Assignment 8 (to p.137-156)

1. Get ready to answer the questions in class, make a list of topic vocabulary for each question and use it in your speech:

1. How did Falcon learn about Winthrop’s involvement in the takeover?

2. How did Penn-Mar eventually submit to the Veens?

3. What questions did Falcon feel like asking Chambers and why didn’t he do it?

4. Why was Falcon approached by Cassandra Stone and how did he feel about it?

5. What kind of place was Sparks Steak House and why did Falcon favour it?

6. What is your impression of Cassandra Stone? What do you like and resent about her?

7. Comment on Falcon’s attitude to Cassandra Stone. Does he trust her? What makes you think so?

8. Describe Henry Landon, the president of Penn-Mar.

9. Describe Lex Sotos, the Penn-Mar’s CFO.

10. Comment on the remark: “If Landon was Mr.Inside, then clearly Sotos was Mr.Outside.”

11. How did Falcon interpret Landon and Sotos’ inner feelings during the meeting?

12. How did Falcon feel about breaking bad news to Lex Sotos? Do you agree that the man deserved to be fired like that?

2. Revise topic vocabulary from Units 5-7 and get ready for a quiz.

3. Find in the text the English equivalents for the word combinations given below and recollect the context in which they were used:

1. (p.139) поднять ставку

2. (p.139) уступить, признать

3. (p.139) подтверждать, поддерживать

4. (p.141) сдерживать к-л

5. (p.141) покорный, безропотный

6. (p.142) отдернуть

7. (p.143) глазеть

8. (p.144) украшать

9. (p.145) притягательный

10. (p.146) различить

11. (p.147) переиграть

12. (p.147) упрек

13. (p.148) поверять, доверять (секреты)

14. (p.149) острый, как гвоздь

15. (p.152) божья коровка

16. (p.152) высокомерный

17. (p.154) едко, язвительно

18. (p.155) презрение

4. Fill the gaps with topic vocabulary

1. You would think Bhutto would have waited a couple of days to raise the________. 2. ‘All right’, he ___________ed, ‘I probably made a mistake.’ 3. Everyone ___________ed the treaty as critically important to achieve peace. 4. Lex Sotos’ manner of speech was bitter and ___________. His eyes were filled with _________. 5. We could hardly __________ a small figure moving towards us. 6. Lex Sotos was arrogant to the point of being ___________. 7. One doesn’t have too many people to ______ _____ in and one desperately needs at least one. 8. The autographed pictures of sports celebrities ___________ the walls.

5. Translate into Russian in writing:

1. This tele­phone call did mean two very important things. First, Penn-Mar management was going to embrace or en­dorse Veens's higher bid, which would significantly lower the odds of success of any other competing bid. Second, it meant that DuPont was backing out, and they were the only real competition.

2. "As you both are well aware, National Southern is not only a coequity investor with Veens in the transaction. We are also the agent for the consortium of domestic and international banks that provided twenty-eight billion dollars for the deal. We felt it was important to get out here and meet face-to-face as quickly as possible. So, here we are."

"Yes, here you are." Sotos' tone was sarcastic. "What percentage of the shares did you get in the ten­der?"

"Ninety-eight point six percent." Falcon offered the detail. "We closed out the other one point four percent with a back-end merger yesterday."

"That's an appropriate term." Sotos laughed causti­cally. "Back-end merger." His tone was bitter.

6. Write a character sketch of Cassandra Stone in 120-180 words. Compare her to Jenny and Alexis.

LISTENING:

You will hear several short talks. For each talk you will read three questions, followed by four answers ((a-d). Choose the best answer to each one.

1. Who is this radio commercial aimed at?

1. business students

2. travel agents

3. business executives

4. professional athletes

2. What advantages does the Business Travel Club offer?

1. membership in the local Chamber of Commerce

2. cheaper air travel

3. discounts on computer equipment

4. special rates on accommodation

3. What facilities are NOT mentioned?

1. on-line connection

2. video conferencing

3. exercise facilities

4. office-style suites

4. Where was the survey conducted?

1. on Wall Street

2. in the top 500 US firms

3. in universities

4. in economic departments

5. What did the results of the survey find?

1. that more students were majoring in mathematics

2. that fewer students were getting degrees in economics

3. that more business graduates were enrolling in PHD programs

4. that business students preferred theoretical courses

6. Which of the following reasons was NOT given for the decline in enrollment?

1. an increase in university tuition fees

2. a lack of interest in abstract subjects

3. an unwillingness to spend the time required to obtain a doctorate

4. higher salaries earned by business school graduates

7. Who would NOT be likely to attend this conference?

1. advertising executives

2. marketing managers

3. media planners

4. financial controllers

8. What will Wednesday’s featured speaker be presenting?

1. the convergence of broadcast media and the Internet

2. on-line advertising

3. secure payment systems for e-commerce

4. automated database marketing

9. What must you do if you want to attend the conference?

1. send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your check

2. request an application form

3. register by email to their web site

4. call to reserve a place