1. Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

Overcharged overdid overcooked

overreacted Overestimated overate

Overheated overslept

1. It was a great meal. In fact, my complaint would be that the food was so good that I completely ……………….. !

2. When I checked the bill, I realized we’d been …………………. .

3. He ……………….. it at the gym. He should be more careful.

4. It was so hot, the car ………………. On our way there.

5. It was a mistake. I ……………….. how much food we needed.

6. It was a bit of a disaster, because I ………………. the pasta.

7. I know the waiter was a bit rude, but I still think you ……………….. .

8. No wonder he ……………….. this morning! He didn’t get to bed till three last night.

2. Discuss these questions:

What do you think happened in each of the situations described in exercise A?

Have any of these things ever happened to you?

Adjectives (negative prefixes)

Decide which negative prefix goes with these adjectives.

Accurate

Honest

Polite

Prepared

Probable

Successful

Lucky

Correct

Patient

Loyal

1. Complete the sentences with a negative adjective.

Top Tips for Telesales Staff

1. Never be ……………….. about why you are calling.

2 .Never give your customer ……………… information.

3.Never be …………….. – do some research into your clients before you call.

4 .Don’t be ………………. to make a sale – you may need to call the same person three or four times

5. Even when customers are ……………….. , make sure you stay calm and friendly.

6. Accept the fact that you are going to be …………….. some of the time.

7. Offer to call your client back if the time is …………….. .

GRAMMAR

Past Simple and Present Perfect

Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

1. I’m sorry about not coming last week. I (have) …………………. A cold and so I (stay) …………………. at home.

2. Wait a minute! I (have) …………………. An idea. Let’s go and see Roger. We last (see)…………………. Him a long time ago.

3. It’s nice to be back here in London. This is the second time I (come) …………………. Here

4. I’m phoning about your bicycle for sale, which I see …………………. In the local paper. (you sell) ……………….. it? Or is it still available?

5. This place is in a terrible mess! What on earthy (you do) ……………….. ?

6. And now for an item of local news. Hampshire police (find) ………………… the dangerous snake which (go) …………………. Missing earlier this week.

7. This tooth (kill) …………………. me lately! So I (make) ……………….. an appointment with the dentist for next Tuesday.

8. I can’t give you the report I (promise) …………………. for today because I (not finish) …………………. It

Subject and Object questions

1. Correct the grammatical mistakes in these questions.

1. How many people do live in Scotland?

2. What did happen in 1066?

3. What number you do dial for the emergency services?

4. What CRE stands for?

2. Use the prompts to make questions.

1. Who / become / Britain’s first woman prime minister / in 1979?

2. Which British political party / use / blue / as its official colour?

3. Why / the policeman / stand / outside the house / in Downing Street,10 ?

4. What / happen / on Guy Fawkes’ Day?

5. When / women in Britain / vote / in political elections / for the first time?

6. Which / English king / have / six wives?

3. Prepare six questions that test knowledge of your own national culture. Use examples in exercises 1 and 2 and these topics to help you.

Everyday life famous people history important places law multiculturalism politics regions

TELEPHONING

How efficient do you sound on the phone? Find out by doing this quiz.

1. Think of another way of saying

1. I’ll connect you

2. Just a minute

3. The line’s busy

2. Explain these words:

1. A code

2. An extension

3. You hear the following expressions on the phone.

What do you think the speakers mean?

1. You’re very faint.

2. He’s tied up at the moment.

3. Could you read that back to me?

4. Can you bear with me for a second?

5. I’ll get back to you the first thing on Monday.

4. Choose the polite reply in each of these conversations.

1. Can I speak to Loretta?

1. Who are you please?

2. Who’s calling please?

2. Could I have your name please?

1. Yes, I’m Anna Long.

2. Yes, it’s Anna Long.

3. This is Terry Race.

1. Sorry?

2. Repeat, please.

4. Is she free on Monday?

1. No, she isn’t.

2. I’m afraid not.

5. Would morning or afternoon suit you best?

1. I don’t mind.

2. I don’t care.

6. Is that everything?

1. Yes, of course.

2. Yes, that’s the lot.

Read the conversations and complete them with the expressions from the box. One of the expressions in each set of three is wrong. Choose the most appropriate expression from the other two.

