لغة أجنبية متخصصة 1
Aperçu des sections
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Welcome! You made it to here, now you have to keep on working.
Ground Rules
· R E S P E C T
· Get in on time, or don’t bother
· If you chose to enter you have to stay until the end
· To each his own
· Don’t disturb others
· Behave yourself
· Appropriate outfit
How the Class Goes
· Topics
· Method
· Q & A
· Final exam
Some Tips
· Take notes
· Review and search
· Practice, don’t be shy
How to introduce yourself
· Greetings
· Name and age
· Origin
· Occupation
· Hobbies
Questions
Quiz 1 (Late again)
· Q1 Do you know ....... time it is?
(a) which (b) when (c) what (d) how
· Q2 No, I have ....... idea.
(a) any (b) no (c) not (d) some
· Q3 It's time you got ........
(a) on (b) in (c) over (d) up
· Q4 I don't believe you. You can't be ........
(a) right (b) accurate (c) precise (d) definite
· Q5 I'm telling that you must ....... up, or…
(a) haste (b) hasten (c) hurry (d) quick
· Q6 Or what? ....... on, tell me.
(a) Get (b) Come (c) Take (d) Put
· Q7 Simply that you're going to be ....... for work.
(a) late (b) later (c) lately (d) latest
· Q8 I think there's something you've ........
(a) forgiven (b) forbidden (c) forsaken (d) forgotten
· Q9 Now, it's your ....... to tell me.
(a) bend (b) turn (c) corner (d) curve
· Q10 Remember that there's no work today ....... it's Sunday.
(a) for (b) while (c) because (d) however
Quiz 2 (Make an appointment)
· Q1 Welcome back ....... in this session — we're going to take a look at some of the vocabulary we used in session 2.
(a) somebody (b) everybody (c) anybody (d) nobody
· Q2 To start with, can you ....... what session 2 was all about?
(a) retain (b) remain (c) remind (d) remember
· Q3 Yes, that's right. It was all about the job I do every day. I expect you recall that I work for a financial company ....... a financial advisor.
(a) at (b) as (c) on (d) of
· Q4 In other words I help people with ....... their money.
(a) inviting (b) inventing (c) investing (d) involving
· Q5 My clients contact our office via email or phone and then we ....... an appointment.
(a) make (b) take (c) give (d) do
· Q6 You arrange an appointment with another person because you want to ....... or see them.
(a) encounter (b) greet (c) meet (d) talk
· Q7 The two things that are important for an appointment are the time and the place. You say for example: Let's meet next Monday ....... 10 o'clock.
(a) on (b) at (c) in (d) for
· Q8 Another word that is very similar in meaning to appointment is the word date. A date is usually a private meeting with ....... person.
(a) different (b) second (c) other (d) another
· Q9 So, when you say: I've got a date with my boss, it means you ....... see your boss privately.
(a) are going to (b) will not be (c) will be (d) would be
· Q10 Possibly you also know the expression 'blind date', which is a rendezvous with a person you have never seen before and you are meeting them ....... the first time.
(a) at (b) in (c) for (d) from
Answers:A1(c) what
A2 (b) no
A3 (d) up
A4 (a) right
A5 (c) hurry
A6 (b) Come
A7 (a) late
A8 (d) forgotten
A9 (b) turn
A10 (c) because
A1 (b) everybody
A2 (d) remember
A3 (b) as
A4 (c) investing
A5 (a) make
A6 (c) meet
A7 (b) at
A8 (d) another
A9 (a) are going to
A10 (c) for
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One important idea in economics is that of needs and wants Needs
Needs would be defined as goods or services that are required. This would include the needs for food, clothing, shelter and health care Wants
Wants are goods or services that are not necessary but that we desire or wish for. For example, one needs clothes, but one may not need designers’ clothes. One does not need toys, entertainment, games …etc. One needs food, but does not have to have a steak or dessert. One does not need glamorous trips, mall shopping …etc
Distribution
An important part of economics is the distribution of resources or goods so that people’s needs are met. This is especially true in times of scarcity when there are not enough resources, goods or services.
Advertisement!
Many times advertisers try to appeal to consumers in such way that the consumers feel they need certain goods or services when in fact they only want them
Quiz 1 (Shopping)
• Q1 The trouble is I haven't made a ........
(a) detail (b) note (c) sheet (d) list
• Q2 ....... you must know what we need?
(a) Certainly (b) Surely (c) Definitely (d) Absolutely
• Q3 Well, yes I do have a ....... good idea
(a) pretty (b) fine (c) beautiful (d) nice
• Q4 Do we need any dairy .......?
(a) producers (b) produced (c) products (d) producing
• Q5 Yes, we've almost run out ....... cheese, butter, milk.
(a) through (b) of (c) by (d) with
• Q6 Right, we'd ....... get on with it.
(a) better (b) sooner (c) quicker (d) faster
• Q7 Oh and we'll also need some washing ........
(a) dust (b) flakes (c) powder (d) grains
• Q8 I assume there's nothing ........ I said it would be quick. Oh dear.
(a) included (b) excluded (c) either (d) else
• Q9 What's the .......?
(a) thing (b) matter (c) material (d) stuff
• Q10 Just look at the size of those huge ....... at the checkouts.
(a) tails (b) lines (c) queues (d) rows
Quiz 2 (At the shops)
• Q1 We got there early so that we could get the best ....... in the sale before anyone else.
(a) objects (b) products (c) bargains (d) offerings
• Q2 If you ....... with me, I'll go and see whether we have that in your size.
(a) hold (b) stay (c) bear (d) wait
• Q3 The trouble with these huge superstores is that they don't have enough ....... to deal with customers at busy times.
(a) barriers (b) sales points (c) exits (d) checkouts
• Q4 It started off as a small street corner shop over 30 years ago but it has now ....... into a massive department store.
(a) expanded (b) extended (c) explored (d) enlarged
• Q5 Take a good look at the receipt when you leave so that you can see that all the ....... have been listed.
(a) proceeds (b) items (c) products (d) produce
• Q6 Whenever I go to the old part of a city, I like to ....... all the shops selling antiques.
(a) examine (b) search (c) check (d) explore
• Q7 Are you aware of the latest ....... in children's clothing?
(a) tendency (b) trend (c) custom (d) habit
• Q8 They're quite ....... in their policy of not giving refunds without a receipt in this store.
(a) severe (b) strong (c) strict (d) hard
• Q9 They have a ....... restriction in the shop with regard to the number of items of clothing that you can try on at one time.
(a) legal (b) reasonable (c) required (d) mandatory
• Q10 The extent of the ....... available in this one store is more than you can possibly imagine.
(a) merchandise (b) objects (c) produce (d) articles
Answers:A1 (d) list
A2 (b) Surely
A3 (a) pretty
A4 (c) products
A5 (b) of
A6 (a) better
A7 (c) powder
A8 (d) else
A9 (b) matter
A10 (c) queues
A1(c) bargains
A2 (c) bear
A3 (d) checkouts
A4 (a) expanded
A5 (b) items
A6 (d) explore
A7 (b) trend
A8 (c) strict
A9 (d) mandatory
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Economics is the science that deals with the production, allocation, and use of goods and services. It is important to study how resources can best be distributed to meet the needs of the greatest number of people.
As we are more connected globally to one another, the study of economics becomes extremely important. While there are many subdivisions in the study of economics, two major ones are macroeconomics and microeconomics.
-Macroeconomics is the study of the entire system of economics.
-Microeconomics is the study of how the systems affect one business or parts of the economic system.History of Economics
The first writings on the subject of economics occurred in early Greek times as Plato, in The Republic, and Aristotle wrote on the topic. Later such Romans as Cicero and Virgil also wrote about economics
In medieval times the system of Feudalism dominated.
With feudalism, there was a strict class system consisting of nobles, clergy, and peasants.
In the system the king owned almost all the land and under him were a series of nobles that had the holdings of various sizes. On these landholdings were a series of manors. These were akin to large farming tracts in which the peasants or serfs worked the land in exchange for protection by the nobles.
Later the system of Mercantilism predominated
It was an economic system of the major trading nations during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, based on the idea that national wealth and power were best served by increasing exports and collecting precious metals in return. Manufacturing and commerce became more important in this system.
