BUSINESS COMMUNICATION FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES - Stage-I

ISQ Examination (Summer-2008)

Q.1 Find a word or phrase to replace the underlined and bold phrase in each of the sentences below. Write the word or phrase at the end of the sentence. (10) i) When we are looking for new staff, we try to find people who can think and act independently. .. Its very important that people in this department can work without someone telling them what to do and checking their work. . Now that we have reorganized the department, there are five people who report to me. A successful company always pays attention to the health and happiness of its staff. . To increase the desire to work, some companies offer bonuses to employees who perform well. .. Journalists are sometimes criticized for acting in a morally incorrect way when trying to get an exclusive story. The company works with local governments and educational institutions to help the group of people living and working in the area in which they operate. .. He was suspected of offering sums of money to influence people in order to win important construction contracts. In the US, many employees are tested for honesty and strong moral principles, especially if they work in areas such as banking.. She faces in investigation after being accused of behaving in an unacceptable way. ..

ii)

iii)

iv)

v)

vi)

vii)

viii)

ix)

x)

Q.2

Certain words are used more commonly in headlines, often because they are shorter or more dramatic than their alternatives. Match the italicized and bold words in the headlines on the left to their meanings on the above. (10) A) D) G) J) offer to buy a company edge look for bad news B) E) H) connection C) disagree F) disagreement I) about, concerning agreement obstruct

i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) x) Q.3

Renault on brink of two alliances Mannesmann investors split over bid Banks in merger credits deal KPN seeks new partners after Telefonica blow Deutsche chief criticized over Dresdner deal Rivals study EMI-Warner link Treasury seeks peace deal in takeovers row Wickes fights hostile bid Brussels pressed to block merger Aircraft group seeks 300m merger Savings

Make collocations using one item from each box. Then use the collocations to complete the sentences. (05) A) D) G) J) i) Competitive inward agreement involvement B) E) H) contractual mobile communications C) F) I) deeper advantage investment

National governments encourage ________

________ because it brings

benefits such as the creation of jobs, skills development and technology transfer. ii) Low labour and manufacturing costs are a major ________ global market. iii) Import / export is low-risk, but has a low profit potential. If a company wants a _________ iv) _________ in the global market they will look at outsourcing. _____________ with a ______ in the

Outsourcing involves a long-term ______________ low-cost provider of goods or services.

v)

______________

______________ make it easy for managers to stay in

touch with colleagues and Head Office.

Q.4

Fill the gaps using suitable prepositions : i)

(05)

We wanted to benchmark ourselves __________ our competitors; so we visited five other local hotels to compare facilities and service levels.

ii) iii)

I prefer working with a team; I wouldnt want to work ____ my own One advantage of being a sales rep in that Im out of the office a lot, visiting clients, so Im not chained ___________ a desk.

iv)

When the new manager joined, we didnt hit it ________ together very well and it created a difficult atmosphere in the office.

v)

Im lucky in this job; I can set my own deadlines and I dont have my boss breathing ________ my neck all the time.

vi)

Employees are a vital source of information, and it is important that you know how to tap _______ their ideas and opinions.

vii)

Smaller companies that cannot compete in the market may drop ________ as growth slows.

viii)

The most popular way of measuring the performance of an investment is to calculate the return ________ equity.

ix)

Scientists have discovered that computer software can wear _______ from prolonged use, just like cars and other machinery.

x)

The companys main revenues are generated ___________ sales of software upgrades.

Q.5

Please write the alphabate of selected answer in the given space:

(05) (Answer)

Pervez Ahmed works for a ________- making organization whose aim is to encourage local people to start their our business. 1 A) D) no profit unprofitable B) non-profit C) no benefit

There are great opportunities for our company in ________ markets where products like ours havent been sold before. 2 A) D) opening arising B) appearing C) emerging

One of the best ways of ___________ company image is to provide first-class customer service. 3 A) D) enhancing increasing B) bettering C) growing

After the board has given its approval, it will be my job to supervise the __________ of the new marketing plan. 4 A) C) practicing realization B) D) improvisation implementation.

