Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Introduction
Who is Business Goals Workbook 2 for?
Business Goals Workbook 2 provides a clear focus on Business English for Pre-intermediate students, either studying independently or with a teacher. It is especially useful for those students who wish to take the BEC Preliminary exam. Its recommended for use with Business Goals Students Book 2.

What are the aims of Workbook 2?

Preparing for BEC Preliminary
All the reading, writing, speaking and listening activities in Business Goals Workbook 2 are based on tasks found in Cambridge ESOLS Business English Certificate Examination. This is so that when you have completed Business Goals 2 you will be prepared for an examination that will provide you with an internationally recognised qualification in Business English. Preparing for a Cambridge ESOL examination is very useful even if youre not interested in actually taking the test because the skills required to successfully pass the examination are essential for effective communication in the workplace. As well as providing extensive practice of BEC Preliminary task types, tips are also given in Business Goals Workbook 2 on examination strategies both at the preparation stage and for taking the exam itself. BEC Preliminary is suitable both for students who may be studying business, but have not yet had any work experience and for those already in the workplace. It tests the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking and covers general business topics, vocabulary and business skills such as note-taking and letter-writing. These examinations are recognised by many employers all over the world and BEC Higher is accepted by many UK universities as a suitable entry requirement for business study courses.

Skills development
The workbook contains strategies for improving performance in one of the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with a range of strategies to help you deal effectively with everyday business tasks. Each unit starts with listening and reading activities. These activities are used to provide ideas and language for the productive writing and speaking tasks at the end of each unit.

Becoming a more independent learner

There are frequent error-awareness building activities to help with self-correction. You are also encouraged to find the answers to listening activities yourself by reading the transcript rather than relying on the answer key. There are opportunities for you to compare your own performance with model speaking and writing answers and to re-draft your oral presentations, emails and letters so that your production becomes more fluent and accurate.

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Map of the Book

Unit 1 Greeting visitors page 6 Skills Listening to greetings Reading short notices and messages Listening for names and numbers Making arrangements Giving a mini-presentation Matching sentences Understanding short conversations Reading for factual information Taking notes Giving a mini-presentation Writing a company profile Reading job advertisements Reading a job reference Taking notes Listening to a talk Speaking about yourself Discussion practice Reading job applications Writing a letter of application Listening to short conversations Reading for specific information Listening for specific information Reading about product information Describing problems Giving a mini-presentation Listening to short conversations Interpreting information Listening to opinions Looking at a report Writing emails Pairwork discussion Reading comprehension Reading notices Following instructions Checking information Writing memos Giving a mini-presentation Taking messages Reading for detailed factual information Listening to phone messages and taking notes Giving a mini-presentation Writing internal emails Related BEC Exam tasks Listening part 1 Reading part 1 Listening part 2 Writing part 1 Speaking part 2 Reading part 2 Listening part 1 Reading part 4 Listening part 2 Speaking part 2 Writing part 2 Reading part 1 Reading part 6 Listening part 2 Listening part 3 Speaking part 1 Speaking part 3 Reading part 7 Writing part 2 Listening part 1 Reading part 2 Listening part 2 Reading part 4 Writing part 1 Speaking part 2 Listening part 1 Reading part 5 Listening part 4 Writing part 1 Writing part 2 Speaking part 3 Reading part 6 Reading part 1 Listening part 2 Listening pat 4 Writing part 1 Speaking part 2 Listening part 1 Reading part 4 Listening part 2 Speaking part 2 Writing part 1

Companies page 10

Occupations page 14

Products page 18

Comparing services page 22

Office systems page 26

Phone messages page 30

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Unit 8 Appointments page 34

Skills Listening to a discussion on diary appointments Transferring information Writing an email Pairwork discussion Listening and taking notes Looking at text structure Listening to opinions Writing a short email Pairwork discussion Reading an article Listening to offers and requests Opening and closing letters Giving a mini-presentation Listening to numbers Interpreting visual information Listening for specific information Selecting information Pairwork discussion Reading for specific information Understanding the writers purpose Taking notes Using an appropriate style Giving a mini-presentation Reading invitations Meaning from context Phoning to follow-up Using an appropriate style Giving a mini-presentation Interpreting visual information Looking at text structure Interpreting visual information Writing an email Pairwork discussion Listening to short conversations Reading for specific information Listening for specific information Writing an email Giving a mini-presentation