In the mid 18th century, the Industrial Revolution ushered in an era in which machines rather than tools were used in the factory system. More workers were employed in factories in urban areas rather than on farms. The Industrial Revolution was fueled by great gains in technology and invention. This also made farms more efficient, although fewer people were working the farms. During this time the idea of “laissez faire” became popular. This means that economies work best without lot of rules and regulations from the government. This philosophy of economics is a strong factor in Capitalism, which favors private ownership.
Quiz 1 (Adverbially Speaking)
• Q1 They had to drive ....... up the hill because the car was very old.
(a) easily (b) intently (c) slowly (d) fairly
• Q2 Please listen ....... because this is important.
(a) quietly (b) quickly (c) nicely (d) carefully
• Q3 Sorry we're late but we got here as ....... as we could.
(a) recently (b) quickly (c) well (d) nearly
• Q4 He mumbled throughout his speech so I could ....... understand a single word.
(a) really (b) fully (c) hardly (d) hard
• Q5 I trust his judgement — he ....... makes a mistake.
(a) never (b) always (c) quite (d) simply
• You've ....... ruined my new carpet with your filthy shoes.
(a) rarely (b) sometimes (c) usually (d) completely
• Q7 You haven't ....... written that letter, have you?
(a) clearly (b) truly (c) actually (d) blankly
• Q8 I have ....... told her not to do that and yet she always does.
(a) admittedly (b) repeatedly (c) wholeheartedly (d) frankly
• Q9 It was a very long day but we ....... arrived in time for tea.
(a) eventfully (b) unusually (c) dully (d) eventually
• Q10 He didn't want me to enter and ....... disputed my reason for being there.
(a) hotly (b) terribly (c) horribly (d) awfully
Quiz 2 (Poverty: living standards expressions)
• Q1 Poverty is a relative measure that depends on prices, the standard of living, and the ....... that others earn.
(a) amounts (b) incomes (c) monies (d) pays
• Q2 Poverty is a major problem in the world — and one that is extremely difficult to ........
(a) decide (b) resolve (c) determine (d) restore
• Q3 Families and individuals are defined as living in ....... if their incomes fall below certain levels.
(a) poor (b) poverty (c) scarcity (d) dearth
• Q4 Poverty in the United States is more ....... than most people realize.
(a) wide (b) ample (c) broad (d) extensive
• Q5 One reason for the continued high poverty number is the growing gap in the ....... of income.
(a) distribution (b) exchange (c) transmission (d) movement
• Q6 Weekly ....... tend to be lower for people employed in service industries.
(a) pay cuts (b) pay checks (c) pay offs (d) pay slips
• Q7 During the 1990's, salaries for highly skilled employees ......., while wages for those who are less skilled remained about the same.
(a) soared (b) flew (c) took off (d) took to the air
• Q8 The decline of unions means that low skilled workers have to look ....... for less pay.
(a) somewhere (b) everywhere (c) elsewhere (d) nowhere
• Q9 The shift from two-parent families to single-parent families and other non-family arrangements tends to ....... average family income.
(a) slighter (b) smaller (c) lesser (d) lower
• Q10 According to recent ......., nearly 45 million Americans live in poverty.
(a) quantities (b) statistics (c) numerals (d) amounts
Answers:A1 (c) slowly
A2 (d) carefully
A3 (b) quickly
A4 (c) hardly
A5 (a) never
A6 (d) completely
A7 (c) actually
A8 (b) repeatedly
A9 (d) eventually
A10 (a) hotly
A1 (b) incomes
A2 (b) resolve
A3 (b) poverty
A4 (d) extensive
A5 (a) distribution
A6 (b) pay checks
A7 (a) soared
A8 (c) elsewhere
A9 (d) lower
A10 (b) statistics
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4- Economics! What Is It? [Part II]
In the 19th century there was a reaction to the “laissez-faire” thinking of the 19th century due to the writings of Thomas Malthus. He felt that population would always advance faster than the science and technology needed to support such population growth.
David Ricardo later stated that wages tend to settle at a poor subsistence level for most workers. John Stuart Mill provided the backdrop for socialism with his theories that supported: farm cooperatives, labor unions, and less competition.
These theories were brought to a high point by Karl Marx who attacked the capitalistic “laissez-faire” theories of competition and instead favored socialisms, marked more government control and state rather than private ownership of property.
Another important idea at this time was the change in how items are valued. While formerly an item's value stayed the same according to what the item was, now the worth of an item is determined by how many people wanted the item and how great the supply of the item is. This was the beginning of the laws of supply and demand.
In the first half of the 20th century John Maynard Keynes wrote about business cycles (when the economy is doing well and when it is in a slump) his theories led to governments seeking to put more controls on the economy to prevent wide swings.
After World War II, emphasis was placed on the on the analysis of economic growth and development using more sophisticated technological tools. In recent years, economic theory has been broadly separated into two major fields: macroeconomics, which studies entire economic systems, and microeconomics, which observes the workings of the market on an individual or group within an economic system.
In the later 20th century such ideas as supply side economics which states that a healthy economy is very necessary for the health of the nation and Milton Friedman's ideas that the money supply is the most important influence on the economy where favored.
In the 21stcentury the rapid changes and growth in technology have spawned the term "information age" in which knowledge and information have become important commodities.
Quiz 1 (Basic Business English)
• Q1 The water in the refrigerator should be ........
(a) warm (b) hot (c) cold (d) frozen
• Q2 ....... I will come home early.
(a) Today at night (b) This night (c) Tonight (d) The night
• Q3 Do you ....... the bus to work?
(a) take (b) drive (c) bring (d) walk
• Q4 Have you .......?
(a) turned skinny (b) lost weight (c) no more fat (d) weighted less
• Q5 She is a member ....... the gym.
(a) for (b) from (c) by (d) of
• Q6 He ....... executive.
(a) is (b) is an (c) is a (d) an
• Q7 My friend likes ....... work on extra projects.
(a) to (b) of (c) from (d) the
• Q8 Please ....... a message on the answering machine.
(a) make (b) do (c) leave (d) report
• Q9 Yesterday they ....... very well in their class.
(a) do (b) does (c) will do (d) did
• Q10 At work we get a 30 minute lunch ........
(a) rest (b) break (c) vacation (d) holiday
Quiz 2 (Business Expressions 1)
• Q1 I heard of a new company today with which we should co-operate and ....... business with.
(a) make (b) create (c) have (d) do
• Q2 Shortly after he was dismissed from the firm he decided to ....... himself up in his own business.
(a) put (b) set (c) place (d) hold
• Q3 They went ....... business shortly after their children had left home and got married.
(a) out (b) in (c) into (d) on
• Q4 As soon as they heard what had happened, they ....... it their business to find out the truth.
(a) made (b) tried (c) managed (d) called
• Q5 I would ask you kindly not to interfere with what I'm doing as in all honesty it's ....... of your business.
(a) no (b) nothing (c) none (d) nor
• Q6 Despite all the alterations that are taking place in the department store, the management wanted to explain it was business as ........
(a) common (b) practical (c) frequent (d) usual
• Q7 She knew that there was some kind of ....... business going on because strange things were happening.
(a) weird (b) unusual (c) funny (d) stupid
• Q8 We really can't delay any more with our plans and must ....... down to business as soon as possible.
(a) set (b) get (c) cut (d) find
• Q9 When the bomb went off, most of the injured were just ordinary people going ....... their business.
(a) about (b) along (c) across (d) through
• Q10 Although they had high hopes that they would be successful, they ....... out of business within six months.
(a) turned (b) came (c) went (d) fell
Answers:A1 (c) cold
A2 (c) Tonight
A3 (a) take
A4 (b) lost weight
A5 (d) of
A6 (b) is an
A7 (a) to
A8 (c) leave
A9 (d) did
A10 (b) break
A1 (d) do
A2 (b) set
A3 (c) into
A4 (a) made
A5 (c) none
A6 (d) usual
A7 (c) funny
A8 (b) get
A9 (a) about
A10 (c) went
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You may wonder why the prices of goods go up and down so often. One of the reasons is the law of supply and demand.
Supply refers to how many of a certain goods or services are available for people to purchase. Demand means how many people wish to buy that good or service.
How does this work? Let’s say that a brand-new super powerful video game is about to come out. The game makers must decide how many of the games to make so they are not stuck with too many.
