07.intermediate B

BOOKLET
Intermediate B
“
A new concept in effective
communication
“
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Unit 1
BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS
Skills:
• Analyzing the language of presentations
• Discussing qualities of a good presentation, pausing, pacing and
sentence stress
• Structuring, using visual aids and delivering a presentation
Vocabulary:
• Effective presentations
• Trends
• Sales results
Reading:
• Breaking into new markets
Listening:
• Aspects for a business presentation
Speaking:
• Disrupted quotes in business
• Giving a short presentation
Writing:
• Confirming a presentation
Grammar:
• Defining and non-defining relative clauses
Listening comprehension
Essential aspects for business presentations
https://youtu.be/HTRt0zkD73M
Watch the video and discuss the question below:

According to the speaker, what aspects does he mention that are essential
for a business presentations?
Listen again and complete the chart with the explanations of the five
tips he mentions:
Tips Characteristics
1.
2.
3.
4.
Discuss which of the following would you definitely want to

include in a presentation (even a short one):
• some jokes
• your name
• details of your job
• visuals
• a summary
• the title of subject of your talk

• purpose: why the subject will interest your audience
• a “menu” of main points that you will cover
• details of the background situation
• factual information, organised as main points
Speaking Practice
Disruptive quotes in business
The following quotes are considered “disruptive quotes in

business”. Read them and discuss the following questions:
• Why do you think they are so influential in business?

• What reaction can they provoke in a business presentation?
1-“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than
follow your passions - in a way that serves the world and you.”
Richard Branson
2-“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure
you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”
Richard Branson
3-“You can dream, create things, and build the most beautiful place in
the world, but it requires people to make it a reality.”
Walt Disney
Vocabulary
Effective presentations
What’s necessary to make an effective presentation?
To be a good presenter, you need:
appearance contact humour knowledge talk
a a well–structured .….
b thorough subject …..
c a smart and professional …..
d a good sense of …..
e good eye …..
attitude language preparation visuals voice
f an enthusiastic…..
g a strong…..
h a creative use of….
i expressive body……
j careful …..
clearly quickly pause emphatic

k how….. you speak

l how…… you speak
m how often you …..
n how…….. you are
Vocabulary
Effective presentations
Read the phrases a-g. They can be used for organising and
sequencing points in a presentation.
At which step in the presentation would you use each phrase?

Match a-g with steps 1-7.
a my second point is…

b so first, I’m going to tell you about….
c My objective is to….
d Now let me summarize the main points again….
e The subject of my presentation is….
f I’ve divided my talk into three parts. First,…Second,….. And third…
g Now I’ll come to my last point….
Structure for a short presentation:

Step 1: Introduction
Step 2: Purpose of the presentation
Step 3: Menu of main points
Step 4: Start section 1
Step 7: Summary and conclusion
Connecting ideas in a presentation:

• another important thing is…
• it can make a real difference because…
• what can make a real difference is…
• I think… is pretty important too.

• It helps if … but it’s not essential.
• What you need most of all is...
• You don’ need… as long as…
Reading comprehension
Breaking into new markets
Should luxury goods firms go into the hotel business?
GIORGIO ARMANI is already one of the most diversified brands in fashion.

As well as haute couture and everyday clothes, Mr. Armani and his firm
create scent, cosmetics, spectacles, watches and accessories. Customers
can purchase Armani furniture, flowers, chocolate, sweets, jam and even
marmalade. There are Armani cafes and restaurants in Paris, New York,
London and other cities. An Armani night club recently opened in Milan.
Now Giorgio is branching out still further. On February 22nd his firm
announced a $1 billion hotel venture with Dubai´s Emaar Properties, the
Middle East´s largest property developers. Mr. Armani will be in charge of
the design for ten new hotels and four luxury resorts, to be built in the
next six to eight years.
Armani´s is the boldest move so far by a luxury goods company into the
hotel business. But it is by no means the first. In September 2000, a hotel
designed by Donatella Versace opened on Australia´s Gold Coast. In
February 2001, Bulgari, an Italian jeweller, confirmed a joint venture with
Ritz-Carlton to build six or seven hotels and one or two resorts. Salvatore
Ferragamo, an Italian shoemaker, has designed four hotels in Florence.
But in the first half year, both the fashion and travel industries were doing
badly as travel and luxury follow the same economic cycle. So does it
make sense for designers of luxury goods to go into the travel business?
Armani and Bulgari would say yes. Mr. Armani considers hotels a logical
extension of his aim of promoting his brand in all walks of life. (So can
Armani toilet paper be far behind?) Rita Clifton, Chairman of the
consultancy Interbrand, says that this strategy can work. A strong
experience, such as staying at a fashion designer´s hotel, can combine to
make a super strong brand, claims Ms. Clifton. To fit the firm´s luxurious
image, Bulgari says that its hotels must be as upmarket as it is possible to
be. Because small is considered more exclusive, Armani and Bulgari plan
to launch mostly smallish five star hotels. Armani´s Dubai hotel, due to
open in 2007, will be an exception, however, with 250 rooms. Bulgari´s
Milan hotel will have no more than 60 rooms.
Reading comprehension
Breaking into new markets
Losing control of their brand is the biggest risk for luxury firms expanding
abroad or venturing into a new line of business. Over the years, Pierre
Cardin, Yves St Laurent and Christian Dior have each lost their good names
by giving out licenses all over the world to firms that did not deliver the
appropriate quality. Calvin Klein´s current problems are related to the
company´s loss of control of the distribution of its products in many
countries.
But designer´s hotels can generate positive publicity. Even if Bulgari´s hotels
turn out not to make any money, the venture could be seen as an expensive
yet effective advertising campaign.
Mr. Armani´s hotel plans are more ambitious and the danger of brand
dilution much greater. Armani says that the management company for its
hotel venture will have its head office in Milan rather than Dubai and that Mr.
Armani will be fully in charge of design. So far Mr. Armani has managed to
control his brand tightly despite being involved in many different businesses.
Hotels, however, are a bigger challenge than flowers and marmalade.
After reading the article, write True, False or Not Mentioned for the
following statements:
Statements T/ F/ NM
1- Giorgio Armani is one of the most traditional brands in

the market.
2- Mr. Armani and his firm not only create clothes but
also sell a wide range of products.
3- His company will sell horsebackriding luxury products
in a few years.
4- A strong product image is only possible at a fashion

designer’s hotel.
5- Designer hotels can generate effective publicity
Vocabulary
Trends
Most common types of charts:
1- Bar chart
2- Pie chart
3- Line chart
Word building:
Verb Noun Adjective Adverb

to rise
a fall
an increase
to improve
to decrease
a recovery
slight
sharply
dramatic
steady
to level off
to bottom out
fluctuate
peak
Vocabulary
Sales results
Choose the correct words in italics to complete the report.
Sales began the year at 30,000 units in January and increased slight / slightly
to 32,000 units in February. There was a sharp / sharply rise to / by 38,000
in March due / led to the in production of a new price discounting scheme.
This was followed by a slight / slightly fall in April when sales dropped to
36,000 units. Our competitors launched a rival product in the spring and this
resulted in / from a dramatic / dramatically fall to 25,000 in May. But we
ran a summer advertising campaign and sales increased steady / steadilyto
/ by 2,000 units a month throughout June, July and August until they stood
in / at 33,000 in September. The dramatic / dramatically rise to 45,000 in
October resulted in / from the launch of our new autumn range. But then we
experienced problems meeting demand and sales fell sharp / sharply in
November and remained steady / steadilyat / by 39,000 in December.
Complete the collocations by writing the nouns in the right boxes.

They are all things you might do in a presentation.
a graph a point an issue figures jokes questions
make (a) describe (d)

stress refer to
quote (b) tell (e)
compare crack
address (c) field (f)

raise deal with
Grammar
Relative clauses
Relative clauses
Defining relative clauses are used

to specify which person or thing
I have a friend who / that speaks
we mean.
five languages.
Who or that are used for
people. Which or that are used for
She showed me the
things.
coat which / that she had
bought.
We don't use commas in a defining
relative clause.
Mr Fry, who speaks five

Non-defining relative clauses languages, works as a translator
(extra information clauses) are for the EU.
used to add extra information to a Mr Fry, that speaks five
sentence. languages, works as a translator
for the EU.
We use commas in a non-defining
relative clause. The area, which has very high
unemployment, is in the north of
Who is used for people. the country.
Which is used for things. The area, that has very high
That cannot be used. unemployment, is in the north of
the country.
Grammar Practice
Relative clauses
Complete the following sentences using relative clauses:
A teacher is a person who teaches students.
A doctor is ________________________________________________
A student is _______________________________________________
A construction worker is _____________________________________
A chef is _________________________________________________
A baker is ________________________________________________
A scientist is ______________________________________________
A customer is _____________________________________________
Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, which)
1. This is the man ______________ saved the kid.
2. The writer ____________ that article won the Nobel prize.
3. He bought a car _____________ 10 years old.
4. He was wearing a sweater ___________ made in Norway.
5. She drank the juice ___________ she made.

Speaking Practice
Giving a short presentation
Prepare a 3-minute presentation giving an overview of your own

company, or one part of your company. You may include the following
points:
• general information
• products/ markets
• future plans
More topics for a presentation:
Presentation 1 Presentation 5
What’s important when interviewing What’s important when arranging an
someone for a job? important meeting?
- deciding what qualifications are needed
- deciding who needs to be there
- deciding what questions to ask - sending out important papers
- other - other
What’s important when giving a talk? What’s important when booking a
- making a plan hotel?
- speaking clearly - dates
- other - type of room
- parking
- other
What’s important when talking on the What’s important when you choose a
phone? restaurant?
- answer clearly - type of food
- be polite - cost
- listen well - noise
- other - other
What’s important when organizing an What’s important when travelling
event? abroad?
- venue - visas
- guests - insurance
- entertainment - money
- other - other
Writing Practice
Confirming a short presentation
Choose the most suitable words from the box to complete the
sentences below:
see point give have show mean
How to improve your language in a presentation?
Talking about visuals:

__________ a look at this.
As you can __________, …
I’d like to __________ out …
The figures clearly __________...
To __________ you the background to this…
So, what does this __________ in terms of…
You have been asked to give a presentation at a local

business forum on 3 July about strategic planning. Write an
email (40-50 words) to Mr Brown, head of the forum:
- Agreeing to give the presentation

- Giving the title of your presentation
- Saying what equipment you need
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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Unit 2
EFFECTIVE MEETINGS
Skills:
• Using the language of meetings effectively
• Discussing attitudes towards problem-solving meetings in
different countries
Vocabulary:
• Interruption Strategies
• Collocations
Reading:
• Effective Multi-Cultural Meetings
Listening:
• Complaints about meetings
Speaking:
▪ Talking about meetings
Grammar:
▪ Verb patterns
Speaking Practice
Talking about meetings
Complete and discuss the statements below:
chat criticize discuss exchange find make waste
Meetings are:
a An ideal opportunity to _____________ points of view.
b The best place to ______________ key decisions.
c A safe environment in which to ________________ important issues.
d A rare chance to _______________ with people from other departments.
e The only way to _______________ out what’s really going on.
f An open invitation to ______________ each other.
g The perfect excuse to _______________ an entire morning!
Reading Comprehension
Effective Multi-Cultural Meetings by Neil Payne
What do you think makes an effective meeting in a multicultural context?

One of the many areas in international business where cultural differences
manifest is in the corporate meeting room. International meetings are an
area where differences in cultural values, 1)etiquette, interpretations of
professional conduct and corporate rules are at their most visible and
challenging to control.
In international business meetings, cultural differences between professionals
can and 2)do clash. Although it cannot always be avoided, the negative
effects of cultural differences can be minimized with careful and effective
planning, organization and consideration prior to meetings.
Culture influences what we do, say, think and believe. Culture is different in
different countries and contexts. In the context of international business it
affects how people 3)approach, perceive and contribute towards meetings. A
few examples include:
1. Time
4)Not all cultures live by the clock. 5)Time orientated cultures such as the
British or Germans 6)will have strict approaches to how meetings run.
The start time, finishing time and all the different stages in between will be
planned carefully. Other cultures will see the start time as an approximation,
the finish time as non-fixed and all the different stages in between as
flexible.
2. The Purpose of Meetings

After a few pleasantries in the meeting room, the common term in the West i
s, 7)‘let’s get down to business’. Western meetings generally 8)run to

a tight schedule with an organized, pre-planned agenda. Meetings
are for business. On the other hand, different cultures see the meeting
as the arena for building personal relationships and strengthening bonds.
Effective Multi-Cultural Meetings by Neil Payne
3. Meeting Etiquette and Mannerisms

In highly diverse international companies, one can find participants in a
meeting 9)from the four corners of the globe. Each will have their own
cultural etiquettes, gestures, 10)mannerisms and ways of expression.
Shouting, 11)throwing hands around and even 12)storming out of meetings
are all possibilities. In such a company it may be advisable to provide inter-
cultural awareness training to staff to minimize misunderstandings.
4. Expectations of Meetings
Prior to the meeting make it clear what the 13)purpose of the meeting will
be. What is the goal of the meeting? Why are you asking each attendant?
What do expect from them? Contact the participants and discuss the meeti
ng and what you require of each person. If ready, send them the agenda. If
it is a 14)brainstorming meeting then maybe ask each participant to bring
at least three suggestions with them. If it is a meeting bringing together
different areas within a company, let each attendant know what people wou
ld like to hear about from them. Once a 15)framework is in place people will
know they fit into the picture.
5. Take a Relaxed Approach to Meetings

Many people find business meetings 16)daunting. This may be a
combination of 17)stage fright, sitting in front of the boss and feeling
inferior to colleagues. This will lead to anxiety, tension, nervousness and
general discomfort. Try introducing 18)subtle differences to a meeting
19)to put people at ease. Ice breakers offer a good tension release at the
Beginning of a meeting. 20)Warm ups offer a similar benefit. Try using an
alternative setting instead of the meeting room. Consider changes in the
lighting or ambience. www.selexidiomas.com
Multicultural meetings
How could you replace the words/expressions from the previous text without
changing the meaning?
Read the text again and complete the chart below:
Word/expression Paraphrases Examples

1) etiquette
2) do clash
3) approach
4) Not all cultures live by the clock
5) Time orientated cultures

6) will have strict approaches to how
meetings run
7) let’s get down to business’
8) run to a tight Schedule
9) from the four corners of the globe
10) mannerisms
11) throwing hands around
12) storming out of meetings
13) purpose
14) brainstorming meeting
15) framework
16) daunting
17) stage fright
18) subtle differences
19) to put people at ease
20) Warm ups

Listening Comprehension
Complaints about meetings
File: 07. Intermediate B 2.26
Listen to eight business people from different countries complaining

about meetings. Match the extracts (1-8) to the correct topics (a-h).
a there’s no fixed agenda
b preparation is lacking
c only the boss’s opinions count
d it’s all about status
e the follow-up is never clear
f meetings go on too long
g no decisions are made
h interruption is a problem
Vocabulary
Interruption strategies
What do you think is the most effective way to do the following?
Tick your answers.

