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Exercise one
Exercise one - Read the following memorandum that you have received from your boss. Fill the gaps using the list of words below the text. There are three words that you do not need.
To: All staff
From: P. Jones. General Manager.
Since the recent annual , all managers have been discussing the and the proposals have been put : will now be rather compulsory. Anyone wishing to up for this should in the appropriate .Words: overtime - form - than - paper - meeting -sign - down - minutes - forward - mandatory - fill - following - voluntary
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Exercise one
Answers Exercise one
To: All staff
From: P. Jones. General Manager.
Since the recent annual meeting, all managers have been discussing the minutes and the following proposals have been put forward: overtime will now be voluntary rather than compulsory. Anyone wishing to sign up for this should fill in the appropriate form. -
Exercise twoExercise two - Read the text below and answer the multiple choice questions.
On June 30th, São Paulo City Council approved the Strategic Master Plan that will guide urban development for the next 16 years. It included some eye-popping provisions for a metropolis that earned the ignominious nickname City of Walls.
Most daring from the urban design side, the plan limits new residential developments to one garage parking space per unit if located along a designated public transit corridor, where there is easy access to the subway, consumer rail, BRT or exclusive bus lanes. In a public written statement, councilman Nabil Bonduki, a trained urban planner who pushed for the successful vote, called it a measure "to curb the dictatorship of the automobile."
Claudio Bernardes, president of Secovi-SP, a real estate industry trade group, believes it will necessitate serious changes from developers. "What will happen will depend a lot on developers' creativity because the new plan doesn't just limit the number of garage parking spaces, it also requires street-level retail, fewer setbacks and public space", he says. Indeed, the plan contains a variety of form-based provisions that contrast with the city's current real estate trend of closed condominium complexes with several towers surrounded by walls or fences.
The plan requires a minimum number of units depending on the size of the building, which Bernardes believes will lead to smaller apartments. By increasing the tax charged on higher floor-area ratios outside of transit axes, where multiple parking spaces per unit would still be permitted, he believes it will cause such units to rise from 13 to 20 per cent in price, placing a further premium on parking in the city.
The new master plan isn't the first effort to slow down the car onslaught. In 1997, the city implemented road space rationing, with a license plate system that in theory keeps one-fifth of the city's cars out of greater downtown during rush hour. Although originally started as air pollution initiative, it has become a traffic management tool, extended to trucks in 2008.
More recently, in 2003, the City Council passed a series of regulations for a conjunction of neighborhoods near downtown well served by transit that implemented the one parking spot per unit rule. It was a pilot for what has now become citywide policy.
1) In paragraph one, eye-popping means:
a - ugly
b - surprising
c - beautiful
d - noisy
2) In paragraph two, to curb means:
a - encourage
b - stimulate
c - motivate
d - limit
3) In paragraph three, retail means:
a - shops
b - penthouses
c - high-rise buildings
d - airports
4) In paragraph four, premium means:
a - permission
b - advantage
c - cost
d - benefit
5) In paragraph five, rationing means:
a - fixed amount
b - reasoning
c - authorization
d - rational
6) In paragraph six, pilot means:
a - driver
b - aviator
c - test plan
d - conductor
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Exercise two
Answers Exercise two
1) In paragraph one, eye-popping means:
a - ugly
b - surprising
c - beautiful
d - noisy
2) In paragraph two, to curb means:
a - encourage
b - stimulate
c - motivate
d - limit
3) In paragraph three, retail means:
a - shops
b - penthouses
c - high-rise buildings
d - airports
4) In paragraph four, premium means:
a - permission
b - advantage
c - cost
d - benefit
5) In paragraph five, rationing means:
a - fixed amount
b - reasoning
c - authorization
d - rational
6) In paragraph six, pilot means:
a - driver
b - aviator
c - test plan
d - conductor
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Exercise three
Exercise three - Here are some hints for making meetings effective.
Select the correct word from the options given.1. Make sure you a suitable location for the meeting.
2. the agenda carefully.
3. clear ground rules.
4. a relaxed atmosphere.
5. progress regularly during the meeting.
6. everyone focused
7. someone to take the minutes.
8. that there are plenty of breaks if the meeting is a long one.
9. everyone in the decision-making process.
10. clear tasks for everyone at the end of the meeting.