They then have to decide how much to charge for the game – its price. They would need to charge enough for the game to cover the costs of creating the game, advertising the game, shipping the game to stores. Since they want to make a profit on the game, they will also want to figure that cost as well. If the price of the game is too high, however, people may not be able to afford it or decide it’s not worth that price and there will be too many or an oversupply. If the price is too low, costs will not be covered and little profit will be made even though the game may sell very well. The company would lose money and may even have to close. The people who invest money in the company would not want to give the company anymore to make more products because they would not get a good share of the profits. Usually as prices rise, the supply or amount of a product increases, and as prices fall, the supply decreases as more people can afford the product. If the product is truly excellent one, there will probably be a high demand. Also if it is well advertised, more people will know about the product and beapt to want it. If the product is not well advertised or is not a good product, people will not want it and the demand will be low and the supply greater.
In the case of video game, if a better game came on the market later with superior technology, the demand for the current game would probably drop and thus the price would have to drop to sell it
Other factors that affect sales of an item are if the product is available, how good the customer service is, the appearance of the store, how the items are displayed – even what the parking is like for a store or the colors of the boxes the product is in.
Quiz 1 (How to agree)
• Q1 You can be absolutely sure I'm on your ........
(a) road (b) corner (c) route (d) side
• Q2 You can ....... on me for your support.
(a) show (b) rely (c) try (d) test
• Q3 Our views clearly ....... at this point I'm pleased to say.
(a) convert (b) concert (c) conduct (d) coincide
• Q4 Fortunately the leader and all her members were singing from the same ....... sheet.
(a) hymn (b) prayer (c) lyric (d) sermon
• Q5 It's good that we both have the same way of ....... at things.
(a) seeing (b) peeping (c) looking (d) viewing
• Q6 I'm pleased to say that we speak on this matter with one ........
(a) sound (b) tone (c) harmony (d) voice
• Q7 I certainly won't ....... any objection when you make your proposal.
(a) rise (b) raise (c) lift (d) arise
• Q8 I'm ....... you all the way as far as that's concerned.
(a) with (b) by (c) at (d) across
• Q9 I'm happy to ....... those sentiments and wish you every success.
(a) encompass (b) enthuse (c) endorse (d) endure
• Q10 When it comes to the vote I'm willing to put my ....... up and support you.
(a) head (b) chin (c) arm (d) hand
Quiz 2 (Business Expressions 2)
• Q1 I've warned you before that you shouldn't get involved in this matter and you have ....... business discussing it.
(a) some (b) little (c) no (d) not
• Q2 That's really not my concern at all and I'm certainly not ....... the business of telling others what to do.
(a) in (b) out (c) of (d) by
• Q3 She was very enthusiastic about her new job and was making rapid progress ....... nobody's business.
(a) as (b) with (c) similar (d) like
• Q4 I really wouldn't joke about it because these people are deadly serious and ....... business.
(a) signify (b) mean (c) require (d) need
• Q5 He didn't hesitate to tell me that I wasn't wanted and just told me to ....... my own business.
(a) concern (b) look after (c) tend to (d) mind
• Q6 I'm afraid it won't be possible to talk to the boss today because he's away ....... business till Tuesday.
(a) off (b) on (c) for (d) to
• Q7 He was very keen that we kept in touch and for that reason he handed me his business ........
(a) ticket (b) paper (c) card (d) notice
• Q8 This is the really important part of the machine and that's why we call it the business ........
(a) centre (b) end (c) area (d) point
• Q9 The whole site has nothing but offices and administration centers and that's why we call it a business ........
(a) place (b) situation (c) field (d) park
• Q10 All the famous film stars, actors, directors and writers were at the festival representing the world of ....... business.
(a) play (b) drama (c) show (d) performance
Answers:A1 (d) side
A2 (b) rely
A3 (d) coincide
A4 (a) hymn
A5 (c) looking
A6 (d) voice
A7 (b) raise
A8 (a) with
A9 (c) endorse
A10 (d) hand
A1 (c) no
A2 (a) in
A3 (d) like
A4 (b) mean
A5 (d) mind
A6 (b) on
A7 (c) card
A8 (b) end
A9 (d) park
A10 (c) show
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6- Business Operations
Business is an organized approach to providing customers with the goods and services they want. The word business also refers to an organization that provides these goods and services. Most businesses seek to make a profit - that is, they aim to achieve revenues that exceed the costs of operating the business. Prominent examples of for-profit businesses include Mitsubishi Group, General Motors Corporation, and Royal Dutch/Shell Group.
However, some businesses only seek to earn enough to cover their operating costs.
Commonly called nonprofits, these organizations are primarily nongovernmental service providers. Examples of nonprofit businesses include such organizations as social service agencies, foundations, advocacy groups, and many hospitals.Business Operations a variety of operations keep businesses, especially large corporations, running efficiently and effectively. Common business operation divisions include (1) production, (2) marketing, (3) finance, and (4) human resource management.
Production includes those activities involved in conceptualizing, designing, and creating products and services. In recent years there have been dramatic changes in the way goods are produced. Today, computers help monitor, control, and even perform work. Flexible, high-tech machines can do in minutes what it used to take people hours to accomplish. Another important development has been the trend toward just-in-time inventory.
The word inventory refers to the amount of goods a business keeps available for wholesale or retail. In just-in-time inventory, the firm stocks only what it needs for the next day or two. Many businesses rely on fast, global computer communications to allow them to respond quickly to changes in consumer demand. Inventories are thus minimized and businesses can invest more in product research, development, and marketing.
Marketing is the process of identifying the goods and services that consumers need and want and providing those goods and services at the right price, place, and time. Businesses develop marketing strategies by conducting research to determine what products and services potential customers think they would like to be able to purchase. Firms also promote their products and services through such techniques as advertising and personalized sales, which serve to inform potential customers and motivate them to purchase.
Firms that market products for which there is always some demand, such as foods and household goods, often advertise if they face competition from other firms marketing similar products. Such products rarely need to be sold face-to-face. On the other hand, firms that market products and services that buyers will want to see, use, or better understand before buying, often rely on personalized sales. Expensive and durable goods - such as automobiles, electronics, or furniture - benefit from personalized sales, as do legal, financial, and accounting services.
Finance involves the management of money. All businesses must have enough capital on hand to pay their bills, and for-profit businesses seek extra capital to expand their operations. In some cases, they raise long-term capital by selling ownership in the company.
Other common financial activities include granting, monitoring, and collecting on credit or loans and ensuring that customers pay bills on time. The financial division of any business must also establish a good working relationship with a bank. This is particularly important when a business wants to obtain a loan.
Human Resource Management, businesses rely on effective human resource management (HRM) to ensure that they hire and keep good employees and that they are able to respond to conflicts between workers and management. HRM specialists initially determine the number and type of employees that a business will need over its first few years of operation.
They are then responsible for recruiting new employees to replace those who leave and for filling newly created positions. A business’s HRM division also trains or arranges for the training of its staff to encourage worker productivity, efficiency, and satisfaction, and to promote the overall success of the business. Finally, human resource managers create workers’ compensation plans and benefit packages for employees.
Quiz 1 (How to apologize)
• Q1 Please ....... me for interrupting you, I didn't realize you were busy with someone else.
(a) forget (b) forfeit (c) forbid (d) forgive
• Q2 I'm very ....... that I'm late but there is a train strike on at the moment.
(a) sore (b) sorry (c) sorrow (d) sorrowful
• Q3 Please send my ....... to the meeting as I shan't be able to attend.
(a) apologies (b) apologize (c) apologized (d) apologizing
• Q4 There's really no ....... for my behaviour last night. I can only think that I'd had too much to drink.
(a) exception (b) escape (c) excuse (d) exclusion
• Q5 I know I shouldn't have made those remarks about your work and I hope you now know how deeply I ....... what I said.
(a) review (b) regret (c) respect (d) restore
• Q6 I must ....... your pardon, I mistook you for somebody else.
(a) bid (b) bide (c) beggar (d) beg
• Q7 If it helps to put things right, please let me take ....... everything I said earlier.
(a) again (b) back (c) in (d) across
• Q8 Please accept this small present as my way of making ....... for all the trouble I've caused.
(a) attempts (b) attention (c) amends (d) arrears
• Q9 All I can do now is simply beg your ....... and hope that in time we can get back to where we used to be.
(a) interest (b) interpretation (c) inclination (d) indulgence
• Q10 In their religion as long as they ......., they will be forgiven their sins.