Interrupt in meetings Prevent interruption
I raise my hand. I gesture that I haven’t finished.
I cough. I raise my VOICE!
I say Errrrrm… I avoid direct eye contact
I say the speaker’s name. I just keep talking!
I just start speaking! I glare at the person interrupting.
Put the expressions (a-i) in the correct order. They were all in the
conversations you just listened to.
EXPRESSIONS CORRECT ORDER
A me/ let/ finish…
B what/ I/ finish/ could/ just/ saying/ Was/ I/?.
C on/ hang/ second/a
D a/ jus/ minute…
E no/ me/ out/ hear…
F here/ can/ just/ I/ in/ come/?

G again/ to/ sorry/ interrupt….
H could/ if/ finish/ I/ just…
I just/ I/ something/ say/ can/?

Vocabulary
Collocations
Complete the collocations by writing the nouns and noun phrases in

the right-hand boxes. They are all things you might do before, during,
or after a meeting.
a decision a point agreement an action plan

an opinion comments details ideas the agenda
set (a) reach (e)
stick to be in
brainstorm (b) make (f)
exchange invite
hold (c) draw up (g)
express implement
raise (d) go into (h)
clarify sort out

come to (i)
reconsider
In meetings, certain expressions help you to introduce your

comments and indicate your opinions more clearly.
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Vocabulary
Collocations
Look at the following five extracts from meetings. Replace the

phrases in bold with one in the box which have a similar meaning.
As a matter of fact Clearly Essentially Frankly

If you ask me In short In theory Incidentally
Luckily On the other hand Overall Strangely enough
1 A: Personally, / (a) ……………………, I think this whole project has been a

waste of time.
B: To be honest / (b) ……………………, I tend to agree with you.
A: However, / (c) ……………………, we’ve put too much money into it to
cancel it now.
2 A: By the way /(d) ……………………, did you get in touch with our agent
in Warsaw?
B: Actually, /(e( ……………………, she phoned me. I’ll talk to you about it
later.
3 A: Obviously, / (f) ……………………, we don’t Want to have a strike on our

hands.
B: Fortunately, / (g) ……………………, we may not have to. I spoke to the
union rep this morning.
4 A: In general, / (h) ……………………, did people like the idea of open–plan

offices?
B: Funnily enough, / (i) ……………………, the didn’t. We may have to
rethink our proposal.
5 A: To sum up, /(j) ……………………, by year-end we should be nearing the

break-even point.
B: Basically,/(k) ……………………, then, we’re going to make a net loss?
A: Technically, / (l) ……………………, yes. But that’s because we’re
channeling so much money back into the business.
Grammar practice
Verb patterns
Verb + object + to + infinitive
They helped their neighbour to

After some verbs we use the fixhis car.
structure someone + to + She asked me to give her some
infinitive. advice.
He told his assistant to send the
Verbs which can be followed by this parcel.
form include advise, ask, allow, She persuaded him to have
expect, encourage, force, help, lunchwith her.
invite, order, persuade, need, tell. We need someone to help us.
The negative form is object + not She advised me not to sell my

+ to + infinitive. house.
Verb + to + infinitive
We use to + infinitive after certain I have decided to lend him the

verbs, including agree, arrange, car.
decide, offer, seem , plan, want, He offered to help me.
need, promise, hope, refuse. He promised not to say anything.
We also use to + infinitive after

these structures: ask som eone to, He told me to go there.
tell him to, want her to, etc. She asked me to help her.
Verb + -ing
We use a verb in its -ing form after

certain verbs, including avoid,
admit, can't stand, deny, dislike,
enjoy, hate, like, love, I enjoy going to the cinema.

mind andpractise. I don't like living in a city.
I'm looking forward to seeing you.

The -ing form is used He insisted on seeing the shop
after prepositions. manager.
Grammar Practice
Verb patterns
Complete the letter using the verbs in brackets.
Unit 3
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Skills:
• Discussing different types of communications
• Correcting a formal letter
Vocabulary:
• Writing expressions (formal/informal)
Grammar:
• Prepositions
Listening
• E-mails in real life
Writing
• Writing a formal letter
Reading
• Advice letter
Speaking
• Methods of communication
Speaking Practice
Methods of communication
In your opinion, what is the best method of communication?
● Teleconferences
● On the phone
● Face to face meetings
● Email and other written documents.
How long do you spend doing “paperwork” or email writing in a

typical day?
Which of the following documents do you usually use?
Advice Letter
Complete this letter to shareholders. Use the appropriate forms of

the verbs.
Rely on - combine with - consist of - advise on - succeed in - budget for -

spend on - account for - compete with - invest in
Dear Shareholder,
I write to inform you that the Board has received information of a takeover
bid for your company. This ______________ an attempt by Thor
Engineering to acquire a controlling interest by offering to purchase shares
at a price of 650 pence. We have brought in a team of consultants to
______________ the tactics we should use to resist the bid
Although the offer seems attractive, it does not reflect the true value of
the company or take into account our future prospects. We have
__________ a major programme of expansion. During the next two years
we plan to ________________ new plant and equipment. We have also
allocated funds to ________ a new computarised stock control system
which will allow us to ____________- our much larger rivals. Furthermore,
we plan to _____________ a machine tool company in a joint venture in
China. We are confident this will allow the company to ___________
opening up new markets in Asia.
Policies like these ___________ our success to date and contribute to our
vision of the future. Therefore, we strongly advise you not to accept Thor
Engineering’s offer. You can _________ the Board to keep you fully
informed of any future developments, but for the present we advise you to
take no action in reation to the offer.
Yours faithfully,
Derek Hammond
Chairman
Vocabulary
Writing expressions (formal and informal)
Replace the missing words in the following sentences from business

letters. In sentence a-j, one word is missing. In k-t, two words are
missing.
a How are things you?

b I apologize not replying sooner.
c Further our telephone conversation yesterday…
d See you the weekend. Best wishes, Jim.
e I Thought. I’d send you a copy this article.
f Sorry I wasn’t there meet you when you called.
g Sincerely, Brian Green
h It was great pleasure meeting you last week.
i Take care yourself.
j How’s a going?
k Thank you your letter 6 May.

l Get back to me soon you can.
m I look forward hearing you.
n With reference your fax 3 June,…
o I am writing regard your recent advertisement.
p I’ll be touch the next couple of week or so.
q I can be any further assistance, do please contact me again.
r Let know when you’re next Zagreb.
s It was nice talking you other day.
t Please pass my regards your sales manager, Ms Fontaine.
Now write the letters of the sentences in the box below according to
whether they usually come at the beginning or end of a business letter,
and whether they are formal or informal.
Formal Informal
Beginning
End
Vocabulary
Writing expressions (formal and informal)
Complete the following text using the words below:
Copies receipts figures record letters report diagrams invoices

trade journals contracts memos mail
Post it ® forms questionnaires
• The first thing I do when I get into the office is get myself a coffee and check
the morning …………………. .
• Whenever I have important …………………. to write, I usually draft them several

times before finally sending them.
• One thing I can’t stand is filling in …………………. they never give you enough
space to write your answers!
• In my job, I have to design market research…………………., which usually means

putting together some kind of …………………. Afterwards.
• I work in the legal department, so that means a lot of drafting and drawing up
of ………………….
• I read as many …………………. as possible – just to keep up with what’s going

on.
• I work for a design firm, so I often find myself faxing …………………. of plans and
………………….
• I have to keep a …………………. of all my expenses, so I always ask for

…………………. - I have a pile by the end of the month!
• I Try to settle …………………. as quickly as possible, but I query them

immediately if the …………………. don’t add up.
• I used to circulate …………………. to other people in the department, but these

days I just email them on the Intranet or stick a …………………. on their desk.
Listening Comprehension
E-mails in real life
Watch the following video and discuss the questions below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTgYHHKs0Zw
• How often do you recieve autoresponses?

• Who is Tripp Crosby?
• What is the problem with the report?
• What is the meaning of "semi-colon, closed parentheses"?
• What does the circular disclosure say?
Grammar Practice
Preposition + noun + preposition
Complete the following extracts from business letters, faxes and

emails with the nouns in the box. Pay particular attention to the
prepositions on either side of each noun.
accordance account addition agreement behalf case effect

favour pressure regard terms touch view
a I am writing with ………………… to your advertisement in Marketing Week.

b We are basically in ………………… with the main points in your proposal.
c I’ve been in ………………… with our distributors in Poland concerning your
enquiry.
d There are on or two points in ………………… to those we discussed which we
now need to address.
e No one at the meeting was in ………………… of the idea.
f The goods have been insured in ………………… of damage in transit.
g There will be a 3 % price increase with ………………… from 1st January.
h Plan A has been rejected on ………………… of the considerable costs
involved.
i We decided, in ………………… of the political difficulties, not to export to
Iraq.
j We are again under ………………… from head office to reduce overheads.
k Certainly, in…………………. of experience, she’s the best candidate we’ve
seen so far.
l We are investigating the complaints in ………………… with our normal
procedures.
m May I, on ………………… of myself and the whole team, thank you for
making our visit so enjoyable.
Grammar Practice
When you learn a new verb it’s important to know which preposition can
follow it.
Some verbs are regularly followed by one preposition:
✓ You can depend on that.
Other verbs may be followed by a number of prepositions:
✓ Agree with, agree on, agree to, agree about.
Prepositions (in, at, of, for, through, etc.) are a restricted group of
short words, each having many different purposes. They usually take their
precise meaning from the words around them.
Apart from their standard uses to refer to time, place
and movement, prepositions also combine with verbs, nouns and adjectives
to form a lot of useful phrases and expressions.
Such phrases are best learned ‘whole’ as items of vocabulary.
Now complete these sentences with a verb and a preposition from

each box.
agree, apologise, think, hear, refer for, about, about, with, to
• The CEO thinks a joint venture is the best way to break into the Russian
market, but I don’t_______________ him.
• Did you _______________ the alliance between Lxps and RocketFarm?

• If you _______________ the annual report, it clearly sets out the facts.
• He really needs to _______________ the consequences of his acts.
• The chairman had to _______________ misleading the shareholders at
the MTSL.
Grammar
Prepositions
Twenty-three prepositions are missing from the following

letter. How many can you find? Write them in.
Dear Mr Savage,
Thank you your letter 12th April. I’m very sorry the difficulties you’ve
had getting on our engineers come and repair the alarm system we
installed January.
Please accept my apologies. I am as concerned the delay as you are.
The manager who is responsible our after-sales service is new the
department and not yet familiar all our procedures, but this is no
excuse such a long delay. Rest assured, he is now aware the problem
and will arrange an engineer call whatever time is most convenient
you. Obviously, this will be free charge. I have also authorized a 10 %
refund the purchase price.
If you are still not fully satisfied the system, please contact me
personally and I shall be happy supply you a replacement.
My apologies once again the inconvenience this has caused you.
Writing
Letter-writing expressions
You have been given responsibility for writing to a very good customer
your boss knows personally, but you don’t.
See what your boss would write below and make what you write a little
more formal.
Informal Formal
Dear Nick, Dear Mr Salzmann,
How are things? a (hope/ well)
I got your letter, b (thank / letter of / 12 January
thanks.
Sorry I haven’t got c (apologies / no replying)
back to you sooner.
About our phone call d (Further to / conversation / last
the other day,… Friday)
Great to meet you last e (pleasure / meeting)
week!
I’m writing about our f (writing / regard)
contract renewal.
I’m afraid I can’t give g (unfortunately / unable /
you a bigger discount. increase)
But how about a h (what / can do / offer)
higher credit limit?
Let’s meet and have a i (perhaps /meet / discuss)
chat about this.
I’ll give you a call J (in touch)
sometime nex week.
I’m putting in a copy k (enclose)
of our new catalogue.
If you need any help, l (any further assistance / please

just let me know. do contact)
See you at the m (look forward / meeting /
conference! again)
Let’s talk soon (look forward / hearing)
Best wishes, Tony o (Yours)
Unit 4
SOLVING PROBLEMS
Skills:
Discussing the processes and techniques for solving problems
Vocabulary:
Steps for solving problems
People and products
Grammar:
Modal verbs
Past deductions
Listening:
Problem solving techniques
Reading:
A secret to creative problem solving
What is brainstorming
Speaking:
Unexpected situations
Speaking
Unexpected situations
Sometimes while socializing we have to face unexpected situations.

