Master inclusive vocabulary for the modern tech workplace: pronouns, terminology updates, gendered language, accommodations, and microaggressions. Intermediate
0 / 10 completed
1 / 10
A colleague introduces themselves in a team meeting: "Hi, I'm Jordan. I use they/them pronouns." A new team member has never encountered professional pronoun sharing before. Which response is most appropriate?
Option C is the professionally appropriate response: acknowledge the introduction normally, then apply the stated pronouns immediately and consistently in subsequent references.
Response
Problem
A — questioning the need
Signals that the colleague's identity requires justification before it will be respected; creates a hostile exchange in a professional setting
B — asking for explanation
Places the burden of education on the colleague who just wanted to be called by their correct pronouns; not the right moment
D — pre-announcing disagreement
Frames using the stated pronouns as a personal favour rather than a basic professional courtesy; inappropriate in a work context
What if you make a mistake? If you accidentally use the wrong pronoun, the professional norm is a brief, low-drama correction: "She — sorry, they — reviewed the PR yesterday." A long apology centres your discomfort rather than moving forward.
Vocabulary:
pronouns — the words used to refer to someone in third person: he/him, she/her, they/them, and others
pronoun sharing — introducing yourself with your pronouns, increasingly common in professional environments
misgendering — referring to someone with the wrong pronouns; can be unintentional or deliberate
2 / 10
During a code review, a senior engineer comments: "This PR should rename the master/slave database terminology."
Which replacement terms are the current industry standard for these concepts?
Option A reflects the current industry standard adopted by major databases and cloud providers following the 2020 terminology review across the technology industry.
Old term
Preferred replacement
Adopted by
master (database)
primary
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB
slave (database)
replica / secondary
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB
master branch (Git)
main
GitHub default, GitLab recommendation
whitelist / blacklist
allowlist / denylist (or blocklist)
IETF, Google style guide, Microsoft style guide
In code reviews and documentation: proposing terminology changes to align with current standards is now considered standard engineering practice, not political commentary. Inclusive technical language is explicitly recommended in the Google Developer Documentation Style Guide, Microsoft Writing Style Guide, and most major tech company engineering standards.
3 / 10
A tech company is writing a job posting. Which sentence correctly avoids gendered language in a job requirement?
Option D correctly avoids gendered language while maintaining professional clarity. The others use the masculine generic default ("his", "he"), which has been shown to reduce application rates from women and non-binary candidates.
Singular "they": Using "they" as a singular pronoun for an unnamed person ("an engineer who leads their team") is grammatically correct in contemporary English and is the standard recommendation in the AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines since 2019. It is not informal usage.
4 / 10
A colleague emails their manager: "I'd like to request a reasonable accommodation for my disability, as provided by my employment rights."
Which statement correctly describes what a "reasonable accommodation" means in an employment context?
Option B correctly describes reasonable accommodation as used in employment law in the US (ADA), UK (Equality Act 2010), and similar legislation in most jurisdictions.
Term
Definition
Reasonable accommodation
A change to the work environment or job duties that allows a qualified person with a disability to perform essential functions
Undue hardship
The limit on accommodation: if the accommodation would cause significant difficulty or expense to the employer, it may not be required
Essential functions
The core duties of the role — accommodation must enable these; it does not require removing essential functions
Common examples in tech:
Screen reader software for a visually impaired engineer
Flexible start/end times for a colleague with a chronic medical condition
Remote work as an accommodation for a mobility disability or anxiety disorder
Noise-cancelling headphones or a private workspace for someone with ADHD or sensory processing differences
Requesting an accommodation does not require disclosing the specific diagnosis — only that the condition limits a major life activity and that a modification is needed.
5 / 10
An engineering manager tells a non-native English speaker: "Your English is so good for a non-native speaker!"
What is problematic about this comment, and what term describes this type of remark?
Option C correctly identifies the remark as a microaggression and explains the mechanism of harm. This is an important DEI vocabulary concept for tech managers and team members.
Term
Meaning
Microaggression
A brief, commonplace interaction that communicates a negative or demeaning message to members of a marginalised group, often unintentionally
Backhanded compliment
A compliment that contains an embedded insult or lowered expectation ("good for a…")
Stereotype threat
The risk of confirming a negative stereotype, which harms performance and belonging even when no discriminatory intent exists
Other common tech microaggressions:
"You're really technical for someone from <country>."
Repeatedly mispronouncing a colleague's name after being corrected
Assuming a woman in the meeting is the note-taker or coordinator rather than the technical lead
Saying "I don't see colour" — this invalidates the reality of colleagues' experiences
Note on Option D: Microaggressions are distinct from legal discrimination. A single comment rarely meets the legal threshold for a harassment or discrimination claim. However, patterns of microaggressions in the workplace contribute to hostile environment claims and have real impact on retention and belonging regardless of legal status.
6 / 10
Sarah is drafting a Slack message to her team about a new accessibility initiative. She writes: 'Let's make sure everyone can participate!' Which phrasing best reflects inclusive language in this context?
Option A uses precise language about ability and participation, avoiding vague terms. Options B and C are overly casual and don't explicitly address inclusivity. Option D is entirely irrelevant to the topic of accessibility.
7 / 10
You're reviewing a PR with the following line: `if (user.gender == 'male') { ... }`. A reviewer suggests a change. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate response?
Option B directly addresses the problematic assumption being made by the original code. Options A and C are dismissive and potentially harmful. Option D is a technical question that doesn't address the core DEI issue.
8 / 10
During a standup meeting, David says: 'I'm working on implementing the new feature. I've been focusing on the front-end and have completed the UI.' A teammate asks, 'Great! What about testing?'. David responds with: 'I'll handle it.' Which statement best represents an inclusive approach to this conversation?
Option C highlights the missing element of shared responsibility. David's statement lacks explicit consideration for collaborative effort on testing – a common area where bias can creep in. The other options assume a level of defined ownership without acknowledging potential support needs.
9 / 10
A junior developer submits a PR with the following description: 'Fixed a bug in the authentication module.' A senior engineer reviews it and comments: 'Good job!'. What is an important consideration when providing feedback like this?
Option A describes an outdated and potentially unhelpful approach to feedback. While positive reinforcement can be valuable, specific comments about the technical aspects of the fix are more constructive for learning and improvement. Option C is demotivating, and option D misinterprets the situation.
10 / 10
You receive an email from a team member stating: 'I need to arrange for some specialist support due to my chronic condition.' Your manager responds with: 'That's fantastic! You're really pulling your weight.' What is problematic about this response, and what term describes this type of remark?
Option A is incorrect; the comment is problematic because it inappropriately comments on a private medical detail. Option B accurately describes the issue – this type of remark is an example of microaggressions and can be deeply hurtful. Options C and D are irrelevant to the core problem.
This exercise, "🌍 Inclusive & DEI Language", tests your understanding of workplace english vocabulary and phrasing through 10 multiple-choice questions drawn from real workplace scenarios.
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This exercise has 10 questions. Each one presents a realistic sentence or scenario with multiple-choice options and an explanation once you answer.
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Who is this Workplace English exercise for?
It's designed for IT professionals and learners who want to sound natural discussing workplace english topics in English — useful for meetings, documentation, interviews, and day-to-day communication with English-speaking teams.
How is this different from reading a glossary or blog article?
Exercises like this one are active recall drills — you have to choose the correct term or phrasing yourself, which builds retention faster than passively reading a definition.
Where can I find more Workplace English exercises?
Browse the full Workplace English exercises hub for more practice, or explore other exercise categories covering vocabulary, grammar, interviews, and workplace communication.