REVIEW QUESTIONSVocabularyI. Complete the sentences using the correct alternatives.1 I don’t agree with you at all.a) complain b) criticise c) agree2 Shop at Davey’s – we stand for quality and reliability.a) quantity b) quality c) standard3He failed to review quality procedures.a) delayed b) arranged c) failed d) insured4 Each person will receive a bonus according to their salesperformance.a) turnover b) bonus c) discount d) commission5 I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the next meeting.a) attend b) propose c) second d) go6 You should comply with all regulations to enable the delivery to go smoothly.a) regulations b) surveys c) customs d) tariffs7 We are looking for original products not mass-produced ones.a) long-lasting b) mass-produced c) well-known d) high-quality8 The product comes with a two-year warrantya) warranty b) compensation c) subsidy d) cover9 My boss would never accept a bribea) bribe b) corruption c) compensation d) fraud10 We’ve found a niche in the market.a) prosperity b) niche c) quote d) plead11 All the staff were asked to reorganise to Spain.a) outsource b) invest c) relocate d) reorganise12 There’s a problem with the machinery so the quality of the goods hasn’treached its usual standarda) fault b) flaw c) standard d) design13 B-Voy Bank is looking for three new bank officers to work in its new highstreet brancha) branch b) factory c) plant d) store14 It’s important that we get a patent for our product soon so that noone can copy our ideas.a) breakthrough b) discovery c) brainwave d) patent15 This organisation is too hierarchical There are four forms for everything!a) bureaucratic b) hierarchical c) flexible d) progressive16 Bed-Lux has recently taken over its main rival Duvet-Delights.a) merged b) taken over c) reorganised d) outsourced17 I am writing to invite you to present your research findings at theECR conference.a) network b) socialise c) present d) talk18 Pre-tax profits have plummeted to an all time low of $1.2m.a) plummeted b) skyrocketed c) soared d) risen

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II Complete the gaps in the sentences using the correct form of the word inbrackets.19 BTW is an advretising (advertise) agency that specialises in hoardingsand billboards.20 Some companies compare their main competing (compete) productswith their own.21 Susan had lots of ideas for new ads, but they were all less than inspiring (inspire).22 What do you think is the best way of promotion (promote) our latestcredit card – a commercial or leaflets?23 Some companies use humorous (humour) slogans to attract consumers.24 One successful advertising technique is celebrity endorsement (endorse).25 Shall we attend the Munich exhibition (exhibit) this year?26 Nike experimented unsuccessfully with its expansion (expand) intonon-athletic shoes.27 The campaign set out to make the juices look as mouth- watering(water) as possible.28 Bad publicity (publicise) is often considered better than none at all.29 Were you pleased with the outcome of the negotiation (negotiate)?30 It’s important for companies to deal effectively with complains(complain).31 The government is bringing in new regulation (regulate).32 The Co-operative Bank is well-known for its policy of ethical investment(invest).33 Globalization (globalise) damages local jobs and services.34 Does your company offer any form of compensation (compensate) for poorquality goods?35 Have you found a solution (solve) to your problems yet?36 There is huge competition (compete) in this region.37 What choice (choose) do I have?38 We’ve got the threat (threaten) of redundancy hanging over us.

III. Complete the gaps in these sentences using the words from the box.bankruptcy venture capital rating recession statement refund39 Would you like to receive your bank statement monthly or annually?40 Like many other entrepreneurs in the 1990s, Simon Nixon never receivedany capital to help him establish his business.41 The company can’t pay its debts – I think it’s heading for bankruptcy .42 Buyers and sellers on Amazon.com give a rating for the quality ofservice provided.43 The economy’s still doing badly. The country’s been in a recession foryears and I can’t see the situation improving.44 I returned the faulty goods to the wholesalers and they gave me a full refund .

IV. Complete the gaps using the adjective form of the noun in brackets. Somemay be negative.45 He cannot choose which supplier to use. He is so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (decision).

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46 She really can’t wait to do a skydive. She’s so adventurous (adventure).47 My boss never stops to think before opening her mouth. She can be sothoughtful (thought).48 I can’t seem to do anything right. It’s just so motivating (motivation).49 You have to wear smart clothes where I work. It’s a very formal(formality) working environment.50 She is always rushing around doing things with such enthusiasm. I’venever seen someone so energetic (energy).51 If you want to succeed in business then you must be prepared to take risksand be opportunistic (opportunity).