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Exercise three
Answers Exercise three
1. Make sure you choose a suitable location for the meeting.
2. Plan the agenda carefully.
3. Establish clear ground rules.
4. Create a relaxed atmosphere.
5. Monitor progress regularly during the meeting.
6. Keep everyone focused
7. Ask someone to take the minutes.
8. Ensure that there are plenty of breaks if the meeting is a long one.
9. Involve everyone in the decision-making process.
10. Assign clear tasks for everyone at the end of the meeting.
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Exercise four
Exercise four - Which is the odd one out in each sentence:
a - manager b - director c - supervisor d - staff a - office b - canteen c - building d - meeting room a - book b - report c - memorandum d - e-mail a - result b - aim c - objective d - target a - efficient b - competent c - hard-working d - lazy a - photocopier b - printer c - air conditioner d - computer a - cup b - stapler c - paper clip d - scissors a - lazy b - unpunctual c - untidy d - hard-working a - meeting b - interview c - get together d - appraisal a - receipt b - invoice c - payslip d - payroll -
Exercise four
Answers Exercise four
a - manager b - director c - supervisor d - staff a - office b - canteen c - building d - meeting room a - book b - report c - memorandum d - e-mail a - result b - aim c - objective d - target a - efficient b - competent c - hard-working d - lazy a - photocopier b - printer c - air conditioner d - computer a - cup b - stapler c - paper clip d - scissors a - lazy b - unpunctual c - untidy d - hard-working a - meeting b - interview c - get together d - appraisal a - receipt b - invoice c - payslip d - payroll
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Exercise fiveExercise five - Put the following items in the numbered spaces below. There are three you will not need.
Words: excellent rapport - apply for - good references - Dear Sir or Madman - dealing with - look favorably on - graduated in - Yours sincerely - personal qualities - provide any further information - Yours faithfully - Hello - am graduated in
I read your advertisement for an Office Manager with interest and I would like to this position.
I have been Assistant Office Manager in my present company for three years and feel that now I am ready for a higher position. I will be able to supply from my current and previous employers.
As can be seen from my C V, I Business Administration from USP and also have an MBA from F G V.
I would say that my include efficiency, honesty and the ability to delegate. I am accustomed to different levels of staff and have with my superiors.
I would be happy to you require and trust you will this application.
João da Silva Ribeiro.
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Exercise five
Answers Exercise five
Dear Sir or Madam
I read your advertisement for an Office Manager with interest and I would like to apply for this position.
I have been Assistant Office Manager in my present company for three years and feel that now I am ready for a higher position. I will be able to supply good references from my current and previous employers.
As can be seen from my C V, I graduated in Business Administration from USP and also have an MBA from F G V.
I would say that my personal qualities include efficiency, honesty and the ability to delegate. I am accustomed to dealing with different levels of staff and have excellent rapport with my superiors.
I would be happy to provide any further information you require and trust you will look favorably onthis application.
Yours faithfully
João da Silva Ribeiro.
Note:
Hello is too informal.
I am graduated: In English we use the verb 'to graduate' not 'to be graduated'
Yours sincerely is only used when you know the name of the person you are writing to. -
Exercise sixExercise six - Select the right alternative.
1) Will you be any government subsidies?
2) First of all, we need to priorities.
3) The bank has agreed to give us an overdraft .
4) Can I back all my expenses on this trip?
5) You will have responsibility for this project.
6) The economic is not good.
7) We have a highly trained .
8) There are some problems to be sorted .
9) Make sure you are for all your expenses.
10) Team-work is a factor in our company.
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Exercise six
Answers Exercise six
1) Will you be entitled to any government subsidies?
2) First of all, we need to establish priorities.
3) The bank has agreed to give us an overdraft facility.
4) Can I claim back all my expenses on this trip?
5) You will have sole responsibility for this project.
6) The economic forecast is not good.
7) We have a highly trained workforce.
8) There are some problems to be sorted out.
9) Make sure you are reimbursed for all your expenses.
10) Team-work is a key factor in our company.
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Exercise sevenExercise seven - Read the following e-mail and answer T or F.
To : João da Silva.
From : Heavy Sound Ltd.
Subject: Factory visit
Dear João,
Following our conversation earlier today, I would like you to visit our factory within five days at a time that suits you. As explained, the X3 amplifier is not working correctly. The sound is muffled.
Please let me know the date and time in advance.Maria Inês Duarte
Mark true or false.
1) () João and Maria have not spoken about this problem before.
2) () Maria wants João to visit the factory some time in the next two weeks
3) () João can choose the time she wants
4) () The X3 amplifier has a problem
5) () The sound is too loud
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Exercise seven
Answers Exercise seven
1) (F) João and Maria have not spoken about this problem before.
2) (F) João wants Maria to visit the factory some time in the next two weeks
3) (T) João can choose the time that she wants
4) (T) The X3 amplifier has a problem
5) (F) The sound is too loud
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Exercise eightExercise eight - Here is a report in response to Maria's e-mail.
Put the paragraphs A, B, C, D, and E in the correct order, numbering them 1 to 5.To: Maria Inês Duarte
From: João da Silva
Subject : Factory Visit
(A) Our sound engineers spent the whole of yesterday testing the amplifier and they found the following problems:
(B) RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that:
* The material used for the casing be more flexible to withstand vibrations
* The plastic coating should be 1 millimeter thicker to prevent any further splitting
(C ) Should there be any further problem, do not hesitate to contact me.