Related BEC Exam tasks Listening part 3 Reading part 7 Writing part 1 Speaking part 3 Listening part 2 Reading part 6 Listening part 4 Writing part 1 Speaking part 3 Reading part 4 Listening part 1 Writing part 2 Speaking part 2 Listening part 1 Reading part 3 Listening part 2 Writing part 1 Speaking part 3 Reading part 2 Reading part 5 Listening part 3 Writing part 1 Speaking part 2 Reading part 1 Reading part 7 Listening part 2 Writing part 1 Speaking part 2 Listening part 1 Reading part 6 Reading part 3 Writing part 2 Speaking part 3 Listening part 1 Reading part 5 Listening part 3 Writing part 2 Speaking part 2

Meetings page 38

10

Negotiating page 42

11

Money page 46

12

Marketing page 50

13

Networking page 54

14

Trends page 58

15

Presenting information page 62

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

UNIT

Greeting visitors 1
Listening focus 1: greetings

For questions 14 you will hear four short recordings. For each question, circle one letter (A, B or C) for the correct answer. Play the four recordings twice. A 6.00 B 9.00 C 9.30

1 What time did Michelle Roberts flight arrive?

2 When did the man last visit Spain? A one month ago B three months ago C six months ago 3 What is Ben Harveys job? A Marketing Manager B Marketing Controller C Marketing Assistant 4 Where does Hannah Kohler work now? A Berlin B Frankfurt C Hamburg

Follow-up
Were there any words you didnt understand? Was this because: 1 they spoke too quickly? ACTION:

Focus on KEY information. Dont try to understand every word. Practise listening to small chunks (phrases/sentences) of English. You will soon get used to the rhythm of spoken English. Use a vocabulary book and write new words in it.

2 you didnt know the words?

ACTION:

b Look at the transcript on page 66 and underline the words which gave you the answers to 14.

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Language focus

Complete the following questions using the words in the box. Is 1 2 first? 3 4 5 6 you arrive in Paris last night? this your first time in Oslo? you know Martin Hammond? you staying in Italy for long? 3 Are Do Did Have Would

We will boarding Priority only accept claims for travel andfrequent fliers travelling in any class All accommodation expenses with receipts attached. the plane first. are invited to board A You can only claim expenses for items on the attached list. B Send in hotel bills and travel tickets with your expenses form. C You can claim for all travel and accommodation expenses. Securityboarding Priority notice Passengers on all internal flightsany class All frequent fliers travelling in must now invited to board the plane first. are have photographic ID. A Passengers must show their identity card at security gates. B Proof of identity with a photograph is required on internal flights. C There are new security arrangements on all external flights.

you met Robert before? you like to go to your hotel

a Write a follow-up question for each of the conversations. Example A: How long have you worked here? B: Ive worked here for two years. A: Where did you work before? 1 A: How often do you travel abroad? B: About four times a year. A: 2 A: Have you been to France before? B: No, this is my first time. A:

Listening focus 2: names and numbers

Listen to the sentences and write down the: a times 1 b prices 1 2 2 3 3 c surnames 1 2 3

3 A: Does Emilia Johansson still work here? B: No, she left a few months ago. A: ? b If you have a partner, practise the conversations.

Reading focus: understanding short notices

Look at questions 13. In each question, which sentence is correct? For each question, circle one letter (A, B or C). Priority boarding Priority boarding All frequent fliers travelling in any class All frequent fliers travelling in any class are invited to board the plane first. are invited to board the plane first.

Look at the notes below. Some information is missing. You will hear a woman telling a man about changes in a schedule. For each question 15, fill in the missing information in the numbered space using a word, numbers or letters. Play the conversation twice.