Language

I. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in brackets.52 are you working (you / work) on a new project at the moment?53 My colleague always finish (finish) work early on Fridays.54 Our company had already invested (already / invest) $4.54 million in Researchand Development this year.55 The marketing team meets (meet) in London once a week.56 At the moment we . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (not develop) a new brand.57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (you / usually / buy) usually birthday presents for yourcolleagues?58 The new company, GoKids, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (produce) books for children.59 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (see) my boss at 12.30 tomorrow.60 I’m going to the conference too. I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (give) you a lift if you like.61 The bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (depart) from the central bus station at 7.35 p.m.62 I won’t be able to make the workshop on Friday. I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (go) toFrankfurt for a long weekend.63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (you attend) the seminar next week?64 I think the Budapest flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (be) late too.65 They . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (stay) at the Ibis Hotel in Paris at the moment.66 I’ve decided I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (leave) the company soon.

II. Complete the gaps in the conversation with appropriate phrases (a–j).Sandra: John, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 ? When would be the best time to launchthe new sun cream range? July?John: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 I think May would be better. That’s when mostpeople start going on holiday.Sandra: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 but I’m not sure we’d be ready by then. There’sstill a lot of work to do.John: I know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 So, what do you suggest?Sandra: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 June? That gives us three months to prepare.John: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 we need three months to prepare?Sandra: Two months would be too little, I think. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 aboutthat?John: Three months will be fine – . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 anyway.

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Sandra: Great. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 ring Martin and see if he agrees.John: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 for a minute. Can we discuss something elsefirst before you call?a) what you meanb) what’s your opinionc) How aboutd) I propose that wee) That’s truef ) Well, I think sog) Maybe, buth) How do you feeli) Are you saying thatj) Hold on

III. Some of the underlined phrases in the telephone conversation below containerrors. Find and correct them. If a phrase is correct, put a tick in the spacenext to that line.Bob: Good morning. Easy electrics.Alexis: Hello. I’d like speaking with Bob Baker, please. . . . . . . . . . . . 77Bob: Bob Baker speaking.Alexis: Oh, hello. My name’s Alexis Draper. . . . . . . . . . . . 78 We’ve got ameeting on Wednesday, but I’m afraid something’s come to. . . . . . . . . . . . 79Bob: No problem. How if Thursday? . . . . . . . . . . . 80Alexis: Sorry, I can’t make it then. Could we meet on Friday . . . . . . . . . . . 81at eleven?Bob: That’s OK to me. . . . . . . . . . . . 82Alexis: Good. So I’ll see you on Friday. . . . . . . . . . . . 83Bob: OK then, Bye.Alexis: Bye.

IV. Complete the conversation using the sentences (a–e).Woman: Hello Boris. Nice to see you again.Man: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Woman: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85Man: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Woman: Oh yes. Maxlite manufactures bags, doesn’t it?Man: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87Woman: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88Man: Thanks very much – I will.a) I’m working there at the moment. Let me give you my card. Give me a callwhen you are in London next.b) Not too bad, thanks. Where are you working these days?c) I’m with Maxlite. I’m in the sales department.d) You too! How are you?e) That’s right. We’ve got branches throughout the UK, so I’m hoping to workin London at some point.

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V. Put the sentences (a–f ) into a logical order to introduce a presentation.a) This morning I’m going to outline the company’s performance over the lastyear.b) If you have any questions please do not hesitate to interrupt me.c) I’ll start with the predicted turnover and profits.d) I’ve divided my talk into two parts.e) Then I’ll move to look at what the actual figures were.f ) On behalf of FonBell I’d like to welcome you here today. My name’s SallyJames.89 . . . . . . . 90 . . . . . . . 91 . . . . . . . 92. . . . . . . 93 . . . . . . . 94 . . . . . . .

