TRUONG DAI HOC KINH TE TP.

HCM
BAN NGO~I NGU: BO MON TIENG ANH
****

TAI LIEU
. HTfONG DAN ON THI TIENG ANH
.

TRINH DO. C
(DANH CHO HQC VlEN CAO HQc)

TP.HO CHi MINH

THA.NG 6/2007

'..

MT)C LT)C

u':HGIO[THI~U

03

Ph~n [: M6 ta cdu truc

ai thi va thang dim

05

Ph~n 2: Bili t;;p mdu...

an

11

[.

Vocabulary

Grammar

13

2.

Reading Com

ehension

37

3.

Reading C loze

4.

Control[ed

5.

Sentence Tran formation

6.

Writing

7.

Listening

'"

Wr ing

topics

Sample

Com rehension

43
52
74

essays

..

83
98

8. Tapescripts

[21

9.

Speaking

132

Ph~n 3: Sample tests ...

[36

un

GIOI THIIJ;U

np tai li~u nay rtuc;rcbie so~n nh~m m\lC dich giup hi'c vien dang theo hi'c cac khoa cao hQC t~i
tnrimg D~i hi'c Kinh t~

.HCM co nhiIng thong tin dn thi~t lien quan d~n ky thi h~t mon ti~ng

Anh cua b~c hi'c nily t~i t img, d6ng thai cung dp cac bai tiip cung cA ki~n thirc vii ren luy~n ky
niing ti~ng Anh duai nhi'

d~ng thirc khac nhau d~ giup hQc vien on luy~n vii co dinh huang cho

ky thi.
Theo qui dinh cua B(>Gi

d\lc Va Dao t~o, ky thi k~t thuc mon hi'c dAivai b~c cao hQCduQ'ct6

chirc nh~m ki~m tra dan gia ky nang va ki~n thirc ti~ng Anh cua hQc vien a trinh dQ tucrng
ducrng C (trung cao dp).

QCvien se duQ'cki~m tra ca 4 ky nang NGHE, NOI, DQC, VIET vm

cac hinh thirc thi khac nh u. Do chucrng trinh ti~ng Anh t~i D~i hQc Kinh t~ TP.HCM duc;rcxiiy
d\f!1gvai tri'ng t~m la ti~ g Anh thuang m~i (Business English) nen cac bai thi se duQ'cthi~t k~
vai m\lCdich ki~m tra ki'

thirc tiI V\f!1g,ngii' phap vii cac ky nang giao ti~p ti~ng Anh trong moi

truimg kinh thuang.

T~p tai li~u nily g6m cac

.
.

Cac bili t~p m~u

D~thi m~u

h&n chinh nhu sau:

Mo ta cAu truc bil thi cua cac ph&n thi (NGHE, NOI, DQC, VIET) vii thang di~m bili thi.

on t~p ki~n thirc vii ren luy~n cac ky nang

Ngoili ra chung toi ding ung dp Audio CD cua ph&nNghe hi~u d~ giup cac b~n t\l'trau dbi vii
ren luy~n ky nang nily.
Hy vQng t~p tili li~u nily s giup cac b~n hQc vien cao hi'c co di~u ki~n chuAn bi tAt vii thi d~t ky
thi h~t mon ti~ng Anh.
Chuc cac b~n tMnh congo
B(>mon ti~ng Anh
Ban Ngo~i ngii'

PH AN I

MO TA eAu TRue BAI THI vA

THANG DIEM

,. r

Ii t7

MO TA CAU TRue HAl THI vA THANG DIEM

Kythi

h~1mon ti~ng A h II b~c cao hgc t~i trulIng D~i hgc Kinh t~ TP.HCM g6m cac bai thi

nhu sau:

Bai thi I (Paper I): Dgc hi~u (Reading Comprehension)

Bai thi 2 (Paper 2): Vi~t (Writing)

.
.

Bai thi 3 (Paper 3): Nghe hi~u (Listening Comprehension)

Bai thi 4 (Pape

4): No; (Speaking)

DmH day 10.phin gi6i t i~u tom t~t du truc bai thi ti~ng Anh trinh d{>trung cao cftp (C). Phin
mo ta bao g6m (i) N{>i ung bai thi, (ii) lo~i binb bai t~p va mvc dicb danb gia, (iii) s6 cau/s6
mvc trang tirng bai t~p, a thang di~m t6i da cbo tirng bai t~p.
I. Bid thi dgc hi~u va v ~t
Bai thi Dgc hi~u (PAPI

~ I) va Vi~t (PAPER 2) dugc thi~t k~ thanh m{>tbai thi chung. ThlIi

gian lam bai 10.120 phut

NC)idung

Paper 1
Reading

L ,i hinh bili t,p vii m...cdlch danh gia

s6 ciuls6

thang

mye

c1iem

15

15

10

10

P per 1 bao g6m ba lo~i hinh bai t~p dugc ggi 10.section I,
se tion 2 va section 3.

Comprehension
Section I:

S ~tion 1 g6m 15 cau tr~c nghi~m. Phin nay giup danh gia

Vocabulary

k a nang hi~u va sir dVng dugc tir V\ll1gva ngiI phap thich
h." thOng qua ngiI canh cho sAn.

Section 2: Reading

S ~tion 2 g6m 2 bai dgc. M6i bai dgc co 5 cau tdc nghi~m.

Comprehension

C u d van ban lien quan d~n cac chuyen nganh thu{>c linh
Vl.k: kinh t~ - thu<JDg m~i.

N irng cau hoi d~t ra giup thi sinh th~ hi~n kha nang (i)
hi u y chinh neu trang van ban, (ii) n~

b~t thong tin chi

ti' , (iii) hi~u dugc quan h~ giiIa cac y trang do~n van va
vi

ban, (iv) hi~u dugc thai d{>/mvc dich cua tac giatvan

ba

Section 3: Cloze

Section 3 hi mQt do<U\van ban bao g6m 10 ch6 tr3 g

- ]iI

10

10

10

15

nhihlg tit thiu !rong cau lien quan. Thi sinh cAn v~ d\lng
kin thuc ngu philp, cAutrue, tit V\fI1gde tlm ra tit th ch h\IP
di~n vilo khoilng tr3ng lien quan.

PAPER 2:

PAPER

WRITING

CONTROLLED

bao

g6m

I GUIDED

TRANSFORMATION

]o~i

hlnh

dugc

WRITING,

Qi Iii

SENTENCE

vi COMPOSITION

PAPER 2 nhAmd3nh gia khil nilng sit d\lng tlng

nh de

trinh bilyI di~n d~ty tu6ng

SECTION 1:
Controlled
Writing

SECTION

1: g6m 10 nhom cac tit rlri, chua lien

~t vo;

nhau. Trong mOl nhom tit du<;1Cslip xp theo thu If nhAt

djnh. Thi sinh cAn sir d\1ng nhihlg tit dQc I~p cho si

d\ll1g

th3nh diu hoiID chinh, cau cO y nghia vii dung ngit ph p.

I
SECTION 2:

SECTION 2 Iii d<U\gbili ~p chuyen hoa cau, boo g6m 5

Sentence

cau hoiIDchinh cho sin. Thi sinh sir d\ll1g phAn g<;Jiy dil cho

Transformation

dehoan

SECTION 3:

SECTION 3 IiiphAnviet bili lu~. Thi sinh chQn I M d~

COMPOSITION

khoiIDg

10

thanh diu mo; mil vin nguyen dugc y.

de viet I bili lu~ thoo 2 ho~c 3 cM d~ duge cho

I~

I bili

150 tit

khoang 150 tit.

T ong
' cling

60

Diem t6ng cQng cua bili thi Iii 60. Nu diem thi cua thi sinh duo; 20 (30%)

em nhu khOng d~t

2. Hili thi nghe hiEu:

Bili thi nily dugc gQi Iii PAPER 3

- Listening

Comprehension. Paper 3 bar g6m ba lolli hinh

bili thi dugc gQi Iii Part I, Part 2 vii Part 3. Thi sinh nghe 3 do<U\van ha) m~u d3i tholli vii
thlfc hi~n cac chi din dugc ghi trong d~ thi. MOi bili nghe dugc dQc 3 IAn.
ThiJi gian lilm bili khoang tit 30 den 40 phu!.

NQi dung

io~i hinh bili t~p vii m~c dieh danh gia

Part 1

Ihl sinh co 2 phut d~ dQc tmoc 5 diu hoi va sau do nghe

sA ca u/sa

thang

m~c

4iem

10

5/10

10

10

10

{>tdo~n viln ho~c milu d31 tho~i 3 I~n lien ti~p. Cac diu
.
i nh~m ki~m tra kha nang thi sinh trong vi~c ehQn dung
tong tin tit ngu Ii~u nghe, nghe hi~u y chlnh, chi ti~t, nh~n
! ~t thai d{>ho~c y dinh cua ngum nol va nMn bi~t nghia.
J \fa vao n{>idung cua.do~n viln vita nghe thi sinh vi~t cau
t p liri NGAN GQN ra gl~y thi.
I , hi sinh co 2 phut d~ dQc 5 ho~1O cau hoi va cac cau tra

Part 2

I I in san duoi d~ng tr~c nghi~m. Sau do nghe dQc m{>t

d ~n van hay m{>tmilu h{li tho~I 3 Ik lien ti~p. Thi sinh
c Qn cau tni liri dung bing each khoanh trim I trong eac
n ilu I\l' A, B, C ho~eD.
~

Part 3

i sinh co 2 phut d~ dQe tmoc m{lt do~n viin hay milu h(Ji

t o~i in s~n trong de thi. Van ban nay g6m 10 khoang tr3ng
- a nhUng tit thi~u trong cau lien quan. Thi sinh nghe dQc
d ?n van ban d6 3 I~n lien ti~p. Thi sinh phal vi~t cac tit
t ieu vao cae khoang tr6ng thieh hgp.
1 ng diim

30

Di~m t6ng c{lng cua bai hi la 30. N~u di~m bai thi cua thi sinh duoi 10 (30%) xem nhu khOng
d~t
3. Thi vn dap:
Man thi nay dugc gQi la PAPER 4 (Speaking). Bai thi nay g6m 2 ph~n;

Ph~n I;
Ph6ng v~n (lnte view); Thi sinh so dugc hOi nhUng cau co lien quan d~n thong tin ca

nhan, ngh~ nghi p, noi lam vi~c...

Ph~n 2;
Trinh bay (Mini presentation); Thi sinh chQn ngilu nhien I chu de va can cli theo ph~n
ggi y cho s~n d tdnh bay chu de d6 lrang vbng 2 d~n 3 phUt vi sau do so tri liri cac
cau hOi cua glaD khao lien quan d~n chu d d1lIrinh biy.

Di~m t3ng c{lng cua bai hi la Io. N~u di~m cua thi sinh duoi 03 (30%) xem nhu khong d~t

4.Thang

diEm tAng cqng.

IT

Bai thi

mEm tA;da

DiEmd"t

OQe- Vi~t

60

2:20

Nghe

30

2:10

Noi

10

2:03

T6ng e(lng

100

2:50

N~u thi sinh cO m(lt mon dum DIEM O~ T se khong d"t tOM bQ IcYthi.

5. Cach lam hilithi tric nghi~m

.
06i vm cae du h6i trAenghi~m, thi sinh ehQndiu tni loi dung bAngeach kJ banh trim man tlf
chQn.
1. Thi dl) ehQn A

2. Xoa A ehQn B
3. ChQn l"i A ( danh diu X !ren mh tlf ehQnI"i)

10

x~

~G: C

~C

PHAN II

BAI TAp
. MAu

11

VOC

BULARY & GRAMMAR

13

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR

The following q estions are incomplete

sentences.

Four words

or phrases,

marked A, B, C, D are given beneath each sentence. You are to choose ONE
word or phrase t

t best complete the sentence.

TEST 1
II My job frequently involves having to work
A below

B under

intense pressure.

C beneath

D underneath

2/ This type of decisi n has to be made at board

A layer

Brank

C grade

3/ My colleague has one off on a quick business

D level
to Paris but will be back on

Monday.
A trip

B journey

4/ The CD-ROM on

has a

C flight

D travel

version of the software; the full program costs

$130.
-\;;;' ("/fi;:'
A show

yO
B example

C test

D demo

5/ At the factory, all t e workers have to fill in time

to show what they have

fzt7ZJ'

done.
A lists

B papers: )oc[tO';:At'C checks

D sheets

6/ Why is it that most big government building projects finish over budget and
behind

?
A schedule

ctA~
B agenda

7/l'd like to

C plan

Dtime

a point connected with staff turnover. You said it was high

but it's no higher than ormal, is it?

A ask

B say

8/ They do not
A accept

C raise
cheques in that restaurant.

B agree

9/ I would be very int rested in

A entering

B working

10/ This supermarket is trying to

clothes.

14

II

D rise

Callow

Dadmit

for that job.

C applying

Dwriting

young shoppers by offering fashionable

sectors of the industry.

11/ Job losses are mainly in the

usually gives other people information a

12/ Your body

feel.

/
-,
(,,1' 1' (
B impression

A appearance

C language

Dconfi

C confer

A conforn1
B confine
.{:"IJI., ~?r
14/ My colleague has always had luck

his investments.
Don beh If of

Cwith

B among

A throughout

ut how you really

the arrangements she made with

13/ Mrs Perez is writing to

15/

D high-co lar

C stiff-collar

B red-collar

A blue-collar

D trap

C encourage

B persuade

A target

the managers

enhanced

the training

program

new employees,

absenteeism has been declining.

D During

C Since

B When

A Before

*****

TEST 2
1/ The Managing Director is now urgently
~\~

jlLf~

ttLr'i-;~

~(v

A seeking

?1~

B pursuing

to appoint a

C searching

2/ The company has decided to

a share option scheme, sing

next year.

D embar

C confer

B innovate

A introduce

(q'(1

3/ At the new job vacancy centres, unemployed people get training in how to write a
and letter
__oUofapplicatiol1'

good

..

A summary

B review

C resume

D contr t

to the problem.

4/ That's a very good

C solve

B solution

A help

_ "j,,~", ,{, .

D cause

5/ Are you able to say at this point how much damage has actually been
.?
th e companys ~putatlon.~)
I

A made

6/ Do you want to

,/

II

\\ (f '1"(1.-1"', ~../-0'

B done

to

./

C given

D taken

as a candidate in the local elections?

15

no .tv

t'Ub
A stand

B sit

ego

71The company ha its own code of

A behaviour

B practice

81 I'll put you

o try
in these matters.

C dealing

to the Sales Department.

A over

C through

Boff

Din

91 Printix

o attitude
.., z..
'-..:;;1'"
'

are offeri

~us a 15%

on all orders over $1000.

A interest

C discount

B replacemen

D consultation

101As a

f the review, they decided to close the factory down.

A conclusion

C purpose

B finding

D result

III Siemens is a hig Iy

leader in the electrics and electronics market.

A innovative

C extensive

B reliable

D traditional

12/1 would be grat' ul if you could let me have a detailed

, including

prices and

delivery terms.
A quotation

Coffer

B term

Dorder

131 The financial

s atement would

have renected our difficulties

if we

our

accounting year.
A have not ch

ged

C have not bee changing

14/1 don't understan,
A which

B had not changed

o had not been changing
of these is to be included in the shipment.

B that

C some

Dwhat

151The hotel manag r would have offered us a 25% discount if we

ten or more.

A are

16

B were

C been

D had been

a party of

TEST 3
II Lack of orders has meant that a number of employees have been laid
A down

Bon

Cup

Doff

2/ They were badly managed for years, so I'm not surprised to hear the ve gone
business.
A down from

B up on

3/ You

C out of

D alon in

earlier that we can expect a return to profit in the next two

years. Isn't it possible to be a little more precise?

A told

B spoke

Csaid

D raise

4/ The government has changed its policy and had a complete change 0
A view

B opinion

5/ Thousands of
A individuals

Cmind

D heart

are already signing up for this new tel

B subscribers

6/ I've given the latest sales

C applicants

hone service.

D inte iewees

to Mr Allen but he hasn't h d a chance to look at

them yet.
A systems

C worksheets

B figures

D facts

7/ One of the

advantages of writing over talking to someone f: ce-to-face is that you

can take your time.

A remaining

C relative

B related

D relevant

8/ Oh, dear. I think I've

the wrong number.

A put

C through

B done

D dialed

9/ It's important to take

breaks when working at a computer.

A freq uent

C repeated

Blots

Doften

10/ The

development

of new technologies

means that there

a e fewer jobs

for

manual

17

A workforce

C employees

B staff

D workers

I II You will see fro

the catalogue that our prices are very

A competitive

C completed

B competent

D compatible

12/ We are happy to

place the

goods free of charge.

A. injured

C. destroyed

B. hurt

D. damaged

13/ For many people 'ob~

is more important than a high salary.

A satisfaction

C achievement

B expectation

D acceptance

14/ Dr. Klein will be ble to meet with us this afternoon

Aif

B which

15/ Professor lagro

with the

C under

we can make it.

Dhow

praised Mr. Modello for his literary contribution before presenting him
money the group had gathered.

B few

A little

Csmall

D less

*****

TEST 4
1/ The company has ood industrial
A workings

B affairs

and disputes are rare.

"",,"

C terms

2/ I think we'll be a e to sell the house quite easily

coming round this a
A future
3/ OUf prices

D relations

- in fact. we've

got two

moon.
B ahead

C prospective

D close

B competition

C competitive

D competing

are ve

A competitor
4/ Would you mind

us a little more about how you intend to enter this

new market?

A replying

18

buyers

B explaining

C telling

D answering

5/ You should have

those shares when they were cheap.

A taken out

B sold off

6/ The circular will contain

. B obvious

A key

C bought up

D taken ver

financial information to hel investors.

C intelligent

D noted

7/ No. This is the Finance Department. I'll check the

number.

A extension

C exterior

B external

D extraction

8/ Many employees are eager to try

new ideas.

Ain

Con

Bup

Dout

9/ After rationalisation the company was

and its order book was ull.

A in good time

C in good spirits

B in good shape

D in good health

10/ We apologise for the difficulty we are experiencing in paying your

A delayed

C outstanding

B waiting

D owing

II/The company needed to make job cuts so they asked staff to_
B choose

A offer
12/I

C volunteer

account.

fo redundancy.

D select

it best to look over the competition before deciding to start a consulting

business in this town.

B pondered

A thought

C liked

D wond

13/ Professor Haage, as a public speaker, is

than Professor

A more entertaining

B very entertaining

C most entertaining

D the more entertaining

14/ Affordable electric cars will be available

A some

B sometime

Bmust

oyle.

in the near fu
C something

D some

you decid~ to open

15/ The client will reconsider the offer

A considering

ed

C were

office in Taiwan.

D shoul

19

TEST 5
1/ The successful ap licant will have a proven track
A history

B record

C curriculum

in project management.
o performance

2/ As a journalist for a national newspaper, I am used to working to a

A target

Blimit

C deadline

to show better than expected results.

3/ The report is

A necessary

B possibly

4/ The annual genera meeting was

o likely

in the conference centre.

C run

B provided

o held

5/ If you are

in attending, please let me know as soon as possible.

A .:oncerned

C sure

B pleased

0 interested

6/ You must

your application by the end of the week.

A submit

C subscribe

B subject

0 subcontract
iss Johnson's in a meeting.

A worried

C concerned

B afraid

0 frightened

8/ The new Managin

Oirector of the company has just been

A applied

C requested

B decided

o appointed

9/ He was offered a b nk

when the company experienced financial problems.

A payment

C overdraft

B credit

o debt

10/ The company will be

20

C clearly

A conducted

7/ I'm

o plan

a new range of health foods over the next rew months.

A promoting

C competing

B encouraging

o supporting

III Before negotiating a deal make sure you know the strength

and weaknesses of

products.
A competing

C commanding

B conflicting

D connecting

121lan is working as an

with Global Printers.

A appellant

B apprentice

C applicant

D appe dant

131 "If you had examined each factor individually," she argued, "you

that the

errorwas theirs."
A would have seen

B would have been seeing

C had seen

Dsaw

141 In

rising health care costs, many companies are sire

lining their benefits

program.
A to light

B light of

151 The building, for

C lights on

Dlighte

a purchasing fund had been set aside, was severely

damaged in the hurricane.

A that

B which

C whom

Dthis

*****

TEST 6
1/ We were told that the expense budget was being trimmed

the company was

considering the purchase of a larger warehouse.

A because

B so

2/ She is, in
A every

C neither

respect, an ideal candidate for the position.

Ball

C individual

31 The new employee found it difficult to work

A beneath
41 He

Dor

B besides

C under

D other
such stres ul conditions.
Dover

pyramiding as simply using the profits of one

vestment to make

another.
A explaining

B are being explained

C had been explained

D explained

21

5/ The bank laid do n several policies designed

B so

Ato

simplifY the collection process.

C that

Dwhat

the conference call until both analysts have sent us their

6/ I would like to
conclusions.
A postpone

B move

7/ The company

D detain

the entire staff with an additional two days of vacation.

A granted
8/ It was agreed

C hinder

B offered

C rewarded

D awarded

at the full cost would be refunded if the goods were returned in

perfect
A condition

B state

C situation

D shape

9/ Unfortunately the e is still a lot of

A distraction
B discriminat

10/ Carol's reliabili

against older people in the workplace.

C discretion

D distortion

and confidence make her an

employee.

A idealized

C idyllic

B ideal

D idealistic

III They agreed tha the system wasn't working well and there was a need to

more radical approa h.

A choose

C prefer

B designate

D adopt

12/ It's going to be ifficult to break

the Far East market but I believe it will

become a key marke for us.

A through

C into

B up

D down

13/ The consultants

the importance of managers involving staff in the issue of

timekeeping.

22

A emphasised

C motivated

B recommend d

D related

14/ Plans have already been drawn

A over

tn deal with such si uations.

B through

Cup

o into

15/ After all these years she has decided to take early
A leave

B finishing

C departure

o retire eni

*****

TEST 7
1/ Like many companies, we were affected by the
A downside

B downturn

C downgrade

2/ Henry Ford introduced the assembly

A row

in the w rId economy.

o down all

as a way of mass-

B queue

o file

Cline

3/ What kind of problems will the change in the schedule

A make

B do

A announcement

Oexp

about the sale in the local paper.

B warning

5/ It was a big
A trial

C cause

4/ You can see the

oducing cars.

C notice

o advert

sement

for her to give up her acting career to 100 after her family.
B sacrifice

C endeavour

6/ In some countries it is quite

o test

to use the correct title whe

talking to business

colleagues.
A offensive

C formal

Blikely

o tricky

7/ The company had scarcely gotten back on its feet when it was

completely

by the fire.
A ravage

B ravaging

C ravaged

8/ Our division is responsible for making and

A delivered

B delivers

9/ The fringe benefits

A enticed

o ravages
frozen foods

C deliverer

o deli veri g

him to accept the position.

B teased

C illustrated

10/ Sonya & Company settled the matter out of

o attracte
to avoid th pending lawsuit.

23

A courthouse

B courting

C courts

D court

11/ The form of a c mputer command is so precise that any alteration of it is

to the comput r.
A unintelligi

B unintelligibility
.

C unintellige

D unintelligible

12/ Although profit s one indicator of success, it need not be the

A alone

B single

A made

some headway on these tax issues.

B took

Chad

14/ A fanmer can

months in order to
A draw out
15/ The findings of

Donly

C lonely

13/ I felt that we ha finally

one.

Dwent

a contract with a mill to lock in a certain price for six

protected against falling prices.
B draw up

C draw in

D draw on

e investigation confinmed that there was no

amongst the

local police force.

A interruptio

B corruption

C eruption

D disruption

*****

TEST 8
1/ The buying and

lIing of stocks and bonds is

1 would like to learn more

about.
A something
2/

Because

of

look

B somewhere
stable

economic

C somehow
growth

D somewhat

rate, the

president

can

probably

that there would be a two-week

delay in

o another term.
A up

B forward

3/ The reception is

informed

deliveries

the current stock had been exhausted.

A ever since

Bas

customers

Cover

C whenever

D above

D until

4/ If it weren't for ve ture capital, the American business machine

A would

24

Bwill

C was

collapse.

Dwere

5/ Lawmakers were about to end their sum,mer session, but not before
giving

ey passed a proposal

a pay raise.
A himself

B themselves

6/ The publisher will

A maybe

need the report by week's end.

B probably

7/ All departments
A meeting

C possible

D even uaJly

their deadlines wiU be given a substan ial bonus.

Bmet

C will meet

8/ The lecturer was neither on time

Aor

C herself

Dtom

prepared.

B nor

C and

Dbut

9/ The most effective sales technique is one which tells

the custo er how the product
will
him or her.
A better

Cprofit

B improve

D benefit

10/ Although I am a very junior member of staff, my

prospects

A long-lived

C long-winded

B long-standing

D long-term

II/He was unable to stay for the

good.

of the meeting as he ad other business to

attend to.
A time

C extent

B length

D duration

12/ The hotel management

and the union are at a

re

ding the benefits

package.
A stalling

Bpoint

C standstill

13/ A car today produces 70%

A fewer

Ddraw

pollutants than .ten years ag

Bless

Clower

14/ The secretary told me that a new

was being mail

to all interested

investors.
A prospectus
15/ The shares had been

B prosecution

C prosthesis
for quite some time.

25

A undernouri hed

B underval ued

C underchar

D underdeveloped

*****

TEST 9
1/ Ursula was the vi e president of
A marketings
2/ An estimated 35

for the East Coast last year.

B marketing

C markets

D marketed

illion tax dollars is lost even year

Ain

B for

Cat

3/ The entire indust

the black economy.

Dover

out of the need to conserve energy.

A evolution

B are evolving

C has evolved

D have evolved

4/ The decision to hi e her rests ultimately with the director of human

A resource

5/

Properly

cond cted

B resources

business

C resourcing
ventures

would

D resourceful
more

for strengthening

international relation than anything else.

A done

B able to do

6/ There was a deli n te

C do

D doing

of expectation in the room when the general manager

brought up the topic f wages.

Aair

B stillness

7/ Once further inves ment has been

A secured

B obliged

C moment

D scent

the plans for growth can be carried out.

