Test
Answer all thirty questions. There is one mark per question.
VOCABULARY: DESCRIBING COMPANIES
1 What does each of these comments refer to? Write the appropriate word or
phrase from the box next to the comment.
competition / customer service / head office / investment plan / market share /
profit / share price / subsidiary / turnover / workforce
1 It was particularly hard hit during the recession last year, when it fell to an all-
time low of $8.5. Market share
2 We’ve already got five in South America, and we’re opening a new one in Mexico
next month. Answer: Subsidiary
3 It increased by 5% to $61 million last year, but unfortunately our profit figures are
not so impressive. Answer: Share
4 That’s where they make most of the important decisions, of course. Answer: Head
office
5 If we buy out our local competitor, it will increase to 33%. Answer: Price
6 Two thirds of it are women. Answer: Workforce
7 If we don’t produce and sell more than 10,000 sets a year, we won’t make any.
Answer : Profit
8 We need to think carefully about all the options and make sure it’s ready for the
board meeting next week. Answer: Investment plan
9 They do everything to make their clients satisfied, so I’m not surprised they are
praised for it. Answer: Customer service
10 It’s really fierce in our business sector, but so far we’ve managed to stay ahead of
it.
Answer: Competition
LANGUAGE REVIEW: PRESENT SIMPLE AND PRESENT CONTINUOUS
2
2 Complete this e-mail. Write the verbs in brackets in the correct tense (Present
simple or continuous).
Hi Sam,
We had a fantastic time here in Beijing.
The conference itself won’t start until next Wednesday, so I took the opportunity to
learn some Chinese. In fact, I attended a conversation class every morning, and I
think I made good progress.
Klaus and Ana will not stay at the same hotel. We have seen each other at head office
every afternoon. We met a lot of interesting people there and talked about the future
of our companies. People here like to look ahead, and that’s great.
Tomorrow afternoon, we will meet Sarah Li to discuss our investment options. I
don’t think it’s going to be very easy, so I need to be prepared.
We wished you were here with us already. Will you arrive next Thursday as planned?
Talk soon,
Max
SKILLS: PRESENTING YOUR COMPANY
3. Match the two halves of these phrases. Write your answers here:
26-E 27-D 28-A 29-C 30-B
26 First, I want to give you
27 Secondly, I’ll talk
28 Finally, I want to look
29 I’ll be pleased to answer
30 Thanks very much
A at our future plans.
B for listening to my talk.
3
C any questions at the end of my talk.
D about our new subsidiaries in Asia.
E some basic information about our activities.
SHOPPING ONLINE
4. Complete these sentences (16–20) with the phrases from the box.
after-sales service / credit card details / method of payment / money-back
guarantee /
out of stock
4
31. When you shop in a store, you can usually choose the method of payment you
prefer: cash, cheque or credit card.
32. Some people don’t like to buy online because they are afraid of giving their credit
card details.
33. If the product you want is out of stock, you may have to wait a long time for
delivery.
34. Many online sellers offer a money-back guarantee, which means you can get a
refund if you are not happy with the product.
35. If you have problems after buying a product, you can ask the after-sales service
department for help.
LANGUAGE
A MODALS 1
5. Choose the best options to complete this telephone conversation.
A Huxters. Good afternoon.
B Hello. Could I speak to Marianne Feldman, please?
A Just a moment … I’m sorry, she isn’t answering her phone. Would you like to
speak to someone else?
B OK. Can you connect me to someone in the computer department, please?
****
C Hello, Computer Department. Carla speaking. Can I help you?
B Hello. My name’s Bernie Lang. I spoke to Marianne before. She was helping me
to solve a computer problem – I couldn’t access the Internet.
C Right. I’m afraid Marianne can’t come to the phone at the moment. Would you
like to leave a message for her?
B Yes, please. Would you tell her my computer is working OK now? And please say
thanks very much for her help.
C Yes, of course.