1. Hello. / Good morning./ Speak!

2. Is (…) there? /I’d like to speak to (…) please./ Is there (…)?

3. Are you (…)? / Is that (…)? / Who’s calling, please?

4. Hold on, please, I’ll try to put you through. / Hang on, I’ll go and get her. / One instant.

5. I am (…). / It’s me. / This is (…) here.

6. What are you up to later? / What do you do later? / Are you available later on today?

7. I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow. / To tomorrow. / See you tomorrow.

Phone conversation 1

Jane: a) Hello.

Richard: Oh, hi b)…………………..

Jane: c) ………………….

Richard: Yes, hello, Jane. How are you?

Jane: Fine, thanks. d) ………………….

Maggie: Hello.

Richard: Hi! e) ………………..

Maggie: You got my message then. I thought you’d forgotten about me.

Richard: Don’t be silly. Of course I haven’t forgotten you. I’ve just been a bit busy, that’s all.

Maggie: Busy playing computer games, I suppose.

Richard: No, not all the time. Anyway, how are you?

Maggie: Not too bad. A bit tired. Too much work as usual. Which reminds me, have you heard anything from the travel agent’s?

Richard: Oh, yes. They’ve got the tickets.

Maggie: Great! I really need this holiday.

Richard: Listen, I can’t chat now, but f) …………………

Maggie: I’ve got to work this evening, but TI thought we could go to the cinema tomorrow.

Richard: OK, I’LL come round at about seven

Maggie: g) …………………..

Richard: Bye.

Phone conversation 2

Receptionist: a) Good morning. South-Western Bank. Can I help you?

Richard: Yes, b) ………………….

Receptionist: c)…………………

Richard: My name’s Richard Swainston.

Receptionist: OK, d) …………………

Oh, Mr Swainston, I’m afraid she’s on the other line. Would you like to hold?

Richard: Yes, thank you.

Alison: Alison Moore.

Richard: Oh, hello. e) ……………….

Alison: Oh, yes Mr Swainston. Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. There seems to be a problem with your account.

Richard: Oh,dear. What sort of problem?

Alison: Well, you’re over your overdraft limit by more than $200. You really need to come to the bank to discuss it.f) ………………….

Richard: I’m afraid I’m rather tied up today. Would tomorrow be convenient for you?

Alison: Yes, that’s fine. Ten thirty?

Richard: Yes, ten thirty’s fine for me.

Alison: Well, thank you for ringing. g) ………………

Richard: Goodbye.

READING 1

Read the information and discuss the questions.

Nike, the world’s most famous brand of trainers, is an American company that is named after the Greek goddess of victory. Nike succeeded in transforming the sports shoe into an essential fashion accessory. Now a global business with sales of over $ 13 billion, its first store opened in California in 1966.

Over its history, Nike has signed contracts with many of the world’s top stars – ranging from golf legend, Tiger Woods, to Brasilia national football team.

Its advertisements, with their slogan “Just do it”, have become almost as famous as the shoes hey sell.

1. What trainers do you own? Which do you prefer and why?

2. When is it not appropriate to wear trainers?

3. What are the most and the least fashionable trainers at the moment?

4. What do you think of people who spend over $500 on a pair of trainers?

READING 2

Read the text and answer the following questions.

MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES

The term “multinational” is used for a company which has subsidiaries or sales facilities throughout the world. Many of these giant organizations are household names such as Coca Cola, Heinz, Sony, Hitachi, IBM, Akzo and General Motors.

We can find two main reasons for the development of multinationals. Firstly, when companies found that their national markets had become saturated, they realized that they could only increase profits by setting up subsidiaries abroad. Secondly, if a country set up trade barriers against a company’s products, then the only alternative or the company was to establish a factory or sales organizations in the country concerned.

