Learn Business English
Paraphrases
The answers for Exercise 3 explained
The phrases relate only to the correct option
Phone 0845 1234 for
Correct option: C – For more information about any of the job vacancies corresponds to for details about jobs. A is wrong because it says people need to ask for the list, while the text is on ‘this list’. B is wrong because it says people need to ask for a reference number, while the text assumes the reader knows the reference numbers of the vacancies (they’re presumably on the list).
We guarantee delivery to your door within 24 hours, if the goods are in stock.
Correct option: B – depending on availability corresponds to if the goods are in stock. A is wrong because according to the text, next-day delivery (delivery within 24 hours) is only guaranteed if the goods are in stock – not in all cases. C is wrong because the text doesn’t mention anything about your next order
Staff are reminded that all arrangements for leave must be approved in advance by line managers.
Correct option: B: must get permission before… corresponds to must be approved in advance. A is wrong because it refers to staff who are absent contacting their manager, but the text is about getting approval in advance of taking leave. C is wrong because the text is about staff asking managers for approval before taking leave, not about reminding managers. In the text, the writer is reminding staff, not telling them to remind managers.ist).
Send in all receipts for expenses by the last day of this month to Accounts.
Correct option: A: need to have details of expenses corresponds to Send in all receipts … , and before next month corresponds to by the last day of this month. B is wrong because the text doesn’t say when Accounts will settle expenses. C is wrong because the text doesn’t say anything about when (or if) they will return receipts to sales staff.
First 3000 copies free. After that each copy costs just 3p.
Correct option: C: makes no charge corresponds to free. A is wrong because according to the text, the first 3000 copies are free. B is wrong because after the first 3000, copies cost 3p more, not less.
Please note that due to higher fuel costs, charges for our express delivery service have now increased.
Correct option: A: petrol prices have risen corresponds to due to higher fuel costs. B is wrong because the text doesn’t mention the time taken for deliveries. C is wrong because the text doesn’t say vehicles are more expensive – only that fuel costs and their delivery charges are higher.
CONFERENCE RECEPTION:
Delegates can collect pre-paid passes from here.
Passes may be purchased at event organiser’s office.
Correct option: A: they bought passes before corresponds to pre-paid passes. B is wrong because the text is about delegates getting or collecting passes, not about those who have already collected passes somewhere else. C is wrong because the text says passes can be bought at the event organiser’s office, not at reception.
Learn Business English with one-to-one Skype Sessions. Practise your business English by talking to me. Practise your reading, listening, and speaking. Let’s have a live job interview practice based on your own CV. Use these Skype sessions for any item you feel that you need to pay attention to. Before the session submit the CV or details of what you want to discuss to me to study and prepare for the session. One session is 45 minutes long.
Reading 2 - Paraphrases
Exercise 1
Underline the part of each sentence that says what the person is looking for.
Jack Simmons runs an expanding law firm, and needs help with filling vacant posts. (G)
Carol Black’s packaging company wants to be able to invoice customers in other countries online. (D)
Manfred Wirsing is a divisional manager who wants to set appropriate production targets for the coming year. (E)
Jennifer Lee’s manufacturing company has purchased components from overseas, and is looking for a suitable place to keep them. (F)
Asma Samairat wants staff at her transport company to improve their keyboard accuracy. (H)
Exercise 2
Look at the list below. It shows the business-to-business services offered by a consultancy group.
For questions 1-5 (in Exercise 1), decide which service (A – H) each person needs.