VI. Complete the short dialogues below with the expressions (a–j).95 A: I’ve got a new job!B: That’s great. ....................96 A: Have you been to London before?B: No I haven't. ....................97 A: ....................B: I agree. We know far too little about what the market needs.98 A: Is everyone here?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara is running a little late.99 A: How long are you staying?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 A:Would you like to meet for lunch?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I’ve got a meeting with a client.101 A: Quiet please everyone.B: Thanks Dave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 A: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B: I’m not very keen actually.103 A: Here’s your wine.B: Thanks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 A: Do you mind if I have another coffee?B: Go ahead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .a) I’m afraid I can’t.b) Congratulations!c) Cheers!d) It’s my first trip.e) Just until tomorrow.f ) Help yourself.g) We need to look into this in more detail.h) Could you just hang on for a minute?i) Let’s get down to business.j) How do you feel about that?BVII. Some of the following lines contain errors. Find and correct them. If asentence is correct, put a tick in the space next to that line.

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105 They can’t afford lowering prices. . . . . . . .106 Her job involves deal with clients. . . . . . . .107 I refuse believe you. . . . . . . .108 I heard about the changes last week. . . . . . . .109 We stopped the car to check the tyres. . . . . . . .110 If I would know the firm better, I would offer them credit terms. . . . . . . .111 Since 1999 we’ve kept away from chemical products. . . . . . . .112 If you reduce the price by five percent, I might to buy at leastfive thousand units. . . . . . . .113 The new CEO decided outsource some of the company’s functions. . . . . . . .114 Would it help you if I would lend you some money? . . . . . . .

VIII. Complete the gaps in the article with the correct alternatives.Consultants Manley and Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 (had published / published)

a report yesterday, which . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 (praised / has praised) BiTe logistics for its excellent environmental record. Since 1999 the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 (has won/won) five major environmental awards.

The company currently . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 (employs / is employing) eight thousand people. A spokesman for the company .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 (was announcing / announced) last week that it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 (has planned / was planning) to take on one hundred more staff at sites around the country. Managing Director Nadja Pal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 (said / says) in an interview several months ago that there . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 (isn’t being / hadn’t been) plans to expand any of the sites, but during an interview yesterday she . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 (mentioned / was mentioning) that discussions recently . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 (took place / are taking place) about possible developments to a plant in Dudley.

The company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 (has come / came) a long way since its earlydays. Nadja said ‘at the start we . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 (hadn’t got / weren’t having) much money, but we .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 (always tried / were always trying) to run our business as ethically as we possibly .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 (must / could).’ Their experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 (is showing / shows) that ethics and success go hand in hand!

IX. Complete the gaps in the dialogue with the phrases (a–g).a) I’d like to think about thatb) have I got this rightc) I think we’ve covered everythingd) That sounds reasonablee) I’m sorry, we couldn’t afford thatf ) let’s look at the optionsg) I’ll look into things straight awayFrancis: So, .................... 130 ? You’d like HR to help you organise a coursefor sixteen staff members on strategy building.Danny: That’s right.

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Francis: OK. First, .................... 131 .We could offer the course in-house –we’ve certainly got enough good trainers. Or we can go outside. I’drecommend AQP Consultancy.Danny: Hmm. I’m not sure what would be best. .................... 132.Francis: That’s fine, but let me tell you about the prices first. If we hold ithere, you’ll only need to pay for refreshments, say £15 per person.What do you think of that?Danny: .................... 133.Francis: But, a one-day course run by AQP in a three-star hotel is going tocost about £50 per person.Danny: .................... 134 . It’s far too expensive.Francis: Well, don’t decide yet. I’ll speak to a few people and see if I canfind out some other opportunities.Danny: Thanks – that would be good. Anything else?Francis: No, .................... 135 for now.Danny: I can’t think of anything else either.Francis: OK. .................... 136 and give you a call.

X. Complete the gaps with who, which, whose or that.137 Cultural awareness seminars at TrainUs, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the company onlystarted offering five years ago, have become their most popular courses.138 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trust their staff are often good leaders.139 It’s the ideas of the company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . are really influencingbusiness practices in this country.140 BusyN, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . is an IT provider, offers a high-quality service.141 BixUT is a fast-growing Estonian company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . is looking for anew leader.142 This is the team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . achieved record sales last year.143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . car is that outside the plant?144 Milly Saviour, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . established the clothing company CittySlick,travels economy class.