How do you cope with them?
Choose some of the topics below.
Situation What would you say?

You have forgotten the name of a
person you are talking to. Find out
his/ her name politely.
You are late for a meeting.
You are in an important business
negotiation. The other person ask
you if he/she can smoke.
The waiter in a restaurant has just
given you the bill. You are sure it’s
much too high.
You’re having dinner with a foreign
colleague in his/her country. The
food is unfamiliar to you and you
don’t know what to choose.
An important client invites you to

the theatre. You can't attend
because you have already accepted
another invitation.
At a conference you meet someone
you think you’ve met before.
You have just spilled red wine on a

client’s dress
Listening
Problem solving techniques
When you're solving complex business problems, it's all-too-easy easy to

skip over important stages, meaning that you can miss good solutions,
or, worse still, fail to identify the problem correctly in the first place.
One way to prevent this happening is by using a tool like the Simplex
Process. This powerful step-by-step tool helps you identify and solve
problems creatively and effectively. It guides you through each stage of
the problem-solving process, from finding the problem to implementing a
solution. This helps you ensure that your solutions are creative, robust
and well considered.
In this video, we look at each step of the Simplex Process. We also

review some of the tools and resources that will help at each stage.
https://youtu.be/qct9UY5p_5M
What are the steps? Explain what to do in each step
Match each of the four stages of a problem-solving meeting (a-d)

to two things you might say (1-8).
A- Defining the problem

B- Brainstorming ideas
C- Reviewing ideas
D- Selecting the solution
1 Okay, let’s see what we’ve got so far.

2 On balance, I think we should go with…
3 I think there are three main aspects to the problem.
4 I think we’ll have to reject this idea for now.
5 I’d like to hear what you all have to say.
6 Now, how do we implement this?
7 Okay, basically the problem is this.
8 Let’s keep the ideas coming.
Vocabulary
Complete the checklist below using the verbs in the boxes.
a-d
brainstorm define review select
e-l
assign break criticize draw up

eliminate explore invite restate
(e)________the problem down into

parts
Step One: (a)____the basic
problem
(f)________the problem as a
challenge
(g) ________everyone to speak
Step Two: (b)____ideas
(h) ________nothing at this stage
(i)________the possibilities of each
idea
Step Three: (c)____your ideas so
far
(j) ________impractical suggestions
(k) ________ an action plan
Step Four: (d)____the best solution
(l)________different tasks to
different people
Vocabulary
The following sentences were used in a problem-solving meeting.

Decide at which step in 1 each sentence was used.
1 Now, what we need are as 7 Okay, let’s see

many ideas as possible. what we’ve got so
far.
2 How could we make this 8 I think we’ll have
idea work? to reject this idea
for now.
3 On balance, I think we 9 Now, how do we
should go with this idea. implement this?
4 Let’s think about what we 10 Olay, that’s a
can do, instead of what we nice idea.
can’t.
5 I’d like to hear what you all 11 Joanne, can I
have to say. leave the details to
you?
6 Okay, basically, the I think there are
problems is this. three main aspects
to the problem.
Reading
A Secret to Creative Problem Solving
"The whole idea behind creative problem solving is the assumption that
you know something that will help solve this problem, but you're not
thinking of it right now," explains Art Markman, cognitive psychologist
and author of "Smart Thinking." Put another way, your memory hasn't
found the right cue to retrieve the information you need.
Changing the description tells your mind that you're in a different
situation, which unlocks a new set of memories. "The more different
ways you describe the problem you're trying to solve, the more different
things you know about that you will call to mind," says Markman
Ask yourself two questions:
1. What type of problem is this?
Most of the time, we get stuck on a problem because our focus is too narrow.
When you think specifically, you limit your memory and stifle creativity.
Instead, think more abstractly. Find the essence of the problem.
Take vacuum cleaner filters, for example. Vacuums used to have bags that were
constantly getting clogged, so innovators focused on how to make a better
filter.
James Dyson realized that the problem was actually about separation, or
separating the dirt from the air, which doesn't always require a filter. "That
freed him to try lots of different methods of separation," says Markman. Hence:
the Dual Cyclone vacuum that led Dyson to fame and fortune.
2. Who else has faced this type of problem?
When you think about your problem abstractly, you realize that other people
have solved the same type of problem in radically different ways. One of their
solutions may hold the key to yours.
For example, Dyson realized sawmills use an industrial cyclone to separate
sawdust from air and modified that technology to create the first filter-free
vacuum.
"When you begin to realize that the problem you're trying to solve has been
solved over and over again by people in other areas, you can look at the
solutions they came up with to help you solve your own," Markman says.
You may not use one of their solutions exactly, but you free your memory to
retrieve more information, making that elusive "aha" moment easier to reach.
By re-describing the problem , you're much more likely to find inspiration for a
truly creative innovation.
Reading
A Secret to Creative Problem Solving
Answer:
What is the assumption behind creative problem solving?
Why do you need to change the point of view?
What are the two questions you have to ask yourself?
Why is it mentioned James Dyson?
Why is it important to redescribe the problem?
Vocabulary
People and products
Decide whether the adjectives below can be used to describe

people (staff), products or both. Tick the correct boxes.
Staff Products
a best-selling
b efficient
c high- quality
d well-qualified
e household
f dedicated
g unique
h luxury
i loyal
j permanent
k part-time
l reliable
Vocabulary
People and products
The adjectives below can all be used to describe people in a company.

Change each adjective into its opposite by adding un-, in-, im-, ir- or
dis-.
a …reliable k … articulate
b …flexible l … honest
c …organized m … rational
d … patient n … decisive
e …responsible o …supportive
f …creative p …competent
g …consistent q …assertive
h …inspiring r …sociable
I …committed s …considerate
j ….practical t …competitive
Vocabulary
People and products
Complete the following staff appraisals using an appropriate positive or

negative adjectives from the previous activity.
a Laura’s real ideas person. She’s exceptionally…
b Brian can only do things his way. He’s a bit…
c Max is always there to give people a hand when they need it.
He’s really He’s really He’s really very…
d With Olaf, it’s just one mistake after another. He’s completely…
e Greta tends to take no notice of other people’s needs.She’s rather…
f Richard’s office looks like a bomb hit it –papers everywhere!

He’s totally…
g With Miyumi, the job always comes first. She’s totally…
h Sam can never make up his mind about anything. He’s extremely…
i Callum really knows how to motivate his staff. He’s incredibly…
j You can never depend on Leo to do what he’s supposed to do.

He’s totally…
k Elena meets all her targets month after month. She’s incredibly…
l Jeanette too often allows her personal life to interfere with her
work. She´s rather…
m Eric always has to be the best at everything. He’s extremely…
n Gareth tends to keep himself to himself. He’s a bit…

Reading
What is Brainstorming?
Published in 22 October 2012

Does Brainstorming Work?
This is the question psychologists have been baffled by for nearly half a
century and we're still on the path of discovering whether brainstorming
is a technique that extracts the best out of people or if it's a method that
suppresses creativity.
Journalist and author, Jonah Lehrer, argues that brainstorming produces
less original ideas than those people who work by themselves. From Alex
Osborn, the father of brainstorming, to Charlen Nemeth, Jonah explains
why brainstorming just doesn't work.
Brainstorming is the most widely implemented creativity technique of all t
ime. It was pioneered by this ad executive named Alex Osborn. In a
series of best-selling business books in the 1940’s and early 50’s,
he outlined the technique called brainstorming. Which, basically there’s j
ust one rule to brainstorming which is don’t criticise. Whatever you do in
a brainstorming meeting, you cannot criticise the ideas
of other people. All ideas are good ideas.
And the assumption behind this is that the imagination is very meek,
and shy and fragile (laughter)and if it worries about being criticised it’ll ju
st clam up
and won’t be able to free associate at all, but the only problem with brai
nstorming is that it just doesn’t work. Psychologists have known this for
6plus years. You know study after study has shown if you put people in
a room and tell them to brainstorm they’re gonna come
up with fewer ideas and less original
ideas than those same people who might work by themselves. And
so brainstorming would become less than the sum of our parts.
Reading
What is Brainstorming?
Now the reason brainstorming doesn't work returns us to the very first
rule of brainstorming which is ‘thou shalt not criticise’. Because as
studies by Charlen Nehmeth have shown, groups that engage in what
she has called debate and dissent where they’re encouraged to engage in
constructive criticism, they come up with anywhere between 25 to 40
percent more ideas and those ideas are rated as much more original. And
that’s because when we don’t criticise each other, when we all just
pretend every idea is a good idea, we tend to float on the superficial
surface of the imagination. And our free associations, left to their own
devices, are not that interesting so if I ask you to free associate on ‘Blue’
I can predict with a high degree of accuracy, that your first answer will
be ‘green’, followed by ‘ocean’, ‘sky’. And then things get a little more
complicated, you may say, you know, ‘Joni Mitchell’ or ‘Miles Davis’ or
‘jeans’ or ‘smurfs’ but nothing too profound or surprising. (um) And that’s
because our free associations are bound by language, and language is
full of cliches but the way we get past those cliches is to engage in
criticism. You know that is what surprises us, that’s what invigorates us,
that’s what wakes us up, it means we’re really paying attention to the
ideas of other people. It forces us to dig a little bit deeper and that’s
when things get interesting.
Grammar
Modal verbs: Past deduction
We can use modal verbs to talk about how sure or unsure we are about
something in the past just as we use modals in the present with a slight change
in the form.
He must be really happy about his promotion. (present deduction)
He must have been very happy when he was told about his promotion. (past
deduction)
When we use a modal verb to talk about a situation where we are not
expressing a fact but we are using deduction the form is MODAL + have + past
participle
Must have + past participle
We use ‘must have + past participle’ when we are quite sure about something.
He must have forgotten his phone at home again. He’s not answering.
Might have/may have/could have + past participle
We use ‘might have/may have/could have + past participle’ when we are not
sure about something but we think it was possible.
He was supposed to be here an hour ago but he could have been stuck in a
traffic jam.
Can’t have + past participle
We use ‘can’t have + past participle’ for things that we are sure did not happen
in the past.
I can’t have left my phone at work. You phoned me when I was walking to my
car. That’s it. It must be in the car.
Grammar
Modal verbs: Past deduction
Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.
1 - She ___ misunderstood my directions. Why else is she late?

A) must have
B) can't have
2 - He ___ gone to the beach. He hates being in the sun.

A) can't have
B) may have
3 - I ___ written down the number incorrectly. I've just called a

hospital not the restaurant.
A) might have
B) must have
4 - They ___ been at the cafe but I didn't see them.

A) could have
B) must have
5 - John ___ been very happy when he found out he was going to be
a father. He's wanted this for a long time.
A) may have
B) must have www.selexidiomas.com
Unit 5
EATING OUT
Skills:
Describing restaurants, typical dishes, table manners and
etiquette
Expressing preferences and opinions
Ordering food
Vocabulary:
Useful expressions at a restaurant
Grammar:
Reported speech
Listening
Menu
Lunch conversations
Reading
Business lunch etiquette
Speaking
Business meals
Writing
Reporting a conversation
Speaking
Business meals
Why do you think business lunches are so popular?
a Is lunch an important meal for you?
b Do you ever have business lunches?
c Which of the following are most likely to say to a foreign
colleague visiting your country?
I thought you might like to try some of our local cuisine.
I thought we could just grab a quick pizza or something.
I thought we’d just work through lunch and eat later.
d What kinds of restaurants do you like?
Listening
Menu
File Name: 07. Intermediate B 2.43
Listen to the following conversation and role play a similar

situation using the menu below:
Vocabulary:
Description Location Adding emphasis

a superb menu down the road Mm…
a very pleasant five minutes from This is absolutely
atmosphere here delicious
does an excellent round the corner a superb menu

lasagna/ steak, etc
specializes in fish does an excellent

lasagna/ steak, etc
you can get fresh a fantastic view of the

oysters city
a fantastic view of really nice

the city
really nice great news

pretty good
great news
Vocabulary:
Ordering/asking At the table Expressing

for suggestions opinios/
comments
So, what are you Could you pass me Mm, that looks
going to have? one of those…? nice! What is it?
Hmm, I wonder Nice place. Do you come Looks like some kind
what’s in it? here often? of …, only…
I’m not sure. How No, no I insist. You’re Hmm. I don’t fancy it.
about you? my guest. it looks a bit…
Hmm? Oh, sure. I quite like the
Here you are look of this…
Now, what would you like I think I might try
to drink? a bit of that.
This is their standard k I’m allergic to mussels.
menu.
You could try the lamb. That sounds nice.
That’s very good here.
Shall we order a bottle of This is absolutely

the house red? delicious. How’s yours?
Could we order some It all looks very good.
mineral water, too?
Now, how about a Better not. I’m on a diet.
dessert?
And those are the
specials.
So, what do you
recommend?
Well, they do a great
lasagne.
Is there anything you
don’t eat?
I’ll get this.
Reading
Business Lunch Etiquette
Planning a business lunch with a client, co-worker or boss? Well

