it doesn't ask anyone to take action. Choice D is the most problematic — Carlos says he "noticed something" but isn't sure what it was. This is too vague to be helpful. A good workplace report should never leave the listener confused about what the problem actually is. Study tip: When answering questions about workplace communication, look for the answer that is specific, factual, and requests action. Vague or off-topic responses are almost always wrong choices.

Question 9

A worker notices that the printer in the office is broken. He wants to report the problem to his manager. Which sentence uses the MOST appropriate language for reporting this problem at work?

  1. The printer is not working. Could you please let someone know so it can be fixed today? (correct answer)
  2. This printer is terrible and it always breaks. We really need a better one in this office.
  3. I tried to use the printer but it did not print, so maybe you should just use your own printer.
  4. Somebody broke the printer again and now nobody in the office can get their work done at all.
Explanation: When speaking to a manager at work, you want to use professional, polite, and solution-focused language. This means clearly stating the problem, keeping a respectful tone, and suggesting or requesting a next step — without blaming, complaining, or being dismissive. Answer A does all of this well. It states the problem factually ("The printer is not working"), uses polite phrasing ("Could you please"), and makes a reasonable, constructive request to have it fixed. This is exactly how a professional employee communicates a workplace issue. Answer B has the right topic but the wrong tone. Saying the printer is "terrible" and that the office "really needs a better one" sounds like a complaint or criticism, not a professional report. This kind of language can seem disrespectful to a manager, even if your feelings are understandable. Answer C is unhelpful and slightly rude. Telling your manager to "just use your own printer" does not solve the office problem — it dismisses it. A good workplace report asks for a real solution, not a workaround that ignores everyone else's needs. Answer D uses accusatory language ("Somebody broke the printer again") and exaggeration ("nobody can get their work done at all"). Even if you are frustrated, blaming and dramatizing make the situation sound like a conflict rather than a problem to solve. Managers respond better to calm, clear reports. A good study tip: when workplace communication questions appear on this exam, ask yourself — Is this polite? Is it clear? Does it focus on solving the problem? If yes to all three, that is likely your answer.

Question 10

A worker needs to ask her supervisor for help with a missing supply. Which question is the MOST appropriate way to ask for help at work?

  1. Why is there never enough supplies here? Someone needs to do a better job of ordering things for us.
  2. We are out of copy paper. Could you help me find some so I can finish this job, please? (correct answer)
  3. Can you go check the supply room and bring me whatever I need to get my work done today?
  4. I do not have what I need to work. You should already know this because it is your job to check supplies.
Explanation: When asking for help at work, especially from a supervisor, the key is to be polite, specific, and solution-focused. A good workplace request clearly states the problem, asks for help respectfully, and avoids blame or demanding language. Choice B does all of this well. It names the exact problem ("We are out of copy paper"), makes a polite request using "could you" and "please," and explains why the help is needed ("to finish this job"). This is professional, clear, and easy for a supervisor to respond to — making it the most appropriate choice. Choice A is too negative and accusatory. Saying "someone needs to do a better job" sounds like a complaint or criticism, not a request for help. This kind of language can damage your relationship with your supervisor. Choice C is demanding rather than polite. Telling your supervisor to "go check" and "bring me whatever I need" sounds bossy. At work, you generally don't give orders to your supervisor — you make respectful requests. Choice D is confrontational and blaming. Saying "you should already know this" accuses the supervisor of doing their job poorly. Even if you are frustrated, this approach is unprofessional and could cause conflict. A helpful tip to remember: at work, polite requests usually include words like could you, please, would it be possible, or I was wondering if. On exam questions like this, look for the answer that is specific, polite, and focused on solving the problem — not expressing frustration or giving commands.