We're Supposed to Meet at Nine
Explore how “be supposed to” expresses workplace plans, rules, and expectations—and what it can imply when plans change.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What does Alex mean about nine?
Alex: “We're supposed to meet at nine. I'll be there a few minutes early.”
- It is the arranged meeting time.
- It is the time Alex hopes to leave.
- It is the earliest time Alex can arrive.
Alex separates the meeting time from his own arrival time.
Show solution
- It is the arranged meeting time.
“Be supposed to” can describe an arrangement that people are expected to follow.
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2. 빈칸을 채워 주세요。
The two visiting trainers ___ supposed to join our morning briefing.
- is
- are
- be
The subject refers to two people.
Show solution
The two visiting trainers are supposed to join our morning briefing.
Use “are supposed to” with plural subjects such as “the trainers,” “we,” and “they.”
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3. 빈칸을 채워 주세요。
Before the client arrives, reception is supposed ___ a visitor badge.
- preparing
- prepare
- to prepare
Notice the verb pattern after “supposed.”
Show solution
Before the client arrives, reception is supposed to prepare a visitor badge.
The pattern is “be supposed to” followed by the base form of a verb: “to prepare,” not “preparing.”
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4. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What does this workplace message mean?
You're not supposed to share the building access code with visitors.
- You do not need to share the code, but you may.
- Sharing the code with visitors is against the rules.
- You cannot share the code because you do not know it.
Is the message about a rule, a choice, or an ability?
Show solution
- Sharing the code with visitors is against the rules.
“Not supposed to” often means something is not allowed. It does not mean “don't have to.”
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5. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What is the speaker trying to clarify?
Am I supposed to brief the client, or will Sam do it?
- Whether the client has requested a shorter briefing.
- Whether Sam has already finished the briefing.
- Who is expected to give the briefing.
The speaker presents two possible people for the same task.
Show solution
- Who is expected to give the briefing.
“Am I supposed to…?” is useful for checking your responsibility when an assignment is unclear.
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6. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What does this statement tell us?
At my old company, we were supposed to lock our screens whenever we stepped away.
- Locking the screen was a workplace expectation.
- Every employee always followed the screen-locking rule.
- Employees were unable to lock their screens.
Separate the rule from what people actually did.
Show solution
- Locking the screen was a workplace expectation.
“Were supposed to” describes a past expectation. By itself, it does not tell us whether people followed it.
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7. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What does “is supposed to prevent” describe here?
This shared calendar is supposed to prevent double-bookings, but people still need to enter their appointments.
- A guarantee that appointments will never overlap.
- The calendar's intended purpose.
- Proof that everyone is using the calendar correctly.
Think about what the calendar is designed to do.
Show solution
- The calendar's intended purpose.
With tools or systems, “be supposed to” can describe an intended function rather than a guaranteed result.
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8. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What is the writer expressing?
The new headset is supposed to block background noise, according to the supplier. I haven't tried it yet.
- A personal recommendation based on testing.
- A workplace rule requiring everyone to wear the headset.
- A claim about performance that the writer has not checked.
Who provided the information, and has the writer tested it?
Show solution
- A claim about performance that the writer has not checked.
Here, “is supposed to” reports what the writer has heard while leaving room for doubt.
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9. 빈칸을 채워 주세요。
A coworker is reminding the team about an existing rule.
“___ we supposed to get approval before sharing these figures?”
“Yes—let's ask our manager first.”- Aren't
- Don't
- Haven't
The question needs a form of “be,” not “do” or “have.”
Show solution
“Aren't we supposed to get approval before sharing these figures?”
“Yes—let's ask our manager first.”“Aren't we supposed to…?” often reminds people of an expectation and invites them to confirm it.
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10. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
Why does the writer use “was supposed to”?
I was supposed to work from home on Friday, but the client visit has been moved to that day, so I'll be in the office instead.
- To admit breaking a workplace rule last Friday.
- To describe an earlier plan that has now changed.
- To show that Friday's work location is still undecided.
Compare the earlier arrangement with “I'll be in the office instead.”
Show solution
- To describe an earlier plan that has now changed.
Past “was supposed to” can refer to an old arrangement, even when the event itself is still in the future.
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11. 빈칸을 채워 주세요。
At yesterday's noon check-in, everyone was supposed to have ___ their progress updates already.
- submit
- submitting
- submitted
After “have,” this structure needs a past participle.
Show solution
At yesterday's noon check-in, everyone was supposed to have submitted their progress updates already.
“Supposed to have submitted” means the submission was expected to be complete before the check-in.
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12. 정답을 선택해 주세요。
What is the speaker mainly doing?
You were supposed to let me know before changing the schedule. I had to rearrange two calls when I found out.
- Expressing frustration about a missed expectation.
- Explaining why the schedule cannot be changed.
- Checking whether a future schedule change has been approved.
The second sentence explains the effect of not receiving advance notice.
Show solution
- Expressing frustration about a missed expectation.
In this context, “You were supposed to…” points out a responsibility that was not met. It can sound critical even without directly saying “you were wrong.”