NAME: (1) Mr Jake (1) NAME: TIME ARRIVING: (2) (2) TIME ARRIVING: FLIGHT NUMBER: (3) (3) YH FLIGHT NUMBER: HOTEL: (4) HOTEL: (4) PHONE NUMBER: (5) (5) 00 PHONE NUMBER: Unit 1 Greeting visitors 7

1 Which passengers receive priority boarding? A Frequent fliers with any type of ticket. B Frequent fliers in first class. C All passengers flying business class.

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Follow-up
Did you get the answer to number 2 right? In question 2 you have to choose from three different times which are all close together. Look at the transcript on page 00. Underline the time which gave you the answer. Circle the other two times which are not the answer. You have to be careful to focus on the information you need. Also notice that Sally says gets in meaning arrive.

Writing focus: making arrangements

a Read this email and underline the phrases for: 1 explaining why you are writing 2 suggesting 3 requesting

Dear Ulrika Im writing because Im planning a trip to Stockholm from June 22nd until June 25th. Id like to meet you then to discuss plans for the sales conference in October. Would lunch on the 24th be convenient for you? Id be grateful if you could suggest a good restaurant as I dont know Stockholm very well. I look forward to meeting you in June.

b Are the following phrases used for explaining why you are writing, suggesting or requesting? 1 Would it be possible for you to ? 2 The reason Im writing is to 3 Would you mind phoning the client? 4 How about ing? 5 Im writing because I need to 6 Would the 15th suit you?

You are planning a business trip to London soon. Write an email to your business contact there: explaining why you are writing suggesting dates for your trip asking him/her to make the hotel arrangements. Write 3040 words.

Check you have included all the information required and check you have written between 3040 words.
Model answer page 75

TIP

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Speaking focus: giving a mini-presentation About the exam

In part 2 of the BEC Speaking test you have to give a mini-presentation. You can choose from two topics and you will have one minute to prepare your talk. Your mini-presentation should last about one minute.

a Look at the prompt card. What do you think? Make some notes. b Read the mini-presentation about business trips and decide which word in 18 does not fit. Two of the words are possible.

Arranging a foreign business trip Planning Gifts Business Cards

WHAT IS IMPORTANT WHEN?

Arranging a successful business trip requires (1) careful / good / more planning. Its very important to (2) decide / arrange / focus on why you are making that trip and what you want to (3) deal / achieve / know by the end of it. If you havent planned your (4) schedule / timetable / resources carefully, you could end up wasting a lot of time. And time is (5) money / precious / difficult as we all know. I dont always take gifts with me on foreign business trips. It depends where Im going. If Im visiting an important (6) client / contact / personnel for the first time, Id always take a gift, but on (7) regular / routine / formal visits its not necessary. Business cards are (8) essential / impressive / important. I always refer to peoples business cards when Im writing my reports and following up on new contacts. I meet so many people on my trips that I wouldnt be able to remember them all otherwise.

Listen and circle the words you hear.

WHEN? WHAT IS IMPORTANT
itors to your office Welcoming foreign vis Hospitality Small talk Cultural awareness

a Look at the prompt card and prepare a similar mini-presentation. b Give a one minute presentation. c If you have a partner, ask them to listen to your mini-presentation or record yourself.

When preparing your mini-presentation, dont write complete sentences. You will lose marks if you read your presentation to the examiner. Just make brief notes and use them to guide you.
Model answer CD Track 11

TIP

Unit 1 Greeting visitors 9

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

UNIT

Companies 2
Language focus Reading focus 1: matching

a Match 17 to the words ag with a similar meaning. 1 building 2 plant 3 representatives 4 Human Resources 5 firm 6 site 7 retail outlet a shop b location c Personnel d company e factory f agents g construction

a Match the business categories ag to the descriptions 17. a building maintenance services b business hospitality services c courier services d credit and finance companies e employment agencies f printers g security services 1 organises activities such as visits to sporting events for clients 2 provides systems to protect companies from burglaries 3 finds staff to fill job vacancies for companies 4 lends money to companies 5 looks after, repairs and redecorates properties 6 transports documents and other goods 7 produces brochures and other documents for companies

b Complete the following sentences using the words above. 1

I work for a large insurance firm/company based in Paris.