XI. Complete the short dialogues below with a response (a–j).145 A: Thank you for listening. Does anyone have any questions?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146 A: It’s nice to see you again, Sue!B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 A: Can we come back to that later? Dave, over to you now.B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 A: Are you saying that we’ll have to postpone the meeting?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 A: I propose that we develop a prototype.B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 A: In your opinion, when shall we publish the annual report, inDecember?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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151 A: Let’s look at the issue from a different angle. Is there a way we couldsave money, for example?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152 A: So, have we covered everything?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 A: Right, let’s get started, shall we?B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154 A:Would you find out what has happened to my plane tickets? Theyhaven’t arrived yet.B: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .a) You too. How are you?b) Yes, can you tell us the reasons for the low sales figures?c) Thanks, I’d like to focus on the problems we’re having with outsourcing.d) I agree with you.e) I think a month earlier would be better.f ) Hold on a moment, Michelle isn’t here yet.g) No, just that we should start a bit later.h) Sure, I’ll look into things straightaway.i) Yes, I think so. Joe, do you agree?j) Do you mean by reducing salaries?

XII. Complete the article using the correct form of the verb in brackets.Fast-growing paper manufacturer GRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 (said / has said)yesterday that it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 (creates / is going to create) seven hundredand sixty jobs over the next six years as part of an expansion plan.The firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 (has been announced / has announced) that it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 (plans / will plan) to build a major extension to itsheadquarters. This decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 (will result / is resulting) in newjobs throughout the region. The extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 (will complete / willbe completed) in October and should expand the plant by a third.GRED also says it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 (will help / helps) the business double salesover the next five years. The investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 (will also provide / isproviding) extra production capacity, and a better goods despatch area. Theinvestment comes after a record year for the company. Since March GRED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 (saw / has seen) a huge rise in sales and last week a companyspokesman predicted that profits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 (could reach / is reaching)£1.7 million for the past twelve months.This would mean profits were up twelve percent on the previous year. GRED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 (has planned / has been planned) to spend £40 million thisyear, opening forty-five shops and refurbishing existing premises. Twofactories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 (were also opened / have opened) by the companyin Belgium recently.

XIII. Rewrite the underlined phrases with the correct alternatives.167 I recommend that you don’t talk about money.You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (shouldn’t / don’t have to) talk about money.

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168 It’s essential that we order the new stationery supplies today.We . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (must / should) order the new stationery supplies today.169 It isn’t necessary for you to attend the meeting.You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (mustn’t / don’t have to) attend the meeting.170 I advise you to take plenty of business cards with you on your trip.You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (have to / should) take plenty of business cards withyou on your trip.171 Where I work it’s necessary for everyone to start work at 9.00.Where I work everyone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (should / has to) start work at 9.00.

Reading

I. Read the article and decide if these statements are true or false.1 British companies are failing to spend money on modernising theirbusinesses.2 Large numbers of companies have invested in new IT equipment.3 The press have reported on many unsuccessful projects.4 LS took over Calcot.5 LS recently took over its rival.6 Bilton’s is a successful partnership.7 Small and medium-sized businesses need to negotiate better.8 Parts-2-go and Delkon are working closely together.

Changes in business operationsBy Alan Rodger

British companies are investing huge amounts of money in making changes to their raditional business practices. The main aims behind this investment are to increase the quality of services provided, while reducing prices.

The demand for available and skilled IT resources in the UK is so great that many customer services companies have decided to outsource contracts to low-cost countries, such as India, in order to meet this demand.

So, what are the challenges and opportunities that outsourcing presents? There have been many newspaper stories of failed projects and broken-down relationships between customers and the service companies who have outsourced contracts.

Probably the most famous of these stories was LS, who had agreed a ten-year deal to provide services for Tilkin. This ended earlier this year, when LS was replaced by Calcot. However, it was not all bad news and LS behaved professionally and helped to ensure the successful takeover of the service by its rival, so the only problems reported were minor ones.

The main goal of investing in outsourcing is to improve the quality of customer services, and to lower the cost of operations at the same time. One example of asuccessful outsourcing partnership is Bilton’s. Almost two years ago the companystarted outsourcing services to a consortium of companies. The deal with the consortium is for five years. Payments are made to the consortium if it reaches its targets – it has to deliver a two percent improvement in customer satisfaction annually.

There are huge opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to make savings by using shared services. For instance, organisations with similar requirements

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can negotiate to use the same service provider. This would mean that the costs for each company would be reduced through savings of scale. This is the model behind adeal recently announced for a joint venture between Parts-2-go and Delkon.