During the conference, there will be numerous opportunities for ________, when delegates will be able to talk to each other about their experiences and interests. A) D) brainstorming networking B) hot desking C) teleworking

You should inform your supervisor as soon as possible if you think you are going to have difficulty in _______ targets. 6 A) D) meeting getting B) finding C) arriving

This is not the typical consumer product which will appeal to everyone, but there should be a _______ market for it. 7 A) D) special niche B) tight C) reserved

Its important to keep _______ to a minimum if you are going to make a decent profit. 8 A) D) oversights overwork. B) overheads C) overalls

Its been a pleasure _________ business with you. 9 A) D) making doing B) having C) running

It took us years to ________ the solution to our production problems. 10 A) C) come out with come up with B) D) come in for come about

Q.6

Rewrite each sentence using the words in brackets for greater clarity and emphasis. The number in bold shows the maximum words for the new sentence. (10)

i)

It will be necessary for us to request additional assistance. (need, ask for, more help 8) You have the possibility to determine your own preferences in relation to the colour. (can, choose 6)

ii)

You
iii) These days the labour unions have a declining influence on governmental operations. (less, government 9)

These days the unions

iv) My boss terminated Claudias employment as a consequence of her ineffective performance. (fired, because of, poor - 9) My boss Our expectations are that the price of commodities will go up in value. (expect, to rise 6)

v)

We
vi) In view of the fact that their requirements are so specific, I suggest that we verify all the details with exceptional care. (because, needs, lets check, very carefully 13) I have an idea in mind for how we can utilize better credit control to make improvements to the situation regarding our cash flow. (know, use, improve 14)

vii)

viii)

The new regulations state that we have an obligation to stop using the PCs of the company for emails of a personal nature. (rules, say, must not, personal emails 14) During the time we were talking she asked a great number of questions with regard to the recent modifications in our range of products. (while, lot, about, changes, product range 18) Your line manager will make an appropriate decision about your bonus, in spite of the fact that the HR department has the responsibility for this on an official basis. (decide, even though, officially responsible 15)

ix)

x)

Q.7

Jawed Ahmed is telling his PA to write various letters. Change his instructions into an acceptable form for business correspondence. Each sentence has been started for you. (10) Ask them for a cash discount. Could you. Could you offer us a cash discount?

Example John Phillips: PA writes: i)

Tell Rashid that the consignment must be delivered before the end of September.

It is essential ii) Could you iii) Were going to give them a big order, so find out if they allow quantity discounts. Ask Sohail to send us their catalogue and a price list.

As we intend to place a substantial iv) If they cant deliver the goods before Friday, tell Luqman to email us.

Please could you v) It would be a lot of help if they could send some samples.

We would be grateful if vi) Say that wed like Azhar to send someone here to give us an estimate.

We would be grateful if vii) Say wed like to see a demonstration of both models.

We would be interested

viii) Would you be ix)

Find out if Westons will let us have twenty units on approval.

Ask when he will let us have the cheque.

I am writing to enquire x) As a rule Say our suppliers generally let us settle by monthly statement.

Q.8 Your CEO is interested in using sponsorship as a way of promoting your company and its products. He has asked you to make a recommendation about how this can be done. He would be interested in sponsoring either an arts or a sports event. (15) Write a proposal for the CEO including the following information: the type of activities which might be suitable the benefits of this type of sponsorship for your company the costs involved your recommendation.

Q.9

Read the statements given below. Choose ONE of them and express your views on it in a paragraph of about 150 words: (15) (a) To some people, finance is a dry and technical area of business. In fact, its fascinating. No matter how successful you are, your business and its future are in the hands of the people you hire. Quality of life is more/less important for the citizens then the growth of GNP of the country.

(b)

(c)

Q.10 Indicate whether each of the following statements is a Fact, an Inference or a Judgment: (05) (Answer) i) There is a chair in this room

ii)

High stock prices are a sign that the economy is healthy.

iii)

Accounting majors get good jobs. All the people in this room will be employed three years from today. It is better to 75% right and 100% on time than 100%v right and a week late.

iv)

v)

Q.11 Revise these sentences to improve: You- attitude, Positive emphasis and Success consciousness. Eliminate any jargon or awkward phrasing. In some cases you may need to add information to revise the sentence effectively. (10) i) Tickets for the tournament are not available to you if you did not but a season ticket. Even if you did buy a season ticket, you can get only two tournament tickets. As per your request, we have arranged to have the plans sent by express mail. We hope this will be satisfactory. I apologize for my delay in answering your inquiry. The problem was that I had to call all the committee members to give you a report on the provisions likely to be in the final bill. If I havent explained in sufficient detail for you to make a decision. Please dont hesitate to call me. We regret that we are unable to process your application because you did not give us all the necessary information. I would like to make an appointment for an interview but am only available Tuesdays and Thursdays because of my classes. If you submitted a check with your order, as you claim, we have failed to receive it. Sizes and colors are limited, call early to avoid disappointment. Open this envelope only if youve decided to say no to our offer. Im sure youll agree that setting goals is the first step in financial planning.

ii)

iii)

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v)

vi)

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viii) ix) x)

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