(a) repent (b) restore (c) repeat (d) request
Quiz 2 (Daily Business Activities)
• Q1 My ....... went very well. I think I will get the job.
(a) interview (b) interstate (c) invitation (d) inspecting
• Q2 She likes your ....... of writing.
(a) jester (b) paper (c) test (d) style
• Q3 There is a water ....... in the hallway next to the bathroom.
(a) fling (b) thing (c) hole (d) fountain
• Q4 This report is ....... next week.
(a) gave (b) due (c) expect (d) date
• Q5 I cannot print the flyers because the ....... is out of paper.
(a) printer (b) impression (c) machine (d) impersonator
• We normally serve five hundred ....... every day.
(a) customs (b) customers (c) consume (d) commuters
• Q7 At the annual picnic we will be ....... hotdogs and chicken.
(a) serving (b) picketing (c) holding (d) rendered
• Q8 From time ....... time the inspector comes to make sure that everything meets health standards.
(a) in (b) and (c) to (d) for
• Q9 The bigger they are the harder they ........
(a) cry (b) hit (c) swim (d) fall
• Q10 Do you keep your files in your desk ........
(a) envelop (b) drawer (c) pocket (d) leg
Answers:A1 (d) forgive
A2 (b) sorry
A3 (a) apologies
A4 (c) excuse
A5 (b) regret
A6 (d) beg
A7 (b) back
A8 (c) amends
A9 (d) indulgence
A10 (a) repent
A1 (a) interview
A2 (d) style
A3 (d) fountain
A4 (b) due
A5 (a) printer
A6 (b) customers
A7 (a) serving
A8 (c) to
A9 (d) fall
A10 (b) drawer
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Mom said it best: If you want to succeed in business, try to act like you weren't raised in a barn.
But even though knowing how to behave is more important than ever, global alliances, new technology and an increasingly diverse work force have changed many of the old rules. Good manners really can give your career a boost, but are you confident that you know the rules?
Here are a few tips from Sue Fox and Perrin Cunningham, authors of “Business Etiquette for Dummies”
When someone gives you a business card, don't just glance at it and slide it into your pocket. Instead, take a moment to read it thoroughly. You may want to repeat the person's name to be sure of the correct pronunciation and/or ask about the person's job responsibilities. Be sure to express your thanks for being given the information.
Treat everyone with courtesy, even co-workers who bug you. Remember the morning affirmation of Marcus Aurelius, a former Emperor of Rome: "Today I will be surrounded by people who irritate me. I will not demonstrate my irritation."
Americans routinely eat French fries with their fingers. But in France, pommes frites are eaten with a knife and fork. When you dine overseas or with an international group, be especially watchful of the behaviour of your companions. When in doubt, use a knife and fork.
Be careful how you sit. Jiggling your knee is a sign of nervousness. Leaning forward can, at times, suggest aggressiveness, so do it with care. Leaning back with your hands behind your head and your pelvis lifted is an unseemly display for a man. So is sitting with your legs open if no desk shields your conversation partner from you. Similarly, leaning back with your legs crossed and one side off the seat of the chair is an unseemly display for a woman. So is sitting like a sexy starlet on the Tonight Show.
Giving your boss a gift? Use extreme caution. Extravagant gift-giving is bad strategy (it may look as if you're trying to curry favor or offer a bribe) and in poor taste others may resent you for "going overboard." Consider sending group gifts rather than individual gifts to bosses. It's all right, however, to send a card or flowers to your boss if he or she has been ill or in the hospital
When making introductions, observe the "pecking order." Always present the "lesser" person to the more senior person. For instance:
"Ms. Executive, I'd like to introduce Mr. Assistant."
"Mr. Client, I'd like to introduce my partner."
"Governor, may I introduce Ms. Citizen."
"Two-Year Employee, this is Ms. New Employee."
If you'll be hosting foreign visitors, ditch the slang. Idioms can be confusing to foreign visitors, even if they speak the King's English better than you do. The expression "How's it going?" for instance, doesn't make much sense to someone who doesn't understand what "it" refers to, let alone where it would be"going.". A sentence such as, "The printer works 24/7, so I'll get you that report ASAP unless the finance guy is AWOL again today" can be difficult for even a U.S. native to understand.
When dining with colleagues, follow the senior person's lead. If he or she orders an appetizer and an additional side dish, you should, too. Remember to keep courses balanced so that everyone is eating at the same time.
Be discreet with your mobile phone. If at all possible, keep it on the vibrate mode. If you absolutely must have your phone tone on, know exactly where it is so you can shut it off immediately. Every second you spend fumbling through your jacket pockets or purse while your phone plays "God Bless America" is more bad business karma piling up.
If you're talking to someone, don't look at your phone for a message while they are speaking. Wait until it is your turn to speak, then excuse yourself for a moment. Better still, wait until your meeting is over to check your message.
Quiz 1 (How to ask the way)
• Q1 Am I going in the right ....... for the post office?
(a) route (b) way (c) sign (d) direction
• Q2 Can you tell me please how I ....... to the cinema from here?
(a) come (b) get (c) take (d) fetch
• Q3 Could you please ....... me in the direction of the motorway?
(a) show (b) indicate (c) point (d) deliver
• Q4 I'm making for the M25 motorway — is this road the most ....... route?
(a) straight (b) clear (c) obvious (d) direct
• Q5 Could you tell me please how ....... I am from the town centre?
(a) near (b) far (c) close (d) away
• Can you help please because I've lost my way and ....... to get to the shops before closing time?
(a) need (b) require (c) request (d) must
• Q7 I'm ....... for the town hall — am I anywhere near?
(a) seeking (b) making (c) seeing (d) trying
• Q8 I took the wrong ....... at the last road junction, can you tell me how I get back on the motorway?
(a) turn (b) turner (c) turned (d) turning
• Q9 ....... to this map I should be near the church. Is it near?
(a) Following (b) After (c) According (d) considering
• Q10 Is this ....... for the railway station?
(a) correct (b) clear (c) fine (d) right
Quiz 2 (Money accepted)
• I like to visit other countries but I find the ....... of travel is too high.
(a) money (b) cost (c) expenses (d) currency
• Q2 She is very happy because she starts her new ....... today.
(a) job (b) work (c) labour (d) post
• Q3 One day I hope I shall ....... the lottery.
(a) gain (b) collect (c) reach (d) win
• Q4 He must have a lot of money because this summer he is going on a cruise ....... the world.
(a) about (b) around (c) across (d) through
• Q5 Have you read that book ....... the life of Van Gogh?
(a) about (b) of (c) over (d) in
• Q6 Do you want ....... sugar in your coffee?
(a) some (b) much (c) any (d) little
• Q7 They do not ....... cheques in that restaurant.
(a) accept (b) agree (c) allow (d) admit
• Q8 I cannot work today because I have very bad tooth........
(a) pain (b) hurt (c) damage (d) ache
• Q9 Children are not ....... in that public house.
(a) aloud (b) allowed (c) accepted (d) agreed
• Q10 You can see the ....... about the sale in the local paper.
(a)announcement (b)warning (c)notice (d)advertisement
Answers:A1(d) direction
A2 (b) get
A3 (c) point
A4 (d) direct
A5 (b) far
A6 (a) need
A7 (b) making
A8 (d) turning
A9 (c) According
A10 (d) right
A1 (b) cost
A2 (a) job
A3 (d) win
A4 (b) around
A5 (a) about
A6 (c) any
A7 (a) accept
A8 (d) ache
A9 (b) allowed
A10 (d) advertisement
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8- Business Communication
Good manners, good businessNobody actually wants to cause offence but, as business becomes ever more international, it is increasingly easy to get it wrong. There may be a single European market but it does not mean that managers behave the same in Greece as they do in Denmark.
In many European countries handshaking is an automatic gesture. In France good manners require that on arriving at a business meeting a manager shakes hands with everyone present. This can be a demanding task and, in a crowded room, may require gymnastic ability if the farthest hand is to be reached. Handshaking is almost as popular in other countries - including Germany, Belgium and Italy. But Northern Europeans, such as the British and Scandinavians, are not quite so fond of physical demonstrations of friendliness.
In Europe the most common challenge is not the content of the food, but the way you behave as you eat. Some things are just not done. In France it is not good manners to raise tricky questions of business over the main course. Business has its place: after the cheese course. Unless you are prepared to eat in silence you have to talk about something - something, that is, other than the business deal which you are continually chewing over in your head.
