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1 PHOTOCOPIABLE Cambridge University Press 2011 Business Benchmark Upper-Intermediate Units 912
Progress Test 3 Units 912
Name
Class Date
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE
Listening
You will hear a sales manager, Steven Pitcher, presenting a product, Grafacom,
to a group of potential investors. For questions 110, write one or two words or a
number in each gap to complete the sentences. You will hear the recording twice.
Example: Grafacom is a system for making
digital displays
.
1 The screen at the presentation is cm long and cm high.
2 The system consists of a computer with a camera and .
3 The rst hand-held device that they designed consisted of a .
4 Until now, Grafacom has mainly been used at .
5 The turnover for this year is expected to be around .
6 The presenters have recently signed a contract to rent out the system at a .
7 Steven Pitcher feels that the product has more than just .
8 They have contacted over 50 art colleges as part of their .
9 Steven Pitcher imagines that in art colleges, images will be drawn on a rather
than a large screen.
10 Steven Pitcher feels that the product is good for encouraging .
10
Reading
Read the article about whether it is possible to train to be an entrepreneur and
complete questions 17.
ENTREPRENEURS: BORN OR MADE?
A There is a popular idea that it takes a particular type of personality to become an
entrepreneur. This is reinforced by certain stereotypes, such as the self-made captain
of industry, which derives of course from the time of the industrial revolution. But if
entrepreneurs are born, not made, then it seems odd that there are so many courses which
aim to teach entrepreneurship. It also suggests that state funding of such courses may be
misguided, as they are unlikely to increase the number of start-ups.
B Of course it is possible to teach practical information such as basic bookkeeping. But
studies suggest that attending an entrepreneurship course has no effect on ones ability to
increase sales or the number of employees. In addition, many of the worlds most successful
entrepreneurs seem to have dropped out of college early, Steve Jobs of Apple and Facebooks
founder Mark Zuckerberg to name but two. This suggests either that education is not giving
them what they want or they have a type of personality which resists organised training.
C It is possible that learning to be an entrepreneur works best on an apprenticeship model.
The best way may be to take advice from people who have made a success of their own
start-up, and then begin, possibly in partnership with someone who is already a successful
entrepreneur. That way, the most important skills such as dealing with customers are
learnt by listening and imitation and through hard experience.
D It could be argued that formal training can also hone these skills through role plays and
simulations. But here again, it seems likely that personality counts for more than training.
Studies show that entrepreneurs, whether formally trained or not, behave differently from
non-entrepreneurs in such activities. For example, they are much more willing to take risks
for potentially larger profts. Given that the key quality for entrepreneurs is enthusiasm,
perhaps the important thing is that they study a subject that inspires them. The process of
applying this to the marketplace is something they will learn as they go along.
2 PHOTOCOPIABLE Cambridge University Press 2011 Business Benchmark Upper-Intermediate
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Units 912
For questions 16, decide which section of the article the statement refers to (A, B,
C or D). You may use any letter more than once.
Example: Some people are more naturally inclined to take risks than others.
D
1 Formal training in entrepreneurship does not help people to grow their business.
2 Government spending on entrepreneurship training may be a waste of money.
3 The best thing for a budding entrepreneur to study is not entrepreneurship but another subject.
4 The best way to learn to be an entrepreneur is by seeing other entrepreneurs at work.
5 Some common ideas about entrepreneurs have a basis in history.
6 Some of the best entrepreneurs did not nish their formal education.
6
For question 7, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).
Which of the following statements does the writer agree with?
A Entrepreneurs should not spend time studying nancial systems.
B Entrepreneurs should only formally study a subject they feel passionate about.
C The most important skills for entrepreneurship are best learnt through role plays.
D Most entrepreneurs need formal training on how to assess risks.
1
Grammar
For questions 18, put the verb in brackets in the correct form. Choose from present
simple, past simple, present perfect, past perfect, will or would.
Example: When I
have nished
(nish) the proposal, Ill send you a copy.
1 If I had enough money, I (open) my own gardening centre.
2 I havent heard from the company since we (send) them the new samples.
3 You can make over 100 cold calls before you (nd) someone who is interested.
4 The purchasing manager will call you when he (read) through the brochure.
5 He only opened the new shop after he (secure) another bank loan.
6 If anyone (have) any questions, Ill be happy to answer them at the end of the
talk.
7 Please let me know as soon as the missing item (arrive).
8 I (be) grateful if you could send me details of your product range.
8
For questions 913, choose the correct word or phrase.
Example: The business was a great success although / despite / however it was difcult to convince
investors at rst.
9 There was little interest in the property although / despite / however the excellent location.
10 These stocks are a high-risk investment. Although / In spite of / On the other hand, the potential
prot is enormous.
11 They started out as a small cleaning company. Although / However / Despite they expanded very
rapidly over the next three years.
12 However / Although / In spite of the erce competition, he still decided to go ahead with the idea.
13 However / Although / In spite of sales were slow at rst, there was a dramatic increase in the last
quarter.
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Units 912
For questions 1416, rewrite the sentences using one of the modal verbs in the box.
There is one you do not need.
ought to can might would
14 He is able to gain peoples trust very quickly.
15 I think its possible that there are some hidden charges.
16 Its a good idea to keep your power point slides simple.
3
Vocabulary
For questions 112, choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) to complete the
sentence.
Example: Our nancial requirements for starting up are relatively
B

A light B modest C soft D humble
1 There is so much competition that the business only has a chance of success.
A narrow B weak C short D slim
2 The companys biggest is the money it owes to the mortgage provider.
A legitimacy B loyalty C liability D longevity
3 He owned his own house, so he used that as the to secure the bank loan.
A advantage B benet C bonus D asset
4 Stocks and shares are risky but they can offer a very high on your investment.
A return B recovery C response D reclaim
5 If you are setting up a small business, you may be eligible for a government .
A handout B gift C grant D offer
6 Because of all the legal problems, the new project never got off the .
A oor B ground C earth D carpet
7 The hotel is within reach of all transport links.
A simple B close C easy D short
8 They claim to offer short-term loans with no hidden charges and no attached.
A chains B strings C ropes D wires
9 They are working with a developer in Dubai to set up a venture for a housing project.
A common B joint C united D linked
10 Distributors receive a 50% per sale on these products.
A commission B compensation C competence D complement
11 I recommend that we withdraw this product from the market.
A deeply B highly C intensely D strongly
12 Mintons is as one of the top ten companies to work for.
A marked B scored C ranked D placed
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Units 912
For questions 1317, complete the sentences with the most suitable verb from the
box. There is one you do not need.
buy into raise break into make carry out give
13 The company have been trying to the American market for some time.
14 If you want to run your own business, one option may be to a franchise.
15 A representative from the bank is coming to a presentation on their new savings
scheme.
16 The product was a success even though they failed to much market research.
17 The bank refused to give me a loan so I had to the nance myself.
5
Writing
You are interested in buying a franchise. You see this advertisement.
DIGIKEY
Digikey Franchise Ltd is looking for prospective franchisees who can develop sales of our
cutting edge biometric security locks and security systems. You will supply our range of
products at a set price to customers, while enjoying excellent proft margins.
For further information, contact Digikey at the address below or on info@digikey.co.uk
Write a letter of enquiry to Digikey. In your letter:
state your interest in becoming a franchisee
ask for details of the training they provide
enquire about help with start-up costs.
Write 80100 words in the box below.

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Total
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