here are a few things to consider before you do.
You must know the restaurant. If you’re inviting a client for lunch then
this should definitely not be your first visit to the restaurant. Bee familiar
with the seating. Ask if it’s possible to reserve a certain table away from
the restroom, kitchens or front door.
Introduce yourself to the matradee. Know him or her by name. Know

what the noise levels like a lunchtime. You don’t want to shout or raise
your voice when speaking about a sensitive deal. Also you don’t want to
take a vegetarian to a steak house. If anything you’ll be the one making
the sacrifice over the meal choices, not your client or boss.
Eat first, talk business after. Have a little small talk. Get to know each
other. Then dive into business before the meal or after dessert. If your
client wants to dive right in by all means do so.
A few things to remember about the table. Pass the salt and pepper
together, they are married. Do not touch your nose, mouth, teeth, hair or
head at the table. Leave your handbag, keys, cell phone, notes, folders
off the table. If you’re expecting a call relevant to your meeting notify the
table prior to starting lunch. After using sugar place the packets
underneath the saucer and don’t tuck your napkin in your shirt, it must
always be placed on your lap. Don’t push your plate away or start
stacking for the wait staff. If it’s a large party wait until 5 0r 6 people
have been served, then you may begin. If passing food offer to your
neighbour first and remember enjoy yourself.
Reading
Business Lunch Etiquette
True or false?
1 Choosing a restaurant is noy essential. You can go wherever you want

with your guest.
2 It is important to choose a table near the restrooms.
3 You should keep an appropiate voice tone.
4 It is better go straight to business during lunch.
5 Keep your hands on the table.
6 Do not start eating until all the guests have been served.
Listening
Lunch conversations
File name: 07. Intermediate B 2.44 - 2.46
Listen to business people from different countries chatting over

lunch and answer the questions.
Conversation 1
a What is Hiro worried about?
b Hiro uses different

expressions to stop his
colleague choosing the fugu.
Complete them.
Conversation 2
a What is Hans’s problem?
b The Spaniards use different

expressions to encourage. Hans
to try the squid. Complete
them.
Conversation 3
a Why does Louise have a
problem choosing what to eat?
b Jean Claude and Louise

mention lots of different cooking

methods.
Grammar
Reported Speech
If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the
speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect)
speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech
into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on
whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.
Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Simple Present Simple Past

Greg said, "I am an English Greg said that he was an English
teacher." teacher.
Present Continuous Past Continuous

Edward said, "I am watching the Edward said that he was watching
news." the news.
Simple Past Past Perfect

Silva said, "I went to school Silva said that she had gone to
yesterday." school the day before.
Past Perfect
Present Perfect
Captain said that he had built a
Captain said, "I have built a ship."
ship.
Future Tense Future in the past

Eli said, "I will buy the book Eli said that she would buy the
tomorrow" book tomorrow.
Present Perfect Progressive Past Perfect Continuous

She said, "I have been waiting for She said that she had been
two hours." waiting for two hours.
Conditional (Future Possible) Conditional (Present Unreal)

My mom said to her, "If you come My mother told her that if she
tomorrow, I will introduce you to came the next day, she would
my husband." introduce her to her husband.
Conditional (Present Unreal) Present Unreal

Lori said to William, "If you loved Lori told William that if he loved
me, you would say it." her, he would tell her.
Grammar
Reported Speech
Change this direct speech into reported speech:
1. “He works in a bank” She said

__________________________________________________________
2. “We went out last night” She told me

________________________________________________________
3. “I’m coming!” She said

________________________________________________________
4. “I was waiting for the bus when he arrived” She told me

________________________________________________________
5. “ I’d never been there before” She said

________________________________________________________
Reported statements:
1. “You should go to bed early” She told me

________________________________________________________
2. “I don’t like chocolate” She told me

________________________________________________________
3 “I won’t see you tomorrow” She said

________________________________________________________
4. “She’s living in Paris for a few months” She said

________________________________________________________
5. “I visited my parents at the weekend” She told me
________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
Time conversions in Reported speech
now then / at that time
yesterday / that day / Tuesday

today
/ the 27th of June
the day before yesterday / the

yesterday day before / Wednesday / the
5th of December
the night before, Thursday

last night
night
the week before / the previous

last week
week
today / the next day / the

tomorrow
following day / Friday
Writing
Reporting a conversation
Read the dialogue and report it.
Mike: "What are you doing here, Liz? I haven't seen you since June."
Liz: "I've just come back from a business trip in Ireland."
Mike: "Did you enjoy it?"
Liz: "I love it! and the Irish people were so friendly."
Mike: "Did you go to the conference?"
Liz: "Yes, it was my first time. I can show you some pictures. Are
you doing anything tomorrow?"
Mike: "I must arrange a couple of things. But I am free for lunch."
Liz: "Let´s go to a new restaurant close to the office. What time
shall we meet?"
Mike: "Great! I'll be there at 12. Is it all right?"
Liz: "Sure, see you there then!"
Mike asked Liz...
Unit 6
CONFERENCE CALLS
Skills:
Talking about telecommunications
Discussing and holding conferences calls
Vocabulary:
Conference calls expressions
Expressions about doing business
Grammar:
Questions tags
Listening
Conference calls in real life
Reading:
Digital meetings: The growth in video conferencing
Speaking:
The difference between regular and call conferences
Speaking
The difference between regular and call conferences
How different are your meetings from the one you can see in the
picture?
Is teleconferencing the future?
What sort of meetings (if any) do you think absolutely have to be face
to face?
Appraisal interviews - complex negotiations - crisis meetings-

job interviews - multinational team briefings - new product
demonstrations - project meetings updates - routine
decisionmaking - sales presentations - team-building sessions
Reading
Digital meetings
The growth in video conferencing
An increasing number of companies are turning to video conferencing to

bring people together for meetings. Experts predict that in the next 10
years, video conferencing will replace as much as 20% of business
travel. So why has there been such growth in digital meetings?
“The key driver behind our use of video conferencing is cost,” says Martin
Pile, Director of Corporate Communications with a multinational
engineering company. “The technology means that we can save on
airfares and hotel bills. Our people can meet more frequently at less cost.
“Video conferences also enable us to bring together people who would
never meet if the technology was not there.”Fiona Clark, a
communications consultant who advises companies about digital
conferencing solutions, is also enthusiastic. But she sounds a note of
caution.
“Companies have to realize that the technology is not free. Video
conferencing systems are getting cheaper and more reliable, but
companies which want to use them still have to make some kind of
investment. This can be a particular problem for small and medium-sized
companies,” says Fiona.
Reading
Digital meetings
“There’s also the problem of people feeling comfortable with video

conferencing,” she adds.
“Meeting via a video link-up definitely beats discussing issues via
email. But users often find the video conference environment difficult at
first.”
Fiona often recommends companies that adopt video conferencing to
invest in training for the staff who will meet each other digitally.
“People have to realize that a meeting via video conference is not the
same as a face-to-face meeting. People can feel nervous and act in a
different way than usual,” Fiona comments.
“We provide training where we videotape users and get them to notice
their nervous tics on screen. If people play with their hair or put their
hands in front of their mouths because they’re nervous, we can draw
their attention to this and help them to appear more relaxed,” she adds.
“We also advise people to slow down their body language. Hand and body
language can seem more aggressive on screen.”
“And don’t forget that everyone should wear name tags during video
conferences, says Fiona.
Having a video conference may not be as easy as going to a real
meeting, especially at first. But more of our meeting are going to be held
via video link-up in the future. It looks like we’re all going to need some
of that training.
Questions:
Do you agree that having a video conference is more difficult than having
a face-to-face meeting?
According to the article, what are the advantages and disadvantages of

video conferencing?
Can you think of other problems users can have with video conferencing?
Have you ever participated in a video conference? If so, what did you like
or dislike? If not, would you like to?
Vocabulary
Conference calls expressions
Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
agenda - agreed - come - covered - finish - finished - getting

hear - inputs - interrupt - introduce
item - join - leave - meeting - mínimum - objectives - recap
skip - started - time - waiting
a- Sorry, I have a bit of a problem__________ through.

b- We’re just ____________ for Sulliman.
c- Let’s go ahead and start. Welcome to the _______________.
d- Did you all get a copy of the ____________?
e- Before we start, let me _____________ Harek Gorsky.
f- I’ve asked him to _____________ us today because.
g- All right, then, let’s get _________________.
h- As you can see, we have several ____________ today.
i- I’d like to be ____________ by 10.30, if that’s OK.
j- Can we keep our __________ quite short?
k- And let’s also try to keep interruptions to a ____________.
l- Sorry to, ______________ ,but...
m- I suggest we _____________ ítem one on our agenda until…

Vocabulary
Match the words and phrases to make expressions:
This is just If you’re having Problems
The report To negotiate Costs
Email me Was due Reminder
Room Itemised On fees
Fully A quick Yesterday
Quote The delay in estimate
Give Precise Report as an attachment
Set and A rough Getting back to you
Sorry for Breakdown of costs Figures
Send a First draft of the For the project
A detailed Proposal in A budget
Be under Stick to Head office
Get a Pressure from Position is asap
Let me Know what the On schedule

I just missed The deadline

Vocabulary
Expressions with the word business
1 A ....... represents written documentation of the vital issues necessary to convince

investors that a particular opportunity is worthy of investment.
(a) business class (b) business card (c) business park (d) business plan
2 Whether you are looking for a job or running a company, giving out ....... is crucial to
marketing your skills or services.
(a) business studies (b) business cards (c) business hours (d) business plans
Q3 ....... passengers have a lavatory reserved for their exclusive use.

(a) Business hours (b) Business park (c) Business class (d) Business card
Q4 The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center ....... are 8 am 5 pm Monday through Friday.
(a) business hours (b) business cards (c) business suits (d) business parks
Q5 Today, it is rare to see a ....... worn with a waistcoat in North America, although it is
still popular among conservative-minded businessmen in the rest of the world.
(a) business park (b) business card (c) business suit (d) business plan
Q6 "Well here we are rapidly approaching the ....... of the season."

(a) business card (b) business park (c) business end (d) business suit
Q7 The Economics & Business Education Association represents teachers and lecturers
of ....... and related subjects in schools and colleges throughout the UK.
(a) business hours (b) business studies (c) business parks (d) businessmen
Q8 Our ....... attitude is reserved entirely for the way we behave at work.
(a) business wise (b) business card (c) businesswoman (d) businesslike
Q9 We offer ....... e-mail services that give you superior spam and fraud protection and
a custom domain name in your e-mail, all for a reasonable price.
(a) business card (b) business class (c) business end (d) business plan
Q10 Data marts can be a good way to serve the data needs of a particular set of .......
users, allowing specialized functions such as data cleansing, joining, formatting and
transformations to be performed automatically.
(a) business plan (b) business card (c) business end (d) business suit
Listening
Conference calls in real life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ
Watch the video and answer the questions
What are some of the diffciulties people have to face during

conference calls?
What can you do in order to avoid the problems?
Grammar
Question tags
Question tags are short questions at the end of statements.
They are mainly used in speech when we want to:

• confirm that something is true or not, or
• to encourage a reply from the person we are speaking to.
Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the
statement and the appropriate subject.
A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag.

• Jack is from Spain, isn't he?
• Mary can speak English, can't she?
A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag.

• They aren't funny, are they?
• He shouldn't say things like that, should he?
When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form
the question tag with do / does.
• You play the guitar, don't you?
• Alison likes tennis, doesn't she?
If the verb is in the past simple we use did.

• They went to the cinema, didn't they?
• She studied in New Zealand, didn't she?
When the statement contains a word with a negative meaning, the

question tag needs to be positive
• He hardly ever speaks, does he?
• They rarely eat in restaurants, do they?
Grammar
Question tags
Complete the sentences with the correct question tags.
1. Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, isn´t he?

2. The car isn't in the garage, _______?
3. You are John, _______?
4. She went to the library yesterday, ______?
5. He didn't recognize me, _______ ?
6. Cars pollute the environment, ______ ?
7. Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, ______ ?
8. The trip is very expensive, ________?
9. He won't tell her, _______?
10. Hugh had a red car, _______?
Find and correct the mistakes in each sentence.
1. You're Australian, aren't they?

___________________________________
2. You aren't English, aren't you?

___________________________________
3. Mary smokes, didn't she?

___________________________________
4. Sharks don't like vegetables, don't they?

___________________________________
5. Moles can't see, can it?

___________________________________
6. You'll be there, won't she?

___________________________________
Unit 7
NEGOTIATIONS
Skills:
Negotiation techniques
Expressing opinions and making suggestions
Vocabulary:
Useful language for negotiations
Grammar:
Conditionals (revision and third conditional)
Listening:
Delivery charges
Negotiations extracts
Reading:
The IF generation
Speaking:
Making proposals
Writing:
What would you change in your life?
Speaking
Making proposals
A rich friend is offering to give you and your partner $100 if you can
agree how to split it. You are not allowed to split it 50:50. You can’t say
70:30 or 60:40 and make a side deal to adjust the amounts later. You
have one minute to think about what you want and one minute to
negotiate a deal with your partner.
Try to use the following language in your discussion
Make proposals Respond
Let’s … That’s fine with me.
Why don’t we …? OK – it’s a deal!
I suggest we … Maybe another option would be …
I think we should … I think it might be better to …
How about …? I’m sorry – I can’t agree to that.
No way!
Did you and your partner reach agreement? If so, how?