C bound

D forced

8/ The reason there a e no buses is because the drivers are on

A hit
9/ There has been

B stop

C strike

D leave

agreement to supply Texmills with our products and

services.
A long-winded

C long-standing

B long-lasting

D long-lived

10/ There are no publ c phones in here but there is a phone

26

in Market Street.

A room

C booth

B operator

D switchboard

III If this project is completed on time we will receive a

A bonus

Cbill

B batch

D salary

121Some companies have

all their secretarial posts.

A abandoned

C abolished

B collapsed

D failed

131Over the decades, the name of Siemens has become

A symptomatic

C systematic

B synonymous

D synthetic

141Buying in

in ext month's pay.

with rogress.

can reduce unit costs.

A bulk

C volume

B amounts

D weight

151Unfortunately the recent takeover will result in a number of

A rationalisations

C redundancies

B dealings

D exchanges

at the plant.

*****

TEST 10
1/ All items in this range will be

from 27 April.

A suitable

C available

B portable

D accessible

21 Artemis gives us a good price on this because they are our

A single

C individual

Bone

Dsole

suppliers.

3/ All letters of credit should include an expiry date when payment is

A called

C ready

B complete

Ddue

27

4/ The delay in desp tch was due to circumstances

our control.

A above

C. under

B beyond

DIn

5/ Please send us a c py of her

50 that we can arrange transport.

A journey

C itinerary

Bmap

D route

6/ Although prices

ave remained

for the past two years we are expecting a

sharp rise in the near future.

A still

C same

B immobile

D static

7/ The interview pan I's

impression was that Sam was the most suitable candidate.

A overdone

C overbearing

B overall

D overblown

8/ Neither the custo er or the salesperson wants to feel_

A checked

C cheated

B changed

D charged

9/ We are willing to

pply the goods

a discount of 5%.

A in

Cat

B after

Dover

10/ The

town

pay

es

to

collect

over a deal.

enough

money

from

the

municipal

bonds

to

th bridge repairs.
A out

B for

C into

Dby

11/ The public uti lit companies have been forced

over fi fiy new personnel to

help with all the repa s.

A hired

B hiring

C hire

12/ Calendar years an fiscal years don't

A almost

B already

13/ If inflation gets t 0 high, it steadily

fixed income.

28

I
I'

D to hire
coincide.

C always

D also
the buying power of people with a

A would erode

B erodes

141Inflation is eating
A down

C eroded

D will be roding

at ourhard-eamed savings.
Bon

C through

151The retail merchants knew that a price

A enlargement

B increase

D away
was inevitable.

C progress

D growth

*****

TEST 11
II With the holidays coming, department stores are gearing up for their bu
Aera.

B epoch

21 The letter from the attorney

C course

D season

nothing about the lease am

A mentions

B mentioning

C has been mentioned

D is being mentioned

31 The lease states that you must

A vacate
41 During

B move in

the inspection

dments.

the apartment in good co dition.

C escape from

of the production

D go out

process, the consult

t paid particular

to the assembly line workers.

A observation

B notice

Ctime

51The marketing department chalked

A out

Bup

D attentio
the high sales to thei new ad campaign.

Con

D for

61 This approach will enable us to get the maximum benefit from

A savings

B compensations

71 Would you like me to fix up an

C resources

of scale.

D econom s

for you?

A application

C arrangement

B appointment

D attendance

81 You should always speak to customers

A slowly

C carefully

B politely

D kindly

29

9/ He was asked to

a thorough review of the health and safety provision within

the organisation.
A underline

C undertake

B undergo

D understand

10/ The consignme

arrives at the warehouse on Monday and will be

A unloaded

C undone

B emptied

D unsent

11/ The company sa

net profits fall as a result of the

immediately.

in the industry world-wide.

A downfall

C downturn

B downgrade

D downward

12/ If you do not p y your bill within the next few days we will have to consider taking
legal
A prosecution

C instruction

B action

D presentation

13/ There was a

in the order at the factory and the wrong package was sent.

A. mix-up

C. mixing

B. mixture

D. mixed-up

14/ Their products

only available through selected

A outlooks

C outlines

B outlets

D outfits

15/ The managem

committee

that flextime should be limited to

permanent members f staff.

A stipulated

C asked

B required

D wanted

*****

TEST 12
1/ She made sure tha everyone was able to express their points of
A view

30

C idea

B opinion

D impression

2/ Many people would jump

the chance of working for a success

A off

Cat

Bin

Dover

3/ A good salesperson can

almost anybody to buy anything.

A satisfy

C persuade

B appeal

D adapt

4/ As a limited

I travel company.

she rarely engages in the internal a ministration

of the

company.
A partnering

B partnership

C partner

D partne

5/ Our technical .department is racing to develop the technology th t will give us the
competitive edge we'll need
A to maintain

our profit trend.

B will maintain

C maintain

D be mai taining

6/ Our family was once a majority shareholder in a company that

everything

during the Depression.

A lose

B was losing

7/ The market crashed right

A since

B after

8/ My boss promised to
A take

Clost

D to lose

he sold most of his stocks.

Cat

Dyet

on board the suggestions I made at

Blet

Chold

9/ The complaint about the cost of the item was soon

A. dealt

C. taken

B. sorted

D. cleared

10/ The customer demanded a

Dset
out.

when he discovered the equipme t was missing.

A. return

C. refund

B. repair

D. reply

III Her supervisor was very

e meeting.

in her choice of words when pointing out areas

that need improvement.

A discrepant

B discreet

C dissolute

D disson

31

the contract satisfied all parties.

12/ At the time it

A sign

B signed

C was signing

13/ The board of dir tors convinced him to

A take

B do

D was signed
action against the other firm.

C give

D make

14/ Customer Servi ,on the fifth floor, will have

.your application before I

can process it.

A approve

B been approved

C approving

15/ They said my qu lifications were

A most

D to approve

varied than those of any other applicant.

B best

Cmore

D very

*****

TEST 13
1/ It is important fo many small businesses to improve their credit

and ensure

customers pay on ti
A limit

C risk

B control

Dterm

2/ There was a seriou staff

at the time so several shipments were held up.

A shortage

C decrease

B reduction

D Contraction

3/ The sales

for the next few months is not particularly optimistic

A figures

C forecast

B drive

D trend

4/ Supermarkets ofte find point of sale

very useful when introducing new

products to their cust mers.

A displays

C presentations

B exhibits

D exhibitions

5/ He thanked the

anagement

behalf of the staff for taking their

suggestions seriously.
A with

32

I
!

C in

Bon

D for

6/ Once they had agreed terms the deal was pushed

A over

C in

B through

Dby

very quickly.

7/ Mrs. Corritas always ships her orders out in a

A quickly

fashion.

Ctimely

B hastily

8/ Both parties were at an

D promptl

because nothing was written

wn at the time of

the negotiations.
A impairment
9/

B impedance

C impasse

he not become emotionally

D implosi n

involved,

I think he could have been

instrumental in averting the strike.

A Had

C Should

B Since

10/ According

D Were

to the findings of the investigative

committee,

th

company

is not

for the damages.

A liable .
11/ Our original
A supplicant

D suscepti Ie

was very reliable and always delivered on ime.

C suppressor

B supporter

12/ The backup system

A will

C obligated

B guilty

D supplie

turned on by that time.

C is being

B should

D will hav been

articulate in expressing its diss isfaction with the

13/ The field staff was

company's restructuring.

A greatly

B keenly

C moreover

14/ Enabling consumers to make educated

D quite
was the purpose 0 enacting the Truth

in Lending Act.
A decisi ve

B deciding

C decides

D decision

15/ The volume of paperwork that needs to be filled out to buy a home c

it

seem insunnountable.
A make

B cause

Cput

D appear

33

TEST 14
1/ The mail sorting
A operation

achine is out of

again.

B performance

Corder

D function

2/ The comptroller a ked the treasurer for a breakdown of the

A informatior

B informations

3/ Managers should

C informative

in his report.
D inform

staff to maintain the no-smoking policy throughout the

building.
A suggest

C support

B encourage

D co-operate.

4/ If you're taking n tes it's a good idea to make them as clear and

A quick

C essential

B brief

D rough

5/ Thank you for yO!

of$500 which we received today.

A remittance

Cremains

B remission

D remuneration

6/ If customers fail te

as possible.

their bills you can be left with a serious cash-flow problem.

A meet

C invoice

B charge

D state

7/ The poor quality 0 the products was

on inadequate supervision of the

workforce.
A caused

C explained

B blamed

DPut

8/ When deciding w at kind of advertising to use it's important to find out as much as
possible about your
A companions

C competitors

B competitions

D components

9/ In this course, yo

will be learning the most widely used method of taking inventory

mainta' ing inventory records.

Ato

34

B because

C and

Dwith

II
I

10/ We cannot print

the financial report until the comput

A with

Bon

Cforth

is working.

Dout

11/ Municipal bonds are issued by state and local governments to payor

keeping roads and

bridges in good
A state

B repair

C quality

12/ Our department is neither prepared

A or

B nor

D man er
willing to fund th s research.

Cbut

D also

13/ Although improving, the unemployment problem still

A persistence
14/

Bpersists

C persisting

D persi ently

amount of money was going to stop her from blo

ng the whistle on the

company's policy regarding waste disposal.

A None
15/

BNot

C Such

DNo

of the downtown shopping district was done to attra

A Reinforcement

B Fabrication

C Restoration

more business.

D Furbi hing

*****

TEST 15
1/ Ian has to be very organised as his work involves meeting tight
A problems

C challenges

B responsibilities

D deadlines

2/ There is a

danger that the new regulations will be mi understood by many

staff.
A unnecessary
3/ The credit terms

B bad

C unfortunate

that payment should be on presentation 0 he goods.

A remind

C agree

B stipulate

Dsettle

4/ It's important to
A take on

D grave

customer references when offering credit.

B take down

C take up

5/ The advertising company has come up with a catchy new

D take i
for the car.

35

.
A slogan

B saying

C image

D feature

6/ The goods will b delivered by Wednesday at the

A last

B longest

C least

D latest

7/ We have two re esentatives from Intel who

invited to speak at the opening

ceremonies.

A been

B was

Cwere

8/ The transport stri e is becoming a

A disgust

B discord

9/ As a result of

Dhad
for small businesses.

C disaster

D disclosure

ur trip to Lima, we were able to forge a partnership with one of our

camp titors.
A precedent

B former

Clast

D sooner

10/ A good way to void misunderstandings in business is to

all agreements

in writing.
A put off

B put away

III Bond activity in reased

D put up with

our intense marketing efforts.

A with respec to B in regard to

12/ Most investme t brochures

C put

C in light of

D as a result of

carry the following caveat: "Past performance

cannot

futu e results."
A guarantor
13/ Arthur Morris

B guaranty

C guaranteed

reated the first

D guarantee

loan in 1916 despite all advice to the

contrary.
A increment

B installment

C internment

D involvement

14/ Ms. Yen's contri ution to the company has been

A industrial

B indigenous

15/ Bondholders are enerally

A consider

36

B considering

C invaluable

D inclement

more conservative than stockholders.

C considerable

D considered

REA ING COMPREHENSION

37

READING COMPREHENSION
In this section yo

will find each of the passages a number of questions or unfinished

statements

he passage, each with four or three suggested answers or ways of

about

finishing. You mu t choose the one which you think fits best. Read each passage right
through before ch

sing your answers.

PASSAGE 1
To be successful, a business traveler must be able to maintain contact with the office, no
matter what the tim or place. Negotiations often involve decisions based on the latest figures..
New telecommunic

ions products and services now on the market make staying in touch

easier than ever ber. e.

The most widesprea

device is the cellular telephone, the price of which has dropped from

several thousand do lars to a few hundred, including installation. There are over 2 million
cellular phones in u
phones have prove
transactions. Phone

today, including both car phones and cordless transportable units. Car
indispensable

for road emergencies

as well as routine business

rvice is also available on airplanes and on the rails.

Recently introduced I1QcL--tsiz,J ~rganizers help busines~ travelers with heavy schedules
keep track of client

~~y

computers that can store all kinds of information. They

can serve as phone

d address directories, calendars, electronic memo pads, and calculators,

among other uses.

Another invaluable t lecommunications tool is smaller, lighter fax machines that plug into
/

any standard electric I outlet and phone line. The devices allow instantaneous transmission of
hard copy to any 10 tion having a compatible fax machine. It is expected that faxing will
soon become the pri ary means of sending and receiving short documents requiring prompt
altention.
II What is the best tit e for this passage?
A. New Tele ommunications Products and Services
B. The Busin ss Traveler
C. Office Co munications
D. Computer and Businessmen
2/ According to the p sage, why do business travelers need to keep in touch with the office?
A. They may at know where they are.
B. Company

uidelines require frequent contact.

C. They must ave the latest information for negotiations.

D. So many n w products and services are on the market.
3/ According to the p sage, mobile phone service

38

A. is very useful in the case of road accidents.

B still costs several thousands of dollars.
C. is not yet available on trains and airplanes.
D. does not come in transportable form.
41 In line 14, the word "these" refers to
A. clients

C. organizers

B. schedules

D. travelers

51Pocket-sized computers are especially useful for businessmen who

A have no maintain frequent contact with the office
B. have very busy itineraries.
C. are unable to afford cellular phones
D. do not have many clients to deal with.
*****

PASSAGE 2
Construction

Outlook for the Haiphong District,

This report is concerned primarily with construction of homes in the Haiphong area in the
next decade. There are many factors which influence the construction of houses in the area,
and part of the report is devoted to an analysis of these factors: pop lation growth and the
increased need for housing, economic activity, and current housing fac. ities. The information
used in the preparation

of this report was gathered from the

Chamber of

Commerce, census tracts, government reports and books relating to ho

Last year, the estimated population of corporate Haiphong was 724,00
percent over the Vietnam Census figure. The population of metro

\itan Haiphong was

922,000. The considerable growth of metropolitan Haiphong is reflect

in expansion of the

city's living area by roughly thirteen percent. Haiphong covers an area

f 295,5 square miles,

of which 19 square miles is land. There is more than enough room fo expansion, especially
in the Gingh Bo, Quan '1'0 and Shangti areas.
Although there may appear to be adequate housing facilities for the

pulation. twenty-five

percent of those units are dilapidated. In general, the economic condit

ns in Haiphong seem

extremely favorable for a continued increase in new housing con truction and housing
improvements. The introduction of the new Hunddei automobile m

ufacturing plant will

further develop the economy of the metropolitan area. Income, in ge eral, will continue to
rise as the industrial activity in the area picks up.
One could conclude that home construction in the future will he at I
year. with a good chance of a five to ten percent increase.
II What is the purpose of this report?

39

A To explain th rate of success of previous construction efforts

B To criticize t e housing conditions in Haiphong
C To estimate t e prospects for home building in Haiphong
o To detail pro

sed industrial activity for the area

2/ Which factor waul NOT have an impact on the building of homes in the area?
A The availabil ty of pllblic transportation
B The level of i dustrial activity in the area
C How fast the opulation was gro~ing
o How many Ii ing quarters are currently available
3/ What was the esti

ted population of Haiphong's business center last year?

A 724,000
B 922,000
C 1,646,000

o 198,000
4/ What percentage 0 Haiphong's housing needs repair or replacement?
A 10%
BII%
C 13%
025%
5/ What effect will th Hunddei plant have on the area?
A It will raise t e price of homes in the area.
B Wages, in ge eral, should go up five to ten percent.
C It will boost t e local economy.
o The compan

will help subsidize the repair of dilapidated homes.

~
PASSAGE 3
Here are some statis ics that may heighten your interest in the Pa.cific Basin. Half of tbe
world's wealth and 0

r half of its population live in the 34 countries and 23 island states that

embrace the Basin, w ich itself consists of 70 million square miles. Ninety-five percent of the
world's natural silk c

be found there as well as 88 percent of its natural rubber, 22 percent

of its oil resources, an 64 percent of its cotton. Well over a thousand languages are spoken in
the area, and it is th source of some of the richest religious and cultural traditions in the
world.
The most rapidly exp nding economy in the region is Taiwan, with South Korea expected to
be amongst the riche

countries in the world in the twenty-first century. Not enough can be

said about the mark t potential of China. As these countries continue to develop, their
,
40

manufacturing capabilities will become increasingly complex and the r market for advanced
technology will expand. The telecommunications industry, for instan

will soon take off.

It is the educated labor force as well as the work ethic that acc unts for the growing
manufacturing power of the Pacific nations. Lying on the trade routes 0 both- East and West,
this area has a unique advantage, something that few businesses can ig ore.
1/. Who is this report most likely intended for?
A Companies wanting to expand their market reach
B Translators for the Pacific region languages
C Natural rubber manufacturers
D The Department of Labor
2/ Only five percent of what product can be found outside the PacificB

in?

A Oil
B Natural rubber
C Natural silk
D Cotton
3/ How should readers of this report view the Pacific Basin?
A As an overly populated region with little buying power
B As a growing market
C As a forbidding competitor
D As a powerful opponent
4/ Which industry is likely to excel in the Pacific Basin in the near futu ?
A Mobile phone manufacturers
B Rubber tire manufacturers
C Oil refineries
D Clothing manufacturers
5/ Why is the Pacific Basin becoming the focus of the business commu ity?
A The cost of labor is considerably less.
B It is well poised for great economic expansion.
C The area has superior educational standards.
D There are few trade restrictions in the countries there.

*.*.

41

PASSAGE 4
September 29, 1993
Paul Bergstein, President
Stone & Brick Contractors
423 Ridgewell Road
Burbank, CA 91345

Dear Mr. Bergstein,

Because I have not

en able to reach you by phone, I am resorting to registered mail. On

May 2 of this year, I signed a contract with your Mr. Alan Stevenson for a five-foot high
stone wall. Jt had an rched entrance with fittings for a particular black swinging metal gate.
Completion was sche uled for September 15 and the agreed-upon price was $5,500. Enclosed
is a copy of the contr

t.

Although the work b gan and ended as scheduled and the wall itself is a constant source of
compliments from th neighbors, it turns out that the fittings for the gate were incorrectly
placed. Not only that, but the bill was $400 over the quoted price.
I was not concerned

bout the overcharge of S400 until I found out about repair costs. The

wall has to be opene

up in eight separate spots where the old fittings are so that they can be

rearranged to accom

odate the new gate. That adjustment alone will cost me $500.

I, therefore, respectC lIy request that you refund at least $400 as soon as possible. As I had
such difficulty in t ing to reach you by phone, I am somewhat concerned about your
willingness to accou t for this error. While I would prefer not to, I will not hesitate to refer
this matter to my aU

ney if I don't hear from you in the coming week.

Sincerely,
Ingrid Baum
*****
1/ What is Ingrid's m in purpose in writing the letter?
A To request a efund
B To inquire a

ut the additional charge of $400

C To give the

mens ions for the gate she wants installed

D To complim nt the workers on their work

2/ How did Ingrid ini ially try to reach Mr. Bergstein?
A Through her awyer
B By phone

42

C Bye-mail
D Through registered mail
3/ How much did Ingrid pay for the building of the wall?
A $4,000
B $5,500
C $5,900
D $6,000
4/ How will the gate be repaired?
A By rearranging the fittings
B By buying a new gate

C By paying $400 more

D By taking down part of the stone wall
5/ In the last paragraph, the word "attorney" is closest in meaning to
A representative
B lawyer
C advisor
D counselor

*****

PASSAGE 5

THE BOSSES SPEAK

John Stuart is an executive recruitment specialist who has turned to wri ng. The result is this
book, based on interviews with twenty Chief Executives.
Each top manager - none of them famous names, surprisingly - is giv n a short chapter, and
there is some introductory material and a conclusion. This means yo

can jump from one

person to another, in any order, which is good for people who are to

busy to read a book

from cover to cover. For a management book it isn't expensive, altho gh whether it's good
value for money is doubtful.
Some of the twenty interviewees started their own businesses, while ot ers joined a company
and worked their way up. Some are fairly new in their position, and ot ers have had years of
experience, though, strangely, Stuart doesn't seem interested in t

se differences. The

interviewees work in everything, from retailing to airlines to software

and it is this variety

that forms the main theme of Stuart's book.

I have to say that Stuart's approach annoys me. He rarely stays at a distance from his
interviewees, who are mostly presented in their own, positive words. I this were always the

43 R

case, at least you wou d know where you were. But he seems to dislike certain interviewees.
As a result, I don't kn w whether to accept any of his opinions.
It also means that the ook gives no clear lessons. At the very least, I expected to learn what
makes a successful C ief Executive. But these people seem to share two types of qualities.
Some of them are ver common, suggesting that anyone can be equally successful, which is
definitely not the cas

. And

the other qualities are ones which most successful bosses I've

seen definitely do not ave. So in the end I'm no wiser about what really goes on.
Perhaps I'm being u fair. As long as you don't think about whether you'd like them as
friends, and pay no at ntion to most of the advice they give, the most readable parts
are where the bosses escribe their route to their present position.
Stuart seems to think hat his book would be useful for people aiming for the top, and that it
might even make a ~
here is very limited.

want to start their own company; but, in fact, what they could learn
een as light business reading for a doctor or teacher, though, this book

would provide some

od entertainment.

1/ The reviewer sugg

ts that one advantage of the book is that

A it is better va e than other management books.

B it does not ne d to be read right through.
C it is about we I-known people.
2/ The book concentr tes on the fact that the twenty executives who are interviewed
A work in a nu ber of different industries.
B started their

mpanies.

C have worked or different lengths of time.

3/ The reviewer cann t accept Stuart's opinions because Stuart
A makes unrea onable complaints about the interviewees.
B writes too po itively about the interviewees.
C has different
4/ Reading the book

ttitudes towards different interviewees.

ade the reviewer think that

A there are cert in qualities which all Chief Executives need.

B it is difficult 0 discover how people really run a company.
C running a co pany is easier than many people think.
5/ Which parts of the ook did the reviewer most enjoy reading?
A how the inte iewees became Chief Executives
B what sort of eople the interviewees are
C the advice gi en by the interviewees
6/ The reviewer reco mends the book for people who
A intend to set p in business.
B want to beeD e seniormanagers.

C are outside the field of business.

PASSAGE 6
I know that it is my job to make sure that everything goes well for

e tourists and I feel I

work hard for the company. I cannot be blamed for last week. I met

e group at the airport

and took them to the coach. The coach driver was a bit annoyed beca se the flight was late.
But it wasn't far to the hotel and everyone was looking forward to t eir dinner. We hadn't
used the Hotel Riviera before but our normal one had a conference in t so was fully booked.
When I announced our arrival at the reception desk, they said they

ere full. I had booked

rooms for the group but the manager said they were cancelled by phon a few days before. He
insisted that he recognised my voice and that I had made the phone
argument but they obviously didn't have enough rooins. In the end the
hotels in the town and found rooms for everyone but in four different
coach had gone so we had to get taxis and some of the tourists started
me. I still don't know who made that phone call but it definitely wasn't

I. We had a bit of an
anager phoned other
otels. By this time the
get very angry with
e.

1/ What is the writer trying to do?

A argue
B

apologise

explain

D complain
21 Who was the text written to?
A one of the tourists
B

the writer's employer

C the hotel manager

D the coach company
3/ Why weren't any rooms available at the Hotel Riviera?
A A conference was taking place there.
B

There were more people in the group than expected.

Someone had forgotten to book them.

Someone had said they were not needed.

4/ What happened in the end?

A The tourists got angry with the hotel manager.
B The tourists couldn't stay together.
e

The writer found other hotels with rooms.

D The writer called the coach driver back.

5/ Which of the following diaries was written by one of the tourists?

45 R

Someone h d made a mistake with our hotel booking and the hotel had given our
rooms to ot er people.

B The hotel

e were taken to wasn't good enough so we asked to change to a

different 0
C

We got to

e airport and had to wait for the coach. So it was really late when we

got to the h tel.

D The coach river 'took us to the wrong hotel and they knew nothing about us.

****

PASSAGE 7
GROWING RESTAURANT CHAIN
Simon Dale, the c airman and founder of the Dalehouse restaurant chain, yesterday
announced plans to

pen a further 20 restaurants and create 600 new jobs in the next four

years. The group hop s to open 4 of the new restaurants by the end of this year, creating up to
120 jobs. The progr

me will result in a chain of over 100 Dalehouse restaurants in towns

and cities all over the United Kingdom by the end of the four-year period.
The company also h

a limited programme of expansion in other countries. There are plans

for the company to open its third restaurant abroad towards the middle of next year as
planning permission was recently received for a restaurant in the south of Spain. At the
moment there is a D lehouse restaurant in Germany and another in Denmark. Negotiations
are already taking pi ce about opening two more restaurants in Germany and three more in
Spain.
Mr Dale said yesterd y: 'Our plans are ambitious and there is no doubt that in some ways t ay
are quite frightening. But we've been in business for twenty years and a lot of our staff have
been with us for mos of that time and, as a result, have experience of things growing at a fast
rate.'
The Dalehouse chai

currently has 82 restaurants, all in town centre locations. The group is

planning now to ex and further in residential areas. The company intends to continue its
tradition of having

ost of its restaurants open from midday until midnight seven days a

week. It will also co inue to open restaurants in buildings which were originally designed for
a different purpose.
Certain financial jou

alists wonder whether the company will be able to find enough cash to

finance its plans Mr

ale, however, remains positive. 'It is true,' he says, 'that we will not be

able to finance the pans without some support from the banks. and we are in the process of
arranging this at the

46 R

oment. Most of the money, however, will come from the amount we

have kepi back from our profits for future investment in the b siness. We opened 4
restaurants last year so an expansion programme of 5 this year an
outside the normal rate of growth. We have had hardly any problems

6 next would not be

nancing our expansion

in the past and expect this to continue in the future.

11After four years there will be
A a total of 600 people employed by Dalehouse restaurants.
B a Oalehouse restaurant in over 120 UK towns and cities.
C 20 more Oalehouse restaurants than there are at present.
2/ How many Oalehouse restaurants are there in other countries at the

omen!?

A One.
B

Two.

Three.

3/ What does Mr Dale say about the company's employees?

A Most of them have worked for Oalehouse since it started.
B Most of them have enjoyed being in a growing company.
C

Many of them have seen the company developquickly.

4/ What will be different about the new Dalehouse restaurants?