Italians give similar importance to the whole process of business entertaining. In fact, in Italy the biggest fear, as course after course appears, is that you entirely forget you are there on business. If you have the energy, you can always do the polite thing when the meal finally ends, and offer to pay. Then, after a lively discussion, you must remember the next polite thing to do - let your host pick up the bill.
In Germany, as you walk sadly back to your hotel room, you may wonder why your apparently friendly hosts have not invited you out for the evening. Don’t worry, it is probably nothing personal. Germans do not entertain business people with quite the same enthusiasm as some of their European counterparts.
The Germans are also notable for the amount of formality they bring to business. As an outsider, it is often difficult to know whether colleagues have been working together for 30 years or have just met in the lift. If you are used to calling people by their first names this can be a little strange. To the Germans, titles are important. Forgetting that someone should be called Herr Doktor or Frau Direktorin might cause serious offence. It is equally offensive to call them by a title they do not possess.
In Italy the question of title is further confused by the fact that everyone with a university degree can be called Dottore - and engineers, lawyers and architects may also expect to be called by their professional titles.
These cultural challenges exist side by side with the problems of doing business in a foreign language. Language, of course, is full of difficulties - disaster may be only a syllable away. But the more you know of the culture of the country you are dealing with, the less likely you are to get into difficulties. It is worth the effort. It might be rather hard to explain that the reason you lost the contract was not the product or the price, but the fact that you offended your hosts in a light-hearted comment over an aperitif. Good manners are admired: they can also make or break the deal.
Quiz 1 (How to complain)
• Q1 I'm really not satisfied with the way you have ....... the situation.
(a) dealt (b) handled (c) done (d) fingered
• Q2 I've really had enough of all your excuses, what I want is some ........
(a) action (b) acting (c) acted (d) active
• Q3 You've refused to help me now for six months and so I shall now have to take the matter ........
(a) on (b) longer (c) far (d) further
• Q4 I must ....... you do something immediately as I've been patient long enough.
(a) persist (b) desist (c) insist (d) consist
• Q5 I now want some kind of compensation for the total ....... of service I've experienced.
(a) lack (b) fail (c) failing (d) missing
• Q6 I'm obviously not getting anywhere with my complaint please let me talk to someone ....... to you.
(a) older (b) above (c) over (d) senior
• Q7 I'm very unhappy with the way I've been ........ No one seems at all interested in my case.
(a) considered (b) treated (c) placed (d) pushed
• Q8 I believe I have very good ....... for suing your company for negligence.
(a) lands (b) terrains (c) grounds (d) areas
• Q9 If you don't do something today, I shall be ....... to take legal action.
(a) held (b) ordered (c) commanded (d) forced
• Q10 You're the tenth person I've been put through to and I'm on the point of losing my ........
(a) mood (b) temper (c) state (d) feeling
Quiz 2 (Code of Practice)
• Q1 The company had its own code of ....... in these matters.
(a) behaviour (b) practice (c) dealing (d) attitude
• Q2 This is a ....... example of what not to do.
(a) critical (b) pure (c) simple (d) prime
• Q3 Plans have already been drawn ....... to deal with such situations.
(a) over (b) through (c) up (d) into
• Q4 Thousands of ....... are already signing up for this new telephone service.
(a) individuals (b) subscribers (c) applicants (d) interviewees
• Q5 Job losses are mainly in the ....... sectors of the industry.
(a) blue-collar (b) red-collar (c) stiff-collar (d) high-collar
• Q6 The circular will contain ....... financial information to help investors.
(a) key (b) obvious (c) intelligent (d) noted
• Q7 The report is ....... to show better than expected results.
(a) necessary (b) possibly (c) clearly (d) likely
• Q8 So many of these animals have been shot over the years that they are now classed as ....... species.
(a) dangerous (b) endangered (c) unwanted (d) limited
• Q9 Some people are ....... to learn a foreign language.
(a) unaccustomed (b) shy (c) reluctant (d) inhibited
• Q10 It was a big ....... for her to give up her acting career to look after her family.
(a) trial (b) sacrifice (c) endeavour (d) test
Answers:A1(b) handled
A2 (a) action
A3 (d) further
A4 (c) insist
A5 (a) lack
A6 (d) senior
A7 (b) treated
A8 (c) grounds
A9 (d) forced
A10 (b) temper
A1 (b) practice
A2 (d) prime
A3 (c) up
A4 (b) subscribers
A5 (a) blue-collar
A6 (a) key
A7 (d) likely
A8 (b) endangered
A9 (c) reluctant
A10 (b) sacrifice
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A. Recruitment
The process of finding people for particular jobs is recruitment or, especially in Am. English, hiring. Someone who has been recruited is a recruit or, in Am. English, a hire. The company employs or hires them; they join the company.
A company may recruit employees directly or use outside recruiters, recruitment agencies or employment agencies. Outside specialists called headhunters may be called on to headhunt people for very important jobs, persuading them to leave the organizations they already work for. This process is called headhunting.
B. Applying for a job
Fred is a van driver, but he was fed up with long trips. He looked in the situations vacant pages of his local newspaper, where a local supermarket was advertising for van drivers for a new delivery service. He applied for the job by completing an application form and sending it in.
Harry is a building engineer. He saw a job in the appointment pages of one of the national papers. He made an application, sending in his CV (curriculum vitae – the “story” of his working life) and a covering letter explaining why he wanted the job and why he was the right person for it.
• Note: BrE: CV; AmE: resume. BrE: covering letter; AmE: cover letter.
C. Selection procedures
Dagmar Schmidt is the head of recruitment at a German telecommunications company. She talks about the selection process, the methods that the company uses to recruit people: “We advertise in national newspapers.
We look at the backgrounds of applicants: their experience of different jobs and their educational qualifications. We don’t ask for handwritten letters of application as people usually apply by email; handwriting analysis belongs to the 19th century.
We invite the most interesting candidates to a group discussion. Then we have individual interviews with each candidate. We also ask the candidates to do written psychological tests to assess their intelligence and personality. After this we shortlist three or four candidates. We check their references by writing to their referees: previous employers or teachers that candidates have named in their applications. If the references are OK, we ask the candidates to come back for more interviews.
Finally, we offer the job to someone, and if they turn it down we have to think again. If they accept it, we hire them. We only appoint someone if we find the right person”.
Quiz 1 (How to criticize)
• Q1 Quite honestly I didn't think ....... of the standard of acting in the play.
(a) lot (b) few (c) little (d) much
• Q2 If you want my ....... opinion, I thought the food tasted revolting.
(a) honoured (b) honourable (c) honest (d) honour
• Q3 To come straight to the ....... I think the management team needs replacing.
(a) summit (b) top (c) topic (d) point
• Q4 There are several matters on which I should like to take ....... concerning your report.
(a) outcome (b) outlook (c) issue (d) outing
• Q5 There's really no virtue in me pussy....... around because I might as well tell you it's awful.
(a) treading (b) footing (c) walking (d) tripping
• Q6 I have a long ....... of things I think are wrong, where shall I start?
(a) story (b) description (c) file (d) list
• Q7 I'm afraid to tell you that your standard of work has fallen well below what we think is ........
(a) considerable (b) believable (c) acceptable (d) available
• Q8 In all honesty if I said that everything was all right, I'd simply be ........
(a) lying (b) laying (c) loading (d) letting
• Q9 If you can't improve your level of work, I'm afraid you'll have to look ....... for another job.
(a) anywhere (b) elsewhere (c) nowhere (d) somewhere
• Q10 I'm sick and ....... of always having to put right your mistakes.
(a) weary (b) exhausted (c) fatigued (d) tired
Quiz 2 (Applying for that Job)
• Q1 I would be very interested in ....... for that job.
(a) entering (b) working (c) applying (d) writing
• Q2 Do you want to ....... as a candidate in the local elections?
(a) stand (b) sit (c) go (d) try
• Q3 They are completely ....... up with all the noise in the centre of town.
(a) tired (b) fed (c) sick (d) ill
• Q4 The reason there are no buses is because the drivers are on ........
(a) hit (b) stop (c) strike (d) leave
• Q5 The government has changed its policy and had a complete change of ........
(a) view (b) opinion (c) mind (d) heart
• Q6 This supermarket is trying to ....... young shoppers by offering fashionable clothes.