Partnerships are great opportunities to show what can be achieved with open minds, shared interests, and a commitment to better and cheaper services. Perhaps theexperience of the past can actually help make changes for the future.

From the Financial Times

II. A. Read Part 1 of the article. Match the headings (a–e) to the paragraphs (9–13). Write the letter in the space provided.a) Good publicity for companiesb) Growing importance of ethical businessc) CSR in the transport sectord) Helping to attract and keep employeese) Ethics in a variety of sectors Part 1BCorporate Social Responsibility: an issue for recruitsBy Mike Scott9 ....................Climate change, human rights and child labour. A few years ago, companies would have found these issues irrelevant. However, as the world has become better informed, companies have had to take more account of their nonfinancial impact on society andcorporate social responsibility (CSR) has become crucial to a company’s success.10 ....................But do graduates pay any attention to this – and is it having any effect on the career choices they make? Peter Davies, deputy chief executive of Business in the Community, the UK charity that aims to improve the company’s impact on society, says that commitment to CSR does help companies attract new recruits. ‘Companies seen to bemanaging aspects of corporate responsibility are able to retain and recruit better staff.’11 ....................Sectors at the forefront of CSR ‘are those addressing global issues such as human rights,poverty and HIV/Aids, some of the big issues in society,’Professor Warhurst of WarwickBusiness School says. ‘Those are the attractive employers. They’re exciting, they’re doing something completely different – and they’re the ones in the press.’12 ....................She gives the example of the logistics sector as one that has welcomed the challenges ofethical business. ‘Many train, freight and air services – among them DHL and FedEx – are helping hurricane victims in the Caribbean. TPG, the Dutch logistics group, invests heavily in the World Food Programme and has introduced a staff volunteering programme.’13 ....................

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Different types of companies are having to face different issues, she says, ‘Retail companies are there on ethical supply chain management, oil and mining companies are getting there on land rights, etc, while companies are working on environmental issues.’

B. Read Part 2 of the article on the following page and complete the gaps(14–18) with the missing sentences (a–e).a) So, on the one hand there is a group who want to feel that something isbeing done.b) This might be ethical investment or environmental consultancy, forinstance.c) That made them think much more deeply about what they wanted from ajob.d) They’re faced with a big pay package, a glamorous company with lots aboutCSR.e) Only time will tell if interest in business ethics will continue to increase.

Part 2The effort is worthwhile, she believes. ‘People think of companies doing these

things as better companies and might choose them over others.’Anne-Marie Martin, director of the University of London careers service, agrees,

but says that formany the interest in CSR ‘started in the last recession, when studentssaw their parents being made redundant. .................... 14’

Corporate scandals such as Enron and Anderson also made students look twice at some high-flying financial careers, but Ms Martin says ‘They’re generally aged twenty-one to twenty-three. .................... 15 You’re not going to look too hard at it.’ Some students, though, ‘won’t touch particular areas because they are not socially responsible. These students do think quite deeply about this. They’re very serious about things like the arms trade, the tobacco industry, the third world and green issues. .................... 16 On the other there are also those who are just interested in money.’

Over recent years there has certainly been a huge growth in careers in areas related to CSR. .................... 17 In addition, a recent survey reported that, among new employees, the qualities employees most value in a company are clear vision and ethical values. .................... 18

From the Financial Times

III. A. Read the article and decide if the statements (19–23) are true or false.19 You can’t be successful in business and have a good work–lifebalance.20 Commitment is the only quality needed to become an effective leader.21 To be successful in business you may need to work longer hours.22 It’s more important to set work–life priorities when you are young.23 There’s no point aiming for a work–life balance when you have afamily.B. Now complete the gaps (24–28) in the last two paragraphs with thesentences (a–e).

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a) There is no point in pretending we can have it all.b) It’s just that it has its price.c) I’m sure we all know people who wouldn’t dream of missing themeeting.d) You can work more intelligently, and delegate as much as you like.e) However, unless they win the lottery, they will have less money in thebank!BBe a leader in business – with a life!By Michael Skapinker

It is not possible to achieve a balance between work and life if you want to do well in business. To reduce only your workload will fail because in real life success inwork depends on achieving targets. In a competitive business environment, leadership takes different qualities and skills – including commitment, passion, and of course a lot of time.