A

Some will be away from town centres.

Son.e will be in buildings not planned as restaurants.

Some will be open every day of the week.

5/ What does Mr Dale have to say about financing the company's plans.
A Oalehouse has already arranged loans to help with the financ
B

Oalehouse will need help from the banks.

Oalehouse has enough money to finance its plans without hel

6/ What does Mr Dale say about problems caused by expansion?

A There have only been minor problems.
B There will be fewer problems in the future.
C

There have been very few problems.

.....
PASSAGE 8
COMPUTER

SOFTWARE

As more and more companies are using the Internet to do business, M rk Williams explains
how a new software package is helping the efficient transfer of medi ines from factory to
patient.
AHL Pharmaceuticals is one of Britain's largest wholesale distributors

f medicines. Under a

European parent company, Setra AG, it covers 40 per cent of the British market. The

47 R

company buys medici es from the manufacturers and delivers them on a twice-daily basis to
hundreds of hospitals

d pharmacies around the country.

"The responsibility f< supplying such large quantities of medicines is frightening,' says IT
director, Stephen Smi h. 'If a manufacturer has quality control problems, creating a shortfall
in supply, or if medic' es are suddenly needed in large quantities somewhere else in the world
our stock levels can

II dramatically. In the past such a lack of balance between supply and

demand was a huge

roblem. With our new software system, we know immediately of any

possible manufacturi g or supply difficulties, can warn our customers and suggest possible
alternatives.'
This system is so ef lcient because manufacturers can update details themselves of stock
levels and product i ormation. Twice a day staff at AHL transfer this data to their main
computer system wh e it is made available through the AHL website to company personnel
and customers.
With so many people aving access to the data,isn't the security of the system at risk? 'Not at
all,' says Smith. 'We un the software within our own internal security system. The data goes
into a special "sand x" which is separate from the rest of the system. Even if someone
manages to get into t

software, they can't go anywhere else on the network.'

And does he think th t this is the limit of the software's use? 'The first time I saw this I had
the feeling that life w uld be different from now on. Instead of having lots of pieces of paper
flying around, an exp nsion of the software system into the purchasing department means that
orders can now be d It with in a moment. The only delay to further expansion is deciding
what area of the com

ny to apply it to next.'

II AHL Pharmaceuti

Is

A manufactur s medicines.
B

puts drug c mpanies in contact with customers.

supplies m

icines to customers.

2/ According to the te t, what is the challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers?

A developing n w types of medicines
B transportin
C

medicines to other countries

ensuring a onstant supply of medicines

3/ The most importan function of the new software is to

A

maintain th quality of customer service.

expand the ustomer network worldwide.

inform pati nts about better quality medicines.

4/ New information a out medicines

48 R

is updated y the manufacturers twice a day.

is made av 'Iable to customers by AHL personnel.

company buys medic nes from the manufacturers and delivers them on a twice-daily basis to
hundreds of hospitals nd pharmacies around the country.
The responsibility fi r supplying such large quantities of medicines is frightening,' says IT
director, Stephen Smi h. 'If a manufacturer has quality control problems, creating a shortfall
in supply, or if medic es are suddenly needed in large quantities somewhere else in the world
our stock levels can

II dramatically. In the past such a lack of balance between supply and

demand was a huge

roblem. With our new software system, we know immediately of any

possible manufacturi g or supply difficulties, can warn our customers and suggest possible
alternatives.

'

This system is so ef lcient because manufacturers can update details themselves of stock
levels and product in ormation. Twice a day staff at AHL transfer this data to their main
computer system whe e it is made available through the AHL website to company personnel
and customers.
With so many people aving access to the data,isn't the security of the system at risk? 'Not at
all,' says Smith. 'We

n the software within our own internal security system. The data goes

into a special "sandb x" which is separate from the rest of the system. Even if someone
manages to get into th software, they can't go anywhere else on the network.'
And does he think th

this is the limit of the software's use? 'The first time I saw this I had

the feeling that life w uld be different from now on. Instead of having lots of pieces of paper
flying around, an exp

sion of the software system into the purchasing department means that

orders can now be de It with in a moment. The only delay to further expansion is deciding
what area of the comp ny to apply it to next.'
1/ AHL Pharmaceutic Is
A

manufactur medicines.

B
C

panies in contact with customers.

supplies m

icines to customers.

2/ According to the te t, what is the challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers?

A developing ne. types of medicines
B

transporting medicines to other countries

ensuring a c nstant supply of medicines

3/ The most important function of the new software is to

A maintain the quality of customer service.
B

expand the c stomer network worldwide.

inform patie ts about better quality medicines.

4/ New information ab ut medicines

48 R

is updated b the manufacturers twice a day.

is made avai able to customers by AHL personnel.

is given direct to customers by manufacturers.

5/ Stephen Smith feels that

A the security of information on the network used to be a wo
B

all the data should be stored on the same system.

C the company's computer-based information is well-protected

6/ The new software
A can be used in many areas of the company's business.
B will soon totally replace the need for paper documents.
C

is delaying the expansion of the purchasing department.

...**
PASSAGE 9
INTERVIEWS
People applying for jobs normally send in a copy of their CV. This s

uld be used as a basis

for questions from the interviewer.

.
Interviewers find it useful to ask candidates about the way they behav d in difficult situations
in the past, for example with an angry customer or colleague.

ese questions allow

applicants to explain how they acted in a real-life situation and, conse .uently, give clues as to
how they would act again in similar situations. Candidates are lik Iy to tell the truth as
speaking from memory leaves little time to invent what happen

On the other hand

questions which ask candidates to imagine how they would behave in a situation which they
have probably never met are of little or no value. This is because the only provide answers
about how candidates would hope to behave, and this might not match the actions they would
actually take.
In any interview candidates must be treated fairly, with questions as
and with no candidate's interview lasting considerably longer than

in the same manner

yother's.

Candidates

should always be given the opportunity to ask questions throughout th

Jan Godley, head of Human Resources at Aspley Supermarkets says:'

company needs staff

not only who have the right qualifications and experience, but also

ho are happy to fit in

with the company's way of doing things. Our managers have to accep the idea that everyone
working here is a colleague (managers are always known by their first names). and that
spending time actually in the store with colleagues and customers, ra er than in their offices,
is part of the job. For management posts, we organise pre--intervi w group exercises to
measure team-working

and leadership skills, sometimes along wi h activities to assess

personal qualities.
'In all our interviews we pay attention to body language. It is naturallfor candidates to show
signs of being nervous at an interview but most relax after a few mi

tes and become more

49 ~

confident. However, if the nervousness continues until the end of the interview, especially
when difficult questi ns are asked, we would begin to have doubts about that candidate. Like
all employers, we w t to take on staff who are at ease with colleagues and customers so itis
important to watch t

way candidates behave, as well as listen to what they have to say.'

1/ According to the a icle, why are questions about a candidate's past behaviour useful?
A They prov the candidate will act appropriately in different circumstances.
B They show'the candidate can remember details of the situation.
C

They dem nstrate how the candidate might act in the future.

2/ Why is asking can idates to imagine their reactions to a situation unhelpful?

A

Candidatesimay have no experience of this situation.

Candidatesimay act differently in the real-life situation.

Candidates ,may never meet such a situation.

3/ According to the

icle,

A candidates hould ask questions at the end of the interview.

B

interviewe

should ask all the candidates the same question.

interviews

hould all last for roughly the same length of time.

4/ What does Jan Go ley say about the managers in 'her company?
A They must 'pend some time with customers in the store.
B

They must' now the first names of all their staff.

They must pend most of their time in their offices.

5/ Management appli ants at Aspley Supermarkets are

A asked a nu ber of questions about their personal qualities.
B

assessed on their ability to work within a group.

asked to sa what leadership skills the job will require.

6/ According to Jan
A They show

bdley, how do candidates often behave at interviews?

lack of confidence at first.

B They are sk lied at hiding their nervousness.

C

They sudde ly lose confidence when asked difficult questions.

*****
PASSAGE 10
W MEN RUNNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS
According to recent r search, a third of new companies set up in Britain are run by women.
Typical examples are Lisa Simons, who started up her own highly successful clothing shops
in London with a loa of 15,000 from her bank, and Kate Rogers, who set up Cellar Cafes
five years ago and sol out to a major restaurant chain this month, at a profit of 3 million.

50 I<

There are many other examples. Surprise, a mail order company selli g unusual gifts, had a
turnover of 4 million last year. The company was started by Claire F ler five years ago in a
garage, but later moved into premises in the centre of Coventry.

imilarly, Nina Taylor

started her company, NC Books, in an old warehouse in Bristol. A law er by training, she had
no previous experience of the retail trade but believes that this wo ed to her advantage.
'Having no knowledge of the book trade,' she says, 'allowed me to br g fresh ideas into the
business. '
Young women are also running successful businesses, like Maria

ellows and Christine

Craig, both still in their early twenties. Together they set up Denlow

ecruitment Agency in

an office in Liverpool less than two years ago; the firm now has six 0 lees and a staff of 38.
Another young woman, American-born Amy Bailey, could not find an good coffee shops in
England so she set up Coffee Choice. Company in ,1994. Two years ago a large American
group bought the company, although Amy continues to playa leading
There are many reasons why women want to run their own busine

in the business.

. One

is that they are

increasingly confident that they are capable of doing this. Another i that many no longer
want to work for companies which fail to offer satisfying careers.'

men's businesses are

often more successful than those run by men,' says Denise Johnson, 0 the National Business
Bank, 'because women are good at looking ahead and seeing what wil be best for a business

- they

find it very satisfying.'

II One-third of new British businesses

A. consist of chain companies.
B. are owned or managed by women.
C. operate within the food sector.
21 What does the second paragraph tell us about the company called Su rise?
A. The company delivers its products by post.
B. The company has made a profit every year.
C. The company operates from a garage.
31 What did Nina Taylor think helped her when she started her busines ?
A. having a good knowledge of the law
B. being the owner of a warehouse
C. knowing nothing about the book trade
41 What shows that Denlow Recruitment Agency has been a success?
A. It has been in business for more than two years.
B. It has recruited 25 new employees.
C. It has opened several new offices.
51 Coffee Choice Company was established
A. to fill a gap in the market.
51 R

1
I

,,

I
ng competition.

B. despite st

C. with finan e from the US.

61According to th ~!final paragraph women want to run their own business because they
A. enjoy lear~ing new skills.
B. like maki.]g plans for the future.
C. prefer wo~ing for small companies.

.......

Ii

PASSAGE II
i

Contrary to the frtntic pace of today's economic environment, the origin of banking and
capital markets inl the United States was not an overnight phenomenon.

The form of

organization calle4 a corporation developed very slowly in the states. Early joint-stock
5

companies, in whIch each member was responsible for the obligations of the mutual
enterprise, were 9rincipallY nonprofit corporations for religious worship, philanthropy,
.education, or land 10mpanies. Commercial corporations didn't make their appearance until the
early to mid-1700sj with a Connecticut trading corporation, a Massachusetts wharf company,
a number of fire linsurance and water supply companies, and the United Company of
!

10

Philadelphia, whic~ was organized to promote industry. By the late 1700s, particularly the
period from 1783110 1789, the corporate- structure expanded when numerous corporations
were organized for Ibuilding roads, canals, and bridges and for banking.
America's first pri~ate commercial bank, the Bank of North America, was chartered by
Congress on Decetber

15

31, 1781. The Bank of New York and the Bank of Massachusetts

followed in 1784, ~ut all these banks were local and limited. In December 1791, national

banking originated iwith the first national bank, which opened its main office in Philadelphia.
In 1816, the secot

national bank was chartered for twenty years. Meanwhile state banks

began to proliferat9' throughout the country.

20

The late 1800s sat an emergence of investment banking houses that promoted mergers in
railroads, utilities, ,nd factories and provided the capital for expansion. Commercial banking
also flourished, b~t after a high rate of bank failures, the Federal Reserve System was
established in 19131to correct deficiencies in existing banking legislation on the national and
,
state levels. The Fe~eral Reserve Act set the foundation for modem banking.
,
II Where in the pasfage does the author define joint-stock companies?
A Lines 3-7

B Lines 7-101
CLines 13-lf

D Lines 20-2

21 Which of the fol~owing is NOT true about the origin of banking in the United States?

A The first private commercial bank was chartered by Congress

B The early banks were limited in scope.
C Banking developed rapidly in the United States.
D The first national bank was located in Philadelphia.

iT 1781.
,I,
:1
,:

31According to the passage, when did commercial corporations appear I n the United States?
A After 1800
B Before the 1600s
C Around 1750
Din 1791
41 What does the passage mainly discuss?
A How mergers provided the capital for expansion of railroads, u~'lities,and factories
I
B The establishment of the Federal Reserve System
,

C How commercial corporations developed from nonprofit comp nies

D The origin and development of banks and corporations

51The words "all these banks" in line 15 refer to

A private commercial banks
B national banks
C investment banking houses
D nonprofit corporations
61 Where in the passage does the author's focus move from corporations! to banks?
A Lines 8
B Line 13
CLine 17
D~n

71 Which of the following could be used to replace the word "phenomenl>n" in line 2?
A Factor
'I

B Occurrence
C Development
(I Examination
81In line 20, the word "capital" is closest in meaning to
A building materials
B large city
C financial resources
D corporate structure

****.

PASSAGE

12

The Norwegian Goternment

control. A new la1limits

is doing its best to keep the growth of the oil industry under
exploration to an area south of the southern end of the long

coastline; productiorylimits have been laid down (though these have already been raised); and

oil companies have not been allowed to employ more than a limited number of foreign
I

workers. But the oil Industry has a way of getting over such problems, and few people believe
that the Governmenj will be able to hold things back for long. As one Norwegian politician
said last week: 'We -till soon be changed beyond all recognition'.
Ever since the war, (he Government has been carrying out a programme of development in
the area north of the IArctic Circle. During the past few years this programme has had a great

deal of success: Tr<jmso

has been built up into a local capital with a university, a large
,
hospital and a healthy industry. But the oil industry has already started to draw people south,
and within a few yea~s the whole northern policy could be in ruins.
The effects of the detelopment of the oil industry would not be limited to the north, however.
With nearly IOO-per-Fent employment, everyone can see a situation developing in which the
service industries an1 the tourist industry will lose most of their workers to the oil industry.
,
Some smaller industpes might even disappear altogether when it becomes cheaper to buy
I
goods from abroad. I
The real argument o~r oil is its threat to the Norwegian way of life. Farmers and fishermen
do not make up the rajOrity of the population but they are an important part of it because
Norwegians see in t~em many of the qualities that they regard with pride as essentially
Norwegian. And it isl'the farmers and the fishermen who are most critical of the oil industry
because ofthe damagr that it might cause to the countryside and to the sea.
I! The Norwegian G+ernment

would prefer the oil industry to

slow down jts rate of development.

provide moje jobs for Norwegians.

look for 011bn the southern coast.

develop mofe quickly than at present.

II

2/ What has the Nor~gian

since the war?

Government's policy been for the area north of the Arctic Circle

I,

To prevent IIgrowth in population.

To improve Ifacilities in the area.

C To develop large tourist industry.

o

~
To discoura~e industrial development.

3/ What might be the ,rfect of the oil industry on northern Norway?

A The develop!"ent of industry.

A growth in population~

The failure of the development programme.

D The development of new towns.

4/ln Norway, one effect of the development of the oil industry might If

A a large reduction in unemployment.

B

an increase in unemployment in the north.

C a reduction in the number of existing industries.

'I

!I

the development of a number of service industries.

5/ Why are Norwegian farmers and fishermen important?

A

The economy depends on agriculture and fishing.

They form the majority of the population.

They are thought of as the real Norwegians.

They are responsible for preventing pollution.

.***..

PASSAGE

13

The' Alaska pipeline starts at the frozen edge of the Arctic Ocean. lIt stretches southward
I
across the largest and northernmost state in the United States, endi g at a remote ice-free
seaport village nearly 800 miles from where it begins. It is massiv
,

in size and extremely

.

complicated to operate.

The steel pipe crosses windswept plains and endless miles of

frozen ground. 11weaves through

delic te tundra that tops the

crooked canyons, climbs sheer

ountains, plunges over

rocky crags, makes its way through thick forests, and passes over or ,nder hundreds of rivers
and streams. The pipe is 4 feet in diameter, and up to 2 million barrel' (or 84 million gallons)
I
of crude oil can be pumped through it daily.
10

Resting on H-shaped steel racks called "bents," long sections of the ipeline follow a zigzag
I.
course high above the frozen earth. Other long sections drop out of ght beneath spongy or
I
rocky ground and return to the surface later on. The pattern of the , ipeline's up-and-down
route is determined by the often harsh demands of the arctic and subarctic climate, the
tortuous lay of the land, and the varied compositions of soil, rock, or

15

~ rmafrost

(permanently

'
frozen ground). A little more than half of the pipeline is elevated rbove
the ground. The
,
'

remainder is buried anywhere from 3 to 12 feet, depending largely t/pon the type of terrain
.

and the properties of the soil.

One of the largest in the world, the pipeline cost approximately $8 illion and is by far the
.
biggest and most expensive construction project ever undertaken by rivate industry. In fact,

20

no single business could raise that much money, so 8 major oil companies formed a
I

consortium in order to share the costs. Each company controlled ~il rights to particular
I
'

5'5 R

shares of land in the !~il

, tields and paid into the pipeline-construction fund according to the
size of its holdings! Today, despite enormous problems of climate, supply shortages,
equipment

breakdo,,",ns, labor disagreements,

treacherous

terrain, a certain amount of

mismanagement, and ~ven theft, the Alaska pipeline has been completed and is operating.
II The passage primalily
, discusses the pipeline's
A. operating cosls
B. employees

Ii

C. consumers
D. construction

2/ The word "it" in liIje 3 refers to

A. pipeline
B. ocean
C. state
D. village
3/ According to the p~sage, 84 million gallons of oil can travel through the pipeline each
A. day
B. week
C. month
D. year
4/ The phrase "Restin$ on" in line I0 is closest in meaning to
A. Consisting of
B. Supported by

Ii
il

C. Passing under'
D. Protected with'
5/ The author mentionf all of the following as important in determining the pipeline's route
EXCEPT the
A. climate
B. lay of the landliitself
C. local vegetatit
D. kind of soil anf rock
6/ The word "undertaktn" in line 19 is closest in meaning to
A. removed

C. transported

B. selected

D. attempted
Ii
7/ How many companits shared the costs of constructing the pipeline?
A. 3

C. 8

B. 4

D. 12

8/ The word "particula~" in line 21 is closest in meaning to

56 R

A. peculiar
B. sped fie
C. exceptional
D. equal

I
9/ Which of the following determined what percentage of the construction costs each member
of the consortium would pay?
A. How much oil field land each company owned
B. How long each company had owned land in the oil fields
C. How many people worked for each company
D. How many oil wells were located on the company's land
10/ Where in the passage does the author provide a teno for an earth c<ivering that always
remains frozen?
A. Lines 3-4
B. Line 10-11
C. Line 14-15
D. Line 23-24

......

11What does the pas$age mainly discuss?

A Routine use~ of computers
B Computer gr~phics applications
C The rapidly growing field of computer science
D Computers $ the architects of the future
2/ The word "it" in li~e 3 refers to
A computer gr~phics
B computer sci~nce
C fields
D computers
3/ The paragraph foll~wing this passage would most likely be about
A computer a,Jimation
B flight trainint
C cost models !,
D applications bf CAD in medicine
4/ According to the plissage, architects use CAD to
A inspect buildIngs
B create graph~
C make cartogrllphic materials
D create three-Jimensional models
5/ Where in the pasJage does the author discuss the greatest advantage of computer-aided
design?
A Lines 1-4
B Lines 6-8
Clines

14-16

DLines

17-19'

!
!,

6/ According to the p.ssage, engineers use CAD for

A a simulated "\valk" through model rooms
!
B rendering ma~hine parts
!
C making cost models
!,

D advertising

!
7/ The word "applications" in line 18 means
Ajobs
Buses
C creativity
D layers

,
:1

8/ Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a use of computer graphics in business?

,

A Charts
B Cost models
C Graphs
D Hiring

**.*.

PASSAGE

15

Every organisation has its share of employees-from-hell: the lazy, dtluded, hypochondriac
underperformers. They are difficult to manage and miserable to work ",ith. Their productivity
is low and their ability to poison staff morale high. They are, alas, always well-entrenched
and management-resistant.

Interestingly, their numbers in any organisttion have more to do

with management's refusal to deal with the situation than with poor $lection. That is, their
existence

in the organisation

is nearly always due

to a

long line of weolk managers

who have

declined to tackle the Problem.

!'
Traditionally, there are three classic ineffective ways of dealing with! the incompetent The
first is to ignore the problem, hoping that it will go away. Rather thar confront laziness or
serious absenteeism, the manager gives the employee less work to do. ~his inevitably leads to
frustration on the part of the good hardworking staff who see the pro~lem employee getting
away with it. The second approach, which has traditionally been the in~st favoured, is to pass
them on.
There is usually a part of any business where people believe the poo~ performer can do no
damage. Alternatively, poor performers can be moved to another bran~h in the dreariest part
of town, or to another town, or even to another country. A clever varifmt of this tactic is to
herd all the incompetent employees into one part of the company th~t is then sold off or
privatised.
II
There is a third approach which is to promote the incompetent. Thf sounds bizarre and
exceedingly stupid but is not infrequently adopted. The idea is that, altf10ugh these posts are
" which incompetent
quite senior and well-paid, the actual jobs are fairly pointless ones ib
I
people can hide without doing any serious damage. The employee is th*s confirmed in his or

her delusions of competence. All three of these strategies are the result cf not dealing with the
II

problem early on. Many managers find dealing with incompelenc~ very difficult. The
scenario that all managers hate is as follows: show a subordinate . low mark on their
appraisal form. The employee first wants the behaviour defined; then ~ants an example of
when this behaviour occurred; then argues about how this incident occ>lrred and how typical
it was. The net result is a row about the past and frustration on the part of both.
A different and more successful method is the problem-solving approactil This insists that one

S9 R

still shows the low score but, rather than attempting to explain it, one describes what needs to
be done differently II>achieve a higher score. The emphasis is on the future not the past; on a
clear description ofllbe desirable behaviour, not the incompetent behaviour. The touchy or
sensitive employee rjormally responds to this reasonably well.
Nevertheless, there .re those who cannot, or will not, respond to good management. They
may be unable to d~ the job due to not having the ability to learn ever-changing tasks fast
enough.
They may be distra<jted by problems at home or more likely they have been managed very
poorly in the past. T~ere is really only a very limited number of things that can be done with
the really incompete.t. Buy them out, which may be the best solution for all concerned; raise
the game by making, sure they are given ever higher but reachable targets. A final strategy is
to insist that they hawe an annual psychological test where a disinterested outside consultant
does a motivation ",alysis

and has the power to recommend that they be let go

not

encouraged to go to 'another part of the organisation, but into the bracing waters of the job
market.
II What criticism do<lsthe writer make of managers in the first paragraph?
A They lose inrrest in the issue of incompetent employees.
B They fail to ~e

a finn line with inefficient employees.

e They have lille idea of what is really required of their staff.

"
D They often make
bad decisions when choosing new staff.
II
2/ What is the effect <Ifthe first of the methods suggested for dealing with incompetent stam
,

A It has only a $hort-tenn effect on the problem.

B It means that:better workers will not have to work so hard.
I
e It makes gooa workers aware that problems are being dealt with.
D It sends a ne1ative message to those who do their job well.
3/ln both the secondl and third ineffective methods of dealing with incompetent employees,
!:
the managers' aim is

A have all ofthf incompetent staff working in the same part of the company.
B improve the "titude of the incompetent staff to work by giving them promotion.
e put the inco""etent

staff in a situation where they can do as little hann as possible.

D make the woril<so unattractive that the incompetent staff want to leave.
4/ The writer says in the fifth paragraph that employees who are given a low mark on their
appraisal form will

II
A demand a detti led explanation of what they have done wrong.
B claim that speFial circumstances have had an effect on their work.

e deny that theil work has been in any way unsatisfactory.

D argue that they t~nd the work they have had to do frustrating.

GaR

5/ In the sixth paragraph the writer says that when talking to an inl:ompetent employee a
manager should
A make no reference to the most recent appraisal mark.
B compare the work of the employee with that of more efficient jorkers.

C make clear what will happen if performance does not approve.

D explain to the employee how he or she can gain a better apprai~aI mark.
6/ What does the writer suggest as a way to deal with incompetent ~mployees who fail to
respond even to a problem-solving approach?
A Set them targets which it would be impossible to attain.
B Give them a test designed to identify their strengths.
C Pay them a sum of money to leave the company.
D Get an outside consultant to find them another job.

.......

PASSAGE 16

I,

KEYS TO UNLOCK PATH OF CAREER FUiJFILLMENT

It used to be called vocational guidance. Then it became careers adviceiland counselling. Since
the late 1920s there have been various tests to help guide bewilder~ .. and guileless school
leavers into job categories suited to their interests and ahilities. Hen extroverts have been
advised, wisely, to go into sales and marketing, where they thrive on he variability, peoplecontact and air of optimism. Introverts, on the other hand, find the

~. iet

work of accounts,

stores and engineering, where they can work alone in a less peo Ie-orientated, frenetic

t
.

atmosphere, more to their taste.

But good careers advisors need to look at other factors when giVinJ advice. For example,
careers counselling is flawed if it fails to allow for the possihility of Jeople adapting to, and
changing, their jobs once they are in them. Most organisations at empt through various
explicit (induction, mentoring, training, appraisal) and implicit (re iance on observation)

techniques to mould behaviour into an acceptable pattern. This means hat attitudes and even
aptitudes of employees maybe changed over the first year of employm~nt, sometimes, but not
always, in the direction desired by the organisation. Thus what was la 'fit' may easily and
quickly develop into a 'misfit'

and vice versa.

.

I
,

Individuals also change their jobs without leaving them. They rearranfe furniture, use space
and technology differently and personalise different aspects of the j~b. They can negotiate
with colleagues, earn special privileges and use other means to improvj, their role and output.
I
In this sense, very soon they are doing the job differently from t~eir predecessors, and
possibly from the way recommended by the company. However, both/adaptation of personal

work-style and a*mpts to change the way of doing the job are more likely to lead to a higher
level of'fit',

bec3lJse the changes are usually all attempts to increase 'fit'.