Do not use any letter more than once. (Answers – See A-H at end of the questions 1-5 above)
We offer advice in the following areas:
A – hiring vehicles and drivers for all goods/routes
B – legal requirements for imports/exports
C – producing staff pay records
D – creating documents that can be sent electronically
E – choosing the best software for predicting sales
F – storage container units for hire G effective recruitment advertising
H – organising workplace skills training
These are example answers. (Your answers can differ from these)
1. Wrong: Glenmore makes all the jewellery that it sells.
2. Doesn’t say: Nevis has a large stock of unsold copies of Glenmore jewellery.
3. Doesn’t say: Highland Design is the best-known brand of Scottish glass designs.
4. Wrong: Grampian Gifts has to pay all its profits for the last four years to Highland Design.
5. Right: The number of members who contact PAC has increased.
6. Right: Designers should report any copies of their work which they see at exhibitions.
7. Right: PAC has won the majority of cases of legal action it has taken for its members.
Key to Exercise 1
1. the way in which feedback could identify people suitable for promotion. (in B feedback is given to people who have already been identified as being suitable for promotion)
2. the feedback obtained on an employee being linked to requirements for a particular job (in A, feedback on an employee is not mentioned)
3. aspects of a group of employees’ work that were identified as requiring improvement (B refers to skills, not any need for improvement)
4. feedback indicating both positive and negative aspects of an individual’s work (B doesn’t refer to any positive aspects)
Key to Exercise 2
(Note: there are no precise answers with regard to which words are keywords. The words underlined below are suggestions.)
1. the aim of improving staff communication throughout an organisation
Section of text: the desire of companies to create more open working environments where … ideas and opinions are exchanged between teams and across levels of seniority.
2. a way of giving feedback that is no longer used.
Section of text: In the past, feedback about your performance used to mean a quiet chat with the boss
3. the participation of less senior personnel in a member of staff’s feedback
Section of text: the system where employees are also given feedback … by the people they manage
Key to Exercise 3
5. True (Many British companies fail in the US and Dexter is, unsurprisingly, finding it tough. … a loss making American operation)
6. True (There are more important things to do with the money, for example dealing with the company’s low profitability – a 2% return on sales. It might well be time to look at a few cost headings.)
7. False (raising the money to launch the products is the real challenge)
8. False (Dexter might … focus on product development and franchising)
9. True (They ought to consider whether they should continue to attack the American market, and, if so, they should seek a local partner)
Key to Exercise 4
10. Breaking out of the shaving cream market should not be impossible for Dexter, but raising the money to launch the products is the real challenge.
11. Dexter might seek a partner with the promotional skills needed for mass marketing.
12. There are more important things to do with the money, for example dealing with the company’s low profitability – a 2% return on sales. It might well be time to look at a few cost headings.
13. They need to take a hard look at how to generate demand; so far it’s worked well through word of mouth but the average American buyer expects a huge advertising campaign.
14. Its managers must be aware that the women’s grooming market is crowded, and that to extend here they must remain loyal to the values of their existing range while still proving attractive to the new sector.
15. Another approach may be to form alliances with like-minded cult fashion or sports outlets and attract a slice of the US market open to trying new products.
16. Dexter’s entrepreneurship, which has helped it get a share of a market previously dominated by two players.
Key to Exercise 6
17. we tell them that waiting for the annual event of a formal appraisal needn’t apply
18. feedback could be used for ‘succession planning’, where companies use the information to speculate on who has the right skills to move into more senior positions
19. the desire of companies to create more open working environments where … ideas and opinions are exchanged between teams and across levels of seniority
20. Feedback on an individual, which is based on a questionnaire relating to attributes needed for that person’s role in the company
21. We needed to develop the interpersonal skills of these technically-minded people
22. providing pointers to your strengths and also to those areas you need to develop more
23. 360-degree feedback – the system where employees are also given feedback … by the people they manage
Key to Sample task
24. Successful retailers must … invest in the training of employees so they are able to offer impartial advice to customers.
25. There are a large number of mobile phone retailers and I can’t help but feel the market only has room for four players.
26. the mobile telephone has changed from simply being a business tool, to being a means of communication for everyone.
27. every time they lower their tariffs, more people come into the market.
28. We don’t believe in criticising other retailers, but there’s nothing particularly exciting out there at present.
29. The mobile phone business is behaving like the internet industry in take-up and the pace of innovation.
30. some customers buy their first mobile phone in the supermarket, but for advice, add-ons and particular services they turn to the specialist.