In earlier times, most countries gave the multinationals a ‘red carpet” welcome. More recently they are viewed by many with suspicion, host countries are restricting their activities.

At international level, various attempts have been made to regulate the activities of the multinational.

Tension between host country and multinational is inevitable in many cases because multinationals do pose a threat to national sovereignty.

The multinational is big and rich. It often operates in industries which are difficult to enter or of vital importance, e.g. the computer, chemical and automobile industries. Most important of all, the main objective of the multinational is to organize its activities around the world so as to maximize global profits and global market shares. The multinational’s headquarters is not under the control of the host government and is frequently thousands of miles away from its subsidiaries.

In recent years, governments have had to ask themselves whether multinationals are harming their national interests. In highly industrialized countries, a major source of worry has been that these foreign giants will take over smaller companies and gradually dominate an important industry. If this happens, vital decisions affecting economic interests of the country may be taken in boardrooms thousands of miles away from that country.

Undoubtedly, governments are uneasy when they feel that decisions affecting plants and employment in their countries are being made by remote control.

Developing countries, in particular, have become concerned about their dependence on foreign investment in key sectors of their economy. They have become aware that foreign subsidiaries often take most of their profits out of the country rather than reinvest them in the company. Sometimes, the flow of funds causes disastrous fluctuations in the exchange rates of their currencies. Certain countries have accused the multinationals of political interference.

To gain greater control over their industry, some countries are beginning to insist on joint ventures.

Another strategy used by governments is to limit the amount of profits that a foreign subsidiary may repatriate in a given period.

Arguing against multinationals, critics say that these organizations engage in anti-competitive activities, shut down plants, make huge bribes to gain contracts, interfere politically, destabilize currencies, underpay their workers and so on. Those speaking for the defence see these corporations almost as international agencies, promoting peace, providing better, cheaper products, and bringing much needed resources, expertise and employment to the host countries.

1. What is a multinational company?

2. What are the reasons for the development of multinationals?

3. Why do many view multinationals with suspicion today?

4. What do host countries do to restrict multinationals’ activities?

5. What is the main objective of the multinational?

6. How can multinationals harm the national interests of highly industrialized countries?

7. What is implied by remote control? Why do governments feel uneasy about it?

8. How do developing countries depend on foreign investment?

9. How can a government gain greater control over an industry?

10. What are the arguments of those who criticize multinationals?

11. What do their supporters say?

Translate the sentences, using the words from the word list.

1. Дэвид Джонс – главный исполнительный директор крупной туристической компании. Он основал свою компанию, после того, как 20 лет проработал в туристическом бизнесе.

2. В компании работает 4 тысячи сотрудников и почти все они имеют акции своей компании.

3. Не могли бы мы отложить нашу встречу? Боюсь, я буду занят весь день в четверг.

4. Секрет успеха этой туристическом компании в том, что она может предложить клиентам большие скидки. Используя свои связи, директор может договариваться о скидках до 65% со стандартной цены.

5. Директор компании подписал специальные контракты с авиакомпаниями и отелями.

6. Эта компания позволяет Вам отыскать старых друзей, с которыми Вы потеряли связь.

7. Компания очень быстро развивается. Она была основана в 2000г., в результате выкупа акций ее сотрудниками.

8. Каждый год сотрудники компании получают премию в виде акций.

9. В 1997г. в результате поглощения Мазератти стала дочерней компанией Феррари.

Выпуск автомобилей уменьшился.

10. Основные черты компании - это: традиции, внимание к дизайну и преданность своим клиентам.

11. В течение года Мартин Лич работал внештатным консультантом, до того как стал главным исполнительным директором Мазерати.

12. Мартин Лич смог совместить свой интерес к гоночным автомобилям со своей карьерой в автомобильном бизнесе.

CREATIVE WRITING

Write a web page giving the history of a company you know about or one you have invented. You may find some of the words in the box useful.

Found establish begin manufacture develop achieve reach launch expand produce want increase