And jobs themOlelves change.

Organisational

restructuring,

the development

of new

technology, chan!!es in the market, and so on, all mean that jobs evolve fairly fast. Because of
the speed oftechn!,logical development, all jobs are in a state of flux. Job analysis is therefore
becoming less relevant to careers advice. Counsellors'

analysis has to focus instead on

personal potential 'rather than current knowledge or skill. And the features of such analysis are

potential speed anb thoroughness in the acquisitionof new knowledge and skills.
The areas that a/-e probably most predictive of these are intelligence and personality.
Intelligence is prdbably the best predictor of speed of learning. Often, intelligent people are
curious and self-cDnfident and hence happy to tackle new tasks. Intelligent people are belter
and quicker at analysing both logical and deductive and creative problems. Probably the most
important personality dimensions are conscientiousness and neuroticism. Conscientious
people soon get a tood reputation which serves them in good stead. Coupled with ability, this
I
trait is a sure-fir~ career winner. On the other hand, neuroticism is a deep and abiding
handicap. It is nol easy to 'cure' and can have a lasting effect on a career. Neurotics are
I
unhappy and tend to be dissatisfied, stressed and complaining in all jobs they have. The
consistency of thdir behaviour leads them to develop a poor reputation in the workplace
which of course can be self-fulfilling.
Success in the jobin 2020 can be assessed now. We have little idea what the world of work
will be like, but a<lvisors can do a reasonable job in assessing the potential of the individual
within it because I they know the predictors of success. And it is these predictors that
counsellors need td attend to if they are to give the best advice.
II What does the Writer say about careers advice in the first paragraph?
A. Those recbving it have sometimes disagreed with it.
B. It has favJured certain types of people over others.
C. Some of the standard advice given has been appropriate.
D. It has acq~ired a more appropriate title than it used to have.
21 What does the writer say about organisations in the second paragraph?
A. They can lurn suitable employees into unsuitable ones.

" have a low opinion of careers advisors.

B. Many of them
C. They are ihsensitive to the effect their methods have on employees.
i
D. Many are unclear about what to expect from employees.
31The writer says that when individuals make changes to their jobs,
A. they may not be aware that they are doing this.
I
B. they genemlly have the best of intentions.
C. they are olten afraid of the consequences.

"2. R..

D. they frequently pretend they are not doing this.

41The writer's main point in the fourth paragraph is that
.
I
A. people have become less sure about which career would suit 'em.
B. people no longer want to stay in the same job for a long time. j,
C. the speed of change in the world of work has causedconfusioll.
D. careers advice can no longer focus on the nature of specific jobs.
I
51The writer contrasts conscientious people with neurotic people with fegard to
.II
A. the kind of advice they can be given.
B. their chances of finding employment.
C. the impression they give to colleagues.
D. their willingness to take advice from others.
.
I
61 What is the writer's general view on careers advice in the final paragtaph?

A. Predicting future developments in the job market his become Its key ingredient.
I
B. Whether it is useful or not has become harder to assess.

C. Assessing what people are capable of in the future should be illsfocus.

.
........

D. It has become much less relevant 10today's world of work.

PASSAGE 17
PRODUCTUFE

CYCLES

AND SALES STRAp:EGY

One of the most important concepts in sales management and marketi*

is that of the product

life cycle. This is a historical record of the life of a product, showing fIte stage in its life the
product has reached

at a particular

time. By identifying

the stage that

r product

is in or may

be heading towards, companies can formulate better marketing plaps. All products have
'lives' in as much as they are created, sell with varying profitability ov1r a period of time,
and then become obsolete and are replaced or simply no longer prodfed.

A product's sales

position and profitability can be expected to fluctuate over time and ro, at each successive
stage in the product's cycle, it is necessary to adopt different tactics.

The two main features of the product life cycle are unit sales and uni~ profit. The unit sales
figures usually jump on introduction, as a response to heavy adverti'fng and promotion, as
customers buy the product experimentally. This is generally followed ~y a levelling off while
it is evaluated

the length of this period depending

on the use to whjch the product

is put.

Then, unit sales rise steadily through the growth phase to the matFity phase, when the
"

product is widely accepted, and so on to saturation level. By this time, competitors will have
I
entered the market with their own version and, from this point, the s~es tearn will have to
,.
work even harder to win all additional sales. Eventually, the product'", sales decline as better
.

versions enter the market and competition becomes too strong.

63 R

In retrospect, mo$t firms know what happened to their products from launch to withdrawal.
They can compile: this information from the records of unit sales.
Unfortunately, u~it sales are not the complete story as it is unit profit that is the decisive
factor, although t~is is not always recorded accurately. It is this figure that sales management
has to monitor, t~ough, to ensure an effective marketing strategy and to produce effective
profits.,
At launch, the pr<1ductis costed accurately on the basis of production costs plus selling costs.
Initially these remain fairly stable, but, when the product is proving successful, competitors
will bring out the.. own 'copy-cat' products. With a competitor in the field, the original firm
has to respond in lorder to maintain its market position. It can run special sales promotions,
improve deliverie~, make more frequent sales calls and so on. Often the extra expenditure is
not accurately chprged to the product and the result is that, long before unit sales are
noticeably falling,jthe unit profit has already fallen.
The product life cVele, then, presents a picture of what happened in the product's 'lifetime',
so how can this I/e used as an ongoing aid to management decision-making?

Every sales

manager has a chatt on which the progress of sales is plotted and this can be used as a guide
to the stage of development each product is currently in. An essential management skill is
being able to interWretsales results and draw in the stages as they occur. Deciding where each
stage begins and e~ds can be a random exercise, though usually the stages are based on where
the rate of sales grqwth or decline becomes pronounced.
II According to the text, the end of a product's life cycle is marked by
A a sharp rist in production costs.
B the producl becoming outdated.
C an increas~ in customer complaints.
D less sUPpolI from sales management.

21 What does the writer say about sales management in the first paragraph?
A Companie~ should spend more time on their sales planning.
B There are ~any managers who need to improve their sales performance.
C Most sales ,.,anagers fail to recognise which stage a product has reached.
D The sales approach should change with each phase of the product life cycle.
31 According to the Itext, a greater sales effort is required for a product when
A it is particujarly innovative.
B the adverti~ng budget has been cut.
C rival comp~nies start to produce something similar.
D consumer i~terest switches to a new product category.
41 According to the !ext, a good marketing strategy must primarily be concerned with
A sales statistics.

B product details.
C consumer data.
o profit information.
5/ According to the text, profit levels may fail to correspond to the vol<fne of sales because
I.
A the full selling costs have not been taken into account.
B the production costs were not estimated correctly.
C there are unforeseen problems with distribution.
o there has been a lack of economic stability.
6/ What does the writer say about the charts that show sales progress? ,
A It is a matter of judgement where one sales phase finishes and jrnother begins.
B Managers should review policy when a sharp fall in sales is in1icated.
C It is difficult to see how sales charts can provide sufficient gui4ance to managers.
o Managers should get confirmation of the data they plot on the ~ales charts.

(;5 R

READING CLOZE

43

READING

CLOZE

Fill each of the num ered blanks in the following passage. Use only ONE word in each space.

Passage 1
MyHelp.com
MyHelp.com

(I) a company which provides help when its

customers have a I t of

(2) need it. The

(3) but little time, so they need

(5) of da Iy activities

- finding babysitters,

arranging holidays,

(4) with
(6) tickets,

and so on.
The company also a

ges special birthday

like sword-swallowin

(7) or finds teachers for unusual activities,

. Most of its customers are aged

(8) 28 and 40. They pay 1,000

per year for the servi e. They phone up and say, 'I
coming for dinner. C

you give me a

(9) a problem. I have six people

(IO)?' or 'I need new windows in my house. Can

you organize it?'

*****

Passage 2
CHEF IN SURFERS PARADISE
Carl Owen runs a res urant in Surfers Paradise in Queensland, Australia. He doesn't have much
time (I)

y busy period is January to March - it's summer in Australia, and we get a

lot of customers. I cI se the restaurant (2)

(3)

,and tea

holiday (4)

two weeks in May, because it's a quiet

my family. All my staff take their anoualleave

then. In August I usua Iy (5)

in Thailand and Japan, to (6)

new ideas from
the restaurants there. There are a lot of sports events in our region, which are good for
(7)

. In uly we have the Gold Coast Marathon, then in October we have the Indy

300.'
Public holidays, like
big barbecue
(10)

hristmas and New Year, are also (8)

on (9)

Day, and for New Year's

for Carl. 'We organize a

Eve we offer a candle-lit

with. fireworks at midnight.'

*****

Passage 3
FREE TIME? MY JOB IS MY FREE TIME!
Do you love your job? Really LOVE your job? I don't mean like your job - many of us like our
jobs, but do you have

44

job that is (I)

your hobby? Ajob you spend all your free time

video games all day,' every day. 'I don't have

doing? Mary Lin does. She (2)

(3)

to go to the cinema or go out. I eat (4)

at restaurants every night,

but that's because I don't like cooking. I play video games because i 's an important part of my
(5)

, but also because I enjoy it. I play an hour a (6)

play a lot (7)

at work and then I

when I get home.' Mary (8)

produces video games and she's (9)

products. 'I travel (10)

for a company that

for finding game

and developing them into

the world about three times a year

d play games - that's my

free time! '

*****

Passage 4
A 21ST CENTURY ICON?
The Sony Walkman was (I)

of the most famous products 0 the last century. The small

box was cheap and it was the easiest (2)

century it was nonnal to (3)

to hear your favou ite songs. By the end of the

.n, in the car, or on your
to the newest music on the

bicycle. But as technology moved faster at the end of the 20th (4)

and into the

was a more modern way to listen to

21st century, (5)

Like the Walkman, the iPod is popular because it's simple to use.
10,000 songs (7)

over

the Internet and it's also smaller th

the next icon of the 21st century? Perhaps. But

. Other

competition than the Sony Walkman (8)

(9)

a Walkman. So is the iPod

Apple may have stronger
companies are now

wh one of those companies is?

similar products and do you (10)

Sony, of course!

*****

Passage 5
MY FAVOURlTE WORKPLACE
Three people describe their places of work.
Rachel

. There

This is my favourite place to (I)

are five peopl

in my office and it's often

noisy, so I take my laptop and sit here with a coffee and a san wich. I'm (2)

for

payments, so I need quiet. I don't deal with phone calls here, and 1 alw ys finish all my work.
Malcolm
I have plants
(4)

and paintings

(3)

my wall. Theyelp

of the company and I have (5)

me to think.

I'm in

of responsibilities, so 1 need

45

time (6)

meetings and appointments. It's important that my workplace is a nice

place.
Kuba
My office is OK, b t I only solve problems (7)
interesting

conver ations

(8)
(9)

between

the

I walk around. You can have really

ground

floor

and

the

third

floor.

You

talk

: the man in charge of Production and the woman in Sales. We never

,

in the conference room, so I often walk up and down

(10)

it's great

new ideas!

*****

Passage 6
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR
Do you have (I)

it takes to be an entrepreneur? There are many stories to inspire

you

people who stuck at it and succeeded. Two such people

Frank

and Dan Carney. In t e USA in the 1950s fast food was quickly becoming the fast-growth industry

and Frank and Dan

a slice of it. With venture

'

their mother the tw

brothers

Hut brand is recogni

d in over 88

of only $600 trom

some second-hand pizza equipment

opened the first Pizz Hut in Wichita, Kansas in 1958. Forty years

opening at a rate of n arly two

, the Pizza

and has 11,000 restaurants with Pizza Hut stores

day outside the U.S.A.
Information taken from www.pizzahut.com

*****

Passage 7
THE NOKIA WAY
Nokia's success so f; r (I)
committed to (2)
speed and flexibility

core values. Key to maintaining a sharp, competitive edge are

n (3)

decisions are made as (5)

those (6)

making, so Nokia makes (4)

that
to the frontline as possible and implemented by

who are most knowledgeable.

Nokia believes (7)

a flat, non-hierarchical working style facilitating discussion

and openness as (8)

as encouraging entrepreneurism and risk-taking. The

Nokia way is based (9)

(10)

been very much a team effort. The company remains

honesty and integrity and a willingness

to work

in a creative and innovative way in order to pursue high-quality results.

Adaptedfrom www.nokia.com

46

*****

Passage 8
MILLIONAIRE

WHO JUST LOVES CA

John Pajackowski is a tall, thin, fit 54-year-old who is worth an es imated 145 million thanks
(1)

his Car Trader magazines.

1960s, John was working in America, selli g British sports cars. It was

Back in (2)

he was there, he saw a magazi e with pictures of cars for

hard work but (3)

. The magazinewas

(4)
for

a relatively

small

advertise their car in it

regional and anyone (5)

(6)

What

impressed

single advertisement had a picture of the car, unlik

(8)

ohn

most

was that (7)

normal newspaper adverts;

just provided a written description.

Returning to Britain, John put all of his savings into producing a.

gazine like the one he (9)

seen in the States. He started in the London regi n but was soon producing
(10)

magazines for twelve more regions and, by 1990, for three other countries as

well.

*****

Passage 9
STARTING A BUSINESS
Nearly 450,000 businesses are started in Britain every year. One thir

(I)

these stops

trading during the first three years.

so many things ar outside your control. If you

Starting a business is never easy (2)

are thinking about working for yourself, you must
qualities you need to (4)

a business. Be hard with yo

it is better to find out now (5)

than later when your

Ask yourself (6)

you are a good organiser. Is your h

you

elf. If you have a weakness,

usiness could be in danger.
Ith(7)

? Are

making decisions? Do you have any practical experience of the

you good (8)

business

thinking about the

start (3)

want

to start?

Are

you

prepared

money? If you can't (10)

to

work

ong

hours

for very (9)

yes to mos of these questions, perhaps

you should think again about starting up in business on your own.

*****

Passage

10

47

,
Singapore Airlines is (I)

of the world's favourite carriers, and regularly wins awards

from magazines su h as Conde Nast Traveller for the quality of its service. (2)
who fly
SIA praise its com titive prices and the fact that it's (3)
reliable they say that flights
nearly always leav and arrive (4)
The airline was (5

time.
in 1947 and was called Malayan Airways, which changed

later to Malaysia-Si gapore Airlines (MSA). In the early days, (6)

from short-haul flig ts (7)

of the business carne

Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang. In 1972, MSA split

up and Singapore A rlines was formed.

Since those early d ys the airline has expanded. The company has been able to (8)
profit while keepin

a
fares at a reasonable level. It shows other signs of being well managed,

(9)

morale is high and staff turnover is low. Over the next few years it expects to

make savings from ts on-line reservation system which will allow bookings to be made over the
(10)
Takenfrom wwwsingapore.com.

*****

Passage 11
TEAM-BUILDING

THROUGH ACTIVITIES

Nowadays, company bosses are increasingly trying to find unusual team-building events as part of
their training progra me. An activity park (I)
(2)

Fast-track has just opened to offer

events. It specialises (3)

events to attract the corporate

entertainment market (4)

is growing all the time.

The park is situated j st a few kilometres outside the city centre (5)
events that (6)
Clients can try outd

r attractions such as sailing or climbing, (7)

clearly depends enti Iy (8)

kind are perfect team
'I'd (10)

it provides

entertain as well as train.

availability

the weather. Activities of (9)

uilding exercises.
been to an activity park before,' explained James Black, a company

manager. 'Before we arne, I didn't think we (II)

enjoy ourselves so much and I

didn't expect the hug difference that Fast-track's programme has (12)

to my

team. Now we work b tter together than we did before.'

.
Passage

*****

12

Some say you can do i in seven days, others promise success in 24 hours, or you may prefer to take
(I)

48

time and do it in 5 weeks. What are we talking about? Believe it (2)

time refer to language

not, these periods (3)

.

it takes to

learning courses that promise excellent results in less time (4)

say 'Bonjour'!
However, the advertisements of these companies are not necessarily (5

in a good course you

best guide and if you don't know what to look (6)

.

than a large bill.

could be left with little (7)

SpeedLeam

A complaint was recently made (8)

has been forced to remove its claim that its technique

method. The Managing Director

ystems and the company

is ten tin es better than any (9)

of SpeedL

Systems said (10)

we stilt believe our claim is true, we are wilting 0 change our advert. But
"
3 hours (12)
day for 5
the fact remains, if you (1 I)
course you wilt soon be speaking the I ~guage.

weeks on our language

What we (13)

clearer in the advert.

have done was to make (14)

had these annoying compl ints.

Then we wouldn't (15)

*****

Passage 13
In 1846 an Irish immigrant in New York named Alexander Stewart op "ed a business called the
Marble Dry-Goods Palace. By doing so, he gave the world somethi g completely new
department store. Before this, no-one (I)
range of goods

the

tried to ring together such a wide

(2)

a single

. It expanded

roof. The business

did very (3)

staff of two

rapidly and soon had (4)

. In 1862 he moved to

thousand. For Stewart even that was not enough, (5)

he renamee A.T. Stewart's Cast Iron

an eight-storey building nearby, (6)

for many years would remai ,the largest shop in the

Palace. It was, (7)

world.

Others followed Stewart's example and soon there were stores (8)

his in
.

many major cities in the United States. We don't (9)

when people started

calling them department stores. The expression wasn't used in print (I )

1893, when it appeared

in Harper's Magazine,

but the way tha

it is used there (II)

it clear that it was already widely understood.

(12)

is certain is that department stores complet Iy changed the shopping

experience for millions of people. They offered not only an enorm us range of goods, (13)
also levels of comfort, luxury and excitemen
customers.

Almost

from

the

start

they

had

restaurants,

previously unknown to

te 'Iets

and

many

(14)

49

facilities, so (15)

was no need to go elsewhere for

anything.

*****

Passage 14
GUIDELINES FOR GIVING PRESENTATIONS
Most presentations t day depend on the (1)
computer linked to a projector.

of some sort of technology, such as a laptop

While this technology

can help to (2)

presentations better, it also has a habit of getting in the way. As a general rule, it is better to
(3)

on th content of a presentation as a means of gaining your audience's attention,

rather than relying (4

sophisticated equipment.

Bear In (5)

that when an organisation invites bids for a (6)

schedule four or fiv (7)

, they may

from different companies on the (8)

day.

Each of these compa ies will probably be using the same computer graphics packages and the same
equipment. The chan es are the presentations will be similar too.
That's why the conte t and structure of what you say are (9)
want to say and how 0 say it as clearly as (10)
the main (11)

. Think about what you

. As a first step, you need to identify

vou want to get across. Audiences are easily bored and tend to

remember only the m st entertaining, exciting (12)

unusual ideas.

Next create your m terials, choosing the images (13)

your presentation carefully.

Remember you do no want to stop your audience from (14)

to you, nor do you want

to confuse them.
Finally, make all the ecessary arrangements for the equipment you need. If technology is to be an
important element of our presentation, make (15)

you know how to use it properly

and test it out beforeh nd.

*****

Passage 15
NICOLAS-FRANCOIS

APPERT (1749-1841)

Tinned food and dri k is big business: every day more than 175,000 million tins are sold
throughout the world. rhe process by (I)

food products can be preserved in

tins was invented in 1 10 by a Frenchman (2)

His father ran a small hotel, (3)

by

Appert.

. Appert learned about preserving fruit and

vegetables (4)
fascinated

~cholas-Francois

a boy. He then became a cook and sweet-maker and grew

the

idea

of

(5)

able

to

preserve

food

for

(6)

than is naturally possible. He experimented with various foods and finally

50

(7)

in preserving vegetables,

fruit juices an

jams. What he did (8)

to put the food in glass containers which were th n boiled for a long time.
In 1810 the French government offered a prize to (9)
(10)

preserving

high-quality

food.

The

food

who invented a means

was needed (I I)

feed Napoleon's rapidly expanding army and n vy. Appert won the prize
and with the money he received he set (12)
factory. At (13)

a c mmercial food-preserving

Appert used only glass jars

changed to metal containers. His achievements (J 4)
method Was soon in use throughout France and the (J 5)

d bottles but in 1822 he

widely praised and his
of the world.

.51

CO TROLLED WRITING

52

CONTROLLED

WRITING

Make all the cha

es and additions

necessary

to produce,

suggested words an

phrases, sentences which together make a complete passage. Note

carefully from the example what kind of alterations

froHl the the following

needs to be made. Write each

sentence in the spac provided.

Example:

my

nt I born I England I nowl shellive I Perth I Australia I

Answer:

My

nt was born in England, but now she lives in Perth, Australia.

TEST 1

Maria's Beauty Boutiques

1. Maria Wilsonlbel~ mouslManaging Directorl Beauty Boutique International pic.
........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
2. it/belone of Ileadin beauty product chains.
........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
3.Shelbel daughterlS

nish immigrants.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

4.She/bornland/educa

ritain.

.........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
5.She/openl first Beau y Boutique/1976.
........................................................................................................................................................

53

.........................................................................................................................................................

6.It/be/popular /that /she/ open/ five more/shop/3 years.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

7. since then! business/develop/an amazing rate.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

8.chain of Beauty Boutiques/now expand/all over the world.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

TEST 2
1/ Sir Peter Parker/ bel well known! top manager.
,...............................................................................................................................

...............................................

21 he/ study/ history/ Oxford University/ 1947/1950.

..............................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

3/ he/work/as! manager/a nuinber/ company/ during/1950s/1960s.

...................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

4/ he / become/well known!publicl Chairman! British Rail.

54

..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

51 he! join! British R ill 19761 leave! 1983.

..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

61 19781 he! award!

ighthood!the Queen.

....................................................................................-.............................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

71he! appoint! Chai

an! Mitsubishi Electric (UK)I 1984.

..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

81 he! be! first non-J

anese! become! Chainnan!Japanese company.

..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

91 1991/ the Japanes Government! awardl he! the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

101he! write I autobi graphyl For Starters I 1989.

..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

*****

ss

TEST 3
1/ Unilever I British-Dutch company I head offices I Rotterdam and Lo don.

..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

21 It now I own I many well-known consumer brands, I include I Kno ,Lipton's tea, Omo,
Dove I Lux.

...............................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

31 Knorr I their biggest food brand I a strong presence lover 80 countri s I a product range I
include I soups, sauces, bouillons, noodles I complete meals.

..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

41 Today it! employ 1247,000 people 157 countries I sells its products II

0 countries 1150 m

customers.

..................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................

51 Its worldwide turnover 120021 48,760 million euros.

..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

61 It I spend 12.3% I its turnover I Research and Development.

..................................................................................................................................................................

7/11 I have I two global divisions, I callI Food and Home I Personal Care.

56

..................................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

8/ Over 50% / its sale I come I Food Division.

..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

91It I have I 10 region I business groups I meet the needs I local markets.
..................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

101This I make I it I i ternational manufacturer I leading brands I foods, home care I personal
care.
.................................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................................

*******

TEST 5
1. Marks & Spencer!

I most famous British shopl the world.

.....................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

2. at the moment! ther I bel 283 IM&S shopl Britain! other I country.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

3. currently I theyl bui d/large new store! Paris.

........................................................................................................................................................

57

........................................................................................................................................................

4. there/ be! about! 50/ store/ Canada.

........................................................................................................................................................
h

........................................

5. more and more/ people / Hong Kong! Lisbon! buy/ clothes! food! M S

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

6. company/ employ/ 50;000/ employee/ worldwide.

......................................
........................................................................................................................................................

7. sales! increase / 80% /the last ten years.

........................................................................................................................................................

.....................................

8. many/shop / abroad! be / franchise.

.....................................
........................................................................................................................................................

9. owners! franchises! buy/ all/stock! M&S.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

10. they/ pay / company/percentage/turnover.

........................................................................................................................................................

58

........................................................................................................................................................

*****
TEST 6
II Ubix computersl b I publicly traded corporation! actively tradedl on the NASDAQ.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

21companyllaunch!

19991 with an IPQI raise $70 million.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

31 shareholders!

ow

lemployee stock opti

more than 80% I the companyl while upper level management

s lown Iremaining 20%.

........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

41Ubix locatel Denv , Coloradol manufacturing plantsl Taiwan Ilndonesia.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

51total cash flowl du ing 2000 Ibe 1$365 million.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

61 while total operati g expenses! the past fiscal yearl totall $180 mil!ionl result in! pre-tax
profit I $175 million.
..................................................-...................................................................

59

........................................................................................................................................................

71 Ubix Computers market share! the US domestic market! growl 2% 15% Ithe past 18
months.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

81 future plans! include Idevelopment!a line !laptop computers lexport! he Chinese Market.

......................................
......................................

91 Ubixl offerl consumers computers! make Imeet! their specific requi ments! while pricing
these computers Imass market prices.

.....................................
.......................................................-...............................................................................................

101This e combination! ensure! Ubix !be Imajor market player Ithe near uture.

..............................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

TEST 7
GLOBALCALL COMMUNICA nONS
II Globalcall Communications !be! global corporation

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

21 it! provide! telecommunications solutions I clients Ilarge Ismail.

60

......................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................

31 companyl first 1 xpand 1 most major North American citiesl beforel become! major
multinational player.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

41 presentlyl compan lextendloperations linclude! voice over IPI as wel1 as! high-speed cable
Internet access.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

51 Globalcal1 Commu ications' teaml include! more than 40,000 specialists Iworldwide! more
than 20 countriesl thr e continents.
........................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................-..................................................

61 next year Isee I de loyment I third generation! wireless communications network! Asian
countries.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

71 future/look I bright! Globalcal1 Communications.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

81by 20051 companyl

rvice I more than 15 million householdsl businessesl global1y.

........................................................................................................................................................

61

........................................................................................................................................................

91Globalcall Communications! become! household word.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................

101 We! look forward tot serve clients I plan I do I everything lour

wer I make sure that

your communication future I be I unlimited I simple.

........................................................................................................................................................

......................................

.*...
TEST 8
Dear Mr Smith,
I. Thank you I letter I offer me I job.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

2. II be I very glad I you choose I me.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

3. But II be afraid I unable I accept I offer.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

4. II take up I similar position I another company I Soon.

........................................................................................................................................................
62

........................................................................................................................................................