(D) * The casing is slightly cracked
* the plastic coating on the wiring is splitting
(E) The aim of this report is to explain the problem with the X3 amplifier, following my visit to your factory two days ago.
1) 2) 3) 4) 5)
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Exercise eight
Answers Exercise eight
To: Maria Inês Duarte
From: João da Silva
Subject : Factory Visit
(A) Our sound engineers spent the whole of yesterday testing the amplifier and they found the following problems:
(B) RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that:
* The material used for the casing be more flexible to withstand vibrations
* The plastic coating should be 1 millimeter thicker to prevent any further splitting
(C ) Should there be any further problem, do not hesitate to contact me.
(D) * The casing is slightly cracked
* the plastic coating on the wiring is splitting
(E) The aim of this report is to explain the problem with the X3 amplifier, following my visit to your factory two days ago.
1(E), 2(A), 3(D), 4(B), 5(C)
Justification : Logical layout of the text. -
Exercise nine
Exercise nine - Complete the sentences with MAKE, DO or GET. You may have to use different verb tenses.
1. We have to a decision. We can't just nothing.
2. Could you me a favor? Could you some more tea?
3. I' m sorry, our Director cannot talk to the press now. The insider dealing scandal a lot of damage to his reputation. You'll have to an appointment.
4. We business in China for four years before we a profit.
5. I think we should contact another agency to the cleaning.
6. We are sending a technician this afternoon to the job.
7. The employees so much noise at lunch time that I couldn't a call.
8. Alright, shall we a start?
9. There is no need to be nervous. Just your best. We all mistakes.
10. I was very lucky. I an interview here two weeks ago. Then they me an offer the following day, and I accepted it straightaway.
11. The company wasn't very well. Basically they into difficulties by expanding too quickly.
12. Although the company wasn't very good to us, we a lot of help from the employees. -
Exercise nine
Answers Exercise nine
1. We have to make a decision. We can't just do nothing.
2. Could you do me a favor? Could you make/get some more tea?
3. I' m sorry, our Director cannot talk to the press now. The insider dealing scandal did a lot of damage to his reputation. You'll have to make an appointment.
4. We did or had been doing business in China for four years before we made a profit.
5. I think we should contact another agency to do the cleaning.
6. We are sending a technician this afternoon to do the job this afternoon.
7. The employees made or were making so much noise at lunch time that I couldn't make a call.
8. Alright, shall we make a start?
9. There is no need to be nervous. Just do your best. We all make mistakes.
10. I was very lucky. I got an interview here two weeks ago. Then they made me an offer the following day, and I accepted it straightaway.
11. The company wasn't doing very well. Basically they got into difficulties by expanding too quickly.
12. Although the company wasn't very good to us, we got a lot of help from the employees.All answers related to collocations in English.
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Exercise tenExercise ten - Complete the sentences with who, whose or that.
1. The e-mail they sent explains the working procedures.
2. They promoted the director branch had the best performance.
3. Glass Repair is a company reputation is excellent all over the world.
4. Do you know he works for?
5. The salesman, seems to be very young, is talking to the General Director now.
6. I don't remember I spoke with last week.
7. Your colleague, I saw this morning, had a different approach to the problem.
8. The candidates CVs I looked at this morning weren't qualified enough to work here.
9. The contract you showed me last week had nothing to do with one you want me to sign.
10. The director company I visited last week is coming back from the main branch tomorrow morning.
11. The book you lent me about Lean Six Sigma is really interesting.
12. The supplier we visited on Friday offered worse quality than this one.
13. Joseph Winner, started with almost nothing, is a typical entrepreneur.
14. The man is in reception has been waiting for hours. -
Exercise ten
Answers Exercise ten
1. The e-mail that they sent explains the working procedures.
2. They promoted the director whose branch had the best performance.
3. Glass Repair is a company whose reputation is excellent all over the world.
4. Do you know who he works for?
5. The salesman, who seems to be very young, is talking to the General Director now.
6. I don't remember who I spoke with last week.
7. Your colleague, who I saw this morning, had a different approach to the problem.
8. The candidates whose CVs I looked at this morning weren't qualified enough to work here.
9. The contract that you showed me last week had nothing to do with one you want me to sign.
10. The director whose company I visited last week is coming back from the main branch tomorrow morning.
11. The book that you lent me about Lean Six Sigma is really interesting.
12. The supplier who/that we visited on Friday offered worse quality than this one.
13. Joseph Winner, who started with almost nothing, is a typical entrepreneur.
14. The man who/that is in reception has been waiting for hours.Justifications:
whose = used to show possession. The word after it is always a noun.
That = used to define a person, thing. Not used after a comma, as commas signify non-defining Relative clauses (sentences 5,7,13).
Who = to refer to a person/people.
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Quiz Business English