(a) target (b) persuade (c) encourage (d) trap
• Q7 You should have ....... those shares when they were cheap.
(a) taken out (b) sold off (c) bought up (d) taken over
• Q8 You must try and hurry up because my patience is ....... out.
(a) running (b) racing (c) pacing (d) turning
• Q9 Have you ever tried your ....... at running a business?
(a) arm (b) finger (c) hand (d) leg
• Q10 After all these years she has decided to take early ........
(a) leave (b) finishing (c) departure (d) retirement
Answers:A1 (d) much
A2 (c) honest
A3 (d) point
A4 (c) issue
A5 (b) footing
A6 (d) list
A7 (c) acceptable
A8 (a) lying
A9 (b) elsewhere
A10 (d) tired
A1 (c) applying
A2 (a) stand
A3 (b) fed
A4 (c) strike
A5 (d) heart
A6 (a) target
A7 (c) bought up
A8 (a) running
A9 (c) hand
A10 (d) retirement
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A letter of application should create enough interest to make the potential employer want to look at your application in greater detail by reading your CV and hopefully invite you for an interview. Your application letter, however, should not contain too much detail about your experience and qualifications because that is the job of the CV.
Layout and style
The letter should be limited to one page and a few paragraphs will normally be sufficient. It is better to address a letter to a specific person, e.g. Dear Miss Chan, rather than to Dear Sir or Madam. However, in some job advertisements the name of the person you are writing to is not given.
It is good practice to try to find out the following information before you write your letter:
• The full name of the person you are writing;
• Their title - Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms, Dr, Professor, etc, and;
• Their position - Personnel Manager, Human Resources Manager, etc.
All this information can be obtained by a quick phone call to the company. Remember, never write Dear Miss W. Chan. It should be Dear Miss Chan. Do not use the initial except in the address. If you start with Dear Sir/Madam, it is accepted practice to finish with Yours faithfully.
Whereas, if you start with Dear Miss Chan, you may finish with Yours sincerely. Your letter should be neat and free from careless mistakes. You can follow the blocked and open• punctuation style. Whichever layout style you choose to use, you should use it consistently throughout the letter.
Structure of the letter
Paragraph 1 should state clearly why you are writing and where you saw the job advertised.
1. I would like to apply for the post of ... as advertised in today’s issue of..
2. With reference to your advertisement in ... on ..., I am writing to apply for the position of ...
Paragraph 2 should give a little information about your qualifications and experience. Make sure the information you give is relevant to the job that you are applying for.
1. As you can see from my enclosed CV, I have worked in my present position for five
years. During this time I have gained invaluable experience in ...2. I am currently a student at TPU studying ........ I am due to graduate in....... Although I have been studying full time, I have had a number of summer jobs which have helped me to gain experience in ...
3. My experience over the past two years has been at the managerial level, where I have had responsibility for ...
Paragraph 3 should say why you believe you are suited to the job and what you can offer the company. Those currently employed can state the reason for wishing to change their present job. However, you should not sound critical of your present employer.
1. I am currently working as a receptionist in ...The reason for my seeking a new position is that I wish to pursue a secretarial career. Unfortunately, there are no openings for advancement in my present employment.
2. For the last two years I have been working as a receptionist in ...Unfortunately the company is moving its main offices overseas and I have therefore decided to look for anew position. I believe that the experience I have gained in ... has given me the qualities you are looking for ...
3. I believe I would be an asset to your company. I will be able to bring with me my experience of ... which I believe would be useful in this position…
4. I feel that my ability to ... will help/enable me to ...
Paragraph 4 should tell the reader when you are available for an interview and how to contact you.
1. I would like to have the opportunity to talk to you further about my application. I am available for interview at any time and I can be contacted at/on ...
2. I am available for an interview at any time but would appreciate two days notice. I can be contacted on/at ...
I look forward to hearing from/meeting you soon.
3. As requested in the advertisement, I enclose a copy of my resume together with a recent photograph.
I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further. I am available ... and can be contacted on/at ...
Remember you might have to give a bit more detail than in the above examples. You can also combine the language in these examples. Also, it is sometimes useful to gather information about the company so that you know more about its background and policies. This may help you present yourself in the best light.
Quiz 1 (How to disagree)
• Q1 I'm sorry but I can't ....... your opinion on that.
(a) take (b) share (c) give (d) find
• Q2 I very much regret that we must ....... company on that issue.
(a) divide (b) devise (c) part (d) leave
• Q3 Let's be honest about it we'll never agree on that because our views are diametrically ........
(a) apposed (b) imposed (c) supposed (d) opposed
• Q4 We'll never agree, that's clear so let's ....... to differ.
(a) ask (b) bid (c) beg (d) try
• Q5 You can argue with me till the cows come ....... but I can't accept that.
(a) away (b) along (c) back (d) home
• Q6 I really see no point in continuing this argument because we have no ....... ground.
(a) basic (b) own (c) common (d) similar
• Q7 There's absolutely no way I can ....... you on that matter.
(a) meet (b) hold (c) take (d) find
• Q8 Nothing in the world will ever make me change my ....... on that subject.
(a) thought (b) mind (c) idea (d) heart
• Q9 I would love to meet you half way but I'm afraid I can't because with me it's a matter of ........
(a) principal (b) principles (c) principally (d) principle
• Q10 Let's ....... it, you and I will never see eye to eye on this.
(a) look (b) take (c) face (d) see
Quiz 2 (Business)
• Q1 I was pleased to receive your response to my proposal but there are one or two points that need ........
(a) notification (b) certification (c) clarification (d) signification
• Q2 A report has just been ....... that gives details of the causes of this trend towards informality in the business sector.
(a) published (b) directed (c) opened (d) held
• Q3 According to the ....... in the report it is clear that employees under the age of 35 prefer to dress casually at work.
(a) seeking (b) searching (c) findings (d) probing
• Q4 Thirty years ago this kind of informality would not have been ........
(a) withheld (b) endured (c) suffered (d) tolerated
• Q5 All employees are kindly requested to ....... from smoking in the presence of customers.
(a) stop (b) restrain (c) refrain (d) restrict
• Q6 The meeting went on for three hours and as a result
there was no time left to discuss all the topics on the ........
(a) list (b) index (c) contents (d) agenda
• Q7 There's really no point in hoping to add important topics right at the end of the meeting under the heading of any other ........
(a) business (b) work (c) activity (d) tasks
• Q8 The chairman was obliged to bring the meeting to a ....... because a fire broke out in the adjoining room.
(a) cessation (b) standstill (c) stopping (d) halt
• Q9 It is absolutely essential that the clerk takes care to ....... any decisions that have been reached during the meeting.
(a) time (b) minute (c) detail (d) measure
• Q10 As so few members had turned up at the meeting, it was decided to ....... it until further notice.
(a) delay (b) wait (c) postpone (d) hold
Answers:A1 (b) share
A2 (c) part
A3 (d) opposed
A4 (c) beg
A5 (d) home
A6 (c) common
A7 (a) meet
A8 (b) mind
A9 (d) principle
A10 (c) face
A1 (c) clarification
A2 (a) published
A3 (c) findings
A4 (d) tolerated
A5 (c) refrain
A6 (d) agenda
A7 (a) business
A8 (d) halt
A9 (b) minute
A10 (c) postpone
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A job interview is your chance to show an employer what he or she will get if you’re hired. That is why it is essential to be well prepared for the job interview. There exist five basic types of interviews:
The Screening Interview
This is usually an interview with someone in human resources. It may take place in person or on the telephone. He or she will have a copy of your resume in hand and will try to verify the information on it. The human resources representative will want to find out if you meet the minimum qualifications for the job and, if you do, you will be passed on to the next step.
The Selection Interview
The selection interview is the step in the process which makes people the most anxious. The employer knows you are qualified to do the job. While you may have the skills to perform the tasks that are required by the job in question, the employer needs to know if you have the personality necessary to “fit in.” Someone who can’t interact well with management and co-workers may disrupt the functioning of an entire department. This ultimately can affect the company’s bottom line.
The Group Interview
In the group interview, several job candidates are interviewed at once. The interviewer or interviewers are trying to separate the leaders from the followers. The interviewer may also be trying to find out if you are a “team player.” The type of personality the employer is looking for determines the outcome of this interview. There is nothing more to do than act naturally.