5. As pay I condition I better there I I I turn down I offer.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

6. Thank you I time / you give I my application.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

7. II be sure / you fi

I suitable applicant I fill / vacancy.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

Yours sincerely,

Charles Brown
*****

TEST 9
Dear Mr Brown.
I. .I I happy I get I let er I offer I job I your company.
........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

2. You I not tell I wh n I want me I start I work I you.

........................................................................................................................................................
,

,..................................................................................................

63

3. My present employer / expect / stay / him / end / month.

........................................
........................................................................................................................................................

4. We / think / buy / house / office.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

5. My wife / anxious / find / good school/children

/ attend.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

6. She / worry / not / able / continue / study / same subjects.

........................................................................................................................................................

......................................

7. Let / hope / problems / not take / long / solve.

.....................................
....................................

8. I / look forward / start work / you.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

*****

TEST 10
Dear Tom,

64

1. I write / cancel /

eeting / tennis club / Wednesday 13'h.

................................

.......................................................................................................................

................................

.......................................................................................................................

2. As you / see / this otepaper / I / be still / Madrid.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

3. 1/ arrive / Monda 4'h / expect / return / London / Thursday 7'h July.

.......................................................................................................................

,.....................................................................................................................

4. Things / not go / a cording / plan / so / I / have / stay / several more days.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

5. 1/ meet / Mr Marti ez / Tuesday S'h July / visit / factory / inspect / new products.
.........................................................................-..............................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

6. However / we / no yet / reach / agreement / prices / delivery dates.

,.......................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

7. Contract / not sign yet / must stay / until/it / be.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

65

8. Despite / difficulties / enjoy / visit / Prado Museum / eat / excellent

estaurants here.

.......................................
........................................................................................................................................................

9. I / phone / you / be / back / London.

........................................................................................................................................................

......................................

Yours,

.....
TEST 11
Dear Sir,
I. 1/ write / reply / advertisement / yesterday's 'Evening Guardian '.

........................................................................................................................................................

....................................

2. In / you / say / look / secretary / good typing skills / fluent / French / E glish.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

3. 1/ just complete / two-year bilingual secretarial course / local / college.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

4. At / end / course / pass / all / exams / good marks.

.........................................................................................................................................................

66

........................................................................................................................................................

5. Before I start I it I s nd I year I France Ilive I French family.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

6. While I be there II am I speak I French I fluently.

........................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

7. II grateful I you se d I more information I job I application form.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

8. I I look I hear I you

......................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

Yours faithfully,
*****

TEST 12
Dear Sir,
I. I I write I complain

recent skiing holiday I book I your company.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

2. From I first day I go I wrong.

67

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

3. Hotel! stay / very disappointing / be / no room service / nothing / s m / work properly.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

4. What / worse / be / resort / not suitable / beginners! me.

........................................................................................................................................................

.......................................

5. On / third day / bring / complaints / attention / your representative /

y / look into them.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

6. Nothing / happen / day / before / leave / I / give / special room.

......................................
........................................................................................................................................................

7. 1/ not satisfy / hoJiday / service / receive / your representative.

~

......................................

........................................................................................................................................................

8. I / now write / ask / full refund.

.....................................
........................................................................................................................................................

9. J / forward / receive / cheque / $850 I-you.

68

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

Yours faithfully,
*****

TEST 13
Dear Mike,
I. J just thought I J I rop Iline I and tell I about I summer job I I I just got I local bookshop.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

2. They I just send I a II rules I job I and III say I some I look I bit I strict!
......................................................................................................................

f.........................

3. J I have I get ther I time I that is I 8.30 I and I they say I anyone I regularly late I willi
sacked.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

4. We I supposed I be smartly I dress I things I jeans I won't I allow.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

5. We I alii supposed

try hard I deal I customers I as I quickly I weill can I and I be I polite I

them I alii time.

........................................................................................................................................................

69

........................................

6. We / also / told / ask / someone senior / if / question / can't answer.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

7. It looks / if / I / go / be / very busy!

.......................................
.......................................

8. 1 / be taking / orders / phone / get / ready i before / people / come / collect I and / that /
shelves / always full.

.......................................
......................................

9. Still I go / pay / every week / which / glad.

......................................
........................................................................................................................................................

10.1/ not sure iff go / enjoy /but/ not / long/l need / money.

.....................................
.....................................

Hope to see you soon.

.....
TEST 14
Dear Sir,
I, Reply / kind offer / position / your company / 1/ atTaid / must decline.

70

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

2. Although / conditi ns / hours of work / your company I congenial/be

/ three factors / make

/ change / employ me t / difficult / present time.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

3. First / location /0

Ice / too far / centre of the city / I live.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

4. [/ have / spend / at least three hours / travel/to / from / work every day.
......................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

5. Second / starting s lary / your company / lower than present salary / when / just buy / new
house / and / short /

oney.

........................................................................................................................................................

,..................................................................................................

6. Third / as / explain me / other day / company / strict seniority system / result in / slow pace
/ promotion.
........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

7. Present job / can /

ork / home / use / my computer/ so / not / have / travel to work.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

71

8. In addition / just be / promise / rise / pay.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

9. I / eligible / promotion / every six months.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

Yours truly,

*****

TESTIS
Dear Mr Salt,
I.

ri very interested

/ read / your article I global warming / the newspa

r.

.....................................
........................................................................................................................................................

2. 1/ afraid / I not agree / you / numher / points.

........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

3. Firstly / you say / some scientists / not believe / theory.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

4. Who / be / these scientists? / I never I hear / then.

....................................

72

........................................................................................................................................................

5. Secondly I it I not t ue I global warming I receive I too I much I publicity.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

6. On I contrary I we I need I make / public / aware / such / danger.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

7. We / must / all put pressure / authorities / if / we / want / something / do.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

8. Lastly / you / seem suggest / do nothing I case / scientist / wrong.

........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

9. Well /if/they/right/i

too late / by / time / we / find out.

....................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

Yours sincerely,

Dr Pepper

73

SENTE

CE TRANSFORMATION

74

SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
Use the words give to rewrite each of the following sentences in such a way that it
means exactly the s me as the original sentence.
EXAMPLE:

I ha en't enjoyed myself so much for years.

ANS WER:

It's ears since I enjoyed myself so much.

TEST 1
II Perhaps I didn't ge a better job because I didn't study hard enough.
Imight......................................................................................................................................................
2/ "Let's check eve

hing once more," said the man in chief.

The man in chiefsug

ested ......................................................................................................................

31 It is acknowledged that Vietnam had a complete control over SARS from a very early slage
ofthe epidemic.
Vietnam is ............... ................................................................................................................................
41 I wish I had applie for that job.
It is a
51Alice's strange ide

................................................................................................................................
astonished everybody.

Everybody

.............

TEST 2
11Henry regretted bu ing the second-hand car.
Henry wished

.............

21 Amanda finally ma aged to get a good job.

Amanda finally succe ded ........................................................................................................................
31 It isn't necessary to lOish the work today.
You don't

.....................

41 Sebastian's career a a television presenter began five years ago.

Sebastian has

........

51Whose documents a e these?

Who

..............................................................................................................................

75

TEST 3
lilt's Alice's job to look after new staff.
Alice is responsible

..................................................

21 The doctor should have signed my insurance form.

My insurance form

..................................................

31On arrival at the shop, the goods are inspected carefully.

When the goods

..................................................

41 George is not nearly as energetic as he used to be.

George used

................................................................................................................................

51'Will I ever fmd a job?' Tim said to himself.

Tim wondered .......................................................................................

.................................................

TEST 4
11To get the 40% discount, you must buy all twelve books at the sam time.
You can only

::......................

21 'I'm sorry I gave you the wrong number,' said Paul to Susan.
Paul apologised .......................................................................................................................................
31 It was such bad news thai Helen burst into tears.
The news

.................................................

41 Ifhe doesn't work harder, he'll lose his job.

Unless

.............

51 'When is the first day of your holiday, Peter?' Martha asked.

Martha asked Peter when

.................................................

TEST 5
II The flight to Moscow lasted three and a half hours.
It took

................. ................................................

21 I work in a factory which has more than a thousand employees.

There

76

..

.............

31 The people who

re at the meeting will say nothing to the press.

Nobody who ........... .................................................................................................................................

41Judy started worki g with us eight years ago.
Judy has

.........................................................................

51 I didn't write to y u because [ didn't have your address.

[f[

...........................................................................

TEST 6
1/ I advise you to bu it.
[f................................................................................................................................................................
21 "If Brian doesn't tr in harder, I won't select him for the team," said manager.
The manager threate ed ............................................................................................................................
31 Cars cause poll uti n but people still want them.
Although
41 It was a waste ofti
I needn't
51 Today American

.......
e writing that letter.
........................................................................................
men often earn their own money.

Today American wo en are used

...........................

TEST 7
II She never seems to succeed even though she works hard.
However

'.
"

n..

_,..
'.

..........

21 "Where is the direc or? [ must speak to him."

The customer insisted ............................................................................
31Although we are fa ing the poor economic climate, our sales have held up.
In spite

................................................................................................................................

41 A special team has esigned these products since 2 months ago.

These products
5 "Why don't you co

.............
lain to the company, Peter?" said William.

77

William suggested

.................................................

TEST 8
l!They'lI have to change the date of the meeting again.
The date

.......................

21 Would you like me to finish the work tonight?

I'll

:.........

31 You must see the manager tomorrow morning.

You1ve

..... ................................................

41 There was never any answer when we rang.

Every

................................................

51Although he had a good salary, he was unhappy in his job.

In spite

................................................

TEST 9
II He was annoyed because his secretary came late to work.
He objected

............................................

21No one has signed this cheque.

This cheque

:................................................................

................................................

31 Unless he phones immediately he won't get any information.

If...............................................................................................................

...............................................

41 I am very pleased that we shall meet again soon.

I am looking ..............................................................................................

...............................................

51 "Why didn't I get a computer before?" thought the office manager.

The office manager wondered .................................................................................................................

TEST 10
II "You'd better not lend him any more money, Mary," said Tom.
Tom advised Mary
21 I started work for the company a year ago.

78

...............................................

I've been

"

......................

31 Please check for d mage before signing the delivery note.

Don't

.................................................................................................................................

41 Why don't you me t to discuss the pay offer?

I suggest

.............

51I would prefer yo to deliver the sofa on Friday.

I would rather

.................................................................................................................................

TEST 11
1/ It is pointless to h e that old typewriter repaired.
That old typewriter i nOI...........................................................................................................................
21 Mr Mills losl hisj b because he was late every day.
If Mr Mills

.....................................................................................................................

31 James spoke 10 his awyer before signing the contract.

James didn't

.........

41On arrival at the sh p, the goods are inspected carefully.

When the goods

................................................................................................................................

51 "Willi ever find aj b?" Tim said to himself.

Tom wondered .........................................................................................................................................

TEST 12
II You remembered t post the letter, didn't you?
You didn't
21To get the 40% dis
You can only

.....
unt, you must buy all twelve books at the same time.
...............................................................................................................................

31 "If you had paid Ihe bill earlier, they wouldn't have disconnected the phi she said.
She said

.....

41 I'd prefer you to sig the-contract without any further delay.

I'd rather

.....................

79

5/ Do you have a good relationship with your boss?

Are

.............................................

TEST 13
1/ The only thing that makes this job worthwhile is the money.
Were ...........................................................................................................

.............................................

2/ The people who were at the meeting will say nothing to the press.
Nobody who ...............................................................................................

.............................................

3/ I had better get back to work.

It's ...............................................................................................................

.............................................

4/ I do not intend to discuss this matter any further.

I have

..............................................

5/ The value of sterling has fallen considerably in the past week.

There has

;...................

TEST 14
1/1 applied for the job but was turned down.
My.............................................................................................................................................................
2/ There are more people out of work in this country than ever before.
Never

~..........................................................................................................

...

3/ We only dispatch goods after receiving the money.

Only after the money

..............................................

4/ You pay $20 a month for a period of one year.

You pay in

..............................................

5/1t is thought that the Prime Minister is considering raising taxes.

The Prime Minister ..................................................................................................................................

TEST 15
1/ Someone has suggested abolishing income tax.

80

It...........................

...................................................................................................................................

21 She never seems

0 succeed, even though she works hard.

However ...............

...................................................................................................................................

31It was more of a argument than a discussion.

It was not so

:............................................................................................

41 Robert is soIT)' n w that he didn't accept the job.

Robert now wishes

..........................................................................-........................................................

51 House prices hav risen dramatically this year.

There has

...

.................

TEST 16
This affair does not oncem you.
This affair is no

..................................................................................................................................

The company prese s a gold watch to each of its retiring employees

Each .......................

........................................................................-.........................................................

"If Brian doesn't trai harder, I won't select him for the team," said manager.
The manager threate ed ............................................................................................................................
You'll certainly meet lots of people in your new job.
Yau

are

... h

......................................

I left without saying oodbye as I didn't want to disturb the meeting.

Rather

.................................................................................................................................

Robert is sorry now t at he didn't accept the job.

Robert now wishes .. ............_....................................................................................................................

TEST 17
They estimated the pee,

including all the costs.

.
81

.............................................

Taking ........................................................................................................
"If you had paid the bill earlier, they wouldn't have disconnected the phi

e said.

She said
I'd prefer you to sign the contract without any further delay.

..... ..............................................

I'd rather
I was very sorry I wasn't able to hand in the assignment.
If only .........................................................................................................

..............................................

If the work is finished by lunchtime you can go home.

Get

:........................................................................

..............................................

TEST 18
Do you have a good relationship with your boss?

Are

...............................................

The only thing that makes this job worthwhile is the money.
Were

::

...............................................

My income does not enable me to meet all my financial commitments.

1..................................................................................................................

...............................................

It's nobody's fault that the meeting was cancelled.

Nobody ....................................................................................................

...............................................

She left university two years ago.

It is

:..........................

She started working as a secretary five years ago.

She has

82

................................................

RITING TOPICS &

SAMPLE ESSAYS

83

WRITING TOPI S
II Others prefer t

work for an employer. Would you rather be self.employed, work for

someone else, or 0 n a business? Use specific reasons to explain your choice.

21 Do you agree a disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is
better than other

pes of communication, such as letters, E-mail, or telephone calls. Use

specific reasons an details to support your answer.

31 People have di erent ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modem life. Some
read; some exercis ; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of
reducing stress? Us specific details and examples in your answer.
41 People work be ause they need money to live. What are some other reasons that people
work? Discuss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to support
your answer.

51 Which would yo choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time
with family and fri nds or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more
time with family an friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.
61 We all work or

ill work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion,

what are some im

rtant characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)?

Use reasons and sp cific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.
71 Some people p fer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small
company. Which w uld you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
81 Do you agree or isagree with the following statement? The most important aspect ofajob
is the money a pers n earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
91 A company is oing to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the
environment. Whic

do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and

examples to suppa

your answer.

101 Do you agree

r disagree with the following statement? Businesses should do anything

they can to make a rofi!. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

84

11/ If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire: an
inexperienced wor er at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary? Use
specific reasons an details to support your answer.
12/ Some people s

that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people

say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion? Use
specific reasons an examples to support your answer.
13/ Is it more imp rtant to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work
independently? Us reasons and specific examples to support your answer.
14/ What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and
examples to explai why these qualities are important.
15/ Some people s y that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information.
Others think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with?
Use specific reason and examples to support your opinion

85

SAMPLE COM OSITIONS

Duoi day hi m<)t 'bai ]u~n milu cua cac thi sinh dugc chung tOi ]\la chQn va gioi thi~u d.! cac
b~n hQc vien th

khao. Nhin chung cae bai lu~ nay dugc ban giam khao danh gia kha t6t ,

tuy nhien m<)ts6

a dai va v1\n con 16i v.! tir v\Tl1gva c5u truc. Trong qua trinh hQc, cac b~

hQc vien c6 th.! t am khao each vi.!t, each di~n d~t 9, cach sir d\mg tir va cilu truc d.! vi~ I~i
cae chu d.! thanh ai ]u~ rieng cua minh. Nen nM, ph5.nvi.!t lu~n (Composition) trong bai thi
chi yeu cAucae-b n sir d\lng khoang 150 tir, nen bai thi cua eac b~n se ngiln hem bai lu~ milu
rilt nhi.!u.
II Others prefer

0 work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for

someone else, or wn a business? Use specific reasons to explain your choice.

Although one is n t always lucky enough to have a choice between working for an employer
or for oneself. Bu it would be great if one has the opportunity to decide so. I would rather
work for an empl

er than owning a business of my own.

When we own ou business, there is a lot of risk involved in monetary terms. At times due to
market conditions not really due to a fault of our own), the business might not do as well. It
would even beco e difficult to survive or cover the basic costs. The financial loss could
really wear you 0 . This is too much of a hassle and tension.
Another reason is n one's own business, there is certainly unlimited number of hours of work
that one has to put specially during the initial setup days. A lot of effort is required to sustain
in a competitive e vironment.
As contrast to thi if one is working for an employer, you have sort of fixed number of
working hours. S

etimes if the work is more, they might vary but usually they remain the

same. One has to eep doing hard work even if the company is not doing well. But if the
company goes bro e altogether, there is a chance that one would find a job elsewhere without
bothering much ab ut the financial loss.
Hence, I think for
and headaches of

e I would rather play safe and work for somebody than bear the tensions
y own business.

2/ Do you agree 0 disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication

better than other ypes of communication,

such as letters, E-mail, or telephone calls. Use

specific reasons a d details to support your answer.

86

is

.
I strongly agree

th the statement that face-to-face communication is better than other types

of communication Below are some points to support my opinions.

First of all, it is

uch more easier to understand each other by face-to-face communication.

Words are not th only way to communicate. People often use body languages and face
expressions to hel to express themselves more clearly. Other types of communication, such
as letters, email, a telephone calls simply don't offer such advantages.
Secondly, face-to ace communication enhances the relationship between people. It's hard to
imagine that fam y members could communicate with each other only through telephone
calls or emai!.
Last, but certainl

not the least, people can receive instant and clear feedback from their

talking partners b face-to-face communication. The possibilities of misunderstanding will be

much more less han communicating

by other methods. That's why the most important

decisions still m de by face-to-face discussion, even there are more convenient ways
available.
Based on above pints, I think face-to-face is a better way to communicate with people.
3/ People have di ferent ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some
read; some exerc se; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways
of reducing stres ? Use specific details and examples in your answer.
Modern life has

ecome so demanding nowadays that everyone is facing the problem of

stress.!n order to escape the stress due to work pressure people try out different ways to
become stress fre

These includes reading, gardening, cycling, playing and many more things

as per their choic .For me the best ways to escape stress are listening to music, going on a
short trip and sp

ding time with family.The reasons for the above choices are mentioned

below.
Firstly, listening t good music is the best way to escape from stress as because it takes us
into a different w rid.While listening to the sweetly composed tunes it makes us forget all the
worldly worries.

Iso we can listen to music anywhere using portable systems. This helps us

in avoiding stress

henever we feel so. Therefore I think listening music is a excellent way to

avoid stress.

87

Secondly, going

n a short trip refreshes us and helps us to escape stress. Whenever we go

for such trips we j st leave aside our daily routine and just try to relax. We enjoy doing things
out of the daily sc edule.So this change simply lifts our spirits and helps us to escape stress.
Also whenever w spent time with our family ,we talk our heart out to our loved ones, listen
to their sweet tho ghts and play like a child with the young ones.All these helps us releasing
all our thoughts w ich creates stress and makes us young and fresh at heart.
In condusion, I

uld like to say again that listening to music,going for a trip and spending

time with family c rtainly releases stress as supported by the above mentioned points.
41 People work

ecause they need money to live. What are some other reasons that

people work? Vi uss one or more of these reasons. Use specific examples and details to
support your ans

er.

People work beca se they need money to live. Of course, money is essential to live in this
century.Money he ps people to get what they want such as food, an apartment to live, and
doUhing to wear.

owever working is an activity that people perform in order to feel useful

and important in t eir life. Taking the work that a physician has to do. This job has financial
gratification but a so, it has a great emotional satisfaction. It gives the opportunity to save
other's people life and also It brings new lifes to this world as gynecologist does every day.
Besides working i crease the self-steem of a person, giving the opportunity to do what they
can do best, feeli g a productive person in this society. A person who work knows she is
working because

he has good qualifications to do so and she can improve every day her

skills doing her jo and she can feel proud of herself and be a better person.
Whatever job is a ource of inspiration in order to make things better and to lift the spirits of
people knowing t
working

y can do something special in their life. That is what life is about. In fact

is one of he essential activities

from it, You alwa

in human life, no matter if you are receiving money

receive the compensation of being useful.

51 Which would Y u choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little
time with family

nd friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give

you more time wi h family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and
details.
Some people beli ve that the most important thing in their life is to succeed in their
occupation. Neve heless, in my opinion, it is more important to be near your family.

88

Therefore, if I ha the chance to choose a job now, I would select the lower-paying job with
shorter hours.
First, working I s I would have the opportunity to spend more time with my family. When I
grew up, I want (

most of my friends) to have a family and many children of whom I want

to take care. If I pent much of my day. working, I would not have the opportunity of being
y children.
t important and happy moment in our life, especially for a mother. Nothing
could substitute t

experience

of taking care of your own children.

Moreover, I woul have the chance to relax more if I do not spend my entire day working. I
could visit my fri

ds in my free time. Then, we could talk about what happen during the day,

listen to music, a d do many more things. We also can go fishing (that is my hobby)in the
weekends. Thus,

would not think only for my job or my problems but I would have the

opportunity to rei
All at all, I thin

that the lower-paying job with shorter hours is the best choice for me

because, accordin

to me, my family and my friends are more important for me than the job.

The life is so short let us enjoy it more.

6/ We all work 0 will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your
opinion, what ar some important characteristics of a co.worker (someone you work
closely with)? Us reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics

are

important.
After finishing my studies, I will soon be entering a practical life. I would have to work in an
office with people

f different nature. An ideal worker is defined as an intelligent individual

who knows the wo k given to him, willing to learn more, doesn't mind extra work etc.
But, in real life s ch an exceptional individual is quite difficult to find. Therefore, in my
mind, the image

f a co-worker, I would like to work with, should have the following

qualities.
The first and forem st characteristic I would expect in her is that she should be a hard worker.
I have always wor

d hard my self and that's why I would prefer someone who loves to work

hard too, in order t get the work done by mutual contribution.

89

Secondly, she sh uld be fun loving. Dull and boring people are rarely competitive in my
opinion. Jolly an friendly people are mostly liked by everyone.

Third characterist c I would love to see in my co-worker would be, she must respect others.
When you respec others ideas, people tend to respect your ideas too.
My co-worker s

uld not be racist. In today's world, people have realized that skin and

features have not ing to do with one's capabilities. So she should be kindhearted and positive

minded, since the nvironment in most big companies is multi cultural.

She should also

ave the quality of taking the ownership of the relevant issues. She must

know what she is oing and what can be the possible consequences .She should also know the
solutions of the s all problems appearing in the work

Most of these qu ities, I understand, can not be found in most people. As a matter of fact, I
would probably h ve two or three of the listed above. However, if you have the choice of coworkers that will

ork with you, it would be great for them to have the above qualities.

71 Some people

refer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small

company.

Whic

would

you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support

your

choice.

I prefer to work

r a small company at the beginning of my career because I will learn a

more general pers eetive of that organization, I will have more opportunities to be promoted,
and I can use that

ind of experience to any job in the future.

Working in a sma I company help you to understand how all the company works, how all the
departments relat

to each other.

For example, I had the opportunity

newspaper in the

roduction Department as a Production Manager Assistant and I deal with

different departm nts such us Advertising,

Technical Writing,

to work for a small

Distribution,

Accounting.

had the opportuni y to visit all the departments and learn the functions of each of them and
how all of them c ntribute to main company goal.
Smaller compani

have less employees and less policies and provide you more freedom to

make changes an try new ideas and improvements.

recognize you m re often.

Managers can notice your work and

When I worked in small newspaper, [ participated in business

meetings with all he Departments Managers and with the General Manager and the Owner of
the company. We

id not only talk about business but also about other personal topics and we

have the opportun ty to know each other more.

90

The learning expe ience in a small company is more general and provide you with a overall
knowledge of an 0 ganization and build you a helpful background that can be applied in other
a.
departments and so in other companies. When I worked in other companies such us
Textile Factory, a Cement Corporation or a Customer Service Company, I was able to
identified the di

rent relationships among the different departments and I was able to

identify the main g al of the company and work for it.

Working in a sma I company gives a you a better perspective of the organization as whole
company working owards a goal, provide you more opportunities to be recognized and deal
with the decision

akers of a company and provide with a better background and valuable

experience to be u

in other departments and also in other companies.

8/ Do you agree 0 disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of
a job is the mone

a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support your

answer.
Some people may think that money is the most important aspect of a job. Of course, this
factor cannot be ig ored. But in my opinion, I disapprove this kind of idea. As I see it, there
are many other im ortant aspects ajob, rather than money.
One of them is th satisfaction of the worker. No matter what other people say, if the person
is satisfied with hi !her work, that's it. For example, my father was a good student in high
school. His parent and teachers told him to go to law school because it was the best career a
person could have t that time and was an honor for the family. But my father disagreed and
went to the army ecause he wanted to. And until now, he is very satisfied with his job. He
didn't choose ajob hat was conspicuous to other people, but ajob he liked.
Another factor is ow well the job suits the person. We can't get a clumsy person to be a
doctor that require great awareness on the work, such as surgery. A single mistake, even the
slightest failure ca kill a person. So people should also consider on how well he/she can do
the job, and if it's siting the person.
In closing, I disag ee with the idea of money being the most important aspect of a job. Of
course, we can't to ally ignore money. Usually many people just work, whether they like it or
not, just to earn

oney. But we must keep in mind that money should be considered as a

second, after we d cide things such as the satisfaction or how well the job suits the person.
Money isn't every! ing in life, remember that.

91

9/ A company is oing to give some money either to support the arts or to protect the
environment. Wh ch do you think the company should choose? Use specific reasons and
examples to supp rt your answer.
There are many w ys that a company can help the society as a whole. For example, it can
support the arts a it can take some action to protect the environment. I believe that the
protection of the e vironment should be a priority to all businesses.
First of all nowad

s we live in several times more polluted environment than our ancestors.