Did you try to win more than your partner?
Did you try to find a way in which you could both feel happy?
Listening
Delivery charges
File name: 07. Intermediate B 16
Viktor, a supplier, talks to two of his buyers, Xavier and Yacoub,

about new delivery charges. Listen to the two negotiations and
answer the questions.
Which buyer is more likely to reach an agreement with Viktor?
How does Xavier respond in the first negotiation?
How does Yacoub respond in the second negotiation?
In the second negotiation, how does Viktor respond to the proposal?
Vocabulary
Useful language for negotiation
What do you say ina negotiation when the other person makes an
offer you don’t want to accept?
Match each sentence 1-10 with a strategy a-h.
a Say that you agree in principle

b Dismiss the offer completely
c Make a neutral response
d Give yourself time to think (two answers)
e Make an alternative proposal
f Stress the benefits of your idea to the other person
g Clarify (two answers)
h Ask for more information
1. There’s no way! None of your competitors charge for deliveries.

2. I see. Well, I can understand your position.
3. How much are you thinking of charging?
4. Do you mean five per cent of the order value on each delivery?
5. Let me think…
6. Here’s another idea. How about a flat rate of – say…
7. You’d gain because you wouldn’t have to deliver so often.
8. So you’re saying you’d be willing to buy in larger quantities?
9. I’ll need to do some calculations to see how that would work.
10. It sounds like a reasonable idea, but…

Reading
The IF generation
Before reading the text, discuss these questions:
1. Is it difficult for you to make decisions?

Do you often look for the opinions of other people before you decide on
something?
2. Are you the kind of person that looks for excuses when it comes to
doing things that need a lot of effort? (ex. giving up smoking, exercising
regularly, learning a foreign language on a daily basis etc.)
3. Do you regret not doing something in the past because you know that
if you had done it, your present life would be better?
4. How do you understand the quote by Sun Tzu:

Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?
THE IF GENERATION
Nowadays, many people have issues with appreciating what they have; it
is always the matter of ‘If I were richer…’, ‘If I were younger…’, ‘If I were
him…’ etc. I don’t have a problem with the fact that we want more from
our lives; what annoys me is the fact that we keep
saying what we would do ‘IF …
When I was younger, I thought that if my parents had been richer I could
have been more fortunate with my life. I was losing my time on thinking
that if I had been born in the family of my cousin, I would have enjoyed
private tennis lessons, skiing holidays in Austria or expensive, fashionable
clothes. What I didn’t take into consideration back then was the fact
that I didn’t really like sport, I absolutely hated skiing and expensive
clothes often covered the lack of personality. In other words,
I was jealous of the things that I didn’t want in reality.
Reading
The IF generation
Nowadays I keep finding myself the new ‘ifs’ that can successfully keep
me away from being happy. I think that if I had more time, I would start
going to the gym; if I had more money, I would eat healthy etc. Result?
An overweight 30-year-old woman, always complaining about how
difficult life is.
But the problem of ‘ifs’ doesn’t finish here. We tend to overuse the 1st
conditional in quite straightforward situations. ‘I’ll visit you if I have time’
usually means ‘I won’t visit you, I’m busy’ or ‘I will lend you the money if
I can’ equals: ‘ I will not lend you the money, don’t put me in an
uncomfortable situation’. Why do we choose to send confusing messages
when we can simply say what we think? We have to be not only
politically correct anymore, we must be socially correct too.
Answer:
1. Is the author annoyed with the fact that nowadays people don’t
appreciate their lives?
2. Does the author regret not being able to train tennis?
3. Does the author think that expensive clothes may compensate for an
uninteresting character?
4. Is the author physically fit?

5. Is the author happy with her life?
6. Does the author think that people often say things which they don’t
mean?
Listening
Negotiation extracts
File name: 07. Intermediate B 2.52

File name: 07. Intermediate B 2.53
Listen to an extract from a negotiation and complete the notes.
Mammoth construction PLC

Schumman Tender:
Our original bid: 7.8 m Euros
Client counter-offer: ______________ Euros.
Project to be completed within _______________
Plant to be operational by ______________
Our revised bid:
___________________ euros in advance
__________________ euros mid-contract
__________________ euros on completion
TOTAL: ________________ euros
Schedule overrun penalty: ________________
euros per week
Listen to another negotiation extract and complete the

notes.
Smart Move PLC: The communication skills specialists

Telesales training ( 2–day seminar)
NO. seminars: ________________ over ______________
month
period
NO. trainers: ________________ to be approved
Max. NO. participants per seminar: _____________
Full fee: _____________ (pound)

Discount: _________________% = _____________ (pound)
Final fee: ___________________ (pound)
___________% none-refundable deposit = ___________
-(pounds)
Do you think you´ve just listened to a win-win negotiation?

Grammar
Conditionals
Verb Tense of "if" Verb Tense of

TYPE When We Use It
clause "then" clause
1st The if Clause

Present or Future,
Is True
Simple Present Depending on the
in the Present or
Context
the Future
a) If I have a problem tomorrow, I'll call you.
Action Verbs:
2nd The if Clause Is
Simple Past
Not True
would + base form
in the Present or
'be' verbs:
the Future
were
a) If I were you, I would take the job.
The if Clause Is
3rd would + Past
Not True Past Perfect
Perfect
in the Past
a) If he had been honest*, he would have been happier.
* He wasn't honest, and he wasn't happy.

Grammar
Conditionals
Practice 1
1 He almost fell from the balcony. I'm sure that if he had fallen, he
(break)___________ his leg or something.
2 If I leave now, I (be) __________ home in two hours.
3 If you (like) ____________ , I'll lend you my car for two days.
4 If we increased the price, we (run) _____________ the risk of pricing

ourselves out of the market.
5 If you (ask) ___________ your boss, I'm sure he would have

considered your proposal.
Practice 2
1 That was a bad decision. If I (be) _________you, I would change it as

soon as possible.
2 Sunshine - at last! Imagine if the English weather was like this all the
time. (it/not/be)___________ wonderful?
3 He's usually pleasant, but when he's tired he (be) __________ pretty
short-tempered. That's the way he is.

4 If you (not/be) ___________ so stubborn you would find it a lot easier
to keep your friends.
Grammar
Conditionals
Practice 3
1- If I ....... you, I wouldn't risk it.

(a) had been (b) am (c) would be (d) were
2- If they had waited another month, they could probably ....... a

better price for their house
(a) would get (b) had got (c) have got (d) could get
3- It's quite simple really. When it's cold, water ........

(a) froze (b) has frozen (c) freezes (d) had frozen
4- If he decides to accept that job, he ....... it for the rest of his life.
(a) has regretted (b) had regretted (c) is regretting (d) will
regret
5- If you ....... of applying for that job, my advice is: forget it.
(a) are thinking (b) will think (c) will be thinking (d) would think
6- If he hadn't been driving so fast, he ....... have hit the motorcyclist.

(a) didn't (b) hadn't (c) wouldn't (d) hasn't
7- ....... he been more careful, he would have spotted the mistake.

(a) Were (b) Had (c) Has (d) Is
8- If she goes on passing her exams, ....... soon be qualified to practise

as a lawyer.
(a) she's (b) she had (c) she has (d) she'll
Writing
Regrets
Are you happy with your life?
Do you have any regrets?
What would you change in your life if you could?
Write about the biggest regret you've had in your entire life. What led up
to this occurring and what was the aftermath? What have you learned
from this situation and how have you applied it to what you do
now?
Unit 8
MAKING PLANS
Skills:
Discussing future plans
Speaking:
Planning activities
Vocabulary:
Idioms for traveling
Grammar:
Future forms
Listening:
Arranging to meet
Reading:
Travel plans
Writing:
Planning a business trip
Speaking
Planning activities
Discuss:
Are you free this Friday?
What are you doing this weekend?
Are you busy tonight?
Do you have time after class?
Listening
Arranging to meet
Listen to the conversation and write the plans of the speaker 1

and speaker 2.
Today Tomorrow
9:00 _______________________________________________
10:00 _______________________________________________
11:00 _______________________________________________
12:00 _______________________________________________
13:00 _______________________________________________
14:00 _______________________________________________
15:00 _______________________________________________
16:00 _______________________________________________
17:00 _______________________________________________
18:00 _______________________________________________
19:00 _______________________________________________
20:00 _______________________________________________
21:00 _______________________________________________
22:00 _______________________________________________
Vocabulary
Idioms Travel and transport
1) Jump on the A)You are asking them to do nothing that might

bandwagon cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
2) In the same
B)A person who is doing things in the wrong order.
boat
3) Miss the boat C) Two or more parties are in the same unpleasant
or difficult situation.
4) (not) rock the D)If a person or organization decide to do
boat something w hen it is already successful or
fashionable.
5) Paddle one's E) A person w ho always makes sure they gain
own canoe advantage in a business deal.
6) Cart before F) You do what you want to do without help or
the horse interference from anyone.
7) Drive a hard G) To do something that greatly annoys or irritates
bargain you.
8) Drive up the H) A passenger in a car w ho gives unwanted
wall advice to the driver.
9) Backseat driver I) You begin a journey.
10)Highways J) You take large and small roads to visit every
and byways part of the country.
11) My way or K) You are telling that person that either they
the highway accept what you propose or they leave the project.
12) Hit the road L) You fail to take advantage of an opportunity
because you don't act quickly enough.
13) On the home M) Someone who finds it difficult to stay in one

stretch place and likes to travel and discover new places.
14) Itchy feet N) You are approaching the end of something such
as a task, a race or a journey.
Reading
Travel plans
Read the text and match the advertisement with the text (1-2).
1 When you are travelling with children, family holidays need

planning. We organise clubs, activities and supervision for
children of all ages. As a result, they have a great time and you
don't have to worry about a thing. Children love our holidays, and
we love having them along. All our childcare staff are English
speaking and have a great number of fun ways to keep children
happy. During the morning and afternoon they organise nature
walks, face painting, singing sessions and games on the beach.
Older children learn how to sail, snorkel, try their hand at
windsurfing, practise football, or learn to play volleyball.
2 With over 30 years' experience in the Alps, we know what

makes a great holiday. We choose the best Alpine resorts, with
lots of snow for you to enjoy. Our hotels are warm, welcoming
places that combine hotel-style comforts with the relaxed
atmosphere of a chalet. Some hotels are for adults, while others
also offer childcare. You'll find good food, wine and company at
all hotels.
Reading
Travel plans
Read the brochure again and write which holiday (1-2) the following
questions refer to.
1. What time do activities for kids start every morning?

............................................................................
2. Do we need to bring our own skiis?

............................................................................
3. What other languages do nannies speak?

............................................................................
4. Are there any vegetarian dishes?

............................................................................
5. Can 7-year-olds go snowboarding?

............................................................................
Vocabulary
Phrasal verbs for travelling
Get away: to leave to go somewhere often for a break or holiday.
Look forward: to excited about something that is going to happen.
See off: to go to the place that someone is leaving from to say

goodbye to them.
Take off: when an aircraft leaves and begins to fly.
Check in: to register at a hotel or airport.
Look around: to look at what is near you, in your area.
Get back: to return.
Complete these sentences with the correct phrasal verb. Change

the tense when needed:
1. I'm so exhausted. I think it's time for a holiday, I really need to

_______________ away.
2. We have to _______________ at the hotel after 12PM.
3. Are you _______________ to going back to Cape Town?
4. I need to _______________ my Mum at the airport, she is going to

New York.
5. Let's have a _______________ the village before we have dinner.

6. What time does the plane _______________?
7. I _______________ to London on July 4th.

Grammar
Future tenses
going to- Simple Present Future

will-future
future Present Progressive Progressive
planned
action in
future
prediction, the future action will
action planned
assumption definitely
is fixed action in
logical happen (it
(e.g. the near
spontaneou consequen usually
timetab future
s action ce (sth. is happens)
le)
going to
happen)
Grammar
Future tenses
Match 1–8 with A–H.
1 There’s been a change of plan. H

2 We’ll need to leave here at about 7.30.
3 I didn’t do very well in my exams.
4 You’d better bring some sun cream.
5 I forgot that it’s Amy’s birthday today!
6 Oh no! Look at the traffic.
7 Tomorrow is the last day of term.
8 Sorry, I can’t come to the cinema tomorrow evening.
A We’re going to be late!

B The doors open at 8 o’clock.
C I’m babysitting for my neighbour.
D But I’m going to study much harder this year.
E It’s going to be really hot today.
F All classes will finish at 1 p.m.
G I’ll send her a text message.
H We’re meeting at 12 instead of 1.30.
Put the sentences in the correct future simple form; will, going
to or present continuous.
a. I/have/a party/for my birthday.

b. When/you/see/the doctor?
c. I am hungry. I/get/ a sandwich.
d. I am thirsty. I/buy/ a bottle of water.
e. Where/you/go/for your honeymoon?
f. I/study/English because I want a good job.
g. I/start/my course/on 5th April, next month.
h. Where/you/go/this summer?
i. Can you lend me some money? I/pay/you back/tomorrow.
j. I/ travel/ around the world one day.

k. I/ work/ tomorrow.
l. My friend/ go back to/ Italy on Friday.
m. I/ see/ you/ later.
n. You/ do anything/ on Saturday?
o. Yes, I/ see/ a friend.
p. It looks very much like it/ rain.
q. I’m sure/ he/ pass the exam. He studied very hard
Writing
Business trip
Read these extracts from interviews with people about their

business trips. Then look at the words in bold in each extract and
find six pairs of opposite phrases. The first one has been done as an
example.
You are going to write about a business trip.