The where we manufacture our goods is on a huge industrial estate.

I work as a surveyor in the industry.

I work in the department as a trainer.

b Look at the needs of the following companies and decide which business categories ag from 2a they will need to contact. 1 C & H Building Society needs to install closed circuit TV cameras and update their alarm system. 2 Northern Bank wants to organise an entertainment programme for some important visitors. 3 Fast Print is interested in getting a commercial loan to invest in new printing equipment. 4 Stow Couriers Ltd wants to recruit some long-distance lorry drivers. 5 Griffin Office Services needs some important business documents delivered within 24 hours.

We use in our overseas markets to manage our business for us.

We need to find a which has good transport links for our new Head Office.

Our fashion franchise business has recently opened a new .

10

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Listening focus 1: understanding short conversations

For questions 13 you will hear three short recordings. For each question, circle one letter (A, B or C) for the correct answer. Play the three recordings twice. A Purchasing B Sales C Accounts

1 Which department does the woman work in?

2 What does the company specialise in? A exports B consulting C the tourist trade 3 What type of buildings does the firm of architects design now? A houses B office blocks C public buildings

Notice that the TIP answer is often not the exact word you see in the question, but a word which has a similar meaning. In question 1, the woman says, shes responsible for buying office supplies. Buying means purchasing.

b Look at the transcript on page 67 and underline the words which gave you the answers to 13.

Reading focus 2: reading for factual information

Read the newspaper article below about a food manufacturer. Are sentences 14 Right or Wrong? If there is not enough information to answer Right or Wrong, choose Doesnt say. For each sentence 14, circle one letter (A, B or C).

Groupe Danone
Groupe Danone is a leading worldwide food manufacturer focused on three product categories: fresh dairy products, bottled water and biscuits. After selling off its other product lines in recent years, these three categories now make up 97% of its total sales. Groupe Danone is the worlds largest producer of fresh dairy products. Its bottled water includes two of the worlds best known brands, Evian and Volvic, and accounts for a third of Groupe Danones revenue. 70% of sales in this sector are of local brands, such as Wahaha, the market leader in bottled water in China. Groupe Danone employs over 92,000 people in 120 countries and has an annual turnover of more than 13 billion euro.

Its a good idea to underline the parts of the text which give the answers.

TIP

1 Groupe Danone used to sell a wider range of products. A Right A Right A Right B Wrong B Wrong B Wrong C Doesnt say C Doesnt say C Doesnt say 2 Groupe Danones dairy products are sold under several different brand names. 3 Groupe Danone operates only in Europe.

Unit 2 Companies 11

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-61467-2 - Business Goals 2 Workbook Amanda Thomas Excerpt More information

Listening focus 2: taking notes

Look at the notes below. Some information is missing. You will hear a telephone conversation between a journalist and a receptionist talking about a training company. For each question 15, fill in the missing information in the numbered space using a word, numbers or letters. Play the conversation twice.

b Look at the transcript on page 67 and underline the words which gave you the answers to 15.

ESTABLISHED IN: NAME OF MANAGING DIREC TOR: (4) CURRENT NUMBER OF EMPL OYEES: (5)

TYPE OF BUSINESS:

NAME OF COMPANY:

(1) People programmes

(2) Staff Development (3) 19

Speaking focus 1: talking about companies

a Look at the transcript again. What does the journalist say when he doesnt hear one of the answers? b Here are two more ways to ask someone to repeat something. Put the words in the correct order. 1 catch Sorry, didnt I that 2 that could Sorry, say again you ?

If you dont understand something, dont be afraid to ask the person to repeat what they said.

TIP

c Match the type of companies 15 to the descriptions ae. 1 a firm of auditors 2 a retail company 3 a market research company 4 a warehouse storage firm 5 a subsidiary a a company that sells goods in shops b a company that checks the accounts in other companies c a company which rents out space for storing things d a company which is owned by a larger organisation e a company which provides information about markets for other companies d Explain in your own words what the following companies do. import business estate agency wholesaler

If you dont know the word for something, you can explain it in a simpler way.

TIP

12

Cambridge University Press

www.cambridge.org