And life condition are getting worse every day. I think that companies can do a lot of things
about that. They

an even raise their profits helping the society. Recently, I read in a

newspaper about

campaign of McDonalds to plant trees in order to prevent further

destruction of the zone layer. They received approval from the society and increased their
profits. So that co panies can follow them and help to save our environment.
Secondly, I think

at protecting the environment, the company helps every single member of

the society. I have n mind all the deceases that have occurred during the last century. These,
so called "new era deceases, like all allergies, are due to the polluted air. Many companies
can make an effo

and use special equipment in their production process in order to restrict

the air pollution.

In conclusion, I hink that the company is better to give some money to protect the
environment, beca se in this way it will benefit the whole society. It will contribute to
people's health and less polluted environment.
10/ Do you agre
anything they ca

or disagree

with the following statement?

Businesses should do

to make a profit. Use specific reasons and examples to support your

position.
Some people thin

that businesses should do anything they can to make a profit. In my

opinion, these pea Ie are thinking a little bit selfish, because there are other things that a
business should d , for example considering the workers, costumers. Beside all these a
business should se e the community.
The most importa t thing to realize is that, a person who is serving the costumers and the
community should always be honest. In my opinion honesty is the most important quality a
business should ha e in order to deserve the profit it makes. Earning money by playing trick
on consumers or g tting more money than it deserves is so bad that I don't think a business

92

which makes pro t out of dishonesty can carry on with success. In a business all the workers
must consider the other workers, the costumers and the community they live in. Colleagues
are also very imp rtant, they should respect each other and should never forget that business
is a team-work. I a business is making large profits, it should share it with the people who
made that profit p ssible.
If a worker cannot get what he deserves either economically or mentally he may not be able to
work effectively i the future.
The other import

t thing is that some of the profits one's business earns from the community

should be returned to the community. For example if big company is earning a lot of money,
it should never for et that the money comes from community so it should return some of the
profit back to com unity. There are various ways to do it. For example a company can built a
park for the childr n or creche just like public nursery for the children of the workers, get the
trust of the worker

The last very imp rtant point is to get customers' trust. A small company may grow into a
large company aft r sometime but if it wants to be long lasting, it should always try to
produce high-quali y products, and give good service to its costumers.
Generally, it can e said that the most important thing for a business is to make a profit; a
business should ne er do anything to make a large profit. There are more important things
such as serving the costumers, workers and community .A business must make profits, but we
all. workers, custo ers, community- must profit from a successful business.
I II If you were

n employer, which kind of worker would you prefer

to hire: an

inexperienced wo ker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary?

Use specific reaso s and details to support your answer.
When you becom

an employer and need to hire workers you must decide between two

options.
One is to hire an inexperienced worker at a lower salary and the other is to hire an
experienced worke at a higher salary. [ would prefer the first option for some reasons besides
the low payment bu the second option is also necessary in some cases.
Hiring an inexperie ced worker who is just graduated from the university will give you and
your company the

portunity to use his fresh theoretical knowledge. A new graduate worker

would be equipped with many new techniques, skills and knowledge that are not relevant

93

during yours and

ost of the existing workers time of study. In that sense he will be useful in

developing new i eas in your company.

Hiring an inexpe ienced worker is also necessary to increase employment opportunities of
your country. If II the companies are going to hire experienced workers with high salaries,
most young, inex erienced workers wouldn't have the chance to find a job and this will create
a vicious cycle.

hat is he cannot find a job as he is inexperienced but he cannot gain

experience at the ame time as he is jobless. This will cause unrest within the society.
On the other han you should always hire some experienced workers in your company as
well. You will p obably pay higher salaries to those kinds of employees but they will be
useful. They hav the practical experience at which the new workers do not have. He can fill
the gap between t eory and practice which is-very important for the success of a company.
As a result, thou h I prefer to hire an inexperienced worker with low salary, hiring some
experienced work rs with high salaries is also necessary.
12/ Some people say that computers
people say that

omputers

have made life easier and more convenient. Other

have made life more complex and stressful. What is your

opinion? Use spe ific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Information at au fingertips, Shopping and Banking from our place of work or from home,
Communications

ith OUfnear and dear in a matter of few seconds, and so much more. We

can't imagine a Ii , let alone a single day, without the above facilities. If computers haven't

madeour life easi r, what has?

The Information
information.

ge is now at its peak. The internet has proved to be a great resource of

So ware, Hardware, History, Geography, Films, Poetry, Classics, narne the

field and you hav thousands of websites providing you with the information you require in a
matter of seconds. A research or thesis, that would have taken couple of days to be completed
can be done in

atter of hours, saving us the trouble of running around to collect the

necessary inform ion.

Banking and sho ping has never been easier.

At the click of a mouse button, there are

transactions being carried out, money being transferred and stocks being sold. There is not a
single bank witho t a web site today. E-banking and E-shopping are the buzzwords of the
Information age.

94

To talk about

mputers,

and not mention the role it has played in the field of

communications

auld be totally impossible. E-mails and chat sessions have shortened the

distance between

eople. Letters and messages that would either take days to reach are being

received within m nutes and in a cost-effective manner too.

In this fast mov ng world, where results are expected instantaneously

and accurately,

computers give us more than what we require and faster than we expect. The ways in which
computers have c ntributed to each field is innumerable. They have no doubt made our lives
so much easier, th t its impossible now to function without them.
13/1s it more im ortant to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work
independently?
Man has always

e reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

een a social animal. It is established that most of his achievements are

attributed to social structure and team work. So, it is more important to be able to work with
a group of people n a team than to work independently.
owl edge unique to himself. No person has complete knowledge ahout
any subject. Pea e have different approaches and contribute in different ways to the same
cause. So, a grou

of persons can contribute more to a cause than a single person can do.

Having many per

ns working together also helps in the fact that a group can execute its

plans more strongl

and in a better way, whereas a single person may fail to do so because of

lack of opinion or esolution.

A team also prom tes team spirit. There is a healthy competition within the group members
and this breeds in ovative ideas by provoking thoughts.

On the other hand, a single person

ay. The possibility of verification and hence improvements are less than
they are in a group [ fear he may continue to make same mistakes and will realize them very
thinks in his own

late.
A team person dr ws ideas from each of his teammates and hence is more exposed to the
current progresses

nd latest methods in his field. A single person may need to put a lot of

effort, (often impr tical) to gain an equal amount of knowledge.

At some or the a her stage in one's life, everybody should work with others.

A person

working in a team learns to live with many persons and work in harmony with strangers.
Meanwhile he gets rid off his individual complexes which might have adverse effect on one's
profession. These essons he learnt in his team are also important assets in his personality that

95

he carries home.

ut, a person working independently would not have experienced these

things. He may fin it difficult to work with others in future. He will have to start afresh and
learn to cope with t e group when it is inevitable.
Hence, I strongly ~ I that team work is essential in everybody's life. It brings out the best out
of a person. Even

brilliant person cannot strive for excellence without anybody's assistance.

Therefore, it is very important to develop team's attitude.

14! What are som important

qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details

and examples to e plain why these qualities are important.

What are the qualiti s of a good supervisor? Everyone of us might have supervisors during his
or her life. We spe d a lot of time with them, work for them and generally, try to make them
satisfy with our w k. Usually we don't have the opportunity to choose our supervisors. But
what if we could?

hat would be the most important qualities of a good supervisor?

The first important

uality of a good supervisor is that a good a supervisor should have good

interpersonal relati ns with his employees. This includes being interested in the employees'
professional work

s well as in their personal feelings. Take for example the case of my

supervisor, Tom.

hen I don't feel well because of personal troubles, Tom asks me about my

feelings, trying to

ive me good advice that will solve the problem. I know that my personal

troubles are not rei ted to my work. Even though, it is really good to know that the person
you are working fo takes care about your feelings and not only about your productivity.
The second import nt quality of a good supervisor is that a good supervisor should correct
your mistakes, tryi g to explain you what is the right way to implement the assignment you
have. For instance,

hen my supervisor saw that the report I prepared was written improperly,

he called me to his office, explained my mistakes and told me how to write it properly. I am
sure that in the nex time I write such a report, I will do it properly...
In conclusion, a g od supervisor should have two important qualities: he should have good
interpersonal relati ns with his employees and he should explain them how to fulfill properly
an assignment the have. In an organization that is based on a team work ,good supervisor
might mean good e ployees and good team always usually means good productivity.
IS! Some people s y that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information.
Others think acce s to so much information

creates problems. Which view do you agree

with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion

96

Right now in 20th ce tury, the Internet is used commonly all over the world. Some say it is
very useful, some sa
provides people with

it creates a problem. I am on the side of saying that the Internet

lot of valuable information.

Finding sources in th Internet may have people use their time wisely. People who did not
have the Internet in t eir age had to go to the library and checked out several books to find
information for their xams and reports. Now in our age, we mainly used the Internet to find
information. It elimin tes the time to go the library so you can focus on the information and
study more about the opic.
Next, the Internet w II give the people some free information. If you go to the library by
taking trains and sub ays, it will cost money shortly however, to the students, it is a big deal.
On the other hand, s me pages in the Internet gives the students some free information to
their sources. This i a very positive deal to the students who do not desire to pay money
toward their educatio that much, and spending money on their hobbies.
The Internet eliminat s the time and money you spent wisely. The Internet affected our life
positively and negat vely, depending on how people face it. I agree with the Internet
providing people wit a lot of valuable information.

97

,..

LISTE

ING COMPREHENSION

98

ISTENING COMPREHENSION
TEST 1
PART ONE
You have two minu es to read the qnestions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and answer the folio ing questions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
I. What is the best th'ng the first speaker has ever bought?

.................................................................................................................
2. Why does he enjoy it?

.................................................................................................................
3. What is the best th'ng the second speaker has ever bought?
.................................................................................................................
4. Who did the secon speaker meet?

.................................................................................................................
5. How much did the hird speaker spend on his computer speakers?

.................................................................................................................
PART THRE!,
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and circle the best a swer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
ANSWERING

PH NE

I. What will take pia .e at Bill's house tomorrow?

A. a party
B. a game
C. a dance
2. Why does Hank ha e to work late?
A. He has to at nd a meeting.
B. He has to w ite a report.
C. He has to cI se the office.
3. Why is Hank goin to visit Lisa after work?

99

A. because she is sick in bed

B. because he has to return something
C. because he is going to take her to Bill's house
4. Where is Hank going to get the snacks to take to Bill's house?
A. from his house
B. from the store

c. from his work

5. What time will Hank most likely arrive at Bill's house?

A. 7:00 PM
B. 8:00 PM
C. 9:00 PM
PART TWO
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Ljsten to
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the pi

i he passage again and

e THREE TIMES.

Bill: Hey, this is Bill. I'm sorry I'm not in. Just leave a message.
[Beep]
.

Hey Bill. This is Hank. I'm just (I)

the (2)

to let you know t at I'll be a little late to

tomorrow night. I have to work a few ext

hours at work to (3)

a report. I should wrap things up sometime between s ven and eight. Oh, and
then I'm planning on dropping by Lisa's (4)
been sick recently. Oh one more thing. I'll swing by my house to pick up some (5)
for the game See you then.

*....
TEST 2
PART ONE
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to he passage carefully
and answer the following questions. You will listen to the piece TH
I. What is the best thing she has ever bought?
...................................................................................................................

100

E TIMES.

2. Was the thing she

ught expensive?

......................................................................................
3. How

often does sh use it?

......................................................................................
4. What is the best thi g he has ever bought?

......................................................................................
5. What does he plan 0 do with it?

1......................................................................................
PART
You

TWO
have two

and circle

minut s to read the questions

the best a swer.

You will

in advance.

Listen

listen to the piece THREE

to the passage

carefully

TIMES.

Business Communic tions

1. Why can't Elaine

St ong answer

the phone?

A. She's in a me ting.
B. She's out oft

e office.

C. She's talking

ith another

customer.

2. What does caller w nt the secretary

.,
I

to send??

A. information

n after-sales service

B. a picture

.e newest computers

oft

C. a list of soft
3. What time should

re products
th

secretary

send the material?

A. 2:30 PM
B. 3:30 PM
C. 5:00 PM
4. What is the caller's

ame?

A. Cordell
B. Kordel
C. Kordell

101

5. What is the caller's telephone number?

A.560-1287.
B. 560-1828
C. 560-2187

PART THREE
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage again and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the pi ce THREE TIMES.
Secretary: Hello, Ultimate Computers. May I help you?
Caller: Yes, this is Jack Kardell from Hunter's Office Supplies. May

(I)

to

Elaine Strong, please?

Secretary: I'm sorry, but she's not in right now.
Caller: Okay, do you know when she'll be (2)

Secretary: Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon maybe

ut 4:30. May I take a

message?
Caller: Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your (3)
computers with a (4)

line of laptop

of other software products, but there wasn't any

information about after-sales (5)

Secretary: Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to fax that to you?
Caller: Yes, but our fax is being (6)

at the moment,

d it won~ be working

until around 2:30. Hum. . . could you try sending that information aro nd 3:30? That's should
give me time to look over the (7)

before I call Ms. Str. ng, say, around 5:00.

Secretary: Sure. Could I have your narne, telephone number, and fax n mber, please?
Caller: Yes. Jack Kardell and the phone number is 560-1287. And the fax n .

Secretary: Okay. Jack Kardell. Is your name (8)

is 560-1288.

C-o-r d-e-I?

Caller: No. It's Kardell with a uK" and two "I's." K-o-r-d-e-l-I."
Secretary: All right, Mr. Kardell. And your phone number is 560-1287 and the fax number is
560-1288. Is that (9)

Caller: Yes it is.

Secretary: All right. I'll be (10)
Caller: Okay, bye.

102

to send you the fax this afternoon.

TEST 3
PART ONE
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage earefully
and answer the folio ing questions. You will listen to the pieee THREE TIMES.
I. Where did they de ide to open a new sales office?

.................................................................................................................
2. Why did the Mana ing Director arrange a meeting with the finance department?

.................................................................................................................
3. How many option did they consider when locating the new sales office?

.................................................................................................................
4. Why did they over pend by almost 20 percent?

.......................................................................................
5. Did they open the ffice as planned?
I

:.......................................................................................
PART TWO
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage earefully
and circle the best a swer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
Immigration and

~stoms

1. What is the purpo e of the woman's visit?

A. business
B. pleasure

C. business an pleasure
2. Where will the w

an stay during her trip?

A. at a friend's home
B. at a hotel

C. at a univers Iy dormitory
3. About how long
A. one or two

ill the woman be in the country?

ays

103

B. three or four days

C. more than four days

4. What things are in the woman's luggage?
A. clothing, computer, and books
B. CD player, clothing, and books
C. books, gifts and computer
5. What other piece of information do we learn about the woman?
A. Her parents are on the same trip.
B. She enjoys traveling to different countries.
C. She was born in that country.
PART THREE
You have two minutes to "read the questions in advance. Listen to t e passage again and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the piec THREE TIMES.
Customs Officer: Next. Vh, your (I)

please.

Woman: Okay.
Customs Officer: Uh, what is the purpose of your (2)
Woman: I'm here to (3)

a teaching convention for thd first part of my trip,

and then I plan on touring the capital for a few days.

Customs Officer: And where will you be staying?
Woman: I'll be staying in a room at a hotel (4)

for the e tire week.

Customs Officer: And uh, what do you have in your (5)

Woman: Vh, well, just, just my (6)

belongings, urn, . . . I lothes, a few books,

and a CD player.
Customs Officer: Okay. Vh, please open your bag.
Woman: Sure.
Customs Officer: Okay. . . Everything's fine. [Great]. Vh, by the way, is his your first visit to
the (7)

Woman: Well, yes and no. Actually, I was born here when my (8) were
many years ago, but this is my first trip back (9)

104

then.

orking in the capital

Customs Officer: We:t, (10)

your trip.

Woman: Thanks.

......
TEST 4
PART ONE
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and answer the folio ing questions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
I. What does Tara F hions sell?

....................-............................................................................................

.................................................................................................................
3. Does it have 50 st res in Spain?

.................................................................................................................
4. What is its annual umover?
.................................................................................................................
5. What is its future an?

,.......................................................................................
PART TWO
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and circle the best a swer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
BUSINESS MEET

I. What was the ma; focus of the survey?

A. leisure spo

ng activities

B. average age f athletes

C. durability 0 sporting equipment
2. Which group seem to be most active in sports?
A. 18-26
B.27-35

105

C.36-45
3. Which sport was cited as the third most popular?

A. jogging
B. tennis
C. cycling
4. What is NOT one of Gary's marketing strategies?
A. target the 18 to 26 year-old age
B. sell tennis rackets
C. carry more athletic shoes
5. Why does Sam want to target the 46-55 age group?
A. They have more buying power.
B. They are very health conscious.
C. They tend to enjoy sports more.
PART THREE
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to t e passage agaIn and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the pice THREE TIMES.
Gary: Sam, could you (I)

the results of the surve

activities again? We need to plan out our (2)

for

on leisure sporting
is Friday's business

meeting.
Sam: Sure, Gary. I've summarized

the results in the handout,

down by (3)

age groups and sporting activities. The survey was ad

and women between the ages of 18 and 55 years old, and the results h ve been compiled in
the following age groups: ] 8 to 26, 27 to 35, 36 to 45, and 46 to 55. A ording to the results,
the most (4)

group involved in sporting activities are

. ose between 18 and

26 years old, followed by those 36 to 45 years old.

Gary: Okay.
Sam: As far as particular

sports are concerned,

people

in th e two groups (5)

jogging as their favorite recreational sport follow

swimming, and cycling.
Gary: And what about these groups broken down by (6)

]06

by skiing, tennis,

Sam: Oh, Gary, th~ks for bringing that up. Men appear to be slightly more active than
women in the 18 to k6 year-old age group, but women seem more active in the other three
groups.
Gary: Hmm. Based qn what you have said, I think we should (7)
targeting
I
the 18 to 26 year-oldl,age group more in the future. I also feel we should consider expanding

. We also have to

our line of athletic sh~es, particularly jogging and tennis (8)

i
come up with a more lappealing slogan aimed at this age group.

Sam: I see what you ",ean. However, when these results are compared with the survey carried
out three years ago,

e can see a growing (9)

among older consumers--those

14, I mean 46 to 55 who are becoming more conscious and concerned about staying fit. I
believe this trend will continue, so we should focus on this group instead.
Gary: I see your poi t. Well, let's meet again on Wednesday to iron out more of the (10)
of th s proposal.

*****
TEST

PART ONE
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and answer the folio ing questions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
Test 5
1. What do good mar eting communications involve?

......................................................................................
2. What is the most c mmon definition of marketing?

......................................................................................
3. Which campaign w

most memorable for Mirjana?

......................................................................................
4. What does she thin of mobile technologies and mobile communications?
.................................................................................................................
5. How was the strap 1 ne (slogan) 'the future's bright, the future's orange'?
.................................................................................................................

107

PART TWO
You have two minutes to r~ad the questions in advance. Listen

t1 the passage carefully

and circle the best answer. You will listen to the piece THREE TI,ES.

World of Computers
I

L What is the main topic of this conversation?

A. computer sales negotiations

B. a preliminary interview
C. an Internet seminar meeting
I

2. From the discussion, what did Mr. Taylor probably do for his previts
A. He managed the sales department.

company?

B. He gave seminars on the Internet.

I

C. He worked as a custodian.
I

3. Mr. Taylor thinks that Java is:

I

A. a Web page authoring program.

B. a kind of beverage.
C. a computer game software.
4. What does the man mean when he says, "We'll be in touch" at the en of the conversation?
A. He will call Mr. Taylor in the next few days.
B. He will talk over their discussion with others.
C. He will not contact him for further consideration.
5. Choose the best word(s) to describe Mr. Taylor:
A. on the ball
B. high achiever
C. uninformed
PART THREE
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to t e passage again and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the pie e THREE TIMES.
Man: Okay, Mr. Taylor, let's go ahead and begin. First of all, tell me ab ut your last job.

108

I
I
I
I,
I

Mr. Taylor: Well,

~ (I)

on my resume, I worked for five years at Hi Tech

Computers.

II

Man: Okay. Hi Tedh. And what do you know about computer (2)

and

operating systems in~luding DOS, Windows, Macintosh OS, and UNIX?

I
I
Mr. Taylor: Umm . well. . . I did come in contact with computers every (3)
at my last job.

'1

,
I

Man: Hum! . .. Andlhow about web site authoring skills? [Oh]. We are looking for someone
I

rnd manage our company's web site which would (5)

development, config~ration, and use ofCG! scripts.
to (4)

the

Mr. Taylor: Umm . . i. uh, web page, web page. Huh. . . I don't think I've read that book, and
I'm afraid I've (6)

used those CGI things.

*.***
I

TEST 6
PART ONE

iI
I

You have two minu~es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and answer the f01l1wing questions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
Test 6 (7.4)

I. What company ha4 an unsuccessful campaign?

1.......................................................................................
2. What was the pro+se

with every purchase?

1.......................................................................................
I

3. Why did the camp.ign appear successful at first?

I

j.......................................................................................

4. Why did they end Ihe campaign?

1.......................................................................................
5. What was the effeit of bad planning and bad budgeting?
1.......................................................................................

PART TWO

You have two minu~es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and circle the best arswer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
,
I
II
109

Radio Advertising
I. What service is being advertised?
A. home repair
B. food cateri ng

C. carpet cleaning
2. Who is speaking in the commercial?
A. the salesperson
B. the carpet
C. the home owner.
3. What is the regular cost of the service?

A.$22.95
B. $25.95
C. $29.95
4. What will new customers receive free of charge if they call now?
A. spot cleaner
B. silverware
C. wall hangings
5. What is the store's phone number?
A.673-5010
B. 633-5100
C. 637-5001
I

PART THREE
I

You have two minutes to read the qUestions in advance. Listen to t~e passage again and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the Piecr THREE TIMES.
o

Hey you! This is your carpet speaking. Helllooo! Hey, I take a real beat1ng from you and your
(I)

everyday. The kids track (2)

bunch of fur balls everywhere. You (3)

all ove~ me, the dog leaves a

coffee the other .ay while entertaining

guests, and your husband left a trail of potato chip crumbs from the s~fa to the kitchen last

110

game. Don't you think it's about time to give me a

night while watching the (4)

good cleaning?

Now pick up that p~one and call Master Cleaners now. I see them on the TV all the time.
They'll clean any thrte rooms for $29.95, and any (5)
throw in a free (6)

hall is free. Plus, they'll

of their amazing stain remover. And if you call now, you'll

discount off their already low prices. So come on! Give them a
I
call at 637-5001, and make life for me a little easier. Vh, nice doggie, nice doggie. .
receive a (7)

.....
TEST 7
PART ONE
You have two min~tes to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
I

and answer the follqwing questions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
I

TEST 7

I. What did Rebeccalwant to do?

1.......................................................................................
!

2. Why was time im~ortant to her?

I

I
i.......................................................................................
3. When was she be tb1e to climb the last mountain in Antarctica?
I

1.......................................................................................
I

4. What was the key ~oher planning?

I

I1.......................................................................................
5. Were the people t~at she was climbing with in the same place?

1.......................................................................................
I

PART TWO

You have two min~tes to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and circle the best 1;nswer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
RADIO COMMERrIAL

I. What is the name

tf

the business being advertised?

.

A. FortuneFrrniture
B. Frontier ~urniture
I
III

C. Fabulous Furniture
2. What things are not mentioned in the ad?
A. microwavl!s
B. sofas

C. stereos
3. Which item could you purchase for under $240?
A. a king size bed
B. a digital piano
C. a color TV
4. Where is the store located?
A. two blocks west of city hall
B. opposite Union Square
C. across from city hall
5. What are the store's hours?
A. 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM
B. 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
C. 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM
PART THREE
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to thf passage again and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the piec~ THREE TIMES.
Are you (I)
home? Look no further.

for appliances or furniture to give (2)

Here at Frontier Furniture,

we have everything

life to your
I
~ou need to give your

home a new look and feel.

Stereos, video machines, refrigerators, light fixtures, (3)

toom tables, washers

and dryers. You name it; we have it! Low on cash? We have an easy *nt-to-own
will put you in your favorite sofa (4)

. Big

plan that

color TVs asllow as two hundred

and twenty-five dollars; digital pianos starting at three ninety-nine ($:199); king size beds
from two hundred and fifty dollars. Free (5)

112

on ail major ~pliances.

So come on down td Frontier Furniture. Located downtown two blocks east of city hall,
across from Union Square. We're open (6)

from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. So,

come on in, and let us!make your dream home a reality

*****

TEST 8
PART ONE
You have two minut~s to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and answer the following qoestions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
1. Do some internatio~al managers want their Asian staff to be more or less forceful?
,

2. How do they want fleir staff to deal with problems?

.................................................................................................................
3. What do they somejimes ignore?

1.......................................................................................
4. Why may they und~restimate the local skills and ability?

,......................................................................................
I'
5. Do the managers h~vea tendency to consider all local staff as being different?
,......................................................................................
PART TWO
You have two minutts to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and circle the best al1swer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
STREET MARKET
I. Why did the man ndt buy the ring for sale?

A. He doesn't Ihink it is very special.

B. Someone else bought it before him.
C. He has no lieed for a ring.
D. The ring is too small.
2. What is the problern with the CD player?

IlJ

A. The bunons are scratched.

B. The CD casing is chipped.
C. The handle is damaged.
D. The display is loose.
3. The man is not interested in the leather jacket because:
A. it is stained.
B. he already has one.
C. its too expensive:
D. the seams are coming undone.
4. What is the customer's initial counter offer for the records?
A.$25

B. $28
C. $30
D.$35
i

5. From the conversation, what does the customer probably purchase frfm the merchant in the
I
~
A. only records
B. only a vase

C. some records and a vase

D. nothing
PART THREE
.
I
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to t/Ie passage again and
fill in the blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the pi..e THREE TIMES.
Merchant: Hi, So what are you looking for today?
Customer: Vh, I'm just looking.
Merchant: How about a (I)

from someone special?

Customer: There IS no one special.