• Where and when did you go?

• Why did you go?
• How did you go? Did anything interesting happen during the
journey?
• Who did you meet?
• What happened during the trip?
• What happened later, as a result of your trip?
• Have you learned anything from the experience?
IRREGULAR VERBS LIST
Infinitive Past Simple Past Participle

be was / were been
become became become
begin began begun
bring brought brought
buy bought bought
choose chose chosen
come came come
do did done
drink drank drunk
drive drove driven
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
feel felt felt
find found found
fly flew flown
forget forgot forgotten
get got got (gotten in USA)
give gave given
go went gone
have had had
hear heard heard
keep kept kept
know knew known
leave left left
lend lent lent
let let let
lose lost lost
make made made
meet met met
pay paid paid
put put put
read (pronounced read (pronounced
read
/red/) /red/)
run ran run
say said said
see saw seen
sell sold sold
send sent sent
sing sang sung
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
speak spoke spoken
stand stood stood
swim swam swum
take took taken
teach taught taught
tell told told

think thought thought
understand understood understood
wear wore worn
write wrote written
LANGUAGE REFERENCE
Unit 1:
Useful vocabulary to connect ideas in a presentation:
another important thing is …..

it can make a real difference because
what can make a real difference is….
I think….. is pretty important too.
It helps if … but it’s not essential.
What you need most of all is ….
You don’ need … as long as…
Relative clauses
Defining relative clauses are

used to specify which person or
thing we mean.
Who or that are used for
people. Whichor that are used I have a friend who / that speaks
for things. five languages.
We don't use commas in a She showed me the

defining relative clause. coat which / that she had bought.
Non-defining relative clauses (extra Mr Fry, who speaks five languages,
information clauses) are used to works as a translator for the EU.
add extra information to a Mr Fry, that speaks five languages,
sentence. works as a translator for the EU.
We use commas in a non-defining The area, which has very high

relative clause. unemployment, is in the north of
the country.
Who is used for people. The area, that has very high
Which is used for things. unemployment, is in the north of
That cannot be used. the country.
Relative clauses – common mistakes
Common mistakes Correct version Why?
The man who was The man who was sitting After a relative clause
sitting next to me he next to me had a brown we do not repeat the
had a brown jacket. jacket. subject (the man, he).
The book what I

bought was by The book that I bought Only that or which are
Edward Lear. was by Edward Lear. possible, NOT what.
He lent me the book, He lent me the A relative clause can

which I found it very book,which I found very have only one direct
useful. useful. object.
The winner, that was That cannot be used in a

25, will receive The winner, who was 25, non-defining (extra
$12,000. will receive $12,000. information) clause.
Our office is about

two kilometres from Our office, which I share
the centre, which I with my two colleagues, A relative clause follows
share with my two is about two kilometres the noun (office) to
colleagues. from the city centre. which it refers.
Vocabulary:
Graphs and trends
Increase
Fall
Improve
Decrease
Recovery
To level off
To bottom out
Fluctuate
Peak
Remain
Go up/ down
Rise
Plateau
Decline
Climb
Drop
To be steady
• to increase • to remain (unchanged) • to decrease • to go up •
to be steady • to go down • to rise • to plateau • to decline • to
climb • to drop
Sharp
Dramatic
Gradual
Significant
Slight
Unit 2
A global mindset (the language of meetings )
Useful language for meetings:
As a matter of fact Clearly Essentially Frankly

If you ask me In short In theory Incidentally
Luckily On the other hand Overall Strangely
enough
Personally To be honest However, By the way Actually

Obviously Fortunately In general To sum up Technically
Verb + object + to + infinitive
After some verbs we use the They helped their neighbour to

structure someone + to + fixhis car.
infinitive. She asked me to give her some
advice.
Verbs which can be followed by He told his assistant to send the
this form include advise, ask, parcel.
allow, expect, encourage, force, She persuaded him to have
help, invite, order, persuade, lunchwith her.
need, tell. We need someone to help us.
The negative form is object + She advised me not to sell my

not + to + infinitive. house.
Verb + to + infinitive
We use to + infinitive after

certain verbs, including agree,
arrange, decide, offer, seem, I have decided to lend him the car.
plan, want, need, promise, He offered to help me.
hope, refuse. He promised not to say anything.
We also use to + infinitive after

these structures: ask someone He told me to go there.
to, tell him to, want her to, etc. She asked me to help her.
Verb + -ing
We use a verb in its -

ing form after certain verbs,
including avoid, admit, can't
stand, deny, dislike, enjoy,
hate, like, love, I enjoy going to the cinema.
mind andpractise. I don't like living in a city.
I'm looking forward to seeing you.

The -ing form is used after He insisted on seeing the shop
prepositions. manager.
Unit 3: email writing
Vocabulary:
copies receipts figures record letters report

diagrams invoices trade journals contracts
memos mail Post it* forms questionnaires
Prepositions:
Agree, apologise, think, hear, refer For, about, about, with, to

Rely on- combine with- consist of- advise on- succeed in- budget
for- spend on- account for- compete with- invest in
accordance account addition agreement behalf case effect

favour pressure regard terms touch view

Unit 4: HANDLING problems
Prefixes
1-UNRELIABLE 2-INFLEXIBLE 3-DISORGANISED 4-IMPATIENT
5-IRRESPONSIBLE 6-UNCREATIVE 7-INCONSISTENT 8-UNINSPIRING
9-UNCOMMITTED 10-IMPRACTICAL 11-INARTICULATE 12-DISHONEST
13-IRRATIONAL 14-INDECISIVE 15-UNSUPPORTIVE 16-INCOMPETENT
17-UNASSERTIVE 18-UNSOCIABLE 19-INCONSIDERATE 20-UNCOMPETITIVE
21-A CREATIVE 22-INFLEXIBLE 23-SUPPORTIVE 24-INCOMPETENT
25- 26-DISORGANISED 27-COMMITTED 28-INDECISIVE

INCONSIDERATE
29-INSPIRING 30-UNRELIABLE 31-CONSISTENT 32-UNCOMMITTED
33-COMPETITIVE 34-UNSOCIABLE
Collocations connected with:

People and products (p= product, s= service)
Structures of past tense passive forms
past simple passive
I was told about it yesterday.
present perfect passive
He's (he has) been fired from the company.
past perfect passive
I'd (I had) been given the money by a friend.
past continuous passive
The room was being decorated.
Past passive forms – common mistakes
To make a past passive

form we usewas/were +
This problem solved This problem was past participle of the
last week. solved last week. verb.

form we usewas/were +
This problem was This problem past participle of the
solve last week. wassolved last week. verb.

form of a continuous
tense we use was/were

My car was repairing My car was being + being + past participle
at that time. repaired at that time. of the verb.
To make a passive form

of the perfect tense we
usehave/has/had +
She has already be She has been + past participle of
invited. already beeninvited. the verb.
Unit 5: Business lunch etiquette
Vocabulary:
Description Location Adding emphasis

a superb menu down the road Mm…
a very pleasant five minutes from This is absolutely
atmosphere here delicious
does an excellent round the corner a superb menu

lasagna/ steak, etc
specializes in fish does an excellent

lasagna/ steak, etc
you can get fresh a fantastic view of

oysters the city
a fantastic view of really nice

the city
really nice great news
pretty good
great news
Reported Speech
We use a 'reporting verb' like 'say' or 'tell'.
Tense Direct Speech Reported Speech
She said (that) she

present simple “I like ice cream”
liked ice cream.
“I am living in She said (that) she

present continuous
London” was living in London.
She said (that) she

had bought a car OR
past simple “I bought a car”
She said (that) she
bought a car.
She said (that) she

“I was walking along
past continuous had been walking
the street”
along the street.
She said (that) she

present perfect “I haven't seen Julie”
hadn't seen Julie.
She said (that) she

“I had taken English
past perfect* had taken English

lessons before”
lessons before.
She said (that) she

will “I'll see you later”
would see me later.
“I would help, She said (that) she
would*
but..” would help but...
She said (that) she

“I can speak perfect
can could speak perfect
English”
English.
She said (that) she

“I could swim when I
could* could swim when she
was four”
was four.
She said (that) she

shall “I shall come later”
would come later.
She said (that) she

“I should call my
should* should call her
mother”
mother
She said (that) she

might* "I might be late"
might be late
She said (that) she

must study at the
"I must study at the weekend OR She
must
weekend" said she had to
study at the
weekend
* doesn't change.
Reported Questions
Grammar form:
Wh-questions
Direct Question Reported Question
“Where is the Post Office, She asked me where the Post

please?” Office was.
She asked me what I was

“What are you doing?”
doing.
“Who was that fantastic She asked me who that

man?” fantastic man had been.
Yes-no questions
Direct Question Reported Question
“Do you love me?” He asked me if I loved him.
“Have you ever been to She asked me if I had ever

Mexico?” been to Mexico.
She asked me if I was living

“Are you living here?”
here.
Reported questions - common mistakes
The word order in

She asked me why She asked me why I reported questions
did I work so much. worked so much. is:subject + verb.
Yes-no questions
(closed questions)
begin with if when
She asked me it was She asked me if it was they become reported
raining. raining. questions.
If the reporting verb

(in this case ask) is in
the past tense, we
usually change the
tense of the verb
which follows:
I am ⇒ I was
She asked me if I I can ⇒ I could
have been to She asked me if I had have been ⇒ had been
Bristol? been to Bristol. was ⇒ had been
She asked me what She asked me what will ⇒ would
I do for a living. Idid for a living. can ⇒ could
Reported Requests
Direct Request Reported Request
“Please help me”. She asked me to help her.
“Please don't smoke”. She asked me not to smoke.
“Could you bring my book She asked me to bring her book

tonight?” that night.
“Could you pass the milk,

She asked me to pass the milk.
please?”
“Would you mind coming She asked me to come early

early tomorrow?” the next day.
Reported Orders
Direct Order Reported Order
“Go to bed!” He told the child to go to bed.

“Don't worry!” He told her not to worry.
“Be on time!” He told me to be on time.
“Don't smoke!” He told us not to smoke.

Time Expressions with Reported Speech
Sometimes when we change direct speech into reported speech we have

to change time expressions too. We don't always have to do this,
however. It depends on when we heard the direct speech and when we
say the reported speech.
For example:
It's Monday. Julie says "I'm leaving today".
If I tell someone on Monday, I say "Julie said she was leaving today".
If I tell someone on Tuesday, I say "Julie said she was
leaving yesterday".
If I tell someone on Wednesday, I say "Julie said she was leaving on
Monday".
If I tell someone a month later, I say "Julie said she was leaving that
day".
So, there's no easy conversion. You really have to think about when the
direct speech was said.
Possible conversions:
now then / at that time
yesterday / that day /

today
Tuesday / the 27th of June
the day before yesterday / the

yesterday day before / Wednesday / the
5th of December
the night before, Thursday

last night
night
the week before / the

last week
previous week
today / the next day / the

tomorrow
following day / Friday
Unit 6: Conference calls
Doing business: expressions with the word business

business plan
business cards
Business class
business hours
business suit
business end
business studies
businesslike
business class
business end
MODALS: PAST REFERENCE
Should have:
expressing unfulfilled obligation in the past
Structure:
should + (not) have + past participle of verb
We use should have to say that You should have told them the truth.
someone didn't do something, but You shouldn't have gone there – it was
it would have been the correct a mistake.
thing to do it. I don't think you should have done it.
We often use should have to

express regret about the past, or I’m sorry for shouting at you –
to say that we made a mistake. I shouldn’t have raised my voice.
May, might, could: probability in the present
Structure: modal verb + verb infinitive without ‘to’

may be, might do, could go, etc.
They may be arriving tomorrow.

We use may, could or might to He might be away on holiday at the
say that it is possible that moment.
something will happen in the He could be away on holiday.
future or is happening now. He might get the job.
The negative of may is may not.

The negative of might is might
not.
Both may not and might He might not get the job.
not mean that it is possible that I may not pass the exam.
something will not happen or is I might not go to the match
not happening now. tomorrow.
We don’t use could not to express probability in the present and

future.
I couldn’t go to the match tomorrow.
Must have, can't have, couldn't have: past probability
Structure: modal verb + have + past participle

must have been, can't have gone, couldn't have gone, etc.
We use must have to express

that we feel sure that They must have left early.

something was true in the past. He must have already gone.
We use can't have or couldn't He can't have escaped through this

have to say that we believe window – it’s too small.
something was impossible in She can't have said that.
the past. She couldn't have said that.
Must have, can't have, couldn't have:
expressing past probability
Structure: modal verb + have + past participle

must have been, can't have gone, couldn't have gone, etc.
We use must have to express

that we feel sure that They must have left early.
something was true in the past. He must have already gone.
We use can't have or couldn't He can't have escaped through this

have to say that we believe window – it’s too small.
something was impossible in She can't have said that.
the past. She couldn't have said that.
May / might / could have: expressing past probability
Structure: modal + have + past participle

may have been, could have gone, might have lost, etc.
We use may have, could

have, might have to say that it He may have missed the bus.
was possible that something The road might have been blocked.
happened in the past (but we (= ‘I think the road was blocked,
are not 100% sure). but I’m not 100% sure.’)
He may not have left yet.

