One way to figure out the meaning of a word is from the context of the sentence it is in. Use the words around unknown word to help you understand the new word.
For example: She started as a coat checker at Maggie`s place... and, after a series of promotions, eventually became general manager.
The speaker mentions that Ms.Delany "started "in one position and "eventually became general manager".These words describe making progress in a company over time.The context tells you that promotion means receiving a higher position or more important job.
It also helps to consider the presentation as a whole, not just one sentence.
For example: Knowing someone will fit in doesn`t alleviate other problems. Carly Drum had hired four trusted friends to work at her family`s executive search firm … One of them had great potential but was bringing her personal problems to the office.It was affecting her work.
The speaker uses several sentences to describe a problem that developed even though Carly Drum hired a friend . From this context , you may be able to figure out that to alleviate problems means to solve, correct, or remove the problems.
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