Merchant: Well, take a look at this CD player. A great (2)

114

today only.

Customer: Nab. [ alrejldy have one, plus the handle is (3)

Merchant: Okay. Wel\ what about this genuine leather jacket. It would look great on you.
Customer: Hum. Let ~e take a look at it.
Merchant: Sure.

Customer: Umm. Thete are (4)

on the sleeves. I'll pass.

Merchant: Well okay,!well, wouldn't you like to walk home with some ofthese great records?
Some of the best hits trom the 1960's.
Customer: Yeah, let's $ee. Now here's something I'd. . . Ah, these records are (5)
Merchant: Ah, just inl a couple places. Listen. I'll sell you these ten records for $50. A (6)

Customer: Whoa! TheVre way too expensive. I'll give you 25 bucks for them.
Merchant: Ah, come on. I can't (7)

you less than $30 and break even.

Customer: Well, that ~uy over there is selling (8)

records for a much better

price, so thanks anyw~y.

Merchant: Wait, wait~ wait. You drive a hard bargain. Twenty-eight dollars, and that's my
final (9)
Customer: Huh. . . I'll!think about it.
Merchant: Wait, wait, ""ait. Listen. I'll even throw in this vase.
Customer: Now what

*"

I going to do with a vase?

Merchant: Well, you ~an give it to that someone special when you find her. . . and this ring
would look great with It.
Customer: Oh, I'll (IO)!

with the records.

*****

TEST 9
PART ONE
You have two minut"" to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully
and answer the follo>-!ing questions. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
I
I. How has the govermpent reduced the inflation rate to 2 percent?
.
I
;.....................................................................................

115

I
I

2. Has the exchange rate increased against the dollar for the last 6 monts?

;...........................
3. Why does the employment rate continue to be a problem?

j.........................
4. What is the Government doing to stimulate the economy and attract tpreign investment?

1..........................
5. What are the benefits oCa large skilled labour force to the economy?

.........................

..................................................................................
PART TWO

You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to'ithe passage carefully
and circle the hest answer. You will listen to the piece THREE TI~ES.
I

Telemarketing,

I. What product or service is the telemarketer promoting?

A. a stay at a new condominium
B. a membership to a sports club
C. a hotel in Hawaii
2. Which special feature is NOT part of this offer?
A. access to free meals and beverages
B. use of fitness rooms
C. unrestricted use to a swimming pool
3. Why does the man turn down the offer?
A. He doesn't have extra money to spend.
B. He never buys things over the phone.
C. He doesn't need the service being provided.
I
4. What statement is true about the "do not call" list according to the collversation?
1
A. It will take four to six weeks to remove the man's name fi'om the lcompany's phone list.

B. The man might be called by another company representative! in the coming weeks.
C. The man can request that his name be added again to the cOr(1pany'sdatabase.

116

5. What is the man's lme?

A. Mr. Philli~S

B. Mr. Jones

C. Mr. Willirs
I

PART THREE
You have two minu es to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage again and
fill in the blanks wit
Man: Hello.

ONE word for each. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
I
I

Telemarketer: Good ~vening, Sir. Is this Mr. Charles Philips?

I
Man: Yes, it is.

Telemarketer: Well,

r. Phillips. This evening, I'm calling to (I) you a special discount on..

Man: Ah, no, let me uess. You want to sell a subscription to the newspaper or a great deal on
(2) to Hawaii, right

[Well,..

.]. Or, you want to offer me an unbelievable bargain on

fiamenco (3) lessons.

Telemarketer: No, n~, actually. . . Mr. Jones. [Huh?] Oh, sorry. That was the last guy. [Ah,
to offer you a free trial (4) to our sports club downtown at the

great.] Uh, we wan

introductory price of 39.95...

Man: Thirty-nine nin ty-five?!? I thought you said free! Uh, (5). I'm not interested.

Telemarketer: Well, lit includes unlimited access to all our (6), including the gym, weight
room, racketball couts, and swimming pool.
Man: Again, I'm not Interested. I have my own (7) program I do around the house anyway.
Telemarketer: Well, is is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
Man: Nah. Like I saif' I'll pass this time. And please put me on your "don~ call" (8).
Telemarketer: Okay. kll take between four and six months before your name will be removed
from our (9). [Monthf?!?] You might be called by another representative (10) that time.
i
Man: Ah, man. Ah, great.
Telemarketer: Have, nice evening, Mr. Williams.
Man: Ah, man.

*****

117

TEST 10
PART ONE

You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to ~e passage carefully
and answer the following questions. You will listen to the piece TH~E

I. Why must an interviewee find out all he can about a company?

TIMES.

1.........................
.

2. What information about a company is an interviewee looking for?

'.........................
I

3. How does an interviewee help the interviewer?

:........

4. Does an interviewee need to ask the interviewer questions?

'I

...,;........

..

.-"......

5. What are the examples of an interviewee's questions?

.........................
PART TWO
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to t e passage carefully
and circle the best answer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIM S.
INTERNET ACCESS
I. How many hours of Internet access a month does this company providf?
A. less than 150 hours
B. between 151 and 300 hours
C. more than 300 hours
2. What are the calling hours for technical support?
A. from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
B. from 12:00 midnight to 12:00 midnight
C. from 12:00 midnight to 7:00 p.m.
3. How much webspace does the company provide?
A.13

118

B.30

,
I
I

C. 39

4. How much does ba~ic Internet access cost?

A. $19.95
B. $25.95
C. $29.95
5. What additional be~efit was NOT mentioned in the commercial?
,
. I
A. free ema.l i
I,

B. content tiltrs
C. no start-upl fees
PART THREE
You have two minu
and fill in the blan,

s to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully

with ONE word for each. You will listen to the piece THREE

TIMES.
COLLEGE

LIFE

Maria: Oh, hi Dave. Uong time, no see!

!
Dave: Hi Maria. I Was in the (1)
, so I thought I'd drop by.
I
Maria: Come on in. [thanks.] Take a seat. Would you like anything to drink? I have Sprite or
I

orange juice.

Dave: Sprite would b~ fine. Vh, so, how have you been?
Maria: Oh, not bad. A~d you?
I
Dave: Oh, I'm doing 9kay, but school has been really hectic these days, and I haven't had time
i
to (2)
I

Maria; By the way, w'at's

your (3)

anyway?

Dave: Hotel (4)

Maria; Well, what do rou want to do once you graduate?

Dave; Vh... I haven'tl decided for sure, but I think I'd like to work for a hotel or travel
(5)

in th~sarea.
How about you?
,

119

(6)

Maria: Well, when I. first started college, I wanted to major in French,1but I. realized I might
have a hard time finding a job using the language, so I changed majors to computer
. [Oh]. With the right skills, landing a job in the comp~ter industry shouldn't
.

be as difficult.

Dave: So, do you have a (7)

job to support yourselfthrouglj

Maria: Well, fortunately for me, I received a four-year academic (8)

pays for all of my tuition and books.

school?
[Wow] that
I

'!

Dave: Wow. That's great.

Maria: Yeah. How about you? Are you (9)

your way through '~chool?

Dave: Yeah. I work three times a week at a restaurant near campus.

Maria: Oh. What do you do there?
Dave: I'm a (I 0)
Maria: How do you like your job?
Dave: It's okay. The other workers are friendly, and the pay isn't bad.

120

TAPESCRIPTS

121

Tapescripts
TEST 1
Part One
Speaker I: The best t ing I've ever bought is my camera because I can look back at all my travels
and the people I've m t, and it brings back memories that I can enjoy all my life.
Speaker 2: The best t ing I've ever bought is a train ticket to Brighton because I met the love of
my life as I was queui g in the buffet car.
Speaker 3: Last week I bought some speakers for my Mac computer. They cost about 40, which
is really good value.

ou just plug them into your computer and get sound as good as many hi-

lis. This means I don' have to buy a DVD player to watch films as I can do it on the computer
and have a great soun
Part Two & Three
[Phone ringing. . .]
Bill: Hey, this is Bill. 'm sorry I'm not in. Just leave a message.
[Beep]
Hey Bill. This is H k. I'm just calling to let you know that I'll be a little late to the game
tomorrow night. I hav to work a few extra hours at work to linish a report. I should wrap things
up sometime between even and eight though. Oh, then I'm planning on dropping by Lisa's house
for about an hour sine she's been sick recently. And, uh, one more thing. I'll swing by my house
to pick up some food

r the game. See you then.

TEST 2
Part one
Speaker I: My very e pensive Prada bag. It was a luxury buy. I was attracted by its style and it
cost me a lot of mone , far more than I would have spent before, but it's extremely well-made and

I suppose you could s y it's a timeless classic. I use it every day. It looks good in every situation
and for every occasion
Speaker 2: I bought a ree seven years ago for my son's birth. It cost 30. Now it's a magnilicent
tree. Its leaves change colour with the seasons. It provides shade; it's a home for birds. When it's
bigger I'm going to build a tree house for the children to play in.
Part two & three
Secretary: Hello, Ulti ate Computers. May I help you?
Caller: Yes, this is Ja k Kordell from Hunter's Office Supplies. May I speak to Elaine Strong,
please?

122

Secretary: I'm sorry, but she's not in right now.

Caller: Okay, do you know when she'll be back?
Secretary: Uh, yes, she should be here later on this afternoon maybe, about 4:30. May I take a
message?
Caller: Yes. Ms. Strong sent me a brochure detailing your newest line f laptop computers with a
description of other software products, but there wasn't any informatio

about after-sales service.

Secretary: Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to fax that to you?
Caller: Yes, but our fax is being repaired at the moment, and it won be working until around
2:30. Hum. . . could you try sending that information around 3:30? Th t's should give me time to
look over the material before I call Ms. Strong, say, around 5:00.
Secretary: Sure. Could I have your name, telephone number, and fax n

ber, please?

Caller: Yes. Jack Kordell and the phone number is 560-1287. And the

number is 560-1288.

Secretary: Okay. Jack Kordell. Is your name spelled C-o-r-d-e-I?

Caller: No. It1s Kordell with a "K" and two "I's." K-o-r-d.e-I.I.II

Secretary: All right, Mr. Kordell.And

your phone number is 560-12 7, and the fax number is

560-1288. Is that correct?

Caller: Yes it is.
Secretary: All right. I'll be sure to send you the fax this afternoon.
Caller: Okay, bye.
*****

TEST 3
Part one
Recently we decided to open a new sales office in New York. First I

ged a meeting with the

finance department to discuss the project. We prepared a budget with

involved. Then we collected information about possible locations for the new office. We
considered two options

one in Greenwich Village and the other ne

Central Park. After doing

some more research, I wrote a report for the board of directors.

Unfortunately, we made a mistake when we estimated the costs as the

change rate changed, and

so we didn't keep within our budget. We overspent by almost 20 perce t. We had to rearrange the
schedule for moving into the building because the office was not red

rated in time. The board

of directors was unhappy because we didn't meet the deadline for

pening the office by 15

December. It finally opened in January. However, we forecast sales

f at least $500,000 in the

first year.

123

Part two & three

Customs Officer: Ne . Vh, your passport please.
Woman: Okay.
Customs Officer: Vh, what is the purpose of your visit?
Woman: I'm here to !tend a teaching convention for the first part of my trip, and then I plan on
touring the capital for a few days.
Customs Officer: An 'where will you be staying?
Woman: I'll be stayin in a room at a hotel downtown for the entire week.
Customs Officer: And uh, what do you have in your luggage?
Woman: Vh, well, ju t, just my personal belongings urn, .

. . clothes,

a few books, and a CD

player.
Customs Officer: aka . Vh, please open your bag.
Woman: Sure.
Customs Officer: aka

... Everything's fine. [Great]. Vh, by the way, is this your first visit to the

country?
Woman: Well, yes

d no. Actually, I was born here when my parents were working in the

capital many years ag , but this is my first trip back since then.
Customs Officer: Well, enjoy your trip.
Woman: Thanks.

TEST 4
Part one
Let me start with sam basic facts about Tara. The company started in 1978. We are a familyowned business and a r head office is in Cordoba, Spain. We sell clothes for men and women,
and our customers ar mainly fashion-conscious people aged 20 to 35. We have 15 stores in
Spain. All of the stores are very profitable.
Right, those are the ba ic facts.
Let me add a few figu s. We have an annual turnover of about 260 million. Our net profits last
year were approximat Iy 16 million. We have a workforce of just over 2,000 employees. So
those are the numbers Now about our overseas stores. We have 4 large stores in France and
another lOin other Eur pean countries. We are planning to open 5 new stores next year. What are
our strengths? We kee up with fashion trends. If we spot a trend, we can bring out a new design
in 15 days. And we ge it to the stores very quickly. We deliver to stores twice a week. And we

124

sell our designs at the right price.

Part two & three
Gary: Sam, could you review the results of the survey on leisure s

rting activities again? We

need to plan out our proposal for this Friday's business meeting.
Sam: Sure, Gary. I've summarized the results in the handout, brok

down by consumer age

groups and sporting activities. The survey was administered to 550 m n and women between the
ages of 18 and 55 years old, and the results have been compiled in th following age groups: 18
to 26, 27 to 35, 36 to 45, and 46 to 55. According to the results, the m t active group involved in
sporting activities are those between 18 and 26 years old, followed by

ose 36 to 45 years old.

Gary: Okay.
Sam: As far as particular sports are concerned, people in these two g ups cited jogging as their

favorite recreational sport followed by skiing, tennis, swimming, and c cling.

Gary: And what about these groups broken down by gender?

Sam: Oh, Gary, thanks for bringing that up. Men appear to be slightly

ore active than women in

the 18 to 26 year-old age group, but women seem more active in the ot er three groups.
Gary: Hmm. Based on what you have said, 1 think we should consider argeting the 18 to 26 yearold age group more in the future. 1 also feel we should consider ex

nding our line of athletic

shoes, particularly jogging and tennis footware. We also have to com up with a more appealing
slogan aimed at this age group.
Sam: 1 see what you mean. However, when these results are compared

ith the survey carried out

three years ago, we can see a growing trend among older consumers--

ose 14, I mean 46 to 55-

who are becoming more conscious and concerned about staying fit I believe this trend will
continue, so we should focus on this group instead.
Gary: I see your point Well, let's meet again on Wednesday to iron ou more of the details of this
proposal.

..***
TEST 5
Part one
Interviewe: Mi~ana, what is the key to successful marketing?
Mirjana Ilic: I Well, the key to successful marketing involves many di erent things. Most people

would say successful marketing is just a good creative campaign. So ' e people would go further
than that and say it involves many good marketing communications, reaching the right people,
clear marketing messages, and working well with sales teams to get th right sales channels. But
the most common definition of marketing is just two words: customer

rientation. What does that

actually mean though? It really means four things: producing what c stomers want, when they

125

want it. at the right rice and in a way that's profitable for the company, and I believe in that
definition very strongl .
Interviewer: Could

u describe a marketing campaignthat impressedyou?

Mirjana lIic: I Well, 'marketing is very much in my blood and it's my first love, so there are lots

of campaigns I come cross every day that really impress me. But I think the most memorablein
recent years has bee
mobile technologies

the Orange mobile phone campaign, partly because the whole area of
nd mobile communications I find very interesting and incredibly exciting,

but partly because it was a great campaign in itself. It has the fantastic strap line 'the future's
bright, the future's 0 ange',
which is so memorable and so meaningful for all segments of the
,
population.
Part two & three
Man: Okay, Mr. Tayl r, let's go ahead and begin. First of all, tell me about your last job.
Mr. Taylor: Well, as sated on my resume, 1worked for five years at Hi Tech Computers.

Man: Okay. Hi Tech. And what do you know about computer networks and operating systems
including DOS, Wind ws, Macintosh OS, and UNIX?

Mr. Taylor: Umm . . . well. . . I did come in contact with computers every night at my last job.
Man: Hum! . . . And ow about web site authoring skills? [Oh]. We are looking for someone to
create and manage ou company's web site which would include the development, configuration,
and use of DOS, Win ows, Macintosh OS, and CGI scripts.
Mr. Taylor: Umm . . . uh, web page, web page. Huh. . . 1 don't think I've read that book, and I'm
afraid I've never used hose CGI things.

Man: Huh?! And wha' about experience with Java or JavaScript?

Mr. Taylor: Well. . . I think I've tried Java at a foreign coffee shop one time, if that's what you
mean.
Man: Okay, Mr. Tayl r, I think I have ALL the information I need!
Mr. Taylor: Oh, and I 'eally like computer games. I play them everyday.
Man: Right, right. Th

, ks Mr. Taylor.

We'll be in touch.

TEST 6
Part one
Interviewer:

Could y u give an example of an unsuccessful campaign?

Mirjana llie: Well, I hink the most unsuccessful recent campaign for me was the one where an
electrical goods man facturer tried to roll out a very simple sales promotion. Initially, if you

bought any electrical ppliance over a certain value, you were promised free flights with every
purchase. Now, altho gh initially this campaign did seem to be quite successful because sales

126

went up, in the end they had to stop the campaign because they simpl couldn't keep up with the.
demand and they were overspending a lot on these prizes. So I thin

basicaJly, from the early

stages the campaign was badly planned, badly budgeted and it res Ited in a lot of negative
publicity for the company.
Part two & three
Carpet:
Hey you! This is your carpet speaking. Helllooo! Hey, I take a real

ating from you and your

family everyday. The kids track mud all over me, the dog leaves a bun h of fur baJls everywhere.
You spilt coffee the other day while entertaining guests, and your hu band left a trail of potato
chip crumbs from the sofa to the kitchen last night while watching th football game. Don't you
think it's about time to give me a good cleaning?
Now pick upthat phone and call Master Cleaners now. I see them on t e TV aJl the time. They'll
clean any three rooms for $29.95, and any connecting hall is free. P

,they'll throw in a free

bottle of their amazing stain remover. And if you caJl now, you'll recei e a 15% discount off their
already low prices. So come on! Give them a call at 637-5001, and mak life forme a little easier.
Vh, nice doggie, nice doggie. . .

.....
TEST 7
Part one
Interviewer:

And can you tell us about something that you planned we I?

Rebecca Stephens: I was reasonably happy with my planning of .the even summits, which was
a project to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents Everest was one of those

having climbed that, I had four remaining mountains in order to a hieve that goaJ, and time

was important for reasons of sponsorship, so I had to work back fro

the last mountain, which

was in Antarctica, which I couldn't climb until the month of Nov mber, so the other three
mountains, I had to fit in between January, when I set out to do this, nd November, the date of
the last mountain. And key to it, really, was communication with the eople that I was climbing
with; they were scattered around the world and it was important to k p them in touch so they
knew exactly what was to be achieved and by when.
Part two & three
Are you looking for appliances or furniture to give new life to your ho e? Look no further. Here
at Frontier Furniture, we have everything you need to give your home a new look and feel.
Stereos, video machines, refrigerators, light fixtures, dining room table

washers and dryers. You

name it; we have it! Low on cash? We have an easy rent-to-own pi

that will put you in your

127

favorite sofa tonight. Big color TVs as low as two hundred and twenty-five dollars; digital pianos
starting at three nin ty-nine ($399); king size beds from two hundred and fifty dollars. Free
delivery on all major appliances.
So come on down t Frontier Furniture. Located downtown two blocks east of city hall, across
from Union Square. We're open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. So, come on in, and let us
make your dream ho e a reality.
*****
TEST 8
Part one
Interviewer:

What

istakes do foreign managers make when managing Asian staff, for example

Thais and Chinese?

Kriengsak

Niratpat anasai: Well, some international managers want their Asian staff to be

more forceful. Anoth r thing is, they want them to be able to deal with problems logically. And
they want their stafft
education

be ambitious like them. I think they sometimes ignore the background, the

and the cultural differences

between themselves

and their staff. They may

underestimate the ski Is and abilities of their local staff because they are focussing too much on
their weaknesses. Th managers have a tendency to jump to conclusions too quickly, and they
tend to label all local taff as being the same.
Pa rt two & th ree
Merchant: Well hi th reo What are you looking for today?
Customer: Uh, I'm ju t looking.
Merchant: Well, how bout a ring from someone special?
Customer: There is n one special.
Merchant: Well, take

look at this CD player. A great bargain today only.

Customer: Nah. I alre dy have one, plus the handle is cracked.

Merchant: Okay. Wel what about this genuine leather jacket? It would look great on you.
Customer: Hum. Let

e take a look at it.

Merchant: Sure.
Customer: Umm. The e are stains on the sleeves. I'll pass.
Merchant: Well okay. Well, wouldn't you like to walk home with some of these great records?
Some of the best hits rom the 1960's.
Customer: Yeah, let's ee. [Yeah] Now here's something I'd. . . Ah, these records are scratched.

128

Merchant: [Laughter] Just in a couple places. Listen. I'll sell you hese ten records for fifty
dollars. A steal!
Customer: Whoa! They're way too expensive. I'll give you twenty. five bucks for them.
Merchant: Ah, come on. I can't charge you less than thirty dollars and reak even.
Customer: Well, that guy over there is seIling similar records for a

uch better price [Ah!], so

thanks anyway.
Merchant: Wait, wait, wait, wait. You drive a hard bargain. Twenty. ight dollars, and that's my
final offer.
Customer: Huh. . . I'll think about it.
Merchant: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Listen. I'll even throw in this vase.
Customer: Now what am I going to do with a vase?
Merchant: Well, you can give it to that someone special when you find her. . . and this ring would
look great with it.
Customer: Dh, I'll stick. with the records.

**...
TEST 9
Part one
The economy is stable following the problems of the past two y
monetary policy the government has reduced the inflation mte to

. By

following a tight

percent. After going up

dmmatically, the interest mte is now down to 8 percent. The last six months has seen a slight
improvement in the exchange mte against the dollar. The GDP h

grown by 0.15 percent.

Exports are increasing

and the balance of trade is starting to look much healthier. The unem loyment rate continues to
be a problem as it is still 16 percent. In order to stimulate the ec nomy and attmct foreign
investment the government is offering new tax incentives as well as
reduce government

aking a renewed effort to

bureaucracy. Finally, a large skilled labour for e means there could be

attmctive investment opportunities over the next five years.

Part two & three
Man: Hello.
Telemarketer: Good evening, Sir. Is this Mr. Charles Philips?
Man: Yes, it is.

Telemarketer: Well, Mr. Phillips. This evening, I'm calling to offer you

special discount on.

129

Man: Ah, no, let me uess. You want to sell a subscription to the newspaper or a great deal on
airfare to Hawaii, ri ht? [Well, . . .]. Or, you want to offer me an unbelievable bargain on
flamenco dance lesso s.

Telemarketer: No, no actually. . . Mr. Jones. [Huh?] Oh, sorry. That was the last guy. [Ah,
great.] Vh, we want a offer you a free trial membership to our sports club downtown at the
introductory price of 39.95...
Man: Thirty-nine nine y-five?!? I thought you said free! Vh, listen. I'm not interested.
Telemarketer: Well, i includes unlimited access to all our facilities, including the gym, weight
room, racketball court, and swimming pool.
Man: Again, I'm not i terested. I have my own fitness program I do around the house anyway.
Telemarketer: Well, t is is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
Man: Nah. Like I said I'll pass this time. And please put me on your "don't call" list.
Telemarketer: Okay. t'll take between four and six months before your name will be removed
from our database. [M nths?!?] You might be called by another representative during that time.
Man: Ah, man. Ah, gr at.
Telemarketer: Have a ice evening, Mr. Williams.
Man: Ah, man.
*****
TEST 10
Part one
Interviewer:

What ar the best ways to prepare for a job interview?

Colette Hill: It really helps if you look at it from the point of view of the interviewer. So, for
example, before the i terview do your homework. Find out all you can about the company to
show you're really int ested in the opportunity. You can look up how old it is, what it does, how
many people it emplo s, how fast it's growing. Then at the interview, help the interviewer by
answering their questi ns fully, but sticking to the point; don't talk for too long. Let them stay in
control of the agend

I think. And then there are other things like, it's important to ask the

interviewer questions

hich demonstrate that you are as interested in them as they are in you: for

example, 'What is you medium-term plan for the company?' or 'What is your policy on training
and development?" Th se sorts of questions show you're potentially interested in staying, not just
looking for a short-ter

contract.

Part two
Tired of waiting for a ebpage to download?

130

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Contact Impact Solutions today to get the most out of your online expe ience.
Part three
Maria: Ob, hi Dave. Long time, no see!
Dave: Hi Maria. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd drop by.
Maria: Come on in. [Thanks.] Take a seat. Would you like anything to drink? I have Sprite or
orange juice.
Dave: Sprite would be fine. Vh, so, how have you been?
Maria: Oh, not bad. And you?
Dave: Oh, I'm doingokay, but school has been really hectic these day

and I haven't had time to

relax.
Maria: By the way, what's your major anyway?
Dave: Hotel management.
Maria: Well, what do you want to do once you graduate?
Dave: Vh... I haven't decided for sure, but I think I'd like to work for

hotel or travel agency in

this area. How about you?

Maria: Well, when I first started college, I wanted to major in French,

ut I realized I might have

a hard time finding a job using the language, so I changed majors t computer science. [Oh].
With the right skills, landing ajob'in the computer industry shouldn't b as difficult.
Dave: So, do you have a part-time job to support yourself through scho I?
Maria: Well, fortunately for me, I received a four-year academic schol

ship [Wow] that pays for

all of my tuition and books.

Dave: Wow. That's great.
Maria: Yeah. How about you? Are you working your way through scho I?
Dave: Yeah. I work three times a week at a restaurant near campus.
Maria: Oh. What do you do there?
Dave: I'm a cook.
Maria: How do you like your job?
Dave: It's okay. The other workers are friendly, arid the pay isn't bad.