The negatives are may not I might not have given her the
have andmight not have. money; I’m not sure.
We don’t use couldn’t have in I could not have given her the
the same way. money, I’m not sure.
Unit 7: Dealing with negotiations
Structure of second conditional
positive negative question
I wouldn't refuse if you

offered me $10,000.
I would be surprised if
If I had more time, he didn't come.
I'd travel more.
wouldn't = would not What would you say if
I'd = I would didn't = did not you met the President?
Structure of third conditional
positive negative question
If I'd (I had) known

you were coming, I If she hadn't (had not) Would you have told
would have waited been ill, she would have me if you'd (you had)
for you. gone to the cinema. known about it?
Audio scripts
2.26
Extract 1
It’s a joke, really, this idea that everyone’s opinion is valued. I mean,
how much can you disagree with the boss? After, all, she’s the boss!
Extract 2
You often leave a meeting not really knowing what you’re supposed to do
next, what the action plan is. I usually end up phoning people afterwards
to find out what we actually agreed.
Extract 3
Nobody seems to come to the meeting properly prepared. If you want a

copy of the report, they don’t have it whit them. Need to see the figures?
They’ll get ‘back to you. It’s hopeless?.
Extract 4
You often get several people all talking at the same time. So no one’s
really listening to anyone else. They’re just planning what they’re going
to say next. It’s survival of the loudest!.
Extract 5
They’re usually badly organized. Nobody sticks to the point. People get
sidetracked all the time. It takes ages to get down to business. As they
say: ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’.

Extract 6
You know even before you begin who’s going to argue with who. The
facts don’t seem to matter. It’s all about scoring points, looking better
than your colleagues and impressing the boss.
Extract 7
I try to stop them over-running We sometimes hold meetings without

thairs.
That speeds things up a lot! I’ve even tried showing the red card to
people who won’t shut up, like in football. Not popular.
Extract 8
Well, to be honest, everybody knows we don’t actually decide anything in

meetings.
The boss already knows what he wants to do anyway!
2.27
Extract 1
A Okay, You’ve all had a chance to look at the quarterly sales figures.
B Yes, They’re terrible.
A Agreed, but if I could just finish. We’re 30 % down on projections. The

question is why?
C Can I just come in here? It seems to me that our marketing strategy is

all wrong.
B Now, just a minute. Are you trying to say this is our fault?
C Well, what else can it be? We’re offering generous discounts…

B Look, sorry to interrupt again, but…
C No, hear me out. We’re offering very generous discounts to our biggest
customers as part of our introductory offer. And sales are still slow.
Something’s going wrong, and I say it’s the marketing.
B Well, if you ask me, the problem is the product itself.
C And what is wrong with the product?
BabySlim is an innovative addition to our product line.
B Innovative, yes. But there is no market for diet baby food. I said so at
the very beginning. Who’s going to admit they’ve got a fat baby?
A You know, maybe she has a point…
2.28
Extract 2
A So, that’s the position. The company has been officially declared
bankrupt.
B Yes.
A And our chief executive officer has been arrested on charges of

corruption.
B Yes.
A Of course, our company president has been on television to make a

public apology.
B Of course.
A But there was nothing he could do.

B Of course not. Gentlemen, it is a black day in our company’s proud
history.
A Yes. A very black day. Very, very black.
C Can I just come in here?
B Please, do
C Well, it’s just a suggestion, but shouldn’t we all be looking for new
jobs?
2.29
Extract 3
A Now, just a minute, just a minute!
B There’s no way we’re going to accept this”!
A Could I just…?
B They can’t make. English the official company language!
A Could I just…?
B If head office thinks we’re all going to speak English from now on…
A Could I just finish what I was saying?
B Franky, it’s bad enough that we have to speak English in these

meetings.
A Please! Let me finish. No one is suggesting we can’t speak our own

language.
B But that is exactly what they are suggesting!
C Can I just say something?

B Go ahead.
C Well, as I understand it, this is only a proposal at this stage.
A That’s precisely what I was trying to say –before I was interrupted.
B Now, hang on a second…
C If I could just finish. .. The idea is to introduce English gradually over

the next two years…
B Oh, no! Not while. I’m in charge of Human Resources.
A Yes, well, that brings us on to item two on the agenda restructuring

the Human Resources department.
2.35
Extract 1
A Okay, we both know the problem.
Basically, we can’t get retail stores to stock our new product. They say
it’s too expensive. So the question is: how do we get access to the
customer?
B What if we offered it on a sale or return basis?
A No, I don’t think so. If we did that, we’d just create cash flow problems
for ourselves.
B Hmm. Well, another option would be to sell it direct online.

A It’s a possibility, but I really don’t think we know enough about e-

commerce to take the chance. And if we start bringing in Internet
specialist, we could end up spending a fortune.
B Of course, we wouldn’t have this problem if we’d priced the product

more sensibly in the first place.
2.36
Extract 2
A Right our objective for this meeting is to think of ways we can get the
supplies we need. As I’m sure you’ve all heard, our sole supplier is
about to go bankrupt!
B Hopefully, it won’t come to that, but if it does, we’ll certainly have to

act fast.
Suppose we bought the company out?
A What and took on all their debts? I don’t think so.
C Alternatively, we could just manufacture our own components. I’ve

spoken to our technical department. They say they can do it.
A Yes, but do you have any idea how long it would take to get an in-
house production facility operational?
C Well, what choice do we have? Unless we do something. We’ll be out of

business within six months!
B What I want to know is why our suppliers didn’t tell us they were in
trouble. If we’d known this was going to happen, we could have had our
own production plant up and running by now.
2.37
Extract 3
A What I want to know is: how do we maintain our profit margins with
labour costs rising the way they are?
B Well, it seems obvious, but how about raising prices? I mean, even
with a 2 % price rise, we’d still be very competitive.
C No, I’m afraid that’s not an option. This is an extremely price-sensitive
market.
B I know that, but what else do you suggest? If we don’t cover our costs
we’ll soon be running at a loss.
A Now, let’s not panic. The answer could be to shift production to

somewhere like South-East Asia. We’ve talked about it before.
C And close down our plants here?
Wouldn’t it be easier if we just tried to renegotiate with the unions – get

them to accept a lower pay offer?
A If we’d been able to get the unions to accept a lower pay offer, John,
we wouldn’t be considering outsourcing to Asia.
2.38
Extract 4
A Now, what on earth are we going to do about all this unsold stock
piling up in the warehouses? If we don’t move it pretty soon, there’ll be
no space for new product. And we’ll be left with a lot of old product
nobody wants! So, ideas? Anybody?
B Well, in my opinion, our product development cycle is way too short.

Why don’t we delay the new product launch to give us time to sell
existing stock?
A This is a technology-driven business, Robert. If we don’t continually

upgrade our product, the competition will.
B And if we didn’t all keep upgrading every three months, we wouldn’t

have this problem!
C Wait a minute, wait a minute! This old stock, couldn’t we just sell it off
at a discount to create space for the new stuff? Say , 15 %?
A I’d rather not start talking about a 15 % discount at this stage if you
don’t mind.
C Well, if we’d discounted it scones we wouldn’t have had to be so

generous now.
2.44
Conversation 1
A …So, Hiro. What’s this fugu? It’s a kind of fish, isn’t it?
B Ay yes. Er, it’s rather unusual, er…
A Traditional Japanese dish, eh?
B Yes, but, er, it’s a little exotic. You may not like it.
A No, no, I like trying new things. Fugu sounds good to me.
B I think you’d prefer something else.
Fugu can be … a little dangerous.
A A bit spicy, you mean? Don’t worry about that. I love spicy food.
B No, not spicy. It’s, er…It’s poisonous.

A It’s what?
B Poisonous.
A Poisonous?
B If it isn’t cooked the right way, yes.

A Well, I…
B Some people love it. And this is a very good restaurant, but 30 people
die every year from bad fugu. Really, I think you should try something
else.
A Yeah, well sure. I think you’re probably right. Maybe I’ll have the
tempura instead.
B Yes, tempura. Much better idea, David.
2.45
Conversation 2
A Now, Hans, we thought you might like to try the local speciality.
B Ah, yes?
C Yes, it looks a little strange at first. But you’ll love it. You like shellfish,
don’t you?
B Well. I like prawns. And the mussels we had the other day were
excellent.
C Then you’ll really enjoy this. It’s squid.
B Squid?
C Yes, like octopus, you know?

B Yes, I know what squid is.
C Ah, but this is not just squid.
B No?
A No, this is something really special. It’s served in its own ink – as a
sauce.
B It’s served in ink?
A Yes, you know, the black liquid that squid make.
B Erm, yes. It sounds a bit … Actually. I hope you don’t mind, but could I
just have something a bit simpler?
C Well, if you’re sure you don’t want to try it. It’s really very good.
B Yes, I’m sure it is, but, erm…
2.46
Conversation 3
A Now, is there anything you don’t eat, Louise?
B Well, I am on a special diet at the moment. Jean-Claude. I hope that’s

not a problem-.
A No, of course not. This is a very good menu. I am sure we can find
something you’ll like. What can’t you eat?
B Well, I can’t eat anything fried. In fact, no fat at all. Nothing made of
pastry or cooked in oil. No red meat, of course.
Not too much sugar. I can eat white fish but only boiled.
A What about the chicken here? That’s very plain and simple.
B Is there a sauce on it?
A Yes, it’s a delicious cream and wine sauce.
B No cream, I’m afraid.

A No cream?
B Or wine. I’m not allowed any alcohol at all. Not that I drink much
anyway.
A I see. Well, I’m sure they’ll serve it without the sauce.
B Hmm. How’s the chicken cooked?
A Er, it’s roast chicken. I imagine.
B I can only have grilled.
A I’ll ask them to grill it.
B Hmm. I’d prefer fish really.
A Well, how about the trout?
B Is it boiled?
A No, baked in the oven.
B Hmm. I may not like it. What does it come with?
A It come with potatoes and fresh vegetables.
B Oh, I can’t eat potatoes. All that carbohydrate! Vegetables are okay.
But no beans and…
2.47
Extract 1
A Excuse me, Mr Kessler. Mr Gorsky has joined you.
B Ah, thank you. Hello, Jarek.
C Hello, Peter. Sorry I had a bit of a problem getting through.

B That’s okay. We’re just waiting for Sulaiman.
He’s emailed to say he’s gone down to Port Rashid to see what’s
happening with our deliveries and he’ll phone in on his mobile from there.
So, let’s go ahead and start. Welcome to the meeting, everyone. Did you
all get a copy of the agenda?
Good… Okay, before we start, let me introduce Jarek Gorsky. Jarek is the
new chief engineer at our sister company in Warsaw. I’ve asked him to
join us today because I’d like his input on how we handle some of these
changes to specifications the client is asking for.
C Hello, gentlemen.
B All right, then let’s get started. As you can seel, we have several
objectives today.
The main one, of course, is to agree an action plan that will get us back
on schedule within the next three months.
I spoke to Mr Al-Fulani yesterday and explained the situation. He’s

prepared to give us another few weeks to sort out our present difficulties
and I have assured him that that is what we will do. I’m sure I don’t need
to remind you what’s at stake here. Now, I’d like to be finished by 10.30,
if that’s okay, so can we keep our inputs quite short? And let’s also try to
keep interruptions to a minimum…
D Er, Peter, Sorry to interrupt, but I suggest we skip item one on our
agenda until we hear from Sulaiman.
B Yes, I think that would be best. Let’s move straight on to item two…
2.48
Extract 2
D So just to recap on what we’ve said.
There are some problems we did not foresee between our two main work
teams. There’s been a language barrier.
Our German engineers and Polish workers are speaking mostly German…
The Pakistanis are more comfortable in English and are also having some
difficulty with our work patterns, which are different from what they are
used to in Dubai.
B Thanks Ernst…Okay, so, are we all agreed that we need some onsite
training to resolve this problem? Can I hear your views, please?
D I agree.
E Agreed
F Yes, I agree.
C Yeah, I think so.
B Fine
A Excuse me, Mr Al-Fahim has joined you.
B Ah, thank you. Hello. Sulaiman. How are things at the port?
G Hello, Peter. Not good, I’m afraid. The bad weather here has
completely closed the seaports at Jebel Ali and Port Rashid. Nothing is
either going in or coming out at the moment. I have my Pakistani team
standing doing nothing while we wait for 800 window units and until
those are fitted, we can’t complete the wiring and plumbing in the hotel
complexes.
B Don’t we have backup supplies in place for a situation like this,