The Panel Interview
The candidate is interviewed by several people at once. It can be quite intimidating as questions are fired at you. You should try to remain calm and establish rapport with each member of the panel. Make eye contact with each member of the panel as you answer his or her question.
The Stress Interview
It is not a very nice way to be introduced to the company that may end up being your future employer. It is, however, a technique sometimes used to weed out those that cannot handle adversity.
The interviewer may try to artificially introduce stress into the interview by asking questions so quickly that the candidate doesn’t have time to answer each one. The interviewer may also ask weird questions, not to determine what the job candidate answers, but how he or she answers.
Quiz 1 (How to encourage)
• Q1 Well .......! This is a very good piece of work.
(a) made (b) done (c) finished (d) taken
• Q2 I must congratulate you on your efforts. ....... it up!
(a) Continue (b) Take (c) Keep (d) Hold
• Q3 Don't give up whatever you do. I'm sure you'll ....... it in the end.
(a) acquire (b) get (c) put (d) make
• Q4 I'll ....... by you no matter what happens.
(a) stand (b) keep (c) lean (d) support
• Q5 I'm sure if you ......., you'll succeed.
(a) pursue (b) proceed (c) propel (d) persevere
• Q6 You've clearly got ....... and it's obvious that you'll get to the top.
(a) control (b) power (c) talent (d) strength
• Q7 I've watched a lot of young people try to make a success of it, but you're the only one I really ....... in.
(a) think (b) trust (c) hold (d) believe
• Q8 I see no ....... why you shouldn't be accepted as an employee.
(a) cause (b) sense (c) reason (d) doubt
• Q9 Never ....... up. That's a good philosophy.
(a) give (b) do (c) take (d) try
• Q10 You mustn't ever be ....... off by a few setbacks.
(a) taken (b) held (c) put (d) pushed
Quiz 2 (At the Computer)
• Q1 Without the right software I'm afraid you can't ....... that particular program.
(a) reach (b) access (c) obtain (d) find
• Q2 The aim of the office manager is to ....... enough room on the building plans so that each employee can have space for a personal computer.
(a) arrange (b) accord (c) allocate (d) organize
• Q3 Remember that before you leave your workstation, always ....... your computer.
(a) shut out (b) shut up (c) shut in (d) shut down
• Q4 It's quite easy if you want to find folders and files on the computer, all you do is click here and it immediately starts ........
(a) seeking (b) searching (c) looking (d) checking
• Q5 I have tried and tried again and again and no matter what I do it still shows "error" — I just can't ....... what's wrong.
(a) look out (b) check out (c) figure out (d) bring out
• Q6 I spent hours writing that report and checking all the
information was correct and then without thinking I pressed the ....... button.
(a) 'destroy' (b) 'delete' (c) 'deface' (d) 'deny'
• Q7 It's a really clever piece of software because it enables you to ....... on your screen all the information in columns.
(a) illustrate (b) depict (c) display (d) delineate
• Q8 Unfortunately this program is not ....... with the operating system on my computer.
(a) amicable (b) compatible (c) adaptable (d) amenable
• Q9 When you see that particular symbol on the screen, you have to take that as a ....... that something is wrong.
(a) indicating (b) checking (c) briefing (d) warning
• Q10 With this program you can always check your spelling and grammar and if you don't want to accept what it shows, you simply press ........
(a) 'ignore' (b) 'quit' (c) 'leave' (d) 'forget'
Answers:A1(b) done
A2 (c) Keep
A3 (d) make
A4 (a) stand
A5 (d) persevere
A6 (c) talent
A7 (d) believe
A8 (c) reason
A9 (a) give
A10 (c) put
A1(b) access
A2 (c) allocate
A3 (d) shut down
A4 (b) searching
A5 (c) figure out
A6 (b) 'delete'
A7 (c) display
A8 (b) compatible
A9 (d) warning
A10 (a) 'ignore'
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12- Job Interviewing.
Preparing For The InterviewBefore you begin to think about how you will dress for the interview, or answer questions, you should gather as much information about the employer as you can. Not only will you appear informed and intelligent, it will also help you make a decision if a job offer is eventually made.
You might also want to prepare for answering questions by listing some of your attributes. Talk to former co-workers with whom you worked closely. Ask them to list some traits about you that they most admired - work related, of course.
You want to seem somewhat spontaneous, but you also want to appear self-confident. The way to do that is to rehearse, not exactly what you will say, but how you will say it. A great method is to rehearse in front of a video camera. Study your posture, the way you make eye contact, and your body language.
Dressing for the Interview
Appearance is very important and whether we like it or not, it is the first thing people notice about us.
You should match your dress to employees in the workplace in which you are interviewing and probably take it up a notch. If dress is very casual, those being interviewed should wear dress pants and dress shirts or skirts and blouses. Don’t choose a Friday, since many offices have “casual Fridays.”
Your hair should be neat and stylish. Your nails should be well manicured and clean. Men’s nails should be short. Women’s nails should be of a reasonable length and polished in a neutral color. Also forwomen, makeup shouldn’t be heavy. Perfume or cologne should be avoided as some people find certain scents offensive.
Establishing Rapport
Since the interviewer’s job is to make sure that not only your skill, but your personality as well, is a good match, you must establish rapport with the person or persons interviewing you.
That begins the instant you walk in the door. Let the interviewer set the tone. Nothing is as awkward as offering your hand and having the gesture not returned by the other person. Therefore you should wait for the interviewer to offer his or her hand first, but be ready to offer your hand immediately.
Body Language
They say that body language gives more away about us than speech. Eye contact is very important but make sure it looks natural. A smiling, relaxed face is very inviting. Hands resting casually in your lap rather than arms folded across your chest also is more inviting.
Answering Questions
When it comes down to it, isn’t this the main point of the interview? Speak slowly and clearly. Pause before you answer a question. Your answers will seem less rehearsed and it will give you a chance to collect your thoughts.
Asking Questions
Usually toward the end of the interview, the person conducting it will ask you if you have any questions. You should have some. You should ask about what a typical day would entail. You could also ask what special projects you would be working on. As in every other aspect of the job search, you are trying to show the employer how you can fill their needs.
Illegal Questions
We have all heard horror stories of interviewers asking job candidates inappropriate questions, such as those about marital status, age, and family status. These questions should not be asked, but it is up to you whether to answer them.
Money Questions
Money is a very sensitive topic. The candidate shouldn’t bring it up. However, the interviewer may bring it up first. He or she may ask what salary you hope to earn. You must prepare for this question before the interview.
Find out what others in the same position are earning. Always give a range, not an exact number. This will help keep you from pricing yourself out of a job. You don’t want the employer to think they can’t afford you, but you also don’t want them to think you are a cheap commodity.
After the Interview
This is something that is too often neglected. It’s the thank you note or follow-up letter. It is your chance to reiterate something you mentioned on the interview or bring up something you forgot to mention. It is also a nice gesture and a simple matter of politeness.
Quiz 1 (Online Marketing Campaign)
• Q1 She was going to discuss the matter ....... with her colleagues or her family.
(a) but (b) yet (c) neither (d) either
• Q2 Our project team tried hard to think ....... all the possible alternatives before making a decision.
(a) of (b) at (c) by (d) as
• Q3 Timing can be ....... crucial when you're considering launching a new online marketing campaign.
(a) strongly (b) greatly (c) extremely (d) already
• Q4 Are you able to ....... our conditions of delivery in line with our recent invoice?
(a) except (b) expect (c) accept (d) access
• Q5 Fortunately for us we're finding our new internet division is showing an increased ........
(a) prophet (b) profit (c) profitably (d) profits
• Q6 Following some recent research our engineers ....... that our index system has scope for fast improvement.
(a) fined (b) finding (c) found (d) finds
• Q7 In our line of business it is vital to host our website on our own server ....... of getting someone else to do it.
(a) except (b) but (c) besides (d) instead
• Q8 Before you employ new staff you should carry out a ....... examination of their personal qualities and professional experience.
(a) careful (b) caring (c) carefulness (d) carefully
• Q9 Thanks to the high standards of service we offer our customers, we have been able to establish an excellent........
(a) repute (b) reputable (c) reputation (d) reputedly
• Q10 An interactive website can save your organisation ....... amounts of time and money that would otherwise be spent on correspondence.