131

SPEAKING

132

SPEAKING
SAMPLE SPEAKING TASKS
PART I
The interview - about J minutes.
In this part the interlocutor asks questions to each of the candidates in turn. You have to give
information about yourself and express personal opinions.
PART 2
'Mini presentation'

-about 6 minutes

In this part of the test you are asked to give a short talk on a business topic. You have to choose one
of the topics below and then talk for about one minute. You have one minute to prepare your ideas.
TOPICS
II What is important when recruiting new staff? You should say:

qualifications

experience

references

2/ What is important when renting office premises? You should say:

.
.
.

size
location
cost

3/ What is important when choosing a hotel for business visitors? You should say:

.
.

location

cost
standard

4/ What is important when employing a secretary? You should say:

.
.

experience
skills
personal qualities

5/ What is important when going for ajob interview? You should say:

knowledge of company

appearance

arriving on time

6/ What is important when making travel arrangements for a business trip? You should say:

convenience

133

cost

comfort

types of activities

Yenue

! say:
7/ What is important when arranging entertainment for clients? You should

cost

8/ What is important when organising a meeting? You should say:

.
.

agenda
length of meeting
types of rooms

9/ What is importantwhen choosingsuitabletransport for a businesstrip? You shouldsay:

convenience

.
.

personal qualities

currerit performance

seniority

cost-effectiveness
enjoyment

10/ What is important when selecting employees for promotion? You should say:

II! What is important when setting up a new business? You should say:

business plan

management experience

financial backing

12/ What is important when deciding whether to apply for a new post? You should say:

location

career prospects

salary

13/ What is important when organising an in-house training course? You I should say:

course contents

participants selected

budget

14/ What is important when recruiting senior staff? You should say:

.
134

age
qualifications

experience

15/ Whatis importantwhen cutting productioncosts? You should say:

material costs

.
.
.
.

labour costs

operating costs

16/ What is important when planning market research? You should say:

types of questions
types of people
types of products

17/ What is important when predicting profits? You should say:

current sales figures

market trends

.
.

advertising campaign

18/ What is important when deciding whether to obtain a further qualification? You should say:

time commitment required

interests

career benefits

19/ What is important when placing a newspaper advertisement? You should say:

.
.

newspaper sales figures

types of newspapers

advertising costs

20/ What is important when considering whether to invest in technology? You should say:

.
.

benefits to the company

costs involved
personnel competence

135

PHANIII

SAMPLE TESTS

136

SAMPLE TEST 1

TRUONG DM HQC KINH TE TP. HO CHi MINH

...~-..._-_......_----------_......_---_..._---

DE THI TlENG ANH

..

TRINH DO C
"

...

- MON

..t'

DOC VIET

....

H9 te n thi sinh:
Nga y thang nam sin h: .

................

Nga y ki~m Ira:

.......

sO'bao danh:

.......
ChITky giam thj 2

ChIT ky giam thi 1

sO' pMch

x.........................................................................................................................................................................
Di~m bling 56

Chit ky GV chfun 1 Chit ky GV chfun 2

DiEm b~ng chIT

PAPER ONE

sO'phach

READING COMPREHENSION

SECTION I:
In this section you must choose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence.
1. He was in

of a large number of men.

A. management

B. leadership

C. charge

2. The bank won't lend you the money without some

A. profit

B. interest

D. direction

that you will pay it back.

C. charge

D. guarantee

3. You will never finish that job by tomorrow morning unless you
A.willget

B. would get'

4. You will not succeed

A. unless

C. get

B. if

C. without

B. view

6. My employer's
A. meaning
7. He

D. will have got

working harder.

5. The manager did not offer her the job because of her untidy

A. sight

some help.

D. although

.............

C. presence

D. appearance

ofmy work does not matter to me at all.

B. belief

C. opinion

D. expression

being given a receipt for the bill he had paid.

A. asked to

8.

B. demanded

C. insisted on

D. required

accepting your job offer, I'd like to know a bit more about the company.
A. In advance

B. In order

9. The new factory must be tinished

I
A. on time
B. in times

C.Untii

D. Before

as the profitability of the company depends on it.

C. at time

D. for a time

137

...............................................................................................................................................................................................

10. The new manager explained to the staff that she hoped to

new procedures to save time

I

and money.
A. manufacture

B. establish

11. Workers who do not obey the safety regulations will be

A. refused

B. rejected

A. financial

A. exchange

C. bargain

B. turn

B. officer

IS. The question oflate payment of bills was

A. risen

D. dismissed

D. economical

these pounds for dollars?

C. alter

14. When the manager went to Canada on business his

A. caretaker

immediately.

use of its limited r~ources.

B. cheap

13. Is there a bank where I can

:...:

C. disapproved

12. The company tried to make the most

D. restore

C. control

B. raised

D. arrange
t~k over all his duties.

C. deputy

D. commander

again at the ~ard meeting.

C. brought

D. taken

SECTION 2: READING COMPREHENSION

Read each passage carefully and then choose the one hest answers (A, B, C or D) to each question.
Passage 1
As a member of the Electrix team, you know that Electrix is a world leader ill the field of electronics. But
do you know that we are the leading manufacturer in Spain? Do you know that we have companies in
Northern Africa, Europe, and North and South America? Do you know thai you are one of over 38,500
employees worldwide?
By reviewing this report of Electrix's operations, you'll learn more about yk,ur company. Our very first
manufacturing plant, SpanElectrix is still in Madrid and is our European heaqquarters.
,

Telecor Ltd. is in Rabat, Morocco, where our capacitors,semiconductordiodes and transistorsare

manufactured. Electrix in South America, based in Caracas, Venezuela,prodlJcesmost of our satellite
138

communications equip ent as well as office equipment devices like answering machines and all types of
telephone equipment.

ur sales and distribution outlets stretch from Venezuela to Egypt.

The most recent comp

y to join our ranks is the Softcomp Corporation. This organization designs new

software and enhances

xisting packages. It is based in New York City where the main offices ofEleetrix

in the Americas are loc ted.

I. In what country is EI ctrix the main producer of electronics?

a. Egypt

b. Venezuela

c. Spain

d. Morocco

2. Who is this report int nded for?

a. Competing E ropean electronics manufacturers
b. Software eng neers
c. Business sch 01 students
d. Employees 0 Electrix
3. Which company in t

organization is the newest member?

a.Softcomp Cor oration

b. Electrix in South America

c. Telecor

d. SpanEleetrix

4. Where have Electrix ompanies yet to be established?

a. South Ameri a

b. North Africa

c. Asia

d. Europe

5. Where would an offi e intercom system be manufactured?

a. Madrid

b. Caracas

c. New York Ci y

d. Rabat

Passage 2
The main topic of last

eek's meeting was suggestion boxes. All departments in the factory are to have

conspicuously labeled s ggestion boxes. At the meeting, it was obvious that the employees' suggestions
would not only save the company money, but would do much to lift morale and streamline production. To
further this process, the uggestion box idea was adopted.
Forms for the suggesti ns are to be kept inside the box. When employees fill out a form, they should
clearly state which situ tion they are trying to improve, list all pertinent data, and then offer a solution,
stating how the campa y would benefit. Forms will then be collected each month by the department
heads, who will then p s them on to the plant manager. Where necessary, the plant manager will consult
with the respective dep rtments to gather any relevant data. If applicable, the matter will then be passed
on to the finance depart

ent for approval.

A bonus will be paid to mployees for any suggestions that are adopted. The amount of the bonus will be
commensurate with the avings to the company.

139

I. What is the topic of the report?

a. A meeting

b. Morale

c. Production

d. A new system

2. Why has the company decided to use suggestion boxes?

a. To take advantage of the employees' ideas
b. To minimize complaints
c. To take some of the burden off department heads
d. To appease the finance department
3. How do the employees get the suggestion slips?
a. By requesting them from department heads
b. By applying to the plant manager
c. By looking in the suggestion box itself
d. By asking the director of finance
4. What is the plant manager suppOsed to do?
a. Review each suggestion with the employee
b. Issue bOnus checks
c. Route all suggestions through the fmance department
d. Compile data from other areas
5. What, specifically. should employees include in their suggestions?
a. The names of troublesome coworkers
b. The duration of the problem
c. What they would consider to be an appropriate bonus
d. A description of the point they are trying to remedy
SECTION 3: READING CLOZE
Complete the following passage with the missing words. Fill each blank with 0

E suitable word only.

Masayoshi San is the founder of SOFT BANK. Japan's leading software distri ution company. He was (I)
in 1957 in a smalltown on Kyushu Island in Japan. His amily stayed there until he
was nearly 13. then (2)

moved to Hakata so that he could ( )

better school. His family was very poor (4)

to a

at that ime. Korean people were

discriminated against. so he used to try and hide the fact that that he was (5)
But that all changed three years later, (6)
and university. He (7)

he went to the States to go to high school

there from 1973 to 1979 and

affected his whole way of thinking (8)

he had been nervous about being Korean and using (10)
uses it all the time.

140

life. Before goin

is experiences in the US
(9) ...........................
Korean name but now he

PAPER TWO: WRIT NG

SECTION 1: CONTR

LLED WRITING (10 marks)

From the following su ested words and phrases in the given sequences, make all the changes and
additions necessary to p duce sentences, which together make a complete paragraph. Follow the example
Example:

my aun 1 born 1 England 1 nowl she! live I Perth I Australia 1

Answer:

Myaun

was born in England, but now she lives in Perth, Australia.

I. Unilever I British-Du ch company I head offices I Rotterdam and London.

............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................

2. It now I own I many

ell-known consumer brands, I include I Knorr, Lipton's tea, Omo, Dove 1 Lux.

............................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................................
3. Knorr I their biggest food brand 1 a strong presence lover 80 countries I a product range 1 include I
soups, sauces, bouillons, noodles 1complete meals.
............................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
4. Today it I employ 124 ,000 people I 57 countries I sells its products 1150 countries 1150 m customers.
.............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
5. Its worldwide tumove 12002/48,760

million euros.

............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
6. It 1spend 1 2.3% 1 its t mover 1 Research and Development.
............................................................................................................................................................................
7. It 1 have 1 two global d visions, 1 calli Food and Home I Personal Care.
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
8. Over 50% I its sales I orne I Food Division.
............................................................................................................................................................................
9. It I have II 0 regional

usiness groups 1meet the needs I local markets.

............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
10. This I makeI it 1 inte ational manufacturer 1 leading brands 1 foods, home care I personal care.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
SECTION 2: SENTEN

E TRANSFORMATION

Use the words given to r write each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly
the same as the original

entence.

EXAMPLE:

I haven't njoyed myself so much for years.

ANS WER:

It's years since I enjoyed myself so much.

141

I. Joan will stay on at school unless she finds a good job before September.
IL

...........................................

2. 'John, please don't tell anyone my new address,' said Mary.

...........................................

Mary asked
3. Although he had a bad cold, William still went to work.
In spite ...............................................................................................................

~....................................

4. I regret that I didn't fmish my homework last night.

I wish

........................ ............................................

5. I would prefer you to deliver the table on Saturday.

I would rather

............................................

SECTION B: COMPOSITION
Choose ONE of the following topics to write a composition. Use at least 1 0 words.
Topic 1: A big salary is the only motivation to workers. Do you agree? Expla n your opinion.
Topic 2: Write about the advantages and disadvantages of using a computer.
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................-.....................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................
............................................................-................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
142

RlfONG DM HQC KINH TE TP. HO CHi MINH

-----------------------------------DE THI TIENG ANH
MON NGHE HIEU
HI>ten thi sinh:
Ngay thang nam sinh:
Ngay ki~m tra:
so' bao danh:
Chi? ky ghim thi 1

Chi? ky giam thi 2

so' phach

x:
... ang so
Dlem
b'
~

Di~m ~ng chi?

PAPER THREE

Chij ky GV ch~m 1 Chij ky GV ch~m 2

so' ph;ich

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

PART ONE
You have two minutes to r ad the questions in advance. Listen to the passage carefully and answer the
following questions. You w IIUsten to the piece THREE TIMES.
I. What's Phil Knight's job t tie?
............................................................................................................................................................................

2 What kind of business is ~ ike?

............................................................................................................................................................................

3 What are his interests?

............................................................................................................................................................................

4. "'hat does he have on his I ft leg?

n'"

5 Is his office full of objects rom Austria?

,....................................................................................................................................

143

PART TWO
You"have two minutes to read the qnestions in advance. Listen to the pas age carefully and circle the
best answer. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
1. This article is about .......................................
b. L'Oreal.

a. Lindsay Owen-Jones.

c. cosmetics.

2. Mr Owen-Jones is .......................................
b.CEO.

a. president.

c. a and b are correct.

3. His company's name is .......................................

a. Lindsay Owen-Jones.

b. L'Oreal.

c. cosmetics.

b. French.

c. Parisian.

b.65

c.98

4. He is ..............................
a. British.
5. He is

years old.
a. 57

6. Mr Owen-Jones has a
a. small

... salary.
b.low

c. high

b. sells only in Europe.

c. produces cosmetics.

b. live in England.

c. like sport.

b.a good manager.

c. not married.

7. L'Oreal..............................
a. is an America'n company.

8. Mr Owen-Jonesdoesn't ..............................
a. speak French.

9. MrOwen-Jones is ..............................
a. a large man.

10. According to the article, Mr Owen-Jones enjoys

a. sailing.

........................

b. travelling.

c. driving fast cars.

PART THREE
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to the p sage carefully and fill in the
blanks with ONE word for each. You will listen to the piece THREE T
S.
In the decade of the 1970s the United Nations (I)

everal important meetings on the

human environment to study a very serious problem. We humans are destro ing the world around us.We are
144

using up all of our natura (2)

. We must learn how to conserve them so that Our

children will have somethi g to live on.

There are several (3)

...

parts to this problem.

Population: Most problems of the environment come from population (4)

.In 1700,
there were 625 million peo Ie in the world. In 1900 there were 1.6 billion, in 19502.5 billion, and in 19604.4
billion. In the year 2000 th re will be 6.3 billion: More people need more water, more food, more wood and
more petroleum.
Petroleum: We are using u the world's petroleum. We use it in our cars and to (5) ..............................
our buildings in winter. (6)
to kill (7)

use petrochemicals to make the soil rich. They use them

that eat plants. These chemicals go into rivers and lakes and kill the fish

there. Thousands of peopl also die from these chemicals every year. Chemicals also go into the air and
pollute it. Winds carry this (8)

...

air to other countries and other (9)

We now have the informati n and ability to solve these (10)

problems. However,

this is not a problem for one country or one area of the world, but for all humans.

145

SAMPLE TEST 2

TRUONG D~I HQC KINH TE TP. HO CHI MINH

-------....---------....----..--------->

DE THI TlENG ANH

TRINH DQ C - MON DQC VIET
HQ ten thi sinh:
Ngiiy thang nam sinh:
Ngay kiEm tra:
so' baa danh:
ChITky giam thj I

ChIT ky giam thi 2

so' phach

x
DiEm hg chIT

DiEm bAng so'

PAPER ONE

CM ky GV chiim I Chu ky GV chiim 2

so' phach

RE DING COMPREHENSION

SECTION I
In this section you must ch ose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence.
J.

the com uter seemed like a good investment, they decided against it.
(A) Because

2. They claim they

(A) never been late

(B) Although

( ) have never been late

(C) have been late never

(D) have been never late

the day aftertomorrow.

(B) is prepared

4. The cook insisted that he.

(A) tasting

(D) But

..........................

3. The final proposal

(A) is going to prepare

(C) However

(C) is preparing

(D) will be prepared

(C) tastes

(D) taste

the soup.
(B) to taste

5. The exchange rate would h ve been better if they

(A) had gone
6. When the transaction
(A) fell through

B) went

B) got off
B) is filing

(C) turned in

B) onto

(A) for example

(C) file

(C) in addition
( ) professorial

(D) to

, they are never on time.

(C) professional

I J. First, determine which s ftware program will solve your problems;

146

(D) filed

(C) at

10. Her resume and recomme dations prove that she is a

computer.

(D) gave up

the change of management.

9. The buses are crowded an dirty;

(A) profession

(D) are going

past records.

8. We hope to benefit
(A) from

(C) have gone

, the seller was astonished since he had felt that the buyer was satisfied.

7. The accountant had her...

(A) to file

to a reputable bank.

(D) nevertheless
in her field.
(D) profess
; buy a compatible

..............................................................................................................................................................................................

)<

(A) besides

(C) on the other hand

(B) next

12. Consult a tax professional if you

(A) thought

necessity.
(B) financier

14. Their boss will not let them

(B) work
(A) to work

(D) financial

(C) financed

overtime.
(D) will work

(C) working

rate accounted for about one-third 0 the financing costs.

15. A higher average ..

(A) interesting

you are entitled to this ded ction.

(D) had been thinking
(C) had thought

(B) think

13. A strong cash flow is a

(A) finance

(D) therefore

(B) interest

(D) interestingfy

(C) interested

SECTION 2
Questions 16-25. Read the passage and choose the best answers for the ques ions that follow.
As the Millennium approaches, an economic earthquake is shaking

e globe, producing an upheaval

comparable to the Industrial Revolution that gave birth to the manufacturing a e. The Infonnation Revolution is

powered by breathtaking technological advances, accelerating world trade and

e spread of free-market policies.

Economic values are being tom down. Vast new markets beckon. Ten ye

ago, the free-market economies

encompassed I billion people. Now, says U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Law

ce Summers, "It is only a slight

exaggeration to say this is the era when 3 billion people entered the free-market. '
Yet the world is also entering an era of uncertainty and dislocation. Just as the Industrial Revolution
unleashed forces that destroyed the old agricultural order, so the Information

evolution is creating a new global

division of labor with far-reaching consequences for the fortunes of nations and individuals.
10

The only certainty, perhaps, is the size and speed of change. The glo alized economy is one of 24-hour
financial markets, huge split-second flows of international funds, and intense

mpetition as companies roam the

world for capital, labor, technology, raw materials, and markets. Mo~e flexible roduction techniques are allowing
giant global corporations to locate their activities wherever it is economically

ost advantageous. The traditional

"industrial" countries, led by the U.S., are moving inexorably, though at iffering speeds, to service-based
15

economies. In the not too distant future, only I in 10 of their workers will be e ployed in manufacturing.

147

Many economists

re confident that a bright era of world growth will emerge from the current

disruptions, that the chang

are no more disturbing than the 18'" century moves from countryside to industry.

Service jobs replacing thos in manufacturing are by no means all low paid. They include banking, insurance,
marketing, design, and com uter programming.
16. Which of the following i the main topic of the passage?
(A)

The changing job market

(B)

Changing financi I markets

(C)

Global increase i employment

(D)

Worldwide econo

ic changes

17. The word "upheavaf' in ine 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) convulsion

B) revolution

(C) agitation

(D) explosion

18. It can be inferred from th passage that there will be more

(A)

manufacturing in t e future

(B)

global trade

(C)

people employed i manufacturing

(D)

free-lance workers

19. The author compares the nformation Revolution to

A)

free-market econo ies

(B)

the manufacturing

(C)

the Industrial Rev lution

(D)

an economic age

ge

20. The word "unleashecf' in ine 9 could best be replaced by

(A) separated

( ) liberated

(C) justified

(D) divided

21. According to the passage, the globalized economy helps to

(A) increase competitive

ss

(B) cause corporate unce ainty

(C) develop world travel
(D) produce large compa ies
22. It can be inferred from the passage that the Information Revolution will
(A) produce more industri
(B)

help destroy manu~ cturing

(C)

increase the speed 0 change

(D) create new jobs

23. The word "roam" in line I is closest in meaning to
(A) walk

) cross

(C) travel

(D) discover

(C) changes

(D) moves

24. The word "they" in line 22 refers to

(A) economists

25. Where does the author men ion the economy in connection with employment?
(A) Lines I -2

148

(B Lines 5 - 8

(C) Lines 8 - II

(D) Lines 21 -22

SECTION 3: READING CLOZE

Complete the following passage with the missing words. Fill each blank with ONE sui ble word only.
An encyclopaedia is a rich collection
good

(I) information about people,

laces, things and- events. A

(2) is a treasure house of knowledge. We usually open an encyclopaedia when we are

(3) for information on a special topic, but it is often fun just to turn over the pages and see
(4) we can find by chance.

The best known, oldest and biggest encyclopaedia in English

This was first published in weekly parts

(5) th Encyclopaedia Britannica.

1768 (6) and 1781. Each on

(7) only a

rew pence.
There has recently

(8) a revolution in how encyclopaedias are p blished. Encyclopaedias are

now available, not

(9) printed on paper, but recorded on computer di cs. The fllSt was published

(10) 1986. Nowadays, many encyclopaedias are available in this way.

PAPER 2: WRITING
SECTION 1: CONTROLLED

WRITING (10 marks)

From the following suggested words and phrases in the given sequences, make all the hanges and additiOns
necessary to produce sentences, which together make a complete paragraph. Follow e example
Example: my aunt I born I England I nowl she! live I Perth I Australia I
Answer: My aunt was born in England, but now she lives in Perth, Australia.
Dear SirlMadam,
1-2. II Vietnamese student I Ho Chi Minh City Universityl Economics I do I a Master's Course I Business
Studies.

.................................
~
3-4. II intend I spend I six months I England I January next year I prepare I Cambrid

.................................
e First Certificate.

.................................

.................................
5. Your college I recommend! to me I a fellow student.

.................................
.................................
6.

II like I details I First Certificate course I include I fees I dates.

.................................

.................................
7- 8. Could I you! also I let I me I know I if I you I provide I accommodation I me I righton I an English family.

........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................
9. Thank I you I attention.

149

......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................
10. I / look forward / hear / you / soon.

......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................
Yours faithfully
SECTION 2: SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION
Use the words given to re rite each of the Collowing sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same
as the original sentence.
EXAMPLE:

I haven't en oyed myself so much for years.

ANSWER:

It's years si ce I enjoyed myself so much.

I.

"We're sorry that we h ve to delay the payment." said Mr. Janssen.

Mr. Janssen apologized

...........................................................................................................................

2. "If! were you, I'd make a formal complaint to get the compensation." he said to me.
He advised...

......

3. Could you deliver the go ds to my home?

Coul,! I have

........

4. Our supplier regrets not

eeting our requirements.

Our supplier wishes

..........................................................................................................................

5. Finding suitable accomm dation might be difficult.

It is
SECTION 3: COMPOSIT

Choose ONE of the Collowi g topics to write a composition. Use at least 150 words.
Topic 1:
Describe your working place and suggest some changes or improvements.
Topic 2:
Write about the advantages a d disadvantages of using a computer.
....................................................................................................
....................................................................................................
....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
...................................................................................................
...................................................................................................
...................................................................................................
..................................................................................................
...................................................................................................
...................................................................................................
...................................................................................................
150

.....................................................-................................................

.....................................
, .....................................

1......................................

"t.....................................
r.....................................

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::1:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
1.....................................
j.....................................
'
1.....................................
j.....................................
1.....................................
1.....................................

1.....................................

j.....................................
1.....................................

:tn
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::1:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::: :::::::::: :::::: ::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::: :::: :::::::: :~::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::: :::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::r::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
....................................................................................................
'.'

..

...
....

....................................

...
~

......... ....................................
..

. ...

! ....................................

j....................................
1....................................

::..:.::

:::::':':.::::':::.::::':..:::::::::::::::::':::::::::::::::':'::::::::::::"::::::':::.:::::'::::1::::::::::::::::::::::
...................................................................................................

....................................
....................................
!

!....................................
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::1::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
151

TRUONG DM HOC KINH TE TP. He) CHI MINH

..--....------...---..---..----........-------

DE THI TlENG ANH

TRINH DQ C - MON NGHE
HQ ten thi sinh:
Ngiiy thang nam sinh:
Ngiiy kim Ira:
so' bao danh:
Chi? ky gia m thi 1

Chi? ky giam thi 2

S6 phach

x
Dim bhg s6

EHm b~ng chi?

PAPER THREE

Chit ky GV chfun 1 Chit ky GV chfun 2

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

so' pMch

(45 minutes)

Part One
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen 10 the passage carefully and answer Ihe
following questions. You williislen to the piece THREE TIMES.

1. Who is Mr. Edward Blake?

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................
2. What kind of business is Wipro?

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..................................................................................................................................
3. Who among his staff have become millionaires?

..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
4. Why have they become millionaires?

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..................................................................................................................................
5. Which of the following are his characteristics that influence the organisational culture?
Tick the ONES you hear.
simplicity 0

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honesty 0

dedication 0

humility 0

flexibility 0

Part Two
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to the pIIssage and circle the best
a~nswer.You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.
Nelson Ferreira works for an aircraft manufacturer. He is making a presen1ation to some people who
are interested in buying aircraft.
\. The part of the presentation which you hear is
a) the introduction
b) some basic facts that come before the main part.
c) the main part
d) the conclusion
2. The company is
a) a state-owned company .
b) a family-owned company
c) a multinational company
d) a company which has shares traded on the stock exchange
3. The customers are mainly interested in
a) an executive jet plane
b) military aircraft
c) commercial aircraft
d) aircraft in general
4. The country where the company is based is
a) Brazil

b) Vietnam

c) America

d) England

5. The year when the company was set up was

a) 1969

b) 1989

c) 1979

d) 1959

6. In 1994, it was
a) sold

c) privatised

b) merged with another manufacturer.

d) reorganised

7. Last year the gross revenue was

a) $ 1.8 billion

c) $ 4.8 billion

b) $ 3.8 billion

d) $ 2.8 billion

8. Last year the net earnings were

a) $ 363 million
b) $ 2.8 billion

c) $ 353 million I
d) $ 4.8 billion

9. At present the number of employees is

a) more than 10,000

c) 5,000

b) 3,000

d) more than 20,000

10. In the last five years, the company has

a) grown a lot

b) grown a little
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c) stayed the same size

d) become smaller

Part Three
You have two minutes to read the questions in advance. Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks
with ONE word for each. You will listen to the piece THREE TIMES.

For years, Vietnam

had a classical

Marxist

(I)

system
characterised by central planning and control. Then, in 1986, the policy of opening up the country to (2)

forces

and

(3)

...............

investment was introduced. Twenty years later, the (4)

can be seen
everywhere. Take the city of Hanoi, for example. Ten years ago you could wander around on foot without
(5)

of great (7)

............................

about

traffic.

The

city

itself
was
(6)
and elegant, with lovely tree-lined avenues and many buildings.

interest. The (8)

today
is very different. Traffic has become a serious problem: Vietnam has over one million cars and over nine
miIlion motorbikes, seVen times the number there were in 1990. Hotels and office buildings are (9)
up all over the city, and (10)

...................................................

rents in Hanoi are now as high as in Paris and 70% higher than in Sydney.

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