Sulaiman?
G I’m sorry, peter, This weather is really most unseasonal and we
simply could not be fully prepared for it.
B Sorry, Sulaiman, I can’t hear you very well.
G Oh,… Is that better?
B Much better, thanks.
E Er, could I just come in here?
B Karim?
E Yes, it’s just that I want to say this is not only a cultural and supply
problem.
We have had so many changes to specifications –changes almost every

week now. The client just keeps changing his mind. And this is making
life very difficult for us all.
F Karim’s right. We’ve had to keep revising our work schemes to cope
with all the changes.
B Yes, it’s a good point. I’ll certainly bring all these changes to the
attention of M. Al-Fulani when I next speak to him.
They ‘re not in our original contract…
Right, we’re running short of time. I think what’s needed here with all
these delays and changes of plan is a fresh look at this entire project on
a logistical level. Ernst, Jarek, can I leave that with you?
C Okay, Peter.
D Yes, sure.
B And keep me posted. I’m beginning to think we may even need to

renegotiate our contract with Mr. Al-Fulani. Okay, I think we’ve covered
everything for now. Let’s schedule another meeting for next week. I’ll
email you the details. We’ll have to finish there. Thanks everybody.
2.49
Speaker 1
Spend as much time as possible at the outset getting to know exactly

who you’re dealing with. Inexperienced negotiators tend to go straight in
there and start bargaining. That may be okay for a small, one-off deal,
but it’s no way to build a long-term business relationship. So create
rapport first. This could take several hours or several months!
When you’re ready to start negotiations, make sure you agree on a

procedure before you begin. And while they’re setting out their proposals,
don’t interrupt. Listen. And take notes. Then have lunch! Don’t be
tempted to make your counter-proposals and enter the bargaining phase
until after a good, long break. You’d be surprised how much you can find
out over a decent meal.
Bargaining, of course, is the critical phase, but it can be surprisingly

quick. If it isn’t, break off and fix another meeting. Don’t try to run
marathons. When you do finally get to the agreement stage, agree the
general terms, but leave the details to the lawyers -that’s what they’re
there for. Close on a high note and remember to celebrate!
2.50
Speaker 2
Prepare thoroughly. If you don’t, you won’t know whether to accept an

offer and may end up actually arguing with your own side, which is
suicide in a negotiation. So, make sure you establish all the points you’re
going to negotiate and have a clear idea of your opening, target and
walk-away position on each. Your opening position, or OP, is our initial
offer – on price or whatever.
Your TP, your target position, is what you’re realistically aiming for. And
your WAP, or walk-away position, is the point at which you walk away
from the negotiating table.
Always be prepared to do that. Know what our fallback position, or FBP,

is – what you’ll do if you don’t reach an agreement.
Some people call this your BATNA, your best alternative to a negotiated
agreement.
You nearly always have a BATNA, however undesirable. But if you really
haven’t got one, you’d better be good at bluffing or you’re going to lose
big time!
2.51
Speaker 3
Ideally, a successful negotiation is a kind of joint problem solving

meeting where we identify each other’s interests, wants and needs, and
then explore the different ways we could satisfy those. I say ‘ideally’,
because it hardly ever is like that. Win- win negotiation is a great idea,
but most people have a simple I’ win – you lose’ mentality.
So what do you do with the person who simply won’t listen, who keeps
interrupting, who becomes aggressive, who makes last-minute demands,
who won’t make a decision? I must have read dozens of books on
negotiation tactics. The problem is, so has everybody else. So they don’t
really work. My only advice is: don’t get personal – ever; don’t agree to
anything until you’ve discussed everything; don’t make any concessions
without asking for something in return; ask lots and lots of questions;
and don’t give in to pressure. Remember, if the answer must be now, the
answer must be ‘No’.
File name: 16 Int Business Intermediate B
Conversation 1
Viktor: Well – the thing is – we need to discuss the delivery terms. Up

to now, we’ve always included free delivery in the price. But
unfortunately, our transport costs have risen so much in the las few
months that we’re now going to have to charge for delivery.
Xavier: Pay for deliveries? There’s no way! None of your competitors

charge for deliveries!
Viktor: Not for the moment, no. But we think they’ll have to take a
similar step very soon.
After all, their costs have risen just as much as ours!
Xavier: In the meantime it’ totally unacceptable.
We’ll have to switch to another supplier if you insist on this.
Conversation 2
Viktor: Well – the thing is – we need to discuss the delivery terms. Up

to now, we’ve always included free delivery in the price. But
unfortunately, our transport cost have risen so much in the last few
months that we’re now going to have to charge for delivery.
Yacoub: I see. Well, I can understand your position. But how much
are you thinking of charging?
Viktor: We’d like to propose five per cent on each order.

Yacoub: Do you mean five per cent of the order value on each
delivery?
Viktor: Yes, that’s right.
Yacoub: Let me think … Here’s another idea. How about a flat rate of –
say 20 euros per delivery?
That way, we could save money by ordering less frequently and by

ordering larger quantities. And you’d gain because you wouldn’t have to
deliver so often. And you could carry more in each load which would be
economical.
Viktor: Hmm … so you’re saying you’d be willing to buy in larger

quantities?
Yacoub: With the flat rate, we’d have the option to save money by doing
that, yes.
Viktor: Well, it sounds like a reasonable idea…
But I’ll need to do some calculations to see how it would

work.
Infinitive Past Simple Past Participle
be was / were been
become became become
begin began begun
bring brought brought
buy bought bought
choose chose chosen
come came come
do did done
drink drank drunk
drive drove driven
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
feel felt felt
find found found
fly flew flown
forget forgot forgotten
get got got (gotten in USA)
give gave given
go went gone
have had had
hear heard heard

keep kept kept
know knew known
leave left left
lend lent lent
let let let
lose lost lost
make made made
meet met met
pay paid paid
put put put
read (pronounced read (pronounced
read
/red/) /red/)
run ran run
say said said
see saw seen
sell sold sold
send sent sent
sing sang sung
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
speak spoke spoken
stand stood stood
swim swam swum
take took taken
teach taught taught
tell told told

think thought thought
understand understood understood
wear wore worn
write wrote written
Email writing:
Useful phrases and vocabulary
Salutations When you don’t know the name:

Dear Sir or Madam
To whom it may concern
Hello
(no salutation)
When you know the name:
Dear Mr, Mrs, Ms…
Dear John
Hello Pat
Hi Mary
Hey John
Mira
(no salutation)
When writing to a group:
Dear all
Hi everyone
Opening Thanks (very much) for your email.

sentence This is to say thanks for your email.
Replying to an
email:
Opening I’m (just) writing to… clarify…
sentence Just a (quick) note to… confirm…
Just a short email to… inform you…
Giving a
follow up on…
reason:
let you know…
reply to…
request…
tell you…
thank you…
update you…
Attaching files I’m sending you/attaching…

I’ve attached…
Please find attached…
I’m sending you the price list/document as an
Attachment.
When things go I’m afraid you forgot to attach the file/…

wrong: I’m afraid I can’t open the file/document. Can/Could
You send it again in… format, please?
Making I am interested in receiving/finding out…

enquiries I would like to receive…
We would be grateful if…
Could/Can you please send me…?
Please send me…
Would you be able to (help)…?
Can you help?

I’d appreciate a reply asap.
Please answer asap.
Replying to an Thank you for your interest.
enquiry I’m pleased to send you…
I’m sending you…(in an attachment)
Please find the requested information attached.
We hope you find this satisfactory.
We hope you are happy/satisfied with this.
Thanks for choosing…
When there will be a delay:
Your request is being processed.
We are working on your request.
Informing I’d like to inform you of…

Just a few comments about your last mail:
I’m writing to tell you about/let you know…
Just a note to say…
Here’s the low-down on…
Just to update you on…
FYI: This is to let you know…
Hope this helps…
Let me/us know if you need anything else.
Requesting Have you…yet?

action Can you send…to me by Friday, please?
I need…by Thursday.
Please get/keep in touch.
Keep me posted.
Replying Thanks for your email…
In reply to your email, here are…
Re your email, I…
You’ll find informationattached.
I’ll get back to you asap…
I’ll follow up the points mentioned in your
email…
Making Just a quick note to arrange a time to meet.

arrangements I’m writing to set up/arrange…
How/What about Tuesday?
Is…OK?
Where should we meet?
Should I pick you up at/from…?
Could you collect me at…?
Confirming I’d like to confirm…

arrangements Just writing to confirm…
Tuesday is good for me.
Please send me an email by 5 pm today to confirm
this.
Looking forward to seeing/meeting…
Changing I’m sorry but can’t do/make Thursday.

arrangements This is to let you now that I’ve had to put
off/postpone…
I’m writing to call off/cancel…
I’m afraid I can’t make/manage Friday. How

about…instead?
Giving good I am/We are pleased to inform you…
news I’m happy to tell you…
You’ll be happy/delighted to hear that…
Giving bad We regret to tell/inform you…

news I’m sorry, but…
Unfortunately,…
Complaining I’m writing to complain (about…)

We’re not happy with…
I was disappointed to find/hear…
I’m afraid that…
Unfortunately,…
Apologizing For a delay in answering

I do apologize for the delay in replying.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
Sorry this is so late.
For not being able to help:
Sorry, I don’t know
I’m afraid I can’t help you.
For something more serious
We must apologize for…
We deeply regret…
My sincere apologies (close)
We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Please accept our apologies.

I’m so sorry…
Friendly ending I look forward/Looking forward to hearing from
When you want you/to you reply
Hope to hear from you soon.
a reply:
I’d appreciate a reply asap.
Offering more Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any

help: assistance.
Feel free to get in touch…
If you have any other questions
If you need more help
With any questions
Let me know if you need anything else/if I can help
you further.
General Thanks for your help/cooperation.

Hope all is well with you.
Have a nice day/weekend!
Close Yours sincerely

Kind/Best regards
Regards
Best wishes
All the best
Best
See you (soon)
Take care
Bye (for now)
(just the name or initials)

(no close)
Useful verbs (in context)
To apologize I’d like to apologize for any

inconvenience caused.
To appreciate We’d appreciate a reply…/I’d

appreciate it if you could send me…
To arrange I’m writing to arrange a

meeting…/Can you arrange for
somebody to collect me…?
To ask (if) Could ask you to send me…?/This is

to ask if you could…
To assist Please let us know if we can assist

you in any way.
To clarify I am writing to clarify the terms of

the agreement.
To complain I’m writing to complain about…/I’m

afraid must complain about…
To confirm I’d like to confirm my booking/the

date of our next meeting.
To contact Please contact Mr… at our London

office.
To enquire I’d like to enquire about…

To follow up Just wanted to follow up on that
unpaid invoice.
To get in touch Please get in touch (with me) asap.
To inform FYI: This is to inform you

that…/inform you of a problem…
To let sb know Can you let me know the price

of…?/This is to let you know that
we…
To need I need those figures on my desk

before tomorrow’s meeting.
To postpone I’m afraid we’ve had to postpone the

conference.
To put off Sorry, but we’re going have to put

off the meeting till next week.
To receive We’ve just received the invoice…
To regret We regret to inform you that…
To reply I am writing to reply to your enquiry

about…
To send We are sending you the handbook as

an attachment.
To touch base Just wanted to touch base with you

before the meeting.
To update This is to update you on the Johnson

account.
To write I’m writing to let you know…

Abbreviations and acronyms
Common abbreviations:
& (ampersand) and
+ and/plus
Ad(vert) advertisement
Am in the morning
Appt appointment
Asap as soon as possible
At the mo at the moment
Eg for example
Etc etcetera/and.so on
Ie in other words
Info information
Pls please
Pm in the afternoon
Re regarding/about
Rep representative
Rgds regards Jan January
w/e weekend Feb February
wk week Mar March
yr year/your Apr April
Mon Monday May May
Tues Tuesday Jun June
Wed Wednesday Jul July
Thurs Thursday Aug August
Fri Friday Sept September
Sat Saturday Oct October
Sun Sunday Nov November
Dec December
Email, chatroom, and text-messaging:
FAQ frequently asked questions

Thx thanks
TIA thanks in advance
IMO in my opinion
CU see you
FYI for your information
BTW by the way
Fwd forward
LOL laughing out loud
2 to
U you
RU are you

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BOOKLET

Watch the video and discuss the question below:

Discuss which of the following would you definitely want to

• the title of subject of your talk

The following quotes are considered “disruptive quotes in

• Why do you think they are so influential in business?

What’s necessary to make an effective presentation?

To be a good presenter, you need:

appearance contact humour knowledge talk

attitude language preparation visuals voice

clearly quickly pause emphatic

k how….. you speak

At which step in the presentation would you use each phrase?

a my second point is…

Structure for a short presentation:

Connecting ideas in a presentation:

• I think… is pretty important too.

Should luxury goods firms go into the hotel business?

GIORGIO ARMANI is already one of the most diversified brands in fashion.

1- Giorgio Armani is one of the most traditional brands in

4- A strong product image is only possible at a fashion

Most common types of charts:

Verb Noun Adjective Adverb

Choose the correct words in italics to complete the report.

Complete the collocations by writing the nouns in the right boxes.

a graph a point an issue figures jokes questions

make (a)​ describe​ (d)​

address (c)​ field (f)​

Defining relative clauses are used

Mr Fry, who speaks five

Complete the following sentences using relative clauses:

A teacher is a person who teaches students.

A construction worker is _____________________________________

Choose the correct relative pronoun (who, which)

1. This is the man ______________ saved the kid.

2. The writer ____________ that article won the Nobel prize.

3. He bought a car _____________ 10 years old.

4. He was wearing a sweater ___________ made in Norway.

5. She drank the juice ___________ she made.

Prepare a 3-minute presentation giving an overview of your own

More topics for a presentation:

see point give have show mean

How to improve your language in a presentation?

Talking about visuals:

You have been asked to give a presentation at a local

- Agreeing to give the presentation

Complete and discuss the statements below:

chat criticize discuss exchange find make waste

a An ideal opportunity to _____________ points of view.

b The best place to ______________ key decisions.

c A safe environment in which to ________________ important issues.

d A rare chance to _______________ with people from other departments.

e The only way to _______________ out what’s really going on.

f An open invitation to ______________ each other.

g The perfect excuse to _______________ an entire morning!

What do you think makes an effective meeting in a multicultural context?

2. The Purpose of Meetings

s, 7)‘let’s get down to business’. Western meetings generally 8)run to

3. Meeting Etiquette and Mannerisms

5. Take a Relaxed Approach to Meetings

Read the text again and complete the chart below:

Word/expression Paraphrases Examples

4) Not all cultures live by the clock

make (a) describe (d)

address (c) field (f)