A work–life balance is not just about people wanting to leave the office at areasonable time – they know that they have to compete against those who are prepared to work until the early hours, on the other side of the world. Take Pavan Vishnakarma, a freelance software developer who lives in Bhopal, for instance. He advertises himself as being available for work at any time.

The answer is surely to look for balance across our whole lives, rather than at anyparticular time. Life is about deciding what is important to you – and sometimes makinghard decisions. There are periods when we want to devote ourselves to work and others when the family is more important.

It’s not that a work–life balance isn’t worth having. It certainly is. . . . . . . . . . . 24. This is that you are not going to rise as high in the organisation or be as rich asthose business leaders who have no interest in a work–life balance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25. However, if you are the sort of person who, faced with a choice between a school play and a crucial meeting, chooses the play, you will fall behind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.

Show me a successful Chief Executive and I will show you someone who barelysees his/her children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.We can’t. Those who spend more time withtheir family and friends will be richer in the ways that really matter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28.

From the Financial Times

IV. A. Read the article and complete the gaps (29–33) with the sentences (a–e).a) On the one hand, some manufacturers can be too old-fashioned and tooconcerned with the importance of product engineering and thefunctionality of manufactured objects.b) Still, the battle between form and function is one that never quite goesaway.c) And what of the Dyson vacuum cleaners?d) He may be right, but the British Museum is just doing what every othermuseum in the world is doing these days.e) This could be through the visual appeal of the product or its packaging.

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Does style really sell?By Richard Tomkins

How can the appearance of a product be more important than what it does? I mean, what use is a designer kettle if its handle becomes too hot to hold or if the spout pours water everywhere but in the cup?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 It rose again last week when James Dyson, British inventor of the Dyson bagless vacuum cleaner that has sold in millions around the world, resigned as chairman of London’s Design Museum. It is widely believed that Mr Dyson felt that the museum put too much emphasis on style and fashion at the expense of serious industrial design.

In his resignation letter, Mr Dyson accused the museum of not keeping true to itself. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Museums everywhere can no longer afford to be exclusive centres of scholarship and learning. Among rivalry for sponsorship, they must use exhibitions of populist culture, nice cafés and shops or, best of all, a new building by Frank Gehry to increase visitor numbers.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 On the other there are those who believe that how a product looks is more important. Design is indeed a broad term, involving both function and form. Typically, in any given product area, it migrates from the former to the latter. Look at clothing: originally its function was to provide warmth, but having long since achieved that objective, its form is now dictated almost entirely by fashion. But surelyyou would have to be a very shallowperson to think something’s appearance was more important than what it did?

Today, in the post-industrial age, nearly all manufactured goods at any given price-point do much the same job. So almost the only way in which manufacturers can differentiate their products from those of their competitors is to establish some sort ofemotional connection with the consumer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Or it might happen through the imagery created by advertising or branding or some other such triumph of style over substance.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Mr Dyson may believe that people buy these machines because of the graphs on the company website illustrating their superior suction, but I doubt very much whether they do. Most vacuum cleaners do a good job; the main reason people pay extra for a Dyson is because it is a designer vacuum cleaner with a trendybrand. With its internal workings exposed, it is a bit like a Richard Rogers building with all its pipes and ducts displayed in bright colours on the outside instead of being hidden inside. Functional it may be, but it is a bit of a gimmick, too.

From the Financial Times

B. Complete the phrases with the correct alternatives.34 Dyson left the Design Museum because hea) found it took up too much of his free time.b) no longer agreed with its ideas.c) wanted to concentrate on his own design work.35 What statement does the author make?a) The majority of consumers prefer to buy branded goods.

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b) Most similarly priced products are of a comparable standard.c) There are more inventions today than ever before.36 The writer believes that people buy the Dyson vacuum cleaner becausea) it has an excellent after-sales service.b) it has a fashionable range.c) it has a life-time guarantee.37 Which of these opinions does the author have?a) Function and design both influence buyers.b) Few companies dominate the fashion industry.c) Design is more important than function.38 What does the article say about museums?a) They no longer have to compete with each other for grants.b) They still need to attract more visitors.c) They should try to offer more specialised events.

B

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