(a) signify (b) significant (c) significance (d) signification
Spin Doctor: In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing a biased interpretation of an event or campaigning to persuade public opinion in favor or against some organization or public figure. While traditional public relations and advertising may also rely on "creative" presentation of the facts, "spin" often implies the use of disingenuous, deceptive, and highly manipulative tactics.
Quiz 2 (Spin Doctors)
• Q1 Most of the money ....... was donated to charity.
(a) raised (b) gathered (c) risen (d) found
• Q2 They are showing a ....... of a 1930's musical at the Theatre Royal.
(a) resurrection (b) revival (c) retake (d) repeat
• Q3 When they had both retired, they ....... in a small village by the sea.
(a) stop (b) trial (c) stopped (d) settled
• Q4 The students at this university are ....... in blocks of flats on the campus.
(a) housed (b) domiciled (c) resident (d) placed
• Q5 I have no wish to have any ....... with a firm like that.
(a) openings (b) handling (c) dealings (d) contacts
• Q6 Voters find it difficult to believe politicians because
the latter use so many ....... doctors.
(a) twist (b) spin (c) turn (d) spinning
• Q7 We are told there will be little economic ....... this year.
(a) progress (b) forwards (c) movements (d) progression
• Q8 Unfortunately she has been given an ....... task.
(a) insurmountable (b) undeveloped (c) inoperable (d) unsolved
• Q9 It is essential to have air ....... in your car when you drive in a hot climate.
(a) control (b) blowing (c) conditioning (d) cooling
• Q10 Manufacturers are bringing ....... a new range of computers this year.
(a) up (b) out (c) through (d) across
Answers:A1 (d) either
A2 (a) of
A3 (c) extremely
A4 (c) accept
A5 (b) profit
A6 (c) found
A7 (d) instead
A8 (a) careful
A9 (c) reputation
A10 (b) significant
A1 (a) raised
A2 (b) revival
A3 (d) settled
A4 (a) housed
A5 (c) dealings
A6 (b) spin
A7 (a) progress
A8 (a) insurmountable
A9 (c) conditioning
A10 (b) out
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When it comes to interviewing you need to know what the best answers to interview questions are.
It’s common for interviewers to recycle the same interview questions from one interview to the next. Some of those questions will be fairly easy to answer, while others will be harder and some can be downright tough.
Therefore, you need to know the best answers to tough interview questions to improve the likelihood of being the lucky candidate.
Generally, job interviews follow a specific path. The interviewer starts asking you some basic interview questions about yourself, moving on to some questions about your career, and then into behavioral questions that are far more difficult.
Introduction – Initial Questions, the warm up questions
1. First Questions
- Tell Me about Yourself
- Please Introduce Yourself
- Tell Me a Little About Yourself
- Tell Me Something about Yourself
2. Work History: Experience & Skills
- What Experience Do You Have In This Field?
- Tell me about Your Work Experience
- What Are Your Skills?
3. Current Employment Situation
- Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
- Why Do You Want To Leave Your Current Job?
- Why Do You Want To Change Your Job?
- Why Are You Looking For A New Job?
- Why Were You Fired?4. Have you Done Your Homework
- What Do You Know About Our Company?
- What Do You Know about this Company?
- How Did You Prepare For This Interview?
5. Why Us & Why This Job
- Why do you want to work for this Company?
- Why Are You Here? What Brings You Here?
- Why Do You Want This Job?
- Why Have You Applied For This Job?
- Why Are You Applying for this Position?
- Why Are You Interested in This Job?
- What Interests You About This Job?
- What Interests you in this Job?
Job Target & Level of Motivation
1. Your Expectations from the Job
- What Challenges are you Looking for in a Position?
- What Do You Look For In A Job?
- What Are You Looking For In A Job?
- What are your Expectations from the Job?
- Are You Willing To Relocate? Are You Willing To Travel? -
- Are you Overqualified for this Job?
2. Questions about Salary
- What Are Your Salary Expectations?
- What Salary Are You Seeking?
Career related questions
1. Career Selection and Career Goals
- Why Did You Choose This Career?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
- Where Do You See Yourself In 10 Years time?
- How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
- What Are Your Career Goals and Career Objectives?
- What Are Your Career Aspirations?
- What Have You Done To Develop & Improve Your Skills?
2. Who Are You?
- How Would you Describe your Ideal Job?
- Tell Me about Your Dream Job
- What Is Your Philosophy towards Work?
- What motivates you?
- What Are Your Interests?
- What are your Hobbies and Interests?
- Who is Your Hero? Who Influenced/inspires You The Most?
- What are you Passionate About?
- What Inspires You? What Influenced You The Most?
- What do you like/dislike about your job?
- What do you like about Your Job or least like?
3. Questions about Career Success
- Do You Consider Yourself Successful?
- What Is Your Definition of Success at Work?
- What is your Greatest Achievement?
- What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment?
- What motivates you, Define success at work?
Behavioral questions
1. Performance at Work
- How Do You Handle Pressure and Stress?
- What is your ability to work without Supervision?
- Do you Take Initiative in the Workplace?
- Tell me about a Suggestion you have Made that made the Difference?
- How have you Handled Difficult Situations & Challenging Experience?
- What is the most difficult situation you have faced and how you solved it?
- How Do you Deal with Conflict?
- How Do You Handle Pressure and Stress?
- How Do You Handle Stressful situation?
2. Your Personality Traits – Characteristics
- How would you Describe Yourself in three words?
- Personality Questions and Answers
- How Would You Describe Your Personality?
- Describe a Typical Work Week and Your Work Style
- Describe Your Communication Skills
- Are you Creative? Do You Consider Yourself Creative?
- What Animal are You?
- How would you Describe your Work Ethics?
3. Your Weaknesses and Strengths
- Give me Examples of your Strengths and Weaknesses
- What Are Your Weaknesses?
- What are your Strengths?
- What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
- What Is Your Greatest Strength?
4. Teamwork Questions
- Are You A Team Player?
- What is Your Ability to Work alone, with others or in a team?
- Give us examples of Teamwork in the workplace
- How would your rate yourself as a team player/leader?
- Teamwork Questions and Answers
5. Workplace Relationships
- How Would Your Friends & Colleagues Describe You?
- Your relationship with your co workers?
- How Would you Describe your Boss?
Sum Up Questions
Why you over all the other candidates
- Why Should We Hire You?
- What can you bring/contribute to the company?
- What makes you different from the other candidates? What makes you unique?
- Why Should we Choose You? What Sets you Apart from Other Applicants?
- Why Are You Qualified for this Position?
- Why Are You the Best Candidate for this Position?
- Why Do You Think You Are Suitable For This Job?
- Why Are You The Best Person For The Job?
Some directions on Answering four of the above Questions
1. Tell me About Yourself?
This is a very common lead in for many interviewers. This is such an open ended question that it could be answered just about any way you wanted to, but the key here is that there really is only one right way to answer this trick question. You can begin by asking the interviewer if there is any particular part of your career that he/she would like you to focus on. If the answer is no then you’ll have to make your own decisions. Whatever you do not give the interviewer a history lesson of your personal life. Remember, all they really want to know if what you can do for the company.
2. What Motivates You?
The perfect answer is that you are motivated when you are aiding your employer to achieve their goals.
Try to give a solid example of how you would succeed at doing this. For example, “I love to solve problems. When a problem occurs, I’ll dissect the problem and then begin to break it out and resolve the problem. Here’s another example, “I love making money for the company I’m working for. I’m inspired and motivate to meet a sales goal and exceed it. I’m very ambitious and I’ll work continuously to achieve a company goal.”3. Tell me what you least Like About Your Job Now
Don’t make the mistake of saying there’s nothing you don’t like about your job now, because the interviewer isn’t going to believe that. And of course, you don’t want to say bad things about your current employer cause that could go against you too! A trick to get around this is to talk about the bureaucracy and how it weighs down getting work done, or how the systems are inefficient and how that frustrates you.
4. If we offer you the job, how will you see yourself spending your time?
Prior to the interview you should go over the job description to get all the details about the job being interviewed for. Most companies post job descriptions on their websites. That way when you are asked this question you’ll be able to summarize what’s expected of you and impress the interviewer that you know what the jobs about, what will be expected of you, and what your take on the job is. For example, as a call center clerk I expect to handle between 30 and 40 calls an hour.
With the best answers at your fingertips you can practice and make sure you are ready for the interview.
Let your confidence shine. -
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